//------------------------------// // Episode 35: So While You Were Sleeping...(Applewood Arc Finale) // Story: Life of a Wanted Changeling Season 3: Tyrants, Terrorists, and Tiaras, Oh My! // by Down with Chrysalis //------------------------------// Opening Theme: Erised the ink-moth's Comment "What the buck happened!?" you shout, seeing the knights already defeated and detained, and your allies looking ragged as Tartarus. "It's a long story." Maud tells you. "And we'd love to tell you all about it. But could somepony please get me down from here first?! I'm not a pinata!" Flash yells as he fruitlessly flails his arms and wings. Aqua takes pity on the stallion and cuts him down with a water slice. But unfortunately for Flash there was nothing below him to cushion his fall, so when Aqua sliced the rope holding him... *Bonk* "Ohhhh...my head...." Well let's just be glad he has a thick head. Flash gets up and shoots a quick glare towards Aqua before shaking his head and saying, "Thanks. Now as for what happened..." THE FIRST OF MANY FLASHBACKS FOR THIS CHAPTER * For the sake of avoiding headaches, italic text will only be used when they're explaining something in the flashback, the rest of the flashback will remain as normal text "After you conked out on us, things were getting pretty dicey. The three of us got split up in the fighting; Aqua and Maud were keeping Rutherford busy, leaving me with the timberwolf. It was intense. I didn't even have a weapon with me, so all I had to fight back with was my agility, speed, and skill with my bare hooves." "All very important things when you're being chased around like a scared rabbit." Aqua cuts in. "GET BACK HERE YOU STEREOTYPING WAIFU STEALER!" Solar roars as he wildly claws after Flash, who's ducking over and around props while sprinting for his life. "I only said you could use a breath mint!" Flash weakly tries to defend himself, "It was a battle quip! I didn't know timberwolves were sensitive about their rancid garbage breath!" "I brush my teeth every day!" Solar shouts and continues to chase him. "Feel my minty-fresh fury!" Flash keeps running, barely looking where he's going before a giant shadowy tail nearly crushes him flat. Looking up he sees he's right underneath the Nightmare robot, still flailing its tails and sweeping with its claws across the floor in a frenzy. Flash hears Solar bearing down behind him and gulps. "You know what they say about being stuck between a rock and a hard place? Try a meat-grinder... and another meat-grinder. Right as Solar reaches him and winds up for a slice with his sword, Flash jumps into the frantic mess of nightmare tails and starts jumping, ducking and dodging for all he's worth. Surely no one could hate his guts enough to risk getting smashed to- Oh dear Celestia, Solar comes rushing in after him! "So there I was, struggling to not get hit. All of my training could never have prepared me for-" "Meanwhile, back the the important ponies." "Hey!" "While powerless pegasus over here was distracting Solar, Maud and I were trying to finish off Rutherford. He was tough, but I knew that nothing could defeat sensei." "Sensei!" Aqua screams while Maud takes a direct hit from Rutherford's water jet and slams through several scenery backdrops before finally cratering in the far wall. Aqua throws a wave of water back at the wyvern as a distraction while she goes to her master; thankfully Maud seems perfectly unharmed. "Sensei, why are you holding back so much? With your strength the fight could be over by now!" Maud just turns a stare at her. But there's something in her eyes this time: an honesty she'd held back before. "Because I won't. After your training was complete, and you departed to seek your own path, I decided to seal away my power. I no longer wish to call upon the strength you remember." Aqua stammers, flabbergasted. "I- but you- why would you do that?" "Because my student, the one lesson I did not teach you... is that there's more to life than being strong. I sealed away my power so I could finally live my life as a normal mare, and follow my true passion." Maud tells her. "My true passion is for rocks. I like rocks." "A-hem!" Rutherford grabs their attention, "Not that I don't enjoy some sage wisdom now and then, but are we going to fight or what?" Aqua steps forward and summons her water whips, filled with a new determination as she and her enemy get into their battle stances again. "I have to admit, sensei gave me a lot to think about in that moment. But rethinking my goals in life would have to wait until after the fight, assuming I still had a life to live." END OF 1ST FLASHBACK "Look, that's really great and all," you interrupt, "but none of that explains why you're covered in feathers, why you were hanging upside down, and why Maud is missing her mane!" "CV has a point." Maud tells them, "Maybe we should get to the good part. It happened when those two directors decided to join the fight. It was quite a twist... and there were lots of explosions." You gain a confused look at this as you ask, "Okay, so what happened?" Maud gives you a blank look before she says, "We had just regrouped and..." 2ND FLASHBACK IS A-GO Ruteherford's Comment Solarkness and Rutherford stood against Flash and Aqua looking rather beat up. Sol's wood is lined with deep gashes and is splintered in many places while Rutherford's wing membranes have a few holes and he's missing some scales. Aqua and Flash, however, are in much better shape. Aqua gives a smug smile as she says, "Give it up. You two can't keep up with us." Rutherford just growls in annoyance before gaining a smug look as he says, "I guess you are right. We can't win in our current state. If only we had a healer with us. Oh wait!" Rutherford takes in a deep breath and breathes out a purple flame that surrounds him and Solarkness. When the flame goes away, they look to be back at full health. Flash and Aqua's eyes widen in surprise as Rutherford calls out, "We do!" Aqua growls in annoyance and gets ready for another fight as she says, "Buck me running!" Flash, however, just looks around in confusion as he says, "There's no time for that! (Completely ignoring the deadpan glare Aqua, Rutherford, Solarkness, and Maud are giving him) Do you hear that? Sounds like something is coming this way." At that time everyone can hear the sound of yelling as Michael Beigh and Shamalamadingdong come crashing in through a window and Beigh. The Knights and your crew watch in fascination as the two floating beings fight. "Give it up Beigh! I at least wrote and directed 2 Good movies! You have nothing!" "Yeah, but I've made more money! And your twists are getting weaker! Though that one in 7th Sense BLEW ME AWAY!!!" Beigh yells as he causes a wave of fire, to which Shamalamadingdong makes a wind barrier around himself. The wave goes around Aqua who uses her water bending to create a barrier around her and flash as Rutherford does the same to protect him, Sol, and Flour. Maud, however, does not dodge it and is consumed by flames. "Sensei!" Only for Maud to walk out completely unharmed...with the exception of her mane being completely burned off, making her look more like the bald heroin based off of her. "What a twi-*GLUH*!" "Say lady, how would you like a roll in the next transform-*GLAGH!*" She then grabs both directors and throws both of them out of the window they broke. She then sees that everyone is staring at her with their mouths on the floor in amazement. Maud looks at their amazed faces in confusion as she asks in a deadpanned tone, "What? Do I have something in my teeth? Rutherford and Solarkness both gulp in fear as Rutherford leans closer to Solark and whispers, You think it is too late to recruit her to the Crimson Knights?" "Unfortunately...yes" "And Wait, Michalel Beigh and Shamalamadingdong are fighting to the death? Why?" "I have no idea. To be honest, replies the Timberwolf. "Well Silver Strange, Brown Dog, and Snap Drake failed to kill Beigh for all his terrible remakes, maybe they decided to get another director to do it for them? guesses the Wyvern. "I told them they needed to use ice to defeat the pyromancer." " Okay...that was kind of random. But anyway, what happened next?" Erised the ink-moth's Comment Maud reaches a hoof up and pats the top of her head. "Well, it seems that I have some foes that warrant breaking the seal." Slowly, a tiny smile appears on her face as she raises herself up with a large pillar of earth which lifts her into the air. To add a final dose of epicness to the scene, a huge explosion from the director fight goes off behind her, framing her silhouette in a wall of dancing light! END OF 2ND FLASHBACK "Oh I get it!" you interrupt again. "So Maud went all Saddle Rager on those knights, and that how you guys won. Right?" "Actually no." Aqua says. "With my power released, I saw a greater need." Maud explains, "I left to settle the fight between Shamalamadingdong and Beigh once and for all, and restore balance to Applewood." You gain a manic grin as you imagine the implications. "So Beigh and Shamalamadingdong are gone for good!? No more terrible movies? No more childhood ruining sequels?! How bad did you beat them up? Tell me every detail woman, I need to hear this!" "I didn't." Maud puts simply. "Wut?" "She didn't beat them up." Aqua tells you, "Instead she got them to agree to a truce. Now instead of ruining popular franchises with their movies, they're hosting their own reality TV series." "It's a cooking show." Maud tells you. "Bland vs. Spicy, airing every Tuesday at six." You nod your head at this information before saying, "Eh, I never liked cooking shows anyway. Always made me hungry if I watched them too long and I couldn't eat any of the food they showed. I wonder what those two nutjobs are doing now..." NOT A FLASHBLACK, BUT A MEANWHILE TRANSITION BrownDog's Comment Beigh and Shamalamadingdong laugh and pat each other on the back. Each one of them is covered in cuts, bruises, burns, and a whole lot of assorted injuries. “Well I did not expect that Mare to come along and make us see reason,” laughs Beigh. “I know, What a Twist right?” laughs M. Night. “You know, I’m not quite sure when and where I insulted your hair, but I apologize my friend.” “No worries, I’m sorry I shamalized your two lead actors.” “Eh, forget about it. Actor is a strong word for those two anyway. Besides, that mare has made me see the light. Why do I need more money on a franchise I despise? This little battle has already appeased my explosive muse anyway.” “And there were so many twists today that I am satisfied as well.” “You two are under arrest for destruction for more than half of the Applewood production district,” says an angry guard as he walks up to them. They both look around the smoldering ruins and shrug. “Eh, we got money and we’re famous, we’ll be out in no time,” says Beigh. “Besides, I request him as my cell mate. We have a lot planned for this cooking show!” squees M. Night. “I say we show ponies the glories of cooking with Gas! Flame grilled masterpieces using controlled explosions!” “And we can make it a competition as well, but there will always be a twist ingredient thrown in halfway through the cook off!” As they are cuffed and put into a prison wagon they start coming up with all sorts of good ideas, for once in their lives. A hushed silence falls over Applewood as millions of fans every feel a sense of peace they haven’t felt in a long time. Then come several voices that shatter that silence and peace. “Hey, did you hear, Paul W.S. Canterson is making another Resident Evil movie that in no way follows the plots of the games!” “And they’re remaking Ghostbusters with an all Mare cast for some reason.” “Also, they’re pushing out the Justice League movie way too fast even though Batmane v Supermane was kind of bad.” A collective groan escapes and thousands of facehooves can be heard as everyone realizes one thing. Applewood…Applewood never changes. BACK WITH YOU "So what happened after that?" Flash decides to take charge again as he says, "Well after Maud left I started getting doubled teamed after they knocked Aqua into a couple of crates. I tried to fight back but... ALMOST DONE WITH THE FLASHBACKS “You freaks are going down!” shouts Flash. “Oh sure, just because we’re not the pony master race makes us freaks?” snarls Rutherford. “What?! No! I meant…” “Tartarus, I’m surprised that you would even work with the Unicorn witch,” adds Solarkness. Flash snarls at this and winces as a massive headache begins to form. “You speciest Buck,” both the Dragon and Timberwolf mock. Flashes eyes snap open in hatred as his headache drills his brain, before dissipating in his rage. “AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” Flash yells as if he’s trying to go Super Saiyan, before he flies forth in speeds that Rainbow Dash would be jealous of and gives both of them a double uppercut. “I AM NOT A SPECIEST!!!” he roars, spin kicking Rutherford in the nose. “I AM A ROYAL GUARD AND I SERVE ALL INNOCENT CREATURES!!!” he yells as he dodges a bit from Solarkness and backhooves him. “THEY THINGS I’VE SAID I DON’T MEAN!!!” he yells and stomps on Rutherfords wings, causing him to cry out. “MY LITTLE BRO IS AN EARTH PONY! AND EVEN IF GRANDAD WAS BIGOTED, HE STILL LOVED HIS GRANDSON!!!” he roars as he madly keeps punching at them, his rage making him a blur. “SAY I’M NOT A SPECIEST! SAAAAY IIIIITTTTT!!!!” Yeesh and ponies say I have a anger problem. I DON'T HAVE A ANGER PROBLEM! ... ... ... Sure you don't Flashy, sure you don't. Anyway you were saying... Ah right...were was I...oh right! So there I was in my rage... “Holy Balls, I think we’ve broken him!” says Solar as he dodges a strike. “Yeah? No spit!” snarks Rutherford. As Flash charges them once again though, they both leap out of the way, causing Flash to slam head first into a wall, knocking his anger out in way of pain. “ooooooooowwwwww…freakin scale head and wooden mutt…” Flash moans as he rubs his head. “Huh, not so tough now are ya?” mocks Rutherford. “Yeah, and the things you just said, totally specie-“ Solarkness begins before a water whip hits both him and Solarkness in the eye. “OW! Oh you motherbucker!!!” roars the Wyvern and Timberwolf as the injured Flash smiles dazedly and says, “I'm amazing...I’m Batmane…” After that flyboy was pretty much out of the fight. So I got double teamed by these nutjobs while Savior of the Universe here decided to stay in la la land.” “Oh hardy har har, that’s hilarious,” Flash Harumphs. “So you were fighting both? How’d you get out of that?” Aqua is dodging swipes left and right from both claw and paw. Everyone is tired, but the fight still commences. “What was up with all that fighting honorably bullspit from earlier?!” Flash calls out...while pointing at a wall and barely standing. “Well normally that would be the case, but this little witch decided to play puppet with my buddy earlier, and that’s a no no in my book,” answers Rutherford. “Yeah, try to make me dance now Chicken!” cries Solarkness. “Um! Anypony out there that can lend me a hoof?!” Aqua cries. All of a sudden, a WHOOMPH noise is heard and a bunch of…well junk would be a good word. A random assortment of things come flying in mass striking both knights hard knocking them out. As she look over the downed knights, she sees several books, weapon models, and other assorted junk broken and charred around them. “Yeah, we have no idea what happened there truth be told,” Aqua admits. “Yeah, I mean we thought it was Maud, but she was kind of busy at that time, so we don’t know who through all this Junk at them. You hear a sly giggle come from behind you and around the corner. “Junk Jet for the win, eh Mangle?” Followed by a mechanical laugh. Smirking slightly you look back to them and say, “Yeah, what a complete mystery, It’s a shame we’ll never know why that happened…” Aqua sighs before saying, "After that I tied up the two idiots and put frozen fido in a cage. Sensei returned covered in soot, and You woke up a few minutes after that." You nod your head at this, but soon gained a confused expression as you ask, "Wait, you still haven't explained to me how you got covered in feathers and why Flash was hanging upside down." Aqua gains a embarrassed expression as she chuckles nervously before saying, "Yeah...about that..." TIME FOR A 4TH FLASHBACK Fireheart 1945's Comment The Rutherford's Comment Kichi's Comment As Aqua finishes putting the Wendigo into a nearby cage, she hears something. Something she wished to never hear again. Something that sent her cowering in fear in her past. She heard the sound once again...directly behind her, Aqua slowly turned her head and saw the monstrosity before her. It was...it was...it was... "Bawk" A...chicken? Yes, it was a chicken. There was no reason as to why it was here, but it was. Aqua stared at the creature from her nightmares, with it's cold dead eyes staring right back at her. They continued this little staring game for what felt like hours. They continued to stare... and stare... and stare... and stare... Soon Aqua couldn't take it anymore as she threw a water whip at the chicken while yelling, "STOP MOCKING ME!" Her attack hit it's mark as she sent the chicken flying. Aqua sighed in satisfaction and was about to go try and wake You up again...until she heard a cluck. And then another cluck... And another... And another... Aqua could only let out a shrill scream as a mass of white and the sound of clucks surrounded her. And also for some reason a distant cry of, "My imported chickens!" 4TH ONE DOWN TWO TO GO "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! You got attacked by chickens?" you laugh out loud as Flash giggles. "Quit laughing! It was horrifying! Their clucks and feathers surrounding me! It was horrible! If Sensei hadn't shown up, I'd surely be dead!" "Oh come on they're just chickens. And they way you described it, it sounded like you're even afraid of just one," you chuckle. She glares angrily at you, "You haven't seen the things I've seen a chicken do. They are unbridled dangerous monsters! They're always watching...always clucking..." she whimpers as she gets into a fetal position, petting her tail. "Always clucking." While Maud pets her head trying to comfort her, Flash chimes in. "Oh wow, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. That's just plain silly, how could you-" "HOLD IT!!!" you interupt. Everyling looks shocked at your outburst, but you ignore their looks as you say, "Before you go any further, I need to know exactly why you were stuck hanging upside down from the roof." Flash gains a embarrassed look as he says, "No ya don't! Trust me it's no big deal!" You give him a deadpanned look as you say, "Flash, buddy, either you tell me or I'll ask my partner over here how. And she'll probably make some stuff up just to embarrass you more, so I advise you tell me instead of her." Flash gains a shocked look at the statement as he looks over to Aqua (who has come out of her fetal position and seems to have calmed down), who simply shrug's her shoulders before saying, "He ain't lying there." Flash looks back and forth between you and Aqua for a few moments before sighing and saying, "Fine...I'll tell ya. You see it went a little something like this..." THE LAST FLASHBACK I SWEAR Protomane's Comment As all the chickens are shooed away by Maud, and Aqua spits out feathers, Flash comes wobbling in, still dizzy from his wall crash. "Hey pretty mares! Look what I found!" he says dopily holding a Batmane grapple gun. "Where'd you get that?" asks Maud. "Over there...somewhere," he points dizzily behind him. "But watch this, I'm gonna pose dramatically up there on that catwalk!" he boasts. "Are you sure that's wise?" Maud asks, her voice tinged with deadpan concern. "I've got this, I'm Batmane," Flash says nonchalantly. 3 Seconds later... "Yes, you definitely have something alright," Maud quips to a hanging Flash. NO MORE FLASHBACK'S YAY You begin laughing as Flash crosses his arms. "Way to go Batmane. How's Robin doing?" "Shut up, my head was still loopy," he pouts. You are about to rip on him some more when... Kichi's Comment You hear Nightshade giggling again off behind you somewhere though the others don’t seem to hear it as they laugh at Flash. You then look to them and say, “OK, clean yourselves up and keep these guys in sight. I’m gonna…go pick up something I dropped.” They nod and you walk through the destruction and rubble towards Nightshade’s giggling. When you round the corner of destroyed set, you see a sight that really confuses you. Nightshade is sitting with an injured Garble, his guard suit is torn/burned, and he looks miserable. Nightshade giggles and is sipping tea out of a cracked tea cup, so you interrupt them with a cough, causing them to look at you. “Honey, what’s going on here, why are you talking with that dragon?” “I’m having tea with him Daddy. I haven’t had tea with a dragon for awhile.” Your eye twitches a bit at that thinking about her and Spike having tea together, probably alone! Your overprotective father instincts are cut off when the red teenaged dragon crosses his arms and harrumphs. “The dragon has a name you know, freaking speciest namby pamby pony” he grumbles. “But Garble is such a weird name, and I said I was sorry…” Nightshade counters. You just shake your head at this, wondering why the dragon you beat the snot out of is acting miserable and having tea with your daughter. “Alright…why are you having tea with Garble here?” “Oh, we fought each other because I kind of thought he was with that other mean dragon you were fighting and-“ “Wait! When did this happen?” “Oh, well after you woke up…” OKAY I LIED ABOUT THE LAST FLASHBACK BEING THE LAST ONE, HERE'S ANOTHER ONE FOR YA "WHAT THE BUCK HAPPENED!?" you shouted "It's a long story..." FLASHBACKCEPTION "It all begin with..." Maud began… WAIT! DOUBLE FLASHBACK END "Wait, are you going to put a Flashback inside of another Flashback?" you interrupt. "I thought you wanted to know?" she says. "I already know them telling me about what happened, you don't need to repeat it" you explain. "Oh, yeah, well in that case..." she begins again. BACK TO THE FLASHBACK (I CAN'T STOP! HELP ME!) As you sat listening to the others tell you what happened, Nightshade was busy with Mangle trying to salvage some of the junk she had fired from the junk jet. “Dang, I hope daddy doesn’t get mad about me destroying his stuff,” she says while holding the charred remains of a movie prop from the bunker.” Mangle just looks at her and shrugs. “Yeah, if he asks it was you OK?” Mangle just crosses her arms and harrumphs. It’s then that Nightshade hears grumbling coming from behind a few broken sets. Being curious, she sneaks over and through the ruins. There she gasps as she sees a teenaged red dragon looking at the destruction. “Stupid crazy director ponies! Dueling eachother, raining magic down, destroying my job!” he grumbles as he picks up a smouldering clipboard. “*Sigh* Why couldn’t dad have made me go somewhere quieter?” he groans as he takes off his ripped Security hat. “Now what am I supposed to do? I still got two months before I can go home. I guess I could look for Crackle, hopefully she’s still not mad at-“ “FALCON KICK!!!” Nightshade cried, kicking the unaware dragon in the jaw. "Gah! OW! What the buck you stupid pony!?" "I won’t let you get away you evil dragon! I’ll take you down just like your evil buddy in there!” she cries out. “What the buck are you even talking ab-*SMACK* OW! That does it!” he roars as an epic battle begins. Garble and Nightshade trade kicks, punches, and slashes at eachother that is so epic and violent, that a crowd gathers. Garble ups the stakes and begins to use his fire breath, but Nightshade deflects these with her magic. While dodging however, Garble gives a mighty punch and sends Nightshade through a wall destroying it and collapsing the building. Garble then laughs triumphantly, until Nightshade walks out of the ruins unscathed, smiles and grabs the shocked Garble before throwing him into space. He then fell towards the earth at accelerated speeds, causing many sonic booms as Nightshade prepared her final punch and… HOLD IT!!! Flashback Interruption Version 2.0 “Aww, I was just getting to the good part,” whines Nightshade. “That did not seriously happen Nightshade,” you admonish and cross your arms. “S-sure it did. It was epic and awesome and…” she begins before you scowl and she lets out a sigh."OK fine... Maybe I exaggerated a little..." she admits. "What really happened?" you ask. “Well everything happened like I said, up until…” True Flashback (Flashbacks Are Love. Flashbacks are Life) “FALCON KICK!!!” Nightshade cried, kicking the unaware dragon in the jaw. "Gah! OW! What the buck you stupid pony!?" "I won’t let you get away you evil dragon! I’ll take you down just like your evil buddy in there!” she cries out. “What the buck are you even talking ab-*SMACK* *THUD*” the teenaged dragon goes down after Nightshade uppercuts him. “Wow…that was surprisingly easy and anticlimactic,” Nightshade says. End of True Flashback (For Realzies This Time) “I then found this tea set from the set of Celestia in Discord World, and thought I could interrogate him over tea.” “You threw hot tea in my face you little punk,” Garble pouts. “Well it woke you up right?” He responds by grumbling and looking away. “Well anyway, after I woke him up…I kind of found out that he had nothing to do with that dragon you were fighting and…yeah I kind of felt a little bad,” Nightshade admits. “Well you should, not every Dragon knows each other,” he growls and Nightshade giggles nervously. You take in this explanation. “OK, that explains a little…I think, but here’s a question, why are you just sitting there drinking the tea with her?” you ask Garble. “It’s not like I want to,” he grumbles. Nightshade then chimes in. “I asked that too. He mumbled something about Dragon Code and how because I defeated him in a 1vs1 fight we’re now eternal enemies, and how he’s going to follow me wherever I go until he defeats me, blah blah blah," she explains before taking a sip of tea. You raise and eyebrow and ask "Soooo, What’s this about eternal enemies?" The teenaged dragon looks up and says. "She defeated me in a one versus one battle, so the dragon code, which my dad is forcing on me as punishment, says that I have to gain my honor back either through rematch. First though, I have to be courteous to my rival because of their victory.” "Really? Huh. Then what about those dragons that I def... I mean, that the Hooded Offender defeated? Weren’t you one of them?" Garble looks up in surprise, as does Nightshade as you never told her about what happened when she was still drugged. “How do you know about that?” he asks as he rubs his wing in phantom pain, causing you to wince. “He’s… a notorious criminal and he likes to boast a lot,” you say and Garble nods at this. “Well it was a weird mess. Apparently you can’t attack in greater numbers a supposedly weaker foe, but then that foe turned out to be stronger, and then Dad broke even more rules because he didn’t want the group to die and…The whole thing was a clusterbuck of everydragon “Breaking the Rules.”” “Yeah…I bet,” you admit. “And as punishment, me and my friends had to learn humility. Dang Uncle Torch and his rules…” he growls, “I mean, it’s bad enough some little squirt and his pony harem get the better of us, but some monster nearly kills us, and WE still get in trouble. Plus, my ex girlfriend left with the ponies and never returned!” You remember briefly about something Twilight said in the Crystal Empire. That Crackle wouldn’t leave her Library, waiting for you. You don’t share this information though. “So you have to follow me around and be nice to me?” Nightshade asks. “I can’t fight you yet, I have to wait awhile. But I will defeat you!” he growls. “Cool! Can he follow us Daddy? Can he?” “Honey, I don’t think…” “I don’t need your permission, I will stalk you! I’m an excellent tracker! I’ll see you around namby pamby pony! Thanks for the tea. See ya!” he boasts before standing up and running away. As you watch the dragon run off, you facehoof and think. Great, another problem I have to worry about. But seriously, how did Nightshade knock him out in two hits? It took me forever to even wear him down. Is she getting stronger? I wouldn't doubt it. She is our child after all. You look to the chuckling Nightshade who finishes off her tea and says. “Bring it on Bucker.” With Said Bucker Garble, after only a few minutes of running…somehow ends up in the Redwood Forrest, despite it being miles away from civilization. “Where the heck is my motel room? Curse my lack of direction!” Back to you Buckers Kersey's Comment Shaking your head again, you have Nightshade and Mangle hop in their room and head back to the group. “Find what you were looking for?” asks Aqua. “Yeah, are they awake?” you ask. She points to the two moaning tied up creatures. You nod and tell her, “I need you to keep Flash out of the way. We don’t need the guards jumping in on our next target.” She nods at this and tells Flash, “Come on buddy, let’s get your head bandaged and these feathers off of me.” Flash nods, holding the big bump on his head. You look to Maud and tell her, “You be my support alright? I’m going to interrogate them now.” She just blinks and says, “OK. If you have to make them suffer that’s fine.” A chill goes down your spine at that, but you just shake it off and wake them up by freezing their forelegs. “Gah!” they cry, but then shut it and glare at you. Solarkness begins to growl. “How in the heck are you awake? Tanta should have…” “Your little pet is gone, my mind is not a very nice place to be,” you growl in your intimidating filter. They try to break their bonds, but the ice keeps them from doing so. “Now, before I turn you over to the esteemed royal guard, I have one question for you, where are the other generals?” “Buck you bounty hunter!” growls the Wyvern as he attempts to water jet you, until you freeze the water in his mouth. “Wow, such Icy words,” you joke. “Screw You! You’ll get nothing from us! You…” his words die in his throat as the ground under them rumbles and Maud steps forward. “Yeah, keep talking like that and I might have to unleash her on you,” you say coldly. The timberwolf just shakes his head and still growls “Whatever. Good luck trying to turn us in. You attacked us during our film. Our cloaks are gone, and there’s no one but that speciest guard, and two crazy mares to back you up! You’ve got nothing!” the Timberwolf growls. “Ooohhh, don’t I?” you smirk as you hold up the pieces of evidence you gathered from them. Causing their eyes to widen. “Also, I still have the cloaks. There are traces of dragon scales and wood pulp within them,” Maud says holding up the ripped Crimson Knight insignia cloaks. “Yeah, you guys have lost. You ARE going to prison now. For the crimes of being in a Terrorist Cell, attempted murder, and for multiple assault and battery crimes for all those poor stunt doubles.” They both glare at you as you say this. “It’s ok, hold your enthusiasm. Now, before I put you dirtbags away, maybe you can redeem yourselves just a little in my eyes. Tell me where I can find your little friends. Solarkness growls, leans forward and says, “We’re not snitches. Buck you.” You sigh and close your eyes. “Really? Kichi sang like a bird and was happy to give you up. You guys specifically. Are you telling me, you guys are that devoted?” The both growl at hearing the Kichi bit, but they still don’t say anything. “Hmm, tough crowd. How about this. Is there any of your Knight buddies that you detest? Someone that if you give up would surely take a righteous beating from me? At that, their eyes light up at the prospect. “Look, you’ve seen what me and my friends have done, the beatings we give. Are you sure there isn’t at least one of your buddies that you want beaten up and brought down? I’ll be sure to be extra mean in my takedowns,” you sweeten the deal. Both of them look to each other and a wordless agreement is made as they nod. “Unfreeze Rutherford’s mouth, and we’ll tell you.” You do just that, and then say, “Alright. Spill it.” Both Knights then give up your next target, and rather eagerly now that you think about it. They even give you a plan to go about taking them down. “And at the end of it, tell them we send our regards," says Solarkness. "And that we'll see them soon,” says Rutherford. You nod at this. “Well alright then. Anyway, nap time boys,” you say before holding up the Luna Plushie, knocking them out. You then place both of them in your prison bags and turn to Maud. “Listen, I’d appreciate it if you don’t tell the guards or anyone what they just said OK?” She blinks and says, “OK. Be sure to give them tartarus. These knights and their leader have made my sister and emotional mess.” You then swear you see her eyes harden a bit. “What’s worse is that she still has hope that this Offender can be a good guy and a friend. I don’t know about any of that, but all I know is that anypony or thing that makes my happy sister miserable deserves to be Rocked like a Hurricane.” You shiver in dread at this, but you say, “Thanks Maud.” LATER You all regroup and head to the Guard Station, which is only manned by a skeleton crew as every other guard is busy dealing with the aftermath of the director duel. You present the two and aim to collect the reward. With Flash there, it goes smoothly. Though they have to call in Mystical Beast Containment for the Wendigo. “Lieutenant Sentry, are you positive about this?” asks the front desk guard. “I’m sure officer. This Stallion, and this mare brought down these two criminals. I was there.” The guard then gets out the reward money 10,000 bits. You are about to accept when you really think about it. I passed out for half the fight. Maud did so much more, as did Flash. You then split 5,000 of your Bit Half of your reward and give it to Maud and Flash. “Maud, you said you needed money because of some thief, so take this. You more than deserve it.” You then actually see a faint hint of a smile on her lips as she accepts and say, “Thank you.” Flash meanwhile won’t accept. “But come on, you did so much man.” “Yeah, but it was my job. A guard accepts no rewards for his work. It’s yours,” he explains. You smile at this and pocket your reward. 2,500 Bits Added to Inventory. Before you leave though, the Guard at the front desk stops you. “Are you him?” You look back and ask, “What?” “Are you the same masked bounty hunter that took down the Knights in Bastion? Are you the Crimson Vengeance?” You nod at this and say, “That’s right. And I’ll tell you this, these two won’t be the last ones I bring in.” He stands up and salutes you. “Hey, you don’t have to,” “No, I do sir. Thank you.” You blush in embarrassment and nod and exit the Station. You then look to Flash Sentry who stands in the doorway. “I have to remain here and wait for Captain Armor. Do you all have to go?” “Yeah, we still gotta job to do.” “You already have a lead?” he asks. You shake your head and lie, “No. But we’ll find one.” He seems to buy it and just sighs. “You know, you are just like your brother when it comes to fighting. Both of you are wasting your potential. Seriously CV, I think you could join the guard, you’d make a fine addition,” he says. “Yeeeaaaahhhh, no. Sorry Flash, but I got my own thing going here. Oh and if you could, make sure my appearance doesn’t appear in the paper would you? I don’t want these guys to know I’m coming.” He nods at this, “Alright, though I’m sure our little story will be overshadowed by Beigh and Shamalamadingdong. But yeah, I understand. Where will you go now?” “Wherever the bounties lie. Goodbye Flash Sentry.” “Goodbye CV. And don’t forget to tell…you know who, what I said alright?” “You have my word man,” you say as you give him a very manly hug and he reciprocates. Oh that’s just adorable coos Selena, causing your face to get red and to break the hug immediately. You both chuckle embarrassed. Aqua then says her goodbyes. “See ya around Batmane,” she teases as she punches him on the shoulder. “Yeah, you too Chicken Mare,” he smirks punching her back. You three then walk off, going to the other side of town where there isn’t any destruction. “So, there’s still daylight left, what do we do now?” asks Aqua. “Well, I kind of did promise a certain little filly something,” you smirk. Aqua and Maud see where you are going and smirk/stare blankly. “You two have fun then, I think I’ll catch up with Sensei now that we’re not fighting, and I’ll book the trip for the next hit.” You nod and wave to them as you head for something magical. POV CHANGE: NIGHTSHADE You sit with your pet Mangle and watch a Godzilla movie you’ve seen about 5 times. “Daddy really needs to get me some more movies if he keeps expecting me to stay in here,” you grumble. Mangle just looks at you and gives a mechanical chirp. “Look I know it’s dangerous, but dang it, I don’t want to be just an accessory. I like helping out. I’m not just a thing!” Mangle chirps again. “OK, maybe I did punch out an innocent dragon, but he was a wimp. Besides, now that he says he’ll follow me around I’ll have a new playmate,” you smirk. Mangle crosses her legs and makes another noise. “Oh come on, I’m not trying to replace Spike!” you reply indignantly. “Sure he followed me around a lot, but this is different. I actually liked Spike…gosh I miss him…and the CMC, and even the Deadly 6,” you say sadly. Mangle pats you on the shoulder reassuringly. “I’ll take you to Ponyville one day Mangle, and you can meet all my friends. Until then, I’m stuck in here because Daddy just HAS to always go out and fight and-“ Your complaining dies in your throat as the inventory is opened and your Daddy’s voice comes through. “Nightshade Honey, turn into an Earth Pony and come on out, I have a surprise for you.” Rolling your eyes, you transform and hop out with Mangle. “What’s the surprise Daaaaaaaaaaaaaa…” you are shocked and awed by what you see. Happy fillies and colts, mascots of famous cartoon characters, fanciful buildings and mechanical rides. You are in the Happiest Place on Equis. “A promise is a promise honey, welcome to-“ “WHINNY LAND!!!” you shriek at the top of your lungs and rush forth. “WHINNY LAND! WHINNY LAND! WHINNY LAND!” you cry out in happiness, dragging Mangle behind you while you leave your Daddy behind in the dust. “Wait! Wait up Honey!” you hear him shout. Unfortunately, your mind has kind of shut down at the moment as you take in everything around you, all the while screaming. “WHINNY LAND!!!” WHAT DO YOU (NIGHTSHADE) DO? Outro: