> Hum Drum vs Power Ponies. -Operation D.R.A.G.O.N > by CaioCoia > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's an amazing night at Maretropolis where the ponies can enjoy the night of relief after the great parade for their heroes and protectors on that day, where the ceremony was celebrated on that day showing their approval and cheers to their heroes, the ponies they call Power Ponies. Maretropolis can finally rest after another great battle between their heroes against all the crimes in that city, the night with all the skyscrapers made the view of the city even better, making everypony enjoy their night of rest like always... Well not everypony. There was a sentinel at the night, who had worked during so many nights to achieve his goal, be a better pony and help his friends to fight their enemies. A little colt with a dark green fur and a messed brown mane which almost nopony, just 6 ponies knows his name but mostly they call him by his sidekick name... Humdrum. Hum Drum was in his bedroom welding glasses making some noise with some tools while he was holding a piece of metal in his hooves. He adjusted the machine in his mouth to correct the cracks he fused over the metal covering his hoof while sparks were going to everywhere above his table. Some pieces of metal and circuits were up from the table showing an unknown project he has been doing for hours. And it seems nopony knew what he was doing. Until by surprise, a voice came from his behind. "Hum Drum." The voice made the little colt jump from his seat and release the metal covering his hoof and the torch machine over his mouth. Humdrum turned back, making take a long look over his captain and leader of nopony less than the Power Ponies itself. His friend and the pony who took care of him. Masked Matter-horn. It was difficult to see her identity as a hero without her magenta hero suit, but for Humdrum, he couldn't miss the pink fur and violet mane she has. Humdrum quickly using his foreleg launched a strap of fabric covering the table while turned his chair to look at his captain. "Masked, you really scared me. What's the problem?" Humdrum smiled nervously after recovering from such a surprise of Masked Matter-Horn. She decided to ignore his nervous action, and after taking a deep look over the covered table, she decided to forget what she was thinking and decided to get straight to the point. "What are you doing up this late? It's midnight and you need to sleep." While many ponies might think Masked Matter-Horn is the leader of Power Ponies and Humdrum being her sidekick. She doesn't see it like that. She always gets worried about him like he is her little brother which she needs to protect and train him every day until he is ready to take everything on his own. And on the next day, Zapp would train him personally, and she will not take easy on him that's why he must be 100 percent ready for the training on the next day. "I know that Masked, but I still need to finish this, I will sleep after I finish this. I promise." Humdrum decided to turn his chair to his table, waiting for Masked to leave his room. But his response made her even more worried than before. "Okay, but please, take care of your health." She decided to give him this advice while receiving a nod from the little colt, after that she left the room in silence. After Masked left his bedroom Hum Drum got up from his place and locked his door, he didn't want more distractions anymore, he took off the fabric and continued making another piece of his project. "Another done, but I think I will need more. I don't want to stay back anymore, I won't be their shadow again." He looks to his sketch, many formulas, many graphics and drafts made by himself, if another pony takes a look at that sketch they would say it was just a bunch of weird draws, it's complicated to imagine what was that kind of things from their perspective. "Now I just need to take care of you." Humdrum looked at the little ball made of little pieces, which were incomplete from missing pieces over the table. He took another hour to finish another of his own project, and the look on his face showed his efforts it worth it. He was proud of his work. "Time to test this beauty." He touches the little ball that was near to him. The little ball opened and transformed into something, his smile just showed how much happiness he was in that moment. "It works." He said cheering after getting sleep at the table. But his happiness transformed into conflict because after taking a look at the clock, he found out he was working until 3 a.m while the training with Zapp would happen at 7 a.m. Which means he would just have 4 hours of sleep. "Oh buck, Zapp will be really furious. Well better start to sleep now." He ignored his worries and decided to close his eyes to have finally a little time of sleeping. While not knowing everything would depend on him the next morning. 4 hours later it was time for him to be on the combat training. Needless to say, it was much harder for Humdrum because of his lack of sleeping and the brutal attacks from Zapp. Her cyan blue fur mixed with her dark blue mane and deep blue eyes made a huge combination of the blue, white and yellow suit she has, and her electric nature, making everything even more difficult for the little colt. Dodging from lightings and receiving buck attacks from surprise attacks, was something Humdrum usually was being trained week by week against Zapp, while he has been getting used to knowing the attacks, he isn't strong enough to defend it or to attack Zapp. "Oh come on little guy, I know you can do better than that." Zapp sounded genuinely sarcastic because she knew Humdrum wasn't giving his total effort and decided to provoke him and supporting him at the same time while using a charging bolt on his hoot. Hum Drum was doing his best to not slip in the middle of combat, but it was difficult to keep concentrated and few sleepy at the same time. However, he tried to make all the effort to not look sleepy or tired and make his friends angry because he slept late at the night. "That's everything you can do Zapp? I was thinking you wanted to do this battle the hardest possible, I can believe you are taking easy with me." Hum Drum clenched his teeth while knowing he would regret that later, but still he challenged Zapp to give her worst. Like he was insulting her abilities to make that training a real training. Her eyes went wide before she narrowed in such power as it was making her eyebrows show electricity. "Oh, you will regret that." She didn't like his answer and charged a Lightning Bolt to him. "yeah, I agree." Humdrum murmured while his blur vision made him receive by luck or by instinct a perfect roll in perfect timing. If Hum Drum didn't have rolled on his side, he would be a perfect victim of Zapp powers, because he could sense the burn on the floor near him. Hum Drum gulped imagining the situation that moment would be if he would let Zapp uses her Lightning Bolt-on him. He would die definitely. "Dammit, I missed it." Zapp cursed aloud her accuracy because she really wanted to hit him. Humdrum was satisfied with the effort he did, but he knew deep inside he couldn't take anymore. So he looks up straight to Zapp and decided to take the moment. "You damn right you missed Zapp. You know what? I give up. I don't feel okay to have a battle with you." Hum Drum decided to get up from the floor and quit from that madness the less possible. "Oh, are you scared? Are you threatened by my power? Have you become a chicken? " She was mocking with him. "Two words for you Zapp, Get real" Hum Drum walked and crossed the door. Hearing Zapp groaning angrily he decided to ignore, he already has the moral victory, for him, it was enough. So when he was crossing the corridor, he wanted to go to the kitchen take breakfast and go back to his bedroom. But in the middle of the corridor, he couldn't see not one pony, but 3 ponies were following him until the same voice from yesterday asked a little question. "Where are you think are you going?" After looking back Humdrum looked from his behind and saw not only the same pony while wearing her magenta uniform Masked Matter-Horn and 2 other ponies... One has a light brown fur and white blue mane while she was wearing a red uniform with black straps over the uniform looking at him while following her leader meanwhile the other pony is a light gray mare with a brown mane, while she was wearing a green uniform looking in concern to humdrum. The names of them is Mistress Mare-velous and Saddle Rager. "I'm going to the kitchen then to my bedroom." He only answered that. The mare in the red uniform named Mistress Mare-Velous came upfront and looked at him suspiciously. "Yah in that bedroom a lot of time, we want to know what are yah doing there." Mistress Mare-velous sounded concerned in her own way, she has a tough nature while on her inside she meant something unusual. "Is there a problem yah want to tell us? Or there is something you are hiding from us?" Humdrum doesn't like to lie to his friends, but he was too tired to think on a lie, so he decided to keep walking until she went quickly on his front, blocking his path with her hoof. "Humdrum... Tell us." Mistress Mare-velous decided to raise her warning tone to Humdrum, making close his eyes, and after opening look closely to her. "You didn't sleep at all, did you?" Masked Matter-Horn went on his front with Saddle. "Please Humdrum... Tell us." Saddle Rager with her tender voice, made Humdrum finally say something. "Girls please, I promise you I will show you after I have done everything. It's still needing some repairs...But when it will be finished I will sleep a lot and show you what I'm doing there" Hum Drum made a gentle smile. Mistress sigh and let him go. "Fine." Mistress Mare-velous murmured while making the path for the little colt, but the three of them kept walking with him at the kitchen. While going there Humdrum took a toast and with jelly he made a good breakfast to him. While the girls were looking at each and other and taking a fruit for breakfast. "Humdrum, could you please take your mask off?" Saddle Rager gently ask the little colt which was still bitting the toast in front of them. Humdrum sighed to himself while he took of his mask, making the 3 girls gasp. His face were with little dark circles on his eye. "Humdrum, you shouldn't always sleep late at night, you are still a colt, you just need to sleep 8 hours to grow up, we are worried about you Hum Drum, why are you keeping such a secret from us?" Masked Matter-Horn asked looking to him. "It's something I'm working for a few weeks, is something to help me every-time I need. I know it will be silly but I need to be ready if something terrible will happen. I can't count on you forever." Hum Drum said to Masked Matter-Horn looking in her eyes. His eyes are blacks of tiredness. "You need to sleep Hum Drum, finish your busyness later. It's an order." Masked Matter-Horn narrowed her eyes and stomped at the floor making the mares surprised and the little colt angrier. Hum Drum was getting angry and groaned. He really wanted to respond, but he couldn't find a good answer to someone who was his own captain so he finished his toast and looking at the floor responded. "Yes sir." He left the kitchen, making the mares waiting for the green colt march to his own room, and they were looking at each other until the door was shut with all force and loud enough for them to hear it. "Are you sure about that Masked? Maybe he was right about that." Saddle Rager did her best to be the last of to talk because she doesn't want a discussion with her friend. "I don't know Saddle, but even if he finishes his work, that will not change that he doesn't rest enough all days and the results will be he will always get tired the missions, and that's unacceptable." Masked Matter-Horn said thoughtful and thinking about what she had to do. But sadly she didn't have a good time to think about it because the alarm echoed from all the base. And the same second the alarm started Masked Matter-Horn, Mistress Mare-Velous and Saddle Rager went straight to Operation Central to see something which made them look at each and other by surprise. Masked Matter-Horn couldn't believe the scene which was happening in front of her. A yellow mare with an indigo mane and blue uniform with sharps of diamond on the uniform was being held on her place by somepony she could guess easily who is, it was a lime green mare with an orange mane wearing a white uniform with purple arrows. It was Fili-Second who brought Radiance into the Operation Central. "Fili-Second Put me down in this instant." Radiance annoyed by Fili-Second demanded to get down. "Sure Mommy" Fili-Second dropped Radiance on the floor in the same second. Let her get hurt after the fall. "How unladylike you are." Radiance get up and tried to remake her posture after the fall. "You said you wanted to get down, and that's what I did." Fili-Second didn't understand what happened there. "Urgh, forget about that." Radiance decided it doesn't make sense to talk to her. "Okay." Fili-Second ran to Masked Matter-Horn "Hey Mask, Hey Mask, what the alarm was for?" "I'm looking for Fili, wait a minute." Masked Matter-Horn was looking at the central computer. And found something, Mane-iac was stealing a giant laser weapon in the Central Museum of quantum physics and Magic in Maretropolis. And laughing like a mad mare like she is. "I found it, Power Ponies, let's do this." Masked Matter-Horn clicked the button making the floor open up, and the team jump straight to the subfloor and run in the direction of the street. While they were running, something crossed in the mind of one mare of the team. "Wait, where is Hum Drum?" Radiance asked after taking a look around and not finding the little colt near them. "He was tired after working on a project he didn't show us yet. And was sent to his bedroom to sleep." Mistress Mare-velous said making Radience nod her head understanding the information. "Ah don't know what he is doing on his room, but sooner or later he will open his mouth and show us what he is hiding." "Mistress, why you keep insisting to know his private projects? You are horrible to demand such privates situations from a foal like Hum Drum? He is just a little colt but he needs some privacity. Anyway,if you are orphan and has nowhere else to live than the Power Mansion, wouldn't you want the same? He lives there while we have our lives to do, and have our identity secrets to keep. Did you ever think about how he feels in the first place?" Radiance from all the Power Ponies understands Hum Drum, sometimes she has pity for him. Mistress Mare-velous tried to ignore the commentary but she understood what Radiance was talking about. But it's time for the mission, maybe after that, she makes apologies for him. Not only Masked Matter-Horn was listening to all the talk but all the other Power Ponies. "Yeah, having a night without sleep and have a tough training on the next day what would you expect from a colt?" Saddle Rager sighed while her crew mates looked at her with wide eyes. "What? It was true." "He didn't sleep the night before training? Damn, I never knew he was tired when we were training for combat fight, but he even tried made me miss my lightning, and even tried to excuse himself? I forgot about him living in that place when I am flying with the pegasus elite squad. Living in the Power Mansion and to be the only pony there, it was. Lonely." Zapp admitted Hum Drum was in the worst situation. "Maybe we make a party after that for him." Fili-Second was running using her powers trying to maintain her optimism and her idea actually made a little smile from her friends. "Yeah, I agreed with that. To show him how appreciated he is for us." Radiance agreed with the idea. "Alright girls, let's finish this mission and after that, we make a party." Masked Matter-Horn was smiling when they finally come to the Central Museum. Meanwhile: Hum Drum tried to sleep, but he can't, he needed to do this. He caught one metal ball and went to the Central Room and plugged in the giant computer. He entered multiples codes, looked in the computer, and moved many archives the computer becomes black and he entered one giant code: C#352.c#D.R.A.G.O.N move/ip.archives. After that, the screen of the computer becomes black and blue but one symbol of the dragon appears on the screen with one bar with 0% going to 1%. Hum Drum made a smile and went back to his bedroom. "I'm going to help you girls. I promise." He said after getting sleep. Looking at his table like it was some objects useful for him. He yawned and sleep in his bed. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Few hours passed in a blink. But it was what Humdrum needed for the day. Opening his eyes, Humdrum could feel the difference between being awake all night, and having a good time to sleep. He felt he could finish the project and even had the training with Zapp on that moment, but his face showed a bit of a bit of regret for not listening his captain at the night. “Well, later I should give an apology gift to Masked.” Humdrum thought after taking a look on his own table, looking detailed as his own prototypes. All of them seemed to be completely, just waiting to make a test. Sharpen boomerangs, balls with chains, smoking bombs, grapple gauntlets, an eye glass visor, and a mechanic ball which showed many fissures covering itself. Humdrum smiled at the little metal ball and took with him while he went straight to the Hall Monitor of Power Ponies, where all the computers of the heroes is connected with the government system. Checking the computer clock, he noticed it passed pass 4 p.m. "It seems the girls are in a mission, usually when they go lately at a mission, after they get done they will just go to their houses.” Humdrum look at the book near the floor and inside of a fissure near the computer he took a little book from it. He checked a few pages and after connecting the little ball with a cable he then pressed a few codes on the computer hall. “Let’s test it to see if is working." Hum Drum after pressing the center of sphere with his hoof made the piece of metal shine. Looking at the piece of metal shining, he gave a satisfied smile while he decided to login. "D.R.A.G.O.N activate, Hum Drum online." Hum Drum used the voice command over the metal sphere near him, and watched closely on what kind of results it would make this little project. The machine started to transform in what would be a combination of a scaled animal with wings, after looking a few minutes the metal combined themselves to make an even more realistic version of what would be a dragon while his eyes shined in a bright green color on it´s eyes while it wings started to grow twice of size. And by using his winds he open flight over the room, making it a success of a true Dragon made by metal and circuits. "Digital Reactor Automatic General Organized Network activated. Hello Sir, how can I help you?" The voice of the machine didn’t sounded robotic, but it was like a tender butler voice who came near to his master to follow his orders. The dragon machine it landed over the little’s colt head while Humdrum happily jumped on his place. "It works!!!” Humdrum was really happy with the first try of this little project, he has been working on this prototype during 4 months, collecting the material from failed robots from villains like Mane-ac, he did his best to make the circuits wouldn’t be discovered by his team mates, while he prepared the project while staying many nights sleeping late. Finally all his work has being paying for. “I can’t wait to see the girls reaction tomorrow after knowing him. I name you D.R.A.G.O.N, DRAGON for short.” “Aye Sir. Waiting for your first command.” Dragon raised it’s head waiting for the first order from the little Humdrum. “You are still incomplete DRAGON, you lack official records over Maretropolis. I need you to download and check all the criminal records during past 3 years." Hum Drum gives his orders to the metal dragon. "Downloading of criminal records. 20%,40%,80% downloading concluded." DRAGON landed in his head and said after downloading the archives. "Recent Criminal case." Hum Drum tested the knowledge of his creation. "Power Ponies and Mania-c robbed the central bank of Maretropolis." The answer made Hum Drum confuse. "What? Maybe it’s a programming error. Can you repeat again DRAGON, what happened?" Humdrum checked the central computer of the room which was reading the codes from the robot sidekick, but strangely all the codes seemed right, that was because of the book Humdrum was reading. Humdrum decided to give a check on the main cameras of the central bank and what surprised him was the videos of his friends and his arch nemesis Mane-iac working together… no… it was more like she was commanding the Power Ponies from, her place. “DRAGON, check the crime scene, and scan possibility circumstances. I hope the code I gave to you would be enough for that.” Humdrum commanded while he waited the little dragon over his head, made a connection of the Computers over the Computer Hall, and after a minute, DRAGON finally gave a reply. "From my analysis Sir, Mane-iac from secure cams over the city, she seemed have trapped the Power Ponies while making them fall in a bait, and used some kind of mechanical device to control each of them. They are being controlled by her, and from the records of testimonies over the Police Report it seems the Power Ponies are trying to fight against it but it’s ineffective.” DRAGON it only responding what he was programmed to do. Hum Drum was speechless all his friends will be like toys and will be used by Mane-iac to steal something, they will be arrested if the mayor know about that. “From the same records it seems Mane-iac is planning to use them as main force to steal an important artifact at the museum of Maretropollis." "I need to do something… DRAGON download of the plans of the Museum of Maretropollis, all security cameras from Maretropollis. Download all the systems of security and protocols of battle and defense. I need this right now." Hum Drum commanded while he moved fast to his room. "Downloading plans, and defensive protocols Sir. Do you want to active the Cloud to synchronize with your account Sir?” DRAGON question made Humdrum stop his tracks while he walking over the corridor. "Do you have a Cloud App? Sure why not?” Humdrum shrugged while he was ta “Synchronizing account Humdrum.PowerPonies.net. Downloading the archives, passwords, music, images, videos. 10%...30%...60%..95%... Download concluded.” After Dragon finished the download, he opened his wings and went directly at Humdrum’s door. “Open Door.” Humdrum said aloud while the door of his bedroom opened only for him and dragon who got inside. “Sir, do you want to listen to music while I’m downloading the rest of the archives of the Maretropollis Museum’s plans?” After suggesting this, Humdrum who was almost on his table to take some of his prototypes, stopped and looked at his creating with his mouth dropped. “You can do that too? Awesome! Wait, this isn’t the time for that. DRAGON while you are still downloading the archives and systems, you need an upgrade. Go to the codes inside of my download file and open the t.k archive DRAGON2.0, you need some apps on yourself. Code 100011001010001010." Hum Drum after taking a belt which was his size he commanded a new task for his creation with an code he created as well. He just hopped the codes he wrote on the file was good enough to make the circuits work in a new level. After a few seconds of silence, DRAGON laid over Humdrum’s mane and his eyes shined in 3 differences sequences of colors, blue, red and green. "Upgrading." The lights around the machine eyes changed in a sequence nopony would understand in the moment, but Humdrum smiled because the works and tests are running flawlessly. “Wow, it seems is my day of Luck.” Humdrum smiled while he took all the prototypes. "Even if all this is in phase of tests, I don’t have time for that, I just hope my luck would make all these prototypes work flawlessly. I hope all this works." Hum Drum put his utility belt around his belly, wore two rotating gauntlets in each of his front hoofs, and the third one installed on his back. After steeping out of his bedroom, he listened the machines over his mane. "Downloading concluded sir." DRAGON Finished his upgrading and went straight to the floor, while his body exoskeleton expanded while the metallic part remained the same size, creating what would be an aerodynamic version of himself. He was half size of the height of humdrum which as the size of a fool. Humdrum’s eyes sparkled, while he shook his head, and focused on his mission. The sidekick and his creation went straight of the Command Hall and After pressing the button the same floor which Power Ponies group jumped. Humdrum, alone with his creation DRAGON, sighed and took a deep breath, not thinking about the possibilities of mistakes, or he alone couldn’t save them. But just one thing passed on his mind. "I must save them, let’s go DRAGON. Let’s save my friends." Hum Drum jumped while his draconian machine flight inside of the fissure where it was the door. > Chapter- 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After passing the dark corridor which lead at the Maretropolli’s Streets, Humdrum and his machine has a huge obstacle to overcome, they must be at the Museum the quickest as possible. But for a colt running over the city wouldn’t be easy. "Master, I suggest you use your rotating gauntlets to move faster." DRAGON looked at the little colt who was thinking while looking around. "I was thinking on using it DRAGON, but I don’t have guaranties which will works. The only thing I can do is hoping it will work." Hum Drum close his eyes while used his right hoof to aim at the building, using the rotating gauntlet his body received a pull which made him go incredible faster while his body was leaving the floor. Launching him at an incredible height. "AHHHHHHH.” Humdrum didn’t calculate the speed he was flying, but after using his other hoof launched another grapple line to another building which made him swing in a front direction. “Well, it works, now I need to practice. I have to learn while I’m swinging at the museum." He used the rotating gauntlet until his body was used by the speed. The ponies who walked over the streets gasped from the sigh of a foal using a kind of power to jump of a building to another building using grappling lines. Just 2 or 3 ponies recognized it was one of Power Ponies doing that. Humdrum after swinging from many buildings he made a little mistake, he launched a grapple line at the edge of the building, which the grapple hook failed to stuck the building, and while in the air Humdrum was unable to launch the same grapple hook for a few seconds. "Oh no" That was the last words before he fall in the sky. He used all the air of his longs to scream for is imminent fall, while Dragon approached him to give a little suggestion. "Sir, you know you still have time to use the other grapple line right?" DRAGON whispered in his ears remembering him about his third hook. "Oh right, sorry." Hum Drum blushed while smiled sheepishly, then he pressed the button on his belt near his belly and another grapple line launched from the back of his belt. The third grapple line went directly to the near building next to him and using all the pull force was capable to make him launched at the wall of the building. The impact was harsh, but it was enough to make him sigh in relief. After waiting a few seconds to recover his breath, he shook his head and managed to jump from his place. "We don’t have time to waste DRAGON, let's go." Hum Drum launched another grapple line in the other skyscraper going more height than before. "Yes sir." DRAGON followed Hum Drum by flying and following his master. After a few minutes swinging over the buildings, Humdrum finally has a basic management over his gauntlets, and that was enough for him on that day. He didn’t know what kind of plan he has at the moment but it will be needed for the rest of the day. He needs to stay ahead of his friends and even ahead against Mane-iac. He already defeated not once, or twice, but at least he managed always to defeat her when he uses the only thing she doesn’t has. The imagination of a Foal. “The view of the Maretropollys was beyond amazing when you see from above the buildings, maybe that’s why Zapp loves to fly all the time.” Humdrum admitted he found the view speechless, and had some kind of envy over Zapp to has a kind of an awesome super power, and him. Had to work many nights to has a good view of what she see. At least his prototype is a success. After landing above Museum’s roof. Humdrum and Dragon decided to discuss their plan. “Alright, If I remember correctly from the reports you showed me. The museum has been closed for painting on this week. So maybe there is a chance of we get inside of Museum easily. But why would Mane-iac would try to rob a museum?” Humdrum asked to Dragon whose eyes glowed before showing an holographic picture. “Wow, it seems the holographic projector is really working and it’s awesome.” “It seems the crystal of radioactive spray energy is deep inside of this museum, for some reason they choose this place because the elegance and beauty of the crystal was enough to be treated an historic masterpiece. And it was already robbed once.” After showing the picture of the crystal, Humdrum let out a groan. “I can’t believe it. Zapp was right all the long. She will be on the ears of the girls during all the week full of herself because of that. Thankfully I didn’t say anything, I would be angry if Zapp would boast herself in my ear during hours.” Humdrum sighed while his little machine remained in silence. Humdrum felt a bit awkward from not having another pony to interact, but that wasn’t time for that. “Dragon, how much time do we have before the invasion starts?” “According to the villain social Media, MyVillain.com, she post a threat saying her plans will start at 10 p.m.” Dragon replying made Humdrum snicker from his place. “Goodness, villains has a social Media? Why would they use that to publish their schemes?” Humdrum chuckled after finding how silly that was. Maybe Mane-iac was despaired for being popular among the villains? Who knows? Then Humdrum gave a fake cough to make him to stay focus.“Anyway, we have a few hours. The museum is free from everypony since the painters always paints over the morning and stops at the afternoon. Dragon hologram of the main how of the museum.” From the simple order. The hologram of the Museum was amplified to show an hologram of the main rooms of the museum, like a blueprint in 3D. “While I don’t understand much about this. Dragon give me a report of the museum.” Humdrum cannot lie, while the hologram looks really cool and awesome, he cannot understand it. So he must rely on the only partner he has now, his creation. “Sir, we have 6 principal halls, one will lead to the prehistory hall, the aquarium hall, the medieval hall, the Egyptian hall, the Neighponese hall and the modern art hall.” The dragon robot explained in words the little colt could understand while he was nodding at the report. “Alright, first thing first, to confuse Mane-iac, let’s change the names of the halls, and make one A, other B, and other C.. and from now on, and make them try their luck to split themselves, that way I can try to reach every mare and find a way to make them come back to their selves.” Humdrum gave the instructions while some questions remained in his mind. “Dragon. Can you hack the systems and make them close and open whenever I want?” “I’m already hacking the museum system Sir. I will have all the museum system over my own command, you just need to give me the order.” Humdrum smiled after hearing Dragon already was 2 steps of him, making easier to him to plan some traps. “Alright, each hall will have traps. If I guess correctly which girl will be, that will make it easier to me to deal with every mare… Wait.” Humdrum was smiling but them he started to frown when a suddenly thought appeared in his mind. “That will not be enough if she already knew the place where was the artifact, I need to take the artifact and hide, and them make her lose her cool.” “I suggest some trash talking Sir.” Dragon opened his mechanic mouth and a paper was being print over his mouth. Humdrum watched fascinated from his creation, then he took the paper and started read. “Wow, Mane-iac will be peeved if she hears that. It might work. But, just for being sure. Dragon, tell me the probability of success.” Humdrum was smiling that would be so easy to deal with Mane-iac, nothing could make him lose… “20% of success and 80% of failure.” Until dragon dropped a bomb like that, making Humdrum scream in shock. “WHAT? But everything was planned like it was going to work. How that wouldn’t be possible?” Humdrum couldn’t believe it. “Many terrible factors would compromise the plan and would make high chance of failure.” Dragon with his emotionless robotic voice made Humdrum sigh trying to figure out what to do. “Unless you have in mind some sacrifices would be made Sir. That would make possible to make not just the plan work, but it would make 99,9% work. If you not hesitate, that would make 100%.” “What do you mean dragon? What does I have to sacrifice? What are you talking about?” Humdrum was trying to figure out what his little machine was explaining to him. “Sir, I believe great victories require some sacrifices and resources, and if your strategy would work, that would be needed to achieve your victory.” Dragon explained again with a little mystery on his voice. “That way you would be able to defeat Mane-iac and save the Power Ponies.” Humdrum tried to understand what Dragon meant, and suddenly thought passed on his mind. “Are you crazy?” Humdrum questioned his little robot. “You are not thinking.” “Sir, I would say there is an occasion where that would be necessary, however, if the plan went over 99,9% to work that meant probably there is a way you wouldn’t need to sacrifice it… However sir, just to be sure, please give the codes and passwords.” The robot dragon remained still in the air, while Humdrum used his hoof to scratch his foreleg thinking about what to do. “Okay, let’s focus on the codes, and then starts the traps, later we will discuss about these possibilities of happening, but I want to be clear Dragon, you are not going to do it unless it would be the last case, and if… IF, I don’t have another option.” Humdrum stomped his hoof over the floor making it sure, to his dragon listen to his commands. “I understand Sir.” Dragon remained in silence, while Humdrum decided to open the air vent over the roof of the museum. He prayed so much the plan of 20% would work. > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five hours late, one explosion destroyed the wall of the museum. Mane-iac moved with her tendrils "Muahahahah. Finally without my greatest enemies trying to stop me, I finally can retrieve the Anubis Black Sapphire and uses it’s power to the world domination. And the cherry of the top will be, the only heroes who should stop me, actually is helping me in my conquest.” Mane-iac was using an insane laugh. Zapp who was walking inside of the museum wasn’t within a good mood, actually she was really angry. “I told you all we shouldn’t let the artifact of world domination in the hands of museum, but did you listen me? NOOOOO. You said even if has the world’s most dangerous power, it’s still beautiful and part of Egyptian culture.” Zapp was being totally sarcastic, but her tone made Radiance and Masked Matterhorn blush, Mistress rolled her eyes while she didn’t say anything. “Stop talking you nuisance.” Mane-iac was getting tired of the noise the flying hero has being doing during the trip until the museum. “You already talked that for the 10th time.” “What you are going to do? You already were going to use the power of the black sapphire to kill us. Let me make all my friends knows I’m totally livid because I told them MORE THAN 20 TIMES, TO NOT LET THE POWER GEM INSIDE OF MUSEUM.” Zapp which were trying to fight the power which controlled her, didn’t work, so the only thing she can think is… let her die the way she wants, screaming and being angry because she was right. Mane-iac wanted to do something to Zapp, but she raised a good point, so she snorted while she walked in the main room of the museum. “You suppose you are right, fine, I will let you do whatever you desire to scream, it wasn’t my fault anyway.” Mane-iac smiled, while Masked Matter Horn glared at her. “It is your fault, you are trying to rob the black sapphire.” “Well I’m, but that would prove your friend’s point. So now that we are here, I’m going to finally take what will be mine.” Mane-iac laughed while the power ponies looked at each and other in conflict, while Zapp is angry, she was still concerned. The Power Ponies was in a difficult situation, there hooves were tied, they didn't have a plan to get out of this, Zapp tried to use her sparks but the microchip was shockproof and doesn't conducts electricity. Their powers were unable to do what they want because they were in the control of Mane-iac. They tried not to talk because Mane-iac was listening all of them, they can't say anything because she will already know. That was hard to admit, they were defeated. "MAAAAAANEEEEEE-IIIAAAAAACCCC" One voice echoed across the entrance of the museum, making all the mares turn around and see a little colt who was making a pose while staring daggers at the mare who was making the madness, that colt wasn’t happy to see them like that. “THIS ENDS NOW." The mares of power ponies palled in see the little colt on the museum, how did he found them? That was a situation there was too dangerous for their little sidekick. And hearing their nemesis giggle deviously made them have more concern to the little Humdrum. "Oh, well well well. Look what we found here. The little sidekick Hum Drum trying to be a hero, that's funny." Mane-iac mocked with him but his face showed no reaction of this insult. "Hum Drum, get away from here. Run" Masked Matter-Horn tried to take control of her body but it was useless. Hum Drum looked to her for one second but he looked to Mane-iac again. “You have the guts to use a machine to make all my friends and turn into puppets Mane-iac, while y…” Humdrum who was looking sternly suddenly his eyes opened wide, and then made a question nopony should have asked. “Did you just got fat?” The moment he asked that, the devious smile turned into a shock… And all the mouths of the Power Ponies opened in shock as well. “Excuse you?” Mane-iac who was shocked clenched her teeth angrily. “No seriously, did you just got fat? Because I could swear you were slim 2 weeks ago.” If words were like knife, Mane-iac would have been bleeding deeply from that moment. Because her pride were hurt and anger wouldn’t be the definition of what she was feeling at the moment. “Anyway, let… Is that a white hair?” Other question were asked, and this time the face of Mane-iac palled. “WHERE? WHERE IS THE WHITE HAIR?” Mane-iac looked deeply at her own tendrils. “Ops. Sorry it was my own imagination.” Humdrum laughed, while he could see the face of Mane-iac blush in anger and frustration. The power ponies were trying to hold their laughs, Zapp was really crying in silence trying to not make a sound. “You gotta have a good reason to be here than just launch such provocation little sidekick or I will personally destroy you.” Mane-iac wasn’t in mod to deal with this childish play, she wants blood. "I have a good reason. I’m going to give you a warning. You have 3 seconds to free my friends, or you will face the consequences." He said in a low voice but you can notice the seriousness in his tone. The moment he said mane-iac was doing her best to hold her laugh, but failed immediately. "HAHA, are you trying to threat-me? You? A little colt. Hahaha, What you will do if I say no?" Mane-iac laughed of his threat. "You did a big mistake.” The little colt raised his hoof near his mouth and showed a little gauntlet with a communication on it. “DRAGON activate the confinement. Code of activation 0100 Mane-iac FAT OLD RAG101" Hum Drum said the code loud enough to made all their mouths drop. Mane-iac eyes are blinking before twitching furiously meanwhile Zapp let a blast in laugh. "HAHAHA, FAT OLD RAG, he asked the questions on purpose…Genius. Unbelievable, you are my hero Hum Drum, your has more courage than I ever imagine in my life. You are the best." Zapp still trying to get her breath. At the moment Mane-iac was going to lose herself, suddenly the rooms were closed with metal doors and all the windows were closed with metal bars. And the sound of force field were heard from inside of the museum. They were trapped. "What the..." Mane-iac was caught by surprise of the doors were closed, so she angry looked to Hum Drum who was still in their front. “YOU…” The little colt smiled with a victorious glance, while she pointed to her. "I told you.” He said while he turned himself and started to walk. "Now you all are trapped in this museum, nopony will leave until I tell the code to release the confinement. And I will say the code only if you free them. You got no choice than release them." "I think you don’t understand the situation you are little colt. You are only a colt, while you made me lost my patience.” Mane-iac who before was annoyed, this time she was beyond her insanity, she wants the blood of the little colt in front of her. “I will personally take you with my tendrils and force you release the code, word by word.” The moment she launched her tendrils mane to the little colt who wasn’t even looking to her. “HUMDRUM” The power ponies shouted in worry, but the next thing what happened made them beyond speechless. The little colt pressed something and suddenly a little grapple hook were launched vertically and hit the vent, he then turned around with a smug face and then was pulled up by the hook line. Making the tendrils unable to touch him on that speed. At the moment he was over the air duct, the power ponies heard a sound of a gallop from the vents and then the sound was unable to be heard again The mares over the room was in silence, while Zapp was looking above her. "What the..." Zapp said looking to up. The air duct were closed with metal bars. "How did he..." "HUMDRUM." Mane-iac screamed in anger while the power ponies were unable to talk among themselves. The silence echoed over the rooms, until a speaker started to sound over them. “Hello, is this working? Great, hahahahahaha. It seems I got 2 steps ahead of you again Mane-iac… You always forget something, the only pony who always defeat all your plans is the only pony who you couldn’t capture. How does it feels? An old mare fooled by a colt again? HAHAHAAHA.” Mane-iac was so angry, the mares could see her head getting the color red, and even the tendrils has managed to has a bit of the color red on it. “YOU, YOU… I WILL MAKE YOU DIE PAINFULLY AND I WILL…” “Oh, and before you say something, all the rooms is with the sound isolation, so I cannot hear you… GOT YOU AGAIN HAAHAHAHAHAHAA. YOU MUST BE SCREAMING MY NAME AGAIN HAHAHAAHAH.” Mane-iac was groaning like an old animal, while the power ponies were doing their best to hold their laughs, but surprisingly all the doors inside the room giving 6 directions were open, but the exit were still closed and with a barrier around it. “I will be clear to you Mane-iac. The black sapphire is nowhere you and the girls know anymore. I took it and hide it in the only place I know. It can be here, it can be outside. The only pony who knows that is me.” The voice of the little colt made the villain look at the speakers carefully. “I opened all the doors over the 6 sections and I challenge you to find me. I’m nowhere over this museum, and I’m everywhere over this museum. And you have 30 minutes to find me.” “Or what?” Mane-iac forgot the speakers couldn’t hear her, but she ignored that. “I rec a video of your stupid face after you being tricked by me three times today, and I will publish on the MyVillain.com with you being marked as the most stupid villain of the year…” At the moment he said that, the girls of power ponies were confused. “NO, MY IMAGE. YOU LITTLE RASCAL.” “Now, play with me Mane-iac… Girls, I will find a way to save you, wait for me. 30 MINUTES MANE-IAC… TIK TOK, TIK TOK.” The sound of his voice made Mane-iac shake in anger in a way Zapp whistle. “Wow, and here I thought I can trash talk.” Zapp must admit, that was impressive. “Stop talking.” The power ponies stopped in their place while mane-iac eyes were in fire. “Each of you go to one door. Make sure to bring this little rat in my hooves, knocked out and beaten up.” “You rag.” Zapp said while her body moved on her own and ran away in one direction. While all the other girls, tried to control their bodies but each of them moved on their own. At the moment Mane-iac watched all the mares leave, letting her alone on the main room, smiling evilly, until all the doors she watched open, were shut in hurry and force when all the mares went inside of the rooms. Making her with her mouth wide open. “I thought you were going to go with somepony, but that made my day easier, thanks for that Mane-iac. I won again HAHAHAHAHAHA.” At the moment Humdrum said that all the speakers were in silence. Leaving the angry mare scream in rage. . . . “The first fase of the plan worked flawlessly Sir.” The little robot said while the little colt chuckled on his place on the air vent. “Yeah, I thought she was going to use one of them as hostage. But it seems I can work peacefully now. Dragon let’s start the operation defeating the lightning.” The little colt walked while the little robot eyes looked shining sharp. “Understood Sir.” “Zapp, I will rescue you right now.” The little colt said while his steps ran in the direction of one of his friends.