> The Party
>  by Shaderunner
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Two figures emerged from the Everfree Forest, and now they were surveying the wide pastures beyond the woods. Before them lay a field of grasslands with a small town, not too far in the distance, followed by rolling hills and even further they could make out a solitary mountain with what seemed like a city and castle built right onto its side.

“Ye got any idea where we be, because I sure as hells don't recognise this place?” the short and stout one said as he took off his leather helm. He was a medium sized dwarf with  raven black hair and beard wove into four brails. He wore armor made of some strange material resembling reptile scales and was armed with a dwarven war axe and a heavy shield made of the same strange material together with his helmet, that had ram horns protruding out of it and one seems to have be broken off. 

She shook her head.“ I don’t know much of the realms past the Silver Marches.” The dwarfs companion was a young elven woman with pure white hair tied in a long flowing tail that reached all the way to her knees, she was considerably taller than her companion and wore light strands of cloth that seemed to be tightly wrapped around her slender yet curvy body. She had no back pack or any other gear to speak of besides the two serrated sabers on her hips. Yet her most striking features were her read eyes and coal black skin marking her as a dark elf or a drow. 

“Aye. But I doubt that we're anywhere near that place. Plus the flow of magicks here is a bit off compared to what I felt on me travels through those parts.”

“I’ll take your word for it, so... what now? We scout around some more?.”

“That be a good idea, but we’d best not put too much of a distance between us and the others.” The dwarf turned to regard his companion who lifted a hand to protect her sensitive eyes from the bright sun of the afternoon, the drow was still not used to it’s brightness more accustomed to the lightless underdark caverns, as she stared off into the distance.

“Ya seein’ sometin’?”

“A small cottage not far from the forests edge to our right. A good place scout out who our new neighbors are before going into town and starting any trouble.”

“Best weight for the others then, we don't want... ” the dwarf didn’t get to finish his sentence as the elf started sprinting towards the cottage. “Bloody girl’s too eager fer her own good.” He found a large nearby rock to rest on dropping his large backpack, almost as big as himself besides the bolder rattling the pots, pans, crowbar and mug tied along it’s side. The dwarf took out a bone pipe and some some smoking weed to enjoy while he waited for the others.


A few long puffs later and he could hear the rest of his little group catching up, and it sounded like the boy and the prissy girl were having another one of their discussions /arguments again. From the forest came a tall and well toned blond haired, human woman wearing a cloak and other clothes made from bear hide except the breastplate padded on the inside with some more bear hide. By her side was a large bore whose shoulder was at about the same level as the imposing woman’s chest. The bore was of a particular breed known as shoveltusks used by the dwarves as cavalry mounts and had a specialised riding harness with some chainmail added in it’s design for extra protection to the animal.

Behind them came another pair of humanoids these ones dressed in finer clothes and leather, the two were clearly arguing about who knows what intricate details regarding their particular crafts. One was a young human woman in her early twenties wearing a finely decorated tunic and frilly skirt, a fine silken cape ley over her right shoulder and a top hat on her head. The other was a young man wearing long flowing robes with a staff in his left hand and a large bag hanging along his right hip that seemed to bulge and move as if something was stirring within it. He had greyish black skin, pure white eyes and a pair of short horns protruding from his forehead. Features that clearly marked him as a tiefling, a unfortunate bread resulted from the joining of a demon/devil with a mortal.

“Chester. Come ‘ere me boy?” The dwarf jumps off his perch and walks up to the bore giving him a playful scratch behind the ears, receiving a few playful snorts from the creature who was happy to be reunited with it’s master.

“Glad to see you missed us Oric” the taller woman replied feeling a bit left out by her smaller companion. “Still it’s good to see you in one piece. Another hour of hearing those two lovebirds squabble and the party would have gotten a lot smaller.”

“Aye, its be good to see ye lot to just needed a moment's peace from those two.” replied Oric with an amused chuckle. He and his large barbarian friend did not have much patience for the ‘conversations’ of there more scholarly companions.

“So that’s why you always offer to go scouting with Dilline. And here I thought you had a thing for the knife ears. ” said Tula sifting a giggle 

“Come now. Our discussions can not be all that bad, besides me and Bram are giving you good insight on the intricacies of the arcane and alchemical arts, free of charge  I might add. Please show some gratitude.” The one with the top hat said in a refined tone feigning indignation, but she spent enough time with the two to know there didn't mean it, well not all of it. 

“And by conversations you mean bicker on who’s smarter than the other.” commented Tula.

Bram raised a hand to his mouth and cleared his voice with a caught.”We’d best keep going and leave this for later. Right Eveline?”

“uhm....Very well. But this is not over.” stated Evelina as she folds her arms across her chest and pouts.

“So Oric have you found anything about where we are?” Bram asked, more than a bit curious, as he turned to regard the small village in the distance.

“Not much short o it not beein’ where we were a week ago. And Dilline offered ta scout out the cottage up yonder and see what we're up against.” Pointing, with his thumb over his shoulder towards the building.

“And by ‘offered’ you mean she ran of?” enquired Bram.      

That she did ladye. Girl loves her craft... and getin’ int’ trouble.”

“Should I send Jerry after her?”asked Bram bringing a hand to his traveling bag.

“No. Best let the little guy sleep, he had a long night keeping watch.” Added Oric

The group started off towards the cottage knowing that they will meet up withtheir stealthy friend further along the way.

Sure enough a few minutes late as they were walking Dilline popped out from some bushes not far from the cottage.

“You finally got here.” She said with a smirk as they stared at her as always impressed by her skill and curious of what she might have found

Tula place a hand on her hip, using the other to help balance the greataxe on her shoulders looking quite impatient.“Cut the small talk and just tell us what you saw.”

“ After stalking the place for some time I didn’t catch a glimpse of ho’s inside. But there are a lot of wild creatures running around the place. I’d say that whoever lives here might be a warden of the woods or something. There's also a picnic in the back attended by several critters and a small colorful little horse, with butter yellow coat and its mane was all pink.”

The others were not expecting that.” Ah... Dilline have you been taking some of Orics ritual herbs?” asked Bram .

“I know how it sounds, but by  Eilistraee that’s what I saw, plus the little horse had wings like a pegasus.”

“Then how should we go about introducing ourselves?” asked Eveline ”And please keep in mind that we have a dark elf and a tiefling with us, not the most welcomed company in the realms, so we should take care to try and avoid scaring them.” Dillin and Bram nodded in agreement fully aware of how others would reacted to their heritages.

After a moment of silence “So we are agreed! Oric, you and Tula will....” she trail off noticing that one of the two she was talking to was gone. Everyone quickly turned to see their more wild companion walking towards the cottage.

“Hold it you.” The others yelled off in unison.

“Come on. What's the point of beating around the bush. Why not just walk up and say hello?”

The others stared back at her in disbelief. Tula was quite an imposing figure to say the least a full head taller than the others and with deep battle scars evident on every patch of exposed skin on her. Plus the large Greataxe, as long as a man from head to pomel, she was balancing on her shoulder did not help to diminish her fear factor.

“Girl, you’d scare the sorry sods inside that cottage worst than these two put together.” Oric motioned to Dilin and Bram.” Now git yer arse back here.”

“Hmp. Fine.” Tula turned on her heels and walked back to her friends.

“Thank you Oric.” Evelyne gave a grateful smile then continued her idea.”First, me and Oric will handle the introduction and second lets see what we might be dealing with here. The design of the place is not human or of any race I know of so a peace offering would help to show that we mean no harm.”

“How about we save their colorful pets from being eaten, would that do?” was Tulas suggestion staring off to where the pony was having a picnic.

“What?!” the rest asked in unison as they turned to see a rather large bear making it’s way from the forest towards the seemingly oblivious equine. Also Tula started charging headlong towards the beast.

“Well ya can’t say she doesn't make a good point.” and Oric ran off as well trying to catch up to his much swifter friend.

The other three just shook their heads and followed them, now that the cat was out of the bag.

Tula quickly ran up to the bear and with surprising strength she rammed herself into the large beast making it stumble back about 10 feet before it fell to the ground in a heep. She planted her feet firmly into the ground in a defensive stance ready to take whatever the bear threw back at her, a too eager smile on her face. 

Naturally the fact that the bear started to whimper terrified on the ground took her back. She let the axe head fall down as she regarded the large yet horrified beast, then she heard a melodic yet firm voice yell out “How dare you!!!!” 

Tula raised an eyebrow, turning to face the picnic blanket. There was still no one there, beside the pegasus and it’s furry friends. The later was hiding behind the picnic basket, only it’s head poking out from one side, yet the glare it was giving the barbarian cold stop a orc in mid charge. 

The little yellow pegasus took flight hovering up to Tula and staring her straight in the face.”Just because you're strong doesn't mean you can push little defenceless creatures around.” 

Dumbstruck Tulas Great Axe fell to the ground followed shortly by her jaw, as the bear crawled behind the green eyed horsey like a child would hide behind it’s mothers dress. “ Now you apologise to Harry right now.” the pegasus crossed her forelegs over her chest like a angry school teacher.

The silence stood for a few seconds before Tula fell on her rump with tears in her eyes laughing hysterically on the ground as rest of the adventurers caught up.

“Argh... Did that lil’ horsey just talk? And I think it just broke Tula?” Oric walked up to his friend who was pounding the ground with her fist still laughing madly.

Evelyne and Bram walked past those two and approached the meek pegasus who lost most of her previous bravado now that more humanoids had appeared. “Uhm... Hello, we apologize for the crude way our friend approached you. But please consider where we’re from bears are not the norm for pets or companions so I hope you can understand that there was no ill will intended.”

“Nor are talking pegasy for that matter.”continued Bram. He bent down on one knee so he was at the same level as the pegasus staring her in the face. More precisely in those large green blue eyes that showed intelligence and free will. “What are you? You’re unlike any creature I ever seen or heard of. Perhaps some extraplanar being like a fey. Are you a familiar to the wizard that lives here? Or maybe some sort of advanced homunculus?”He was about to reach out a hand and further examine when something grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back.

“Bram not now, plus you’re scaring the poor thing.” before Evelina finished her sentence the little ponie feinted crashing to the ground overwhelmed by all that attention.

“Ops... might have overdone it a bit?”said Bram with a sheepish smile.


The yellow pegasu was beginning to stir as she lied on her picnic blanket while Harry was holding her forehoof in his paws stroking it gently to help awaken her. She opened her eyes and noticed the large bear tending to her. “Uhhh... Thank you Harry. I must have blacked out from the sun. I had the strangest daydream about five bizarre creatures.” She rubbed her sore head while gingerly got up on her flank. “I’m still a little dizzy.”

“ ‘ere take some o this. Should help settle down yer nerves, lassey.” said a gruff voice.

“Thank you.” the little pegasus took the offered mug and swallowed a mouthful of the liquid inside. Next her eyes went wide spitting out the mouthful she just drank all over Oric's face.

“Now why did ya go and do that for?” said the dwarf with gutbuster, a very strong dwarven drink, dripping down his braided beard.

“what... but .... you ... and...” the mare started to hyperventilate as her eyes shifted from Bram to the other members of the group.

“Really Oric! She wakes up from a major shock and you give her that?” said the girl with the top hat as she walked up to them irritation saturating her voice.

“Well it worked fer her.” Bram pointed with his thumb towards Tula who was lounging under the shade of a nearby tree with a wooden mug in her hands. Next to her Diline was doing the same thing without a care in the world taking small puffs from a long slender pipe.

“Yes, but not everyone copes stress with strong drink.” Oric throws his hands up in defeat and walks up to join his slaking friends for a smoke. Evelyne kneels down and takes the little yellow pegasus’s hoof in her hands to try and calm her down putting as much kindness as she could in her tones. “Greetings miss. I apologise again for the way my companions treated you and your pets earlier.” It seemed that her words did calm down the little creature a bit.

“I’d also like to say I’m sorry for coming on to you like that. It’s a habit of mine when I find something new that I haven't seen before.” Bram approached them scratching the back of his head feeling quite awkward.

Fluttershy started to gather up in a small ball trying to hide in her mane, intimidated by the tieflings bizarre look as Evelyne gave Bram an irritated glare. 

The poor pegasus really didn’t know what to make of them, the one next to her seemed nice and friendly but the rest of the group were so imposing in their demeanor and those weapons they carried were too sharp for her liking. 

Evelyne picked up on that and turned to Bram. “Would you mind going with the others? The both of us might be too much for her to handle right now.” 

He quickly turned around and left without further questions. “There, now that it’s just the two of us, my name is Evelyna Colt. And you are?” The human girl extended her hand as a gesture of goodwill.

The pegasus stared at the appendage unsure what to do, these creatures seemed so violent and scary earlier, especially the blond one. Yet they didn’t harm her while she had fainted and they really seemed to want to make peace and be friends.

After a few grueling moments waiting for the pegasus to react with a overly kind smile on her face Evelyne was ready to drop her arm when the yellow mare placed a hoof in her palm. “My name is Fluttershy.”

‘Weird name but strangely appropriate.’ thought Evelyne enjoying this small victory.


“So what's yer thoughts on the li'l horsey thing?” asked Oric as he let several smoke rings trail off into the sky.”Any o ya, ever seen one o them before?”

Tula didn’t bother to try and answer the question and looked to her other two friends, she had spent most of her adventuring days along side Oric so if he didn’t know anything about this “pony” then she surely didn’t.

“She is an adorable little creature, still weren't pegasy supposed to be as big as regular horsed? And I know that they’re intelligent creature but I never knew they could talk” The drow was also taking in a few puffs from a long elaborately designed pipe held gingerly in her long slender fingers.

“They don’t, and I’m as much in the dark as you. I’ve spent countless hours studying the tomes in the Harpers library back in Longsaddle. Yet I can't recall any reference of colorful talking pegasy. Maybe she's some yet undiscovered breed.” Bram added his two cents.

Tulla took a swing from her wooden mug then let out a long satisfying sigh. “Why don't we just ask her.” then she motioned with her cup towards the approaching pair of Eve and Fluttershy.

The two quickly walked up to the tree where the others were resting.”Everyone this is Fluttershy, she’s the one who lives in this quaint little cottage and after I told her a bit about us she agreed to answer a few questions so we can get our bearings and be on our way. Fluttershy these are: Bram Harper, Oric Muffinhead, Dilline Sharom and Tula of the Icewind Dale barbarian tribes.” She motioned to each party member when saying their names and they in turn responded with a there own greetings themselves.

“Well first thing would be finding out where we are. Could you tell us the name of this land?” asked Bram, curios to see if maybe the name of the realm would help him remember something about this magnificent being.

“We are next to the Everfree Forest in the middle of Equestria.” answered Fluttershy in a low voice.

Oric raised an eyebrow as he scratched his head with his pipe. “Any o ya lot ever heard o this Equestria place?” The others shook their heads just as confused as him.”Thought so; How close are we to the Spine Of The World mountains or the Sword Coast, that should help us get our bearings.”

Fluttershy tilted her head to the side raising an eyebrow herself unsure of what the dwarf told her. “I’m sorry sir but this is the first time I ever heard of those places. Maybe somepony back in Ponyville could be more helpful.”

Dilline lowered the pipe from her mouth now quite curious.”How far did we wind up? Even in the underdark the drow knew of the Sword Coast, and the Spine of the world well it’s pretty much the roof of the world.”

“I’m sorry.” was Fluttershy’s response as she backed away a few steps uncomfortable with all the attention she was getting.

Brams eyes went wide as a disturbing idea flew through his mind.”Ah... Fluttershy  do beings resembling any of us live nearby?”

She just shook her head in response as Evelyne caught on tho Brams train of thought and did not like where this might be going.

“Fluttershy...”Evelyne started in all seriousness.” Have you ever seen or heard of anything resembling us? Do you even know what we are?”

She shook her head again having a really bad feeling about where this was going.

“Fluttershy what is the name of this word?” asked Bram fearing that their problems might just be bigger than they originally thought. 

“uhm... T-Ter- Terra.”

Bram was shocked to hear this thought, he was even more shocked to find the ground coming up to meet him and staring up at a very pissed off Evelyne sitting on his chest and shaking him by the collar. “How the hell did you boch this up damned troglodyte. You said the cube will take us to safety, but you forgot to mention it’ll take us off Toril. Tell me how am I supposed to get back to Waterdeep, how am I supposed to open my shop, stuck on this gods forgotten plane.”

“Well we're boned.” were Tulas words to described the situation, and there was not a better way to put it as she watched Evelyne try to shake an answer out of poor Bram.

“Hold up lass.” Oric wrapped his hands around the desperate girls waist and pulled her off the pinned wizard. “Now listen up fer a bit, it’s not like the lad had much of a choice back them. Twas either this or stay there and let those damned wizards fry our hides.”

Evelyne stopped trying to get out of Orics grasp and back on top of Bram, her body went all limp and she slowly began to sobe. “I don't ... there is... we could have... I’m...I’m”. Oric let her go as she fell to her knees crying, the rest of the group weren’t faring much better. Sure they were grateful to be alive but the price was almost too high, being stuck a worlds away from their homes, friends and loved ones with no visible way back. That’s a hard blow for even the strongest minds and spirits.

As the young human girl cried her eyes out and the rest of the group stared into the ground wondering what to do now. A weak voiced broke the gloomy silence but it’s message was like the blow of a sledge hammer. “I can fix it.”

“What?” everyone lifted their gaze to regard the young wizard.

“I can fix the cube and take us home. All be it it may take awhile, months maybe years but it could... can be done.” Said Bram trying to convince himself as much as the others. He had no idea on how to fix the thing or even where to start but right now some good news was desperately needed.

“Excuse me but I know a pony that could help you. Her name’s Twilight Sparkle and she’s very good with magic.” said Fluttershy with a weak smile hoping she might help her new friends.

> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 “Are you sure?” asked Eveline, the elegantly dressed rogue with raven black hair and a top hat, as she paced back and forth inside the cozy cottage.

“Oh by the song of Eilistraee that’s the tenth time you asked him! Bram’s one of the best wizards I’ve ever seen.” And that coming from a drow ment quite a bit.” If he says he can get us home then he will.” said Dillin, a black skinned elf.

“Thank you Dilline but it's not your reassurance I am looking for.” Eveline didn’t knowing what to think of her other three friends who were playing cards at a table together with the bear from earlier and their current host a small white rabbit name was Angel.

“I’ve helped make some similar artifacts as an apprentice at my uncles workshop back in Longsaddle. So I'm familiar the inner workings behind such devices. I’ll still need a to set up my workshop where I can properly take it apart then re engineer it.” Bram, the bright and horned wizard, reassured his worried companion yet again. He was getting a bit tired of her antics but held his tongue knowing that Evelyne was one wrong coment away from another outburst.   

“Right, things may be a bit worse  for wear but at least we got a plan and theres no reason in thretin’ for somethin’ we can’t  change. Like the lass said, the boy’ll pull us through, so ye best relax or try and find sometin’ to do in the meantime.” Oric, the stout dwarf clad in scale mail armor threw his cards on the table in disappointment saying ”I’m out!”

Evelyne let out a low sigh. She knew that she needed to calm down and she knew if anyone could figure out this mess it would most likely be Bram. What was really pushing her buttons was how easily these three were taking everything.

The bunny wearing a green sun visor, made the call so the remaining players showed their hands. “Hell! I’d swear the little one is cheating if only I knew where he keeps his cards.” Shouted Tula, a seven foot tall barbarian woman as she smashed her gauntleted fist on the table while Angel raked in another win to his rapidly growing pile of gold. 

“He could give the cons in Luskan a run for there money.”  Dilline dropped her cards mentally praising the little bugger for his skill, few could pull the wool over her watchful eye.          

A heavy knock at the door caught everyones attention.”She couldn’t have returned that fast.” Bram referring to their gracious host who left for town only half an hour ago to ask her friends for help. 

“Of course it’s not her. Why would she knock, this is her home?” Evelyne replied as she walked to the door and opening it; “I’m sorry but...Aaaaahhh.” Several growls and hisses could be heard from outside before she slowly closed the door and returned to the living room taking a seat on the couch a unusually serene expression on her face.

“So who was it?” asked Dilline as she dealt the cards.

“Can I have some of that gutbuster please? I think I may have finally lost my head.” bringing a hand to her forehead as she crumpled on the couch.

Another more insistent knock came and this time Oric got up to open the door. Opening it he saw a rather large manticore like creature doing some elaborate charade. The weird thing was that it had a normal lions head not a human one and it also seemed to be able to speak Sylvan. “So yer the beastie that spooked the girl. And cut that out I can understand ye just fine.”

The creature dropped to all fours and Oric noticed that it was pretty ruffed up with it’s mane signed and it’s hide muddied and scratched up. 

Chewy the manticore was surprised at first to see that this strange short creature could understand him but then remembered why he came here and quickly told the dwarf what he knew.   

“Well crap.”Oric ran in grabbing his shield and waraxe. “Gear up lad and lasses, shit’s about ta hit poney town.”

Everyone scrambled to their feet as Evelyne let her head drop. “It’s never this easy, is it.” Hooping to her feet, she drew her crossbow sliding a bolt in place and ran after the others eager to vent some of her frustration on whatever threat might dare to cross her path.

Meanwhile in Ponyville three colorful meres were returning from a long adventure. One was a cyan pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and a cocky air about her, unlike her three other companions this one seems a lot more eager and energetic despite the long journey. The second was a white unicorn with a deep blue mane beautifully styled in bouncing curls, out of the four travelers she seemed to be the most battered by the long road yet her moves had the grace only seen in at kings court. Next was the smallest member of the party, he was a small bipedal reptile with purple scales and green spines clearly a baby dragon out of the four he seemed to be enjoying every minute he spent in the company of his friends. Last was another unicorn, this one had a lavender cote and a deep purple mane with lavender and pink highlights. Still her most defining feature were here bright purple eyes sparkling with life curiosity and intelligence.

Twilight, the lavender one, let out a satisfied sigh enjoying the hussle and bussle of the marketplace around this hour, merchants hollering and boosting their wares in hopes of enticing a passing customer. “It’s good to be back home.”

“Indeed. After all that dreadful muck and dirt we had to suffer through, Ponyville truly is a blessing to my eyes.” Rarity, the white pony, commented as she started to check her reflection in the window of a nearby shop. “Though the journey has taken it’s toll on me. I’ll need at least a week at the spa to clean up this mess.” noticing that her mane was a bit frazzled while here pure white coat was scruffed  in several places and a bit of dirt on her hooves. Yet she still retained that grace and charm she was known for.

“Mind if I join you. Celestia knows I’d need a good scrubbing myself.”said Twilight with a weary smile.

“Yeh you two do that. Me, I’m gonna go tell Applejack and Fluttershy about our adventure, and how we saved Spikes hide.” said Rainbow Dash, the rainbow maned mare of the group as she flew off to her aforementioned friends apple stand where another familiar butter yellow pegasus was talking to the shop owner.

“I’m going to, the road left me a bit hungry and those apples sure look good, like a crisp red ruby.” Spike the little dragon as he ran after Rainbow Dash. 

“Perhaps  Fluttershy and Applejack would like to join us at the spa.” suggested Rarity as they walked up to the stand as well. 

“Howdy Twy, Rars.”  the orange mare with straw blond tail and mane each tide back in a ponytail with a read band and wearing a worn stetson hat interrupted Rainbow’s story  “If’n what Rainbow says so far is true, ya four had quite a rough few days since ah last saw ya. Want a lil pick me up?” offered Applejack as she pushed a few apples towards them in a warm and friendly manner.

Spike jumped and grabbed an apple gulping it down in one followed by a loud belch.

“Spike” yield  Twilight shooting him a disapproving look . The little dragon looked back with a surprised look on his face having just shoved another delicious apple in his maw. “What?”he asked with his mouth full. 

“Actually we are quite exhausted from that log track and would like nothing more than to relax in a nice steaming hot tub at the spa. Would any of you care to join us?” asked Rarity with a hopeful smile

“Shucks I’d love  to, but I don’t get off the stand for a few more hours.”Applejack was genuinely sorry, after a day working the farm and tending the stand she would have loved to have Aloe or Lotus work their magic on her back.

“That’s too bad. What about you Fluttershy?” the others turned to look at the meek butter yellow pegasus.

“Well you see... I was actually hoping... Twilight could you  help me with something. Some beings.“ She wasn’t sure how to call them since she forgot to asked what they actually were ”Came out of the Everfree earlier and they need some help.”

“I’d love to help you with your critter friends but could it wait until tomorrow? I really need to rest after Spikes little quest.” Twilight peted the aforementioned dragon on the head.

Before Fluttershy could tell her that these were no furry critters a loud bellowing thunder was heard coming from the outskirts of town.

“That’s strange, was there a storm scheduled for today?” Twilight asked Rainbow Dash who was also the weather manager for the town and the surrounding area.

“No there should be clear skies all week. And where are the storm clouds?”

A lightning bolt could be seen hitting a spot close to the outskirts of town shortly followed by the same thunder yet there was not a cloud in the skies.

“Well there’s definitely something brewing outside of town. Twilight any idea what it is?” asked Spike while stuffing his face with apples.

“I have no idea Spike but we should go check it out. You run home and write a letter to the princes that we’re experiencing unnatural weather patterns around Ponyville and that someone from Cloudsdale should come check things out.”

“Yes ma’am.” The baby dragon saluted in response and waddled as fast as he could towards their library/ home.

“Come on girls. Whatever caused that lightning bolt, we have to make sure it doesn't hit anypony.”

“Do we have to go?” asked a trembling Fluttershy from under the stand. 

The five of them galloped off and in a few minutes reached the field outside of Ponyville to find that a war zone had replaced a few yards of green pastures just outside town. And in the middle of the mayhem Twilight recognise the four teenage dragos they met a few days ago. Three were lying on the ground bloodied while their read ringleader was surrounded by four tall ape like bipeds and a shorter one.

A dark foreboding feeling started to grow in Twilights heart as she surveyed the sight in front of her and was ready to start running back to the safety of her library when a bright flash of light erupted behind her. As the ponies turned they saw Princess Celestia and several of the royal guard.

“Hello Twilight .” a large mare sprouting both the wings of a pegasus and the long slender horn of a unicorn was slowly approaching the mares, her coat was as white as the purest snow her tail and mane seeming like a ephemere aurora composed of three pastel colors gently drifting in a non existent breeze. The royal status was clearly marked by the shining golden crown and regalia with assorted slips she was wearing, yet those paled in comparison to her own glow, a warmth that seemed to radiate from within her giving off a kind maternal calm. “ After receiving your letter I personally... decided... to...”Once she saw the creatures in the field her normally calm and serene expression turned to one of utter shock, Twilight noticed her mouthing the words “It can’t be.”.

Now Twilight was really scared, besides Discords escape she had never seen the princes brake face like that. “What are these beings?”

Earlier as the party ran towards the town Oric leading the charge astride Chester, yet keeping a slow enough pace so his companions could keep up.

“Alright kids. The manticore said that a bunch of dragons chased his pride away from a fresh kill they made and that he managed ta overhear them talking about raidin’ the ponies town. Now I’d say we’d need the town still standing if we aim ta get there help.”

“Did he say what chrome they were. That could help us exploit their weaknesses.” asked Bram between breaths as he struggled to keep up with the rest, years spent researching did nothing to help his endurance on long runs.

“Sorry lady but after hearin’ the words dragon and raid, I didn’t stay ta chat and ran in to get ye lot. His pelt was pretty burned up though so we should expect fire breathers”

“So, we’re going in blind not knowing how big these dragons are or anything else about them? That’s smart.” commented Dilline trying to hide her worry with a grin. She was no novice to combat but never before had she ever faced a dragon, let alone several.

“Not much of what we did back home was smart either. But if you want to run away now’s your chance.” commented Tula with a laugh and a eager sparkle in her eyes.

Dilline laughed at that.” Really? When have you ever seen, me, walk away from someone in need. Even more when was the last time I left any of you walk in to danger alone?” answered the swift rogue as some of her fears melted away knowing she had such trusted and skilled friends by her side. Yes she wouldn’t risk this with any others, well them or the combined armies of the Silver Marches.

“Furthermore” Intervened Bram” the dragon’s color isn’t a problem. We can recognise what type they are when we see them. Now the best way handle a dragon is to crippled it’s wings, grounding them will get them mad but at least they won’t be breathing down death from above. Other tactics I read up would include...” the wizard listed several tactics and known weak points in a dragons anatomy.

A few improvised strategies later as they reached a field just outside of town the dragons silhouette, four in total, could be seen gliding towards it. 

“Oric, can you take one of them down as an air elemental?”asked Bram, bringing a hand up to shield his eyes from the sun. 

“Aye! But ya best be ready when the rest o’ them swoop down. Chester stay close ta Evelyna, she’ll be needin’ yer help more than the others.” Orics body began to dissolve tuning in to that of an air elemental, taking flight towards the unsuspecting drakes. 

Approaching from behind Oric swirled his vaporous body around the unsuspecting runty looking one at the tail of the pack, a purple scaled one with blond spines. Forming a powerful whirlwind that forced it’s wings to fold back causing him to plummet to the ground. The rest quickly followed in pursuit laughing at his misfortune.

“Hey Grizz you forget how to fly or something!?.”Asked a read drake with a orange underbelly who seemed to carry the most weight in the bunch.

“I don’t know Garbel, that was some wicked wind that blew me down.” answered the crashed drake as he slowly got up.

“What wind?! There’s not even a breeze blowing!”said another one.

“Who cares! Lets go! We got a town to burn down.” ordered Garbel.

“Actually  your friends crash was our doing... I apologise for that but there was no easier way to get your attention.” Eveline slowly approached them tipping her hat in greetings, while Chester was walking by her left side snorting menacingly. She was struggling to keep her calm next to the dragons, barely able to keep her hands from trembling, unlike some of her companions she prefered to deal with problems in a more civil manner, charm and wit being her weapons of choice.

“Yeah, so what do you want? And what are you?”asked Garbel as he walked up from the lot.

“Uhm, we are mere travelers who have an interest in that village and caught word of your intentions. I hoped to convince you to not incinerating that lovely village and would compensate you for this favor.” Evelyne now backed by Tula on her right. The others were hoping that their plan would work a dragon of any size, especially in an open field, would be a challenge to even the most seasoned adventurers. 

The drakes began to snicker as he crossed his arms “Hmm. What could you possibly have to offer with us?"

Evelyne produced a large sack bulging with gems from her traveling bag“. I’d say that this is a fair offer.” She dumps the sacks contents on the ground to show it was full of an assorted lot of precious stones summing up to about 5000 gold pieces. A wide smile curled on her face her breaths starting to relax and slow down thinking they just avoided quite a messy incident, few would openly decline such a generous offer.

“Hmm. A nice snack after we burn the town. Romph get the stones.” Garbel motioned to a bronze girthy drake with a jaw large enough to swallow a piglet hole and a morningstar tipped tail.

“What about our deal?” asked Evelyne as Tula stepped between her and Romph.

“Why bother doing favors when we can just take the gems then burn the town. Now hand them over, and we just might let you go.” Said Garbel unimpressed by these smaller monkey like creatures.

“Yeah that ain’t happening.” Tula slammed her axe on the ground in front of the bronze colossus  halting his advance.	

He just chuckled, towering a full foot over the barbarian girl and half a foot wider in both the gut and shoulders.”Yeah and who’s gonna stop us lil urgh...” A swift kick to the groin stopped him mid sentence followed by an uppercut from her heavy gauntleted hand, lightning crackling along it’s length, sending a wave of electric energy through his head as the sheer force of the impact made his teeth rattle.

With that both sides exploded into movement, the time for diplomacy long gone, the dragons charged in confident in their advantage in sheer size not noticing that Grizz just got buried under a mound of rock and earth.

He crawled out from under the pile only to see it standing up and taking the shape of a large dwarf made of stone and dirty with two gleaming read rubies for eyes.

“Dude, how hard did I hit my head?” The response came in the form of some swift chants followed by the ground under the dragons feet turning to thick mud  and a pair of earthy hands grabbing him and pulling him down into the thick slush of earth. He tried to free himself but the dwarflike elemental quickly tackled him from the front pushing him in even deeper. After the purple drake sunk in to about chest level another quick chant hardened the mud to solid stone leaving him trapped in a rocky prison. 

Leaving the trapped drake behind Oric emerged from the ground rushing to help Dilline who was having trouble with a large blue Dragon, this was one of the larger girthier ones having a maw almost as wide as the bronze dragon. 

Still Dilline was much smaller and swifter than the dragon, barely managing to avoiding the white clumsy swipes of it’s talons but it’s fiery breath was a different thing, showing some ugly burns and blisters on her fair black skin. Still she grinded her teeth through the pain maneuvering around her larger opponent in a blur of hair, blades and silk, her clothes having altered their shape to long flowing silken straps that flapped through the air with every step. To a casual observer it would seem that she was merely dancin around the large beast laughing all the while. But this was a fighting style common among the followers of Eilistraee, where  the seemingly erratic moves combined with the long flowing clothes offering some concealment against the opponent's strikes. 

Although able to avoid her opponents attacks that meant she could not get the proper footing to drive the blade in deep enough to cause serious wounds. Her serrated blades only leaving some cuts and gashes along the creatures hide but nothing too major .

The two continued this exchange for a while neither getting the upper hand on the other until a pile of rocks jutted up behind the dragon slamming it’s stoney fists in the unsuspecting drake. 

“Thank  Eilistraee. Your stoney hide’s a welcomed sight.” commented the elf as she shifted to a more aggressive stance both of them hailing blows on the hard pressed dragon who now had to defend from from two opponents.

Blood started to poured from much deeper cuts now that the elf could go for the dragons more soft spots. But they were nothing compared to the heavy blows coming from the earthy monster to his right. The dragon knew he couldn’t last long to this onslaught so in a last desperate attempt he lunged to his right grabbing the monster,who was slower than his previous target, by the waist and unleashing his fiery breath in his victims face hoping to take down the stronger of the two.

The battle seemed won as Oric let out a loud painful scream in a voice that sounded like rocks grinding against each other. Still before he could enjoy this victory a searing pain shot through his chest as two slender curved blades cut between his ribs piercing a lung. A small elf astride the dragon’s back screamed in anger and grief, struggling to twist the blades and cause as much pain as possible so he would release her friend .

The blue dragon dropped the dwarf, as he thrashed about wildly trying to dislodge Dilline from his back. After several brutal thrusts she finally fell of only one blade in hand the other remained loges in the creatures back.

“How in the nine Hells are you still standing?” She screamed in a mix of fear and frustration looking at the sorry wreck that was the blue drake, blood dripping down it’s scaly hide, one eye swollen shut from Orics blows and the hilt of her other saber still logged in it's back. 

The blue one scraped the earth with his claws ready to charge at Dilline when a  bolt of lightning struck the dragon, followed by a loud thunder. Still the dragon didn’t seem to be slowed down so another bolt struck followed by another and then another, each followed by a loud thunder. His smoldering form stood there for a few seconds then fell like a ton of bricks. Behind him stood Orics trembling form, arms extended having just used one of his spells to finish off the beast. 

“Damn. Ya alright lass?” The dwarf asked his black skinned friend, as he brought a  hand to his face and using some of his magic to mend the burns from the drake.

“Yes, but next time don’t cut it so close?” she said with a grateful smile glancing back to the dragons boddy who to her surprise was still breathing if berly. They didn’t spend much time to dwell on that as their friend needed help.

Evelyne placed another bolt in her light crossbow, taking careful aim to avoid hitting her two allies engage in melee with Romph, the bronze dragon. Fortunately she was a sure shot with her crossbow and with each bolt the dragons hide resembled a pincushion more and more.
Still the dragon paid her no mind, her bolts were nothing compared to Tulas axe, it’s icey enhancement perfectly designed to combat creatures of fire, each slice and gash felt like it stole a bit of his inner flame. He trashed and swiped violently with both his claws and tail managing to land several blows on her but this only seemed to spur the fiery woman on adding  to her rage. It would have been a lot easier to mawl the blond one if he didn’t also have to take care not to get gored by the large boars tusks.

The two of them, bore and human, were perfectly synced in their savage combat, every time one was in a difficult position the other would increase the pressure on the dragon from the other side so it couldn’t get the upper hand.

Romph braced himself for one of Chester’s charge, considering the bore a much easier target to pin down then the smaller and more nimble woman. The boar's tusks pierced the dragons hide but the bronze colossus ignored the pain and managed to latch on to the bore. His claws now hooked in Cesters hide the dragon broth down his massive maw on the pigs back in an attempt to break its spine and be done with it.

The bore squealed in pain as the dragon’s maw tore into the muscle and tendon of his thick neck and shoulders, but it was not enough to finish the beast who went into a savage frenzy. Meanwhile Tula rored in outrage grabbing her axe with both hands and bringing it down, in a wide arc on the dragons shoulderblade severing a wing.

Chester, showing the endurance his species was known for, pushed through the intense pain lifting his upper body and pushing his tusks deeper into the drakes gut. The bore managed to lift up the bronze colossus a full inch above the ground, to the reptiles surprise, before they both topele to the side as Tula pulled her Great Axe free from the drakes back with a sickening crunch. Chester laid still where he fell to exhausted from the heavy exertion and pain to try and move

Romph rolled on his back and tried to get up as Tula lifted her weapon above her head and with a mighty swing she sank it’s heavy blade in to the young dragons throat, blood splattering all over her weapon and forearms.

The dragon fell back to the ground grabbing the axe frantically trying to remove it whilst drowning in it’s own lifeblood, the wild convulsions of it’s death throes splattering more gore on those to close until finally it fell into the dark void of the beyond. 

The four friends were exhausted to say the least, Dilline and oric joining up with the rest as they dispatched their dragons, muscles burning from the ordeal and the stings of their wounds still they had no time to revel as there was still one dragon left.


From the start of the fight Bram decided that his skills would be  best used in distracting one or maybe more of the dragons so the others could pick the rest off one by one. He caught the read dragon’s attention by doing the most annoying thing imaginable, poking it repeatedly in the head with Magic Missile. The tactic proved quite efficient as the annoyed beast focused solely on him while the others fought. The dragon’s anger reached  it’s peak when Bram threw in a Fireball for good measure.

He knew that most of the offensive spells he prepared for the day were ill suited for combating dragons and their fire resistance as he narrowly dodged a claw swipe only to be slammed by the creatures tail in the gut. And he was not the only one who grunted in pain.

“ Why don’t you just die you grey skinned freak?!” shouted Garbel in frustration seeing that this blows had next to no effect against the humanoid. More sow frostbite began to form around his extremities.

Bram just smiled back mockingly at the dragon holding his staff in  both hands wondering how much longer his spells would hold out. He didn’t much bother to fight back, lacking the physical strength to do anything against his opponent. Instead he opted to keep the dragon busy till help arrives, wearing him down bit by bit.

“Bahhh” the dragon roared in frustration taking in a deep breath and unleashing a 40 ft long cone of fire on the wizard. Everything that was engulfed by the fires quickly withered and turned to ash, everything besides the wizard who only stood there mockingly applauding the creatures efforts.

“You’re quite dumb as far as dragons go, aren’t you?” Bram commented before he got rammed into the charred trunk of a nearby tree, the impact taking the air from his lungs but otherwise he was relatively unharmed minus a few bloody scratches and tears in his robe.

“Says the loser thrown around like a ragdoll!” rored Garbel who was repeatedly clenching and opening his fist trying to quicken the blood flow and remove some of the crippling cold.

“Yes. But still most dragons would have recognised the chill shield and stoneskin spells on me, and opted to just wait out there effect or go help his friends instead of wailing on me like an utter moron.” The chill shield offering protection against the dragon's fiery breath and also gives a severe frostbite when he hits it and combining this with the effects of a Stoneskin spell would protect him from mostly anything the dragon could throw at him.

“Heh maybe but the others don’t need my help to take down some wimpy hairless monkeys.” snorted Garbel getting really fed up with this one’s arrogance.

“You haven't been paying any attention to the others have you.” Bram motioned for the dragon to look around. And as he did Garbel saw his friends, one half buried alive another unconscious and bleeding on the ground with a sword embedded in it’s back and the last one dead and mutilated beyond recognition his throat still spouting gushes of blood like some grotesque fountain.

Even worst Tulla and Dilline were now flanking him ready to charge in while Eveline had her crossbow aimed and ready to fire, Oric in the meantime was tending to Chesters wounds. Garble spread his wing in an attempt to fly away but two bolts fired by Eve quickly put a stop to that tearing twin holes in the thin membrane of his left wing. After a few struggled flaps to get away the holes tore up into large gashes rendering the wing useless crashing him to the ground.

Tula was quick to intercept slamming a heavy boot on his muzzle closing it shut and pounding her lightning gauntlet on the pinned creatures head until it fell unconscious having lost most of it’s stamina from Brams spells. The barbarian walk away from the unconscious creature, the dragons face covered in bloody bumps and bruises, regrouping with the others where Chester was lying down tended by his master. 

Once she reached them she fell on her ass letting out some heavy breaths, the adrenalin surge after she rages always taking it’s toll at the end of a battle. The others didn't fare much better all of them falling to the ground tired and wearing the tole of battle in the form of cut’s bruised and bloody tattered clothes.

“Woooo!.... I can't believe we actually did it. We should have been dead the moment  the bribe failed.” Dilline was the first to scream out their victory. “Oric, we’re buying the entire town a drink after this one.”

“Aye lassie.” answered the dwarf busy bandaging up Chesters back.” Tonight we’re partyin’ like it’s the dwarven new year.”

As they laugh through the exhaustion a loud rumble could be heard approaching them. In a few moments they were surrounded by a bunch of grey and white pony stallions clad in golden armor spheres pointed their way.

A particular grey stallion dawning a more ornate blue suit of armor with a centurions helm, the leader of the bunch, stept up addressed the party. “Lay down your arms and you shall not be harmed.” While his demeanor was strong and confident, he was clearly weary of these intruders. It was quite a task for a squad of guards to take on a dragon of this size and walk away, let alone four.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  “Well fuck.”cringed Tula, Diline and Oric in unison, the barbarian and the rogue readying their weapons to defend themselves as the guards formed a perimeter around the group of three women, a tiefling, dwarf and one bore leaving no way to escape. Oric, who was still wrapping some of Chesters bandages, was in no mood for this right now grumbling under his breath while the other two were scrambling to get back up on their feet.   

“Eve! Suggestions?” whispered Bram, the tiefling wizard, as he retrieved some components from his belt pouch to cast one of his remaining spells, if needed, as a distraction so they could break true the line of guards.

Evelina dropped her crossbow  “Do what they say!”. Some of the others wanted to protest but before they could get a word in edgewise she said ”Don’t forget why we came here!   If we want their help it would be best stay on their good side. And considering what just transpired here, can you blame them for being on edge?.” she unfastened the belts holding her rapier letting it fall to the ground next retrieving a pair of daggers hidden in her boots and another tied around her leg under her skirt . The others followed her example, some a bit more reluctant than others, but unable to find a flaw in her logic.

“There! We mean no ill will to the people.... er ponies of this town. We are also more than willing to cooperate and answer any questions you may have.” Eveline spoke in a calm even tones in hopes of calming the ponies.

“That would be much appreciated! “the two groups turned to see the regal figure of a  white pegasus, twice the size of the guards that surrounded them, with a long unicorn horn approaching them. Celestia, the alicorn ruler of equestria, was followed by a small entourage of five ponies composed of two unicorns, one purple and the other white , a orange mare with a stetson hat , a cyan pegasus with a wild rainbow colored mane and a noter butter yellow pegasus with a long flowing light pink mane. The later quickly brakes from the group and, to everyones surprise, runs past the guards up to the party.

“Eveline! What are you all doing here? Did something happen back at the cottage? Please tell me Angel and my friends are alright?” the yellow pegasus was struck with worry.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, your pets are safe, the dragons were heading straight for town and ignored your home.” Evelyne gave the ponies mane a gentle stroke calming her down.

“That is strange. We have a long standing treaty with the dragon Lords, why would their young try and attack one of our settlements?” Celestia approaches the body of the brown dragon as a golden aura covered the creatures remains. Suddenly the corpse began to stir as several of it’s wounds healed, the eyes shot open as it go up trying to take in breath of air. A few labored coughs spilling out the blood still in it’s lungs and the dragon seemed to be cured of the lethal wound on it’s throat yet it looked very weary still missing the wing Tula cleaved off.

“Princess, I don't think this is whise? We would be hard pressed with just these prisoners.” said the captain worried that they lacked the pony power to hold this many dangerous creatures.   

“Your concern is appreciated captain, but they all look too exhausted to cause any trouble.” the princes gave the captain a reassuring smile as she removed Dilline’s blade from the blue dragons back healing him and plucking the purple one from the ground with her telekinetic aura, the earth elemental summoned by Oric earlier still holding on to the creatures ankles.

“ Now would you four mind telling me why you strayed away from the Dragon migration?” she turned to the teen dragons holding her calm and serene expression. Still her gaze and tone held such a stern and overwhelming presence that the fierce beasts were now reduced to bumbling children. 

“ It was all Garbels idea. He thought we should come teach Spike a lesson for spoiling our raid. Sow we came here to ransack the town” the purple dragon, Grizz, was quick to snitch on his leader who promptly responded by slapping him across the head.

“You do know that this goes against the treaty I have signed with your kin Grable?” the princess turned her attention to the read one.

“Hey. I don’t have to answer to you or anything.” snorted the dragon regaining some of his earlier cocky demeanor.

“That is true the treaty states that you must be returned to your tribe and be judged by them for your actions. But know that I am well acquainted with the dragon lords, Brimsing is actually a close childhood friend, so do not expect you will evade punishment.” the mentioning of Brimsing clearly had a great effect on them as they quieted down realising the extent of the trouble they were in.

“I see we understand each other.”said the princess with a mischievous smirk while her back was turned to the other ponies. “Now leave my lands and never return.” With that the drakes ran stumbling over each other, as far away from Celestia as possible. 

Meanwhile, Evelyne after observed how the other ponies reacted in her presence and how she carried herself, was frantically trying to dust off the dirt from the earlier fight and make herself more presentable, . Meeting a noble or a mayor was one thing but this one clearly had an air of royalty about her. The others were in even worse shape, Bram’s robe was in tatters and coated in dirt making him look like a mess whilst Tula, Chester and Oric, who usually looked like wild savages were now covered from head to toe in grime and gore. And Dilline.... she just changed her clothes from those of a Calimshan belly dancer to the elegant flowing robes of a noble’s daughter in the blink of an eye, what little dust was on her beeing getting blown off by the swift transformation. Evelyna made a mental note to ask Bram for a similar enchantment for her gear.

“Now that that has been settled. I am sure someone else must have noticed what has happened by now and spread word through town.  Captain! Would you please go and tell them that the threat has passed.”

“Yes your highness.”The commander saluted before trotting off into town followed by a handful of guards.

“Rainbow could you go and help them? With your speed the news would go around much quicker?” the purple mare, Twilight asked her colorful friend.

“But Twiy, I can't leave you guys hanging here.” protested Rainbow Dash, leaving her friends with those creatures went against every instinct she had.

Twilight gave her friend a grateful smile.”Don’t worry, Celestia is here plus the fact that the best flyer in Ponyville is with the guards would help calm the townsfolk.”

“Fine.” Rainbow agreed crossing her forelegs as she hovered above the ground.”But I’ll be back here as soon as I'm done.” and with that she was gone leaving a rainbow trail behind her.

Meanwhile Celestia turned to the party with a kind gaze.”I thank you for your aid. If you had not intervened the dragons would have gotten into town and this incident could have been considerably worse. For that you have my gratitude, but please understand I can not allow such powerful beings to wander around my kingdom without knowing what their intentions are.”

“Of course your highness. We understand that our presence here may cause uproars, as I said before we are more than willing to cooperate in any way possible.” Evelin answered with a low bow.

“I am  pleased to hear that. We would best continue this conversation somewhere more private. Applejack may we use your barn for this little meeting?” 

“O’course princess.” and with that they made their way to Sweet Apple acres, the party being flanked by the remaining guards,who were now carrying their gear and weapons, with Twilight and her friends trailing behind.


On the way to the Apple Family barn Fluttershy heard what happened to Chewy and excused herself to go tend to his wounds. Once they arrived at the barn Celestia began her interrogation.”Again I am grateful for your willingness to cooperate. Now the first thing I would like to know is how you managed to appear in the middle of Equestria without alerting any of the border guards and what is it that you seek here?” as Evelina stepped forward to answer, Celestia  started to concentrate her magical energies around the girl.

Evelyna felt the familiar efecte a spell a priest cast on her and did not oppose it in any way, knowing that if she spoke the truth she had nothing to fear.”Your highness, I do not know exactly how we got to youre fair land but I am sure my wizardly friend has several theories that might enlighten us. But know that we wish no harm towards you or your subjects and  what we seek is means back to our home. I hope my response does not disappoint you.”

Celestia smiled ”Not at all my dear. I can see you speak the truth. and I am quite curious to hear what your friend has to say.”

“Thank you, your majesty. Bram could you please step up and explain how you got us stu… broth us here.” a short silence ensues.”Bram!?” Evelyna turned to check what her friends were doing.

Tula was sitting on the ground yawning bored out of her skull while Oric was scolding Chester for breaking into a crate full of apples. Dilline was trying to suppress a giggles as she watched that exchange as the dwarf was making the pig and apologise to the orange pony who seemed to own this farm.

As for Bram he was studying one of the ponies, a small purple unicorn to be precise, with great interest oblivious to everything around him.

“Ahm... Please excuse my friends your highness. They’re not used to dealing with royalty.” Said Evelyna with a sheepish apologetic smile.

“No worries my dear. I know the type.” Celestia motioned to Twilight who was eyeing Bram with just as much interest, the two mimicking each other to a T as they tried to figure each other out.

Evelyna walks up to Bram giving him a swift slap over the head.

“Auuu. What the hell Eve?” Bram rubbed his sore head, while the others laughed at his expense. Even the guards let out a chuckle a bit more relaxed now.

“Her highness would like to know how we managed to, sneak in the middle of her country undetected. I believe you would be the best to explain that considering it was your bright idea that got us here.”

“oh.. right.” Bram pointed to his bag that was being held by one of the guards. Something within it began to stir as a purple reptilian head popped out from within it’s confines holding a small cube fashioned from carnelian in it’s maw. The small reptiles sudden appearance spooking the guard and the ponies next to him. With a swift gesture Bram levitated the cube towards him.”Thank you Jerry.” The small reptile gave a playful chitter in response before returning to it’s bag.

The bag was swiftly dropped to the ground everyone retreating a fair distance  away from it as a irritated hiss could be heard coming from inside.

“What is that?”asked a startled Twilight who was standing closest to the guard. Shaken by the little dragon’s sudden appearance.

“That’s just Jerry. He’s my familiar.” The little dragon in question stumbled out of his sack hissing angrily, about the same size as a dog. Wiping his stinger tipped tail at the guard who dropped him in a threatening manner. Jerry took flight and perched on his masters shoulders.

“My that is quite a pet you have there.”  Celestia  replied quite amused. Jerry did not like that remark throwing her a rather indignant look.

“Actually he’s my assistant. And he doesn't like being called a pet.” corrected the wizard while scratching Jerrys chin with his free hand.” Anyway this device here was the method through which we appeared in the middle of your land. Originally when we first found it I believed it’s use was for magical teleportation, that is until I activated it to escape out of a particularly dangerous situation, and it worked.... sortoff. Only recently did we figure out that it was actually a portal across the plains of existence....”

“Hold it right there, you're telling us that you five are not only not native to Equestria but from a different dimension to boot?” Twilight asked with a expression of utter glee and a bit of madness on her face as she regarded the party with new, and somewhat unsettling eyes.

“Uhm... Yes.” and with that Bram set fire to the fuse.

“This is incredible, unprecedented. I need to document this meeting for posterity, where are my quills , wheres Spike, we need to call the Princess. No wait she’s already here. I need my parchments and ink.”the purple unicorn started to pace about the room talking to herself.” Wait! Alright nopony do anything until I come back.” And with that she was gone in a blink.

There was a brief moment of awkward silence, but before anyone could say anything Twilight returned with enough parchment to mummify a small wale. Five quilles were busily scribbling, each one on it’s own piece of parchment while a sixth stood at the ready in front of her. “Please go on.”

“Yes... Well unfortunately the dangers we were trying to escape consisted of a pair of Erinyes and a Bone Devil among other things, those three devils were in range when I activated the  cube, hitching a ride to this realm. We manage to send them back to the sulfurous pits that spat them out. Still one of those devils managed to land a swipe on the cube rendering it useless.”

The ponies had no idea of what terrible horrors almost ran free over their lands, except Celestia who knew of such creatures of unimaginable evil.”That is quite an impressive feat but how did you acquire the ire of such powerful foes?”

Evelina got up motioning to Bram that she’ll take it from here, those details had to be handled tactfully so they would not appear to be bigger threat than they already were.” Back in our homeland there is a group calling themselves The Red Wizards who were suspected of planning great harm against the realm so we were hired to do a little investigating. If the rumors proved true we were supposed to hamper them as much as possible.”

“By hamper she means crush several of their enclaves.” completed Tula with a proud grin.

“And beheading one of their major leaders, crippling there plans to a standstill.” continued Dilline just as cocky the two pumping fists.

This made Evelina facepalm, that was exactly what she was trying to avoid. “Well as my companions said, you can see why they might have been a bit upset with us.”

“I am sure there is quite a tale behind that but for another time, you clearly pose no threat and I have already spent too much time away from my royal duties. Guards you may return their equipment.” the guards ponies swiftly handed them their weapons and belongings.”Still before I leave what  are your plans now that you are stranded here?” the princess asked as she made her way to the door together with her guards.

“Bram suggested that he could repair the magical device so that would be our first priority. Rest assured that we will do whatever we can to help out as to not overstay our welcome.”  Evelina replied with a respectful bow.

“I see. Twilight can you accommodate our new friends.”

“Yes” the unicorn was nodding her head so fast the others almost thought they could hear it rattling.

“Excellent. Then I bid you good luck in your endeavors and hope you enjoy your stay in our fair land.” as she exited the barn accompanied by her royal guards a bright white light flashed transporting them back to Canterlot.

After the princesses departure silence fell, neither the adventurers nor the ponies sure what to say until Tula finally broke the ice. “So whos hungry, all that dragon slaying left me starving.”

“Straight ta the point now aintcha, I like that?” commented Applejack with a chuckle actually enjoying the big ones straight forward attitude. “I’m sure me an’ my family can rustle up some grub for y'all ta chow down on. But first you need to get cleaned up, If ma sister saw you bloodied up like that she’d be havin’ nightmares fer weeks.” starting to trot off towards the door hollering for someone named Big Mack to bring a tub full of water in the barn.

“Why thank you but we wouldn’t want to impose.”Evelina politely declined.” Plus the sun is already starting to set and we should go book a room at the locale inn.”

“uhm... about that.” said Twilight scratching the back of her head with a sheepish smile.”I don’t want to seem rude considering you saved us from those dragons. But would you mind not going into town until tomorrow. Seeing five creatures, who just decimated the field outside town, would surely cause a riot. Trust me even; a rampaging horde of bunnies would cause the town to have a panic attack.”

The five friends looked at each other and nodded in agreement.”Aye lassie. Me and me friends can pitch a camp somewhere nearby until the morrow. After a month sleepin’ in that there forest o’ yours it’d be great to spend a night just about anywhere.”

“Ya'll could spend the night here. I’m sure my family won’t mind and the barn’s a down right good place to spend a warm summer's night. Right big bro?” Applejack was holding the door for a large read stallion with an orange mane and green eyes who was pulling in a cart with a tub full of water plus some soap.

“Eeeyup.”

“Ohhh..And when you come into  town make sure to pass by my boutique, I’d be more than happy to fix up the tares in your clothing.” offered Rarity, the white unicorn , as she walk past the adventurers eyeing their tattered clothes then stopping in front of Tula.”You my dear seem to have got the short end of the stick, as they say, in that regard. I think your attire is beyond my skill. Perhaps I can string together something for you overnight.”

Tula brought a hand up to scratch her head, perplexed on how to take that.

“We graciously accept both your offers.” Evelyna told the two ponies then turned to her two male companions. “Now if you two would mind.” as she motioned to the door.

The pair in question plus the bore quickly made their way out to let the women have their privacy followed by the red stallion whom they guessed was Big Mack. The three made their way to a large stump where Oric placed three wooden mugs and a half empty water skin of Dwarven ale, pouring the last pint of the golden liquid he’ll be drinking in a while. “Ya up for a stiff drink ladye?” he asked the stallion.

“Eeey...”Before the stallion could answer something landed or crashed between them and the barn, a brash voice yelling as the dust settled.” Alright you creeps where are my friends?” a particularly angry Rainbow Dash, her nostrils flared snorting as menacingly as she could, was about to charge them.

Shortly the barn door creaked open, the two men and ponies turned to see Applejack trotting out quite cross. “What in the hay is goin’ on out here?”

“Wait you didn't get captured by these guys? And why is Big Mack having a drink with them?”

“Off.. Come ‘ere sugarcube we’ll fil ya in on what ya missed since ya left.” the two mares entered the barn leaving Bram, Oric and Mack alone again.

Bram just gave a shrug and grabbed his mug,“Well then” he began lifting his mug up the other two following his example. The two adventurers paused a moment in surprise seeing how easily Mack picked up the mug in his hoof. “Here’s to a new adventure and a thriving relationship between us all, and let’s hope we don’t botch this up too badly” The three slammed there mugs together before downing the strong brew followed by a hearty laughter.

“Cheers”

“Eeyup”
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A dark blue alicorn mare was walkin down a beaten dirt path through a thick forest, her mane a ethereal mirror of the night sky, constellations fluttering gently in a nonexistent breeze while her platinum slippers matching the regalia on her chest . She felt strange in these new surroundings especially when she looked up at the night sky. Usually she would have found comfort in the intricate designs she would have weaved  from the stars or in the bright glow of the moon. But this was not her moon, shining down, and the stars were all arranged in a web of chaos so different from the constellations she so elaborately designed to brighten the night sky. No; this were the skies  of a whole new world unexplored by poney kind and it was strangely humbling to witness it’s grandeur.

She shook away that thought and carried on through the forest. After hearing of these new “visitors” to Equestria she wanted to see them for herself. A gentle melody started ringing through the woods and it was drew her to the edge of a clearing lighten up by bonfires. She hid behind some bushes so as not to get spotted by her target.

The clearing was full of slender bipedal creatures, their bodies hairless save for  long manes on top their heads and skin dark in color with hues ranging from a dark blue like her coat to deep purple and pitch black. Their features were fair and angular each showing great joy as they danced around the fires in what seemed to be a grand celebration. Minstrels playing their soothing melodies as the aroma of strange foods and wine were calling the hungry to the tables that seemed to never empty.

This spectacle was breathtaking, yet this was not the reason she was here. Her goal being to observe one of the many attending, one of the youths, a girl in fact who seemed to be just a step away from womanhood. She was dancing in the center of a ring formed by others cheering her on. The girl matched one of the descriptions that the alicorn had received, but she was not supposed to be this young.

Among the other dancers this one was truly the most skilled, her moves in perfect synchrony with the minstrels notes,  the alicorne even questioning how could her body bend that way on several occasions still she was eventually enthralled by the beautiful performance.

“ She’s quite a sight isn’t she?” asked a voice from above her.

“ Yes... What?!” was the startled alicorn response as she looked up to see a dark shape jump from the branch above her. In an instant the music, the fire and the food vanish as if they never existed.

“Now what are you doing in my dreams...”the assailant stopped mid sentence pulling back an inch, recognising her as a one of the ruling alicorn. With a dumb grin on her face she asked ”Are you...?” 

“Yes, we are princess Luna the guardian of dreams, bringer of the moon and mistress of the night. Tough would do well in removing these blades from our person.”The princess of the moon stood her ground staring back at the elven woman, who was the spitting image of the girl she saw dancing by the fires a few moments ago, only older and more physically matured .

“Oh shit.” was her response as she quickly snapped her blades away trying to hide them behind her back.”I... Apologies your highness but what are you doing here?”Asked  the elf with a dumb apologetic grin on her face.

“Well...” Started Luna not knowing how best to address this particular situation. She decided to come clean now that the cat was out of the bag. “We have heard of your arrival from our dearest sister. Naturally the appearance of several beings from ancient legends had enticed our curiosity. Thus we decided to see for ourselves.” Luna puffed her chest out, head held high striking a regal pose, trying to retain some face from her earlier reaction.

The elven woman scratched her head for a moment before responding in a matter of fact tone with a strong. “Yeah that makes sense.”

Luna gave her a surprised look, how could someone be so calm with hearing that someone just invaded their dreams. “Are though serious!?” She tried to avoid facing any of her subjects in their dreams for few would accept a stranger in their most personal thoughts. Yet this one was not phased by the idea in the slightest.

“Well yes. Some strange creatures come to your land. Normally you’d like to know what’s going on.” responded the elf as she took a step back sliding her sabers back in their scabbards while taking a bow in one fluid motion. “So how did I and my friend fair in your highness eyes?” The music slowly returned with it’s merry tunes together with the smell of food and the warmth of the celebration.

“We came to a similar conclusion as our beloved sister. While thou and thine companions are mighty, we do not believe you to be a threat to our subjects. Still there is something about you in particular that strikes us as odd.” Stated Luna as her host gracefully walked around her towards the celebration held in the clearing before them.

“Ohh... And what makes me stand out?” she asked bringing a hand to her chin with an amused smile on her face.

“The mere fact that you managed to notice our presence entregues us. Few maintain enough lucidity in their sleep to notice that something is out of place in a dream. Furthermore thine dream is so complex mirroring what we could only assume is your world in great detail. I... We have never seen anything like it before.” Luna finished inwardly berating herself for that little slip at the end.

“That is a trait common among my kinfolk. It proves quite helpful in certain situations.” said the elf trying to prolong this conversation as much as possible, she was starting to get a feel on who this princess was as a person, and she liked her.

“I have not seen anything similar whilst observing the others.”

“Well, they are not my kin, still they are my closest friends. I am a drow or a dark elf and we do not sleep like the other races of the world.” said Dilline as she started walking into the clearing motioning for the princess to join her. 

Luna stood still for a moment and took in the sight of the festivity. The atmosphere was intoxicating, and so different from the celebration she was accustomed to. And there stood the even maiden, a hand extended to welcome her. “What is thy name?”  

“Just call me Dilline”  was the quick response still waiting for the princes to join in the celebration. 

Luna gave in to the temptation and joined Diline in the dream celebration. “Could thy elaborate what though menth regarding your kinfolk?” asked the princess as she trotted off after the elf. 

“Hmmm...” Dilline was thinking how to answer that while pouring a crystal clear ruby whine from the table in two silver chalices. “ I don’t know the details but elfs don't dream, they drift through old memories.” She offered a chalice to Luna as she pointed with her own chalice to her younger reflection who was still dancing in the middle of a ring of cheering people.

“ That would explain why thy dream is so complex and why we confused though with your younger self.” Luna took the offered chalice in her magical aura enjoying the pleasant fruity fragrance of it’s contents then taking a sip. Her eyes quickly widened as she tasted the aromatic wine. “By my sister’s beard this is good stuff.” She quickly slapped a hoof over her mouth surprised by her outburst.

Dilline cut in with a jolly smile on her face.”Your sister had a beard? Now there's a story I’d like to hear.”

Luna did not hear the drow as she started to trot away, embarrassed by how she acted in front of her 'hostess'. She was a princes, one who should represent her people in a proper and dignified manner, and this outburst would surely bring shame to her people and sister.” I’m sorry but I must go.”

“That’s too bad. I was hoping you would stay for a while longer. Its been ages since I’ve attended this feast with anyone.” Said Diline with genuine regret in her melodious voice watching Luna trot off. 

This made Luna hesitate for a bit, this was something she earned fo ever since she came back from the moon. Despite her sisters reassurance and the events of last Nightmare Night many ponies still held fear in their hearts towards her. Thus she rarely had been invited to any sort of festivities like her sister and when she did attend the guest were very strained around her always keeping at hoffs length away. 

“Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose.” Asked the princes turning around to regard her hostese.

Dilline let out a merry chuckle as she grabbed Luna by her hoof pulling her deeper into the celebration, the music became more upbeat and the moon peeked from behind the clouds to show its silver beauty. Luna found herself joining the ring of dancing elfs, she initially had trouble keeping up with them especially because she was now standing on her hind legs and putting her front legs on Dillines and another elves shoulder as a ring of dancing and singing elves formed around a young couple who were performing within it. The circle moved with the rhythm of the song and all those within rejoice for the celebration was in full swing. Eventually Luna could barely keep up with the others and chose to break away from the dancing circle and approached one of the tables filled with endless food. Though she was a stranger among them she never got the sense of exclusion, a galloping gala where the others embrace her. A beautiful dream.     

After what seemed like an eternity  the night was drawn to a close and the two left the clearing retreating back into the forest. The music could still be heard in the distance and it was slowly winding down.  ”Ahh.. That was wonderful. I can’t say I ever experienced anything like that.” 

“I can see that.” Commented Dilline making Luna realise she forgot all about the royal “we” since she joined to the party. ”But you ponies seem such a merry bunch. Don’t they have parties around the castle?” 

“Please.”Started Luna with an exaggerated wave of her forehoof.” Back in Canterlot there is not a night without a gala or some other high class event in full swing. But those are so dull and boring, nothing this enticing or invigorating.” Luna voiced her opinion as she turned to point back towards the clearing.”It almost make me feel glad that I don’t often get invitations.”

Dilline gave Luna a confused look.“Being a princess of this land it’d think nobles would be beating down your doors to personally hand the invitations.”she commented with a chuckle.

“We guess though had not heard yet of our descent into darkness. Or of how our sisters student and her friends had purged that black stain from our soul.” Luna reverting back to here more regal speech.

“No, the Sparkly one only gave us a brief introduction to Equestria while we were washing up.” Dilline was a bit unsure what to make of her now more serious expression. 

“Dilline, once I have let my dark thoughts and jealousy towards my sister poison my mind and spirit to the point where I let myself get possessed by the Nightmare.” Luna was trying to swallow back her emotions as she told her tale.”I ended up wanting to depose my sister and plunge the land into a everlasting night so our subjects would love me too. You can only imagine the repercussions of my actions had my sister not banished me to save Equestria. Eventually I had returned and was freed from the Nightmare by the Elements of Harmony but still....” Luna trailed off unable to find the words that could properly describe how she felt about her past actions.

“Heh... I know where you're coming from.” Dilline placed her hand on Lunas shoulder whilst giving her a supportive smile. She was standing next to her in the forest with the music lost between the ancient trees, the wind blowing a chilling air around them.

The princess turned a curious gaze towards the young drow and saw mixed emotions in her deep red eyes. “Let me tell you a bit about my kin, the drow or dark elfs as we are often called. We are most easily recognised by our dark skin, and unlike our fair skinned cousins on the surface of the realms, the mere sight of just one of us is enough to send any country on the warpath. Drow are considered one of the most evil and vile of the sentient races and rightfully so. Murder, deceit and betrayal are the most applauded ways of gaining status in their society thus hatred, fear and envy are all that they feel towards each other. This hatred runs even deeper against other races, a right of passage within the drow academies being the organizing of raids on the surface to capture more slaves for torture, a craft that they perfected to an artform. And all this for the glory of their wretched goddess the spider queen Lorth. Even the demons of the abyss think twice before striking a deal with the Drow”

This statement left Luna shocked as she looked back to regard the still flickering lights of the festivity being held not to far away, the memory of the gentle soothing tones from the minstrels music and the joyful laughter of both young and old ringing in her ears. How could beings of such beauty and fine skill have a heart as black as she just heard.

“Yet... there are some that have turned from that path. Most of them follow Eilistraee the only one of the Drow pantheones that did not fall  into madness and chaos. They hope to one day find redemption and a home on the surface under the Lady’s moon. A few who know of us and our intentions call us the dancing folk,a title I quite like. But most of the realms citizens view us like our dark kin. And can I blame them? It’s a reputation rightfully earned.” this little talk stirred up some deep emotions within Dilline, taking a few steps back as she began to hum a old melody. The elven girl went in to a low sweeping bow arms arched trailing behind as she began singing an old song. Her movement were so fluid and effortless as if she had no joints to speak of. Every step she took, every twirl she make and each sway of her hips were in perfect harmony with the lovely melody that was carried by the winds. Luna caught herself mouthing the words along side her new friend as it’s calming effect fell over her, the lyric helping her form an idea of what these “gentler” drow stood for.

As Dilline approached the end of her performance she ended in a low courte bow before her audience. As low clopping sound was echoing around her and  looking up Dilline had to fight back a giggle as she saw Luna sitting down and clapping her forehooves, the image almost to adorable for her to handle.

“That was quite a performance.”She complimented Dilines dance with a joyful smile.

“Thank you. I’ve learned that by watching a priestess during one of her nightly prayer sessions. It always helps remind me that there is still some good in my people.”

“Well it seems like our stories while somewhat different have the same outcome?” 

“Of two souls living in a worlds that fears them for what they aren’t. hehe” Dilline finished the princess idea, their similarities not being lost on her.

“Yes. I also thank you, this whole experience was quite comforting. Perhaps... we could do it again sometime?” the last part came out with a bit more hesitation as Luna scratched the back of her neck with a hoof.

“It’s a date. And hopefully not in dreamland.” Dilline accepted the invitation a bit surprised at the way Luna blushed at that statement. 

“Yes well I will be sure to make some time just for that. But the night draws short and I must go atend to other duties.” Luna was quite reluctant to leave her intriguing new friend but the night beckoned.

“I’m looking forward to it, perhaps you could teach me some of your peoples songs and dances.”

“I will keep that in mind. But before I take my leave would you mind answering one question?”

“Asck away.”

“You say that you could relive any memory while sleeping. Why this one in particular?”

Dilline gave a content smile, bringing a hand to her chest feeling the smooth shape of a small medallion she wore under her clothes in the shape of a slender drow woman holding a Moonsword, a medallion she won on this exact night years ago. She then looked up and pointed to the moon smiling.

> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                A roosters crow pierced the silence of the rustic barn, it’s six occupants rose up rubbing the sand from their eyes, three women (two human and one drow) , a tiefling plus a dwarf. 

Oric, the dwarf,  rose without much complaints his stout constitution being used to far harsher conditions. He walked up to then knelt down besides the mountain of fur that was his peat bore, Chester, inspecting the wounds he received the previous day to make sure they didn’t get infected and start to fester.

The heartier one of the two human female who was resting not to far away, got up stretching and popping her sore joints. She also took quite a beating the other day though not as much as her porcine friend, but was sorely feeling it this morning. Noticing Oric she walked up besides him.“ How’s the little fella?”

“ Me boy’s been through worse. The wounds are closed up and everythin’ seems to be in place. A weak o’ rest and he’ll be fine.” Oric gave the bore a friendly pat on the head.

“He deserves it.” She laid down besides the bore petting him as tenderly as she could. “The way you held your own out there against those lizards. Heck Tempus would have a trough just for you besides his table. “ In response the grateful creature tried to nuzzle his massive head against her with a bit of difficulty.

The group spent the night on beads of hay, a fair improvement from the hard dirt of the road but still a bit of a inconvenience to the more refined member of the group, Evelyna who was now quite cross at having to pick stray strands of hay from her shoulder long raven black hair.

“ Umh... How can you be so cheery. Half the hay in this barn must have found it’s way into yours.” Evelyna vented some of her frustration on Diline, the drow who was also trying to clean the white and golden mess that was now her hair and doing a considerably better job of it, in far better spirits to boot.

“Just had a nice dream, that’s all.” she answered as her dexterous fingers quickly removed several pieces of hay. “ Actually, I made a new friend there.”

Evelyna gave her a curious look. Most would have questioned the sanity behind those words but she had seen enough strange things, last evening included, to know better. “ Could you be less enigmatic?” 

“Hahaha... yes.Remember when the ponies told us how Equestria is ruled by two sisters, one by day and the other by night? Well last night we had a visit from their nightly ruler, and I was the only one who got to greet her?” 

As Evelyna finished cleaning her hair she gave Dilline a blank expression until finally putting it together. “ She visited you in your dreams?” 

“ Well she said she  visited all of us but apparently I was the only one that notice her.” Diline’s lips curled up in a wide smile, as Evelyn's cheeks turned a bright read followed swiftly by the rest of her face as she turned to peek at Bram, with the corner of her eyes. The tiefling was sitting not to far from them but just out of earshot with Jerry ,his familiar, in his lap. Both of them were studying Brams spellbook preparing the day's selection of spells,  oblivious to what the others were doing.

“Calm down. Luna didn’t mention anything she saw in your heads, and I didn’t press the issue. Though by your reaction I can take a guess.” That didn’t calm Evelyna down to much.” Maybe the others would like to hear this too.” Dilline got up, her long white hair flowing down close to her ankles free of any hay, and called the others over telling them what she experienced last night.

A brief explanation later.

“ Hmm.... That’s quite an impressive feat, entering just one person's thoughts without him knowing, is quite a tiring task even for a skilled psionics user. And  by what Dilline is saying princess Luna entered the thoughts of five individuals without a trace and seemed no worse for ware.”  Bram was stroking his chin after hearing Dillines tale about last night, quite impressed by the night princess magical aptitude. “I wonder...”

“ Ah... lad I think ye’re missing the point. The damned beastie entered our minds without any effort or consent. Now I don’t know about ye but I ain’t taking too kindly to that.” commented the rather disgruntled dwarf.

“ He’s right. Remember that Night Hag covenant we had to root out.” Tula while not to concerned by this bit of information, backed up her smaller friend. Half the town’s people had been killed in their dreams by the fowle witches in that particular incident their souls captured and bartered off to devils or other bearings of the lower planes by the time they got there.

“ I doubt she’d do anything like that.” Dilline pinched in walking behind a bale of hay to change into her spare set of traveling clothes Evelyna following after her. The clothes they wore the other day had been taken by Rarity so she could patch them up back at her shop. “ I got a good measure of her while we talked. She didn’t seem the type to go to such lengths.”

“ Believe me Oric, I am just as upset regarding this as you are.” Said Evelina walking out from behind the bale wearing a woolen skirt with fine leather boots and stockings. A white puffy shirt with a fine leather vest and her trademark tophat.” But I can see where they are coming from. In their ‘shoes’ I might have done the same. ”

Dilline also stepped out now wearing leather britches with a pair of traveling boots, a plane woolen shirt and a colorful headband wrapped around her head.” Can we just let it slide for now. No harm’s been done.” 

Oric Crossed his arms and thought about it for a few moments. He was wearing the same Dragonscale chainmail from the previous day having scrubbed of all the grime and blood the night before.” Bah.. Fine, I’ll let it slide. “Throwing his arms up in defeat.

“Excellent, so are we all ready to go?” Evelina clapped her hands together as Bram finished putting on a spare rob. Oric and Tula looked at each other and noded in agreement, those two were wearing the same things they had on the previous day only somewhat less stained.

The group was now ready to leave the barn and join the apple clan for breakfast, the invitation having been extended the previous night. As the door opened a jolly colorful wagon adorned with a myriad of bells whistles tubes and ribbons was waiting for them besides an even more jolly pink mare. She pressed a button on the wagon then began the strangest song and dance routine for a four legged animal.

As the mare finished her number a hach popped open on the wagon firing a volley of confetti and balloons at the group. Bram, Evelyna and Oric were staring slack jawed at the pinket pony still trying to comprehend what they just witnessed. Dilline was also a little shocked but mostly because of the abruptness of the performance, she approached the pink pony clapping her hands.

“That was wonderful. I’ve never seen a show quite like that.” the elf started to pet the pink bundle of joy.

“Thank yooouuu. I’m Pinkie Pie and Ohhh....  that feels sooo nice.”She let out a satisfied sigh enjoying the alien sensation of Dilline’s hand and fingers running down her mane and neck.

Evelina started regaining her composure and was approaching the marry duo.“ You must be the pony miss Sparkle sent to guide us through your lovely town.” 

“Uhh.... yeh. After hearing what happened yesterday I was really worried and a bit upset. The girls found new friends from out of this world and didn’t bring me with them. Still now I get spend the whole day with you guys.” Pinkie reared up on her hind legs and wrapping her forelegs around Dilline in a tight hug. The elf was a bit taken aback by this spontaneous display of affection for a moment, then quickly returned the favor.

Evelina turned to her two other friends that seemed equally perplexed by the pink pony. “Wait... two. Oh gods where did Tula run off to?” A quick glance around finds the large nordic woman seated at a wooden table with Applejack and the rest of her family the later staring wide eyed at how much there guests could eat.

After finishing breakfast and a few cheres of admiration to Tulas gut, the party plus Pinkie were making their way towards Ponyville discussing the day's itinerary, well not discussing more like Pinkie rambling on about what she planned for that day. “.... and at the end there’s gonna be a really big surprise, bigger than anything you might think of. Ohhhh..... I can hardly wait.” Pinkie was bouncing joyfully every few feet but just slow enough so the other five could keep up with her.

Dilline was walking besides her listening and nodding at every comment, she admired the little creatures innocent spirit and was impressed by the lengths she went to ensure them a pleasant experience. “That sounds good. Will any of your friends be joining us?”

At the mention of her friends Pinkie stopped in her tracks smacking a hoof to her forehead. ”Uhh... I almost forgot. Rarity said she wants you to pass by her boutique today, and Twilight wanted to have a talk with Bramie.”

Bram struggled not to cringe at the sound of the new nickname he received during breakfast. “ She offered me a place to set up a workshop and she also wanted to talk about how magic works back on Toril. I’m quite interested about equestrian magic myself”  Brams gaze shifts toward Evelina and after seeing the look she was giving him he quickly added “..... but fixing the qube’s my first priority.” 

Pinkie giggle as she started bouncing off towards town. ”Ooookkkkkeeeeyyy. First we’ll go to see Rarity and Twilight. Then you’ll get the full Ponyville experience, Pinkie Pie style.” 

The rest of the journey through town was relatively uneventful ignoring the stares some townsfolk were giving the party, ranging from awe and wonder to fear and worry. Pinkie was introducing them to some of the closer townsfolk and pointing out every store they passed mentioning the owner and what they dealt in. “ .... oh and that is Rarity's boutique across the street from Rose Lucks Flower shop and Mr Shining Polish’s jewelry store. Rarity is one of Mr Polish’s best customers. Uhhh.... and down the street you can see the Ponyville library, a.k.a Twilight’s fortress of solitude.heheheh”

“For such a small town you do seem to have a quite a flourishing market.” Evelina playfully commented while making a mental not of all the two dozen stores they passed by since arriving in town. If this was anything to go by then Bram was not going to lack any of the reagents needed to fix that magical device.But paying for them was another thing, considering that they had none of the local coin. She turned her gaze towards the jewelry store Pinkie mentioned earlier weighing her options. 

“You all should go on, I’ll catch up with you at Rarity's boutique.” Evelina started to make her way towards the jewelry store just as Oric asked.

“What do ya have in mind lassie?” the rest of the group just as curios.

“Well, seeing as we will be staying in Ponyville for a while I was hoping to trade some of our gems, seeing we don’t have the local coin.” The others noded their approval and continued on their way.

Evelina adjusted her top hat and straightened her attire before entering the store, a good first impression always helped when bartering with merchants of any kind. Walking in her gaze fell first on the shop clerk who was a middle aged stallion with a deep brown coat and a perfectly trimmed grey-silver mane and moustache. Then she quickly turned to regard the only other patron in the store and a smile cracked her lips.

“Evelina darling, it is so nice to see you. I was expecting you and your friends to arrive a bit later in the afternoon.” Rarity trotted next to her acquaintance, her elegantly curled mane bouncing with each step.

“Well our mutual pink friend was a bit too eager to meet with us. She seems nice though, a bit.... overenthusiastic.” Evelina chose her  words carefully to not offend their guide.

Rarity let out a dainty laughter at the comment.” Yes, Pinkie is something else to say the least, but the dear means well. Still my shop is further down the street, what brings you here and where are the others?” Rarity looked paste the young woman through the still open doorway in hopes of catching a glimpse or the others.

“They went ahead while I came in to do a little business.” She walked in closing the door behind her.

“And what business might that be, my dear?”The two ladies turned to face the shop clerk who was adjusting a pair of spectacles on his muzzle to have a better look, his steely grey eyes not as good at seeing at a distance as they used to be.

“ Ah... yes. I will not take up much of your time mr Shining Polish.” Evelina walked up to the showcase managed by the stallion tipping her hat in a court bow.”I was hoping maybe you would be interested in buying some gemstones me and my companions collected on our travels.”

Mr Polish stood there his steely gaze fixed on this new client, it’s intensity a bit off putting but Evelina did not let that show matching it with her own. A few moments later Mr Shine broke the staring contest with a pleased smirk.” Very well my dear I’m always eager to do business with any of miss Rarity’s friends. Let us see what you have for me. And call me Shine”

Pleased with the merchants reaction, Evelina pulled out a small sack from the bag of holding hanging against her hip and neatly arranging it’s contents by quality rarity and cut. Mr Shine’s grin seemed to extend a bit as he watches her hands swiftly and delicately sort the gemstones.

“I see you know your merchandise my dear. Now let us see here.”He picked up a ornate magnifying glass and began meticulously checking several choice gems on every side noting every detail, scratch, flaw or lack there of with the skill of one with years of experience in the trade. 

“May I?” Rarity asked as a light blue aura covered one of the precious stones, and with a nod from Evelina she levitated it closer to take a better look at it. A bright shine in her eyes as she marveled at it’s wondrous design.

Finally Mr Polish put down the magnifying glas and the last stone, his brow furrowed in deep thought calculating just how much the gems were worth. “Well miss... I’m sorry I neglected to ask your name.”

“Evelina Colt, It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance mr Shining.” She introduced herself with a bow of her head, the top hat not budging an inch from where it was perched.

“Very well miss Colt, after examining the gems you have provided me I am willing to offer you 1000  bids for them all, I’m sure you can agree that is a fair amount.”

Rarity took in a deep breath surprised at the offer made by her business associate behind the showcase, if the other stones were similar to the one she held then they should be worth quite a bit more. Before she could voice her thoughts tough Evelina squatted down eyeing several of the pieces exposed in the showcase. Mr Polish in the meanwhile was watching her with curious and somewhat amused eyes.

“Rarity, Could you please tell me how much that necklace is worth?” She pointed to a lovely piece of neckwear adorned with five gemstones similar to the ones she had placed on the showcase earlier.

“It sais 2200 bids my dear. But you can't be expecting to buy that?”

“No, I still have a few better gems in my bag. Is the body of the piece made of silver mr Shine? And would you mind telling me how much pure silver is worth?”

“Yes it is pure silver. Hmm, last time I checked it came at about 40 bits per gram.” The gem merchant was smiling impressed by the raven haired girls keen eye, and he had a idea where this conversation was going.

“Hm minus the stones the piece shouldn't weigh more than 20-30 g.”Mr shine noded again as she was spot on. “Well then Mr Shine, considering all the gems I’m willing to part with you could easily make three time the amount you offered me by making more of this exact piece with this gemes alone not taking in to consideration the other base materials. I’m sure you can share a bit more of that profit with me.”

Mr Shine let out a merry laugh.“No it was not a fair offer my dear, I was just having a bit of fun seeing how good your judgement is. I have to say I am impressed. Hows this sound, 1800 bids for the stones and I could use a keen eye like yours in the store.”

Before Evelina could think of her answer Rarity threw her hat in the ring with a better offer.”You know, I could use some of these gems in my designs. Would you sell them for 1900 bids?”

“I appreciate the job offer Mr Shine but me and my companions aren’t known for staying too long in one place,  accepting your offer would be a waste of both our times.’                     

“Very well my dear. How's about 1950 bids for your stones.” the stallion, even if he couldn’t get the girl as a employe, still wanted the gemstones.

Rarity turned her eye towards Evelina giving her the faintest notion of a sly smirk. “2100 bids!?”Apparently the white unicorn wanted to help her get the best deal she could, and Evelina had no problem with that that.

“2200 is my final offer, not one more.” Mr Shine taped his hoof on the showcase to   emphasise the point. While he did catch up on the young ladies game and really enjoyed the way those two worked together he still had a business to run and needed to make a profit of this purchase and about 800 bids was nothing to sneeze at.

Evelina looked over to Rarity who was nodding her head in approval. “I graciously accept your offer Mr Shine.”and with that the two ladies left the jewelry store quite happy with themselves.

“I have to say darling. You have quite a knack for business. Do you own a establishment back where you come from?” The fashionista asked her companion as they made their way towards her boutique.

“No, not yet. I’m hoping to open a magic shop back in Silverymoon City together with Bram. That is actually the reason why I started on the path of an adventure.” Evelyna answered in a cheerful tone.

“Ohhh... So you travel the world together with your friends in hopes of finding your   fortune and starting up your own business. That must be so exciting, seeing new exotic places finding mountains of jewels and gold in intrepid adventures with strange and mysterious characters.” Rarity trailed off her eyes gazing into the distance imagining scenes from the collection of Saddle Arabian romance novels she had on the bookshelf in her room.

Evelina looked at the daydreaming ponie not sure if she should dash her fantasies with the truth or not. Her life since she left home was anything but that, the hardships of the open road were quite strenuous weeks passing until she could rest in a proper bead. And the untold horrors and monsters of the world plus the power hungry madmen and women who’d do anything to increase their lot in life at the expense of otheres.

“Yes. Well I was hoping to retire from that life after our last endeavor, buy a store in the city and practice my craft. I am quite an accomplished alchemist and Bram is a skilled enchanter. We could have made quite a profit together selling my potions and elixirs together with his wondrous items. Unfortunately fate had other plans.”

“That is a shame, would you consider opening shop in Ponyville?” 

“The thought had crossed my mind but no. Most of the resources I gathered for that project are still on Faerun. And now that the shock from when we first realised our predicament  has past I can say with certainty that if anyone can bring us home that would be Bram. He’s the one who enchanted this and some of the equipment the others are wearing.” She patted the bag hanging against her left hip.

“I have been meaning to ask you about your saddlebag my dear. However did you   manage to hide all those bids plus the gemstones Mr Shine cut for me in that little thing?” Rarity asked the question plaguing her mind since she saw Evelina store that huge pile of bits into such a small place.

“I am a little fuzzy on the details on how it works. Bram said it can store up to about 20 cubic meters(about 70 cubic ft) or just over 200 kilograms (500 lbs).”  Evelina opened the bag as they walked revealing what  seemed to be a bottomless black pit.

“Uhm.. Sow your telling me that it’s inside is much larger than the outside.” Rarity was trying to peer into the dark empty void of the sack.” How do you find anything in there?”

Evelina closed the bag and opened it again to reveal the gleaming pile of golden coins she just received from Mr Shine plus the sack of gems she offered to carry for her new friend.”You can divide it into compartments that store specific items. What you’ve seen earlier was the remaining empty space.” 

“Do you think Bram could make me one of those. Applejacks birthday is coming up and this would be the perfect gift for her, I would lighten her transit from the farm to the market quite a bit.”

“These are not cheap items to make but I’ll have a talk with him, he likes to work on several projects at once so this won’t derail his work on the cube to much. We’ll only charge you for the base materials.”

“No need for that. I am more then willing to pay you full price.”

Evelina thought back at the sum they had to spend for Bram to make his and her bags, it was over 5000 pieces of gold. Normally she’d have no problem with charging someone more than the market price, business was business, but she wanted to keep good relations with the ponies and a bit of generosity would help a lot in that. “We’d best talk about this later after I get a better grasp of the market and can figure out a base price.”

“I’ll keep you to that. Well we have arrived.” They stood before an elaborately decorated building with lovely carvings of pony silhouettes on the walls, elaborately designed large windows and a wide plac above the front door with the words “Welcome to Carousel Boutique where everything is chic unique and magnifique.” written in a flowing elaborate hand.

Entering the shop they were greeted by the doorbell and the joyful laughter of a small child. Pinkie and a small white filly with a purple and pink mane and tail were sitting on the floor and enjoying the show of Dilline juggling 3 daggers two balls and a bowling pin. The two spectators were at a safe four meters away from the juggling drow.

“Eveline, I see you found our hostess. How did it go?” Dilline was slowly but surely making her way towards the newly arrived duo. “Can I get a hand please?” Before Evelina could answer she threw the bowling pin towards her friend which caused Rarity to let out a startled yelp.

Evelina caught the projectile without missing a beat, the two had practice a series of routines like this to use as an excuse for infiltrate several questionable organizations as entertainers.”Dilline please try not to scare our hostess, after all she did helped get quite a profitable deal on the gemstones.” She caught the two balls that Dilline threw and was now juggling them like a well trained jester.

Dilline stopped juggling the daggers and was now hidden them two in her boots and one under her shirt. “Sorry, I just wanted a flashy finaley?”

“A well no harm done.... Wait where’s Bram?” Evelina asked after realising that only three of her four friends were present.

“Ohh... After you left us we ran into Twilight on the way here and she took Bramie with her to the library. I said it was alright as long as she brought him back by tonight .” Pinkie quickly pitched in.

Evelina wasn’t sure what to make of that, she didn’t want them to separate too much apart, then again Bram wasn't Tula or Dilline, how much trouble could he get in to.
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    A mint green unicorn was pacing outside the Golden Oaks Library uncertain of what to do. There was a note on the door saying “Back in 20 minutes”, a blatant lie seeing that she was waiting out there for over half an hour. Sighing in defeat she took a seat on a nearby bench, deciding to wait a little longer for the librarian to return. Her childhood dream was within hofs reach now, she could spare a few more minutes to find the whereabouts of her query. To occupy her time she removed her saddlebags, with a harp design on the flaps, and checked it’s contents for the 9th time since she left her home. 

“Lyra! I had a feeling you’d show up sooner or later.” a lavender unicorn greeted her, holding a set of keys in a purple aura.

Lyra pulled her nose out of the saddlebag after hearing her own name. Her jaw dropped when she saw that standing next to the purple unicorn was a tall grey skinned humanoid with a winged lizard on its shoulder. Sounds of joy, and surprise was heard as a green blur tackled the humanoid before the saddlebag could hit the ground. 

With a heavy thud she pinned the robe clad humanoid to the ground landing on top of him. “Smooth skin! Lacking any signs of a coat! Some semblance of a mane on the head. Subject is bipedal, the upper limbs clearly not designed for walking ending in hannddssss.” A tremor of joy shook the green unicorns body as she mentioned the last word. She continued her examination ignorant of the shocked look the subject was giving her. ”The clothing seems to be made of some sort of cloth covering up most of the body, obscuring it’s anatomy.” Rubbing her hoffe against the buckle on his belt, fiddling away in an attempt to remove the leather belt and get a better look of the creatures anatomy.

The grey skinned humanoid was now panicking, unsure of what to do now. He needs their help to get home and now that a crowd had gathered the wrong move would be disastrous. Before he could ask his companion for help the green mare on top of him let out a painful yell, she stopped to look behind her for a few seconds then crumbled on top of him. Now things seemed to have gone from bad to worse.

"Lyra!... Bram! What did Jerry do!?" asked the purple unicorn scared of what just happened to her green friend.  

Bram saw Jerrys head popping up above the unconscious mare looking quite pleased with himself, apparently the little reptile had jumped on to Lyras back stinging her in the flank with his poisonous barb. Bram let out a sigh of relief. "Don't worry Twilight. Jerry’s sting isn’t deadly, it just puts you to sleep for about 10 minutes." He pointed out having noticed snore/neigh escaping her lips every few seconds.

“Oh” ” Twilight let out a sigh of relief glad that things were not as serious as they seemed.”Well I can’t say she didn’t deserve that. Alright everypony, nothing to see here, move along.” She quickly dispersed the crown.

Bram meanwhile crawled out from under Lyra and examined Jerry’s handiwork. ”So, what are we going to do with her?”

”Well we can’t leave her out here. Best bring her inside.” she unlocked the door and held it open for Bram to carry the sleeping unicorn in. 

“Alright buddy I’ve got it from here. And thanks for the rescue.” Bram thanked his tiny savior then slid his arms under Lyra lifting her up, she was surprisingly lighter then she looked, and carried her inside taking great care to avoid hitting his head on the small door.


A few minutes later Lyra woke up on a unfamiliar  couch, her rump quite sore on the left cheek. Rising up to a sitting position she heard voices talking amongst themselves. “Aha. So Jerry isn’t a real dragon but a distant relation to them on the evolutionary tree. Still, why is he so fond of Spike?” asked a familiar voice.

“From what I know regarding pseudodragons is that they have great respect towards their larger cousins, well those of a more goodly nature. It doesn't seem to matter how old they are.”Seated at a table Bram and Twilight were enjoying a steaming cup of tea while they talked. One of them finally noticed that she had awoken. “Well good morning sunshine. And earlier I thought you ponies were the peaceful type” Brame jokingly greeted his green assailant.

Remembering what happened earlier and realizing that she pretty much stallionhandled the creature she wanted to meet since fillyhood. Lyras face turning bright read despite her coate. “I am so sorry. This was not how I thought my first meeting with a human would go.” She sat down bowing her head apologetically not sure what to do. Her first encounter with a human and she botches it up royally. 

“I’m also sorry. Princess Celestia entrusted your care to me and I promise that this will not happen again. Right?” the purple unicorn looked quite insistingly at Lyra. 

“It’s alright, really. No doubt half my clan would have done pretty much the same. As Eve would put it, proper introductions are in order. My name Bram Harpel, and that’s Jerry.” Bram motioned to one of the two miniature dragons sitting on a plush pillow on the other side of the room enjoying some pictured story books called comics.The dragon Bram pointed out reared up it’s barbed tail in a friendly warning with a smug look on his face.

Lyra looked back at the grey skinned humanoid who seemed to overlook her earlier behaviour and walked up to the table hoping for a better start to their meeting. It was not her day. “Lyra Harper… I mean Lyra String… I mean...”  

“Ahm... Is she alright?” Asked a rather worried Bram as Lyra tried to say her name over and over again never seeming sure what it was. 

“Not sure, but I think so. Let me explain. This here is Lyra Heartstrings, she’s an old acquaintance of mine back in magic kindergarten. We studied together at Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. She specialized in ancient songs, legends and folklore. But what she’s most known for is her work regarding mythical beasts, you humans being the dominant subject.” Twilight properly introduced the mint mare who was still trying to figure out her own name.

“That explains it.” Bram noded, remembering how his eccentric clansmen reacted when they meet a exotic creatures. “Well miss Heartstrings, despite my better judgment,” He started in a joking tone ”I’m more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding humans. Even though I’m not one.” At that moment Lyra snapped back to her senses.

“Wait what!? But... But you match the description perfectly, well minus the horns but still.” Lyras ears went flat hearing that. This remark also sparked Twilight's curiosity.

“Well I might be half human, you see I’m what they call a tiefling. A half breed resulting from the union between a being of the infernal or abyssal plains and a mortal.” Bram began to explain his dark heritage, having lived his childhood among the wizards of Longsaddle the fact that he was a tiefling ment quite little compared to the other outlandish beings living in the town, like the toad-horse. This meant he was never persecuted for the stigma of his heritage and had a somewhat normal childhood, well as normal as it can be around the Ivy Mansion

” And what of your other parent.” She asked before her mind could stop her, having taken a guess at what the ‘might ‘ ment.

“Well, I was not born in the Harpel clan, they found me by the road side and adopted me into their midst.” He admitted in a dry even tone. Although he had made peace with that fact, it still left a sour taste in his mouth.” All I can say is that I’m a tiefling and a Harpel.” he continued in a more jolly tone trying to lift the mood.

“I’m sorry I asked. Still I’m sure Lyra here has lots of questions for you.” Twilight caught on to Brams intentions swiftly pulling over a cushiony pillow for Lyra and pouring her a cup of tea in hopes of changing the subject.

“Oh right.” Lyra levitated her saddlebags fishing out a piece of parchment and rolling it out in front of her.” I’ve made this list when I was a filly. Alright! First what do you use hands for, I mean besides the obvious. What would be the most revolutionary thing human kind has accomplishes with it’s two hands?”

Bram gave Lyra a look of both amusement and bewilderment not sure how to answer that. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?” he asked the excited mare who shook her head in response.

“Well...” He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.”Mostly everything that the humanoid races made has involved their hands in one way or another, they are the main means by which we can manipulate tools and everything around up. Dilline’s people have actually designed an intricate language based only on hand gestures.”

“Wait so you can communicate with those things?” Lyra asked eagerly not expecting something on that magnitude. Just how useful are those things she asked herself.

“Well no, not me. But Evelina managed to master it quite well, best talk to one of them if you want to know the depth to which that language goes. Let me see what else... Oh the mastery of magic would be the crowning achievement in my opinion.”

Lyra just stared, blank faced, at Bram as her quill fell to the floor freed from the golden aura that held it earlier.”WHAT?!!” She yelled at the top of her lungs.”But...but there’s no mention of this in any of the lore I’ve unearth. It does say that you are capable of amazing feats but never had I come across the mention of magical ability. I thought you  simply couldn’t do magic.” The minty mare reared up placing her forehooves on Brams shoulders giving him such a commanding stare that even Fluttershy would be impressed. “SHOW ME.”

Bram turned to Twilight for help but she just smiled back amused.” Actually, I would like a demonstration too.”

Sighing in defeat he retrieved a small ball of gum arabic from one of his robes many pockets and smashed it in his hand releasing a eyelash hidden within. A move of the hand and a word of power later Bram disappeared from sight. The only trace that he was ever there was a giddy Lyra still rearing up against something. “Cool...Whoooo!!” She swiftly fell face first on the cushiony pillow where Bram was sitting only a few moments ago.

“I do hope you're impressed.” Bram’s disembodied voice could be heard through the room.

“Yes. You’ll have to tell me the theory behind that spell.” Twilight was amused by the little trick Bram pulled on Lyra, but she wouldn’t admit it out loud.

The wizard reappeared next to the fallen mare and helped her back on her hoofs. “Sorry about that. “ He then turned to the hostess giving a textbook response.” Well the theory consists of gathering the right amount of arcane energies in a specific pattern then activating it with the correct word of power. Though some spells need a regent or catalyst in order to achieve the desired effect. Afterwards you just unleash said energy on the target. It may sound simple but it get’s a lot more complicated when you actually try to piece everything together.”

“Hm... unicorn magic is not that much different, in theory. The only difference is that we channel energy through our horns and we don’t need a word of power or reagents to keep the spell energy together.”

“Yes I’ve noticed. I was thinking that your horns have properties similar to diamond dust. It’s like a universal regent but is too expensive and hard to obtain for use in spells whose regents are easier to obtain.” 

“Perhaps, and taking into account that the horn is linked directly to a ponies mind, which would grant us a much better control for the flow of magical energy....”

“...that could fill the need for any words of power. Of course this is all theory.” Bram completed the scholarly unicorns idea.

“Ah... could you repeat the part about the arcane horn thing?” Lyra was struggling to keep track of what the other two were talking about. Magic was not her strong suit, that’s why she decided to study music and history.

Twilight and Bram looked at each other then let out an embarrassed laugh. The two got caught up in their little theory that they forgot about Lyra. “Bram, seeing that you’ll be moving in for the foreseeable future, I’m willing to let Lyra have you for the day. She’s had this coming for quite a while.”

“Are you sure?” asked a grateful Lyra, she knew how much Twilight valued researching above pretty much everything. So the fact that she let her take the reins on this particular endeavour meant quite a lot.

“Of course, ask away at your leisure, I’ll write everything down for you so you can concentrate on what his saying.” She levitated a few writing utensils over just as Lyra gave her a grateful hug that the librarian returned in kind. 

“Now lets see.” Lyra returned to her question list.”Here’s one that’s related to what you said earlier. You said most of the humanoid race, does this mean there are more than just one type of humans?”      

“Yes, humans are not the only sentient race back on my world, but they are the most numerous of the civilized races and subraces. There are the elves, dwarfs,gnomes, goblinoids...” Seeing the confused expressions on the two ponies Bram decided that this was a good subject he could elaborate on for this day.

“Alright let’s start from the top....” The rest of the day was spent discussing about the various types of races that inhabit the northern realms  of Faerun. They talked about the goodly races like the elves, dwarfs, gnomes. About the young orc kingdom of Many-Arrows and some of the more savage races like the goblinoids, gnolls , giants. And how they all interacted with each other. This topic dragged on until sundown interrupted by a swift lucheng of Spikes pasta in sour cream and mushroom sauce. The three scholars left the library  after sundown having left Spike and Jerry fast asleep within. Lyra was practically radiating joy having acquired enough data to write a substantial paper regarding Faerun's races.

“I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve told me Bram. After having spent so much time trying to prove something was real despite everyone elses disbelief, well it’s a truly uplifting experience.” she was jumping for joy every few steps just like a certain pink pony they knew.

“It was a pleasure, so where are we of to?” He turned towards Twilight.

“Well as you remember Pinkie made me promise to bring you back to her at sundown. And believe me, I’d rather have to face Discord again then break a promise with her.”

“Discord?”

“It’s a long story, lets just meet up with the others.”
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The silence of a house was disturbed by a loud knocking as a white unicorn mare, with an electric blue mane, struggled to wake up. A splitting headache accompanied her as she groggily walked out into the hallway towards the insistent knocking. The room she slept in had a myriad of posters depicting different artists, several bearing her likeness with the title DJ-PON3 Live. 

“Alright! Alright! Jezz... I swear if someone ain’t dying then you’re gonna be the one in a body bag buddy.” She mumbled the last part to herself trying to shake away the hangover, about to greet the unlucky visitor.

“Ok, what...?” she stopped mid sentence quite surprised to see a familiar massive unicorn stallion, his coate as white as hers with a well combed blond mane and a black collar around his neck, his eyes a bright blue. “Bro!!! It’s been ages. How are ya?” The mare reared up and gave her sibling a warm hug.

“I am quite fine. Now Vinyl if you would please let go of me, I have come to take you back home.” The stallion responded in a posh Canterlot accent.

“Wait, wut?” the confused mare pulled back and just noticed about half a dozen guards rallied behind her brother.

“I said that I have come to bring you back home. And please try to use proper words whilst talking.” the stallion was calmly brushing off some dust that had settled on his coat when Vinyl embraced him.

“Hahaha. Oh right that’s a good one, ya really had me going there Bluie.” The serious expression Blueblood gave back said otherwise. ”Ahh.. you’re not kidding?” Vinyl was deflated, she loved her brother like every sibling would but he could be so thick headed sometimes.

“Yes. After hearing about the dragon raid I came as quickly as I could. This little backwater town is clearly not suited to offer adequate protection for ponies of our status. Besides, it is high time you let go of this music of yours and begin acting in a manner proper to your status. Perhaps find a nice stallion from a good family to marry into. Now go and gather your things.”

Vinyl just facehoved at that request. They’d been over this same argument twice already and it looked like the third was not gonna be the charm. “Listen Blueblood I get you’re doing this out of concern for me. But aunty said that I could do whatever I wanted with my life and that I didn’t have to be some fancy court lady. Now you could either drop this and join me inside for breakfast or we can sit out here and have the same argument we’ve been having since I left the palace.”

“Aunty also said to never run from our responsibilities, something you seemed to have forgotten when leaving Canterlot. Our line has ruled this land before Celestia married into the family and we still have a major role in the governing of the country.” He entered the house ignorant of his sister protesting stare, but his guards weren't as disrespectful. “Now go and gather your things, after you have lunch not breakfast. I want to leave as soon as possible.” Making Vinyl aware of the late hour in the day.

‘So we’re arguing.’ Vinyl lamented, but just as things started to heat up a handaxe just got embedded into the wall between her and Blueblood.

“By Tempus cock. Take it outside.” A seven foot tall hulking blond woman was bending low to pass through the door to the living room having just woken up from a night of heavy drinking, green eyes bloodshot and her blond mane even more of a mess then usual.

The guards ponies charged with protecting Blueblood quickly snapped to attention running into the house and forming a defensive line between this giant assailant and their frozen prince. Vinyl was also a bit confused taking a moment to remember what happened last night. She remembered playing at one of Pinkies welcome parties for the five who beat up the dragons the night before then it all came together. “Down boys, it’s cool. That’s just my house guest. And could you stay still, that clanging isn't helping my headache.”

Blueblood turned a incredulous eye towards his sister. “You can’t be serious! It almost took our heads off with that crude weapon.”

“Hey! Watch what you say about my fathers axe. Or next time I’ll actually aim for the head.” the towering woman stumbled her way into the hallway wearing her bearskin cloak and breastplate. She was a bit cranky not just from the hangover but also from having spent the night in her armor. Otherwise she had no weapons on her besides a oversized gauntlet on her left hand.

“I’d listen to her if I were you bro.” The white mare warned her brother more out of a desire to avoid any more unnecessary ruckus, she doubted that the woman would seriously hurt anyone.” And no offense guys, but trust me, she’s above your pay grade so stand down.”She gestured for the guards ponies, who were still a bit on edge, to relax.

“This is why I want you back in Canterlot Vinyl. This place is much too savage for the likes of us. And the fact that these... apes are freely running about this town only makes matters worse.” He started to regain some of his composure.

“Oh for Celestia’s sake.This apes took...” Vinyl was about to mention how they took on a group of juvie dragons when inspiration struck her.

“Listen bro...“ She started grinning from ear to ear. ”I don’t think my new bouncer would take to kindly to that remark, and would want satisfaction as you’d put it. So here’s how we’re gonna settle things. The two of you are gonna duele and if you win then fine I’m coming home back to the family business, but if you lose then we’re never gonna talk about this ever again, sounds good?”

Blueblood took a moment to take in the offer, this could be the opportunity he’s been waiting for to get her back in Canterlot. He had access to all the royal guards, both day and night, surely they would be more than a match for any pony Vinyl had hired in this town. ”Very well dear sister, I accept your proposition. So who is the unfortunate pony that has to face Equestrias finest?”

Vinyl only grinned wider seeing that her brother took the bait, she knew he wouldn’t accept a challenge coming straight from her and this way they could fix this problem his way without him losing face. “Who said it was a pony.” She raised a hoof and pointed towards the giant mess of a woman in the room whom was just as confused as Blueblood.

“Wait what?” Tula asked no one in particular still a bit dizzy. She manage to catch bits of their conversation getting  the general idea, and truth be told this was not the weirdest thing she had woken up to after a night of drinking.

“You can not be serious. This bumbling brute surely is not fit to represent royalty on the field of honor. By the look of her, she barely understands what is happening around her.” And with that comment he beat the final nail in his metaphorical cofine.

“Alright I’ll do it. So this fight is to the death or just until I smack the bitch out of him?”Tula walke besides her new “boss” rubbing her sore eyes but quite content with the idea of beating this smug pony. She then pulled the axe from the wall hooking it on her belt.

Vinyl gave her a grateful look mouthing the words ‘Thanks’ then turned to her brother. “Looks like she gets it. So are ya gonna pony up and do this or are ya chicken?” 

“Very well.” Blueblood confident in the fact that he would teach her a lesson in manners. He accepted pulling a pure white sock off his right leg that matched so well with his coat no one could have told he was wearing it. He then walked up to his sister and her friend.”What is your name?”

“Tula.” just as she said that he reared up on his hind legs slapping her across the face.”Then miss Tula, I hereby challenge you to a duel! Tomorrow at sundown we shall met for the settling of our grievances. As the one challenged it is your right to choose the nature of this encounter.”

Tula had a read mark on her face where the sock hit and slowly took of her gauntlet.” How about a good old brawl?” she then slapped the prince across the face with the thing, dropping him to the floor like a sack of potatoes. The guards were about to jump the barbarian girl, but one angry stare from her made them reconsider. Instead they helped the prince back on his feet then left the building in one piece.

“Listen thanks for helping me but did ya really need to hit him that hard?” Vinyl glad to see that her brother was managing to walk on his own after that hit.

“It’s not like I threw the first blow. And wasn’t I supposed to answer the challenge the same way?” She never did understand how these nobles and their conduct, when it came to fighting. Back on the tundra they’d just draw a large circle and see who’s the first to fall.

“Yeah, he kinda asked for it. But still he’s my brother and someone’s got to look out for him.”

“Wait that’s your brother?” Tula took a double take on the retreating stallions unable to see a similarity between the two besides their white coats.

“Yup, born and raised together. But forget that, I guess your hangover’s even worse than mine. Come on into the kitchen, I know a sure fire two step recipe to cure what’s ailing us. And that beast too.”That last part was referring to the barbarians gut that started growling it’s protest at being empty for far too long.

“First a bit of the dog that bit you.” she grabbed a pot of coffee adding a little something from a nearby bottle.”Good thing Tavy knows me and left a ready pot out.” She then poured a cup and passed it to Tula before pouring herself one.

Tula picked it up and took a whiff of the black liquid inside. Mixed in with the strong aroma of the brew was the familiar scent of alcohol. 

Meanwhile Vinyl took 8 eggs from the fridge cracked them open and started beating them in a bowl together with some grated mozzarella and a splash of milk plus the proper seasoning. After pouring the mixture in a hot pan to cook she chopped up a few pickles, onions and peppers in a bowl then added a splash of oil and some other condiments. Wrapping everything up in two large tortillas she passed one to her guest at the kitchen table. “Here, enough grease to soak up most of the booze from last night. And Tula, thanks for sticking to the story about you being my new bouncer.”

“No problem boss, but what happened last night? Everything’s still fuzzy.” she took a bite out of her breakfast.

“Call me Vinyl. Boss makes me feel like my brother. And as for last night… you and your friends pretty much drank a whole barrel of cider. Now that was impressive.” 

“Oh... Applejack and her brother... challenged me... and Oric... to a drinking match..., you also... joined...” Tula could barely speak and eat. It was like she was afraid someone would come and take her food away, a barbarian to the end.

“Don’t choke on me hehe. And yah, gave up after the 15th mug. Could have done a lot better if I hadn’t drank earlier. Still... better then Dash, She fell on her ass after the 10th round.”

“ So who won?” 

“AJ gave up after her 24 mug. You fell unconscious after the 31st. Big Mac and Oric well they tied at about 39. The two would have kept going but we ran out of cider .” Vinyl spat out the scores, her mouth full of eggs and pickles.”I’d loved to see who would have won”

Tula was surprised and impressed with Mack, she had yet to see someone able to match Oric when it came to booz.

“So...gulp, what are you gonna do about the duel tomorrow?”Vinyl asked swallowing down a mouthful of breakfast. 

Tula had just swallowed down what was left of her breakfast burrito letting out a satisfied belch.“Don’t know, is your brother any good in a fight?” 

The unicorn almost choked on her food at that thought.”Ahahahaha... Blueie, good in a fight. No, heck I’ve seen kinds around the schoolhouse that could put up more of a fight then him. He’s probably going to get someone from the royal guard to represent him or something like that. That’s probably why he wanted to hold it tomorrow.”

“Well Pinkie told me the other day that there was some sort of training grounds by a lake nearby. I going to pass by there and see how you ponies fight. Maybe spar with some of the local fighters.”

“Training grounds?” Vinyl asked scratching her head in confusion. Ponyville didn’t have a town guard let alone a training ground for them. Then she remembered that Snowflake decided to move the gym by the lake for the summer. “I don’t think those grounds are what you think they are but I might know someone who can help you.”
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rarity was doing her usual routine after a hard night of partying with Pinkie, unwinding at the spa, but this time she wasn’t joined by her usual company. Evelina and Dilline whom had never heard of a spa before, well that was reason enough for her to bring them along, so they could enjoy the wonders that are  Aloe and Lotus magic hooves.

“This is the best I have felt in a long while.” Evelina sighed in relief as she slid in the hot tub, together with her two friends, sinking until her chin touched the waters surface. This was the first hot bath she or Dilline have had in well over a month having to do with the cold mountain springs in the wilds.

“Mm Hmm.” Was Dilline’s only response, she was having her long white hair braided by one of the spa ponies already neck deep in the warm waters.

Rarity leaned back in the tub having two slices of cucumbers levitated on to her eyes.“Well I am very pleased to hear that you are enjoying yourselves. I myself often like to come here and recharge after one of Pinkies parties at the “House of Wubb”. Not that I dislike them mind you, but they can be quite tiresome.”

“Back home, nights like that would end much the same way. Some patrons don’t even get home that night if they challenge Tula or Oric to a drinking contest.” Dilline held a bit too much pride in her voice saying the last sentence, holding her two friends in high regards

“Yes, well... You did try to warn Applejack about that. Fortunately everything, ended just fine with no major damage.” 

“She did manage to hold her one surprisingly well. I can't remember the last time Tula got so drunk and it was really nice of that bard to offer her a place to sleep it over. It would have been a hassle to carry her.” 

Carrying the hefty woman in her armour would have been a grueling task even for the heartiest member of the party, especially after a few dozen flagons of hard cider.

“By the way. What was the instrument that bard was playing?” Like most of Eilistraee's followers Dilline has a deep passion for the arts and found this particular brand of music to be very stimulating.

“Her name is Vinyl Scratch. And I am afraid I don’t know much about that instrument. It’s of her own design and she’s the only pony that plays that particular type of music. She became quite a sensation in Equestria and I am glad for her. But I do envy her a bit.”

“What do you mean?” Evelina intervened in their conversation, curios at that remark. She didn’t see Rarity as one to enjoy Vinyls lifestyle.

“Oh.. did I say that last part out loud?” The fashionista swiftly brought a hoof to her mouth.”What I meant to say was that I envy her status, well former status. You see Vinyl was a princess, one of Celestias great nieces, but she gave it all up to follow her musical pursuits among with a few others. There are many mares who would give anything to be where she was, myself included.”

Evelin had a bad feeling in her gut now that she has found out just who was Tula hostess. Still, reflecting back on the previous night, the two seemed to be getting along quite well during their little contest. They should get along fine, so there is nothing to worry about... 

Just as she began to relax one of the spa ponies, a pink mare with a blue mane and tail, entered the room addressing the tree patrons.” A filly has brought a message from one of your friends. Would you like to read it now or should I put it aside for when leave?” 

Evelina tried to take her mind of Tula while Rarity waved the mare over, it wasn’t often that her friends needed talk to her so urgently as to interrupt her spa time. She skimmed the first line of text identifying the writer. “It seems to be from Tula.” 

Hearing that that Evelin slid next to Rarity to have a look at the piece of paper. “Rarity could you please read this for me, it is in your alphabet and I can not make heads or tails of it.” She urged the alabaster mare to continue reading as Dilline made her way to them curious as to what was could have happened.

“Ahem...Eve you’re eventually  gonna find  out about this so I’ve asked Vinyl to write this letter so I could tell you that I got mixed up in fighting for her in a duel against her brother Prince Blueblood tomorrow at sundown, about some family issues they’ve got. I’ll be seeing you then at the outskirts of town. PS: Please don’t poison my drinks when I’m not looking. PPS: I was the one that roped her into this. Vinyl Scratch” Rarity folded the letter and placed it back on the tray. “Well I’d say it was about time someone came and knocked him of his high throne.”

“Uh oh.” Dilline swam past Rarity to avoid a boiling Evelina. The later hadn’t caught Rarities last comment on Blueblood being too distracted by the thought that Tula had just started a fight with a member of the royal family. Her left eye started twitching and a vein on her forehead was pulsin furiously, knuckles white as she grabbed the rim of the tub, it reminded Rarity of how Twilight was on her bad days and made her think that the post scriptum was no just some crude joke. “Evelin dear, are you alright?” 

Remembering she was not alone Evelin let out a tired sigh. “Yes, I am fine, it’s just .... I was hoping we could spend our time here without any trouble and then Tula pikes a fight with the royal family. It’s just a too much! And this may hamper our plans to return home.” She spoke her mind hoping for a bit of sympathy from her friends.

Rarity slided next to her and placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “I understand how you’re feeling dear. But I assure you that this is just as likely the princes fault to.” She proceeded to tell them about her unhappy encounter with the prince at the Grand Galloping Gala.

“Well now I feel I should let Tula have her way with him. Still this doesn't help calm my concerns that this might bring the raught of his family upon our heads.” Eveline was not too pleased with the prince after that  “lovely” tale.

“Well as long as no major harm comes to him I doubt that anyone will cause a fuss about this. But please don’t be to quick to judge the prince.”

“What do you mean?” Eveline asked the unicorn, sensing that there was more to this story.

“Not so long ago I had a second encounter with his majesty. I was staying in Canterlot having to attend to some business and happened to, quite literally, stumble across one of the city’s most influential characters. The encounter seemed to have left an impression on him and he invited me to several high class events during the remainder of my stay there. It was during one of those events that I had met the prince for a second time and decided to confront him. I made sure to keep it just between us, no point in causing an unnecessary scandal. Once I managed to catch him alone and after a few choice words shared between us I did get to hear his side of the story. Apparently the prince was in a relationship at the time I tried courting him and he was quite fed up with mares like me trying to get good with him just because of his status. That was a bit of a eye opener regarding previous events and made me reconsider his actions a bit. I mentioned that I did not know he was already spoken for and apologise if I gave the wrong impression. He did not return the courtesy but did act a lot more pleasantly around me after that. He actually invited me to the naming of his new blimp and let me christen it. Now I haven't forgotten about the gala, forgiving does not necessarily mean forgetting, but I decided to mark that as a fresh start between us.”

“Hmm... What would you suggest the rest of us should do regarding the duel?” Evelin asked Rarity  who clearly had more experience in dealing with Equestrian royalty.

“I’d suggest you just let it be. This could prove to be a good opportunity to teach the prince a bit of humility, wouldn’t you say?” Dilline nodded her approval and after mulling over it a bit longer Evelina eventually leaned back into the tub nodding as well. “Splendid, Alow would you be a dear and bring us a bottle of wine and three glasses.” 


Meanwhile near one of the Ponyville lakes Vinyl and Tula were making some smalltalk to pass the time on their way to the gym. “So you like to eat meat huh? Well I know the chef at the griffin embassy back in Canterlot. I’m sure that if I send him a couple of tickets to my next show, he'll be more than happy to send over something nice for you guys.”

“Thanks. Oric’ll be happy to hear that.” 

They reached their destination, a pristine lake surrounded by fresh green fields with the sun shining brightly in the blue sky. 

“So where is this guy?” 

“Probably pumping iron over there. “ Vinyl pointed towards a strange array of equipment used by all kinds of ponies a bit of a distance away on one of the sandbanks along the waters edge.

“That’s the strangest smithy I have ever seen. How do you even smelt the metal? I can't see any smoke?” Tula tried to make sense of what the ponies were doing.

“What?! No not that kind of iron pumping. I meant they're training at the gym.” Tulas confused expression pretty much said it all.

A brief explanation on what a gym is later found the two among the strange equipment face to face with a large bulking stallion that made big mack look like a pansy. He had a short cut blonde mane and tense muscles that looked like steel cords under his white coat and the most ridiculously disproportionate wings. “Vinyl,... good to see... ya. Who’s... your friend.?” He asked in a gruff voice, that sounded like he’d been eating rocks for breakfast since he was a fole, while galloping on a treadmill taking deep breaths between each word.

Tula wasn’t paying much attention still trying to make sense of what the ponies around her were doing. Some seemed to be training with some of the most impractical weapons she had ever seen while others were riding strange contraptions she didn’t even try to fathom the purpose of. All in all this was the strangest training ground she had been to.

“Sup’ Snowflake. This is Tula and we’re actually looking for your brother to get some pointers about a fight. Is Roid around?”

“You...’ll ... find him ... by the ... dumbbells.... So... what’s... the occasion...”

“A lil’ misunderstanding with my brother, no biggie. But it’s not me fighting this time, that’s gonna be her.” Vinyl pointed to Tula who was scratching her head as she stared at him running on a treadmill. “ I get that you train to be and look stronger, but what’s this thing for?” 

“It’s called a treadmill. It’s for losing weight and strengthening the heart also really good for raising your endurance”

“So why not just run around the lake?”  The stallion didn’t have a answer to that question and as he turned to regard the beautiful lakeside view he misplace a hoof resulting in him tripping and falling off the device getting a mouth full of sand for his trouble.

Eventually the duo met up with the stallion they were looking for, he was a spitting image of his brother, doing pushups with three sandbags on his back.” Vy, how are ya?” leaning to his left he let the sandbags fall of. ”You thought about joining the mares wrestling league?”

“Nah, the only things I wanna spin are turntables not other mares. But I’ve got a favor to ask.” a quick explanation later.”So that’s about it.”

Roid turned to the barbarian and asked. “Ok. So what do you wanna know?” 

“I want to see how you ponies fight so I don’t get any surprises in the ring. Truth be told I’ve never fought a horse before.”

“Alright. But on one condition, you have to hoof wrassle me. I wanna see just how I fare up to a dragon slayer.” The stallion walked up to a nearby stump placing his right leg on it waiting for the her to join in.

“Hmmm... Fair enough.” Tula answered with a pleased grin taking a seat facing the stallion and grabbing his hoof in her right hand,  already guessing the nature of the competition. “This should be fun.”

The two faced each other for a few seconds that seemed like minutes as a few of the nearby ponies gathered around them to get a better look at the match.

“Alright. GO!!” with Vinyls signal, arm and foreleg contracting to the best of their ability trying to overpower the other.

There they sat grunting and heaving, but neither would budge an inch for the other. A few minutes in and Tula tried to apply some more pressure and managed to push Roid back a few inches, still the stallion held fast and managed to stop her about a third of the way down. But he did not stop there, pressing his advantaged now that the nordic woman had tired out a bit he regained the lost ground and managed to press home a bit. Roid had played this game many times before and knew just how far to push himself to not overexert his leg, now neither of them was giving ground but he now had the advantage of leverage and knew that she would tire out much quicker than him now if he could keep it. The match continued for another few minutes the competitors sweating bullets as the crowd that gathered around them began to cheer for Roid and there were a few friendly shout outs for Tula to.

“You giving up?” the stallion grunted to his opponent with a grin. Besides his two brothers no one else had ever lasted this long against him.

“Ya win or go down kicking.” Tula matched his grin. Back on the harsh tundra of Icewind Dale there were no second chances, you either won and lived for another day or you died as someone's meal. This lesson is instilled at a young age in the tribesmen and women, they should fight tooth and nail in everything they do, not doing so bringing a great dishonor to both themselves and the predator or the prey. Tula took this philosophy to heart.

“Yyaaahhhhhh....” Roid shouted liking her answer. To which Tula let out her own rour, the two had been at it for a good eight minutes and were now putting everything they had in one final push. Roid still had the advantage from earlier and it was now paying off as Tula’s arm was slowly giving in.

Tula grinded her teeth in frustration as the stallions leg seemed to be made of metal. Her hand was inches away from the stumps surface making a valiant last stand, but all things had a braking point and Tulas came just then and there.

Roid finally slammed the womans hand against the stump with a low thud that was painfully loud in the silence of the final stretch. “Bloody Tartarus, my leg feels like it’s gonna fall of. How do you train?” The crowd exploded, cheering his name while he massaged the sore leg.

Tula was staring down at her arm, eyes hidden by her blonde locks. Tension started to build up putting everyone on edge when she suddenly gave a loud laugh. “Hunting elk, bears and yetis on the tundra.” She also started massaging her sore wrist and after the pain dulled she extended a clenched fist to the stallion. “While I’m stuck here, mind if I come by and play some more?” 

“Heh, sure but first we gotta get you ready for the next match.” He bumped her fist.



The next day’s dusk found Tula and Vinyl at the outskirts of town waiting for their opponents. There was a small gallery behind them, made up by Oric and Chester plus three identical white pegasus stallions Snowflake, Roid Rage and Bulk Biceps. They were about as big as Chester and came to cheer on their gyms new star member. Next to them sat a grey earth pony mare with a crisp black manes and a white collar tied with a pink bow around her neck, who came to support her room mate.

“What in the nine hells happened to ye, lady.” Oric asked one of the stallions, one with several bruises and a few bandages on him.

“Wrestled her. Never again.” The stallion whimpered pointing a hoof at Tula. 

“Oh so ye be Roid the fella that’s been helping the girl train.”

“No that’s me. Bulk here just has a big mouth and offered to be a training dummy.” Roid was referring to the time during their training that Bulk tried to impress Vinyl by saying he should be fighting for her. Well let's just say his words weren't as subtle as you would think ant that was the end result.

“Well he got off easy. I’ve seen her break a mans nose once fer grabbin’ her bum. Not too bright that one.”

“A bit harsh don’t you think?” 

“Nah, that’s how her kin show there interested. They say you only know a uthgard woman after ya went ten rounds then had a stiff drink together. Hehehe”

The three stallions cringed at the thought, pitying the pore soul who had to face her or tried to court her.

“So I heard she’ll be trading blows with some pony from the royal guard. Any idea who the sorry sod might be?” Oric asked trying get an idea of whom his oldest friend will be facing.

“I’m guessing one of the bigwigs in the royal guard like Silverwing or maybe Gleaming Shield. And there’s the captain of the guard, he’s the youngest to have earned the title so far and I heard he’s no pushover.” Roid Rage listed a few of the guards most notable figureheads.

“Heh, I’m guessin’ we’re gonna be in fer quite a show.” The dwarf clapped his hands together rubbing them in anticipation.

A few minutes later the rest of her friends showed up followed by five of the main six, Fluttershy said she’d rather not come. They said a few cheerful words and encouragements then went to join Oric and the other ponies, except Evelin who stayed behind.

“Here is a little something to refresh you before the duel, I thought you might need it..”Evelina pulled out a waterskin from her magic bag passing it to her big boned friend.

Tula took a good long look at the waterskin and then at Eveline who had a perfectly innocent smile on her face. Taking in to account past experiences she was a bit unsure what to make of the offer. 

“Don’t worry it is just some spring water.” She removed the cork and took a good long drink from the waterskin then passing it back to Tula with the same smile on her face. “Listen I didn’t come here to stop you. While I do not fully agree with this Rarity and the others convinced me that I should let you go on with it and I will not hold this against you.”

“Ahhh... Really?” She was expecting Evelin to chew her ear off for causing trouble again. 

“Truth be told, I asked around about this prince Blueblood,. And it seems you are in the right... this time. The ponies were saying it was about time someone taught him some humility.” Hearing that, Tula took the waterskin pleased things were going so well this time and took a drink.

Before Tula could register the motion, blindsided by the waterskin, Evelin grabbed the front half of her breastplate pulling her down to the same level, murder in her eyes. “But do not make a habit of this. Or gods help me you will never be able to look at plate of food or cup of wine the same way ever again. Are we, understood?” Now Tula was not frightened by much but she learned a long time a go that a cunning mind can be a lot more dangerous than any physical force, and Evelina was as cunning as they came. Having little to no choice in the matter she nodded in agreement.

“Good.” Confirming her ultimatum and after regaining her composure Eveline turned her attention to the white mare standing besides her large friend who looked like she was ready to run for dear life, after seeing Tula reduced to a little harmless kitten. ” And I wish you the best of luck in this confrontation Mis Scratch.” Giving a court bow to Vinyl, she left them to join the others in the peanut gallery.

“Damn, that was freaky. Think she’d be up to fight in your place?” Vinyl asked half serious when Eveline was just out of earshot.

“That wouldn’t be too fair. She’d eat them alive.” As Tula said the last part Eveline stopped for a moment turning her head to regard them with a satisfied smirk and a twinkle in her eye, like she just got wind of their conversation. 

They both froze in shock not daring  to even breath until she started walking again. Vinyl was the first to find her voice. “I better send that letter to Gustav ASAP. Maybe some meat could save our flanks and put her in a better mood.” Tula just nodded happy that this did not end any worse.

Shortly after, more ponies arrived to see the duel, word having spread rapidly amongst the townsfolk. Now only Blueblood and his anturage were missing and as an hour passed and the question if he would ever show up started to rise. But before anyone could voice that question a horn shattered the peaceful evening as a elaborately designed dirigible made it’s way towards them on a course from Canterlot mountain. The enormous vessel anchored just above the crowd of ponies and a glass cage elevator was being lowered.

“The heck is that?” Tula asked after finally regaining control of her slacked jaw. She and her companions from Farun had never before seen such a flying contraption and the spectacle was breathtaking.

“That’s just Bluie showing off. Gotta’ give him credit. He knows how to make an entrance.” Vinyl started making her way to where the elevator was bound to land. “Your late Bluie. Thought you might have chickened out.”

“Please excuse my tardiness sister, unfortunately the journey from Canterlot takes quite a while even by blimp. And this was the only way I could have brought my representative here in time.” The prince together with four of his personal guard exited the elevator. He bowed his head in a short apologetic bow more out of mannerisms then any feelings of regret. “Plus this way the two of us can be on our way home as soon as this dead is done.”

“Yeh, sure. You’re the one who’s gonna be riding that thing back home alone with your tail between your legs after Tula wipes the floor with you and your boys.” She pointed a hoof at the four guards ponies besides her brother.

“Ah my dear Vinyl, you put too much faith in your little pet there. And none of these fine stallions are my representative today. He is debarking right now as we speak.” The glass cage elevator just finished it’s second trip down and now out of it’s confines walked out a large minotaur. His fur coat a dull gray gradually growing darker down to his lower half. He was tall standing under 8 feet of the ground, broad shouldered with arms thick as a wooden beam. The minotaurs fizique was rugged and well toned showing a lifetime of training.

Seeing him Vinyl was as dumbfounded as Tula when she first saw the blimp. “You got the minotaurs ambassador to fight for you!!!” Vinyl yelled out in shock, considerably less certain about her chances now.

“Yes., ambassador Iron Fists was curious regarding the humans discovered in Ponyville and after hearing that I was looking for a representative in a duel against one he immediately sought me out. Naturally I would not have denied a request from such an important guest.” Blueblood said innocently.

“Yeh. I’m sure the fact that he’s one of their best fighters had nothing to do with it.” Minotaurs are a proud race dwelling in the harsh lands far to the south of the continent, those hard conditions has forged them into harsh and fierce warriors for only the strongest could survive there. Yet they are a proud and noble breed that revel in the rugged beauty of their homeland and have generally avoided conflict with the smaller folk as they like to call the ponies donkeys zebras and griffins of the north, mostly because they don’t see them as much of a threat or challenge. “Isn’t this against some international agreement, bringing a foreign dignitary in to a duel?”

“Vinyl, mister Iron Fists was the one whom sought me out, he is here of his own volition and I have done nothing to influence his judgement on that matter. And you aren’t one to comment on the nature of my choices seeing that these “Humans” are the only ones to visit our fair land in centuries. Well I dare say that they are ambassadors for their kind here in Equestria. ” Blueblood presented the logic behind his actions in in slow even tones unaffected by Vinyls reactions.

As Vinyl and Blueblood started bantering with each other about the possible political consequences of this encounter Iron Fists left the pony ‘anturage’ to get a better look at his match for the evening. “What is your name youngling?” The minotaure asked the woman as she was taking of her armour for the upcoming match, Tula chose to discard her armour so no one could say that this was an unfair fight seeing that he had none of his own. 

“Tula of Icewind Dale. So who are you and how much are you asking for this?”

The ambassador shorter at that remark eyeing the youth and trying to get a measure of who she was. Despite her nonchalant demeanor Iron Fists noticed the wide array of wicked scars spread  across her skin. Years of experience told him that few survived wounds like those without learning something from the experience. Otherwise she reminded him of the women folk of his tribes, tall with a well muscled frame padded with just the right amount of fat to accent her feminine features. In fact if she sprouted a pair of horns and a nice muzzle she would have the younger minotaurs fighting in droves for her admiration, the sturdy folk having a more practical vision towards beaty then the other races. “Iron Fists, reprezentant of the minotaur tribes to the sought. And the payment is meeting you.” The unusual response intended to see just how she would react.

"That's it? Damn he’s cheap."

“Hahaha, not really. He promised quite a lot if I win, but I doubt he can back up all of his bravado. Still Canterlot castle can be a dull place sometimes and I was looking for some good sport. Considering you five took on group of young dragons and walked away victorious, I’d say that you’ll do.” 

Tula gave him a nod and a approving grin. She stood in front of him wearing only her loincloth and a small hide vest she kept under her breastplate to keep the cold metal of her skin and also to help keep her bosom in place during this fight. Despite only coming up to about the minotaures chine level the two opponents seemed to be evenly matched, both exuding an aura of raw savage power with their wide muscular frames and tall bodies. “Now I’m actually looking forward to this.” Her response earning a similar grin and nod of approval from the minotaur.

“Speaking of, what’s this squabble all about. Blueblood was a bit vague on the details and I’d like to know a little more of what I’m getting into.” He said in a joking manner.

“Oh, Blueblood wants to bring Vinyl back to the castle so she could start being a lady and stuff.” Tula stiked her tongue out at the last part.

“Really? Even after Celestia let her leave. She always did have a very high opinion of her nieces choice and everyone else seemed to agree with it.” The minotaur started to reevaluate the situation and how it would best benefit him without causing too much of a scandal.

“Yes, everyone except Blueblood it seems. But he did went to all this trouble for her. Maybe, he really cares for her, or maybe he’s just a prick. ” She crossed her arms over her chest turning to look at the prince.

Meanwhile back to the royal siblings. Blueblood and Vinyl would have still been arguing if Twilight had not come up to bring them back to the events at hand. Several of the ponies that had gathered were becoming restless to see one of their two legged saviors in action.  Unfortunately this intervention also resulted in her promotion to the role of mediator.

With this responsibility thrusted upon her she made her way to the combatants. “Uhm hello. Looks like I’m going to be the judge for this little event. Now before we begin I would like to go over the rules.” Twilight made a thick tome appear out of thin air and began reciting the rules and conducts of a proper Equestrian duel.

Tula turned a perplexed look towards Iron First wispering the word “Rules” so only the minotaur could hear her. It’s not like the barbarians didn’t have a code of honor, but you didn’t need a seven pound (3 kg) tome for it. 

The minotaur just shook his head with an amused grin.” Bear with it. Believe me it’s much easier then arguing with this one.” Iron Fists had met with Twilight Sparkle before while she was still studying at the castle. He didn’t consider Twilight to be stubborn or thick headed, only that you needed a lot of solid proof to change her mind on any particular matter and sometimes it was just easier to let her have her way on the small stuff. Otherwise he enjoyed trying to match his wit against hers and knew if anyone would judge this match fairly then that would be her.

Six minutes later when the lavender unicorn closed the book.”Now if there are no further questions...” she looked expectantly at the two fighters who shook their heads in response.”...Then you may take your places and start on my marck.”

“Begin.” Twilight barely manages to finish the word and two heavy splats woke the spectators. Tula and Iron Fists had exploded into motion once they got the go ahead and each managed to land a solid blow. The first started with a uppercut catching the minotaur in the mandible as he managed to land a solid blow on her left cheek.

“Good start.” The old bovine grunted between his teeth as they both pulled back.

Tula tried a left jab to the ribs whispering a ”Thanks” just as Iron Fists caught the blow on his left forearm. Taking advantage of the opening in her defences he scored a heavy punch to the gut showing just why he got his namesake.

The young woman stumbled back bile rising in her mouth. She managed keep it down and dove back in to repay the favor putting all her weight behind a heavy blow. Years of combat experience helpt Iron Fists catch the subtle hints, the way she shifted her weight her stance and other small details, that told him what she was about to do and he knew the perfect way to respond. The  minotaur dodging to the side at the last moment pivoting on one leg, then planting a swift kick to the back of his adversaries knee as Tula rushed by him unable to stop her momentum.

Pain shot up her leg as Tula started falling to her knees. But at the last at the last moment, grinding her teeth through the pain, she managed to shift her weight  changing her fall into a roll stopping in a crouched position just out of Iron Fists reach.

“Fuck. You're more mule than cow.” Despite the pain in her knee, Tula seemed to be enjoying herself immensely.

Iron Fists hufed at the remarc as he got back on her feet. ”And I was expecting a fighter not a dancer.” He noticed that she was favoring her uninjured leg as she rose up.

“Nah. Prancing’s more Dillines thing. Me, I like it HANDS ON.” She charged in once more closing the gap between them as Iron Fists crossed his arms ready to intercept the blow, a bit surprised and disappointed that she would try the same move again. The blow never came. 

Tula had enough combat experience of her own to know not to try the same trick twice, deciding to take a page from Dilline’s and try to outmaneuver him to get a better position. Expecting the block, she sidestepped to the right at the last moment and ran past him slipping a hand around his neck as she got behind the minotaur in an attempt to catch him in a headlock. Unfortunately this was not the best tactic to take against a minotaur, their kind being well known for the incredibly strong muscles in their necks and upper back. While she was lucky enough to catch him off guard and land the grapple, his neck was much too thick for her to get a proper choke hold and pin the teller opened no matter how hard she tried.

The two wrestled with each other for a minute maybe two neither giving way but someone had to give eventually and it seemed that one was Tula. Her wounded leg didn’t help her keep her footing and she was flung to the side by the bull minotaur. A bit dizzy she got back on her feet trying to get her bearings when about three hundred pounds (136kg) of bones and muscle mass barreled in pinning her down. After today she and the earth could start calling each other on first name basis.

Now Tula got a taste of her own medicine as as Iron Fists applied the same technique she tried on him only with greater success. She was now pinned to the ground with a minotaur riding her back and choking her with his massive forearm. One arm getting caught beneath her when she fel and the other being twisted behind her back by the minotaur.. She tried to throw him off but to no avail, the lack of breath wasn't helping. 

Applying a bit more pressure to his opponent's joints Iron Fists turned to take a look at his temporary “Benefactor”, sure that the fiery blonde won’t be able to wrench herself free from his hold. 

Safely out of reach from the combatants the spectators were enjoying this display of martial prowess, and none more so than the prince. Blueblood sat next to his sister and seemed like he was about to burst out of his skin with pride at how well things were going.

Vinyl on the other hand was the complete opposite, her mane even more wild than usual. Beads of sweat dripping down her neck while nervously chewing on her left hoof at the prospect the she just might have to quit DJ-ing and move back to the castle. Her best friend and roommate was sitting besides her a comforting hoof wrapped around the unicorn and was trying to raise Vinyls spirits as much as she could. 

Besides them were the other four humanoids who were clearly the rest of Tulas party and five colorful mares whom he guessed were a few of the elements of harmony judging by how close they were to Miss Sparkle. The later started making her way towards him intent to stop the fight and proclaim a winner.“Best get this over with then.” He thought then turning his attention back to his opponent.

Tula tried to pull herself free from the minotaurs vise like grip but to no avail and just when she saw the “referee” coming she noticed that the grip on her left wrist lightened slightly. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth she managed to pull it free then proceed to jab her elbow in to her opponent.

Iron Fists tried to regain his hold on her but the barbarous woman now feeling the smell of freedom attacked him with all her might landing a solid blow square in the jaw. Whit that she barely managed to topple him over and get up. Now they were facing each other on relatively even footing. 

The spectators could see that both sides had taken heavy hits. Vinyl was cheering her lungs out after the fright she had earlier when Tula got knocked down, praying that she could end the fight soon. The rest of the gallery were doing much the same except for Blueblood who had to bit his tongue not to swear at the way he lost control of the match.

Back to the combatants, they have lost any notion of defence now hammering away at each other. A blow to the head opened a gash on tulas forehead, blood dripping down her face forcing a eye close. While a swift kick to Iron Fists ribes resulted in a cracking sound and heavy pain on his left side. The match had now become an endurance race as each blow left the other weaker until both parties fell down to their hands and knees unable to continue.

Twilight as the impromptu referee, reluctantly ran up to inspect the fallen combatants. They both seemed relatively fine, disregarding the bruises and blood, but too exhausted to continue both gasping for breath.“The combatants are now down and incapable to continue.” Oric swiftly followed suite, a magic wand at the ready to “heal up the dolts”

“Well this outcome was unexpected.” Blueblood, followed by Vinyl together with the rest of Tulas party and four of the main six expressing his astonishment at the outcome.

Vinyl ran past him stopping besides her battered friend very worried about her condition. “Is she gonna be alright doc?” She asked unsure what to call the short stubby fellow tending to Tula.

“Don’t worry none lassie. This one’s skull’s too thick to crack from anithin’ short of a mountain fallin’ on it. She’ll be fine.” The dwarf gave Tula a playful pat on the head then turned to take a look at the minotaur.

“Greate” She was relieved to hear that putting a forehoof over Tulas shoulder. “Ya were awesome out there. Whatever Twilight decides you’re getting free booze at the House of Wub for the rest of the year. You earned it. ” 

“Speaking of which miss Sparkle. I am sure that with your keen sense of observation and attention to detail you can agree that Mister Iron Fists was clearly the superior fighter and that he deserves to be declared the victor.” The prince slipped besides the young mare giving a suave smile to try persuading her into seeing things his way.

Twilight on the other hand was having none of it stepping away from him and presenting her overview. “Actually both combatants provided the other with fierce opposition.”

“So you’ are saying this is a draw?”

“Not exactly. While they both fought well the fight was not a clean one. Ambassador Fists, I am sorry to say that the kick you landed on Tulas left knee was an unclean move.” The minotaur nodded his head in agreement, with no intention to contest her decision. “With that in mind. Tula I’m glad to say that the victory belongs to you and Miss Scratch.”

If Vinyl was happy before, now she was positively ecstatic. “We won.” She grabbed Tula in a tight hug yelling at the top of her lungs. ”Sweet Celestia you won! Oh, the things I would do to you right now if you were a stallion.” Ignoring the pain rushing through her sore body from the pony’s hug, Tula returned the gesture trying as hard as she could not to imagine what Vinyl was hinting at. They both took a glance in Iron Fists direction where they saw him give them a wink.

The white mare broke off from her larger friend, a little moisture still in her eyes, and waved their friends closer. “Alright everypony. Tonights the grub at the Hayburger is on me.” She then turned to where her brother was” Bro you wanna coming with?”

Blueblood didn’t seem to register the question apparently lost in thoughts at the outcome.

“Bro you alright?” Vinyl walked up to him snapping him out of his reverie.

“Oh, I am fine Vinyl. And congratulations, I will keep to my word and and won’t bother you about coming back to Canterlot. Now if you’ll excuse me, I will take my leave.”

“Wait, Me and my friends are going to celebrate. Wanna join us?” 

“Ahh...  Perhaps another time Vinyl. This was your victory and I have no reason to celebrate. For now I only wish to go home and sleep this down.” Then prince gave them all a polite bow before returning to his blimp.   

“Suite yourself. But take care Big bro.” The stallion turned back to his sister and wrapped his hoof around her in a hug. “You to little sister.” And with that he was of.

Joining the others she found that Iron fists had remained behind. “Ambassador, wanna join us?”

“Thank you. I wasn’t planning on returning on that thing anyway. And Blueblood still owes me regardless.” He motioned towards the dirigible, never being a fan of flying and only agreeing to it because of the time delay.

The rest of the crowd dispersed as the group of friends made their way to the restaurant in question. Tula and Fists had picked up where they left off on their little talk before the fight staying behind the pack when Vinyl turned up besides them. “So what was up with that wink earlier Fists? You trying to make a pass on my new muscle?” the white unicorn asked in a cheeky tone. The reference clearly flying past Tulas head and Fist being used to much harsher taunts in his political dealings.

“Why not. By Minotaur standards, she’s the most attractive female I’ve met.” He answered Vinyls taunt in a joking manner.

Tula was taken aback by the remark her cheeks turning a bright read, usually Dilline or Evelin were the ones to have the menfolk paying them compliments. Then she laughed realising the joke for what it was and taking it as a compliment. 

The barbarian girl had also been thinking of how her luck seemed to have changed at the last minute when Fists had her pinned down and suspected what the answer to Vinils question might be. “He let me win.” She said punching him hard in the shoulder to show just how she felt about winning a fight like this, but willing to step on her pride this time for her new friend/boss sake. 

Of course the minotaur was expecting, actually hoping she would have seen through that. Despite Vinyl renouncing her title among the Canterlot nobility, Iron Fists saw her as a much more reliable ally at the castle then her brother could ever be. Perhaps she could convince Gustave to send some meat his way.

“Whaaaa???” The unexpected answer and it’s source made Vinyl trip on her own hooves.

He started massaging his sore shoulder as they were waking but keeping his voice low so none of the others could hear him clearly. “I’ll explain on the way.”