> Singularity
>  by Riley McApplePoneManJr
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Elements
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 “Shit,” yelled Riley as a bullet from the cars chasing them shot right past his head, into the side mirror.

“Erin. Pass the bloody pistol,” He said to his little sister who was hiding in the backseat.

“I can’t find it,” she replied.

“Dammit,” he cursed.

One of the cars chasing them pulled up next to Riley’s ute. He noticed the window of the other car shatter as bullets shot through it. Riley instantly retaliated and shot fire out of his hands towards the tyre, shredding it and causing it to skid to a halt and flip into a barrel roll. 

The other car that was chasing them pulled up next to Riley’s ute. The passenger of the other car jumped out at Riley, smashed the window chasing some of the glass to put small cuts to Riley face. Surprised by the unwanted guest, Riley found himself in a headlock.

Riley thrust his head back and forth in an attempt to knock him off. That only resulted in the arm tightening around his neck. Thinking fast, Riley distracted the agent by swerving his ute in front of the other car, smashing the agent into the other car. While he was distracted, Riley slipped out of the headlock, grabbed the agent’s hair, smashed his forehead into the broken glass that was once his window and opened his car door, tossing the agent onto the windshield of his fellow agent’s car. Riley wasn’t satisfied with that and shot a ball of fire at the engine of the other car, engulfing it in flames and causing the car to explode in an almost cinematic effect.

Riley and Erin thought they had lost their pursuers. However one of the passengers from the other car jumped onto Riley’s ute unnoticed before his car exploded in a fiery blaze of glory.  

“I think we lost them.” Riley said with a hint of relief in his voice.

“Where are we heading now?” Erin asked.

“Home.” Said Riley “We’ll be able to hold up there until the KAE leave.”

“Are you sure?” Erin asked. “Wouldn’t going to the caves be a better hiding spot?”

“I’m sure. And remember, whatever happens I’ll always look out for you and…”

“Love you,” Erin interrupted. “You’ve said that a million times Riley. I’m not a little kid anymore. I can take care of myself.”

“I know, but you’re my little sister and the only true family I have left.” He said.

“What about our Uncle?” Erin argued. “He’s family, to right?”

“Of course he is. I’m talking about bloodline.” Riley chuckled. “You and I are some of the last elementals on earth and were not going to be wiped out from some bloody, shit-faced bastards who think they have the right to exterminate innocent people for NO FUCKING REASON!!” He burst out, scaring Erin.

“Riley. You’re getting all worked up again. Take a deep breath.” Erin said. She knew Riley wasn't reasonable when he got like this. 

Riley did as his sister asked then continued. “I’m sorry.” He apologized. “I just love you and never want to see you get hurt.”

Riley is extremely prone to anger when someone either threatens or tries to kill Erin. They were once mugged by some punk teens, some of which threatened Erin with a knife. Riley snapped and attacked the teens, snapping the necks of the first two and snatching the knife from the third on and eviscerating him through the eye socket with it. It scared Erin when Riley was angry but she knew he was a kind hearted person who would never hurt anyone if he didn’t need to. Sometimes he just overreacted, for better or for worse. 

The agent from the KAE who jumped on the side of Riley’s car, smashed his window. Riley could see the sharp object he could only assume was a knife getting closer to his face.

“What the hell?!” Barked Riley.

“You elements disgust me!” the agent boomed “I vow to slaughter each and every single one of you. Men, women or child, I’ll kill them all, starting with yo…”

He never got to complete his sentence as a bullet went straight through his head, splattering his brain all over the windshield.

“I found the pistol.” Erin said cockily.

“Noted.” Riley grumbled as he pushed the body of the agent off his car to let him become road kill.

“Hey.” Erin blurted out “Just doin my job.”

Riley sighed as they continued down the highway, towards their home.



In Equestria



“GAHHHHH!!!!” Celestia screamed. Jolting awake from her slumber.

“Sister!!” Boomed a voice from down the hallway.

Celestia turned towards her bedroom doors. Standing there was a dark blue alicorn with a look of worry on her face. Celestia registered this as her younger sister Luna.

“Did you feel that too sister?” bellowed Luna.

“Yes I did.” Celestia replied. “And could you stop using the Royal Canterlot Voice please Luna.”

“Oh. I’m sorry sister.” She apologized. “I’m just worried.”

“It’s okay Lulu. You have every right to be.” Celestia cooed.

Celestia was right. They should be worried. For the past few days, they had been getting headaches from these terrible magic spikes that happened during the night. These spikes worried Celestia since they were caused by some sort of unknown magic that she had never felt before.

“Do you think it’s Discord?” Luna asked.

“I cannot be sure but, I don't think its him.” She agreed. “But until we can find out where these spikes are coming from, I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do then.”

“Can’t we just scan the magic signal the next time it comes up sister?” Argued Luna.

“NO!” Celestia bellowed in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

Luna jumped back.

“I’m sorry sister.” Said Celestia “I’m just afraid that scanning it might be lethal since the source of the magic is unknown and it may cause harm to you, me or any of our little ponies.”

“I guess you're right sister.” Luna acknowledged, feeling defeated. “I shall be returning to my duties. Get some sleep sister. It will still be night for a while.”

Celestia went back to bed but, did not sleep for the rest of the night. Her mind was racing a mile a minute. Thinking about what or who could be behind this. A trick from Discord, an illusion, a new form of magic. Celestia didn’t know. What she did know is if it was a threat to her ponies she would have to stop it personally.    



Melbourne



Riley and Erin pulled up into the lonely, dusty driveway. Their home was an old Queenslander type of house on the outskirts of Melbourne that was owned by their Uncle. They pulled up to the house and got out. Riley was a tall man with a little bit of stubble and short brown hair which was covered up by his bushies hat while Erin had short and had long, thick brown hair which was pulled back into plats. The complete opposite look of Riley, except for them both having deep, beautiful blue eyes that mirrored their mothers.

They emerged from Riley’s ute and walked towards the front door. Only to be greeted by a man who looked about in his mid-50s, wearing a green cap and a very bushy beard. 

“Uncle Burnie!” Erin shouted as she embraced him in a hug.

“*Oomph* Erin ya mongrel!” He shouted as he returned the hug. 

Uncle Burnie turned towards Riley.

“Did ya get everything ya needed from the store?” He asked.

“No.” Riley replied. “We ran into trouble with some agents from the KAE.”

“Nasty buggers.” Uncle Burnie boomed. “Did ya lose them?”

“Yea.” Said Riley. “But hopefully they didn’t have any more agents following us.” Riley didn't really believe that. He knew they would never stop looking for them but, he had hope.  

“Alright then. Let’s go take a look and see if you’ve damaged your ute.” Announced Uncle Burnie. “While you, Miss Erin, can go inside and have something to eat.”

“Thank you Uncle.” Erin said as she ran inside at the speed of light (literally) with a bolt of lightning behind her. One of her abilities is incredible speed.

“I tell ya.” Uncle Burnie pointed out. “When she gets her wings, she’ll be able to fly to Broome and back in five seconds!”

They both had a good laugh thinking about Erin flying to Broome.

“She’ll probably come back with her bags full of pearls.” Riley joked.

They both laughed even harder. Eventually they stopped laughing and went over with Uncle Burnie’s tool bag to see if there was any problems with Riley’s ute.

“Alright.” Announced Uncle Burnie. “You check the engine and I’ll check the sides for any damage.”

“Okay then.” Replied Riley.

They had just started when Uncle Burnie spotted something that made him stop in his tracks.

“HOLY SHIT!!!” He yelled at the top of his lungs.

“What is it Uncle Burnie?!” Riley said, pulling out his pocket knife.

“Yea,” Yelled Erin as she sprang up next to Riley holding a handgun “What did you find?”

“This.” He replied.

He was holding a blinking green, oval shaped device in his hand that had three letters inscribed on the back of it. K.A.E.

Riley froze. He knew what that was. A tracker. That god damn agent that tackled him while he was driving must have put it there. Erin on the other hand, didn’t know what it was and got curious.

“What is that?” She asked nervously.

“Erin. Go upstairs, pack some clothes into a bag as fast as you can and board up all the windows in the kitchen.” Riley ordered.”

“Why?” She asked. Confused by the sudden change in tone from her brother.

“Because we might have some unfriendly visitors.” Interrupted Uncle Burnie. 

“But.” She stammered.

“No buts Erin.” Said Riley.

“But.”

“JUST GO!!” Yelled Riley.

Erin, perplexed that her brother just yelled at her, complied anyway and zipped towards her bedroom.

“Ya didn’t need to yell at her.” Uncle Burnie said furiously.

“I know.” murmured Riley as he dug his head into his hands.

“Go to my storeroom, grab your guns and go bunker down with your sister in the kitchen.” Declared Uncle Burnie. “I’ll rig up a little surprise for those bastards.”

“Yes sir.” Replied Riley as he ran towards the shed.

Uncle Burnie sat down next to Riley’s ute, pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it and thought, “May god help us all.” He then inhaled hard, shortening the cigarette by a great amount. Exhaling he could feel some of the stress leaving his body.    

He got up, went to the shed and grabbed a box labelled, EXPLOSIVE.

“If I can’t stop the KAE.” He thought. “Might as well go off with a bang.” 


> Revolution
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia sat quietly in her chambers. She had to take care of raising the sun, day court and a meeting with the highest nobles before she could have any time to herself. She was going to sleep. That was it. Just sleep. She had missed out on her sleep for the past few nights because of those magic spikes, but now she could just lie down and rest. She looked over her shoulder to just see the moon rise.

“PRINCESS!” Screamed a Night Guard as he burst through her chamber doors.

“Who dares interrupt my me time!” She yelled at the guard who had interrupted her with the might of the Royal Canterlot Voice. She really didn't want to deal with anything else. “Why can't they let me sleep?” She thought to herself.  

“I-I’m s-s-sorry p-p-p-princess.” He stammered.

“State your name guard.” She boomed.

“S-s-silver S-shadow your h-h-highness.” He said meekly.

“What is your business here Shadow?!” Celestia said, still using the Royal Canterlot Voice.

Shadow took a deep breath.

“A scientist from the Royal Canterlot Observatory has requested a formal meeting with you about the mysterious magic anomaly that has been detected in Equestria.” Shadow spoke with a bit more confidence.

Celestia immediately jumped out of her bed, ran towards the guard and hugged him tightly.

“Um, princess.” Shadow spluttered. “You’re choking me…ACK!”

“Oh right.” Celestia said, blushing slightly. “I’ll be out to meet him immediately.”

“Yes your highness.” Barked Shadow as he saluted and ran out the door.

As soon as he left Celestia jumped with joy. She could not believe that she was finally getting some answers about those stupid magic spasms. Celestia put on her royal getup and crown when she thought of something that made her stop her moment of victory.

“What if?” She thought. “What if all of my little ponies could feel the magic too?”

She shuddered at the thought of her little ponies feeling what she had felt during the night, that and the stampede of nobles that would be bombarding her with questions. But none of them seemed to complain about it. This made Celestia a little bit suspicious of this scientist. 

She stepped out of her bedroom and walked to the Royal Meeting Area to meet this so-called scientist. Expecting an old, shambling stallion with a white lab coat like those insane doctors from those horror plays that Luna took Celestia to see once, to be waiting for her. She got the shock of her life when she was met by a tall, handsome stallion with a spiked haircut and a little bit of stubble. He was a green coated Pegasus and like all scientists, he had a white lab coat on too.

“Princess.” He said in a deep voice as he bowed. “I’m sorry to interrupt your busy schedule but, I have some knowledge on those magic spikes that have been happening for the past few days.”

“Please, this is an achievement not an interruption.” She corrected. “What is your name sir?”

“Please no sir. My name is Bio Shock, but, call me Bio.” Bio said giving her a wink.

Princess Celestia acknowledged this and blushed a little bit.

“Anyway.” Continued Bio. “I think I may have discovered what is causing these magical spikes.

“Could you show me?” Asked Celestia.

“Not here.” Bio said. “All of my work is back at my lab in the Observatory.”

“Then why are we still here.” Chirped Celestia “Let’s Go!”

“You seem pretty eager about this.” Exclaimed Bio.

“Oh, sorry. It’s just that these spikes have been giving me terrible headaches at night…” She said before being interrupted by Bio.

“Yes, so I thought. Your magic would easily able to sense it.” He responded.

“Has anypony else been able to sense it?” Asked Celestia.

“No. Only you and your sister have strong enough magic to be able to sense it.” Bio explained. “Princess Cadence is too far away to be able to sense it and Princess Twilight’s magic is not as powerful as yours, rendering her unable to feel the spikes.”

“I see.” Said Celestia. “How do you know all this?”

“Common scientific logic.” Was his reply. 

“Very well then.” Celestia agreed. “I will call the Royal Chariot to escort us to the Observatory.”

Celestia called the Royal Chariot and they took off towards the Observatory. Celestia had never been inside the Observatory, she was at the grand opening and cut the ribbon to declare it officially open, but she never went inside because of a diplomatic meeting with the Griffon Empire she had straight after the ribbon cutting. She was excited to finally see what was inside the Observatory as well as the cause of these magic spikes.

The chariot left Canterlot and proceeded to fly up to the top of the mountain that Canterlot was attached to. Upon arriving Celestia couldn’t stop her jaw from dropping at the marvellous sight of the massive structure. When she cut the ribbon, there was only one building, now there was three. From what Celestia could see, the main building was the Observatory and Museum (the one that she saw when it was opened) and the two smaller ones were the Laboratory and Testing chambers. The chariot pulled up to the Laboratory building and they disembarked.

“Amazed at what you see.” Beamed Bio as the proceeded to the building. 

“Certainly.” Replied Celestia. “I wonder what lies inside.”

“Oh you’ll see princess.” Bio said with a big grin on his face. “You’ll see.”

They proceeded towards the Laboratory building when they were stopped by two security guards. Celestia gasped when she saw the armour they were wearing. It was made of metal, like her guards armour but instead of just the chest plate and helmet, their whole bodies were covered in it, and their helmets completely covered their heads. Leaving only a visor for them to see out of. 

“Halt.” One of them yelled. “Name and authorization card please.”

“Bio Shock, and here is my card.” He said handing them his I.D card.

“Identity confirmed.” The guard said in a kind-of straight, robotic like voice. “Head of physics and technology departments Bio Shock. You and your visitor may proceed.”

They moved inside. 

“What was that all about?” Celestia asked.

“Just security.” Replied Bio. “There are a lot of thing that we house and do in these facilities that other ponies would love to see and get their hooves on.”

“I see.” Said Celestia.

They moved inside and Celestia felt a little bit let down. The laboratory was pretty standard with testing rooms and whatnot which didn’t even have anything exciting going on in them.

“I’m guessing by the look on you face that this was not what you were expecting.” Bio said with a disappointed tone in his voice.

“No no no. It’s just that. Umm….” Babbled Celestia.

“Once we reach the lift then you’ll see what we have to offer.” Beamed Bio.

“May I just ask one thing?” Celestia asked.

“Shoot.” Chuckled Bio.

“What is a `lift’?” said Celestia.

“Ahh, right. A lift is a mode of transportation that we have created that allows us to move throughout this building faster.” Explained Bio “Think of it as a train for a building.”

“Okaaaaaay. A train in a building.” Celestia said feeling puzzled. “Wait this building has multiple floors. It doesn’t look big enough to have enough floors for such a device.”

“The Labs go underground." Continued Bio. “We did not have enough room to perform some experiments so we expanded the lab underground.” 

They approached the lift and waited for it to arrive.

“Soooooo Bio Shock. How long is this going to ta…” Celestia asked.

“It’s here.” Interrupted Bio.

Celestia was hesitant to get on but after some convincing by Bio Shock. She stepped into the lift. The doors closed and she started to panic.

“Were trapped!” Screamed Celestia as she banged on the door, trying to open it with her magic.

“Calm down princess, calm down.” Coaxed Bio. “It’s supposed to do that. It’s so we don’t fall off the lift while it’s going down.”

“Oh, right. He he he,” She chuckled nervously and blushing the brightest red of the sun. “The lack of sleep must be really getting to me.” she thought to herself.

The lift descended to the bottom floor. They got out and Celestia’s jaw hit the floor. The room was HUGE! Half of Canterlot would be able to fit into it. She would bet all the bits in Equestria and her crown that Twilight would be having a nerdgasm if she were here.  

“The room itself is one of our greatest scientific achievements.” Explained Bio. “Each of the walls are designed to move to either make smaller rooms for smaller experiments or larger rooms for larger experiments.”

“That’s amazing!” Celestia exclaimed. “How long did it take you to build all of this?”

“At most, I would say a month and a half.” Proclaimed Bio.

The technology that Celestia is seeing was eons ahead of this time and yet, here it is a room that can change shape. It was amazing, just amazing.

“My office is this way.” Bio pointed out.

Celestia followed Bio to his office while also looking through the windows of the rooms they were passing to see what was going on inside. She saw one room was covered in some kind of blue goo that made ponies that touched it jump incredibly high, one room had some kind of giant metal thing in it that was moving on its own. She even saw one room that had some ponies testing some kind of device that shot waves which sent the pony it was aimed at flying. They eventually came to Bio’s office and went inside. What was inside could take the cake as one of, if not the best thing she had ever seen. 

She was looking at a holographic map of Equestria that was being moved around and controlled by a special glove that Bio was wearing on his hoof.

“This map allows me to see anything that goes haywire in Equestria. From magic spikes, to particle rearrangement malfunctions to even… Princess.” 

Bio turned around to see Celestia gazing aimlessly with a blank expression on her face.

*Ahem*

Celestia was too busy admiring the workshop that she didn’t even notice that he was talking.

“Huh, oh. Sorry.” She apologized. “Continue.”

“Anyway.” Bio continued. With this map it basically allows me to track things out of the ordinary in Equestria.
Bio used his hoof to zoom in on the projection of the Everfree Forest. What Celestia noticed however, is that the entire map section of the forest had turned red. 

“This.” Belted Bio. “This is where I believe the magic spikes are occurring. I haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly where yet but I‘m sure that…”

He was interrupted by a siren going off on his table.

“What’s this?” Bio said curiously.

The red around the Everfree started to shrink causing more of the map of the forest to become a blue colour, just like the rest of the map.

“Bio Shock, I demand to know what’s going on!” Boomed Celestia.

“The map is tracking down the source of the spikes.” Bio yelled happily over the siren “We’ll be able to find out what is causing the spikes.” Celestia could feel the spike from here. it was the strongest spike thus far. This spike made the others feel like foals play.

Bio used the glove that he was wearing to zoom in on the centre of the slowly decreasing red zone until he reached the centre. In the centre of the red zone (which was now as small as the base of a cupcake fully zoomed out) showed two bipedal creatures. This was all they could register. As soon as Bio fully zoomed in to get a better look. The table shut down.

“No No No NO NOOOOOOOOO!!!” Bio screamed in rage, banging his hooves on the table. “YOU STUPID PIECE OF STRAW. I WILL BUCKING BUCK YOUR FLANK TO APPLELOOSA AND BACK MYSELF!!”

Celestia was taken aback by his language. He must have noticed her reaction. “Sorry, princess.” she nodded in understanding.     

The table turned back on and was all normal again except there was no red spot in the middle of the Everfree and the two bipedal creatures were gone. Celestia had a quick brainstorming session, and came to the conclusion that both creatures were probably hostile. She walked over to Bio.

“Do not worry Bio Shock.” She whispered softly. “I will send a large platoon of Royal Guards as well as the six element bearers to find and deal with those two creatures.”

Celestia and Bio Shock galloped as fast as they could towards the lift. They then ran out of the building like mad ponies, causing the Royal Guards guarding the chariot to rush over to them.

“Princess! What is wrong.” The three of them shouted in unison.

“You, guard.” She said as she pointed her hoof at the pegasi guard to the left. “I need you to assemble a platoon of the best royal guards and the six element bearers. Tell them to meet me at the entrance to the Everfree.”

“Princess may I ask what this is all about?” Asked the Royal Guard she was talking to.

“Were going monster hunting.” Was her reply.

The guard saluted and flew off to get the soldiers while the other two prepared the chariot for the flight to Ponyville. Celestia sat down in the chariot with Bio Shock and thought to herself:

“May mother help us through this.”


> Evacuation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: This chapter takes place at the same time as the last chapter.

“Erin, you got everything ya need?!” Yelled Riley.

“Almost.” Was her reply. 

“Well hurry up.” He yelled back. “We need to be ready to split if anything goes wrong.”

While Riley was waiting for Erin, he went through his bags and made sure he had everything that he needed. He had three bags, one bag was a backpack which had Riley’s clothes and spare food in it. A duffel bag which carried a shotgun and two handguns, as well as a bit of ammo and his computer bag, which had his laptop and other techie things in it. 

“All done.” Erin boomed as she came running out with a backpack full of things she needed.

“Here.” Said Riley as he handed her the ammo bag.

“Why do I have to carry another bag.” She whined.

“Because I have three and you have two.” Was his reply. “We each have to carry our share of stuff.”

“Fine.” She mumbled in response.

“RILEY!” yelled a powerful, booming voice that belonged to their Uncle Burnie. “Stop playing silly buggers and bring those bloody bags down to the truck!!!.”

“We’re coming uncle.” Riley yelled back.

Erin ran down the stairs with her usual lightning speed and was by the truck in less than a second. Riley on the other hand just opened the window, unfurled his wings and flew down to the car. 

Erin’s face turned sour every time she saw her brother using his wings. Sure, she could run super fast, but being able to fly would with her super speed would be AWESOME!

“Oh well.” She thought. “I’ll get my wings soon enough.”

Riley landed next to the Ute and was greeted by Erin, sticking her tongue out at him.

“Show-off.” She teased.

“Hey.” Chuckled Riley. “Can’t a guy use his wings every now and again.”

“Yea, well I bet I could still kick your ass at a race when I get my wings.” Sneered Erin.

“Could not.”

“Could so.”

“Could not.”

“Could so.”

“COULD NOT!”

“COULD SO!”

“BOTH OF YOU, CAN IT!!”

Erin and Riley turned around and came face to face with their Uncle.

“This is not a game!” Continued Uncle Burnie. ”There are nasty people who are going to attack us any time soon and you two are standing here, bickering like five year olds. You both need to grow up. Im not going to be around forever. Now come help me prepare.”

“Yes Uncle.” They both said in unison, a tone of defeat in their voices.

Riley continued to pack the ute while Erin and Uncle Burnie went inside and boarded up all the windows in the kitchen. By the time they finished, the kitchen looked like it could take a nuclear bomb and still be in one piece. The windows had wooden planks and metal plates covering all of them and the door was sawed in half to allow someone to stay behind it and use it as cover. 

The reason they boarded up the kitchen was because of its location. It had the only back door, allowing for a quick escape to the ute’s parked there if everything went to shit, and was the only room in the house with one entryway through the house. Besides boarding up the kitchen, the front yard also had three landmines that Uncle Burnie had spare from his war days, and there was a trap that Erin thought of (just because she saw it on Scooby-Doo) where if someone trips on the tripwire at the front door, a desk of drawers will fall on their head. 
Riley joined Erin and Uncle Burnie in front yard as they were admiring their work.

“What. Is. That?” Riley asked.

“That, Riley is ingenious idea that your sister came up with.” Uncle Burnie boomed.

“Yea.” Erin beamed. “It’s gonna flatten any of those agents that come into the house.”

“A desk of draws. Okayyyyyyyy.” Riley chuckled. 

“Hey.” Erin blurted out. “At least I came up with a trap.”

Riley was about to argue but given that it was not such a bad idea, he decided to leave it alone.

“Enough.” Said Uncle Burnie. “We need to get inside and hunker down. We don’t know when their coming or even if their coming but we still need to be aware.”

The sun had just set. Uncle Burnie was still talking when car pulled up silently in the driveway.

“Come on. Let’s head insid…. GAHHHHH!!!!.” Uncle Burnie bellowed as a bullet went through his leg. 

“UNCLE BURNIE!!” Erin screamed.

“OPEN FIRE!!” A voice from the bushes yelled.

“ERIN RUN!!!” Riley yelled as a hail of bullets flurried past them.

Erin compiled and ran into the house like a speeding bullet. Riley dragged Uncle Burnie behind one of the wrecked utes that his Uncle kept on the property. 

“Uncle Burnie. Are you alright!?” Riley asked and yelled over the frenzy of bullets.

“Yea. I’m all good.” Was his reply.

Uncle Burnie noticed that Erin wasn’t there and shot up.

“Where’s Erin?!” He yelled.

“Inside Uncle Burnie.” Said Riley. “She’s fine.”

“Oh thank god.” Uncle Burnie said with a sigh of relief. 

“We’re still being shot at though.” Riley added.

“Bugger.” Uncle Burnie barked.

“ATTENTION FAMILY.” Said a very loud voice over a megahorn. “WE ARE AWARE THAT YOU ARE HOUSING ELEMENTALS IN YOUR HOME. COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP AND NO ONE HAS TO GET HURT.”

“YEA.” Riley yelled back. “WELL FUCK YOU!”

“YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS TO COMPLY.” The voice yelled.

“FIVE.”

“Here Riley.” Whispered Uncle Burnie.

“FOUR.”

“Take this.”

“THREE.”

“You know.”

“TWO.”

“What to do.” 

“ONE.” 

“OKAY.” Yelled Riley as he walked out.

Two soldiers walked up to Riley with their assault rifles pointed at him.

“Where is the other one?!” Demanded the soldier to the left.

“What other one.” Riley said with a smirk on his face.

“The girl.” The soldier on the right said. “Tell her to come out and surrender now.”

“Surrender?” Riley said cockily. “We didn’t say anything about surrendering.”

“Hang on? What…” The guard on the left said stupefied.

Riley pulled out the detonator in his pocket and hit the trigger. What followed was an ear splitting BOOM that sent dust and the body parts of a few guards flying.

Riley took a chance and summoned his drill. The guards turned around and got the shock of their life when they say what had happened to Riley. His right arm had become melded with the steel that made up the drill and to top it all off it was on fire. The two soldiers barely got to comprehend this, as Riley had lunged at them, his drill spinning faster than Erin running. Riley dove his drill into the chest of the first soldier. Screaming in agony, he dropped his rifle and clutched his chest. Trying to stop the blood from pouring out. The second soldier reacted quicker than his comrade and aimed at Riley. Riley looked up to see a gun barrel pointed at his head.

“Looks like your `surprise’ didn’t work. Time to di…”

He was cut off by a shotgun blowing his head clean off. Riley turned around to find Erin holding the gun, the blood of her victim splattered across her face. She dropped the shotgun and immediately ran over to Uncle Burnie, Crying.

“UNCLE BURNIE! UNCLE BURNIE!” She screamed. “Are you okay!?”

“I’m fine Erin.” He replied. “Although I might need a few bandages for me leg.”

“We’ll get you inside.” Riley announced. “Help me lift Uncle Burnie Erin.”

Erin wiped the tears from her eyes and said, “Okay.”

They lifted him into the house, being careful to avoid the tripwire from the trap above the front door, and placed him down in the kitchen. Riley went to go look for the med kit while Erin helped Uncle Burnie.

“Do you want a pillow under your foot Uncle Burnie?” Erin asked.

“No thanks.” Replied Uncle Burnie. “I’ll live.”

Erin started sobbing again.

“What the matter chook?” Exclaimed Uncle Burnie.

“I shouldn’t have listened to Riley.” She sobbed quietly. “I should have been out there helping you guys, not cowering in here. Then I could have saved you from being shot.”

“Hey. Dry those tears missy.” Uncle Burnie boomed. “It’s a lot safer in here that out there for you. You could have been shot. Riley would have never forgiven himself if you were hurt.”

“I know. But…” She said before being interrupted.

“But nothing.” Said Uncle Burnie. “You’re too young to be in these types of situations. End of discussion."

Erin felt rage boil up inside her. She started screaming at Uncle Burnie, bolts of lightning started shooting out of her hands. “YOU THINK I’M JUST A LITTLE KID! I’M NOT! STOP PROTECTING ME FROM EVERYTHING.”

Uncle Burnie looked at Erin with a shocked look on his face. Riley heard Erin scream and came rushing in with the med kit in his hand.

“What the hell!” Riley yelled. 

Erin turned and looked at Riley before sitting down and putting her head in her hands.

“What happened?!” Riley asked Uncle Burnie.

“She’s just upset Riley.” He replied. “I think we should leave her alone.”

“No.” declared Riley.

Riley walked up to Erin and put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with red, tear-filled eyes then turned to face Uncle Burnie and whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He whispered back.

Erin turned back towards Riley.

“I feel terrible.” She croaked.

“We all feel terrible sometimes Erin.” He cooed. “You just need to let go of your anger, and it’ll just all go away like that.”

She continued sobbing. 

“Okay.” Riley said calmly. “I want you to try this. Whenever I feel angry or sad, I sit down for a moment and think about everything that makes me happy. You, me, Uncle Burnie, all the good times we have had together, they all cherish the one two things that keep a soul alive. Love, and happiness. I don’t like killing people either. I do what has to be done. I may not like it, but sometimes you just gotta do what you got to do.”

Erin calmed down.

“Okay.” She whispered softly. “I’ll try.”

“Don’t try. Do.” Replied Riley.

Erin closed her eyes and let go of her mind. She could feel it. She could feel herself letting go of all that hate and anger and letting the good memories flow in. Calming her, setting her mind free.

“Do you feel it?” Riley asked.

“Yes I do!” Erin yelled with joy.

Riley picked her up off the floor.

“Let’s get Uncle Burnie patched up and let’s get out of here before any more agents come.” Riley declared.

Right around that time, a hail of bullets came and demolished the kitchen. Getting Riley in the shoulder blade. 

“Shit!” Riley yelled as he turned around and shot a beam of fire, incinerating his attacker. Causing him to scream in pain and drop to the floor, dead. Riley fell to the floor as well, clutching the newly formed hole in his shoulder.

“RILEY.” Erin screamed.

“Ahhhhh, damn it all.” Cursed Riley. “I’ll be fine Erin, just grab the bandages on the table. I’ll bandage myself and Uncle Burnie.”

Erin raced over to the table, grabbed the first aid kit and gave it to Riley.

“Cheers.” Thanked Riley.

Riley and Erin heard a crash come from outside, followed by a “What the fuck?!” A smile slowly curled around Erin’s lips and Riley felt like a complete idiot for doubting his sister.

“Once again. My intellect has been amplified to serve our needs.” Boasted Erin.

“Yea, yea. Sure sure.” Riley grumbled. “At least we have a little time.” 

After wrapping the bandage around his shoulder, Riley rolled his shoulder to check if the bullet hole was bleeding anymore. Since it wasn’t, he got up and walked over to Uncle Burnie.

“Hey Uncle Burnie. Were gonna patch you up and get the hell outta here. Okay.” Affirmed Riley.

“Don’t bother.” Uncle Burnie said in a raspy voice. “I’m a dead man.”

“Don’t joke around Uncle Burnie.” Riley added. “This is not the time for jokes.”

“This is no joke.” He replied coldly.

Uncle Burnie pulled his shirt apart and revealed an army of bullet holes that riddled his chest. Riley and Erin jumped back in horror.

“Listen.” Uncle Burnie commanded. “You're gonna run out that door, grab your things from the truck and run. Don’t look back, don’t take the truck, just run.”

“No Uncle Burnie. We’re not leaving you.” Erin blurted out.

“Yes you are Erin.” Said Uncle Burnie. “I’ll leave those KAE bastards with the surprise of their lives.”

Erin knelt down and started sobbing next to Uncle Burnie.

“Uncle Burnie.” Erin said as she sobbed softly. “Don’t do this.”

“It’s okay Erin.” Reassured Uncle Burnie. “Just promise me something.”

“What?” Erin babbled.

He leant over to her ear and whispered. “Keep an eye out for your brother, god knows what he might do without you. Can you promise me that?”

“Mhmm.” Erin mumbled as she quietly got up.

“Atta girl.” Uncle Burnie bellowed. “Now go, both of you.”

Riley and Erin got up and ran out the back door. Uncle Burnie reached for a bottle of Bundaberg Rum from inside the cupboard behind him and took a big swig. He heard the sounds of banging radiating throughout the house, indicating that the KAE we’re making one last attempt, using brute force.

The door broke into a million bits and heaps of soldiers stormed in, armed to the teeth. Uncle Burnie heard their footsteps echo through the house. Emitting one last act of courage, he pulled another detonator out of his pocket and yelled. 

“I’M READY YOU MOTHER FUCKERS! SEE YOU ALL IN HELL!!!”

And with that he pulled the trigger and braced himself for the beyond.

Erin and Riley we’re running when they heard a mighty *BOOM*. The turned around and saw the place they once called home as well as their closest family become engulfed in a fiery blaze of glory. They couldn’t stop tears from falling down their cheeks as they kept on running. 

further into the dense scrub that lay behind their old house. Further and further. They had been running flat out for at least five minutes straight until they grew tired and had to stop. 

Erin broke down into tears and started sobbing onto Riley’s shoulder.

“Shhhhh, shhhh Erin. He cooed. “We’re going to be fine. Everything’s going to be fine.” 

Riley couldn’t hold back a single tear which he let freely drop down his face. 

They continued to sit in this position for several hours, just sitting down, staring at the moon. Riley got up and made an excuse, saying that he had to go to the toilet. He had just finished when he heard a scream emanating from the scrub. Riley knew that that was Erin screaming and quickly rushed over to her which gave him the shock of his life. Erin was being sucked in by a rainbow coloured light. Letting his instincts take control, Riley’s drill took the place of his right arm and he jumped out towards Erin and grabbed her hand with his left while using his drill to dig into the ground.  

“DON’T LET GOOOOO!!!” Erin screamed.

“Argh, I’m trying!” Riley yelled in response.

Riley could feel the bullet hole in his shoulder start to strain. He kept on holding on for as long as he could but eventually lost the fight and fell unconscious. Erin could only scream as they were sucked into the rainbow coloured light, into the state of oblivion. 

> Discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are the guards prepared?” Celestia asked Bio Shock.

“Yes Princess.” He replied. “We have your best guards here and ready to go on your command. Are you sure you don’t want any of my soldiers to come search.”

“No.” Celestia replied sternly. “This is a royal matter, which can only be handled by the royal guards.”

“Okay.” Bio said in a disappointed tone. “The element bearers should be arriving anytime soon.”

“Good. I don’t want to waste any time in capturing these creatures.” She barked.

Celestia turned around to face her royal guards. There were four Earth Ponies, two Pegasi and two unicorns, all clad in gleaming, gold armour. They were also wielding spears and swords for extra protection. 

“Princess!” A voice yelled in the distance.

Celestia turned around to find her prized student, Twilight Sparkle, running towards them with four of her friends following her. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. 

“Princess.” Twilight panted. “I came here as soon as I got your letter.”

“Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said in her sort of commanding and sort of soothing tone. “Where is your friend Fluttershy?”

“She’s back at her cottage. She said that she had to take care of her animals in case any creatures try to harm them.” Twilight replied.

“I see.” Commented Celestia. 

“Never mind that! I’m ready to kick some alien flanks.” Rainbow Dash boomed while rubbing her hooves together in anticipation. 

“Yea.” Applejack agreed. “We ain’t gonna let no monsters run loose in our town.”

“I agree.” Rarity huffed. 

“Calm your self’s my little ponies.” Said Celestia. “We do not want to engage in combat with these creatures. We do not know what powers they possess and could harm us.”

“They surely could not be more powerful than you Princess. Right?” Asked Twilight.

“I do not know Twilight.” Celestia admitted. “They seem to have just appeared out of thin air, who knows what they're capable of.” 

“That gives us more of a reason to pummel them!” Said Rainbow Dash, thumping her chest to make her look tougher.

“We’ll let the guards take care of the fighting Rainbow Dash.” Celestia proclaimed.

“But but…” She stammered.

“No buts.” Celestia replied sternly.

“hmph…Fine.” Rainbow groaned. 

“Princess. Might I ask, who is that pony in the lab coat?” Asked Twilight.

“Where are my manners.” Bio Joked as he stepped in front of her. “I am the head of the physics and technology department at the Royal Canterlot Observatory Bio Shock.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Bio Shock, and did you say scientist?!” She squealed.

“Yep, I was the one that located those two creatures in the Everfree.” Bio gloated.

“Well, you must have some extremely powerful magic to be able to locate such a thing.” Twilight noted.

“Actually, we didn’t use magic, we used technology.” Bio beamed.

“What kind of technology?” Asked Twilight, her curiosity peaking.

“Well it’s very simple. I created a...”

“BORRRRRRING!” Yelled Rainbow Dash. “Now we have two eggheads. Wonderful.” 

“Enough Rainbow Dash.” Commanded Celestia. “We have no time for petty squabbles.”

Rainbow Dash huffed.

“Hey, where in the hay is Pinkie?” Interrupted Applejack.

As soon as she said this, a pink blur came careening out of the sky and landed on Rainbow Dash.

“HEYGUYSIMSORRYILEFTIHADTOGETSTUFFTOGOMONSTERHUNTING!”

“Pinkie!” Screeched Rainbow Dash. “Get off of me!”

“Oopsie. Sorry Dashie.” Giggled Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie got off of Rainbow Dash. She was wearing a jungle safari outfit, with a matching safari hat and binoculars around her neck.

“Pinkie, what are you WEARING!” Rarity screamed.

“What’s wrong with it?” Asked Pinkie. “Were looking for wild animals. Right?”

“I mean your outfit darling. It’s so...it’s so...drab.” 

“Well we don’t need to look good for trekking in the forest.”

The arguing was really trying Celestia’s patience. She could explode at any minute, she was about to explode!

“Enough you two.” Interjected Twilight. “We need to start searching, no more distractions.”

Celestia sighed a breath of relief and turned towards her guards.

“Alright, fan out and search for these creatures. Try to reason with them. If you can’t, you can hurt them if necessary. I want them….”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Celestia was interrupted by an ear piercing scream that shook the forest and caused Pinkie to start shaking rapidly.

“I-i-i-i-i-i-it’s a-a-a-a-a-a-a do-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ozy.” She stammered.

“That sounded like Fluttershy.” Exclaimed Rainbow Dash. 

“Guards!” Celestia yelled. “Follow my student to Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“YES PRINCESS!” They boomed as they followed Twilight and her friends.


Fluttershy’s Cottage

“Come on little ones. Come inside now.”

Fluttershy was herding all of her small animals into her home, the reason being her friends had come around to tell her that the princess had spotted two monsters in the Everfree Forest. They asked if she wanted to come with them to find them but she refused. Fluttershy didn’t go because she had to take care of her animal friends, in case those wild creatures decided to come to her cottage.

“Is everypony inside Angel?” Fluttershy asked her pet rabbit.

Angel nodded his head.

“Good. I don’t want any animals to get hurt.”

Fluttershy walked towards her couch and collapsed in exhaustion. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.


Fluttershy awakened to the sound of rustling behind her house. She jumped up out of fright and hid behind her couch. All her animal friends we’re awoken as well and started howling, barking and making other loud noises.

“Shhhhhh. Shhhhh.” She whispered. “It’s okay. I’ll go and have a look.”

Fluttershy got up onto her hooves shakily and walked towards the backdoor.

“It’s okay.” She thought to herself. “It’ll just be another small animal or something.”

Fluttershy walked outside and scanned the area.

“T-t-there d-d-doesn’t seem to b-be a-a-anything here.” She stammered. “I’m sure it w-w-was just the w-w-wind.”

*SNAP*

“EEP!”

Fluttershy turned around. Expecting the worst, she instead saw Angel holding a glow stick that he had just cracked.

“Ohh.” Fluttershy whimpered. “Thank you Angel.”

Angel gave her the glow stick and started thumping his foot on the ground.

“What is it?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

Angel pointed at her little garden, where she grew all of her food and began thumping his foot even faster.

“Okay then, but only one carrot. You don’t want a tummy ache do you?”

He began thumping his foot even faster.

“Fine then. You can have two.”

He sprang off happily towards the garden.

“He can be really demanding sometimes.” Fluttershy thought to herself. “At least he brought me some light.”

She continued a little bit further into the forest, looking for any injured animals that she might come across in her trek. She was starting to get nervous, her heart pounding even faster with every step she took. She thought she heard the faint sound of somepony in trouble. Being the element of kindness, she ran towards the source, only to recoil in shock. She saw two bipedal creatures, one seemed to be lying down and the other one was holding a rag on the one lying down’s shoulder that was stained with…blood?

“Come on Riley. Wake up!” The one standing up spoke.

Fluttershy knew that these two creatures were the ones that her friends were looking for, but they didn’t seem evil. They looked worried.

“Hello.” Fluttershy spoke in the quietest whisper. 

“Who said that?” She yelled.

Fluttershy hid behind a bush.

“Whoever’s out there, I don’t want to hurt you.” It spoke.

Fluttershy either had two options, go out and see if the creature was telling the truth or keep hiding and tell her friends that she had found the creatures. She decided to come out and try talking to it.

“Hello.” She greeted as she came out from the bush.

The creature yelled and jumped back in shock causing Fluttershy to eep and curl up into a ball. The creature just stared at it in shock for about 30 seconds until it decided to speak up.

“Did you just talk?” It said with an amazed tone.

“Umm, yes.” Fluttershy whispered softly.

“Do you have a name?” It asked.

“Yes. My name’s Fluttershy.”

“Sorry, what was that?”

“Oh sorry. My name’s Fluttershy.”

“Well Fluttershy, you should probably get going.”

“But what about your friend. He’s bleeding.” Fluttershy exclaimed.

“Well I’m trying to stop the bleeding. So could you kindly move along.”

“He needs proper first aid though.”

“I’ll fix it, just go.”

The creature turned around to go and help its friend and came face to face with five angry, snarling timber wolves. 

“What the fuck?!” It exclaimed.

One of the timber wolves started walking over towards the creature’s friend. 

“Oi. Stay away from my brother you bastard!”

The creature summoned lightning into its hands and fired at the timber wolf, electrocuting it and frying it to a crisp. The other wolves started to close in on her.

“Stay back.” She warned as her hand charged up with lightning.

This was too much for Fluttershy to take in. She screamed at the top of her lungs, “AHHHHHHHH!”

“Jesus Christ.” The creature yelled as she covered her ears. 

One of the wolves got a beat on her while she was covering her ears. This caught the creature by surprise, as it was on top of her in a heartbeat, trying to shred her into little pieces.

“ARGH!” she yelled as its claw swiped at her, getting her in the chest.

The creature backed up against a tree with Fluttershy hiding next to her. 

“RILEY.” It screamed before she couldn’t see past the timber wolves. Fluttershy just laid down, watching as the wolves got closer. 

“This is the end.” Fluttershy thought to herself, tears rolling down her cheeks.

The timber wolf in front of Fluttershy was getting ready to strike. Fluttershy closed her eyes and braced herself for the pain……but nothing came. She opened her eyes slowly and the sight before her almost made her faint. Standing in front of her was the other creature, with some sort of sharp, spinning, metal device that was on fire as his right arm and a pair of wings that were made of fire. Fluttershy was confused at how she never noticed that he had wings before as well as her not noticing the spinning metal thing. She barely had any time to register this as the bipedal plunged his sharp, flaming metal thing deep into the skull of the timber wolf, killing it instantly. The other timber wolves turned around to face what had defeated their comrade and ended up with the same inevitable fate as the first timber wolf. Fluttershy could only watch the excessive brutality unfold in front of her as she watched each timber wolf get slaughtered one by one.

“Erin!” The creature yelled as he ran towards the creature named Erin.

“Riley!” Erin yelled back, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.

Riley’s spinney thing and wings vanished into thin air, wowing Fluttershy for the third time that night, as he embraced his sister in a hug.

“Riley are you okay?!” Erin shouted in a frantic tone.

“Yea yea.” He replied. “I’ll live. I think I should get this bullet hole out of me chest though.

“We’ll get it out soon. Right now we need to find a camp.”

“Umm, excuse me.” Interrupted Fluttershy.

Riley instantly got into a defensive position and pulled Erin behind his back.

“Stay behind me Erin.” He growled as his drill took the place of his right arm.

“No Riley, stop.” Erin yelled. “She’s friendly.”

“Are you sure?” He asked, still eyeing Fluttershy. “There could be more of them.”

“I’m the only one here.” Replied Fluttershy.

As soon as she said this, a bright light could be seen overhead, brightening the sky up like a Christmas tree with a thousand lights on it.

“Erin, hide.” Riley whispered as they ducked behind a bush, Erin following close behind.

“Fluttershy.” Came a voice that came from her friend Rainbow Dash. 

Fluttershy looked into the air and saw her friend Rainbow Dash along with a platoon of royal pegasus guards and Princess Celestia descending from above and landing next to her. What followed them on land where the rest of Fluttershy’s friends and some unicorn and earth pony guards. 

“Fluttershy.” Spoke Celestia in her most soothing voice. “We heard you scream from a mile away, what did you see?”

Fluttershy argued in her head whether to tell them or not. After seeing what Riley did, she knew they were dangerous, but seeing him hurt those timber wolves to protect his sister and herself, she knew it was only in self-defence. Fluttershy thought about this for the split second she had.

“I saw the bipedal creatures.” Spoke Fluttershy. “They murdered these timberwolves and ran in that direction.”

She pointed her hoof at the deeper part of the Everfree Forest.

“Thank you Fluttershy.” Celestia cooed.

Celestia turned towards her guards

“Follow me.” She commanded.

They all galloped deeper into the Everfree, leaving a dumbstruck Fluttershy behind. 

“I can’t believe that worked.” Fluttershy thought to herself.

“Why didn’t you turn us in?” Riley asked coming out of their hiding spot.

“Because I don’t think you’re evil.” Was her reply. 

“Oh, well then. Erin and I will just be on our way now.”

“You can stay with me…..If that’s okay with you.” Said Fluttershy.

“Are you sure, we wouldn’t want to be a disturbance.”

“No no. You saved my life. The least I can do is offer you a place to sleep.”

“Okay then, We’ll just grab our things.”

Riley and Erin grabbed their bags and joined Fluttershy. 

“By the way, I never got your name miss…”

“Fluttershy.”

“It’s nice to meet you Fluttershy. I’m Riley and this is my sister Erin.”

“Those are odd names.”

“Not where we come from Fluttershy.”

They continued down the pathway that led to a small cottage. They approached it and standing at the doorway, was a very pissed off rabbit.



> Pain
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That’s one umm… Happy bunny you got there?” Shrugged Riley.

“What is it Angel?” Fluttershy asked her pet rabbit. 

He stood there with a huge frown on his face and pointed directly at the blood all over Riley’s shirt.

“Ohhh. He wants to know why all this blood is on my shirt.” 

“He’s hurt Angel.” Fluttershy told her pet rabbit. “Can you go get some ice in a tea towel please?”

Angel stood there for a few seconds before he unwillingly agreed and hopped off.

“I’m sorry about him.” Apologized Fluttershy. “He just really hostile to strangers. Especially new creatures that are covered in blood.”

“I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be.” Replied Erin with cold tone in her voice.

“Oh I’m sorry, did I make you angry.” Fluttershy asked.

Erin murmured something under her breath. Fluttershy didn’t hear her but Riley did. His stared daggers at Erin before turning around to Fluttershy and saying. “We’ll join you inside in a sec. I need to have a chat with Erin.”

“Umm…Okay.” Replied Fluttershy.

Riley waited until Fluttershy closed the door to her house. He turned towards Erin with a look of anger in his eyes.

“What is the matter with you Erin?!” Riley yelled. 

“I don’t trust this pony. What if it’s a trick by those KAE bast…”

“We were sucked into a rainbow portal thing, found by some yellow pony with wings and attacked by some bloody wolves made of timber. Do you think that this is a stupid trick! We were just saved from being captured and probably experimented on by some crazy-ass lunatic, and I don’t care if our saviour was a pony. 

“But.”

“But nothing. I trust her, you should too.”

Erin just stood there, shocked by her brother’s sudden outburst. After a while, Riley started to calm down and regain his senses.

“I’m sorry Erin.” He apologized. “I’m just unsure about everything at the moment and having someone we can trust would be really good now, considering the situation we’re in.”

“This is where Uncle Burnie usually comes in to separate us.” Erin stated. Her voice was low and cold. 

“Yea. Good times.” Riley said his voice matching hers. 

Riley and Erin both let loose a chuckle and a tear for thinking about their Uncle, and headed inside to join Fluttershy. 

Fluttershy’s cottage was a sort of old looking cottage, except for the cottage being in very good condition. It was also like walking into a dog house as there were all sorts of dishes and bowls on the floor of the cottage.

“Strange.” Riley thought to himself. “If there are all these dishes, were are all the animals?”

Erin took a seat on the couch in the living room and Riley went to go and join Fluttershy in the kitchen. He walked through the door and was greeted by Fluttershy with a first aid kit on the bench in front of her.

“Here’s a seat.” Gestured Fluttershy as she pulled a seat up next to the kitchen bench.

“Cheers.” Thanked Riley as he sat down.

“So what did you do to yourself?” Asked Fluttershy as she sorted through the first aid kit.

“I was shot.”

“What do you mean by shot?” Said Fluttershy with a blank look on her face.

“You know, with a gun.”

Fluttershy just gave Riley a blank look. 

“What is a gun?” She asked curiously. 

“How do you not know what a gun is!” Exclaimed Riley. “That’s like saying we’re not in Australia.”

Fluttershy gave Riley a dumbfounded look.

“Umm…What is an Australia?”

“You’re playing silly buggers with me aren’t ya.”

“What…?”

“It means you're joking.”

“Oh. I don’t think so.”

“Well if this isn’t Australia then where are we?”

“Umm…Equestria.”

It was now Riley’s turn to give Fluttershy a dumbfounded look.

“Equestria?” Questioned Riley.

“Yes.” Confirmed Fluttershy “In the town of Ponyville.”

Riley dug his head into his hands and tried to calculate what this talking pony had just told him. He was in an entirely new town, in an entirely new country and probably an entire new friggin planet.

“What do you need to heal yourself?” Fluttershy asked Riley.

Riley snapped back to his senses, pulled his head out of his hands and replied, “Just a pair of tweezers, some rum and a towel. Just ask my sister to help you find my flask in my bag.”

“I’ll just go and get that…If that’s okay with you.”

“Why are you asking if it’s okay with me, this is your house.”

“I don’t know. It’s just what I do.”

“Alrighty then. Where do you keep your towels?”

“You stay there mister, I sent Angel to go and get a towel.”

“Was he the rabbit from before?” Riley asked.

“Yes.”

“Shit.” Riley murmured under his breath.

Riley took off his hat and his shirt, revealing a large hole in the top right corner of his chest, oozing out blood. Fluttershy gasped at the sight, wondering why he wasn’t complaining about the pain.

“Oh my.” Exclaimed Fluttershy. “Doesn’t that hurt?”

“I’ve been beaten and shot enough times that I barely feel it. Although it still stings.”

“Oh my. That’s terrible.”

“Yea. Complete pain in my ass.” 

The white rabbit from before came hopping into the room, carrying a moistened tea towel with a few cubes of ice in it. His jaw hit the floor when he saw the hole in that creature’s chest.

Riley turned towards the rabbit and said “Trust me mate, I’ve seen and been a lot worse that this.”

Angel gulped as he handed Riley the tea towel.

“Ahhhh…That feels heaps better.” Riley groaned as he put the freezing cold tea towel to his chest.

Fluttershy walked out of her kitchen and approached Erin, who was lying on the couch with her eyes closed.

“Umm…excuse me.” Whispered Fluttershy.

“What?” Grunted Erin.

“Oh. I’m sorry for interrupting your sleep, but your brother said that you could help me find his flask. Do you know what it looks like?”
“Yea, whatever. I’ll go and grab it.”

Erin walked over towards Riley’s bag and pulled out a gleaming, silver canteen that Fluttershy guessed contained this rum Riley was talking about.

“Here.” Said Erin as she threw it at Fluttershy.

“Thank you.” Thanked Fluttershy.

“Whatever.” Grumbled Erin as she went back to the couch to sleep.

Fluttershy walked back into the kitchen and was shocked at what she saw. Riley had the tweezers inside the hole in his chest and he was poking it inside to try and find something.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Shrieked Fluttershy.

Riley jumped in his seat in shock and dropped the tweezers on the floor.

“Oh, I’m really sorry.” Apologized Fluttershy.

“Jesus Christ!” Yelled Riley. “Why’d ya yell at me?”

“You were poking the tweezers in the hole in your chest.”

“annnnnd?”

“That’s dangerous.”

“Relax.” Reassured Riley. “It’s fine I have to take out the bullet.”

“Bullet?”

“It’s a piece of metal that I need to pull out or it could get infected.”

“Well…okay, but let me do it for you.”

“But how are you…” 

Riley’s stopped mid-sentence when he saw Fluttershy grab the tweezers with her hoof like she had hands. He decided to shut up and not question how in the hell she can use her hooves sort of like hands.

“Well.” Riley spoke up. “I don’t think I’ve formally introduced myself, my name’s Riley and that’s my sister, Erin.” 

Riley pointed at his sister, who was snoring on the couch.

“My name’s Fluttershy.”

“It’s very nice to meet you Fluttershy.”

Riley stuck out his hand and gave Fluttershy a hand/hoof shake.

“Right then. Shall we start?” Asked Riley.

“Okay.” Replied Fluttershy.

Fluttershy sterilized the tweezers and walked over to Riley.

“Are you sure you want to do this. It can be a little bit of a messy job.” Asked Riley.

“I’m fine with it.” Replied Fluttershy. “I sometimes have to fix up wounds that my animal friends get when they hurt themselves. I’m a little bit used to seeing blood.”

“Are you a vet?” Asked Riley.

“Not really. I just take care of a lot of animals.”

“Ah, I see. But where are they all? I saw all those dishes on the floor in your lounge room.”

“They’re all sleeping outside. None of them wanted to sleep inside.”

“I can see why.” Sighed Riley.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure they’ll warm up to you eventually.”

“I doubt that’ll happen Flutters. Do you mind if I call you Flutters?”

“Not at all Riles. Do you mind if I call you Riles?” 

“Not at all.”

They both had a little chuckle.

“Erin and I won’t be staying for long though.” Said Riley, returning to a more serious state. “We don’t want to get in your way.”

“But if you go outside, you could get caught by the royal guards or worse.” Argued Fluttershy.

“We can live on the land for a while.”

“No” Fluttershy said firmly. “I insist that you stay with me. You seem really nice and no offence to my friends but they can be a little…quick to judge.”

“Are you sure?” Asked Riley.

“I’m sure.”

“Okay then. Sounds good.” 

“I’m going to start now.” Informed Fluttershy.

Fluttershy began the procedure and stuck the tweezers inside Riley’s chest hole, searching for the bullet.

“Now, you should be feeling around for something really hard, like metal hard. That’ll be the bullet.”

“Okay………..found it.”

“That’s good.” Congratulated Riley. “Now the tweezers need to go around it.”

“Done.”

“Now give it a hard tug.”

Fluttershy pulled.

“Try again.” Encouraged Riley.

She pulled, it still didn’t come loose.

“One more pull.”

Fluttershy pulled as hard as she could. She clipped an artery and sent blood flying all over her face. In her mouth, her ears, her nose even her eyes.

“AHHHHHHH!” They both screamed.

Erin heard the commotion and came zipping into the kitchen. Riley was lying on the floor in a pool of blood, clutching his chest and Fluttershy was also lying on the floor, her face covered in blood and a very shocked and startled look on her face. Erin immediately assumed that Fluttershy had tried to hurt Riley and she pounced on Fluttershy with lightning pulsating out of her hands.

“What have you done to my brother you BITCH!” Erin spoke with venom.

“Erin! Stop.” Commanded Riley.

Erin stopped and turned around towards Riley, who was holding a little gold shell of a bullet in his bloodied hand.

“She was just helping me get this out of my chest.” He said while waving the shell in the air.

Erin turned towards Fluttershy and apologized. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Replied Fluttershy. “I feel a bit sick though. I think I’m gonna wash up and *hurp* go to bed. If that’s okay with you Riley.”

“Yes it’s all good Flutters.” Clarified Riley. “The bullet’s out now. Erin and I’ll just sleep on the couch. Can I use your shower though?”

“Yes. It’s in the room next to living room. I’m going to go to bed now.”

“See ya later Flutters.”

Riley and Erin walked into the lounge room and Fluttershy trotted upstairs. Fluttershy walked into the bathroom upstairs to wash her face and get ready for bed.

“Crazy day.” Fluttershy said to her reflection in her mirror.

Fluttershy spent a good five minutes washing all the blood off of her face when she heard a slight gurgling sound emanating from somewhere in the room. She shrugged it off the first few times but it became louder and louder. She started to feel a bit queasy. She looked down at her stomach and saw some kind of yellow light radiating out of her stomach. 

“Wha-what’s happening to me?” Fluttershy blurted out.

The light began to spread from her belly, up to her chest and down to her hooves. The tips of her two front fore hooves had some kind of energy that looked like the strongest gusts of wind pulsating out of them.

“Help me! Somepony help me!” She cried out but her screams were muffled by the light spreading to her mouth.

The golden light kept spreading all around her body and the wind from her hooves had spread to cover her entire body. Fluttershy couldn’t take it anymore and she fell unconscious. The light and the wind faded away into her body leaving her lying down on her bathroom floor, unconscious. 


> Insanity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Erin laid down on the couch in Fluttershy’s lounge room. She was too tired to stay awake, yet she had so many things spinning in her head that it was keeping her awake. She missed crawling into her own bed, under her own sheets, listening to her own music…

“Music!” Erin thought while mentally slapping herself. “Why didn’t I think of that before, that should calm my mind.”

Erin got up and scanned the pitch black room to see if Riley was awake, which he wasn’t. She got up and tip toed to her backpack. She produced a dim, blue, glowing ball of light to help her find her phone and earphones.

“C’mon, c’mon where are th…found them.” She thought to herself.

Erin pulled out her iphone and earphones which were tangled into an unholy mess.

“Shit.” Erin whispered to herself.

After spending a painstakingly boring 10 minutes untangling the earphones, she was able to return to her makeshift bed and listen to her favourite song. She soon fell asleep.

Erin woke up in a cold, dark room. She was extremely confused. Three mysterious shapes came walking out of the wall in front of her.
“Hello?” Erin called out.

They got closer and closer, close enough that Erin could now recognise their facial features. One of them was Uncle Burnie, one was Riley and the other was Fluttershy.

“UNCLE BURNIE!” Yelled Erin as she embraced him in a hug.

She hugged Uncle Burnie but, something felt different about him, a sort of cold feeling.

“Are you okay Uncle Burnie?” Erin asked him.

“Of course I’m not okay you stupid little shit.” Uncle Burnie snapped back.

“What?” Erin asked with confusion. 

“I would have never been dead if it wasn’t for you’re stupid actions. You made me destroy my only home!”

“Wha…Uncle Burni…” She looked at him mortified.  

“He’s right Erin.” Riley spoke with venom. “I don’t even know why I keep you around anymore. All you do is complain and screw things up.”

“No no  NO! That’s not true.” Erin yelled, tears trickling down her face. she stepped back away from them, trying to gain her composure. 

“I don’t even know why I invited you into my house.” Spoke up Fluttershy. “Riley’s the only one who respects me. You just sit on my couch, sulking about your miserable life.”

Erin was now on the verge of a mental breakdown. “Im sorry I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I can still help. Im not useless.” She tried to say but, the words wouldn't come out. All she could do was indoor there harsh words. They hurt more than any weapon someone could use. She fell to her knees and sobbed.

“Why do we even bother?” Sneered Uncle Burnie.

“Yea.” Replied Riley. “I don’t think she deserves these then if she’s never going to stand up for herself.”

Erin could feel something sucking at her, like a vacuum cleaner was put to her chest and set on high. She clutched her chest in pain and felt her energy being sucked out of her. Erin looked up to see Riley holding a small jar full of lightning and electricity. She felt like her very soul was in his hands. 

“Now that she doesn’t have these.” Said Riley. “I think that she is no longer needed.”

Fluttershy walked over to a lever and pulled it with her hoof. The floor opened up under Erin and she fell down it, screaming at the top of her lungs. The walls became fiery and jagged and the hole was slowly getting warmer and warmer. Erin could see the floor now, It was made out of pure lava. She closed her eyes and braced for her inevitable fate...

“GAH!” She screamed as she woke up to sweating sheets and Riley on top of her with an extremely worried look on his face. Fluttershy was also standing next to him with a worried look on her face and a first aid kit in her mouth.

“Erin, are you okay?!” He asked. “You were screaming in your sleep.” 

Erin shot up and embraced him in a hug. She began to cry into Riley’s shoulder.

“Okay Erin. It’s okay.” He cooed.

She stopped crying into his shoulder and asked “Could I be left alone for five minutes.”

“Sure thing Erin. C’mon Flutters, we’ll go into the kitchen.”

Riley and Fluttershy left Erin to ponder in her own thoughts. She didn’t understand her dream. She didn’t think that her brother and uncle hated her, right? 

Her mind went back and forth between her mixed emotions. She felt anger, sadness, she felt weird emotions that she couldn’t describe. Erin wished that she could talk to Uncle Burnie about this. She could talk to Riley but he wouldn’t understand like Uncle Burnie would. She eventually got up and walked to the kitchen.


Riley was sitting down at the table, drinking a glass of orange juice and Fluttershy was getting prepared to cook breakfast.

“So, what do you eat?” Fluttershy asked.

“I’m guessing that you’re a herbivore.” 

“Oh are you a carnivore, I’m sorry if I offended you in any way.”

“Nah, it’s cool Flutters. Erin and I are omnivores. Too bad you don’t have any bacon though.”

“Well… I do keep some meat for the foxes and bears that I take care of.”

“Really, that sounds great. I’ll cook it though if it makes you uncomfortable.”

At the mention of the word `uncomfortable’ Fluttershy remembered her extremely strange experience from last night. The bright light, the wind engulfing her body. Fluttershy was utterly confused about last night’s experiences, she thought it might have had something to do with the blood that she swallowed from Riley’s wound. Maybe it had gotten her sick but, she felt fine now. She decided that it wasn't important at the moment.    

“Um Riley.” Fluttershy asked. “I don’t mean to offend but, how did you get that spinning sword on your arm, is it a form of magic?”

“Ha ha ha ha ha!” He laughed. “Magic, there’s no such thing as magic.”

“Yes there is. Magic is how the clouds are moved or the sun is set.”

Riley thought for a moment. Realizing that they were in an unfamiliar place with a talking pony with wings. Magic actually doesn’t sound that ridiculous. “Actually, this is a `new world’ so I guess magic could exist.”

“Magic DOES exist!” Fluttershy said sternly.

“Whoa, sorry if I offended you, I’ll take your word for it then.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry. I didn't mean to yell.” Apologized Fluttershy.

“Don’t be. You really are a bit over the top with saying sorry to everyone if you insult them just a fraction.”

“But it’s really mean and apologizing lets them forgive me.” Fluttershy added.

“Yea but, sometimes they deserve it.”

“I don't think anypony deserves it.” Fluttershy started thinking “I know he’s nice but, could he really believe that?” She thought to herself. 
“Back to what I was asking you, if that spinning sword wasn’t magic, then what was it?”

“First off.” Lectured Riley. “What I have is not a spinning sword, it’s a drill. It’s my soul weapon that I earned when I unlocked my full elemental powers.”

“Elemental powers?” Fluttershy said in the most confused state she had ever been in her life. 

“I’m going too fast. Damn me and my fast words.” Cursed Riley. “Anyway an element is a person who can control any of the four elements with them being fire, wind, lightning and ice.” 

“And which one are you?” Asked Fluttershy.

“I am a…Fire Element!” Announced Riley. 

Riley made a gesture where he waved his hands in the air which had a trail of fire following them.

“Wow…That’s amazing.” Exclaimed Fluttershy.

“I guess.”

“What else can you do with your element?”

“Well, each elemental has an element that they can control, a special weapon that they can produce, a trait that suits them and wings that are made in correlation with their element.”

“You have wings?”

“Yep.”

“I didn’t see any when you took your shirt off last night.”

“Well…they’re made of fire.”

“Huh?” Fluttershy was even more confused. “How could he have wings made of fire? wouldn't that burn him?” she thought to herself. 

“After breakfast I’ll show you.”

Riley got up and started to make some batter for the pancakes he was going to make.

“You’re really good at cooking.” Acknowledged Fluttershy.

“When you live a life like mine Flutters, it’s good to know how to make some basic meals. Also, where do you keep your flour?”

“In that drawer right there.” She gestured her hoof to a wide draw that Riley guessed had all her food in it. He grabbed the flour and proceeded to mix the batter. 

“What about Erin?” Asked Fluttershy. “What element is she.”

“She’s a lightning element, but not fully developed though.”

“How do you become a fully developed element?”

“Usually by a very significant event that happens in your life, by around about her age. She should get her wings soon. When and how is the question though.”

“Oh, just like cutie marks!” Commented Fluttershy. Now it was Riley who looked confused.

“A cutie what?” Riley asked.

“A cutie mark! It’s what you get when you find out your special talent. Everypony gets one at a young age.” Riley nodded. He wanted to ask more but, thought that would be a subject that he and Erin could learn about later.        

“Can I please ask one more question?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Fire away.” Joked Riley as he poured the batter into the frying pan. 

“Can somepony become an elemental or do you have to be born into it.”

Riley stopped and rubbed his chin for a second in deep thought.

“Usually, someone is born an elemental. I’ve never heard a case of a person, or pony in your case, becoming an elemental but I suppose it could happen, not entirely sure though.”

“We don’t have elementals in our world, at least I don’t think.” Pondered Fluttershy. She could ask twilight about elementals. If anyone would know it would be her.  

Erin came strolling into the room with a tired look on her face.

“Hey Erin, how ya feeling?” Asked Riley.

“Fine.” Replied Erin flatly. 

She took a seat next to Fluttershy.

“We’re having pancakes for breakfast.” Said Fluttershy.

“Sounds good.” Replied Erin.

Erin sat down and stared at Fluttershy. 

Feeling uncomfortable by Erin starring, Fluttershy spoke up. “Umm…is something wrong?” She asked

Erin sighed.

“Listen Fluttershy. I’m really sorry about how I’ve been treating you recently.” Apologized Erin.

“Oh…um thank you.”

“I’m just really stressed at the moment.”

“That’s okay, sometimes some ponies feel stressed and act out their anger.”

“Breakfast.” Announced Riley.

“Oh that reminds me.” Said Fluttershy. “I have to feed my animals.”

“I can help, if you would like some.” Offered Riley.

“That would be good.” Replied Fluttershy.

“Okay then. Erin, you can pick out some breakfast and have some. You look like you need it.”

“Thanks Riley.” Erin replied.

Riley and Fluttershy left the room to go and feed Fluttershy’s animals, leaving Erin alone in the kitchen. Erin grabbed some bacon and pancakes and dug in.


“Come on George. You need to come inside and eat.”

George the bear just huffed and turned his back towards Fluttershy with an annoyed look on his face.

“He’s not coming in, is he.” Deadpanned Riley.

“I’ve tried everything to get him inside but, he won’t budge.”

“Let me talk to him.” Insisted Riley.

“Okay. But I doubt he’ll move.”

“Trust me Flutters, I got this.”

Riley walked around George to come face to face with him.

“Listen mate.” Riley spoke forcefully. “You’re going to come inside, sit down and eat ya breakfast or I’m gonna drag you inside, understand.”
George just turned his head and huffed.

“Very well then.” Snickered Riley 

George turned around to roar at Riley. He breathed in, ready to scare off his foe, but Riley wasn’t there. George scratched his head with his paw and continued to sit down and pout. Suddenly, he was grabbed by the ankle and pulled off the ground! He turned around and saw Riley, with a pair of flaming wings protruding out of his back.

“Are we gonna have to argue a second time or are you going to go inside and eat.” Drilled Riley.

George nodded his head frantically.

“Good.”

Riley lowered George onto the ground and he strutted into a Fluttershy’s cottage with a sour look on his face.

“That’s what I thought.” Sneered Riley.

Riley glided down to Fluttershy, whose jaw had dropped down to the floor.

“That…was…so…cool!” She squeaked.

“Oh that, that was nothing.”

“But how did you lift George off the ground with such ease. He must weigh something like 500 pounds.” Exclaimed Fluttershy.
“It’s one of those traits I was talking about before.”

“Oh…you never did explain what those traits were.”

“It’s very simple.” Explained Riley. “A Fire element is very strong, lightning is very fast, wind are very good at healing and ice are extremely smart.”

“I see. And since you’re a fire element, your trait is strength and Erin’s would be speed.”

“On the dot.” Congratulated Riley. “I suppose we should be heading inside to eat now.”

“Okay.”

They both went inside to eat their meal. 

When they went back into the kitchen, Erin had almost finished her breakfast and was drinking a glass of apple juice.

“This is the best apple juice I’ve ever had!” Exclaimed Erin.

“It’s grown by my friend Applejack, she’s an apple farmer.”

“Judging by her name, I thought that might be her occupation.” Said Riley. “Now let’s eat.”

Fluttershy and Riley sat down and ate their breakfast. Fluttershy was washing up when they got a very loud range of knocks on Fluttershy’s front door.

“FLUTTERSHY, ITS RAINBOW DASH! OPEN UP!”

“Erin, hide.” Riley whispered loudly.

Riley and Erin both ran into the lounge room and up Fluttershy’s stairs while Fluttershy went to go and greet Rainbow Dash. She opened her door to meet the sky-blue Pegasus known as Rainbow Dash.

“How can I help you Rainbow Dash?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Well…the princess is coming down to take us to the observatory on the mountain on top of Canterlot.”

“What for?”

“Just to meet some scientist dude.”

“About what?”

“Just about those weird creatures that we were looking for.”

“Well okay then. I’ll meet you guys at Twilight’s Castle.”

“Hurry up though.” Rainbow Dash yelled as she took off.

Fluttershy rolled her eyes as she closed her front door and walked back into the kitchen. Erin and Riley came back downstairs and also walked into the kitchen after hearing the sound of the front door closing.

“What was that all about?” Asked Riley.

“I have to go somewhere with my friends for a while.” Replied Fluttershy. “Will you be okay here for a few hours?”

“Yea we’ll be fine. I’ve got some things to keep Erin and I preoccupied.”

“Okay. But since you cooked, I’ll clean the kitchen up.”

“You sure I can’t help.”

“No, I’ll be fine.”

“Alright then. We’ll just be in the lounge room if you need us.”

Erin and Riley walked into the lounge room, leaving Fluttershy alone in the kitchen to clean up. She cleaned the pans and plates and put all of the leftover food into the fridge. When she looked at the bacon however, her stomach started to grumble. Fluttershy looked shocked. She stared at the bacon while thinking, “Why does that look so tasty. I would never eat another animal. Would I?”
Fluttershy felt really sick to the stomach, a sort of hunger even though she just ate.

“What’s happening to me?” Fluttershy repeated in her mind over and over again as she put the bacon in the fridge and flew towards Twilight’s castle.






 

> Conspiracy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy flew down towards her friend’s castle. It was a magnificent looking castle that looked like it was made out of a very fine crystal. The castle had magically appeared after Twilight had defeated Tirek from the rainbow magic in the chest and since Fluttershy was the element of Kindness, she was allocated a throne in the main hall with her five other friends. She was in her deepest thoughts while flying towards the castle, mainly about last night.

“I don’t feel strange.” Thought Fluttershy. “Maybe it was just a bad dream.”

Right on cue, she started feeling strange in the stomach. It was the same feeling that she had encountered while having her `dream’ last night.

“Oh my I feel, *hurp* sick again.” She said to herself.

Fluttershy felt like she wanted to throw up, no actually, she NEEDED to throw up. Her cheeks swelled up with vomit as she dived down to the edge of the Everfree Forest to find the nearest bush.

*BLEARGGGGGGG* 

She emptied the contents of her stomach into the bush. 

“That was the feeling.” Fluttershy thought sarcastically to herself as she laid on her back, massaging her stomach. “Maybe it wasn’t a…huh?”

She looked towards her fresh pile of puke with curiosity. Her vomit was bubbling, like air bubbles are trapped inside of her vomit.

“Is that normal?” Fluttershy murmured to herself.

She grabbed a stick in her teeth and poked one of the air bubbles that was resonating in her vomit. The bubble burst with extreme force and sent a shockwave towards Fluttershy. She prepared to be blown backwards but was somehow still in the same position she was in a few seconds ago. Fluttershy opened her eyes and gawked at what was in front of her. A bright, pulsating bubble shield, made out of wind that was surrounding her and the same wispy haze that made up the shield was surrounding her hooves.

Fluttershy could just stare in awe as she witnessed what she was performing at the moment. The wind that she was producing was exactly identical as what Riley was explaining to her earlier that morning as well as her experience last night. Could she really be transforming into and elemental? Fluttershy didn’t know what to do. Could she ask Riley to look at her, maybe Twilight could help, what about that bacon…

“The Bacon!” Exclaimed Fluttershy. “Why did I want to eat that bacon?” 

Fluttershy would have to confront Riley about it.

“Maybe he knows what I can do, if I’m an elemental that is.”

Fluttershy took off when she suddenly realised that she would be late.

“I’ll have to make up an excuse for why I’m late.”


“Maybe she ain’t comin sugarcube.” Applejack told Rainbow Dash.

“No way.” Replied Rainbow Dash. “She said she would be here.”

“I agree with Applejack.” Agreed Princess Celestia. “This is not the type of event that she would usually come to.”

“So, shall we be leaving now?” The royal guard that stood next to Celestia asked her.

“Not yet. We shall wait five more minutes for Fluttershy.” Said Celestia.

“But sister.” Luna replied. “We cannot be holding up our meeting with this scientist, it is of grave importance.”

“I know Lulu, but we must wait for Fluttershy.”

“If you say so sister.”

They waited for another five minutes, possibly even ten. They were about to depart when a butter yellow Pegasus came flying down the road. 

Fluttershy skidded to a halt in front of the chariot and bowed in front of the princesses.

“Rise Fluttershy.” Celestia said in her usual soothing tone.

“I’m sorry I’m late princess. I had a big problem at home with my animals, they were all making ruckus and I had to deal with them and…”

“It’s okay Fluttershy. I understand.”

Fluttershy nodded and hopped into the chariot.

“GUARDS!” Commanded Luna. “WE SHALL BE ON OUR WAY NOW!”

Fluttershy sat down next to Twilight Sparkle as the chariot took off towards the observatory.

“Are you okay Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.

“Huh…oh. Yes I’m fine Twilight. I just have, a lot on my mind at the moment.”

“Well, it can’t be as bad as being the princess of magic. I mean like, how many pieces of paperwork I have to sign and the royal duties I have to uphold. It’s a pain in my flank.”

“Oh…Is it really that bad.”

“No no no no, It’s just challenging. I don’t know how the princess does it.”

“I don’t know either Twilight.” Interrupted Celestia.

“Oh…I’m sorry princess, I didn’t mean any offence.”

“No Princess Twilight. I take it as a compliment that you acknowledge my work.”

“Um…thank you princess.”

“My pleasure.” 

“We have arrived.” The royal guard up front that was pulling the chariot.


“Celestia damn it.” Bio yelled as he slammed his hoof on his desk.

“I’m sorry sir.” His assistant replied. “We haven’t been able to get the tracking table or get those creatures positions.”

Bio put his hooves over his head and turned towards his assistant. She was a cream coloured, unicorn mare with a brown, fuzzy mane and tail and a data pad as her cutie mark.  

“Well tell everypony to work harder.” Bio boomed. “We need those creatures alive.”

“Yes sir.” She yelled as she galloped out of the room.

Bio sighed as he got up from behind his desk and flew down towards the tracking table in the middle room.

“We won’t find them until this stupid thing decides to work.” He thought to himself.

Bio kicked the table with his hooves in frustration. His assistant from before came into his office.

“Excuse me sir, but the Princesses and the Elements of Harmony are almost here for their requested meeting.”

“I’ll be up there soon.”

“Yes si…”

“Don’t call me sir, just Bio.”

“Okay, Bio.”

She galloped out of the room for a second time. Bio grabbed his white lab coat and fixed his scruffy mane to try and make it look as presentable as possible. 


The mane 6 and the two princesses disembarked their chariot and walked towards the laboratory building.

“So princess.” Asked Twilight. “What is this place like?”

“You’ll see Twilight.” Smirked Celestia. “You’ll see.”

They continued up to the front entrance and were stopped by the two same guards that Celestia met the other day.

“Name and identification card.” One of them asked.

“Princess Celestia, sister of the sun.

“Do you have an identification card.”

“No, but we have requested a meeting with…”

“You cannot enter without identification.”

“Listen here buddy.” Complained Rainbow Dash. “Do you know we are?”

“Rainbow Dash, element of loyalty.” The guard drilled.

“That’s right. Now you’re going to let us through to see this scientist dude.”

“Only with an identification card, you can pass.”

“You want to do this the hard way buddy, then let’s do this the hard way.”

“Please stand down miss.” The guard said, not backing down.

“Rainbow Dash, interrupted Rarity. “you’d better listen to them.”

“No way Rarity, they’re denying access to the princesses and the elements of harmony.”

“They have a good reason to Rainbow, now please stop.” Commanded Celestia. 

“I’ll take it from here.” Bio’s assistant said as she came outside to greet them.

“Stand down guards, they’re with me.”

“Our apologies Miss Combe.”

The guards resumed their posts at the front entrance of the labs.

“What a meanie-pants.” Pinkie said as she trotted on inside with the others.

“Don’t worry about them, they just take their jobs too…seriously.” Explained Miss Combe. 

“May I ask your name?” Asked Luna.  

“Certainly. My name is Violet Combe, I’m Bio’s assistant.”

They continued down the hallway towards the elevator.

“So Miss Combe.” Asked Twilight. “What do you do here?”

“We perform a barrage of experiments here, usually to improve the abilities of other ponies.”

“Such as?” Luna questioned.

“To put it simply, we have achieved new abilities using devices instead of potions and spells.”

“Really? I’ve never heard of ponies being able to augment their abilities in such a manor.” Said Rarity.

“Well we don’t just do augmentation, we also create machines to help in our research as well. But without magic.”

“WITHOUT MAGIC!” Exclaimed Twilight. “How is that possible?”

“Once we reach the main laboratories, you’ll see a great example of our achievements.” Beamed Miss Combe. 

They reached the elevator and got inside. It was a tight fit.

“Where do we go?” Said Twilight.

“Down.” Replied Miss Combe. 

The elevator buckled and proceeded to go down. All of the ponies jumped at the shock of the elevator going down. The elevator continued to head down deeper into the labs. 

“How long does this take.” Complained Rainbow Dash.

“We’re almost there, look behind you.” Replied Miss Combe. 

The steel backing of the elevator opened up to reveal a massive room made entirely out of steel. The walls that were accompanying the bottom floor each had something interesting inside that was making Twilight more and more excited with each passing second. 

“What you see down there.” Stated Miss Combe. “Is a miracle of modern science and engineering. Each wall can rotate to shape a bigger or smaller room for different sized experiments.”

“And how long did it take to build all of this?” Asked Luna. “Surely it would have taken many months.”

“Only about one and a half, some of the greatest minds in Equestria worked on and in these laboratories. “

The Elevator got off at the bottom floor and they disembarked.

“Feel free to wander around the labs and observe what is happening.” Said Miss Combe. “Just stay behind the yellow lines in each lab and always listen to what the scientists tell you. We don’t want anypony to get hurt.”

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity all went a separate way in the labs to see what the labs had to offer. The Princesses, and Fluttershy continued to follow Miss Combe to Bio’s workstation. They arrived at the entrance to Bio’s lab. Miss Combe knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Bio yelled from the other side of the door.

Miss Combe opened the doors to his lab. The inside consisted of his complete map of Equestria holographic table in the middle of his room and Bio’s desk in the far right of the room, stacked with paperwork and other things.

“Princess.” Bio said as he bowed.” I’m terribly sorry for the mess but I’ve been quite preoccupied with my work and didn’t have time to clean up. I see that you brought Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and your sister along with you. It is an honour to meet you all.”

“Please.” Replied Luna. “The honour is ours.”

“I don’t think I’ve properly introduced myself. My name is Bio Shock, but please call me Bio.”

He ushered them to crowd around his holographic table.

“This was a map of Equestria that was displayed holographic images that I could interact with to survey what was going on in Equestria, but ever since those creatures arrived, I only get this.”

Bio activated the table and a pulsating red light was flashing in the middle of the table. The light started to engulf the rest of the table until it sparked and shut down immediately.

“There is some kind of weird EMP on my table.”

“EMP?” Said Luna.

“Electro Magnetic Pulse.” Explained Bio. “It can disable electronic devices such as this table.”

“I see?”

“Never mind, what it means is that I need an excess amount of energy to fight it and restart the table to track the creatures which I think you could help me with.”

Fluttershy’s blood ran cold. If they could fix that table, then Riley and Erin would be found out. She could be arrested for housing `evil’ creatures. Fluttershy tried to think of a way to stall them.

“Um..excuse me Bio.” Interrupted Fluttershy.

“Yes Fluttershy.” He answered.

“Do you know where the bathroom is?” Fluttershy mentally slapped herself.

“Just down the hall on your left, you shouldn’t miss it.”

“Thanks.” Replied Fluttershy.

Fluttershy left the room but didn’t go to the bathroom. She instead left the door open a touch to listen and hear their conversation.

“So, how are you going to fix it Bio?” Asked Celestia.

“I have two external unicorn horn ports here and here.”

Bio gestured to two cone shaped holes on each side of the table.

“Sometimes if the table plays up, we insert some unicorn magic into the table. But since this is a massive EMP, do you think we could try with alicorns magic.”

“I don’t know Bio.” Said Celestia. “An alicorn's magic can be very unstable if not treated correctly.” 

“I assure you princess, nothing can go wrong.”

“If you insist.” She murmured.

Celestia stood on one side of the table and Luna stood on the other side. They inserted their horns into the slots. Fluttershy could only watch in horror as they charged up their horns and allowed magic to flow inside the machine. The red light flickered back to life but instead of being dull, it was shining as bright as the sun itself. The red orb resonated in the centre of the table.

“Interesting.” Said Bio. “I wonder if this…”

The redbubble released a shockwave of pure energy and sent Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Bio and Miss Combe flying backwards. The table was still offline and Fluttershy was extremely happy.

“Damnit.” Said Bio in a disappointed tone. 

Still being the element of kindness, Fluttershy rushed in to help her friends.

“Is everypony alright?” She asked.

“Yes, we’re all fine.” Replied Celestia.

The five of them got back onto their hooves shakily.

“I guess that was a failure then.” Sighed Bio.

“I’m sorry Bio.” Apologized Celestia. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

“No.” He replied. “I’ll sort this problem out in a different matter. You are free to leave now, Miss Combe will escort you out.”

“Thank you Bio. And again, I apologize for the table.”

“It’s alright princess. Science can’t proceed without failures.”

They proceeded towards the door and left Bio by himself. He walked out to the lab next to him and requested a group of hazmat ponies. 

“Now be very careful.” Said Bio as they were lifting two canisters out of his table. “Don’t drop them.”

The unicorn hazmat pony in front of Bio held two containers in front of him. One was filled with a dark blue mist and the other was filled with a glowing orange mist.

“Where do you want these boss?” The hazmat pony asked.

“In the freezing storage vaults below, I don’t want any risk of them being contaminated.”

“Yes boss.” The pony said, as he and his crew (extremely carefully) escorted the two vials to the storage vaults.

“Only one more piece to the plan.” Bio muttered to himself.

“Bio.” Miss Combe said as she raced in, levitating a data pad in front of her. “You may want to have a look at this.”

She showed him the data pad that she was carrying. It had a picture of Luna, Celestia and half of the mane six in it.

“These and some scans that we took of them when they entered the labs. See how everypony is normal in this photo.”

“Yes.” Said Bio.

“Take a look at the next scan.”

Bio’s eyes widened. He could not believe what he was seeing. Fluttershy, instead of having the usual glowing red body from a thermal scan, her body was showing a white hot glow that looked like it was swirling around instead of being pixelated. 

“What in Tartarus?!” Bio exclaimed.

“It gets even weirder, look at this magic scale when we analysed her body compared to the princesses.”

The magic and power output (MPO) for the princess was about 900-1000. Fluttershy was outputting 3000.

“That’s three times as powerful as the princess of the sun herself!” Yelled Bio.

“What should we do about it Bio.”

“I have a feeling that foul play is being involved.”

“I’m sorry Bio, but I don’t follow.” Said Miss Combe

“Those creatures. The final piece. Fluttershy must have had contact with them somehow and maybe been infected by their magic.” Informed Bio.

“Shall we apprehend her?” 

“No, we can’t just waltz in to her home and snatch her. Those creatures could be with her and we don’t know what they can do as well as the princesses would be on our flanks.” 

Bio went into a deep thought of what he could do.

“I got it!” He exclaimed. “Come with me Miss Combe.”

Bio took off towards one of the labs down the corridor with Miss Combe closely behind.

“What’s with the big rush Bio.” She yelled as she raced through the door.

“This.” Replied Bio.

In his hooves, he was holding an extremely small device that looked like a fly.

“What is that?” Asked Miss Combe.

“This, my apprentice.” Informed Bio. “Is a tiny micro drone. It will fly to Fluttershy’s house and record anything out of the ordinary. Then it will bring that information back to us to analyse the footage that it brings back.”

“So it’s basically a camera.” Said Bio.

“Yes. A very tiny camera.”

Bio activated it and it hovered in the air, motionless.

“Now we put in the coordinates.” Said Bio as he typed in the coordinates into nearby computer.

The drone received its commands and flew up and out of the building, towards its destination.

“And it goes off to start recording.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea Bio?” Miss Combe asked.

“Most definitely. It’s getting late now, you can go home if you wish.” Informed Bio.

“Thank you Bio.” She replied.

Miss Combe trotted towards the elevator to pack up her things and head home for the night. Bio instead took the elevator after her to a floor that was even lower that the underground labs, the storage vaults. Bio exited the elevator once he reached his destination and walked down a seemingly endless corridor until he reached last row of storage cases. He stopped in front of the two containing the magic of the princesses of the sun and moon.

“Soon.” Bio smirked to himself. “Soon.”


> Crusaders
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 “I call this meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to order.” Shouted Applebloom.

“You don’t need to announce it every time Applebloom.” Scootaloo pointed out. 

“Ah know, but it makes me sound so…in charge.”

“Does not.” Sneered Scootaloo.

“Does to.”

“Does not.”

“Does to.”

“DOES NOT!”

“DOES TO!”

“Enough girls.” Sweetie Belle said as she climbed into the treehouse. “What we want to know is how we’re going to earn our cutie marks.”

“Yea I agree.” Said Applebloom. “Sorry for aruguin with ya Scoots.”

“It’s okay.” Replied Scootaloo. “So Applebloom, did you think of anything we could do to earn our cutie marks?”

“Well, since Nightmare Night is coming up, we could try and make our own Nightmare Night costumes.” 

“But my sister is out at Canterlot for the day.” Moaned Sweetie Bell. 

“That does complicate things.” Informed Scootaloo. “Maybe Fluttershy could help us. Rarity taught her how to sew.”

“I dunno Scoots.” Argued Applebloom. “She ain’t the bravest pony on the planet. I don’t think she’d like it if we went over to her house and asked her to help us make scary costumes.”

“Yea, but it’s worth a try, she probably would help us.”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try and see if she would help us.” Shrugged Applebloom.

“So shall we try Fluttershy?” Asked Sweetie Belle. 

“You bet.” Scootaloo replied cheerfully.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER NIGHTMARE NIGHT COSTUME MAKERS YAY!!!” They all yelled in unison as they zipped off towards Fluttershy’s cottage.


“Let’s see what survived the trip.”

Riley was inspecting the ammo bag to see if anything was damaged or broken. He had already checked his backpack and computer, which Erin was using to watch a movie.

“Erin, what movie are you watching?” Asked Riley.

“I dunno, it’s an anime though.” She replied.

“Look at the file name.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I’m not having you watch a movie where every bloody person gets ripped to shreds by some demon thingy.”

“Aww come on Riley.” Coaxed Erin. “It’s not like its real or anything.”

Riley sighed. 

“Fine, but when you have nightmares from that scary shit, don’t come running to me.”

“Not sure if this is right.”

She continued to watch her movie through her headphones.

“Smartass.” Riley thought to himself.

He pulled out all of the things that were inside the ammo bag. He had a shotgun with about 80 shells for it. A 9mm handgun with about 12 ammo clips and his dad’s old Remington revolver that had a sack full of loose bullet’s for it. Riley had owned that handgun ever since his Mum and Dad were killed and it’s the only thing that he has to remember him. 

Riley stroked the smooth wooden handle of the revolver, feeling it for any damages to its surfaces. 

“Lucky everything is intact.” Riley thought. “One cracked shell and the whole bloody house could’ve gone up.”

Riley shuddered at the thought of houses blowing up. He decided to go and test the guns later and see if they still worked. 

“I think I’ll clean the revolver though.” Thought Riley.

He grabbed the revolver and a little tool bag that he kept at the bottom of his bag and sat down at the kitchen table, preparing himself for the gruelling task ahead. Riley started to disassemble the revolver. He undid the screws that held the chamber of the gun and worked his way down from there.


“Gory.” Erin murmured to herself as she finished her movie.

She closed the window that was playing the movie and read the file name.

“Akira?” She thought to herself. “Huh, it’s got a weird name.”

Erin closed the laptop down and got up. She decided that she needed a little bit of fresh air so she went outside to have a little stretch and throw a ball around.  Erin dug through Riley’s bag and found his footy.

“I doubt Riley will mind if I borrow this.” Erin thought to herself.

Erin grabbed the football and proceeded outside to kick it around for a little bit. 


“I wonder if Fluttershy has any new animals.” Scootaloo pondered as she walked with her friends to Fluttershy’s cottage.

“Ooh ohh, maybe she found a pet snake.” Said Applebloom.

“Eeeeew!” Screeched Sweetie Belle. “I hate snakes.”

“Hey have you two heard about those creatures that the princesses were hunting for.” Said Scootaloo.

“Yea, mah sister went huntin for them the other night.” Replied Applebloom.

“So did mine.” Exclaimed Sweetie Belle. “It’s all over the newspapers. I’ve heard from school gossip that they’re from another world.”

“Even if they are, I bet Rainbow could kick their flanks round Equestria and back easily.”  Bragged Scootaloo as she hoof-pumped into the air.

“Whatever you say Scoots.” Applebloom said as she rolled her eyes.

The three of them laughed at Applebloom’s wise crack.

“I still think that she could.” Rebutted Scootaloo. 

“Sure sure.” Mocked Sweetie Belle.

They continued down the road to Fluttershy’s cottage while laughing.


Riley’s head perked up as he heard the sound of faint laughter. At first he thought it was Erin but the laughing grew more in tone and sounded more like a group than a single person. Riley looked out the window to see three tiny ponies approaching the cottage. 

“Oh fuck.” Riley thought to himself.

He rushed into the living room to find Erin, but she wasn’t there. Riley started to panic and burst out the back door to find Erin kicking a ball around with some of the animals. Among them was a bear, two cats, a dog and a bear, all kicking the ball around and having fun.

“Erin. I need you in here, NOW!” Riley yelled.

“Okay okay. I’m coming, jeez.”

Erin grabbed the football and proceeded inside, while the animals all returned to their homes in Fluttershy’s backyard. Erin went into the kitchen to find Riley peering outside the window with the curtains drawn.

“Is the world coming to an end?” Joked Erin.

“It might as well be.” Riley replied coldly.

“What do you mean?”

“Look.”

Erin peered out the window to see three little ponies coming down the road.

“Oh shit.” Erin murmured under her breath.

“Come quick. Help me get our bags upstairs.” Commanded Riley.

“What about the revolver?”

“No time, lets go.”

Riley ran into the living room and started to pack his laptop back into its bag. Erin followed Riley into the living room, grabbed the ammo bag and her backpack and bolted upstairs to hide the bags. Riley followed her with his pack and laptop bag and hid them along with the other bags. They quickly jolted downstairs to hear the doorknob turning. Thinking fast, Riley’s wings came into action. He swooped Erin up and flew to the ceiling, where he placed himself between the rafters with Erin in-between him and the roof. 

“Mmph MMMMPH.”

“Shut up Erin, they’re inside.” 


“HELLLLLLOOOO, ANYPONY HOME?!” Scootaloo yelled out.

“I don’t think she’s home Scootaloo.” Interjected Sweetie Belle.

“We could always try it ourselves, what could go wrong?” Shrugged Applebloom.

“What, NO!” Snapped Sweetie Belle.

“Whoa, calm down Sweetie Belle.” Exclaimed Scootaloo. “I’m sure Fluttershy wouldn’t mind.”

“I dunno Scootaloo, didn’t Miss Cherilee teach us not to touch other ponies things without permission.”

“But were using her sewing things to earn our cutie marks! I’m sure Fluttershy would understand.”

“Ugh fine.” Moaned Sweetie Belle. “Let’s go find her sewing machine.” 

“Uh girls.” Applebloom called from Fluttershy’s kitchen. “You might wanna come look at this.”

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo went into the kitchen and found Applebloom leaning over Fluttershy’s table on her hind legs.

“What is it?” Asked Scootaloo.

“This is the weirdest thang I’ve ever laid mah eyes on.” Said Applebloom, wide eyed.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stood up at the table and saw the mysterious device in all its glory.

“What is it?” Scootaloo said, wide-eyed.

“I dunno, but it’s really weird.” Commented Sweetie Belle.

“Should we touch it?” Asked Applebloom.


Riley could hear the small ponies in the next room.

“No no no.” He thought, sweat dripping from his brow. “Don’t touch it.”

“C’mon girls, ah don’t think we should me touchin it.”

Riley sighed a breath of relief.

“Let’s check the lounge room.” One of them announced.

Riley’s blood ran cold. All he could do is stay still as he heard them trot into the room.


“Seriously girls. Should we really be in here without Fluttershy.” Implied Sweetie Belle.

“Stop being such a worry pony Sweetie Belle.” Drilled Scootaloo.

“Fine.” Whined Sweetie Belle. 

Applebloom trotted over to a cupboard at the back of the room. She opened it and found the sewing machine.

“Thar’s her sewin machine girls!” Yelled Applebloom.


“These ponies have sewing machines.” Riley murmured to himself. “Maybe I underestimated the advancements of this world. Wow, saying that makes me feel like a professor at a university.”

“One that can’t even solve twelve times twelve.” Erin replied in a raspy voice.

“Hey, at least I can fly.” Riley sneered as quietly as he could.

Erin tried to kick Riley in frustration, but instead flailed around in Riley’s iron grip.

“Nice try.” Riley whispered.

Erin turned her head the slightest bit to stick her tongue out at Riley, and froze. Riley’s hat was about to fall off his head.

“Riley, your hat is gonna fall off.” Erin whispered in a panicked tone.

Riley let go with his left hand and grabbed his hat to stop it from falling off.

“See all fi…”

Riley felt his right hand start to slip.

“Shit, I’m gonna slip!”


“I found the fabric too.” Applebloom yelled out to her friends.

“Yeah, now we can start to earn our cutie marks.”

“CUTIE MARK CRUSARDERS NIGHTMA…”

“Shit, I’m gonna slip!” A mysterious voice yelled.

“What in the hay was that!” Exclaimed Applebloom.

“Whoever is out there, show yourself.” Scootaloo demanded, trying to make herself sound tough.

A blackish leather hat suddenly fell at Scootaloo’s hooves, causing her to jump back from the sudden shock.

“Jeez, relax Scootaloo.” Chuckled Sweetie Belle. “It’s just a…where did that hat come from?”

The three of them looked up at the ceiling to get the shock of their lives. Hanging onto the rafters of the roof was a strange creature that they instantly recognised as the creature that the papers had been talking about, the monsters. They all just stood there in terror until Sweetie Belle finally snapped out of it and screamed, “MONSTERS AHHHHHHH.”

“WHAT THE FUCK!” It yelled as its grip slipped from the ceiling, causing it to plummet towards the floor.

Scootaloo tried to gallop away in terror, but she wasn’t fast enough and got the lower half of her body being crushed by the creature as it fell on her.

“SOMEPONY HELP ME!” She screamed at the top of her lungs.

“SCOOTALOO!” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both yelled in unison.

They galloped back towards their friend to free her from the creature's grasp, but there was no prevail as the creature didn’t even budge.

“Don’t worry Scootaloo, we’ll go an get some help.” Said Applebloom.

“Hang on guys. Don’t leave me alone with this…”

Her two best friends were already out the door.

“...thing.” Scootaloo finished under her breath.

The creature began to stir and get up. It stood up on two legs and turned around to face Scootaloo.

“Please don’t eat me mister monster.” Begged Scootaloo.

The creature reacted by jumping back out of shock.

“Jesus Christ. You scared the shit out of me.” It blurted out.

“Y-you can talk.” Stammered Scootaloo.

“Yep, and I suggest not getting up and sprinting out this room if you know what’s good for ya.”

Scootaloo didn’t listen to the thing and got up to bolt out the door, as soon as she did however, she fell to the ground wincing in pain. Her back right hoof was pointing the wrong direction. It was broken.

“And that is why listening to instructions is so important.” It spoke sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

The creature started to approach Scootaloo, causing her to shuffle back away from it.

“Get away from me.” She threatened, weakly.

“Relax. I’m not gonna eat ya, show us your leg.” It asked.

Scootaloo decided to obey the creature.

“Ohhh, nasty one this is.” It spoke. “Looks like your leg’s broke.”

“It hurts.” Whined Scootaloo. Tears running down her cheeks from the pain that had caught up with her.

“ERIN!” It yelled, scaring Scootaloo.

A second creature that Scootaloo presumed to be Erin, came down from the ceiling and zipped like a bolt of lightning, no she WAS a bolt of lightning. Scootaloo’s jaw dropped at the sheer awesomeness of it.

“Grab Fluttershy’s medic kit.” He (Scootaloo assumed it was a he judging from his voice) asked Erin.

Erin nodded and zipped away and back in under a second with a first aid kit in her hands.

“Thank you, go upstairs and play my laptop if you want.” He offered.

Erin bolted up the stairs even before Riley could finish.

“Teenagers.” He murmured to itself.

He turned back to Scootaloo, whose jaw was about to fall off from the awesomeness.

“That. Was. So. AWESOME!!” Scootaloo squealed.

“Whoa, stop fidgeting. Your leg needs to be completely still.” He commanded.

Scootaloo obeyed as he began to straighten her leg out and secure it in place. 

“So, um. How did your, friend do that speedy, lightning thingy?” Asked Scootaloo.

“She’s my sister, and she can control lightning.”

“Can you do something like that?”

“My element is fire.”

Scootaloo gasped. “You HAVE to show me that.”

“Later.”

He continued to work on Scootaloo’s leg.

“Well, my name’s Scootaloo. What’s Yours?” 

“Name’s Riley, pleased to meet ya.”

Riley stuck his hand out to give Scootaloo a hand/hoofshake. Scootaloo accepted the gesture and shook his hand.

“Can I ask you a few questions?” Scootaloo said, feeling as curious as Twilight.”

“Fire away, we got all the time in the world while I’m fixing your leg.”





> Furiosity 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy walked away from twilight’s castle by herself. The sky had become overcast and dark from a planned storm that the weather team had devised.

“Hey Fluttershy, wait up.”

Fluttershy turned her head back towards Twilight’s castle to see her friend Rainbow Dash galloping after her.

“Is there something you need?” Fluttershy asked.

“I’m just concerned. You’ve been really distant for the last couple of days.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“With what?”

“With……stuff.” Shrugged Fluttershy.

“Okayyyyyy. I must be dreaming. Anyhow, are you looking forward to……NIGHTMARE NIGHT!”

Rainbow jumped in the air to do a graceful pose, giving Fluttershy a good shock.

“Eep.” Fluttershy squealed as she jumped back hiding her head in her hooves.

“Oops, sorry Flutters.” Apologized Rainbow. 

“It’s okay, but I’m not really looking forward to Nightmare Night.” Fluttershy replied softly.

“Like always.” Rainbow replied sarcastically.

Fluttershy blushed slightly.

“I just don’t like the idea of going to other ponies houses and asking for candy…”

“HELP, SOMEPONY HELP!”

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy look down the path to Fluttershy’s cottage to see Sweetie Belle and Applebloom running out of Fluttershy’s house, screaming like mad ponies.

“Oh no.” Thought Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash quickly flew towards them.

“Applebloom, Sweetie Belle! What’s wrong?!” She asked.

“*Pant* Monster, Fluttershy’s house, has Scootaloo.” Applebloom panted.

“Girls, I’m sure your just overreac…” Fluttershy spoke before being interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

“I’ll go and teach that monster to mess with my friends.” Announced Rainbow Dash, puffing out her chest to make herself seem tough.

“Rainbow Dash wait.” Squeaked Fluttershy.

But it was too late. Rainbow Dash zoomed towards her cottage at top speed.

“Oh dear, oh dear. This is not good.” Trembled Fluttershy.

“What’s not good?” Asked Sweetie Belle. “Rainbow is about to kick that monster’s flank!”

“He’s not a monster.” Fluttershy replied sternly.

“Whoa there Fluttershy.” Applebloom said. “I thought you just said that we were overreacting about the whole `monster’ thing, and now you say thar is a monster.”

“It doesn’t matter. What does is that we need to stop Rainbow Dash.”

“I’m sure the creature will be fine.” Reassured Sweetie Belle.

“It’s not him I’m worried about.”

With that, Fluttershy took off at an astonishing amount of speed, so fast that the two fillies saw a sonic boom follow Fluttershy. The two fillies stood there for a few seconds before snapping out of their trance and following Fluttershy as fast as their little hooves could take them.

“Need. To. Get. There. Quick!” Fluttershy thought as she tore through the air like a speeding bullet.


“So, elementals can harness the power of wind, ice, fire and lightning. That is so cool.” Squealed Scootaloo.

“Yep. Hold still for one sec.”

Riley tightened the two sticks that Erin had retrieved from the forest to Scootaloo’s leg, keeping the bandages in place and making sure that it couldn’t be moved.

“There we go.” Announced Riley. “You probably need to get to a hospital to get an actual cast put on. Where are your friends?”

“I think they ran away.” Scootaloo replied.

“WHAT?!” Shouted Riley.

“Calm down, what’s the worst that could happen.”

“GET AWAY FROM HER YOU MONSTER!!!” A voice from behind them yelled.

Riley and Scootaloo turned their heads to find a sky blue Pegasus with a rainbow coloured mane staring them down, a look of rage on her face. 

“Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo yelled.

“So, you think that you can just invade Fluttershy’s cottage, attack my friends and get away with it. Think again buddy, because you’ve got another thing coming your way.”

“I didn’t attack anyone.” Riley said in protest.

Rainbow Dash snorted. “Yea right, I can smell a lie a mile away.”

Rainbow flew down to the floor and got into an attack position.

“Look, I don’t want to hurt you and I didn’t hurt anyone, in fact I was just fixing her leg.”

Riley pointed at Scootaloo’s bandaged leg.

“So you DID attack her!” Yelled Rainbow, scratching her hoof on the ground, preparing to charge Riley.

“No Rainbow, It was an accident.” Scootaloo said.

Rainbow Dash didn’t pay attention however. She was fixated on smashing into Riley.

“Just stop and think for a minute.” Riley said, letting a small orange flame engulf his hand.

“Like I’d ever listen to you, monster.” Rainbow spat with venom.

She charged at Riley with extreme force. Riley dodged it and swatted her away with his flame covered fist sending her sprawling into a pile of bookshelves.

“Is that all you got?!” Rainbow yelled as she regained her composure.

Rainbow Dash flared her wings out and flew like a dart straight towards Riley. Riley wasn’t fast enough to dodge Rainbow and was launched out the back door with the full force of a getting bucked in the chest by an angry bull. Riley sprawled out on the grass in a heap.

Rainbow followed him outside and took off into the cloudy sky.

“Sonic Rainboom time!” Rainbow dash yelled as she flew high into the clouds, completely invisible from anyone on the ground, herself completely obstructed by the clouds.

“Oh is this an aerial battle. Well then, Challenge accepted.” Riley said to himself.

He flared out his wings and took off after Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow prepared to dive to ground but was stunned by a sudden blast of heat hitting her on the side, knocking her back. Rainbow regained her composure and turned around to find Riley, holding his hand up with fire flaring out of it.

“Fine then, have it your way.” Rainbow spat as she prepared to attack him.

“We don’t have to fight.” Riley yelled. “I never did attack...SHIT!”

Riley stumbled back as Rainbow dash flew straight into his gut, sending him tumbling through the air.

“Okay,” Riley thought. “So she’s on the offensive, very light fire barriers and blocking only. Bad thing to hurt anyone.”

Rainbow Dash continued to dive bomb Riley. 

“Jesus, she’s fast!” Exclaimed Riley. 

Riley swiped the air in front of him, creating a translucent, flaming orange barrier. 

“Gotcha…OMPH.” Rainbow yelled as she ran right into Riley’s trap.

“Time to make a hasty retreat.” Riley thought to himself. “Tire her out.”

“Riley sped deeper into the thickness of the clouds.

“Oh no you don’t monster, get back here and fight like a grown mare!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she took off after him.


Fluttershy skidded to halt in front of her front door and kicked it open. 

“Rainbow Dash, Riley?!” She yelled out.

“Fluttershy.” A voice from the lounge room called.

Fluttershy galloped into the lounge room to find Scootaloo and Erin.

“What’s going on?!’ Demanded Fluttershy. “Why do you have a cast on Scootaloo?”

“It’s a long story.” Said Scootaloo.

“That blue pony…” Started Erin.

“Rainbow Dash.” Corrected Scootaloo.

“Right, Rainbow Dash. Attacked Riley.”

“Then where are they?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Up in the clouds, I can’t intervene cause I don’t have my wings.” Erin sulked.

Fluttershy galloped outside, flared her wings out and took off into the sky.


“Grrrr.” Growled Rainbow Dash as she continued to be blocked by Riley’s shields. “That’s cheating.”

She prepared herself for another dive bomb when Fluttershy suddenly flew up in front of her, stopping her from preforming her manoeuvre.

“Stop Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy squeaked. “He’s not a monster.”

“Outta my way Fluttershy. This thing hurt Scoots, I’m taking it down and bringing it to the princess.

“I told you, it was an accident.” Said Riley as he flew out of a thick part of the cloudy sky.

“Fluttershy, move outta my way so I can pound him.” Threatened Rainbow.

“You’re attacking me out of false assumptions.” Riley yelled, his anger rising. 

“Please stop” Fluttershy spoke softly.

“Still a threat.” Rainbow yelled. 

“Guys please…”

“Well then, if you want to fight, then bring it on bitch!” Riley yelled.

“ENOUGH!!!” Fluttershy screamed at the top of her lungs.

Fluttershy had lost her temper. The clouds around her started to swirl into two mini cyclones. With each breath that Fluttershy took, the cyclones grew bigger. Rainbow Dash and Riley just stared in awe at what was happening in front of them at that moment.

“What the FUCK?!” Riley yelled.

The cyclones struck Riley and Rainbow Dash, trapping them in the swirling, lethal winds. Fluttershy lifted her front hooves in the air and pushed them straight down towards the ground. The cyclones obediently followed their master and tumbled towards the ground, sending Rainbow and Riley plummeting towards the ground. 

“*huff huff*…Oh my Celestia. What have I done.” Gasped Fluttershy.

Fluttershy flew down to the ground and what she found was not a pretty sight. Riley and Rainbow were both in craters in her backyard, they both had various cuts and bruises and Rainbow was unconscious. 

“Rainbow Dash, wake up, wake up!” Fluttershy yelled, shaking her friend in a hopeless attempt to wake her up.

Riley got up and limped over to where they were and felt Rainbow Dash’s neck for a pulse. 

“Is…Is she okay?” Trembled Fluttershy.

“I can feel a pulse, I’m surprised she hasn’t broken anything from the looks of it. I’ll take her inside.”

Riley scooped the still unconscious Rainbow Dash and carried her inside with Fluttershy following close behind.


Sweetie Belle and Applebloom arrived at Fluttershy’s front door to find it wide open and no sign of anypony. 

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Commented Sweetie Belle.

They continued inside to find Scootaloo and Erin in Fluttershy’s lounge room.

“Scootaloo! Get away from that thing.” Applebloom yelled.

“Hey, who are you calling thing?!” Erin said in protest.

“It’s fine girls.” Said Scootaloo. “She can’t hurt you.”

Right on cue, Riley and Fluttershy came walking in from the back door with a bruised and cut Rainbow Dash in Riley’s arms.

“What did you do to her?!” Scootaloo asked.

“Nothing, just an accident.” Replied Riley.

Riley placed Rainbow Dash on the couch.

“Erin. Tie her up and Fluttershy, I need to talk to you, alone.” Riley said sternly.

Riley walked upstairs with a trembling Fluttershy following closely behind.

“Jeez, I’ve never seen Riley so serious before.” Erin commented.

“Is he going to hurt Fluttershy?” Applebloom asked.

“I have no clue but I doubt it.”

“Soooooo.” Interrupted Scootaloo. “You’re a lightning element.”

“How do you know that?” Erin asked.

“Riley told me.”

“Oh, right.”

“Anyway.” Continued Scootaloo. “What can you do with your element?”

“Um…I can’t really do much.”

“Why not?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Because I’m not a fully developed elemental yet.” Replied Erin.

The three of them gave Erin an extremely confused look.

“Basically, I need to earn my wings and all that.”

“How do you earn them?” Applebloom asked.

“So many questions.” Erin said, rolling her eyes. “I dunno, Riley keeps saying that I earn them through something significant that happens in my life.”

“So, you can’t even do any lightning power thingy’s.” Scootaloo said, disappointed.

“I just don’t have my wings and soul weapon but I can still control my element.”

Erin waved her hands in the air, letting small blue flecks of lightning spark out of her hands.

“Holy Celestia, That was AWESOME!” Scootaloo squealed.

“But how do you do that in particular, is it some form of magic.”

“Magic.” Erin jeered. “No. It’s power.”

“Like wha form of power.” Applebloom asked.

“Anger, strength, will, honour things like that. It acts as a fuel for our power.”

“Sort of like how love fuels our magic.” Sweetie Belle commented.

“I guess, I don’t know how you’re magic works.” 

“Yep, well, ah think we should be gettin Scoots to the hospital.” 

“How are you going to carry her?” Erin asked.

“Ah can carry her.” Applebloom bragged.

“And I’ll support her with my magic.” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

“Hang on, that could be our cutie marks!” Exclaimed Applebloom.

“CUITE MARK CRUSADERS SICK PONY CARRIERS YAY!” Both of them yelled.

“Hang on guys, wait a min…GAH!” Scootaloo squealed as she was lifted by an invisible force onto Applebloom’s back.

“To tha hospital!” Applebloom announced as they galloped off.

“Heaps of energy, I’ll give them that.” Erin murmured to herself.


Riley closed the door to Fluttershy’s bedroom. He pulled up a chair from the corner and sat down.

“Sit.” Riley commanded, ushering a trembling Fluttershy towards her bed to have a seat.

“Riley, I-I can explain.” Trembled Fluttershy.

Riley held his hand up to stop her talking.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were an elemental?” He said calmly.

“I wasn’t, I mean I think I am but…um…”

“Well, spit it out.”

“It started a few days ago.”

“A few days ago?” Riley said, surprised. 

“Remember when all your blood hit me in the face and I felt sick.”

“Yea?”

“I’m going to sound crazy, but a bright light engulfed my body and wind swirled around my body.”

“Okayyyyyyy, that is crazy.” Riley commented. “Go on.”

“And ever since that night, I’ve been able to do what you would call powers.”

“I’m guessing wind because of those willy-willies.” Riley hypothesized.

“Willy-willies?” Fluttershy said, confused.

“Cyclones…uhh…tornadoes, that’s what you call them.”

“Oh I’m terribly sorry about that, are you hurt.” Fluttershy said, her tone turning from scared to concerned.

“Yea I’m fine.” Riley Replied.

“But that was more powerful that some of the things that have happened to me over the past few days. Is that normal, am I getting more powerful, am I becoming evil, AM I GOING TO KILL SOMEPONY!” Fluttershy screamed while hyperventilating.

“Calm down, calm down. You’re not going to be evil.” Reassured Riley.

Angel came into the room holding a tea towel with ice in it.

“Thank you Angel.” Thanked Fluttershy as he handed her the tea towel.

He hopped out of the room.

“I see why you named him Angel.” Riley joked. “But, what’s happened to you that you’ve described to me is the powers of a wind elemental.”
“Is that bad?” Fluttershy asked.

“Depends on how you interpret it. If you think it’s bad, then I’ll find a way to get rid of it. But if you want to keep them, then I’ll train you and show you how to control them. It’s up to you.”

With that, Riley walked out of the room. Leaving Fluttershy to ponder in her thoughts.

> Training
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash caressed her throbbing skull.

“Oh my head.” Rainbow Dash grumbled. 

Rainbow opened her crusty and droopy eyes to find herself lying on a couch in Fluttershy’s living room.

“Ugh…What am I doing here?” Rainbow pondered. “Last thing I remember was fighting…”

The gears in Rainbow Dash’s head started to turn again.

“THE MONSTER!” She yelled.

Rainbow Dash tried to zip off the couch to find the monster but found her fore-hooves constricted by a rope that was tied to the front leg of the couch.

“What in Tartarus?!” Rainbow Screeched at the sudden feeling of being pulled back down to the couch.

“Grrrr.” Rainbow grumbled. 

Erin came walking into the room. Rainbow turned her head sharply towards Erin with a look of anger on her face.

“What have you done with Fluttershy and the girls?!” Demanded Rainbow.

“Whoa, don’t make accusations when you’re not sure…”

“I am absolutely sure that you’ve done something to them.” Rainbow continued.

“Well, if I had hurt your friends, then wouldn’t you think I would be holding a knife or be covered in blood or something?” Backlashed Erin.

“Yea but you could have washed it off.” Accused Rainbow Dash.

“Fuck’s sake.” Sighed Erin. 

“Still not buying it.” Rainbow Dash huffed.

Erin was getting angrier and angrier with each passing second.

“What the hell is going on down there?!” Riley yelled while descending the stairs.

“What have you done with my best friend?!” Rainbow demanded.

“I haven’t done anything to her, she’s upstairs.”

“Grrr, let me GO!” Rainbow yelled.

Riley pulled a chair up next to the couch and sat down. 

“Are you okay?” Riley asked calmly.

“What?” Rainbow lashed.

“I’m trying to be nice and ask if you’re all right, so are you all right?” Riley asked again, keeping his calm composure. 

“Um…I’m fine…What’s the catch?”

“Well, we both were hit by those cyclo…tornadoes pretty hard.”

“According to my knowledge.” Rainbow hypothesized. “Either it was a loose storm by the weather team, which would’ve totally not happened if I was there to help, or it was you.”  

“Does this look like wind to you.” Riley said.

He put his hand up, letting some fire swirl around it.

“Well it could have been her.” Rainbow accused, pointing a hoof at Erin.

Erin let some lightning shoot out of her hand.

“Not me.” Erin replied sarcastically.

“It was me.” Another voice from the stairs called out.

The Riley, Erin and Rainbow Dash turned their heads towards the stairs to find Fluttershy descending down them.

“Fluttershy, thank Celestia you’re alright.” Rainbow Dash sighed out of relief. “Where are the CMC’s?”

“At the hospital.” Erin replied. “The orange one…”

“Scootaloo.” Corrected Riley.

“Right Scootaloo, whatever. Might’ve broken her leg.”

“WHAT, how?!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

“See, this is where you need ears.” Riley said sarcastically.

“I have some right here pal.”

Rainbow Dash pointed at the blue, pointy ears protruding out of her head.

“Yes I know that dumbass.” Riley sighed. “Figment of speech. What I meant is that I’ve told you that a million times and then you go bat-shit on me and send me flying out a fucking door.”

“Yea, well you attacked first.” Rainbow remarked.

“Bull, I watched you charge my brother head on.” Erin said firmly.

“Still, those tornadoes didn’t from by themselves.”

“Because that was me.” Fluttershy spoke softly.

“And another thi…Wait, what?” Rainbow said, confused.

“They were mine.” Fluttershy said solemnly. “Are you hurt, is anything broken?”

“Nah, I’ve had worse. Besides, I’m Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in all of Equestria.” Rainbow boasted.

“My god.” Riley thought. “Her ego, it’s massive.”

“Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy spoke seriously. “I need you to trust these two, they aren’t a threat at all and wouldn’t hurt anypony for no reason.”

Rainbow Dash just sat there in stunned silence. Not only was Fluttershy standing up for somepony, but it was for two strange creatures that pony-kind had never laid their eyes on before. Rainbow debated in her head about what to do for a split second.

“Okay. I’ll trust them.” Agreed Rainbow Dash. “Can you untie the rope?”

“Yep.” Riley said as he untied the rope, freeing Rainbow from the couch.

Rainbow got up, stretched her wings and took a seat.

“So, my name’s Riley.” Riley said as he held out his hand.

“Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow responded as she accepted his hand/hoof shake. “Fastest flyer in all of Equestria.”

“Oh really.” Erin sneered.

“Yea really.” Rainbow sneered back. “Especially when I do a sonic rainboom.”

“I doubt you’d be able to outrun Erin.” Riley proclaimed. “Bloody fast she is.”

“Pfft, yea right. I can probably fly around Equestria in ten seconds flat, can she beat that?”

“I bet I could.” Erin gloated. “How about a race?”

“Hmmm, very tempting how about to my friends castle and back.”

“Oh, you’re on. But you’ve got to tell me where your friend’s castle is.”

Rainbow trotted over the front door of Fluttershy’s house.

“See that big chrystally thingy.” Rainbow said as hes pointed her hoof towards the castle. “That’s the castle.”

“No way in hell.” Riley butted in.
“Why not, are you scared that Erin’s not as fast as me and you were wrong.” Rainbow mocked.

“Yea c’mon Riley.” Erin insisted.

“I said no.” Riley spoke firmly. 

“Fine then.” Erin spat. “Be a dick.”

Erin shoved Riley out of the way to reach the back door.

“You’re not my father!” Erin yelled as she slammed the back door closed.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy just stood there completely fazed by Erin’s sudden outburst. Riley, on the other hand, didn’t seem affected at all.

“What was that all about?” Rainbow asked.

“She and I have had some…Tough times.”

“Llllllllllike?” Persuaded Rainbow.

“I really don’t want to delve into it.” 

“Oh c’mon…”

“No.” 

“Fine, whatever.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Going back to you Flutters. How in Tartarus did you do…Whatever you did?”

“It was an accident. Back when…”

“OHH OHH I know, you were bitten by a mutated spider and got superpowers.” Rainbow Hypothesized.

“How in the hell did you come up with that?” Riley asked.

“She reads too many comic books.” Fluttershy deadpanned. 

“Ahem…Sorry, go on Flutters.” Rainbow said.

“Okay. So anyway, Riley may have accidentally given me a different version of his powers.” Fluttershy spoke.

“Yea…Go on.” 

“And I may have developed some…Um…Elemental powers.”

“Whoa whoa, hold on a sec. Are you saying that you can do things that he can do.” Rainbow said, pointing a hoof at Riley. 

“I think so.” Riley answered. “The only thing I’ve seen you do Flutters is the cyclone thing on me and Rainbow. Has anything else happened to you over the past few days?”

“Some um…weird shield thing happened to me while on my way to Twilight’s Castle.” Fluttershy said.

“And is that it?” Riley asked.

“No no, there was one more incident where I had some weird light engulf my body and um…wind and…stuff.”

“Uhhhh, I have never heard of something like that happening before.” Riley gawked. “But then again, I’ve never heard of someone becoming an elemental so I guess it makes sense, kinda.”

“Enough technical stuff.” Rainbow butted-in. “I wanna see what you can do.”

“Alright, but outside.” Declared Riley.

“Yea, whatever.” Rainbow replied.

They all proceeded towards the back door of Fluttershy’s house. They walked out to a spot in the middle of the backyard.

“Okay.” Riley started. “So I can basically control fire.”

Riley opened the palm of his hand to let a few flames jettison out of it.

“Whoa!” Rainbow yelled at the sudden sight of Riley producing a small, flickering flame from his hand.

“You think that’s cool, then check this out.” Riley bragged.

Riley held his right arm out. Rainbow Dash went wide-eyed when she saw metal start to form at Riley’s shoulder. Time seemed to slow down as Rainbow Dash gawked at the gleaming metal that was swarming his arm. The pieces of metal began to twist and expand at his shoulder. The metal continued to expand until it reached the halfway point of his arm. It began to contract and sharpen at the end leaving some sharp metal swirls on the outside bottom-end of the drill and a razor sharp tip.

“That is a snazzy knife.” Rainbow commented.

“That’s only half of it.” Riley said.

Rainbow Dash went wide-eyed as the knife began to spin as fast as a loose tornado. It also began to glow red hot and caught fire. The extravagant, swirling yellow and orange flames caressing it.

“That. Is. So. COOL!” Rainbow Dash squealed. 

“Yep.” Riley replied. “And it’s not a knife, it’s a drill.”

“Drill?” Rainbow inquired. 

“Just think of it as a spinning knife.” Riley said.

“Ohhhh. I get it. You were flying before as well and I don’t see any wings on your back.”

“You sure?” Riley coaxed.

“Yea I’m su…” *FWUMP*

Rainbow Dash was interrupted by the sound of two glowing, orange wings popping out of Riley’s back. Riley flapped them in the air a few times allowing him to hover off the ground.

“They’re made of fire?!” Questioned Rainbow. “That’s a bit dangerous.”

“Actually, it’s synthetic fire.” Riley said.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both gave Riley a confused look.

“Basically, it is fire but it can’t burn anyone.”

“So, it’s safe?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yea. Actually, I could teach you a bit about your powers now if you want?”

“Umm…”

“C’mon Flutters.” Rainbow coaxed. “It’ll be awesome if you could do what he does.”

“Okay…So what do I do first Riley?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Come here.”

Riley sat down and patted the grass next to him indicating to Fluttershy to sit down. Fluttershy trotted to him and sat on all fours.
“No.” Riley added. “On your hind legs with them crossed like mine.”

“Why can’t I sit like this?” Fluttershy asked.

“Cause you’ll need your front hooves to act like hands.” Riley replied.

“Okay.” Fluttershy answered. 

Fluttershy sat on her rump and actually found it quite easy to sit like Riley was.

“Huh, that’s not actually that hard.” Commented Fluttershy.

“Now.” Continued Riley. “Stick your han…hooves in the air like this.”

Riley stuck his open hands in the air and Fluttershy copied him.

“Good.” Congratulated Riley. “Now close your eyes and imagine the wind swirling in your hooves, feel its power and imagine it being padlocked to your very soul.”

Fluttershy closed her eyes and emptied her mind. She could feel it, she could feel the power surging inside her body. The ends of her hooves began to pulsate, small swirls of wind ran around her hooves at a thousand miles a second.

“Whoa, you’re doing it Flutters!” Exclaimed Rainbow.

“Now concentrate as hard as you can and imagine that padlock and chain down the power.”

Fluttershy concentrated as hard as she could. With each passing moment allowing the wind on her hooves to spread up her forearms and grow more intense.

“C’mon Flutters. CHAIN IT DOWN!” Riley yelled.

Fluttershy released an almighty burst of energy. So strong, it blasted Riley and Rainbow Dash backwards. Fluttershy opened her eyes to find Riley and Rainbow lying backwards from her force for the second time that day.

“Oh my Celestia!” Fluttershy screeched.

They both got up unscathed.

“Second time a day, you seem too live blowing us away Flutters.” Rainbow joked.

“I’m sorr…” Fluttershy apologized.

“Don’t be.” Riley interrupted. “You just harnessed your powers.”

“Meaning…?” Rainbow dribbled.

“She can use her element to her advantage now!” Riley announced.

“Couldn’t I do that before?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Not really, remember how I said an element is power, not magic.”

“Yes.” Fluttershy said.

“Well the power was in you, you just couldn’t control it because it hadn’t bonded to you.”

“So you’re basically saying that Fluttershy can use her powers to their fullest now!” Rainbow squealed.

“Not until she earns her weapon and her wings, how old are you Flutters?” Riley asked.

“Nineteen.” Fluttershy replied.

“Most elementals get their element wings at about Erin’s age. You’ll probably get them in a few days.” Riley stated.

“That’s good.” Fluttershy sighed.

The last ray of light began to fade from in between the clouds, leaving a dark, foreboding sky in its wake.

“The storm will be starting soon.” Rainbow hypothesized.

“You two should get inside.” Riley suggested. “I need to go find Erin.”

“Good idea.” Agreed Rainbow Dash.

“What about you Riley?” Fluttershy said.

“I won’t be long.” 

With that, Riley took off into the woods behind Fluttershy’s cottage and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both went inside.

“I’d better get home.” Rainbow commented. “But I can’t wait to tell my friends about Riley and Erin.”

“Wait, What!” Fluttershy hollered. “NO!”

“Whoa, why not.” Rainbow insisted.

“Remember those so called `monsters’ that you guys and the princesses were looking for.” 

“Yea.” Rainbow Dash gloated. “I sure would love to…”

“That was Riley and Erin.” Interrupted Fluttershy.

“Oh. That’s not good.”

“Yes, Celestia might react in the wrong way. You and I both know she has that scientist working to find them.”

“Yeaaa.”

“So you must promise, no Pinkie Promise that you won’t tell anypony about them.” Fluttershy drilled.

“Fine, Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Rainbow recited. “I really should get going now. See ya tomorrow Flutters.” 
“Bye Rainbow.” Fluttershy said.

Rainbow Dash flew towards the door and Fluttershy want back into her lounge room.


“Hmmm, very interesting.” Bio said as Miss Combe showed him the surveillance from the drone they planted at Fluttershy’s house.

“What should we do sir?” Miss Combe asked.

“Nothing.”

“I’m sorry sir, but didn’t you want to interact with these creatures immediately.”

“Yes, but we can’t just storm into one of the element’s houses, plus you saw what those things can do, and now they seem to have transformed Fluttershy into one of them!” Exclaimed Bio.

“How about a diplomatic discovery?” Miss Combe suggested.

“A what?” Bio asked.

“Well eventually they’re going to be discovered one way or another and with Fluttershy now retaining some of their abilities according to our knowledge, we just have to sit back and wait. If the princesses reject them, then we can take them in but if they accept them as citizens, then we can interview them. Either way it’s a win-win.”

Bio pondered for a moment.

“What do you think sir? Miss Combe asked.

“I think you need a pay rise and a better office, you’re a genius!”

Miss Combe blushed furiously. “That’s extremely generous sir.”

“Well, if you treat the employee with respect, it equals better performance.” Bio stated.

“Shall we bring the drone in?” Miss Combe asked.

“We have all the information we need for now, be my guest.”

Miss Combe tapped a few buttons on her pad to bring the drone back home.

“It should arrive back at the labs in an hour.”

“Perfect.” Bio congratulated. “How about you head home a bit early Miss Combe, before the storm hits.”

“Thank you sir.” Miss Combe thanked.

Miss Combe trotted out the room to leave for her home. Bio walked back to his desk and pulled out of the bottom draw a small brandy glass and a bottle of aged, vintage apple cider. He poured himself a drink and made a small toast to himself.

“For me and my genius.” He said wickedly before taking a sip. 

> Training Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Erin, ERIN!” Riley called out to the dense forest behind Fluttershy’s house. “She’d better not have gone into the forest.”

Riley waited for a few minutes. He got no reply.

“Fuck it.” Riley murmured to himself.

He followed the thin, narrow trail that led from the comforts of Fluttershy’s backyard to the twisted shrubs. The sun 
finally set over the mountain of Canterlot, leaving Riley stranded in the dark, still trying to find Erin.

“Damn it all.” Riley cursed.

He lit a small flame from the palm as his hand to act as a source of light.

“Erin.” Riley kept calling. “C’mon, it’s going to rain soon, you need to come here, NOW.”

“Why should I.” A faint voice called from a distance that Riley recognised as Erin’s.

“Because it’s going to rain and…”

“No, answer it properly.”

Riley was confused. “What do you mean by properly?”

“Fine you don’t know.” Erin yelled as she hopped down from a tree branch. “I’ll tell you why. You shun me.”

“Excuse me?!” Riley said, shocked.

“You always keep me back, never let me fend for myself. It’s always been, cower behind you’re big brothers back. Even Uncle Burnie did it too.”

“Hang on…”

“And even with some things which were totally logical too.” Erin interrupted. “Like that race for example, it was almost dark, no one would’ve seen me.”

Riley just stood there shocked by his sister’s sudden outburst. He began to walk over to Erin. Erin held her ground and prepared to be chewed out for yelling at Riley.

“I’m sorry.” Riley spoke softly.

“Huh?” Erin said, confused.

“I said I’m sorry.” Riley repeated. “I do hold you back a lot of the time.”

“I…um.” Erin stammered.

“But still, you do know that we are foreign creatures in a foreign land. If it was a race back home then go for it. But here. Unfortunately, we can’t.

“I-I guess I understand.” Erin agreed.

“Good. We’d better get inside though.” Riley announced.

“Okay.” Erin said.

Riley walked down the small pathway with Erin leading the way.


The sun had set and the rain was beginning to trickle down the sides of Fluttershy’s windows. Fluttershy looked out the window with a look of worry on her face. Fluttershy glanced at her clock, the time read 6:30.

“Where are they!?” Fluttershy yelled in her head.

Right at that time the back door burst open with Erin and Riley walking inside. Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief when she saw them enter the room.

“Oh, it’s good that you guys are okay, are you hurt?” Fluttershy asked.

“Just cold.” Erin replied.

“Erin, you can go into the lounge room and have a rest, if you want to.” Riley asked.

“Sure, I reeeeeeeeeealy feel like it.”

Erin zipped up the stairs at lightning speed.

“Yea, she’s probably faster than Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy squeaked.

“You think.” Riley replied sarcastically.  

Riley and Fluttershy went into the kitchen.

“Hang on, just let me clear the…What is that?” Insisted Fluttershy.

“It’s the bits and pieces of my dad’s old revolver.” Riley replied.

“Is it dangerous?” Fluttershy asked.

“Only when it’s assembled, I’ll reassemble it tomorrow, just try not to touch the pieces.”

“Okay.”

They both took a seat.

“Fluttershy, can I show you something?” Riley asked as he got himself comfortable.

“Umm…sure.” Fluttershy replied.

Riley held out his hand to let some flames eject out of it. The flames that ejected however twisted and deformed to make up some sort of image. To Fluttershy it looked like some sort of vehicle, but it was made out of fire and moving!

“This is an elemental form picture.” Riley explained. “It’s a really basic thing where you can conjure different objects from your memory using your element. This is my old ute.”

Fluttershy gawked at the Ute moving in and out of Riley’s fingers and hands.

“It’s a really cool toy.” Fluttershy complimented.

“The real thing is actually a hundred times bigger. I can’t make something that big.”

“Ohh.”

Riley crumpled his hand into a fist making the Ute disappear.

“Now I’m going to show you how to do it.” Riley explained. “Hold out your hooves.”

Fluttershy complied and held them out.

“Good, now think about your element and let it form in your hooves.”

Fluttershy thought about the wind in her hooves and it appeared.

“Wow, it usually takes a long time for someone to master that.” Riley commented. 

“Oh, thank you.” Thanked Fluttershy.

“Back on track.” Riley said. “Imagine something you adore or an old memory that you have and it will appear.”

Fluttershy concentrated on one of her favourite memories. The wind began to twist and deform like Riley’s. 

“Keep concentrating.” Reassured Riley.

Fluttershy continued to concentrate, she could feel it. She could feel it swirling in her hooves…

*BANG*

Fluttershy and Riley were propelled back with extreme force from Fluttershy’s image turning into a wind bomb.

“What was that?!” Riley yelled as he got off of his back.”

“I’m so sorry, are you hurt!?” Fluttershy asked with worry.

“Nah I’m fine, what did you think about though?”

“Umm…Rainbow Dash’s first sonic rainboom.”

“What?”

“A really big explosion.” Fluttershy deadpanned.

“Oh, well that about sums it up.” Riley shrugged.

He got up and stared at the table, where he found something really strange.

“How are none of my gun bits knocked over?”

“I…I don’t know, I’m sorry about knocking you ba…” Apologized Fluttershy.

“It’s all good.” Interrupted Riley. “At least I didn’t lose them. Tomorrow I’ll show you how to use your powers for self-defence.”

“Will it be dangerous?” Fluttershy asked.

“Only if you use them on someone and you haven’t learnt to control them.” Riley explained.

“So my powers can kill somepony!” Fluttershy shrieked.

“Hey hey. Relax.” Reassured Riley. “You can still use your powers to just stun and not kill someone.”

“Oh okay.” Fluttershy said as she heaved a sigh of relief.

“Yep, I think I’m gonna have a shower then get one of the most amazing things in the world!” Exclaimed Riley.

“What?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

“Sssssssllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.” Riley droned as he walked into the lounge room very quietly.

“Boys.” Fluttershy sighed as she rolled her eyes. “I guess I should go to sleep as well.”

Fluttershy ascended her staircase and trotted on slowly to her room. She opened the door to find Angel lying asleep on her bed.

“Aww, my little Angel.” Fluttershy cooed as she hopped into her bed.


> Discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three days had passed since Riley had started training Fluttershy and things were going really well. Fluttershy had been getting better and better at controlling her powers each time she used them. So far she had been able to push and pull wind away and towards her and summon a shield.

“I tell ya Flutters, you are the fastest learner I’ve ever seen.” Congratulated Riley. “It usually takes forever to learn how to use elemental powers.”

“Really?” Fluttershy said. “How long?”

“Umm…Around about a year, give or take.”

“Oh, okay. What about the full elemental powers.”

Riley got up and walked to the window, he observed the beautiful crystal clear skies for a good thirty seconds. Deep in his thoughts.

“Um…Riley, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

Riley turned around to face Fluttershy.

“Honestly Flutters, I think you’ve already got your full powers.” Riley hypothesized.

“Huh?” 

“Maybe you already have a weapon, we just don’t…”

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

“Her Fluttershy, its Rainbow Dash. Open up I wanna show you something cool.

“Coming.” Fluttershy sang.

Fluttershy opened the door to find a horribly disgusting timberwolf and three pups.

*SURPRISE* *AHHHHH!*

Fluttershy screamed and held her hoof out, shooting a wave of air at her attackers and sending them flying back.

“What the hell, Flutters.” Riley yelled as he ran into the room, drill spinning rapidly.

“T-t-timberwolves.” Stammered Fluttershy.

“We’re not timberwolves!” The big one yelled.

“Flutters, are you blind.” Accused Riley.

“What, no. Why would you think that?”

“Take a look at your supposed attackers.”

Fluttershy turned around to face the timberwolves and instantly rushed out to help them when she suddenly realised that it was really Rainbow Dash and the CMC’s.

“Oh girls, I’m really sorry.” Fluttershy apologized.

“Don’t worry about it. We’re fine aren’t we girls, girls?”

The three fillies didn’t respond. They were too awestruck by Fluttershy’s wind attack.

“That. Was. So. AWESOME!” They all squealed in unison.

“Just like sisters.” Riley commented.

“Or brother and sister.” Erin added as she appeared out of nowhere.

“How did you do that Fluttershy?!” Scootaloo asked energetically.

“Well I, um. Riley accidentally gave me some of his powers, and he’s been teaching me how to um…use them.” Fluttershy said quietly. 

“It’s nothing to be ashamed about Flutters.” Comforted Rainbow. “Heck, the ponies that live here have seen a lot weirder than that.”

“I think that this tops tha list Fluttershy. No offence to ya’ll.” Applebloom stated. 

“None taken.” Erin replied.

“In fact, we just came to see if you wanted to come with us to do something on nightmare night.” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I definitely won’t be going.” Riley said.

“What about me?” Erin questioned. “Can I go?”

“You are really crazy. But since your old enough, I’ll let you decide.”

“I want to go.” Erin shrugged.

“Alright you can.” Riley agreed.

“Yessssss!” Erin yelled happily.

“But.” Riley started. “Don’t be seen, stick to the shadows and the alleyways.”

“I can do that, I do parkour.”

“Yes I know, you don’t have to rub it in my face.”

“Sweet.” Said Rainbow Dash. “What time are we going to `escort’ you out.”

“What time does the celebration usually start?” Erin asked.

“I dunno, 8-ish” Rainbow shrugged.

“Okay then. Nice costumes by the way.”

“Thanks.” Thanked Rainbow Dash. “We got Sweetie Belle’s sister Rarity to do them at the last minute.”

“She’s a really good seamstress.” Commented Fluttershy.

“Yep, and what about you Flutters, you coming?” Rainbow asked.

“No no, I don’t like Nightmare Night.” 

“Yea, you say that but really, you’re just nervous.” Rainbow teased.

“No I’m NOT Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said sternly.

Fluttershy turned around and went back into her house, slamming the door for extra effect.

“Is she always like that?” Riley asked.

“Never, in fact that’s the first time that she’s ever lashed out at somepony close to her.” Rainbow Dash spoke.

“Awkward.” Erin sang.

“Shut it.” Said Riley.

“We’d better be going. See you tonight Erin.” Rainbow informed.

“Yea, see ya.” Erin yelled as they trotted away.

“You’d better be getting ready.” Riley noted.

“What should I wear?” Erin brainstormed.

“Something reasonable.” Replied Riley. “Go inside and choose something, I need to talk to Fluttershy.”

“I know exactly what I’m going to wear.” Erin smirked as they went inside.

Erin went into the living room to choose her getup while Riley went upstairs to see Fluttershy. 

“Fluttershy, Fluttershy?” He called, no reply.

“Bloody hell, where is she.”

Riley continued looking down the corridor until he heard a noise which made him stop it his tracks. It was Fluttershy, but something sounded off about her. Riley traced the noise to the bathroom, where he found the door to be locked.

“Flutters. You in there.”

“*COUGH* *COUGH* Yes Riley I’m *ACK* in here.” Fluttershy replied from the other side.

“Are you okay, I don’t know jack shit about sickness, but all that coughing doesn’t sound good.” 

“Yes, yes. I’m fine just leave me alone. I’ll feel better later.

“Whatever lights your match.” Riley shrugged. “But are you…”

*BLEARGGGGG*

“Oh shit…I’ll leave you to it then, just call me and I’ll help.” Clarified Riley.

Fluttershy heard Riley walk downstairs. Leaving her by herself.

“What is going on?” Fluttershy thought to herself. “As soon as I walked through that door I felt like throwing up, turns out I did need to throw up. How in Celestia’s name does that happen?”

Right on cue, Fluttershy’s stomach began to gurgle, making her face flush green and her cheeks swell up with more vomit. 
“Oh, dea…*BLEARGGGG*”

Fluttershy emptied the contents of her stomach into the sink. Once she had finished, she fell back and landed on her rump.

“Oh Celestia, that was the worst one yet…Huh?”

Fluttershy propped herself up and noticed something odd in the pool of vomit the filled her sink, a small, shiny white thing was gleaming in the middle of the green muck, standing out like a Candle among the darkness. Fluttershy took a closer look at it and found it to be her tooth.

“D-did my tooth just fall out.” Fluttershy stammered.

Fluttershy opened her mouth and looked into the mirror to look for the gap in her teeth that held her tooth. But she didn’t find any gaps. Instead, one of her teeth was much more different that the others, it was a lot sharper than any of her other teeth, but was wide and thick enough to still grind something up. Fluttershy was completely stunned. Even more by the fact that when she got the tooth that fell out and put it behind this new tooth, it was a complete match. 

“Oh. My. Celestia!” Fluttershy yelled.

Fluttershy couldn’t take anymore, her body fell limp and she collapsed unconscious to the floor with a dull thud.


“Are you ready to go Erin?” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

“Yep, check this out.” 

Erin walked out the front door wearing a pair of jeans, a black hoodie and a pair of black sneakers as well as Riley’s hat.

“What are you supposed to be?” Scootaloo asked.

“A ninja, warrior that lurks in the shadows and can remain unseen in any environment.” Erin boasted.

“Cool.” Scootaloo said. “But what’s with the hat?”

“Riley said I could wear it as long as I kept it in good shape.”

“Oh. Still looks cool.”

“Hey Riley, where’s Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Said she felt ill, she’s been in the dunny all afternoon.”

“Dunny?”

“Toilet.”

“Oh right.”

“C’mon, let’s go!” The three little filly’s squealed.

“I didn’t see you as a parent figure Rainbow.” Commented Riley. “Which one is your sister?”

“None of them.” Rainbow answered. “Although Scootaloo is sorta like a sister to me, even though she’s an orphan.” 

“Oh.”

“And I got stuck with them because the other two’s sisters are busy tonight.”

“At least they’re not troublemakers.” Riley shrugged.

“Believe me buddy, you haven’t seen anything from these three. Let’s go Erin.”

“Yea, let’s a-go.” Erin yelled.

“What?” Rainbow asked, confused.

“Never mind, let’s just go.” Erin said.

Erin and Rainbow Dash followed the Cmc’s down Fluttershy pitch black entry way.

“See those bushes.” Rainbow Dash informed “They are a ring of bushes that go around the edge of town, keep following them and you’ll come to the main even that will be happening at midnight.”

“That’s hours away!” Erin complained. “What do I do until then?”

“Hey, hey. I’m Rainbow Dash. I’ve always got a plan. Can you use you lightning without hurting somepony?”

“Yea, easily.”

“Good. We’re going pull a prank, here’s what were gonna do…”


“Come right this way little filly’s to the most terrifying thing of all in Nightmare Night!” Rainbow Dash declared to a small group of filly’s in tiny costumes.

Erin waited for Rainbow Dash to give her the signal, they were going to give these small ponies the shock of their lives, literally.

“Yea sure.” One of the small fillies yelled out. “I bet that this is just one of those stupid pranks that you like to pull, isn’t it Rainbow.”

“Oh I can bet you any amount of bits that this is the most evil…tree in all of Equestria.” Rainbow yelled as she pointed her hoof at a medium-sized old tree that lay among the edge of the forest.

The Fillies all burst out into a massive fit of laughter at the expense of Rainbow Dash’s stupid claim.

“You doubt its power, just watch.”

Erin knew that this was her Que. She immediately held both her palms out at the base of the tree, sending lightning sparks out from the bottom.

The little filly’s laughter died down when they gazed directly at the tree that now had bluey-purplish lightning sparks pulsating out it. Their fits of laughter instantly becoming screams of terror as the lightning spread up the tree and across the ground, towards the trembling foals. Erin ended the show with a massive lightning bolt streaking down the tree. This was enough for the fillies as they ran off in terror, leaving only the CMC’s and Rainbow Dash behind, all of them in hysterical fits of laughter.

“Oh wow Erin. That was almost the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” Complimented Rainbow Dash through fits of laughter.

“I know right, I am so…”

“Um guys. Tha midnight shows bout ta start, let’s go.” Applebloom yelled as she was followed by her friends to the other edge of the Everfree Forest.

“I’ll meet you guys over there.” Erin said as she darted back into the thick shrubs.

Rainbow followed the CMC’s to the other side of town where the rest of the town folk have gathered for the midnight Nightmare Night presentation. Rainbow looked to the side of the bushes, seeing the CMC’s talking to Erin. She decided to leave them alone and let them commune about what was going to happen.

“So, what’s going to happen?” Erin asked.

“Usually, Nightmare Moon comes to eat our candy and take our souls, but it’s really just the princess Luna.” Explained Sweetie Belle.

“So she puts on a show based off an old evil character, sounds legit.”

“No, she was Nightmare Moon.”

“That makes no sense…”

“Shhhhh. The shows starting.” The three fillies whispered in unison.

Erin looked high above the clouds to see dark storm clouds begin to form. A bright blue beam shone out of the vortex of the swirling clouds, with a mysterious being that Erin presumed to be Nightmare Moon floating down with four other armoured ponies accompanying her in her descent. What erin noticed was that Nightmare Moon had both a horn and a pair of wings and the wings of her and her guards were those of a bat.

“Looks like something out of a scary movie.” Commented Erin.

“Yea, really spooky.” Replied Scootaloo.

Nightmare Moon walked up to the centre of the stage and addressed the crown of equines in her booming, powerful voice.

“GOOD EVENING MARE’S AND GENTLECOLTS. I WELCOME YOU TO THE TERRIFYING CELEBRATION OF NIGHTMARE NIGHT!” She boomed.

“Bloody loud isn’t she.” Said Erin.

“Yep, that’s the Royal Canterlot Voice.” Stated Sweetie Belle.

“Sounds like someone got a bloody pot and put a microphone in it to make it sound echoic but ended up with a mess.”

“Really. To me it sounds like…”

“Who are you talking to Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom all turned around to find Sweetie Belle’s sister Rarity, wearing what looked like a Frankenstein’s bride outfit with extremely neat hair and a poufy dress.

“What the fuck is that costume?” Erin whispered as quietly as she could as she ducked behind a bush.

“Oh…Rarity. We were just um…” Sweetie Belle stammered.

“I could’ve sworn I just saw somepony in the bushes.” Rarity started.

“No, no you didn’t…I’m uh sure of it.”

“Hang on just one minute. What is that?”

Rarity walked closer and closer to the bushes. Each passing second feeling like an eternity for Erin as she slowly approached Erin’s hiding spot. Erin waited for Rarity to find her, but it never happened. Erin heaved a quiet sigh of relief.

“It looks like one of the Apple Family hats.” Said Rarity.

Erin’s and the three filly’s blood ran cold.

“I’m just gonna take a quick peep over…here?”

Rarity gazed at the mysterious creature that was crouching in the bushes. Acting like any concerned citizen would, she gracefully reported the creature in the most appropriate manor.

“MONSTER!!!” Rarity screamed at the top of her lungs gathering the attention of every single pony in the vicinity, including Nightmare Moon and her guards. 

Erin stared as all eyes were now on her. She back away as slowly as she could.

“GUARDS!” Nightmare Moon yelled. “SEIZE THE MONSTER!”

“Fuck.” Erin cursed under her breath as she bolted away as fast as she could.

Every pony watched as the creature bolted, leaving a stunned group of ponies. Nightmare Moon transformed back into Luna and started chasing Erin.

“Don’t let it get away!” Luna commanded.

Her guards as well as Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie followed Erin as she bolted through the town.

“They’re never going to catch me.” Erin thought with pride. “I’ll just round this corner and lose them in the...”

Erin tripped on a little pebble, a tiny little freaking pebble that sent her flying down the street.

“Shit my ankle.” Erin yelled in pain.

Erin’s stumble allowed her pursuers to surround her. Luna’s four guards pointed their spears at Erin. Erin got up and put her hands in the air, signalling to them that she was surrendering.

“Come with us quietly creature and you will not be harmed.” Luna commanded.

“Um Princess, I don’t think it can understand our language.” Intervened Twilight.

“Course I can.” Interrupted Erin, shocking the ponies. “And I’m not a monster.”

“Yea sure.” One of the guards teased, moving the tip of his spear closer to Erin.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Warned Erin.

“Watch me.” The guard dared.

He jabbed his spear at Erin, what he didn’t expect was for Erin to dodge his attack. Annoyed, he swung it again. It got Erin on the face, cleanly slicing her across the cheek. Erin’s anger raised higher and higher.

“Stand down guard.” Luna said.

He didn’t listen and swung his spear at Erin a third time. To his surprise, Erin caught it in her hand and sent a jolt of electricity down the spear, electrocuting him and knocking him unconscious. 

Erin saw that they were stunned by her attack. Quickly, she charged up more lightning in her fists and punched the ground, sending an EMP blast towards her attackers, sending them flying backwards. Erin took this as an opportunity to escape and darted away.

“Oh no you don’t.” Twilight said.

Erin stopped dead in her tracks. She was surrounded by a purple aura of some kind.

“What the hell is this………”

Erin suddenly fell unconscious from twilight’s spell. Dropping her limp body to the ground. The remaining ponies got up and circled Erin.

“What do we do with it princess?” Twilight asked.

“I do not know Twilight Sparkle.”

Luna thought for two seconds.

“Guards, take the unconscious guard and yourselves back to Canterlot. Alert my sister to get down here immediately. Twilight, help me contain it and the rest of you can calm down the crowd.”

“Yes Princess.” The guards yelled as they took off for Canterlot.

“We’ll do what we can.” Applejack said as she, Rarity and Pinkie Pie ran back to the crowd. 

Luna and Twilight examined the creature.

“What do you think it is princess?” Twilight asked.

“I cannot be sure Twilight, but I don’t want to take any chances. Where is your friend Rainbow Dash, she usually is here when danger is present.”

“I don’t know princess. But still, we are looking at a newly discovered intelligent species. Can you imagine the things we could learn from it.”

“That’s more of your department.” Chuckled Luna. “Likewise, I shall keep the creature in a magical aura until my sister arrives.”

“Good idea, we can’t risk it attacking us again. Lightning came out of its…Whatever those things are at the ends of its arms.”


*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* “Riley! Fluttershy! It’s Rainbow Dash! Open up!

Riley yanked the door open to find a panting Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow, what is it?” Riley asked.

“They discovered Erin.” 

“WHAT!” Boomed Riley.

“Relax, she’s fine.”

“No that’s not the point, I know this was a bad idea. Fuck me!”

“She’s been captured by the princess as well.”

“That’s even bloody worse!”

Riley darted inside and grabbed his revolver.

“What are you doing?!” Rainbow asked with concern.

“Getting my sister back.”

“Wait, wait. They’re not torturing her.”

“How do you know?”

“I saw it, she’s fine. Just come with me and I’ll help you convince them that you both aren’t evil.”

“Fine, but I’m still taking the revolver.”

“What about Fluttershy, she could help as well.”

“She still feels ill.”

“Oh, well I’ll still be able to convince them.”

“Let’s go then.” Declared Riley.

Riley spread out his wings, igniting them to create to magnificently beautiful flaming wings on his back. With one might flap, he soared into the air as a flaming streak in the night sky.

“So. Cool!” Squealed Rainbow Dash as she spread her wings and followed closely behind.

> Confusion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Ohh my head.” Grumbled Fluttershy.

Fluttershy opened her eyes extremely slowly. It felt like hours before she got them open.

“Riley!” She yelled.

No answer.

“Shit.” Swore Fluttershy. “Wait, what?”

For some reason, Fluttershy swore like Riley did.

“Huh, I guess I’ve heard it too much.”

She rubbed her head with her hand vigorously.

“AHHH!” Shrieked Fluttershy. 

Instead of hooves, she now had hands. Her fore-hooves had been replaced by feet, and her body had taken more of a feminine shape. 

Fluttershy jumped up and inspected her new self in the bathroom mirror.

“What. The. FUCK!” Fluttershy screeched.

Fluttershy fainted for the second time in a row.



“Twilight. Could you perform a scan on the creature?” Luna asked.

“What if it’s dangerous?” Twilight asked.

“I highly doubt a scan can become lethal. But if that does occur, I shall be here.”

“Okay princess.”

Twilight charged her horn up. A purple beam ejected out of it and into Erin’s unconscious body.

“What do you see?” Asked Luna.

“She’s a female…Early teens.”

“Anything else?”

“There’s something else here…Oh my Celestia.” Stammered Twilight.

“What.” Said Luna, her voice turning to a tone of panic. “What do you see!?”

“Not see, feel princess.” Replied Twilight. “Scan her yourself and you’ll see.”

Luna charged up her horn. What she felt in Erin sent her blood running cold.

“What is that?!” Exclaimed Luna.

“It’s like another form of magic, but it’s too strong to be magic like ours.” Hypothesized Twilight.

“But why didn’t it attack us?” Luna asked.

“She didn’t attack us princess, She seemed more frightened than willing to attack us though.”

“Strange with all that power inside her that she would not fight.” Said Luna.

“She didn’t hurt anypony, except that one guard that attacked her.” Stated Twilight.

“I shall make sure that guard is punished for disobeying orders.” Confirmed Luna.

A bright light engulfed the sky. Luna and Twilight looked up to see Celestia flying down as fast as she could.

“Sister.” Celestia said in a graceful tone. “I came as quickly as I could.” 

“You have arrived just in time sister. We have scanned the creature and found something phenomenal. Would you like to explain Twilight?” Asked Luna.

“Well princess, the creature is not that old, seems to be female and a bipedal. But her magic levels are off the charts. I wouldn’t even call it magic, more of raw energy.”

“We also think that it grants her certain abilities.” Continued Luna. “She can run extremely fast and produce what seems like lightning from her…Whatever those things at the ends of her arms are.”

“I think they’re hands Princess. Like a minotaur.” Said Twilight.

The rest of Twilight friends came back with the CMCs tailing them closely behind.

“All the citizens are safe...Princess Celestia!” Screeched Applejack.

All of them immediately bowed to the monarch of the sun.

“Rise my little ponies.” Cooed Celestia. “There is no need for bowing.”

They got up.

“Have you found out what that…Thing is yet Twilight, darling.” Asked Rarity.

“First off Rarity, SHE’s not a thing. Secondly, SHE is perfectly capable of speaking Equestrian. You even experienced it yourself.”

“Sorry Twilight. You are quite right.” Rarity said elegantly. “And you Sweetie Belle, you’re in for a LOT of explaining to do.” 

Sweetie Belle and her friends cowered to the ground, trying to make themselves seem as small as they possibly could.

“Her name is Erin.” Sweetie Belle said meekly. 

“Erin, interesting name.” Pondered Celestia. 

“Yea, we’ve been talking to her and her brother for the past few days.”

“Wait just a gosh darned minute here.” Interrupted Applejack. “You’ve been communicating with Erin here and ya’ll ain’t even told any of us bout it!”

“Um…No.” the three fillies said in unison.

“And did you say brother!?” Yelled Twilight. “There’s more of them!”

*BANG*

The ponies covered their ears at the piercing sound of the bang. They turned around to see Riley, holding his smoking revolver in the air. 

“Get away from her.” He hissed at Celestia and Luna.

“Hey, ya’ll can’t just talk to the princesses like that ya brute!” Accused Applejack.

“I’ll say it again, please step away from my sister.” Riley drilled.

“That’s it, ahm gonna…”

“No Applejack.” Said Celestia. 

Celestia turned and walked closer to Riley. Riley could feel her, she didn’t seem dangerous but still, Fluttershy said herself that they can be unpredictable.

Riley raised his revolver to her forehead. 

“Calm yourself, I mean no harm.” Celestia Cooed.

Riley took his chances. He lowered the revolver to his side.

“Thank you.” Thanked Celestia.

“Now. Can you answer my question, have you hurt my sister.” Riley asked as calmly as he could.

“No, she has not been hurt.”

“Good.”

“Likewise, I would like to ask you a few questions.”

“That depends, what questions?” Riley asked.

“A few.” Celestia said.

“Fine, but not here.” Stated Riley.

“Where?” Asked Celestia.

“Do you know a Fluttershy?” 

“How do you know Fluttershy?!” Demanded Twilight.

“Twilight!” Yelled Celestia. “Please, no accusations.”

“I wanna know too. How do ya know Flutters?” Added Applejack.

“When my sister and I…arrived here. Fluttershy found us in the forest behind her house and helped us. I was wounded at the time.”

“How were you wounded?” Celestia asked curiously.

Riley pulled up his t-shirt. The ponies gasped and recoiled in shock at the healing bullet wound in Riley’s chest.

“That is a very *ahem* extreme wound.” Celestia croaked.

“Yep, nasty.” Said Riley.

Riley pulled his shirt back down.

“Well then, you were proposing about talking at Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“Meet me there.” Riley said. 

“Riley!” A voice yelled.

Riley took one step to the left. Rainbow Dash came crashing into his past position, ending up skidding to a halt in front of Princess Celestia.

“Princess!” Rainbow Dash squealed, immediately bowing.

Celestia sighed. “Rise Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash got up.

“Where have ya’ll been Rainbow?” Applejack asked. 

“Getting Riley.” Replied Rainbow.

“Are you saying that you’ve known the cre…Riley too?!” Exclaimed Twilight.

“Yea. Remember how the storm had some freaky lights in it that everypony had been talking about for the past few days.”

“The unexplained phenomenon. Yes I do remember that Rainbow Dash, go on.”

“Well, the CMC’s came running to me about a monster and then I met it which was Riley and then we fought each other and then Fluttershy stopped us and then…”

“Slow down darling.” Interrupted Rarity. “Are you saying that FLUTTERSHY stopped a fight involving you!” 

“Yep.”

“How?!”

“Riley will explain.” Rainbow yelled, pointing her hoof at Riley. 

Riley gave Rainbow Dash a death glare before continuing. 

“As you can tell, I have powers. A week ago, when Fluttershy found us. She was healing me when she accidentally cut something that she shouldn’t have. Spraying blood, my blood, into her mouth.”

“What does that have to do with her stopping Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked.

“*sigh* Fuck explaining. Essentially Fluttershy has powers like me.”

“B-but how is that possible?!” Exclaimed Celestia.

“You tell me.” Replied Riley. 

“Likewise, shall we continue to Fluttershy’s house and you can elaborate what is happening.” Suggested Luna.

Riley walked over to Erin’s unconscious body and picked her up.

“I’ll meet you there.”

“How are you…” Twilight said.

She was interrupted by a loud *FWOOMP*. All the ponies jumped back in shock at Riley unfurling his glowing, orange, fiery wings. He immediately took off, leaving everypony stunned.

“He has wings!” Exclaimed Twilight.

Celestia was the first to break out of her haze.

“We best not keep them waiting.” She started.

“Agreed sister.” Added Luna. “Let us go forth to Fluttershy’s cottage.”

Luna began walking down the road, followed by Celestia and eventually the rest of the mane 6.


“Fluttershy!” Riley yelled as he opened the front door.

He got no reply.

“Huh…wha.” Slurred Erin.

“Erin, you’re awake.” Exclaimed Riley.

“Did I miss anything?” Erin asked.

“Yea, I’ll explain later.” Replied Riley. “Just go lie down on the couch for a bit, get a bit of ice if you need it.”

“I’ll be ffffffffine.” Said Erin.

Riley put her down and she stumbled into the living room. Riley went upstairs to look for Fluttershy.

“Maybe she’s still sick?” Riley thought.

Riley walked to the bathroom door and knocked on the door.

“Fluttershy, you in there?”

He got no reply. 

Riley grabbed the door handle and gave it a jiggle, it was still locked.

“Oh shit!” Riley thought.

Riley used his immense strength to burst through the door. The room was a complete mess. The walls and floor were caked in vomit, and the room was completely trashed. But the weirdest thing was a woman was lying in the middle of the floor.

“The fuck?” Riley said, confused.

Riley approached the woman. She was yellow, fairly skinny, had pink curly hair, yellow wings and three butterflies on her hips. Riley couldn’t believe it. Lying in front of him was Fluttershy, but in a human form. 

Fluttershy stirred, she got up and turned towards Riley. 

“Riley.” She said.

Riley’s reaction was to immediately jump back and cover his eyes.

“What, did I do something wrong!” Exclaimed Fluttershy.

“You….um….you’re uh naked.” Replied Riley.

Fluttershy looked down at herself. Surprised at her new form.

“Wait here.” Said Riley as he darted away.

“Um…okay.”

Fluttershy continued to inspect her now form. Instead of her hooves, she now had hands and feet. She wiggled her toes and fingers. It felt extremely weird to her, and Riley never had a problem with her being nude when she was a pony, why now?

Riley came back with a pile of clothes in his hands.

“Put these on.” He said. “They should fit you since you’re about Erin’s size.”

“Do I need to?” Fluttershy asked.

“I would.” Replied Riley.

“Why.”

“Where Erin and I come from, being nude is not advisable in public.”

“Can you help me get dressed?” 

“Huh…” Riley said “Um…sure.”

Riley mentally slapped himself.

“Okay, what do I do first?”

Riley joined Fluttershy in the bathroom, all while repeating “Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck.” In his head.


After a painstaking few minutes. Fluttershy was finally clothed. 

“There we go.” Said Riley.

Fluttershy inspected herself in the mirror. It was nothing fancy, just a plain blue t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

“I love it. Thank you Riley.” Thanked Fluttershy.

“Uh…You’re welcome.” Replied Riley.

“Will I stay like this forever?” Fluttershy asked out of the blue.

“Stay like what.”

“You know, human.”

“I would call you a human Fluttershy. You’re more of a pony-human hybrid.” 

“Huh?”

“You still got wings and pony ears.”

Fluttershy felt her head and her back, still able to feel her pointy ears and feathery wings.

“So…I’m a hybrid.” Fluttershy shrugged.

“I guess.” Replied Riley.

“What if I don’t want to be a hybrid.”

“So you don’t want to be a hybrid.”

“I don’t know, I’ve only been a hybrid for a bit. Maybe the princesses can change me back if I don’t want to be a hybrid.”

“You can ask them soon. They’re coming here.”

“WHAT! The princesses are coming HERE!” Exclaimed Fluttershy.

“Is that a big deal?” Riley asked.

“That’s a BIG deal.” Continued Fluttershy. “And my house is a mess.”

“Okay okay, take a chill pill. I doubt they’ll mind. I met them and they seem…Nice. They didn’t kill Erin.”

“They found Erin, and you’ve met them!”

“Yes.”

“Please tell me that you made a good first impression with them.”

“Ehhhh…Kind of.”

“Oh sweet Celestia.” Fluttershy sighed.

“Hey. In my defence, it looked like they were attacking Erin.”

“You ATTACKED them!”

“*Sigh* Fuck sakes. No, I didn’t hurt anyone.”

“Good.”

Riley walked downstairs with Fluttershy following closely behind. Erin was snoring on the couch.

“Erin.” Riley said.

“Huh…wha?” Erin said as she rubbed her throbbing head.

“You feeling okay?” Riley asked.

“Yea, just a headache.”

“See, I knew that you going out was a bad idea.” Riley said angrily. “Fuck me I should’ve said for you to stay here.”

“It was an accident.” Insisted Erin.

“I know but still…”

“Still nothing, accidents happen.”

“*Sigh* Fine, I believe you. But those Princesses are now coming here to talk to us.”

“They’re coming here!” Exclaimed Erin.

“Yes, so get up and make yourself look moderately presentable, that black outfit really doesn’t look great.”

“Since when did you start giving fashion tips?!” Accused Erin.

“Since right now. Now go on.”

“Fine then you don’t have to…Fluttershy!”

Erin gawked at what was in front of her. It was Fluttershy, but as like a human pony hybrid.

“What happened to you Fluttershy?!” Exclaimed Erin.

“I’ll…um explain later.” Fluttershy murmured.

“Okayyyy. I’m just gonna get changed.” Continued Erin.

“You do that.” Said Riley.

Erin walked upstairs.

“Use my bedroom to change, not the bathroom.” Fluttershy called out.

“Got it.” Erin replied. 

*KNOCK KNOCK*

“Oh no, they’re here.” Said Fluttershy.

“Relax, everything will go well.” Reassured Riley.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I am."

Riley approached the front door and turned the knob.