Eventually, the group reached the end of the looping path after carving their way through the waves of Thugs that tried futilely to even slow them down, let alone stop them. Between Cronk's unparalleled ground combat skills, Zephyr's aerial maneuverability, Ratchet's weapons fire, and Twilight's magic, the attacking Thugs were mowed down like chaff. At the end of the path, they found one of the newer models of infobots, which promptly flipped open to play its recorded message.
"Are you an unemployed deviant, reprobate, cutthroat parolee and/or ne'er-do-well?" the voice over asked as it displayed an image of three question marks. It then shifted to a golden crest somewhat resembling an ax, before shifting to an image of a colosseum. "Then come on down to Thugs-4-Less Destructapalooza, and earn a place amongst our esteemed enforcers!"
It then proceeded to give various 'before and after' testimonies of 'successful Thugs', before shifting to the end pitch. "Destructapalooza! Where there are no rules. No regulations. Just one basic principle: try not to get D-E-D Dead! New inductees will also get a free jetpack upgrade. That's right, this oddly specific prize is just what you need to convert your robotic friend into a pint sized commander of the skies! And it's only available here, at the Thugs-4-Less Destructapalooza!"
"So..." Twilight spoke up as the message ended. "Yet another colosseum match that we can fight for bolts and other prizes, including one that the advertisement makes a point of how useful it will be for us?" She shook her head ruefully. "If this were the first time, I'd suspect a trap...but at this point, it's a bloody pattern."
"Guess we know where we're going next once Aphelion gets here," Ratchet joked, following Cronk and Zephyr forward.
With the loop fully explored, the group headed along the other path in search of Pollyx and answers. As they entered the sewers, however, strange purple creatures with tendrils could be seen disappearing along the walls. "Looks like a serathoid infestation," Cronk offered carefully. "Hate those buggers, they just won't hold still."
"I'm not gonna be much use down here," Zephyr spoke up. "I'm not so good in confined spaces without open air to maneuver in."
"Know the feeling," Twilight confirmed. "I'm the same way."
"Stay close behind us, then," Ratchet offered quickly, taking point with Cronk.
Thankfully, the sewer tunnel proved quite short, leading directly into the wide open - though enclosed - Azeril Caverns. While not as open as being above ground, it did give Zephyr and Twilight aerial maneuvering room. As they entered, however, another shake accompanied by pink light and spectral forms caused a collapse of several stalactites. "We should be extra careful in here," Clank warned.
"And extra fast," Ratchet added. "Wouldn't want this place collapsing on us. Everyone, keep an eye out for Pollyx' equipment!"
"With how dark it is in here, it's hard to see anything," Twilight grumbled before switching her helmet visor to alternative vision.
It took the group a while as they moved carefully, the shakes continuing to drop stalactites around them, but they eventually managed to make it back out into the light. Once there, they caught sight of a Thug drop ship that hadn't spotted them yet.
"Blast it?" Twilight asked hopefully, her eyes alight.
"Alternatively, follow it to see if it leads us to Pollyx," Clank countered logically.
"We need directions," Ratchet agreed flatly. Sighing, Twilight followed along with the plan.
"I'll tail from the air!" Zephyr offered, shifting to his flight mode and taking off after the drop ship, the others now following his nav beacon.
Eventually, this path led them into another darkened, underground area. As they followed the cavern, they saw several thugs patrolling in the distance, but Twilight caught sight of their quarry. Shifting behind some crates, she confronted Pollyx. "There you are!" she whispered. "We've been looking all over for you! We're here to rescue you...just as soon as we know what Vendra and Neftin have you working on."
The Terachnoid businessman nodded swiftly in understanding. Twilight's glare made it plain she wouldn't let him weasel around a full explanation. "It's...a transdimensional portal device. I used the theories behind the Dimensionator and scans of your energy wavelength...to try and find your home dimension. I got something similar, and that's when Vendra and Neftin came after me."
"From the sound of it, you got their home dimension or something," Ratchet spoke up as they arrived. "Nether energy and Twilight's magic are antithetical. I doubt if Twilight could survive in a dimension overrun with the energy Vendra uses."
"That is...interesting and disappointing," Pollyx admitted sadly. "Still, we can't let its completed form fall into their hands. I was hoping to give it to Twilight, but if the energies are antithetical..."
"Hey, nerd!" the patrolling Thug called out. "What are ya doing down-" His voice suddenly cut off. "Never mind!" he shouted again...though his voice sounded off. "As you were! Don't gimme any trouble while I'm poppin' a squat over here!" The Thug then shambled backwards to a corner before Cronk dropped him on a stool, wiping his hands before leaping down. "You were sayin?" Cronk asked in his normal voice.
"Over here," Pollyx told them all, leading them into another chamber. "There isn't much time, so I'm going to have to take a major risk. I just hope Nether energy is compatible with Zoni..."
"Zoni?" Twilight gasped out. "You're going to install the system in Mommy?"
"More the software," Pollyx responded as he directed a large laser system at Clank. "His systems will take care of the rest." He glanced over from behind the console. "This may sting."
I'm really looking forward to finding out whether Twilight meets up with the rest of the Mane 6 and/or gets back to Equestria with Ratchet and the gang.
7672188
This is a PWNyverse fic. Of course she's going to make it back. The actual question is how big of a body count will she rack up before hoof.
...actually, has anyone been keeping track? It would be interesting to see which PWNy has the highest kill count by the end of their respective fics.
7672197
I think Twilight has a bit of an unfair advantage in that arena. Vinyl's a behind-the-scenes mastermind, and Rarity with Batman and Coco with Sly means they are trying not to kill if possible. Of the others, AJ and Pinkie could have gotten close, but the sheer length of material for R&C means Twilight will likely handily beat any of the others in that department. The only other with about as much material (thus far) is Shining with Jak and Daxter...and he's been playing backseat observer rather than actually doing anything for the vast majority of the story, unlike most of the others who took spotlight. Twilight here completely derailed a lot of stuff and stole the spotlight from Ratchet entirely in all but Going Commando and Deadlocked.
7672197
in terms of sheer numbers......eh probably Twilight, followed by Applejack, then Pinkie, possibly Chrysalis
in terms sheer brutality Pinkie every day of the week.
7672197 I haven't counted, but at a guess, it would probably be Pinkie, genocide was practically her hobby.
if non-sapient Robots count then Twilight might be second due to the sheer volumes of games she's gone through. Although if you consider the amount of deaths she has caused indirectly by developing weapons for the open market and being owner of Gadgetron, then she would easily have the highest death toll to her name.
AppleJack is either second or third, depending on how you consider Twilight.
as for the others I'm not sure:
Technically Fluttershy only killed nine people multiple times.
Rarity surprisingly for being paired with batman was responsible for several peoples deaths, but still not a lot.
Rainbow was involved in an invasion, but I don't know her body count.
Chrysalis, WHO THE FUCK KNOWS!
Shining is entirely dependent on whether you consider metalheads count.
I can't remember much of Cadences story, but I remember her action caused an entire fleet to be devoured by a Krakken, but as it wasn't intentional I don't think it counts.
Vinyl doesn't have a kill count, but she has taken over the world, so there is that.
Octavia, same as Twilight is dependent on if you count non-sapient robots, if not then her kill count is pretty low, preferring pacification to outright death.
The rest either doesn't have a body count or I haven't read.
7672245
In the invasion, Rainbow single handedly obliterated 90% of the invading armada with the 'harmonic rainboom'. I'd say that puts her kill count pretty damn high, as it decimated the Skrull numbers (as in, left about 10% of the entire race alive.) Considering the Skrull were supposed to be as - or more - numerous than humanity...
...yeah, I think Rainbow just topped the charts. Pretty sure that puts her kill count in the billions. Each of the R&C, DMC, and GoW games have less than a million possible enemy kills.
7672259 Huh, I forgot that, I guess Rainbow wins by an almost genocide, funny for a superhero
So is anyone else curious about what's going on with that thug? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the great work. Deus tecum.
Twilight's British?
7672222 True, so let's make it fair and have it be most epic take-down. I'm thinking perhaps Applejack for her debut boss fight, or Rarity giving Joker the GLADoS treatment.
7672535 She's talking about bloodsport, remember? The pattern is literally bloody.
I wonder....
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7672535 Not necessarily. I'm from Alabama and I say that.
7672700 I'm saying Spike and his final fight with Ridley, hands down the most epic PWNY takedown yet.
So does that mean that if Twilight and Vendra get into a Beam O War that it could turn into a Ying Yang Bomb as their powers clash???
And given Ratchet's reaction to Vendra's message... I think Twilight needs to prepare for another possible Mommy.
7674340
If Twilight and Vendra used their powers together, you'd get a Yin-Yang Bomb.
When they're fighting, it's Mutually Exclusive Magic.
7674363 Yeahhhhhhh..... If you had told me that earlier.........
7676040
The 'Mutually Exclusive Magic" is what 'antithetical energy types' means.
I just thought of something, when Twilight does manage to go back to equestria her father is going to get smacked by her mother by commenting that he never got a harem
7677091 Your comment sprung a random thought that was too funny to pass up. "Build-A-Babe Workshop. Where 'Best Friends' are made."
I am a terrible person and there should be a Lyra&BonBon emote.
7678265 yes because everybody know that they are just "best friends"
7678249 Imagine if somebody pulled off artwork of all that?
7678467 Funny enough I have Photoshop
and thought of actually drawing some of Tat's stuff... but I'm lazy. Like my tablet is next to where I plug my laptop in but currently my arm can't reach. I could inch a little more but then I would need to look for the pen.I could use it but I won't.7672489
Don't know if you realized it back on this chapter but...
The thug stepped up to yell at Pollyx. Cronk shanked him from behind, then imitated his voice to avoid detection, before propping him up as though he took a nap. He then rejoined the group.
7980212 Got it. I must've missed something on my first read through. Thanks.
I think that should be spelled "parolee".
7678384
You ever know.... Maybe my real name is Lyra Heartstrings and I'm offended now