Chapter 1: Arrival

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Upon one of the many ruined and tendril-covered skyscrapers of the Red Zone, formally the southern half of Manhattan Island, a fairly large group of men, women and several children stood in the pouring rain. They stood completely captivated by the scene on a shorter building they were staring at.

The scene was of one James Heller and Alex Mercer locked in an absolutely vicious battle for supremacy. Blackwatch choppers circled overhead watching the battle unfold between the two ungodly powerful Blacklight beings, occasionally becoming a victim of Alex’s tendrils and getting thrown at Heller himself. But other than that, James and Alex paid no attention to the Blackwatch observers. Blackwatch itself knew better than to get involved in this fight and would have pulled back at a much safer distance if it weren’t for Colonel Rooks’ orders. The moment the man had been notified of the battle, Rooks ordered all his local air support to the area - not to attack either infected or support Heller, but to watch. If Alex won, then hopefully he would be weakened enough for Blackwatch to finally take down. If Heller won, then the problem was already solved.

Back on the tower, the people continued to watch the fight intensely. They were heavily invested in this fight, specifically in Heller winning. The reason why was because they were the rest of Alex’s Evolved army, and if Alex won then he would not be pleased in them not coming to his aid.

If one recalled the behavior of Alex’s other Evolved, then one would wonder why these were revolting. The reason was simple. Unlike those Evolved, these were recruited purely from the civilian population. These men and women were desperate and broken by Blackwatch’s cruelty. Seen as easily controlled by Alex, he infected many to use as elite cannon fodder against the armies of the world once he began to expand his operations outside the NYZ. However, Alex was never the deep thinking or planning type, despite what he may think or the empty praises of his Gentech and Blackwatch Evolved piled upon him. If he was, then he would have seen an obvious flaw in his plan. The fact is that once the “Cannon Fodder” of the Evolved army had no more reason to fear Blackwatch because of their new found strength and power, their initial loyalty would then fade quickly in the face of his sociopathic cruelty. Years of being looked down upon by the “elites” of the Evolved army - years of having no choice but to obey the brutal commands of their viral overlord and his Cadre of psychopaths - were finally coming to a head.

James Heller. Everything changed with his recruitment. Very few marines were recruited due to the fact the UNSC tended to screen out all the psychopaths Alex adored, but a few would catch the eye of an Evolved. So the rest of the Cannon Fodder simply assumed that James Heller was another marine that managed to hide his psychopathy or became twisted in the face of the horrific fighting of the Red Zone and the sanctioned atrocities committed daily by Blackwatch. They began to rethink this opinion when word reached them of Koenigs’ death at the newly minted Evolved’s claws. When operations began to fail all across the Green Zone, everyone had their suspicions of who it was. After years of success after success and Blackwatch recruitment standards falling ever further to cover their losses, it was clear that the Evolved had an enemy amongst its own. It didn’t take Alex long to find out who and, when he personally set out to “fix” the problem, the Cannon Fodder simply assumed that was that. Once again, they were wrong.

Somehow Heller not only resisted Alex’s attempt to consume him, but forced him back. It was with this news that the members of the Cannon Fodder Evolved began to have hope. More than a few members set out to watch Heller’s rampage against both Evolved and Blackwatch operations and became glad that Alex couldn’t pinpoint where Heller would stay when he wasn’t tearing Blackwatch a new one. Seeing Heller annihilate whole Blackwatch bases and tearing Evolved limb from limb had told the Cannon Fodder that going against him, even in force, would only end in their deaths.

Finally after both Black Watch and the Evolved suffered crippling blows to both their operations and manpower, Alex finally gave an order to the Cannon Fodder Evolved. They were to surround a building where Alex and his remaining Cadre of psychopaths would await Heller and once Heller did arrive they were to surround and overpower him through sheer force of numbers. But the Cannon Fodder decided to make a change to the plan. Instead of surrounding the building they would gather the whole of their numbers and watch from a neighbouring skyscraper. Choosing to do this had its risks, namely that Alex would likely consume all if not most of them for disobedience but that was only if HE won, and so far it was appearing to be not the case.

The Evolved collectively held their breath when they saw Alex charge at Heller with his blade and Heller choosing to block instead of dodge, an act that hadn’t worked before. But it seemed that the fight had finally drained Alex to the point his blade couldn’t pierce Heller’s shield and the former marine repaid Alex by quickly severing his blade with a claw. Recoiling away from Heller, Alex quickly formed a whipfist and shot it towards Heller and once again the rebellious Evolved blocked Mercer’s attack and severed that arm with his own blade. Visibly becoming weaker by the second, Alex quickly formed his two hammerfists and leapt into the air, intending to crush Heller. Forming his own hammerfists, Heller chose to meet him with force instead of getting out of the way like before. It only proved how weakened Alex was by the fight when Heller was not only not crushed by Alex’s blow but managed to catch his hammerfists in his own before proceeding to pull Alex’s arms out of their sockets.

Weakened to the point that even a certain Black Watch operative might have been able to end the Blacklight being, Alex fell to his knees, unable to regenerate and heal his wounds. At this the Evolved on the nearby tower began to crowd and lean over the ledge, eager to see their tyrant ended once and for all. They were rewarded with their patience by Heller taking Alex by the neck and proceeding to rip him to shreds and cut those shreds to pulp. Soon Alex Mercer was nothing more than a bloody stain on the tower, consumed by James Heller who was clutching at his torso and shaking slightly from the sudden intake of memories.

Finally… it was over. The remaining Evolved began to laugh lightly and smile for the first time in months if not years. It was over, they could finally-

It was then that James Heller exploded. The Evolved remnants fell to the ground with a startled shout as Heller became a massive ball of tendrils that proceeded to lash out and spread all over the Red Zone. The Evolved quickly got to their feet as large tendrils began to appear over the edge of the building and rapidly reach towards them. Claws appeared in a surge of black tendrils as the Evolved prepared to defend themselves and their own but the large tendrils stopped in place suddenly before rapidly retreating away. Slowly and hesitantly the Evolved approached the ledge and peered over it.

“Is… is it over Gabriel?” A blond woman asked.

“I think so.” Gabriel, a man wearing blue jeans, black sneakers, a white hoodie and a large ribbed black vest (1), said.

Gabriel then began to look for Heller, only to see that he had disappeared from his spot on the building below but that was not the only thing Gabriel noticed. The large viral growth and tendrils that had attached to the very building Heller had stood was now black and not glowing, everywhere else that Gabriel looked he saw dead viral growth or pieces of infected laying all over the streets below. Not only that but the red glow that the entire Red Zone emitted was now gone, leaving it dull and dark.

“I don’t believe it.” Gabriel said in awe. “He killed the virus, the whole virus.”

“Incredible!” The blond woman from before exclaimed. “It’s lucky we were standing on this building!”

Nodding in agreement Gabriel turned away from the ledge to face someone that stood away from the group, practically on the other side of the roof and stared at the others with untrusting eyes.

“Oskar?” Gabriel asked with an outreached hand.

“What is he doing here?!” The blond woman gasped and many other Evolved quickly reformed their weapons. “He was supposed to be down there with the other psychos!”

“It’s okay!” Gabriel shouted as he waved down the other Evolved. “He and I had made a deal, right Oskar?”

“… Yeah.”

“Oskar… it's time.” Gabriel stated as he reached a hand out to the apparently disliked Evolved.

Oskar was a fair skinned man, standing at a rather average height, possessed ice blue eyes and platinum blonde hair. He wore a pair of white runners, tan cargo pants, a white unzipped hoodie, a bright blue tee-shirt and a white bucket hat that left his eyes shadowed in the dark of the night. He was also one of the few Cannon Fodder Evolved that had been “promoted” to Alex’s Cadre when he had killed and consumed a Black Watch Evolved, despite the fact he had seemingly been consumed by said Evolved for impudence only for that Evolved to collapse in pain later and Oskar to appear in his place, thus appearing to have become another one of Mercer’s loyal psychopath’s to the Cannon Fodder Evolved.

For a few moments Oskar seemed to stand and not acknowledge Gabriel before hesitantly stepping forward and reaching out with his own hand to grasp Gabriel’s. To an unsuspecting observer this looked like an awkward handshake but to the Evolved on the roof this was an exchange of genetic information. There was a reason why they were the Cannon Fodder Evolved despite being Blacklight beings, Alex kept them held up in outposts all over the NYZ but mostly in the Red Zone. They were given a few useful traits and one weapon mutation and that was it, only Alex’s Cadre of psychopaths were allowed to stock up on traits, weapon mutations and roam the NYZ as they pleased. Being a part of that Cadre meant Oskar was allowed to do all that and be assigned important missions when Alex had deemed he had “bulked up” enough. Killing and eating a Cadre member meant Oskar was sent on missions from the get go. He was reported to be a very successful and efficient agent in the field because of the fact that he was never caught or that the aftermath of the destruction he wreaked only ever looked to be the work of “civilian agitators” to Black Watch.

Seemingly because of his origins as a Cannon Fodder Evolved Oskar was never that loyal or confident of Alex’s victory, he had actually been the first Evolved to notice Heller’s traitorous actions and instead of notifying Alex and ending the problem then and there, he had volunteered to work in the Yellow Zone to re-establish Evolved influence and control. This is where he had stayed and actually worked to do what he said until Heller began wreaking havoc in the Red Zone. He had received a recall order from Alex for him to be present at the final confrontation between him and Heller; he had replied that he was on his way but may not make it in time. This was actually not true; he was fully able to make it back in time but actually used the excuse in order to meet in secret with the “leader” of the Cannon Fodders, one Gabriel Cain. Once again Oskar had kept important game changing information close to heart in the form of the Cannon Fodders’ quiet rebellion. After an initial confrontation between the two, Oskar and Gabriel came to a deal. If Heller won then Oskar would offer up his whole arsenal of weapon mutations and useful traits to boost the entirety of the Cannon Fodders to his level. However if Alex won then Oskar would kill Gabriel first and foremost to keep Alex from learning of his sole remaining Cadre member’s duplicity. But since Alex was dead and nothing more than blood splatter on the ground, Oskar had an obligation to Gabriel to keep.

As Oskar withdrew his hand he contemplated his new situation, the sole surviving Cadre Evolved was both pleased and unhappy, pleased that the greatest threat to his personal safety was dead and that the other would be leaving the NYZ with his child very soon, unhappy that because of his sharing his strength with the weaker Cannon Fodders meant that in terms of strength soon all of them would have the potential to kill him. It would have been simple enough to go back on his word to Gabriel, with their numbers the Cannon Fodders would have been able to wear him down and kill him but Oskar wasn’t so stupid that he would just charge at them, claws swinging. He knew many viral quirks and tricks that would give him eventual victory. But backstabbing is a bad habit for one to have and would lead to his death sooner or later if he went through with it.

The roof under Gabriel began to crack and pieces of debris lifted in the air to float around the hooded Evolved as a blood red vapor began leaving his body; black tendrils surged and writhed over his form. Suddenly with a burst of air pressure it was over, Gabriel was staring at his hands in amazement.

“Incredible! I feel so much power!” Gabriel exclaimed as he felt his own biomass began to rapidly surge and grow without him needing to consume bio matter. A hide harder than steel formed under the Evolved’s skin, all his muscles became denser and many times stronger than they were before and that was only but a few of his new strengths and abilities.

Gabriel closed his eyes and indulged in the feeling of his new power for a moment longer before quickly turning on his heel and walking towards his fellows, eager to share with them his new strength.

Oskar stood still and watched as the other Cannon Fodders underwent the same changes. Suddenly the Cadre Evolved turned on his heel and walked towards a door leading to the building's stairwell. Oskar had a sudden urge to go downstairs for something, what that something was, the Blacklight being had no clue only that he needed to head downstairs for it.

The bucket hatted Evolved’s departure went unnoticed as the Cannon Fodders were too enamored with their new found power to pay him much attention, not that they were willing to have him around in the first place.

Oskar closed the roof door behind him and began to walk down the staircase. The Evolved tripped on the very first step and began to fall forward. Normally this would not be a danger to Oskar or even most people but instead of seeing a dimly lit staircase coming to meet him Oskar saw an endless plain of black dotted with white lights begin to rush past him. Before he could open his mouth and scream in surprise he found a grass covered ground appearing suddenly in front of him. Oskar slammed into the ground with a loud crash, kicking up substantial clouds of dirt. The Cadre Evolved lay a moment in stunned silence before letting out a growl.

In a place unimaginably far away and unbelievably close by, lived beings of great power and in mind boggling numbers. These beings were known for many things by many different peoples, leading hordes massive enough to make the ground quake in their footsteps, holding great strength and speed within their bodies making them able to go toe to toe with even the strongest warriors, masters of grand planning and subterfuge weaving plots that even mortal legends could face great difficulty unraveling, of these things all are correct yet at the same time all are wrong. Just as the average person these beings have their own preferences for what they like to do and their own natural skill level at it, some are great fighters, some are great strategists, some are great leaders of men and there are others who lie on the opposite end of the spectrum and those who are somewhere in between. As to whom these beings are and the name of their home… they are called the Astral Lords and their home is the Infinite Kingdom.

The Infinite Kingdom itself is a massive city scape that seemed to stretch on infinitely interrupted only by the occasional park or rooftop garden, buildings of various heights and widths filled the realm with some that seemed to be as small and thin as a cottage and others that seemed to be as wide around as a planet and stretch off into the “sky”. The sky itself was strange in that while there were clouds, if one stared hard enough they would notice that the sky did have a roof and that roof was another equally developed city scape. The entire realm was lit during the day by miniature suns placed between the halfway points between city planes and scattered here and there to light up the whole of the universe during the day, during the night the light of the suns would “burn” down until they gave a comfortable glow comparable to the moon. Finally it had to be said that the buildings and even the fashions of this massive place was based upon an era of an island country just north of your average Earth universe Europe, namely Victorian England… granted the whole idea of skin tight pants and powdered wigs had been thrown as soon as seen but the buildings reflected the culture of the era grandly. Great Palaces, grand estates, massive mansions covered in beautiful architecture and gilded in precious metals made the whole realm shine during the day and glint during the night.

In one such grand pearly palace, that was as wide around as the Earth and half as tall as the Sol system was wide, was a room containing a massive crystal ball, being watched by several Astral Lords and Ladies. The room itself was just as grand as one would think of a room within a palace would be, gilded furniture stuffed with the softest cotton, masterpiece paintings and masterfully carved busts, which went unnoticed by its occupants.

“Bored, bored, bored, bored!” An Astral Lady, who wore a gilded jacket rather than some grand dress, stated repeatedly. “When's he gonna do something fun?!”

“Just give him a few moments; these Blacklight fellows are always interesting.” An Astral Lord replied while watching the massive crystal ball, which was currently displaying a picture of Oskar shaking his head and getting up. “Even when they are not.”

“Well he’s not interesting now!” The Astral Lady whined before falling back into her seat with a pout and arms crossed.

“You’re just mad because the world you were watching got clichéd.” The Astral Lord replied as a fairly large popcorn bucket which actually held gummy bears appeared above, he reached out to let it drop into his grip but it moved over in midair and tipped over his head, the bucket fell a second later and covered said head.

Another Astral Lord lying across a neighbouring couch giggled at his handy work before turning to the Astral Lady.

“What were ya watching Astrid?” He asked her.

“Naruto.” Astrid grumbled. “It was getting good too. It had a sweet believable romance with Anko and awesome action scenes but then it started to get into harem hijinks and ruined everything!” Astrid shouted as she stamped her feet.

“Huh.” The Astral Lord stated simply. “I’m here because the guys I usually watch just got invaded by a batch of brawlers and now the reception gets all messed up when I try to look.”

“Pfffft, stupid brawlers.” Astrid scoffed. “Can’t just enjoy the show; have to actually get involved in it.”

“I dunno it's kinda fun to get into it.” The other Astral Lord replied.

“Meh.”

“Shush.” The first Astral Lord said, he had another bucket of gummy bears but had yet to remove the old one from his head, having only pushed it up enough to not block his sight.

“What, is something happening Orion?” Astrid asked as she turned back to the crystal ball.

“Not just yet.” Orion replied, tossing a handful of gummy bears into his mouth. “In just a moment or two though…”

Oskar scratched his head as he took in his surroundings. He appeared to be in a forest beside a river, a rather spooky forest. There was a low hanging mist everywhere he looked and the trees had shadows casted on their bark that just happened to make them look like they had freaky snarling faces. All in all it was pretty nice compared to the Red Zone at night, or even the Yellow Zone for that matter. The Cadre Evolved was still stuck on the point of just how he had arrived here in the first place though. It was at this point that a local resident of the forest Oskar had arrived and decided to make himself known.

A dark spot in the water suddenly bulged and out came a massive serpent like creature. It had purple scales, two arms with hands and a head of orange hair with an immaculate moustache that somehow managed to stay in place despite being wet. The serpent then turned his attention to the creature that had landed in a fashion that had looked rather painful and attempted to greet.

“Oh why hel-accck!” The river serpent got out before he was interrupted.

Out of the corner of his eye Oskar had seen a long thin shape come out of the water and his first thought was ‘HYDRA!’ of course being an Evolved in Alex’s army meant that unless he rebelled then he had nothing to fear from the hydras, but Oskar did not like hydras, AT ALL. It was to the point that he would attack them whenever he saw one, a fact that either amused or annoyed Alex Mercer depending on the situation Oskar had attacked a hydra in.

So thinking that a hydra with a death wish popped up beside him, Oskar proceeded to quickly morph his two arms into twin whipfists. Absently Oskar had noted two large eyes without yet realising that the creature before him was not a hydra and was beginning to speak to him. The Cadre Evolved quickly wound his arms up and proceeded to shoot both whipfists forward. The deadly harpoon headed whips shot forward and sunk into the eye sockets of the large serpent.

With a shout quickly cut short, the river serpent stayed up wobbling a moment before its corpse fell forward, landing on the river bank beside Oskar with a loud crash.

Angry scowl firmly plastered on his face, it took Oskar a few moments of breathing before his mind suddenly caught up with the situation. For one, he was most definitely not in the NYZ so this creature could not be a hydra, two, the creature before him appeared to be an arguably campy looking loch ness monster and finally three, it had SPOKE just before Oskar had killed it or rather him judging from the voice.

With that in mind Oskar proceeded to disappear in a mass of writhing black tendrils that, with a moment’s hesitation, proceeded to advance on the serpent's body and move into its torn eye sockets. The tendrils soon disappeared into the torn flesh of the serpent's eyes and before long the whole corpse began to rapidly twitch as shapes moved just beneath the surface of the scales. Suddenly the entire body had turned black for a brief moment before fading back into its old color.

The body of the serpent was now without any visible wounds, the eyes now restored and were now closed as the serpent continued to lay on the ground, seemingly asleep. Suddenly the eyes opened and the serpent rose from its place on the ground, it stretched out its arms and arched its back, as if waking from a deep sleep.

“Well this is different, I’ve never tried to take on the form of something this big before.” Oskar commented in the serpent's voice absently and idly wondered why he never tried before. “Well as interesting as this body is, it's time to take in the memories, here we go!” Oskar said before arching his back and grasping at his head, letting out a loud groan.

In a mere second it was done and Oskar was left staring wide eyed at the river bank. Images, thoughts, sounds, smells, opinions, all that was ever experienced, all that made the river serpent who he was flowed through Oskar’s own mind in a blur. A name, Steven Magnet, it was the river serpent’s. More memories flowed, some dull, colorless and devoid of anything that stimulated the senses, these were unimportant memories, rarely if ever remembered even a moment after their creation. Then were the other memories un-equal in the senses they evoked, some had incredibly bright colors and lacked all else, others had a blurry image but held powerful aromas and a few were deeply emotionally involved, the Blacklight being backpedal rapidly from those, unwilling to experience them in anything other than a detached viewing. Then were the memories which held great significance to Steven and involved all the senses, one slammed into Oskar’s mind faster than he could pull away from it. An image of a city from just above an ocean’s surface, a name leapt up, Vanhoover. Then the view suddenly plunged beneath the waves and Oskar was greeted with the view of a long emerald green serpent much like Steven that had a head of long purple hair. Sounds, beautiful music, the emerald serpent was singing and by the sounds of its voice and look of its face, it was a she. Emotions immediately leapt into being, a desire, a need, a want, the sound of a beating heart accompanied the singing. There was a scent, alien yet familiar at the same time, almost like a flower, to Oskar it was powerful, almost burning to his nose. Then the memory began to fade.

It would be here that Oskar started pulling away from Steven’s memories for a time after being caught in a powerful one like the one he was just in. But another vibrant one began rushing at him, accompanied by laughter and bright colors. Oskar, thinking it must have just been some sort of celebration memory, allowed it to come to him. He was not far off; it was not a celebration but more of a show, a fashion show. The view was from a river right next to where the fashion show was taking place. To Oskar the show was being watched by what looked to be dwarf horses of many vibrant colors, several minor memories from Steven leapt at him, names; Ponies, unicorns, pegasus, earth pony. The view shifted from the mares walking up and down the aisle, showing off the outfits they wore, to an off section where several unicorns were discussing fashion trends, a conversation that Steven seemed to be taking part in. While they were talking the unicorns began idly dressing up a dummy with many dresses and partially made outfits, their horns aglow as they manipulated the fabrics and cloths. This seemingly unremarkable to the unicorns and Steven brought a sharp jump of surprise from Oskar. The Blacklight being wondered at how the unicorns were doing that, moving things through the air with their horns when another minor memory came to Oskar with a simple answer… magic. And with that Oskar ended his assimilation of Steven’s mind.

Still in Steven’s form, Oskar continued to stare wide eyed at the river bank. His mouth worked wordlessly for several moments before he finally spoke.

“…Magic…” Oskar repeated dully, his mind awhirl. “…Magic…”

Magic was how pegasi flew with such small wings and at such high speeds, magic was why earth ponies were so strong and could work so hard and long, magic was what the unicorns used whenever their horns were glowing.

“…Magic…” Oskar said with soft laughter, his eyes glinting in interest.

Magic was what the unicorns also used whenever they wanted to protect themselves, as one memory of when Steven accidently startled one that specialised in just that attested.

“Such potential!” Oskar said as he thought aloud. “All the things I could do with such abilities, all the unknowns of what such genes may do if they underwent mutation!”

Oskar idly wondered why he was taking this revelation so seriously. Obviously he was not in his world anymore; a glance to the utterly alien star constellations only cemented that fact. It probably had to do with the physics defying viruses, the constant violation of the constitution by the government, the half trained army of psychopaths Black Watch had in their employ but a mere glance of this world from one perspective was enough for him to prefer this one to his home, not to mention that here no one knew about Blacklight, no one knew about him! Without anyone searching for him he could go unnoticed forever, he could seek power safely without constantly being hunted by secret organizations and neither did he have to deal with beings far, far more powerful than him watching him constantly for treachery. Even if he was found out about, he wasn’t even sure these people had the technology to even try to find him!

“Yes…” Oskar smiled as he twirled one end of his moustache. “I could finally be-eh!”

Suddenly Oskar was holding a severed piece of his moustache; he looked around but saw the forest and the low hanging mist. That is until he looked around above his head, there was a swirl of odd sparkling purple smoke that hung in the air before suddenly darting off into the forest.

‘The hell was that!’ Oskar thought in shock. ‘Okay enough messing around! I may be in a place without people actively hunting me but that does not mean there aren’t any that wouldn’t hunt the forms I take. This is a magical world… that could have been a fairy playing a trick on or a spirit doing… something. Arrrgh,I need more information! Now, are there any towns this river flows by? Hmmm, let’s s-hmm?’

Just off in the distance Oskar could hear voices approaching him, concentrating he could make out the whole group as girls, most likely mares,

‘Right… time to gather information.’ Oskar thought to himself. ‘Steven has talked to ponies before so I know I should be able to talk to them without them freaking out, good thing too, I’d rather not have to deal with more baggage eating someone brings. Okay so how does he… really?! I’m supposed to act like… oh well.’ Oskar thought with a sigh as he got into “character”. ‘Not as bad as acting like a skinhead at least.’

“Bye mister Sea Serpent!” Pinkie Pie waved at Oskar before trotting after her friends.

“Steven” returned Pinkie’s wave cheerfully until she and her friends were well out of sight before the cheerful expression fell away like the mask it was.

‘Well, that was a bit informative.’ Oskar thought as he twirled his fixed moustache. ‘I’m curious, what are they doing here? From what I can tell of Steven’s memories the ponies don’t like coming here because of how “unnatural” it is…hmmm…’

Oskar stared after the group of mares in thought before glancing at his moustache, or rather Rarity’s tail.

‘This is the moment of truth!’ Oskar thought excitedly as he tugged the tail off. ‘If this works, a whole new world of possibilities opens to me. If not… I’m going to be heartbroken but I still have this world’s possibilities open to me…’

‘Here goes!’ In an instant the purple tail was gone and immediately Oskar felt his body react.

Clutching his purple scaled chest, Oskar fell forward onto the riverbank. Halfway out of the water the Blacklight being began thrashing on the ground for a moment before finally raising his fist high above his head and brought it down on the riverbank with all his might. Black tendrils erupted out of and began covering Oskar’s body as he started to release a howl of exertion; his body became a large unrecognisable mass of tendrils, rapidly shrinking down into a smaller form. Tendrils finally forming a familiar shape, Oskar’s howl turned into a shrill feminine scream before he suddenly stopped as a pressure wave exploded from him and he fell onto his back, panting in exertion.

“I… I hope the reason for that was because of how different magic is.” Oskar said in a soft voice before climbing onto his feet; only to flop over almost immediately, Oskar looked down to see four marshmallow white hooved legs. “Oh right, those… I completely forgot. Okay, come on instinctive memory don’t fail me now.”

Much more carefully Oskar rose back onto his feet and began wobbling over to the riverside to get a look at his reflection. Looking down Oskar saw her face looking back at her with a curious expression, the Cadre Evolved now looked exactly like Rarity right down to the cutie mark on her flank. Smiling, Oskar gave a quick toss of her mane as she examined herself closely before her eyes landed on her horn.

‘Well this little thing was the whole reason for all that so I hope I can actually use it.’ Oskar thought with a troubled frown as she pondered how to use her magic… that is if she actually had it. ‘Maybe… maybe it’s like Eragon? Maybe the source of my magic is in the depths of my mind as a small spot and if I prod at it enough I’ll trigger it? Hmmm…’ Glancing upwards at her horn, Oskar shook her head. ‘Why should it be in the depths? My horn is right there, the part of my brain that controls magic should be in a section in the frontal lobe.’

Closing her eyes in concentration, Oskar used her absolute control of her body to her advantage. Drawing on the knowledge gained from eating Black Watch’s finest minds, Oskar began searching her blank unicorn brain for unknown sections and forcefully activating mental triggers. A few false starts and accidently turning her lungs and heart off later she finally had it.

“AHHH!” Oskar shouted in surprise as she felt… something suddenly flow through her horn. Eyes blinking rapidly, Oskar hesitantly “flicked” the mental trigger again and once more Oskar felt something flowing through her horn but this time she saw it as well. A bright purple glow surrounded Oskar’s horn and she quickly looked down onto the water’s surface, she was greeted with herself smiling like a kid in a candy store and her horn glowing brightly. Still smiling like a child who was told Christmas came early, Oskar flicked her mental trigger again and turned her flow of magic off. Suddenly she had an idea that somehow made her smile wider.

“Lumos!” Oskar shouted as she triggered her magic on and as she triggered it off she shouted. “Nox!”

Heart beating in mind addling excitement, Oskar began bounding all over the river bank in a fashion very much like that of a certain pink pony while shouting “Lumos!Nox!” in time with her triggering her magic on and off.

After a few minutes of doing nothing more than simply turning her magic on and off while shouting Harry Potter references, Oskar finally calmed down enough to try to do something more complicated with her magic.

Moving over to the riverside Oskar grabbed a small pebble with her hoof and began to concentrate on it before suddenly blinking her eyes in stupefaction. Oskar began rapidly looking back and forth between her hoof holding the pebble and the riverbed she grabbed it from.

“How the hell did I…” The Blacklight being began only to quickly shake her head. “One thing at a time Oskar, first master magic horn THEN solve mystery of magic hooves.”

Bringing her focus back on the pebble held in her hoof, Oskar triggered her magic back on and concentrated. Oskar spent the next several minutes staring at the rock with her horn glowing in the darkness of the night all the while but in the end all she managed was to get the aura around her horn to slightly bend towards the pebble.

“Damn it.” Oskar muttered as she threw the pebble back into the river. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I was hoping it would be easier for me. I really don’t want to spend the next decade or so in some pony equivalent of Hogwarts… I guess I’ll just eat a magic master or something. I’ll need more information about what those sorts of people are capable of though, before I commit to anything drastic and potentially life threatening to me. Which would require I find a town with a library or maybe a city… no I’ll leave off going to a city for later after I’m more adapted to the place and culture.”

“…Maybe if I follow after them they’ll lead me to a town?” Oskar thought aloud as she stared after the path the six mares had taken. Nodding in decision, Oskar shifted back into his default form and began jogging down the path.

‘Let’s see…’ Visible only to himself, Oskar sent out a viral pulse which came back after a moment. ‘They are still in range, not a surprise there considering they were on foot. Right, let's go!’

With that the humanoid virus started sprinting down the path, his footfalls tearing up large clods of dirt in his passage.

‘Spooky ruins in a spooky forest, not surprised.’ Oskar thought as he took in the ruins of an ancient palace. ‘Now where are those ponies?’

Suddenly one of the still standing towers in the ruins lit up like a lighthouse as the sound of someone loudly cackling in triumphed glee came from within.

‘Survey says! Spooky Tower!’ Oskar declared in mock cheer before making a massive leap towards said tower and gliding the rest of the way.

Landing with a soft thump, Oskar quickly shifted a whipfist and sank it a ways into the roof before “repelling” down the side of the tower towards a window. Coming to a stop next to the window Oskar slowly and subtly placed his hand on the stone sill to not attract attention, and then his entire form quickly degenerated into a mass of tendrils that moved onto the sill but managed to remain in a small extremely dense lump of black roughly the size of a fist. After doing so Oskar quickly shifted into a form that anyone would ignore in moldy old ruins, a rat. Retaining vastly superior vision despite the form Oskar took the scene before him in.

He was… not impressed…

“Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty! Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness!” Twilight began.

Twilight and her friends were in the middle of their final confrontation with Nightmare Moon, who Oskar had already deemed the villain.

‘Really, just look at her, how could she be anything else in this situation with that swirly energy hair of doom above her.’ Oskar thought derisively. ‘And not only is she the villain, she's an average villain! Look at her! Looking all shocked and outraged while that unicorn is just rambling along about whatever it is she is talking about. With the way things are looking I bet it is the key to her defeat or something.’

“…And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty!" Twilight finished. “The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us.”

“You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!” Nightmare Moon declared, desperation beginning to seep into her voice.

“But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all are...my friends! You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!” Twilight said to Nightmare Moon at first before turning to her friends.

‘Tch, if it were me up there instead of miss swirly hair there, those six would have been dead the moment that unicorn spoke up.’ Oskar thought, criticizing Nightmare’s villainy. ‘All it would have taken me would be a half second to form my whipfist and ‘BAM’ pony heads rolling. Seriously what kind of- WHOA!’

Suddenly in a fairly impressive light show, Twilight’s Element of Magic suddenly appeared above and settled on her head. But that was just the beginning, soon the other five mares began to float in the and their eyes glowed brightly with the power of the Elements, soon enough Twilight joined them herself as a buildup of rainbow colored energy appeared around the six. Then the energy shot forward towards Nightmare Moon in a powerful beam.

“No! NO! NOooooo!” Nightmare Moon screamed out as she was engulfed.

Oskar found himself forced to close his eyes as a sudden explosion of white light bloomed throughout the room yet felt no heat from what he thought was an actual explosion. When the light faded Oskar was met with the sight of the six mares passed out and Princess Luna lying on the ground with the pieces of her armor around her.

‘Wha-what the hell was that?!’ Oskar thought in shock, though his magic was only recently gained even he could feel the sure power in the air as it was unleashed. ‘What did they do to her?! She seems to be alright… but with so much… ENERGY they must have done SOMETHING! GOD DAMN IT TO HELL!! I thought I didn’t have to worry about this anymore! I thought I was safe from things capable of hurting me! This is what I get for letting my guard down and trying to relax! A FUCKING punch to the face!’

So focused on his internal rant and being angry with himself for not being more aware of his surroundings, Oskar did not notice when Princess Celestia swooped into the room through the window he was just using and began speaking with the now awake Mane Six. By the time he did notice Luna was crying into Celestia’s shoulder, saying sorry she was.

‘She… she’s different now…’ Oskar thought as he took the sight in. ‘Is that what they did? Rewrite her personality into something that would regret her past actions? Did I just witness a person’s mind get obliterated and get replaced with what is essentially an entirely different person?’

“Hello there little one.” A soft voice said.

Utterly startled, Oskar squeaked out loud in surprise when he saw Fluttershy staring at him as he sat on the window sill.

“Oh, it's okay I don’t want to hurt you.” Fluttershy soothed as she stepped closer until she was just in front of Oskar. “What are you doing here all alone? Is your home in the tower? Well come here, I’ll bring you home.”

As Fluttershy reared up to pick up Oskar’s rat form the Blacklight being found himself shocked into stillness with how close he was to one of the magical objects he saw used on Nightmare Moon.

Taking the rat’s stillness as permission, Fluttershy proceeded to attempt to lift it onto her back. The demure pegasus’ eyes widened when she tried to lift the rat only for it to stay put, the reason being Oskar being incredibly dense and heavy even when he was in his default form, this was even more so the case in such a small compact form of a rat.

“Urrr, gah!” Fluttershy stopped her second attempt to lift the rat and looked at her hooves with a pout. “I-I’m not that weak… am I?”

“Hey Fluttershy what’cha up to?” Rainbow Dash asked as she swooped over.

“I’m trying to bring this rat back to his home but…” Fluttershy began before stopping, hesitant to explain why she couldn’t.

“Buuuut?” Dash pressed.

“…It's too heavy for me.” Fluttershy murmured.

“…Pffft, Hahahaha!” Dash laughed aloud. “Seriously?! It’s a rat Fluttershy! How heavy could it be?”

To prove her point Dash quickly brought herself to a hovering position over Oskar’s rat form and reached down to lift him up. Oskar during this was too nervous of the proximity of the magical artifacts around him to do anything but allow Dash try her hoof at lifting him.

“Wha?! Holy hay! You weren’t kidding Fluttershy!” Dash said in disbelief as the rat wouldn’t budge from the window sill. “This rat is heavier than a cow!”

“What’s this ‘bout cows?” Applejack asked as she stepped next to Fluttershy.

“This rat Dash is trying to pick up is super heavy.” Fluttershy answered, pointing at Rainbow who was still going at it and flapping her wings ever harder. “I tried to pick it up too but…”

“Come on Sugercube leave the little fella alone, ya scaring him.” Applejack said, noting the rat’s scared wide open eyes.

“Almost got it, almost got it,” Dash replied as she just managed to lift the rat off the window sill and bring up about a foot. “Almost-”

With a squeak Oskar slipped through Dash’s grip and fell back onto the window sill. Being as small and dense as he was, Oskar not only ended up cracking the ancient sill but smashed right through it, falling down the cliff face to the forest far below.

“OH MY GOSH, DASH!” Fluttershy shouted as the rat fell out of sight.

“Crud.” Rainbow Dash muttered before quickly darting through the window.

If Oskar was a normal rat then Dash would have not only spotted him mid-fall but caught him as well. But he wasn’t a normal rat, Oskar was incredibly dense and small as well, he fell towards the ground like a bullet. By the time Dash flew out the window after him he had already reached the forest canopy, leaving one rainbow maned pegasus to nervously go back empty hoofed.

Down on the forest floor far below, a mass of tendrils exploded out of a freshly dug deep hole in the ground. The tendrils quickly took on Oskar’s default form who upon reforming leaned against a tree and released a relieved sigh.

‘That was far too close for comfort.’ Oskar thought as he stared up at the ruins far above. ‘There is no telling how they may have reacted if they found out about me. They probably would have mind wiped me as well and implanted some sort of subservient persona.’

‘I really don’t want to do this…’ Oskar mentally sighed as his viral sonar showed the ponies begin moving off. ‘But this is the quickest way to find civilization here. I should be okay as long as I keep a fair distance from them.’

With that the Cadre Evolved began running up the cliff face to follow the ponies home.

Oskar watched Ponyville from the shadows of Everfree. There was a celebration going on, it had started fairly soon after the ponies arrived in the town.

‘Probably congratulating them on their enslavement of a powerful being.’ Oskar thought darkly.

Putting those thoughts aside, Oskar began contemplating the near future. He had accomplished his objective of finding a nearby town and judging by the spires in the distance a city wasn’t too far away either. Now however he needed a disguise so he could get the information he needed, he already had a pony form thanks to Rarity’s tail but that pony lived in this very town, not to mention how suspicious it would be if “Rarity” started asking about things and places she should already know about. What Oskar needed was a pony from out of town… or at the very least one that would be heading out of town for a while… Oskar had just had an idea.

‘Hmmmm…’ Oskar rubbed his chin in thought as he studied the town before him. ‘I’m fairly certain I can do it, never needed to before but I had plenty of places to get a “disguise” in a city. Yeah… yeah if two normal humans can do it I can do it by myself.’

Oskar made a small smile as he watched the ponies continue to celebrate.

‘It’s just a matter of time from here on out.’

-TBC-

Anyone who's seen the first videos of Prototype that was showcased will recognise this as the outfit Alex wore before it was changed to the one he wears now.

Chapter 2: Infiltration

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A unicorn with a lime green coat, green eyes, a pink curly mane and basket full of flowers cutie mark was walking out of Ponyville with full saddlebags. Her name was Rose Locks.

She was a mare that simply wanted to see the capital and decided to get some exercise while doing it. So Rose had set out on her journey early in the morning, when the sun had only just been raised, eager to see the sights of the capital gates by the end of the day.

Rose continued on her journey and was making good time, she was fairly certain she’d reach the base of Mount Canterlot by noon. However it was also around this time that she had begun to feel uneasy. She kept getting the feeling she was being followed yet all around her were wide open grass fields with grooves of deciduous trees dotted here and there; still the feeling did not abate and only seemed to get worse.

“Hmmmhmmm hm hm hm…” Trying to convince herself she was just imagining things, Rose begin humming to herself to calm her nerves, it seemed to be working. Suddenly, just as the road was about to pass a copse of trees with thick undergrowth, a shadow fell over her.

Rose looked up behind her but was partially blinded as whatever casted the shadow seemed to be coming from the direction of the sun. Suddenly Rose was sent sprawling to the ground, feeling like she was hit by a train. Before she could recover her senses and see what hit her, Rose felt something roughly grab her by the mane and drag her into the underbrush. In pain and confused about what was happening, Rose suddenly had a horrifying realization. She was being attacked by some wild animal and it was bringing her into the underbrush to eat her in some privacy. At this line of thinking Rose opened her mouth to scream only for a paw-like appendage with three talon-like fingers to close over her mouth, the paw seemed to be covered in a dull smooth pitch black skin and had a few patches of eerie bright orange bioluminescence.

“MMMMM! MMMMM! MMMM!” Needless to say Rose was completely freaked out and screamed despite the paw muffling them.

The “wild animal” was actually Oskar, out fulfilling an objective he had set out for himself the day before. He was sitting on Rose’s body, forcing her head away from him and holding her mouth shut with his tendril weapon mutation. The Cadre Evolved raised his non mutated right hand and quickly formed the index and middle finger into one long gleaming blade. Oskar aimed for the very base of the pony’s neck, planning a quick death for his prey before consuming it. His blade surged forward, an edge sharp enough to put a noticeable cut in a tank’s armor, singed as it cut through the air.

“MMMMM! MMMMM!” Rose continued to scream. She continued to scream because she was still alive.

Barely an inch away from the pony’s soft flesh, the blade hung in the air. Oskar narrowed his eyes in intense thought as his claw shined in the noon sun.

‘Why should I kill her?’ Oskar asked himself and an automatic answer came to him from all the other times he had asked this same question. ‘I have no choice in the matter, she has to die! If she doesn’t die then I would be the one to die in her place! And that is unacceptable; I will not let my last moments be me being eaten alive by Alex Mercer, just because I was feeling…’ Suddenly Oskar’s thoughts ground to a halt. ‘… Alex Mercer is dead, eaten alive by James Heller. I DON’T have to do this anymore; I don’t have to play the part of a loyal rabid dog, siccing whatever my master tells me to anymore. There is no one here to make sure I play with my meals before eating them… I am finally independent, free to choose who to eat or if I even want to eat at all.’

Oskar looked down at Rose under him; she was completely scared out of her mind and screaming her lungs out into his morphed hand.

‘My life is finally my own, this is what I wanted.’ Oskar thought decisively. ‘And it is up to ME and me alone to decide how I go about completing MY objectives.’

With that, Oskar’s claw reverted back into his fingers. Hundreds of small holes appeared all over Oskar’s morphed hand, each only ten times bigger than the viral cells he was made up of. Out of each hole a sweet smelling chemical began pouring out, their fumes quickly filling Rose’s lungs.

“MMmmm! Mmmm. Mmmm…” Rose’s muffled screams began to die off and her eyes started to flutter. In little over a minute she was completely out, her breaths coming out slow and deep.

Seeing she was now unconscious, enjoying a deep dreamless sleep, Oskar picked the unicorn up and laid her at the base of a tree, cradled by its roots. He kneeled down beside her and reached out with his hand. Two fingers formed into two small slicing blades in a surge of tendrils and with them he snipped off a small lock of her pink mane. Quickly absorbing the lock of mane Oskar backed away from the pony before a sudden surge of tendrils covered his form and quickly disappeared from sight, leaving a Pomeranian in his place.

The dog quickly bolted off back towards Ponyville and more importantly, Everfree. Its legs a blur of motion as it cut through the grass fields at speeds that not even a cheetah would have hoped to match.

It had taken only fifteen minutes for Oskar to make it back to the Everfree, where he made for a small sheltered pond that was currently serving as his base of operations. He had then spent the next few hours attempting to do something that was theoretically possible but had never bothered with before. It was well into the afternoon by the time he had any sort of reliable skill with it.

What was Oskar attempting to do? It was actually something that humans did all the time, sometimes knowingly and willingly, sometimes unknowingly and reluctant to bear with the consequences and only until recently back on Earth it was only possible with two humans, a man and a woman specifically.

Reproduction: the ability of two individuals to share genetic data and create a completely different being with it. This was what Oskar was basically trying to do, sans the sex, the womb and the fact there wouldn’t be a separate being at the end.

The Cadre Evolved’s first attempts at creating an entirely different form from Rarity’s and Rose’s DNA could be charitably described as him mashing the genes together and hoping for the best. After the utter failure of the first attempt, Oskar began drawing on the memories of the geneticists he had eaten and began refining the process. The attempts following this were still relatively crude and obviously doomed to failure but Oskar learned from each attempt and soldiered onward. After hours of work and dozens upon dozens of failed attempts Oskar finally mastered his new skill enough to begin piecing together his new disguise.

Rarity’s white coat, Rose’s pink naturally curly mane and her green eyes as well as countless other traits and genes were either put into the new form, or punted out to make way for another that was arguably better. In just a few moments of “construction” Oskar was finished and in a surge of black tendrils, assumed his new form.

‘Cute!’ Was Oskar’s first thought upon looking down at her reflection. She had Rarity’s coat and that other unicorn’s mane and eyes alright, also upon closer examination of her face it seemed she also had a combination of the two unicorn’s facial features… she wasn’t too sure though, despite how “human” the faces of these ponies were they were still fairly equine.

A thought suddenly struck Oskar; she had not done anything to her cutie mark. She had actually not found anything in the pony genome even relating to the mark which in a way made sense. The marks were obviously purely magical. Oskar looked over her shoulder to examine her mark to see if she could change it, it would not do to have the exact same cutie mark as somebody else in town. After all, each mark was basically a fingerprint, unique to each and every pony in some way.

Oskar blinked when she saw her mark, it was… different.

The cutie mark on Oskar’s flank seemed to be an odd combination of both Rarity’s and Rose’s. Instead of Rarity’s diamonds there were emeralds and instead of Rose’s weaved basket full of flowers it was a metal bucket containing said emeralds.

‘Oooookay…’ Oskar thought unsurely. ‘Don't know how that happened but it does conveniently solve that problem.’

Turning around, Oskar made her way into the thick underbrush with very little trouble, having mastered equine walking using Rarity’s form yesterday.

‘Okay, objective one: Create an unrecognizable disguise, complete.’ Oskar thought. ‘Starting objective two: Infiltrate Ponyville and gather information on world history and cultures for ease of future infiltration missions.’

‘…Optional objective: Gather information about the users of the magical artifacts, if potential danger of doing so is negligible.’ Oskar added after a moment.

‘Okay Oskar… remember, do not say somebody, say somepony.’ Oskar nervously coached herself as she approached the outskirts of Ponyville. ‘Do not ask people to give you a hand, ask them to give you a hoof. And do not refer to them as people, say ponies instead.’

Despite her experience in such things, Oskar was incredibly nervous about infiltrating Ponyville, likely to do with the fact her observation of the town proved it to be the home of those six mares. And it showed outwardly too, making her mare form look almost as dainty and shy as a certain yellow coated pegasus. It didn’t help that once Oskar started to get into the streets of Ponyville she started to get a lot of looks and stares from the locals. Trying to settle her nerves, Oskar set about convincing herself that Ponyville just didn’t get very many strangers in town. However if Oskar wasn’t so nervous she probably would have noticed that the only ponies doing the looking were the colts.

‘Come on Oskar you can handle this!’ The Cadre Evolved told herself. ‘If you can stroll into a Black Watch base as blasé as can be despite the tanks, viral sensors, potential wild and lethal infected and hundreds of security personnel, then you can walk into a small town that knows absolutely nothing about your existence. You are not stupid, so just be calm and don’t be overt.’

As was the usual when Oskar began her internal rants, she completely and utterly lost track of her surroundings. She was jolted out of her thoughts when she walked straight into a pony, an earth pony colt to be exact. Being the super dense viral being that she was, Oskar only noticed she walked into something, the pony on the ground however thought he must have walked headfirst into a solid brick wall rather than a pretty unicorn.

Oskar blinked in surprise a moment before quickly getting her act into gear.

“Oh I’m soooo sorry!” Oskar exclaimed with wide eyes. “I’m new in town, everything was so different and I guess my mind was just miles away!”

“… Are you alright?” Oskar asked when the colt didn’t immediately get up or answer.

“Why yes!” The colt replied quickly, jumping to an upright position with a heavy blush.

“If you say so…” Oskar examined the colt before her, an act that made the colt’s already flushed cheeks even redder. He had a brown coat with a brown mane, bright blue eyes and an hourglass cutie mark. She also noticed blood beginning to drip out of his nostrils. “Are… are you bleeding?”

“What, this?” The colt sniffed and brought a hoof to his nose and examined it when it came back with some blood on it. “It’s nothing! Really!”

‘Hurts so much…’ The colt thought. ‘…Don’t cry…’

“Well miss, allow me to introduce myself!” The colt said with a nervous smile. “I am Time Turner Whooves! I have a doctorate in quantum mechanics, specifically those associated with the fifth dimension… Time!” Time Turner announced grandly. “May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

“Emerald… Emerald Gleaner.” Oskar answered smoothly, thinking about how Time Turner’s name reflected his cutie mark.

“Such a beautiful name.” Time Turner stated, thinking about her startlingly green eyes.

“Thank you!” Oskar said with a smile she was hoping wasn’t starting to look forced. “Like I said earlier I’m new in town and I’m trying to find out if this town has a certain kind of establishment.”

“I’d be delighted to help!” Time Turner replied. “What are you looking for?”

“Does this town have a library?” Oskar asked.

“Why yes it does!” Turning around, Time Turner pointed down a street behind him. “You just take a right down there, take the second left and soon enough you’ll see a large tree. That will be the library.”

“Thank you so much!” Oskar said before giving Time Turner a hug. The colt stiffened and his eyes widened before a dopey smile replaced his expression. Unknown to him, small black tendrils extended from Oskar’s fetlocks and took a few gene samples from his mane. Letting go of him, Oskar flashed the earth pony a quick smile before walking away. “Thank you again Time Turner!”

Time Turner watched her leave, dopey smile still firmly in place.

‘For a moment I thought I overdid it again and scared her off.’ Time Turner thought as he stared at her, or rather what her walking was doing to a certain part of her anatomy. ‘… so graceful, so beautiful.’

Oskar continued on her way to Ponyville’s library and was stared at the entire way. At first she thought it was because she was a stranger in a small town but the amount of attention she was getting was simply outrageous, it was completely driving her up the wall. There were some odd events though, whenever one of the watchers was being accompanied by a mare, said mare would immediately look insulted and give a smack to the colt with her hoof or drag him off by biting onto his ear.

‘This place is so very strange, alien even.’ Oskar thought to herself. ‘It’s going to be such a pain learning how to blend in here isn’t it? Well maybe not that far, despite the attention I seem to be doing well so far, and I haven’t even learned anything about the culture yet.’

Soon enough the library came within view, causing Oskar to tilt her head at the sight.

‘Huh… the tree is still alive.’ Oskar thought. ‘How did they manage that I wonder? Not to mention how they are handling the constant sap seepage and vermin problem such a place would have. I really hope there is an in depth answer to that, I’d be really disappointed if someone just told me MAGIC.’

Shaking her head, Oskar walked over to the front door of the “tree house” and knocked with her hoof. She waited a few moments and knocked again, this time getting a muffled ‘Coming!’

‘Wait… that voice…’ Oskar thought. ‘It sounds familiar, where have I heard it before?’

Oskar’s musing ended with the door opening and revealing the librarian. Oskar’s eyes widened and she became as still as a statue, in front of her was the one of the very mares she had seen bearing the magical artifacts.

“Umm… yes, hello?” Twilight Sparkle said a little unsurely at the strange unicorn staring wide eyed at her. “Are… are you okay?”

“O-oh! I’m sorry it’s just…” Forcefully gaining control of herself, Oskar looked down at her hooves and made her face flush bright red in apparent embarrassment. “You see I’m new in town…”

“Oh what a coincidence, so am I!” Twilight gave a friendly smile to the unicorn that reminded her a little of her friend Fluttershy. “In fact I only just arrived here two days ago.”

“Oh, really?” Oskar tilted her head at the violet unicorn. “So you’ve only just set up shop? I ask because I wanted to use the library but if the books are still packed…”

When Oskar mentioned that, Twilight had suddenly become starry eyed and was giving the secretly viral being a wide smile.

“Eeee, my first visitor!” The Element of Magic squealed before suddenly darting behind Oskar and “inviting” her inside.

“Ummm, you seem very eager.” Oskar stated a little nervously as she was pushed inside. “Has no o-pony ever come here before?”

“Oh I’ve had visitors before but they were my friends and they weren’t here for the books.” Twilight replied, not catching Oskar’s slight slip in her excitement. “This is the first time anypony has come here for the library. Not that I mind having ponies come visit me but it was just so disconcerting to see the ponies here have so little regard for the literary arts.”

Quickly catching on to Twilight’s love of literature, Oskar decided to appeal to that portion of the unicorn’s personality to get further into her good graces.

“Really? But books are the source of all civilization.” Oskar stated with “surprised” eyes. “I would think that a repository of knowledge like this would get you at least a dozen ponies coming here every day.”

“That was exactly my thinking!” Twilight exclaimed happily. “Coming here to run the library, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded ponies like myself… unfortunately that didn’t seem to be the case.” Twilight quickly shook her head and gave Oskar a friendly smile. “Oh well, better late than never!”

‘Hook, line and sinker.’ Oskar thought smugly as she returned Twilight’s smile with her own.

“Here is the library.” Twilight announced upon the both of them entering a room lined with book cases along the walls. The book loving unicorn then lead Oskar to a circular table near the center of the room. “Alright, are you familiar with how library books are organized or do you need help?”

“No thank you, I’m very familiar with the system.” Oskar answered. She actually had no say in the matter, how was she supposed to know that girl was a hard core librarian? If she had known she would have definitely reconsidered eating her as it had taken Oskar several months to work out all the OCD mannerisms.

“Great! Just grab whatever you are looking for; I’ll just have something brought down to make you feel at home. Spi-” Twilight suddenly stopped her call mid shout as a thought struck her. “No, actually I’ll get it myself.”

With that Twilight left for her kitchen. Oskar quickly turned her attention to the bookcases and began searching for the sections containing the history and cartography books. She found them after a few moments of searching, inwardly very grateful for Steven knowing how to read Equestrian.

Bringing them to the circular table, Oskar began pouring over the cartography book first for maps of the known world. By the time Twilight had returned with a floating tray carrying a teapot and two cups, Oskar had already finished studying the Equestrian landscape and had moved into cities.

“Would you like some tea?” Twilight asked after setting the tray down.

“Why yes, thank you.”

Twilight then poured a cup with her magic and levitated it over to Oskar and rather than take a hold of the cup with her own magic like the studious unicorn expected, had actually grabbed it with her hooves instead.

“It’s very good, thank you.” Oskar said after taking a sip.

“You are very welcome, err…” Twilight’s curious eyes widened as she suddenly realized something. “You know what? In all the excitement we’ve forgotten to introduce ourselves!”

“That we have.” Oskar replied with an amused smile, thinking about what she considered excitement.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” The violet unicorn introduced herself. “I used to live in Canterlot before coming here.”

“My name is Emerald Gleaner.” Oskar introduced herself in turn. “I remember Vanhoover being a home a while ago but I’m a traveling pony now.” The viral being said, stating the actual truth… from a certain point of view.

“Really? I have relatives in Vanhoover.” Twilight stated, smiling at fond memories. “Such a beautiful city, especially during winter. The only thing I never liked about the city was how cold it got during those months though.”

“It’s not so bad if you have the hide for it.” Oskar replied with a wry smile before flipping a page with her hoof.

Twilight bit her lip as she saw Oskar not use her magic to turn the pages instead. The violet unicorn was really curious about why her new acquaintance was not using magic, of course she realised it could have simply been a personal choice on “Emerald’s” part to forgo the use of magic in trivial things but she just had to know for sure.

“Emerald?”

“Yes Twilight?” Oskar replied while still studying the various districts of Los Pegasus.

“Why aren’t you using magic when you do that?” Twilight asked. “When you flip the pages or drink from your cup I mean.”

“M-my magic?!” Oskar said wide eyed before turning her head away from Twilight in shame, an utter act.

“Emerald?” Twilight exclaimed in surprise in the reaction. “Is something the matter, what’s wrong?”

“… I don’t know how to tell you this Twilight but… I’m uneducated…” Still looking away in fake shame, the sadness in Oskar’s voice over her lack of magical knowledge was actually genuine though.

“What?!” Twilight said in utter shock. “But-but-but you can read!”

“I’m self-taught.” Oskar replied quietly. It was true; by eating Steven Oskar had taught herself Equestrian.

“But that makes no sense!” Twilight shouted. “You shouldn’t have needed to teach yourself to read! You should have been taught how to control your magic in school! What were your parents… thinking… oh…”

“… You’re an orphan… aren’t you, Emerald?” That question brought a full body shudder from Oskar… it was genuine. “…I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay…” Oskar replied.

‘No it isn’t! This is getting far too fucking personal!’ The viral being thought as she seethed inwardly.

“… Can we just not talk about this anymore?” At this point Oskar was really trying not to let her anger seep even a little bit into her voice, even if it could be justified considering the situation. “Please?”

“Of course Emerald, I didn’t mean to pry.” Twilight replied softly. “… Would you like me to refill your cup?”

“Yes please… and thank you.”

The next twenty or so minutes passed in silence save for the sounds of flipping pages, Twilight felt sorry for unknowingly bringing up painful memories for her fellow unicorn and did not wish to break it. After a few minutes of silence she did get up to retrieve a book for herself to read however and did so without her magic, not exactly eager to showcase her skills in front of her magically incapable fellow unicorn.

Absently listening to the sound of turning pages as she read, Twilight soon came to a realization, those pages were being turned very quickly. She would not have thought much of it if she did not know that Emerald was now reading through the text heavy history book. Looking up, the violet unicorn watched Oskar flip a page and seemingly scan over the pages before flipping over to the next page within a minute.

“… Emerald, do you mind if I ask you a question?” Twilight ventured.

“…It depends on the question Twilight.” Oskar replied with lips pursed into a thin frown.

“It’s not about… y-you know…” Twilight quickly reassured. “I’m just wondering if you are looking for something in that book specifically. You are flipping through those pages awfully fast.”

“I’m a speed reader and possess a photographic memory.” Oskar replied with a pleased smile.

“Really?!” Twilight said in wonderment and in a little envy.

‘To be able to read so many books…’ Twilight thought to herself. ‘I could conquer the royal library with ease!’

“Yep!” Oskar answered. While all Blacklight beings had photographic memory and an instinctive means of cataloguing those memories for ease of access and storage, Oskar had improved upon the system by eating people smarter than she was. Specifically gaining the memories of people with knowledge in memory tricks and training. Her speed reading was the fastest in the world and appeared to retain that in this world as well, once again another skill that had been gained via Gentech prey and a surprising number of Black Watch grunts.

… Of course these skills were utterly useless in comparison to Oskar’s usual form of information gathering. The Cadre Evolved looked at Twilight.

‘It would be quick.’ Oskar thought as Twilight smiled at her, thinking the solemn moment had finally passed. ‘One little “friendly” hug and a quick twist, a sudden burst of pain is all she would feel. Even if I were off by a few inches and she survived the neck break, she would die quickly and mercifully soon after. I would gain skills in magic, all the cultural and historical information I would require. And to put the cherry on top… there would be one less bearer of those magical artifacts.’

Taking a breath, Oskar reached over and pulled Twilight into a hug.

Twilight blinked in surprise as she was pulled into an unexpected embrace but did not resist. She felt Emerald wrap her forelegs around her neck and tighten them. It was starting to get to the point that it was beginning to feel painful and then… Emerald relaxed her grip with a sigh.

“Twilight?”

“Yes Emerald?”

“I’m sorry about being testy earlier.” Oskar said, still wrapping the other unicorn in a hug. “It’s just…”

“It’s okay, I understand.” Twilight replied. “Such a thing is not something anypony would want to even remember let alone talk about… you know it’s strange…”

“Hmmm?”

“We only just met and I already know so much about you.” The violet unicorn said with a small laugh.

“…Yes… yes you do…” The almost painful hug was back again and seemed to last longer this time. Twilight was about to voice her discomfort when Oskar finally relaxed and let go.

Forcing her features into a believable small smile for Twilight, Oskar turned her attention back to the book but did not begin reading immediately.

‘Dr. Mercer will be so disappointed when he finds out about this… Dr. Mercer will be utterly furious at my naiveté in letting her live…’ Oskar thought in a mounting panic. ‘He’ll consume me, consume her first then me slowly! Dr. Mercer will… Dr. Mercer won’t do anything because the Doctor is fucking out! The Doctor is fucking out because the Doctor is FUCKING DEAD! Not only that, but his fucking corpse is a whole fucking world away! He has no control OR say in what I want to do anymore! And if I want to do things the slow and hard way then so be it! This is no one else’s concern but my own!’

“Emerald?” Oskar managed to hear Twilight say through her internal ranting.

“Yes Twilight?” The viral being replied absently, a deep scowl on her face.

“Are you okay?” Twilight asked. “You appear to be very angry all of the sudden.”

“I’m fine Twilight.” Oskar replied as she refocused herself and gave the other unicorn a reassuring smile. “Just some unhappy thoughts is all.”

“Okay, I could make us some more tea if you want?”

“That would be marvelous, thank you.”

Several hours later Oskar had decided she was finished gathering information… for now at least. She would have been more than willing to stay here in the library all night to continue her research on the world she found herself in, but her host actually needed this little thing called sleep and Oskar figured it would be pushing more than a few hospitality boundaries trying to stay here all night.

Helping her fellow unicorn placing the books back in their shelves, Oskar turned her attention back to Twilight who was still marveling at the sure number of book volumes Oskar read through.

“Thanks again for letting me use the library Twilight.” Oskar said.

“No, thank you!” Twilight replied with a smile. “It was so nice to spend time with another mare who likes books just as much as me!”

“Then you won’t mind if I come back tomorrow and use it again?” Oskar asked. “There are still some books I would like to read.”

“Of course, it’s no problem at all!” Twilight answered. “It’s the whole point of the library after all and I’m looking forward to it even now.”

“So see you tomorrow?” Oskar asked after walking to the door.

“See you tomorrow Emerald.” Twilight replied after opening the door for her fellow unicorn and closing it after her.

Outside night had just recently fallen; the faint orange of the setting sun could still be seen on the far horizon as the moon began its accent into the sky.

‘… The moon…’ Oskar paused in thought as she stared at said natural satellite. ‘I’ve learned so much, almost too much to take in. I need time to myself, time to think and properly process my feelings on the information I now possess.’

Oskar proceeded to walk across the street from Twilight’s library and settled herself on a patch of grass. Crossing her forelegs, Oskar settled her head on them and began to think of what she learned.

Equestria was very different for the viral being that much was obvious from almost the moment he had arrived, yet… at the same time it was oddly familiar.

‘Los Pegasus, Fillydelphia, Manehatten, if it wasn’t for the fact that no one here knows about my world I would think the founders of those cities were going out of their way to be punny.’ Oskar thought with a snort. ‘The buffalo remind me of Native Americans, the Zebras seem African, the “Asian” looking ponies have an obviously far east culture. The cultural parallels between my world and this are shockingly close despite this place being an entirely different world. Our histories don’t seem to be eager to reflect each other at least…’

Early in Equestrian history the three pony races were divided into three tribes, the Unicorns, the Pegasi and the Earth Ponies. Each separated by their own distinctive magical abilities and their distrust and dislike of each other, at least until some spirits called Windigos forced each tribe to work together to drive them off. Personally that seemed a bit coincidental to Oskar, the books said Windigos fed on conflict but they seemed to be spirits and in every story he had read, didn’t matter that the spirits were malicious, benevolent or outright mysterious they always had a deeper reason for their actions.

It was only until after the pony tribes had united into the Kingdom of Equestria that Discord came onto the scene. Discord had declared himself King of Equestria through the force of his overwhelming magical abilities, beginning a “Dark Age” under his rule of “Tyranny”. Oskar thought Equestria actually had it pretty good when it came to tyrants, sure Discord caused chaos, warped reality to satisfy his sense of humor and basically went out of his way to be a nuisance in all parts of the kingdom. But he was a saint compared to Mao, who later in his rule started to have young beautiful virgin girls sent to him because he thought having sex with them would make him live forever (It didn’t), or Hitler who quite possibly only got in power because he kept pointing a finger at the Jews and giving the suffering German people a target to vent their frustrations on, or Stalin whose reign was applauded as a golden age for the Soviet Union, when actually his strangle hold on information and excessive use of propaganda made sure none of the “Less Equal” classes learned of how horrible conditions actually were for all of them. Oskar didn’t see any mention of Discord having scores of pretty young mares brought to please him, or trying to place blame on the one of the minority species in Equestria, neither did Oskar see him try to even hide that he was the source of the chaos, Overall the viral being thought ancient Equestria didn’t have the right to complain and call the chaotic being’s reign a “Dark Age”. In all likelihood Discord would have gotten bored eventually and left to do something different, at least that was what Oskar could discern of the Draconiquis’ personality through the history books.

Later into the “Dark Age” came the first appearance of the Royal sisters and the Elements of Harmony. Intending to “save” the populace, the two Alicorns had confronted Discord, telling him to step down from the throne and end his “tyranny” peacefully or they would force him to. Discord being Discord, saw this as something new and amusing, so of course he didn’t listen… much to his later regret Oskar was sure. The sisters had followed through with their threat, ending the Draconequus' reign in one spell casted by the Elements of Harmony, petrifying Discord in the middle of his grand monologue. This portion of Equestrian history had interested Oskar enough to read the entire chapter over three times to make sure his memory of it was even sharper than usual, particularly the sections after the Royal Sisters were crowned Princesses of Equestria. The book made it very clear that the two rulers were goddesses of the sun and moon respectively, goddesses, as in divine beings of great power that were often depicted in fiction as neigh unstoppable engines of destruction when they got worked up.

‘C-could I even eat divine DNA?’ Oskar thought, now nervous at the idea of being anywhere near the two Alicorns. ‘Do gods even have DNA that I could eat? What if the books are basic examples of historical propaganda?’ Thoughts of a certain insane Korean dictator ran through the Cadre Evolved’s head. ‘No… I’m not going to assume otherwise, that way if I’m proven wrong I’ll be feeling intense relief instead of dying a likely slow and painful death.’

For the next few centuries of their reign, all was peaceful and made for some very boring reading since apparently Equestrian nobles went out of their way to prove they deserved their titles, of which their European counterparts didn’t and thus had a rich exciting history of conflict, backstabbing, incest and war for the most petty of reasons… granted it probably wasn’t very great to live in such a time but at least it made for some exciting reading.

‘I can only imagine what the history teachers are like.’ Oskar mused to herself with a smile. ‘They’d probably give Professor Binns a run for his galleons with the sure boredom of their teaching material. I can almost imagine how a class would go now... “Greetings class and welcome to today’s lecture. We shall begin with the three hundredth signing of the treaty of ongoing peace between Equestria and the Gryphon Principalities, and how everypony celebrated the preservation of peace throughout the known world… again…” At least Binns talks about wars and rebellions!’ Oskar thought with a small laugh.

It was only after reading through several chapters describing an utterly boring age of peace and prosperity that Oskar finally came to another exciting event in Equestrian history, Princess Luna’s betrayal and her rechristening herself Nightmare Moon. Apparently the Goddess of the moon did not like how her own subjects would not change their natural and healthy sleeping cycles to admire her nights, and so went completely and utterly around the bend by making the night last forever. Thus ensuring that if Celestia did not stop her sister soon, all plant life would die without the sun and by extension, all life on Equestria itself would end without the base which supported it.

‘Seriously, why did the book not mention that? At all?’ Oskar thought in confusion. ‘You’d think one person’s selfish and petty actions nearly killing the planet would get some attention yet there was no mention of this little fact anywhere in the chapter.’

Once again the Elements of Harmony were used to save Equestria and in reality the whole world as well. And once again they were victorious with Nightmare Moon barely able to let off one spell before she was banished to the moon for all time… at least until a day or so ago… After performing the banishment of her sister it seemed Celestia was somehow unable to bear the Elements of Harmony. So she had left them in their inert state in the soon to be abandoned palace, claiming that ponies worthy of bearing them would release them from the stone they were encased in one day.

‘Okay… now that I know better, maybe the situation I witnessed was not as bad as I made it out to be.’ Oskar thought as she recalled the confrontation in the ruins. ‘Still it seems a little off that Princess Luna was let off so lightly… I mean the girl nearly killed EVERYTHING yet one little sorry later and all is forgiven? The closest thing to this I could think of would if the Allies had managed to capture Hitler and was about to put him in one of his own gas chambers when he burst into tears saying how sorry he was, causing them to let him go saying that two little words made up for all the genocide and warfare.’

What followed next was even worse than the age when both the Royal sisters were ruling… A THOUSAND years of peace and harmony throughout the known world, which meant nothing interesting happened. It took all of Oskar’s concentration to not fall asleep on one of the books describing in VAST detail the peace and prosperity.

‘Ugh, I feel sleepy just thinking about it.’ Oskar thought irritably. ‘I never felt so glad for having been a part of such an imperfect species as humanity. The legacy I may leave behind may not be pretty to look at but at least it’ll be something that future generations will read action novels and watch movies about. The sure lack of conflict in this land speaks very well of my chances of never being caught though, I could only imagine the “benefits” a thousand years of peace must have for a military’s development.’ Oskar thought with a sardonic smile.

“Emerald?”

‘Hm?’

Oskar cracked open an eye and saw Twilight standing before her with a worried look on her face.

“Yes Twilight?” Oskar replied, faking a yawn. “Is there something I could help you with?”

“Why are you sleeping out here, exposed like this?” Twilight asked with a frown.

“I’m a traveling pony, Twilight.” Oskar answered truthfully. “I don’t have any money for a room, not that I need one. I get my food and water from the wild; if it rains I know how to make sure I stay dry. So why are you out here Twilight? It’s getting pretty late, wouldn’t want to wake up still tired now.”

“I was just doing a little reading before going to bed when I looked out the window and saw you lying here.” Twilight replied. “I really don’t think you should be lying out here in the open like this Emerald, plus I don’t think the ponies here will appreciate waking up to see some strange unicorn sleeping on their yard.”

“True enough I suppose.” Oskar replied as she got up. “I guess I’ll go find an alley or maybe find a tree to sleep beside outside of town. See you Twilight.”

“Wait!” Twilight called out as Oskar began walking off. “You don’t have to do that, if you want I can get a spare bed ready in my room. Then you won’t have to sleep out in the cold.”

“Really Twilight, you’d do that?” Oskar asked with a smile.

‘Ahhh, altruism… how useful.’ Oskar thought with glee.

“You know they have a saying…” Oskar said as she approached Twilight. “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

“Friends?” Twilight asked as she offered her hoof.

“Friends.” Oskar answered as she placed her hoof against Twilight’s.

With that the two unicorns made their way into the library.

“Just stay down here a moment.” Twilight said before ascending the stairs to her room. “I’ll get a spare bed in place.”

Oskar did as she was told and absently looked around. She blinked when she looked through a doorway to see a dog's basket in the far corner of the room with something green lying in it. Just as she was about to investigate she heard Twilight call her up.

“Emerald, the beds ready!”

Seeing the green shape shift and move in the basket, Oskar reluctantly answered the call and moved up the stairs. She stopped in the middle of the stairs when she remembered something. In the library Oskar remembered seeing a set of steps leading to a sort of landing that had bed atop of it along with some book cases.

‘Twilight has more than one bedroom?’ Oskar thought as she continued up the stairs. ‘Classy…’

“So I noticed you have more than one bed.” Oskar stated as she walked through the door of Twilight’s bedroom. “As in more than just two.”

“Oh you noticed that?” Twilight replied, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “Well I have this bad habit of reading well beyond the hour I’m supposed to and ending up falling asleep on a table or a desk. So since I own this library I thought I’d just put a bed up there for when it eventually happens again.”

“You can afford to do that?”

“Well no, I just transfigured something into a copy of my bed here.” Twilight answered, indicating the bed she stood by. Oskar looked over and saw on the opposite end of the room was a bed that was the exact same as Twilight’s.

“Wish I could do that…” Oskar said in total honesty.

Twilight winced. Maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to transfigure a bed for Emerald when she thought about it. It would have probably been better to just give the one in the library for her to sleep in for the night rather than rub her lack of magical skill in her face… oh well, too late now.

Oskar walked over to her bed and stared at it unsurely.

‘Okay, I’m probably going to utterly shatter this thing with my weight, quick Oskar, think of something!’ The viral being told herself, intent on avoiding some rather awkward questions. ‘… Crap! I can’t think of anything that wouldn’t sound strange or stupid!’

Pulling back the blanket Oskar began to slowly eased herself into the bed, fully and completely aware that it was useless in the face of her sure density. With a barely heard creak Oskar lied on the bed and waited a moment… then two… then three…

“Soft enough?” Twilight asked upon seeing Oskar’s surprised expression.

“You won’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve slept in anything even approaching a bed.” Oskar replied genuinely.

“Well you’re sleeping in one now.” Twilight said with a sad frown. “I know you said you’re a traveling pony but do you really have to live like that?”

“Remember what I said earlier?” Oskar said as she turned away in the bed and pulled the blanket up. “I’m an uneducated unicorn that can only light up her horn half competently. Who would want to hire me…?”

Sighing sadly Twilight tucked herself into her own bed as well.

“Good night Emerald.” Twilight said before putting out the candle lights with her magic.

“Good night Twilight.” Oskar replied.

Out of the two unicorns that went to bed in that room only one was going to sleep that night. Oskar spent the next twenty or so minutes listening intently to Twilight's heartbeat as she went to sleep. Eventually she heard the other unicorn’s heart slow down to a tempo that she roughly guessed as her being now asleep.

Slowly getting up from the surprisingly sturdy bed, Oskar watched Twilight’s sleeping form carefully as she walked out of the room and towards the stairs.

About a minute later the viral being in disguise was back in the library and searching the bookcases for a specific volume, her eyes more than capable of making out the text in the near pitch black. Eventually she found what she was looking for and brought the book to the circular table. The book was green and had gold letters making up its title: Bestiary Volume I: Beasts of the Badlands.

The morning sun rose in the sky, its light shining through Twilight’s bedroom window and waking the sleeping unicorn. Rubbing her eye clear of sleep and yawning loudly, turned her attention to the bed where her new friend was supposed to be sleeping.

“Good morning Em-” Twilight stopped when she saw the empty bed and the covers thrown aside. “… rald. Huh, where did she go?”

It was then that Twilight noticed that she could hear voices coming from downstairs. The violet unicorn proceeded to freshen up a bit and clean up her morning mane before heading downstairs

The voices seemed to be coming from the library and as Twilight got closer she began to be able to make them out.

“… been taking care of you before she could take care of herself?” Twilight heard Emerald’s voice say.

“Yep!” She heard Spike’s voice reply. “Heh, she’s dedicated like that.”

“I’ll say, at that age my own mother could barely trust me in the same room as the cookie jar.” Emerald’s voice replied. “Let alone trust me to take care of somepony else.”

Walking around the corner and into the library, Twilight was greeted by the sight of Emerald sitting on a chair chatting with Spike. The circular table behind her held a stack of read books and one still open.

“Good morning Twilight.” Emerald greeted upon seeing Twilight enter the library.

“Morning Twi!” Spike greeted as well.

“Good morning you two.” The unicorn replied before turning her attention to Emerald. “When did you get up Emerald?”

“Eh, a couple hours ago.” Emerald answered with a shrug.

“Well I better start on breakfast.” Spike said before turning to Emerald Gleaner. “Are you going to stay for it?”

“No, I’m going to leave in just a bit.” Emerald replied to Spike who nodded and left for the kitchen.

“A few hours ago?” Twilight repeated with a confused look. “Did you get any sleep at all Emerald? Weren’t you telling me just last night that it’s not healthy to stay up late?”

“There are those who need only two, four hours tops, of sleep and they’re good for the next twenty.” Emerald replied with a smile.

“And you are one of these ponies?” Twilight asked and got a wider smile as an answer. “You know Emerald, the more I learn about you the more I realize how terrible it was that you never got to go to school. You would have been the best student there; they would have likely identified you as a prodigy and sent you off to the best school in Equestria. There wouldn’t have been an employer in all Equestria that would have turned you down and you would have been set for life instead of… well, this.”

“You make it sound like I’m suffering and begging on the streets for bits.” Emerald commented with an amused smile. “My life wasn’t as bad as you think it is Twilight.”

“Maybe… but the fact you never got to go to school is a heinous crime!” Twilight stated firmly. “And what you said to Spike earlier, you’re not going to stay for breakfast?”

“Nope!” Emerald answered as she took the stack of books and placed them back on one of the book cases. “It may sound cheesy but I can feel the call of the road and adventure in the wilds.”

“Okay but you’ll be back right?” Twilight asked as she followed her follow unicorn to the front door. “It was nice having somepony I could talk about books to.”

“Of course Twilight!” Emerald reassured with a smile. “In fact, between road trips this place will be considered my base of operations from now on! So don’t worry I’ll be back soon… maybe in a week or so?”

“Anyway…” Emerald walked out the front door but looked back over her shoulder with an amused smile. “I’ll see you soon Twiley!”

Twilight blinked as she watched her new friend walk down the early morning street. Only one pony called her that, her brother. Giving the leaving unicorn one last smile Twilight closed the door and walked back into the library. She was just going past when she noticed an open book sitting on the circular table.

‘Huh, Emerald must have forgotten to put this away with the others.’ Twilight thought as she picked the book up and glanced at the cover. ‘Bestiary Volume VIII: Entities of Everfree? I wonder why Emerald was reading this book?’

Putting the thought away Twilight quickly placed the book back on the shelf and headed to the dining table, it wouldn’t take very long for Spike to finish cooking breakfast. Sitting at the table Twilight waited patiently but her thoughts were plagued by unknown worries about the book Emerald was reading.

‘Why is this bothering me so much?’ Twilight thought to herself. ‘It’s just… something she said and finding out about this book but what is it?’

“…It may sound cheesy but I can feel the call of the road and adventure in the wilds…” A memory whispered in Twilight’s mind.

‘She was reading that Bestiary about Everfree…’ Twilight mused as Spike came from the kitchen with a plate of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for Twilight and a bowl of mixed gems for himself. ‘No! She couldn’t have gone there, it’s far too dangerous! Everypony knows tha-’

“…I don’t know how to tell you this Twilight but… I’m uneducated…” Another memory whispered.

“Gosh darn it Emerald!” Twilight shouted in wide eyed panic.

“Whoa!” Spike said defensively. “Twilight I know mixed gems isn’t exactly a breakfast meal but… Twilight?”

Spike was left staring as the violet unicorn in question left in a sudden burst of speed that Rainbow Dash would have been impressed by.

Out on the streets of Ponyville Twilight was galloping as fast as she could but was soon slowing down.

‘Okay calm down!’ Twilight told herself. ‘Maybe I’m overreacting; maybe I only think Emerald is going into Everfree forest. She is probably just on the road to Apple Loosa or someplace else, I’ll probably end up catching up to her and she’ll think I’m silly for thinking she’d go somewhere so dangerous. Here, just to prove my point I’ll ask a pony if they have seen her.’

Twilight proceeded to look around herself but most ponies were still having breakfast at this time. Fortunately there seemed to be one that wasn’t. An earth pony with a hourglass cutie mark and a large dreamy smile on his face.

“Excuse me?” Twilight said as she approached the colt with a dopey smile. “Could I ask you a question?”

“Why yes, of course.” Time Turner replied, shaking his head clear of thoughts. “How can I help you?”

“You see I’m looking for a unicorn.” Twilight began. “She has a white coat, a pink mane and tail-”

“Beautiful green eyes and this enchanting bucket full of emeralds cutie mark?” Time Turner interrupted, his dreamy smile returning.

“Yes! Have you seen where she went?” Twilight asked. “It’s really important that I find her.”

“She went that way.” Time Turner pointed down a street… which also happened to be in the direction of Everfree.

“You did go there!” Twilight shouted. “I can’t believe you’d do something so dangerous Emerald!”

“… Dangerous?” Time Turner questioned but was too late; Twilight had already teleported in a flash to Fluttershy’s cottage.

Oskar was walking along a thin trail in the Everfree forest. She was currently on the hunt and the trail she was taking seemed to be leading her to her prey.

‘Viral Sonar, I do love you so.’ Oskar thought to herself as she sent out another pulse. ‘I don’t know how you work but if you were an actual person I’d marry you, if you were a guy I’d turn myself into a woman for you.’

Eventually she came close enough to her target that she could hear its breathing and the sound of it moving on the forest floor. Walking through the barrier of underbrush Oskar finally sighted her prey just two dozen feet away.

A chimera.

The chimera itself was lying beside a large tree, licking its paws clean of a fresh kill. When it had spotted the pony creature entering its territory, it had intended to release a growl to make it run scuttling back to its false dens outside the forest. But then the chimera had seen the eyes and the stance of the pony creature. Everything about how the pony stared and stood screamed PREDATOR, it was enough for the chimera to actually want to run away like the prey beasts it hunted in these woods. But it was a chimera, though it was only part lion the great beast still had the pride of one. If this unnerving pony creature wanted to challenge it then the chimera would accept as its pride would accept nothing less.

Seeing the chimera get up and get ready to run at her, Oskar smiled.

“Here kitty, kitty, kitty~” Oskar taunted. “I want that tail of yours for my collection~”

Letting loose a loud roar the chimera charged forward, quickly covering half the two dozen feet between it and Oskar and pouncing the rest.

Just as the claws and mass of the large beast was about to come down atop of Oskar there was a sudden surge of black tendrils that quickly formed a barrier. Landing against the barrier the chimera suddenly yowled in pain as a series of spikes leapt from the barrier and into its flesh. The beast quickly pushed itself off the barrier and wobbled away backwards on its hind legs, blood staining coat and carapace from its many puncture wounds.

The barrier quickly gave way in another surge of tendrils, revealing Oskar back in his default form. The bucket hatted Evolved quickly shot forward while the chimera was still off balance, his arms reforming into brutal razor sharp claws in a surge of tendrils.

Before the beast could react Oskar lashed out with both claws, suddenly it was lacking two arms. The Evolved quickly gave a vicious kick to the chimera’s stomach, sending it crashing onto its back, helpless. Oskar gave a short hop into the air, stomping onto the downed beast’s stomach, causing incredible and mortal injuries from his sure weight alone. The chimera quickly began throwing up the half-digested contents of its stomach along with great amounts of blood, coating Oskar in all of it. The Cadre Evolved paid no attention to the bloody bile covering his form as tendrils leapt off his skin and began feasting on the foreign organic matter; bio-matter was bio-matter after all.

Bringing down one of his massive bladed fingers, Oskar quickly sliced through the chimera’s sternum as the beast itself began gurgling out its last breath. Gripping the inside of the chimera’s ribcage, Oskar tore it open in one violent movement before his form quickly began dissolving into a mass of tendrils. The tendrils quickly descended into the beast's open chest cavity and began to feast as the chimera finally released a gurgling death rattle.

The corpse of the chimera began to twitch as tendrils moved beneath the surface of its hide and consumed everything. Suddenly two massive tendrils erupted from the bloody arm sockets of the corpse and latched onto the dismembered arms, pulling them back into the sockets. Finally the entire body turned black for a brief moment before the normal colors returned revealing the body in a pristine state.

Oskar rolled onto his stomach and began examining the paws of his new form a moment before rising to his feet in one smooth motion. He then began walking deeper into the forest, intent on making use of his now improved knowledge of it and the creatures within.

The field in which the chimera was killed and consumed remained empty save for the huge bloodstain in the center, until about a minute or two after Oskar’s departure when two voices could be heard approaching the clearing.

“Come on Fluttershy!” Twilight called out. “If we hurry we can still catch up before she gets hurt!”

“Twilight, please keep your voice down…” Fluttershy whispered hoarsely. “There’s no telling what might hear you!”

The two mares had managed to follow the path Oskar had taken into the woods thanks to her heavy weight making her hoof prints extra deep and easy to see. Twilight would have gotten the rest of her friends but she was deathly afraid for the life of her newest one and settled for Fluttershy who had experience with Everfree and the creatures within.

“I’m sorry Fluttershy!” Twilight replied as she burst through a layer of bushes. “But I’m just worried for… no… oh no…”

It was a terrible sight for the two mares to see, having lived all their lives sheltered from blood and violence by the peaceful world they lived in. It was even worse for Twilight who could see “Emerald’s” hoof prints leading to prints that clearly belonged to a chimera, the point of which they met was the massive bloodstain in the clearing. With only the prints of the chimera leading away, it painted a clear and vivid picture for Twilight’s imagination.

“No… NO… NO!” Twilight said in a horrified voice before her horn and eyes suddenly lit up with her magic. With an angered growl the enraged unicorn intended to follow the chimera tracks leading away when Fluttershy darted in front of her.

“Twilight please calm down!” The pegasus pleaded with her furious friend.

“That… that… THING KILLED MY FRIEND!” Twilight screamed out, her horn alighting with more magic as she intended to teleport past her deeply worried friend when she suddenly wrapped her fore legs around Twilight’s neck.

“Twilight I know!” Fluttershy said, her forelegs wrapped tightly to make sure she was brought along too if Twilight did teleport. “But you don’t know what is out there! There are dangerous animals that can really hurt you Twilight! Please Twilight, you won’t be doing Emerald any good if you… if you end up like… just please don’t GO!”

The utterly furious unicorn’s breaths came in and out deep and loud. This lasted several moments with her horn and eyes lit up like beacons in the night, then with one shuddering breath her magic went away. Revealing Twilight’s tear filled eyes.

“… Let’s go…” Twilight said numbly, letting Fluttershy lead her away.

It was now much later in the day, with the sun beginning its descent beyond the horizon. Twilight spent all day at home in grief for a friend she just made and just lost. Her other friends had visited Twilight over the entirety of the day supporting Twilight though they only just heard of the mare she had just made friends with. Strangely enough Twilight also received visits from several colts in town that even seemed just as aggrieved as she was for Emerald’s death. It was finally at the very end of the day that Twilight decided to do something productive. She wrote a letter.

Dear princess Celestia

Today I learned that you should always appreciate every moment you have with your friends. Whether that friend was only recently made or even there from early in childhood it doesn’t matter. Every moment must be cherished despite it. Because you never know when they might be taken from you forever and you’ll never have another new moment with them ever again.

Your Loyal Student

Twilight Sparkle

Giving a sigh and not bothering with the tear stains that dotted the letter, Twilight handed the scroll over to Spike to send to Celestia. The solemn faced baby dragon accepted the letter and quickly sent it away with a belch of green flames.

“Are you gonna be okay Twilight?” Spike asked softly.

“… Ask me a question I can answer Spike…” Twilight replied tiredly. “I think I’ll go to sleep early today. Wake me in the morning when breakfast is ready.”

“Sure thing Twi…” Spike answered as the violet unicorn made her way up the stairs to the master bedroom.

Upon entering her rarely used bedroom, Twilight could not help but stare at the still conjured bed Emerald had slept briefly in last night.

‘I didn’t know life could be so cruel and unfair to anypony…’ Twilight thought as she shuffled over to her bed. ‘But she was the proof it could. Orphaned at a young age, never went to school despite her immense potential and never really had home. The moment she even had something close to one… she dies… it’s not fair…’

Twilight lied in her bed, softly crying for some time until the sun finally set. Then with a sudden flash of light she felt a presence appear behind her. She looked up to see Princess Celestia’s kindly face looking down at her.

“My most cherished student.” Celestia said softly. “Tell me what happened.”

And so Twilight did.

-TBC-

Chapter 3: Return

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A hydra trundled along on its way through the swamp. Prey had become scarce recently and the massive beast decided to move to a new area in hopes that a new hunting ground would be more plentiful. Maybe if it were more intelligent it would wonder why the prey of the Everfree woods had suddenly gone into hiding, but it wasn’t and so it didn’t.

It continued lumbering along its path to a new stomping ground when one of its heads happened to look at a boulder off to the far side. On the boulder was what appeared to be some sort of unmoving creature. Immediately the head warbled to the others to attract their attention and gestured to the boulder it spotted.

All the other heads spotted what could be a potential meal and began lumbering towards it in interest. A few lumbering stomps later and the beast came to a stop in front of what was an odd looking but apparently dead creature. It wore clothes like the pony creatures that lived outside the forest but had a similar shape to the more intelligent and larger dog creatures that occasionally moved through the woods, though its forelegs were shorter and frailer looking then what the dog creatures had. It seemed this frailness did this creature no favors as it lay unmoving on a boulder, its own blood staining the surface it lay on. The hydra head that had spotted the body closed in and gave an experimental sniff of the corpse and nudged it a few times. Seemingly satisfied that the creature was truly dead, the hydra head picked it up with its mouth before quickly swallowing it in one bite.

The head quickly rose back up to its fellows as it licked its lips and had a thoughtful expression on its face. The other hydra heads stared in open curiosity before the aforementioned hydra head looked to its brother heads and tilted itself in an approximation of a shrug.

The hydra was about to be back on its way before its stomach started gurgling, loudly. The hydra heads themselves began to groan in pain as they curled in closer to their body but the pain would not abate and seemed to grow more and more intense by the second. Suddenly the eyes of each hydra head widened in shock before they all released an agonised scream before falling silent and fell over with a crash. The entire body of the now still hydra started twitching unnaturally and if one were to stand near one of the heads they would be able to hear the sound of tearing flash. Suddenly out from its nostrils, ears and around the eyes came many black tendrils surging forth. After leaving the body the tendrils quickly gathered together at one point in the middle of the now dead hydra’s back and combined into a shapeless mass. Before long the default form of Oskar Osäker appeared in a cross legged position atop the hydra corpse.

‘Hmph, you’d think an animal would know better than to eat something strange.’ Oskar mused. ‘Well they are not totally without instinct… the animals have been going into hiding ever since my arrival yesterday. Oh well… I can still track them into their dens so it doesn’t matter… well for the most part anyway…’

Oskar had spent the whole of yesterday hunting down various creatures and species in Everfree. While He could have settled for just one of each, but there was always the chance that, genetically speaking, there was that one creature that won the lottery when it came to inheritable traits. So Oskar had made sure he had consumed at least half a dozen examples of each species for genetic variety.

So far the viral being had consumed most if not all the examples of the normal species that inhabited the woods… if one could call the sure un-animalistic intelligence these creatures possessed normal. For example the animals back home relied on pure instinct to get through their day to day lives, not these animals, nope! They made plans for little get togethers with friends, they actually cared about what they ate beyond if it would kill them to eat it, and instead of simply proving they are the biggest toughest males they actually have far deeper relationships with the opposite sex. It just went further to prove how different Equestria was from Earth… it was also a nasty surprise discovering these things for the first time when Oskar ate a young buck psyching himself to give a pretty doe he liked flowers. Needless to say the Cadre Evolved was far more careful when handling the memories of consumed animals from there on then.

Then there were the predators and other creatures of the woods. There were normal predators like wolves but there were beasts like the hydra he just consumed and the chimera that he ate on arriving here. These were obviously magical or unnatural at the least and were giving him quite a few interesting traits. Like for instance, the wings of the chimera. While it never allowed the beast to truly fly it did allow it to glide and make pounces from extreme heights with ease, with this Oskar’s ability to glide was improved upon a bit, even more so if he actually generated the wings. The sprites ability to rapidly reproduce also helped his own ability to regenerate himself on a cellular level, this improvement was extremely useful when it came to larger forms like a chimera, sea serpent or a hydra since it allowed him to not only generate the needed excess mass for the size but keep up his own density with supernatural ease… not that the Blacklight being wasn’t supernatural enough. The quarray eel was an extremely large eel that burrowed its home into rock and cliff faces, it had extremely strong jaw muscles and teeth to borrow but its neck muscles were even stronger, a necessity considering its preferred method of hunting being shooting out of its burrow to eat whatever passes by. These traits held great potential so Oskar took them and enhanced his already monstrous strength. However, out of the many magical creatures he hunted, two had managed to avoid becoming prey to the viral being.

’Slippery little buggers…’ Oskar frowned, thinking of his failed attempts to track down a cockatrice. ‘I can’t seem to be able to track them with the sonar, just like that bastard Roland. I’ll find one eventually though, it’ll just take more time and effort then I had thought necessary. The same goes for those timber wolves, though for completely different reasons.’

Oskar had actually stumbled upon a timber wolf pack by accident. He was stalking a group of deer to consume and had followed them into a clearing. The clearing held a rather oddly large amount of sticks and logs, cut and uncut alike, but Oskar had put that aside for the moment and was about to leap towards the unsuspecting deer when it happened. The bits of wood started shaking and rattling for several moments, startling the deer but before they could run the wood suddenly flew into the air and suddenly six large wolves shaped of logs and branches were surrounding them. Oskar had kept his distance as the unnatural wolves began tearing into their prey, watching in interest.

‘I now regret not taking those vials of Tobacco Mosaic when I had the chance.’ Oskar groused. ‘Other than the odd blade of grass here and there I have practically no experience eating plant matter. There were plenty of bioweapons directed towards crops in those labs, why didn’t I take at least one? Oh right… because I was fighting people not plants, how the tables have turned… oh well, I’ll just have to find some termites for cellulose digesting bacteria.’ The viral being thought with a shrug. ‘Later though… hmmm, let’s take another look at my new earth pony magic.’

Compared to unicorn or even pegasus magic earth pony magic was very simple and straightforward, it just made earth ponies stronger and faster as well as attune them with the earth, hence the name. And instead of being focused in one area like the other two pony races, the magical “circuitry” was spread very evenly throughout the body of the earth pony. The more Oskar looked at it the more he was reminded by Ki, the mystical energies of the body used in the Dragon Ball series… of course the difference here was that earth ponies couldn’t shoot giant energy beams, just get stronger and faster and not in the massive leaps and bounds like aforementioned anime series.

’Good thing this magic is so straightforward.’ Oskar mused. ‘I don’t need anything else to make this little “acquisition” useful unlike unicorn magic. I just implant the circuitry and go! And… I think my absolute bodily control actually makes me better at using earth pony magic then earth ponies themselves … yep, pretty sure. Hmmm, let’s see… I don’t really feel a drain or anything but then again I’m not too sure what I’m supposed to feel for… well that settles it, I need information, namely personal information. It is time to hunt a master of magic.’

With a black surge of tendrils Emerald Gleaner appeared and leapt down from the hydra corpse. She quickly bolted towards the forest proper to make her way directly to Canterlot. Her running reaching ever higher speeds then before thanks to her now magically enhanced viral body.

A little later in the same day Oskar was now standing before the busy gates of Canterlot. This was the capital of Equestria and the home of the goddesses of the sun and moon… needless to say Oskar wasn’t feeling too confident. Especially considering she seemed to be getting even more attention here then back in Ponyville and she wasn’t even in the city yet! Of course once again this attention was purely made up of colts… Oskar may have been too good at selecting the genes for “Emerald Gleaner”…

Doing her best to ignore the many stares she was getting Oskar walked through the gates of Canterlot as calmly as she could. She walked through and everywhere she looked she seemed to find at least one pony looking at her, hearing her heart beat loudly in her ear Oskar began taking deep breaths before focusing on losing attention. She began looking down streets and immediately started trotting down one of the busier ones, intent on losing herself in a crowd. It took some effort and it seemed like the ponies around her were going out of their way to make sure she wasn’t going to be another face in the crowd but eventually she managed it, though she still was feeling very nervous.

Deciding to clear her thoughts and focus on the matter at hand, Oskar quickly found a bench in front of what appeared to be a bakery and took a seat with a sigh.

‘Okay come on Oskar, calm down!’ The Cadre Evolved told herself. ‘You’ve done stuff like this before! Just imagine you’re infiltrating Red Crown again… only instead of viral detectors and Orions around every corner there are two immensely powerful beings that could probably incinerate you in an instant. Okay… this is not working!’

“Ma’am, are you alright?” A concerned voice asked.

Jolted out of her thoughts, Oskar looked up to see a white coated pegasus with a blue mane and cutie mark that appeared to be a wing attached to a hilt, looking down at her. She quickly forgot her nervousness and set her highly intelligent mind to work in the face of potentially getting her cover blown. She quickly noted his stance and the tone of his voice when he spoke; his stance spoke of confidence and strength while his voice was calm and had sounded very formal. Oskar quickly guessed he must be a member of the local military or law enforcement at the very least.

“O-oh it’s nothing, I’m just new to the city and feeling very nervous!” Oskar replied, replicating a nervous tone of voice while making use of the fact the form she was in was female. “M-my name is Emerald Gleaner, I just came here to get some information on local retired masters of magic for a report.”

“Well miss you very fortunate to be speaking to a currently off duty Royal Guard.” The pegasus said as he smiled reassuringly at the pretty and shy unicorn. “I’m Razor Wing, a pegasus in her majesty’s Royal Guard. I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have on the master unicorns, as many of them were once Royal Guards themselves.”

“You will? Thank you!” Oskar said in honest happiness as she scooted aside on the bench for him, which he took with a smile. “I was hoping to be able to ask one of the Royal Guard on our most famed masters of magic.”

“Of course, what would you like to know, Emerald?” Razor Wing asked.

“Well first of all.” Oskar began. “Who would be considered the most powerful?”

“Ah, that would be Silver Light.” Razor answered. “He was a Royal Guard well into his sixties before finally retiring twenty years ago.”

“Twenty years? He must have been a really impressive unicorn.” Oskar replied.

“He was, from what I heard from the older guards that were under his command.” Razor Wing answered with a smile. “He was a very strong willed pony, also very devoted to his work… some might say he was married to it if it weren’t for the fact he was already married to a mare.”

“What is he up to now?” Oskar asked.

“Well he recently wrote a book on magical combat but…” The Royal Guard frowned solemnly as he gathered his thoughts. “Unfortunately Silver Light’s age has begun to catch up to him. He is currently ill in bed from a fever.”

“Oh no…” Oskar said in false sadness, bringing up a hoof to her mouth. “Is… is he going to be alright?”

“I’m fairly certain.” Razor said with a firm nod. “He is a strong old unicorn… but I have heard he is bed ridden until further notice.”

“Oh…” Oskar replied as she put on a sad expression for Razor Wing’s benefit. “That’s really too bad… I hope he gets better. A loyal servant of her majesty Princess Celestia deserves far better.”

‘Jackpot!’ The viral being thought with a mental smirk. ‘Here I thought I’d have to do something risky and try to ambush a master when they would hopefully be off guard. But now I only have to deal with a bed ridden one! Might as well place him on a silver platter and get it over with.’

Razor studied the unicorn sitting beside him. She was a pretty little thing with her coat white as snow, her eyes as green as her own namesake and her mane a bright vibrant shade of pink. Even now as her thoughts were obviously elsewhere she was very cute, her thoughtful frown only adding to the appeal. The pegasus started hoping fervently that the mare before him was not spoken for but considering how beautiful she looked, she probably was.

‘Whoever he is, he’d be one of the luckiest stallions I’ve seen.’ Razor thought as Emerald refocused her attention on him.

“This is really sad news.” Oskar replied to the softly smiling pegasus. “I was really hoping to ask some more questions but I’m not in the mood anymore…. I thank you for your time Razor Wing. You were really helpful but I should be going, I think I have something really important to check on.”

“Of course it’s no problem at all.” The off duty guard replied but before Oskar could walk away he quickly added. “Perhaps I could show you around Canterlot later though? You said you were new and I’d like to make sure you knew how to get around the city without any troubles. Maybe in a couple hours from now?”

‘Hmmm… now that is not a bad idea, it would be pretty stupid to add on some more baggage just to learn how to get around after all.’ Oskar thought, missing the nervous but hopeful expression on Razor Wing’s face. ‘My alibi of not being from here allows me ask things that most would consider strange. Yes, I could get much out of this. I said it once I’ll say it again! Altruism… how useful!’

“I’d like that a lot Razor Wing, perhaps we could meet at…” Oskar quickly looked at the clock within the bakery behind them. “Four o’clock?”

‘Now then on to important matters.’ Oskar thought to herself. ‘Now that I know this Silver Light is ill in bed and not in a condition to put up a fight, I can focus on figuring out how to end him in a way that would look like an accident… or maybe something else… hmmm… that could work… maybe…’

“Then it’s a date!” Razor replied happily. “And you can just call me Razor if you want.”

“Mmm hmm, sure…” Oskar replied absently, not really listening. “I have to leave now but I’ll be back later at four. See you then.”

“See you then Emerald!” Razor Wing shouted at the now leaving unicorn. And when he deemed her a far enough distance away he gave a victorious arm pump to his left foreleg while hissing out a ‘Yes!’

‘Hmmm… okay this may or may not work.’ Oskar thought as she walked along the streets. ‘I need to make sure the death is not suspicious… so causing a fire may not be the most brilliant option. It’s too bad embalming fluid wouldn’t preserve the brain enough for me to consume it properly... wait, I don’t really know how dead bodies are handled here. Plus they use magic for everyday activities… maybe they are able to preserve the body in such a way I can still gain the memories? Okay so I have two choices here, I could take the fire option which will ensure I get the memories but may attract suspicion, or I could take the “natural death” option, which will mean there will be no suspicion but has the risk of me losing the memories… I need more information, off to the hospital.’

Destination in mind, Oskar turned to the nearest pony to ask for directions.

“Excuse me sir?”

“Yes young mare?” An earth pony with a fifties radio announcer voice replied. He had a gray coat with a black mane and brown eyes. He was also wearing a brown fedora and the sideburns appearing from under it had streaks of white in it. His cutie mark was an old fashioned microphone.

“Do you know the way to the hospital?” Oskar asked.

“Why of course.” The earth pony replied cheerfully. “You just head down that street there, take the second left, head down that street until the fifth right and on the third left down that street you should see the hospital at the very end. You got all that kid?”

“All memorised sir!” Oskar answered in a chipper tone before heading down the street. “Thank you!”

“Not a problem kid.”

Oskar walked through the automatic front doors of the hospital and took a look around the lobby. It was one would expect of the average hospital lobby. Rows and rows of chairs, dozens of magazines kept on a shelf for people to read, a candy and pop machine off to the side and a front desk with a nurse working on the computer. The only difference here seemed to be the fact the chairs were made for ponies and the nurse was one as well. Oskar also noticed that this seemed to be a quiet day for the hospital as the lobby was completely empty save for the nurse working the front desk.

Deciding to take a seat until the nurse decided to notice her, Oskar walked over to the shelf with the magazines, she took one titled Ponies and moved to sit in one of the many empty chairs when the nurse unexpectedly called out to her.

“Miss?” The nurse called. “You don’t have to wait; I’m available right now if you need help.”

Blinking in genuine surprise, Oskar placed the magazine back on the shelf and walked over to the front desk.

“How can I help you, miss?” The nurse asked. She was a light blue coated and purple maned unicorn with purple eyes. Her cutie mark appeared to be a stylised red cross. She wore a nurse’s cap and had a stethoscope around her neck. “Are you here for a walk-in? It’s a pretty quiet day so I can get a doctor to look at you fairly quickly.”

“No thank you.” Oskar replied. “I’m actually here to ask a few questions about health care and the like.”

“Oh!” The nurse said in surprise. “Well I definitely got time to answer any questions you may have, so fire away!”

“Thanks.” Oskar said, flashing the unicorn a smile. “Well first, how do you handle newly discovered or dangerous diseases?”

“Well…” The nurse began, tapping a hoof to her chin in thought. “If it’s a newly discovered disease then we quarantine the pony infected with it and study the disease in hazmat suits, hopefully we’ll discover it doesn’t spread to others easily, like through the air, so we don’t have to quarantine too many other ponies, if all goes well then the infected ponies will be let go after we discover a cure or until we finish boosting the immune system to drive the disease off. If it was a known dangerous disease like ENC then-”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Oskar said. “But what is ENC?”

“Oh you don’t know?” The nurse blinked in surprise. “A few young ponies tend to get it, you must have been lucky not to have heard of it. ENC stands for Equine Nasal Cysts, which are basically blisters filled with pus that form in the nasal passages. It’s a nasty and potentially deadly disease, especially for young ponies who like to sleep on their backs, which causes the cysts to start to bunch and press down on the throat, closing it. When that happens you have to quickly get the foal to sit up and massage the throat and coax the cysts out of their bunching.”

“Oh, so how is it cured?” Oskar asked, though noting vaguely the disease sounded similar to something back on Earth.

“Well there is no known cure just yet.” The nurse answered. “Attempting to burst or drain the cysts is not a very good idea, as it usually causes more to develop. Currently we have to bring in young afflicted ponies to the hospitals for surgery to remove the cysts but there have been promising developments in medicine lately… there might be an easy way to cure the illness one day soon if they can get the spray to work.” The nurse finished more to herself than for Oskar.

“So how would an average checkup go?” Oskar asked.

“Well it’s simple enough.” The nurse replied. “First we have a physical examination, sometimes it’s a brief one, sometimes we do a complete examination, it depends on the obvious fitness of the patient really. Then we do a few laboratory tests, which can be as little as a blood test. But we do other things, like an ultrasound for expecting mothers and treatments for those with disorders. The general medical examination can be a simple or complicated process depending on the health or condition of the patient.”

“Hmmm… interesting…” Oskar hummed, deciding that her next question wouldn’t be too suspicious after asking the first few. “Now… ummm… how do I ask this? How do you handle the… recently deceased…”

“Oh…” The nurse said with a solemn look and sighed. “The one inevitability of life… It's never easy handling ponies that have passed on but we do our best. When we hear about a death we send a unicorn doctor right away. When the doctor arrives he casts a rejuvenation spell to reverse what decay the body has undergone, then he puts a spell on the body to preserve it until it can be moved to the morgue where special cells can keep the bodies preserved until the time for it to be buried comes around, then one last preservation spell is cast before it is sent out to the funeral.”

“So if you manage to arrive before any decay has occurred the body will be perfectly preserved?” Oskar asked in genuine curiosity.

“Yes, in fact that’s what we strive for.” The nurse answered with a somber smile. “It almost looks like they are asleep…”

“Wow…” Oskar said softly before deciding to change the subject. “S-so how do you handle newborns?”

“I just love taking care of the foals!” The nurse gushed. “First I do my usual checkups then I start to feed them a…”

Oskar stopped paying attention, she had gotten the information she had come for. She however did pay enough attention to nod and answer when she needed to but otherwise she was focused on her own thoughts.

‘Okay, the choice is now obvious.’ Oskar thought to herself. ‘As long as I make sure the doctor arrives quickly then I will not lose any important memories. But I also have to make sure Silver Light’s condition worsens enough for his family to contact the hospital, and only kill him when the ambulance or whatever the equivalent here is about to arrive. Hmmm… sounds a bit difficult but I should be able to handle it.’

‘Look at the time,’ Oskar thought upon spotting the clock. ‘I better get going soon or I may be late meeting Razor Wing for my tour, maybe I could get more information about Silver Light from him?’

“… a few pats on the back and they’re good.” The nurse finished with a smile.

“Thanks for answering all of my questions!” Oskar replied with a smile. “I have to go now but thank you again!”

“You’re welcome miss!” The nurse said at the retreating form of her fellow unicorn.

‘Hmmm… okay I’ll just have to follow the directions given to me in reverse.’ The viral being thought as she walked down the street back to the bakery.

It was now the next day and Oskar was currently outside the residence of the currently ill Silver Light. She had learned much from Razor Wing from the tour the day before. Said tour had started off with Razor offering to buy Oskar a pastry from the bakery they stood beside, and Oskar was tempted to accept the offer but remembered that she couldn’t hold the pastry the “normal” unicorn way and declined, though she moved Razor Wing a few notches on her mental altruism scale, closer to Twilight. They proceeded to travel all over Canterlot, during which Oskar was introduced to the many sights and sounds of the Equestrian capital. The art exhibit, the race track and the Royal Guard academy were but a few places she had seen, although the viral being was thankful their time had ended before Razor could show here the palace as Oskar was still working out an excuse for not going there. Also, while she was being shown around, Oskar had been talking with Razor and learned many things, the relevantly important of which were details on Silver Light’s location and condition. She had learned the elder unicorn was being checked up on weekly by a doctor, because the old stallion was too stubborn to move to the hospital. Coincidently she had also managed to learn that the doctor’s scheduled visit was the very next day. Having learned so much from the young guard pony, Oskar was more than happy to accept his offer of dinner in a restaurant to learn even more from him.

‘Pretty nice for a soldier… Equestrian pension benefits must be awesome.’ Oskar thought to herself as she studied the three floored estate before sending out a viral pulse. ‘There you are, second floor located right next to that alley… perfect. Okay the doctor should be arriving in half an hour, time to get situated and begin the first step to complete my third objective: Acquire Mastery in magical field.’

Oskar casually walked across the street from her position opposite Silver Light’s home and made her way into the alley. As she was passing a dumpster and group of trash cans Oskar discreetly glanced behind her and ahead of her, finding no one looking into the alley she immediately dissolved into a mass of black tendrils that quickly formed into a rat. Now in a rodent form, Oskar quickly darted between the dumpster and trash cans. Pushing his body against the hard stone wall, Oskar made a tendril that was as thick as a pencil extend from his hidden side and drill into the stone. After a few moments the tendril broke through the stone wall and found itself between the internal wooden walls and the stone external ones. Quickly forming eyes, the tendril took in the sight of the dark space between the walls and the pink insulation lining the interior wooden walls before writhing upwards towards the second floor. Drilling through a layer of wood, the tendril changed directions and pierced the wall of the room Silver Light was resting in.

Easily burrowing through the wooden wall, the tendril came out to find itself in a perfect position, under Silver Light’s bed. Traveling over the small boxes and trunks under the bed, the tendril made it over to the side of the large bed that had a large bulge from the weight on it. Stopping where it roughly guessed was where Silver Light’s head was resting, it moved upwards and began digging through the bed itself. Burrowing past the thin foam layer and threading itself through the springs of the mattress the tendril stopped just short of digging past the last foam layer and into the sheet covering the mattress.

Back outside Oskar mentally changed targets and sent out another viral pulse, which came back after a moment. The viral being quickly made a few mental calculations after sending out a few more pulses, after examining the estimated speed and distance of the approaching doctor, Oskar compared it to a rough mental map of Canterlot and guessed that the doctor was twenty five minutes away. Now in position to discreetly end Silver Light’s life, the Blacklight being began the long wait for the moment to act.

The next little while was spent by Oskar constantly sending out pulses, tracking the doctor's progress through the city and towards Silver Light’s estate. Eventually after guessing him to be eight minutes away Oskar decided it was time for Silver Light to die.

The tendril in Silver’s bed burrowed a little more until it was just beneath the sheets covering the mattress. Out of the head of the tendril came an even smaller one, barely bigger than a hair strand the tiny tendril threaded itself through the sheet. Finding itself beneath the covers of Silver’s bed, the mostly blind and deaf tendril moved towards a source of light in the darkness. Just as the tendril moved into the open air it both felt and heard something, the inhaling and exhaling of a living being. Moving towards the source the tendril eventually came close enough to make out the cavernous opening of Silver’s mouth. Now more than close enough to complete its goal the tendril began shaking itself, causing tiny particles to break off and fly into Silver Light’s sleeping mouth when he inhaled. Ensuring that Silver got a few more lungful of viruses, the tiny tendril then rapidly retracted back to the awaiting larger tendril then it too began rapidly retracting back though the space between the walls.

Reabsorbing the tendril into his form Oskar quickly darted out from between the dumpster and trashcans. Finding no one looking down the alley, Oskar quickly reformed himself into Emerald Gleaner. Making her way back to the street in front of Silver’s estate, Oskar glanced down the street to see the easily recognizable form of the oncoming doctor, a red unicorn wearing a large white coat and a blue stylised cross for a cutie mark. Walking past him Oskar couldn’t resist greeting him.

“Good morning sir.” Oskar said with a smile.

“A very good morning to you too!” The unicorn greeted back.

Continuing on her way down the street Oskar paused a moment after hearing the doctor enter the building. She strained her ears, waiting for a single specific noise. Suddenly a feminine anguished cry filled the air, coming from Silver’s estate. Letting a satisfied smile grace her features for the briefest moment Oskar continued on her way as ponies shared shocked looks around her and wondered what was going on.

‘Step one complete, beginning step two.’ The Cadre Evolved thought to herself. ‘Awaiting the announcement of the burial.’

Oskar had spent the next four days in canterlot awaiting Silver Light’s funeral. She had expected to wait far longer but it seemed the now dead pony’s family just wanted to get it over and done with. The viral being was very glad to find out she wouldn’t have to wait weeks and weeks for the body to be buried.

Oskar did not spend the last four days sitting around and waiting, however, most of her time was spent being productive. The nights and a good portion of the days Oskar spent in the outskirts of Canterlot when she felt her straining her newly acquired earth pony magic wasn’t low key enough for the gyms. She was also trying out her new pegasus magic, it wasn’t a very hard thing to acquire, after all everyone shed hair constantly and all it took was the right one for Oskar to gain pegasus genes. The other result of her hair hunting was that she had dozens upon dozens of other pony forms now and a far wider selection of traits. Of course just because she had pegasus wings did not mean Oskar could fly now as she did not have the memories needed, and pegasus magic was definitely needed to fly properly so the few times she had eaten a crow would not help here. Oskar was definitely eager to learn how to master pegasus abilities though, recalling the time Rainbow Dash managed to lift her despite her immense weight. If an athletic pegasus could do that then surely Oskar with some practice could eventually fly one day.

But learning to master her earth pony magic was not the only thing she did, there were also the trips around town and the dinners and suppers she had spent with Razor Wing. The Royal Guard was proving to be very friendly as well as useful. She leant much of not only Canterlot but other towns and cities as well. Not to mention Razor’s personal opinion on the other races inhabiting Equestria, from gem crazy Diamond Dogs to lumbering Cave Trolls Razor had encountered at least one member of the race and had an opinion on it. While the books were good for general information, learning things from people who experienced them was far more useful, especially when you were certain they were telling the truth.

Case in point, Oskar was currently enjoying a breakfast sandwich Razor had gotten for her while they were sitting in the empty bleachers of the race track, watching the sun rise. Oskar was rather hoping they would be talking more about Razor’s experiences as a pegasus guard but the guard pony seemed far more content to just hang out and enjoy the view with Oskar by his side.

So feeling a little disappointed Oskar did just that and watched the sun rise while munching on her definitely delicious sandwich, which was surprisingly made of flowers and grasses. Despite enjoying the vegetarian meal Oskar was definitely considering breaking into a farm to steal eggs to make a proper breakfast sandwich when Razor Wing got her attention.

“Emerald?” The guard pony asked in a soft voice as he placed his hoof on her shoulder.

“Yes, Razor?” Oskar asked and tilted her head curiously when she saw the normally confident pegasus look very nervous.

“I-I know we’ve only been dating for a few days and all but…” Razor began.

Oskar’s mind immediately froze. ‘Dating? We’re dating?’

Razor looked Emerald Gleaner in the eye, he took in her curious expression with the utterly cute way she tilted her head. Swallowing in his nervousness, Razor Wing’s expression changed to determination and he placed his other hoof on Emerald’s other shoulder and closed his eyes as he pulled her into a deep kiss.

Oskar’s eyes widened to their furthest extent as a massive embarrassed blush enveloped her cheeks. In panic of the sudden and intimate action, large tendrils shot out from her back covered in patches of glowing bioluminescence and ending in vicious serrated scything blades. The tendrils writhed in the air a moment before they whipped forward to rip Razor Wing to shreds. Just like with Rose Locks the blades stopped mere inches from Razor’s body before immediately retreating back into Oskar’s back before the guard pony noticed them. Having managed to calm herself and reign in her violent instincts, Oskar proceeded to wait out Razor’s kiss… unfortunately it had ended up being significantly lengthened when the viral being forgot herself and let out a groan of exasperation over her predicament, which the guard pony took to be “something else” and proceeded to stick his tongue into Oskar’s mouth.

After what seemed like an hour of enduring unwanted French kissing, which was actually a few seconds, Razor finally ended his kiss with a sigh and glazed eyes. Utterly humiliated, Oskar’s face was cherry red and she quickly averted her face to the floor to hide her poorly restrained murderous fury.

Razor stared down almost lovingly at the beautiful unicorn that seemed to be hiding her expression under her bangs, while panting breathlessly. Razor was pretty sure he was an average kisser and was incredibly satisfied he managed to bring a beauty like Emerald to such a state.

‘Can’t… butcher Razor Wing…’ Oskar thought as she heaved with the exertion of keeping her fury born out of humiliation in check, her biomass now in flux and surging with need to tear the pegasus in front of her limb from limb, cell from cell. ‘Mustn’t kill him… don’t know how to get away with it…’

After a few moments the viral being managed to gain enough control over herself to not reveal just how furious she was with Razor at the moment and looked back up. Cheeks still flushed, Oskar saw the guard pony look down at her with a soft smile and reach forward to nuzzle her neck a little. Expression twitching with newfound fury at this act, Oskar quickly took a step back and refocused her attention back on the ground to once again hide her expression.

“Emerald?” She heard Razor Wing say, his voice sounding uncertain and little hurt over her action.

Not meeting his gaze Oskar spoke. “Razor, you know I’m not from around here right?”

“Yes but-”

“Well I don’t intend to stay around for much longer.” Oskar said as she quickly interrupted him. “I only ever intended to stay a few days to do research for my report before going back home. I didn’t think something like this would happen between us Razor, I really didn’t…”

“If it helps, I did enjoy our time together…” Oskar continued when Razor didn’t reply. “But I think this should end now before it becomes too emotionally involved.”

“Emerald I know we wouldn’t be living in the same place but…” Razor said in some protest.

“Long distance relationships rarely if ever work out Razor…” Oskar said softly, despite her rising irritation at the guard pony. “A pony of your age should know that…”

‘Stop being so fucking difficult!’ Oskar inwardly seethed. ‘If I have to make a scene to make you go away I will!’

“Emerald…” Razor said, reaching out to her with his hoof.

“Goodbye Razor…” Oskar said before quickly turning away and trotting off.

“…Goodbye Emerald…” Razor whispered after her with a heartbroken expression.

‘Chin up Razor wing… plenty of blades of grass in the field now right?’ The Royal Guard thought to himself, trying and failing to make himself feel better.

It didn’t help that Oskar as Emerald Gleaner had been very eager to learn all about the guard pony and what he experienced, causing the pegasus to think she was interested in him. It also didn’t help that Oskar’s mare form was incredibly easy on the eyes and her superb acting skills made her very pleasant to be around. All and all Razor Wing had pretty much fallen head over hooves for the secretly fake unicorn and was not taking the sudden “breakup” very well.

‘I don’t think there will ever be another blade like Emerald Gleaner though.’ Razor thought sadly as he began trudging back to his barracks.

Oskar, currently was making her way to the Canterlot cemetery to simply wait under Silver Light’s designated grave for said pony’s body to arrive. But all the way she was openly scowling at what she just experienced.

‘I can’t BELIEVE I did not fucking see that coming!’ The Blacklight being seethed as she stomped along, making sharp clacks from her hooves hitting the streets. ‘I SHOULD have seen this coming a mile away! Why didn’t I see this coming?!’

“RAAAGH!” Now walking through a small park, Oskar turned her attention to a nearby boulder and split it in twain with a single buck of her hind legs. Breath coming in angry gasps, the Cadre Evolved stiffened and looked to her left and saw a group of young unicorns. It seemed a class of unicorn foals often used this path to get to school every morning and just happened to be walking by when Oskar vented her rage.

Staring blankly at the small group of gaping foals for a moment, Oskar suddenly barked out a sharp. “WHAT!?”

“NOTHING!”

“RUN AWAY!”

“AHHHHHHH!”

Oskar watched as the little unicorns squealed in terror, her frown slowly twisting into a small amused smile as the little ponies ran off.

‘Okay now I feel better.’ Oskar admitted to herself honestly ‘That was likely not very smart but they’re kids, who's going to believe stories kids say?’

‘Still…’ The viral being thought, as she continued on her way. ‘I really ought to have seen that coming. Now that I think about it, those suppers we had together were very obviously dates… I guess it’s true what they say, hindsight is twenty, twenty. Well… at least I got the genes of a guard pony, that’s got to count for something right?’ The Evolved mused as she tried to cheer herself up. ‘I had always thought I’d only know what it was like to be kissed by a guy through second experience via a woman’s memories… goes to show life is just full of surprises… bah.’

Finally arriving in the cemetery, Oskar proceeded to head for Silver’s freshly dug up grave, having scouted it out earlier in the week. Standing at the edge of the grave Oskar then gave a quick search around her for anyone looking in her direction, finding the cemetery to be deserted, she quickly dissolved into a mass of tendrils that moved into the grave. At the bottom of the grave the tendrils lingered a moment before quickly burrowing a small hole and quickly burying itself several feet below the grave and ensuring all signs of its presence were gone before fully sinking in.

And so Oskar, as an unrecognizable mass of black tendrils, waited for the funeral procession to arrive. It took three hours but the procession eventually did arrive, all dressed in black dresses with lacy black veils and formal tuxes, their arrival and actions closely watched by several small tendrils Oskar had sent out to establish surveillance on the actions above him.

It was the usual funeral affair, the elderly wife was crying and inconsolable, the other mares were either doing the same or were as solemn as the stallions and the priest was rambling along about eternal glory in the sun or some such.

‘At least he gets to have a funeral.’ Oskar would have scowled openly if she could, how many times were people simply incinerated or used as free feed for captive infected in the NYZ? Far, FAR too many times to even want to know, yet Oskar did, such was the downsides of having eaten Genteck scientists. ‘… She didn’t get one… she deserved one, she deserved the best… she deserved better than me… such a failure…’

Quickly shaking her thoughts aside, Oskar turned her attention back to the funeral. After several more minutes the priest finally finished intoning the funeral rites and the unicorns in the groups slowly and carefully levitated the coffin into the ground. The ponies lingered for a while more but soon began walking off; comforting each other as best as they could while the undertakers began their jobs of filling the grave. Oskar waited as she heard and felt the faint impacts of dirt against the coffin slowly fade away as the grave slowly filled. Soon the earth pony undertakers were smoothing over the top of the freshly filled grave and putting in seeds for a layer of seeds to quickly grow into grass. Watching the undertakers walk away, Oskar finally decided it was time to consume Silver Light’s mind.

‘Step two complete.’ Oskar thought. ‘Beginning third and final step: Consume the body.’

The mass of tendrils burrowed upwards until it reached the coffin and began drilling little holes for tendrils to slip into. Tendrils moved about blindly in the darkness of the coffin and fumbled about over the pony corpse within until they moved towards the head. Reaching the head the tendrils felt about for the ears and upon finding them, moved into the ear canals. The tendrils broke through the ear drums and slipped through the inner workings of the ears until they reached their target… the brain.

The tendrils immediately tore into it, causing the body to twitch wildly as nerves were unintentionally triggered. Before long the body stilled as the brain was finally consumed.

Oskar retracted her tendrils back from the casket, deciding that under the ground was a safe enough place to integrate memories into his mind and thus did so.

The mass of tendrils shuddered as memories assaulted it. Oskar could not describe how relieved she was when she found the mind to not only be perfectly preserved as memories flowed, but also that all the memories were intact as well.

Like when she consumed Steven and the animals in Everfree, thoughts and memories of all types and importance flowed into Oskar’s mind. Some were dull and gray like the patrols around the city that Silver Light considered routine and boring. Others were bright and fully animated with the five senses, like a raid on a Diamond Dog mine holding captive ponies being forced to help dig up gems and several meetings with Princess Celestia. Other memories of the same importance were also there, like times Silver Light spent with his wife and children, Oskar quickly backed away from those. Other memories, like those spent in training to sharpen and improve his skills and life in the academy were not as bright and vibrant as the others but still contained the information that Oskar so dearly desired.

Looking through her telescope tendrils Oskar saw there were no ponies in the cemetery and quickly burrowed up to the surface, her tendrils making a small hole the size of a golf ball and flowed through. Reforming as Emerald Gleaner, Oskar had the brightest smile on her face at finally attaining true mastery over magic. Absolutely ecstatic over her achievement, she quickly began making her way out of the cemetery and back to Everfree to test her new skills.

“Haa!” Oskar shouted as she tossed a large stone the size of her head. The stone flew a fair distance before crashing into a tree and knocking it over.

“Well… that wasn’t too bad according to Silver’s memories, but I need to be better.” Oskar was now back in Everfree, testing out her newly gained mastery in unicorn magic. However… there seemed to be a problem with her magic circuitry. It seemed that integrating all three pony tribe magics had messed up her chances of true mastery in magic without years of effort; she had the knowledge to be considered a master on paper that much was sure… her magical control however…

“Gah!” Oskar shouted as her attempt at a teleport sent her not only backwards but made her upside down as well.

Her control was completely shot, it seemed the only spells she could cast competently was telekinesis and making her horn into an effective light. The thing about all three pony magics was the magic circuitry. Unicorn circuits were located in the head and clustered near the forehead, they needed a foci in order to be used at all, which was obviously the horn. In that way Pegasus magic was very similar, pegasi circuitry were located along the back but were mostly clustered in the shoulder muscles, like unicorn magic pegasi magic also needed a focus which was the wings. In retrospect if Oskar simply only consumed unicorn and pegasus DNA then she wouldn’t be having control problems and would probably be enjoying mastery in unicorn magic, while also using that knowledge to gain some sort of handle over pegasus magic. Having said that, the problem was obviously the earth pony magical circuit, the earth pony circuitry was located ALL over the body. The problem here was that the earth pony circuits often crossed with the unicorn and pegasus ones, the other two circuits were used in ways similar to each other but were very different to how earth pony magic was used, causing errors in the system when unicorn magic began drawing upon the earth pony circuitry because it happened to be connected.

“MMMM! MMMM! MMMM-Gah!” A half buried Oskar shouted as another teleport made her end up in the ground before pulling herself free.

Thus the control problems… Of course one could present Oskar with a simple solution, why not simply remove the earth pony circuits and only use the other two? Her own physical abilities were impressive enough without even needing earth pony magic to amplify them after all. Oskar had thought of and tried this… and immediately ran into another problem. She didn’t know how to remove the earth pony circuit, or even the other circuits for that matter. It was magic, it wasn’t like she could reach into herself and rip it out; Silver Light’s memories were of no help here since no one had ever thought of trying to remove magic before. So it appeared the viral being was stuck with messed up magic. The irony here was that earth pony magic seemed to be a simple and straightforward enough of a system that it suffered no problems from drawing on the wrong kinds of magic as well, making the arguably useless magic of the three the only one she could use… for the moment.

‘It’s simply a matter of control.’ Oskar thought confidently. ‘I need to learn how to draw upon only one circuit and exclude the others somehow. Since Silver Light or anyone else here for that matter has never had these problems, trying to fix this by consuming someone is not an option. Looks like I won’t be getting a free ride here after all… oh well.’ The Cadre Evolved thought with a sigh. ‘Magic is worth the effort and at least I only have to learn control instead of spending years in school for everything else.’

Taking a look around her surroundings in the Everfree, Oskar nodded decisively and got up to get the rock she threw.

‘Let’s start with something simple.’ Oskar thought as she lifted the small boulder onto her back and carried it to someplace more open. ‘Doing lifts with telekinesis is a simple control exercise for young unicorns in school. I’ll do this until I’m sure I got a proper handle on it before moving onto something more complicated.’

And so the hours flew by as Oskar suffered under mind numbing tedium of lifting a heavy stone again and again, while trying to single out her unicorn circuits for the act. As far as the Cadre Evolved could tell she did not get very far in the eight straight hours of effort she had put in. But nothing worth anything was easily gained; Oskar would not let the slow progress deter her. She would have control over her magic even if it took years of effort, and she was starting now.

More hours flew by, so many that the sun had not only set but was now just beginning to rise back into the sky. Through it all Oskar was busy lifting random objects, switching over to rocks of various sizes and weights for a change of pace or when she felt tired. Speaking of which, this was the first time Oskar had ever felt tired in years. Ever since becoming an Evolved Oskar had grown used to her tireless state, the strange feeling from her straining magic had actually confused her for several moments before realising what it was. This had also alerted the Cadre Evolved that she had a weakness here, it was a weakness she fervently hoped that training and staining her magic would eventually allow her to overcome.

Seeing the sun continuing to rise higher into the sky, Oskar paused in her training to think.

‘Hmmm… it’s been roughly a week since I’ve left Ponyville hasn’t it?’ The viral being asked herself, horn aglow with a dark pink aura. ‘I did promise Twilight I would be back in a week… why not? Besides, Twilight is the student of Celestia and was known to have casted an age spell by accident when she was still a school girl! Someone like that is going to have a monstrously high potential for magic, I can’t believe I didn’t take a hair sample just because when I was there last. Well, being her friend means I can rectify that when I return to Ponyville today. Right, let’s go!’

Walking off towards the forest’s edge and towards Ponyville, Oskar then contemplated her current goals.

‘Objective three: attain magical mastery, partial completion. New priority objective: attain satisfactory control of magical abilities, objective four on hold until new priority objective is complete, failure not an option.’

‘Isn’t it noon?’ Oskar asked herself as she made her way through the rather empty streets of Ponyville. ‘Why is this place so deserted? Seems very odd…’

Having arrived just a few minutes ago Oskar was pretty much prepared to be stared at by locals again only to find herself disturbed by their disappearance. She was ready to assume the town was deserted when a gray coated pegasus with a blond mane and bubbles cutie mark suddenly flew into view and smacked into a house. Wincing as the mare peeled herself off the building Oskar quickly trotted towards her to get some answers.

“Hello Miss, I am Emerald Gleaner.” Oskar introduced herself to the mare whose eyes seemed to have become walleyed from impact. “I was hoping to ask you if you could tell me why the town is deserted.”

“Emerald Gleaner?” The pegasus asked as she picked up a dropped bag and tried to place envelopes in the wrong side of a mailbox. “I’ve heard that name before…”

“Uhhh… miss?” Oskar stared at the pegasus who had seemed to have been knocked senseless.

“Oh! I’m Derpy Hooves! Nice to meet you!” Derpy greeted, dropping her mail on the ground and reaching out to Oskar with her hoof.

“Likewise.” Oskar replied politely as she placed her hoof against Derpy’s. “Now about my question?”

“You don’t know!” Derpy gasped dramatically. “There’s a funeral going on today, practically everypony went! I heard it was really tragic; there was this mare that had absolutely no luck in her life but was really beautiful. It was horrible; I’m tearing up just thinking about it!”

“Oh? What happened to her?” Oskar asked curiously.

“She mistook Everfree for a normal old forest and ran into a chimera…” Derpy said softly as she hugged herself in midair.

“So everypony is at this funeral?” Oskar stated with an arched eyebrow. “Even… for example: Twilight Sparkle?”

“Oh yeah, definitely her.” Derpy answered sadly. “She was a friend of hers after all.”

“Hmmm…” Oskar hummed as she tapped her chin in thought. “Well thank you Derpy, I’ll be off.”

“See you Emerald.” The walleyed pegasus waved goodbye when a thought struck her as she stared after the leaving form of Oskar.

“Emerald Gleaner… hey that’s the same name as the-” Suddenly Derpy’s eyes widened both in realization and horror. “G-g-g-ghost!”

Immediately the pegasus turned tail to fly away only to smack into the same building she crashed into before.

‘A friend of Twilight’s died huh?’ The Cadre Evolved mused. ‘With any luck the one to have died would have been Rarity, description somewhat fits her, not likely though since Twilight never mentioned her having horrible luck. At any rate I’ll be busy being the shoulder to cry on for the next few days, it’ll be worth it in the long run though as she’ll trust and like me more.’

Giving a quick pulse of her viral sonar with Twilight as the target, Oskar went into a trot in the direction it came back from.

‘Huh… I’ve never had to act the supportive friend before.’ Oskar thought. ‘I’ve acted the part of a crazy Blackwatch grunt, mad Gentech scientist, half-starved and crazed refugee, mindless infected and even a brothel girl… ugh, I still shudder when thinking about that, at least I only had to sound and act eager to get him to come into the room with me. But yeah, I’ve never had to act like a friend before, I mean I’ve acted chummy with the Blackwatch grunts but I’ve never had to support them in a time of personal need. Blackwatch always made sure to select the independent psychopaths I guess… well then this will be a learning experience that much is sure. It shouldn’t be too hard, just constantly soothe her pain and hold her close to comfort her all the while lying about it, just like the girls back home! OHHHH, tsssss… hehehehe that was very poor!’

Oskar arrived at the Ponyville cemetery and was greeted by the sight of a large number of pews filled with ponies wearing black attire. There were so many ponies that there weren’t enough pews for them all, forcing a few to stand rather than sit. The odd thing was that while the mares were respectfully solemn, the colts were all in tears, especially this one really buff looking pegasus who was balling like a baby near the back.

‘Wow, Derpy wasn’t kidding!’ Oskar thought as she took in the sight. ‘Seems everyone in town decided to show like she said. Hmmm… I don’t see Twilight… ah, there she is.’ The viral unicorn thought after sending out a quick pulse. ‘She and her friends appear to have a pew all to themselves at the front there. Right, I’m a friend too so let’s just get over there as inconspicuously as possible.’

Oskar made her way to the front of the funeral, head held down and body as low as possible without looking strange as the old priest pony continued to recite rites. Eventually she managed to reach the pew without attracting any attention and slowly settled into it, inwardly hoping it was as sturdy as Equestrian beds. Turning to her left, Oskar saw that Twilight was fairly close with only Rainbow Dash between them. The unicorn in question was staring at the ground with tears in her eyes and hiccupping every few moments.

‘Wow that pony must have meant something to her.’ Oskar mused.

Learning over a little Oskar whispered. “Hey Twiley, just got back, mind if I ask who died?”

As Twilight’s head shot up and her eyes widened to their furthest possible extent Dash spoke, angry at the thoughtless question.

“HEY!” Rainbow Dash growled at Oskar. “Show some bucking respect would ya! You-ahhh!”

“EMERALD!” Twilight shouted as she practically threw Dash out of her seat to get at Oskar, throwing her forelegs around the fake pony’s neck in a tight hug while crying in shocked happiness.

“WHOA!” Oskar exclaimed in honest surprise. “What was that for?”

“I thought you were DEAD Emerald!” Twilight answered, staring at Oskar with tear filled eyes.

“Really?!” Oskar stated in confusion as she looked around herself and took in the absolutely shocked expressions from everyone staring at her, looking at the tomb stone, Oskar saw an accurate carving of her cutie mark with her name carved under it, and she even had an epitaph that read: You make your own luck.

“I leave for a week and everypony thinks I’m dead? Why?!” Oskar exclaimed and added in a deadpan tone. “I mean… what the Hay.”

‘Hay doesn’t sound nearly as impressive as hell…’ Oskar thought, sighing inwardly.

“Why?!” Twilight said, practically muzzle to muzzle with Oskar as she glared at said virus angrily. “Because Everfree is dangerous, you uneducated moron!”

Oskar blinked owlishly at this surprising show of anger. “… What?”

“Oh I’m sorry Emerald! I didn’t mean to say something so hurtful to you!” Twilight said with wide horrified eyes as she covered her mouth with her hooves. “I’m just so happy to see you survived the forest but at the same time I’m so furious that you went into Everfree in the first place.”

“Wait… you followed me into Everfree?” Oskar asked in genuine shock and worry, which was for her own secrets rather than concern for the unicorn still latched around her neck.

“Yes I did.” Twilight answered with a nod. “I was really worried for you when I figured out where you went… and then I followed your hoof prints to that clearing… dear Celestia there was so much blood… wait, if you’re fine then where did the blood come from?” Twilight asked as she stared at Oskar in confusion.

‘Crap! Think of something!’ The Cadre Evolved’s mind went into high gear, rapidly piecing together a cover story for an agonising moment. ‘OKAY! Got it!’

“Blood?” Oskar asked confusedly before making her expression clear in “realization”. “Oh! That was the chimera’s blood!”

“What!” Fluttershy squeaked in shocked surprise. “H-how in the world did you manage to hurt the chimera that badly?!”

“Quite easily… I bucked him in the nose.” Osakr answered as she pried Twilight’s forelegs from her neck and walked over to her now redundant tombstone. “Like this!”

With that Oskar gave the tombstone a slightly pulled kick with her hind legs, utterly shattering it, to the combined shock and admiration of many ponies. Oskar of course realised this action would only gain her more attention as while earth ponies were capable of doing what she just demonstrated, rarely a unicorn was able to perform such a feat with such evident ease. However it also the only thing she could think of to back up her claim of hitting a chimera hard enough to make it bleed copiously, she just hoped there wasn’t anyone here that would try to refute her claim, as Emerald Gleaner was an “uneducated unicorn” so Oskar had limits to what she could claim Emerald was capable of. Thankfully everyone seemed to be either too shocked or enamored with her display to try to poke holes in her explanation.

“Woo howdy!” Applejack exclaimed as she trotted over to examine the results of Oskar’s kick. “For a unicorn, ya buck real good!”

“Why thank you!” Oskar thanked but inwardly she was laughing uproariously, thinking how different Applejack’s compliment would be if one little letter was changed. “I’m a traveling unicorn with basically no magic, so I have to know how to buck like the best of them!” The fake unicorn stated with a giggle.

The various colts watching on in the pews practically had hearts in their eyes by now from watching Oskar.

‘Beautiful, strong and independent! What’s not to love?!’ Was their collective thoughts.

Unfortunately, for them, the mares in the group noticed their partners’ gazes at the fake unicorn and immediately bit down hard on their ears to drag them back home for a good talking to while also shooting dirty looks at Oskar for gaining their attention in the first place. The colts that didn’t have a girlfriend or wife finally caught themselves and sheepishly slinked away.

“Well… considering the deceased no longer seems to be deceased; I’ll be taking my leave now.” The old priest said as he slowly walked away.

Oskar didn’t notice as she was too busy staring at what just happened in the pews and wondering why all the mares were glaring at her as they drug their partners away.

“Ooookay… anyways!” Oskar stated, turning her attention back to Twilight and her friends. “After giving him a nice bleeding, I decided to take a tour around Everfree and caught a ride of sorts.”

“So you made the chimera agree to let you ride him?” Twilight asked and got a wide smile from Oskar in answer. “You are one of the most unique mares I know Emerald and I should know, I know five others just as unique as you!” The violet unicorn said, smiling at her friends.

Oskar was about to reply when suddenly the six mares in front of her suddenly gasped and stared at something behind her. The Cadre Evolved turned around just as a shadow fell over her and saw someone that made her eyes widen in fear and caused her to shakily step back. It was Celestia.

“G-greetings your R-royal Highness!” Oskar stuttered out nervously before realising she may have insulted the Princess' sensibilities by speaking without being spoken to. “P-please forgive your humble s-servant for speaking out of turn Princess! I-I do not see nobility very often, let a-alone royalty! I’ll be sure to remember proper e-etiquette next time!”

Twilight and her friends stared with utterly flabbergasted expressions at Oskar. The idea of anyone being afraid of Princess Celestia was incomprehensible yet there was a pony now doing just that. The sure raw fear on Oskar’s face was heart wrenching for Twilight to see, especially when it was directed to Celestia who she was so devoted to.

But if the Mane Six was shocked at Emerald’s behavior then Celestia was far more affected, even bordering on stupefaction at the display.

Princess Celestia was used to being adored, respected and ponies lavishing attention on her, much to the Alicorn’s annoyance at times, but never before did she ever see one of her own ponies display such palpable fear at the sight of her. It made the kindly ruler’s stomach twist at the display as well as causing her to back up and widen her eyes in sure shock. It was made even worse since she knew of this “pony” from Twilight and of the hardships she had gone through in her life.

Quickly gaining a hold of herself, Celestia approached the now bowed form of “Emerald Gleaner”. The Alicorn of the Sun approached and laid down on the ground before Oskar who was holding her face to the ground in a placating gesture. Crossing her forelegs Celestia smiled as comfortingly as possible and spoke softly.

“Emerald Gleaner… why do you fear me?” The Princess asked and looked pained when Oskar flinched at her voice. “You have nothing to fear from me little Emerald… in fact it is I that should be afraid of facing you.”

“What?!” Oskar said, voice creaking in sure shock at the statement. It was enough to make the viral being lift her head off the ground and stare at the Princess who lied only a foot away.

“Yes dear Emerald Gleaner.” Celestia said with deeply saddened eyes. “I consider the life you were forced to live in my own kingdom an utter and unforgivable failure on my part. The fact you were orphaned is horrible enough on its own but adding that you were somehow not brought to the Canterlot National Orphanage to be cared for, educated and hopefully adopted a terrible crime in itself.”

From the moment Oskar had realised she was right next to the Princess her heart had begun beating in her ears like a great drum. But in the face of the Alicorn’s kindly smile and the almost palpable aura of benevolence, Oskar could not help but feel herself relax and her heartbeat to quieten.

“You should not have had to live this life Emerald.” Celestia continued while also noticing how calm the unicorn before her had become, and was very happy for it. “And I swear I will do all that I can to make up for this tragedy to you. Starting with something everypony takes for granted yet you are without, an education.”

“You’re sending me to school?” Oskar asked; now calm enough to retain some control of the situation. “Am I going to have to take classes with younger ponies?”

“No my little pony.” Celestia replied with a smile. “I do believe you are far too old to be placed with the foals. Instead I shall have a tutor assigned to you.”

“Oh…” Oskar said, unsure how to take this sudden development. “Umm… anypony I know?”

“Yes.” Celestia confirmed to the Evolved’s surprise. “I do believe my dear student Twilight Sparkle shall make an excellent tutor for you.”

“Me?!” Twilight stated in shock. “But Princess I’m still a student! I wouldn’t know how to be a teacher for another pony!”

“I would have to disagree with you Twilight.” Celestia smiled at her student. “After all, at a far more tender age you were not only taking care of Spike but educating him single hoofed. And you were most certainly still learning subjects from the academy, not the more advanced subjects I personally taught you in later years.”

“So you see…” Celestia continued. “I am more than confident you will not only be able to give the education Emerald Gleaner so rightly deserves but learn the lessons I still have to teach you as well.”

“You really think so Princess?” Twilight asked and when Celestia nodded her expression became utterly determined. “Then I will give Emerald the best education I can!”

“I’m sure by the time you are finished, Emerald here will be able to attend any university of her choosing.” Celestia stated to the delight of her student before turning her attention back towards Oskar. “And you have yet to tell me why you fear me so, my little pony. Please, I wish only to know what wrong I have done to incite such horrible fear in one of my own subjects so that I may right it.” Celestia almost mournfully assured when she saw Oskar’s eyes widen in fear once again.

“Well…” Oskar began, her mind rapidly putting together a cover story. “I’m basically a hobo, living off the dredges of civilised society, trying not to gain anypony’s attention. Nobles do not like ponies of lesser social stature; I can only imagine what their reaction would be to me…” Oskar said softly, causing a frown to appear on Twilight’s face from her words. “And you are Princess Celestia, ruler of all Equestria AND all the nobles. I just thought… well, that you would be insulted to find yourself anywhere near some dirty homeless pony like me and rightfully so.”

Suddenly Celestia completely surprised Oskar by leaning close to nuzzle the Evolved’s neck. Oskar’s eyes widened as she wondered why the princess would do such an intimate action with her. However when Oskar happened to look towards the other mares nearby and saw their warm smiles to the scene before them, she rethought what was happening. Admittedly Oskar’s thoughts on nuzzles were tainted by the memory of Razor Wing doing just that after thoroughly French kissing her, but Silver Light’s memories proved that nuzzling was just another form of hug when the fore legs were busy being used for something important, like standing. So the Cadre Evolved relaxed and simply waited out the nuzzle.

“My dear Emerald Gleaner…” Celestia said after nuzzling Oskar. “I would never feel that way about one of my own subjects, no matter what they were. Everypony is dear to me, to betray their trust in me though such pettiness for their station… is unfathomable to me. And to tell you the truth I highly doubt the nobility would treat you in such a fashion once they saw you.” To Celestia it was more likely the bachelor nobles would start to compete for the young beauty’s hoof and heart, rather than rudely snub her off as said unicorn thought.

“… Thank you Princess.” Oskar replied softly, truthfully at a loss of how to take Celestia’s kindness.

“Well I’m glad we were able to move beyond that.” Celestia smiled at the smaller pony. “And I am most certainly happy to see you have managed to face the danger of Everfree without a scratch, Twilight was inconsolable when she thought she had lost a newly made but dear friend.”

“Oh…” Oskar said, looking at said violet unicorn that seemed to be recounting that time with a deeply unhappy expression. “I truthfully had no idea… I’ve never had a real friend in years…”

“Before you were alone and nopony else knew you well enough to know to be concerned about what you did with your life.” Celestia stated with a nod. “But now you do have a friend Emerald and a wound was torn deep into her heart when she thought you gone forever.”

“I’ll… I’ll be sure to not to worry Twilight any more with dangerous actions in the future Princess Celestia.” Oskar replied genuinely… from a certain point of view.

“And that is all everypony wants I’m sure.” Celestia answered with a soft smile. “It’s time I returned to Canterlot; I came expecting to have to attend a funeral… I’m glad I was disappointed. But before I leave, Twilight I wish for you to give me weekly reports on Emerald’s education in addition to those you already send.”

“Of course Princess.” Twilight replied.

With a nod Celestia began walking away from the cemetery to a packed chariot with a pair of pegasi guards a fair distance away.

“Well… this is an interesting development.” Oskar stated to Twilight when the Princess was out of ear shot.

“I know right!” Twilight said happily, giving the viral being another hug. “This is so fantastic Emerald! I have so much to teach you! Don’t you think this is such a great opportunity for the both of us? I’ve read that one only truly begins to understand a subject when they teach it to another, this will be a fantastic learning experience for the both of us!”

“Gee Twilight, you have to be such an egghead?” Rainbow Dash stated from above with a smirk.

‘Hmmm… actually this can be a massive advantage.’ Oskar thought. The Cadre Evolved now know that Twilight was not only a student of Celestia but was said to have massive natural potential for magic. Considering that the girl had managed to cast an incredibly complicated master level spell when she was only six, though by accident, this was most definitely the truth. And as a personal student of Princess Celestia there was a high possibility Twilight could teach her things that even Silver Light did not know, a very good chance as the unicorn seemed to be the type of person to share knowledge with as many people as possible no matter what it was. With Twilight’s prodigal insight and Oskar’s excuse as an uneducated unicorn the viral being could master her control over her magic far faster than was possible alone. ‘Yes this is most definitely advantageous; I would be an idiot not to accept.’

“This is great Twilight!” Oskar replied happily to the unicorn hugging her. “I’ll finally be able to master my magic! I can’t wait to finally start learning how to manipulate things with my horn, all that time of watching unicorn’s use magic for every little thing won’t be so painful to watch!”

“You’ll learn how to do more than that Emerald.” Twilight stated determinedly. “I promise.”

“Great but…” Oskar began, looking over the unicorn’s shoulder at the other mares. “Perhaps you should introduce your friends to me? I’ve only ever heard about them after all.”

“Oh! Sorry!” Twilight said sheepishly as she let go of Oskar. “This pony here is Applejack.”

“Howdy!” Said cowpony greeted with a tip of her Stetson. “Friends call me AJ.”

“That up there is Rainbow Dash.”

“Yo!” Dash waved from the cloud she was treating like a recliner chair.

“Over there is Rarity and the pegasus behind her is Fluttershy.”

“Salutations Darling!” Rarity greeted grandly.

“H-h-hello…” Fluttershy said with a small wave.

“And finally this is-”

“HI! I’m Pinkie Pie!” The party pony greeted, bounding right in front of Oskar. “It’s reallyreallyreally nice to meet you! I gotta say the colts were completely right about you! Completely perfect!” Pinkie said, taking a hold of Oskar’s face with her hooves and examining her for imperfections. “Yup, yup! Perfect! You know I can’t believe I missed you! I normally catch the new ponies when they first get into town! Well I know how to fix this! Introduction par-” Pinkie stuck a party favour into her mouth and was about to blow when Twilight interrupted.

“No.” Twilight stated firmly, making the pink pony blow half-heartedly and look at the unicorn with glistening eyes.

“But why Twilight!” Pinkie pouted. “Emmy needs a proper introduction party to Ponyville! So everypony gets to know her!

“I know Pinkie.” Twilight replied with a smile. “But today, tomorrow and probably the rest of the week will be very busy for Emerald. I have to plan out her lesson plans today and start implementing them tomorrow.” Twilight said as she started leading the fake unicorn back to her home. “Tell you what, I’ll make sure Emerald gets this weekend off, you can hold her introduction party then okay?”

“Oh okay…” Pinkie said reluctantly before her expression suddenly cleared up in excitement. “HEY, THIS MEANS I GOT A WHOLE WEEK TO PLAN A SUPER FUN AND AWESOME PARTY!!!” Pinkie declared before darting off.

“Ugh, ah don’ envy ya Emerald.” Applejack said with a wince. “A whole week full of book learning? Ah’d rather be bucking apples.”

“Yeah.” Dash agreed from her cloud. “Stuff like that sounds like it’ll take away from my morning and afternoon naps.”

“Dash, you are always napping.” Rarity replied. “It’s a wonder you get any work done at all with all the times I’ve seen you using a cloud as a bed.”

“That’s cause I’m just awesome.” Dash replied, putting a pair of sunglasses over her eyes.

“I’ll see you later girls!” Twilight said with a wave.

“See ya Twi!” Dash waved back.

“Should we head home now?” Oskar asked.

“Definitely.” Twilight replied with a smile.

“… And then in this period we’ll start your teleportation classes, but only if we manage to cover more material then expected in the year.” Twilight said, levitating a ruler to a chalk board completely covered with an intricate schedule plan… and that was only the front side. “Any questions?”

“Not really but you are certainly thorough in your work.” Oskar said from her desk.

The two unicorns were back in Twilight’s tree house. Both had spent the rest of the day in the library discussing Oskar’s lesson plan for the following years. Off to the side was a bookcase Twilight had conjured up to hold Oskar’s study materials. It was mostly full of books Twilight had taken from the other shelves but it also held books Celestia sent along to assist in educating Emerald. The sun had recently set and Luna’s moon was now in ascent.

“Of course Emerald.” Twilight responded solemnly as she placed her ruler down on the chalkboard. “It’s your education and as your tutor it’s my most solemn duty I ensure you get the absolute most out of it.”

“We’ll start your first year lessons tomorrow.” Twilight continued. “They’ll be simple enough, just some small weights for you to get a handle on telekinesis and a few basic flare exercises to properly light up your horn. Along with those we have to get you started up on mathematics, history, social studies and Equestrian 101. And once those are done we’ll get started on the higher year subjects and spells. It’ll be a hectic few years for you but I promised the Princess to give the best possible education and I will fulfil that promise!”

“I think it’ll be easier than you may think, Twilight.” Oskar replied with an amused smile. “Well should we get to bed Twilight? Don’t want to be still tired for tomorrow.”

“Of course!” Twilight replied. “Busy, busy! So many things to cover tomorrow… hmmm, that reminds me. I should make sure Spike is doing his homework like I asked.”

With that the two unicorns made their way back up to the master bedroom. The bed Oskar had occupied for a brief moment last week was still there so the Evolved slid in and pulled the covers up, enjoying lying in a bed again after a whole week.

“Good night Emerald.” Twilight said as she tucked herself in. “Sleep tight, and if you wake up early again feel free to help yourself to the kitchen and study early.”

“Thanks Twilight, I will.” Oskar replied and once again began waiting for the other unicorn to fall asleep. Roughly half an hour later Oskar had deemed her host now asleep and got up, but she did not leave the room just yet. Instead the Cadre Evolved quietly crawled out of bed and made her way silently to the dresser beside Twilight’s bed. Atop the dresser was Oskar’s target, a hair brush with purple and pink strands of hair curled between the bristles. Reaching over with her hoof, tendrils writhed out from her appendage and quickly gathered up every strand in the brush. Having done that, Oskar made her way out of the bedroom.

Now downstairs in the library Oskar consumed the hairs that were still untouched within her body. Instantly Oskar gritted her teeth in exertion as she worked to hold back the pressure of kinetic energy that would normally explode out after a Evolved sustained a substantial increase in power. Finally the feeling passed and the Cadre Evolved was left feeling elated at the surge of energy she felt beginning to well up within her.

Turning her attention to the bookcase holding the study material meant for her, Oskar walked over and picked up a few of the first year books before walking over to the circular table. Placing the books down, Oskar opened one to study. Sure with Silver Light’s memories, Oskar could justify not actually needing to study but the memories were old and information held in them may not be very accurate anymore. As she read, Oskar began to muse about her current situation.

Overall she didn’t mind the idea of spending the next few years just studying and spending her free time in Ponyville. After all, compared to the NYZ this place was practically a paradise, no Blackwatch strike teams waiting to swoop down from above, no other Cadre Evolved constantly looking over her shoulder hoping she’d screw up and they would get to kill and consume her. Just a race of pacifistic Ponies with absolutely no knowledge of her presence, only of the disguise she had constructed to interact with them. Yes, Oskar would enjoy this sudden but not unappreciated return to a fairly normal life, and with the person she was living with it would most likely be pleasantly calm.

‘After all…’ Oskar thought with a relaxed smile. ‘How much trouble and excitement could a librarian like Twilight get up too?’

Letting out a calming breath Oskar returned to her studies.

-TBC-

Author's Notes:

Finally done! You know I never really plan for a specific number of words to be in a chapter, they just tend to be big nowadays.

Also! If there was a song that best fit Oskar at this point in time it would have to be "I Am My Own Master Now" from Metal Gear Rising Revengence. If you are too lazy to look it up on Youtube here are the lyrics
-
Time to leave them all behind!
Breaking out of my pain..
Nothing ventured, nothing gained..
I'm my own master now!

Bare the mark of my scars..
Shedding blood underneath the stars..
But I will survive somehow.

Born into the black,
there's no choice, but take orders, to attack!
Locked up in chains,
I give in, but my hunger still remains!

Not content to live this way,
Being led by the blind,
Got to plan my dispersal,
-
Personally I think it fits really well!

Also I'm going to be working on my other story for the next little bit but I'll be back to work on this later.

EDIT 2/13/16: Replaced with edited version

Chapter 4: Dream Life

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‘I take it all back!’ Oskar thought sourly. ‘Twilight is practically a living magnet for trouble! These past few weeks have been full of crazed adventures out of nowhere and chaotic meetings with her friends!’

It was an early morning with the sun having just risen into the sky; the Cadre Evolved was in Twilight’s library reflecting on her first month in Equestria with no little amount of negativity. The first week had started out predictably with Twilight tutoring her, usually until three but if Oskar asked the lessons would be extended to six. The rest of her day was hers to spend as she wished but even then Oskar didn’t really relax. Although most would consider spending time socializing with people to be fun, in Oskar’s case it was purely work, since Twilight had other friends Oskar set about becoming acquainted with them with the intention of one day being considered a trusted close friend, like with Twilight. So Oskar had set about “being herself” and getting to know the other ponies of Twilight’s little circle.

Applejack was a fairly straightforward person; the path to becoming her friend was quite clear and simple to the viral being. As a cowpony working on a farm Applejack would likely appreciate a pony that wouldn’t balk in the face of hard work or wasn’t scared to get dirty, since the backstory Oskar had made for Emerald Gleaner was that she was a tough traveling pony, she could easily offer her help and get into Applejack’s good graces simply enough. Oskar also made sure to take note of the rest of the Apple family though she did not make it a priority to get to know them, but she would make sure to do so when it proved vital to gaining the cowpony’s trust.

Oskar at first thought that Rainbow Dash would be more difficult than Applejack, thinking she would be dismissive of her being a ground bound pony. But Oskar’s first meeting with the rainbow maned pegasus disproved that. Dash actually thought Oskar was pretty cool for not being a stereotypical wimpy, nerdy unicorn, as well as going into Everfree without a second thought. Although Oskar still had to prove her “cred” through several obstacle filled hoof races the viral being could now safely say she had Rainbow Dash’s trust and friendship.

Rarity was definitely more difficult and would require some work but not because the other unicorn was being difficult, that fault lied with Oskar or more specifically Emerald Gleaner. No one was perfect and Oskar made sure to make her Emerald Gleaner persona reflect that, meaning that Emerald as a traveling pony who couldn’t afford and most likely would look down on frivolous things would probably not easily get along with the Rarity, who adored and designed such things. Despite this it appeared that she was winning Rarity over, who probably thought Emerald was trying to get along with Twilight’s other friends as a favour to the violet unicorn in question.

Pinkie Pie was… a different matter altogether. It appeared Oskar had made a steadfast friend just by meeting the pink excitable pony who went out of her way to plan a party just to introduce and welcome her to the town. Pinkie was definitely an unpredictable factor that Oskar would have to be wary of if she ever made any plots that involved her but as of right now… Oskar was fairly sure she had nothing to worry about when it came to the party pony.

Fluttershy was an introverted little thing but besides that one would think Oskar could become a dear friend with a little effort and persistence. Well… true as that may be, Oskar was at this point going out of her way to not meet Fluttershy at her home and only tried to talk to the pegasus when she happened to be around. Why Oskar was doing this was because of paranoia on the Evolved’s part. When Oskar had discovered the local wildlife’s startlingly high level of intelligence she had begun to become rather wary of being around them while in disguise, thinking their instincts may somehow point her out as a predator despite the form she was in. With this in mind Oskar was loath to go see Fluttershy and raise suspicions if the pegasus’ animals freaked out while she was around.

The first steps to gaining the bearers of the Elements of Harmony was what occupied Oskar’s free time in her first week until the weekend when the party Pinkie planned began. That was when the craziness that surrounded the lives of the mares Oskar was getting to know started to let itself be known. During the party Spike had suddenly gotten a message from the Princess about an upcoming event called the Galloping Gala which was quickly followed by three tickets, apparently for Twilight, Emerald and Spike. From what Oskar had recalled from Steven’s memories the Galloping Gala was this massive formal party slash celebration that was held yearly at Canterlot. Oskar was contemplating what kind of people would be there when Spike made it known that he wouldn’t be going, saying he didn’t want anything to do with “girly frew, frew stuff”. Upon hearing that, Twilight’s friends went from congratulating the three to asking Twilight if she could let one of them have the ticket. What followed was a large argument as each of Twilight’s friends stated their reasons for wanting to go and even the other ponies at the party started asking Twilight for the free invitation. Needless to say the situation worsened from there with the party being brought to an expectedly quick end. The rest of the day was basically filled with Twilight’s friends giving favours to Twilight and Oskar herself had quickly gone from amused to disbelieving of the situation as the rest of the town starting hounding Twilight to the point she basically had a breakdown with her friends and told them she didn’t want to disappoint any of them. Eventually it ended with Twilight sending all the tickets back, even Oskar’s… which the Evolved was rather annoyed about at the time. It all ended fairly well when Celestia sent Twilight a letter filled with eight golden tickets… it still didn’t explain the utter insanity that had possessed the whole town earlier though.

A few days later apple picking season had apparently come and Applejack for some reason decided to handle the entire harvest by herself. And since Oskar was now a good friend with the cowpony she had to be concerned about her when she did stupid stuff now, as a real friend would. So an inwardly grumbling viral unicorn and an actually concerned Twilight spent several days trying to convince the stubborn earth pony she needed help. Eventually they succeeded but only after wasting several days and Applejack only managing to harvest half the orchard. Oskar considered the only good point of the whole experience being that she got to get some good practice with her telekinesis in.

And now just the day before was the whole situation with Rainbow Dash’s friend Gilda who was a Griffin, never mind that the once shockingly sturdy chairs decided to break whenever Oskar tried to sit on them the day before that one. The day started normally enough with Twilight tutoring Oskar and coaching the fake unicorn during her magical exercises. Then Pinkie Pie had come in talking about some “mean and grumpy griffon” named Gilda, apparently she had come to get some advice from Twilight on how to handle the griffon. Personally Oskar thought Pinkie should have asked someone else considering how naïve Twilight still was when it came to social problems, the Evolved considered herself proven right when Twilight told Pinkie that she was jealous of Gilda hanging out with Rainbow Dash, choosing to believe the best of people. Pinkie Pie soon left after that, grudgingly taking Twilight’s advice. That day continued with Oskar going through more lessons until three thirty when she, Twilight and Spike were invited to a party being held at Sugarcube Corner in Gilda’s honor, which Oskar had been rather surprised about considering what Pinkie said about the Griffon earlier that day. The three had gone to the party and were soon treated to the sight of Gilda being the victim of several pranks. The Griffon soon had had enough and blamed Pinkie Pie for the pranks as well as insulted everyone else in the room before telling Rainbow Dash that they were leaving. Gilda, as well as Oskar, were proven wrong about the culprit of the pranks when Dash confessed that she was the one to set them up. Seeing her friend as the rude bully she was, Dash told Gilda that she could find different friends to hang out with if picking on people was cool to her. Gilda apparently didn’t take this very well and soon took off, insulting Dash before leaving, shrieking like an eagle.

‘Can’t have one normal week around here.’ Oskar groused as she watched the morning sun rise through the library window. ‘This better be a fluke and not a sign of how my time here is going to be. Bah, knowing my luck I’ll end up being stuck in the middle of an invasion or something.’

The viral being turned around when she heard Twilight enter the room, yawning and magically brushing her mane.

“Good morning Emerald.” Twilight greeted “How was everything last night?”

“Long, boring, full of eye degrading studying.” Oskar answered with a shrug. “The usual.”

“I’m sure you will have nothing to worry about.” Twilight reassured the fake unicorn as she went into the kitchen with said unicorn in tow. “Look at me for instance, I’ve nearly spent my entire life reading books and studying the academic arts and I still have perfect vision.”

The two then took a seat at the kitchen table, awaiting the morning breakfast Spike usually prepared. But the two forgot one little fact.

“Haa, haa, haa…” Spike yawned loudly as he stepped into the kitchen.

It was still rather early and this was actually the time Spike would spend energising himself to fully wake up for a day of helping Twilight.

“Gee, Twilight…” Spike began when he saw the violet unicorn sitting at the table. “Trying to copy Emerald’s sleeping habits? You’ve been getting up earlier and earlier… give me a couple minutes to wake up and I’ll start cooking breakfast for us.” Spike finished as stretched and yawned.

“Sorry Spike, take as long as you need, we can wait.” Twilight told the baby dragon who waved in acknowledgement as he went to the bathroom to wash up.

“You know I’m fine with being alone all night.” Oskar told Twilight. “You don’t have to try to teach yourself to go without a full seven hours of sleep.”

Being alone at night meant that Oskar could leave to do some covert business in town should the need arise and the Evolved didn’t want Twilight around to complicate that. The last thing Oskar wanted was Twilight to look up some obscure sleep deprivation spell just to help her study.

“Oh… was it that obvious?” Twilight asked sheepishly.

“Twilight I’m fine.” Oskar said tiredly. “I wasn’t mauled or anything by the monsters in Everfree, I don’t think anything would happen to me here in the safety of your library. There really is no need to get all obsessive.”

“I’m sorry Emerald…” Twilight Apologised. “It’s just when I thought you had been k-k-killed and I saw that meadow… and all that blood…”

‘Geez girl, get a hold of yourself!’ Oskar thought as she inwardly snorted derisively. ‘I’m your friend not your god damn husband.’

“I fully and completely understand.” Oskar reassured Twilight. “And I promised not to worry you like that again Twilight. Believe me when I say I will be going out of my way to do that.”

“Thanks Emerald.” Twilight said, giving her friend a quick hug. “I don’t mean to be such a worry wart but… well let’s move on. Are you going to be eating out here with us?”

Oskar was about to reply no and eat while studying in library like she always had in the past few weeks. But reconsidered when she thought about how Twilight was currently feeling.

“I’ll think I’ll eat out here with you guys for once.” Oskar replied as Spike entered with several plates of food.

“Oh great, you’re finally joining us!” Spike said with a smile as he placed a plate of various steamed vegetables in front of the fake unicorn. “Never thought I’d see another pony who’s as obsessed with learning as Twilight!”

“Spike!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m not obsessed! I’m just very… well I like to think of myself as driven.”

“Sure thing Twilight, whatever you say.” Spike said as he placed his own plate on the table which Twilight sighed at.

Oskar blinked in confusion when she saw that his plate was full of gems. An expression of total and utter stupefaction almost managed to appear upon the viral being’s face when she saw Spike pick a large ruby and bite into it like an apple. After a few moments Spike finally noticed Oskar staring at him.

“Uhhhh… what?” Spike said, mid-chew.

“… You can eat gems?” Oskar finally said after a long moment of silence.

“Well… yeah.” Spike answered. “What you never noticed?”

“Hmmm, you’re always eating in the library Emerald.” Twilight stated after a moment of pondering. “I’m surprised you never noticed Spike munching on gems between meals but then you are always busy studying for your lessons and talking to our friends.”

“Speaking of which, is Applejack still mad about the… ‘Super Wolf’?” Spike asked with a smile.

“Well when I saw her yesterday she seemed to be grumbling about something.” Twilight answered. “So yes it’s very likely.”

Oskar didn’t bother to hide the smile she had when she heard that, a few days ago she had finally grown tired of a vegetarian diet and decided to raid Applejack’s farm for eggs and bacon. The thing is Oskar didn’t know just how quick Applejack would be to react to threats to her farm. Oskar had only swallowed a few eggs when not ten seconds after the squawking began Applejack arrived, rearing for a fight. The viral being had proceeded to dodge the cowpony with her natural acrobatic ability for several moments before deciding that a breakfast sandwich would be good enough and retreated. Oskar of course had considered mauling the earth pony to death since no one would think to place suspicion on Emerald Gleaner for an animal attack but reconsidered, the loss of one of the bearers in such a way would very likely raise security immensely in Ponyville, not to mention the psychological effect it would have on Twilight, which would be ultimately detrimental to Oskar’s learning.

Still smiling from the memory of the sandwiches she enjoyed in Everfree, Oskar asked. “AJ still mad about that wolf showing her up huh?”

“It appears that way.” Twilight replied with a small smile.

Oskar returned to eating her vegetables but kept glancing out of the corner of her eyes at Spike as he ate his gems.

‘Haven’t forgot about you little guy.’ Oskar thought. ‘Wonder if your jaw muscles are “that” strong or if your teeth are just that sharp.’

Soon the three finished their respective meals and headed about their normal morning routines. Spike picking up the dishes to clean them, Oskar and Twilight headed to the library to begin the usual lessons.

“Now…” Twilight began, now standing beside a chalkboard covered in writing and faceting Oskar, who was sitting at a desk. “In the third century of the princesses’ rule-”

“We already covered this portion of history.” Oskar quickly interrupted.

“What? When?!” A frazzled looking Twilight exclaimed as she started to rapidly flip through her teaching journal.

“Two days ago.” Oskar answered tiredly. “Then the day after that we covered the times table and started to move on to divisions when the day ended.”

“Ohhhhhh, I’d never thought I would say this but slow down a bit Emerald!” Twilight said as she began to scratch out several things in her journal and began frantically writing. “We’ve already covered six months of the material I had planned out! I never thought we would be getting through basic mathematics as quickly as we are history. I expected as much since you’ve been reading those books so much but…”

“Should I just get on with my telekinesis practices while you work out a new schedule?” Oskar asked.

“Hmmm? Oh yeah, sure…” Twilight replied absently as she got into detailing out a new teaching schedule in her journal.

Rolling her eyes, Oskar walked over to a case placed against a wall. Using what control she had, the Cadre Evolved levitated the cast back to her desk and opened it, also with her telekinesis. In the case were several brass weights, there were a dozen small bullet shaped weights which weighed anywhere between an ounce and several pounds. With the smaller weights were four larger discs, they were brass as well with the smallest weighed ten pounds and the largest thirty pounds.

Oskar took all the weights out of the case and placed them on her desk before putting the case on the floor beside her desk and taking her seat. With a small frown of concentration Oskar began levitating the smaller weights first and moving them about experimentally before moving onto the larger ones. Frankly Oskar felt like she wasn’t getting very far anymore with these little weights, after all she was throwing around some fairly large rocks back in Everfree, and that was only with barely any control! Huffing slightly as she felt little exertion from levitating all the weights and moving them in the air, Oskar decided to add the desk to her regimen and levitated that as well. Nodding in appreciation as she moved the other weights out of the way of desk and exerted herself, Oskar decided she had not met her limit just yet and looked around for something to levitate. The fake pony blinked in sudden realization and stopped her search for a heavy object, what was the heaviest thing there? Why the Blacklight being herself of course.

Oskar concentrated as she focused her magic on herself and attempted to levitate herself… but failed. She didn’t know why her attempt to levitate herself failed; it wasn’t that she was too heavy since she had failed to get even a grip on herself in the first place. For some reason her attempts to magically grasp herself simply did not find purchase.

‘Hmpf… fine then I won’t levitate myself…’ Oskar thought as she narrowed her eyes at her seat. ‘I’ll levitate that instead.’

The chair Oskar was sitting on lit up as it was enveloped by the fake unicorn’s dark pink magical aura and slowly but surely floated into the air. Eventually after inching her way into the air Oskar joined her desk and weights in the air.

Oskar stayed like this for a minute, her breaths coming and going steadily and loudly. Suddenly the Evolved heard a gasp and looked out of the corner of her eye to see Twilight staring wide eyed at her.

“What is it Twilight?” Oskar asked somewhat testily. “I need to concentrate, this isn’t easy at all.”

“Emerald, you're levitating yourself!” Twilight exclaimed. “You’ve only just started and already-”

“Technically I’m not levitating myself.” The fake unicorn interrupted.

“What?”

“I tried levitating myself, but couldn't get a grip for some reason.” Oskar answered. “So I settled for levitating the chair I was sitting on instead.”

“Hmmm, interesting…” Twilight muttered as she narrowed her eyes and studied the sight before her intently. “Why did you decide to do that in the first place?”

“It was… getting… too easy!” Oskar ground out before quickly setting everything down as soft as she could with a loud sigh. “Yeah, I’m definitely going to do that more often… glad this dumb thing didn’t break again…”

Twilight stared at Oskar in fascination as said viral being panted in slight exertion. After a few moments the violet unicorn nodded her head in decision.

“Emerald, you have been progressing in telekinesis very rapidly.” She stated and got the Cadre Evolved’s attention. “And I think you are prepared for your first forays into spatial manipulation!”

“Spatial… you mean I’m ready for transfiguration right?” Oskar asked with a tilt of her head.

“Well… yes.”

“Why didn't you say that instead?”

“But I just did!” Twilight exclaimed only for Oskar to roll her eyes at her.

“Well, your sesquipedalian loquaciousness aside…” Oskar began with a sly smile, making Twilight pout at her. “Is there anything I need to start practicing transfiguring?” Oskar already knew what she needed of course but “Emerald” wasn’t supposed to.

“Well I didn’t think we would reach this point so rapidly, so we’ll have to cut today's lessons short to buy some supplies from the store.” Twilight said as she walked up to her room to get her saddle bags and some bits.

Oskar sat down at the base of the stairs and waited for Twilight to come back down. A few moments later Spike walked in from the kitchen and saw Oskar sitting at the base of the stairs.

“What’s going on?” The little dragon asked when he came close.

“Twilight needs to head to the store to buy some more lesson supplies for me.” The fake pony answered.

“Huh…” Spike remarked simply. “Think I’ll come along, we’re getting a bit low in the pantry.”

“Oh, okay.”

After another few moments Twilight finally came down from her room.

“Sorry that took so long, I was sure I had put my bits in my drawer… oh, hello Spike, are you coming along?” Twilight asked upon seeing the baby dragon standing beside Oskar.

“Yep, our pantry is getting a little empty.” Spike explained and when Oskar stood up fully he quickly climbed up to stand on her back. “Are we ready to go?”

Oskar raised her brows in surprise at Spike's action but then just shrugged; it wasn’t like Spike was heavy or anything. Besides, she had seen Twilight carry Spike around like this many times before.

“Yes, let’s get going!” With that, the two unicorns plus one dragon left the house.

Shortly after leaving the house Twilight shook her head in wonder.

“I still can’t believe we’re already at this point in your education Emerald.” Twilight stated, smiling at Oskar. “It’s utterly amazing how fast you are learning magic.”

“It’s not only me Twilight; I do have a rather awesome teacher.” Oskar replied rather truthfully.

“Yeah!” Spike immediately agreed. “Having the most magical unicorn in Ponyville as your teacher is a huge advantage in learning magic. But you’re still pretty great Emerald, especially when you think about what your talent is.”

“Oh Spike, I’m sure there’s plenty of ponies here in town that are just as magical as me.” Twilight replied modestly.

“Wait, what did you mean about my talent?” Oskar asked the baby dragon on her back.

“Only that most unicorns pick up magic tricks concerning their talent.” Spike said, pointing at Oskar’s cutie mark. “But Twilight’s talent is magic so she has LOTS of tricks and learns them quickly.”

“Really?” Oskar said, looking at Twilight.

“Well… I do admit to knowing a few more spells than the average unicorn.” Twilight replied somewhat reluctantly.

“Bah, as if I’d let some over rated flank paint tell me what to do.” Oskar said with a scoff, frowning at the thought of only learning spells that concerned finding and gathering emeralds.

“What do you mean by that Emerald?” Twilight asked, a little confused over her friend’s reaction.

“Do you honestly believe I would limit myself to only learning just enough magic to find gems?” Oskar stated. “That I would stand by and watch as you learn to bend reality to your will, while I play in the dirt?”

“Emerald…”

“No!” Oskar stated firmly. “I will learn it all, from simple levitation to full on gravity reversals, I WILL not stop at just finding shiny rocks in the dirt.”

“If that’s how you feel about it Emerald then I’m behind you one hundred percent.” Twilight said with a smile. “I won’t stop until you learn everything I know and more. Besides, if a cutie mark dictated what a pony would be doing for the rest of their lives then Rarity would be a miner, not a fashion designer.”

“She would be a very glamorous miner!” Oskar agreed with a laugh. “Thanks Twilight, you are a great friend and a fantastic teac-”

“Gang way! Coming throu- ARRRGH!” A voice yelled before turning into a pained shout.

Oskar blinked before looking behind her to see two young colts on the ground behind her, their eyes spinning in their sockets from having run into the dense viral being.

“Wh-where’d that wall come from?” The chubbier of the two colts asked in a daze.

“Snips, Snails? You guys alright?” Spike asked from atop Oskar’s back.

“Y-yeah, I think so…” Snips replied as he and his friend shakily got back onto their hooves.

“Wow Miss Emerald!” Snails exclaimed. “You’re as tough as all the ponies say you are!”

“You two should be more careful.” Twilight chastised lightly. “Why were you two in such a big hurry in the first place?”

“You guys haven’t heard?!” Snails exclaimed. “There’s a new unicorn in town!”

“Yeah! They say she’s got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever!” Snips added.

“Really?” Oskar stated disbelievingly, while her knowledge wasn’t comprehensive Silver Light knew enough about current magical masters that Oskar could honestly doubt such a unicorn’s existence. “Well, consider me a skeptic.”

“Yeah!” Spike agreed with Oskar. “That honor should go to Twilight!”

“Where is this unicorn?” Twilight asked.

“Ho, she’s in the town square.” Snails said before suddenly bolting away. “Come on!”

“Yeah! Follow us!” Snips shouted back as he galloped after his friend.

“I suppose we’re putting off the shopping trip for now?” Oskar asked upon seeing Twilight walking after the two colts.

“Are you coming Emerald?” Twilight asked.

“Come on Emerald!” Spike urged from atop the fake unicorn’s back. “I wanna see who this so-called ‘most magical unicorn ever’ is.”

“Alright, I suppose my lesson supplies can wait.” Oskar stated and began trotting forward. “This sounds like somepony has an over inflated ego though.”

Soon enough the three were in the town square where a stage had been set up, on the stage was a light blue unicorn wearing a star spangled cape and pointy hat.

“Come one, come all!” She announced grandly over the crowd as the three made their way to the front. “Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

With that declaration a cloud of sparkles appeared over the show pony’s visage to the crowd’s apparent awe.

“Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!” Trixie continued bombastically.

“Oh she speaks in third person! I can already tell that she is just the best sort of pony you can be friends with.” Oskar commented sarcastically as Trixie let off several fireworks to the crowd’s delight.

“With that I think we can agree with each other Emerald darling.” Rarity replied.

Oskar turned and saw that not only was Rarity there but so were the rest of Twilight’s friends. Turning back to watch Trixie show off and boast for a few moments, Oskar couldn’t help but speak her mind.

“Braggart… wonder if she’ll like to see my skill at fighting up close and personal?” The viral unicorn wondered aloud.

“C-calm down Emerald!” Fluttershy urged. “Nopony wants to see you hit her!”

Oskar simply gave a deadpan look to the timid pegasus and pointed at Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the latter of which was scowling pretty openly.

“Well… almost nopony…” Fluttershy amended.

Trixie meanwhile was still showing off and wowing the crowd with her fireworks displays but she was also carefully studying their mood. It didn’t take her long to spot Oskar and see that the fake unicorn was in no way impressed with her show, so Trixie quickly trotted over to show her up and besides … it would make her feel so good to make a fool of such a beautiful unicorn.

“Well, well, well, it seems we have a neighsayer in the audience.” Trixie drawled as she came to a stop before Oskar. “Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do you not know that you’re in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?”

“Hey ya don’t nee-” Applejack began.

“I am not blind and neither am I stupid.” Oskar interrupted. “I know very well that Twilight is right there and that she has no problem with me standing beside her.” The viral being said, pointing at the now blushing unicorn in question.

“Grrrr, Trixie was referring to herself!” The showpony ground out.

“Well how was I supposed to know?” Oskar asked faux innocently. “Since the Great and Powerful Trixie refers to herself in every other sentence when she speaks in the grating and annoying third person?”

“You dare mock Trixie?” Trixie said imperiously. “Well then, I hereby challenge you Ponyvillian, anything you can do, I can do better!”

“Really?” Oskar said in a sickly sweet tone, her head slightly tilted to one side. “You can be a better uneducated, dirt poor orphan then me? Now this I can’t wait to see.”

Silence. Dead silence. Trixie was on the stage frozen in a dramatic pointing pose, her eyes slightly widened. The crowd wasn’t much better as they stared agape at Oskar for bringing up her ‘tragic past’ so indifferently. Finally after a few moments Trixie brought a hoof to her mouth and cleared her throat loudly.

“BEHOLD!” The showpony shouted loudly as large fireworks went off, firmly regaining the crowd’s attention. Then she quickly wandered off to a different part of the stage, intent on recapturing the crowd’s adoration.

“Yeah you better run.” Oskar muttered.

“Emerald!” Twilight exclaimed as quietly as she could. “Why did you have to talk about yourself like that?!”

“What? You mean about the fact I’m an uneducated dirt poor orphan?” Oskar replied.

“You shouldn’t try to make light of what happened to you Emerald.” Twilight said with a frown. “It was a horrible terrible thing that nopony should have had to go through.”

“Oh, as if anypony cares about my past.” Oskar stated and got a glare from Twilight as well as quite a few ponies that managed to hear what she had said.

“We care Emerald, don’ cha mistake that.” Applejack replied. “Specially me, grew up with a big ole family but ya didn’t even get ta have your parents for long.”

“Okay, I admit to maybe being a little hasty in saying that.” Oskar admitted honestly. “But really when it comes to what happened to me I don’t really care anymore, it was the past and it isn’t going to happen to me again.” The viral being said firmly before turning her attention back to the stage, it seemed Trixie had finally managed to recapture the crowd’s wonder and was back to boasting.

“…Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic, vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree Forest!” The showpony announced with another round of fireworks going off behind her.

It wasn’t too long after that, that Applejack quickly grew tired of the unicorn’s showboating and stepped up to the stage in an attempt to put her in her place. The cowpony had tried to outdo the show mare with her lasso skills but was soon tied up with her own rope via Trixie’s magic. Quickly following suit, Rainbow Dash rushed onto the stage, angry that someone other than her was hogging the spotlight. Her attempt was not going nearly as well as the pegasus hoped.

Oskar frowned in quickly mounting irritation as Trixie’s ego seemed to visibly grow with each victory over Twilight’s friends. Easily pushing down her irritation, Oskar turned to Twilight who was watching events unfold on the stage.

“Why don’t you step up there and show Trixie real magic?” Oskar suggested, after all, the show mare seemed to use her fireworks rather than use her magic for effects. “The others can’t seem to outdo her showmareship, maybe having somepony who could use magic as well can outdo her?”

“Hey yeah Twilight!” Spike exclaimed in agreement. “You should go up there and show that pony how it’s done!”

“I-I don’t know you two.” Twilight replied uneasily. “Look at my friends; they don’t seem to like how she’s showing off her talent…”

“Well yeah, but what’s that got to do with you?” Oskar asked.

“If I go up there and showup Trixie with my talent I won’t be any better than her, the others might even resent me for it!” Twilight whispered urgently.

“But Twilight!” Spike complained immediately as Oskar tilted her head and gave a disbelieving stare.

“No Spike.” Twilight said with a shake of her head. “I’m not going to risk alienating my friends.”

‘Your naiveté is alienating me.’ Oskar thought in reply.

“What this jerk needs is another unicorn to show her up!” Dash muttered as she rejoined her friends.

“A unicorn to get into an awesome magic on magic contest with her!” Pinkie agreed

“A real unicorn to unicorn tussle.” Applejack added with a nod.

“Enough. Enough, all of you. I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense.” Rarity stated with a dramatic toss of her mane.

“Oh don’t you start talking like her.” Oskar said with a minor glare. “Bad enough you waste all that time on frilly uselessness.”

“Hmph, I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that rather than get into another verbal spar over the merits of my profession.” Rarity stated snootily. “As I was saying before I so rudely interrupted, Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace.”

“Ugh, I just finished telling you not to talk like her!” Oskar exclaimed as Rarity ascended the stage.

Oskar shook her head as she watched Rarity perform on the stage, she could tell this was not going to end in the glamorous unicorn’s favour, even more so when she took the expression on Trixie’s face into account. Oskar took another glance around the crowd and saw that everyone else was pretty much smitten with the show mare, considering that Twilight seemed determined to not “alienate” her friends.

“Come on Twilight.” Oskar said with a sigh. “Unless you want to see Rarity lose-”

“MY HAIR!”

“Too late.” Oskar stated and snorted when she saw what Rarity was freaking out over as she bolted past. “Seriously? One little magical dye job and she loses it? Anyways, come on Twilight, I want to get my transfiguration supplies.”

“Yeah okay Emerald, let’s get going.” Twilight said and quickly led the way, managing to leave the plaza before Trixie could single her out.

About a few moments after leaving Spike spoke up.

“Twilight you could’ve easily beaten that mare.” Spike grumbled from atop Oskar’s back. “All she had going for her was her fancy fireworks. You could have outdone that, easily.”

“I’m going to have to agree with Spike, Twilight.” Oskar said. “I know of all the prominent masters of magic from my studies, and there was no mention of a Trixie anywhere, books were a pretty recent print too. I doubt she could have matched anything the personal student of Celestia could cast.”

“I really don’t want to show off guys, especially after how badly my friends took Trixie’s bragging.” Twilight said resolutely.

‘I was actually hoping she had a different reason, this is just too naïve.’ Oskar thought with a frown.

“They’re your friends Twilight.” Oskar replied. “I’m sure they would have a different reaction to you showing off then Trixie, a far better reaction since you would be a whole lot more modest about it.”

“Maybe… oh, we’re here.” Twilight stated pointing to a store and quickly trotted inside.

‘Whatever…’ The Cadre Evolved thought with a dismissive shake of her head. ‘Making her more sociable is not a priority, ergo not my problem. If she wants to think that way let her.’

With that Oskar quickly followed after Twilight into the store.

ALPHA

It was now later in the day; the sun was starting its descent towards the horizon, Oskar, Twilight and Spike were back in the library. Twilight was reading a bestiary, Spike was finishing up some chores and Oskar was doing a bit of private reading on Canterlot and the palace at her desk. The Cadre Evolved had also been busy practicing her transfiguration, as was attested by the light green wooden block on her desk.

The little block used to be pine colored, but after hours of concentrated effort Oskar managed to turn it the light shade of green it was. The sure work required for this simple change was rather disheartening at first for the fake unicorn but just as gaining skill in telekinesis, eventually Oskar would be able to make great changes in shape and form then just altering the color.

‘Hmmm… the design is… interesting.’ Oskar thought as she studied various pictures of the palace and city. ‘The engineers in me are crying though, if it weren’t for magic I’m sure the whole city would fall off the mountain face onto the grasslands below.’

The Cadre Evolved turned to glance at a book on the circular table, a book on Cloudsdale.

‘As structurally bad as Canterlot is, Cloudsdale is much worse.’ Oskar levitated the book over and opened it to a page depicting the cloud city. ‘I mean clouds? Seriously? I know they’re solid to pegasi but living that high up… and without any guardrails at all. What if a pegasus still learning to fly got too close to the edge? Do they just trust there to be a pegasus nearby to catch them?’ Shaking her head in bemusement, Oskar’s thoughts began to wander. ‘Did Dash bring Gilda to Cloudsdale? It must have been tiring for the griffin, just hovering everywhere while the pegasi just stroll about on the clouds.’

“Heh.” Oskar chuckled aloud at the thought and got Twilight’s attention.

“What’s funny?” Twilight asked, looking up from a page depicting a bear with an ethereal night sky hide.

“Did Dash ever bring Gilda to Cloudsdale?” Oskar asked.

“I… don’t think so.” Twilight replied after a moment.

“I just thought it would be funny if she did go there.” Oskar said. “She would have to hover everywhere and fly through the doors and walls.”

“Actually.” Twilight began. “Griffins can walk on clouds too, in fact… I have only read a few passages mentioning it but griffins also handle their own weather… I’m not too sure though, I may be misremembering.” The violet unicorn stated and started looking at her shelves to refresh her knowledge on griffins.

“Really?” Oskar said earnestly. “Griffins can do things pegasi can?”

“Well I’m absolutely certain they can walk on clouds.” Twilight replied absently as she searched for an elusive volume. “Whether or not they can manipulate the weather like pegasi, I’ll be finding out for certain in a few minutes.”

“Hmmm… interesting.” Oskar stated.

“Very.” Twilight agreed with a nod as she continued her search.

‘So griffins are very close to pegasi ability wise…’ Oskar thought. ‘Perhaps consuming Gilda would give me at least some sort of handle over pegasi magic?’ With that thought, Oskar sent a viral pulse though she wasn’t confident it would come back. ‘Gilda has already been gone for a whole day; she would be miles away by now, probably not even in the kingdom anymore thanks to her flight. Even if I decided to track her down the hard way, I wouldn’t be able to leave Ponyville for long periods because of thi-” The pulse came back. ‘Well, well… I expected her to be long gone from what she said before leaving but she’s practically right next door, in Everfree no less! Hmm… I can definitely collect her before nightfall but what should I say to Twilight? Well… why don’t I just tell her I’m going out for a while? It’s not like she’ll immediately assume the worst just because I want to go out for a bit.’

Nodding in decision, Oskar gathered up her books and the little wooden block to put away. That done she turned to Twilight.

“Hey Twilight I’m heading out for a little while.” The viral being said. “I’ll be back by nightfall.”

“Ah, there you are.” Twilight said as she pulled out a book from the shelf before turning to Oskar. “Okay Emerald, see you later, stay safe!”

“See ya!” Oskar shouted back as she exited and closed the door behind her.

Now outside of the library, Oskar stared up into the sky. The sun was just beginning its descent into the horizon, turning the edges of the blue sky orange. Oskar turned to walk down a street, one that was leading away from Everfree in order to avoid another repeat of someone spotting her and telling people she was heading in that direction.

The streets of Ponyville weren’t as lively at this hour but there were still quite a few ponies walking about. And as Oskar made her way to a secluded spot outside of town she saw that not only were ponies not staring at her, but were actually going out of their way to not look at her, which the virus appreciated though wondered why they were staring in the first place. Truth be told, pretty much all the colts got told off by the mares for staring at Oskar, especially those that had girlfriends.

Now nearing the edge of town the Cadre Evolved quickly ducked into an alley and peaked out to see if there were any ponies nearby. Seeing none Oskar quickly dissolved into a mass of tendrils before quickly reforming into a large wolf. Oskar took another quick look around before bolting from the alley and out of town.

Skirting the far perimeter of the town, Oskar made his way into Everfree forest as the sun continued its descent and quickly sent out another pulse once he was within the infamous woods.

‘Hmmm, it looks like she hasn’t moved.’ Oskar stated once the pulse returned. ‘That probably means she is settling in whatever shelter she found or made here. I hope it’s a cave, it’ll be a whole lot easier to corner her if I somehow spook her before getting close enough to catch her.’

Oskar’s wolf form was a gray streak as he bounded quickly through the thick undergrowth, sending out the occasional pulse to stay locked on Gilda’s position. Eventually Oskar slowed and quickly ducked into a bush before carefully looking out, before him was a cave with a light emitting from deep within.

The Blacklight being quickly shifted into a rat for its smaller stature and quickly darted into the mouth of the cave. Quietly navigating the rock floor of the cave, Oskar moved deeper into the cave until eventually caught sight of Gilda lying before a fire. The griffin fit the image of a sulky teenager as she stared broodily into the fire, her head resting on her crossed forelegs.

Seeing there was space behind her, Oskar moved to get into an ideal ambush position before reforming into his default form to take the griffin.

Carefully making his way across the cave floor, Oskar kept his eyes on the griffin. He could just let the griffin see him and perhaps let her eat him if she decided to, but Oskar rather disliked the feeling of being eaten despite the fact that anyone who did so was basically committing suicide. So the viral being continued on his way across the floor, until he finally got into position behind Gilda.

Now morphing into his default form, Oskar’s size slowly increased as he tried to keep the element of surprise. Suddenly several stones tumbled across the cave floor from Oskar’s increase in size.

Gilda turned her head to look behind and widened her eyes in surprise when she saw Oskar standing silently behind her.

“Wha?” The griffin began before Oskar sprang forward.

Leaping forward, Oskar brought his foot down on Gilda’s back with a deafening crack.

“ARRRRGH!” Gilda shouted from the sharp pain in her back before a pair of hands enclosed upon her head.

Oskar took a hold of Gilda’s beak and the back of her head as the now paralyzed griffin thrashed in his grip, her claws flew and her wings flapped wildly in panicked attempt to free herself. With a frown and tensing of his arms, Oskar twisted. There was a series of sickening cracks echoing throughout the cave as Gilda’s head was twisted to the point of nearly being wrenched off, then there was stillness, stillness and silence.

Oskar released his grip on Gilda and let her fall to the floor in a very doll-like manner. Still standing on her shattered back, Oskar stared at the body with a deeply questioning expression on his face. He stayed like this for several long moments before finally dissolving into a mass of black tendrils that dug into and consumed Gilda’s remains. A moment later Oskar was lying on the floor in Gilda’s form and grasping her head as she quickly shunted off the flood of memories, preferring to save them for later.

The Cadre Evolved lied on the floor staring into the fire in almost exactly the same position Gilda was in moments ago. After several long moments Oskar quickly kicked out the fire with her hind legs and moved to the mouth of the cave.

Now outside Oskar took a quick search of her surroundings and upon finding nothing in the vicinity she quickly reformed into a wolf.

‘I’ll save trying to fly for later.’ Oskar thought as he made his way through the forest. ‘It’s pretty dark now; Twilight might be getting worried about me. I’ll head out to Everfree tomorrow after lessons are finished. It’ll definitely be a game changer being able to fly, water won’t be such a massive obstacle anymore.’

Eventually Oskar came to the forest's edge outside Ponyville and came to an odd sight. There was a massive purple bear floating into the forest from Ponyville and suckling on the tank of a water tower like some massive baby bottle.

Oskar stared for several long moments until the bear disappeared behind the trees before turning into Emerald Gleaner.

‘What did you get yourself into this time Twilight?’ Oskar thought with a sigh as she made her way back into Ponyville.

Walking through the empty streets of Ponyville Oskar eventually came across a crowd of laughing and cheering ponies. At the very center of this crowd was Twilight, Spike, Snips and Snails. The latter three had moustaches on their faces.

Bemused look plastered openly across her features, Oskar approached the four. “Hey guys, what did I miss?”

BETA

“It was so awesome!” Spike cheered. “Twilight was just giving off massive amounts of magic and the next moment that ursa minor was floating back into Everfree!”

It was a little later into the night, the moon was high in the sky and the two unicorns and one baby dragon were back in the library. Said baby dragon was still telling Oskar all the details of Twilight’s accomplishment despite having done it several times already.

“I get it Spike.” Oskar said with an amused smile. “Twilight is awesomeness incarnate; I think I already said that much earlier today.”

“W-well I wouldn’t go that far.” Twilight said with a bashful smile, her cheeks flushed and her ears drooping. “I admit it was a fairly good display of magic but…”

“You’re selling yourself short Twilight.” Oskar responded with a slight honest smile. “It’s nice to see somepony with so much potential be so modest, it truly is. But you have to take credit for how great your accomplishments are sometime.”

“Thank you Emerald.” Twilight said with an utterly crimson face.

Oskar only shook her head at the sight, wide smile on her face.

‘How cute!’ The Cadre Evolved thought. ‘I never get tired of that look, you never really see people get so adorably flushed over little things.’

“No problem!” Oskar replied with a bright smile, stepping forward to give Twilight a hug.

Twilight gave a light smile at the embrace before spotting Spike stretching and letting out a loud yawn.

“Well it’s getting late; we should get ready for bed.” Twilight told Oskar.

Letting go of Twilight, Oskar responded. “Sure.”

“Haaaaa, think I’ll get a gem for a light snack before bed.” Spike muttered with a yawn before disappearing into the kitchen.

In a few moments Oskar and Twilight were up in their room and settling in. Twilight was sitting up in her bed with a lit lamp on her bedside table, intending to do some reading before bed.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me reading Emerald?” Twilight asked with some concern. “I could go to my library bed if it bothers you.”

“Really Twilight, it’s no problem.” Oskar reassured. “Besides, if I have a problem shouldn’t I be the one to go to the library bed?”

“You’re my guest and my friend, I’d rather it be me.” Twilight replied.

“Well I really don’t have a problem with the light.” Oskar responded and with a fake yawn said. “Good night Twilight.”

“Night Emerald, sweet dreams.”

Oskar turned over in her bed and slightly buried her face under the covers. Normally Oskar would only have to wait a half an hour at the most before heading down to the library, but considering Twilight was doing some light reading, the fake unicorn was preparing for a long boring wait. That is until a thought struck her.

‘This bed is really soft.’ Oskar thought. ‘It’s been so long since I’ve been able to lie on a bed, the best I’ve ever managed before was a mattress on the floor that would get squashed the moment I laid down. And this place… it can be so hectic at times but in comparison… so peaceful. Maybe… maybe I can just sleep for once? Yes, to sleep, perchance to dream.’ The Cadre Evolved quoted roughly. ‘Yeah, let’s give this a shot, do something that won’t hurt anyone for once…’

With that, Oskar fell to sleep instantly with a sigh… and dreamed.

GAMMA

Princess Luna stood serenely in a misty plane of gray, the air filled with large bubbles that seemed to hold entire lively worlds within.

It had been over a thousand years since the Princess of the Night was able to fulfill one of her duties, and the Moon Alicorn was savoring the return to her duties after so long. A light smile played across her features as a bubble displaying a wall eyed pegasus eating a massive muffin floated by.

Luna closed her eyes and simply took in the soft sounds that permeated the dream realm, the sounds of laughter, the sounds of happiness, and the sounds of dreams. The Moon Princess sighed deeply, so very glad to back after so long, back to enjoying the peace of-

Suddenly a horrific scream shattered the peace.

Luan’s eyes widened in shock at the terrible sound and looked for its source. For a few moments the Princess saw nothing but the usual dream bubbles that drifted here and there, unaffected by the horrific noise. But Luna managed to catch a flash of black and red at the corner of her eye and quickly bolted in its direction.

Before long Luna found herself standing before the source, her mouth slightly agape at the sight. It was a bubble like the others but unlike the other dream bubbles its surface was oily black, dark clouds churned within, blocking the view of the dream and blood red tendrils of lightning surged across its surface, lashing out at anything and everything they could reach.

Luna immediately decided that this was the worst nightmare she had ever seen, and she had not even entered it yet! Schooling her features into a determined frown, Luna leapt forward, intent on ending the nightmare and helping the pony that was suffering from it.

Luna’s ears were assaulted by horrible and strange sounds the moment she entered the nightmare. Flying in midair Luna took stock of her surroundings and saw only the black churning clouds she had seen before, but now she realized it was not clouds but smoke from a fire she was seeing. Luna quickly flew forward to get out of the column of smoke she was in.

As she did so Luna noticed an odd noise fill the air, it was almost like that of a flag snapping in a strong breeze but was more rhythmic. The Princess was suddenly sent tumbling as an attack chopper flew through the smoke and past her. Quickly stabilising her flight, Luna saw she was out of the smoke and widened her eyes at the almost alien sight before her.

It was a city, very much like that of Manehattan but the buildings here were taller, much taller. The sky was filled with unnatural blood red clouds, there was fire and smoke rising everywhere Luna looked. The sounds of horrified screaming followed by animalistic howls filled the Moon Alicorn’s ears. It was almost enough that Luna herself wanted to leave this place, but the Princess was determined to help the pony suffering from such a horrifying nightmare and quickly focused on finding the dreamer.

Using her senses Luna was able to pinpoint where the dreamer was and flew over several streets before landing on the roof of a building that seemed to overlook a battle. Strange creatures and strange machinery were everywhere. Down below were what looked to be mostly hairless apes wearing clothing running in panic, on the opposite end of the street, howling in directionless rage were twisted horrifying creatures. Most looked like a sick and twisted parody of the apelike creatures below but others were far more appalling in shape, long twisted blades of bone ripped through arms of raw muscle and tendon, blood red skinless flash shined in the light of the day as the abominations run in terrifyingly fast charges to the helpless apelike beings below. Just as the shocked Moon Alicorn thought she was about to witness a brutal massacre, salvation arrived.

The attack chopper from before swooped overhead and unleashed a storm of pod rockets along with a punishing hail of gunfire, decimating the Redlight horde. Several flatbeds charged into the fray, unloading their cargo of battle ready marines. Pinpoint gunfire along with the occasional missile flew at the onrushing mass of infected, quickly driving them back as the chopper continued to rain death from above.

Luna watched on, reason for her being here temporarily forgotten in the face of what she was seeing. The Princess thought victory for the soldiers below was now a sure thing, once again she was proven wrong. Luna nearly added her own screams to the cacophony surrounding her when a massive over muscled creature landed next to her with a crash. The abomination next to her was barely anything more than a mass of muscles gleaming with something, two black pits served as its eyes and all four legs ended in razor sharp claws.

The Hunter next to Luna smashed both of its powerful claws into the roof of the building, lifting a several hundred pound chunk of concrete from the roof above its head. With a mighty roar the Redlight creature tossed the concrete wreckage at the chopper. The chopper saw the Hunter at the last second and attempted to pull away. It was a futile effort; the wreckage hit the chopper's tail rotor, sending shattered bits of rotor blades everywhere. The chopper went into an uncontrolled spin and soon crashed into the street. The force of its impact and shrapnel from the ensuing explosion served to decimate half the marine force trying to save the civilians. The situation only grew from bad to worse as four more Hunters joined their fellow on the roof and roared out a challenge as a fresh horde of infected flooded the street.

The Hunters’ challenge was answered by an Abrams that just rolled around a corner, turned its turret and fired. The upper body of one of the Hunters immediately disappeared in a pink mist when the tank shell hit it squarely in the chest, making Luna scream in horror of the brutality of it all. The four remaining Hunters quickly leapt down into the mass of infected and bashed their way through the crowd, charging at the remaining marines and a tank once clear.

The marines and the Abrams let loose at the approaching infected hordes. One Hunter was crippled when a tank shell ripped apart its hind legs, another was brought down to a lucky headshot with a rocket launcher and another was brought down to combined gunfire from all the marines. The last however had managed to reach the marines and immediately became a whirlwind of blood, gore and death, killing six marines in its near wild swinging. The Abrams quickly reversed, ripping into the Hunter with its heavy machine gun all the while. Despite the deadly hail of gunfire tearing into it the Hunter managed to grab a hold of another marine, intending to bite into him. The marine seeing he was about to die quickly pulled out a frag grenade and forced it into the Hunter’s mouth as it bit down, killing both the Hunter and the marine when it exploded.

During this the stronger of the infected managed to reach the marine lines thanks to the distraction provided by the Hunters and began ripping into them. Before long only a handful of marines and the tank were left standing between the infected and the civilians.

Above watching it all was Princess Luna who, despite knowing this was a dream, could not help but feel an immense sense of helplessness in the face of the carnage before her. The Moon Alicorn could not but help but think what had the dreamer had suffered in order for their subconscious to create such horrors. And with that line of thinking Luna suddenly remembered she needed to find the dreamer to help them. Suddenly the noise that permeated the air seemed to become dull and muffled.

“OSKAR!” A feminine scream rang out, loud and clear.

“MOM!” A young male voice answered, as clear as the other one.

Luna stared down and found her vision drawn to one of the ape creatures below. He looked young and wore a gray hooded sweater with blue pants that seemed to be made out of a hardy material, he also had rather pale skin and very light blond hair from what Luna could see from her position.

On the street below Oskar was staring fretfully towards a woman a distance away, his mother. She had pale skin, icy blue eyes and platinum blonde hair like her son, and wore dark sneakers, tan colored pants and a zipped up white hoodie.

“MOM!” Oskar shouted again and managed to get his mother’s attention.

Finally catching sight of her son in the chaos, Oskar’s mother took off at a dead run towards him when the ground began to shake.

“COPPERHEAD!!” One of the marines yelled as the tentacle form of the beast burst from a ground at the far end of the street.

The Copperhead let out a loud ear piercing squeal and quickly took a ruined ambulance into its grasp. Just before the massive Redlight creature threw the ambulance the Abrams fired off a round that ripped out a chunk of the Copperhead’s flesh. The beast squealed as it threw the ambulance.

Oskar stared in disbelieving horror as he saw that the ambulance was falling short of its intended target and was falling towards his mother instead. He shouted and gestured wildly to his onrushing mother but she only saw the falling vehicle coming when its shadow was casted over her.

The ambulance landed with a crash, bouncing lightly when it impacted the ground and rolled forward until coming to a stop before Oskar. The young teen fell to his knees staring blankly at the blood covered crumpled roof of the ambulance. All around him the battle continued to rage as support arrived in the form of another attack chopper with fresh waves of marines.

Upon seeing the person the dream was centered on Luna intended to go to meet with the tortured soul when the world suddenly began to change.

The sounds faded away as the whole world seemed to blur, leaving only Oskar. The teen below began to change, he became slightly taller, his clothes changed, he now wore a pair of blue sneakers, tan cargo pants, a white unzipped hoodie revealing a light blue shirt and white bucket hat sat atop his head.

After Oskar’s changes the world faded back in. The buildings were not only more damaged but seemed to have these disturbing fleshy growths with orange bioluminescence coming out of them. The streets were not only filled with twisted infected beings that somehow looked worse than before, but completely rusted vehicles as well.

Oskar’s demeanor from before had changed as well, before he was on his knees in horrified disbelief, now he was kneeling down in solemn silence with a sole rose on the street before him.

Luna stared in some confusion, whereas before when the twisted creatures were leaping and snarling at anything not their kind, now they were simply stumbling about content to ignore the now older being below. The Princess looked about wildly when a now family rumble met her ears.

A Hydra burst out of the ground on the end of the street Oskar was facing. Looking up from the rose he was gazing at, Oskar’s eyes only darkened and he rose to his feet with a low growl.

Expecting a futile charge, Luna was utterly shocked when the creature below charged with incredible speed, simply shoving any infected that happened to be between him and the Hydra out of the way. The Alicorn’s shock only increased when his arms changed into brutal claws in a burst of black tendrils.

With a powerful leap Oskar landed on the Hydra with a meaty thud. The great infected beast roared in agonized rage as Oskar sunk both of his claws into it. Ripping out one claw in gory fashion, Oskar left the other in the viral flesh, tendrils extended from the blades, digging into the Hydra and anchoring Oskar further.

The Hydra roared and thrashed about but Oskar stayed put and started ripping into the Hydra with his free claw. The young Cadre Evolved sent chunks of vile flesh flying as he ripped open an ever larger gash in the beast’s side. Finally Oskar seemed satisfied with the size of the wound and quickly dissolved into a mass of tendrils that disappeared into the open wound.

The Hydra continued to thrash and roar but now great spouts of blood spewed out of its mandibles whenever it did so. Disgusting black veins rapidly covered its form along with large sores appeared, bladed tendrils began to rip out of the flesh, appearing out of the sores. With an agonized whine the Hydra fell to the ground and began shuddering as the sound of tearing flesh filled the air.

Finally with a massive explosion of blood and gore half of the Hydra was scattered all over the street. Oskar stood on the pile of meat that was the Hydra, utterly pristine despite the carnage just moments ago.

Luna stood in utterly horrified confusion of what she had seen. Before she thought the dreamer was a victim but now she wasn’t so sure. Consequently the Alicorn did not exactly know what to do, before she would have simply approached the being below and tried to help him, but now…

“Still get psychotic episodes whenever you see one of my pets, Oskar?” A voice asked with a dark chuckle.

Luna looked up to see that another ape-like being stood on one of the buildings opposite her. He wore a coat that seemed to be made out of a black shiny material, a dark gray hoodie and a pair of blue pants made out of some hardy material.

“Dr. Mercer.” Oskar greeted respectfully and leapt down from the Hydra corpse. “What do I owe this pleasure?”

“Just thought I’d check up on one of my more covert minded operatives.” Alex Mercer stated with a shrug as he took a seat on the edge of the roof. “It’s funny… when I think about it I don’t think you ever had an open confrontation with Blackwatch, always sneaking about, being… subversive.”

“But not to you sir.” Oskar calmly reassured.

“No, not to me.” Alex replied, his eyes glinting in the shadows of his hood. “Still… what’s the matter Oskar? Scared of the humans and their pea shooters?”

“I assure you sir, I do not fear any human or their guns.” Oskar said hands clasped behind his back. “I’ve just always preferred subtlety to outright warfare. If required I will enter open combat, you only need to order it and I shall do it sir.”

“But not in your default form right?” Alex asked with a smirk.

“No sir.” Oskar replied simply.

“Hmmm…” Alex sat on the roof ledge for several moments, staring coldly at Oskar content to let him stew. If Oskar was in any way put off by the way Alex was staring at him he didn’t show it, at least not openly. “Well along with checking on you personally, I also brought you something as a personal favour.”

With that Alex got up from his seat and disappeared behind the ledge to get something from the roof. Oskar waited a long moment before Alex came back into sight via a powerful leap and landed just in front of the younger Blacklight being.

In Alex’s grasp was a woman, she was whimpering pitifully and judging from the bulge of her belly, she was very pregnant.

“Got you dinner and a side dish.” Alex said as he roughly tossed the woman to the ground. “Eat up.”

Just as Luna thought she was about to witness a monstrously evil act, a voice boomed throughout the dreamscape.

“EMERALD!”

With that the dream instantly collapsed and dissolved away, leaving Luna standing in her dream realm.

‘By mine sister’s sun.’ Luna thought in response to what she had just witnessed. ‘What was that?’

DELTA

Twilight awoke to a bright new day with a yawn and brought her hooves up to rub the sleep out of her eyes. Twilight pushed off her covers and made to get off the bed to freshen up but happened to catch sight of Emerald’s bed, namely that it was still occupied.

Twilight raised her brows in surprise, Emerald normally got up really early. In fact this was probably the first time Twilight ever saw her still sleeping at this hour. Emerald was usually down in the library snacking on fruits and berries during her studies.

Shrugging her shoulders Twilight got out of bed and walked over to wake her friend and roommate up.

‘Must have just wanted to sleep in for once, can’t begrudge her for that.’ Twilight thought as she approached the bed. ‘She spends nearly all night studying and sometimes all her free time studying even more. I’d be willing to give the occasional day off if she aske-’ Twilight’s thoughts ground to a halt as she caught sight of Emerald.

The unicorn in question was in her transfigured bed but her expression was twisted into a pained grimace, Twilight being this close could both see and hear Emerald’s teeth grinding together. After a long moment the violet unicorn bolted to her sleeping friend’s side in worry.

“Emerald? Emerald wake up! Emerald?!” Twilight said before reaching out with a hoof to Emerald’s shoulder. “EMERALD!”

Emerald inhaled sharply and her eyes shot open widely as she was finally shaken awake. She stared ahead blankly for a moment, before finally closing her eyes and groaning as she brought a hoof up to her face. Opening them again slightly, Emerald stared questionably at Twilight with bleary eyes.

“Twilight?”

“Emerald, are you okay?” Twilight asked in concern. “I saw you still sleeping and was about to wake you up but…”

“Yeah?”

“Well you had this really bad pained expression on your face.” Twilight began. “And you were grinding your teeth really hard. What happened to make you like that? Why were you still sleeping?”

Emerald’s expression became serious and she sat up in bed. She stared at the covers for a long moment before sighing and turning to Twilight.

“I… I get night terrors Twilight.” Emerald replied reluctantly.

“Night terrors?” Twilight asked.

“Night terrors are… they’re basically nightmares.” Emerald explained. “Only they’re ten times worse and they happen regularly… very regularly.”

Twilight was quiet for a long moment as she digested this bit of information.

“…When you told me you only needed two hours of sleep… you were never born like that weren’t you?” Twilight asked with a frown.

Emerald shook her head, staring at her covers.

“You were never born not needing much sleep… you learned to not need much sleep as a coping mechanism, right Emerald?” Twilight asked and simply took the ensuing silence as a yes. “Oh Emerald, you should have told me. I could help you; there is probably a spell somewhere in the library…”

“As much as I wish there was a magical cure for everything, to just make all the bad stuff go up in a poof of smoke…” Emerald began. “Not everything turns out okay, not everypony becomes a hero and gets their happy ending… I’ve learned to tolerate my condition, what else can I do?”

“I appreciate the offer Twilight, I really do.” Emerald continued as she got out of bed. “I’m used to this though… long used to this. You don’t need to do anything; I’ve got a handle on it.”

“Emerald…” Twilight said sadly as she watched her friend leave the room before following after her.

‘Why is life so unfair to her?’ Twilight thought to herself as she descended the stairs. ‘It’s just so sad…’

Twilight soon arrived in the kitchen to see Emerald had taken a seat at the table; she walked over and took a seat as well. Not a moment later Spike entered the kitchen yawning loudly.

“Morning guys.” Spike greeted. “I’ll have breakfast started in a couple minutes.”

“Thanks a lot Spike.” Emerald said with a melancholy smile.

“Don’t mention it Emerald.” Spike replied, not noticing Emerald’s expression on his way to the bathroom.

“Are you sure you’re okay Emerald.” Twilight asked once she took a seat. “It looked really bad…”

“I’m fine Twilight, I mean it.” Emerald replied a little tiredly. “I’ve dealt with this for years; I think I can manage another day. So you just stop worrying, okay?”

“Okay… if you say so Emerald…” Twilight responded unhappily.

Emerald sighed and simply sat, staring at the table top in thought. The two unicorns sat in silence that neither was willing to break for several long minutes until Spike finally returned with breakfast in claw.

“Here you go guys!” Spike announced as he entered. “Another masterpiece by master che- whoa, what’s with the gloomy looks?” The little dragon asked, glancing between Emerald and Twilight.

“Just… not right now Spike.” Emerald said softly. “Here, let’s just have breakfast.”

“Uh, okay.” Spike answered confusedly as he placed the plates of steamed vegetables on table with side dishes of freshly cut fruits.

The three proceeded to eat, the only sounds being chewing and the occasional clink from Spike’s claws hitting a plate. Said baby dragon was also staring as subtly as he could between the two unicorns, wondering what could have possibly happened between the two this early in the morning.

Finally, as the breakfast was nearing its end Emerald spoke up.

“Twilight?”

“Yes Emerald?” The violet unicorn answered.

“I know my education is really important and all but…” Emerald began a little hesitantly. “Would you mind a whole lot if I take the day off?”

“No Emerald, I don’t mind.” Twilight replied with a small smile. “You’ve been working really hard these past few weeks, spending nearly all night every night studying. I think it’s fair that you take a little break every now and then.”

“Thanks Twilight.” Emerald said with a smile before eating her last carrot slice. “And thank you for the breakfast Spike.”

“No problem Emerald.” Spike replied.

As Emerald got up from the table and left for the front day she turned around.

“…And Twilight?”

“Yes Emerald?”

“I know you’re concerned for my health and it is nice to know somepony is for once…” Emerald said seriously. “And… well it may not seem like it right now… but I really do appreciate it and you. Some things just can’t be cured though.” The pink maned unicorn said before quickly heading for the door.

“What was that all about?” Spike asked when Emerald was out of ear shot.

“Well Spike… it began this morning when I woke up.” Twilight began. “I was about to get ready for the day when I saw that Emerald was still in bed. So I walked over to wake her up but when I got close I…”

EPSILON

The fake unicorn smiled brightly as she made her way through Ponyville to the outskirts. Overall Oskar considered this morning to be fairly good. The breakfast was great and she had been able to secure a day off to fully focus on developing flight abilities, the only bad parts were when she had miscalculated Twilight’s reaction to the fact she had night terrors… and the fact she had a nightmare last night.

‘I was really hoping this peaceful place would rub off on me and give me nice dreams.’ Oskar thought with a sigh. ‘Guess I’m not going to get much sleep in this place too huh? It’s too bad; I was all excited about maybe getting a dream about the bakery again. Hmmm… maybe I’ll go see if Pinkie will like some help at Sugarcube Corner? I’ll check out that little possibility later, let’s get to Everfree.’

The Cadre Evolved proceeded to hide away in an alley just before the edge of town before once again heading to Everfree in wolf form. Fifteen minutes later Oskar was in a clearing deep in the depths of Everfree, back in her Emerald Gleaner form.

‘Let’s see…’ The viral being pondered. ‘Should I turn into Gilda or some random pegasus? Hmm… nah, let’s just give Emerald some wings.’

With that Oskar turned her head to watch as tendrils extended from her shoulders before quickly forming into a pair of pearly white wings, folded at her sides. Oskar stared at her wings a bit longer, pursing her lips in thought.

‘I don’t know why but I thought something else would happen…’ Oskar thought with a brief frown before shrugging. ‘Oh well let’s get to work!’

And so Oskar did. The Cadre Evolved started simply with short glides from thick study trees, she didn’t even need wings for that, so having them was a definite advantage. Oskar would glide and flap her wings once or twice to simply experiment with her pegasus magic.

Gilda’s memories of how Griffin magic worked were an advantage, but in the end it simply was not pegasus magic. In fact Oskar almost thought she suddenly lost her pegasus magic when she was subconsciously feeling for Griffin magic, she quickly got a hold of it when she discovered her error after a few minutes.

Oskar’s wings released little crude erratic pulses of pegasus magic whenever she flapped them, And despite their obvious feebleness they were actually having an effect on her gliding. It would take a little longer for the Evolved to lose her forward momentum and start plummeting, even longer if she started beating her wings as hard and fast as possible. Now Oskar was not anywhere near close to flight that much was certain, she could flap her wings as fast and as furiously as possible but the most she would accomplish was giving the grass a breeze. This did not dissuade Oskar, all things started small and the viral being knew it.

Standing on the ground to give her magic time to recoup, Oskar took deep breaths and bounced in place to keep the energy of the workout. After a few moments of bouncing Oskar suddenly frowned and stopped before looking down at her hoofs. Tilting her head curiously to the side Oskar bounced a couple more times, making loud thuds as her mass impacted the grass.

‘What the… am I lighter?’ Blinking in realization, Oskar bounced several more times while watching her wings. ‘They aren’t flapping… so the wings release a passive lightening effect without active intent? Hmm… time to experiment.’

Oskar proceeded to do a few more bounces before removing her wings in a burst of tendrils. She then started concentrating on her pegasus magic circuitry. The last few weeks of near constant practice with her magic allowed her some control over the more finicky unicorn and pegasus circuitry, not a whole lot but far better than when she first started. Concentrating deeply, Oskar carefully called upon her pegasus magic and pulled it through the unicorn circuit and into the horn.

The Cade Evolved looked up at her horn, she knew magic was going through and out it but unlike when she was using her unicorn magic, the horn was unlit. Which made sense after some thought, pegasi wings never lit up when they were in use. But this had the effect of making Oskar unsure if anything was happening.

Oskar bounced; the ensuing thuds were noticeably louder than before. The viral being frowned thoughtfully as she ended the flow of magic to her horn. She bounced again, this time the thuds were far louder. Oskar raised her brows in soft surprise before she started to do more test bounces, switching between using her wings, her horn and nothing. After several minutes of testing Oskar nodded her head in satisfaction.

‘Okay so I can channel pegasus magic through my horn to achieve the lightening effect without the wings.’ The Cadre Evolved thought. ‘BUT, doing so is not as effective as the natural method. Even so, with this discovery I can not only somewhat practice my pegasus magic in the open but eventually I may be able to lighten myself to “normal” levels. This is useful, Applejack likes to roughhouse like a “colt”, those have been rather nerve racking situations, me being as heavy as I am I could easily end up crushing her… which is bad if that happened unplanned, I would end up having to make Emerald disappear. Which I would rather not happen, a disguise Emerald may be but I still have grown attached to the form, and it would be so annoying to start up somewhere else not to mention the loss of valuable training by leaving Twilight.’

‘Hmm… anyways, back to work.’ With that thought Oskar returned to her flying practices.

This continued on for several hours, hours filled with Oskar leaping from trees and gliding down, flapping her wings in an attempt to gain any altitude. She hadn’t managed any apparent progress by the time the sun was setting and she decided to head home, but all good things come in time.

‘This is going to take a bit of work but I will fly.’ Oskar thought decisively as she began walking. ‘Okay now that my practices are done let’s get to the next item of interest: Spike’s dragon abilities. I want them, being able to chomp down on gems like and digesting them for nutrients? What not to want? But how to go about getting the genes?’

‘Hmmm… I don’t think he sheds scales… at least I’ve never seen any lying around in my time here.’ Oskar pondered. ‘Could I put him to sleep with gas? No, I don’t have any idea of what kind of metabolism he has, for all I know he would just end up getting hyper. Well he uses the facilities like everyone else… perhaps I could tap the sewage tank after he uses the washroom... yeah I’m just going to pretend I didn’t just consider that. I could possibly pluck a scale from him while he sleeps at night… no too risky, lots of awkward questions if he wakes up from it.’

‘What else, what else… well he does have that little…’ Suddenly Oskar’s expression twisted into a disgusted grimace. ‘No, I shouldn’t! I never went that far before! But… this pretty much has a near certainty of success…’

The Cadre Evolved thought for a long moment before finally sighing and shaking her head in disbelief.

‘The things I do for power in this place…’ Oskar thought tiredly as she made her way home.

ZETA

It was now night, approaching midnight to be exact. Everyone in Twilight’s library was now asleep as the moon was raised high in the night sky, casting soft silver beams of light through windows. Upstairs Twilight was happily asleep, the bed opposite hers empty and the covers made. Spike was in his little basket down on the ground floor of the library, sleeping snugly as his blanket was tucked tightly around his form. All was quiet… until a soft knock came from the door.

Spike snorted and turned over in his bed, the knocking came again and this time made the little dragon wake up.

Spike cracked open an eye before groaning as he heard the knock at the door. He pulled his blanket over his head and called out.

“Emerald… could you get that?” Spike asked knowing the unicorn would be up by now despite being half asleep.

Again the knocking came, persistent yet not loud enough to wake Twilight on the floor above.

“Emerald!” Spike called out a little louder.

Once again the knocking came and went unanswered.

Finally the baby dragon had had enough and got up from his basket. He walked over to the front door, dragging his blanket and grumbling all the while.

“Emerald?” Spike called out as he glanced into the library on his way to the door, but he found the room empty of the late studying unicorn. He wondered at that for a moment before the persistent knocking came again. “Yeah, yeah I’m coming…”

Finally arriving at the door, Spike threw it open as the knocking came again. “I’m here! Not what do yo- Rarity!”

“I apologise for the hour darling.” Rarity said as she walked inside. “But I just HAD to come despite the time.”

Spike stared dully for a moment before quickly closing the door and dropping his blanket as he darted to the unicorn’s side.

“Rarity! What’s the matter, why are you here so late!” Spike said in an almost panicked voice. “Did something bad happen?! Should I go get Twilight?! I’ll go get Twilight!”

Just before the little dragon could bolt up the stairs, Rarity placed her hoof on his mouth to quiet him. When he calmed down she took her hoof off his mouth and stroked the side of his face.

“Shhhh, Spike.” Rarity said, gazing almost lovingly at the baby dragon. “The one I need is right where I want him.”

Spike’s face turned crimson and his heart started to pound as Rarity strolled into the library. Getting a hold of himself Spike quickly darted after her. He stopped in the doorway to the library when he saw Rarity standing before one of the windows, the beams of moonlight falling on her giving the unicorn a beautifully mystical look.

Rarity turned her attention away from the moon and smiled softly at Spike, she motioned for him to stand beside her in moonlight.

Gulping Spike walked over until he stood right next to Rarity, who smiled happily at him before turning her attention back to the moon.

“Is it not a beautiful night?” Rarity asked after a few moments of silence.

“It is… but it’s not nearly as b-beautiful as you.” Spike replied nervously.

Despite the predictability of the compliment Rarity seemed to like it, as her eyes shined with adoration and she gushed. “Oh Spike…”

Suddenly Rarity seemed to get very shy as her face flushed. After a moment the reason why became apparent as the unicorn slowly brought her face closer to Spike’s. Spike’s face turned cherry red and his heartbeat was deafeningly loud in his ears as he did the same.

After a long moment of the two just hovering out of the other’s reach, they met.

Spike considered this night to be the best one he ever had and was glad that Emerald seemed to be sleeping again. For the dragon the moment couldn’t get more perfect.

Suddenly Rarity wrapped her hooves around Spike’s neck and brought him close in a tight embrace. Spike felt the unicorn press her lips harder to his before he suddenly felt something long and warm enter his mouth.

Spike’s eyes rolled in his head as he fainted and went limp from the French kiss he was getting from his crush. Rarity continued kissing, unaware of Spike being unconscious. Finally coming away from Spike with panting breath, Rarity blinked her eyes in stupefaction at the little dragon in her grasp.

“Of thank god!” Rarity exclaimed in relief. “He fainted!”

Suddenly in a burst of tendrils Rarity was no longer holding Spike, instead it was Oskar in her Emerald Gleaner form.

Oskar gave another thankful sigh as she magically lifted Spike into the air and began walking to where his bed was. Picking up his blanket along the way, Oskar set about placing Spike in his bed and tucking him in. Oskar hoped that when the little dragon awoke in the morning he would think this night’s event would just be a pleasant dream.

‘You know…’ Oskar thought as she walked to the kitchen. ‘I was expecting to feel about as dirty as the time I played a whore in that brothel. But it wasn’t that bed… probably because of how innocent the little guy was, and the fact that the other guy very clearly wanted something else. I still feel dirty… and the taste, ugggh… he must have been snacking on gems because it feels like I have gravel in my mouth.’

The Cadre Evolved arrived in the kitchen and began digging in the pantry.

‘But was it worth it? Using myself this way?’ Oskar thought as she brought out a ruby. ‘Well…’

Out from the sides of her hoof several bladed tendrils shot out and into the gem. Soft crunching noises filled the room as the tendrils tore into the ruby and absorbed chunks of it into them. In a few seconds the gem was completely gone, not even dust remained.

‘Yes, it was an unpleasant price to pay but yes, it was worth it.’ Oskar smiled genuinely as she exited the kitchen and walked into the library. Levitating a book from the shelves, Oskar took a seat at the circular table.

‘No rest for the wicked, let’s see here… Neurology: Science of the Brain?’ Oskar read. ‘Hmmm… what did the ponies with their magic do here? Interesting…’

-TBC-

AN: And that concludes chapter four after one long wait! I’ll admit some parts are questionable to me, like the beginning and the dream sequence but I think it works out in the end. Anyway, chapter fifteen of Erika Gefallen is going to take precedence so expect another long wait for chapter five!

Chapter 5: Unforeseen Consequences

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‘Wonder what Twilight and her friends are up to?’ Oskar thought as she absently filled out some algebra in the kitchen. ‘It’s likely something important and dangerous considering they kicked me out of the library.’

Sighing, Oskar proceeded to put down her math work and started messing around with a wooden block. Her transfiguration had progressed, now the Evolved could instantly change the color of the block and she was now capable of changing its shape. But Oskar had yet to advance to the point that she could make the block change into something else entirely.

Putting down a cyan wooden star, the Cadre Evolved then levitated over a bowl filled with sunflower seeds. Levitating a singular seed into her mouth, Oskar simply outright absorbed the shell in order to fully enjoy the seed.

‘It’s probably some mission from Celestia, that overgrown pony means the world to Twilight.’ Oskar thought as she munched away on seeds. ‘I wonder if I should get involved in those? Who knows, I might find an interesting creature to eat while everyone else isn’t looking. Plus they might be pretty dangerous for her… and if Twilight dies before she can finish teaching me I’ll have to put up with a substandard teacher… no, I’m sure Twilight can handle herself and that anything Celestia assigns to her wouldn’t be that dangerous. She’s her student after all, not some super trained black ops problem solver.’ Oskar assured herself before refocusing on the algebra work.

Suddenly the door to the library opened and Twilight entered with a pair of saddlebags on her back.

“Let’s see…” The violet unicorn muttered to herself. “Going to be a long trip so I’ll need some food for the way…”

Unintentionally ignoring Oskar, Twilight proceeded to the pantry and started neatly packing away fruits for whatever journey she was going on. Nodding in satisfaction, Twilight turned around to finally notice Oskar at the kitchen table.

“So… going anywhere in particular?” Oskar asked as she got up from the table and approached the other unicorn.

“Just… handing a task that was given to me by the princess.” Twilight replied, obviously trying to avoid telling what exactly.

“So going to do something exceedingly dangerous?” Oskar asked half-jokingly. “Maybe you’re off to put out whatever’s making that smoke?”

“Err…” Twilight definitely looked uncomfortable.

“You know I was pretty much joking right?” Oskar stated with a raised brow.

“OH! Hahaha, that’s pretty funny!” Twilight said with an obvious forced laugh. “Well I got to go now, meeting with my friends soon and… going to… have a lot of fun and…”

“Twilight you are not fooling me.” Oskar said with a deadpan stare. “I was there when you got that letter from Celestia and got all excited, and it was kind of hard not to notice something is going on when you and the girls kicked me out of the library. The walls are not as thick as you think they are too, so you might as well tell me your side of things.”

“Okay, sorry Emerald…” Twilight replied sheepishly. “The letter the Princess sent me did concern the smoke. You see there is a dragon sleeping in a nearby mountain; all of this smoke is coming from his snoring. The Princess entrusted me with the task of convincing the dragon to go somewhere else to sleep, and I just got the girls to go prepare themselves for the trip.”

‘A dragon?’ Oskar thought incredulously. ‘Okay so Celestia really is willing to give Twilight a dangerous assignment… for some reason.’

“Okay, so I’m guessing from the way you went out of your way to not tell me this, you don’t want me coming along.” Oskar stated before asking curiously. “Why?”

“You’ve been through so much already Emerald.” Twilight began with a frown. “You don’t need to come along to help us, we’ll be just fine. Just stay here and enjoy having the house to yourself while I head out and Spike housesits for Fluttershy.”

“Yeah well, that’s the thing Twilight.” Oskar replied. “I have been through a lot; I’ve had to learn how to live without people looking out for me. I had to learn on the go where to get food and water, find shelter, what I need to learn and where to go to learn it without any money, who to trust and how to deal with rowdy wildlife. Bringing me along can be an advantage, I’ve so much to offer with my skills and my experience. With me there we can probably handle anything that comes our way.”

“And it’s for exactly that reason I don’t want you coming along Emerald.” Twilight said with a sad smile. “You’ve been through too much pain to get where you are today. I just… I just don’t want to potentially add on any more painful memories if I can help it. You deserve to have some peace for once Emerald, so could you just please stay here and enjoy it?”

Oskar sighed exasperatedly at this, how in the world was she supposed to justify herself against that? Shaking her head Oskar could see only one option that didn’t end up alienating Twilight in some way.

“… Sure Twilight… whatever you want.” Oskar said with another sigh. “I’ll just stay while you and the girls just go off on some wild adventure.”

“Oh thank you Emerald!” Twilight exclaimed as she gave the Evolved a hug. “You won’t regret this I promise!”

“Sure, just go on now.” Oskar replied with a roll of her eyes. “I’m sure the girls will arrive any minute now for your little road trip.”

“Alright, thanks again Emerald!” Twilight said as she left the kitchen.

Sighing again at the situation, Oskar walked back to the kitchen table and retook her seat. Absently working on her math work, Oskar glanced out the kitchen window to see Twilight marching in front of her friends like a drill sergeant and talking to them.

The whole situation with Oskar being made to stay at home could easily be averted with said viral being following Twilight at a distance. After all, surely Twilight trusted “Emerald” enough to stay home and not have to get some random pony to check up on her. And with Oskar’s natural shape shifting abilities, even if she was spotted by one of the girls they would just dismiss her, since she would be some random animal… though Oskar would have to watch out for Fluttershy approaching her in such a form though.

So with this in mind why didn’t the Cadre Evolved just do that? Well…

‘It would be simple enough to follow them…’ Oskar pondered as she watched a nervous Fluttershy talk to a distracted Twilight. ‘But… is there really any urgency to do so? I mean no one knows anything about Blacklight here, thus no one knows anything about me. I don’t really need to go through my goals like they need to be accomplished right away. Getting dragon memories would be useful in getting a handle on everything I’ve gained from Spike but it’s not like I can’t just go find a dragon when I feel I need to. So… I guess I can take Twilight’s advice then.’ Oskar smiled as she took in the sight of a reluctant Fluttershy being carried off by her friends. ‘Yeah, let’s take an actual break, enjoy life now that I’m finally not in danger of losing my life.’

With that the Cadre Evolved proceeded to levitate her math work and put away the bowl full of sunflower seeds but not before grabbing a mouthful to munch on. Walking into the library, mouth full of crunching seeds, Oskar put her work away on a shelf before contemplating what exactly she could do today.

‘I’ve had enough of reading, that’s for sure.’ Oskar thought, giving a narrow stare at a bookcase. ‘So… why not just head into town, see what’s what? Yeah just relax and unwind, maybe talk with some random ponies and just plain enjoy myself… w-why do I feel so nervous?’

Despite the peaceful intentions Oskar couldn’t help but feel her skin tingle with a nervous restless energy. The Cadre Evolved had snuck into Blackwatch installations, casually pretended to be the people she ate and on one occasion managed to stealth kill an Orion, all with clear and steady mind. Yet at the mere thought of just going out to have a nice peaceful day and nonchalantly interact with people, she could feel just the beginnings of a minor panic attack.

‘C-come on now… you can do this.’ Oskar thought to herself as she stood before the front door. ‘It’s not like these ponies will point at you and shout “That’s him!” the moment you say or do something off. In fact they’d probably be worried about you more than anything if that did happen. Yeah, just some peace loving ponies in a world without guns or any sort of advanced weaponry.’

Taking a deep calming breath Oskar opened the door and walked out. Feeling the cool breeze on her coat, Oskar couldn’t help but give a small genuine smile. Due to the smoke overhead the day was not as pleasant as it could have been but it still was fairly nice, there was a chill in the air from the slight wind but it was tolerable.

‘Let’s… let’s save getting into character for when I need to.’ Oskar thought as she closed the door and began walking forward. ‘I’ll put my “mask” on when I need to but for now, I’ll just be myself.’

With a genuine though strained looking smile Oskar continued onward to enjoy her first day off in years.

Alpha

Time Turner swallowed nervously as he took in the sight before him. Relaxing peacefully on a park bench was a unicorn with a coat white as snow, eyes green as emeralds and hair a bright eye catching shade of pink. This unicorn’s name was Emerald Gleaner and the reason why Time Turner was nervous was because he intended to make an attempt to woo her.

“Go on now, just walk over and talk to her, it’s easy Time.” Bon Bon said from his left.

“Yeah TT, get over there!” Lyra added from his right. “There’s no reason to be afraid of a pretty filly!”

“I-I don’t know if this is such a great idea anymore.” Time Turner replied as he tugged nervously at a recently bought bowtie. “She looks like she’s happy by herself so I’ll just-” Turning around and intending to leave, Time Turner was interrupted by being suddenly levitated.

“No!” Lyra interjected her horn aglow with magic. “Come on TT don’t be such a scaredy cat! You haven’t even tried to get a date in months! Just because you’re a big nerd doesn’t mean you have to be alone all the time.”

“So because of my status as a bachelor I must immediately go after the most beautiful mare in town?” Time Turner questioned incredulously from his spot in the air.

“Oh I wouldn’t let Rarity hear you say that Time.” Bon Bon stated with a frown. “She’d likely feel insulted and hurt.”

“Doesn’t mean it’s not true Bon Bon.” Lyra said though she looked rather annoyed about it. “Unicorn comes into town out of the blue, turning the heads of all the colts in town then goes into Everfree to fake her own death-”

“Unintentionally!” Time Turner interrupted. “She unintentionally faked her own death! She did not think Twilight would try to follow her and mistake the aftermath of that chimera’s bloody nose as the place of her gruesome demise.”

“Ugggh!” Lyra exclaimed with a shudder, an action Bon Bon mirrored. “Why did you have to remind me of that?! It’s bad enough just hearing about it, never mind imagining it!”

“Apologies but I wanted to clarify things for you.” Time Turner replied.

“Hmph, anyways where was I…” Lyra said with a huff. “So the mare goes into Everfree of all places for an adventure and ends up unintentionally faking her own death. She spends a whole week doing who knows what while everypony in town mourns for her and prepares a funeral for her. So she decides to pop up right when everything is already finished and paid for to surprise everypony with her survival-”

“Er, she didn’t intend to-” Time Turner tried to interject again but…

“So she decides to astound all the colts with a show of brute strength!” Lyra continued her rant. “By which I mean smashing the tombstone I paid for! And it was a good tombstone too, polished black granite and everything, not cheap! And next thing you know she’s best friends with the heroes of Equestria and capture the hearts of all the colts in town! And-”

“Lyra?” Bon Bon said softly.

“…Yes Bon Bon?”

“Jealousy is unbecoming of you.” The other mare stated simply.

“… Sorry I just…” Lyra began with a sigh.

“It’s okay.” Bon Bon said kindly. “We’ll talk about this later but right now we’re trying to get Time into Emerald’s good graces, which will hopefully lead to a spot in her heart. Besides, the poor mare deserves some happiness for once after enduring a life of hardships.”

“I’m not sure if I can do this.” Time Turner stated as Lyra finally placed him back down.

“Yes you can, Time.” Bon Bon said reassuringly and placed a hoof on the stallion’s shoulder. “You only need to be yourself, friendly. Just start with polite discussion, now go over there.”

With that last bit of advice Bon Bon gave Time Turner a soft push. Giving a worried glance to the mare behind him the pony doctor returned his gaze forward. Taking in the slightly distant view of Emerald Gleaner relaxing on a bench, the brown coated pony took a deep breath before adjusting his tie and striding forward.

Time Turner examined Emerald as he drew closer. Though there was a bit of a chill in the air from the smoke blocking out the sun, she seemed to be completely at ease. His closing distance allowed Turner to make out the mare’s expression. It was… different from what was usually on the friendly unicorn’s face. She had a small yet unmistakably sad smile and her eyes seemed to just stare off into the distance, obviously lost in her own thoughts. Finally the mare in question seemed to notice Turner’s presence for her eyes suddenly cleared and she stared at him. The pony doctor was frozen in spot from her expression, she was staring at him with a blank expression yet her eyes held a dark predatory look to them. Then with a total suddenness Emerald’s expression changed to one of a bright eyed friendly smile.

“Why hello there Time Turner!” Emerald Gleaner greeted cheerfully. “I haven’t seen you in a while! Come here, take a seat!”

Time Turner blinked for a moment before smiling very happily and accepting the mare’s offer. The sure abruptness of Emerald’s change in expression, managed to convince Turner that he must have imagined the look from before.

“Thank you very much Emerald, I would like that.” Time Turner told the mare as he took a seat on the bench. “And it has been a while since we’ve talked, how have you been?”

“I’m fine, Time Turner.” Emerald replied. “I’m just spending some time in town while my friends are off solving the smoke problem.”

“Oh? What is causing the problem exactly?” The pony doctor asked. “If it was a forest fire it would be a simple enough issue to solve with a raincloud or two.”

“Turns out it’s a sleeping dragon.” Emerald answered sadly. “Twilight and her friends were tasked with convincing it to go and find somewhere else to sleep by the Princess.”

“I’m sure Twilight and the others will be fine Emerald.” Turner said comfortingly when he picked up on the mare’s sadness. “If Princess Celestia feels that her student and her friends can be entrusted with this task, then I can state with total confidence they will return safe and sound.”

“Yeah… but it’s not that that I’m upset about.” Emerald replied. “Twilight did her best to try to keep what she was up to from me.”

“And why would that be?” Turner asked.

“She believes, rightly, that I would want to come along.” The unicorn responded. “I’m adventurous I suppose… and I think that what she thought happened in Everfree has made her rather protective of me.”

“That doesn’t seem so wrong.” Time Turner stated.

“Maybe, but Twilight needs to realise I’m not a fragile little filly.” Emerald replied with a frown. “I can take care of myself and have been taking care of myself for years. Just because I’ve spent the last month in an actual house doesn’t mean I lost all I’ve learned from my life. I can handle myself; I handled myself in Everfree didn’t I?”

“True, you are a very independent and strong unicorn Emerald, very admirable traits.” Turner stated with a nod. “I’m sure with some time and work you’ll be able to convince Twilight to trust you to pull your weight in an adventure. She is a logical sort of mare, she’ll not be able to deny evidence brought before her.”

“Thank you Time Turner.” Emerald said, smiling widely. “That makes me feel better about being left behind, because it won’t happen again, I’ll make sure of it.”

“Not a problem Emerald.” Turner replied happily. “I’m glad to be able to have been of assistance.”

There was a long moment of comfortable silence before Emerald tilted her head to the side curiously.

“Time Turner you are a scientist right?” She asked the colt next to her.

“I possess a doctorate in quantum mechanics.” Turner stated with a nod. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m interested in talking science with you.” Emerald answered.

“Really?” Turner said eagerly before his stomach suddenly rumbled. “Uh… I appear to be hungry. Perhaps we could continue this over lunch?”

“Why not?” The unicorn said before getting off the bench. “I know this nice open air restaurant with a great sandwich and fries combo.”

“Well, let us be off.” Turner replied cheerfully and followed Emerald Gleaner as she led the way. He turned his head when he noticed his two friends waving at him. Bon Bon gave an encouraging smile while Lyra’s expression seemed to say “Go get her tiger!” Blushing from the wordless encouragement, Time Turner nodded in thanks and continued after Emerald.

It was not long before the two were at the restaurant and were being attended by a waitress.

“So what’cha having?” The unicorn with a levitating notepad asked, ending with her bubble-gum bubble expanding till it popped.

“I’ll have the deluxe sandwich and hay fries combo please.” Emerald replied. “Oh and a vanilla milkshake too.”

“And I will… I will have what she is having.” Time Turner said when the waitress turned to him.

“Alright, it’ll be ready in a couple minutes.” The other unicorn said before darting off to deliver the order.

“So what do you wish to ask me about Emerald?” Turner asked.

“While I was reading I found about this device called a computer.” Emerald stated. “What exactly is it? What I read only made a passing mention but what little I found out was interesting.”

“Computers, now there is a fascinating invention with great future potential.” Time Turner replied enthusiastically. “Now what this interesting device does is think. BUT, not at the level of even the most basic animal, no we are far, far from that. Currently the average computer is fairly large bulky boxes with a glass screen on the front, and is capable of making digital documents and doing advanced math in mere moments; something that would take most other ponies would require nearly a minute to solve.”

“Is that all that they are capable of?” Emerald asked with a cute tilt of her head.

“N-no, like I said computers have great potential in many fields.” The pony doctor replied with lightly flushed cheeks. “Already we have quite advanced robotic devices in factories, robotic devices Emerald! It is a true victory for science when science fiction becomes science fact!” Time Turner practically cheered with his declaration.

“Robots!?” Emerald gasped. “You mean we have metal ponies working in factories now? Amazing!”

“Uhhh… no.” Turner answered somewhat sheepishly. “What I mean by robotic devices is that we have these large robotic limbs designed after the forelimbs of the apes of the far west, with built in computers to make it do very basic repetitive actions.”

“Oh.” Emerald said with audible disappointment.

“But I assure you! This is still quite advanced!” Time Turner said quickly.

“I suppose so…” Emerald said lips pursed into a thin line. Time Turner was about to say more to mollify the obviously displeased unicorn, when it became clear it was not what he said that was bothering her anymore.

“Alright you two can come out now!” Emerald called. “Come on, you can’t pretend you’re not there!”

After a brief moment two mares appeared from around the corner. It was Bon Bon and Lyra, both mares looked rather sheepish at being discovered.

“Sorry about spying on you two.” Bon Bon said.

“Yeah, when did you notice we were here?” Lyra asked.

“After I noticed Time Turner approaching me.” Emerald answered. “At first I thought nothing of it but then you two never left and started following us.”

“Oh…” Now both the mares definitely looked embarrassed at being found out.

“We were just looking after our friend Time Turner.” Bon Bon answered with an embarrassed flush.

Emerald raised her brows. “I didn’t realise being around me was dangerous.”

“What!? No, that was not what I meant! Umm…” Bon Bon exclaimed then stared unsurely at the sitting unicorn who merely gave her a neutral glare.

Suddenly Emerald smiled widely. “I’m just teasing the both of you! Come, have a seat! The more the merrier!”

Both of the mares gave relieved laughs and took the unicorn’s offer, flashing an apologetic look at Time Turner as they did so. Said pony merely waved the looks off and shook his lightly smiling head.

“So who are you two?” Emerald asked.

“My name is Bon Bon.” The earth pony replied.

“I’m Lyra.” The other unicorn answered. “We know who you are.”

“Speaking of which…” Bon Bon said, smiling brightly as she learned forward on the table. “There are a few things I’m just dying to ask you.”

“What do you want to know?” Emerald asked with a tilt of her head.

It was at this point the waitress returned with Emerald’s and Timer Turner’s orders.

“Here ya go.” The waitress said as she levitated the food and drinks on the table then turned to the other mares. “You two want anything?”

“Oh, a chocolate milkshake!” Lyra said.

“Strawberry for me please.” Bon Bon replied pleasantly.

“Right, be back in a minute.”

“You see there are these rumors I want to ask you about.” The earth pony continued.

“Bon Bon you are such a gossip girl!” Lyra laughed and Time Turner only shook his head and sighed.

“Rumors?”

“Yes, like for instance…” Bon Bon began excitedly. “Are you really an earth pony with a really weird skin tag on her forehead?”

“…What?” Emerald said with an incredulous stare before suddenly shaking her head with a bemused chuckle. Emerald proceeded to wordlessly answer Bon Bon’s question by levitating her drink close enough to drink from the straw.

“Well that answers that one!” Bon Bon answered gleefully. “Okay next one! Are you the Wild Princess of Everfree?”

Emerald coughed up a bit of her milkshake at that one. “Wild Princess?! Okay… what?”

“Heh… heard that one from some stallion.” Bon Bon giggled. “Said you had a cat-like grace and the fact you just went into Everfree like it was nopony’s business inspired him… I think… what did he say again?”

“Er no, I’m not some feral royalty.” Emerald replied with a shake of her head.

“Well it wasn’t a very good rumor anyway.” Bon Bon said with a shrug. “How about this one, have you ever beat up and rode a dragon?”

“Definitely not.” Emerald responded as the waitress arrived with the drinks.

“Thanks, maybe you should try when you see a dragon.” Bon Bon suggested. “You seem strong enough.”

“Yeah sure, I’ll do just that with the next dragon I hear is in the area.” Emerald said jokingly.

“Oh this is a good one, who did-”

“Ah come on Bon Bon!” Lyra exclaimed in irritation. “Stop talking about her!”

“We will definitely be talking later.” Bon Bon started seriously to chasten Lyra. “But okay, no more rumors about Emerald. This one is about an entirely different unicorn. Have any of you heard about what happened to Rose Locks?”

“Who?” Lyra asked with furrowed brows, Emerald tilted her head and Time Turner shook his head.

“Well Rose Locks is this unicorn that wanted to visit Canterlot around a month ago.” Bon Bon began. “I heard along the way she ran into some wild beast that tried to eat her.”

“Really?” Turner stated. “Is she alright?”

“Yes and now that I think about it some accounts say she just fell asleep and had a really bad nightmare but anyways…” Bon Bon rambled before shaking her head clear. “She continued on her way to Canterlot and tried to enjoy herself when she arrived but kept getting panic attacks. When she tried to settle in for the night at a hotel she had a really horrible nightmare about what happened to her and woke up screaming. She got so bad that she was admitted into the psych ward of the Canterlot hospital for care. She’s been there since.”

“Wow that’s… Emerald, are you okay?” Lyra asked her fellow unicorn. “You look really… off.”

“Y-yeah I’m just…” Emerald said, looking distinctly disturbed. “I’m just sad for that other pony is all. Well… sorry to cut this short but I really ought to be going.” The unicorn stated and got up from her seat but turned towards Time Turner with a smile. “Time Turner thanks for the lunch and conversation, I really enjoyed it.”

“It’s no problem Emerald.” Turner said after the leaving unicorn. “Perhaps we could do this again sometime?”

“Sure!” Emerald called back before disappearing around a corner.

The two mares turned to Time Turner and gave him wide grins.

“Looks like somepony is getting a fillyfriend!” Lyra declared.

“I wouldn’t go as far as that but she appears to be open to further outings.” Turner stated with a flush.

“Tut, tut Time.” Bon Bon said. “You need to be a little bit more confident if you want this to go anywhere.”

“I try but I feel so much more at home studying the inner workings of the universe.” The pony doctor stated sheepishly.

“Well just try to focus on relaxing around her and I I’m sure…” Bon Bon began as she gave Time Turner dating advice.

BETA

Oskar was currently making her way down a street. She had no real destination in mind and was letting her mind wander.

‘That was… informative.’ Oskar thought. The Cadre Evolved had come out to enjoy herself and relax, and it looked like that would be the case but then Time Turner appeared. At first Oskar didn’t mind the colt’s appearance but then she found herself unable to ignore the opportunity to question the pony about the current tech. She had also noticed two mares hiding some distance away behind a bush, but hadn’t really minded them since it was still far better from the stares she was getting earlier. Time Turner’s offer of lunch was appealing enough to accept but… it invoked feelings of Déjá vu in the viral being. Oskar was still contemplating if the current level of technology was of any real use when she had grown tired of ignoring the two mares shadowing them, so she called them out… in retrospect it would have been better for the Evolved’s mood to just keep ignoring them. It was innocent enough and amusing to hear rumors about herself but then the conversation turned to that unicorn she ambushed so long ago.

‘I… I don’t know how to feel… should I feel guilty?’ Oskar thought as she walked down a street. ‘I needed genes to create Emerald Gleaner and I could’ve just killed her for them but I didn’t… so I shouldn’t feel guilty; if I was still under Mercer’s command I would have killed her to keep up appearances as just another predictable psychopath. I showed mercy… and that’s a good thing.’

‘… And I should remember that just because I show mercy doesn’t mean mercy would be shown to me if I were discovered.’ As the viral being continued her thinking her nose began to twitch from a faint delicious aroma in the air. ‘I’m a virus and the ultimate omnivore, fruits, vegetables, bugs, other viruses and bacteria, meat, processed foods, gems, rock, ores and if I can get around to finding some termites: wood. But these ponies, these herbivores would be completely hung up on the fact I eat meat. If I was found out, if they saw how I truly am they would see nothing but a terrifying monster, a walking anathema of blades and eternally hungry tendrils… I wouldn’t blame them… what’s that smell?’

Even as deep as she was in her brooding Oskar couldn’t help but be taken out of it by the wonderful mouth-watering aroma filling her nose. Coming to a stop the Cadre Evolved took a look around her surroundings and quickly found the source of the smell. Oskar was just standing outside Sugarcube Corner and from the smell of things the Cakes were just beginning another batch of baked goods.

Immediately Oskar’s mind was flooded with images of a bakery, completely different from the one before her. A store front showing a sidewalk and street, always busy with traffic of people walking and driving cars. The sound of a bell ringing from the front door opening and people chatting as they waited filling the air. Freshly baked pastries and rich icing flooded the room with their scents. A face, a softly smiling woman with platinum blonde hair, her eyes twinkled with amusement and she laughed from something she just saw.

Feeling a deep warmth in her chest, Oskar strode forward without another thought and entered the Sugarcube corner.

“Hello and welcome to Sugarcube Corner!” Mrs. Cake greeted. “Oh! Emerald how nice to see you again, would you like another of your favourites?” The swirly maned mare pointed to some donuts with vanilla icing and coconut sprinkles. “They’re fresh! Just out of the oven!”

“That sounds delicious!” Oskar replied, unable to keep herself from darting over in front of the displayed donuts and staring longingly. “But… as much as I want to use the allowance Twilight gave me I have a different reason for being here.”

“And what would that be my dear?” Mrs. Cake asked.

“I know Pinkie is out helping Twilight with that task she was given by the Princess.” Oskar stated. “And I thought I’d just come by and cover for her. I’m willing to work free of charge if that helps.”

“Oh my dear I couldn’t possibly accept your help without compensating you for it!” The mare exclaimed though she had a big smile on her face from the display of kindness. “But yes, my husband and I would gladly accept your help. Do you know how to work in a bakery by the way?”

An image of a white apron with the name Oskar stitched in the upper left corner briefly flashed in the Evolved’s mind. “Oh yes, definitely.”

“Then by all means my dear go right in!” Mrs. Cake said, waving to the kitchen door. “There should be a spare apron or two on the rack just beside the door in the kitchen.”

“Thank you Mrs. Cake!” Oskar said and headed for the door.

Entering the kitchen Oskar was met with the sight of Mr. Cake trying to be in four places at once and actually doing a good job of it. The baker pony had three ovens going, two lumps of dough needing to be kneaded and two bowls of icing needing to be mixed. Mr. Cake darted from one place to another kneading dough quickly then moving to finish stirring a bowl of icing and finally checking on the ovens to see if they were down. Mr. Cake spotted Oskar out of the corner of his eye when he was staring through the partially open door of one of his ovens.

“Oh hello Emerald.” Mr. Cake greeted in an upbeat tone as he continued his frantic work. “What are you doing back here?”

“I offered to fill in for Pinkie today.” Oskar explained as she grabbed a spare apron and tied it on magically. “Mrs. Cake agreed and here I am. So where do you need me?”

“Well if you could finish those bowls of icing it would be a huge load off my back.” The stallion answered as he saw that the loads of cupcakes and muffins weren’t quite finished yet.

“No problem!” Oskar replied and trotted over to the bowls in question. Picking up a whisk Oskar began beating the icing hard and quickly, but not so much that the icing would go everywhere. Glancing at the unattended bowl of icing, Oskar got an idea. The fake unicorn’s horn lit up with her magic as she levitated the other bowl and took hold of another whisk, then she proceeded to magically beat the icing in that bowl.

“Ha, magic can be convenient huh?” Mr. Stated cheerfully as he kneaded the dough. “You look like you got a good handle on things, have you worked in a bakery before or are you just a natural baker?”

“I’d like to think both actually.” Oskar answered, frowning in concentration as she divided her focus on a conversation, physically beating one bowl and magically beating the other bowl of icing.

“Oh?”

“My mother was a baker.” Oskar explained, a memory of being a young boy excitedly helping his mom bake flashed through her mind. “I helped out around the kitchen and the store. I… remember those days well, I’d be standing on a chair beating a bowl of cake mix and occasionally try to stick my f-hoof in it to get a taste then my mother would immediately catch me before I’d manage it. Other times she’d let me knead and roll the dough of the pastries… I had so much fun helping her out. We did fairly well too, and I was enough of a natural that she saw expanding to a second location and letting me run it, when I was old enough, very much a possibility. But then…”

“Gee Emerald…” Mr. Cake began with a pained expression. “I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.”

“No… those were good times and I enjoy reminiscing about them.” Oskar replied before nodding and placing the bowls down. “And working in a bakery only improves my mood Mr. Cake. The icing is done, what’s next?”

“Just in time too.” Mr. Cake stated as he quickly began taking out trays full of donuts and cupcakes from the ovens. These need to have icing on them; we’ll put sprinkles on some of them too. While you do that I’ll finish kneading this dough and get them in the oven. Those will be the jelly filled donuts and pastries, once they’re done we’ll fill em up with jelly.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Oskar said as she levitated the icing over to the freshly baked pastries.

And so the hours passed with Oskar working the kitchen helping Mr. Cake. The Cadre Evolved enjoyed herself greatly, fond memories of times spent with her mother in the kitchen flowed freely through her mind and without the guilt she normally felt. Eventually all good things come to an end though, as was the case when five o’clock rolled around all too soon to Oskar’s liking.

“You were a wonderful help dear!” Mrs. Cake complimented the false unicorn. “It tends to get a bit frantic around here without a third set of hooves helping out.”

“Yeah you were a fine help around the kitchen, here you deserve these.” Mr. Cake added and passed over a small bag of bits along with a box of the viral being’s favorite donuts. “Come back anytime Emerald. You’ll always be welcome here!”

“Thanks mister and missus cake.” Oskar replied as she took the bag and box. “I’ll see you two later!”

“Goodbye Emerald!” The two ponies called out as Oskar left out the door.

Bag of bits and box of donuts levitating in the air above her, Oskar randomly chose a street and started moving. As the Evolved took a donut out to eat she noticed that the smoke wasn’t pouring out from the mountain anymore and the pegasi were out in force clearing the skies.

‘Guess that means Twilight and her friends did it.’ Oskar thought as she munched a donut. ‘What should I do now I wonder?’

“Pinkie Pie you scared me!” A familiar voice cut into her thoughts.

Quickly finishing her donut, Oskar darted in the direction of the shout and came to the sight of Twilight’s friends standing in front of said pony’s library. Twilight was up on her balcony and laughing along with her friends at Fluttershy, who was now frozen in a state of shock on the ground.

“Hey girls!” Oskar greeted as she entered the group. “Hope that dragon didn’t give you too much trouble.”

“Emerald! I was wondering where you went off to.” Twilight said. “Come on in, I’ll tell you all about our adventure.”

“Ohhhh donuts!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and stared longingly at the levitating box holding the pastries.

“No.” Oskar simply said as she walked to the library door.

“Can I have some?” Rainbow Dash asked as Pinkie pouted from the denial.

“Same answer, different pony.” Oskar replied before entering the library.

“Awwwww…”

GAMMA

Oskar chucked a whole walnut into her mouth as she stared out the window and broke it open in one bite. Outside many ponies were busy cutting down frail tree limbs to keep them from falling and causing damage during the coming storm. Said storm was being organised by the weather pegasi, the reason for this being because of a schedule slip concerning rainfall.

‘Some things about this place I think I’ll never get used to.’ Oskar thought, tossing another walnut in her mouth. ‘So we missed a bit of rainfall, this means we have to have a big dangerous thunderstorm? Whose idea was that? Okay maybe it isn’t that dangerous, after all the weather ponies will be controlling every boom and rain drop, right? I’m sure they can’t be just putting the clouds in place and just let them go crazy right?’

The lightning was just beginning to appear when Twilight appeared at Oskar’s back and gasped aloud.

“What is it?” Oskar asked and looked back to see Twilight’s worried expression.

“Look!” The violet unicorn pointed out the window, off in the distance trying to find shelter was Applejack and Rarity. Applejack seemed to find shelter in the form of hiding under a picnic table but for some reason Rarity was standing out in the open. “Applejack and Rarity are stuck outside! The storm is going to come down hard, it might be too dangerous for them to go home in this! I better get them in here.”

Oskar blinked at that. “You mean the pegasi would actually make a dangerous storm? And doesn’t Rarity live just down the road from here?”

Twilight didn’t hear her though as she bolted for the front door. Oskar followed after the studious unicorn shortly, arriving in time to see her call out to the two mares in the storm.

“Applejack! Rarity!” Twilight called, waving her hoof for the mares’ attention. “Applejack! Rarity!”

Oskar stuck her head out the door and saw the two just staring back at them.

“Come on!” Oskar shouted. “What are you waiting for!? Get in here!”

“Right!” Rarity called back and ran for the library with Applejack not too far behind.

Rarity came charging in, glad to be out of the rain but Applejack skidded to a stop just before the door.

“Whoa nelly!” The cowpony said and arched an eyebrow questionably at the ponies inside. “Is inside a tree really the best place in a lightning storm?”

“It is if you have a magical lightning rod protecting your home like I do.” Twilight answered with a smile. “Come on in!”

“We are most grateful for your invitation.” Rarity said gratefully with a small head bow.

“Thank ya kindly for yer hospitality.” Applejack agreed and tried to step into the house only for Rarity to stop her.

“Uh, do be a polite house guest and go wash up please, won't you?” Rarity stated motioning to Applejack’s mud covered hooves before walking to stand beside Twilight and Oskar. Applejack grumbled and muttered words under her breath but did as asked and stepped back outside to clean her hooves.

“Were you asked to help trim the trees Rarity?” Oskar asked. “Was that why you were out there?”

“You are right, Emerald darling.” Rarity replied. “Normally only ponies on the storm brigade are supposed to be out there but the suddenness of the storm found the brigade unprepared. They were short hoofed and had to ask for volunteers. I decided my skills could be of use and volunteered as soon as I could… I did not anticipate the sure ferocity of the storm however.”

“Some storm, huh? The Pegasus ponies sure have outdone themselves this time.” Twilight agreed. “But I hope you and Applejack don't have any trouble getting home in this.”

“It may indeed be a problem.” Rarity replied worriedly.

“So fussy.” Oskar stated, shaking her head. The glamorous unicorn’s home was not that far away but she obviously didn’t want to ruin her mane.

“This mane only looks easy to attain darling.” Rarity retorted at Oskar’s remark. “It takes a great amount of effort to create and sustain through a whole day’s grind. I would think a mare with your mane would understand that.”

“I don’t fix up my mane Rarity.” Oskar responded with a smirk. “It naturally gets this way.”

“WHAT?!” Rarity exclaimed. “Impossible! Hair like that doesn’t just happen!”

“It’s true Rarity.” Twilight said with a nod. “Emerald never fixes up her mane, I saw her wake up once and she didn’t even have a bed head.”

Rarity gaped at Twilight for a long moment before turning back to stare longingly at Oskar with tearing eyes. “It’s not fair…”

“Life rarely is.” Oskar merely responded. “So I’m guessing you’re going to stay the night rather than risk your mane getting moist?”

“Oh we should have a slumber party!” Twilight said excitedly.

“Uh, what?” Rarity said, strangely alarmed.

“A slumber party, you know friends sleep over, play games, tell ghost stories.” The violet unicorn said before darting over to a bookshelf. “I’ve always wanted to have one!”

With the sound of the front door opening and closing Applejack returned from cleaning her hooves.

“Whelp my hooves are clean.” Applejack stated as she came to a stop near Oskar. “What’s going on?”

“Twilight wants to have a slumber party.” Oskar answered as said unicorn came back with a back.

“Slumber 101, all you wanted to know about slumber parties but were afraid to ask.” Twilight read briefly from the summary before turning the cover to her friends. “I’ve always wanted to have a slumber party, ever since I was a little filly and now is the perfect time to have one!”

“Oh uh, that’s awfully tempting and all but ah… uh…” Applejack began, looking for an excuse to refuse and shooting looks at Rarity. But Twilight’s super eager and excited expression was not making it easy for the cowpony. “Well… actually… you know what sugarcube? Sure, I’ll stick around for yer slumber party…”

“Hooray slumber party!” Twilight cheered and briefly clopped her hooves together.

“Wonderful…” A clearly unenthused Rarity muttered.

“Something wrong?” Oskar asked, glancing at the unhappy looks Applejack and Rarity had.

“Er… nothing ya need ta worry about sugarcube.” Applejack said with a subtle look at Rarity. “It’s all under control, right Rarity?”

“But of course.” Rarity replied stiffly. “We wouldn’t want Twilight’s very first slumber party to be ruined now wouldn’t we?”

“If you say so…” Oskar replied with suspicion before turning to Twilight. “So what are we doing?”

“Let’s see… the book says the first thing to do in a slumber party is… to give each other makeovers!” Twilight squealed in excitement.

“Sounds fun.” Oskar stated with a smile at Twilight’s enthusiasm. “You know I personally have never had a makeover, or a slumber party for that matter.”

“Then you’ll be in for a treat Emerald!” Twilight replied happily before darting for a cupboard. There was the sound of glass clinking and things being moved about before Twilight turned around, four bowls and two green bottles floating behind her. “I’ve got all the materials for the mud masks right here.”

“Mud masks?!” Applejack exclaimed. “What in tarnation, ah had to go outside an clean mud off my hooves an now ya want to put mud on my face?”

“Of course this isn’t that filth you would have dragged all over Twilight’s floors!” Rarity replied affronted. Twilight brought over four pillows for everyone to sit on and placed a bowl down before each one, filling each bowl with a light green crème.

“This is a mud mask.” Rarity explained as she laid down on a pillow. “It’s to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion.”

“Really?” Oskar asked dubiously, dipping her hoof into a bowl and bringing it to look at the crème. Oskar knew all about products like these of course. The memories of several women providing all she needed to know about them. But the dubious point came when Rarity stated what the crème was for; ponies had a coat of short hair that covered their entire body and thus kept skin out of sight for the most part. Humans had a coat of hair too, but the hairs were so sparse and fine as to be a non-issue. The Evolved was more than a little curious about the effectiveness of the crème when there was a coat of hair between it and the skin it was supposed to be absorbed into. “Well consider me sceptic.”

“Pshaw Emerald, you’ll see, by tomorrow morning you’ll find that the results speak for themselves.” Rarity replied as she quickly and expertly applied a layer of crème over her face and helped Twilight when she seemed to be having trouble.

“Hmmm…” Oskar looked down at the crème on her hoof. Like what was stated before, Oskar knew about this stuff and how to apply it… as a human that is. With an equine face and hooves for appendages Oskar was at some loss of how to put it on without making a mess. Tentatively she placed her hoof on her face and started to spread it around.

“Oh, Emerald darling here let me do it.” Rarity said after basically chucking a ball of crème in Applejack’s face and smearing it around haphazardly. “You’ve acquired quite a few skills from being a travel pony but applying health care products seems to be not one of them.”

“Well excuse me for not seeing a point in it before.” Oskar replied in false irritation. “I mean it's not like I had better things to spend what few bits I could get my hooves on.”

“Now Emerald, there is no need to be like that.” Rarity stated with pursed lips as she sat in front of the fake unicorn. “I’m well aware of your feelings on my taste for “useless frilliness”. But just sit back and relax, let me handle this.”

“Alright Rarity, might as well give this a try for Twilight’s sake than anything else.” Oskar muttered loud enough for Rarity to hear.

“My thoughts exactly.” Rarity replied with a smile before setting to work.

Oskar closed one eye as Rarity with meticulous care began spreading an even layer of crème over one side of her face. It struck Oskar as odd that Rarity was taking such painstaking efforts in applying the mud mask to her, the glamorous unicorn did not do so with Twilight who she was obviously closer to. Yet here the mare was, being so very attentive in making sure she was doing a good job for a pony she shouldn’t like. Though very curious for the reason, Oskar couldn’t help but enjoy the calming atmosphere of the room, of lying here and being attended to.

‘So this is what being a girl is like?’ Oskar thought as Rarity started applying crème to the other side of her face. ‘It’s not bad, kind of pleasant really. There’s seeing and there’s experiencing, I mean I know there are unpleasant consequences of being female, what with the sexualising, the leering and the occasional rapist who thought I was easy prey. But there is none of that here… well there was that one incident in Canterlot but that was hardly his fau-’

“Emerald I’m done.” Rarity’s voice broke into Oskar’s thoughts. “You can open your eyes now.”

“Oh… uh, thanks Rarity.” Oskar said a little unsurely.

“It’s no problem Emerald.” Rarity smiled warmly.

‘Does… does she like me?’ Oskar thought as said unicorn turned around to face Twilight. ‘Strange… I thought she was the type to go for the “gallant stallion” not another mare… ugh, how am I going to handle this?’

“So what’s next in that book of yours?” Applejack asked Twilight.

“We’re not done with our makeovers, Applejack.” The studious unicorn replied and made their mud masks disappear in a flash of magic. “We still need to do our manes!”

“Seriously?” Applejack asked unhappily and got her answer when Twilight levitated some hair curlers and brushes into the air in front of her.

“Come now Applejack.” Rarity rebuked smugly as she magically took a hold of the curlers from Twilight. “And who knows, it may just help that crow’s nest you have!”

Applejack growled but didn’t resist as Rarity set to work once again, quickly and efficiently brushing long locks of hair to place in a curler. While Rarity was busy with Twilight, Applejack and herself Oskar was trying to fix herself up.

‘This is so much harder without hands.’ The fake unicorn frowned as she struggled to magically manipulate the curlers, the brush and her hair. ‘And these hooves are so confusing, one moment they’re just as good as hands, the next I’m forced to use my mouth or magic to get things done.’

“Oh my. Emerald darling just wait a moment.” Rarity said as she caught sight of Oskar making a mess of herself. “I just need to finish Applejack's tail and I’ll be right there.”

“Yowch!” Applejack shouted as Rarity pulled a lock into a curler in an ungentle manner.

“Apologies Applejack.” The glamorous unicorn quickly muttered as she quickly finished up and moved to Emerald.

“Now let’s what I can do with this perfect mane of yours.” Rarity stated with a smile and sat down just behind Oskar.

The Evolved felt the bristles of the brush move through her mane softly and slowly, the intent being to undo any knots but the sure gentleness of the action struck Oskar.

“My, my, not one knot or tangle.” Rarity’s voice came softly near her ear. “And your natural curls just spring right back into shape. What I wouldn’t do for hair this silky and strong.”

‘Ah crap!’ The Evolved thought as Rarity started to place in curlers. ‘She does like me! How do I handle this? She’s someone I have to deal with pretty much every other day so simply doing what I did to Razor Wing isn’t an option, not unless I want to make things awkward around here. What to do, what to do… I got nothing. Great so I just sit back and let her date me? Just hope she decides we ar-’

“Emerald?” Rarity’s voice broke into the virus’ thoughts.

“Er, yes Rarity?” Oskar said, discomfort managing to bleed into her voice.

“I know we don’t exactly get along, even now you’re so tense from being near me.” Rarity said sadly. “And I understand why you dislike me, after a lifetime of only living on the bare minimum and coming face to face with a pony such as I… well long story short Emerald I’d rather we be friends, dear friends.”

“Oh?” Oskar stated relief at being wrong, making her relax. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

“I can get along with any pony with a little effort darling but you…” Rarity began with a hopeful. “You I want to be friends with, no matter the difficulty. I just… I have a hard time explaining it Emerald but I feel this connection with you.”

“A connection?” Oskar questioned, turning her head to face Rarity as said pony affixed the last curler in her mane.

“Yes I know it sounds odd.” Rarity replied with a nod. “But I do feel this need to be close to you, to help you. The closest I can compare this feeling is what I feel towards my sister but… somehow this feels deeper.”

“O-oh.” Oskar did her best to hide her shock. Somehow Rarity was able to feel on a sun-conscious level that Emerald was related to her. And it was true too as technically her current form was Rarity’s daughter, if said pony had somehow had a child with another mare and that child completely won the genetic lottery.

Taking advantage of the awkwardness she currently felt, Oskar spoke. “Y-you know what? Maybe all that frilliness you like isn’t so bad… maybe I should just lighten up a bit. I mean after all, I don’t have to rely on the land to survive anymore and I have my own bits now…”

“Does this mean…” Rarity began with a hopeful voice.

“Yeah, let’s be friends Rarity.” Oskar replied with a small smile. “And not just pretend to be for Twilight’s shake.”

“Yes!” The unicorn cheered and pulled Oskar into a tight hug. “I can’t believe how happy this makes me feel! I’m glad we were able to move past this pettiness between us Emerald, so very glad.”

At this Oskar couldn’t help but feel her heart lightening and the smiling mask she wore became less and less false. The Evolved, member of Alex Mercer’s cruel, brutal and misanthropic Cadre of Blacklight beings, leaned into Rarity’s embrace.

“Yay!” Twilight cheered, once again clopping her hooves in excitement. “My slumber party is turning out to be a total success! What do you think Applejack?”

“Err… ah think it’s just fine Sugercube… just fine…” The cowpony sat staring at the sight before her, of two mares once only friends in the barest sense. Now willing to put aside what issues they had to deepen their relationship into an actual friendship. Like the one Rarity had with Twilight… and the one “Emerald” had with Applejack. Frowning for a long moment Applejack suddenly looked determined and started walking forward. “Scuse me Twilight, something mighty important ah have ta do.”

“Oh sure thing.” Twilight responded and watched curiously as Applejack approached the two hugging mares.

“…Rarity?”

Cracking open one eye the glamorous unicorn scrutinized Applejack standing in front of her and Oskar, who she was still embracing.

“Oh well… I suppose all good things must come to an end.” Rarity stated with a sigh and released Oskar. “Yes Applejack? How may I help you?”

“Look… ah know we’re having a disagreement an all but…” The cowpony began with some effort. “Seeing you and Emerald getting along so well despite yer differences, it got me thinking you see… you focusing on the little details ain’t so bad. But sometimes sugarcube you gotta focus on the big picture instead of the little ones and… well, guess what ah’m trying to say is ah’m sorry Rarity.”

“Oh really… is that so?” Rarity asked dismissively when she felt a nudge.

She looked towards Oskar and saw her give a meaningful look.

“Generosity isn’t picky.” The false unicorn stated with a pointed stare.

Rarity winced at that and nodded in agreement after a moment.

“… I’m sorry too Applejack… I suppose my placing the branches back on the trees was counterproductive when I think about it.” Rarity admitted.

“Partners again?” The cowpony asked and stepped closer.

“Indeed.” Rarity answered and hugged the other mare.

“Awwwww, this is fantastic!” Twilight smiled and levitated her slumber party book over. “Makeovers check.”

With that the curlers in all the mares’ manes disappeared in a flash.

“So what’s next?” Oskar asked.

“Ghost stories!” Twilight replied excitedly. “Who wants to go first?”

“Me!” Applejack shouted then paused, with a glance at Rarity Applejack then said sheepishly. “Actually maybe somepony else ought to go first.”

Oskar tapped her lip for a moment and smiled widely. She couldn’t really recall any good stories at the moment but didn’t mean she couldn’t create one.

“I have one.” Oskar said, hoof raised into the air. With a magical flair of her horn she turned out all the lights. “Have any of you three heard of the Dread Queen Bloody Mary?”

“C-can’t say that I have sugarcube.” Applejack replied immediately put off by the name.

“Who was she?” Twilight asked curiously but also nervous.

“Mary the I was a vain Queen.” Oskar began, making up a composite character on the fly based on histories and legends she knew. “But nopony knew just how vain… until one terrible day.”

“W-what happened?” Rarity asked, bringing her hoof up to her mouth.

“You see, one of the noble fillies attending the Queen’s court said that not only was she prettier than the Queen, but that the peasant girls in her town were prettier too.” Oskar said, relishing the other mares’ expressions while her own was shadowed from a candle below. “The Queen happened to have just been around the corner at the time and did not take what heard well, at all.”

“So, waiting until the girl and her family returned to their estate,” Oskar continued. “Bloody Mary gathered up her Royal Guard and took them to the town the girl’s family ruled. She had a contingent sent to the girl’s estate and ordered the rest to gather up all the pretty mares in town. By morning it was done, all the mares, including the noble girl were in the town square. Next she had each mare tied to a stake with a pile of wood laid at their base… do you know what she did next?”

“W-what?” Applejack asked in apprehension.

“She had each stake set aflame…” Oskar said, staring into each of the mares’ wide eyes. “With the mares still tied to them.”

Horrified gasps came from the two unicorns and one earth pony, inciting Oskar to think. ‘Too easy.’

“But that was just the beginning of Queen Mary’s terrible reign…” Oskar said dramatically. “After that day a dark madness, fueled by Mary’s vanity, took hold. The newly christened Bloody Mary began hiring pretty mares to work as her palace maids. For a time all was well for the girls employed by the Queen but soon they began to notice something…”

“W-w-what?” Rarity asked, pulling herself closer to Applejack.

“They noticed that maids were going missing.” Oskar answered. “You see it turns out the vain Queen Mary decided she wanted to remain youthful forever, so in order to accomplish this she decided the best way was to… bathe in the spilled blood of beautiful mares!”

The Lightning storm outside chose this particular moment to boom loudly, lighting the room up briefly in a flash and causing the three other mares to scream.

“After that discovery the remaining maids turned tail and ran from the palace but that still isn’t the end of Bloody Mary’s legacy.” Oskar said theatrically inwardly thankful for the timely lightning strike. She was going to continue when she saw the scene in front of her. “Uhh… you girls alright?”

Twilight, Rarity and Applejack were huddled together, holding each other tightly and staring with wide scared eyes at Oskar. Their coats had also turned a lighter shade… somehow.

“Y-you know I-I think ghost stories c-can be checked off the list.” Twilight simply stated.

“But I never got to tell you about the forest of pikes.” Oskar protested. “Or got to the part that made this story a ghost story.”

“Nope! I’m checking it off!” “Twilight insisted and brought up the book, marking it with her quill. “See? Check.”

“Fine.” Oskar huffed. “You bunch of sissies.”

“S-so what’s next, Twilight?” Applejack asked as said unicorn turned the lights back on.

“Something nice and calming.” The studious unicorn replied. “Truth or dare, who wants to go first?”

“I do.” Rarity replied and turned to Applejack. “Truth, Applejack have you ever tried to be fancy?”

“Uhh, yeah once.” The cowpony answered. “Ah was a naïve little filly who didn’t know any better. Decided farm life wasn’t for me and went to live with some cousins who became city folk in Manehattan. Grew to be miserable over there, it was only until I saw this rainbow over my home that I decided to head back home.”

“Oh I did not know that darling.” Rarity replied.

“Yeah it ain’t all that important ta talk about.” Applejack said. “My turn, let’s see here… okay so truth, Rarity have ya ever purposefully gotten yerself dirty?”

“Well… I don’t know if this counts as purposeful but…” Rarity began. “There was this one time when I was a little filly. You see, my horn was acting up and it was dragging me everywhere. My coat was ever so dusty when it was over and done with.”

“Huh.” Applejack hummed.

“Okay it’s my turn!” Twilight said excitedly and turned to Oskar. “So Emerald I… dare you to… change the color of my coat and mane.”

“Are you sure?” Oskar asked dubiously. “I’m not exactly a master at magic.”

“It’s the rules Emerald, you have to do what you’re dared to do.” Twilight replied cheerfully. “Besides, if nothing else I’m absolutely certain you got the color change part of transfiguration down.”

“All right… here goes.” Oskar stated as a light pink aura surrounded her horn.

Twilight’s form glowed briefly, the light reaching near blinding and suddenly it was over. The unicorn stood in front of them unharmed but cosmetically changed. Her coat was now a light pink, her mane and tail was white, the streak however was a dark purple. The only thing unchanged was her eyes and cutie mark.

“Hmmm… I look like my mother.” Twilight remarked upon levitating a mirror over. “Though the shade of her streaks isn’t this dark, and her coat is white and… I think you forgot to change my eyes.”

“Yes I did.” Oskar admitted with a nod. “At least I didn’t accidentally switch around your mane and tail… again.”

“Say what now?” Applejack said, looking between Twilight and Oskar.

“Oh nothing!” Twilight replied, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. “It’s your turn now Emerald.”

“Right, how about…” Oskar said as she pondered what to dare or ask Twilight. “I dare you to stand on your front hooves for two seconds.”

“A hoof stand!” Twilight exclaimed in a little alarm. “I… well the rules are the rules but I never was all that good at PE. Horsefeathers…”

Reluctance clear to all who saw it, Twilight briefly hopped in place in an attempt to limber up. Trying to give her front hooves a good strong footing Twilight proceeded to push off the ground with her back legs. For a brief moment Twilight was upside down and she thought she had managed it, only for her momentum to continue forward.

“Wah! Oomph!” Twilight shouted before falling to the floor, the surprisingly soft floor. Opening her eyes Twilight saw that she was in Oskar’s forelegs, said false pony was giving a crooked smile down at her.

“All brains and no brawn eh Twilight?” The Cadre Evolved remarked.

“Possessing both in large quantities is your forte Emerald.” Twilight replied with a smile before getting back onto her hooves.

“True.” Oskar said with a nod. The Evolved turned towards Rarity as it was now her turn again when she heard Twilight call out.

“Play truth or dare, check!” The violet unicorn marked in her book.

Oskar blinked at that and turned towards the other mares who only shrugged at her look.

“Okay, since the game is over what’s next Twilight?” Oskar asked.

“It’s confusing me… this says pillow fight.” Twilight answered with a troubled frown. “…I wonder what this- ahhh!”

The unicorn was interrupted by the sudden impact of a pillow to the back of her head. She turned around to see Oskar smiling widely at her with several pillows levitating above her. Applejack was quickly getting into the spirit of things as she wrangled a pillow with her lasso and was grinning pointedly at Rarity.

“Oh I will not be a participant in something so crude.” Rarity stated haughtily only for Applejack’s lassoed pillow to smack square in the face. “I said I will not- argh!”

“Don’t be such a wet blanket Rarity.” Oskar said after telekinetically chucking a pillow in the unicorn’s face.

“Oh it is on!” Rarity stated dangerously after spitting out a few feathers.

“Oh!” Twilight exclaimed in realization as she watched her friends go at it like bloodthirsty Vikings… with pillows. “Pillow fight. Fun!” The unicorn said with a brief clop of her hooves.

The sound of hooves clopping together attracted the attention of the three battling mares, they proceeded to spare enough time attacking each other to toss one pillow at the distracted studious unicorn.

“Ahhh!” Twilight briefly exclaimed as she was stuck with three pillows.

“Either return fire or sit this out!” Oskar shouted as she dodged a head shot from Applejack only to get pinned behind a table by Rarity’s opportunistic barrage. “One or the other Twilight!”

Twilight immediately got up from under the pillows and giggled excitedly, her horn lit with magic. A nearby drawer started shaking violently before flying open. Dozens of pieces of parchment flew out of the drawer and hovered in the air for a brief moment, and then in a blinding flash suddenly the parchment was replaced by dozens of levitating pillows.

“Oh my!”

“Didn’t see that coming.”

“Oh boy…”

“Ha!” Twilight shouted as she unleashed her wall of feathery comfy death. In an instant the other three mares were completely overwhelmed in a solid wave of pillows.

“Oh did I win?” Twilight asked excitedly as she took in the three piles of pillows where her friends used to be.

Suddenly the pillow pile Oskar was under burst apart.

“Conflict escalation!” Oskar bellowed as the pillows she was buried under gathered above her.

Quickly gathering up the pillows she still had, Twilight formed a makeshift barrier with them, blocking Oskar’s punishing stream of pillows flying at her position. Ducking behind an overturned table Rarity transfigured a spare pillow into a mirror, which she used to bombard the other two unicorns from safety.

Applejack being the sole non unicorn of the four decided discretion was the better part of valour and began edging along the side of the room to flank Rarity.

Rarity was completely focused on lobbing pillows at the other two unicorns, her gaze locked on the mirror when Applejack ambushed her.

“Huh?” Seeing movement out of the corner of her eye Rarity turned to look and saw Applejack charging at her, pillow in hoof.

“Ahhhhh!” Rarity screamed out as a blow from the pillow the cowpony wielded sent her flying over her cover and into a pile of discarded pillows.

And so the fight continued, Oskar and Twilight were locked in heated battle, both unicorns sending either withering streams of pillows or overwhelming waves of them at each other. Applejack continued on sneaking about the warzone that was Twilight’s library, backstabbing any of the unicorns when she had the opportunity. Rarity continued her tactic from before, hiding behind cover and blindsiding anyone she targeted with her precision strikes, though she did take pains to watch out for Applejack this time.

Eventually the Pillow War of Twilight’s Library came to a close… with Rarity as the victor.

All around the library were large piles of torn pillow cases and feathers, books laid at the bases of their shelves, the casualties of collateral damage. In the very center of this battlefield were four tired mares. Three of them were in a pile and the last one was standing before them with a victorious expression.

“Ha, victory belongs to me.” Rarity gloated at the pile of her friends.

‘How the hell did this happen?’ Oskar thought from the bottom of the pile, a bemused grin on her face.

“Hoo! Gosh Rarity you sure know how to tussle!” Applejack said with a toothy smile.

“Yes, I should have warned you darlings.” Rarity preened, giving a toss her mane. “A lady should know how to defend herself when needs to and I… I am most definitely a lady.”

“No kidding!” Twilight panted from atop the pile. “Why don’t we call it a night girls? I’m exhausted!”

“Ain’t gonna hear any complaints here!” Applejack replied before looking down at Oskar under her. “Emerald?”

“Tucking in for the night sounds good.” The Cadre Evolved responded and shrugged off the two mares atop of her.

“Yes I heartily agree.” Rarity said as she brought a hoof to her forehead. “Oh my! I believe the adrenalin is wearing off.”

Having agreed that it was time to call it a night, the four mares proceeded to head up the stairs to Twilight’s master bedroom.

“Oh when did you prepare beds for us Twilight?” Rarity asked upon catching sight of the bed opposite Twilight’s.

“Oh that’s Emerald’s bed.” The violet unicorn answered as she slid under the covers.

“Ah thought that bed in the library was Emerald’s.” Applejack said.

“Nope, that’s Twilight’s spare bed.” Oskar responded from beside the cowpony. “For just in case she ends up reading really late, as she tends to do.”

“Oh… dibs on this one!” Applejack shouted and leapt for Oskar’s bed.

“Applejack be a dear and got off the bed for a moment.” Rarity asked the bouncing cowpony as she approached. “I want to at least get my side the way I want.”

“Meh, sure thing sugarcube.” The cowpony responded and leapt back off the bed.

Oskar, seeing that the two mares claimed her bed, walked over to Twilight’s bed and slid under the cover next to the other unicorn.

“So what did you think of your first ever slumber party?” Oskar asked the color changed unicorn.

“It went fantastically!” Twilight smiled at the Evolved lying next to her. “I’d always hoped that my first slumber party would go this smoothly and I couldn’t ask for a better result. The makeovers, you being better friends with Rarity, er… your ghost story… the game of truth or dare and that pillow fight! This was the best ever! Thank you Emerald, thank you all of you!”

“T’aint a problem Twilight.” Applejack replied as she got back under the covers.

“Most definitely.” Rarity agreed from her snug position in the bed.

“Yeah it was a good night all around.” Oskar said with a nod. “Well it’s about time we went to sleep. Night Applejack, Rarity, Twilight.”

“G’night y’all.”

“Yes, sleep tight.”

“Thanks again girls for a wonderful night.”

With that everyone settled into their beds and went to sleep. And once again Oskar was wide awake, only pretending to go asleep until she was absolutely sure everyone else was sleeping so she could get up.

It was about half an hour later when Oskar decided with certainty that everyone was asleep and made to climb out of bed when a leg wrapped around her chest. Oskar looked to her right and saw that Twilight had snuggled in close in her sleep, her foreleg reaching out to pull the source of warmth that was Oskar even closer.

‘Ah hell.’ Oskar thought with a frown. ‘This is going to be one long night.’

With that Oskar settled in, fully submitting to the fact she’d be here for the next eight or so hours. The Evolved proceeded to listen to the sound of the lightning storm outside and count the number of strikes, making note of a particular strike that sounded very much like a building breaking.

The Evolved would not know just yet but she and the other mares in the room would be spending the next morning helping a neighboring family patch up their roof.

EPSILON

“Come on this is stupid!” Oskar objected. “Just let me go out there and I’ll-”

“No way no how Emmy!” Pinkie shouted, blocking the front door. “Remember!? She’s an evil enchantress!?”

“Yes, I remember. You only sang that song like five times already.” Oskar deadpanned.

“If you go out there and see yourself you’ll agree with me!” Pinkie shouted.

“Go out there?” Oskar asked dubiously. “You keep saying that word but you refuse to let me actually go out there.”

Pinkie Pie took a deep breath, about to begin another bout of singing.

“NO darn it!” Oskar interrupted and quickly looked out the window when she saw a glance of purple. “Oh good, Twilight’s back with Spike.”

Walking over to the window Oskar slammed open the shutters, to the great displeasure of everyone else in the room.

“Twilight get over here and talk some sense into this lot!” Oskar shouted to the violet unicorn. “Even Rarity turned into a paranoid yokel!”

“What?!” Came Twilight’s confused reply.

“Hey!” An insulted Rarity complained.

“Get out of the way, Twilight’s coming in.” Oskar said irritably to Pinkie.

“Gee you try to keep a friend from getting turned into a frog and this is the thanks you get?” Pinkie muttered as she did as she was told.

“Umm, there’s nothing wrong with being a frog you know.” Fluttershy said softly.

The front door opened and in walked Twilight with Spike sitting on her back. Lighting up her horn Twilight gave a bemused look around the room.

“What’s going on?” She asked. “Why is everypony hiding in the dark?”

“Apple Bloom over there got startled by a mare wearing a cloak.” Oskar said, pointing to the little filly. “So Pinkie went over and had a look herself and started terrifying the whole town into hiding with shouting about “evil enchantresses”, oh the others here decided to be helpful by flipping out too.”

“Really? A mare wearing a cloak?” Twilight asked her friends dubiously. “Somepony having an odd fashion sense is enough to set you all off?”

“Now hold jus’ one minute.” Applejack half shouted. “Ah know it sounds bad the way Emerald tells it but ya weren’t there, ya should’ve seen the terror on Apple Bloom’s face when she saw that pony.”

“Ah wasn’t terrified!” Apple Bloom denied though it was ruined by her scared shaking. “Really! Ah wasn’t!”

“She’s an evil enchantress Twilight!” Pinkie exclaimed. “She has evil eyes, an evil cloak, evil stripes and an evil wagon full of evil cursed artifacts!”

“She’s an evil enchantress.” Pinkie continued in song. “She does evil dances. And if you- mph!”

“I said no.” Oskar stated firmly, hoof in the pink pony’s mouth.

“Oooookay… what was that about a wagon?” The violet unicorn asked.

“That mare, uhhh… Zecora right?” Oskar asked Apple Bloom and got a nod. “Well Zecora is now sitting outside the townhall with a wagon full of evil mystical artifacts… apparently. I don’t know beyond word of mouth, I would have gone to see for myself but Pinkie won’t let me out.”

“Does anypony have a clear idea of what Zecora want’s.” Twilight questioned, looking around the room. “Any idea at all… other than being an evil enchantress.” The unicorn quickly added when Pinkie raised her hoof excitedly.

“Er… well all she’s done is sit in front of the town hall with that wagon…” Rainbow Dash began. “Uh… not a clue.”

“Ignorance and superstition.” Oskar stated aloud with pointed looks at Pinkie and Applejack. “They’re like twin idiots running rampant throughout the land.”

“Hey!” The mares shouted.

“That’s… rather profound Emerald.” Twilight replied. “HURTFUL, but profound.”

“It’s a quote, I didn’t think it up.” Oskar responded with a shrug. “Now that you’re here maybe we can finally just go see what Zecora wants.”

“Yes of course.” Twilight answered with a nod and added upon looking at everyone else. “Maybe if somepony was brave enough to go see her, this whole mess would have been settled a while ago.”

“Well ah’m brave enough.” Apple Bloom stated determinedly and walked out the door. “Ah’m heading out!”

“Apple Bloom ya fool little filly!” Applejack shouted in worry. “Ya stay here now! Ya hear?!”

“Oh just leave her alone Applejack.” Oskar said as she walked out the door after the little filly. “There’s nine of us and only one of Zecora. Twilight’s a magical prodigy, you’re a tough cowpony, I’m a former travel pony who could beat Chimeras into submission, Pinkie has a cannon she can fill with grapeshot if she needed to, Dash is an expert flier, I’d rather think we can handle one spooky looking mare.”

“Grapeshot?” Pinkie asked in confusion. “Why would I fill my party cannon with grapes?”

“Right… right o’ course!” Applejack said with rising confidence. “There’s only one of her an a bunch of us! If she does any hocus pocus Twi can handle it.”

“That’s the spirit.” Oskar replied with a smile.

‘About damn time.’ The Evolved thought in annoyance. ‘This is the same group that stood up to Nightmare Moon? Peh, without Twilight they’re not very effective. Better keep that in mind for the future.’

“Right, let's get going and see what Zecora wants.” Oskar stated and went out the door, the rest of the mares close behind.

The eight ponies plus one dragon started down the road to the town hall; all the way they were stared at by ponies hiding in their homes.

“Gee Pinkie…” Oskar began as she took in the scared townsfolk. “You sure know how to render an entire town helpless in fear. You sure your talent is making others laugh?”

“Okay Emmy I get it…” Pinkie said as she stared at the ground with tearing eyes. “… I just wanted to make sure everypony was safe…”

Immediately Twilight shot Oskar a sharp reproving look and gestured to the pink pony with her head. Looking between The violet unicorn and Pinkie Pie Oskar frowned openly before sighing. Slowing her pace till she was beside the party pony Oskar gave said pony a slight nudge to get her attention.

“Look, I’m sorry Pinkie.” Oskar said, strangely the Cadre Evolved felt like she actually meant it. “I guess I just didn’t like the thought of somepony from out of town being shunned for not looking normal. I mean look at me, I’m from out of town and I’ve never had an easy life, by all rights I should be a scarred mess. If I was, would you and everypony else reject me for looking like that? From what I’ve seen today that answer seems to be yes… but I’m sorry Pinkie, I guess seeing this set me off is all and-” Oskar was suddenly interrupted by Pinkie Pie giving her a tight hug.

“You silly filly…” Pinkie began. Oskar looked over the mare’s shoulder and saw that the others had stopped and were looking at her gloomily. “I understand now, you don’t need to say anything else. Now… let’s go give Zecora a big Ponyville welcome!” The pink finished with a cheer.

“Yes… let’s.” Oskar replied with a smile.

Before long the group of nine arrived in the town square and saw the mystery mare Zecora and her cart. The cart was large with high walls and had a green tarp over its contents. The mare that pulled it into town wore a brown hooded cloak and was white with dark gray stripes.

“Stripes?” Rarity gasped. “How garish!”

“Hmm… is she a Zebra Twilight?” Oskar asked.

“Definitely.” The unicorn answered with a nod.

“Right I’ll go be me.” Pinkie Pie stated and walked forward.

The group finally caught Zecora’s attention and the zebra turned to look at them. Pinkie Pie was frozen in place from the glowing yellow eyes emitting from within Zecora’s hood.

“Nice trick.” Oskar commented. “I can do something like that too, mind pulling down your hood?”

Zecora complied immediately and revealed… a friendly smiling face, her bright blue eyes and her Mohawk.

“Greetings you pony folk!” She said with a pearly white smile. “My name be Zecora, in this town I wish to live, if suspicious of me Celestia’s name I shall invoke.”

“Oh...” Oskar blinked at the Zebra’s fashion of speech before shaking her head clear. “See? What did I tell all of you? Just a normal mare who happens to want to settle here.”

“Indeed, while normally the wilds of the near forest of Everfree be where I would settle.” Zecora began “A brief look tells me that if chosen so, it shall be a sure test of my mettle.”

Oskar stiffened visibly at that. Though she knew not wanting to live in Everfree was a sensible choice because the place was rather dangerous. Her instinct formed out of surviving amongst the most brutal of the Evolved nagged at her, telling her that the danger of Everfree was not the real reason why the zebra was not going to live there.

“Seems like a sensible choice.” Oskar said with a nod. “But… it sounds like there is a deeper reason why you don’t want to live there.”

“Yes indeed, for you see, in the forest of Everfree now dwells an unnatural creature.” Zecora stated. “Unnatural for hunting and leaving whole remains nigh untouched be its primary feature.”

“Pff, sounds about as normal as those animals in Everfree get if you ask me.” Rainbow Dash scoffed but stopped when she heard Twilight gasp. “What’s the matter Twilight?”

“There is a “natural” cycle to Everfree, believe it or not.” Twilight began with a troubled look. “The herbivores eat the plants, the carnivores eat the herbivores and when they expire or excrete fecal matter both of them feed the plants. But carnivores will only hunt what they need to survive, nothing more. Whatever this thing is, it’s unnatural even by Everfree’s standards.”

Now even Dash looked shocked as the mares shared scared looks with each other. Oskar though was frowning openly as she took in what she saw and heard.

“Sugarcube, you can talk with them Everfree critters.” Applejack said to Fluttershy. “They ever mention anything about some crazy monster?”

“Well… yes they have… and they’ve been telling me for a while now.” Fluttershy admitted ashamedly.

“Then why haven’t you told us Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.

“Because you would have been so very worried and worked up about it.” The demure pegasus lowered her head with a contrite look. “Oh but it was dumb of me to keep it to myself! I know that now… I’m so sorry!”

“There, there sugarcube.” Applejack said comfortingly, pulling the pegasus into a hug. “Jus’ tell what you know.”

“Okay…” Fluttershy said with a nod. “There was a massacre in Everfree about a month ago.”

“OH MY!” Rarity’s exclamation was just one of many.

“Y-yes… it was so h-horrible when I heard about…” Fluttershy sniffled and tried to hold back tears at the memory. “From what I’ve pieced together from the stories it was like this, it began with a ferret named Malik investigating the sound of Chimera’s fighting something. By the time Malik arrived it was already over, the entire pride of Chimeras was dead and looked like they were… beaten to d-death with small spiked boulders. Then later a doe named Mary went out to collect some of her son’s favorite flowers for him to eat, she came back to find her entire herd k-killed, all of them had been… impaled through the head with… with something. A Raven named Iron Beak discovered an entire Cliffside of Quarray Eels d-dead. He couldn’t tell what happened… just that all of them were bleeding from the mouth… except for one… one looked like it had been pulled out of its den, it had this look of utter terror on its face that still gives Ironbeak nightmares. Then I heard a story that was passed to me about a wolf pack finding a hydra d-dead, they found it bleeding from its eyes, ears, noses and mouths but nowhere else. There are more stories… so many more… but yes, there is something in Everfree that seems to hunt… for fun.”

“And that, my dear pony folks…” Zecora began. “Is why I wish to live here, believe your friend and I, this creature is no hoax.”

Everyone was silent for a long moment before…

“I need to tell the Princess!” Twilight shouted before bolting back towards her library.

“Um… welcome to Ponyville?” Pinkie said weakly to Zecora, tossing some confetti into the air.

Oskar for her part was running after Twilight and wasn’t bothering to hide the worry she felt, it fit the situation after all.

‘Shit… here I thought the predators would appreciate the food I left for them.’ Oskar thought with an inward scowl. ‘That backfired like hell! Grrrr… what else could go wrong?!’

ZETA

Luna paced the halls of the Royal Palace. It was a little into the afternoon and normally the Lunar Princess would be asleep as her duties were done purely at night. But the Moon Alicorn was troubled by that dream she had witnessed some time ago. It bothered her enough that she had started pinning papers to her bedroom wall, outlining details and various theories she had thought up.

First thing was what those bipedal ape creatures were called, that being named Mercer referred to them as humans. Unlike ponies, wearing clothes did not seem to be a luxury or character quirk for humans, as every single one she had seen wore clothes that covered their bodies. Their coats also seemed to only come in shades of pink and brown but their manes seemed a lot more varied as she recalled a male with bright blue hair.

Then there were the vicious beasts that were attacking the humans. After careful thinking Luna was absolutely certain that these beasts were once human as well. Though twisted and warped in horrifying and disgusting ways, Luna was able to see that their facial features were very reminiscent of humans, not only that but the fact they wore human styled clothing that seemed to be shredded by their own bodies cemented her thinking. She didn’t know what to think of the large pink over muscled creatures with the empty eyes, but the fact they didn’t attack the humans that were twisted by some vile curse told her they were connected to them in some way, the same could be said for the large blood red tendril creatures that burst out of the ground.

Next was Mercer and the one called Oskar. Luna didn’t know what they were, they looked human but considering the fact the humans she saw didn’t display the abilities Oskar had and Mercer referred to them like they were a different race from him told her that they were something else entirely. So Luna wondered what they were exactly with what little details she had available to her. From the way Oskar had turned his arms into gleaming claws and had turned himself into a mass of writhing tendrils, Luna postulated that Oskar and Mercer were some sort of shape shifting creature. That immediately brought up thoughts of the Changeling race. Were Mercer and Oskar’s race like the Changelings? Was the reason they were in a human city was to prey on the humans for their emotions?

The more Luna thought about it the more she was sure changing their appearance was the only thing the two races had in common. Changelings had their magic they could use to defend and attack but that was it, they couldn’t use their ability to change limbs into weapons. Whatever they were, Oskar and Mercer could obviously change their limbs into weapons. And from what she had seen of Oskar they were very brutally effective weapons. From this, Luna hypothesized that the reason they needed such weapons was because instead of emotions they fed on something more… physical. That realization had brought a shudder from the Alicorn. At this Luna took it upon herself to name this breed of Changeling Impius Mutante, which meant “wicked changer”.

That brought her back to Oskar, the newly classified Impius Mutante or… Imp for short. She wondered at his story since he was obviously the focus of the dream she had seen. From what little she knew Luna guessed two possibilities about Oskar. One: Oskar had… hunted that human female’s son and had taken his place to hunt for more prey. Or Two: the female was Oskar’s mother and both are Imps and lived in the human city, hiding in plain sight. But both theories had definite issues. Theory one postulated that Oskar was only pretending to be the female’s son, if that were so then why did Oskar show such grief at the female’s passing? Theory two proposed that the two were a small Imp family and lived in the human city hunting their prey, but if this was true then why did the mother allow herself to be killed? From what Luna had seen of Oskar’s speed the female should have reached her son in moments and fled to safety with him. Luna realized she wasn’t seeing the whole picture; there were details that she didn’t know.

These were not the only things she had given thought to however. There was that weapon Mercer had named, a “gun”. A short period of contemplation and Luna was able to determine that the weapons the human warriors were using on their twisted brethren were what Mercer was referring to. Luna was unsure how they worked, only that there would be a loud bang and flash of light from the end of the weapon’s tube and a distant creature would suddenly spurt blood forth from a new wound… perhaps the weapon… pushed something out of it? At high enough speeds that whatever came out could not be seen? The Lunar Princess’ mind struggled to comprehend.

Luna paused beside a pair of slightly open doors. Why was she so worked up over this? It was a dream wasn’t it? Perhaps what she had seen was just the workings of a fevered mind; everything made up connected to real events in such a way that only those new psychiatrist ponies could interpret them as such. But… though she had been gone for a thousand years and was still trying to catch up to modern times, Luna trusted her skills and intuition regarding dreams. She felt the details in the dream were too sharp, too clear, and too vivid to just be the usual made up nonsense the subconscious would create. She still hoped she was wrong though, because if she were right then that meant this vicious breed of Changeling, this Imp was close enough for Luna to see his dreams and close enough meant in Equestria.

Luna’s ears perked up when she heard voices speaking. She turned towards the door where the voices were originating and peeked between the gap into the room. She saw that the room was a small dining room where her sister was entertaining a guest, a grizzled looking Griffin from the Principalities from the looks of it.

“Are you not enjoying your meal Prince Bergren?” Celestia asked the griffin while enjoying a lush salad with heavy dressing. “My cooks put in such efforts to prepare it despite their own misgivings doing so.”

The griffin Bergren snorted and pushed away his plate of well down venison. Bergren was a griffin whose body and wings were covered in gray feathers and down speckled with white dots, his head was covered in pitch black feathers and two ear tufts that seemed to almost give him a bat-like appearance. His dark brown, almost black eyes seemed to be stuck in a state of constant insulted glaring. He was also wearing some armor, a half-plate bronze cuirass with bronze chainmail worn underneath.

“Have you made a decision concerning my search expedition yet?” He asked Celestia gruffly.

“I understand you are worried for young Gilda’s safety, Prince Bergren.” Celestia replied in sympathy. “But you must understand you are asking me to allow you to run amok my Kingdom with an entire company of Anvil Knights. Allow me to state that a fully equipped and armed griffin of the Principalities is an intimidating sight. Perhaps if you would instead take a company of my own Royal Guard to track down your missing daughter?”

“Hmph! Rely on ponies, a bunch of herbivores, in a hunt?!” Bergren asked incredulously. “I might as well give up on ever finding Gilda if I do!”

Then the griffin took in Celestia’s expression, her raised questioning brow and not amused frown.

“Princess Celestia…”Bergren began calmly and solemnly. “I swear on my Clan’s honour and my own honour as a Prince of a Grand Hold that I will do all in my power to not disturb your ponies in my search for Gilda.”

Celestia’s frown turned thoughtful and she deliberated for a moment before speaking. “Very well Prince Bergren. I accept and hold you to your vow. You may take a company of the Principalities’ finest to search Equestria for your daughter.”

“I am grateful and indebted Princess.” Bergren responded honestly with a respectful bow of his head. “I am sorry to take my leave so soon but I wish to return home immediately. I shall be back very soon with my Anvil Knights Princess.” The griffin said as he rose from his seat.

“It is not an issue Prince Bergren, I shall await your arrival.” Celestia replied.

Luna turned away from the door and continued on her way. It had been so long since she herself had interacted with a griffin from the Principalities, she still remembered when the Princely States were first founded and how proud the griffins were to have claimed the mountain tops from ancient dragons resting upon them. It would a while longer yet before Luna considered herself ready to re-enter the battlefield that was politics.

Luna paused for a moment as she thought about what the griffin was talking to her sister about and couldn’t help but be troubled.

‘Tis a hope that it indeed was a flighty dream.’ Luna thought. ‘For if it isn’t then youthful indiscretion may not be the reason for young Gilda’s disappearance. One can only hope though I fear worst.’ Luna thought with a troubled frown as she made her way back to her room.

-TBC-

AN: Well this took a while! :P But at least this chapter was even longer than the previous ones! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and the fact it is the first one that Oskar actually manages to not murder anyone! Progress! :D Anyway this chapter was also fairly quiet and I hope no one minds that but I did manage to put a “action scene” at least.

All right people tell me what you think! Your input is valued!

Chapter 6: Self Delusion

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“Here you go Miss Gleaner.” A red earth pony said as she placed a number over Oskar’s Cutie Mark. “You’re all set for the Running of the Leaves!”

“Thank you.” Oskar said to the mare before walking off with her newly applied racing number, number sixty three.

Walking through the crowd Oskar took in the sight of her surroundings. All around her were the clear signs of fall. The grass was dry and brown, the tree leaves were varying shades of orange, red and brown and there was a nip in the air from the oncoming winter season.

‘So familiar yet so alien.’ Oskar thought with a sigh. ‘Yet another thing I don’t know if I'll get used to.’

The problem Oskar was having, was that it wasn't the first Fall she had experienced in Equestria. In fact, she has just gone through one a few months ago and watched the Running of the Leaves from the sidelines during that time before going through a rather mild Winter that lasted a month before needing to be cleaned up. Apparently Winter was not so much a season as more a grandiose form of pesticide here and at the very most, it could only be used up to four times a year. It made sense in retrospect, considering the ponies’ management over the weather.

‘And there’s another thing about this place that makes it strange.’ Oskar thought. ‘They consider letting nature take care of itself as unnatural and go through the efforts of handling weather and the changing seasons. Shoveling up the snow so it melts somewhere else, waking up animals from their hibernations, planting seeds for the next harvest and even leading birds back from their trip south.’

Oskar had decided to help out when “Winter Wrap Up” came around and had left early enough to get there and receive her green vest to help clean up the fields and plant the crops. She hadn’t brought Twilight along because she had actually expected the unicorn to have arrived before her with how eager she was for the event.

However there was one thing Oskar hadn’t expected to happen during that event… singing.

‘Ugh, I wince just thinking about that.’ The virus thought. She couldn’t help but groan aloud. ‘I mean what hell?! That was the most random out of the blue thing ever! One moment we’re all heading to our teams to get everything cleaned then suddenly Rainbow Dash of all people starts singing! At first I thought it was some big joke but then Pinkie joined- okay I kind of expected that party pony to do that kind of thing, who I didn’t expect to join was Rarity and Applejack. Then everyone else joined in and started singing about Winter Wrap Up. I actually didn’t move for the entire thing because I was so shocked. I mean who could expect the entire town to burst into song?!’

Suddenly from just above her left ear came a questioning trill. Oskar looked out of the corner of her eye to see a bright blue Parasprite wearing a small red and white scarf with a matching woollen cap standing on the very tip of her ear and looking down at her worriedly.

“I’m fine, Navi.” Oskar reassured the little insect. “Just thinking about all the craziness during last Winter is all.”

“Navi” gave a little trill as she shuddered at the memory. Being an insect the parasprite hadn’t enjoyed Winter at all to say the least. Navi had needed to be so bundled up in so much custom made Winter gear that she could barely fly, not that the little bug wanted to fly in the cold, she was perfectly content to hide away in Oskar’s mane for extra warmth whenever said viral being went out during the Winter. Needless to say Navi wasn’t all that excited about the upcoming Winter either.

Oskar smiled at the parasprite perched on her ear and continued on her way, musing about how she had come to possess the little bug as a pet.

It had happened before Winter Wrap Up and the following fall, when the leaves were still green. Princess Celestia was supposed to be coming in for a casual visit that everyone had decided to turn into a celebration. Oskar had decided to help the Cakes and had been given the job of food critic along Pinkie Pie… actually her job was more along the lines of keeping Pinkie from eating all the food, which the virus had accomplished, save for one cake Pinkie had sneaked when she had been distracted. Later during that day Twilight had come in and was happy at how much food had been prepared. Then Fluttershy arrived.

The shy pegasus had come from the fields just outside Everfree and had brought along a parasprite plus two freshly birthed ones. Twilight had instantly taken to the little bugs for their cuteness but Pinkie had just stuck out her tongue in apparent disgust and left citing a need to get a trombone. Oskar however, having been to Everfree knew exactly what parasprites were and explained how the insects reproduced to the mares, as well as giving a demonstration via feeding one and waiting a few moments for it to cough up a new paraspite. It hadn’t taken long for an animal expert like Fluttershy and all around smart unicorn like Twilight to figure out how much of a problem the little bugs could become with their ravenous appetite, and rapid reproduction. Oskar had at first considered offering to simply smash the bugs but reconsidered when she realized Fluttershy and by extension Twilight wouldn’t take that all too well. So instead she offered to “limit their ability to have children” to which Twilight thought as a good logical alternative to simply sending them back to Everfree. Fluttershy being Fluttershy wasn’t all that enthusiastic about the idea at first because she thought it was horrible to not let the bugs have nice big families. That opinion lasted up until Oskar told her that the reason parasprites needed to have so many offspring was because almost everything in Everfree ate them, and their only natural advantage was the ability to outbreed everything and eat in vast quantities. The pegasus had been still rather reluctant but was willing to let Oskar work her “magic”. And so Oskar had gone about taking the four bugs to the back and giving them all a custom made virus that attacked their reproductive organs and crippled them. Oskar had understated just how “limited” the altered parasprites ability to have children would be, as they would be now limited to none at all. The viral being had then brought the little bugs back to the mares who immediately began fussing over the little things as they had obviously looked very sick after being given a virus that crippled their fertility. Fluttershy had taken two back with her and Twilight decided to keep one while giving the other one to Oskar, which happened to be the one that the Evolved had caused to be birthed. The Cadre Evolved had no idea why she had decided to accept the last parasprite from Twilight as she felt she wasn’t the type to keep pets but simply presumed the cuteness of the little guy had gotten to her as well.

Ironically it was fixing the parasprites to be more owner friendly that eventually led to Oskar being the only one with a parasprite pet. It seemed that parasprites only needed little nutrients from what they ate to survive and the rest went to producing offspring. So with their reproduction permanently shut down the parasprites had excess nutrients that their bodies didn’t need. How did their bodies handle having waste? It handled it the way everyone else’s handled theirs, by getting rid of it.

Twilight was a logical and friendly pony but like everyone else she had a limit and that limit was crossed when her pet parasprite puked fecal matter all over her favorite books. Fluttershy had also managed to reach hers after several days of cleaning up near constant parasprite puke-poop. Oskar for her part simply cleaned up the puke with a tendril when no one was looking and decided to see how little her parasprite needed to eat in order for her to not puke up the excess. Twilight and Fluttershy had tearfully released their pet parasprites back into the Everfree.

Oskar didn’t have it in her to tell them the parasprites would probably be eaten that very day.

‘I remember needing to talk Pinkie down from leading you out of town with her instruments.’ Oskar thought with a smile as she watched Navi flutter about her head. ‘That pony had been a bit confused why there wasn’t a swarm of parasprites overrunning the town.’

‘… I still don’t know why I keep you.’ The virus wondered as the little bug settled on her snout briefly to give her a happy smile before buzzing back into the air. ‘You’re just a little thing who won’t be much use to me overall. You can’t fight, your ability to carry things though impressive for something your size isn’t good enough to be useful to me and you’re too cute looking for anyone to take seriously. Yet I bothered to keep Pinkie from taking you away… why?’

‘… I guess it’ll be one of life’s mysteries.’ Oskar thought as she magically held up a noodle elbow for Navi who quickly darted over and ate the offered snack with a happy trill.

As she continued through the crowd Oskar happened to catch some movement up in the sky out of the corner of her eye. Looking up, the Evolved was able to spot an armored griffin with her advanced vision flying high up in the sky.

‘Been seeing more and more of those guys flying around during the last few months.’ The fake unicorn mused. ‘I know Celesitia placed some of her Royal Guard along the border of Everfree to keep the “Monster of Everfree” inside so are they mercenaries? …No I wouldn’t think so, griffin warriors are too proud to forsake their clans for that sort of work. A task force the Princess negotiated for then? Maybe… Oh well, it doesn’t matter anyways. I intend to stay out of Everfree until this blows over, I can always find somewhere else to train my more conspicuous abilities.’ Oskar nodded at that and sped up to a trot when she spotted a familiar shade of purple in the crowd.

“Hey Twilight.” Oskar greeted the other unicorn.

“Hello Emerald!” Twilight said and when Navi lighted down on her snout added. “Oh and hello to you too Navi you little cutie!”

Oskar shook her head in amusement as Navi gave a pleased trill and took off into the air again. Twilight regretted having to let go of her own parasprite since she thought the bugs were adorable. Plus, the Evolved had to put in extra effort into training Navi to only eat what she gave her as Twilight liked to sneak the little thing treats when she could, nowadays Navi brought the treats she got back with her in the hopes that Oskar would let her eat it.

“So you entered this Fall’s Running of the Leaves Twilight?” Oskar asked with a gesture to the violet unicorn’s racing number.

“Yes I did.” Twilight confirmed with a nod. “After watching last Fall’s Running I was interested in giving it a try. I can see that you thought the same.”

“Yeah, I decided I wanted to give this competition a try.” Oskar replied as they made their way to the starting line. “I remember you telling me you weren’t exactly the athletic sort, are you going to be alright?”

“I would think so, I read this book about racing.” Twilight answered. “And I learned that the best way to get a good finishing position is to pace yourself and sprint to finish when you’re in the final stretch!”

“Huh, think I’ll join you as you pace yourself.” Oskar responded as they arrived at the starting line. “Plus I think I’ll get a good look at the scenery, it looks like Fall will be extra nice this year.”

“That’s what I was thinking as well.” Twilight smiled as she lined up at the start.

“Twilight?!” Exclaimed a disbelieving voice. “What in tarnation are you doing up here?”

Oskar turned to see next to them was Rainbow Dash and Applejack. The virus vaguely recalled that the two were in some sort of competition against each other. Oskar didn’t really know though as she had been busy testing out her magic on anything and everything she could despite the fact that she was over dragged to watch one said competition.

“I’m racing!” The unicorn cheerfully replied.

“Ah ha ha ha ha ha! Good one Twilight!” Dash said with a laugh, giving Twilight a friendly shove.

“I’m not joking.” Twilight said with a slightly strained smile.

“What?!” Dash said incredulously. “You’re not an athlete you’re a… well… you’re an egghead.”

“I am not an egghead!” Twilight defended. “I’m well read.”

Dash proceeded to whisper something softly to Applejack that made the two of them crack up. Still laughing a little Applejack turned to Twilight.

“But have ya ever run a race?” The cowpony asked with a snicker.

“Well… no…” Twilight admitted. “But I do know a lot about the subject.”

“And you know this from?” Dash asked though she looked like she already knew the answer.

“Books.” Twilight answered confidently. “I’ve read several on the subject.”

That was apparently the wrong answer as both Dash and Applejack burst into laughter.

“You have to admit you’re not really helping your case the way you’re presenting it.” Oskar stated with a smile. “The way you’re explaining this makes you seem rather naïve.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash readily agreed from her spot on the ground, having fallen over in her fit of laughter. “I mean what did you read? The “The Egghead’s Guide to Running”, did you have to stretch out your eye muscles?” At that Dash started rolling around in barely controlled giggling. “Get it? Eye muscles? Ha!”

Twilight was about to give a slightly indignant reply when Pinkie broke in from above.

“All right ponies, are you ready?” The party mare asked from her balloon.

Immediately all the ponies in the group got into ready stances to take off as fast as possible.

“Get set…” Spike said and a moment later a bell rang out, causing all the racers to burst forward in a stampede.

At first Oskar was at the head of the pack along with Twilight Applejack and Rainbow Dash, Navi trailing along in the air above her, but she saw Twilight willingly slow herself down to begin pacing herself for her racing strategy. So Oskar slowed down as well to keep the other unicorn company like she said she was going to. Before long both her and Twilight were moving at a fast trot and a short distance behind the main pack as they continued to charge ahead.

Leaves fell from the trees in droves all around the two unicorns and Oskar took this as an opportunity to continue her magical practices.

Focusing on a few falling leaves Oskar levitated them over her head as she continued at a fast trot beside Twilight. When the leaves were circling above her Oskar set to work, in a flash of light the leaves became eight random household objects floating above her, with yet another flash they changed into a different set.

Oskar tilted her head to the side before mashing the objects together and with another flash of light transformed them into a bowl full of oranges. At this Navi gave a thrilled trill and dived for the newly created bowl of fruits.

“No.” Oskar said firmly, making the little bug come to a stop before the bowl.

Navi glided down on the lip of the bowl and stared longingly at the fruits before turning to Oskar and pouting at her.

“I said no, Navi.” The virus stated. “You don’t want to end up puking again do you? And I already fed you before the race started.”

The blue parasprite shook her head in reply and sadly lifted off the levitating bowl. Oskar sighed at the sight of this.

“Tell you what Navi…” The Evolved began as she continued trotting forward. “You put a lot of effort into working off that noodle I fed you and I promise to give you a treat by the end of the race, deal?”

Navi trilled excitedly and began rapidly buzzing about overhead before flying up above the treetops.

“Don’t go too far!” Oskar shouted with a smile before turning to Twilight and noticing the unicorn smiling warmly at her. “What?”

“You take such good care of your pet parasprite Emerald.” Twilight said sadly as she trotted. “I wish I was more like you, then maybe I would still have mine too.”

“You don’t want to be more like me, Twilight.” Oskar replied decisively. “If you were more like me then you wouldn’t be Twilight. Besides you can’t really blame yourself too much, some animals have special needs that some ponies are just not prepared or ready to handle. I guess I was just more able to handle cleaning up puke poop than you… and I did have the luck of Navi not puking on my favorite stuff.”

“Maybe… and I would think being more like you would be a good thing.” Twilight said. “You’re strong, smart, confident and… well you’re beautiful too.”

“Okay now you’re overdoing it, I know you’re regretting letting your parasprite go but it was the best thing to do in the end.” Oskar responded with a grimace, feeling each word Twilight said like they were physical blows, as the traits that the unicorn said she had were all stolen… and the confidence was most definitely a mask. “And you make it sound like I’m some perfect being… but I’m not, I know I’m not, Twilight. I’ve had to go through so much to get where I am today…” Oskar paused and looked up into the sky, it was a mostly clear day and the only other thing in the sky was Pinkie’s hot air balloon. The virus could even catch bits of Pinkie’s commentary as the wind shifted, she was apparently talking about noses.

The Cadre Evolved looked back down towards the ground just in time to catch Applejack at the front of the pack suddenly trip on something and disappear beneath the mass of the racing pones. Oskar frowned worriedly as she wondered if the cowpony had been trampled but a moment later she reappeared and was no worse for wear as she got back up.

“Ah don’t believe it!” Applejack exclaimed.

“Hmm?” Oskar hummed a question as both she and Twilight came to a stop beside the mare.

“Rainbow Dash tripped me!” The cowpony said.

“She did not.” Twilight said in defense of her other friend.

“She did too!” Applejack insisted.

“She did not,” Twilight said again and pointed to a rock in the road as she added. “And if you slowed down and looked where you're going, like me, you'd see that you tripped over a rock.”

“What? Oh, hayseeds!” The cowpony cursed as she caught sight of the rock before turning back to look at the distancing pack of racers. “Now I got a lot of ground to make up to catch Rainbow!”

“Just be careful!” Twilight shouted as Applejack took off.

“Am I missing something?” Oskar asked as she and Twilight went off on a run to make up ground. “Applejack seems a bit… I don’t know, aggressive maybe?”

“I forgot that you spent the entire iron pony competition practicing your magic.” Twilight replied.

“Well I know she’s in a competition with Dash but I didn’t think Applejack would be so far into it that she would be accusing Dash of cheating.” Oskar said with a shake of her head and magically unpeeled an orange from her floating bowl before beginning to eat.

“She and Dash are just caught up in the energy of competition is all.” Twilight answered. “I’m sure they will stop before it gets too bad.”

“Hmm.” Oskar hummed a reply as she placed separated pieces of oranges in her mouth. The virus proceeded to study her surroundings a bit more and took in the bare trees and the leaf covered ground. Memories surged up unbidden, memories of times before when she was an un-viral he, of dreading the months before winter arrived.

“I used to be afraid of fall…” Oskar said quietly as she trotted.

“… Why?” Twilight asked.”

Oskar was silent for a long moment, internally debating whether or not she should answer. “… Before when I was younger… when I was a powerless child who thought she was ready for all the world’s challenges, I experienced my first bitterly cold winter alone. I almost lost pieces of myself to the cold and almost died from hunger…” Oskar paused, lost in memories and deaf to her companion’s shocked gasp. “That first winter alone taught me to be afraid when the leaves changed colors, to pour all my energy and efforts into finding proper shelter and to find as much food as possible. Despite my efforts none of the winters ever approached any form of comfort… but I survived, and in the end that was all that mattered.”

“Why did you have to live that kind of life?” Twilight asked in a pained voice. “Couldn’t you have simply approached somepony, anypony and asked for help?”

“I-I-I…” Oskar began haltingly and swallowed before trying to speak again. “I wasn’t born here Twilight, I’m originally from out of Equestria.”

“From across the ocean?”

“You could probably walk across the world several times and still not be anywhere near my birth country.” Oskar replied.

“That does sound far away.”

“Yeah… I couldn’t ask for help, everypony else had problems, and taking in some orphan would only add to their troubles.” Oskar explained. “Trust me if any of the government shelters were… any good then I would have gone to them.”

“But what kind of pony would deny a child help? That just seems too cruel…” Twilight said softly.

“… There was a disaster.” Oskar answered after a moment. “Everypony needed help and there was just not enough help to go around… I guess I just slipped into the cracks.”

‘And I’m glad I managed to do that.’ Oskar thought. ‘Too many homeless and people who wouldn’t be missed disappeared from those standard issue tents and cots, disappeared into those labs to be used in some experiment or fed to a monster.’

“That disaster was what claimed your mother’s life wasn’t it?” Twilight asked hesitantly.

“Yeah…” Oskar responded with a tired sigh. “Yeah it was…”

“I’m sorry… we should talk about something else.” Twilight said apologetically.

The two unicorns became silent though as they caught up to the pack and reduced their speed a bit. Then as the pack in front of them ran off to the right at a fork the sound of laughter started to be heard over the thunder of hooves. When the racers galloped past the fork Rainbow Dash was revealed, laughing her head off and leaning on a sign. And when the rainbow maned pegasus noticed their approach she seemed to briefly panic before turning to the sign, fiddling with it before focusing back on them.

“Hello Dash.” Oskar greeted her. “I kind of expected you to be at the head of the pack instead of here.”

“Ha, I’ll definitely- what do you mean?” The pegasus proclaimed with a briefly wild eyed look before looking confused.

“Everypony passed you when you were laughing.” Twilight told her.

“Oh horseapples!” Dash exclaimed before sprinting down the road after the other racers.

“What do you think she was doing with that sign?” Oskar asked Twilight as they continued on by themselves.

“Sorry, I didn’t see.” Twilight replied with a shake of her head. “I was busy thinking.”

“Hmm.” With silence between the two reigned again. And as they continued on at keeping pace with the rest of the racers, Oskar continued to eat her transfigured oranges. Before long she was on her last but before she started eating the pieces, she paused and glanced at Twilight. Making a decision, Oskar transfigured the bowl, now full of orange peelings, into a leaf and levitated the orange to her friend.

“Here Twilight.” Oskar said to the surprised unicorn.

“Oh thank you Emerald!” Twilight replied with a bright smile and took a hold of the orange with her own magic.

“You did help me figure out how to work out that very spell Twilight.” Oskar responded with a shrug. “Just my way of saying thanks.”

“Well I should be the one thanking you Emerald.” Twilight said between slices of orange. “You gave me the inspiration to advance my own magical education and work out that spell long before I would have started practicing it.”

“It’s the oddest stuff that manages to make things click isn’t it?” Oskar asked with a grin. “All I did was fall over when I accidently changed the properties of those books to resemble super balls. Ohhh… those looked like it stung to get hit by…”

“Spike has thick scales, I’m sure he was fine… maybe annoyed with the massive mess the library was in, but fine.” Twilight replied with her own grin. “But yes it’s odd, but the results can’t be denied. It’s just like I told you just before I started teaching you, you only truly begin to understand what you are trying to learn when you try to teach it to somepony else, brainstorming the spell with you definitely sped the process up.”

“Think I can focus on magical education from now on?” Oskar asked.

“I don’t know Emerald… the Princess did say you would be able to easily get into university by the time I was done with you and I’m not confident you know that much just yet.” Twilight responded with a dubious glance at the other unicorn as she ate the last piece of orange.

“Just thought I’d ask…” Oskar said with an exaggerated sigh.

“Cheer up Emerald!” Twilight urged happily. “I know you’d rather be practicing magic full time but those other subjects are just as important or even more so in some cases. And besides, with the unbelievable speed you’ve been learning the subjects you might be all caught up and finished by next year at most!”

“Just more incentive to put more effort in I suppose.” Oskar said as she spied Pinkie’s balloon swooping down with Applejack hanging off a rope.

She was about to issue Twilight a question about this when she felt something lightly impact the top of her head. Her ears were soon filled with the sound of panting and wheezing from whatever had landed on her head.

“Oh it’s Navi!” Twilight exclaimed. “She looks so tired, I think she deserves that treat you promised.”

“If you say so Twilight.” Oskar said in a faux doubtful voice. “I can’t really see her atop my head so for all I know she’s just acting and you’re playing along.”

Oskar only chuckled when she heard Navi trilling out loud denials from atop her head. “I’m only teasing you Navi, I know you were up there flying your wings off. You deserve a treat from one of the stalls when we reach the finish line. Why don’t you just snuggle in till we get there?”

Navi didn’t reply, she just wiggled in place until she was properly buried in Oskar’s mane and proceeded to take a catnap. Consequently this act left the very top of the parasprite’s head visible and made it look like Oskar was wearing a really tiny red and white woolen hat on her head.

“What?” Oskar asked when Twilight squeaked out a giggle.

“Nothing!” Twilight said as she tried to hold in further laughter.

“Looks like the final stretch is right there.” Oskar stated, still unaware of her comical appearance.

“Okay, ready to sprint Emerald?” Twilight asked her fellow unicorn.

“I was made rea- huh?” Oskar started but stopped when she saw Rainbow Dash and Applejack ride a rock shelf down a hillside.

“Umm, girls?” Twilight said to them as they passed. “I know I'm not an athlete, but shouldn't the Running of the Leaves actually involve running?”

“Those two will be lucky to get in the top five with the way they keep distracting each other.” Oskar said with a smile before turning serious. “Alright ready? GO!”

With that the two unicorns sprinted with all they had… well actually one sprinted with all they had, the other was still holding back quite a bit even though she was practically already on top of the racers.

“AHHHHH!”

“Ohmigosh!”

“Dear Celestia!”

“Dear me, you’re fast Emerald!”

“Sorry!” Oskar shouted back at the group of racers who couldn’t help but move out of her way, though that last voice was rather familiar. The virus turned her head back to face forward but noticed that Twilight was taking advantage of the disruption Oskar’s one mare stampede had created to take second place.

A few moments later Oskar was skidding to a stop as she ran over the finish line to a thunderous cheer. The Evolved sighed as she took a look back to see Twilight cross over the finish line a few moments later with Bon Bon right on her heels in a close third.

‘So that’s whose voice that was.’ Oskar mused though her thoughts quickly wandered off. ‘I did intend to run fast enough to get first but not that fast. Good thing everyone seems to be more impressed than suspicious. What happened though? Hmm… I think I’ve improved my base speed from eating all those big, strong creatures in Everfree. The last time I tested my speed was in the burned out ruins of Manhattan, I just managed to max out at 214 mph after clearing out a section of Times Square.’

‘Anyway, I guess I’ll need to do some speed testing when I get the chance.’ The Cadre Evolved thought as she walked over to Twilight and Bon Bon.

“Well I got first and you got second, not bad for first timers huh?” Oskar asked Twilight and got a smile from the panting unicorn. “What about you Bon Bon? This is your first race too?”

“Yes actually, although I jog every morning to keep trim.” The earth pony mare responded as the three of them plus two others were approached by Mayor Mare for medals. “I decided to test how fit I am by running this race, I would think I’m pretty fit!”

“I declare the Running of the Leaves a…” Here Mayor Mare paused as she wanted to say the event was a success but it was very clear that more than a few trees still had leaves.”… A partial success.”

“Is it just me or do we only ever manage to partly complete stuff?” Oskar asked the other racers quietly.

Twilight gave her friend a reproving look but Bon Bon and the other two top five racers couldn’t help but snicker at the remark.

“By the way, Twilight this is Bon Bon. She is a mare I met in Ponyville when you were out battling dragons. Bon Bon I think you already know who Twilight is.” Oskar said as she introduced the two.

Twilight was about to greet the mare when Pinkie’s voice sounded from overhead.

“It's Applejack, it's Rainbow Dash, it's Applejack, it's Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie shouted over her bullhorn.

Oskar turned her head just in time to see Applejack and Rainbow Dash roll over the finish line in a tangled up tumble.

“I won!” Dash exclaimed happily when she stood up.

“No!” Applejack denied with a glare. “Ah won!”

“I won!” Dash insisted angrily.

“You tied!” Spike broke in form above.

“Tied!” Both mare said incredulously.

“For first?” Applejack asked.

“For last!” Pinkie Pie answered.

“Last?!” The cowpony shouted disbelievingly.

“Then… who won?!” Dash asked with a shocked expression.

Oskar shook her head at the two mares before turning to Bon Bon and Twilight. “Come on, let's go see them. Twilight you go first, I want them to see you with a big shiny medal.”

Twilight did so with a smile and roll of her eyes and Bon Bon came along as asked, though she was looking as though like she felt like a fifth wheel.

“YOU?!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash said simultaneously at the sight of Twilight with a medal.

“Oh no, but I did get second.” Twilight replied pleasantly though she couldn’t help but smile at the two mare’s utterly dumbstruck expressions. “Which is rather good considering that I've never run a race before.”

“I’m the one that won first.” Oskar stated happily with Bon Bon standing just beside her with a nervous smile.

“What?” Applejack said, looking between the two of them. “How’s that even possible?”

“Yeah, you two ran so slow!” Dash exclaimed. “I mean, the both of you were way at the back during the entire race!”

“We paced ourselves!” Twilight answered, happy to be sharing a bit of book knowledge. “Just like my book said. Then at the end, when all the other ponies were worn out, we sprinted to the finish. I explained it to Emerald before the race started and she decided to do the same.”

“Emerald I could believe… but Twilight of all ponies beating us?” Dash stated with an incredulous shake of her head.

“Well with all your horsing around it was quite easy.” Twilight stated pointedly with a smile.

“You’re right, Twilight.” Applejack said shamefully. “Our behavior was jus’ terrible.”

“We weren't very good sports.” Dash admitted ruefully.

Suddenly a voice broke in that made Oskar stiffen and inhale sharply.

“Sounds to me like an important lesson was learned.” Princess Celestia stated.

“Princess Celestia?!” Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash exclaimed

Ponies gasped and bowed as their ruler unexpectedly announced her arrival. The ponies around Oskar quickly turned to face the alicorn before giving a quick bow. Oskar herself stayed standing for a moment as she watched the Goddess of the Sun approach before she caught herself and bowed as well.

Celestia frowned upon spotting the expression on Oskar’s face before she had bowed, saddened and disappointed by the fact the unicorn was still frightened of her.

“Wha… what are you doing here?” Applejack asked.

“Fall is one of my favorite season,” The Princess explained with a serene smile. “So I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves.

“A'm sorry ya had to see us being such poor sports, Princess.” The cowpony said as both she and Dash bowed their heads shamefully.

“That's all right, Applejack.” Celestia assured. “Anypony can get swept up in the excitement of competition.”

“It's important to remember that friendship is always more important than competition.” Twilight told the two.

“Exactly, Twilight.” Celestia told her student before turning back to Applejack and dash. “Now, unfortunately, because the two of you were busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees of Equestria are still covered.” She finished with a wave of her wing, gesturing to said trees.

“Why, Princess, I bet we can knock those leaves down for you lickety-split.” Applejack said confidently before smiling at Rainbow Dash. “Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run?”

“I'd love to stretch my legs.” Dash answered before the two of them bolted back down the race track.

With the two mares gone Celestia then turned her attention on Oskar, who couldn’t help but openly wince at the attention.

Now it wasn’t that Oskar still thought Celestia was some kind of tyrant, prone to punish any perceived or made up insult. She was very aware that Celestia was a very benevolent ruler and seemed the type to tolerate quite a bit before being provoked. However Oskar was also very aware that Celestia was a goddess and could potentially obliterate her in an instant with her power. It was simply instinctive for Oskar to fear those more powerful than her from all the time she spent as Alex Mercer's elite soldier. It was even worse since the virus considered Celestia a future enemy and so felt out of her depth and vulnerable whenever the Princess tried being friendly with her.

“You still fear me Emerald?” Celestia asked the viral being sadly.

“I-please forgive me for my d-disrespectful behavior Princess.” Oskar said nervously before bowing in hopes of appeasing the unhappy ruler.

Celestia only looked more upset. “It’s… it’s quite alright Emerald.”

“Well Twilight, I shall leave you with your friends then.” Celestia said to her student as “Emerald’s” reaction to her was attracting quite a bit of staring and muttering. So unwilling to ruin Twilight’s time by causing even more of a scene, Celestia turned about and walked away.

It was quiet for a long moment before a shocked Bon Bon broke it.

“Emerald… I didn’t know you were afraid of Princess Celestia.” The gossipy mare said. “Why in the wide world of Equestria are you afraid of her?”

“She… when she first met her she thought the Princess would be disgusted by her status as a homeless travel pony.” Twilight explained when Oskar didn’t answer. “I suppose you still haven’t shaken off your fear of the Princess, have you Emerald?”

Oskar sighed and shook her head.

“Bon Bon?” She said.

“Yes Emerald?”

“Is your friend Lyra here?” Oskar asked.

“Yes… I would think she’d be in the crowd somewhere.” Bon Bon answered as she took a look at the ponies around her. “Why?”

“I would like to introduce her to Twilight too.” Oskar replied with a convincing smile on her face.

“Oh… well okay I’ll be back in a few minutes, you’ll stay here right?” Bon Bon asked and walked away when Oskar nodded.

When Bon Bon when far enough away Twilight spoke up.

“Emerald?”

“Yes?”

“The way you react to the Princess… it has something to do with the way you were orphaned doesn’t it?” Twilight asked softly.

Oskar sighed and remained silent for a long moment before replying. “Among the many survival lessons I learned when I was by myself, one is that when you are in the shadow of giants, you shouldn’t bring attention to yourself, unless you want to be stepped on.”

“And Twilight… I’m not really in the mood to answer any more questions about my life from before I met you.” Oskar said as she gazed into the sky. “I just want to focus on the here and now, to introduce you to some ponies I met and feed this little black hole on my head.”

“I understand Emerald.” Twilight replied and gave the viral being a reassuring hug. “But if you ever need somepony to talk to I’ll always be there, alright?”

“I hear you Twilight… and thanks.” Oskar responded.

With that the two waited for a few moments longer before Bon Bon and Lyra arrived and the group of four proceeded to enjoy the post-Running of the Leaves activities.

ALPHA

“There’s another one.” Oskar stated aloud, staring up into the sky where the form of a distant flying griffin could be seen, Navi stood on her left ear wearing a little dark blue beret.

“Where?” Twilight asked as she glanced herself and was barely able to make out the distant dot as a griffin. “You have very good eyes Emerald.”

“What’s a griffin doing here?” Applejack wondered, shading her eyes with a hoof as she struggled to make out the distant being.

“I’ve been seeing them flying around for a few months now.” Oskar replied, her powerful eyes making out the griffin’s brown cloak and green tunic worn underneath. “They always stay just out of sight or far enough away that most ponies wouldn’t even notice them.”

“Maybe Princess Celestia asked the Principalities for aid to guard against the Monster of Everfree?” Twilight mused. “And they sent some griffins to help patrol the border?”

“I’m thinking that too.” Oskar stated with a nod.

“Well whatever they’re doing, they’re minding their own business.” Applejack said simply before continuing on her way. “Ah think we should return the favour.”

“Right.” Twilight agreed and walked after the cowpony, her saddlebags rattling with the movement.

“So what are you going to be wearing for the Gala Emerald?” Twilight asked the virus. “I’m wearing the dress Rarity gave me when we first met, I just need her to mend it a bit.”

“I literally don’t have anything to wear.” Oskar answered. “I’m going to commission a dress from Rarity with some of the allowance you give me.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Twilight said with a smile as they arrived at Rarity’s boutique.

The three entered into the studio where Rarity would normally be, either working on designs or attending to customers. The glamorous unicorn was not present however.

“She must be in the back.” Twilight stated and headed for one of the side doors. “Come on.”

Oskar followed Twilight and Applejack as they opened the door and entered a hall, the two ponies proceeding to randomly open doors in the search for Rarity. The Evolved stood back a bit with a small frown, wondering if just barging into Rarity’s home was really something they ought to be doing. A moment later Applejack waved the others over, having apparently found the door with Rarity behind it. She knocked loudly and briefly before throwing it open.

“Howdy Rarity!” Applejack shouted as she entered with Twilight close behind.

“Shhh!” Twilight shushed Applejack as she caught sight of Rarity currently busy. “Can’t you see Rarity’s trying to concentrate?”

Oskar entered into what appeared to be Rarity’s private design studio slash bedroom, said unicorn currently hard at work on a partially put together dress. She briefly took note of the others’ arrival into the room but quickly refocused on her work as they took up positions just behind her. Navi took off and buzzed over to Opalescence who was napping on a desk. The little insect lit down just before the snooty feline and gave out an inquisitive trill, waking her briefly. Opal just took one look at the bug in front of her before promptly yawning and returning to sleep. Navi gave an annoyed warble before buzzing about and landing on Opal’s little upright ponytail, giving a louder trill to the impressively unresponsive cat.

‘Opal never seems to like anyone…’ Oskar thought with amusement before adding. ‘She better not try to eat Navi though… I’d be liable to return the favour.’

“What do ya think she’s makin?” Applejack asked in what could be charitably called a stage whisper.

“Looks like a dress.” Twilight answered in the same sort of whisper.

“Well that makes sense,” The cowpony replied with a sly smile. “This being a dressmaker’s shop an all.”

Oskar raised a brow at the two mares, did they really think they were being quiet? She could easily tell that Rarity was quickly becoming annoyed with the two, a fact Rarity herself quickly proved when she growled softly before looking back with a fabricated smile.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Rarity asked with well hidden irritation.

“Oh, so very sorry to trouble you Rarity but I need a quick favour…” Twilight said apologetically before reaching into her saddlebags with her mouth.

‘Pony mouths are so strange at times.’ Oskar mused as Twilight pulled out her dress. ‘You’d think since ponies can manipulate things with their hooves that normally would be impossible without hands, they wouldn’t need to learn how to use their mouths that way. Yet they do it anyway… why?’

“Could you please fix a button for me?” Twilight asked after laying down the dress on a desk. “It’s my dress for the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Oh no, no, no!” Rarity Gasped at the sight of the outfit. “You can’t wear this… egh, old thing!”

“You need a glamorous new outfit for the gala!” The unicorn declared. “And I’ll make it for you. No problem at all! It would be my pleasure!” She finished with an excited nod.

“That’s really sweet of you to offer Rarity…” Twilight began with a smile. “But I can’t let you do that, it would be so much work… this dress is fine.”

“Twilight Sparkle, I insist on making you a new dress.” Rarity simply replied.

“But-”

“Not another word!” Rarity interrupted, waving her hoof in the other unicorn’s face. “I won’t take no for an answer.”

With that Rarity turned her attention to Applejack and gave a disapproving look over to the cowpony. Looking like she already knew the answer the unicorn asked a question.

“Let me guess Applejack, you don’t want a new dress either.” Rarity said with a raised brow and a frown.

“Gown?” Applejack stated incredulously. “Shoot, ah was just gonna wear my old work duds.”

“You can’t possibly be serious Applejack!” Rarity gasped. “You absolutely must wear formal attire!”

Applejack tapped her lip thoughtfully for a brief moment before answering. “Nah!”

“What if I just spruce up your uh…duds for you a little bit?” Rarity offered.

“Umm… Okay sure why not since you’re offering an all.” Applejack said before adding with a frown. “Just don’t make them too… frou frouey.”

“Deal!” Rarity agreed before finally turning to Oskar. “And what about you Emerald? Do you want a new dress as well?”

“I was here for just that reason actually.” Oskar answered as she stepped closer. “I don’t own any clothing whatsoever and the Gala is obviously a formal event. So I came here to commission something from you.”

“Commission?!” The other unicorn exclaimed. “Emerald darling, I'll not accept payment of any kind for this! You’re a dear friend to me… and besides, it’s an utter travesty that a mare such as yourself has nothing to wear!”

“Free?” Oskar stated with a smile. “Well you definitely won’t be seeing me complaining, thanks a lot Rarity!”

“Not a problem at all Emerald!” Rarity replied smiling.

“LOOK OUT BELOW!” Came Rainbow Dash’s voice from above.

Oskar looked up and immediately stepped back to avoid Rainbow as she crashed through the roof. She watched with surprised eyes as said pegasus bounced off the floor and flew back into a group of dummies wearing clothes. What was even more surprising was how Rainbow Dash seemed to easily recover from the crash, standing up with a bucket on her head and some clothes hanging off of her.

“Heh, sorry about that.” The pegasus apologized as she adjusted the bucket on her head. “New trick, didn’t quite work. And those griffins clogging the airways didn’t help.”

“You noticed them too?” Oskar asked. “I’ve been catching glances of them flying way up in the sky for several months now.”

“They always fly out of sight when a pegasus tries to go see them too.” Dash replied.

“Idea!” Rarity suddenly broke in excitedly. “I'll give you an outfit for the Gala too Rainbow Dash!”

“Outfit for the what now?” Dash asked confusedly.

“I’ll make it for you and you and all of you!” The unicorn continued, pointing at Dash then Twilight before hopping with a just realized thought. “Oh! And of course Pinkie and Fluttershy too! Oh and when I’m done we could hold our very own fashion show!” She exclaimed excitedly.

“That’s a great idea!” Twilight complimented before adding. “If you’re sure you can handle it.”

“Oh it will be a little bit of work but it will be a wonderful boost for my business.” Rarity simply replied. “Plus, fun!”

“Oh I love fun things!” Dash said enthusiastically.

“Er… sure, why not, I’m game.” Oskar said with some hesitation before shrugging it off.

“Then it’s settled.” Rarity stated as she already set to work measuring and cutting bolts of cloth. “We’ll hold a fashion show, starring us!”

Everyone cheered as Oskar simply smiled.

‘Being in a fashion show would give me a lot of exposure wouldn’t it?’ The Evolved thought. ‘This wouldn’t exactly be a good thing for my obscurity… then again Twilight is the student of Princess Celestia and I’m being tutored by her, I’m fairly certain I’m not that unknown. I guess there’s no helping it in the long run, I’m doomed to be a known face one way or the other. Besides… this sounds like it could be fun or at the least interesting.’

As Rarity approached the fake unicorn to take her measurements she nodded inwardly. She might as well have fun with the situation.

BETA

“Just follow me and close your eyes when we get inside the boutique!” Rarity said excitedly as she led her friends to her home. “Oh I know you’ll just love them!”

‘Rarity works fast, seems like it was just yesterday she was taking measurements… actually she was.’ Oskar thought before smiling sheepishly to herself.

It seemed that the glamorous unicorn was only too happy and excited to make her friends dresses, as after taking measurements the day before she was already done and asking them to come see in the afternoon of the next day. Not to say the effort she put in didn’t have an effect on her, as her normally perfectly combed and conditioned mane was looking a bit frazzled. There was little problem though, Rarity had not started let alone finished “Emerald’s” dress.

“I’m truly sorry for the delay Emerald.” Rarity said apologetically as they approached her shop. “This normally does not happen to me but I’m simply stuck as to what sort of style would suit a mare like you.”

“Don’t worry Rarity, the fashion show would only be held when you’re done.” Oskar reassured the unicorn. “And the Gala is months away anyway, you have plenty of time to think up something for me.”

“Even so… I again apologize for the wait.” Rarity replied, throwing the viral being a warm smile that she couldn’t help but return.

“Okay now close your eyes!” Rarity said as they entered her boutique. “I’ll lead you to your dresses, they’re just in one of the back rooms.”

Everyone did as asked and closed their eyes save for Oskar who didn’t see a reason to as her dress wasn’t even started yet. The Evolved was actually interested to see the fruits of Rarity’s labour. She wasn’t exactly interested in fashion in any major way but more than a few memories gave her insights into it and… well, she just wanted to believe that Rarity would do a good job in designing stunning original dresses … for some unfathomable reason that wasn’t clear to her.

“That’s it, keep them closed!” Rarity said with a smile as she led her friends into the room containing the dresses. “Don’t look!”

The moment Oskar herself entered the room she couldn’t help but come to a stop when she saw the dresses Rarity worked so hard to make.

“Wow…” The Evolved exclaimed softly to herself. She really couldn’t help it, even without the insight of several fashion minded memories her untrained eyes would have easily declared the outfits before her as beautiful. And upon taking a more focused look she was even more impressed.

Each dress was designed specifically for the wearer’s personality and their likes in mind.

Twilight’s dress was star spangled and light blue and had this star shaped hair clip in the dummy’s head. It certainly called to the unicorn’s magical talent and the dress made Oskar think of a flowing wizards robe yet was distinctly feminine.

Fluttershy’s dress had a definite earthy feel to it with it looking like it was made with still living plants. Vines and lily pads for the shoes, flowers lining near the base of the dress with two butterflies serving as a brooch and hair pin. The pegaus’ passion for nature was very clear in the outfit.

Rainbow Dash’s outfit made Oskar think of the Olympics. It had brass shoes with brass laurel leaves serving as a sort of headband and false decorative grapes on a pearl necklace, the large voluminous dress definitely called out to Dash’s home of Cloudsdale and her distinctive hair color.

Applejack’s dress suited her for its basic and practical design which was only such when compared to the other dresses. Rarity really had taken Applejack’s old “work duds” and dressed them up a bit as the strong materials were very clear, but she had also managed to make it look like something the cowpony could wear for a formal event like the Gala yet put it on the next day for farm work.

Finally Pinkie Pie’s dress was very pink and frilly. It also looked like some very decorative baker’s uniform which ultimately fit the pony in question, it had quite a bit of embroidery depicting quite a few sweets around the waist of the dress, also very fitting. Overall it was very obvious what that dress set out to say and that fit Pinkie as well.

Oskar smiled as Rarity talked, having already told her friends to open their eyes and started going into detail about the dress. For the Evolved the best part about the whole thing was how Opal of all people was rubbing against the dresses and giving off pleased purrs.

‘You know something is done right when the little miss grumpy cat likes it.’ Oskar thought with a small laugh and smiled as she turned to see the expressions on the other mares’ faces. ‘They’re probably ecstatic, these dresses are absolutely… umm…’

Oskar’s thoughts ground to a halt as she caught sight of the five mares. She had been expecting them to be smiling and happy at how well the dresses had turned out. Instead the five were giving the dresses gaping almost disappointed looks as Rarity continued to go on about how each dress fit them so well.

‘They… don’t like them?’ Oskar thought incredulously. ‘How can they not like them?! I mean look at them! They’re beautiful! I’m going to… wait, calm down… maybe they just feel that these dresses are just not their style? And besides, their dislike of something Rarity obviously put so much work into would be to my advantage. No one likes having their hard work being spat on, even less so when the ones doing the spitting are close friends.’

By this time Rarity had begun to notice the dresses weren’t having the effect she had expected on her friends, making her smiling become more nervous with every passing second. It was made worse by her friends’ rather forced compliments.

“It’s… nice…” Fluttershy said glumly.

“But what’s the matter? Don’t you like them?” Rarity asked with a worried frown.

“They’re very nice!” Twilight reassured with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“An we’re plum grateful cause ya worked so hard em!” Applejack added with a matching smile.

“Mine’s just not as cool as I was imagining.” Dash stated honestly, getting dual glares from Twilight and Applejack for it. The pegasus looked between the two mares giving her looks before stating with a shrug. “She asked.”

“… I guess what we’re all saying is… they’re just not what we had in mind.” Twilight said nervously.

The hurt radiating from Rarity’s expression was practically palpable to Oskar and for a brief moment she wanted to speak up on the unicorn’s behalf. The Cadre Evolved quickly and ruthlessly crushed that urge down and resolved to simply sit back and watch the scene unfold.

And that’s what Oskar did… albeit with more reluctance than she was comfortable with.

Rarity appeared to quickly get over and shrug off her friend's negative reaction to the dresses made for them. It was quite clear to the Evolved however that the unicorn’s newfound enthusiasm for making entirely new dresses with her friends' input on every step was just a show. Indeed the unicorn’s smile was becoming ever more clearly false as the others thanked her for deciding to make new dresses.

Following the others out, Oskar looked back into the room before closing the door behind her. She saw Rarity's ever more strained smile disappear to reveal her dejected expression and with her powerful hearing Oskar was able to make out the unicorn despairingly ask herself what she has gotten into.

The fake pony felt something clench in her chest and for a brief confused moment thought she had somehow pulled a muscle. Shaking herself of the confusion Oskar realized she was feeling sympathetic for the unicorn. Sighing audibly, the Evolved simply continued on her way and reminded herself that this is what she wanted. This could be a good way for a division to appear amongst the Bearers of the Elements and ultimately that was a good thing.

… No matter how wrong it made her feel.

GAMMA

It was now the next day, late into the afternoon. Oskar was back at Rarity’s boutique waiting for said unicorn to attend to her as she was currently busy attending to the other mares… between randomly bursting into bouts singing.

‘This crap again?’ Oskar sighed aloud. ‘… kinda impressive though, most people need special equipment to get their voice to sound that way. I wonder why the others haven’t noticed Rarity’s feelings on the situation by now? The lyrics she’s singing aren’t exactly subtle. Also… WHERE THE HELL IS THAT CHORUS COMING FROM?!’ The false unicorn glared as she looked this way and that for the origin of the “chorus”, Navi was on her ear, wearing the designer glasses and beret combo from yesterday and humming a tune.

After another bout of singing Rarity finally walked over to Oskar, who was looking rather irritated as she twitched her ears, she thought she could just make out guitar strings on the edge of her hearing yet wasn’t able to decide if she was actually hearing anything.

“… How would you like your dress to look Emerald?” Rarity asked tiredly, looking even more frazzled then she did the day before, her mane even seemed to have dulled in color.

“I’m fine with whatever you think is good for me.” Oskar answered absently as she swivelled her ears this way and that, trying to clearly make out the noise on the edge of her hearing.

“Really?” The unicorn replied in surprise.

Putting off trying to find the noise, Oskar gave the unicorn her full attention.

“Yes Rarity.” Oskar said with a nod. “I tru- I trust… you… I trust you to know what’s better for me. You’re the fashion expert after all.”

“Really.” Rarity repeated, this time in incredulity.

“I’m… I’m sorry, Rarity.” The Evolved said uncomfortably. “I really do trust you to know what’s best. It’s just that I… I haven’t told anypony I trusted them in a long time. In fact I think this is the first time in years I actually said that to anypony.”

The incredulity in Rarity’s expression immediately faded away, replaced with a touched smile. She stepped closer to Oskar and wrapped her forelegs around the virus’ neck in a tight hug. After a moment she left and backed up before speaking.

“Thank you darling, thank you so much.” Rarity stated happily as her mane somehow regained some of its former luster. “This will be so much easier without you nitpicking details and leaving total creative freedom to me.”

“Like I said, you’re the expert.” Oskar replied with a shrug before asking. “Did you get past your creative block yet?”

“As a matter of fact I have!” The unicorn declared. “I got the idea just before going to bed yesterday. You see there was this fantasy book sitting on my bedside table and… well I want it to be a surprise actually. I was going to show it to you but since you’re placing your trust in me I’m going to keep it for myself until it’s finished.”

“Well if you need me for anything I’ll be in your kitchen.” Oskar said before turning around to head for the door.

“Yes, just make yourself at home!” Rarity called after the virus. “I’ll call for you if I need to take your measurements again.”

“No problem Rarity.” The Evolved replied as she left the room for the kitchen with an eager little bug bouncing on her ear. “Nothing for you Navi! I already fed you this morning!”

Navi then became a sad parasprite.

DELTA

It was several hours later, late into the afternoon by the time Rarity had finished making the dresses… and singing. And what a sight they were…

‘Dear god they’re ugly…’ Oskar thought, barely able to keep herself from laughing out loud at the dresses, an effort made even more difficult when Navi stuck out her tongue in revulsion and Opalescence started hissing at the dresses. ‘And they actually think these look good?’

The Evolved looked over to the other mares and indeed, they looked absolutely ecstatic over their dresses. Shaking her head Oskar looked back at the dresses.

Fluttershy’s dress appeared to be some floral patterned blanket rather than something you’d wear. The collar was made up of large mismatching feathers and her hat was a false bird’s nest full of eggs with some flowers sticking out. Her shoes also seemed to be made of fresh moss too. Overall Oskar thought the dress looked something an old really out of touch woman would wear.

Rainbow Dash’s dress looked like some sort of cosplay costume for some fantasy game rather than an actual dress. All the metal only worked to make it seem like she was wearing gaudy ornamental armor rather than an outfit meant for a formal event.

Applejack’s formal dress wasn’t anywhere near formal. It appeared the mare in question had forgotten that she wasn’t supposed to be out in the fields doing hard work and getting dirty when she had Rarity make the dress. Indeed the dress was very obviously practical wear for hard work rather than formal attire. So not actually very ugly when considering what she would normally be wearing the outfit for but when considering what she was going to be wearing it for… it was hideous.

Twilight’s dress only showed just how out of touch with the world she was at times. Her constellation accurate dress would probably be admired… if she was attending some sort of astronomy based comic-con. It was quite a laughable piece of work otherwise.

And finally Pinkie’s dress, it was actually not that bad if Oskar could be honest with herself… not that bad if the mare intended to go to the Gala to be the entertainment that is. The Evolved actually considered telling Pinkie to keep the dress for whenever she had a party and wanted to look like a proper clown while making people laugh.

Barely able to keep herself from snorting aloud, Oskar turned her attention to the sixth dummy that was covered by a white cloth. Rarity had actually finished the virus’ dress first despite starting work on it last. The fact Oskar fully trusted Rarity’s expertise and let her have full creative freedom probably helped speed things up a lot, the other’s constant nitpicking was probably responsible for forcing Rarity to start over at least six times on each individual dress. Oskar had also been in the kitchen emptying the fridge when Rarity had finished the dress and decided to make its appearance a surprise.

“Well… let’s reveal the masterpiece shall we?” Rarity stated as she stepped beside the covered dress, her nervousness returning tenfold as she wondered what “Emerald’s” reaction would be.

“You know what I think?” Dash muttered, leaning close to Oskar. “You should have told her what you wanted.”

“Hush.” Oskar stated, raising a hoof.

“Fine, be that way.” Dash replied with a shrug. “Don’t be surprised at how uncool it’s going to be though.”

‘Cool… right.’ Oskar thought sardonically as she glanced over to Dash’s suit of armor.

“Here goes…” Rarity said as she hesitantly began to pull off the cloth.

Suddenly the door opened.

“You are never going to believe this!” Spike panted from the open door. “Have you heard of Hoity Toity?”

“The bigwig fashion hotshot in Canterlot?” Twilight asked.

“Uh huh! He heard about your fashion show!” The baby dragon said to Rarity. “Well… maybe I happened to have mentioned it to him…”

“He’s coming here, from Canterlot!” Spike continued. “To see your work Rarity!”

“Whoa nelly!” Applejack exclaimed before looking at the unicorn in question. “You could sell a ton of dresses to this guy! Your business will be booming!”

Oskar frowned as she took in the expression on Rarity’s face as the others proceeded to pour accolades on her. Her smile was very obviously fake and the borderline panic in her eyes was clear to anyone that bothered to look. The Evolved looked up when she heard a worried trill emit from just above her ear.

“I’m fine, Navi.” Oskar reassured the insect who was somehow able to sense her distress. “It’s just… well I’m fine, don’t you worry.”

Navi seemed to be unconvinced however as she hopped down from Oskar’s ear onto the top of her head. Burying herself into the Evolved’s mane Navi began to release soft soothing little buzzing noises, causing a small smile to slowly appear on Oskar’s face.

“We better get ready!” Twilight declared loudly, breaking into Oskar’s little moment with her pet. “Hoity Toity will be here tomorrow night. Good thing I’ve already prepared a construction schedule for the fashion show.”

With that the other mares and Spike began to leave, the violet unicorn being the last out the door.

“Are you coming Emerald?” Twilight asked as she stuck her head in the doorway.

“You and the girls go on ahead.” Oskar replied absently. “I’ve… got something to do first.”

“Okay, just head for the park later, that’s where we’ll be setting up.” Twilight said before closing the door.

“Rarity?” Oskar said hesitantly as she approached the unicorn. “Are you okay?”

“… No…” Rarity said in a choked whisper, not even bothering to hide her distress anymore.

“Look, I'm sure everything will be alright.” Oskar said in hollow reassurance. “I mean they like their dresses right? Maybe… maybe Hoity Toity will like them too?”

“Yes… yes I’m sure everything will be alright.” Rarity said with a nod as she tried to force herself to believe Oskar. “My friends like their dresses and Hoity To- Hoit- Ho-”

“AHHHH!” Rarity cried out in despair, suddenly throwing her forelegs around Oskar’s neck and crying into her shoulder. “I’m going to be RUINED! I’ll lose my business! I’ll be forced to beg on the streets for bits! I’ll never be able to show my face again! I’ll- I’ll- I’ll- AHHHHH!”

Oskar for her part awkwardly rubbed her hoof on Rarity’s head in a soothing gesture as said unicorn went into hysterics. For a long moment the virus was filled with a near overpowering desire to immediately walk out the door and catch the others so she could talk to them. And once more Oskar quickly shoved the desire down, metaphorically burying it as deeply as she could.

‘This is what I wanted…’ The Cadre Evolved thought as she continued to try to comfort Rarity. ‘No matter what… I must do this.’

But no matter what she told herself the sure sense of wrongness never faded.

EPSILON

The Evolved was now in the dressing room of the backstage located just before the catwalk and she was currently staring into a mirror. It was one of those mirrors you usually see backstage that was completely lined with light bulbs. On the little table top before her was a vast array of hair care products and many kinds of makeup. Navi was currently using a large powder puff applicator as bed to nap on. Her current outfit was a pair of black thick rimmed glasses with a gray fedora and a black designer scarf.

Oskar looked away from her mirror to see Twilight and the others all at mirrors like her own and being attended to by Rarity, who was doing everything in her power to make sure they were as presentable as possible with makeup and hair products. A near insurmountable task considering the horrible dresses the others were wearing.

It seemed the others still thought the world of their dresses as they were all excited to be solemn faced models and strut out onto the catwalk to show off, Rarity knew it would happen if the others went out and was deeply dreading it as her ever more flaying nerves displayed.

Oskar simply sighed and turned back to her mirror. Her only memories of pony life were those from Steven, Gilda and Silver Light, the first two weren’t ponies and the last one was a male so she couldn’t make herself useful and fix herself up with the products on the table top before her. Out of the corner of her eye the virus spied the concealed form of the dummy wearing her dress. Yesterday wasn’t the best time to get to see it so she still didn’t know what it looked like, only that Rarity got the inspiration for the look from the cover art of a fantasy book.

Finally the ever more frazzled looking Rarity walked over to Oskar after doing all she could for the others.

“Well… it’s the moment we’ve been waiting for…” Rarity said tiredly as walked up to the covered dummy. “I… I hope it’s to your taste, Emerald.”

“Taste only matters if it’s good.” Oskar simply replied. “What I think hardly matters if I don’t have a good sense of what is tacky and what isn’t. Like I said, I trust you to know what works best for me, Rarity.”

“If you say so… here goes.” Rarity said uncertainly before reaching to the cloth on the dummy. Pausing a long moment, the unicorn then pulled it off in one quick movement. She quickly turned her attention back to Oskar, almost desperately searching for approval in the other unicorn’s expression.

“Wow…” Oskar hardly needed to fake her reaction to the outfit before her.

The color dark red dominated the entire outfit. The skirt was made with velvet, like most of the dress, and was covered in subtle rose patterns with pure white lace lining the bottom. The bodice had a high collar that was also lined with lace but seemed to be reinforced with something firm that gave the illusion of it being some sort of fashionable cuirass. On the head was a silver engraved circlet that had a large emerald socketed in the center with matching pairs of silvery shoes. Overall it looked like something a noble girl would wear to court yet rely on should she end up in a fight.

“Wow…” Oskar simply repeated as she circled the dress, examining as much of it as she could. “This… this is for me?!”

“You like it?” Rarity said with a wide hopeful smile.

“I absolutely adore it!” Oskar stated as she reached out to feel the material with her hoof. “You said you got the idea for the dress design from the cover of a fantasy book right?”

“Yes.” Rarity answered. “It was a book about a young princess who is being tutored to one day rule the nation when her parents retire. She finds the lessons to be utterly boring and longs for adventure… well long story short she eventually gets her wish but in all her travels she would never wear anything other than clothes that would clearly show her station as a noble, even when it came to armor.”

“That is where I got the idea for your dress.” The glamorous unicorn continued. “I needed something strong yet obviously feminine for you to wear, what better than a dress that looks like it could be worn to court and relied upon in a fight? I also added in a few subtle touches, to allude to your fragile sensitive side…”

“My fragile sensitive side?” Oskar questioned with a raised brow.

“Well yes…” Rarity said a little sheepishly. “I don’t really know how to clearly explain but… when I look you in the eye I can see this uncertainty there… almost like, like no matter where you step, whether it be the hardest wood or the most solid rock, you are unsure of your footing.”

“Oh really?” Oskar said with a slightly surprised expression.

Oskar was confused, not with Rarity but with herself. She should be finding the fact that Rarity had such deep insight into her alarming, yet the most she was feeling was annoyance tempered with an odd warm sensation. It was… almost like she was fine with Rarity capable of reading her like that. Did that mean she really did trust Rarity? And not just in matters of fashion?

“Just don’t go around telling everypony that.” Oskar said jokingly with a mock serious expression. “I have a reputation to uphold you know!”

“My lips are sealed.” Rarity smiled happily as she mimed a zipping motion across her mouth.

“Well as much as I would like to stand around and admire my work all night we do have a schedule to keep.” The unicorn continued, nodding at the dress. “Shall I assist you in putting on the dress?”

“Err… yes please…” Oskar said sheepishly, as she barely knew where to start.

Barely three minutes later and Oskar was in her dress and Rarity was giving one final look over to make sure it was fitting properly. The Evolved had no idea how she had done it and made it look so easy, but she was sure that if she had tried to put it on alone she would still be fumbling with the skirt.

“There we go, all fastened and buckled in!” Rarity declared as she took a step back to properly examine Oskar. “Oh my now that is a wonderful look for you so regal!”

“So I wear it well?” The virus asked with a smile.

“Oh yes, most definitely darling! But… I just wish that…” The unicorn began happily before suddenly turning morose and looking towards where the others were still getting ready. “… Perhaps a bit more makeup is in order.”

Then she left, leaving Oskar alone in her dress.

The Evolved sighed as she spied the unicorn trying her best to make her friends presentable for a crowd and judging gaze of a fashion critic. She turned back to her mirror and took in her reflection.

‘Wow… Rarity was right, this definitely gives me a regal look, it’s so comfy too.’ Oskar thought as she took up a pose and mimed an imperious expression. ‘Heh look at me, admiring how I look in a dress. A few years ago I would have found wearing one mortifying beyond belief but now… it just goes to show what you’re willing to get used to when your life is on the line, it helps that I have a few female memories of enjoying wearing nice dresses too. Do I have a gender identity anymore? Every other Evolved had one… but I was willing to wear different forms for long periods of time and I often took in memories to make my acting perfect. Oh well… as a virus I’m genderless… as a virus I’m not considered a living thing either...’

“Emerald it’s nearly time!” Rarity called out as the Evolved sighed gloomily. “Could you come over here please?”

Putting on a “happy mask” Oskar turned around and headed towards Rarity, who was standing by the dressing room door that the others had already gone through. Halfway there she came to a stop and glanced back at the tabletop where Navi was still napping. After a moment she shrugged and let the parasprite sleep and continued on. As the virus approached she noticed that whatever sense of calm Rarity had gained from her positive reaction towards the dress had completely disappeared, now replaced by great uncertainty and nervousness.

“Are you okay, Rarity?” Oskar asked in concern, unknowingly dropping her “mask”.

“Me?! Why I’m fine! Everything is fine! It’s all going to be alright!” Rarity said in a strained voice, forcing out a giggle at the end that was probably meant to be reassuring rather than disturbing.

“I… okay if you say so, Rarity.” Oskar said, at first wanting to object but had quickly forced it down and continued on through the door.

The Evolved entered the backstage of the catwalk, the sight of the other mares taking up poses just before the curtain meeting her eyes, Opal was also there and was making disgusted expression at the five. It was also rather dark and as a consequence the others couldn’t really make out any great details save that “Emerald” had arrived and was wearing some sort of dress, Oskar however had night vision better than any owl and was perfectly fine.

Rarity walked over to the curtain and stuck her head out just as Opal walked over and did the same. Suddenly Oskar heard an annoyed stream of trilling emit from just above her.

Looking up the virus made out Navi hovering just above her with an angry pout on her face.

“Sorry Navi.” Oskar said softly to the little insect. “Didn’t mean to forget you, you just looked so comfortable sleeping there.”

Giving an annoyed little buzzing sound Navi made to nest in Oskar’s mane again only to be surrounded by a magical pink aura.

“I don’t think Rarity would want me to bring you along on the catwalk Navi.” The Evolved stated apologetically as Navi puffed up her checks angrily and flew off into the dark towards the curtain.

Finally Rarity stepped away from the curtain, looking worse for wear for some reason and began walking towards Oskar. The sound of music began to play as she came to a stop before the fake unicorn.

“Alright Emerald it’s almost time, I need you to get in place with the rest of them!” Rarity told her in a desperate whisper.

Oskar was about to do as told when an idea occurred to her, obviously she was Rarity’s only hope of salvaging anything out of this. After all her dress was the only one that was designed by her and the rest was just plain awful. If Hoity Toity saw only the ones her friends made her make then his no doubt scathing criticism would pretty much be the death knell of any dreams Rarity had in the fashion industry. If that happened no doubt a great deal of tension would be created between Rarity and her friends, possibly enough to end their friendship altogether, something that would ultimately cripple the Elements of Harmony and render them inert without unified bearers.

The course of action was clear to Oskar…

“Rarity I… I c-can’t go out there!” The Evolved protested weakly, turmoil playing across her features.

So why was it so hard?

“But why not?!” Rarity whispered shrilly, throwing a glance at her other friends, worried that they would hear. She need not have bothered though as the five of them were all excited and focused on their walk out onto the catwalk.

“R-rarity… Look at them!” Oskar said, pointing at the other mares with a slightly shaking hoof. “I c-can’t go there with them! I’ll… I’ll be a laughing stock if I do…”

Rarity turned her head towards the others, her mouth opening as she was about to beg and plead with Oskar, anything to try to make the other unicorn go out onto the catwalk so she could at least save her livelihood. The words never left her lips though as she took in the sight of the five mares wearing their ridiculous dresses. After a moment Rarity turned her head away and looked down at the floor with the most downtrodden expression in the world. She looked back up to give the virus a heartbreakingly sad smile.

“It’s okay Emerald… you don’t have to go out there…” Rarity said. She would have very much wanted to just cajole “Emerald” into doing it anyway but it just wasn’t in her nature. And judging by the way the normally confident unicorn’s voice was quavering, Emerald was not only completely against it but she was panicking at it. In the end Rarity just didn’t want another pony to suffer in any way for her. “I… I thank you though for letting me at least design a dress that best suited you… I fear it may be my last however…”

At that moment Oskar felt very much like an ice cold dagger was being buried into her heart and made to speak again when the curtains lifted.

“Oh no…” Rarity whimpered, burying her face in her hooves.

As the lights shined on the five mares the excited whispers from the crowd died almost immediately, replaced instead by silence and a few utterly shocked gasps.

Twilight and the others took their cue and walked forward onto the catwalk, doing a wonderful first time on the job as models by keeping a serious expression on their faces. Too bad it was ruined by what they were wearing.

Oskar stepped forward and looked out. Nearly everyone in the audience was absolutely dumbfounded and gaping at what Twilight and her friends were wearing, the few that weren’t were the ones just barely keeping in their snickers. But one face attracted her attention, Hoity Toity. He was easy to spot since he took a seat right in front of the catwalk, which made seeing the expression on his face all too easy. The famous fashion critic had his face scrunched up, like he suddenly found a pile of very smelly trash in front of his face.

Oskar at this point felt something snap in her and she suddenly came to a decision.

“I can’t do this anymore!” Oskar said loudly and, to the shock of Rarity, angrily stormed out onto the catwalk.

The disaster out on the catwalk was just getting to the point that the five mares were just beginning to think something was wrong when Oskar suddenly appeared. The entire crowd, which was mere moments away from bursting into laughter, suddenly kept their silence at the sight of the fake unicorn.

Oskar underestimated just how regal her dress made her look. Despite most of the ponies knowing what she looked like they still mistook her in that moment for some foreign noble beauty, a very angry one. Indeed a good many had quickly come to the conclusion that the sure ugliness of the dresses on the catwalk had insulted a visiting royal, and that said royal was about to do something about it.

The effect of Oskar’s angry approach was not just limited to the ponies in the crowd either, the mare on stage also could only stare wide eyed at their friend. They had seen the dress before, sure, but they had never seen it while it was worn. All five of them were shocked at how well the dress’ style fitted “Emerald”, able to see very clearly how the dress accentuated her “natural” beauty yet made pains to show that there was a great strength there as well.

As the virus marched down the catwalk three things came to mind, the three things that she was angry about in orders of magnitude. She was angry at Rarity for being so stupidly selfless that she wouldn’t protest her friends practically spitting on her hard work and end the fashion show before it ruined her career. She was even angrier at the five mares that were supposed to be Rarity’s friends yet had the gall to criticize a gift and jeopardize her livelihood, though unknowingly as the case may be. And finally Oskar was most angry at herself. Angry for not speaking up for Rarity when she needed it, angry for sitting by as she was being taken advantage of, angry for trying to take advantage of her as well, so very angry for having the gall to pretend to be her friend while hoping she was ruined by what would happen to her.

The Evolved came to a stop before the five, the air silent save for the sound of Oskar’s breathing as she flared her nostrils.

“I can’t believe you five!” Oskar began.

‘… I can’t believe myself…’

“You’re all supposed to be her friends!”

‘… I was supposed to be her friend too… I was the only one she trusted to talk to about this, I was her shoulder to cry on… and I still wanted to stab her in the back…’

“Instead you all took advantage of her and her kindness!” Oskar shouted.

‘… I’ve been doing that from day one…’

“W-what are ya talking about?” Applejack asked.

“Those horrible dresses you all forced her to make!” The virus answered and when she saw Dash about to vehemently protest she quickly interrupted. “But by all means, if you don’t trust my words then look at them!” She finished, pointing at the awkward looking crowd around them.

“Do they honestly look like they think what you are wearing is beautiful?!” Oskar asked and continued when she didn’t get an answer from the increasingly shamefaced looking mares. “None of you know a thing about fashion! NONE! And don’t you of all ponies speak up Fluttershy!” The Evolved snapped when the pegasus was about to add something. “Chain and cross stitches are just a fraction of a whole! You are not a fashion expert Just because you know a lot about thread work! I can’t believe any of you thought you knew better than Rarity about fashion of all things!”

Once again silence settled into the air, this time filled only with the sound of Oskar’s panting. The Evolved suddenly felt rather tired, the energy in her draining away by the moment. Suddenly the silence was broken by the sound of a pair of hooves clopping. Oskar blinked and forced down the feeling of encroaching exhaustion as she looked for the source.

It was Hoity Toity, applauding the prompt to drama he had just witnessed.

“Good show my dear, good show.” The fashion critic stated as he got up from the pillow he sat on. “I couldn’t put it better myself.”

The gray stallion strutted around the catwalk, ponies making way for him as he moved past them, to come to a stop at a portion of the catwalk nearest the Evolved.

“And may I ask the name of the vision of beauty before me?” Hoity asked charmingly.

“Uh… I… my name is Emerald Gleaner.” Oskar said, taken aback. “I’m one of Rarity’s models… I also happen to be the only one wearing one of her designs, the other dresses being… commissioned to look the way they are.”

“Hmmm, indeed.” Hoity merely replied as he pulled down his shades to give Oskar an appreciative look over.

After a long moment, of which Oskar found to be very awkward, Hoity Toity reached within his vest and pulled out a card. He briefly scribbled something on it with a pen before holding it out to Oskar.

“Tell you what my dear…” Hoity began as the Evolved magically took a hold of his card. “If Rarity’s other designs are as magnificent as the specimen before me I’ll gladly head over sometime and personally examine them, I also sincerely hope you’ll be modeling them.”

“Don’t be a stranger my dear, ciao!” And with that Hoity Toity made his exit, missing the heated glares being shot at him from the pony who had given him his seat.

Oskar stared off at the retreating form of Hoity Toity for a moment before looking down at the card he had given her. It appeared to be a simple business card which had Hoity’s name and his title as a popular fashion critic. The only thing off about it was the fact the address was crossed off and a different one was written on, which happened to be underlined… three times.

The Cadre Evolved blushed in embarrassment, even as obvious as she was to male attraction Oskar could clearly see that Hoity Toity was attracted to her.

Once again silence reigned but this time there really was not sound in the air. After a moment Oskar put the card away and turned towards the others. Suddenly, the oncoming exhaustion she had forced herself to ignore was upon her and the Evolved was quick to realize that it wasn’t physical exhaustion, no it was emotional.

“I-I’m… I’m an idiot.” Oskar stated, her face displaying the turmoil she had just gone through for all to see before she quickly turned around and walked away.

“Emerald wait!” Oskar heard a voice call her but she ignored it and continued forward, a profound numbness filling her core.

“Emerald I-” Rarity began as the virus re-entered the backstage.

“Later.” Oskar stated dully as she strode forward, ignoring even the sound of worried trilling just above her ear.

A few minutes later Oskar was outside alone in the park save for Navi, sitting on a bench and looking at the moon while still wearing her dress.

“I’m fine, Navi.” Oskar replied after getting a questioning trill from the insect.

Navi buzzed angrily.

“Yeah… you’re right, I’m not fine.” The Evolved admitted immediately, causing her pet to bury itself into her mane and trill comfortingly.

‘What was the plan again?’ Oskar asked herself sardonically. ‘Oh yes, cause a split between Rarity and her friends. You caused a split alright… but instead of Rarity it was you.’

‘I probably caused irreparable damage between me and the others.’ Oskar thought with a sigh. ‘The plan for all this was to weaken them so they wouldn’t be a threat to me, so that I wouldn’t have to one day face the Elements of Harmony. And what happened instead? I decide to risk my own success to help one of them, why? It doesn’t matter anymore… months of work… all wasted.’

“Emerald?” Twilight said softly.

‘Huh?’

Oskar turned her head to see Twilight and the other five of the Mane Six gathered a short distance away, Twilight and her friends also seemed to have taken their dresses off. And contrary to her beliefs not one of them looked angry with her.

“G-girls…” Oskar began wide-eyed. “I apologize for what I did back there, I had no right to-”

“It’s okay Emerald.” Twilight interrupted gently. “You were right and had all the right in the world to say those words. We were wrong to be so critical of Rarity’s gifts and get her to make us entirely new ones.”

“R-really?” Oskar said disbelievingly and got nods from all of them. “Umm… Rarity I don’t know if they told you this but Hoity Toity will come over at another time to personally examine the dresses you originally designed.”

“You don’t have to worry Emerald darling.” Rarity replied with a smile. “Twilight told me that, it’s merely an hour’s worth of thread work and I’ll be finished with those dresses.”

“Rarity…” Oskar said softly. “I’d like to apologize to you.”

“What?” The unicorn asked in confusion.

“I… I saw what was happening and I just decided to sit back and not say anything.” The virus said contritely. “I could have spoken up and said something, could have stopped this all from happening. Instead I kept quiet and your business as well as your reputation as a talented dress maker was nearly ruined.”

“Yeah, only now did I realise what was at stake.” Twilight stated with a wince that was mirrored by the others. “Rarity can you ever forgive us?”

“It’s alright dears.” Rarity said, giving all the mares a warm smile. “It all worked out in the end did it not?”

“Mighty generous of ya Rarity.” Applejack said. “Ah thank ya kindly.”

“Still…” Oskar muttered. “It was all rather close… I should have said something.”

“Emerald…” Twilight began as she took a seat next to the other unicorn on the bench. “You shouldn’t have felt you needed to speak up in the first place. You do not need to feel that you are at fault.” Twilight finished by giving Oskar a hug.

Slowly the Evolved’s sad frown curved upwards into a small smile as she looked at Twilight and to the rest of the Mane Six. Suddenly she remembered something.

“Hey Applejack.”

“Yes, sugarcube?”

“That uh… dress you made Rarity make?” Oskar began. “While it’s not at all good for something like the Grand Galloping Gala it’s still made of some very strong materials, it’ll probably make some pretty good work clothes… I would get rid of that hat though, your Stetson fits you far better than that thing.”

“Eh heh… sure thing Emerald.” The cowpony replied sheepishly.

“Pinkie Pie I would suggest you keep your dress too.” The virus said to the party pony.

“Oh really, why?” Pinkie asked. “Thought you said it was ugly?”

“It is very ugly.” Oskar stated with a nod. “But only for its intended task. I personally think it’ll work better as a clown outfit to wear when you’re entertaining ponies at parties.”

Everyone laughed at that, it wasn’t that the statement was very funny, it was just out of pure happiness at a serious moment being passed. Oskar looked around her at the laughing mares and one pink one sticking her tongue out with a small smile. The Evolved seemed to bask in the laughter around before finally joining in with her own laughter, her genuine laughter.

ZETA

Oskar skipped down an empty street in Ponyville. It looked fairly normal save that if you looked you would easily see little clouds of dust being kicked up and rather loud thuds from her steps. When the Evolved got to the end of the street she stopped and looked back the way she came and gave an approving smile.

‘Getting lighter!’ Oskar thought happily. ‘I can only imagine how far I would be able to glide now. Too bad I can’t experiment with all that security surrounding Everfree.’

It had been a few days since the fiasco that was the fashion show. Rarity had, with help from Fluttershy, quickly finished up the dresses she had originally designed in time for Hoity Toity to see them the very next day. Once again the six ponies wore their dresses but this time their sole one stallion audience was utterly thrilled with the outfits, even more so when Oskar came out with her own regal attire.

It was now noon and Oskar had decided to take a walk and think about things.

‘But… I don’t really need to experiment do I?’ The Evolved asked herself. ‘The whole reason for getting stronger, for gaining more and more power was so I would be ready to face any and all threats to me. But I risked all that preparation and efforts to manipulate things to my advantage for Rarity, do I know why?’ The virus thought intently for several long moments before nodding when she came to a single conclusion. ‘I have grown to like and trust her that is why. I started my plans with the intention to do her harm, but in the end I ended up liking her so much that the very idea of hurting her is painful… it’s been so long since I’ve had an actual friend.’

‘And what about Twilight?’ Oskar mused curiously as she made way down a random street. ‘Do I care about her too? Do I consider her a friend too? Yes… I think I do. I must admit it to myself at least, all the recent times I hoped for Twilight to be okay when she did something dangerous has been more and more for something other than selfish reasons.’

‘Yes… I think I’ll put my plans on indefinite hold for now.’ Oskar thought with a small unsure smile. ‘But I’ll still work towards getting stronger, Ponyville is fairly safe but there are still rather powerful creatures wandering around. And as long as I lay low and do nothing conspicuous those guards around Everfree have no chance of finding me.’

As Oskar crossed a street intersection she spotted a crowd of ponies out of the corner of her eye. curiosity peaked the Blacklight being walked towards the crowd.

As the Evolved made her way into the crowd to the front Oskar noticed that everyone seemed to be surrounding the mouth of an alleyway. When she arrived at the front of the crowd, Oskar came to an interesting sight.

It was a griffin. A griffin wearing a hooded green cloak and had chestnut brown feathers specked with yellow spots, his down like fur seemed to be an orange brown.

The hooded griffin was very pointedly ignoring the gawking and pointing ponies near him to focus all his attention on a spot on the ground near a wall. He scratched at the ground, bringing up bits of dirt to study and smell.

Suddenly Oskar remembered that the very spot the griffin was studying happened to be one of the few she used to change into an animal form before making for Everfree. The Evolved fought to keep her expression that of curious staring like the others around her as her survival instincts flared up in alarm.

Carefully Oskar mimed growing bored and wandering away but inwardly she was feeling rather troubled.

‘Okay calm down.’ The virus told herself. ‘That might not mean anything, the spot that griffin is looking at could just be a coincidence… okay I’m not convincing anyone, let alone myself. What the hell is he doing there?! Is he tracking me? Do his superiors know about me? Do they have a plan and are just setting the perimeters? I know nothing… but he knows… I NEED to know what he knows!’

With that the Evolved made way for a quiet spot as quickly yet as discreetly as possible.

A few short minutes later and Oskar was in his default form on the border of Everfree, he currently didn’t need to worry about any Royal Guard patrols as the next border patrol was half an hour away at the very least.

Going to the Everfree border was a bit of a gamble on Oskar’s part. There was no way he could know if the griffin in town was going to go to Everfree or even be close enough to the ground for him to catch. However Oskar also had considered a few things he knew about the griffins here in Equestria. Most of the sightings Oskar had of the griffins was over Everfree, so that meant they had to have a base of operations either very near or in Everfree. Which meant that if the griffin in town flew somewhere else Oskar would only need to wait for him to come back, and in the event that the griffin was too high for Oskar to catch that meant the Evolved would simply need to follow him to his base.

A few more minutes and Oskar spotted the griffin flying away into the air above the town and immediately fly towards Everfree, and unless he suddenly decided to gain altitude he would definitely be in reach of the Evolved.

As the cloaked griffin approached Oskar shifted an arm into a whipfist and focused on him. As he flew into grabbing distance Oskar sent out a viral sonar which caused the griffin to lash yellow to the virus’ eyes and ultimately seal his fate.

The bucket hatted Evolved quickly tensed up his whipfist before shooting off the harpoon. The harpoon crossed the distance between Oskar and the griffin in a fraction of a second. The hooded griffin was able to release a short shout before the harpoon pierced through his chest, his heart, and out through his spine.

Oskar quickly reeled his harpoon in and smashed the body into himself, quickly absorbing it. Grasping his head Oskar closed his eyes and began taking in the memories.

A name briefly flashed through his mind, Morgoth Dak. Oskar quickly ignored that and began searching for recent memories. Images and sounds flashed through the Evolved’s mind, patrol routes, orders, reports, discussions of tracking techniques, gathering evidence, a vague idea of what they were tracking.

Several long moments followed, the air filled with Oskar’s light muttering. Finally his eyes opened, revealing his panic before his expression cleared and his gaze became totally neutral.

‘I’m being tracked.’ The Evolved’s thought. ‘This griffin, this Prince Bergren has come to hunt down his daughter. But after his hunters followed her trail to the cave she was in he changed his mission from that of recovery to vengeance. They only have guesses but those “Rangers” of his are almost scarily competent, they’ve been able to figure out I’m some sort of shape shifter and that I somehow consume those I hunt in order to become them. They’ve been managing to shrink their search areas by looking for my deep footprints, my own weight betrayed me. By now they’ve ascertained that I’m in Ponyville from the fresh tracks they find there. The only reason they haven’t tracked me to Twilight’s library is because they’re trying to keep a low profile from the ponies and the hoof prints get quickly worn away on the roads. But they are going to abandon that plan soon enough, they’ll soon bring in ponies to not only question but inform them of the danger. Using these questioning sessions they’ll build a profile of ponies that live in Ponyville and display suspicious behavior, they’ll also ask about ponies who’ve moved in, in the last few months. There are only two people that have moved to Ponyville in that time, me and Zecora. I have to act NOW.’

Quickly shifting into the form of a rabbit, Oskar bounded towards the center of the griffin operations.

‘I need to see their basecamp for myself before I plan anything.’ The Evolved thought. ‘I’d rather now depend on second hand information.’

ETA

‘Let’s see here…’ Oskar pondered as he peeked out of a bush in his rabbit form. ‘ The area is divided into nine sectors, Sentries with overlapping fields of vision, tight patrol patterns all in shouting distance of one other one at all times, strategically placed lanterns, at least three air patrols over each sector, the cave HQ in the central sector is protected by a small wooden heavily manned castle that takes advantage of the fact the entire garrison can fly, The forest around the castle has also been cleared away to about twenty metres, four squads of griffins are constantly patrolling that perimeter and they are always in view of the castle as well as another squad, the sky over the central sector is also fairly crowded with air units… this should be easy enough.’ With that Oskar ducked deeper into the bush and slowly made his way back to Ponyville. ‘The memories from that griffin I consumed say Prince Bergren brought with him about two hundred and eighty Anvil Knights as well as twenty of his clan’s finest Rangers, seems fairly accurate from what I’ve seen. Should I delve deeper into Gilda’s and Morgoth’s memories? Hmm… no, I’m fairly certain I’ve gotten everything I need. Right, I'll just head back to Twilight’s home and form a plan of attack on this base, it’ll be just like old times.’

As the Evolved reached the perimeter of the outer sectors he suddenly seethed in anger from something he realized.

‘This is entirely my fault…’ Oskar seethed. ‘I should have been taking tabs of those units guarding Everfree, gathering intel! Instead I was busy with town festivals and participating in games! I would have known about this situation long before it became a problem! I… I fooled myself into thinking that I of all people could actually settle down, to live in peace. Well no more! After this is over I’ll get my magic squared away and I’ll immediately get to work on my fourth objective. But now I need to focus…’

‘It’ll not take a group as professional as them long to be put into high alert from a missing Ranger.’ The virus. ‘I NEED to attack tomorrow night. There will be definite consequences to killing a high ranking foreign noble and his entire company of elite soldiers but the consequences for letting him be will be far higher for me. Right, let's head home, busy day tomorrow.’

With that Oskar picked up speed a little to head home to work out his battle plan, for the next day would seal the fates of many.

TBC

AN: This chapter makes me nervous! ^_^” A few things feel iffy to me and I can’t help but feel I may have rushed it near the end. Oh well I can only hope that you guys like it! I also managed to make this chapter longer than the last and I definitely thought I wouldn’t be able to.

Chapter 7: Wounded

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Oskar hummed a tune as she opened the oven to peek in on the chocolate cupcakes. It is late in the afternoon and Oskar is currently in Twilight’s kitchen cooking up a couple dozen cupcakes. This very night she was going to head into the Everfree to attack and hopefully annihilate the company of griffins that were tracking her. But despite the dark intent of her future actions she felt very calm, even a little content.

‘I always did love to bake.’ Oskar thought to herself as she hummed the lyrics to a lullaby her mother used to sing to her, Fola Fola Dobbin. ‘It never fails to make me feel so calm and tranquil… Okay enough of that, the cupcakes will be done soon.’

‘The last time I went into Everfree Twilight followed me, I must keep that from happening again.’ Oskar thought as she took out a tray of cupcakes. ‘So I’ll just make sure she doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night along with everyone else in this house. Simple enough… except for Spike, he is an unknown.’

‘Well, not that much of an unknown anymore.’ Oskar placed the tray on the counter where she proceeded to fan them with an oven mitt. ‘I have his genes and from feeling out the sequence I’m fairly sure he should be vulnerable to my arsenal of sedatives.’

‘Although…’ After a few moments the virus determined the cupcakes cooled enough and levitated over a mixing bowl full of french vanilla icing. ‘There were a couple genes I was unable to identify. I know they aren’t just junk genes, they serve a purpose but what? Hmm… I guess I’ll just have to wait for another dragon to appear and consume him completely, then I’ll have everything I need to know about dragons.’

Oskar put the icing bowl down and studied her work. Each cupcake filled out their cups completely, not a single one was lacking or overflowing. The vanilla icing covering each one was also expertly applied, so much so they all looked factory made in symmetry. The sight and smell was enough to make Oskar’s mouth water and give in to an impulse to have one of her creations.

‘Mmmm… ready for purchase!’ Oskar thought in satisfaction after taking a bite before becoming serious. ‘They all need a special ingredient first before I hand them out though.’

Popping the rest of the cupcake into her mouth the Evolved proceeded to extend a tendril from her hoof and reach towards the cupcakes. The tendril sank through the paper cups of the little cakes and injected a fluid into each one before retreating back into Oskar.

‘My own special concoction.’ Oskar thought. ‘It’ll put Twilight out like a light and keep her that way for eight hours… give or take. Though there is still the issue with Spike, there is little to no information on Dragons in the books and Silver Light encountered dragons very rarely in his career. BUT, I still have the little guy’s genome and from what I can tell he should be susceptible to this as well, speaking of which…’

The virus took hold of the tray of cupcakes magically and proceeded on her way to the library. ‘I can’t recognize a few genes in his genome, those are probably abilities he naturally has as a dragon… I think. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to toss out geneticist knowledge in favour of making my own when it comes to Equestrian genes. At least the basic high school stuff still works… I think… my brain hurts.’

Opening the door to the library Oskar walked in and was met with the sight of the mess it was in. Stacks of books were everywhere, spare bits of parchment, half-filled and empty inkwells and broken quills covered every flat surface. And in the center of it all was Twilight, sitting at the circular table, surrounded by book stacks while reading and blazing through research notes. Spike was there as well, half frantic with his attempts to bring Twilight what she wanted. Navi darted to and through in the air, wearing a pair of librarian glasses, serenely and happily carrying books to Twilight though most of them weren’t the right ones.

“Hey guys!” Oskar greeted everyone cheerfully. “Got time for some snacks?”

“Oh definitely!” Spike declared enthusiastically, dropping what he was doing to approach the fake unicorn.

“Hm?” Twilight looked up from her intense studying and only then noticed the smell filling the air. “Oh that smells delicious Emerald! Mmm… maybe a few study snacks are called for.”

“Thank guys!” Oskar replied with a smile, genuinely happy that Spike and Twilight liked her baking. It was the only skill she could actually call hers after all, everything else she was skilled at was either stolen or tainted by memories from another person.

Oskar stepped forward and cleared an area on the table for the tray with her magic. She was setting down the cupcakes when she heard an excited trill from right above her ear. Glancing up the virus saw Navi perched on her preferred spot on the tip of her ear again, licking her lips and staring longingly at the little cakes. A thought occurred to Oskar and the Evolved took a moment to mull it over before nodding.

“Would you like to have some too Navi?” Oskar asked to which Navi answered with excited happy hopping. “Well okay I’ll give you a piece too, but not too much okay?”

Waiting until she got an obedient nod from the little bug Oskar took a cupcake as Spike and Twilight some as well. The virus pulled out a good portioned chunk from the cupcake with her magic as everyone else dug into the treats.

“Here you go, Navi, remember to chew now!” Oskar said a little sternly before levitating the piece to the madly hopping little insect. Listening to Oskar’s instruction Navi took the piece and began to savour it by chewing slowly and biting small pieces and not simply swallowing the treat whole like other Parasprites would.

Knowing she wouldn’t be affected by her own chemical Oskar started eating the cupcake she took a chunk out of for Navi. The Evolved nonchalantly watched as Twilight, Spike and Navi ate their treats with glee, expectantly watching for effects of drowsiness.

“Mmmm!” Twilight gave a little delighted moan after finishing off a third cupcake. “This is so good! I know it’s impossible but I think you got the wrong cutie mark Emerald.”

“Definitely!” Spike said, licking his lips and patting his stomach contentedly after eating seven of the little cakes. “I can only imagine how much better you are at your true talent!”

“Thank you!” Oskar replied, unable to keep down a bright smile.

“Well snack time is over, Spike could yo- haaaa…” Twilight began before interrupting herself with a yawn. “Oh my, I feel so drowsy all of a sudden.”

“Yeah… me too…” Spike agreed, rubbing his already bleary looking eyes.

Navi yawned and lighted down on Oskar’s mane as said virus studied the other two. Twilight was well on her way to falling asleep and Spike seemed even closer to doing so, likely due to his smaller size and the fact he ate quite a few drugged cupcakes.

“Well maybe we should end this session early?” Oskar suggested as she stepped beside Twilight as she became drowsier.

“Yeah… I think I got… what I needed anyway, oh!” Twilight said between yawns. “I think I overdid it… with the late nights…”

“Yep, come on you guys, into bed now.” Oskar said as she gave a little nudge to Twilight.

“Yeah… I’ll just… meh…” Spike began only to devolve into unintelligible muttering as he staggered off towards his bed.

“Ohhhh… why do I have so many stairs?” Twilight asked despairing as she looked up the staircase leading to the second floor and the master bedroom. “Too tired to teleport…”

“It’s okay, here mount up.” Oskar said as she gently levitated the near deliriously drowsy unicorn onto her back.

“Thank you Emerald and I’m sorry about this, I don’t know what’s come over me.” Twilight muttered, tiredly draping herself over Oskar’s back like some half coherent blanket. “One moment… I’m fine and the next… I feel like I could just fall over… and sleep anywhere.”

“It’s alright you’re not really that heavy anyways.” Oskar replied as she effortlessly ascended the stairs. “Like you said, maybe you just overdid it with the late nights?”

“Maybe…” Twilight responded as they reached the top and entered the bedroom. “Teach me to… to try to mimic your… sleeping habits…”

“Come on now, beds just right there.” The virus stated once again levitating the now very limp and barely conscious unicorn.

“Ohhh that feels heavenly…” Twilight stated happily before instantly falling asleep on her bed.

Oskar smiled at the sight of Twilight sprawled over her bed for a moment before moving the unicorn around a bit with her magic. Making it so that her head was comfortably on the pillows, Oskar also pulled up the blanket from beneath the sleeping unicorn to gently cover her up. Giving another smile to the peacefully sleeping studious mare, Oskar was about to leave the room when a small high pitched snore reminded her of someone.

The virus walked over to her own bed or specifically the table beside the bed. On the bedside table was a match box holding several sheets and tiny cushions, Navi’s bed. Levitating the little bug from atop her head Oskar gently laid her down in her bed before digging in the table drawer a moment. Finding what she was looking for, the virus closed the drawer and brought up a tiny little green sleeping cap. With a sly smile Oskar gently removed the glasses Navi was wearing and placed the sleeping cap atop her head. Stepping back to admire the look a little, Oskar then turned around to leave the room.

Just before exiting the door Oskar looked over her shoulder at the two people sleeping peacefully in their beds. She smiled again but this time it was more forced and very grim looking as she took in the two sleeping. Finally she turned away and proceeded down the stairs, unaware of a pair of sleepy twinkling green eyes that watched her go.

ALPHA

‘It’s time…’ Oskar thought grimly as he shifted back into his default form.

The virus was now back in Everfree, in his old base of operations to be exact. The very place he had created his pony form, Emerald Gleaner. Oskar knew that the griffins knew about this place but it had been months since he had been here so it was actually the safest place to prepare for the battle ahead than anywhere else in Everfree.

Oskar kneeled down to stare at his reflection in the water, he had spent the past several months almost entirely as Emerald Gleaner so seeing his human face staring back at him in a reflection felt… odd. Shaking his head clear, the Evolved refocused his mind on the task at hand, whilst still keeping his attention on his reflection.

‘First things first.’ The virus began. ‘I need a counter for their tracking techniques. The only thing they really have going for themselves is my extra deep footprints as my scent is nearly non-existent. Normally I wouldn’t really have a solution for this, only workarounds BUT now that I possess magic and average control that is no longer the case now is it? However I need a horn in order to channel magic which isn’t really an issue either actually.’

With that Oskar concentrated and watched as his reflection suddenly gained a pure white unicorn horn on its head in a small flurry of tendrils. The Evolved lifted his bucket hat to gain a clearer view of the new appendage and studied himself for a moment or two. He frowned when he was done and an instant later there was another small surge of tendrils upon his forehead. When the tendrils were done a pair of black spike like horns replaced the singular white one on his forehead.

‘Might as well be both symmetric and symbolic…’ Oskar thought darkly as he pulled his bucket hat back down, covering up his new horns. ‘Let’s make sure I can use these before I do anything else.’

The Evolved turned away from the pond to the scenery around him. His eyes searched around before finally landing on a small boulder.

Suddenly a crimson light emitted from just beneath Oskar’s hat and the boulder was enshrouded by a sanguine magical aura. The rock quickly shot up from its partially buried position and rapidly moved about in the air before the aura surrounding it faded, letting it fall to the ground with a dull thud.

‘As expected, magic can still be used as long as I have a means of channeling it.’ Oskar thought, turning his attention back to the pond and his reflection. ‘Hmm… I can’t help but feel I can improve upon this though… experimentation will have to wait as I really don’t have the time and this isn’t the place. Besides I can work with what I got, which is rather substantial. Now onto the matter at hand…’

Oskar sat down in a cross-legged position on the shore beside the pond, head resting on his hands as he pondered. ‘To counter the griffin’s tracking me I will need to use my magic, by exerting my pegasus circuits beyond what I normally do I can further enhance the lightening ability. However lightening myself to the point where my prints are normal looking, depth wise will be a considerable drain… no problem. I’m not going to rely on skills not yet mastered in combat so I will simply pour everything into keeping myself light and rely on my other abilities for fighting the griffins. I will need to make this as quick as possible though, my magical reserves are massive now thanks to Twilight and my control has improved greatly but even then I’ll still end up uselessly exhausted before long if I’m not careful. KEEP THAT IN MIND, REMEMBER IT.’ The Evolved told himself. ‘Right I’m losing moonlight here, let’s get lightened up and move out.’

The Evolved concentrated on his magic, bringing forth a surge of magic from the circuits located in his shoulders through his new horns. After that he then took a few steps and turned around to see that he had left no footprints on the ground.

‘As I thought, the drain is not insubstantial.’ Oskar pondered. ‘I should try to eliminate the rangers as fast as possible so covering my tracks won’t be a priority in the coming fight. Anyways, it’s time.’

With that the Cadre Evolved set forth towards the griffin base camp.

BETA

“Any word yet?” Bergren asked the rangers entering the cave.

Prince Bergren was currently within the very cave that Gilda had met her end in. The interior had been slightly refurnished, a few hay bedrolls laid here and there and a makeshift fireplace blazed in the background. There was also a large wooden table that seemed to have been recently made judging from the odd leaf poking here and there, on this table were many, many maps covered with marks and runic writing. The Prince and a few of his rangers were gathered around this table, having apparently been in the middle of a meeting.

“No my Prince.” One of the Rangers answered. “Talon nor tail feather of Morgoth has been seen since his mission to take account of recent tracks in Ponyville. I and my fellow Rangers agree that this is a bad omen.”

Bergren took a deep breath, giving a glare at Ponyville on a map that by all rights should have made a small burning hole. “It appears we have finally made contact with our quarry and paid a most grave price for it. But make no mistake Rangers of House Stormclaw, we shall reap terrible vengeance upon the beast we hunt. Morgoth Dak’s death must not go in vain.”

“And a grand hunt it shall be!” Declared a large Ranger with puffy gray feathers specked with black which was overflowing his tunic and sticking out everywhere. “The young lad sits with his ancestors now, cheering us on to fell this violent beast!”

“I’m so glad you are eager about this Ake.” Mumbled a Ranger who had crimson feathers visible under his cloak.

“Ever the grumbler Konrad!” Ake chortled in reply. “You’ll be grayer than me at this rate!”

“My Lord please forgive my rudeness but I don’t see why we should be keeping our hunt a secret from our hosts.” Konrad stated towards the griffin Prince. “The very moment we found out the beast no longer resided in the Everfree but in a town outside it, should have been when we informed Princess Celestia. What we are hunting is obviously not normal from the reported carcasses it had left in its wake months ago, and from the size of said carcasses we can guess it is quite formidable. I suggest that we continue our hunt but get as many pony Royal Guar-”

“I will hear no more talk of asking Celestia for help in this.” Bergren said firmly. “Some of the Principalities’ finest trackers and warriors are here in this very forest, surely we are enough to fell one foul monster?”

“My Lord please be reasonable!” Konrad implored the brooding griffin. “I know you have lost family to our quarry but you should not let that cloud your mind and narrow your foresight! We could have the mightiest warriors and the greatest hunters in the entire world but without proper preparation it will all be for-”

“ENOUGH…” Bergren growled, his piercing furious black eyes staring down Konrad until said griffin bowed his head apologetically and backed a few steps from the table. “Now then if there are no more issues we must return to the task before us. With Morgoth’s loss we have finally nailed down the position of our prey. We have made plans in case our assumptions about Ponyville were correct but now that they are, I believe we should refine those plans before using them.”

“If you wish to keep secrecy my Lord then we may have to abandon the idea of informing certain residents of the town.” Stated a Ranger. “All it would take is one pair of loose lips and not only would our quarry find out about us but Celestia as well. I suggest that…”

As Bergren and his Rangers planned, a patrol of Anvil Knights among many was going along its assigned route. This squad of griffins wore polished bronze plate armor and chainmail worn underneath, they also wore helms with chainmail coifs attached that also extended a plate over the top of the beak. The armor was standard for the Anvil Knights and was covered in engraved symbols of storm clouds, ancient griffin warriors and mountains with shining cities sitting atop them.

As the patrol of griffins moved along their route they couldn’t help but let their senses dull and give simple scans of their surroundings, having patrolled this area and route for so long that even their experience and professionalism gave in to some complacency. To a pair of predatory eyes the griffin in the rear guard glowed yellow.

“Maybe it’s territorial? We should just-” Ake begin when distant screaming was heard which was quickly followed by a dull boom.

“Move.” Bergren commanded and everyone in the cave quickly ran for the entrance.

Arriving outside Bergren and the group of nineteen Rangers quickly took to the sky. They stopped at about sixty feet up in the air where they were able to see an area crawling with knights and swarming the air overhead. Before long a Knight from the crowded area quickly made his way towards the group.

“Report.” Bergren stated when the Knight was close.

“My Prince there was an attack, we’ve lost an entire squad to something.” The Knight stated calmly, though his eyes were wide with alarm. “The entire squad was brutalised, there is blood and… what we can only assume to be gore all over the scene.”

“It appears it has finally come to us.” Bergren stated, turning to face his griffins. “The beast has decided to preemptively attack us instead of waiting for us to make the next move. No matter, Rangers you all do not need me to tell you what you need to do.”

“Of course Lord Bergren.” Konrad nodded. “Come, we must investigate the scene of the attack so that we-”

Suddenly the groups’ attention was drawn by shouts of alarm. Bergren and his Rangers were just quick enough to see several flying Knights drop lifelessly out of the sky and below the canopy, which was quickly followed by another dull boom and a long snake-like shape suddenly bursting from the forest floor, shooting up into the air for some distance before falling back down.

“Go, move!” Bergren commanded, leading the charge of Rangers as they made way for the scene of the newest attack.

It was a gut churning scene that Bergren, his Ranger and a couple of squads of Knights arrived at. The bodies of ten griffins laid across a small clearing in pieces, all nearly unidentifiable. The carnage seemed to be concentrated in one small area though, as was attested by the torn up earth and the… fleshy growths extending from one spot.

Bergren strode forward to study one such growth, disgust broiling in his stomach but he kept it down as a prince had no right to portray weakness in front of those he led. Those he led however had no such restriction and despite their status as veterans a good number of them ended up throwing up, the rest looked very shallow and ill. It had to be stated that although the warriors of the Principalities got into fights and the occasional battle, none of those conflicts ever had an aftermath such as this.

“By the ancestors!” Exclaimed Konrad as he recoiled from a bloody torso he nearly stepped on. “What kind of monster could cause such… such horror?”

“Bring me one of the fallen flyers!” Ake called out to some Knights. “I want to see what brought them down!”

“Ugh… my Lord, what are your thoughts?” Swallowing down bile and walking over Konrad asked Bergren a question. “I’ve never seen anything like this… the closest I can possibly get is a spider web only… far more twisted and monstrous.”

“My thoughts mirror your’s.” The Prince stated. “I too cannot identify what this could be. Fitting this creature should have twisted mysteries. But… this growth obviously had something to do with this patrol’s demise.”

It was then that a group of three Knights returned bearing the body of one of their fallen brethren that was stricken from the skies. Bergren and Konrad walked over, joining Ake in the examination of the body.

The fallen Knight was almost completely unharmed save for the impact of hitting trees and the ground and the ivory blade sticking out from one of the eye holes in the helmet. Ake reached over and pulled out the blade carefully. The reason for the care was made quickly apparent as the ivory blade had no handle, only two points and a sharp edge all around.

“It’s made of bone…” Commented Ake as he examined the blade, tapping the side with a claw. “Hard bone… very hard. Wait a moment let me…” Ake reached within his cloak and brought out a polished dagger covered in decorative runic engravings, he then placed the bone blade edge against his dagger’s own… and very nearly cut himself when the bone sliced right through the dagger. “… that’s sharp…”

“Our armor is useless against such an edge.” Konrad stated what everyone was thinking.

Bergren gave a long hard stare at the bone blade and made a decision.

“Being up in the sky is not doing us any good.” The Prince said with a growl. “All it’s doing is giving it target practice, give the order! I want all flyers to join the ground units!”

“Yes my Lord.” A nearby Knight nodded before he raised his head to the sky and released a long piercing whistle that rapidly changed in pitch. A moment after giving it all the airborne griffins dived from the air and headed for the ground.

“Rangers, I need you to take charge of the Anvil Knights! We have already lost nearly thir-” Bergren was interrupted by another now familiar scream that was followed by an expected boom. “Forty griffins… we have nearly lost forty griffins and we have yet to face the beast in open combat… I must return to the fort, there I shall prepare my abilities for battle. I have a feeling I shall be needing them soon, I leave command in all of your capable talons.” With that pronouncement Bergren lifted off the ground but did not fly higher than the canopy, instead staying low to the ground and expertly weaving between the trees.

“I say we need to bring our forces together.” Konrad said. “We are facing something that very clearly excels in stealthily taking down its prey. So we concentrate our forces before carefully sweeping out and tracking it using the same methods as before.”

“Right, while you do that I’ll be taking Ivar, Magnus, Ove and two squads of Knights with me to investigate the newest attack.” Ake said, motioning for the said Rangers and squads of Knights to follow him.

“What?! Ake It’s too- wait don’t follow him! Come back!” Konrad began before shouting at the griffins following Ake to the site of the recent attack. “Grrrr… why isn’t anyone thinking rationally?! This isn’t like the hunts back home, Ancestors damn it all!”

“Be calm, we are with you young Konrad.” Soothed one of the many remaining Rangers.

“Well at least there’s that…” Konrad said after taking a breath. “Does everyone agree with what I said earlier? Good, let’s get organized as quickly as possible and hopefully we’ll be able to reinforce that perilous old fool before he gets himself killed.” With that the Rangers and the remaining Knights left to gather the scattered units of patrols all over the nine sectors.

It did not take long for Ake and his entourage of griffins to arrive at the scene of the attack, already there were at least two squads of Knights on the scene. It was a mirror of the last attack with the torn apart remains of the griffins, the destroyed landscape and the disturbing fleshy growths however there was one difference…

“Tracks.” Ake stated as examined an odd set of footprints leading away from the scene of the attack. “They look deep enough and from the appearance… I can say it’s in its base form right now. Right let’s follow them, Ivar get those other Knights and follow us.” The elder Ranger commanded, the other younger Ranger Ivar nodded and quickly left to gather up the Knights.

Ake, his fellow Rangers and a now forty strong force of Knights followed the tracks but all the while the Elder Ranger felt that something was wrong.

“I’ve got a bad feeling Ake…” Stated a Ranger. “Something feels very off about this…”

“I agree with your instinct, Ove.” Ake nodded as he spotted a clearing up ahead. “There is something rotten about this… I just don’t know what.”

Ake continued to study the tracks as his group followed them into the clearing. The more he looked at them the stronger the feeling of wrongness grew. As they moved into the center of the clearing two things suddenly occurred to Ake, one of which explained his feeling of wrongness and the other caused him some alarm. One was that in the attack before the one they investigated there were no tracks at all yet in this one there were tracks appearing in the open and leading away. Two was that the tracks there following were becoming shallower and shallower in depth until they faded into nothing, which caused the Elder Ranger to come to one conclusion.

‘It’s a trap.’ Ake thought in realization just as he felt a small weight appear on his back.

“A rabbit? Bold little thing to approach a carnivore like that.” Commented Ove.

Ake quickly turned his head at that and stared at the white rabbit standing on his back. The Elder Ranger noticed three things the moment he saw the rabbit. One was the surprisingly threatening predatory stare the rabbit was giving him. Two was the confident stance it had as it stood upon his back. And finally there was the small pair of spike-like black horns extending from its forehead. As he took these observations in Ake felt a great sense of finality and apathy fill his being, he had lost…

“Clever thing…” Ake complimented just as the rabbit leapt from his back and flew at his head, black and red streaks flowing off its tiny limbs.

Griffins shouted in shock as the rabbit impacted Ake like a cannonball, snapping his neck and collapsing his face instantly in a shower of blood and bone fragments. The rabbit’s momentum carried it past Ake’s destroyed head and into the air where two handleless blades appeared in its paws in a surge of tendrils. The newly generated blades looked like the bone blades seen from before, but instead of white were pitch black with a crimson sheen made clear in the moonlight.

The now blood stained rabbit turned midair and with a flick of its little paws sent the blades flying into the group of Knights. Two Knights were hit with resounding thuds, the blades stuck out of their chests for a brief moment before disappearing into the wound they opened in a quick swell of tendrils. The wounded Knights began screaming loudly in sure mind breaking agony as a self-destructive virus quickly filled their veins before finally reaching critical mass. With a final scream of pain filled despair the two infected Knights reared up on their hind legs and reached up to the sky with their forelegs… then they exploded.

Massive tendrils shot out from the infected Knights, quickly latching onto trees, the ground and several other Knights before finally pulling back in. Trees, bits of ground and several Knights were pulled into a point where they were destroyed in a swell of kinetic force and bio matter, a crushing wave of pure force expanded out from the two points of destruction, causing the deaths of many more Knights who were unfortunate enough to be too close by rupturing their internal organs and tenderising flesh in an instant. More Knights still were affected by the explosions, rendered dazed and near useless as they stumbled about in confusion. And they weren’t the only ones, with half the force being annihilated or crippled in a near instant the rest of the Knights and Rangers were left scattered and confused about the impromptu battlefield. What followed next was an utterly merciless massacre.

Ove died in confusion as a rabbit with foot long gleaming claws coming out of its paws sliced his head open in a spray of blood and gray matter. Ivar closely followed his compatriot though he had quickly regained sense of his surroundings, his death mirrored Ake’s when the rabbit leapt into the air and suddenly shot towards him trailing tendrils of black and red and giving a skull smashing head butt. The last living Ranger in the group, Magnus was definitely prepared by the time the Rabbit launched at him. The Ranger managed to sidestep the bloody white blur as it sailed past him, though a deep gash sliced into his shoulder despite the dodge. With a growl Magnus withdrew his dagger and stabbed at the rabbit which didn’t even bother to dodge or block. The Ranger felt like he had just attempted to stab into a block of solid steel before he was quickly impaled upon the rabbit’s claws. The blood thirsty bunny wasted no time and quickly delivered a crushing kick to Magnus, sending the rapidly fading Ranger flying into a Knight with bone crushing force.

By this time the rest of the Knights had recovered from the confusion caused by the ambush and were now surrounding the lethal rabbit with the intent to overwhelm and outmaneuver. The rabbit didn’t pay their strategy any mind however and just leapt forward into the thickest grouping of them. The Knights lashed with sword and talon but when the few times their blows actually landed it felt like they were striking steel instead of flesh.

The rabbit was a blur of motion and spinning blades as it leapt through the air, its every movement ending in the brutal death of a griffin being sliced or smashed open. Before long there was only one.

“Hurk!” A Knight croaked out as claws impaled his chest, a moment later the deadly bunny withdrew a claw and quickly decapitated the griffin.

Pausing for a brief moment the rabbit took stock of its surroundings before releasing a snort.

‘Beware the Rabbit of Caerbannog’ Oskar quipped, unable to hold back the impulse, before quickly bounding into the underbrush.

‘It’s not been too bad so far, they don’t really seem to have anything that could hurt me, this night might go more or less uneventfully.’ The Evolved thought as he carefully moved through the forest, searching for more patrols to ambush. ‘I’m still waiting for the other foot to drop though, good chance this might be an easy mission but always a good habit to be alert and prepared… hmm, storm coming in.’ The Evolved noted as black clouds began to gather overhead and a rumble of thunder resounded in the air.

‘Strange… that fight was fairly loud, there should be griffins swarming towards the place.’ Oskar noted as he studied the silence of the forest. ‘Hmm… they must be adjusting their tactics. Let’s see if I can ambush one more squad before I change tactics too.’

Oskar moved through the underbrush dodging lanterns, only moving in the open when he was sure no one was about. Within a few moments the Evolved’s powerful ears could just pick up the sound of another patrol moving through the woods.

Still in the form of a rabbit, Oskar carefully peered out from some bushes and spied the griffin patrol. They were all alert and moving as quietly through the woods as their heavy armor allowed them. Oskar was about generate another of his ranged bio bombs when a Ranger came slinking out of the brush.

“I’ve come with new orders, your squad is to return to the wood fort and await further instructions.” The Ranger told the apparent captain of that squad of Knights.

“Understood, we will return immediately.” The Captain nodded.

‘What a coincidence, a Ranger bearing important information.’ The virus remarked lightly before generating a bio spike and sending it flying at a Knight furthest away from the Ranger.

Just as before the Knight started screaming in agony from the virus flooding his system. And just like the times he had ambushed a patrol before, it was their own training that killed them the quickest. Eight Knights quickly formed a protective circle around the agonized one while their Captain attempted to aid said afflicted griffin, this action sealed their fate. The bio bomb went off, slaughtering the griffin patrol in an instant but just as Oskar had hoped the Ranger was in one piece. The Ranger had been far enough away to not be pulled in by the bio bomb or be pulverised by the kinetic blast wave, but he had been close enough to be sent flying and suffer a number of internal injuries.

The virus leapt into the air and propelled himself forward with a small burst of biomass, quickly bringing himself over the dazed and injured Ranger. Oskar stopped the flow of pegasus magic to his horn and regained his immense weight in an instant before he impacted the griffin. There was nearly no resistance, the virus’ bunny form just sunk into and through the chest of the griffin and into the ground underneath him, sending up a spray of blood and staining the ground.

Tendrils extended from Oskar’s small form and quickly consumed the Ranger’s corpse, leaving only the blood stained ground and the hole the virus was partly buried in.

‘Okay let’s see what we have here.’ The Evolved thought as he began examining pertinent memories.

A flood of memories flowed into Oskar’s mind, he ignored a mass majority of them and shunted them off into the corner of his mind. A memory came forward, bright and colorful from the recentness of its creation. Locations of the various griffins appeared before him, the memory was about to go into focus about Bergren in the wood fort when Oskar ended it and searched for info about the griffins gathering in front of the fort. Another memory came forward, this one too was bright and colorful, and it showed Oskar images of a griffin named Konrad who was now reorganizing the remaining Knights in order to effectively counter Oskar’s ambush tactics.

‘Hmm… I believe now is the time to go loud, well louder then I’m being now anyways.’ The virus thought as he pulled himself out of the memories. ‘I’ve managed to kill nearly a third of them with ambushes before needing to alter strategy, not too bad. And their commander Bergren is hiding out in the fort from the action, typical officer even here. Right, let's scope out the battleground before diving in.’ With that Oskar bounded back into the underbrush, heading into the central sector where the wood fort was. ‘… at least I get to stop using my magic, I’m feeling so drained…’

The Rangers and Knights appeared to be very efficient at their jobs as Oskar did not hear nor encounter any patrols on his way to the wood fort. Coming to a stop in some thick bushes Oskar shifted into his default form and gazed out at the crowd of griffins with his powerful eyes.

It seemed all the remaining Knights had arrived by now and were scattered all over the artificial clearing, however a few moments of study revealed that the “formation” wasn’t as haphazard as it appeared. There was some wondering about but it was very clear that the Knights were purposefully keeping distance from each other. The Evolved was curious at this development until he spied a group of Rangers holding a conversation with each other, the rest standing a ways off and scanning their surroundings intently. Oskar concentrated on his hearing to further boost his already impressive ears.

“… the foot prints?” Oskar managed to make out against substantial background noise.

“We examined all of them, all the Knights’ prints have the right depth for their weight.” A Ranger Oskar identified as Konrad replied.

“The Knights are wondering about the formation but are doing as told.” A different Ranger stated.

“It’s a guess but I believe the beast is using some sort of explosive to ambush us.” The first Ranger said. “I had the Knights take up a scattered formation to minimize losses should it attack us.”

“How should we begin hunting the beast?” A Ranger asked.

‘Alright they are still somewhat unorganized and currently busy trying to form a plan of attack against me.’ Oskar thought as he ended the flow of pegasus magic to his horns. ‘I hate attacking out in the open but the advantage appears to be totally on my side, even so best be prepared to run if need be.’

Tendrils surged forth and covered the Evolved’s arms before just as quickly withdrawing to reveal a pair of hammerfists ready to be used. Oskar took a few steps back before sprinting forward and leaping into the air. There were several shouts of alarm as griffins spotted the virus flying out of the forest canopy but by then it was too late. In mid-air Oskar swung his hammerfists towards the ground, causing him to not only change trajectory but increase in velocity greatly.

The Evolved smashed through a Knight, pulping him in an instant and crashed into the ground with immense force. A second after impact hundreds of spikes stabbed up suddenly from the ground fifteen meters in all directions, adding several more Knights to the initial death toll.

Oskar’s impact with the ground had kicked up a large cloud of dust that impaired his vision as well as the griffins and was quick to jump out of it. While in the air from his jump the virus rapidly generated bio spikes in each hard and flung them with expert precision. He generated two more spikes and sent them flying as well when he landed on the ground.

As the bio spikes did their deadly work and caused chaos amongst the Knights, Oskar charged forward with only his fists at the nearest group of Knights.

‘Got to draw them in.’ The Evolved thought as he dodged a sword slash and grabbed the offending griffin by the neck, snapping said neck in an instant and sending the body flying with crushing force at some other griffins. ‘Set them up for a clearing longshot sweep.’

Oskar twisted around and caught the forearm of a griffin as he attempted to strike at the virus from the behind. Gripping the offending limb with his right hand Oskar stuck out his left and gave a sharp tug, pulling the griffin head first into his palm and breaking his neck with the impact. Letting the griffin flop to the ground, Oskar turned and targeted another Knight.

The Evolved shot forward like a cannonball, streaks of red and black flying off his form as he sailed towards a griffon. The virus impacted his target with a sickening crunch, the sound of countless bones breaking sounding deafening in his ear for a brief moment.

Oskar rolled to a stop before another griffin, his fist lashed out and crushed the Knight’s ribcage before he could react. The virus turned as he rose, catching another attempt to hit his blind spot. Gripping tightly onto the arm Oskar lashed out with a kick, both sending Knight flying and ripping the arm clear away.

The Evolved looked all around himself, he was now completely surrounded, just as he wanted. Anvil Knights along with the few Rangers stood all around him, either preparing to charge or preparing for his charge. In the end it didn’t matter though.

Oskar morphed both his arms into whipfists but he didn’t stop there. Tendrils surged and twisted a moment longer on his weapons before suddenly the long length appeared to have slackened before dropping the razor sharp harpoon-like heads into the ground.

‘Whipfists, Longshot edition.’ Oskar thought before tensing and suddenly spinning on the spot. The long bladed whips tore into the ground for a brief moment before Oskar’s spinning picked up enough momentum, and then the carnage began and ended in a mere moment.

Contrary to its namesake the Longshot whipfist had worse range then the unaltered whipfist when it came to shooting the harpoon and its length was so great that it couldn’t be coiled up, leaving it dragging on the ground and needing momentum to be used effectively. These drawbacks aside however the Longshot was the perfect room clearer.

Creating two spiral trenches in the ground as they dragged, the long whips lifted off the ground and finally extended to their full length in a moment. The knights and rangers had nearly no time to react, only a mere handful managed to lift off before the whips did their deadly work. Thanks to Spike’s DNA all of Oskar’s bladed weapons had an edge sharp enough to easily cut into gemstones , which meant the Knights might as well have been wearing tinfoil for armor for all the good it did.

Veterans of many hunts and Dragon incursions the Knights and Rangers, the Griffin Principalities’ finest, could not help but stare in horror at the carnage wrought in one moment. One second well over a hundred griffins stood in proud defiance against the beast they were hunting, the next nearly all of them were in two pieces on the ground, staining it crimson with viscera and blood.

‘And that brings them down to forty.’ Oskar noted with a glance. ‘This should be over fairly soon, provided nothing catastrophic happens I should be home several hours before sunrise… and now I know something is going to go wrong because I just had to mention something going wrong.’ Sighing openly as he morphed a pair of claws, the virus leapt back into the fray.

Oskar had to admit, these griffins were impressive. They didn’t have Blackwatch’s experience handling viral outbreaks or their technology but they had that near unbreakable dedication said black ops organization had… well had had, Blackwatch was pretty much a shadow of its former self by the time Mercer died.

‘Still, their dedication is impressive all the same.’ The Evolved complimented lightly as he disemboweled a Ranger and decapitated a Knight with a kick powerful enough to tear a hole in a tank. ‘They can see that their blades are having no effect the few times they actually manage to hit me, oh they are scared though, that look in their eyes is all too familiar. But they’re not letting fear stop them in at least attempting to fulfil their duty… actually now that I think about it this is rather stupid, I’d retreat if I met an enemy I couldn’t fight … they aren’t idiots though so why are they still- ahhh!’

Oskar stumbled forward as he was hit in the head with a small boulder that was at least a hundred pounds… not that it meant anything, Oskar could be hit with far worse and barely get a scratch. The sudden impact was enough to knock him off balance though and knock him out of his musing.

‘I deserved that! I got distracted, it’s not going to happen again.’ Oskar thought, rubbing his head and turning to face his airborne attacker. It was a rather large Knight, all of the Knights were muscular by default but this was particularly large. Nevertheless he was still only flesh and bone.

Oskar outstretched a hand and rapidly formed an ivory white blade without a handle. The Evolved flung the bone blade forward with incredible speed. Barely a visible white blur the blade ripped through the griffin’s chest plate like it wasn’t there and sunk deeply into his chest. Oskar didn’t spare a single moment, darting back to tearing apart griffins with his claws the moment the blade left his hand.

Oskar let loose, there were far fewer griffins now and the remaining ones didn’t want to retreat for some reason so he, for the moment, didn’t have to worry about tracking down stragglers. Armor and flesh parted before the virus’ claws like they weren’t there, staining the ground crimson.

The Bucket Hatted Evolved charged one final Ranger, his arm pulled back for the hardest punch he could muster. The Ranger was unable to dodge Oskar as despite the short distance the Evolved had quickly accelerated to incredible speeds. Tendrils writhed around the Evolved’s raised arm as it shot forward, impacting the griffin in a split second. In one moment the Ranger ceased to exist, so great was the amount of force in Oskar’s blow that he exploded on contact, spraying his pulped innards everywhere.

Oskar skidded to a stop, his head turning this way and that for a new target. There wasn’t one. Everywhere he looked was the eviscerated remains of the griffin company. The ground was soggy with blood and organs, the smell of viscera was suffocating in its strength.

‘It looks like one of Mercer’s other psychopaths was just through here.’ Oskar frowned as he studied his surroundings. ‘Well when Alex Mercer wanted a group or a base attacked he usually got one of his more bloodthirsty Evolved to do it. I was the one to handle the subtle missions, mostly because I wasn’t likely to just get impatient and kill everyone. It's sights like this that make me glad I never really got called to do the dirty jobs very often.’

A sudden loud rumble of thunder attracted Oskar’s attention upwards. The storm the virus had spotted earlier was growing stronger but… there was something strange going on. Oskar’s improved night vision allowed him to spot where the storm clouds ended in the dead of night and what he saw bemused him. The storm was unnaturally small and seemed to be centered on one location…

‘Something’s happening.’ Oskar thought as he turned to face the wood fort. ‘I can guess that this isn’t a good sign, better end it as quickly as possible.’

Sending out a quick viral pulse to get a fix of Bergren’s location, Oskar then did a quick calculation in his head before leaping forward. Sailing just over the wall of the fort Oskar saw Bergren sitting on the ground with his wings fully extended. He was wearing a full suit of bronze armor like his Knights but his helm was different in that it had a pair of wings on it that pointed upwards, reminding the Evolved of a certain caped crusader.

Bergren’s eyes were closed in intense concentration but they flew open the moment Oskar was over the wall and soaring towards him with claws outstretched. The griffin moved… but not fast enough. The Prince fell into a roll with a pained shout before coming to a stop on his stomach, he had managed to avoid being bisected by the Evolved’s claws but at the sake of his left wing which now lay several feet away.

Oskar quickly strode forward, intent on ending the Prince’s life. Seeing this Bergren concentrated on bringing forth the power so many lost their lives for. Just as the Evolved came to a stop before and raised a claw the Prince laid his remaining wing against his leg. This one action bought but a single moment for Bergren as Oskar blinked in confusion, it was all he needed.

Oskar didn’t even have time to react to what happened next. There was a boom and blinding flash of light before he suddenly felt his form seize up in painful spasms. Then he was flying through the air and crashing against the fort wall hard enough to splinter and crack the wood.

The wounded Prince rose onto his hind legs as his quarry writhed for a brief moment on the ground, electricity arcing on his body. Bergren’s remaining wing now had lightning dancing amongst its feathers, buzzing dangerously. Bergren brought his mace up to his wing, the moment they touched lightning leapt from the wing onto the mace head, causing the weapon to glow as a ribbon of lightning wrapped itself around the head and through the spikes.

Seeing that Oskar was about to recover from the lightning Bergren charged forward in an awkward run, his missing wing leaving him unbalanced. Just as the virus raised his head Bergren delivered a crushing blow to it. Pain rippled through the Prince’s arms from the strike, feeling very much like he had struck solid steel but it had the effect he wanted.

Oskar felt lightning surge through his body, causing his false muscles to spasm painfully but the burning was oddly absent. The Evolved was not given even a moment’s respite this time however as his griffin opponent struck him again, this time at the back of his knee.

Falling to his hands and knees Oskar attempted to fight through the spasms and defend himself only for Bergren to deliver another blow, this time at his shoulder. Oskar rolled onto his back, the electricity surging through his body affecting his control over his density and making him a much softer target.

Standing over his prey Bergren continued his assault not noticing the lessening pain from striking the hard viral being. Each blow was directed towards the head and each one smashed deeper and sent bloody chunks flying further. The griffin kept going, striking down at Oskar again and again, breathing in angry growls as his mace smashed. Finally only after he started to hit the dirt did Bergren stop.

The Prince stepped away from his quarry, where the head was, was just a massive blood stain on the ground. With an exhausted sigh Bergren turned away, dismissing the lightning from his body and mace. Stepping away from his presumed dead foe Bergren shot a saddened look at his dismembered wing lying on the ground.

‘It seems I will have to take a boat home…’ The Prince looked skyward, staring into the storm clouds. ‘I have avenged you little skyflower… and all those loyal warriors who followed me as well, though I will bear the weight of my guilt for letting my pride rule me for the rest of my life…’

Bergren closed his eyes for a silence dedicated to both his daughter and his fallen griffins when he heard the rustle of grass. His eyes shot open and he threw himself to the side… he was far too late.

The Prince fell onto his back, an unseen slash across his back marking where his last wing had been dismembered and his spine severed. Bergren turned his head to face his foe, taking in the sight of a completely regrown head.

‘I have failed…’ Bergren thought as Oskar stomped forward to end him. ‘My sons… Vilja… I’m sorry for abandoning you… creature you may claim my life but I swear I will claim yours as well!’

Bergren raised his mace to the sky, an action which caused a now wary Evolved to leap backwards to put safe distance between himself and Bergren.

Suddenly a deafening boom filled the air as dozens of lightning bolts danced about the clouds overhead. The black clouds swirled before forming a massive hurricane eye. Lightning leapt by the hundreds away from the walls of the eye, meeting in the middle and becoming a blinding ball of light. For the briefest moment all was silent… then with one final bang a massive lightning bolt shot towards Bergrens outstretched mace.

The last thing Oskar saw was a blinding light, the last thing he felt was intense agony before everything went dark.

GAMMA

Princess Celestia was lying peacefully in her large bed. She was wearing a sleep mask and her mane was now long and pink, as Celestia was not channeling her power into it to make it into the iconic rainbow like state. It was then that her sleep was interrupted by a loud bang.

“Sister! Awaken!” Luna shouted upon slamming Celestia’s bedroom door open. “A dire issue requires your attention!”

“… Yes Luna, what is it?” A bleary eyed Sun Alicorn asked after lifting up her mask.

“Come sister! Arise thyself from thy bed and gaze upon the sky!” Luna declared before dashing for her sister’s bedroom balcony.

Releasing a small sigh Celestia crawled out of bed. Not bothering to ignite her iconic mane she strolled over to her balcony, telekinetically bringing over a house coat to wear.

“And what exactly am I looking fo…” Celestia’s voice trailed off as she saw a massive anvil shaped storm cloud over Everfree.

“Look! Tis an odd and alarming weather formation is it not?” Luna stated.

Before Celestia could respond the anvil cloud suddenly surged with hundreds of lightning bolts, lighting up the night in its brightness and causing audible shouts of alarm to rise up from Canterlot and the palace guards. For a brief silent moment the light disappeared… then it was like a second sun had been born beneath the anvil cloud, blinding all in its glare save Celestia. The glare lasted for a single moment then it was gone, followed by a quickly fading anvil cloud.

“Was… I think it twas the power of Stormwings!” Luna said wide-eyed. “I had not the faintest idea that Prince Bergren was trained to be one. Tis obvious the Prince is in danger! Come sister was must-”

“No Luna.” Celestia interrupted sadly. “You have been gone for a long time and do not know how far the magic of Stormwings has developed. What you saw was the full potential of Stormwings being brought forth, the might of an anvil storm cloud. But only a master Stormwing could safely harness the full power of such a cloud.”

“Sister… does this mean…”

“Yes Luna…” Celestia said with a tired sigh. “I’m afraid that Prince Bergren is no more, for no matter how skilled he was he was only a dabbler in the end, not a true Stormwing.”

“And what of the threat that the young Prince saw fit to unleash such deadly power on?” Luna asked.

“All within a certain distance of the blast zone would be annihilated.” The Sun Princess stated grimly. “Very few beings of flesh and blood would survive the sudden blast of heat and electricity.”

“Ah… what is to be done sister?” Luna asked Celestia as said alicorn turned about and started to leave.

“I will not be able to get much sleep tonight, that much is certain.” Celestia answered. “I will have ponies to calm and break the news to the Grand Prince of the Principalities, he will want to know one of his nobles has fallen, not to mention create an expedition to locate the survivors of Bergren’s company of Knights… shame, I was looking forward to attending the Best Young Flyer Competition tomorrow…”

Luna turned her attention back to the distant forest of Everfree, her mind pondering the mystery of the “Imp”.

‘Was the Imp truly responsible for young Gilda’s disappearance? Was it the reason why Bergren used such a self-destructive attack? Does it even exist at all?’ The Moon Princess frowned thoughtfully. ‘I shall attend this expedition mine sister is planning, thus once and for all shall I know.’

DELTA

‘Oskar… my little baby… you are my heart and soul… you’re going to be such a handsome kind man when you grow up… remember Oskar, no matter what mommy will always love you… honey…. It’s time to wake up for school… your breakfast is going to get cold…’

Oskar awoke with a gasp and immediately started coughing up ash and bits of charcoal that had fallen into his mouth. He rolled over onto his hands and knees and started hacking up ash and blackened chunks of flesh. Only when he was finally done coughing did Oskar realize he was atop a small pile of burnt flesh, a gnarled skeletal smouldering hand was the only thing he could recognize of the pile beneath him. The Evolved paused when he heard a sound that made him go wide eyed, the sound of frantic worried trilling. Oskar lifted his head up to see Navi wildly buzzing about above him.

“Navi?” Oskar said hesitantly, which caused the bug to give a happy trill and flew to Oskar’s face, rubbing her tiny cheek against his.

‘I… I guess she followed me into Everfree and saw me change forms… but how?’ The virus thought in bemusement as he reached up and grabbed Navi, cupping her in his hands, looking down at her as she smiled up at him. ‘Wait, how could I have forgotten? Parasprites have a higher metabolism, her body must have worked through the sedative remarkably quickly. Well as far as reveals go this was thankfully anticlimactic.’

Oskar gently tossed the little insect into the air where it proceeded to buzz about the Evolved’s head cheerfully. The viral being then slowly got onto his feet a number of aches and pains flaring mildly throughout his body as he did so. He then took stock of his surroundings.

The wood fort had been destroyed, only a few burning logs marking where the walls had been. For a great distance the ground had been completely burned, reducing grass to ash, boiling away the blood of the nearby battlefield and either cooking or charring the gory remains of the Knights. Then was ground zero of the blast...

‘I can’t tell which ash from the grass and from his body is.’ Oskar thought as he dug around a fine pile of what once must have been Bergren. ‘The only thing here even remotely approaching half way recognizable is this cooled puddle of slag and there is barely enough for the mace let alone the armor. Well in the end he did win in one way against me, his brain is ash and his dismembered limbs are bits of charcoal leaving me with nothing but his Knights, speaking of which…’

Oskar turned away from the ash pile that was once Bergren and walked over to the field where he had fought the Knights and the Rangers. As he stepped onto the field Navi suddenly gave a nervous trill before darting for beneath the lip of Oskar’s bucket hat.

“What’s wrong Navi?” Oskar asked his pet, giving her a few gentle nudges with his finger. “Why are you nervous?”

Staying under the lip of his hat, Navi moved to where Oskar could see her and peaked out fearfully at the world. It took him a moment but the Evolved managed to piece together why Navi was afraid after watching her look nervously from the maimed corpses to the surrounding tree line.

“It’s alright Navi, you don’t have to be afraid.” Oskar reassured. “A wild animal didn’t do this, it was… I did this… and you aren’t afraid of me right?”

Apparently that was all Navi needed to hear because she immediately darted for the tip of Oskar’s nose to nuzzle it affectionately before darting back out to buzz happily around the Evolved’s head.

‘Such a naively innocent little thing…’ Oskar smiled wistfully at his pet as she happily shrugged off the sight of the smouldering gore all around them. ‘Well it’s time to clean up my mess, can’t just leave all these corpses lying around since the local wildlife won’t actually “clean up” for me.’

With that Oskar began to focus on his magic, intent to gather up all the remains of the Knights. He was immediately incapacitated by the sure agony shooting through the core of his being.

Falling to his knees and giving a strangled gasp at the sudden unexpected pain, Oskar’s mind was a muddled mess for a brief moment before he managed to forcefully reclaim his focus. As Navi darted about trilling in alarm Oskar focused on his body, intending to find out what exactly was causing him such pain. Nothing, that was what his initial analysis of his body told him. He was in perfect health and shouldn’t be bent over in agony right now. Somehow Oskar was able to remember that he had a part of himself that he didn’t completely understand just yet, his magical circuits.

As was stated, Oskar didn’t understand his magic completely just yet but even he could tell that there was something wrong. It was like coming into a room you hadn’t completely seen before, leaving and then coming back to see that it was on fire. And his magical circuits might as well have been on fire with the condition they were in, all three circuits were fluctuating wildly and surging into each other unpredictably. Every time he tried to use his magic it would work, but at the same time the surging caused other bits of uncontrolled damaged magic to tag along and painfully but temporally deform the circuit pathways they traveled through.

‘Urgh… what caused this?!’ Oskar thought as he panted and rode out the pain going through him. ‘Tha-that attack! It must be! It injured me somehow! But what was it? I must know!’

Oskar delved into his mental archive of shunted off memories, dedicated to searching for an answer to the point of even diving headfirst into the emotionally strong ones. It didn’t take him long, surprisingly. It was one of Gilda’s memories from when she was young, about six years old or so. The memory was bright, filled with colors and the feeling of amazement and awe. The view point was through a crack between two doors but it was enough for Oskar. He watched as a slightly younger and just as insulted looking Bergren studied a scroll containing runic writing. It was then that Bergren concentrated and flared out his wings, suddenly in through a window shot a bolt of lightning. The bolt struck the Prince’s wings and covered them with lightning that bounded and arched between the feathers. There was an audible gasp as the viewpoint suddenly dipped forward and the door opened wider with a loud creak. Bergren’s eyes shot open and the lightning faded from his wings instantly. His already formidable glare intensified and turned towards the door but upon finding who was there, softened. He motioned Gilda forward with his talon and the viewpoint rapidly accelerated forward until Bergren was towering overhead.

‘What was that dad?!’ Oskar heard an excited young Gilda ask.

‘That my little skyflower was the power of the Stormwings.’ Bergren answered solemnly.

Navi worriedly flew to Oskar’s face and started to poke him in the cheek with a tiny leg when said virus opened his eyes.

‘This is what happens when I don’t have time to plan and have to rush things at the last minute.’ Oskar thought with a sigh as he stood back up, his body still aching but not as badly. ‘I end up making stupid mistakes like not properly going over memories as I get them… urgh, this is an utter mess. I’ve lost Bergren both in mind and body, that fight can’t have gone unnoticed so now I may be raving against the clock to clean up here before others arrive, and to top it all off my magic has apparently been crippled for who knows how long. Well… at least I know these griffins took their knowledge about me with them. Right it’s time to get to work and head back home.’

“Sorry Navi.” Oskar apologized as he waved off the worried bug. “I know you are concerned but I need to get this down and take the both of us home really quickly.”

Navi sighed sadly but proceeded to watch Oskar curiously and innocently as he set about rapidly consuming all the gore lying around.

It had taken Oskar longer than he would have liked, far too long. By the time the virus was Emerald again and heading back to Ponyville she was truly worried the sun might decide to just rise above the horizon at any moment. Worse was the fact that she was feeling tired. The only times she had felt tired was before becoming a virus and when she was pushing her magic too far and frankly she would be all to glad to never experience the feeling again, she felt numb and stupid. So much so that she almost never noticed the ponies awake in town running around the streets at such a late hour. And when she did? She brushed it off, being far too concerned with just getting home and crawling into bed to relax on something soft for a good long while.

Getting through town and plodding up the staircase to Twilight’s master bedroom was a blur to Oskar who was now beginning to feel what exhaustion was like. When she was finally in the room she merely told Navi to tuck herself into bed before crawling beneath the covers and unwillingly falling into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

Too bad it wasn’t actually her bed.

EPSILON

Twilight woke up with a foul taste in her mouth and a pounding head.

“Euagh…” Twilight grimaced at both taste and pain. Shaking her head she was about to move out of her bed when she heard someone exhale and a breath on the back of her neck. Quickly turning over in surprise Twilight blinked when she saw Emerald sleeping right beside her with.

Unlike before when she last saw the mare sleeping Emerald didn’t look distressed this time. In fact if it weren’t for the slight frown she had Twilight would say the other unicorn was outright peaceful looking.

‘And as per the usual she looks like she spent an hour fixing herself up.’ Twilight thought as she saw that Emerald once again had immaculate hair while she herself had her usual morning “rock star” hair. ‘At least she doesn’t look like she is having her night terrors, I wonder why she fell asleep in my bed though?’

The violet unicorn reached over with her hoof and shook Emerald’s shoulder and also unlike last time she did not have to shout to wake her. Emerald frowned before letting out a little groan and brought up her hooves to rub the sleep out of her eyes… which she didn’t have.

‘Huh, she doesn’t get eye crust.’ Twilight thought curiously. ‘Well that’s another advantage Emerald has over everypony else.’

“Twilight?” Emerald said in confusion. “Why are you in my bed?”

“Actually, this is my bed.” Twilight answered with a smile despite her pounding head and asked curiously. “So care to explain why you decided to sleep with me?”

“Ah… well…” Emerald began a little hesitantly. “I… I may have… over extended myself last night.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked as she got up from bed.

“I sort of did something I shouldn’t have and ended up paying for it.” Emerald answered with a sigh. “I feel like I have a badly pulled muscle whenever I use my magic, then I get really tired afterwards and just want to crawl into the first bed I see.”

“Wait, you pulled your magic?” The violet unicorn paused as she stared at her friend.

“Well… yes.” Emerald replied.

“Emerald you should have known better!” Twilight stated reprovingly. “A unicorn’s magic advances at its own pace! This is first year stuff! How is your magic!? Does it still feel normal?!”

For the briefest moment Emerald had this really deadpan look on her face, like Twilight had said the stupidest thing but it was gone before the worried unicorn could notice.

“I’m fine… it just hurts to use my magic is all.” Emerald said soothingly.

“If you say so… I suppose this means we aren’t going to be able to continue your lessons for the time being.” Twilight grumbled before sighing. “I’m going in the shower first.”

“If that’s what makes you feel better.” Emerald said after her.

“It will!” The peeved unicorn shouted back before closing the bathroom door.

About half an hour later both unicorns were freshly showered and were now in the library to see about cleaning up the aftermath of an entire weekend’s worth of studying… it was a bigger job than it sounded. All the books were off their shelves and in random stacks all over the room and even beyond. Not to mention that the stacks weren’t exactly in order making the job even harder.

“This is going to take all morning!” Twilight declared as she took in the sight of the library. “I figured this would have taken us an hour, two tops if a certain somepony hadn’t strained her magic last night.”

“I get it, I made a stupid mistake.” Emerald said tiredly. “Believe me when I say I am not going to do it again.”

“Well I guess I can feel somewhat better knowing you learned something.” Twilight sighed. “And I was really looking forward to getting into the advanced final year stuff with you… oh well, let’s see about getting this place cleaned up.”

“How about we ask some of our friends for help?” Emerald offered. “Dash said something about training today and taking Fluttershy with her but I’m sure Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity are free.”

“Hmm, that is a good idea…” Twilight said. “Sure, I’ll just send them all a message with Spike. Spike! Could you come here please?” The unicorn called out.

“Spike!?” Twilight called again when she didn’t get an answer. “Where is that little dragon? Is he still sleeping?”

Suddenly a groan issued from the next room and the sound of claws on wood announced that Spike was indeed still sleeping. Eventually he arrived in a doorway to the library, dragging a blanket with one claw and rubbing his eyes with the other.

“I’m here, I’m here…” Spike said with a yawn. “Ugh, I feel horrible and my mouth tastes like that one time I mistook that glass diamond for a real one.”

“Hmm, does your head hurt?” Twilight asked.

“Yep.” The little dragon nodded.

“Strange… I woke up with a hurting head and a bad taste in my mouth too… well anyways.” Twilight said with a shake of her head. “Spike, do you mind if you could send a few messages to some of my friends?”

“Sure thing Twilight.” Spike said with a yawn and dropped his blanket to walk towards a desk. “Just let me get the quill and parchment.”

Soon enough the letters had been sent out and Spike had been excused to sleep off his headache, which seemed to have persisted though Twilight’s having faded a few moments after waking. The two unicorns had started cleaning with the hope that their friends would be free today to help them finish up early.

As she started putting away books by the dozens with her magic Twilight spotted Emerald out of the corner of her eye, reading through a book she was putting away.

“What are you reading?” Twilight asked after stepping closer.

“Vague Pony History.” Emerald answered, showing her the cover. “It actually has a ton of interesting information in here, like this powerful unicorn called Star Swirl the Bearded and how he was a great innovator in unicorn magic. It even has information on a few monsters locked away in Tartarus, like Cluny the Vengeful Rat, Nidhogg the Dragon, Olog the Genius Troll.”

“Oh I know this book!” Twilight said excitedly. “It’s one of my favorites actually. I had a great idea for a Nightmare Night costume after reading this book, it’s-”

Suddenly there were a few short knocks at the door before it slammed open and in walked a smiling Applejack and Pinkie.

“Howdy ya’ll!” The cowpony greeted cheerfully. “Heard ya needed help ta do some cleanin?”

“My word Applejack!” Rarity declared as she entered herself. “You can’t just barge in like that!”

“Oh Twi and Emerald are great friends, they don’t mind!” AJ replied with a smile and roll of her eyes.

“Hi Twilight! Hi Emmy! What’cha reading huh?” Pinkie said as she bounded over and looked over Emerald’s shoulder. “A crusty old history book?! That’s boring!”

“Well then you’ll probably not like having to pick them up then.” Emerald stated simply, motioning to all the books surrounding them.

“Yeah but I still want to help…”

“As do I.” Nodded Rarity.

“An me too sugarcube.” Applejack said with a tip of her Stetson.

“Thanks girls!” Twilight smiled. “This will go by so much quicker with your help.”

With that the group of five set to work bringing the library back to order. However after a few minutes Rarity noticed an oddity, Emerald wasn’t using her magic to help clean up.

“Emerald darling, why aren’t you using your magic?” Rarity questioned. “It would accelerate this chore ever so much.”

“That would be because she strained herself last night practicing some practical lessons and now she hurts whenever she uses magic.” Twilight huffed in irritation. “It seems we are going to have remedial courses in some first year safety lessons.”

“Joy…” Emerald muttered at that.

“You hurt yourself! Are you sure you are fit to be out of bed Emerald?! Perhaps a quick walk-in with the local nurse is in order.” Rarity said as she began to fuss over her fellow unicorn, also surprising said mare with the amount of worry she was showing.

“I’m fit to run a marathon, Rarity.” Emerald assured. “It’s just my magic that hurts, there’s no need to smother me with concern.”

“Well I can’t help but mother you Emerald, I’m worried about you after all.” Rarity said with a frown.

Emerald twitched. “Mother… right…”

An awkward silence suddenly dominated the room as all the mares suddenly froze in what they were doing.

“Oh my!” Rarity gasped, bringing her hooves up to her mouth in mortification. “I’m- my dearest apologies Emerald! I didn’t intend to bring that up!”

“No… it's okay, I really ought to be over that by now… it’s just what you said reminded me of something.” Emerald said with a sly though unmistakably sad smile.

“… Okay Emerald…” Rarity said quietly and got back to cleaning, the other mares in the room quickly following.

The following twenty minutes were spent in silence cleaning and stacking books back on the shelves, though Twilight often whispered corrections to Applejack when she inevitably got something wrong with the order. Then they were finally done and all looked rather glad for it.

“Thank you so much for helping us clean up these books, girls.” Twilight smiled. “It was a crazy weekend of studying.”

Suddenly before anyone could say anything the sound of someone shouting filled the air. Everyone turned just in time to see Rainbow Dash fly through the window and crash into the room with a yelp, kicking up a substantial cloud of dust. When the dust cleared the only one still standing was Emerald who was staring in surprise at the massive mess Dash’s crash landing created.

“Rainbow Dash you rock. Woohoo.” Fluttershy cheered softly as she appeared in the window before gasping at the sight of the room. “Did my cheering do that?”

“Eh heh heh… sorry about that ladies, that was a truly feeble performance.” Dash said, glancing irritably at Fluttershy.

“Actually it wasn’t all bad.” Fluttershy assured with a smile. “I particularly liked it when you made the clouds spin.”

“I’m not talking about my performance!” Dash exclaimed before pointing at Fluttershy. “I’m talking about yours! That feeble cheering!”

“What are you two arguing about?” Twilight asked.

“Were we arguing? I’m sorry…” Fluttershy said penitently.

“I wish you guys could come to see me compete in the Best Young Flyer competition!” Dash said the tiniest hint of a plea in her voice.

“What’s that?” Twilight asked.

“It’s-” Pinkie began.

“An athletic flying competition.” Emerald stated. “It’s basically an oversized talent show where pegasi get to show off little tricks they worked on in the hopes of getting a little piece of metal to wear on their heads.”

“It’s more than that!” Dash shouted, insulted.

“Sorry, I’ve never really liked those sorts of things, always saw them as a waste of money really.” Emerald said honestly.

“What? Why did you join the Running of the Leaves then?” Dash asked confusedly, something most of the other mares reflected.

“Because the Running of the Leaves is actually a chore ponies turned into a game to make it fun.” Emerald answered. “There is a point to it.”

“Well there is a point to this too!” Dash defended hotly before getting a faraway dreamy look in her eyes. “The grand prize is an entire day with the Wonderbolts! A whole day of flying with my lifelong heroes… it’ll be a dream come true!”

“yay.” Fluttershy cheered “loudly” as Emerald smiled widely at Dash fangirling over her heroes.

“…I-I’m going to go rest up.” Rainbow Dash said after glaring a little at Fluttershy. “Don’t want to over prepare myself, you know? Heh heh…”

“You on the other hand better keep practicing!” Dash told her fellow pegasus firmly before strutting over to the window. “I need a cheering section to match my spectacular performance!” She said confidently before darting out the window.

“She’s been practicing a move that would win the competition hundreds of times over and over but she hasn’t even come close to doing it.” Fluttershy admitted after Dash left. “I don’t know if I can cheer loud enough to help her.”

“What is she trying to do?” Emerald asked curiously.

“It’s called a sonic rainboom.” The shy pegasus explained.

“A sonic rainboom?” The unicorn repeated with a raised brow.

“What?! You don’t know what it is, Emmy?!” Pinkie Pie gasped. “The sonic rainboom is legendary! How can you possibly not know what it is?!”

“Obviously it’s not that legendary or I would’ve heard of it.” Emerald dead panned. “Why don’t you just go ahead and tell me what it is exactly.”

“When a pegasus like Rainbow gets so fast…” Pinkie said as she quickly jumped up to an alcove before leaping down and scattering a bunch of books with a bang. “BOOM! A sonic boom and a rainbow can happen all at once!”

“And Dash was the only one to ever do it.” Applejack said with a nod.

“Wait, wait… a sonic boom, are you saying Dash is capable of breaking the sound barrier?” Emerald said incredulously.

“Ah did say she did it before didn’t ah?” Applejack replied. “What’s with the disbelief huh? Dash is the best flyer that ah ever did see, if anypony is capable of a sonic rainboom it’s her.”

“But that’s the problem, Applejack.” Fluttershy said. “She had been trying and trying so hard to do it, but no matter what she does Rainbow Dash has never been able to do another sonic rainboom.”

“And that’s why she is scared.” Rarity stated.

“Scared?! Have you spit your bit or somein?” Applejack said disbelievingly. “Why when that mare was in here she looked as confident as can be bout winning that grand prize.”

“Oh puh-LEASE! I’ve put on enough fashion to recognise stage fright when I see it!” Rarity stated before turning to Twilight. “We have GOT to find a way to be there for her! Twilight do you have anything to accomplish this? Anything at all? Like a… flying spell perhaps?”

“A flying spell…” Twilight muttered in thought, hoof on her chin as she looked at the books lying on the floor around her. “Possibly… but it may a take a while with this huge mess that-”

“A flying spell? One Sec!” Pinkie said before darting off and coming back with a book in her mouth, tossing it to the violet unicorn. “Here! Page Twenty seven!”

Emerald stepped beside Twilight as she looked down at the book Pinkie had thrown her. Studying the page Pinkie had indicated Emerald was thrown for loop from all the diagrams, arcane math and parameters covering the page.

“Okay this is a little beyond me, Twilight can you understand this?” Emerald asked the unicorn beside her.

“Yeah but… Oh it looks quite difficult…” Twilight paced a little as she held the book in front of her, her expression one of pure concentration. “Hmm I think I may be able to do it with some practice casts though.”

“But the Best Young Flyer Competition is today Twilight.” Fluttershy said worriedly. “There may not be enough time for you to practice.”

“Well… I hate to say it but that leaves somepony volunteering to be a test subject.” Twilight stated at that.

“Ask no more, it is clear what must be done!” Rarity announced grandly. “I Rarity shall gladly be the first pony to undergo the spell.”

“Are you sure about this Rarity?” Twilight asked her friend.

“I gladly do this for Rainbow Dash Twilight.” Rarity answered. “You may begin when ready.”

“Okay, here goes…” With that Twilight began to concentrate on the instructions in the book. Her brows furrowed in exertion as her horn lit up brightly and Rarity lifted off the floor. Filaments of sparkling light formed two cloaks that began to wrap around a slightly worried looking glamorous unicorn. Twilight narrowed her eyes and began to take long deep breaths as she continued the spell, pouring more and more of her power into it by the moment. Just as Rarity became fully encapsulated by the cloaks, a blinding ball of light emitted from Twilight’s horn burst forward and suddenly exploded, sending out a small pressure wave.

Twilight was still standing when the light ended, taking slow deep breaths as she studied the result of her efforts.

“Well… it worked!” She said happily as brightly colored lights danced about the room.

“Oh my gosh Rarity!” Fluttershy gasped at the sight of her friend.

“Butterfly?” Emerald said with a blink.

ZETA

“My wings are glorious!”

Oskar groaned when she heard that.

The spell Twilight had cast on Rarity gave the unicorn wings but she hadn’t been too sure of whether or not she could cast the spell for everyone, so she had taken a closer look at the book she cast the spell from. She found a much easier spell on the next page to give everyone a pegasus’ ability to walk on clouds. But when she had cast the spell on Oskar…

‘Everything hurts…’ The virus thought with a small scowl. ‘And I think the spell messed up, not that I needed it but it should have worked anyway… instead I have this constant ache everywhere.’

“Simply glorious!” A gleefully hovering Rarity gushed.

After Twilight had cast the cloud walking spell on everyone they then decided to head over to where Pinkie’s balloon was anchored, though Fluttershy had flown ahead to meet them there. Oskar wasn’t at all looking forward to that, as she would have to push her pegasus magic to make herself light enough for the balloon to carry, and doing that would be painful.

“So beautiful!” Rarity said happily, all around the group ponies stopped in the streets of Ponyville to point and stare, talking awe filled voices of Rarity's new temporary wings.

“Could you please stop?” Oskar asked irritably of the unicorn. “We get it, your butterfly wings are great.”

“More than great, darling!” Rarity retorted absently. “They are absolutely fabulous!”

“Right… of course.” Oskar scowled as she walked a bit faster.

“Why so peeved Emmy?” Pinkie asked as she hopped along next to the virus. “Rarity just being Rarity.”

“I’m just hurting…” The Evolved muttered a reply.

Suddenly Twilight was next to her. “Hurting? Are you alright? I didn’t think the spell would agitate your magic.”

“I’m fine Twilight, it’s just a little ache.” Oskar assured.

“You don’t have to come to the Competition you know?” Twilight said in concern.

“I’m FINE, besides… I want to see Dash do the sonic rainboom.” Oskar stated jogging forward when the anchored balloon came into view.

The Evolved came to a stop and sat down beside the slightly hovering balloon, intent to wait until everyone was else in and ready to go before lightening herself.

“I believe I shall fly there myself!” Rarity said cheerfully, flapping her wings extra wide to make them even more noticeable. “I shall meet you there!”

Oskar barely spared the unicorn a glance as everyone else moved into the balloon basket, and then she herself entered the basket, lightening herself as she did so. As she strained her magic pain wracked the core of her body and Oskar was pushed to her acting limits to not display any discomfort beyond what was expected. Not at all in the mood to be social, Oskar trudged to a corner of the basket and sat down to wait out the ride to Cloudsdale, which would no doubt feel like an eternity. And she was right, the ride felt like hours though it was only a few minutes. Though she was in pain Oskar managed to notice that even with her head start Rarity wasn’t too far ahead of them.

‘P-probably because… she isn’t u-used to flying.’ Oskar thought, fighting just to keep her expression a mask of boredom.

Finally the balloon breached the clouds that the floating city was made out of and a voice reached the virus’ ears.

“I-I can’t believe it!” Oskar heard Dash’s voice say happily.

“Isn’t it amazing, Rainbow Dash?” The virus heard Fluttershy say.

“This is so cool!” Dash said as the balloon landed with a soft thud on the clouds… somehow.

“Sure did!” Pinkie Pie responded as she hopped right out of the basket, Oskar not one second behind having simply heaved herself over the side.

“Wait!” Dash shouted though too late to actually do anything.

Both Pinkie and Oskar landed with an audible thud on the clouds. Though Pinkie landed on her hooves and Oskar landed on her face.

Rolling onto her back Oskar finally released the pegasus magic she was channeling. The Evolved couldn’t help the massive relieved sigh that came out of her mouth when the pain immediately melted away to a dull ache, which was soothed by the feeling of the incredibly soft clouds under her.

‘That’s it! I’m sick of pain!’ Oskar thought as she wiggled herself a little deeper into the cloud. ‘This isn’t going to do anything for the source of the problem but I won’t care! Morphine time!’

Down on the cellular level Oskar’s viral cells immediately set to work generating new cells to cannibalise for parts. It was times like this that Oskar appreciated her stolen intelligence, she was not at all good at chemistry and dropped that class the first chance she could but there were many people she had eaten who didn’t. Thus synthesising the drug and flooding her body with it was simple, it was holding back her instinct to resist the chemicals now flowing through her and accepting their effects that was the hard part.

“Uhh… Emerald?” Dash asked with a slightly worried look, now standing over the fake unicorn. “You okay?”

“A-OK!” Oskar replied with a goofy smile and slightly glazed eyes, raising a hoof to make the appropriate gesture but stopped when she realised she didn’t have fingers. “You have reeeeeeeeeeealy soft cloudsssssss… heh.”

“Uh… yeah.” Dash responded with a perplexed tilt of her head. “They’re made of water after all.”

“OooOOOooohhh, I should get a water bed!” Oskar said cheerfully.

“Is… is she alright?” Dash asked Twilight.

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen her act like this before.” Twilight answered before lying on the ground next to Oskar. “Emerald, are you feeling okay?”

“FANtastic!” The doped up virus replied happily, wiggling in place on the cloud. “SO SOFT! Right Pinkie!?”

“Hmmmmmm… YEP!” Pinkie, who thought Oskar shouldn’t have all the fun and lied on the ground next to her, answered with a rapid nod.

“… Well we ought to get going.” Dash said suddenly. “I wanna show you guys around Cloudsdale and there’s only a few hours before the competition starts.”

“Sure thing Dash, lead the way!” Twilight said cheerfully before turning to Pinkie and Oskar on the ground. “Come on girls, time to go.”

“AWWWWW!” Both said in sync and then got up grumbling from the ground, also in sync.

“…” Twilight stared for a moment before giving a befuddled shake of her head. “Right, let's get going.”

The group of seven made their way, following Dash and Fluttershy. As they went along their way Oskar watched Pinkie and saw how she hopped along on her legs, something she’d do if she was more excited than usual. The virus suddenly let out a giggle of unabashed amusement and started mimicking the party pony, said pony laughed in glee when she saw Oskar copy her. This new bout of uncharacteristic behavior only caused greater concern in the others though, as “Emerald” wasn’t at all a silly pony.

“Uhhh… well here it is.” Dash said as they crested a hill. “The greatest city in the-”

“Oh hey it’s Timer Turner! With wings! HI TIME TURNER WITH WINGS!” Oskar suddenly shouted, waving at a pegasus flying by. “OH and way over there is Lyra! Also with wings! HI LYRA WITH WINGS!”

“Emerald darling, are you absolutely sure you are fine?” Rarity asked worriedly, flying over from a mirror she had been interested in.

“The best!” The drugged Evolved replied happily before pointing behind Rarity. “Oh he’s there now! How did he do that?”

“Emerald, you're really worrying me here.” Twilight said, frowning concernedly.

“Everything is so soft here!” Oskar responded nonsensically, hugging the nearest fluff she could reach. “SOOOOOOFT!”

“Yay! I’m a comfy cloud!” Pinkie cheered with delight as the doped up virus buried her face in the pink pony’s mane.

“Emerald!” Twilight shouted and darted forward, grabbing hold of the Evolved’s face and forcing her to meet her eyes. “I’m really worried here! What is wrong with you!? I’ve never seen you act anything like this before!”

“I am worried as well darling.” Rarity stated with a frown. “This behavior is most unlike you.”

“Wha… I uhhh…” Oskar shook her head, realising that her behavior wasn’t exactly inconspicuous and started to clear the morphine from her system. Unfortunately this caused the pain to return and drew a shocked gasp from Oskar who was completely unprepared for it.

“Whoa! Emerald, are you alright!” Dash shouted and darted for the fake unicorn’s side, wrapping a wing around her.

“Uggggh...” Oskar groaned, mind now a lot more clear but in some pain. “Truthfully? No, I’m not. My magic is really acting up.”

“What’s wrong with your magic?” Rainbow Dash asked in concern.

“Wait… Emerald?” Rarity said hesitantly and flew in close to Oskar’s face, looking deep into her eyes. “You… normal now. What was that earlier Emerald? Why were you acting like that?”

‘Crud… maybe doing wasn’t such a good idea.’ The Evolved thought. The drug was still somewhat in her system and dulling the pain she felt, but the pain she did feel wasn’t at all insubstantial. ‘This is horrible… I do not want to just have to bear with this… but the drug makes me so loopy… maybe I could… maybe I could just say it’s a pain control technique I learned? That seems a bit farfetched though… although this is a world of magic…’

“It’s just… I’m in pain right now and I have a way that makes me not feel pain.” Oskar replied cautiously. “The downside to it is that I tend to be a little… loopy.”

“A little? Emerald, you are completely not yourself right now.” Twilight replied in a little anger. “And why didn’t you tell me it was getting this bad! I knew I should have made you stay home when you complained after I applied the spell!”

“It was exactly this reason why I didn’t tell you.” Oskar responded candidly. “And besides, I wanted to be there when Dash performed the sonic rainboom.”

“Wow Emerald, thanks.” Dash replied with a happy though concerned smile. “I really appreciate you being here for me… but maybe you ought to go home if you hurt. As much as I like having a tough mare like you cheering for me I’d rather you were in better condition.”

“NO. I’m tired of staying home constantly!” The virus replied hotly. “I’ve been through tons of dangers in my life and I’ve survived it all without a scar to my name! Yet every time you go off to adventure and fighting monsters I’ve got to play the housewife until you get back? Do you know how galling that is for somepony like me? Now I can’t even leave the house without everyone telling me to stay home while they enjoy themselves?!”

“Emerald… I never knew you felt this way.” Twilight said softly. “I always figured you were happy to have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in and no more danger to worry about.”

“I’ve been in more danger than you’d care to imagine, Twilight.” Oskar replied. “Going out with some aches and pains isn’t nearly the worst thing I’ve had to do. But don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate having a home now. I just don’t need or want to be protected from suffering.”

“… Okay Emerald.” Twilight replied quietly. “You don’t need to say anymore, I understand now. The next time something comes up we’ll… you’ll come along too. And… well it’ll be great to have a pony with your skills along.”

“Fantastic.” Oskar said, smiling lightly before grimacing. “Well I’m going to go loopy again because this is really uncomfortable.”

“Well… at least you’re warning us this time Emerald.” Rarity said with a frown.

“Mmhmm.” Oskar hummed a reply before flooding her system with morphine again and sighing with relief, her eyes glazing over from the drug. “Heh…”

“Well… maybe I should show you guys how the weather is made?” Dash offered.

“Yes that's interesting, lead the way Dash.” Twilight said as she threw a worried glance at the Evolved who seemed to stare at everything with deep amusement.

“Right this way!”

Before long the group had made their way across Cloudsdale and to the weather factory though there were some issues with Oskar giggling randomly and getting distracted by inane things. They had put on some safety gear and were now entering the snowflake room.

“This is where they make the snowflakes, each one is hoof made.” Dash explained to her friends gesturing to a wide open cold room, filled with pegasi wearing winter coats and studying snowflakes through magnifying glasses intently for flaws. “As you can see it is a very delicate operation.”

“Sparkly~” Oskar giggled as she strolled over to a pile of carefully stacked snowflakes. She tilted her head in curiosity as she studied the snowflakes when a sudden breeze made the snowflakes take flight and made her look upwards. Along with a vast array of snowflakes flying through the air she spotted Rarity up in the air looking rather sheepish, suddenly her attention was diverted by a snowflake landing on her snout. Oskar gave a cross-eyed stare of great concentration at the snowflake, all around her the pegasi workers shouted and darted this way and tried to save as many snowflakes as possible.

“We better move on before Rarity ruins winter and causes a drought.” Rainbow Dash said and flinched when she heard a loud crunch. She turned her head to see Oskar chewing on something before swallowing audibly.

“NONsensically salty!” The virus commented cheerfully before hopping into the air and biting another snowflake.

“And Emerald too.” Dash sighed before waving to Rarity and Oskar. “Come on you too! Let’s go!”

The group finally moved on after being delayed by Oskar trying to catch more snowflakes and greatly annoying the workers. They were just getting into another section of the factory when the virus’ loopiness started to act up again.

“HEEEEeeeeeY~ everypony!” The doped up Evolved started to pegasi workers walking by. “Just a bunch a wiiiiiiingLESS ponies visiting a friend! Just walking on clouds, yup, yup! Just another everyday sight in Cloudsdale!”

Everyone sighed at the scene their friend was making but Pinkie seemed to be taking her completely seriously, as her deeply pondering hoof on chin expression demonstrated.

“Ya Know? You have a point there Emmy.” Pinkie said with a serious nod. “Here we are, a bunch of non-pegasi walking on clouds and nopony seems to- OH RAINBOWS!” The party pony suddenly shouted and darted for a river of molten rainbow flowing out of several fountains being manned by pegasi.

“And here’s where they make the rainbows!” Dash said, waving a hoof at her surroundings.

“Tripping BALLS!” Oskar laughed delightedly before flopping down on the edge of a river of rainbows. The virus nonchalantly dipped a hoof in the rainbow mixture and stuck her hoof in her mouth.

“Oh how's it taste Emmy!” Pinkie asked excitedly.

“Mmmm… heh hehehehe it could, SNERK, use a bit of pepper… TRY SOME!” Oskar said, rolling onto her back and unable to hold her devious giggling in.

Pinkie didn’t need to be told twice and quickly dipped her hoof into the rainbows and tried it for herself, the results were near instant.

Pinkie’s expression flashed all the colors of the rainbow before she wheezed out. “Spicy!!!”

Oskar roared with laughter, kicking her hooves in the air like crazy and rolling around as Pinkie quickly ran off to find water. The others found Pinkie’s predicament funny as well and laughed.

“Yeah, rainbows aren’t really known for their flavour.” Dash said with a smile, Fluttershy frowning with concern beside her.

“WHOA!” Came a shot which attracted everyone’s attention… well everyone’s attention except Oskar’s.

“Ba ba ba buh bub buh….” The virus sang softly as she stared into the river of swirling rainbows. “But I got high, but I high~”

“What did you say Emerald?” Twilight asked as she lied down next to her friend.

“Heh hehehehe…” The Evolved giggled in response.

“You know… this would be rather funny if it weren't for the fact you’re loopy because you didn’t want to be in pain.” Twilight said sadly before looking back towards everyone else.

Oskar decided to see what was so interesting and looked away from the rainbow river just in time to see three pegasi flying away and laughing raucously.

“Don’t listen to them girls.” Fluttershy told everyone as she gently comforted a miserable Rainbow Dash.

“Already done!” Oskar shouted impulsively.

“Oh… well how about we go see how clouds are made?” The shy pegasus offered and led the way.

It didn’t take long for the group to arrive at their next location, though it was lengthened somewhat by needing to actually drag Oskar away from the rainbow river.

“Oh wow!” The virus gasped upon catching sight of the inside of the cloud factory. “They’re like giant bongs!”

“Er, what?” Applejack said in confusion before Oskar darted towards one weather machine, which happened to have a pegasi that was just pouring water into it. The Evolved stuck her head curiously into the machine just in time for a massive rush of clouds to shoot out and blast her in the face. A moment later she pulled her head away to reveal it completely covered in clouds with only her eyes visible. It cleared up a moment later when she giggled and shook her head.

“… Come ere you.” The cowpony sighed after a moment and pulled Oskar away from the machines. “Ya should know better than ta stick yer head into some weather pony contraption.”

“But Pinkie's doing it!” The virus protested.

“Ah don- PINKIE! Consarn it ya fool filly, get yer head away from there!” Applejack began before shouting at Pinkie who indeed was in the middle of mimicking Oskar.

“Awwww…” The party power said disappointedly.

“OoooOOOoooh! Psychedelic!” Oskar said in glee quite suddenly.

“Huh? What in tarnation is that supposed ta mean?” Applejack asked the fake unicorn she had a grip on only to see what said person was talking about.

Rarity was up in the air a little above the factory and was stunning everyone with the light show her wings provided when the sun shone through them.

“Hey look!” The doped virus said to Applejack, pointing a hoof. “Dash is turtling!”

Sure enough what Oskar said was true. Dash was on the floor and curled up into a sort of fetal position with her hooves clutching at her cheeks, eyes wide with worry. She and Twilight were talking about something when a pegasi suddenly shouted out.

“Hey! There's an idea! You should enter the competition!” A light purple pegasus shouted up to Rarity.

“Yeah! I could watch you fly all day long!” Agreed an elderly pegasus.

“There really isn’t anypony who uses their wings quite like me!” Rarity stated as she struck glamorous poses up in the air. “Perhaps I should compete?”

“WHAT!?” Dash exclaimed in disbelief before Rarity floated off with a large following of pegasi behind her.

The rest of the Mane Six plus Oskar gathered about the increasingly distraught and worried pegasus.

“What am I gonna do!?” Dash asked her friends despairingly. “I’ll never win the competition now!”

Dash stared at the ground pitifully, so completely and utterly unlike her, all her friends sharing in her sorrow and looking equally as sad… well almost all of them.

“SoOOoo…” Oskar said after a moment, currently possessing as much emotional depth as a spoon. “When are we going to watch Dash go boom?”

Everyone glared at the virus as Dash’s terrible mood only plummeted.

“… What? Do I have somein on my face?” Oskar said, crossing her eyes for some reason.

ETA

“YAY! GO DASH!” Pinkie Cheered, waving a large novelty foam hand around.

“Ta match ain’t started yet sugarcube.” Applejack said.

“Pshaw! That isn’t a reason to not cheer!” Pinkie retorted and went right back to cheering.

“Pinkieeeeeee, heeeee~eey.” Oskar said, getting the party’s pony’s attention. “Do you have another hand like that? Only, heh, with the middle finger up?”

Normally Oskar would be more concerned with the fact that Pinkie had somehow picked up a novelty hand in a society in which a vast majority of the population didn’t have hands. But currently she was only concerned with getting a kick out of secretly flipping off everyone she waved too.

“Hmmmmmmmmm…” Pinkie said, scratching her head with the outstretched finger of her foam hand. “OH! I got one right here! It’s actually a defective one but-”

“Gimme, gimme!” Oskar interrupted excitedly, hopping in place on the cloud.

“Here ya go!” Pinkie said, giving the Evolved a large faulty novelty hand she had pulled from… somewhere.

“Yay!” Oskar cheered with delight as she quickly put on the hand and started waving like mad.

“FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS!” The voice of the announcer pony washed over everyone. “PLEASE RISE AND JOIN ME IN WELCOMING OUR BELOVED-oh?”

Suddenly an armored pegasus flew into sight and right next to the announcer, whispering a few things into his ear before quickly flying off.

“Ahem… unfortunately I was just informed that a matter of great importance has just come up, and as a result Princess Celestia will not be able to watch the competition.” The announcer said to everyone’s audible disappointment. “BUT! Don’t let that get you down! PLEASE WELCOME OUR CELEBRITY JUDGES FOR THE BEST YOUNG FLYERS COMPETITION: THE WONDERBOLTS!” The announcer shouted, waving grandly over his head just as six pegasi wearing latex suits flew over, trails of smoke in their wake.

The six flying ponies streaked across the sky for a brief moment before suddenly pulling together into an unbelievably tight formation and exploding apart with a fantastic burst of green fireworks.

All the pegasi cheered at the display of showmanship and flying as the six Wonderbolts flew over to take their own seats in the stands.

“AND NOW LET’S FIND OUT WHO WILL TAKE HOME THE PRIZE AS THIS YEARS… BEST! YOUNG! FLYER!” The announced the games broadcaster, pointing towards the curtain where all the flyers would be entering the arena to display their skills and talent.

“Yeah! Look at my finger!” Oskar shouted gleefully, one foreleg wrapped around Pinkie’s neck as she waved her hand energetically. The pink party pony was returning the embrace eagerly and was also waving her hand around with the energy to match.

The first flyer came out, a yellow pegasus with steel blue eyes and a curly dark pink and white mane. Truth be told she wasn’t all that impressive, doing straight forward flips, loops and dives but she was certainly enthusiastic.

“Woo! Dashie is next!” Pinkie cheered and started waving her novelty hand like crazy when she saw the curtains part. “YAY DASH! GO DASH G-go?”

“That ain’t Dash!” Oskar groused unhappily. “That’s Time Turner with wings.”

“What’s going on?” Twilight thought aloud. “Did they change the line up?”

“Nope, that there is a number two on that fella’s flank.” Applejack said, straining her eyes. “Same number we saw Rainbow get.”

“Oh dear… maybe she got nervous and switched her number with somepony else’s?” Fluttershy offered.

“Now that doesn’t sound like Rainbow at all.” The cowpony frowned.

“That’s still not Dash…” Oskar huffed upon catching sight of the next contender. “BORING! I’m going to bed! Wake me when there’s snacks… or Dash… either one!”-

With that the virus fell over onto the cloud with a thump. She had not lain on the ground for more than a few seconds when she heard a voice over the cheering.

“Popcorn! Hay fries!” A mare shouted, carrying a tray full of fast food as she flew. “Get your popcorn and hay fries here!”

“Snack lady! Over here, snack lady!” Oskar shouted and waved her novelty hand wildly, having leapt from her former position on the cloud to leaning dangerously over the edge of a cloud.

“Careful miss!” The confectioner said as she quickly darted over. “Don’t want you falling now! What can I get you?”

“Oh a little bit of everything!” Oskar said before patting herself briefly and getting a wide eyed. “Twilight! I got no money! Pay the nice lady!”

“Alright, alright…” Twilight sighed and stepped over. “How much do I owe you?”

It was nearly over a dozen competitors later before Dash and Rarity made their appearances. Oskar didn’t mind though, as she had a bunch of snacks to keep her distracted… much to a very broke violet unicorn’s annoyance.

“Finally!” Oskar exclaimed, chucking her last bag of popcorn away and quickly putting her hand back on. “Come on Dash! Make a big bang!”

“YAY DASH! GO DASH GO!” Pinkie cheered alongside Oskar, her friends quickly following.

The two flying ponies talked for a brief moment in the air… well Rarity talked, Dash just sort of looked incredibly panicky and was visibly shaking. Rarity then flew off and classical music began to play, Dash was about to do the same when she spotted her friends. She took a double take at Oskar’s novelty hand and her shaking stopped, she popped a crooked smile and appeared to laugh a little before shaking her head and continuing on.

‘Dash knows what a middle finger means?’ The virus thought in surprise, pausing her vigorous waving for a brief moment before giggling loudly and waving her hand even harder. ‘Oh well! Imma flip her off anyway!’

Rarity began dancing and Rainbow Dash began her routine. Oskar wanted to watch Dash but as Rarity gracefully moved through the air she sometimes flew by the sun, which caused a brief spectacle that was irresistible to the doped virus’ eyes. She snapped out of it when she heard Dash’s pained shout.

“Nice work Rainbow Crash!” Said a voice from below followed by mocking laughter.

“Wha? What did I miss?” Oskar asked confusedly as she spotted an angry Dash fly away from somewhere below the cloud they were sitting on.

“Dash is… not doing well…” Fluttershy answered, her hooves held up to her mouth in worry for her fellow pegasus.

“Oh…” Oskar said and shook her head, focusing on Dash who was now speeding out of the arena and towards some clouds. Upon reaching the clouds she immediately started flying circles around them, going so fast they started spinning.

“Look! Phase two is working!” Fluttershy said and she and her friends started cheering… a moment too soon.

Just as she was finishing spinning the final cloud a piece of said cloud flew off and struck the rainbow maned pegasus in the face, making her go spinning off. After gaining control of her spinning Dash quickly turned around to face the crowd, afraid of their reaction. She needn’t have worried though since everyone seemed to have written her off after the first mistake and kept their attention solely on Rarity. In fact the only people paying any attention to the pegasus at all appeared to be her friends and some ponies sitting on the cloud beneath said friends.

“Uhhh… this ain’t looking so well.” Applejack said with a frown.

“Well, look at it this way… at least everypony isn’t paying attention to her.” Twilight said with a forced smile.

“This is it, she’s going for the sonic rainboom.” Fluttershy pointed at Dash as said pony rose sharply into the sky which Rarity also happened to be doing. “Ohhhh, I hope it works.”

A few pegasi’s attention was gained by Dash’s fast ascent into the sky and became interested in her again, wondering what she was going to do that required her to fly so high. At the same time Rarity rose as fast as she could which wasn’t much to be honest and she stopped long before Dash did. Rarity happened to be positioned just right for the sun to shine through her wings and onto the stadium below much to everyone’s delight. Their delight ended when Rarity’s wings suddenly burst in flame for an instant and turned to ash.

“OH MY GOSH RARITY!” Twilight shouted in alarm as she saw her friend plummet from the sky.

Oskar focused intently on the falling unicorn and brought up her magic to catch her, absently wondering why Twilight wasn’t doing the same. For a brief moment her horn flared with her magic and her magical circuits felt so very warm. Then in one instant, utter and total agony completely lanced right through the numbing drug flooding her system.

“AUUUGH!” The virus’ eyes widened and she released a choked shout of pain.

“E-Emerald?” Twilight turned her worried eyes to her fellow unicorn just as Oskar coughed and let out a small spray of blood then fell through the clouds she stood on.

“NOOO!” Oskar heard through delirium and pain, along with shouts of shock and dismay. Her mind was blank for a moment as she struggled with the sure agony wracking her body, the sound of air rushing past and wings beating filling her ears.

‘W-wings?’ Oskar thought and opened her eyes to see Fluttershy flying as fast as she could towards her with a completely determined expression on her face.

‘S-she… She won’t b-be able to catch m-me…’ A memory of the shy pegasus trying to pick her rat form up flashed through the Evolved’s mind. ‘… T-this is g-going to hurt s-so much… but it’s t-the only way…’

Oskar fought to regain concentration and called her pegasi magic forth, lightening her considerably. Just as she thought the pain was incredible and the Evolved wondered how she was ever going to keep this up long enough for Fluttershy to catch her and bring her back to Cloudsdale. Then suddenly the feeling of something ripping inside her body filled her and there was an almost audible tearing sound in her ears. For a brief moment Oskar panicked as she felt her magic completely disappeared before it roared back to life. The pain was gone as well but the virus was completely and totally sick to her stomach. Nonetheless Oskar channeled her pegasus magic through her horn once again with a groan just as Fluttershy wrapped her fore legs around her.

Oskar felt her velocity towards the ground immediately slow and soon they were flying back up towards Cloudsdale, the Evolved had also heard a loud boom but was in no condition to find the origin and just lay across Fluttershy’s back as she carried her back up to Cloudsdale.

“Emerald! Emerald look at me! Are you alright?!” The Evolved heard through her delirium and opened her eyes to see she was back in the stadium, Twilight was staring worriedly at her along with everyone else. Dash was there as well, Rarity across her back along with a few Wonderbolts standing nearby.

“Twilight… I’m not feeling so well…” The Evolved answered honestly before suddenly heaving. Suddenly what seemed to be almost a waterfall’s worth of blood erupted from Oskar’s mouth and over the nearby ledge.

The stadium was still very much full and ponies screamed in shock and horror at what they were seeing, the Mane Six along with a few Wonderbolts joining their voices to the cacophony.

Oskar felt something large and jagged move through her throat and out her mouth, with its passage her vomiting quickly slowed and ended. Suddenly she felt much better.

“I’m feeling better now.” Oskar said lightly before blacking out.

“EMERALD!” Was the last thing the Evolved heard before her mind descended into unconsciousness.

THETA

“This is horrific.”

“So much blood…”

“Where are all the bodies?”

The voices of various Royal Guard ponies filled Luna’s ears but she paid them no heed. Her attention was solely on the mass of charred flesh before her.

If it wasn’t for the long cooled chunks of cooked flesh it wouldn’t have been possible to identify the pile of charcoal as something that used to be alive, as it was none could identify what it used to be… none except Luna that is.

‘So… the Imp is dead then…’ Luna thought to herself as she stared at a charred skeletal hand. ‘This feels… very unfulfilling.’

So many questions wracked the Princess’ mind. Why was the Imp in Equestria, why did it kill Gilda, where did it come from, what was its story and why did it chose to stand its ground and fight instead of run away? Now with its death by Bergren’s suicide attack all these questions would forever be unanswered.

Sighing aloud Luna turned around. The Royal Guard swarmed the area, looking for the remains of griffins and looking rather ill all the while by the smell of cooked flesh in the air. Her sister and Shining Armor, Captain of the Guard stood a short distance away conversing with each other.

“Nothing? There is no sign of the Anvil Knights at all?” Celestia asked in disbelief.

“None at all your Highness.” Armor replied. “Other than blood stains we can’t find any griffins. It’s like somepony took all the bodies away… do you think the Monster of Everfree ate them all?”

“There were a lot of griffins Armor.” Celestia said with a frown. “If it were a large creature then I would agree but its remains are right there. It doesn't appear to be much larger than the average pony.”

“Then what happened to the bodies?” Armor thought aloud with a bemused look. “They have not been lying here for very long, the local predators couldn’t have gotten to all of them.”

“They would have left the armor and the bones as well.” Celestia added. “Hmm… it is quite the mystery.”

“What of the Griffin Grand Prince Sister?” Luna asked.

“He is… unhappy.” Celestia replied with a sigh. “It’s not every day that one of your valued subjects is killed in a foreign country. He was understandably displeased with me not ensuring Prince Bergren’s safety.

“Tis a heartless statement but I can hardly see the fault lying with us sister.” Luna replied with a frown. “The departed Griffin Prince had only himself to blame for choosing to enter the forest. Did we not inform the Prince of the dangers? Was he not informed of a recently discovered one in the form of the infamous “Monster of Everfree”?”

“True though that may be the Grand Prince still sees we should have done more to protect Bergren.” Celestia responded with a troubled frown. “However I can’t help but feel that I am to blame for this travesty. I gave permission to Bergren to enter my lands, I allowed him to go unmonitored by my Royal Guard… and this is the result of those decisions, Bergren dead and three hundred griffins unaccounted for… and most likely dead as well… and I am to blame.”

“Princess you are not to blame.” Armor said hotly. “You expected the mightiest warriors the Principalities had to offer to be enough, you expected a Prince of a Grand Hold to have the sense to call for help and notify others of his actions. These expectations were all very reasonable and it is simply terrible that it didn’t work out that way. You can’t be expected to know all Princess, this was not your fault.”

“And that is where you are wrong my dear Armor.” Celestia smiled sadly at her Knight captain. “In the end I am the Princess of Equestria. When great events happen in the Kingdom those responsible are applauded. When terrible things befall it I am blamed for not foreseeing it…” Suddenly the Princess turned away and began walking. “For I am Celestia, Princess of Equestria, Mighty All Seeing Goddess of the Sun and Architect of a thousand years of peace… I am not allowed to be wrong.”

‘Dear sister…’ Luna thought sadly as she watched Celestia walk away before glancing back at the pile of ash and charcoal that must have once been the Imp. ‘Tis a most unfulfilling end… still tis fortunate it has ended, this dark creature will not harm another.’

IOTA

Oskar's mind swirled in darkness, voices faded in and out at the edge of her hearing as she struggled to overcome an intense feeling of helplessness. Further adding to her confused turmoil was voices she never thought and hoped she’d hear again.

“Ugh… heavy for a mare…” A male voice said suddenly with a stained grunt.

‘Oskar there is this Blackwatch officer I need eliminated.’ Alex Mercer’s voice said. ‘He frequents a brothel on this address here and there needs to be a body... in one piece do you understand? Do what you have to but make it look like one of the girls did it. The patsy needs to be alive and well as well. Now go.’

“… a strong girl, it must be the muscle…” A familiar voice said… Rarity?

‘Hey there slut.’ A voice, dripping in conceit, greeted cheerfully. ‘How about instead of cash this time I just give you a couple ration stamps instead huh? It’s practically a fortune for a useless cow like you.’

“… hear that?” The male voice form before asked. “Is she grinding her teeth?”

‘Mmmm sure thing honey.’ Oskar heard herself purr in a voice that wasn’t hers, the feelings of disgust with herself and an all-consuming sense of emptiness roiled within her. ‘I’m h-horny anyway!’

“What! Oh my gosh she’s having one of her night terrors!” A voice shouted loud enough for the Evolved to clearly identify: Twilight.

‘On the bed face down, I’m taking your ass virginity whether you like it or no- HEY WHAT THE FUC-gurk!’ The feeling of meat separating around her claws like warm butter brought only the smallest twinge of horror from the virus, the emotion beaten down by the desire to live and murder after murder, and reinforced by a wide abyss of emptiness. But beneath the faint horror, beneath the feeling of emptiness laid an emotion all too terrible for the Evolved to ponder… delight.

“O-oh my goodness, oh my goodness!” Fretted a stuttering voice. “This s-seems so very bad! She needs to go to a hospital!”

Suddenly it was as if the doom bell tolled and a great sense of dread filled Oskar as the word hospital rang in her ears. Images of men in blue hazmat suits appeared before her, her own terrified expression reflected back at her in their visors. Scalpels gleamed from a blinding light overhead as they descended, foretelling great pain and suffering.

“NO HOSPITALS!!!” Oskar roared in terror fueled fury at the first person she saw after she shot up from her lying position.

“EEP!” Fluttershy squeaked in terror before falling over in a faint.

Breathing rapidly almost to the point of hyperventilation Oskar took quick stock of her surroundings.

After she had passed out the virus had apparently been placed on a stretcher and was being carried by four pegasi. She was still in Cloudsdale, likely on the very outskirts of the cloud city as she was just before the edge. All around her were the Mane Six and the six pegasi who had been carrying her on a stretcher, all save for one unconscious pegasus were staring at her with some mix of shock and incredible worry.

“Emerald!” Twilight shouted before darting forward and pulling the virus into a hug. “Are you alright?! How are you feeling?! Does it feel like you might throw up again?! Are you in pain?!”

“What? Twilight I’m feeling fine now.” Oskar said after forcefully calming herself and added when she saw the violet unicorn’s incredulous look. “No really! Look!” With a small flare of her horn Oskar changed the color of the stretcher from white to bright orange. “See? I feel better now! I can even use magic again without it hurting.”

“Feeling better? Yeah I’ll believe it when I see it.” Dash said disbelievingly.

“Well… take a look.” Oskar said with a gesture to herself.

“Yeah, yeah you’re flaring your horn and talking big but you know what? What I just saw earlier says otherwise!” Dash said, stamping her hoof in emphasis. “You don’t just puke up a bunch of blood and walk away from it! When something like that happens, all kinds of things could be horribly wrong with you… permanent things!”

“OH MY GOSH! Dash you’re right! But… how did you know?” Twilight gasped then looked confused and stared at the pegasus in question. An action mirrored by everyone else save for Oskar who was looking more and more alarmed.

“What? I’m an athlete!” Rainbow Dash said her cheeks flushing as she turned her head away. “I’m not an egghead or anything, it just pays to know how serious an injury could be!”

“No pony is judging you for knowing this darling, in fact we are all very grateful that you knew.” Rarity assured Dash quickly before turning to Oskar. “Emerald, we must get you to the hospital right away! You-”

“NO! No hospitals!” The virus interrupted with a shout, the images of alarmed doctors holding test results up to Celestia flooding her mind.

“What in tarnation! Emerald, you are looking more panicked than the chickens after that wolf raided their coop!” Applejack exclaimed after seeing the expression on the fake unicorn’s face. “What in the world got ya so spooked?”

“Emerald please there might not be much time!” Twilight implored the virus. “We have to get you to a doctor! You… you might D-DIE!”

“No, no it’s- I-I’m okay!” Oskar said nervously, gulping slightly as her eyes darted to each of the mares around her. “I don’t need a hospital! Not at all! Seriously, I'm fine!”

“Please Emerald! You… wait…” Twilight said, first in worry then pausing as she remembered something. “Emerald, you mentioned the hospitals where you were not being very good, but I can assure you that the hospitals here in Equestria are some of the best in the world.”

“Twilight I… it’s… ohhhhhh…” The virus groaned, gritting her teeth in anxiety. “Those hospitals… weren’t just useless… they were horrifying…”

“What? Emerald, what do you mean?” Twilight asked, wondering how a place meant to heal could be described as such.

“It- THEY WERE BAD OKAY!” Oskar yelled, being forced to play the pity act and the fear of going to a hospital driving her to the edge. “…I’m sorry… they… they did something to ponies. You’d go there, wait to be treated and wait and wait and wait, until finally you had to sleep in cots they had prepared. You’d go to sleep but when you woke up, there would be cots empty of ponies all over the place. You’d ask what happened only to get shushed or told to shut up, and when you wouldn’t listen you got hit.”

“What!?” Twilight gasped, as did everyone else. “Wait… Emerald you were just a filly when-”

“WANT KIND OF MONSTER HITS A LITTLE FILLY!” Applejack roared in outrage.

“Yeah… that sounds like them…” Oskar muttered quietly. “I… I don’t want to say anymore … I don’t want to go to the hospital, okay?”

“Emerald… as much as I want to I can’t just let this go.” Twilight said quietly but firmly. “And I’m certain everypony here feels the same way. We can’t just ignore something like this and hope everything turns out okay, you need medical attention Emerald.”

Oskar silently shook her head with wide eyes, looking this way and that for a way out as she began backing away.

“Now don’ go runnin off sugarcube. This here is Cloudsdale and their ain’t many places a wingless pony could hide in!” Applejack said firmly, bringing up a rope to catch Oskar the moment she decided to bolt.

“I’m not letting you run away either Emmy!” Pinkie shouted from behind the Evolved, spooking her.

“EVERYPONY CALM DOWN!” Twilight shouted. “It’s okay Emerald, I know you’re scared but I promise that all of us will be by your side every step of the way. Will you go to the hospital now?”

Oskar swallowed, her anxiety plain to see as she realised there was only one thing she could do.

“… Alright.”

KAPPA

‘Okay, okay, density: normal, mass: normal, pulse rate: normal.’ Oskar thought anxiously as she walked through the hospital doors. ‘Large supply of normal blood with Emeralds natural genome, magic… shit! I don’t know what to do! GOD DAMN IT! What do I do?! How do I hide magic?’

“It’s okay Emerald.” Fluttershy said reassuringly, having been roused before leaving Cloudsdale. “If you are as healthy as you say you are then it’ll be just a normal checkup.”

“Deep breaths Emerald.” Twilight advised. “Fluttershy’s right, we’ll just go see a doctor and go from there.”

The group of seven moved towards the front desk where the nurse was busy writing out some forms, it also happened to be the same nurse Oskar had seen before.

“Hello how may I- Oh! It’s you again, how are you?” The nurse began before spotting Emerald and turning cheerful.

“Not good, miss.” Twilight said before Oskar could answer. “We need to see a doctor really quickly. Is there one free?”

“It’s another slow day so yes there is.” The nurse replied before asking worriedly. “Is it really serious?”

“It’s my friend, she had pulled her magic yesterday and was complaining of aches and pains today.” Twilight began, motioning to Oskar. “Then during a competition she started puking up blood.”

“Oh my goodness!” The nurse gasped before quickly moving from her desk. “Follow me!”

As the group jogged after the nurse Twilight noticed that Oskar was looking more and more apprehensive.

“It’s okay Emerald, deep breaths.” Twilight told the virus. “You’ll be seeing a doctor soon and everything will be alright, and remember no matter what we will always be right there beside you okay?”

“Yeah… alright… thank you Twilight.” Oskar said, inwardly surprised at the fact she did feel calmer now, not much but she had an easier time thinking now. Feeling that time was running out, Oskar refocused on the issue at hand, getting her magic to hide. She looked inwards and stared at her circuits, namely at the earth pony and pegasus circuits.

‘Hide… hide… come on…’ Oskar thought intensely, trying anything to hide the magic a unicorn shouldn’t have. She almost gasped aloud when ever so slowly she felt the earth and pegasus circuits shrink. The circuits continued to shrink down in size until they seemed to have disappeared. The virus experimentally called on her pegasus magic and immediately the circuits appeared and the magic from them flowed. She stopped and quickly got the circuit to hide away again. ‘I don’t believe this… this is fantastic! I might just get through this with no problem!’

Just then the nurse they were following stopped in front of a brown mane and coated unicorn wearing a long white coat. She walked over and whispered in his ear for a moment before the other unicorn’s eyes widened.

“Get her to the ER stat!” The doctor shouted and suddenly several nurses and other doctors in full operating garb appeared and whisked the Evolved down a hall towards a pair of double doors.

The images of men in blue hazmat suits flashed in the Evolved’s mind, sending her into a panic.

“NO! GET OFF ME!” Oskar shouted as she wildly flailed her limbs. “DON’T TOUCH ME! LEAVE ME ALONE!”

“Ahhhh!”

“OW!”

“Control her! Con- ACK!”

Nurses and doctors retreated from the panicking virus, most now sporting painful bruises.

“Miss, please calm down.” The brown coated unicorn said calmly, holding up hoof to her. “We only want to help you. You could be very seriously injured and we need to make sure you’ll be alright.”

While the unicorn was talking Oskar’s powerful ears easily picked up on some whispering going on between a few doctors.

“Alright, slowly but steadily apply the sleep spell.” Oskar heard someone say.

“Alright I’m starting now she should be out in about-” Another voice began but was interrupted.

“NO!” Oskar screamed out, her eyes and horn alight with a magical aura. Suddenly the nurses and doctors were wreathed in a pink aura so intense they could’ve been mistaken for flames. The medical ponies flew through the air and slammed into the walls and ceilings of the hallway with loud thuds, held in place via the virus’ magical might.

Oskar stood there in the middle of the hallway, her breath coming in deep pants and her eyes like spotlights in the night. Suddenly a pony came running at her and Oskar surprised herself by not immediately restraining it like she did the hospital staff. The pony impacted into Oskar and the Evolved felt a pair of limbs wrap comfortingly around her neck.

“It’s okay Emerald… please calm down.” Oskar heard Twilight say softly. “I know you’re scared. So very scared but these ponies only want to help you, please stop hurting them.”

The virus’ panting slowed and her magic slowly receded, her eyes stopped glowing and the medical ponies were gently lowered to the ground.

“It’s okay, everything is going to be alright Emerald.” Twilight soothed, hugging the virus tighter.

“I suppose your friend has a phobia of medicine, miss?” The brown coated unicorn said, rubbing a sore spot on his back.

“She… she is afraid of hospitals.” Twilight replied.

“Hmm… right we are going to have you in the room as well.” The doctor stated and turned to a few nurses. “Get her some scrubs.”

“Hear that Emerald? I’ll be right there beside you, nothing to be afraid of.” Twilight said finally releasing Oskar after she appeared to be completely calm.

“…I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to panic.” Oskar said softly.

“It’s alright, you’re just scared.” Twilight said reassuringly before taking some clothes a nurse handed her.

The next thing Oskar knew she was in the ER and was on her back lying on some gurney. Doctors and nurses were all around her with Twilight nearby but out of the way always flashing her a reassuring smile whenever she looked at her, the others were there as well but were behind the doors and crowding its little windows.

“Okay first we are going to examine you with a spell, it’ll tell us what your health is and what injuries you may have.” The doctor from before said, telling Oskar so she’d know what to expect.

“…Alright.” Oskar said and took a deep breath, going through everything she did to make herself normal one last time. “I’m ready.”

“Okay it is… 3:42pm and we are now beginning diagnosis of the patient.” The doctor said aloud, his horn glowing with a light blow aura. “Then we will proceed to medicate any and all injuries we find.”

A beam of light emitted from the doctor's horn and began scanning up and down Oskar’s body. The Evolved became ever more anxious, her breath came faster. The seconds passed like hours to the virus as she examined the doctor’s expression, what little of it she can see anyway. Most of the doctor’s face was covered by a surgical mask but his eyes were clear to see, they were narrowed in concentration but after a moment his brows furrowed and confusion appeared in his eyes. After a few more moments the doctor stopped his spell and motioned for a few of his fellow doctors to follow him as he walked over to the far side of the room.

Oskar listened intently with her powerful hearing and soon felt her worries melt away. The doctors were confused by the lack of anything wrong with Oskar, they were also discussing a few irregularities they had found but it was nothing major.

‘Oh thank god!’ Oskar thought with relief as she watched the brown coated doctor walk away from the group.

“Excuse me miss, I’d like a few words with you and your friends.” The doctor said, pulling off his mask as he did so.

“There isn’t anything wrong is there?” Twilight asked in worry.

“No actually, and that is the problem.” The doctor said to the other unicorn’s confusion. “I just need to question you and your other friends on what you saw.”

Twilight looked deathly curious to what the doctor meant by that statement and wanted to go with him to talk but she also didn’t want to leave Oskar when she had promised to be there for her. She turned to look at the virus and got a wave from her, telling her to go on. Twilight shot one last hesitant look at her friend before nodding.

The doctor left the ER with Twilight in tow, leaving Oskar alone with the other doctors and nurses but the Evolved was no longer too concerned, believing she was now past the worst. Suddenly one of the nurses appeared at her side with a rather large needle.

“We are just going to take blood sample now, are you ready, miss?” The nurse asked softly, now rather aware of “Emerald’s” magical strength and phobia of hospitals.

“Y-yes, you can go ahead.” Oskar said with now mock nervousness, prepared to send normal unicorn blood to wherever the nurse was going to take blood from.

“Alright… deep breath.” The nurse said before carefully sinking the needle into the virus’ shoulder and began taking blood. “There we are done.”

“When was the last time you had vaccination shots, miss?” A mare doctor asked, smiling kindly down at her despite having a black eye from one of the Evolved’s blows.

“Umm… years and I don’t think it was for any of the local illnesses.” Oskar replied before adding honestly. “And I’m sorry about your eye, I should have controlled myself better.”

“It’s okay miss, fear can get the better of the best of us.” The mare said compassionately before bringing up several needles and a few little bottles filled with colorful liquids.

Before long the vaccinations had been injected into her and Oskar had to fight to keep herself from lashing out at the foreign chemicals and consume them, for the time being at least. The moment the nurse had finished her injections a stallion doctor walked over wheeling a primitive looking computer that had a clamp and two suction cups hanging off the side.

“Next on the examination is your magic miss.” The mare doctor said. “We are just going to attach that clamp on your horn and place the cups on your temples then ask you to simply channel as much magic as you can okay?”

“S-sure.” Oskar had been rather nervous about this part of the examination but from what she was just told the equipment would have only attached to areas that had only unicorn circuits. So even if she wasn’t able to hide her other circuits chances were they wouldn’t have noticed them. Still the Evolved was wary and kept up her recently discovered skill at hiding her circuits.

The computer was wheeled right next to Emerald but the screen was turned away from her. A nurse took the clamp and cups and proceeded to attach them to her horn and temples as had been said.

“Alright miss.” A doctor watching the screen began. “Just channel as much magic as you can, no need for any spell, just pure magic.”

Oskar nodded silently and did as she was instructed. The Evolved channeled her magic but was not using her full strength because it just wouldn’t do to have her full power on record and that it wouldn’t be very inconspicuous. Unfortunately the Evolved had no idea of just how much magic she had and how it compared to normal unicorns. So she had little doubt in her mind that she had failed to properly hide her magical strength when the doctors and nurses gasped, it was further reinforced when the computer started to suddenly spew smoke for a brief moment before bursting into flame.

“What’s going on in here!?” The brown coated doctor shouted as he ran back into the room, having been alerted by the shouts and screams of his fellow staff. He had also been followed into the room by Twilight and the other members of the Mane Six.

“Sorry Crimson.” A doctor said as he sprayed down the flaming wreck that had been the PC with a fire extinguisher. “We were just onto the magic examination when the MSG was overloaded.”

“She overloaded it?” The brown unicorn now identified as Crimson said with surprise. “What was her grade before it exploded?”

“Fourteen.” One of the mares said with awe.

Oskar looked around with worried eyes as everyone gasped at the apparently high number.

“Uhh… is that good?” The Evolved asked after a moment.

“Emerald, that is fantastic!” Twilight said excitedly. “The average unicorn grades at five! I myself had a grade of eleven. Why, your potential at magic is even greater than I had ever hoped it would be!”

“Oh… uh, what was Celestia’s if I may ask?” Oskar enquired.

“Twenty.” Crimson promptly answered. “We had to modify the equipment to keep it from exploding, even though she wasn’t even trying. We should have just kept the modifications in hindsight… anyways.”

“Miss Gleaner? I questioned your friends on what happened to you and I compared it with what I have discovered from your diagnosis.” Crimson continued. “It’s incredibly odd that there is nothing wrong with you despite the fact that you threw up an excessive amount of blood, but the data doesn’t lie. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you, in fact you are in better shape than most earth ponies which is a praiseworthy feat by a unicorn. Combined with your magical grade I would say you are one of if not the most fit pony in all of Equestria.”

“Normally I’d have you stay a few days to be monitored but…”

“NO.” Oskar said firmly.

“I thought that was the case, miss.” Crimson said with a nod. “Well I’m not going to force you, not only would that not be ethical it probably would not end well for me. You may leave anytime you like.”

With that Oskar got off the gurney and quickly walked out the ER doors, the Mane Six not a second behind her. The very moment the Evolved walked past the doors she was set upon by the mares following her, overwhelming her in a large group hug.

“Wha?” Oskar got out.

“I’m so happy nothing is wrong with you Emerald.” Twilight said happily.

“Darn tooting!” Applejack agreed. “Ah never had any doubt, ya are a strong filly but Ah’m happy all the same.”

“I felt more nervous for the results of that medical exam than I ever did for the competition!” Dash admitted with an embarrassed flush.

“I think I speak for all of us when I say that I am glad to be wrong!” Rarity announced, something the other mares heartily agreed with. “You know yourself well darling, you were right about the state of your health.”

“Well… I’m glad you were all wrong too.” Oskar said with a sheepish smile at all the attention she was getting. “And uh… thanks for the sentiment guys, I know what happened at the competition worried you all horribly. But can we go now? I'd rather not stay in a hospital longer than needed.”

Twilight’s grateful smile instantly turned sad. “Of course Emerald, let’s go home.”

The six mares and one virus then proceeded to make their way back to Ponyville. Though the mares were still very much curious at why Oskar was scared of hospitals and what had happened to her in her youth to scar her mentality so badly, they weren’t willing to cause “Emerald” unnecessary pain so they let it be… for now.

LAMBDA

‘Hmm… there used to be something here.’ Oskar thought as she examined a jagged impression in the ground surrounded by faded bloodstains.

It was little over a week after the incident in the Cloudsdale stadium. It had taken only a day for everyone in Ponyville to hear about what happened and suddenly Oskar couldn’t get a moment of free time to herself, what with all the ponies dropping checking up on her and Twilight and her friends treating her like she was made of glass. Hell she couldn’t even properly enjoy a talent show without people asking about her health. It was only recently that people let up enough that Oskar could sneak off and get some time to herself.

‘Tracks… padded feet…’ Oskar thought as she studied some canine-like footprints. ‘Let’s see what I can do with my new tracking skills.’

The Evolved had then taken the opportunity to find out just what she had expelled from her body along with all that blood. However it seemed that over the weeks someone or something had come by and taken the object themselves.

‘Definitely canine… Diamond Dog tracks…’ The Evolved thought as she continued following the tracks. They were faint, very faint and the average tracker may have just given up but Oskar had the knowledge and technical skill of some of the Principalities’ finest trackers and hunters. However… even that had its limits.

‘Gone… from the way the soil is disturbed I’d say it dug down from here.’ The virus pawed at the ground with a thoughtful frown on her face. ‘Can’t do much tracking with that but let’s see if it is in range.’

Oskar sent out a viral pulse and waited… and waited… and waited.

‘Damn, out of range.’ Oskar scowled and turned away from the disturbed soil. ‘No telling where it could be now. Well… I might as well take this chance to explore my skills with magic in Everfree now that all the heat has died down.’

The fake unicorn sat down on the ground and began focusing, her expression that of intense concentration. Her horn began glowing brightly and after a moment of magic being built she disappeared in a flash.

Many miles away in one of the many clearings darting the Everfree there was a flash of light, and suddenly there was a startled shout followed by a thud.

‘Ugh, okay I need to work on my teleporting a bit more.’ Oskar thought as she got up from the ground and spat out dirt from her mouth. ‘Now, let’s work on using my magic while in my human form.’

In a burst of tendrils Emerald Gleaner was gone and in her place was Oskar’s default form. Just under his white bucket tendrils began to writhe, about to form a pair of horns when they suddenly stopped.

‘Hmm… I don’t need to have horns to use magic, I just need a foci to channel unicorn magic.’ The Evolved then turned his attention to his hands ‘Let’s see how this works shall we?’

Oskar stared intently at his arms for several long moments. Seemingly nothing was happening other than the Evolved staring at his arms quietly when suddenly tendrils writhed over his fingernails briefly and then it was gone.

‘Alright, done.’ The Evolved thought with a satisfied shake of his head before turning his attention to a nearby tree. ‘Alright, just visualise grabbing hold of the tree, it doesn’t matter that I’m channeling magic somewhere else, VISUALISE simple as that.’

Oskar reached out towards the tree with his hand and grasped at the open air. Suddenly a crimson aura flared up like little flames around his finger nails. A great flaming hand appeared out of nowhere and grasped the tree, gripping so tightly onto the tree that it left an imprint of itself into the bark. With a suddenness mirroring its appearance the hand disappeared.

‘Okay, too literal I think… but it worked!’ Oskar thought, directing a smile at his hands. What the Evolved had done was reconstruct the bones in his hands and forearms with the same material unicorn horn were out of. Then he had altered his fingertips and nails, the tips of his new bones in his fingertips were extended to connect to the fingernails which were also reconstructed to be made of unicorn horn but made to look like normal nails. Oskar made use of these new foci by channeling unicorn magic through his earth pony circuits and into the bones the circuits crossed over with. ‘Let’s try that again, this time without being so literal.’

Oskar began gesturing with his hands, a look of concentration on his expression. This time the tree was enveloped by a crimson flame like aura. The Evolved frowned and began slowly raising his hands into the air. A low groan filled the air as the tree bent and with a shudder it was uprooted violently from the ground. Oskar smiled giddily at the sight before smirking with dramatic sadism.

‘Feel the power of the dark side!’ Oskar thought happily before turning a curious look towards his hands. ‘Hmm… do I need to gesture? Uh, nope but I can’t help it really. It just feels so natural to do this.’

‘Alright, what next?’ The Evolved thought as he ended the flow of magic and dropped the tree with a crash. ‘I remember wanting to test my max speed way back at the Running of the Leaves and now I finally have the opportunity.’

Oskar limped briefly before taking a stance. He paused for a moment before tendrils surged over his legs and Oskar shot forward, running as fast as he could and building up velocity as quickly as possible. Unfortunately he had underestimated just how fast he could go when he tried to.

‘Crap!’ Oskar thought when he shot forward so fast he was unable to do anything but watch as he rammed into and through a tree, then another, then another. It only ended when he started trying to slow down and crashed right into a rather large boulder. The boulder cracked and large pieces of rocks were sent flying as a comparatively small object weighing over two tons slammed into it at several hundred miles an hour.

“Ugh…” Oskar groaned and coughed as the dust settled around him.

‘Okay I managed to reach high speeds almost ridiculously fast.’ Oskar thought as he walked out of the rubble and dust cloud. ‘That is great but I am most definitely not used to going that fast, I’m glad I have owl genes or everything would be a blur at that speed as well. It’s a fantastic skill but I’m going to need time to develop it. What next… how high can I jump now?’

Oskar bent his knees, tendrils writhed around his legs rapidly as he built up strength to his utter maximum. A few seconds later Oskar released the energy expecting to be high above the forest in a few seconds… he was right…

“Crap!” Oskar shouted as he shot through a cloud, his arms wind milling as his velocity finally died down. The Evolved paused for a brief moment a few feet above a cloud before he remembered his pegasi magic and quickly called it though his hands. Gravity reasserted itself just in time for the Evolved to light land on the cloud with a soft thud.

‘Wow… okay I can jump pretty high now.’ Oskar thought as he looked over the side of the cloud. ‘That is useful. Let’s get back done now, a quick teleport should do it.’

Oskar clasped his hands together before him and the fiery little auras flared up again, after a few moments Oskar disappeared in a flash of crimson.

Down many hundreds of feet below back in the clearing there was a crimson flash before Oskar suddenly appeared. He took a look around his surroundings before sighing tiredly.

‘Yep, really got to work on my teleporting.’ Oskar thought with a grumble as he pulled his legs out of the ground. ‘Right I just one last thing before I head back, testing my strength. Now how in the world do I test that?’

The virus searched his surroundings a bit and saw only trees and the occasional large rock but nothing he could seriously test himself on.

‘Nothing here but… hmm, is there a cliff nearby? I think I saw one that way from up there.’ Oskar thought before quickly running off, his form a blur as he ran past and sometimes through trees. Before long he reached his destination. The Evolved stared down from atop a cliffside a moment before jumping down. Then he turned around and studied a sure rock wall.

‘Right those APCs were around twelve tons and I could lift those with a little effort.’ Oskar thought as he studied the wall of rock before him. ‘Taking into consideration my other power increases I should be able to lift some a bit heavier. Hot about fifty tons? Let’s see… a few cuts there and a few cuts here…’

Tendrils shot out from Oskar’s form and dug into the rock. Little bits of stone flew through the air as dozens of tendrils chipped away at rock until a roughly spherical form began to appear. A few more moments of rock being chipped away and suddenly there was a loud crack before a large round boulder rolled down from an artificial hole.

Oskar watched the newly made boulder rumble down the cliff and roll on the ground for a few moments before it finally came to a stop. He then approached the boulder and studied it a bit more.

‘This looks good, let’s just root myself a bit before lifting it.’ Tendrils extended from the Evolved’s feet and deep into the ground, which was done to keep the ground from breaking and spreading the weight over a large area. ‘Right, time to lift this thing.’

Oskar reached forward and forcefully dug his hands into the boulder, spreading tendrils into the large stone so he had an even better grip. With a grunt the virus lifted. The boulder slowly rose from its position on the ground and shifted to just above Oskar. With a scowl Oskar placed the boulder atop his shoulders, miming the statue of Atlas holding up the world for a brief moment before he shoved it off to the side unceremoniously.

‘That was heavy.’ Oskar thought lightly as he worked his shoulders. ‘I actually felt some strain there, not sure if I can lift something much heavier than that. Well this was an interesting exploration of what I can do, I’d like to do more but I really should get back. I've been gone for half an hour, everyone is probably running around like headless chickens in worry.’ Oskar thought with an annoyed sigh and shifted back into Emerald Gleaner.

Focusing on a spot just outside town Oskar gathered her magic and focused on another teleport. Thankfully when she teleported this time she was upright and only a few feet above the ground, landing with a soft thud Oskar then proceeded into town.

It was with a feeling of déjà vu that Oskar walked through the streets of Ponyville. Once again she was being stared at but this time it was by both genders and they were doing so out of worry. It was no secret that Oskar was very much annoyed by the treatment she was getting from everyone and so just sped up when a few ponies approached to ask if she was feeling alright.

A few streets later and she came upon the sight of Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie talking to each other. They noticed her as she approached and quickly quieted, Dash noticeably looked irritated at the others when they did this for some reason.

Oskar came to when she heard a trilling noise just above her and looked up to see Navi wearing a little crocheted green hat along with some designer, standing on the tip of her ear.

“Hey there Navi, how are you?” Oskar asked and got a little happy trill in response. “That’s nice to hear. Hey girls! What were you talking about?”

Twilight was about to answer when Spike came running out of nowhere and started shouting.

“AHHHH! RARITY! WOODS! JEWELS! DOGS! HOLE! TAKEN! SAVE HER!” The little dragon shouted before beginning to hyperventilate.

‘It’s just one thing after another isn’t it?’ Oskar thought in the long quiet moment that followed.

-TBC-

AN: Finally done after a little over two months! I know it was a long wait but at least I made this chapter especially long ☺ I hope you guys enjoyed!

CREDITS

Ideas and Story Development: Gekko and Trondason

Partial Grammar Edits: Trondason

Chapter 8: Empire of Dirt

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Oskar galloped at “full speed” beside her friends with Navi buzzing about in the air above, on their way to save Rarity. They were currently in some sparsely forested area making their way to the location Spike had said he and Rarity were ambushed… at least, that’s what Oskar thought she heard. The little dragon himself was on Twilight’s back hyperventilating into a paper bag as he explained exactly what happened upon being prodded by Twilight and Rainbow Dash, confirming what Oskar had thought she heard.

“Rarity and I were in the woods looking for jewels when these creepy guys showed up!” Spike said, worried.

“Creepy guys?” Twilight asked.

“They called themselves the Diamond Dogs they-”

“Diamond Dogs?” Oskar asked, her attention immediately caught as a memory of a padded footprint flashed through her mind.

“Yeah, Diamond Dogs!” Spike said with a nod. “They grabbed Rarity and disappeared into a hole in the ground!”

“Oh…” Oskar said, her mind occupied by memories of Griffin trackers experiencing frustration with Diamond Dogs from their incredible digging ability. “This could be rather difficult.”

“Why, that doesn’t sound the least bit hard to me!” Applejack replied confidently as the group neared a ledge. “We just find that there hole they took Rarity and-”

The cowpony’s words ended when the group arrived at the ledge overlooking a clearing… completely filled with holes.

“This is what I meant earlier.” Oskar stated with a frown, Navi lighting down on her ear still wearing her outfit from before. “Diamond Dogs are avid diggers and the local packs of dogs are known for kidnapping ponies, so they know how to cover their tracks… other times they do stuff like this as a game.”

“What do you mean Emerald?” Twilight asked. “And how do you know about Diamond Dogs tactics? I don’t have any books covering that.”

“Experienced Diamond Dogs dig through the dirt almost like a fish swims through water.” Oskar explained as she studied the holes in front of her. “They like to taunt people by flaunting said ability and I know this from a Royal Guard I know.”

“Oh, hmm…” Twilight brought up a hoof to her mouth as she pondered the situation. “Did your friend ever say how to outsmart the Diamond Dogs?”

“That’s the thing actually.” Oskar responded with a small smile as she jumped down the ledge. “Diamond Dogs are not particularly smart, so outsmarting them should be easy. Now we just… need to think… of a… huh?”

Oskar came to a stop as she walked through the field of freshly dug holes and stared at one bare spot on the ground. There wasn’t anything off about the spot at all but for some strange reason she felt herself strangely attracted to it.

“Emerald, what's wrong?” Twilight asked as she and her friends followed the virus down onto the field. “Why are you staring so intently?”

“I don’t know, I just… give me a minute.” Oskar said absently and walked over to the spot that was triggering an unknown instinct in her. Once over the spot Oskar then pawed at the ground for a moment before digging intently and briefly. A second later she was done and stepped back to look at her find. It was a massive gleaming emerald sitting atop a small pile of other gems.

“Oh wow! Your skill in action Emmy!” Pinkie exclaimed as she hopped over to admire the large emerald Oskar was now holding up in a hoof.

“Hmm…” The virus merely hummed in reply as she thought about how to outsmart the Diamond Dogs. “Spike, why did the dogs kidnap Rarity exactly? Was it something to do with the gems?”

“Well yeah.” Spike answered with a confused look. “They said they were hunting for gems and that Rarity was a better hunter so they- OH! I get it! We use gems to outsmart the Diamond Dogs!”

“Exactly what I was thinking.” Oskar said with a nod. “It’ll be very difficult catching them otherwise, now we just have to hold tightly on the gem…”

“Da dadada da Da! Pinkamena Diane Pie to the rescue!” Pinkie said triumphantly and held out a fishing pole to Emerald. “Here ya go Emmy!”

Oskar gave a narrowed eyed stare at the party mare. “I’m not even going to ask where you were hiding that, just give it here.”

A few moments later and Emerald was standing beside Spike as he lowered the large emerald tied to the line into a hole.

“Okay this should work.” The Evolved began. “When the dogs see the large gem they’ll want and try to take and when that happens we just-”

“Whoa!” Spike suddenly exclaimed as his fishing bent from a sudden weight. “Whoa, whoa! I got a bite, I got a bite!”

“Okay great!” Oskar said as she quickly darted over to stare down the hole. “Just loosen the line and we’ll-”

“Hold on there little fella!” Oskar heard Applejack shout and turned to see Spike pulled into the hole with the cowpony trying to pull him back out only for herself to follow. This was quickly followed by Twilight trying to save Applejack, then Rainbow Dash trying to save her and Fluttershy trying to save her…

“Well we can do it this way too I guess…” Oskar sighed and quickly bit down on Pinkie’s tail when she decided to “tag along” with Navi quickly diving into her hair.

Oskar couldn’t really tell what happened next as all she could see was Pinkie’s rear and all she heard was the sound of everyone sliding on dirt and Pinkie laughing, but she certainly noticed when the ground ended. The Virus panicked for a moment and was about to use her magic to catch everyone when she and everyone else hit the ground with a barely felt thump. The Evolved had felt relieved about that and was again surprised when the ground once again disappeared from under her but this time she didn’t have time to panic.

“Oof!” Oskar grunted when she landed on something soft.

“Owie!”

“Sorry Pinkie.”

Oskar stood up from her position atop Pinkie Pie and took stock of her surroundings, Navi sticking her face just out of her mane where she had buried herself when the virus dived into the hole. It was a roughly carved out cave with a dirt floor and many, many little openings in the wall that glowed with a strange red light.

“HA HA! IT WORKED! WE’RE IN! NOW WE CAN FINALLY SAVE RARITY!” Spike cheered in triumph as he leapt up from the floor.

“Ummm… which way do we go?” Twilight asked as she and everyone finally noticed their surroundings.

“NOOOOOOOOoooooooo!” Spike shouted, apparently in despair that Rarity’s rescue wasn’t going to be as straightforward and easy as he had thought.

‘Drama queen… emulation is one way to win over a crush I suppose.’ Oskar thought wryly and looked downwards when she felt something poke her leg and heard Pinkie giggle.

“What’s so funny?” The Evolved asked the pink pony.

“Oh nothing, it’s just so weird to feel tough muscles on a unicorn!” Pinkie Pie said, looking up at the fake unicorn standing over her with a small smile and cerulean eyes that sparkled with glee.

Oskar just flashed her a smile in response and stepped off her, joining Twilight as she got off the ground.

“All these tunnels… how are we ever going to find Rarity?” Twilight asked aloud in worry as she started walking forward.

At that Oskar gave an aside glance to the others before sending out a viral pulse, its quick return showing not only that they were going in the right direction but Rarity wasn’t too far away. Now she just needed to figure out something believable to say to keep everyone on track.

“Guess were just ta have start going down them one by one!” Applejack replied.

“That could take forever!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “There’s gotta be a way to narrow it down!”

“I know! I bet they’ve taken Rarity down the tunnel with the most gems!” Oskar heard Spike say but paid no more attention as she stared intently at the ground.

There was a shallow hole in the dirt floor of the cave, claw marks showed it was artificially made and that something was dug up. Taking into account the reason why the Diamond Dogs kidnapped Rarity, Oskar reasoned they would be forcing her to reveal gems and then dig them up, so it was actually far more probable that Rarity was down the tunnel with the least gems. Looking up, Oskar saw more evidence to back her claim. Not only more shallow holes in the floor and wall but paw and hoof prints in the dirt as well. Just to make absolutely sure, Oskar sent out a viral pulse and smiled when it came back from the direction of the tunnel she was investigating.

“Guys I think Rarity is-” The virus began.

“We're coming, Rarity! We’ll save you!” Spike announced from atop Twilight as she and the others galloped down a different tunnel from the one Oskar was facing. “Just hold on!”

“… This way.” Oskar finished lamely. The Evolved looked back and forth between the tunnel the others just went down and the one she was sure led to Rarity. After a moment Oskar sighed and galloped after the others, reasoning that Rarity would be fine since the dogs wouldn’t want to hurt their “gem detector”.

Oskar followed the others as they ran down a maze of tunnels though thankfully it seemed that the gem rich tunnels Twilight was following more often than not went in the right direction. And as she went, her powerful ears picked up on Rarity’s voice echoing off the walls and felt what worry she had disappear.

“ENOUGH!” An almost comical slightly high pitched voice begged. “Your whining! I-it hurts!”

“Whining?!” Oskar heard Rarity say incredulously. “I am not whining! I am complaining. Do you want to hear whining? This is whining! Uuuuah this harness is too tight! Can’t you loosen it?! It’s going to chafe!”

‘Yep… Rarity’s perfectly fine.’ Oskar thought with a wince, unwilling to listen in anymore. She and the others were still galloping down tunnels, gems in the walls being lit up and revealed by the spell Twilight was using.

‘Hmm… I wonder if that spell can be used to find other things in the earth?’ Oskar thought curiously. ‘Different types of rock maybe? Like marble and limestone? Finding ores would be fantastic since you wouldn’t need to study the ground and rock for signs of a nearby vein. Hmm… what is the maximum depth of that spell I wonder? Is it only a few feet deep? Can you increase the range by pouring more power into the spell? So much potential for that spell, it would be extremely useful for objective four because-’ Suddenly the sound of Rarity bawling echoing in the tunnels broke the Evolved’s line of thought. ‘What the? What just happened?’

“It’s coming from down here!” Spike pointed forward, a bit unneeded since the tunnels they were in had no other way then forward. “Come on!”

A moment later and the tunnel ended with the group coming into a large cavern with a steel bar door covering one entrance to a tunnel, the sound of Rarity’s crying echoing from within.

“She must be in there!” Rainbow Dash said. “Let’s go!”

Suddenly six armored dogs leapt out from behind boulders and out from openings in the ceiling. They all landed on the back of a pony, Oskar included.

‘Surprisingly good ambushers!’ Oskar commented inwardly, surprised by how she hadn’t noticed the dogs before the ambush was tripped. ‘I better-’

Oskar grew deathly still when the dog on her put a bridle on her.

“More workhorses!” One of the armored dogs stated, their intent made clear for all.

Oskar felt empty for a brief moment before a memory of Alex ordering her to yet again murder someone flashed through her mind, a sense of utter helplessness overwhelmed her… and then she was angry, so very angry.

‘NO! NOT AGAIN! NEVER AGAIN!’ Oskar raged inwardly.

Everyone in the cavern suddenly froze up when a low almost bestial growl suddenly resonated through the air. The Mane Six and the Diamond Dogs turned towards the source of the sound, Oskar.

The virus’ expression was utterly blank but her eyes held such a terrifying deep dark volatile intent that seemed just on the verge of exploding wildly, contrasting completely with the calm posture she held. With a disturbing slowness Oskar turned to face the dog on her back who could not help but gulp audibly when he met her gaze.

“Workhorse?” Oskar stated, voice like the calm before the hurricane before quietly muttering. “… Never again.”

Suddenly the virus leapt into the air, smashing into the ceiling and falling back onto the floor. The Diamond Dog was understandably knocked senseless from the impact, his helmet was now misshapen and dented, bulged out eyes rolling in their sockets seeing stars and a tongue lolled about. He still held onto the rope of Oskar’s bridle though unfortunately… for him.

Utterly furious with her impromptu rider Oskar burst forward down a random tunnel, the sounds of the Dog on her back yelping in fear and pain echoing throughout the tunnels as he just barely held on.

The Mane Six, Spike and the Diamond Dogs just stared in stunned silence after Oskar, shocked at the immense barely restrained rage their friend just demonstrated. The image of the look “Emerald’s” eyes held seemed to dominate their minds and then they all shuddered in fear, feeling very much like a deer finding face to face with a hungry Manticore and disturbed by the fact it was “Emerald” that made them feel that way.

It was Fluttershy’s goat-like beat as she fainted, unable to handle the fear, that made them remember where they were and who was on their backs right now.

“Ah ain’t in the mood for ya’ll!” Applejack shouted in anger, immediately starting to buck and jump to force off the dog, an action that the others quickly began to mimic. It didn't take much effort to force the dogs off and since they were still in shock from what they had seen and were sent flying easily, the one that was on Fluttershy had hit his head when Fluttershy fainted and didn’t seem to be coming back up anytime soon.

After the Dogs were sent yelping down the tunnels the mares turned to each other, concerned expressions firmly etched on their faces.

“What in tarnation was that?!” Applejack exclaimed pointing down the tunnel Oskar had run down. “In all the time ah that filly I have never seen er like that!”

“Angry Emmy is scary…” Pinkie commented from her hiding spot behind an unconscious Fluttershy.

“Seems like a certain somepony agrees with ya Pinks.” Dash commented and turned towards Twilight. “AJ’s right, what the hay was that?!”

“I don’t know guys I really don’t but this gives us a new problem.” Twilight replied with a concerned frown. “Who do we go after? Rarity is being held captive by the Diamond Dogs down that tunnel but Emerald just ran down that one and who knows what she may run into.”

“Ah have faith in the mare.” Applejack replied, though she was frowning as well. “She is as tough as nails for a unicorn that spends as much time as ya book learning.”

“Yeah she isn’t some shrinking violet or some crud.” Dash added confidently. “Besides, she beat up a manticore didn’t she? What are some random dogs barely bigger than her going to do?”

“Okay so we save Rarity first then go after Emerald.” Twilight said, sounding like she’d rather not have to choose between the two. “But first we need to wake up Fluttershy…”

ALPHA

Deep in the caves of the Diamond Dog tunnels a large group of sixty or so Dogs either armored or just wearing a vest sat in a dining room eating lunch, said room being a roughly carved out cavern. Breeds of bulldog like Diamond Dogs were in the majority but there were other breeds here as well, quite a few appeared to be Boxer and German Shepherd like along with one big Rottweiler looking one. All of them were relaxing after a hard day of either mining or trying to find some isolated ponies to abduct for forced labour, which they had been failing to do since this particular mine’s opening save for one unicorn. They were all enjoying a not at all appealing dish of what could be charitably called gruel, made from stolen oats and dog food which all the dogs were hoping wasn’t out of date this time. Judging by the fact more often than not they didn’t have to fight their gag reflex it thankfully wasn’t.

Their quiet moment to relax and fill their bellies with something that actually wouldn’t give them stomach aches and the runs was suddenly interrupted by the sound of yelping echoing from one of the tunnels. The large Rottweiler Diamond Dog got up and was about to investigate when a door over one of the entrances to the dining room exploded outwards.

In came a unicorn, coat white as snow, eyes green as the emeralds in her cutiemark and mane an eye-catching shade of neon pink. Said unicorn also happened to have a badly battered armored Diamond Dog desperately hanging onto her by a rough rope bridle. The unicorn came to a skidding stop upon catching sight of all the Diamond Dogs in the room which caused the Dog on her to suddenly fly forward, crashing into the large Rottweiler DD.

There was a short moment of awkward silence as the DDs in the room expected the unicorn to either run away or beg forgiveness given how outnumbered she was. They didn’t expect her to just scowl briefly before giving them all a narrowed eyed glare and looking like she was preparing to fight.

The Rottweiler DD got up, pushing the armored dog off him as he seemed to be content to not try to move his battered body.

“Grrrr what unicorn do to Berkly?!” The Rottweiler DD asked angrily, approaching the unicorn with a slightly ponderous gait.

“He tried to enslave me so I gave the filth what he deserved.” The unicorn responded blankly, a rage in her eyes contrasting with her calm stance. “I’m guessing the rest of you are slavers too so you’ll be getting yours in a few moments too.”

“Feisty pony!” The Rottweiler DD commented with an almost admiring grin before quickly frowning. “No matter how strong or how good magic, only one of you. Padfoot don’t like hurting girls, give up so don’t have to. There is nother unicorn here, keep you company while you work.”

Suddenly the mare’s jaw tightened and a startling amount of hate smouldered in her eyes. “How kind of you to reassure me I would have someone to share the misery with, slaver…”

A long moment of inaction followed this statement. To the Diamond Dogs it seemed clear they would be the winner if the unicorn decided to fight, yet the sheer lack of fear in said mare and the air of viciousness about her kept them from immediately trying to charge her. Finally a German Shepard DD stepped atop a table and pointed at her.

“Only one… LET’S GET HER BOYS!” The dog shouted, causing a round of agreeing howls before the dogs exploded forth.

“Padfoot” shot forward surprisingly fast after only a brief moment’s hesitation, large bulky arms reaching out to catch and restrain the unicorn the moment he was in range. However, what happened next surprised every dog in the room, especially Padfoot.

One moment the unicorn was standing there the next she had run forward so fast they nearly didn’t notice a high pitched yelp of pain resounding in the cavern soon after. The DDs turned to see the sight of Padfoot falling down onto his knee from being punched in the groin from the unicorn, who had suddenly appeared before him. The unicorn then swiped her hoof into the side of Padfoot’s knee, snapping it like a twig. Padfoot howled in pain for a brief second before the mare punched him in the jaw hard enough to spin him about before he collapsed onto the ground, dazed.

There was a moment of silence as the shocked dogs stared at the unicorn that had incapacitated the largest of them in a single moment. Then the DD who had initiated the charge once again took the first move and charged at the unicorn mare. Other DDs were not far behind but the pony was far from worried. The German Shepherd DD was sent flying with a cracked sternum into his fellows, bucked by the pony. A moment later three dogs in range leapt upon the pony, intending to pin her with sheer weight and numbers… it didn’t work.

The dogs grappled with the unicorn and tried to use their strength and their weight to force her to the ground but she was as unmoving as a mountain. With a silent snarl the pony reached up with both hooves and grabbed the dogs on her, swinging them off in an arc and smashing them into the ground hard enough for them to bounce. Then she gave a short hop into the air, turning upside down and landing on the remaining dog on her. The average pony was heavy in comparison to people, about three hundred pounds on average, but the wheeze from the DD and the small dust cloud rising from the unicorn’s impact with the ground said she was heavier than she looked.

The unicorn was barely on the ground for an instant before she was on her hooves again facing the next dog charging at her. She reared up unexpectedly and latched onto the dog's arm as he missed a frantic thrown haymaker punch. And with the ease of wrapping one’s self in a rope the unicorn proceeded to do just that only using the DD’s arm. Rapid pops, cracks and crunching filled the cavern along with the dog’s howls of utter agony as his arm was broken in quite possibly hundreds of places, the pain only made worse by the unicorn wrapping said arm under her shoulders. Then quickly adjusting her grip on the limb to the wrist the unicorn heaved and suddenly she was wielding the dog as an impromptu flail, sending near a dozen closing dogs flying with the now comatose dog.

The rest of the dogs in the cavern paused to gape at the sure brutality of the maneuver the unicorn just performed, said unicorn narrowed her eyes and dropped her “weapon” to the ground like so much trash.

She moved again, charging forward at incredible speeds and bowling over several dogs painfully before coming to a stop in the thickest grouping of them. Seeing she was now within striking range DDs lashed out with their powerful arms, strong enough to burrow through even the hardest rock… it didn’t do any good.

The pony had unbelievable speed, parrying blows with her legs making the dogs feel like their arms were whacked away with a steel bar. However as fast as she was she couldn’t block every strike coming at her. A German Shepard DD leaped at her, arm cocked back in a mighty hay maker and this time the blow landed. The dog’s paw impacted solidly with the pony’s cheek and the moment it did so the dog howled in pain, pulling back his arm and cradling his paw crying out about it feeling like it was broken. His cries were ended a moment later when the unicorn delivered a bone breaking blow to his knee and struck him solidly in the temple, making him crumple like a puppet with its strings cut.

By now several DD’s had had it and were about to turn tail and run. They were a poorly fed and often overworked bunch who specialised in ambushing their targets and overwhelming with numbers, not direct battles. The unicorn they were fighting had no qualms about breaking limbs and causing the greatest pain possible to those who attracted her attention in a fight and the only thing outnumbering her did was give her more people to vent her hate on. Not to mention that the more they watched her fight the more unnatural she seemed, their frantic blows bounced off her ivory coat like it was solid steel, she reacted to attacks with such speed a snake would find itself green with envy, worse still was the way she moved, contorting and twisting as she moved and turned in the heat of battle in such ways that even the DDs knew she should have broken something. So with the choice between facing this seemingly unstoppable hurricane of violence in the form of a pony and running away the Diamond Dogs chose to run… or try to.

A group of DDs skidded to a stop before they could get anywhere near an exit, the reason being the unicorn who had run incredibly fast ahead of them and reached that exit first. She was giving them a hard stare and proceeded to give the wall beside the exit a hard kick. Horrifying the dogs with how easily the wall cracked and shattered like glass before her strength and collapsed the tunnel they were running for.

What few dogs that intended to keep desperately fighting immediately broke and ran for all the exits in the face of this show of force. Hoping that her being only one meant she couldn’t get them all. They were proven wrong only moments later…

Another group of running DDs skidded to a stop and quickly changed direction as the unicorn charged and reached another direction before them. Had they watched her they may have seen her stumble and find herself unable to stop in time, collapsing a tunnel by running headfirst into a wall instead of bashing it with a limb.

Two groups of DDs were about to reach their respective exits and this time knew she could get both. One group was shocked when several large boulders crashed into their exit and the other was simply terrified when they found themselves mere feet from her at the other before she smashed that exit as well.

There was only one exit now, the one the unicorn has come exploding out of. They didn’t even bother moving towards that one, knowing she would reach it long before any of them would. They were proven correct when she skidded to a stop before that exit, giving them all a long hate filled stare.

“M-mercy?” One of the dogs stuttered a plea.

The pony’s eyes suddenly glazed over at that request, looking like she was distracted by her thoughts or remembering something vividly. Suddenly her eyes cleared, lighting up with a terrifying fury.

“Would you have given me mercy if I had asked for it?” The unicorn stated rhetorically.

The Diamond Dogs’ answer would have honestly been yes but that didn’t matter anymore, she was amongst them again like a bottled up typhoon finally let loose. They couldn’t run or hide from her, they couldn’t even dig away because the room they were in was carved out of pure rock and that always took some time to dig through, time enough for the monster unicorn to beat them into submission. The only thing they could do was echo their anguished howls through the tunnels.

BETA

Oskar panted as she struggled to regain full control of herself. All around her were the comatose broken bodies of the Diamond Dogs, lying haphazardly on the tables and floor. It was an utter struggle to fight the Diamond Dogs and not kill any of them, her rage straining and testing the uppermost limits of her self control. It wasn’t time or place to kill people, the others were probably only a few tunnels away and they wouldn’t have taken her killing people all that well at all. But that fact didn’t make it easier for her even more so when she had messed up in the fight.

‘That was embarrassing…’ The Evolved thought, recalling the point in the fight where she wasn’t able to completely control her high speed running and ended up smacking into a wall. ‘I really need to practice high speed movement more. The last thing I need is to lose control and go smashing into some random wall or tripping on something I missed.’

A small questioning trill came from above the Evolved. After a few moments Navi stuck her head out of the fake unicorn’s mane and took stock of her surroundings, seeing that the DDs were no longer a danger, not that they ever were, the little bug immediately flew out of her “shelter” and buzzed about Oskar’s head.

“Sorry about that Navi…” Oskar said to her pet, who was now on her snout. “I didn’t mean to endanger you like that… I just got so angry when that Diamond Dog put that bridle on me…”

Navi just trilled comfortingly and flew up against Oskar’s check, rubbing her cheek affectionately against Oskar’s. The virus smiled softly at this action before her ear suddenly twitched.

“Emerald! Emerald! Emerald, where are you!” Came an echo from down the tunnels.

‘The others are coming…’ Oskar thought. ‘And judging by the sound they are choosing the right paths so they will be reaching me soon. Let’s see, let’s see… there is a lot of DDs here and I am completely untouched, not good.’

Oskar's body began to undergo changes, tendrils writhed over the surface of her form Navi watching curiously from above. Gashes appeared, all of varying depths followed by a number of bruises each also varying in size.

‘No matter how good a fighter Emerald is she wouldn’t have gotten out of this scrap without something to show for it.’ Oskar thought. ‘And I doubt the others would be in any better shape though they are probably better off since it seems I took care of the majority of them here. Hmm… should I break one of my legs? Crap, time’s up here they come.’ The Evolved looked up as she heard the sound of hooves clopping on stone just down the remaining cavern exit… and was rather surprised when the group entered the room looking completely untouched followed by three Diamond Dogs.

“Emerald are you- OHMYGOSH!” Twilight began and gasped in shock when she saw the condition Oskar was in and the knocked out DDs covering the room.

“Hey guys…” Oskar greeted with a bit of a strained smile.

“Emerald, you're bleeding!” Rarity gasped and rushed forward. “What in the world happened!? Did the Diamond Dogs hurt you?! Scoundrels!”

“Look what your buddies did to our friend!” Dash said angrily to the three DDs that followed them.

“Her?! What about ours?!” The Diamond Dog with the average height protested, pointing at all the Diamond Dogs lying unconscious with obvious broken limbs. “Our entire pack is-”

“That’s enough lip out of ya!” Applejack said, interrupting the Diamond Dog with a buck to the face sending falling to the ground with a yelp. “Now git! Go get us those carts of gems ya’ll promised!”

“Yeah! Don’t come back until you have them!” Rainbow Dash added, shouting after the retreating DDs’, two of them carrying their pained friend.

“Are you okay Emerald?” Twilight asked with concern. “Do you have any serious injuries?”

“Uhh… no, just some cuts and bruises.” Oskar responded a bit uncomfortable since Rarity was now looking over her entire body looking for every single wound she had. “Honestly the Diamond Dogs are in far worse shape than me, speaking of which... how are you guys not hurt as well? I’d think the dogs would have put up a fight trying to keep Rarity.”

“A proper lady should know how to handle ruffians darling.” Rarity said. “I used my wiles to manipulate the Diamond Dogs and make them not only want to be rid of me but offer to pay to be rid of me.”

“So you not only reversed your situation without our help but got what you originally wanted?” Oskar stated. “I guess I shouldn’t underestimate the power of whining.”

“What? How did you know?” Rarity asked with furrowed brows.

Despite the fact she hadn’t intended to let that slip, Oskar just gave Rarity a steady look in the eye. “Rarity, you are just that kind of pony.”

Rarity just pouted as the others gave a little laugh.

GAMMA

The group was now outside on the surface, pulling along several carts overflowing with gems. Oskar was now regretting making her body look hurt, as the group had her riding along in one of the carts and wouldn’t take no for an answer. So now she was being pulled along by Applejack while lying on a surprisingly comfortable pile of gems.

“… Emerald?” Twilight called.

“Yes?” The virus replied.

“I was just wondering… back in the caves, you reacted to that Diamond Dog putting a bridle on you rather… strongly.” The violet unicorn began. “And I wanted to know why… if you didn’t mind.”

Oskar sighed inwardly as she looked all around her, the group had come to a stop and were looking at her deeply curious about the reason as well… though Fluttershy was averting her eyes away from her for some reason. She was sure she could just tell them she didn’t want to talk about it, implying it was a painful memory… which truth be told it was. But… she did trust them to not go around telling people personal details about her…

“I… once upon a time I wasn’t a strong pony…” Oskar began hesitantly. “Once upon a time… I was a slave.”

Gasps of shock and horror met this announcement.

“What?! You, a slave?! No way!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed incredulously.

“What force in the world could have claimed a mare like you Emerald?” Rarity asked with equal disbelief.

“Like I said I wasn’t always a strong pony, there was a time when I was weak and desperate… and he came and took advantage of me when I was at my weakest.” Oskar said quietly. “I was tired, cold, hungry and living in half destroyed buildings. Then one day he arrived and offered me a way out. No more being cold, no more starving, no more being tired and no longer without shelter. All I had to give in return was my freedom.”

“… Who was he? What was he?” Twilight asked quietly.

“He was… a monster.” Oskar admitted, deciding against telling her his name.

“So… what happened next?” Dash asked curiously though knowing she was treading on sensitive ground.

Oskar sighed. “…I spent two long painful years serving him. Two years doing whatever was asked of me until one day I finally saw my chance for freedom… so I took it which after a series of events I don’t exactly understand I ended up here… and girls? I know you are all deathly curious but I really don’t want to say anymore.”

“That’s okay Emerald.” Twilight said with a sad but comforting smile. “You don’t have to say anymore, let’s just head home so I can use some of the healing spells I learned in a controlled environment.”

At that Oskar raised an eyebrow curiously, when did Twilight learn healing magic.

“Healing magic?” Oskar said. “I know being Celestia’s student you know a lot of magic but I don’t think healing was one of those.”

“No, you’re right Emerald but after Dash demonstrated her knowledge of injuries… well I took it upon myself to study injuries and healing.” Twilight said a little sheepishly, flashing a glance at Dash who was looking a little smug. “So I learned healing magic… it’s not much really, it’s an incredibly complex field and advancement can be slow as the consequences of getting something wrong can be disastrous. But I do know enough to hopefully heal those cuts and bruises of yours.”

Inwardly annoyed about having to be careful about another “medical procedure”, Oskar just sighed as the group made their way home, pulling along the carts of jewels. But her thoughts wandered back to the Diamond Dogs as she did so.

‘A Diamond Dog took the object from the area it landed.’ Oskar pondered. ‘Hmm… I’m going to definitely need to investigate this. Also my magic is fairly advanced now, I can teleport, though my aim is a bit off but I can do most things now. I feel that the objective is complete… the Diamond Dogs give me an idea of how to start objective four.’

‘Priority objective: Attain satisfactory mastery over magic complete. Starting objective four: Create a powerbase.’ The Virus thought, glancing back over her shoulder at the caves the Diamond Dogs resided in.

DELTA

“And there, all done!” Twilight said with a smile, the glow of magic fading from her horn. “Though I am rather surprised at how easy that was, it felt like I was doing nothing but I could see those wounds closing.”

“Well I look fully healed don’t I?” Emerald stated.

The group was now back in Twilight’s library after dropping off the loads of gems in Rarity’s boutique. The rest of the Mane Six had decided to go with Twilight and Emerald, just to make sure the white unicorn was fine. Emerald wasn’t exactly appreciating their concern though.

“Well if you have any aches pains then I could-” Twilight began.

“Uh, no I’m fine.” Emerald stated, Navi buzzing about her head as she stared at the others looking at her with concern. “Very fine in fact, and just to prove to you how fine I am, watch me teleport away to do some chores.” The prodigal unicorn said, her horn glowing with magic. Just before she disappeared in a flash Navi dived into her mane tagging along to wherever was Emerald’s intended destination.

Twilight opened her mouth to dispute Emerald’s decision only for the other unicorn to leave, then she closed her mouth with a sigh.

“Well Emerald’s gone out.” Twilight stated to her friends. “No idea where she went but she’s probably going to be out for a while.”

“Emmy’s got problems.” Pinkie said sadly.

“Got to agree with ya there sugar cube.” Applejack said. “That mare got a ton of issues, can only imagine what her life was like before coming here.”

“Hmm… maybe we should try to figure that out?” Twilight offered after some thought. “Use what we know about her to piece together a hypothetical past?”

“Err… why?” Dash asked. “Shouldn’t we just ask Emerald when she comes back?”

“Emerald is always so reluctant to share pieces of her past with us dear.” Rarity said. “She only ever shares things about her past on her terms and really I can understand why, so many tragic things happened to the poor girl. This is just a way of helping us get an idea of what she may have gone through without prodding her for details and perhaps hurting her feelings.”

“Well when you put it like that…”

“Let’s get comfortable in the library.” Twilight said. “I can lay out some cushions for us to lay on as we brainstorm.”

A few moments later and the Mane Six were set up on a circle of cushions in the library, facing each other while bowls containing an assortment of berries and mixed nuts sat before them.

“So who wants to go first?” Twilight asked.

“Ah’ll go.” Applejack said with a raised hoof. “Well ya’ll all know ah like a little horse play, wrestling and rough housing? Well whenever me an Emerald rough house I can feel her being extremely tense. Now when ah was a little filly Big Mac used to be sorta scared he’d me whenever we messed around, he don’ do it anymore but ah can tell Emerald feels the same way, nervous that she’ll hurt me if she isn’t careful.”

“Does she avoid your farm animals?” Fluttershy asked suddenly.

“Huh? Well… now that ya mention it Emerald always avoids hanging around close to the critters.” The cowpony answered, scratching her ear in thought. “Heck she looked down right startled when Winoa snuck up on her that one time. Why’d ya ask sugarcube?”

“Well… I think Emerald doesn’t like animals too much.” Fluttershy said. “It’s just that… she’s always fine around me yet no matter what she always avoids my house or finds an excuse to not come visit… oh, maybe my home is just messy, I’m probably overthinking things…”

“It’s alright darling, I feel your notion of Emerald isn’t groundless.” Rarity assured the shy pegasus. “What I find the most striking about Emerald is her trust issues. You won’t believe how much trouble she had just admitting she trusted me to make her a nice dress. I can only imagine what it would be like to get her to admit she trusted someone in something more important.”

“I got one!” Pinkie said, shooting up her hoof and waving her leg eagerly. “Her smiles are fake!”

That caused everyone save Rarity to turn and stare disbelievingly at Pinkie, even Fluttershy. Emerald was one of the friendliest ponies anyone of them had ever met and was always quick to give a smile to a stranger.

“Not to poke holes in your claim Pinkie but… are you absolutely certain?” Twilight asked incredulously. “I know Emerald doesn’t have the best history but she doesn’t seem to let it rule her day to day life like that.”

“I know smiles!” Pinkie said with a pout. “She’s pretty close, almost never spotted it but her smile is fake.”

“I have to agree with Pinkie on this.” Rarity said. “Emerald is… well… truth be told I am a little troubled saying this but when I look Emerald in the eyes I see something there, a great uncertainty, like no matter where she stands she’ll always be unsure of her footing.”

“Why do you feel troubled sharing that Rarity?” Twilight asked.

“… I did promise Emerald I wouldn’t tell anypony about that.” Rarity admitted, shamefaced.

“Well maybe you shouldn’t have said anything then.” Dash said, throwing the unicorn a dirty look.

“I had considered exactly that, believe me.” Rarity retorted with a hurt look. “But I had thought that sharing what I know would lead to Emerald being helped in the long run.”

“Dash please, no pony here means Emerald harm and it’s not like any of us would purposefully spread what we learn here right?” Twilight stated and got a reluctant no from the pegasus. “Right, do you have anything to share?”

“Well… I don’t exactly feel comfortable about saying this but…” Rainbow Dash hesitantly began. “I think Emerald’s confidence if made up, a sort of act for everyone else’s sake.”

“Oh, and what’s your reasoning for that Dash?” Twilight asked.

The pegasus then flushed and turned her face away. “Look I just know okay…”

“Oh… well, is that everything?” Twilight said. “Can anypony think of anything else?”

“Well… I-I have something to add.” Fluttershy said, raising her hoof.

“Okay go ahead Fluttershy.” Twilight told the pegasus.

“I know everypony was distracted by Emerald being hurt by the Diamond Dogs… but did anypony else notice what condition all the dogs in the chamber were in?” Fluttershy asked and continued when the others just shook their heads or replied a negative. “Well I did… there must have been over fifty Diamond Dogs in the room and all of them were knocked out and had broken bones. Think about it… Emerald faced one to fifty odds… and w-w-won…” The pegasus finished with a nervous squeak.

All the mares looked at each other in shock and realisation, it was true what Fluttershy said that they were distracted by Emerald’s condition to notice the injured Diamond Dogs. But now that it was pointed out to them they realised just how miraculous Emerald’s victory against such odds with such minor injuries was.

“Boy howdy!” Applejack exclaimed with wide eyes after the quiet moment that followed. “Ah figured that mare was tough as nails, what with the manticore she beat single hoofed! But beating fifty with only cuts and bruises to show for it? That there is jus’ plum unbelievable!”

“Doesn’t make it any less true!” Dash said with a massive grin. “Oh we are SOOO holding another iron pony competition! Only this time it will be the two of us against miss toughest pony in Equestria!”

“Darn tootin!” Applejack agreed with an eager grin of her own.

“Wow…” Twilight said, lost in thought for a few moments before shaking her head clear. “As amazing as this is, we should get back on track.”

“If anypony doesn’t have anything else to add I’ll do a recap of what we know.” Seeing that no one had anything more to add, Twilight continued. “Okay to recap… Emerald is tense when roughhousing, most likely she is holding back in fear of hurting somepony. She appears to either be afraid of or is nervous around animals, our reasoning being that she both avoids Applejack’s farm animals and Fluttershy’s home. She has definite trust issues, an example being how hard it was for her to admit to trusting Rarity to make a dress. Her smiles are actually fake, though I still have a hard time believing that myself, I’m more than willing to put faith in Pinkie’s and Rarity’s judgement on the matter. Also, not only are her smiles fake but her confidence is as well though I wish we had a bit more to go on this one…” Twilight said, looking at Rainbow Dash who just averted her eyes and kept her expression clear. “Moving along… and finally we come to her fighting ability, not only is she able to face down a physically more imposing foe and win but she can do the same when facing great numbers.”

“Alright that was everything we talked about.” Twilight stated. “Did I miss anything?”

“Actually Twilight you never added anything yourself.” Rarity said.

“OH! I didn't, did I? Well…” The violet unicorn hummed for a moment, deep in thought. “There was something we talked about during the running of the leaves, I never thought of sharing with all of you before. We talked a little about her past and what she had gone through. Emerald lost her mother during a catastrophe that ravaged her country. And she spent what must have been at least a year alone where she nearly froze and starved to death when winter came, an experience that made her afraid of autumn for a time…”

“How horrible…” Rarity said with hooves held up to her mouth. “I know there was a disaster but shouldn’t the government have had refugee camps set up for those displaced by it?”

“Apparently they did but did a horrible job of it… so much so that a little filly went out of her way to avoid it. Can’t blame her, considering what she said back in Cloudsdale.” Twilight said with a scowl. “I hope to one day get Emerald to divulge the name of her nation, I don’t care how far away it is, surely the Princess can do something about those in charge, they must have been doing something wrong if things were so bad.”

“…Well now we should try to construct a rational hypothesis of Emerald’s past using the data we have.” Twilight said after a moment. “Hmm… any ideas?”

Everyone paused for several moments, thinking over everything that was shared about Emerald Gleaner. After a minute or so Pinkie suddenly gasped in excitement and started waving her hoof excitedly in the air.

“Oh, oh I got something!” The party mare began. “ How about… in reality Emerald is an ALIEN!”

“… What.” Twilight deadpanned.

“Oh, oh! And she’s a super-secret double agent!” Pinkie continued. “And she was part of this super-secret organization and she's a really good spy! Oh wait, I said that already… Oh, and she is so good at sneaking around and taking disguises it’s like she changes forms! And she can kung-fu fight like crazy! But she turned on the group because they were actually bad and had left because-”

“PINKIE!” Twilight shouted. “We aren’t trying to make some sort of cross genre sci-fi spy story!”

“Sorry.” Pinkie said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly and sticking out her tongue.

“Well… does anypony else have a theory?” Twilight asked.

“Hmm… I may have one.” Rarity replied, frowning in concentration. “I’ve been thinking about everything we know about Emerald and I think she may have been a gladiator.”

“A… a gladiator?” Twilight stated with a frown. “You do realise that means she was a made to fight for the entertainment of others when she was still a filly right?”

“And that’s what makes it so tragic!” Rarity exclaimed, her distraught tone of voice decrying the tragedy. “Emerald Gleaner, made to fight to the roaring approval of crowds, fighting until she collapsed from exhaustion! Made to fight animals until she developed a fear of them! All at such a tender young age! OH! And perhaps due to her beauty her monstrous owner always made sure any scarring wounds were healed so that they left no marks, so that he may sell her off the moment he got a great deal. Oh the travesty of it all!”

“Uh Rarity…” Twilight began. “I admit your idea has merit but don’t you think you’re being a little over dra-”

“And perhaps young Emerald developed a fondness for a fellow young fighter in the arena!” Rarity continued excitedly, tears appearing in the corners of her eyes as she imagined a tale of hardship, love and tragedy in her mind. “But alack and alas! She gained the chance to fight for her freedom in a once in a decade championship, of which her owner had no right to choose for her, and unknowingly her love had chosen to do the same! So when the final round came and her chance for freedom within reach Emerald found, to her horror, that her final opponent was her love!”

“The two stared each other down with dismay and disbelief!” Rarity declared, lost in a drama of her own making. “But they soon raised their weapons, their training ingraining a fighting instinct in them and their own respect for each other making simply giving up impossible. And so they fought! Fighting spirits soaring like the regal eagle, and hearts dropping like great weights! Finally Emerald remained the victor, standing above her comatose love as she received her freedom to the roaring accolades of thousands! And that night the two met one final time, in a heartfelt goodbye! One, a free filly now made a mare by the hardships she had experienced, the other a enslaved warrior in the arena doomed to wait a whole decade before he could hope for another chance to-”

“RARITY!” Twilight shouted, shaking the unicorn clear of her imaginings. “We aren’t trying to make some fantastical soap opera either!”

The violet unicorn paused when she heard some soft sniffling coming next to her. Turning her head to the right she was met with the sight of Applejack rubbing a tear of all things out of her eye.

“Are… are you crying Applejack?!” the disbelieving unicorn asked

“N-NO!” The cowpony denied, quickly rubbing her eyes clear. “Ah… ah jus got some dust in my eye!”

Looking past the earth pony Twilight saw that while Rainbow Dash was looking stone-faced her eyes were glistening with barely restrained tears. Shaking her head at this Twilight turned to look at her other friends. Pinkie was lying on her back and having a bad case of the giggles while surprisingly Fluttershy seemed more critical of the tale she just heard more than anything else.

“Ummm… I have to admit Rarity’s story is a bit dramatic…” Fluttershy said softly. “It still works with what we know. Maybe we can just prune the more dramatic parts off?”

“Well… yes that’s true and sounds like a good idea.” Twilight replied, admitting that while the tale was dramatic it was still a fairly good one that worked with what they knew. “Let’s try ironing out some… wrinkles shall we? And try to avoid dramatizing what is supposed to be a theory of Emerald’s tragic past.”

So with one sheepish unicorn and several other mares the group continued their brainstorming, ironing out the drama Rarity thought up to make something more believable and realistic.

EPSILON

“Please Navi? It might be very dangerous and I don’t want to drag you into it this time.” Oskar pleaded with her pet only to get a noncompliant trill in response.

Oskar was now back in the Diamond Dog tunnels, along the very paths she had traveled along with the others. She was back here to get started on her objective, to create a powerbase. And doing so would definitely be easier if she had a force under her command and no one would notice if a bunch of gem crazy enslaving Diamond Dogs were usurped with great prejudice.

“You’re not giving up on this are you?” Oskar said with a sigh as she continued walking, getting a confirming trill from Navi in answer. “Fine… just make sure to stay close to the ceiling okay? And no matter what, do not come down until I call for you, got that?”

Navi was happy that Oskar was willing to take her along but she also recognised that she was very serious about her staring out of the way, looking as if she’d resort to restraining her for her own safety if she was defiant this time. So she nodded solemnly and flew up close to the ceiling of the tunnel.

Grateful that Navi was doing as she was told Oskar continued down the tunnel. As he walked Oskar began to hear the distant echoes of talking dogs, a few moments later she was close enough to make out the words.

“… the leg?” Asked a voice that Oskar identified as the DD Applejack kicked.

“Bad… might not heal right.” Oskar heard Padfoot’s voice reply.

“BAD! Bad! Very bad!” A high pitched voice shouted in panic. “How we going to get enough gems for tribute!? Most of us are broken!”

“Don’t know, don’t know!” The first voice shouted back. “Curse that pony! Why we give her all those gems?!”

“Because her whines were painful.” Rumbled a low voice.

“Ugh! Head hurt just from memory!”

“Feisty unicorn tough… too tough.” Padfoot muttered.

“What mean?” The high pitched voice asked.

“Too fast… hit too hard… feels very had, like steel.” Padfoot replied.

“This not important!” The first DD said irately. “Whole pack with broken bones! How going to dig gems now?!”

“Clifford in bad way…” Rumbled the low voice from before. “Arm all noodly… when wake up is going to be hurting, lots.”

“Might have to chop.” Padfoot said, causing a long quiet moment.

“… Who do it?” Asked the first DD.

Finally Oskar arrived at the entrance of the cavern dining room and glanced inside. Most of the DDs were on the ground groaning softly in pain, others were walking about and trying to salvage their meal but a few were still unconscious.

Navi darted inside and flew for the high ceiling as Oskar stepped into view, eliciting gasps of shock and fear from the Diamond Dogs when they spotted her.

“Y-you?! What you doing here?!?” Whimpered a Diamond Dog peeking out from behind a table, nursing a broken Oskar had given him. “Friend was let go! Why you back?!”

“Why indeed…” Oskar drawled, speaking with her base form’s voice as she approached.

“Wha-wha…” A small Diamond Dog squeaked in confusion at Oskar having a male voice.

Suddenly tendrils surged, exploding forth from Oskar’s ivory white coat. The Diamond Dogs didn’t even make a sound, shocked into silence as they watched a pony melt into a mass of writhing black and red tendrils. A near instant later Oskar in his base form stood before the lot of them.

“Now… I am not a mare, or a pony for that matter.” Oskar began, calmly glancing over the scared dogs staring wide eyed at him. “What I am is… well it isn’t any of your business, just know that I am now in control of your little group. What this means is you take orders from me now obviously, but in addition to that this also means I expect a certain amount of discipline and efficiency. Of course… if anyone wishes to dispute my claim to leadership, step forward and we will discuss it.” One of the Evolved’s hands shifted into a claw, one purposefully made extra spikey and glowed excessively with unnatural bioluminescence. And just to add to the intimidation factor he walked to a table and glided a claw through it, demonstrating just how sharp it was.

Naturally the Diamond Dogs just stared in terrified silence, unwilling to argue anything with the cruel being before them. Oskar shifted his hand back to normal and walked forward to a group of three Diamond Dogs that seemed like they had the most say in what the pack did. Oskar noticed that these three dogs were the ones that followed the Mane Six into the chamber earlier that day and guessed that they were the ones responsible for Rarity’s kidnapping. Hatred for them surged up with the suddenness of a flash flood.

The large bull dog like DD of the three was sent to the floor with a brutal back hand, the smallest of the three was sent flying a short distance with a kick to the groin yelping in agony. The last one flinched and shielded his face from blows only for Oskar to grab him by the throat, eliciting a choked gurgle from him before the virus threw him hard enough into the ground to send up a cloud of dust. Oskar then placed his foot on the DD’s chest, pressing down with great force until the dog groaned in discomfort.

“Now I’m going to ask you a few questions, okay?” Oskar asked, forcing himself to look and sound calm despite the hate he felt. “And I will know when you lie, don’t ask how but I will know. And when you lie I will break a rib… now admittedly I don’t know how to do that so I only break just one rib so there is a chance I’ll end up breaking many. I suppose this will be doubly a learning experience for me huh?”

“NO! NO! I talk!” The lanky looking Diamond Dog frantically assured. “No lie!”

“Somehow I feel myself beginning to believe you!” Oskar said lightly, calling over a spilt bowl of gruel. Giving a distasteful sniff of the remains plastered on it he then transfigured it into an apple. “Now let’s start with the basics. What is your name?”

“R-rover- ACK!” ‘Rover’ began and shouted in shock when Oskar bit into his apple, revealing a mouth utterly filled with needle-like teeth and a tongue that split into a secondary barbed mouth. “H-h-h-he-he-he-”

“Get a hold of yourself please.” Oskar told him as he chewed a piece of apple, eyes flashing a bright orange. “Otherwise I’ll need to find someone else to question and you wouldn’t want to inflict that kind of inconvenience on me now would you?”

“Nnn-n-n-n-nnnnn…” Rover drew a shaky breath and gathered himself as much as he could when he got a pointed look from Oskar. “N-no b-boss… he Fido and he Spot…”

“Now that wasn’t so hard was it?” Oskar said, glancing at the bulldog DD identified as Fido and the little one identified as Spot. “Now next question, why do you take pony slaves when your kind are far better diggers then ponies could ever hope of being and try not to stutter so much this time please?”

“Y-y-y-yes…” Rover began and gulped when Oskar arched an eyebrow at him. “… We don’t want pony slaves, we much better diggers! But boss says we use ponies to do most of work, boss’ orders so we do! Not help that boss wants tons of gems all time but we do as told!”

“Hmm…” An image of a large pony Hating Diamond Dog sitting upon a massive throne of gems flashed through Oskar’s mind. “One more question, have you come across an odd object? Lightning bolt shaped, probably blood stained and partially buried in the ground?”

“Berkly!” Rover said immediately. “Berkly find odd sapphire with lightning flashing in it! It lightning bolt shaped too! We send to village for tribute as soon as find it!”

“Ah, then I wish to meet this boss of yours.” Oskar said, taking his foot off Rover. “You and your friends will lead me to him.”

“WHAT?!” Rover shouted in dismay. “B-but boss says to always have tribute of gems whenever go see him! We gave most of it to whiny pony- ack!”

“Don’t call her that.” Oskar said, giving Rover a painful kick to the side. “And I didn’t give you a choice in the matter, now get up and march.”

Rover, Fido and Spot get up from the ground, flinching away from Oskar as they scurried towards the sole exit of the room.

Oskar stopped just short of the exit. “Oh and if the rest of you get ideas about deserting I will hunt you down personally and slowly rip your fur off before dragging you back. Make no mistake, I am a very good hunter.”

With that Oskar shifted back to his Emerald Gleaner form in a surge of tendrils before leaving the cavern with Navi quickly buzzing after her.

ZETA

It was a few hours of traveling before the group closed in on what Oskar assumed to be the tunnels belonging to the lead Diamond Dog, they were certainly massive enough.

“This is it?” Oskar asked as she examined the conspicuously unguarded massive tunnels. If it wasn’t for a fact no DDs had escaped her and three with her had no means of long distance communication she would have suspected an ambush. “Strange it would be unguarded.”

“Err… boss doesn’t need us to protect him, EVER.” Rover said, shuddering at something and making Oskar frown.

Suspicions promptly raised Oskar focused her hearing and began hearing low rumbling snores echoing from down the tunnel. The snores were definitely much too loud to be a Diamond Dog and before long a memory belonging to Silver Light was brought up.

“So…” Oskar began as the group entered into a massive cavern utterly filled with massive mounds of gems. “When were you going to tell me your boss was a dragon and not some pony hating Diamond Dog?”

“Uhhh… you didn’t ask?” Rover said honestly and flinched away from Oskar as the Evolved shot him a dangerous look.

The virus for her part just sighed and examined her surroundings a bit more and noticed that along with mounds of gems crumbling structures of old carved stone dotted the cavern. Though they were easily missed as they happened to be mostly buried under and filled with gems.

“So why exactly is a dragon your boss and not a Diamond Dog?” Oskar asked.

“Because he biggest and breath fire?” Rover said, scratching his head. “He been boss all my life, always in cavern here waiting for tribute.”

“Elders remember when dragon was not boss.” Fido rumbled. “They remember time when Diamond Dogs have great city.”

“Bah!” Rover said, waving his paw dismissively. “Elders barely remember where chamber hole is anymore, stupid talk of before times.”

“Hmm…” Oskar hummed in thought as she pondered the intelligence of going to attack a large fire breathing monster, then she sighed and comforted herself with the fact she had Spike’s heat tolerance now.

“Tell you what.” Oskar said to the three Diamond Dogs. “You three just hang back from now on, I’ll go ahead and have a word with your boss.”

“You’re the boss!” Rover said before bounding away with his three friends immediately.

“Navi come down here please.” Oskar said and a moment later Navi buzzed down from the ceiling and landed on Oskar’s snout. “I want you to stay back as well, okay? This is a fire breathing dragon we are talking about and he is likely going to be sending flames everywhere the moment a fight starts. The last thing I want is for you to get caught in that, so stay far out of the way okay?”

Navi wanted to dispute the command but could tell from the tone of Oskar’s voice that she was being very serious. So with a worried nod she did as she was told and flew back up towards the high ceiling.

Letting out one long sigh Oskar continued forward, before long she spotted the “feared” leader of the Diamond Dogs.

As she had thought it was a dragon, however, this dragon was much bigger than she expected. He had black scales that shined like polished obsidian and a massive pair of wings with a dark purple membrane. His mouth had no lips, showing off blood red gums and teeth that gleamed like silver. The dragon slumbered on a spread out pile of gems, his snores coming out in low earth shaking rumbles.

‘Surprisingly bright in here for a cavern deep beneath the earth.’ Oskar thought absently as she approached the sleeping dragon. ‘Same issue with the other tunnels too really, where does the light come from exactly? Oh well it’s not an issue right now.’

The Evolved came to a stop before the dragon, so close his breath ruffled her mane with every exhale. Oskar pondered for a long moment how to wake up a fire breathing mountain of muscle for a moment before rearing up and cocking a hoof back.

“Zzzzz- Gah!” The dragon woke up the instant, revealing his yellow eyes Oskar had decked him in the nose. “Who did that?! Who dares to strike the Mighty Nidhogg?!”

‘Fantastic… he speaks in third person!’ Oskar thought, letting out an annoyed sigh which happened to attract the irate dragon’s attention.

“A pony?! Here?!?” Nidhogg roared, half in anger and the other half in shock. “Nidhogg will eat the filthy dog that let you loose! Speak pony! Tell the mighty Nidhogg how you escaped into his personal domain and he shall be merciful… by giving you a fourteen hour work shift!”

“Hmm… Nidhogg?” Oskar hummed curiously. “I read about you. You kept eating away the base of Mount Canterlot and wouldn’t stop when Celestia asked you to. So she fought and beat you, locking you away in Tartarus. I take it you escaped?”

“That foolish old nag dared to trap the Mighty Nidhogg beneath the earth!” Nidhogg hollered bombastically. “It was not long before he gnawed away a wall and made his escape! Free to pursue his wants and desires!”

“Yep, because obviously your wants and desires were to hide beneath the earth for what must have been a hundred years ruling over a bunch of terrified dogs.” Oskar said absently, examining her hoof like it was far more interesting than the large fire breathing dragon in front of her. “Unwilling to expose even the tip of your tail to the sunlight for fear Celestia will spot you and send you back to your cage.”

‘Hmph… look at me mocking someone for being too terrified to face Celestia.’ Oskar thought as Nidhogg roared in outrage and inhaled sharply, turning his head to the ceiling briefly as he did so. ‘Such hypocrisy…’

The massive jet black dragon unleashed his flames. Crimson and black fire poured forth like a wave and flowed over Oskar. The Evolved noted even though her heat tolerance was dragon level now she still felt rather hot from Nidhogg’s fire, it wasn’t near hurting her but it was close to being uncomfortable which said a lot about Nidhogg’s strength of flame. The virus shifted into his base form as the ground turned bright red and molten beneath him, surprising Nidhogg doubly when the flames cleared to reveal not a heavily charred pony but some strange bipedal creature, seemingly unbothered by the molten rock his feet were submerged in.

“You don’t take criticism well don’t you?” Oskar asked lightly, taking off his bucket hat to fan himself.

“What?! A Changeling?” Nidhogg thought aloud in surprise before quickly inhaling for another breath. Seeing that he was again lifting his head up towards the ceiling, Oskar decided to take advantage of that action.

Streaks of black and red tendrils flew off Oskar’s limbs as he gave himself a biomass burst towards Nidhogg, specifically his briefly exposed throat. Nidhogg’s building fire sputtered and died, he choked from Oskar hitting his throat at high speeds and gave an enraged roar when Oskar slashed at his throat with a claw. Oskar for his part was very surprised when his claws didn’t just glide through Nidhogg’s flesh like a red hot knife through butter and required him to actually force down to make any headway, this moment of discovery and him needing to work his blades into the scales opened him up to Nidhogg’s large clawed hand.

Oskar was sent flying from Nidhogg’s swatting limb and rolled back to his feet upon impacting the ground.

‘Faster than expected.’ The Evolved thought as he dodged a wave of onrushing flames by leaping away. ‘Tougher than expected too. This may take some work…’

Dodging another fire blast Oskar suddenly changed direction and burst towards Nidhogg, streaks of tendrils flying off his limbs and his left arm shifting into a long blade. The virus sprinted under Nidhogg delivering a slash at the massive dragon’s arm and leg as he blurred past them. Despite putting as much force as he could into the strike and his own speed adding to the force he only managed to give him shallow gashes.

With a roar of pained rage Nidhogg turned about surprisingly quick and unleashed yet another wave of flame, only for the virus to avoid it completely by leaping. Oskar turned about in the air via another biomass burst, sending him speeding towards Nidhogg, specifically the dragon’s nose. The Evolved hit the dragon foot first, delivering an annoying blow to him and using that blow to send himself flying away.

‘That was useless, why did I even bother with it?’ Oskar thought as he dodged and weaved through waves of intense flames. ‘… I just want him to suffer don’t I? Yes… he is the one that ordered the Diamond Dogs to take slaves, he is a slaver. I want to humiliate him and make him bleed long and slow before dying.’

Nidhogg continued to send blasts of fire at Oskar and was growing ever more frustrated and was sent over the edge when he realised something. He realised that Oskar was toying with him and even now wasn’t paying him much attention, to the point of simply running through a blast of fire he had sent. Sure indignation flowed through the mighty dragon as he roared in outrage.

“NIDHOGG SHALL NOT BE MOCKED!!!” Nidhogg roared and inhaled once more for a breath of fire, but there was something different about it this time. A blue glow emitted from within Nidhogg’s mouth and a loud ear piercing whine filled the air. Instead of dodging after letting off a blast of fire Oskar decided to dodge right now.

The decision to dodge early was proven wise as a beam of blue plasma erupted from the dragon’s mouth, searing off Oskar’s right arm and plowing into a mound of gems, the gems and ground into molten slag in a near instant.

“LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!” Nidhogg roared, so infuriated he forgot to speak in third person.

‘Shit! Did not expect that!’ Oskar thought as he quickly sped up and jumped as Nidhogg sent another beam of plasma at him, his arm having grown back a few moments after it was burned off. ‘Okay enough messing around! Time to end this!’

The virus leapt at Nidhogg, leaping over a beam of Plasma that instantly turned the ground molten. While the Evolved flew through the air he shifted his arms into separate weapon mutations, one the tendrils arm and the other the blade. Oskar landed on Nidhogg’s snout with a thump and quickly scurried over to the top of his head. Tendrils shot out from Oskar’s arm, wrapping around Nidhogg’s head and he raised his blade before plunging it down.

Nidhogg roared in pain, letting out uncontrolled streams of plasma from his mouth as he shook his head in an attempt to dislodge Oskar. Oskar kept trying to worry the blade past the scales and the hard skull into the brain when he suddenly froze up.

‘…Well it wasn’t a very good rumor anyway.’ Whispered a memory. ‘…How about this one, have you ever beat up and rode a dragon?’

Oskar’s tendril grip slackened slightly on Nidhogg as he snorted in amusement, this was all the dragon needed.

With a violent jerk of his head Nidhogg sent Oskar flying into a pile of gems and quickly began to build up another blast of plasma when something flew into his eye.

“Ahhh! What hit me? What has struck the Mighty- A PARASPRITE?!?” Nidhogg began before roaring in shock and outrage. “A PARASPRITE IS ATTACKING ME?!?!”

Indeed a parasprite was attacking Nidhogg, it was Navi. The little bug couldn’t take simply sitting back and watching Oskar fight a big mean lizard anymore and flew into the fight to help. Of course her being so small meant there was little to no chance of her being able to do anything harmful and lasting to the dragon. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t poke him in the eye and be a right nuisance.

Oskar didn’t waste a single moment and took advantage of the distraction Navi was providing. The Evolved made a high powered leap for the ceiling and impacted it. He briefly hooked himself in place as he changed his arms into hammerfists. Aiming carefully at the dragon thrashing about below the Virus kicked off the ceiling with tremendous force, the still cavern air whistled by his ears as he shot downwards towards Nidhogg’s back.

Nidhogg for his part didn’t know what happened. One moment he was snapping at the insect ramming into his eyes, raging at the indignity of it all when suddenly something hit him HARD in his back. A deafening cracking noise filled the dragon's ears and he was forced to the ground by a ground shaking crash. He tried to get back up only to flop back to the ground and realised he couldn’t feel the lower half of his body.

‘And that’s that.’ Oskar thought with finality from atop Nidhogg’s back. ‘Let’s see you try to fight with a broken back.’

Navi quickly buzzed over to Oskar, trilling happily and cuddling affectionately against his cheek. The Evolved smiled lightly and then carefully grabbed the little bug, cupping her in his hands and looking down at her as she smiled up at him.

“Hey there Navi.” Oskar greeted. “I know I said you were supposed to stay back but I am glad you came to help.”

“No…” Nidhogg rumbled. “I am the Mighty Nidhogg, I will not be defeated by some pathetic insects… I WILL NOT! HEAR ME CREATURE! I MAY DIE BUT YOU SHALL DIE WITH ME!”

Using his powerful arms Nidhogg rolled his crippled body onto his back, sending Oskar flying off. Nidhogg then inhaled deeply, far more than he had ever done before. A massive beam of plasma exploded forth from the black dragon’s mouth, carving into the ceiling.

‘Typical…’ Oskar thought sardonically. ‘Another suicide attack, thankfully this one won’t do anything… speaking of which, the plasma is very hot. The room temperature should have risen to the point of broiling me alive… why am I complaining?’

A deafening rumble echoed throughout the cavern as Nidhogg ended his plasma burst, cracked appeared in the ceiling, spreading with alarming speed. Nidhogg was the first victim of his attack, there was a loud crack and a massive partially molten boulder came falling out of the ceiling towards him. Just before his head disappeared beneath the great boulder Nidhogg flashed a viciously vengeful smile at Oskar, content in thinking his vanquisher would be joining him soon.

‘Smile all you want, you’re the only one going to hell today.’ Oskar thought darkly and turned when he heard Navi trilling alarmingly.

It turns out Nidhogg wasn’t the only victim of his attack, Navi was the second. The little bug was on the ground and one of her wings had been pinned by a rock, trapping her.

Quickly darting over Oskar swatted the rock off and carefully picked up Navi, rocks falling in ever larger sizes all around the two. Navi trilled sadly as she fluttered her crumpled wing weakly.

“It’s alright Navi, everything will be fine.” Oskar said comfortingly and scanned his surroundings, all the exits were now blocked off. Not that was a problem for Oskar but it meant he’d have to do something to protect his pet. Thinking quickly the Evolved manipulated the inside of his head and mouth, creating a large space lit up by orange bioluminescence.

“You’re going to have to trust me Navi, hop inside you’ll be safe in here.” Oskar said as he lifted the insect up to his mouth.

Trusting him without a single doubt Navi hopped over the little gap between Oskar’s hand and his mouth, quickly climbing inside safe and sound.

Closing his mouth Oskar looked up just in time to see a massive portion of the ceiling above him fall apart, sending boulders raining down towards him.

ETA

A group of three Diamond Dogs stared with uncertainty at what was once a tunnel and now a wall of rocks and boulders.

“…What now?” Spot asked.

“Don’t know.” Rover replied.

The three were at a loss of what to do really. They didn’t doubt that Nidhogg was still alive but at the same time weren’t sure if they should try to dig him out. The prideful may take the dogs trying to help him as an insult and eat them, but he may also take them not attempting to help him as abandonment and eat them for it. So it was a very much ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ moment for the Diamond Dogs.

Suddenly there was a rumble and one of the boulders cracked before exploding outwards, sending shards of rock flying. Out of the new hole came a long slithering mass of tendrils, it slid down the sloped wall of rubble and came to a stop before the Diamond Dogs. It coiled up tightly and with a surge of tendrils Oskar stood in his base form.

Brushing off his shoulder Oskar then raised a hand to just in front of his mouth. Opening his mouth Navi hopped out onto the hand, which Oskar then moved to his shoulder where Navi could perch comfortably with her crumpled wing.

“You alive?” Rover said in surprise. “Err… what happen to Boss?”

“Yes I’m alive and he isn’t.” Oskar answered, thinking of how he burrowed through the rock to get at Nidhogg’s corpse, where he drilled through its skull and consumed the brain. “He is very much dead, believe me.”

Spot and Rover looked completely shocked at that statement. They looked between each other and Oskar with a look that seemed between awe and fear. For the longest moment Spot and Rover looked completely confused, like they didn’t know what to do but the same couldn’t be said for Fido, the largest of the three. He had a deeply thoughtful look on his face before he stepped in front of his fellows, then he bowed towards Oskar. The other shot surprised looks at Fido before shooting a terrified look at Oskar and quickly miming their fellow DD’s action.

“We introduce you to rest of Diamond Dogs Boss.” Fido rumbled. “… If want to?”

“… Yes.” Oskar answered, patting Navi’s head. “Yes I wish to meet the rest of you, lead the way.”

“Yes Boss.” Fido said and got up from his bowing position though he carefully averted his eyes away from Oskar. “Diamond Dog village this way Boss.”

The group of four plus one parasprite made their way through some tunnels. It was about twenty or so minutes before the Diamond Dog village appeared. It was in a large carved out cavern with a massive pillar in the center supporting the ceiling. All around the cavern were ramshackle shelters that made sheet metal shacks look luxurious.

Oskar followed the three DDs as they led him through the village. There were many different breeds of Diamond Dogs living here. Collies, Sheep dogs, small Pug like dogs and the breeds he had already seen roamed the “streets” of the village, the thing though was that they all wore collars and Oskar wondered about it. They were also very curious and wondering about the strange bipedal creature that was being led through the village, their soft whispers and muttering loud and clear to the virus’ ears. Eventually a Diamond Dog stepped forward to meet them.

He looked like a Saint Bernard and wore a buttoned sea green vest, he also had a very bad limp and couldn’t walk without support of a staff.

“Rover, Spot, Fido… why bring strange creature to our home?” He asked the three while eyeing Oskar curiously.

“Uhhh… this new boss, Cujo.” Rover said, causing a loud round of muttering and talking amongst the surrounding Diamond Dogs. “He… he kill old boss.”

That caused the other DDs to make gasps of shock and disbelief, this creature that was barely as tall as them killed Nidhogg?

“Nidhogg dead?!” ‘Cujo’ said in disbelief. “You know this!? How small creature kill large dragon?”

“I broke his back and then I ate him.” Oskar answered bluntly for Rover, taking Navi off his shoulder and shushing her before gently holding her against his chest, ensuring the only thing she could see was his sky blue t-shirt.

“Ate?! You?! How?!” Cujo asked and stepped closer to Oskar, staring him in the eyes intently.

“You want to know how?” Oskar stated and the three DDs’ eyes suddenly widened in realisation and they quickly averted their gazes, drawing odd looks from the other Diamond Dogs. The reason why they did so became very clear in a moment.

Creases appeared on Oskar’s face, going up the middle of his face and extending the line of his mouth all the way to his ears. Suddenly the virus’ face opened like a flower revealing rows upon rows of hook like teeth with soulless black eyes dotted here and there, six writhing barbed tentacles sprouted up from within his throat along with a loud ear piercing squeal.

Cujo reeled from Oskar with a yelp of horror, losing grip on his staff and falling to the floor. Yelps of terror came from the surrounding crowds, many turned tail and ran to their homes, yelping with their tails between their legs the whole way, others were just horrified into stillness.

A near instant later and Oskar’s head closed up and he brought Navi back up to his shoulder, where she began to frown and started looking about and wondering what she missed.

“That’s how.” Oskar said to Cujo where he laid on the ground staring wide-eyed up at him. “Gather your people, I have an announcement to make as well as a few changes to the mandates you have been following.”

“You three.” Oskar said to Fido, Spot and Rover. “You mentioned a tribute stockpile in a village. I assume it’s this one? Good, lead me to it.”

“This way Boss.” Fido said.

The stockpile was kept in a side tunnel away from the village. There was a line of tracks leading down the tunnel with at least twenty carts on them, with about half the carts being full. It didn’t take long for Oskar to find what he was looking for, it was in the very front cart and placed clearly on the pile of gems.

Oskar examined the gem before him, it was blue as a sapphire, but unlike that gem, this one was shaped like a lightning bolt. Running though the very core of the gem was a lightning bolt that smaller bolts fork off to the surface, causing the gem to glow softly.

Very clearly remembering the pain he was in until he puked up the gem Oskar very carefully reached out to pick it up. Oskar felt his skin tingle lightly from contact with the gem yet nothing else happened, which was ultimately expected since a Diamond Dog was able to hold it with no problems.

Nodding lightly Oskar just turned about and began walking back, the three DD’s led him there just a few steps behind him. Suddenly he stopped and turned his head towards the following DDs’.

“Why do you wear those gem studded collars?” Oskar asked.

“Cause old Boss said we had too.” Rover answered.

“Also remind us we belong to him and he eat us like gem if disobey.” Fido rumbled.

Oskar paused for a moment before humming a reply and continuing on.

A few moments later and the group was back in the village where a large crowd of frightened Diamond Dogs were gathered with Cujo near the front who looked little better. Oskar walked forward and came to a stop just before the crowd and looked them over, noting their scared expressions as he did.

“I am Oskar Osäker.” The virus introduced himself. “By now you are very aware that I have killed and usurped your last boss…”

This one statement, said in total apathy only seemed to scare the gathered Diamond Dogs more.

“And as your new boss there are a few changes I wish to make as well as an announcement.” Oskar continued, pacing slowly before the group. “From now on there will be no more gem tributes, if I ever get you to mine for gems it will only be because I actually need them and not because I would like them. There will be no more slaves! Let’s face it, ponies are crap at digging and this mandate was made out of spite.”

Quiet muttering began amongst the crowd of Diamond Dogs, they were expecting a continuation of the last regime with only a few changes but so far it was looking better under this new boss… they all were waiting for the other foot to drop though.

“Any and all pony slaves from this day forth will be free!” Oskar said. “I want messengers sent out the moment I am done talking to you to all the roving packs mining for gems and taking slaves, telling them to let the prisoners go and to come home immediately. Afterwards I want them to stay here and await my return, the same goes for all of you as I will have further orders.”

“Those are the mandate changes, now for my announcement.” Oskar said and stopped just before Cujo. “What you all were under Nidhogg’s rule were basically slaves… I too was a slave.”

That shocked and confused the Diamond Dogs, what being could be strong enough to enslave something that could kill Nidhogg?

“A slave once, but now I am free.” Oskar said, staring at Cujo intently. “And as such I, a former slave, refuse to own slaves.”

With that statement Oskar’s forefinger shifted to a long gleaming blade and he swung it towards Cujo’s throat. There were gasps of shock as Cujo reeled, grasping at his neck. Then the dog went still. He released his grip on his neck and down dropped his severed collar. The entire crowd of Diamond Dogs stared at Oskar in silence, unable to comprehend what just happened.

“I wish to make something more out of all of you.” Oskar said. “I wish to make you into something more than what you are now, more than just diggers in the dirt and slavers, stealing the leftovers off of Equestria’s dinner table. But I will not force you all to accept this… if any wishes to leave then they can, I will not stop nor hinder you.”

For the longest moment there was silence, a few of the Diamond Dogs in the crowd twitched their paws towards their throats but made no further movement. Then there was the sound of something light hitting the dirt.

Oskar turned to see Fido with his collar undone and on the ground before him, Rover and Spot not two seconds behind him.

“What ya need Boss?” The large dog rumbled.

“Well other than what I said earlier I also need some saddlebags.” Oskar said, the sound of multiple collars hitting the floor behind him. “Basic ones, nothing fancy. I just need something to hold this gem here. I also need the hurt dogs in your pack brought here. There are some wrongs I need to right.”

“Right away Boss.” Fido said before he and his three friends bounded off.

Oskar turned around. Several dogs were now running off away from the village and into the tunnels, off to inform the roving packs what was going on. The Diamond Dog villagers wandered about and talked softly with each other, giving looks that were still far too fearful for Oskar’s liking but he did bring that upon himself, plus they likely still expected him to suddenly make cruel demands.

‘Well… it’s not much, just a start.’ Oskar thought lightly. ‘But it’s mine… my little empire of dirt.’

“That bag ya wanted boss.” Spot said as he bounded to Oskar, handing him a patchwork pair of saddlebags. “Rover and Fido take group to get hurt pack… you heal them?”

“Of course.” Oskar said. “I know a way to fix all of them.”

“Why?”

“Because before we were enemies because of what Nidhogg was making you do.” Oskar replied. “But now that Nidhogg is no more, they are no longer my enemies. I also hope that healing them will make them open to the idea of serving me.”

After answering that question Oskar then shifted back into his pony form, shocking quite a few Diamond Dogs when they saw the change in action.

“Yes I can change forms.” Oskar said blandly and pre-emptively. “Get used to it.”

“You Changeling?” Asked one Diamond Dog.

“No.” Oskar answered flatly as she fastened her saddlebags and on and magically moved Navi to her mane.

‘Speaking of which.’ Oskar thought. ‘Nidhogg mentioned Changelings as well. I should review a few memories later.’

“Where going boss?” Spot asked as the virus began walking away.

“I have other business.” Oskar answered. “I’ll be back tomorrow to heal the others and issue more orders for everyone. Wait for me till then.”

“Err, right boss!” Spot shouted after her.

‘It's a small start.’ Oskar thought as she walked along. ‘But all big things start small. Now to get back home, that lot is probably worried sick about me.’

With that the Evolved focused her magic, intent on teleporting. As she did a small light began building from within her saddlebags. Then she disappeared with a flash, though the flash also released arcs of Electricity as she did so.

THETA

‘That teleport felt weird for some reason.’ Oskar thought as she walked back into Ponyville. She could have just teleported right in front of the library and saved herself the walk but her control wasn’t all that perfect just yet, the last thing she wanted was for the girls to be even more worried about her because she teleported into a wall. So she was walking into town…

‘What’s that smell?’ Oskar thought and came to a stop in the middle of a fairly quiet street. She looked back and saw a large smouldering hole in one of her saddlebags, namely the one the gem was in as one of its points was sticking out of the bag. ‘What the?’

Carefully opening the saddlebag with her magic Oskar then tried to levitate the crystal. The crystal did levitate but it felt oddly… slippery was one word to describe the sensation Oskar felt in her magical grip, it was also glowing steadily brighter and releasing a low hum that grew louder by the second causing Oskar to quickly stop the flow of magic and drop it to the ground. Oskar then reached out with a hoof very slowly towards the crystal.

‘What’s going? Why is it-’ The very moment the virus touched the crystal arcs of electricity leaped off the gem and struck her hoof. Oskar leaped back with a startled shout and looked at her hoof. Nothing was wrong with it despite the great amount of energy she just felt flow through it, as was attested by the ground under one of her hooves being scorched black by the energy released into it. The reason being Oskar’s dragon genes, electricity released energy as it traveled and that energy released into flesh is what causes burns, Nidhogg had an immense heat tolerance thanks to his plasma breathing so Oskar was in no danger of being burned.

After the unexpected discharge the gem’s glow faded back to normal levels and the low hum was now gone. Oskar reached out with her hoof again but this time lied down on the ground so the energy could get out as soon as it entered if she was shocked again.

The Evolved’s hoof touched the crystal with an anticlimactic ‘tink’, making Oskar frown thoughtfully as she got up crystal held in hoof.

Navi gave a questioning trill from her place in Oskar’s mane.

“I don’t know why it shocked me, Navi.” Oskar said as she examined the lightning bolt shaped crystal. “But… I think it may have something to do with magic being in contact with it… hmm, yes maybe it absorbs magic and changes that into unbridled energy? Hmm… tests and research are needed.”

Navi just sounded confused as Oskar placed the gem in her undamaged saddlebag and continued on back to the library. A few short minutes later and Oskar had arrived.

“Hello?” Oskar yelled as she entered the tree home. “I’m home!”

“Emerald!” Oskar heard Twilight shout from the other room and soon saw the unicorn in question appear from a doorway. “Where have you been all day?”

“Oh I just went back to the Diamond Dogs.” Oskar began nonchalantly. “Took over them and beat up their big dragon boss.”

“Well if you don’t want to say where you were just say that.” Twilight said with a pout as the other five of the Mane Six appeared in the room.

“Sure I’ll do that next time.” Oskar said and began making her way to the library to look up the gem she had and came to a stop. She looked over the Mane Six, noting that Fluttershy was peeking at her from behind a wall fearfully for some reason, and frowned.

‘This lot has been treating me like glass for a bit.’ Oskar thought in growing annoyance. ‘I normally don’t mind that very much really, having people concerned for my wellbeing feels… nice. But they have been going overboard with it, I couldn’t even get out of the house earlier today to handle the Diamond Dogs without running out on them. All this overblown pity and coddling is just getting in the way of my goals, damn it all I have to confront them on this.’ So taking advantage of the irritation she felt Oskar did just this.

“You know…” Oskar began with an angry frown, stepping to just in front of the six. “I am not a child, I can see what you are doing and I don’t particularly like it.”

“What do you mean Emerald dear?” Rarity asked in some confusion.

“I mean treating me like I’m made of glass, like I’m liable to just fall apart at any moment if I wasn’t held just right!” Oskar said with a scowl. “But I don’t need that! I have never needed it! I’ve been perfectly fine by myself not being pitied or babied just because I’ve had a few bad things happen in my life.”

“But nopony has suffered as much as you have Emerald.” Twilight defended. “You shouldn’t downplay what you’ve gone through!”

“Yeah… but that doesn’t mean you have to do anything and everything to make sure I’m not hurt by anything again.” Oskar said softly. “The last thing I want, Twilight, is to be put in a cradle and sealed away from the world.”

Twilight opened her mouth to argue her points but stopped. She could tell that “Emerald” was taking the way her and the others were treating her personally, and none of them wanted to upset her…

“… Alright Emerald, you’ve made your point.” Twilight admitted with a sigh. “I and the others shall make sure not to treat you like that anymore.”

“Thank you very much.” Oskar said with a smile, seeing the others nodding in agreement, though Dash was looking smug instead. “Now I have something to look up in the library so-”

“OHMYGOSH!” Fluttershy suddenly exclaimed and darted forward to just in front of Oskar. “What happened to Navi?!”

“What?” Oskar blinked and looked up to see that Navi had climbed up to her favorite spot on her ear, revealing to all her crumpled wing. “Oh there was a bit of excitement and some falling rocks which lead to Navi’s wing getting crushed.”

“Oh my goodness, poor baby!” Fluttershy exclaimed and hopped up, taking Navi from Oskar’s ear and quickly walking away. “Come here Fluttershy will make your wing all better! You’ll be buzzing in the air around your mama’s head in no time!”

Oskar snorted as Navi trilled in delight before she and Fluttershy disappeared around the corner.

“Twilight could you come with me in the library for a bit?” Oskar asked as she entered said room, figuring it wouldn't hurt to include Twilight on researching the strange gem.

“Sure!” The studious unicorn quickly followed. “What do you need?”

“I need help researching this gem.” Oskar said, reaching into her bag with her mouth and pulling out the jagged crystal and placing it on the circular table. “Do NOT use magic on it. That’s how I burned a hole in the other bag.”

“Gosh, what is it?” Twilight asked, taking Oskar’s advice to heart and only prodding the gem with her hoof.

“I don’t know but it absorbs magic used on it and converts it to electrical energy.” Oskar replied.

“Hmm… that sounds familiar actually.” Twilight said, placing her hoof on her chin in thought. “I think I may have read about something like this somewhere… but where? Maybe in a book about gems? Hmm… give me a few minutes, I’ll find us some books to study.”

“Thanks Twilight.” Oskar said to the unicorn that was walking away and humming a happy tune.

‘That girl just loves knowledge doesn’t she?’ Oskar thought amusedly.

“Emerald?” Oskar heard from behind her.

“Oh, yes Dash?” Oskar said upon turning and seeing the pegasus standing there.

“Well… this is kinda embarrassing… and I didn’t want to talk about it with the others around.” Dash said, averting her eyes and rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “And well… alright here goes…”

“I know what you are doing and going through…” Rainbow Dash said quietly with a flushed face. “Putting on a strong face for everypony’s sake but on the inside… you’re breaking and you wish somepony was there to help keep you together… and well… what I’m getting is if you ever somepony to be that pony, or to talk to somepony that understands what it’s like… well you know where to find me.”

“Wow… thank you Dash…” Oskar said softly, genuinely touched that Rainbow Dash would share such a personal part of herself with her. “And I will remember that… can… can I be the same for you?”

“No problem Emmy.” Dash said with a smirk before giving Oskar a good natured punch in the shoulder then shaking said hoof jokingly. “Ow, tough as nails… the next time me and Applejack have an Iron Pony competition you want to give it a try this time?”

“Sure, can’t wait!” Oskar replied with a smile. “Hope you don’t mind losing!”

“Here!” Twilight said, dropping a stack of books onto the table with a loud bang. “These are all the various geological books! If this gem is in- oh hello Rainbow Dash! Come to help us research?”

“Oh no!” Dash said quickly, taking flight and waving her hooves in front of her. “I’ll leave that egghead stuff to you two. I’ll just go see what the others are doing.”

“Well, her loss!” Twilight said with a smile at Oskar. “Ready Emerald?”

“Born and made ready.” Oskar replied before levitating the first book off the pile, opening it to the first page, ready for a nice quiet reading binge after spending most of the day in excitement.

-TBC-

Chapter 9: Outbreak

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Clifford whimpered as he stared down at his right arm, his hand over his own eyes but fingers spread out just enough for him to look between them.

Oskar hummed in thought as dozens of tendrils trailed off his form and into Clifford’s arm. The Diamond Dog’s arm was broken in well over a hundred places and almost none of them were clean breaks, plus the act of being used as a flail had caused many, many bone fragments to be buried in other areas of the arm. All and all it was much easier to just break down that arm and build Clifford a new one rather than try to reverse the damage done.

The virus had injected a numbing agent before severing all the nerves in the arm and getting to work on breaking down the arm and growing it anew. It wasn’t difficult at all really, the real tricky part was making sure to remove all signs of the Blacklight virus from the cells of the newly made arm before reconnecting all the various cells. It wasn’t too much of a hard task, just something needed to be done carefully because all it would take was one missed cell to infect Clifford with the virus.

So Oskar worked on the arm, his mind beginning to wonder as the monotony of the task flowed over him.

Yesterday he and Twilight had done a lot of research on the gem he had found. He had found its name, Storm Sapphires, but other than that he did not learn much beyond what he already knew. He already knew about its ability to turn excess magic into electricity and did learn that it worked in reverse as well, he also found out with certainty what caused the gem to be grown within him, the power of a magical storm. Storm infused with magic and their lightning bolts striking the ground are capable of causing the gems to form. Most of the time only frail shards form but rarely a gem would fully form from a lightning strike.

Overall the properties of the gem had set Oskar’s mind awhirl with possibilities, nothing concrete yet but if the gem could be harnessed Objective Four would be much easier to accomplish.

Examining the very last cell in the arm he was constructing, Oskar concluded Clifford was safe from viral infection and began connecting the arm. Veins, arteries, nerves and all the cells were spliced together, something that would have taken the most advanced surgery techniques and still wouldn’t have restored full use if done conventionally. But Oskar had the advantage of being able to control his viral body on the cellular level, so he was completely able to connect the arm in such a way it looked like it had never been separate.

Clifford gasped in shock as he suddenly felt his right arm again. The Diamond Dog moved his arm around tentatively, utterly surprised at the sure lack of pain he felt. He then turned to thank his new boss for fixing his arm but saw that he was already out of the room.

Oskar closed the door as he left the shack in which he performed surgery on Clifford. He was back in the DD village and all around him were the members of the pack of Dogs he had brutally attacked, all still moving around their limbs surprised at being restored to perfect health so soon after suffering severe injuries.

Oskar made his way through the village, dogs he walked near quickly giving him space and shooting him nervous, fearful looks. The virus’ mouth twitched into a frown as he spotted this behavior but ignored it and continued on his way to the large makeshift building that was the “Town Center” of the village.

Entering the building Oskar saw a bunch of large dogs along with Spot, Rover and Fido around a large shoddy table. Rightly assuming they were the prominent Alphas of the Diamond Dog packs, Oskar approached a table and gained the attention of the large dogs.

“This who kill Nidhogg.” Stated a disbelieving tall and lean Greyhound DD. “Not look like much…”

Oskar came to a stop and stared at the DD Alpha. The virus wasn’t frowning or looking threatening in the least, but he stared at the DD with dark eyes. The Greyhound DD stared back defiantly but soon began frowning and averted his eyes away after a moment longer. Shooting an annoyed look at the Alpha Oskar continued forward and came to a stop beside the table.

“You all should know who I am.” Oskar stated and continued when he got nods from everyone. “Now I want numbers, what is the current population count of the Diamond Dogs under my command?”

“Eight thousand of us roam these tunnels.” A Husky Diamond Dog said, ignoring a soft scoff from somewhere behind him.

“More in pony prison.” Fido added in a soft rumble. “Two thousand… I think.”

“Hmm… if there are so many in a prison why didn’t any of them tell Celestia about Nidhogg?” Oskar asked.

“Would you betray large, plasma breathing, dog eating, extremely tough dragon if Diamond Dog?” The Husky said rhetorically.

“Point.” Oskar said with an understanding nod. “Hmm… speaking of which, what was your population before Nidhogg arrived?”

“Only me and other Elders… able to answer that.” An aged voice said with a soft sickly cough that also had an inexplicable Italian accent.

The DD Alphas stepped aside to let Oskar see who had spoken. It was an old Diamond Dog who may have been a bulldog like Fido but his heavily wrinkled skin and missing patches of fur made it difficult to know for sure. He was holding a finely crafted metal cane that contrasted sharply with the makeshift surroundings and didn’t seem capable of standing without it judging on how much he was leaning on it. There was also another Diamond Dog standing beside him, wearing a light blue buttoned up vest, that appeared to be the same breed as Rover but its softer features showed it was female unlike mentioned DD. She was holding a heavily patched blanket around the old Diamond Dog’s shoulder and shooting Oskar nervous looks.

“So…” Oskar began, staring curiously at the old Diamond Dog. “How many of you were there before Nidhogg took over?”

“Before Nidhogg… we million strong!” The old DD said, energy filling his voice only to be ruined by the small coughing fit he had afterwards. “… Then Dragon come… he breath death on great city… army useless before him. Dogs panic, running in fear into tunnels… some fall in panic… get trampled by own… Dogs scatter into tunnels. Run to far corners of Equestria, some run further, take boat off to lands across waters…” The old DD looked like he wanted to say more but a far more serious sounding coughing fit suddenly struck him and the worried female DD quickly led him away.

Oskar watches the old DD and the female leave with a contemplative frown on his face for a moment before turning back towards the DD Alphas.

“What is the name of the… wait, give me a moment.” Oskar said and began searching through Silver Light’s memories for a prison holding over two thousand Diamond Dogs. After a moment a completely deadpan expression appeared on Oskar’s features. “… It’s Alcoltraz isn’t it?”

“Yeah, biggest prison in Equestria.” The Husky said with a nod.

“Only prison in Equestria.” The Greyhound added, getting a sour look from the Husky DD.

‘What’s with ponies and their need to give punny names to places?’ The virus thought with annoyance. ‘Manehattan, Fillydelphia, Trottingham, Vanhoover, Las Pegasus, seriously who thought these were good names?’

“I’m going to break in that prison and free all the Diamond Dogs there.” Oskar stated, immediately gaining the attention of everyone in the room. “It will not be a simple thing to do though, some planning and preparation is needed if we intend to do this right.”

“We?” The Greyhound Alpha said with a dubious look.

“Yes we.” Oskar replied sharply. “Of course if you are fine with your own people being held in a prison then by all means, don’t participate.”

This caused the Husky to chuckle and sneer nastily at the Greyhound, who frowned and turned his head away sullenly.

“Hehehe, what you need from Bluno Boss!” The Husky Alpha said, pointing a paw at himself.

“I need you and your fellows to get together a group of you stealthiest dogs together.” Oskar replied, the corners of his mouth twitching up into a smile. “Then I want the prison to be scouted, patrol patterns and guard numbers. I don’t expect much, just as best as they can do without being spotted from outside the prison.”

“You got it Boss.” Bluno said with a smile.

“Me for my part, I’ll be off to Canterlot’s City Hall.” Oskar began. “I have an idea for how to make the prison break far easier but I’ll need the blueprints for the prison first.”

“Right, I'll be back in a few days.” Oskar continued. “We’ll start planning in earnest once the foundations for it are in place, see you all then.”

With that Oskar disappeared in a blood red flash, leaving the Alphas to converse amongst themselves and plan how to accomplish their own objective.

ALPHA

“More light!” Rarity demanded. “It has to catch the sequence just so or the whole outfit is a disaster!”

It was a little later in the day and Oskar was now back in Ponyville, Rarity’s boutique to be specific sitting on said unicorn’s favorite couch. The Evolved was basically waiting for night to fall so she could sneak into City Hall when it was empty and mostly unguarded. She had intended to spend the day just reading and improving on her magic but Rarity needed help to impress some important pony and so asked a few of her friends to come over. Though she would have rather to just stay at the library, Oskar felt she needed to make an appearance for Rarity’s sake, even if all she intended to be was moral support while she studied.

Oskar looked up from the book on teleportation she was reading as Twilight followed through on Rarity’s command to brighten the room. It appeared that while she was busy studying on how to refine her teleportation control Rarity had dressed up Fluttershy in some outfit that made the virus think of show girls and Las Vegas.

“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity suddenly shouted. “More feathers!”

Pinkie Pie trotted forward happily holding a basket full of the feathers Rarity had asked for. Rarity then levitated five pink feathers up and into Flutterhshy’s headdress… which seemed to make no difference at all but that was just Oskar’s opinion.

“And sequins!” Rarity shouted, looking horrified at having missed something that Fluttershy needed so “obviously”. “More sequins!”

Spike came forward holding the basket of sparkling sequins, nearly skipping and looking like there were hearts in his eyes. Magically taking the sequins, Rarity then sent it at Fluttershy who whimpered at the impact and made the already sparkly outfit she was wearing shine even more.

“And more ribbon!”

Once again Spike was quick to obey and was already atop Fluttershy’s back holding two ribbons, which he then quickly attached to her headdress, flashing Rarity a dopey smile the entire time.

“Oh no, less ribbon.”

Oskar rolled her eyes as Spike quickly obeyed and turned her attention back to her book. Rarity tended to get worked up when it came to big names in the fashion industry though she did have a good reason for it admittedly, as one good word from such people would do wonders for her career. But unlike last time the others weren’t offering their opinion on fashion and were leaving it all to Rarity so really Oskar saw no need to be anything other than moral support.

The virus ignored the scene Rarity was making and continued where she left off on the paragraph about teleport accuracy. It was the sole thing that was wrong with her teleportation really, range was a strength issue and she had that in spades, Charge up time was something she could improve on as well as it was very clear what she intended to do when the magic began to glow and envelop her form but it wasn’t as prominent an issue as accuracy. So she was reading up on some tips and practice lessons to improve her accuracy. It… wasn’t too much help, the lessons were basically just keep teleporting until you improved and the tips were not to do stuff like purposefully teleport inside of walls, again some pretty common sense stuff. Though it did give Oskar an idea, instead of walking she would teleport everywhere until it was as easy as walking was and when that happened… well she would think of something else to do.

“You know…” Oskar heard Spike begin and looked up, arching an eyebrow when she saw him with a bunch of pins stuck in his rear. “Maybe you could… you know, help a little?”

“I am helping.” Oskar replied absently, turning her attention back to her book while raising her hoof. “I’m the moral support, back to her book while raising her hoof. “I’m the moral support, yay go team go yay, see?” She ‘cheered’ dully.

“Fine.” Spike huffed and walked off, the pins in his rear bobbing with his movements.

Oskar began to focus on her reading but was again interrupted when the door opened and in walked the pony everyone was preparing for, although it wasn’t her arrival that attracted Oskar’s attention but her mode of speech.

“I! Photo Finish... have arrived!” The fashion said dramatically, her strangely attired aides flanking her/

‘Ugh she speaks in third person, what the hell!’ Oskar thought in annoyance as Photo Finish completely ignored Rarity’s greeting and moved into position to take Flutterhshy’s picture. ‘What’s up with all the people speaking in third person all of the sudden?! What, normal speech too mainstream?’

“We begin… NOW!” Photo Finish announced grandly as one of her aides quickly set up her camera for her.

Oskar watched in some interest along with increasing amusement as the scene unfolded before her. Rarity would silently advise Fluttershy to take poses that had “Attitude and Pizzazz” by miming them and the shy pegasus would copy, only for Photo to shoot them down instantly and take an immediate liking to Fluttershy’s downtrodden look whenever that happened.

“ENOUGH!” The famous fashion photographer shouted suddenly after taking only six pictures.

Oskar blinked in surprise as she watched Photo and her aides rapidly pack up before walking out the front door. The virus was smiling before but that was when things were looking up for Rarity… she wasn’t smiling now.

“I’m so sorry… I tried my best…” Fluttershy said sadly, fully believing she was at fault for Photo Finish just taking off like that.

“Well the headdress is too big for you and the cape had too much sparkle…” Rarity said half-heartedly. “I can’t believe I thought I could impress her.”

“It seems that I Photo Finish have found the next fashion star here in Ponyville.” Photo Finish stated, having suddenly darted back into the boutique after leaving for seemingly no reason. The aides just looked as stone faced as ever, apparently this sort of thing was routine.

“REALLY!?” Rarity said excitedly, her eyes sparkling in delight.

“YES, really.” Photo said, sounding like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And I… Photo Finish! Am going to help her shine, all over Equestria!”

“Tomorrow a photo shoot in the park.” Photo commanded, standing almost at attention towards the door. “We… hmm? My, what do we have here?”

“You there! Tell Photo Finish your name.”

“Huh?” Oskar blinked and looked up from her, which she had redirected her attention to when Photo Finish returned and made it obvious to her she was just the sort to cause a scene with her every movement. “Are you talking to me?”

“Yes, yes, now your name?” The Photographer asked again with some impatience.

“…Emerald Gleaner.” Oskar said after a moment.

“Ah, hmm…” Photo Finish tilted her head in thought then suddenly shouted. “YOU must be at the shoot as well! NOW we go!”

“Wait what do you wan…” Oskar began but trailed off as Photo Finish and her aides darted out the door. “And she’s gone.”

“Did you hear that!” Rarity said excitedly. “I am going to shine all over Equestria!”

“Oh Rarity, I was so worried I ruined everything!” Fluttershy said in distress.

“Oh never!” Rarity reassured her demure model. “I know you’d be perfect.”

“What I want to know is why she wanted Emerald to be there?” Twilight asked aloud.

“Oh that’s right!” Rarity said happily. “Emerald dear she gave you permission to be at the shoot! This is utterly fabulous! It will be so much fun with the three of us there!”

“I don’t think Photo Finish intends for Emerald to just sit and watch from the way she said for her to be there.” Twilight said.

“Oh then what possible reason could a mare like Photo Finish want Emerald there?” Rarity asked. “Having an audience of any size isn’t exactly the kind of thing you have for a photo shoot of all things now that I think about it…”

“Maybe she wants Emmy to model too?” Pinkie offered.

“Oh now that is just silly Pinkie darling.” Rarity replied. “If Photo Finish intended for Emerald to be a model then she would have taken pictures of her as well!”

“Well there is only one way to know for sure.” Twilight stated. “Be at the photo shoot tomorrow.”

“Oh we won’t miss it for the world!” Rarity said happily and turned to the virus. “Right Emerald dear?”

“… Of course.” The Evolved agreed after a moment. Honestly she was all for snubbing the command the famed photographer had given her but Rarity WAS looking forward to having her be there…

‘Darn… having friends can be double edged…’ Oskar thought as she watched Rarity be suddenly overtaken by excitement for the future. ‘Oh well… I can always just do my studying outdoors.’

BETA

Oskar stood on the ledge of a building, it was night and the moon shone overhead.

It was night of the same day and Oskar was now in Canterlot, staring across the street at a large several story building that was the Canterlot City Hall. Oskar was in the form of a random pony from the streets of Canterlot so that he wasn’t too eye-catching if someone spotted him.

The virus turned away from the ledge and walked towards the heart of the building roof.

‘That’s the building.’ Oskar thought. ‘I need to get inside and into the archives where the blueprints are. Now obviously since this is a federal building there are going to be some night guards on patrol in those halls. Hmm… it would be useful if I had a form with hands though it would be very conspicuous if I was spotted… hmm, a trade off but hands are useful now let’s see here…’

Black and red tendrils erupted from Oskar’s form and in a moment he was a writhing shapeless mass. This continued for a few moments and suddenly tendrils erupted forth and weaved themselves into a humanoid silhouette. Details began to form, a long gilded coat, tattered and its once dark blue color faded into a grayish blue with a hard leather vest like cuirass worn over the coat. Bare legs covered in silvery gray fur and ending paw-like feet very much like a dog’s, a pair of hands that was like paws as well but had agile fingers ending in short natural claws. A vulpine head with a short snout, icy blue eyes and two triangular eyes that stood up on the top of the head, and finally one long brush-like tail stuck out between the threadbare coattails and ended with a white tip.

Oskar examined his new form. It was reminiscent of the DDs but instead of a Diamond Dog he was more of a Diamond Fox. Also instead of the short stubby lower legs and strong large forelimbs his legs were longer and less frail looking, while his arms were shorter and weaker looking then a Diamond Dog’s. Overall his body almost had the body proportions of a human form, other than the fox head, the obviously canine legs and long fluffy tail.

Moving his limbs experimentally and twitching his new long tail Oskar moved forwards back to the ledge of the building. Narrowing his now icy blue eyes as he studied the dark windows of the City Hall, Oskar then concentrated on his magic, small claws glowing blue with magical auras.

With a flash of blue light Oskar appeared in the empty office of a city official on the second floor. The virus made his way over to the door and slowly opened the door into the dark hallway and glanced out. With his viral eyes Oskar was fully capable of seeing in even the darkest night, the lights might as well have been on with how illuminated the hallway was to Oskar.

Exiting the room and softly closing the door behind him, the virus’ ears twitched as they picked up echoes of the hooves of the night guards on patrol. Oskar moved through the hall, carefully monitoring the sounds of the guards walking and making a mental map of the local area from echolocation.

Oskar frowned as he padded down the halls, he didn’t know the layout of the building so it was likely he would only find the archives through chance alone. The idea of simply ambushing some random guard and consuming him came up, only for the Evolved to frown deeper and shake his head clear, it wasn’t a very viable option and the idea of killing someone just to know the layout of a building left a foul taste in his mouth.

Eventually Oskar found himself looking down a hall leading to the area looking over the lobby. He was about to dart down when he suddenly froze. The virus quickly moved to the nearest door and turned the knob only for it to rattle slightly, locked. Oskar extended a small tendril from his hand and into the knob’s lock as a light slowly appeared from around the corner. A soft click came from the door’s lock and Oskar quickly opened the door and closed it softly behind him, a few seconds later a bored looking unicorn security guard with a light spell emitting from his horn appeared in the hall. She walked down the hall humming softly as she gave her surroundings a brief scan. With her passage down the hall and around the corner Oskar opened the door and quickly darted down the opposite direction.

The virus found himself looking over the lobby. The marble floor stretched before the front doors, a styled sun etched into the surface and colored with yellow dyed tiles. The large circular front desk was a short distance and had a security guard seated there, behind him was a large fountain with a beautifully carved earth pony statue holding up an urn that would obviously be pouring water into the fountain, but appeared to be now turned off. But what attracted Oskar’s attention most was the large ‘you are here’ map of the building over to the side of the lobby.

Carefully maneuvering around the second floor, keeping a close eye on the guard below who happened to be putting all his attention on a magazine which had Hoity Toity largely featured on one of the pages he was on. The virus leaned against the marble banisters of the second floor and strained his eyes, managing to zoom in with natural binocular sight to see the map clearly. He needed only one clear glance and got one, quickly moving away and down to the opposite end of the lobby.

Reaching the opposite end and safely out of the possible line of sight of the guard at the desk, Oskar leapt over the banister and pushed his pegasus magic to its utter limit. Landing with feather light grace Oskar darted down a hall, completely unheard and unseen as the guard turned a page.

Moving rapidly and silently through the halls Oskar kept an ear to the sounds of the guards moving, keeping their positions close in mind. Coming to a stop, the virus fell into a crouch near a corner and peeked around.

A light shone overhead a door with a scene marked ‘Archives’ and next to that door was a guard wearing a cap sitting in a chair, his legs crossed as he read from a newspaper titled ‘Famed Photographer Seeks New Talent!’ with a picture of Photo Finish.

The virus frowned as he pondered ways of getting in there.

The guard looked up when he heard the flutter of cloth in the wind and his eyes widened when he saw Oskar racing towards him. The guard barely had enough time to let out a choked gasp as he was lifted from his seat and held against the wall, his assailant’s forearm pressing down on his windpipe and right clawed hand gripping down tightly on his throat.

Tendrils extended from Oskar’s palm and stabbed into the neck of the guard who could only let out a choked gurgle from the small stinging sensations. Chemicals pumped through the tendrils and into the bloodstream of the guard, their spread aided by being injected in an artery and the heart beating rapidly. In a few seconds the guard slackened, eyes closing as he was forced into sleep.

Quickly and softly placing the guard back on his seat, Oskar posed him just so that it looked like he fell asleep on the job. Pulling the guards hat over his eyes for extra effect Oskar then moved to the door, quickly picked the lock with a tendril and went in.

The virus closed and locked the door as he entered the room. The room was dark but Oskar could see, and saw a long three story tall room with file cabinets stretching all the way to the ceiling along the sides of the room.

‘Odd way of setting up a room like this...’ Oskar internally remarked, spotting the only means of reaching the higher drawers, a ladder. ‘Seems like only a pegasus or a unicorn could navigate this easily. Hmm… now where could the blueprints for Alcoltraz be? Wait… what’s this?’

Oskar walked over to a binder on the floor, left leaning against the side of a cabinet in the corner to his left. Taking up the battered looking binder he opened it up and found a complicated set of diagrams on many pages. Flipping through it a few times and carefully scanning some pages Oskar concluded it was an index for the archives.

‘One person’s laziness is to my benefit.’ Oskar thought as he walked over to a set of cabinets. ‘Let’s see… there is only one prison for everyday criminals in Equestria, Tartarus is for special cases. So because of that prisons don’t really have their own section BUT they should be under federal buildings.’

Placing the binder on the floor Oskar looked up at the colossal cabinet and lowered his weight as much as he could before quickly climbing up via the handles.

Ascending up to the drawers around the third story Oskar stopped and opened up one beside him. Fishing around the files near the very front the virus then pulled out a set of blueprints. Using his magic to levitate the blue pieces in paper in the air, Oskar quickly looked over each, taking advantage of his perfect memory. Once finished Oskar then replaced the plans back in the cabinet and closed the drawer.

Dropping down to the ground flow with an almost inaudible thud Oskar picked the binder back up and placed it back in the corner where he found it. Taking one last look around the room to make sure everything was as it was before he entered Oskar then gathered his magic and concentrated.

The virus appeared back outside on the roof he had started on with a light blue flash, he was a few feet above said roof and once he landed he quickly dropped to his stomach, Ears twitching for sounds of alarm. After a few moments Oskar rose up onto one of his knees, now sure no one had spotted the flash or any magical alarms had been tripped in City Hall, if they even had them.

‘Operation successful.’ Oskar thought. ‘Beginning extraction.’

With that Oskar disappeared with a light blue flash.

GAMMA

It was the late morning of the next day, Oskar was out in the park reading a book on advanced casting on Rarity’s favorite couch while said Unicorn was busy helping Fluttershy dress.

Oskar had completed her objective for upcoming planning of the prison break and was planning to wait one more day before going to see her Diamond Dogs. Truth be told the virus could have just done both parts herself, getting the blueprints and scouting out the prison. Hell, it was likely Oskar could have gotten into the prison to do a far better job than the Diamond Dogs could ever hope to do. But that wasn’t the point of why she had her Diamond Dogs do the scouting, it was important to get a handle on what her DDs could do and just how good they were at it. Plus it made a better impression on them if she gave them important jobs to do as well, it said that she was willing to rely on them and have them contribute to the planning process, rather than just having them around as dumb muscle for the violent parts. Overall this whole prison break plan was just to raise the morale of the Diamond Dogs and get them to see her as something more than just another tyrant, not to say her reasons were purely selfish she did actually want to get those DDs out of there, it was just that it had a ton of favorable after effects that she liked.

“Put me down here.” Oskar heard Photo Finish’s voice and looked up.

She blinked in surprise when she saw the famed photographer being carried on a pedestal by two pegasi, both of which were flaring out their wings. But it wasn’t the fact she was being carried that surprised her, no it was the sight of one of the pegasi carrying her that did it.

To the left of Photo Finish was the pegasus Oskar had dubbed “Time Turner with wings” back in Cloudsdale. The thing however was that she had thought she had imagined him in her drug addled state, it was kind of remarkable she wasn’t stumbling around drunkenly while she was walking around Cloudsdale now that she thought about it…

It was at that moment the pegasus who bore a startling resemblance to Timer Turner noticed her. Giving a glance at Photo Finish who was currently talking about Fluttershy he then raised a hoof and waved hesitantly at Oskar. The virus blushed in embarrassment as she recalled the antics she got up to in Cloudsdale and waved back sheepishly. Strangely this caused the pegasus to blush and as well and smile warmly at her. He looked like he was about to get out from the pedestal Photo had stood on when said pony said something that immediately caught her attention.

“And the other model isn’t even in costume!” Photo Finish said in exasperatedly.

“Other model?” Rarity asked, freezing in place as she was looking through her rack of dresses. “What other model?”

“Why her of course!” Photo Finish pointed at Emerald, sounding like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Me?!” Oskar said incredulously. “I’m the other model? Why in the world would you want me as a model?”

“Ah it’s my talent you see!” Photo said matter of factly. “I Photo Finish not only know instinctively what would make a good picture but who would be the most photogenic! And Hoity Toity said nothing but positives about you, granted I had merely thought infatuation had biased him but now that I have gotten a look at you myself… I! PHOTO FINISH! Can safely say you would be PRIME model material!”

Oskar just frowned. She didn’t want to be a model, after all such a job was VERY high exposure and there was pretty much a guarantee that at the very least thousands of people would know her face and name, and was about to reject Photo’s offer when a thought occurred to her. Models had the potential to make a lot of money…

“Before I agree to anything…” Oskar began. “What would my wage be?”

“Oh it all depends on popularity in the end BUT you, both of you, would be sponsored by I!” Photo said dramatically. “I can promise that you will have an annual wage of at least eighty thousand bits.”

Oskar raised her brows as Fluttershy squeaked in astonishment, now very much interested.

“And that is only if your careers don’t immediately take off.” Photo said with a sly smile, seeing that she pretty much had at least one of her prospective models sold. “It will be much higher as you get corporate ad deals, even more so if you can get Hoity Toity’s endorsement which you will. He likes you Emerald, if you are a model in any fashion show I can guarantee he will make an appearance.” Photo finished, sounding pleased that Oskar had the affections of her equally prominent fashion celeb.

Oskar was more turned off by the idea that Hoity would be there but quickly ignored the feeling, this was a lucrative opportunity and would lead to even more wealth if she invested right.

“Well… you’ve got me sold.” Oskar said, closing her book and getting off Rarity’s couch. “What am I going to wear for the shoot?”

“Wonderful!” Photo Finish said and walked towards Oskar, briefly walking a circle around her. “Hmm… something like the nature but… a different aspect! Fluttershy, the serenity of plants suits her well but not you, you need something… untamed… wild… “

“Oh this is absolutely delightful Emerald!” Rarity exclaimed. “Both you and Fluttershy will be models! Now let’s see… I think I have something “wild” for Emerald to wear, just let me throw something together and-”

“Yes, your help will not be necessary.” Photo stated absently as she wondered just what kind of dress Emerald would need to wear.”

“But… how are you going to help me shine across Equestria if the models aren’t wearing my design?” Rarity asked in confusion.

“I am not going to help you shine across Equestria!” Photo replied before gesturing to both Fluttershy and Oskar. “I am going to help them shine, to think I had come here thinking I’d only have one star and I found two instead. NOW YOU! GO!”

Rarity looked utterly devastated as aides went to Fluttershy and pushed her off to get her into something else to wear. They tried doing the same to Oskar but the virus was completely unaffected by their pushing. She stared at Rarity with an upset expression before simply nudging the ponies off and going to Photo Finish.

“Look I know you have your own dresses but Rarity is a really good fashion designer.” Oskar said to the photographer. “She got rave reviews from Hoity Toity didn’t she? Wouldn’t it be best to have her along to do the costumes?”

Rarity looked so very hopeful at this and also deeply grateful towards Oskar but what Photo Finish said next dashed those hopes.

“I am in the business of modeling.” Photo said dismissively. “Hoity is all about the dress, while I am about the ponies wearing them! I can do with what I have.”

Oskar shot Rarity an apologetic look, unable to argue her case further. Rarity simply smiled an understanding though sad smile back at her.

The Aides came again and this time Oskar didn’t ignore their attempts to direct her away.

A little later Fluttershy was now in a really naturalistic dress that suited her though not as well as the one Rarity had made for her. Oskar was off being attended to by Photo Finish’s aides and the photographer herself was critiquing the dresses she was having her wear.

“I can’t Rarity.” Fluttershy said sadly.

“Oh but you must Fluttershy.” Rarity urged her with a somewhat forced smile. “Photo Finish wants to make you a star! This is the opportunity of a lifetime! I know we were both hoping it would be my lifetime… but nonetheless you can’t throw away this chance! You must do this for me! You must, you must, YOU MUST!”

“Ooooooh… I don’t know Rarity…” Fluttershy said hesitantly, looking back to see Photo Finish now had Oskar in something that reminded her of a tiger.

“I know the spotlight was never the place you are comfortable in Fluttershy.” Rarity said with a comforting smile. “But look at it this way dear, Emerald is a model as well now! She’ll be there beside you every step of the way.”

Rarity blinked and looked at Oskar. She had felt so proud when she had said “Emerald” was a model as well and found herself confused as to why. Deny it as she may when she thought of Fluttershy getting Photo Finish’s attention instead of her she felt a little jealous, but when she thought the same about “Emerald”… she felt proud of her accomplishment and not the least bit jealous.

“Oh… yeah th-that’s nice I suppose…” Fluttershy nervously murmured, retaining Rarity’s attention.

“Fluttershy whatever is the mat-” Rarity started.

“FLUTTERSHY!” Photo Finish shouted, gaining both mares’ attention. It appeared that she had finally picked out a dress she was satisfied with Emerald wearing as said fake unicorn was now wearing a dress that seemed largely tiger stripe patterned, though how Photo had managed to make it go well with the virus’ pink hair, white coat and green eyes they couldn’t tell. “It is time to make… THE MAGICS!”

Fluttershy turned back to look at Rarity who simply gave her an encouraging smile and motioned her forward, she turned back and began walking after a small sigh.

“Oh VUNDABUH! You are like a delicate flower! So much more alluring without the sparkles and feathers.” Photo Finish complimented and turned towards her other model. “And you Emerald Gleaner. You are like the strong and untamed wild, a dangerous grace all in itself!”

“Fantastic…” Oskar said, “glad” to be compared to a dangerous wild beast.

“Oh I know!”

DELTA

The sounds of branches snapping and the rustling of bushes filled Oskar’s ears. It was now the next day, the last having been spent first with Photo Finish and then with Twilight telling her about how miserable Rarity was over Photo snubbing her. Currently he was in his base form and being led through a heavily forested area by some of the Diamond Dog Alphas.

“Follow this way boss.” Bluno said. “Nice hidey ridge looking over pony prison over here.”

A few moments later Bluno proved to be correct as the brush gave way to a scenic outlook over a massive prison. Oskar moved ahead to examine the prison in greater detail, he knew what to expect from the blueprints but an actual view was more interesting. The prison of Alcoltraz had many, many cell blocks, some of which were at least five stories tall and a perimeter wall that was at least sixty feet tall. There were many sectors, each was specialised for different species of prisoners. One sector had its yard covered by a large bird cage like dome, showing that it was for flying capable prisoners. Another had incredibly thick walls and floors that were disproportionately spaced between each other, obviously meant for larger species with immense strength. One sector immediately drew Oskar’s attention though, this sector’s walls shined with metal plating and anywhere the prisoners would walk had its ground replaced with said metal plating. Flexing his ocular muscles Oskar zoomed in his vision and saw the occupants of this sector of the prison, Diamond Dogs. Oskar looked at the sector, he could tell from just looking at it that it had been heavily renovated and no longer totally fit the blueprints but hopefully the internal floor plan wasn’t as heavily altered, as that was what he was relying on for the plan he had concocted.

Turning away from the view Oskar saw that the Alphas had taken the chance to scratch out a rough outline of the prison in the dirt with many, many arrows drawn around and in the plan. Obviously this was the patrol routes of the prison guards but the virus could also see that they scratched down exactly when the patrols changed shifts as well. Taking the time to examine the plotted out patrol patterns Oskar then turned his attention to the Alphas.

“Good job all of you.” Oskar complimented, genuinely impressed they noted the shift change though it wasn’t necessary for what he had in mind. “Now here is what I have in mind. This sector here is where they are holding the other Diamond Dogs, it’s covered in metal plating and I believe it may have reinforced concrete under that in order to keep the prisoner Diamond Dogs in.”

“We able to dig that.” The Greyhound Alpha stated with a dismissive sniff. “… Would hurt paws lots though.”

“Really?” Oskar said in interest. “That is actually quite useful to know. Hmm… anyway my plan needs a tunnel to be dug into that sector but we don’t need to dig through the reinforced floor, I already have something in mind for that. Of course digging the tunnel would be dangerous as they’ll no doubt be on the lookout for the sounds of digging, so we’ll need to dig it slowly and carefully. Now if we just did this and dug a hole into the sector with all the Diamond Dogs we would still need to break open the cells but also deal with what would likely be the entire prison guard staff. So before the timed breaching into the sector I will sneak into the prison and make my way into its very heart. There I will find its control room which will contain the mechanism that controls every single door in the entire complex. So I plan to open every single cell in the entire prison. This will be more than sufficient to allow us to free every single Diamond Dog in the prison without too much resistance. When I have done that I’ll make my way to where the breach will be, likely I may not make it back in time for when you breach though.”

“Why not breach when you open cells?” Bluno asked in confusion. “Why wait for after?”

“Because I don’t want the guards to immediately prioritise the Diamond Dog sector and I need the chaos to settle in for a bit so we can just meld into the background.” Oskar answered. “Which brings up something important, do you have a means of contacting the dogs in the prison? They will likely act up just like the rest of the prisoners and end up scattered all over the place. I want them informed of the plan so we can keep them all in one place and quickly evacuate them.”

“There is way to get letters in prison.” The Greyhound Alpha said. “Mates and pups who write or know dog who write can make messages and we sent them.”

‘That grammar is starting to annoy me.’ Oskar thought as he nodded. ‘I should teach them some proper pronunciation when I have time and the chance later.’

“We’ll send them a message about three hours before we breach the prison, which should be enough time for them to spread the message.” Oskar stated. “We’ll dig over a period of several days starting today, I’ll be leaving it to you for the first bit but as we near the prison I’ll be directing you so that we'll be breaching in the showers of the prison and not in the middle of a load supporting wall.”

“Everyone got the plan?” Oskar asked.

“Yeah boss!” Bluno answered enthusiastically. “This clear as crystal also much fun, more than pony napping and gem mining!”

“Good to hear, dismissed.” Oskar replied with a nod and then disappeared with a crimson flash.

The Alphas stayed in the location for a bit longer after that, scratching tunnel plans and rough maps of the area surrounding the prison in the ground for a while. Finally they too left sweeping away evidence of their presence before darting into the brush.

EPSILON

Fluttershy sighed as she stared at herself in the mirror. She was currently in the backstage dressing room of a catwalk, wearing this green and white dress with a voluminous skirt. Her hair wasn’t fixed up just yet nor was she wearing any make up, right now she was just enjoying what few minutes to herself she could enjoy before being dolled up by Photo Finish and her aides, then sent out to be scrutinized by a bunch of strange ponies she didn’t know.

“Do this for Rarity, do this for her.” Fluttershy said to herself, trying her best to calm herself but mostly failing.

“Looking a little tense there Fluttershy.” Emerald said, causing Fluttershy to tense up and release a little ‘Epp!’ “Whoa, it’s okay Fluttershy it’s all going to be alright. All you have to do is walk out there once, look pretty for the cameras then walk back, then walk back.”

Emerald was currently wearing a regal looking purple and red dress that suited her rather well. Dress styles like those tended to look rather well on Emerald like how more naturalistic dresses looked wonderful on Fluttershy. The both of them were going to head out onto the catwalk together as their respective dress styles contrasted nicely with each other.

“O-o-okay…” Fluttershy said nervously, shooting fearful glances at the dressed up unicorn. Ever since that moment in the Diamond Dog tunnels Fluttershy had developed a minor phobia concerning Emerald. She had been afraid of dragons but even then she hadn’t fainted in the face of one, something which Emerald had managed just by being angry. But she was a friend and it was wrong to be so scared of a friend you couldn’t be around them without being too afraid to say anything. No matter how much she told herself that though Fluttershy just couldn’t get over that memory of the terror she felt in the face of Emerald’s anger.

“Fluttershy… why are you afraid of me?” Emerald asked after a moment.

“Wha-what?! No I’m- I’m…” Fluttershy tried to deny but quietened when Emerald just stared at her. “… I’m sorry… I don’t mean to be afraid of you Emerald… it’s just… when we were in those Diamond Dog tunnels and you got angry… I’ve been around dangerous animals and living next to Everfree for years but when you got angry… that was the first time I ever felt like my life was in danger.”

Emerald was silent for a long moment before slowly closing in on Fluttershy and wrapping her in a hug. Fluttershy tensed unwillingly at the contact and felt even more horrible for doing that.

“Fluttershy…” Emerald began slowly, her voice thick with emotion. “I… I would never hurt you. You are… you are my f-friend. The last thing… the very last thing I want to do is to hurt you, I’d do a-anything to avoid it.”

Hearing the emotion in Emerald’s voice and remembering the talk she had with her other friends about her, Fluttershy calmed and returned the hug. The demure pegasus smiled as she felt her fear disappear and tightened her hug around Emerald.

“Fluttershy! Emerald!” Photo Finish shouted. “It’s time to apply the makeup!”

“It’s okay Fluttershy, I’ll be standing right beside you.” Emerald reassured when she heard Fluttershy release a small dejected sigh. And unlike before when Rarity said that the pegasus actually felt comforted this time.

Giving Emerald a thankful smile Fluttershy stepped forward to be attended to by Photo’s aides, Emerald close behind.

Soon the two mares were sitting before a mirror and being dolled up. Most of Fluttershy’s hair was being pulled back, giving her small bangs instead of the one long she often used to hide behind. Emerald’s hair needed to be straight, so the aides began warming up some straighteners while another began brushing out knots. The aide doing the brushing was doubly surprised when not only were there no knots but Emerald’s hair immediately straightened after the first few passes with the comb and stayed that way.

“Ah your hair is so obedient!” Photo practically gushed. “No need to waste time on getting it to do what we want! And your coat doesn’t even need makeup! Such a rare pony!”

“Thanks I suppose.” Emerald said absently as she simply waited for the aides to finish, which they did after manipulating her long into a long flowing style and placing a silver tiara on her head.

Fluttershy was nearly done as well, one of the aides was finished giving her accessories and placing pins in her hair. The other was just about to apply the makeup and cover up any minor imperfections the pegasus had. Fluttershy gave a tiny squeak as blush was applied to her face.

Photo Finish scrutinized Fluttershy’s face for a moment. “Too much blush.”

Immediately the makeup artist took a washcloth to Fluttershy’s face, not at all gently.

“Not enough.” Photo said.

Again the blush was applied.

“Too much.”

Again it was removed.

“Not enough.”

Again the blush was applied.

“Perfect.” Photo Finish said, now satisfied that whatever deficiency she saw was now gone.

“Ahh… ahhh… chu!” Fluttershy sneezed.

“Impressive.” Emerald complimented. “I don’t think anypony can sneeze like you can Fluttershy.”

“Indeed! Such grace, even in the sneezes!” Photo finish agreed then shouted at the aides. “NOW GO!”

Obeying the command like their lives depended on it the aides darted out of the room in a flash. Photo Finish then started ushering the two mares towards the entrance to the catwalk.

“How do the two of you feel? Excited, overjoyed, thrilled beyond your wildest dream?!” Photo asked happily.

“Uh… I’m feeling a little nervous but Emerald is making me feel better.” Fluttershy said softly.

“I don’t know what to feel exactly.” Emerald replied “Personally… I just want to get this over with.”

“Bah! The two of you are such odd ponies!” Photo Finish said with a wave of her hoof and suddenly stiffened when she heard music begin to play. “There! Your cues! Now GO!”

With that the famous photographer gave Emerald and Fluttershy a shove out onto the catwalk. Fluttershy was taking in the sight of so many posh ponies and cameras looking at her with wide eyes, briefly frozen. She turned to see how Emerald was doing and saw that she was doing more than fine.

The unicorn was standing tall, her face the picture of noble dignity giving her the air of a Queen. Then Emerald caught Fluttershy looking at her and the expression dropped for the briefest moment like a mask, in that moment Emerald gave Fluttershy an encouraging smile. Seeing that the pegasus felt her flagging confidence surge with new life, it wasn’t nearly enough to make her walk with the poise and air that most models held but it was that very thing that worked best for her.

Emerald and Fluttershy reflected polarizing ends of class and society with their styles and the way they held themselves. Emerald was like the proud and mighty queen while Fluttershy was like a humble graceful maiden of the country, both contrasted wonderfully with each other and the high class crowd quickly grew to love it.

‘This is so nerve wracking!’ Fluttershy thought as she barely managed to stand without flinching away from all the staring, silently judging faces. ‘But… at least Emerald is here beside me. I don’t know how she can just take all this in her stride but at least one of us is staying calm through this... I can do this, Rarity and Emerald say I can. I must be able to… ohhh, I’m so glad you’re here Emerald I don’t know how I would be able to bear with this without you.’ Fluttershy thought gratefully and continued forward.

And the two mares continued their strides to the end of the catwalk to the delighted chatter of hundreds of ponies and flashes of dozens of cameras.

ZETA

Oskar was in his Diamond Fox form and had his arm down a small barrel, now in a freshly dug tunnel located just under the prison of Alcoltraz.

It was about three days later and the Diamond Dogs had been busy that entire time carefully digging in such a way they weren’t detected by the patrolling guards above. When they had neared the prison Oskar had taken a more active role in the digging, mostly directing the digging to a specific area. Oskar had tried to help with the digging as well and ended up setting back the digging by an hour when the tunnel collapsed, also making it rather tense when they had thought the guards had heard the collapse. Clearly he needed a bit more than simply watching the Diamond Dig before replicating their digging ability, so he did them all a favour and left the digging to them.

Currently he was creating his means of breaching the floor of the prison via his bioengineering. What was it? It was pure liquid nitroglycerin, a substance that could be charitably called unstable. Now nitro was notoriously fragile, meaning the slightest bump had the chance of setting it off, even more so was the case when it was pure. So obviously Oskar didn’t trust the dogs to be able to safely handle it without killing themselves and left the task to himself.

Topping off the barrel with nitro Oskar then carefully pushed the lid in place. The Evolved then took a measured length of fuse and placed it in the sole hole in the lid.

Barrel now in his arms Oskar slowly rose up to a standing position and moved down the fairly large tunnel. Around the corner appeared the floor of the prison, there was a small little alcove that some dogs had managed to carve out, though they had ended up with worn down claws and bleeding paws after doing so. Near the alcove was Fido.

“That the boom boss?” Fido asked curiously.

“Yes, this is the nitro.” Oskar answered and carefully slid the barrel into the alcove. “Now I want the letter sent into the prison warning the Diamond Dogs in there of the coming prison break. In three hours I want you to light the fuse, you will have about twenty seconds to get out of blast range. Do NOT underestimate how powerful this explosive is, Fido. It will easily kill you if you aren’t far enough away.”

“Got it boss.” Fido rumbled, eyeing the barrel of nitro warily. “You going break in prison now?”

“Not just yet, I’ll be breaking in a half an hour away from the time of detonation.” Oskar reminded. “I’ll be up above waiting for my scheduled time.”

“Right Boss… er, Boss?” Fido asked, scratching the top of his head. “Wouldn’t be easier if break into pony prison at night? Why break in during day?”

“Because it sends a message.” Oskar answered. “I can not only plan a daring prison break to be a hundred percent successful but commence it during the day. Even under the light of Celestia’s sun I promise you that each and every dog in Alcoltraz shall be free.”

With that Oskar built up power and teleported, leaving a thoughtful looking Fido behind.

Up on the surface Oskar reappeared, back up on the forested ridge he and the Alphas had planned the prison break from. Dropping down onto the ground and leaning back against a tree Oskar settled in for a long wait. Seeking something to help pass the time, Oskar began watching the prison, carefully studying the patrol routes of the guards though he already knew them somewhat. Hours slowly crawled by and Oskar soon found himself as bored as the prison guards likely were, though he knew their pattern rather well now.

‘Now is the time.’ Oskar thought after taking a glance at the sun overhead. ‘Let’s get going.’

Standing up and briefly brushing himself off, Oskar darted forwards off the ridge and towards the prison. The grass grew tall around the prison but was kept short near the walls, the virus moved with the rustling of the grass when the wind blew, helping to hide his movements. Oskar stopped near the sheared line of grass and studied the walls for several moments, vulpine eyes narrowing. There were several patrols walking the outside perimeter of the wall as well as the singular guards on the wall itself, Oskar needed to avoid being spotted by both.

A patrol walked by Oskar as he watched a guard on the wall stride in the opposite direction. Suddenly Oskar burst forth from his hidden position running past the patrol, being only mere feet away. Coming to a stop for the briefest moment before the wall, Oskar judged the distance then jumped. Coming over the ledge and onto the wall with incredible lightness the virus glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw a guard still walking forward. Knowing that guard was near the point where he turned back, Oskar jumped again, this time off the wall and into the yard of the prison.

Landing softly with a barely heard chatter of disturbed pebbles, Oskar took stock of his surroundings. The yard appeared to be a staff only area and had gardens, gazebos and ponds for the workers to relax in and around. It seemed like it was a busy day today, as the only ponies here were an earth pony guard and some unicorn in the gazebo, they weren’t much of a danger to Oskar though as the way they were cuddled up against each other showed their attention was elsewhere.

Making his way around the perimeter of the yard, making sure he wasn’t anywhere near the ponies’ line of sight, the virus made his way towards a pair of double doors. Arriving unseen, Oskar quickly darted a tendril under the doors, seeing that the hallway beyond was empty Oskar quickly and quietly entered.

Looking both ways, Oskar thought about the blue prints he had examined and figured out where he was in the prison from comparing landmarks, namely the small park. From that he knew he was in the staff only areas of the prison and about one cell block away from the master control room.

Turning right Oskar moved down the hallway and soon found himself going up about four flights of stairs. Opening the door Oskar found himself on a caged catwalk far over a cell block. Most of the cells were open and the various species of inmates wandered freely around the cell block. There were a few guards on the catwalk as well, a fact that made the Evolved frown in concentration. A glint caught Oskar’s eye and he turned to see a small handheld mirror hanging in the corner and facing down towards the cell block.

Wondering about the mirror for a moment, Oskar quickly redirected his attention to the guards. Their focus was on the prisoners below but they would definitely notice him if he tried to sneak by. Luckily the Evolved knew a simple solution. Don’t try to sneak past.

Keeping in mind the light brown shirts and caps the prison guards wore, Oskar then picked a random pony from Canterlot. Taking the form of a pegasi wearing the guard uniform, Oskar then walked forward, simply intent on reaching the other side and nothing more.

“Excuse me.” Oskar said as he slid past a guard.

“No problem.” The guard replied absently, shifting his position a little to create more room for Oskar.

“Pardon me ma’am.” Oskar said as he stepped to the side and saluted a pony with officer chevrons on her shoulder.

“You look busy, be on your way.” The officer said as she walked past on her patrol route.

“Yes ma’am!” Oskar replied promptly with another salute and double timed it to the other end of the room.

“Butt kisser.” Muttered one guard.

“Yep.” Agreed another.

Closing the door behind him Oskar consulted his mental map before quickly shifting back into his Diamond Fox form. Moving through several hallways and just managing to stay out of sight of patrols the Evolved soon arrived before a steel bolted door. Oskar was about to enter when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye, it was a broken and bent cell door leaning against a wall. The door was mostly ruined but one bar was still straight.

Tilting his vulpine head curiously as an idea came to him, Oskar walked over and wrenched the bar off the damaged door. Having created a makeshift quarterstaff for himself, Oskar then walked back to the door and mentally prepared himself for breaking and entering… then he burst forward.

The metal door slammed open and Oskar took in the scene before him in an instant. There was a wall of what appeared to be oddly shaped windows and three desks in the room, off to the side was a wall of levers. Occupying the room were two guards at small desks facing the windows, another large desk sat facing towards the door with the warden sitting at it, wearing a dark blue jacket and blue peaked cap.

Still moving forward from his initial charge into the room, the virus then brought his new weapon to bear. Jabbing it forward Oskar landed a debilitating blow to a guard just behind his ear, quickly swinging the staff to the right, Oskar clocked the other guard just as he was rising from his seat. The guard collapsed instantly from the painful blow to his temple, falling back onto his chair and sliding off.

The Evolved brought his attention to the Warden and quickly jumped over the large desk flying through the air towards him. The Warden’s eyes widened as he saw his target react incredibly quickly to his attack, a light blue glow emitting from under his peaked cap. Landing before the Warden Oskar lashed out with a hand and caught the unicorn by his throat. Pressing him against the odd window and putting pressure on his arteries the virus then noticed the windows weren’t actually windows but magical looking glasses depicting cell blocks. Letting go of the Warden when he finally slackened, Oskar looked at the various magical looking mirrors, inwardly glad the mirrors were focused on the cell blocks and not on the catwalks over them.

Turning away from the sights, Oskar directed his attention to the wall covered in levers. Walking over it became obvious it was designed for someone trained to use it as there was no labelling other than singular letters and numbers. Looking back at the comatose Warden Oskar contemplated consuming him for the needed info before frowning and shaking his head clear.

‘I need a better way of acquiring intel…’ Oskar thought as he contemplated the wall of levers. ‘I think… I may have something… anyway, some of these must control all the various cell block doors, let’s just flip them all!’

Claws glowing with a blue aura Oskar telekinetically flipped all the switches and directed his attention back to the magical mirrors. Lights flickered off in all the cell blocks, soon replaced by very insignificant lighting that was obviously meant for night and an alarm began warbling, its noise echoing through the whole of the prison. The cell doors all opened up and for a brief moment the prisoners looked confused, all it took was a few shouting and hollering as they ran off to get the rest of the prisoners going. Looking at all the mirrors Oskar could see a prison riot already getting into momentum. Smiling, the Evolved then left the room, not realizing that along with the cells he had opened every single door in the prison, including the large main doors.

Exiting the room the virus was about to make his way down when a pink aura suddenly surrounded his form and he lifted into the air.

“What do we have here?” Oskar heard a voice and looked over his shoulder to see the female officer from before, a glow emitting from beneath her cap.

Annoyed at realising his current form had the disadvantage of not allowing him to openly use magic the Evolved threw his staff at the unicorn.

The unicorn quickly shifted her focus on the staff but let go of Oskar in the process. The virus darted forward and jumped up. Grabbing hold of the levitating staff Oskar then delivered a swinging double kick into the face of the officer, sending her crashing into the wall where she then slumped over, unconscious.

‘I need a way to be able to use magic in this form without it being questioned by others.’ Oskar thought as he picked his staff back up. ‘Perhaps I can add on things to this staff so people assume that I am just using this to do magic? I’ll think more on this later, I need to head to the breaching point now before I am late.’

With that Oskar darted down the halls, back towards the cell blocks.

ETA

“Stand together!” Shining Armor shouted at the struggling prison guards surrounding him. “Remember your training!”

The Captain of the Royal guard had been conducting an inspection of the prison when nearly all the lights turned out, an alarm sounded and every single door had inexplicably opened. It didn’t take long for the prisoners to take advantage of the chance for freedom and charged out while some didn’t even bother to try, they just wanted to have a go at the guards.

“GAH!” Shouted an earth pony guard as he was tossed from the second level by a minotaur inmate.

Quickly catching the falling guard magically, Shining Armor set him down and refocused on the chaos around him. Inmates and prison guards were mixed together in the confused melee, while the guards had training on their side they were still outnumbered five to one.

‘We need to form up!’ Armor thought as he sent a burly earth pony inmate flying with his magic into a large group of his fellows. ‘They’ll wear us down at this rate!’

“Form up!” Shining Armor hollered out. “To me! We can push them back together! To me!”

Instinctively leaping at the command, guards broke off from their various outnumbered fights to answer the Royal Captain’s command. Earth pony guards formed a circle while unicorn formed up within the circle, there was no pegasi as they were deployed around the prison exterior and sector containing the flying inmates. Unfortunately not all of the guards were able to disengage from their fighting and their situation only got more desperate as time went on.

“Magic! Push them back!” Armor ordered his horn along with every other unicorn’s glowing with magic. Inmates were lifted into the air and flung to one side of the cell block, freeing up one direction and allowing the guards to form up one long wall. Quickly forming up as one long line across the cell block the guards took advantage of their training and at the same time took away the inmates advantage of numbers. The guards charged forward, the earth ponies reinforced by unicorn magical support. Shining Armor was about to add his magic to the fray when he stopped something, or rather someone.

The second level and above were still in chaos though the floor level was about to be brought under control, however this fact did not seem to bother the being maneuvering through it. It appeared to be a tall bipedal gray fox wearing a tattered faded blue gilded long coat with some cuirass made of some hard shiny brown material worn over it, wielding a steel bar as a staff though it currently wasn’t using it as a weapon. It moved through the fray with athletic ease, avoiding being caught in the crossfire of fights and leaping out of reach of those that took a swing at it. It leaped, landing on a railing before leaping again and landing on the first floor with a roll. It began running past Shining Armor when it took notice of him or rather his rather colorful regalia.

“You aren’t a prisoner.” Armor said suspiciously. “Explain yourself! Who are you and what are you doing here?”

The tall gray fox tilted its vulpine head, narrowing its eyes curiously at him before it suddenly smiled.

“What am I? Well what I am is an individual with a peculiar set of skills.” The fox said, moving with a sway to his steps and energetically gesturing with his paws as he talked. “In this I am uniquely qualified in the acquisitions in the various properties of dubious natures as well as the plotting of distinctive character, savvy?” It said rapidly and ended with a toothy smug smile.

“What?” Armor said, narrowing his eyes.

“You never introduced yourself mate!” The fox said in an almost gently chiding voice. “Care to be a proper gentleman and correct that?”

“I am Shining Armor.” Armor replied, now feeling deeply guarded towards the being before him. “Captain of the Royal Guard.”

“Now that is a right high and mighty title! Now what I am is-” Suddenly a loud explosion shook the prison, while its sound was enough to cause a lull in the fighting, the fox simply pulled back a sleeve and pointed at his bare furred wrist. “Very late! Sorry to cut this little exchange short Mr. Armor! But I have a schedule to make up for!”

With that the fox turned on his feet and ran away, his arms up in the air almost like he was balancing on a tightrope. His long bushy gray tail had just disappeared around the corner when he popped his head around the corner suddenly.

“Oh just thought you should know, being a Royal Captain as you are, the Diamond Dogs are under new management.” With that last statement the gray fox darted back around the corner.

Shining Armor frowned for a moment before his eyes widened in realization. The doors suddenly flying open, the way the fox made his appearance, what he had alluded to during a conversation and what he had said before leaving all combined to paint a specific picture in Armor’s mind.

“Guards to me!” Armor shouted out, not waiting to see how many would follow after him. “As many of you as can be spared!”

Shining Armor ran forward and after the fox, going around the very corner the fox had gone. However when he had come around that corner he saw that the fox was already at the end of the hall, wondering how a bipedal creature could be so fast, Shining Armor galloped forward. As he ran he could hear the sounds of hooves clopping on hard floor behind him. Glad he had some backup, Armor ran harder and faster.

Armor gritted his teeth when he saw the room the fox had gone down. It was another cell block deeply in the throes of a riot but there was no sight of the gray fox, showing that he was already gone. To make matters worse for Armor was that he knew what the neighbouring sector of cell blocks contained, Diamond Dogs.

“Come on!” Armor shouted to the guards following just behind him. “We can’t be held up here! We HAVE to catch up to that fox!”

It was easier said than done however as Armor soon found out.

“Come here, ground walker!” A griffon shouted, forcing Armor to throw himself into a roll to avoid being dive-bombed.

‘Flyers are supposed to be confined to the Flight Sector.’ Armor thought, his horn aglow with magic. ‘This sector is on the opposite end from that one… implications of that aren’t good.’

The griffon quickly came back for another sweep at Armor which the unicorn countered by forming a shield right in his path. Unable to turn away the griffon smacked right into the shield and slid down and off with one long squeaking sound.

Barely sparing the flying inmate another thought, Armor continued forward. His temper flared when a group of four pony inmates formed a line in front of the hallway leading out and he called forth his magic. One of the inmates became enveloped in a magical aura and floated into the air for a brief moment before suddenly flying into his fellows, sending them all crashing into a heap when they were all finally stopped by a wall.

Armor and his group ran forward, leaving the still rioting cell block behind them, slowed down only for a few moments but there was no telling what the fox had gotten up to while he was out of sight.

Armor stopped for a moment when he saw the scene just around the corner of the next hall. There was a group of about eighteen or so guards before a large open steel door entrance leading to the Diamond Dog sector. They were all on the ground clutching at limbs and moaning in pain, one of which was whimpering pitifully while he was being held by a fellow guard, his cap was off on the ground and revealing the shattered ruin that was his horn.

“My horn… my horn…” Armor heard the guard mutter again and again as he got closer.

“Shhh, it's okay it’ll grow back, just calm down.” The guard holding the other said comfortingly.

“What happened here?” Shining Armor asked and noticed that the other guard had a hind leg that was bent out unnaturally. “Is your leg alright? Do you need medical attention?”

“My leg looks worse than it actually is sir, just a bad twist.” The guard replied. “A fox-like creature came barreling in here as we prepared to reinforce the DD sector after we lost contact with the guards inside. He used a like-metal staff to attack us, Card Luck tried to hold him with magic but the fox struck him hard enough in the horn to break it before running into the DD sector.”

“I’ll leave a few guards here to help protect you.” Armor said, motioning for a few guards to stay while wincing in sympathy for the unicorn guard. “I have to go ahead and find out what is happening in there, it’s FAR too quiet for a prison riot.”

The Captain of the Guard and his group of prisoners entered the DD Sector and quickly found a scene that proved the suspicions Armor held about the sudden prison riot correct.

Before them was a metal plated cell block, designed to hold Diamond Dogs, completely empty of inmates and holding only tied up and gagged prison guards.

“Quickly, untie them!” Armor said, his horn glowing as he focused on releasing as many guards as he could at once and approached one of the groups he had released. “What happened here?”

“We… we were on patrol when the lights went out, an alarm sounded and all the cells suddenly opened.” One of the guards began. “We were outnumbered but we didn’t expect to be brought down so quickly. It was like they all expected the cells to suddenly open and used the confusion we were in to ambush us. By the time we had realized what had happened and what was going on most of us were brought down. They tied us up, gathered as many of their belongings as they could left down that hall… I think I heard some of them say something about the shower… that was where I heard that explosion come from too…”

“The showers, quickly, as many as are able to come with me!” Armor said before breaking into a gallop. “I am absolutely certain that this is a massive prison break!”

With that Armor made his way down the hall the guard had mentioned, now with a much, much larger force of guards behind him. As they moved they occasionally came upon a group of tied up prison guards which Armor quickly untied with his magic and quickly told them to follow. Before long Armor and his force of prison guards were in the hall leading down to the showers, the floor covered in prints from an immense increase in recent traffic.

As they closed in on the large entryway to the showers there was a loud roar and suddenly a large Rottweiler like Diamond Dog came charging out of the showers, bashing three guards against a wall. The dog turned and noticed Armor and his group charging down the hall towards him and quickly ran back inside the shower.

“BOSS! More guards coming! LOTS more!” The large dog shouted as he ran back in.

Shining Armor quickly ran ahead, running as fast as he could. The shower was in shambles, everywhere he looked were shattered tiles and broken pipes hanging out of shredded walls. The middle of the showers was dominated by a massive hole that led down past the reinforced materials of the floor and into a large tunnel. Beside the hole was the fox, ticking off some sort of mental list with his fingers.

“You there! Gray fox halt!” Armor shouted and charged.

The fox turned around and looked at Armor with some surprise before simply smiling at him, giving the pony captain a salute before tripping backwards into the hole.

Armor arrived at the edge of the hole just when a massive fountain of gravel and soil shot out of the large hole and rapidly filled it up. The Captain of the Royal Guard stood at the very edge of the hole, glaring at furiously, almost as if he were trying to will the hole back open though sure anger alone.

There was a quiet moment as the guards filed in behind him when a loud roar and crashing noise echoed through the air.

“That was a cave troll.” One of the guards said. “We shouldn’t have been able to hear that!”

“That means it broke out.” Added another. “If one broke it then the rest will follow.”

Quickly realizing that the prison was still deeply in chaos Armor got a hold of himself.

“I want some of you to stay in the DD Sector, free as all the tied up guards and move to reinforce the other sectors.” Armor ordered. “The rest of you are with me. We are going to see what we can do about the inmates in the Bulk Sector.”

With that Armor ran out, face a mask of determination. He was going to return the prison to order as quickly as possible then he was going to return to Canterlot so he could inform the Princesses of what had transpired today.

THETA

Deep underground and many miles away from the prison of Alcoltraz a massive crowd of Diamond Dogs celebrated. In the crowd intermingled dogs that hadn’t seen their brothers, fathers and sons in years along those said dogs, there was much to be happy about. Though most were celebrating their freedom some were not, those were the Alphas who had been in the prison. They were happy to be free, no mistake about that, but they also knew they now had to work under Nidhogg’s tyranny again.

“Hmph… all happy cheering… what dragon free us for?” A large Pitbull Diamond Dog asked gruffly, turning away from the happy crowd with a scoff.

“Heh heh, dragon not one who free you.” Bluno replied with a toothy grin.

“You did on own? Dragon not like us doing big stuff without orders!” The pitbull said wide-eyed.

“Dragon not problem anymore.” The Greyhound Alpha said with a smirk then pointed back towards the crowd.

Oskar was still in his Diamond Fox form and was now on a boulder, catching the attention of all the Diamond Dogs in the large cavern.

“Greetings and salutations lads!” Oskar said, still in the personality he had thought up for this form, which was based off of Jack Sparrow. “You’re all likely starting to wonder what’s going to happen now? Well what’s going to happen is you are working for me now? ‘But what about Nidhogg?!’ You are all likely going to say, well he isn’t in a position to object what with being dead and all.”

Shocked gasps meet this proclamation, Nidhogg? What in the world could have brought down such a powerful beast?

“Next you’re wondering, well what killed him and maybe you’re thinking I’m lying as too, well…” Oskar dropped the charade then and there, shifting back into his base form with a surge of tendrils, bringing surprised screams from the newly arrived dogs and disturbed frowns from the new ones. “I am not lying, Nidhogg is dead and I can show you his rotting corpse if you wish.”

Silence met Oskar’s statement, thousands of eyes just stared silently at him, waiting for his next action.

“What I am is a shapeshifter.” Oskar said. “That is all you need to know about me. What I expect out of all of you? You can get that from your fellows.”

With that Oskar hopped down from the boulder. The crowd parted before him like the red sea as he walked towards where the Alphas were congregated.

“So your lot are the Alphas that were taken prisoner?” Oskar stated.

“… Yes.” The Pitbull Diamond Dog replied after a moment.

“Hmm… what is the condition of your dogs?” Oskar asked, looking back over the crowd of freed Diamond Dogs.

“Healthy, we keep strong from yard in pony prison.” The Pitbull answered for the freed Alphas.

“Funny how that works, giving prisoners a means of improving themselves.” Oskar muttered. “That is good though, you are all going to need to be healthy for what I intend to do next.”

“What that Boss?” Bluno asked, scratching an ear.

“What you should be saying is ‘What is that, Boss?’” Oskar corrected, even replicating Blueno’s voice. “What I plan to do next is to steal quite a few things. Now I know I promised to stop the current situation of stealing from ‘Equestria’s Dinner table’ but the alternative would take too long. So we need to steal things for just a bit longer then we can stop. The problem however is that what I intend to steal isn’t simple goods but the means of manufacturing them and those are not cheap. So Equestria will definitely be taking a very active role against us and because of that we need a new hideout, namely a place they will think at least three times before even contemplating looking.”

“Don’t like sound of this.” Bluno said with ears drooping, his fellow Alphas agreeing with nods of their heads.

“I don’t like the sound of this” Oskar corrected again. “And you shouldn’t, the place I have in mind is the Everfree Forest.”

A long silence followed that statement as the Alphas stared at Oskar in dismay.

“I don’t like the sound of this… at all.” Bluno said, shaking his head.

IOTA

“… Overall the Prison of Alcoltraz is missing five thousand three hundred and thirty four inmates and over half of the prison staff are in medical care.” Shining Armor said, finishing his basic report to the Princesses.

It was later in the day, Shining Armor had finally returned to Canterlot and was now informing the Princesses of the event at the prison in the throne room.

“I was hoping that things would calm down after the whole ‘Monster of Everfree’ disaster.” Celestia sighed.

“I wish to hear more of this creature that you saw, this ‘Gray Fox’.” Luna stated.

“I was just going to go into greater detail on that your majesty.” Shining Armor replied. “I have learned a few things from remembering my interactions with the fox, and much more from the investigation I conducted after the riot was under control.”

“Firstly, he is a thief. He implied as much when I spoke to him.” Armor continued. “He is highly skilled and very intelligent, he was capable of completely avoiding conflict and is just as capable fighting, I have no doubt in mind that he planned out the prison break as well. Another example of his intelligence is the means of breaching the floor of the DD Sector. While the floor could be breached by Diamond Dogs given enough time he went for a different method, namely explosives. Now the floor is graded against explosives as well but all things have their limits and from what I could see that limit was most definitely crossed. However I could not find a single trace of black powder at the breach, leading me to believe that the fox developed a new form of explosive. Combined with his statement about the Diamond Dogs being under new leadership I greatly worry for what the dogs may do with such a mind leading them.”

“Is he leading them though?” Celestia asked. “Could it not be possible that this fox was following the orders of another?”

“None at all.” Armor said with a shake of his head. “I know the type and I could tell he was that type from the look in his eyes, either he is in charge or he will be before long. He gives off the look of some harmless oddity with his mannerisms and the way he moves but there is a mind sharp as a razor there.”

“I leave the judgement of his character in your capable hooves Captain.” Celestia said with a nod. “You are the one to meet him personally after all.”

“Is it truly terrible that this fox is leading the Diamond Dogs?” Luna asked curiously. “The recent change in Diamond Dog doctrine must be attributed to him.”

“True, it is a relief to find that not only were our enslaved people released but the roving packs disrupting the countryside gone as well.” Celestia admitted. “But it could very well be a beginning of some new nefarious plot concocted by this being. It also could be nothing and the fox merely wished to release his subordinates, though his means of doing so are most definitely questionable.”

“Yes, it’s going to be a hectic few months.” Armor said tiredly. “The large creatures like the Cave Trolls can be recaptured quickly but the smaller inmates like the ponies and griffons will be harder to track down, no doubt they all will be laying low for a time before getting up to mischief.”

“A thought, was there only Diamond Dogs in that area of the prison?” Luna asked curiously. “I had read that if there was room to spare a prisoner would be moved despite what the sector is designed for.”

“Conditions in that sector of the prison were already getting cramped but there were a few pony prisoners in that sector.” Armor admitted. “Obviously they are no longer there and are beyond conventional reach now in the Diamond Dog tunnels. The prisoners that we can reach will have to be the focus.”

“That will be a priority but I have something for you to do as well alongside that.” Celestia said. “This thief, this ‘Gray Fox’ has broken quite a few laws and caused a potentially immense amount of disruption to the kingdom with the prison break. I’d like you to track him down and bring him to justice, however I realise due to the nature of the Gray Fox we can’t expect to be able to chase or track him effectively so I merely ask that you do what you can.”

“I will do everything in my power to bring him to justice, your highness.” Shining Armor said determinedly. “The Gray Fox will face trial for his crimes.”

“I shall leave it to you Shining Armor.” Celestia said with a smile. “You may take leave now for the tasks before you.”

“Your majesties.” Armor said with a bow before turning to leave the room.

“Well now that that has been settled on to the next task on the agenda.” Celestia said lightly and brought up a letter to begin reading.

“What are you reading sister?” Luna asked as Celestia began smiling delightedly.

“It is my student’s weekly report on Emerald Gleaner’s education.” Celestia answered, not noticing Luna twitch at the name, looking like she was trying to remember something. “The young mare has proven to be a magnificent prodigy of magic and learning in general. In fact she is close to finishing the high school syllabus and is nearing Twilight’s skill level in magic, and her magical potential is even recorded to be greater than Twilight’s.”

“That is most extraordinary!” Luna said.

“Indeed.” Celestia agreed with a smile before suddenly frowning sadly. “I wish to take her on as a student as well but the poor girl appears to have had an especially traumatic experience with authority and fears me as a result. Hmm… an idea, perhaps you shall begin undertaking more duties soon after all Luna, how would you feel if you took Emerald under your wing as a student?”

“Me?” Luna stated incredulously. “Am I not a Princess as well and therefore fall into Emerald’s phobia of authority?”

“Possibly but there is a chance she may see you differently after…” Celestia didn’t finish, looking markedly uncomfortable in the mounting silence.

“Very well.” Luna said determinedly. “If young Emerald will have me then I shall be her teacher.”

“Thank you Luna!” Celestia said with a smile. “Emerald is coming for the Grand Galloping Gala, I think it would be most prudent for you to meet her there. That way we can see and gauge her reaction towards you. If she seems comfortable with you then I shall offer her the position as your student after she has learned everything Twilight has to teach her.”

“I shall prepare a syllabus then.” Luna stated and left.

Celestia smiled after her and returned to reading the letter Twilight had sent her.

-TBC-

AN: Yet another chapter and Oskar has created another infamous legend in the making :P wonder how many he is going to create before long? Anyway I certainly did a twist on the whole fashion show didn’t I? I have yet another twist in store just you wait!

Chapter 10: Other Mother

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Darkness reigned with the sound of flowing water and droplets pattering on stone. Soon the sound of crumbling rock and shifting gravel added to the sound of flowing water. The sound of crumbling rock grew steadily louder and louder until it drowned out the sound of the water. The noise then suddenly stopped, replaced by a knocking sound for a brief moment. Then, with a bang and shattering of stone, light was let in and lifted the darkness.

Oskar, now in his base form, peered into the darkness before him, making out the caverns with his powerful eyes while the masses of Diamond Dogs in the large, freshly carved tunnel behind could not. Holding up his hand, Oskar focused his magic until crimson light began to form and grow. As it grew in size to about a soft ball, it turned yellow and stopped growing. Oskar then hurled the ball of light into the darkness.

The magical ball of light suddenly shined with far greater intensity and revealed the shadowed surroundings, a cavern big enough to easily hold a small stadium with an underground river flowing through it.

Oskar leaned over the edge of the tunnel opening and saw they were about fifteen feet above the cavern floor, before he jumped down to the riverside. Diamond Dogs begin rapidly following after him, easily clambering down the cave walls to the cavern floor and lighting up the massive cavern with the combined intensity of their lanterns.

“Is big cave Boss.” Bluno commented, examining his surroundings.

“This is a big cave Boss.” Oskar corrected absently as he took in the cavern himself. Navi peeked out from under the lip of his hat and darted out to buzz about Oskar’s head while wearing a small miner’s helmet. “And yes it is very big, not entirely big enough though.”

“Huh?” Bluno tilted his head in confusion. “Look like plenty of room boss. Can use rock from carving out rooms to make homes maybe and make homes many floors high.”

“Yeah, it’s big enough for us but I plan on contacting the descendants of the Diamond Dogs who ran away a hundred years ago.” Oskar said as Navi lighted atop his head. “I hardly think there is more than there originally was and would likely number far less, but they would still balloon our numbers greatly beyond this cavern’s capacity.”

Taking another look around and seeing the cavern becoming flooded with more and more loitering Diamond Dogs, Oskar decided to give them something to do.

“Alright let’s not laze around all day. We’ve been digging for hours, but now we need to carve homes for everyone!” Oskar shouted, gaining the dogs’ attention. “Let’s carve out some rooms! All along these walls here, then I want a large room carved out deeper in and away from this cavern with a large hallway for the loot we’ll be bringing in. The Alphas have the measurements so they shall instruct you once you finish the homes for everyone!”

“Bluno, I shall be leaving for a bit.” The virus said to the Alpha. “I’m heading up to the surface to see where we are. Eventually we shall dig a passage all the way up to the surface, but not for a while yet.”

Walking over to a nearby wall as dogs began scurrying all over the cavern and setting to work, Oskar shifted into a mass of writhing tendrils. Waiting a brief moment for Navi to dive into his form, the Evolved then drilled into a wall and started moving upwards to the surface.

A few minutes later, Oskar breached the surface and reformed after Navi flew back out. Brushing himself off out of habit, the virus took stock of his surroundings.

He was in the Everfree alright, as the dreaded forest’s trees were unmistakable. Before him was a large ravine with crashing rapids flowing through it. However… he was pretty sure from studying Equestria’s topography that there weren’t supposed to be mountains in the forest, yet the tree covered mountain range continued to exist in the distance.

‘What the…’ Oskar scratched his head in thought as he took in the sight. ‘There are mountains around the Everfree but none of them have trees covering them, so what are those? Perhaps… there is more to ponies calling Everfree unnatural then it simply managing itself?’

Oskar then walked over to the cliff side of the ravine and looked down to the crashing rapids. He tilted his head to the side in thought and kneeled down.

‘Hmm, that will be useful for later.’ Oskar thought. ‘For building a hydroelectric dam, the height of these cliffs will be useful for building a nice big one. Speaking of cliffs…’

A deeply pondering expression appeared on the virus’ face before he suddenly shifted into her Emerald Gleaner form. Still looking very thoughtful, the Evolved then shifted a pair of pearly white wings and took several steps back from the cliff. Navi then dived down and trilled questionably at Oskar.

“Time to see if I can fly Navi.” Oskar replied as she pawed at the ground in preparation to charge. “Want to soar with me?”

Navi trilled excitedly and darted over the cliff edge and started darting around the air hyperactively, impatiently waiting for Oskar to fly.

Flaring her wings out, Oskar then charged forward, channeling her pegasi magic as she leapt off the edge.

‘I believe I can fly~’ Oskar sang in her mind, a smile dominating her face as the ground grew further and further away with every flap of her wings. ‘I believe I can touch the sky~’

Navi trilled happily as she flew alongside Oskar, flying hyper little circles around the Evolved as she became overjoyed with her joining her in the sky.

‘Spread my wings and fly away~’ The virus smiled at Navi. ‘I believe I can soar~’

The two flew higher and higher until they reached the wild clouds above the Everfree, flying sedately together for several minutes before Oskar landed lightly on a cloud.

“Come here Navi.” Oskar said, beckoning to the little bug. “I want you to stay here a moment, I’m going to see just how far I can fly right now.”

Oskar then flew off a short distance as Navi buzzed around before lighting down on the cloud.

‘Funny how so many flying creatures here can stand on clouds.’ Oskar thought, glancing back at Navi. ‘Now as fun as it is to be able to fly despite being so heavy, it’s time to see how fast I can fly and let’s do it quickly. As strong as I am now, this is going to take a lot out of me.’

With that, Oskar pumped her wings harder and harder and flew in a straight line. The world around her would have blurred by now, but with optical improvements from owls she was able to keep the world in crisp focus. However the strain of both powering her lightening effect and her acceleration was a bit much for her currently and she was soon forced to slow down. Looking back, she saw that she had flown a mile in the ten or so seconds she had been traveling at high speeds.

‘Well that was tiring.’ Oskar thought as she made her way back to the cloud Navi was on. ‘Going to need to train up quite a bit in order to manage the drain of high speed flying and countering my weight.’

Eventually the virus arrived back at the cloud and collected her pet before returning back to the cavern with a teleport. Arriving with a bright flash of pink, Oskar took stock of her surroundings and was about to shift back into her base form when something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye and she froze.

It was a pony, a pegasus to be specific. She had a dark blue coat with a bright purple mane and silver eyes. She also wore a large metal clamp around her midsection that kept her wings down and had a lock on it, said clamp had a pair of saddlebags worn over it. Her cutie mark was of a red bandana.

For a fraction of a second, Oskar was frozen in shock before she immediately shook herself out of it and began walking casually towards Bluno as Navi darted about over her.

Amongst the Diamond Dogs from the prison were several prisoners of mixed species. Emerald had them kicked out of the tunnels a fair distance from the prison, content to let them be but still wanted nothing to do with them. This pony happened to have been one of the prisoners that had taken the chance to tag along with the Diamond Dogs and now Oskar wasn’t content to let her be. She had seen “Emerald Gleaner” amongst the Diamond Dogs and although her word wasn’t credible she was still a loose end now.

“Bo-” Bluno began with a smile.

“Just hold on a moment Bluno.” Oskar interrupted. “Follow me.”

Though looking very curious, Bluno did as told and began following Oskar.

Looking like she was studying the dogs as they worked at carving out homes and doing the finishing touches on those that have been carved, Oskar walked towards the convict pegasus, though in a roundabout way.

As she walked, she wondered about how the pony managed to follow them without being spotted or how she was remaining out of sight right now. After all, she wasn’t exactly perfectly camouflaged into the background or hidden from sight. But as she inconspicuously watched the mare, she noticed how dogs that by all rights should have noticed her, didn’t. Plus it wasn’t just the normal dogs either, even the Alphas failed to notice the colorful pony peeking out from behind a large rock.

‘How is she doing that?’ Oskar thought. ‘It can’t be a spell, she isn’t a unicorn… her cutie mark is a bandana… perhaps something to do with being unseen? Whatever it is, she is not leaving this cavern.’

With that, Oskar did away with observing her prey and charged up a teleport. She appeared behind the mare with a flash and caused her to scream in fright at her sudden appearance just as Oskar picked her up magically and threw her into the open.

“So what do we have here?” Oskar asked aloud as Diamond Dogs shouted in surprise and quickly surrounded the pony. “A sneaky little convict in our midst?”

The convict pegasus looked all around her with panic stricken eyes, then she turned to Oskar.

“H-how did you notice me?” She asked.

“Yeah it’s an interesting little talent you have there.” Oskar said softly, almost comfortingly. “Tell me… do you know who I am?”

“Uhh… Emerald Gleaner, you’re a famous model.” The convict said slowly and hesitantly. “If… if you let me go I promise I won’t tell anypony about seeing you here… how did you give yourself wings?”

“That sounds wonderfully generous of you!” Oskar said faux happily, ignoring the question, and started motioning her near with a hoof. “Now come here, I want to ask you something”

The convict didn’t seem to want to approach her at first, but soon got back onto her hooves and approached the fake unicorn. When she was close enough, Oskar wrapped a foreleg around her companionably and smiled warmly at her.

“Now why did you follow us here?” Oskar asked in genuine curiosity. “Was it because you were hoping for some rare gems like fire rubies to steal?”

Though admitting something like that wasn’t very smart in her current situation the convict nodded nervously.

“Quite predictable really, you were in that prison for a reason after all.” Oskar said with a sage nod at the pegasus. She then smiled at her, and after a moment she smiled back. Suddenly, the virus pulled the convict very close and brought up her other foreleg, wrapping the mare in a headlock.

Her eyes widened and she quickly brought a hoof up and struck Oskar squarely in the nose, which would have done the trick on anyone else… all it did was make Oskar tighten her hold on the pegasus’ neck. The convict continued to fight for her release, but her strikes grew more and more wild as she started to gurgle and gag for breath. She started to go limp as she went longer without air, her flailing growing weak and her eyes starting to roll into the back of her head as she was strangled.

The virus’ expression seemed coldly indifferent as she choked the life out of a pony, but inwardly she was having a debate with herself. She could have just killed the mare with a quick twist of her neck or bash to the skull. Instead, she was strangling her and giving herself plenty of time to rethink her decision. This mare couldn’t be allowed to live as she saw her Emerald Gleaner form amongst Diamond Dogs and with wings, her being a criminal and thus making her word untrustworthy didn’t mean much in the long run as the suggestion might linger in the minds of some ponies. However, despite this, she was still asking herself if she really should be killing her. The final decision was made just after glancing at the surrounding Diamond Dogs.

Bluno was usually smiling with unstoppable cheer, he wasn’t smiling now though, instead watching Oskar murder a pony with a troubled frown while his fellow Alpha, the Grayhound, just watched on grimly. The rest of the Diamond Dogs were averting their eyes from the brutally slow murder in progress before them. Amongst them were families, and children were being shooed away from the scene or just had their eyes and ears covered by their mothers and fathers.

Narrowing her eyes, Oskar released her hold on the convict and dropped her to the floor where she lied absolutely still for a long moment before suddenly gasping for breath and coughing. Waiting until her gasping slowed a little, Oskar then stood over her and brought her face closer to hers, causing the mare’s eyes to widen in fear.

“What is your name?” Oskar asked tonelessly.

“V-v-vesper Vind…” The mare said, coughing roughly.

“… I shall wait until you can speak clearly.” The Evolved said and sat down before the pegasus.

The mare seemed to think she was under a time limit to regain her breath and tried her best to do so as quickly as possible. For several long, fear filled moments she tried to stop her gasping and coughing before she finally did manage it.

“I’m… I’m Whisper Wind.” Whisper said, averting her eyes from Oskar’s gaze.

“Well Whisper Wind…” Oskar began. “Unfortunately for you, you just saw something you really shouldn’t have. So you are going to stay with us for a long while I’m afraid. Bluno!”

“Yes Boss?”

“Tie her up and watch her until we can get a prison cell carved out for her.” Oskar ordered. “And have her watched very carefully, she has a talent for sneaking about and I don’t want her managing to break out until I have some… incentives to dissuade her from making such a decision.”

“Right Boss. You and you, pick up pony and follow me!” Bluno commanded some dogs before walking off with them carrying Whisper Wind.

“Well, what ya waiting for!” The Grayhound Alpha barked out at all the loitering dogs. “Get back to work!”

“Wait there a moment.” Oskar said, and walked over to the Alpha. “I take it you are used to seeing something like that?”

“Yeah, sometimes Diamond Dog from outside pack come see us and Nidhogg have them chained up.” The Alpha began. “Don’t always give up freedom so dragon makes them examples in front of crowd. Reason why only us in central Equestria, deaths scare off other packs.”

“Ah, what is your name?” Oskar asked.

“…Belvedere.” The Alpha answered after a moment.

“Well Belvedere I need to leave now unfortunately.” Oskar said. “I have to make a public appearance at some show, I’ll leave carving out the storage room for the future loot and the homes for everyone to you and the other Alphas. Wait for my return.”

“Come here Navi.” Oskar said as she walked away from Belvedere and the little bug darted back into Oskar’s mane.

The fake unicorn teleported a few moments later as the cave bustled with activity.

ALPHA

The faintest hint of a frown appeared on Oskar’s expression as the clicks and flashes of cameras and chatting ponies surrounded her. She, Fluttershy, and Photo Finish were walking down a red carpet to watch a premier of a movie in Manehattan. Though movies were still fairly early in their development, to the point the industry was still drawing on actors from stages and thus more often than not ended up with people who overacted, Oskar was still interested in going to see what an actual pony movie was like though.

“Excited?” Oskar asked Fluttershy as they walked down the red carpet.

“N-not terribly much, no.” Fluttershy responded, made nervous by the crowds around her. “I never was all that interested in, uh, motion pictures when they first came out.”

“Those really were just motion pictures though.” Oskar said. “And only had little panels appear with the dialogue on them after every spoken sentence. The modern ones not only have sound, but actually have a little bit of colour in it.”

“Well… we aren’t really being given a choice so I might as well give it a chance…” Fluttershy said, shooting Photo Finish a gloomy look.

“Well… I’ll be there with you, so if you want to just talk instead of watching the movie then we can.” Oskar told her.

“Thank you…” Fluttershy said softly with a smile as they passed the doorpony.

“No problem!” Oskar said and noticed something out of the corner of her eye.

Looking back fully, Oskar spotted Rarity looking indignantly at the pony guarding the door that wasn’t going to let her in for some reason. Frowning at this, Oskar came to a stop and immediately walked back until she was just behind the doorpony.

“Is there a problem here?” Oskar asked the doorpony.

“She isn’t on the list.” He stated.

“What list?”

“I know it, she isn’t on it.” He replied simply to the fake unicorn.

“Let her in, she is with me.” The virus told him.

“She isn’t on the-” He began dully.

“She. Is. With. Me.” Oskar stated almost dangerously.

The doorpony almost seemed to step back a little from Oskar, his blankly staring eyes widening a little. He stared at the virus for a moment before turning back to Rarity and reaching down to the velvet rope, unhitching it as he motioned for her to walk through.

“Enjoy the show, miss.” He said with a slightly strained voice.

“Thank you darling, but you didn’t have to do that for me.” Rarity said as she walked beside Oskar back to where Fluttershy and Photo Finish were waiting for them by the doors.

“You are the reason why Photo Finish even noticed us in the first place, Rarity.” Oskar said to the glamorous unicorn. “It would be a little… rude to just forget about you wouldn’t it?”

“Well… yes it would, wouldn’t it?” Rarity said lightly. “Hello Fluttershy! How is model life treating you?”

“Hello Rarity.” Fluttershy greeted. “I-”

“Taking too long!” Photo Finish interrupted suddenly. “COME! We go! Take the fan with you if you must!”

“Fan?!” Rarity shouted disbelievingly as the famous photographer unceremoniously walked into the theater. “I made dresses Hoity Toity loved! I introduced her to the both of you! I am not asking for much, but a little recognition of those facts wouldn’t be too much to ask would it?”

“Don’t let it affect you too much Rarity.” Oskar said as the three walked after Photo Finish. “You of all ponies should know how much of a diva people in the fashion industry are.”

“… I do not know what you are implying dear.” Rarity said with a slightly scandalised look. “I am always the picture of a proper lady.”

“Sure you are Rarity.” Oskar said with a smile as Fluttershy let out a little giggle.

“As much as I enjoy being the blunt of a joke, maybe we should be a bit quicker.” Rarity advised with dignity. “The film premier is going to start in fifteen minutes.”

“Yeah, does anypony want anything from the concession stand?” Oskar asked the others.

“No thank you.”

“Some of us need to watch our figures darling.”

A few minutes later, the three were now seated in the theater, Oskar with caramel coated popcorn and a cream soda drink. The thing however was that because of the infancy the film industry currently was in, more often than not the actors ruined emotionally dramatic moments, via over acting and making absolutely sure the audience knew what emotion they were channeling. Not helping what was supposed to be a heart wrenching romance was how… audio unfriendly the voices of some of the actors were for films with sound. Twenty minutes in even Rarity, who was a fan of such genres, was more interested in having a conversation with her friends.

“So how are you liking the life of a model Fluttershy?” Rarity asked after losing interest in the movie.

“Oh… I’m… I like it…” Fluttershy said, averting her eyes. “The money would help me improve all the animal homes around my house and I could afford better food for them as well. It’s certainly more than what I get from Canterlot for taking care of the animals… not that I mean anything bad by saying that… it’s just enough to… it’s enough…”

“Why Fluttershy!” Rarity said, bringing her hoof up to her mouth. “You make it sound like the only positive is the money!”

“Oh no!” Fluttershy replied quickly. “I like being a model, I really-”

“You hit the nail on the head there, Rarity.” Oskar interrupted calmly. “Fluttershy doesn’t really like this job at all, I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for the money she would quit on the spot.”

“What? Is that true Fluttershy?” Rarity asked in shock.

“I… yes it's true Rarity.” Fluttershy said sadly. “The money is such a big incentive to keep this job and Emerald makes it so bearable. If it wasn’t for the money and her I… I wouldn’t know how to cope with this job otherwise. Seeing my face appearing on more and more products… it sends my mind spinning, and strange ponies are starting to come up to me for my autograph… that never happened before... I’m seriously thinking about doing this job part time only.”

Rarity just stared at Fluttershy, unable to comprehend how anyone could not enjoy being a famous celebrity, with ponies idolising you so much they wanted a hoof written copy of your name. Then she took a breath and saw something that should have been clear to her from the start: Fluttershy being a shy little wallflower. She was such an introvert, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. She loved the peace and serenity of nature and tended to shy away from even the rarely bustling town of Ponyville, and there was nothing peaceful and serene about the life of a famous model. It was busy, and ponies went out of their way to know what you did in your personal time and even sought you out just to meet you. Although Fluttershy enjoyed the company of her friends whenever they came over to visit, even her hospitality would be strained in the face of strangers out of the blue.

“I’m sorry Fluttershy,” Rarity said, reaching over to pull Fluttershy into a hug. “I pushed you into this. I… wanted you to be famous for me and I only ended up feeling jealous of you. You don’t have to do this anymore if you don’t want to, darling.”

“It’s okay, Rarity.” Fluttershy smiled in happy relief. “I was so frightened you’d be angry at me for not liking modeling as much as you wanted me to. But even though I don’t enjoy this job so much, I still want to do this part time for the money. As long as Emerald is here with me, I can bear this.”

“Well I am glad that you are getting something positive out of this.” Rarity said happily before turning to Oskar. “And I’m so glad you are being there for her, not to be mean or anything Emerald but you can be so distant when it comes to Fluttershy.”

Oskar winced at that. “… I know.”

“Oh no it’s alright Emerald, you don’t have to do anything on my account.” Fluttershy reassured quickly. “If you don’t want to visit me at my home that is more than okay.”

“I haven’t been near or in your home ever Fluttershy. I’ve never visited you.” Oskar said with a frown.

“And I know you must have a good reason for it.” Fluttershy said with sympathy.

“Maybe… maybe we can have some… tea or something later?” Oskar offered hesitantly.

“That sounds delightful doesn’t it Fluttershy?” Rarity stated with a smile. “I know I for one am looking forward to it.”

“It does sound nice…” Fluttershy smiled and turned her attention towards the screen when everyone in the room started snickering.

Looking up, the three saw what should have been a heartfelt scene between two lovers absolutely ruined to the point of hilarity due to the actors’ stage training.

“Oh my, this is horrible!” Rarity giggled. “I’ve read the book this is based on and I cried during this scene! Now I’m crying for an entirely different reason!”

Oskar and Fluttershy could only laugh in agreement.

BETA

It was night, and Oskar stood on the roof of a building in the form of some random pegasus. He was taking advantage of the fact he had to be here earlier that day to scout out the factories here. Right now, he didn’t have a single piece of machinery, so a little bit of everything would be good.

Channeling unicorn magic through his wings and causing them to glow with said magic, Oskar then teleported to the roof of a different building.

‘Okay that was theoretically possible and just proven.’ Oskar thought about the act he just did. ‘Just like channeling pegasus magic through my horn, channeling unicorn magic through my wings is less efficient. Anyway, let’s see what kind of factory this is…’

Peering through a window in the roof, Oskar saw the machines in the darkness of the factory. Examining the types of machines and what kind of conveyor belts it had. Doing this the virus saw that the machinery was directed towards canning.

‘Hmm… not what I was hoping for, but I can use this easily.’ Oskar thought and mentally flagged the address for raiding.

Flapping his wings, Oskar lifted off and flew over to a neighboring building. Oskar knew he could just teleport there but it was night and the flash was rather noticeable in the dark, flying there would be far more stealthy.

‘This one has machines that punch shapes out of sheets of metal.’ Oskar thought happily. ‘Definitely going on the shopping list, and I’m pretty sure those machines over there roll sheets of metal into shapes and bend them into different forms, quite useful.’

Picking another factory at Random Oskar lifted off again.

‘Let’s see… another canning factory.’ The virus thought with a frown. ‘Well it’ll be good for parts anyway, on the list it goes. Let’s see if we can get anything else that is good.’

Unfortunately for Oskar, the level of industrialization Equestria had was fairly minor for its level of technology. He had scouted well over half a dozen factories over the following hour and all of them were canning facilities.

‘I saw arcade games and electronics!’ Oskar thought angrily. ‘They need advanced machinery for that so where are they?! Are they just not in this city? Damn it all they’re probably in Las Pegasus or something. Okay, one last factory and I’ll call it a night.’

Flying over to another building, the virus became very hopeful when he spotted an open shed holding a pile of scrap metal and began to make note of the smoke stacks. Flying over to a window and peering inside, the Evolved then smiled, it was a smelting facility. While a good number of mechanisms weren’t fully automatic and would require someone manning them at all times during operation, it was far better than the crudely carved out granite the Diamond Dogs used for their own smelting and forging.

‘Fantastic! This is going on the list!’ Oskar thought with a smile before frowning as several issues became clear. ‘Although a good number of those machines aren’t going to be easy to get out of there, roasting vats and those large cauldrons are all pretty much in one piece. The worst offender is that blast furnace. It’s small in comparison to others, probably made more efficient from magic and fire rubies but that metal monster is still fairly huge. Hmm… I suppose I can put aside some time to make them for the dogs myself… no I’ve got the opportunity here and I’m going to take it. Let’s see… I wanted to do the canning factories first as those will give the dogs more time and practice but the first raid is going to pretty much give us the whole night to work while the others will have a time limit as the local authorities will be alerted. So the most potentially difficult of the lot is going first huh? Great… how about we extend the tunnels to just under this foundry? Then we expand those and place some tracks down, set up a large underground train of sorts and simply lower the machines on them? In order for it to work I’ll need to use my magic because otherwise we’d be sliding some valuable equipment several stories down a tunnel and hoping for the best. Yeah, in that case this has to be the first place to be hit, otherwise I may end up with people trying to stop us and seeing me use some heavy duty magic to move all this equipment around.’

‘Going to take some work and more than a little advanced planning, but nothing worth anything is ever easy.’ Oskar thought with a determined nod. ‘Right, let’s head back to the hotel before anyone notices I’m gone.’

With that the Evolved disappeared with a flash, leaving the roof of the metal factory empty.

GAMMA

Oskar and Fluttershy were both walking down a street in Ponyville. It was now several days after coming back from watching the movie premier in Manehattan. Upon returning to the town Oskar, Fluttershy, and Rarity headed down to the pegasus’ home to enjoy themselves and visit. At first it had been a bit of a nerve wracking affair for Oskar as she had been expecting the animals to freak out over her but they seemed confused about her more than anything, which led to her calming down greatly. The little informal tea party turned out to be fairly pleasant and led to Oskar spending more time with Fluttershy.

“Rarity has been talking about inviting you for our next spa visit Emerald.” Fluttershy told her fellow model. “I think you should agree to come when she asks you, they are ever so wonderful!”

“Sounds nice.” Oskar commented with a smile. “What do you girls usually get done?”

“Oh we first start with the sauna.” Fluttershy explained happily. “Then after that we get our facials done and get our hooves filed. Rarity gets her horn filed as well, she likes to get it down first actually. Then after that we get a relaxing massage that just makes you feel like jelly afterwards, followed by a cleansing mud bath.”

“A cleansing mud bath… right.” Oskar said with a toothy smile.

“Oh believe me it’s- Oh my whatever is going on over there.” Fluttershy began before pointing off.

Turning, Oskar saw what the pegasus was pointing at. It was a group of ponies surrounding a poster but she couldn’t quite make it out due to everyone crowding it.

“Let’s go take a look.” Oskar said and walked over.

“Alright.”

Closing in, Oskar could see that while crowded, it wasn’t impossible to look over the shoulders of all the ponies there and that is what she did, blinking a little in astonishment when she saw what was posted.

It was a wanted poster of Oskar’s Diamond Fox form, a frozen image of said form apparently taken from the magical viewing mirrors in the prison. The virus expected such a thing but she didn’t expect the name they had apparently given her.

THE GRAY FOX

WANTED FOR SUSPECTED LARCENY, ASSAULTING SEVERAL OFFICERS OF THE LAW, TWO THOUSAND-FIVE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY COUNTS OF AIDING AND ABETTING PRISONERS IN AN ESCAPE FROM THEIR LAWFUL INCARCERATION, VANDALISM, TRESPASSING ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, AND DISTURBING THE PEACE VIA PURPOSEFULLY INCITED PRISON RIOT.

THE GRAY FOX IS CONSIDERED TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, IT IS HEAVILY ADVISED TO NOT APPROACH THE GRAY FOX. THE GRAY FOX IS ALSO CONSIDERED THE LEADER OF THE DIAMOND DOGS. IF YOU OR ANYONE KNOWS ANY INFORMATION AT ALL, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST FIGURE OF AUTHORITY.

‘The Gray Fox huh?’ Oskar thought in amusement as ponies whispered with each other. ‘Me and my guild of thieves are getting some infamy. The attention is only going to grow after the first few factory raids.’

“Oh my, he seems so dangerous!” Fluttershy said with her hoof placed worriedly against her mouth. “I never knew Diamond Dogs also came in foxes.”

One of the mares turned when she heard Fluttershy speak and did a double take when she saw Fluttershy and Oskar standing together.

“OH MY GOSH!” The mare exclaimed, attracting everyone’s attention as she pointed at Fluttershy and Oskar with a shaking hoof. “It’s Fluttershy and Emerald Gleaner!”

There were gasps from the crowd and several ponies immediately rushed towards Oskar and Fluttershy. Fluttershy’s eyes widened and made to run away when Oskar just reached out with a hoof and held her in place.

“They live in the same town as us.” The Evolved stated with a sigh. “We are going to have to deal with this kind of stuff sooner or later, might as well as make it sooner.”

“Ohmygosh can I have your autographs?!” One of the mares said, barely heard above the others. “And your hoof prints?!”

“What’s going on?” One pony asked confusedly. It seemed that Oskar and Fluttershy weren’t household names just yet as most of the crowd of ponies were simply staring at the mares rushing Oskar and Fluttershy.

“Why are all of you crowding Emerald and Fluttershy like?” Asked one stallion, sounding rather troubled about what he was seeing.

“They’re famous models now!” One mare defended her actions. “Why wouldn’t you want their autographs?!”

“What? Really?” Said a stallion in surprise. “Is that true Emerald?”

“Yes.” Oskar replied with a nod. “Photo Finish came by a while ago and decided to make the both of us models, I don’t see why you have to get so… excited though. We live in the same town, you’ve seen me buying groceries and hanging out with my friends, I’m even hanging out with one now! Is the fact that ponies decide that I and Fluttershy look good on products so fantastic that you have to lose your heads?”

“But… you’re famous now!” A mare protested. “Can… can I at least get your autographs please?”

“Well you did ask nicely.” Oskar said with a bit of a forced smile. “Come on Fluttershy, anypony got a pen?”

It didn’t take the two long to get through with their few fans, simply signing a few pieces of paper was good enough and they seemed like they wouldn’t overreact next time. However, that didn’t cover other fans in Ponyville.

“Is that?! YES IT IS!” Oskar heard a voice shout from down the street. “EMERALD AND FLUTTERSHY.”

‘God damn it.’ Oskar inwardly groaned. ‘You’d think the stallions would be the ones fangirling over us and not the mares.’

“Right, come here Fluttershy.” The virus said, wrapping a foreleg around the pegasus. “We’re teleporting.”

Within a few seconds Oskar and Fluttershy were gone, leaving despondent fans in their wake.

In Twilight’s library Oskar and Fluttershy arrived with a flash.

“Eep!” Fluttershy squeaked, leaping out of Oskar’s hold in sure fright. “OH! Oh… Oh my gosh my heart is in my throat! Oh dear, oh my!”

“Er… are you alright Fluttershy?” Oskar asked with some worry as the pegasus panted.

“Oh my… oh my… that was so startling!” Fluttershy exclaimed and started to purposefully take deep breaths.

“Perhaps some tea will help you calm down?” Oskar offered apologetically.

“Yes… yes, tea sounds wonderful right now.” Fluttershy panted and took a seat at the circular table.

“I’ll be right back.” Oskar said, then teleported away into the kitchen. Once there, the virus got her bearings and teleported into the pantry and back out again. Placing the tea leaves on the counter, she then teleported to a cabinet and reached inside for the tea cups and pot. Teleporting to the sink, Oskar filled the pot before returning to the counter with the leaves. Giving a quick look around, the Evolved then took the top off the pot and blew a small burst of fire inside it, causing the water to boil within mere moments. After placing the leaves in the pot Oskar then teleported back to the library.

Fluttershy was still a little stressed out from the sudden teleport, but she wasn’t breathing as heavily and visibly brightened when she saw Oskar with the tea.

“Here’s your tea Fluttershy.” Oskar said, magically setting down the cups and pot on the table. “And I’m sorry about the sudden teleport, I should have given you a bit more warning.”

“It’s okay Emerald.” Fluttershy said honestly. “I know I’m not the bravest pony and I do appreciate you getting us away from those rabid fan ponies!”

“Oh that wasn’t rabid.” Oskar stated with a smile. “They’ll be rabid when they attack for hair and pieces of clothing to set up their own little shrines in their closets.”

“Oh my goodness, really?!” Fluttershy gasped, bringing up both hooves to her mouth. “That sounds so scary! Perfectly normal ponies driven to attack me for my hair and whatever accessories I happen to be wearing…”

“It probably won’t be that bad!” Oskar quickly reassured with a smile. “That was just an example of the far end of the fan spectrum. Most of the time they’ll probably just be hounding us for autographs, like they did a few minutes ago.”

“Really?” Fluttershy asked and took a sip of her tea.

“Really.” Oskar replied.

“Hello girls!”

Oskar and Fluttershy turned to see Twilight standing in the doorway.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said. “Decided to cut your day short?”

“The fans did it for us.” Oskar answered.

“What?”

“There are ponies who are fans of us now for being models.” Fluttershy explained. “And they swarmed us for autographs and even asked for impressions of our hoof prints. So after more showed up, Emerald teleported us here.”

“Oh that’s too bad!” Twilight exclaimed. “This means the both of you aren’t going to just be able to walk around Ponyville anymore isn’t it?”

“It will be a bit frustrating for a while,” Oskar said with a nod. “But eventually the novelty of having famous ponies in town will wear off and things will somewhat return to normal. No doubt there will always be ponies badgering us for autographs and pictures but for the most part it’ll be business as usual.”

“Sounds troubling… are strange ponies going to come barging into the library?” Twilight asked hesitantly.

“I HOPE it doesn’t get that bad but if it does then some pony is getting a bloody nose.” Oskar frowned and banged the table with her hoof for emphasis.

“Oh… well do you want some tea Twilight?” Fluttershy asked after a moment.

“Sure!” Twilight smiled and stepped over to the table. “Smells good!”

“I’ll get you a cup, be right back.” Oskar said before teleporting away. A few moments later and she was back with Twilight’s cup.

“Thank you Emerald,” Twilight said before magically taking hold of the cup and pouring herself some tea. “You’ve been teleporting a lot lately. I’ve seen you teleport when taking a few steps would have gotten you there.”

“It’s practice,” Oskar replied as she retook her seat and took a sip of her tea. “I want teleporting to be as easy as walking for me. Right now my charge up time has been shortened by half and my accuracy is like ten times better now. And it’s all thanks to my magical practice.”

“Hmm…” Twilight hummed thoughtfully.

“That sounds a whole lot like what Rainbow Dash did,” Fluttershy said.

“How so?” Oskar asked.

“She started to fly everywhere instead of walking,” Fluttershy answered. “She started it as a way to improve herself, but now it’s a force of habit for her to fly instead of walk everywhere… Oh! Is it going to be that way for you too?”

“What, will I start teleporting everywhere?” Oskar offered. “I don’t know really, maybe.”

“Emerald?”

“Yes Twilight?”

“I was just thinking about you and started wondering… why haven’t you ever said anything about your father?” Twilight asked curiously. “You’ve talked about your mother but I haven’t heard you mention him even once.”

“Oh… him.” Oskar said with a frown and without a single moment’s hesitation she decided to tell the two about her father. “I only ever saw him once and I’ll always cherish the memory.”

“Oh was it a happy, tearful reunion before he was forced to leave?” Fluttershy asked with a sad smile.

“No, it was because my mom floored him in one punch the one time I saw him.” Oskar answered with a warm smile, eyes staring off into the distance as she recalled the memory.

“Goodness!”

“Oh wow, why did she punch him?” Twilight asked, now deathly curious.

“Well it relates to how I was born.” Oskar began, “My mother… wasn’t born in the same country she had me in, she had immigrated for a change in her life… she was definitely going to experience a change within a year.”

“You see my father wasn’t a particularly nice fellow…” The virus continued. “He saw my mom was confused and vulnerable, being in a new country speaking a language that wasn’t her native one. He took advantage of that and took her in. He basically seduced her and when he got what he wanted he just left her… nine months later I was born.”

“What?” Fluttershy gasped in shock as Twilight did the same. “He… he just got your mom pregnant and left? That’s… horrible! How could a stallion do that to a mare?!”

“If it matters he didn’t even know my mom was pregnant.” Oskar stated apathetically. “He pretty much left her the next uh… night.”

“If he just got your mom pregnant and left then why do you cherish the one memory you have of him.” Twilight asked in confusion.

“Well you see I was working with my mom in the bakery.” Oskar began. “Then he just came in, looking a bit scruffy really. It turns out he had kept up his habit of seducing girls who caught his eye and now he was having financial issues from child support. So when he heard that my mom was running a successful business he dropped by to ask for some money, trying to remind her of the “good times” they had in order to get what he wanted. When my mom told him about me he immediately stopped trying to ask for money and started claiming I wasn’t his kid and that she wasn’t getting a dime out of him. The very moment he started to say that my mom rushed him and floored him with a punch. A minute later, he finally got up and ran out of the bakery, I never saw him again.”

“So yeah, that’s why I cherish the sole time I saw my father,” Oskar said with a bright smile. “Because my mom beat him in one punch!”

“I’m glad you are able to get something positive out of that.” Twilight said with a sad smile. “Did your mom ever… feel angry about your father and… you by extension?”

“No, never.” Oskar answered. “I don’t think she ever let it get to her… I think that out of the two of them my mom thought she got the most out of their brief relationship.”

“Your mom sounds like a wonderful pony.” Fluttershy said with a soft smile.

“I know… I miss her.” Oskar said sadly.

“Well… so how is it being up there on the catwalk?” Twilight asked, deciding to change the topic.

“Well it isn’t too bad for me really,” Oskar replied. “I just walk out and keep the stance they want to see. Everypony seems to think I enjoy being out there getting ogled at, but I’m just waiting for the show to be over so I can be paid.”

“Well… it’s a bit different for me.” Fluttershy said. “Being up there is very stressful for me so I’m going to be doing it part time now. I told Photo Finish and she is a bit disappointed that I won’t be around as much for photo shoots, she wants me to always make a public appearance beside Emerald when she does, that way I stay in the public’s eye and won’t be forgotten. Because if I am forgotten I might as well quit and I don’t want to go that far just yet. I would like the money to renovate my home and I still need a bit more.”

“So the both of you are just sticking around for the money?” Twilight stated. “Sounds like it isn’t very fun.”

“Yeah but the money makes up for it,” Oskar replied. “I don’t need an allowance anymore and can buy whatever I want now.”

“What are you going to buy?” Twilight asked.

“I’m thinking of… buying some shares in a few corporations I have an eye on.”

DELTA

“Careful! Make sure track straight!” Belvedere shouted. “Load going to be very heavy! Only get one shot at this!”

“Watch the flat beds too mate.” Oskar advised in his newly dubbed “Gray Fox” form and personality. “They are going to be a right pain to fix if they break.”

It was night, several days later. Oskar was with his Diamond Dogs in a freshly dug tunnel under the Foundry. It had taken a few days of constant effort with rotating digging teams along with dogs tearing up mining tacks to replace them in the tunnel to move along the heavy equipment. The flatbed cars were extra wide and had two sets of wheels to ride along twin tracks of rail. They were brand new in the sense Oskar had the dogs build new, and had watched them carefully, directing their efforts so the cars could be designed to carry immense weight… in theory.

“Right, HOW’S THE TUNNEL COMING MATES?!” Oskar shouted to the dogs above him.

“GOING GOOD BOSS!” Came the shouted reply. “ALMOST DONE!”

Above Oskar and the rail tracks was a massive hole leading up to the floor of the foundry, easily big enough to allow the largest of the foundry machinery to be lowered down it. Diamond Dogs easily clung to the rocks walls and ceiling of the hole, clawing away chunks of rock to make the hole smoother and reveal more of the foundry floor they would be breaking soon.

“Bluno! Where are ya mate!?” Oskar shouted.

“Right here boss!” Bluno shouted, a small group of Diamond Dog guards and Padfoot the huge rottweiler close behind. “Be time to knock out guard ponies now?”

“Maybe, try saying that sentence again mate and you’ll know for sure.” Oskar said with a toothy grin, twirling his new staff, which had two bulbous cyan gems on each end.

“Er…” Bluno scratched his head in thought. “Is it… time to knock out gu… THE guards now?”

“Yes it is, good on ya Bluno!” Oskar complimented then brought his staff to rest standing upright on the ground before him. “Right, grab hold of this and I’ll teleport us up, then we’ll take out all the night guards nice and quiet like.”

Bluno and his small group of Diamond Dogs reached out and grabbed the staff. When they did, the gems started glowing bright blue for a few seconds before they disappeared with a flash, appearing up on the foundry floor with another bright flash.

“Pony spell feel weird.” Padfoot commented, shaking his body briefly like he was trying to get rid of water on his coat.

“Right, remember nice and quiet like.” Oskar told the dogs. “Sneak up on and use your ropes to tie and gag any guards, quick and silent savvy?”

“Right, come on everyone in groups of two.” Bluno told the others. Suddenly he stopped, twitching his ears before looking over to a door. He quickly darted over to just beside it and went very still.

Oskar knew what was coming but stayed still to observe how Bluno did. A few seconds later the door opened and an earth pony wearing a black uniform walked in before freezing, blinking his eyes in shock at the sight of several dogs and a now infamous criminal mastermind on the foundry floor. Bluno reached over with his paw and pulled the pony over by the scruff of his neck and threw him to the floor, quickly looping a rope around his snout before he could react or shout out. Using his larger size, Bluno held down the pony and quickly hogtied him before leaping up and holding out his hands like he was presenting a piece of art.

“Good show Bluno, see just like that lads.” Oskar said before heading for the door the pony came in through. “We’ll bring our catch here before stuffing em in a closet.”

Oskar made his way through some halls then walked outside the foundry, quickly unlocking it with a tendril. Now outside, the virus searched his surroundings for another guard patrolling the grounds of the foundry but he didn’t see any. The only guard there was at the entrance of the foundry grounds in a little gate box, simply reading a newspaper and drinking from a cup of coffee.

Feeling like a swarm of guards were going to come out at any second, Oskar walked over to the box whilst making sure he was out of the guard’s potential line of sight. Reaching the box undetected to no fanfare whatsoever, Oskar reached over and opened the door.

The guard lazily looked over his shoulder when he heard the door open, probably expecting one of his fellow guards to be the one to open it. He seemed to completely freeze up when he saw Oskar standing at the doorway and blinked stupidly at him for a long moment.

Arm whipping forward, Oskar grasped the guard pony by the neck and threw him to the floor. Quickly covering his mouth with one hand, the virus then brought his other hand to the throat and extended tendrils from his palm.

The guard thrashed under him and let out muffled screams, but soon the chemicals did their work. Slinging the now unconscious pony over a shoulder, Oskar turned around and headed back to the foundry.

As he made his way back he spotted a light moving past one of the windows. The light continued moving past the window until it suddenly began jerking all over the place and went out.

Thinking that a group of dogs ambushed a unicorn guard or one with a flashlight, Oskar charged up a teleport, aiming for mid-air in the hallway. Appearing in the hallway and landing with a soft thud, Oskar saw that he was right and also saw that he had managed to scare the dogs with his sudden appearance.”

“GAH! Oh… It you boss.” Padfoot shouted before quickly calming and returning his attention to a tied up unicorn. “Gonna have to get used to that…”

“Sorry to startle ya mate.” Oskar replied as Padfoot hoisted his own captive pony over his shoulder. “Any other guards about?”

“This only one I found boss.” Padfoot said. “I going to bring him to big machine room now.”

“Right behind ya mate.” Oskar said, motioning for the dog to lead the way.

The two arrived at the foundry floor about a minute later to the sight of three other ponies tied up and surrounded by Bluno and his Diamond Dog guards.

“This all of them then?” Oskar asked, frowning as he flicked one of his ears. “Fewer than expected innit?”

“We search whole factory boss.” Bluno replied. “This all of them.”

“Alright, take them and stick em in a closet, should be one in the hallway over there.” Oskar said, motioning behind him towards a doorway. “Make sure to tie up the one I got here too, don't worry about waking him.”

As several dogs hoisted the five ponies, Oskar strode forward until he was at a large bare patch of foundry floor. Standing in the middle of the bare area, Oskar brought out his staff and banged it loudly against the floor. His claws glowed blue and he teleported away as the floor suddenly cracked and began falling away. The sound of concrete falling and crashing into the tunnel floor down below echoed up as Diamond Dogs wielding wrenches swarmed out of the hole by the dozens.

“Right lads! Get to work dismantling these machines!” Oskar shouted to the varied breeds of dogs around him. “If I tell you to do something a certain way or to stop what you are doing then you listen. I’m cracking my staff over the heads of any fool who doesn’t do as told savvy!?”

Thus the work began. The Diamond Dogs only knew the bare basics of mechanics for their jobs to take apart the machines. They swarmed over all the machines and were undoing bolts and screws, surprisingly Oskar didn’t need to correct what they were doing as much as he thought he would need to, seemingly at home with using tools and working with complex mechanisms.

“Er… boss!” A dog shouted from within a vat. “What this for? Do we undo all the bolts or just ones in floor?”

“That there is a roasting vat.” Oskar explained upon. “It’s for separating impurities from the ore, savvy?”

“Oh, like bloomerys we have?” The dog asked, scratching his head with his wrench and getting oil in his fur.

“But much better, now get down by the base and start undoing the bolts there mate.” Oskar said before turning to observe all the other dogs at work. All seemed to be going well until he saw some dogs trying to take apart the blast furnace instead of removing the bolts keeping it firmly anchored to the floor.

“Oi! You lot!” Oskar shouted and quickly teleported over. “Get off that thing! Only undo the bolts keeping it attached to the floor! No wait, tighten or put back only bolts you undid first then get down. Right, there we go…”

Eventually the first vat was ready to be moved and the dogs near it quickly gave it space.

His claws began glowing brightly, almost flaring with the intensity of a fire as the Evolved magically grasped the multi-ton vat and slowly lifted it. The weight wasn’t too much of a problem, but it made Oskar want to rush, before he quickly curbed the desire and worked carefully to maneuver the vat down the hole. Settling the heavy vat upon one of the iron flatbed cars with nary a clang, Oskar sighed and gave himself a moment before turning his attention to the next one and the one after that.

It was several hours of long work, merely from painstakingly making sure the various smelting machines weren’t damaged in any way, but finally the Evolved came to the last and possibly the most important piece of equipment, the blast furnace.

Just getting the thing detached from the smokestack it was built into was a pain, but now he was finally able to move it. Grasping at the air with his hands, Oskar maneuvered the several ton furnace into the air. Slowly moving it down the hole in the floor, the virus moved himself to the very ledge to keep a closer eye on the furnace. Seeing that it was too tall to be carried along the track standing upright, Oskar began the aggravating task of twisting and turning it in the limited space provided until it was lying on its side. By the time he finished, the strain from lifting so many heavy pieces of equipment with little to no time for rest began to weigh on him, but at least now he was finally done.

“Right… everyone here? No one missing?” Oskar asked a little tiredly. “Good, all of ya down the hole, let’s close up and head home.”

Watching the various dogs quickly dart into and climb down the walls of the hole, Oskar waited until he was the very last one. Then, taking one final look around his surroundings and noting he still had a few hours to spare before dawn, he leapt in as well.

A minute later, there was a low earth shaking rumble before an utterly massive fountain of dirt shot up from the hole, filling it in a few moments. In the shadow and silence of very early morning, the foundry lied empty of all value.

EPSILON

Oskar walked down the street of Ponyville, thinking about the raids on the other factories she had led in the days following the raid on the foundry. They hadn’t really been giving themselves much preparation time for each robbery, only a day’s pause before going on to the next. Obviously this was getting them a lot of attention but that would have happened anyway, due to the night guards identifying the ‘Gray Fox’ at the crime scenes and the costly nature of what they were stealing. They only had one more factory to hit before Oskar considered they were done with Manehattan and that fact alone made her feel rather tense. The explanation being that she was expecting a large force of local law enforcement to catch them in the act and interrupt their robbery, fighting off such a force was possible but would get them even more attention. Overall, she felt things were too easy and was just tense from waiting for the other shoe to drop.

‘I would like to think the last robbery should go without a hitch, but I know better than that.’ Oskar thought as she aimlessly strolled down the street. ‘I shall prepare to fight off guards. If we beat back enough of them they should hold back for a while, though this means I can’t use my magic or true strength to aid in the heavy lifting. Hmm…’

“I can’t believe I’m friends with a supermodel!” Oskar heard Bon Bon’s voice squeal with delight.

“You keep saying that… she’s been a model for a while now Bon Bon, can you please calm down now?” Lyra groused irritably.

‘Oh?’ The virus thought. ‘What are those two up to?’

Changing direction and wandering over to where she heard the voices come from, Oskar soon saw Bon Bon and Lyra sitting at a table. Not only that, but Time Turner was with them and seemed to be intently staring at a magazine on the table before him. Getting close, Oskar made out the magazine as fashion centric and had her primarily featured wearing various outfits.

“Reading girly magazines, Time Turner?” Oskar stated amusedly as Bon Bon and Lyra started giggling softly. “Didn’t think a stallion like you would do that kind of thing.”

“There is nothing wrong with admiring a beautiful mare.” Time Turner absently replied, so deeply engrossed in the magazine that he didn’t notice what he had said and who he had said it to until after he had said it. “OH! I mean- what I meant to say… oh dear…”

“Hehehe.” Bon Bon giggled at Time Turner’s plight. “I do believe Lyra and I have something to do right this moment, we’ll just leave you two alone.”

A bit of a long silence reigned after the two mares made their exit, shooting sly looks at the two as they left. Time Turner looked mortified at his slip up, basically telling “Emerald” outright he had feelings for her. Oskar for her part only looked contemplative at Time Turner’s slip and seemed deep in thought for several long moments.

“Am… am I really beautiful?” Oskar asked the stallion.

“I… why yes of course!” Time Turner said, taking out a handkerchief and dabbing at his forehead as he said that. “You are an incredibly beautiful mare Emerald, quite possibly the most attractive mare in all of Ponyville… maybe… maybe even Equestria.”

“…Really?” Oskar said with a frown and furrowing of her brows.

“Uhh… honestly and truly Emerald.” Time Turner said with a crimson blush.

The more the Evolved thought about it, the more she began to think Timer Turner was right. The looks she kept getting from colts and only from colts, the fact she used only the best genes from Rarity and Rose Locks, Twilight talking about how beautiful she was and finally the fact she was now a model with growing fame. With all the facts before her, the virus quickly became incredulous at how long it had taken her to notice this simple fact about herself. But now that she knew she was able to also see something else… that Time Turner was attracted to her.

‘Well… this is awkward.’ Oskar thought. ‘I mean I can handle it I suppose… but before when I had to deal with guys attracted to me while I was in a female form I knew what to expect and knew that if they got touchy then I can just gut them. But here… I don’t have to deal with those types of men ever again and I most certainly know Time Turner won’t try anything without express permission and desire from myself. So I suppose I can use this to my advantage and get more information out of him. A few hugs here and there, some affectionate nuzzling and some light kissing if needed, I can handle and do that, but… it… it feels so wrong to manipulate and lead him on like that, to just twist and pull at his emotions to get what I want… I… I can’t do it, I won’t do it. But how do I break it to him then?’ Oskar thought in indecision. ‘I… I don’t know what to do.’

“Soo… do you want to talk?” Time Turner offered hesitantly.

“Y-yes… yes in fact.” Oskar said and quickly sat herself in the seat opposite him. “About technology, the more I think about it, the more interested I become in the field.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I am even going to invest in a company or two actually.” The fake unicorn admitted. “And I just wanted some more details on the tech industry. I tried to do some personal research on my own in Twilight’s library, but it doesn’t have the info I wanted.”

“Oh? What were you trying to find out?” Time Turner asked.

“What places make what parts for computer components and the like.” Oskar said with a shrug. “I feel it’s an underappreciated industry and that Equestria is being a bit too much of a naturalist regarding this field.”

“What a surprise to find a like minded pony such as yourself here in Ponyville Emerald!” Time stated with a smile. “I feel the same way, but Ponyville is very traditionalist in its ways, so I thought I’d be one of a precious few who think differently here.”

“I like to think of myself as… modern in my way of thinking.” Oskar stated. “I still need to find out more info on companies and who produces what for who though. I don’t suppose you know anything about this would you?”

“I’m afraid I really don’t, Emerald.” Time Turner said with a shake of his head. “I know a lot about computers and electronics, but not so much on who makes them and who provides the materials.”

“Oh well I’ll find out some other way.” Oskar said with a shrug. “Speaking of computers do you h-”

“THERE SHE IS!” Someone shouted suddenly.

“EMERALD GLEANER! EMERALD GLEANER CAN YOU ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS!” A mare unicorn asked excitedly, camera and notepad with pencil floating in the air.

“EMERALD GLEANER IS THIS YOUR COLTFRIEND?!” Asked another reporter.

“ARE YOU IN A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP?”

“ARE WEDDING BELLS IN YOUR FUTURE!”

“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THE CHILD?!”

That seemed to spark off a round of new questions that just drowned each other out in their volume as reporters swarmed the table. Oskar for her part just looked bewildered for a moment, at a sure loss at where the reporters came from, then she just looked very annoyed. With horn growing brightly for a brief second the virus disappeared.

“She’s gone!!”

“Where would she go?!”

“I know! She stays with Twilight Sparkle, Celestia’s student! Her library is just down the road!”

“Let’s go!!”

Surprisingly despite the fact they were asking “Emerald” about her potential relationship with Time Turner the reporters didn’t spare him a second glance, seemingly more interested in the model then in the colt she might be interested in. After a few moments of silence the pony doctor just sighed irritably.

“And it was going so well too.” Time Turner muttered as his friends popped up from around a corner and walked over to him.

“Well that was going fairly well… until those paparazzi ponies came by and ruined it.” Bon Bon said, shooting a distasteful frown in the direction said ponies went.

“Yeah it went well till that point.” Lyra agreed. “TT you really ought to go on more dates with her, I mean geez I don’t like the filly very much but this is the second date after a few months!”

“It is not!” Time Turner protested. “What about what we did just two days ago?”

“That wasn’t a date, Time.” Bon Bon replied. “Both Lyra and I were there. That was an outing for all of us to enjoy.”

“Well what about three weeks ago on that-”

“I was there TT.” Lyra interrupted.

“Well what about during Winter Wrap Up!”

“There were a ton of other ponies right there with you.” Bon Bon said. “And it was hardly a date, Time.”

“Well… I suppose you are both right…” Time Turner admitted with a sigh. “I suppose I really ought to ask Emerald out more than just us being together every few months.”

“That’s no way to catch and keep a filly’s attention Time.” Bon Bon admonished gently. “She’d think you are just leading her along and giving her attention when it suited you. If you keep this up she’d just move on to somepony else. You need to work for this to work, Time, love isn’t easy but you get what you put in and you aren’t putting in much.”

“I know, I know…” Time Turner said. “I just… I was never good at this. I either come on too strongly or not enough and the mare just assumes I want to be a friend.”

“It’s alright TT.” Lyra comforted. “That’s why you have us here!”

“Thank you, both of you.” Time Turner replied with a smile. “I honestly don’t know what to do without either of you.”

“Emerald is a busy pony, being a model and all.” Bon Bon said and couldn’t help the large smile on her face as she said that. “But being so busy means she must be getting a little stressed from the work, perhaps you being there for her would be appropriate? Now here’s what I think you should do for your next date…”

ZETA

Shining Armor laid atop a building. It was nighttime in Manehattan and it was rather cold, forcing both Armor and the twenty odd Royal Guards there with him to cover themselves up with thick woolen blankets. He and his group were overlooking a factory, a metal processing plant to be specific, and his group wasn’t the only one. Five Hundred Royal Guards in total were gathered for this mission and spread over the area, small groups like his overlooking factories, while larger groups were placed in between the smaller groups, so they could react quickly to calls for reinforcements.

After the rash of robberies over the past week, the Royal Guard was quickly mobilized, even more so when it was confirmed from eyewitnesses that it was the Gray Fox and his Diamond Dogs committing the robberies. Not only did Armor have to worry about catching the Gray Fox quickly, he also had to make the criminal confess the location of the machines he stole as the machines he had stolen were very expensive and the factories that suffered from the robberies just might not recover without financial federal aid, which Celestia was dearly hoping to avoid, not out of greed of course but to avoid setting a bad precedent.

“It’s been quiet for a good three nights now.” A guard stated. “Maybe the Fox is lying low now? To avoid the attention he has gained with this crime spree of his.”

“Maybe…” Armor replied. “Just as good a chance that he’s doing this to lower our guard and think just that too, so stay sharp.”

“Yes sir.”

Silence reigned as Armor watched the processing plant in front of him, intent to catch even the smallest glimpse of either the Gray Fox or his Diamond Dogs if they were here. Eventually they did see something, but it wasn’t him that spotted it.

“There!” A pegasi guard exclaimed. “I think I saw something skulking in the shadows on the second floor catwalks!”

Armor quickly moved his attention from the ground floor windows and spied the second floor windows. For a few long moments he saw nothing, and then slowly a shape appeared. It was a sleek Collie Diamond Dog stepping into view. Armor felt his heart beat faster in excitement and he kept his view on the sneaking dog.

After a few moments the Dogs suddenly stood upright and no longer seemed to be sneaking, he leaned over the catwalk and seemed to be saying something to someone that was below him. Looking down back to the first floor windows Armor gritted his teeth when he saw who was there.

It was the Gray Fox, still wearing that tattered coat of his with a cuirass worn over it that he was really beginning to have grim suspicions of its material. The Gray Fox seemed to have also altered his staff a little, no longer did it seemed to be a long piece of metal that he had managed to wrench off something, now it did look like a weapon and those two gems on the end looked like they would be painful to be hit by.

The Gray Fox appeared to be saying something back before striding over to a bare patch of floor with that strange walk of his, reminding Armor of sailor ponies who came onto land just after spending a long time at sea. The Gray Fox raised his staff up above the floor and banged it a few times. A near instant later a large section of the floor fell away, revealing a large hole which Diamond Dogs began streaming out of.

Armor continued observing as more holes opened up in the floor, these holes were not as big as the one found in the foundry though. Dogs poured out by the dozens rapidly and began setting to work rapidly taking apart the processing machines in the plant.

“There must be at least a hundred of them!” A Royal Guard exclaimed. “Captain what do we do?”

“You! Go for reinforcements!” Armor ordered one pegasus guard. “There must be more Diamond Dogs in the tunnels below.”

“We have the element of surprise.” Armor stated after the pegasus left. “Diamond Dogs rely on that to succeed, don’t let their numbers intimidate you against a prepared foe. The dogs are poor fighters and quick to break from the fight, and not only are we prepared but we are doing the ambushing. Ready? GO!”

Armor teleported and was quickly followed by his fellow unicorn guards onto the processing plant floor, pegasi guards burst through the windows moments later and the earth pony guards were not far behind, bursting in through the doors or leaping in through the ground floor windows. The dogs yelped and shouted at the sudden intrusion of Royal Guards and quickly fell into panic as the fight started.

Despite being outnumbered five to one the Royal Guards were handling things quite easily. Unicorns tossed dogs telekinetically at their fellows, pegasi dive bombed others and the earth ponies simply dived into the fray utilising their training to full effect. In fact the only dog that seemed to be able to stand up one on one was this large Rottweiler Diamond Dog and that was only because he was able to tank the hits an earth pony was giving him. But he was quickly brought down when a pegasi delivered a harsh kick to his head and a unicorn quickly disabled him with his magic.

Seeing that his guards were taking care of the dogs quite easily, Armor turned his attention to the biggest threat in the room. The Gray Fox was standing in the center of the chaos enveloping the room seemingly unbothered and leaning on his staff in a relaxed fashion. He began shaking his head quite disappointedly and took a step back to avoid a dog sent flying through the air.

“Oi! I thought you lads could fight!” The Gray Fox said exasperatedly. “Soons we get back to base I’m whipping you sorry lot into shape, savvy?”

“You will do no such thing Gray Fox!” Shining Armor said, horn glowing with magic as he levitated the Gray Fox into the air. “I’ve got you now! I’m taking you in for crimes against Equestria and her people, you’ll be answering to the Princesses themselves before paying for your crimes!”

“Is that so Mr. Armor?” The Gray Fox said with a toothy grin and easy going flick of his ear before suddenly twirling his staff. The gems on both ends of the quarter staff suddenly began glowing, creating a blue circle with the rate of the rotation before quite abruptly a bang sounded and the Gray Fox dropped to the floor, the glow surrounding his body leaving in a burst of particles. “My staff seems to disagree with you mate, fancy that.”

“How… Your staff… DROP YOUR WEAPON!” Armor said authoritatively. “Give it here!”

“Ask and ye shall receive Captain.” The Gray Fox said slyly before throwing his staff to the floor between them. The bulbous gems on the staff impacted the floor with a loud ‘Bong!’ before flying up and rebounding off Shining Armor’s face, causing the Captain of the Guard to collapse to the floor in pain as the Gray Fox caught his weapon. “Right, time to show you sorry lot how it’s done!”

Armor looked through eyes blurred by tears from his nose being smashed and saw the Gray Fox wreak havoc amongst his guards. The Fox’s staff was a blur of motions as he leapt forward, cracking an earth pony on the head with it before smashing a pegasi diving at him out of the air. Another unicorn attempted to hold him magically but he just twirled his staff and the effect was somehow ended before he brought the staff crashing squarely on the unicorn’s horn, causing the horn to shatter and the unicorn to scream in pain as he collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

The Diamond Dogs, both injured and still fighting, were invigorated by the sight of their boss taking down the Royal guards with ease and a cocky smile that never faded once. They fought harder, and the ones that were able to got up from the floor to rejoin the fight. The Royal Guards found themselves quickly losing as the Gray Fox continued to rapidly take them down and allowed the Dogs to make better use of their numbers. Before long only a handful remained, and were quickly dog piled before being tied up. Seeing this, Shining Armor tried to shrug off the daze his mind was still in and get back up when something impacted him hard in the back and forced him back down. Looking up he saw the Gray Fox standing over him, smiling smugly as he stood upon him with one foot.

“If I were you…” The Gray Fox began slowly, his smile never fading as he tapped Armor’s horn with his staff. “I’d stay down… savvy?”

Armor released an angry humiliated growl but stayed still, the threat of having his horn shattered and the agonizing pain it would cause, along with the fact he was completely outnumbered now, enough to cow him.

“There’s a good lad!” The Fox said cheerfully before proceeding to treat the Captain of the Guard as a mere stool to rest his foot on. “Oi! You lot down there!”

A Husky Diamond Dog suddenly appeared, poking his head out of one of the many holes darting the floor of the processing plant.

“Things okay boss?” Asked the Husky Diamond Dog.

“Had a bit of a tussle with these Royal Guards here.” The Gray Fox replied nonchalantly. “And most of the lads got hurt but the fight is over and done with mate. Get the rest of the lads out of the tunnels, no doubt the ponies got reinforcements on the way and I want as much loot as possible down in the tunnels.”

Right boss!” The husky replied before disappearing down the hole again. “Come on boys! Work to do! Up and at them!”

Diamond Dogs poured out of the holes by the dozens, either grabbing injured dogs or quickly setting to work dismantling machines. Shining Armor watched this angrily before turning his gaze up to the Gray Fox.

“What are you planning to do with those machines?” Armor asked and then got frustrated when the Gray Fox ignored him. “Answer me!”

“Oh what’s this? Think I’m just going to come out and spill my dastardly plans to you?” The Fox said amused, flashing Armor a toothy wide smile. “Well you’re plumb out of luck there mate. That trick may work on your garden variety criminal masterminds but I am my own special breed of criminal, savvy?”

Armor frowned uneasily at this but tried again anyway. “Is it the money you are after?”

“Oh ho you would think so would you mate!” The Gray Fox replied. “But it’s not about the money… times up lads! Grab what you can before diving in, but we have to go now!”

Immediately, dogs rushed to finish what they were dismantling or just carried what they could and ran for a hole. The dogs rushed for the safety of their dug holes even faster, the speed of their work being enough to carry off most of the machinery that had been sitting on the processing plant floor.

Before long it was only The Gray Fox, Shining Armor and the various incapacitated Royal Guards in the plant. Holes closed up around them until only one remained and only then did the Gray Fox step off Shining Armor, walking over to the sole remaining hole with the strange swaying walk of his. Stepping at the very edge of the hole and looking back at the Captain of the Guard who was angrily glaring after him, the Fox then saluted him cheerfully.

“Shining Armor…” The Gray Fox began. “You’ll always remember this, as the day you almost slowed down the greatest thief to ever grace Equestria, THE GRAY FOX!”

With that the Fox fell backwards into the hole that quickly filled up, with dirt fountaining up from below. Mere seconds after this, dozens of Royal Guards burst onto the processing plant floor to reinforce the outnumbered Royal Guards, now far too late.

‘Gray Fox…’ Shining Armor thought seething with anger and humiliation as he stood back up from the floor. ‘I swear on this day that I shall not underestimate you again.’

“Captain Armor!” Shouted a worried guard as he approached. “Are you alright?”

“My nose is aching and bleeding a little, but otherwise I am fine.” Armor replied a little stiffly. “The other guards are in far worse condition than me. Attend to them first, we need to wrap up here quickly. I need to send a report to the Princesses as soon as possible, then we will likely return to Canterlot in a few days as her highnesses will want a personal report.”

“Yes sir!” The guard replied with a salute before setting to work.

‘You will not make a mockery of Equestria and her laws Gray Fox.’ Armor thought earnestly. ‘I shall bring you to justice one way or the other.’

ETA

Oskar walked down a street in Ponyville, mind lost as she pondered her current situation. She had plenty of machines now, and plenty of metal working tools to do some basic metal working. Plus the Diamond Dogs were already making use of the foundry devices to make much more pure metals. She did have the ability to work and do a lot with metal herself, having claws sharp enough to cut into metal and fire breath hot enough to melt it. But doing all the metal work herself would take a lot of personal time, which she did not have anymore as she now had to balance leading the Diamond Dogs and living and working as Emerald Gleaner. So it would be a much more efficient use of her time getting machines for the dogs to use, teach them how to use and keep them in top condition, and then give them things to get done.

Now however, she had a different issue to deal with, namely power and lack of a way to replace broken circuitry en masse. Using what she had and knew, Oskar could create new circuits to replace any that may break herself, but again this led to her doing things herself and the reason she had the Diamond Dogs and got them tools and machinery was so she didn’t have too.

‘Obviously one of the other cities, Las Pegasus and Vanhoover, has the production facilities for computer parts.’ Oskar thought. ‘With that in mind, I’ll be able to get those parts in time so hopefully nothing major will break before then. Now the power issue, hmm… I know of a few ways to solve that. Namely, I could make a hydroelectric dam, a wind turbine, a coal or an oil generator. But the hydro dam and wind turbine would need some rather sparse parts and while I am not aware of any oil deposits nearby I do know that we have plenty of coal. But again those need some rather advanced parts that we do not have in great supply right now… steam generators are rather simple and we could use them until we upgrade to more better power sources… or we could see just how much power that Storm Sapphire can generate? Hmm… I have a set up in mind that could work with what I know about the gem. Let’s see wha- Huh?’

Oskar’s thoughts ground to a stop as she saw something out of the corner of her eye that looked fairly familiar and she turned to get a closer look. She froze in place when she did and her eyes widened.

Her mane was frazzled looking, she bags under her eyes, and the very way she carried herself was different, but there was no mistaking who she was looking at, Rose Locks.

The unicorn mare was walking tiredly into town, seeming to have finally returned home after a long term stay in a psychiatric hospital. Her saddlebags holding the few things she had brought with her when she decided to set out on her fateful journey to Canterlot.

The virus winced and a wave of guilt surged up as she remembered what she had done that day vividly. The day she had violently assaulted Rose Locks and nearly killed her just for a scrap of DNA, something she could have easily gotten by just carefully scanning the road for the odd piece of shed hair.

Oskar bit her lip as she took in how beaten down Rose Locks looked. The feeling of guilt grew worse by the second as she took in the sight before her, and a desire to do something grew within her. After a few moments racked by uncertainty, Oskar hesitantly stepped forwards and towards the tormented mare.

“Uhh… e-excuse me.” Oskar said haltingly, gaining the unicorn’s attention. “H-hi… I’m… uh my name is Emerald Gleaner and uhh… pleased to meet you?”

Rose Locks simply stared back at her with a blank expression.

“Uhh…” Oskar mumbled with a wince and downcast look. “That was a pretty bad first impression wasn’t it? Umm… I just wanted to introduce myself and maybe uhh… maybe… hangout?”

Once again Rose Locks stared silently at the fake unicorn, not at all reacting to Oskar’s awkward attempts to be friendly. She was on the verge of simply giving her the cold shoulder and walking off but… something about her was… familiar. Something about this strange unicorn made Rose Locks want to forgive the odd first impression and give her another chance and accept her offer, and now that the unicorn thought about it, it was kind of rude to snub somepony when they were just trying to be friendly.

“Okay…” Rose replied quietly after an agonizingly long awkward moment.

“OH!” Oskar gasped delightedly, having almost convinced herself she had completely failed to help the mare she had hurt so many months ago. “That’s wonderful! Thank you for giving me a chance. Do you want something to eat? I know this nice diner just down the street, I’m buying if that helps…”

“Sure… that sounds nice,” Rose said and followed the virus as she led the way.

Before long Oskar and Rose Locks arrived at the diner and were waiting for their orders.

Nursing her cream soda, Rose looked up at the other unicorn that was doing the same. She was rather surprised at herself for accepting the offer to hangout from a complete stranger, even more so when after the incident she had grown rather unfriendly of ponies she didn’t know, and began wondering just about who this Emerald Gleaner was that made her make an exception for her.

‘Great, more strangers.’ The tormented unicorn thought as she spied a group of young mares approaching their table. ‘What the hay do they want?’

“Excuse me, Miss Gleaner?” The lead mare asked upon arriving at the table with her group.

“Err, yes?” Oskar replied.

“My friends and I were just wondering if you could give us an autograph,” She asked shyly. “I know you don’t like it when ponies bother you when you are in Ponyville but we would really appreciate it if you did!”

“Uhh, sure why not?” Oskar said, sheepishly shooting a look at Rose who was now gaping at her. “Do you have a pen and paper?”

“YES!” All the young mares shouted at once and each held out a pen and paper for her to sign her name.

“Alright…” Oskar muttered and concentrated as she magically took all the pens and began signing all the papers at once. “There you all go.”

“Thank you Miss Gleaner!” The mares said and began walking away, chattering excitedly when an earth pony with a bandage covering his nose appeared.

“Picture?” He asked nervously.

“Oh sur- HEY! YOU’RE THAT REPORTER!” Oskar began before shouting, making the pony in question flinch back. “You and your friends stay away from my home!”

“Does this mean I don’t get to take a picture?” The reporter asked softly.

“…Fine.” Oskar said after a moment and instantly made a picture perfect smile until the reporter was able to snap a picture. “Now get lost.”

“What in the world was that for?” Rose asked after the reporter scrambled away.

“Umm… I’m kind of sorta a famous model.” Oskar said sheepishly just as a pegasus trailing a banner that had her posing while advertising a product.

“I noticed.” Rose deadpanned to the now embarrassed looking virus. “… Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why in the wide world of Equestria would somepony like you want with somepony like me?” Rose Lucks asked, not sure whether to feel suspicious for “Emerald’s” reason for helping her or feel touched that she did.

“It… it’s just that…” Oskar began, somehow looking very small as she did so. “You looked like you needed a friend and I know I have no right to try to be that friend but… I just felt I had to try to help you.”

“Oh…” Rose said softly, feeling her expression soften and her heart start to warm. “I… I appreciate what you’re doing Emerald, I really do though I don’t seem it. I do kind of need a friend right now…”

It was after that moment their food arrived and the mares began to eat while just talking about anything that entered their minds, just content to enjoy the other’s company and the good food. Far too quickly for the two’s liking, the food was gone and the diner started to get busy, making them decide to leave.

Oskar and Rose walked down the street, content to enjoy the comfortable silence that arose between them. Oskar was about to ask Rose something when Pinkie made a sudden appearance.

“Oh hello Rosie!” Pinkie shouted happily. “I heard you wer-”

“DEAR CELESTIA!” Rose screamed in shock from Pinkie surprising her and began panting as she stared at the pink pony with wide eyes. “Bucking Tartarus… PINKIE! What the hay is your problem?!? Argh, Goddess condemn it to Tartarus anyway!!”

“Wha??” Pinkie flinched away from the raging mare, confused and hurt.

“Pinkie!” Oskar shouted and quickly grabbed her telekinetically.

“What did I do?” Pinkie asked, looking very hurt as her mane began losing its characteristic curls. “Why is everypony screaming and getting mad at me?”

“Pinkie… look,” Oskar’s expression softened a little as she pointed back at Rose who was panting and clutching her chest, desperately trying to catch her breath. “You know Rose had a breakdown right? Well… she doesn’t take to being surprised all that well… apparently. I’m sorry for snapping at you. I didn’t know that till now either, it’s just… I reacted.”

“Oh… I did that?” Pinkie asked softly, looking at the freaked out mare. “I didn’t mean to… I just heard she got out of the hospital and wanted to see how my friend was doing.”

“Yeah she is in a bad way right now and I’m trying to help her.” Oskar said sadly looking at Rose. “I’m thinking of introducing her to my other friends, like Time Turner, Bon Bon and Lyra, and seeing if that does any good.”

“That sounds good, maybe I can help make her feel better too?” Pinkie asked hopefully. “I can hold a ‘Sorry I Scared you Party’ for her…”

“Maybe… only if it isn’t a surprise party though.” The virus replied.

“Yeah…” Pinkie replied sheepishly.

“Cheer up Pinkie.” Oskar said, feeling that a sad Pinkie just wasn’t right. “You didn’t know she doesn’t take surprises very well and I didn’t know as well so I couldn’t warn you about it.”

“…I’m going to go see if Fluttershy wants any help renovating her home,” Pinkie said before walking away.

Oskar just shook her head at that and walked back over to Rose who had finally calmed down.

“Are you feeling alright?” Oskar asked the mare.

“No… bucking filly needs to learn not to startle ponies.” Rose muttered crossly.

“She didn’t know you don’t like being surprised, please don’t hold it against her.” Oskar asked Rose. “All she wanted was to see if you were alright after your stay in the hospital and make you smile.”

“Fine, I won’t hold against her.” Rose said, averting her gaze from Oskar before asking quietly. “Does everypony know about that?”

“Yes…”

“Goddess condemn it anyway… everypony in town probably thinks I’m crazy.” Rose muttered unhappily.

“Maybe… but it’s been a while, everypony probably forget about it by now.” Oskar said as comfortingly as possible.

“So instead of everypony treating me like a bomb about to go off I have to deal with ponies just not caring about what happened?” Rose asked heatedly. “So much better…”

“Rose I’m just trying to make you feel better, not trying to point out how bad things might be.” Oskar said patiently. “But if what you need is to vent then I’m here for you.”

“I… thank you…” Rose whispered, that odd sense of familiarity causing a warmth to bloom in her heart. “I don’t mean to be this way, it’s just that being surprised reminded me of… I’m fine now.”

“Well… do you want to meet some friends of mine?” Oskar asked, deciding to change the topic. “They are a bunch of rather nice ponies and I think you would like them.”

“If you say so…”

The Evolved didn’t let the unenthusiastic response discourage her and quickly sent out several viral pulses for Bon Bon, Lyra and Time Turner. Thankfully they all seemed close together again so Oskar began leading the way to them with a gloomy looking Rose Locks lagging somewhat behind.

A few minutes later Oskar and Rose arrived in a park and the virus saw the ponies she was looking for. Time Tuner seemed to be studying some journals on a bench with Lyra sitting next to him, using her magic to create patterns with a long piece of string while Bon Bon was a little ways off flying a humming bird kite in the air.

“Hey everypony!” Oskar greeted loudly, attracting the others’ attention.

“Hello Emerald!” Time Turner greeted back. “Who is that behind y-oh, is she your sister?”

“What? Wow I didn’t know you had a sister Emerald!” Bon Bon said upon noticing Rose behind Oskar but turned back to notice that her kite had crashed into a tree when she wasn’t paying attention. “Oh, my kite…”

“When were you going to tell us you had a sister Emerald?” Lyra asked, putting down her string and stepping closer.

“Uh, she isn’t my sister,” Oskar replied. “I had just run into her in town.”

“Really?” Lyra said incredulously. “She looks just like you, only less…”

“Less what?” Rose Locks asked with a raised brow. “Just what exactly were you going to say?”

“Uhh… I’m just going to step over here now,” Lyra said sheepishly before walking a short distance away.

“Well Lyra being Lyra aside, my name is Bon Bon,” Bon Bon said pleasantly. “Pleased to meet you!”

“And I am Doctor Time Turner Whooves,” Time Turner replied cheerfully. “Glad to meet you.”

“Hello… I’m Rose Locks,” The mare said hesitantly but began to smile at Time Turner. “I’m glad to meet you both as well.”

“Rose Locks just came back from a long trip and I figured we could give her a tour of the town,” Oskar said. “Yeah she lives here but it’s been a long time and a lot of stuff has happened and I figured we could fill her in.”

“Sure thing Emerald,” Bon Bon agreed but flashed the virus a knowing smile. “We’ll be glad to fill her in about all the things that have been happening.”

“I know something exciting!” Lyra shouted, bounding back into the conversation. “Do you know about the Monster of Everfree?”

“Aren’t there tons of monsters in Everfree?” Rose replied.

“Yeah but this one was especially monstrous,” Lyra replied. “They don’t even know what it looked like!”

‘Well… this is going well so far.’ Oskar thought as she took in the scene before her. ‘I know that I of all people have no right to try to be her friend after what I put her through but… I’m glad I’m trying to be anyway, if even just to help fix what I had ruined.’

With that the Evolved stepped forward and joined into the conversation with a small smile.

THETA

“It seems I was wrong to hope that the Gray Fox would return from whence he came once he had taken the prisoners,” Celestia said with a tired sigh. “The Gray Fox has proven to be a most skillful thief by the sheer value and size of the items he has stolen.”

Celestia and her sister Luna were in the throne room holding a small meeting with Shining Armor, something that was done as soon as said unicorn returned from Manehattan empty hoofed.

“Tis worse still dear sister.” Luna replied. “The vile rouge has caused a number of small companies to file bankruptcy, being unable to replace the machines that were stolen. The loss of suppliers is already having an effect on the economy in the region with rising prices from lack of goods.”

“At the very least we can expect raids to stop now in Manehattan.” Shining Armor stated. “There are fewer factories to watch now and we are very obviously expecting him… Princess I must apologize again for failing to apprehend the criminal, I underestimated his resourcefulness and I was forced to watch him get away once again.”

“There is no need for apologies, Shining Armor,” Celestia said kindly. “You are no beginner, you have a great amount of experience with criminals but this Gray Fox seems to be quite a few steps above them all.”

“That is what worries me,” Armor admitted with a frown. “For criminals it is the illegal stealing and hoarding of wealth that drives them, yet the Gray Fox himself has personally admitted that wealth is not what drives him.”

“It begs the questions then, what does drive this scoundrel?” Luna asked aloud. “What drives this Fox to steal these machines if not for ill-gotten riches?”

“I fear some vile plot is in motion and we are only capable of seeing the very fringes of it,” Celestia said worriedly. “Case in point, the Gray Fox’s new staff. Clearly this was not something he had just happened upon before his raids on the factories.”

“Yes… Captain Armor, you said that with a twirl of that staff the rogue was able to dispel magical attempts to bound him, yes?” Luna asked.

“Yes.” Armor replied. “He only spun it for a moment and I would feel my hold on him snap. If we can assume that the Gray Fox has the same abilities as the Diamond Dogs then it is likely he doesn’t have the innate ability to use magic.”

“I have read the report on the Alcoltraz breakout.” Celestia stated. “One of the officers there reported she had actually managed to catch the Gray Fox at one point and he broke out of it by throwing his weapon at her, forcing her to switch focus and freeing up the Fox for an attack on her. From this fact, I think we can safely agree that the Gray Fox is like his Dog kin and can’t use magic.”

“The fact implies a most terrible truth then,” Luna stated. “That the Gray Fox has in his employ an Artificer of magical items, which further implies that one of Equestria’s leading minds in magic is willingly aiding this fiend.”

“Could it not simply be that he is forcing somepony or simply lying to get what he wants?” Celestia suggested with a troubled frown.

“I would doubt it Princess,” Armor replied grimly. “The Gray Fox would have to go into great detail into what he wants and we would simply be able to ask Artificers until we find the one he is going to. Simply forcing one to make him things is also an issue as it is all too easy for a competent Artificer to disguise a deliberant flaw as a mistake or quirk of the item. No, it’s more likely he has one willingly aiding him.”

“A disturbing truth if so,” Celestia sighed sadly. “First the mysterious motivation for stealing machines and driving the economy down, now there may be a trusted Artificer willingly aiding him.”

“If it helps sister, it may not even be a licensed Artificer.” Luna stated. “It may very well be some criminal got hold of some books on the subjects.”

“Either way, we have a pattern to his future crimes now, machines,” Armor stated. “It’s highly likely he will move his focus to a different city rather than try his luck again in Manehattan, but in case he hasn’t I have several guards on standby in Manehattan. Seeing as there are only two other cities he could strike, Las Pegasus and Vanhoover, we can do work to watch production facilities and hopefully prevent more raids. I cannot do it with what resources I have set aside for this task though, I may need to pull most if not all Royal Guards from the other operations we have in progress.”

“If we must Armor,” Celestia said solemnly. “I am giving you all the authority you need to catch this criminal and whatever resources you may require. The Gray Fox has a plot in motion and I fear for my ponies’ safety and livelihood should it come to pass.”

“It shall be done Princess!” Armor said with salute. “With the both of you as my witnesses, I swear I shall bring him to justice!”

“Then with my blessing, set to your work Shining Armor,” Celestia commanded. “We, Equestria and her people depend on you to succeed against this crafty foe.”

With a small bow Armor turned about and galloped out of the throne room, eager to set to work.

“Best of luck Captain Armor,” Luna said softly. “You’ll need it, should the cunning of this foe hold.”

IOTA

Oskar was in his base form sitting at a desk with a thick top covered with notches and scratches in a fairly roughly carved stone room. On the desk was a new staff, this one had smaller egg shaped cyan gems cradled by the wings of eagles on each end of the staff. Along its length were two places where tightly coiled quality pieces of black leather for a comfortable grip were, and the visible metal seemed more like polished silver then a piece of iron. It was also entirely made of biomass.

Examining his creation with a critical eye for a moment, Oskar then gave a satisfied smile before turning to look to his side. Along the wall was a rack with his two previous staffs: his first metal bar staff simply pried from a cell door, and the staff he had made to excuse some of his magical use.

‘Can get away with more using this!’ Oskar thought happily just as the door opened behind him.

“Boss got somethings to tell you and a problem,” Belvedere said from the doorway.

“Be right with you,” Oskar replied before getting up and placing his new staff on the rack before walking over and out the door with the Alpha.

“We got all those little animals you wanted,” Belvedere stated as they walked out into the quickly changing cavern. Before, it was fairly empty, but now it was quickly filling with stone complexes that were a little like crude apartment buildings. The Dogs didn’t really know how to make the plaster to keep the stone together, but apparently the Elders did and were quick to begin directing dogs how to make their first proper homes in generations. Cramped as they may be, they were still far better than the hovels they lived in. “And got room for pony machines to be set up when finally done.”

“Fantastic!” Oskar replied with a smile, pleased and a little amused to note that Belvedere was the quickest to begin picking up on the grammar corrections. “And what is the issue?”

“That pony we keep in small room.” Belvedere replied. “She keeps trying to break out, almost managed it once but was caught because guards so many in main tunnel.”

“When was this?” Oskar asked with a troubled frown.

“When everyone go off to raid last factory.” The Alpha answered. “We keep more guards on her now but might not be so lucky next time.”

“Hmm…” The virus stopped and crossed his arms, tilting his head to the side as he thought intently of the problem with Whisper Wind.

“… I have an idea for something,” Oskar finally said after a minute, frowning as he seemed to be thinking intently on something. “I need a few days to make absolutely sure it works but once I do then we can purposefully drop our guard and let her out.”

“Hmm… this way you use thing you thought of to teach her lesson and she will not want to escape again, right?” Belvedere said.

“Exactly!” Oskar replied, a little impressed that he picked up on it. “Now that was the last thing you wanted to talk to me about right? Okay then I want another room carved out, it’ll be the power chamber but also I want some of the more smarter and quick thinking dogs gathered up. I want to start giving them a few technical lessons on the basics of mechanics. I gave them some instruction earlier but it was only enough for them to hopefully not break stuff while taking it apart.”

“Got it boss.”

“Also, food may be an issue later. Have some rooms carved out and the floor covered with dirt.” Oskar added. “I have some ideas for those…”

-TBC-

Chapter 11: Equestria's Bane

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It is currently night in the forest of Everfree though in the caverns beneath, where the Diamond Dogs now dwell, you couldn’t tell.

In these caverns, the homes of the Diamond Dogs stretched higher, some almost halfway to the ceiling. In a far secluded corner of the cavern was a small cell guarded by a Diamond Dog sleeping atop a stool. Whisper Wind was wide awake in the cell though, having feigned sleep for a good few hours. She was now carefully sticking her fore leg through the bars of the cell door and trying to gently unhitch the keys from the guard’s vest. Spending several minutes carefully prodding the keys, she finally managed it and noiselessly brought the keys to her.

‘Finally!’ Whisper thought as she carefully opened the door and began scanning her surroundings. ‘Let’s find something to make a fake body on that cruddy hay bale bed of mine.’

After some searching, Whisper found some extra old ratty blankets and hay near her prison cell and brought them over. Going back in her cell, she then put the blankets and hay under the blanket, manipulating the bulge until it believably looked like she was sleeping under it.

With that, the convict walked back out her cell, closed the door and relocked it. Then she gently replaced the keys on the sleeping guard’s vest before slinking off into the darkened alleys of the Diamond Dog town, lit only by the infrequent lantern.

‘Time to get out of this crazy place.’ Whisper Wind thought as she snuck through the empty streets and alleys. ‘Just wanted to score some sweet gems and make some bits, not get involved in this crazy army building and dethroning conspiracy.’

Whisper had a lot of time to herself to think in the time she was forced to spend in her little cell, and had come up with a theory on who Emerald really was. So far her theory was that Emerald was actually an alicorn princess just like Celestia and Luna, only born in a different place. And that she was now here in Equestria with a spell hiding her wings to gather an army and dethrone Celestia and Luna.

‘Wonder if I’ll get anything if I tell the Princesses about this.’ Whisper thought as she arrived before the wide main street of the town. ‘A decrease in sentence if not a bit of a reward, and a pardon would be nice for revealing a plot against the kingdom.’

‘Let’s not go down there again.’ Whisper thought as she spied the entrance tunnel to the cavern at the end of the street with a wood ramp leading up to it. ‘Too many dogs to sneak by. I hope there is another way out of here, I only have until morning before they figure out that isn’t me in the cell.’

With that, Whisper Wind continued on her way, sticking to small thin streets and cramped alleys when she could, as they tended to be deserted. It didn’t mean she didn’t have a few close calls though, sometimes a Diamond Dog would happen to still be awake and glance out their little window onto the street, or one would happen to be assigned a night shift and be walking about the streets going about their work. But her talent was not insignificant. Despite her colors, she still managed to blend into the dark and even when a dog managed to see her out of the corner of their eyes they questioned if they really did. Eventually her half random wanderings got her to a clear section of the cavern.

Along the floor were many sets of railway tracks with a few leading into a tunnel that seemed to be angled upwards to the surface. There were many little train cars on the rails scattered here and there, though the most eye-catching of these was a fairly large train car that was basically a long cage and this flatbed a bit far off that was covered in animals that appeared to be asleep.

Whisper Wind stiffened and quickly darted out of sight when she saw several Diamond Dogs appear out of a tunnel entrance carrying the large mass of a limp Manticore. She carefully peeked out from behind the wall as they moved towards the flatbed covered in sleeping animals. Upon reaching the flatbed, the dogs then hoisted the Manticore over their heads and then unceremoniously threw the body on the flatbed with a loud thud.

“Careful!” shouted one dog, apparently having wanted to be more gentle with the slumbering beast. “Don’t want wake up. Was pain just catching, don’t to deal with fighting!”

“Nah, don’t need to be careful,” replied another dog who then purposefully poked a paw in the beast’s belly. “See? Is not waking ever again so no worry.”

“Why is that?” Asked the first dog. “Is given sleeping drink?”

“Nah, boss needed for something, an experiment I think.” Replied the other dog, scratching his head. “Anyways, is not waking up because is brain dead. Boss says to just chop em up for stew for all the packs when he done with em.”

“We do that now?”

“Nah, boss needs us to take cage back up to surface.” The other dog said and began walking off, motioning for the others to follow. “Hunting packs coming back with more animals so cage needs be ready. We go get train engine warmed up for pulling now then we come back and pull cage.”

Coming out of her hiding spot, Whisper Wind couldn’t help the shudder that ran down her spine at the thought of being rendered brain dead and then turned into stew. What the dogs said also confused her a little, back when she first arrived and was caught she heard the dogs refer to Emerald as the boss, yet when they talked about their boss just now they had used a ‘he’ instead of a ‘she’.

‘Maybe they are talking about the Gray Fox?’ Whisper mused. ‘Wouldn’t think such a dangerous pony like Emerald would tolerate somepony else being called boss as well. Anyway, let’s see if I can hitch a ride in that cage before those dogs come back.’

Walking over to the cage train carefully, Whisper peeked in and saw many, many old blankets and rugs covering the bottom of the cage, likely to provide the animals some sort of comfort before they were rendered brain dead and chopped up for some communal stew. Opening the cage gate, she closed it behind her and began moving around the blankets. She worked quickly, trying to create a bit of a lump that would hide her form yet wouldn’t be so conspicuous should the dogs return. Eventually she was satisfied enough with how she formed the blankets and rags, and carefully crawled under to await the return of the dogs with bated breath.

After half an hour of nervous waiting, Whisper heard the dogs approach with the recognizable noise of a train chugging which also had a metal clanging accompanying it. She managed to catch sight of the “train engine” the dogs were using to move around heavy loads on the rails through a small gap between the blankets.

It could be charitably called a train engine but it seemed more like a large repurposed furnace bolted onto a wagon whose wheels were replaced with metal ones. It also had an equally scavenged looking cart full of coal being pulled behind it. Overall it looked very patchwork and crude, and rather pathetic when compared to what Equestria had on its own railway network.

The engine made its way slowly across the rails as it had to give a dog enough time to run ahead of it and switch tracks for it until it was finally backed into the cage car Whisper was hiding in. The Dogs didn’t spare the cage another glance and simply quickly hooked it up to the engine before moving forwards again.

After a few moments of forward motion, Whisper suddenly felt her orientation change slightly as the engine started pulling the cage up the grade of the tunnel. The train started to chug louder and slower as it strained slightly to pull the load. Several minutes later Whisper felt the wind blow through a few gaps in the blankets and peeked out a bit.

She spied a small clearing that was apparently made that way via some dogs ripping trees out of the ground and pounding the soil till it was compact. Off in the distance she could make out some light from the woods and shouting at the edge of her hearing, almost drowned out by the loud chugging and clanging of the engine.

Eventually the train slowed down and began making some turns, moving forwards and backwards a few times before it finally stopped and Whisper heard the sound of the car being unhitched. She waited a few more minutes for the train to pull away and go back into the depths of the tunnel, then she finally crawled out from under the blankets, carefully scanning her surroundings as she did so.

There actually were some Diamond Dogs here in the clearing but they were some distance away and facing a campfire with some roasting meat over it, likely destroying their night vision from facing a bright light in the process. Seeing that, Whisper Wind got out of the cage car and moved quickly across the clearing towards the light she saw in the woods, staying close to the ground and hoping for the best.

The convict managed to reach the tree line with no problems a few moments later. She began making her way to the light and shouting she was hearing, curiosity raised irresistibly. She paused briefly when she got close enough to recognise the voice as belonging to Emerald but continued forward, staying even closer to the ground and moving slowly. Eventually she found herself lying beside a brush and peeking through a small gap to spy on what was going on.

“Come on! Faster than before!” Emerald shouted, pacing along the side of a course that dozens of dogs were running through. “Climb that wall! Swing those bars! Crawl through that mud! We are not stopping until you are all ready to fall over!”

‘She IS building an army!’ Whisper thought wide eyed as she took in what was very obviously a training course. ‘Holy hay… is there going to be a war? Crud, crud, crud, never mind the reward, the last thing that should happen is a war! I really have to get back as quickly as possible! Goddess condemn this clamp around my wings!’

Slowly crawling away from the view, she began sneaking through the underbrush, very much aware that Emerald was observant enough to spot her despite her talent with sneaking. After several heart pounding moments of hearing Emerald’s voice slowly growing more distant Whisper grew confident enough to rise off the ground and move faster. She moved quickly through the brush until she reached a small clearing, big enough that she could get a view of the distant horizon for landmarks like mountains.

‘Alright… good thing the moon is out or this would be a lot harder.’ Whisper thought and started scanning around her, but soon started frowning. ‘The hay… what mountain is that?! There aren’t any forested mountains near the Everfree! Crud! I knew the Everfree was weird but I still followed those dogs here! Goddess condemn it to Tartarus anyway! How in the world am I going to get out of here now?!’

After some panicked turning in place for several moments, Whisper Wind gave a shaky sigh and slumped her shoulders. She straightened out after a few moments and just started walking forward.

‘I know that the Everfree ends at some point,’ Whisper thought. ‘I’ll either get out somewhere near Ponyville, Saddle Lake, Rumbling Rock Ridge, Dodge Junction, Appleloosa or the Ghastly Gorge. As long as I walk straight ahead I’ll get out eventually.’

The convict began the long trek through the Everfree, knowing that she would get out eventually. The hours passed as she made her way through the menacing trees of the Everfree, each of which seemed to cast shadows just the right shape to create a snarling face upon their bark. At one point she had reached a large ravine with several bridges strung over it, but quickly distanced herself from it, due to the fact Diamond Dogs were swarming the bridges and walls of the ravine. However this act made her lose her sense of direction and before long she wasn’t even sure if she was moving in a straight line.

‘Where am I?!’ Whisper thought, gritting her teeth in growing despair. ‘Am I going in circles? Did I manage to circle around without knowing? The only thing I can do is keep moving…’

Whisper Wind soon found herself in a scenic clearing with one side of it against a cliff wall and several sticks and logs scattered around it. Looking to the sky and trying to remember which direction Luna made the moon move, Whisper suddenly froze. At the edge of her hearing she could hear the rustling of leaves as something moved through the brush. Thinking that some Everfree monster was bearing down on her, Whisper looked all around her, desperate for a close hiding spot. Seeing the cliff Whisper made out a crevice and ran towards it, hoping it was deep enough for her to squeeze into.

Just managing to squeeze into the opening, Whisper saw to her relief that the crevice continued into a space that was just big enough for her to stand upright in. Reaching the space, she then turned around and lied down on the ground before crawling forward so she could have a better view outside the crevice, but didn’t get too close to the opening.

The rustling grew louder and louder and before long Whisper saw an utterly massive shape appear through the brush that made her freeze in terror. It was a huge lion, at least ten feet tall at the shoulder lazily sounding within a thick brush before continuing forward. Suddenly there was a loud thud followed by loud cursing.

“Clumsy oaf!” Whisper heard a cultured voice curse. “Must you go under every low tree?!”

The massive lion huffed and continued forward, revealing the rest of his terrifying form. Upon the very middle of the lion’s back was a massive black furred goat head, just as big as the lion’s own head. The lion’s body seemed to be equally composed of black goat fur and the lion’s own coat with its hind legs looking like a goat’s. Then the tail made its appearance and Whisper Wind had to cover her mouth to keep herself from screaming. It was a massive snake with a thick body and head only just a bit smaller than the goat’s. The snake loomed over the goat head and made little hissing sounds that sounded suspiciously like laughter as green smog drifted from its mouth.

“Must you mock me with your range of movement?” The goat asked in irritation. “And why are we here at all? Home is that way!”

The lion rumbled lowly and began sniffing the air.

“You smell something?!” The goat stated incredulously. “You just ate you insatiable glutton! I want to go home!”

The lion huffed with a roll of its eyes before turning away from the clearing and heading back into the brush.

“And avoid the branches this tim- GAAH!” The goat began before shouting as a loud thud sounded followed by hissing laughter.

Whisper waited for several moments before suddenly gasping for breath and panting, not realizing that she had been holding her breath when the lion made its full appearance. Holding a hoof against her chest and feeling her pounding heart, Whisper decided to spend the night in the safety of the crevice. Crawling backwards until she was back in the space, Whisper then curled up before moving and shifting around until she was as comfortable as she could get. After an hour, Whisper had finally calmed down to the point where she could fall asleep which she then did.

The convict didn’t know how long she had slept exactly but the entrance of the crevice had apparently been facing the rising sun, which had woken her. She wished she hadn’t been awoken though as she felt a great ache in her chest that seemed to grow as she got up and squeezed out of the crevice.

She had only taken a few steps into the middle of the field when the pain grew too great and she fell to the ground. Curled up in an agonized ball and clutching at her chest, Whisper released a small, pained sob.

‘Ow… why am I in so much pain?!’ Whisper thought in pain stricken panic. ‘Dear goddess it hurts… I wanna go home…’

“You don’t look well,” said a voice that made Whisper want to give a despairing cry at the unfairness of it all.

Looking up, she saw Emerald Gleaner sitting a mere foot away from her, with Diamond Dog guards completely surrounding her. The “Secret Alicorn” was looking down at Whisper in fascination, rather than any sort of anger at the mare for escaping, a notepad floating in the air beside her with a pen scribbling away.

“Everything seems to be happening as it should, no unintended side effects so far…” Emerald muttered and hummed in thought as she stared down at Whisper with piercing eyes.

“You…” Whisper Wind gasped in both pain and realization. “What did you do to me… oh goddess.”

“Well, long story short I gave you a disease.” Emerald replied. “I spiked your food with it about twenty four hours ago, which happens to be its dormancy period, after which the victim starts suffering symptoms. Intense pain as the disease begins ravaging the organs and causing internal bleeding, needless to say it isn’t going to be long before your condition becomes fatal.”

“But fortunately there is a means of stopping this…” Emerald stated just as Whisper was about to break into tears from Emerald appearing to condemn her to a slow agonizing death. “It isn’t a cure though, it’s more of a depressant for the disease. Basically it causes it to go back into dormancy and gives you another twenty four hours of freedom from its attack on your body.”

A vial containing a clear blue liquid floated over to Whisper Wind and she wordlessly grasped it and quickly uncorked it. Quickly pouring the contents of the vial down her throat Whisper couldn’t help but sigh in relief from the almost instantaneous end to the pain.

“Know that I am the only one that can make the depressant,” Emerald said, regaining the convict’s attention. “So if you escape again I will not bother tracking you down and will just leave you for dead, which you will be after twenty four hours… if the local wildlife doesn’t get you first anyways. Do you understand me?”

“I… understand.” Whisper said sitting upright, her eyes downcast.

‘Is this really going to be the rest of my life?’ Whisper thought, tears rolling down her face. ‘Kept in a small cage underground with a hay bale as a bed, given gruel for food… never able to fly again…’

“No, there is no need for that.” Emerald said in response to Whisper’s visual despair. “If you behave I’ll let you have some privileges, like being outside your cell for instance. And if you stay well behaved I’ll even have that clamp of yours removed and give you the chance to fly again. Of course, even then I’ll be making sure you won’t just fly off.”

“Alright. All of you take her back to her cell.” Emerald commanded the dogs.

“Right boss, comere pony.” Said one of the dogs.

Whisper Wind didn’t bother to give the smallest form of resistance and let the dogs lead her away from the clearing.

‘Well there is one problem taken care of indefinitely.’ Oskar thought as she watched all the dogs lead Whisper away. ‘She’ll not be acting up I think and even if she tries to break out again the only way she’ll survive long is if she steals some of the depressant. No chance of that happening since I only make them when she needs them… though I’ll need a secure area for the dogs to keep extras, I may end up doing something that needs my constant attention and not be able to make a long range teleport… I’ve never noticed how peaceful this place is.’

Oskar couldn’t help the smile that appeared on her face when she took in her surroundings of the Everfree forest. The place was considered unnatural by all and dangerous as can be. Even the Diamond Dogs didn’t like being in it all that much, though the constant exposure helped, but the Evolved didn’t feel disturbed by it. She actually relaxed here, at peace… home.

‘… Infestation…’

“Who’s there!” Oskar shouted, scanning her surroundings.

‘… Sickness…’

Oskar narrowed her eyes as she took in her surroundings, trying to find her observer. She then sent out a viral pulse in an attempt to find him, but when she did the pulse went out and almost instantly came back. Not knowing how to take this and having heard nothing from her unseen observer, Oskar decided to teleport away.

Several moments after the fake unicorn disappeared with a pink flash, the sticks and logs on the ground started dragging and rolling away, eventually disappearing into the brush.

ALPHA

“Are you sure you don’t want to come along?” Twilight asked. “You did say you wanted to come along on our adventures.”

“I’m sure, I have a meeting today with a few important ponies plus I’d hardly call a tree delivery an adventure,” Oskar replied, little Navi perched on her ear wearing a little bowler and red scarf.

Oskar was currently at Ponyville’s train station with the Mane Six. Applejack was taking one of her apple trees to Appleloosa after some relative of hers asked for one. The others decided to tag along and see the colonial town living on the fringe of Equestrian territory and had asked the virus if she wanted to come as well. But Oskar did have something she couldn’t miss, like the aforementioned meeting with some ponies, and she considered that a bit more important than delivering a tree to some fringe town.

“Yeah, that’s true,” Twilight admitted with a nod. “Well when something exciting comes up we’ll have the time of our lives.”

“Yeah we will.” Oskar smiled and held up her hoof which Twilight pressed her own against.

“Good luck on your meeting Emerald,” Twilight said before turning around and going on the train.

“See ya Emmy!” Pinkie shouted over the whistle and slow chug of the pulling away train, waving a white handkerchief at the virus.

“Bye!”

“See you later Darling!”

“See all of you soon!” Oskar shouted back, waving her hoof in the air with Navi trilling excitedly and hopping on the tip of the virus’ ear.

Watching the train speed off into the distance for a few moments longer, Oskar then charged up a teleport and arrived back at the library a second later.

‘Let’s see… that company CEO should be arriving within an hour or so.’ Oskar thought. ‘That leaves me with some time to waste waiting for him. Well let’s be productive shall we? I think I’ll spend that time stress testing my teleporting. Right, let's see how many teleports I can do before he arrives.’

“Go over on that desk, Navi.” Oskar told her pet. “I’m going to be practicing my teleporting for a bit.”

Trilling a reply, Navi did as told and buzzed over to a desk and sat down to watch Oskar practice her magic.

It began a little slowly as Oskar did the magical equivalent of warm-ups. Then the teleports sped up from one every few seconds to one every second, and as she pushed her skill to its upper limit, it grew to one every half-second. This hectic pace of blinding flashing magical lights kept up for a full ten minutes before quite abruptly her speed started dying off.

Oskar slowed down to one teleport every few seconds and kept up that pace for another ten minutes before she stopped completely. The virus took deep breaths as she took a seat at the desk Navi was happily and hyperactively bouncing on.

‘Right let’s settle down a bit, he’ll be here in a few minutes and I’d want to look presentable.’ Oskar thought, having tracked the business pony via a viral pulse. ‘Equestria or not, a business deal can be made or broken if you aren’t presentable for it.’

The drain of the rapid fire teleportation session was rather great and the Evolved didn’t have much chance of recovering all of the spent energy in a few minutes. She didn’t need to though, Oskar only needed to recover enough so that her chest wasn’t slightly heaving from the impromptu workout and that was more than manageable. Eventually her appointment arrived.

“Coming!” Oskar shouted and teleported to the door.

“Ah, good day to you Miss Gleaner,” greeted a rather young and fresh faced Earth Pony. He had a bluish gray coat and a brown mane, and wore a dark blue dress coat with tie and dress shirt. At his side was a unicorn with thick coke bottle glasses, a mint green coat, a white mane, and wore a dark brown suit. “It’s very nice to finally meet you!”

“And it’s nice to meet you as well, Mr. Look.” Oskar smiled before stepping aside and motioning them in. “Come in, come in. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea?”

“Some coffee will do very nicely, thank you,” Look said.

“Green tea for me,” The unicorn stated with an adjustment of his glasses.

“Okay, the living room is the first door on your left,” Oskar replied cheerfully. “Make yourselves at home and I’ll bring you your drinks.”

Guessing that simply teleporting to the kitchen and back to the living room would be breaking some form of etiquette, Oskar simply walked there. Upon arriving, she quickly boiled some water with her fire breath and mixing in the coffee grounds and tea leaves. Giving a quick taste to each to make sure neither was off, she then walked back to the living room, cups levitating along behind her.

When she arrived, she saw that Navi had taken it upon herself to meet the new ponies in her home, now sitting upon Look’s upheld hoof. Trilling happily, the little bug then took flight upon seeing Oskar and buzzed around her head before diving into her mane, burying herself in for a moment before sticking her face out with a little cheerful smile.

“What an adorable little creature!” Look stated. “What is it?”

“Navi is a Parasprite,” Oskar replied, walking over to the couches where the two were sitting. “I wouldn’t advise getting one as a pet without being ready for the responsibilities though. Parasprites reproduce by eating food and even when that ability has been taken away their appetite doesn’t fade, which means they end up throwing up… waste, a lot. So teaching them some restraint after taking away the reproduction problem is the first thing you have to do, and you can’t really stop there.”

“Sounds like she is a lot of work,” The unicorn remarked.

“She can be troublesome at times… though I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Oskar replied, eliciting a happy trill from Navi. “Well gentlecolts, shall we move onto business?”

“Of course,” Look said, taking a drink of his coffee. “Now Miss Gleaner, I am glad- no, thrilled that you are willing to invest in our business, but I am also wondering why a pony such as yourself would be interested in this sort of industry? I’d think a model would want to be associated with more glamorous businesses.”

“I like to think of myself as a forward thinking mare,” Oskar said as she took her own seat on an opposite couch. “I can see a lot of potential in mass production, though the traditionalists don’t. I know all the criticisms of the industry: it’s taking away jobs, the most effective means of powering it requires dirtying the air, producing the machines is an expensive process that requires materials that are also environmentally unfriendly. But I also know that for all its negatives this industry has immense promise of growth. The traditionalists like to ramble on about how Equestria doesn’t rely on the machine industry but the statistics show that a loss of but a few factories is affecting the economy. This trend implies for all the bluster about the evils of “Dirty Industry” ponies still go to them for cheap inexpensive goods versus the pricey hoof made equivalent. What I’m saying is that I know what I am getting into, Mr. Look.”

“Ah, call me Over Look, Miss Gleaner.” The business pony smiled. “Might I say that is a very progressive attitude you have.”

“You may call me Emerald then, and thank you,” Oskar replied with a smile.

“I am actually surprised you would still want to do business with us since you do know about those robberies,” Over Look said honestly. “That fact alone is scaring off investors and skilled workers. Thank Celestia my factory in Manehattan wasn’t hit.”

“Investment in the first place is a bit of a risky business,” Oskar replied casually. “And I’m more than willing to gamble on your company, Over Look.”

“And I’m extraordinarily grateful Emerald!” Over Look said excitedly as he took out some papers and began looking over them. “With you backing us, we should be able to drum up more business simply from being associated with you.”

‘He is rather new at this isn’t he?’ Oskar thought. ‘He just gave me a lot of negotiating leverage right there.’

“Indeed. Now let’s look at some numbers shall we?” Oskar asked.

“Here are the current market prices for our company’s shares,” the unicorn said, levitating over a piece of paper. “Shall I explain the stock market for you?”

“No thanks, I am well aware of how this works,” the virus replied before examining the paper.

‘Hmm… according to this I could own about forty five percent of the company… if I’m willing to spend everything I’ve earned.’ Oskar thought frowning internally. ‘Not bad actually. That’s fairly cheap for a company like this. Still… I would like to have some savings, plus being a minority shareholder isn’t all that great. Hmm… I’ve got an idea. He wants to be associated with me? Fine. But I shall get maximum benefit out of it.’

“Well I’ve decided to buy about forty percent of your shares.” Oskar said, floating the paper back.

“That’s fantastic!” Over Look replied.

“But I would like to have more, at least eleven percent more,” the Evolved added. “I have a business proposition you may be very interested in Over Look.”

“Really? Go on, I’m very intrigued in what you have to say,” Over Look stated and leaned forwards a little eagerly.

“In exchange for at least eleven more shares I would be very willing to pose in your company’s advertisements,” Oskar stated. “Free of charge.”

“Deal!” Over Look said immediately just before the unicorn was about to speak up. “This is a massive advantage Emerald thank you! With your name and face on our ads, we’ll be sure to grow!”

“Ahem, of course this does mean you are now the majority shareholder and effectively own the company,” the unicorn said to Oskar while shooting a disapproving look over his glasses at Over Look.

“Ah… I forgot about that.” Over Look stated, looking a little worried as he realized he just handed over the reins of his company on impulse.

“Nothing to worry about gentlecolts, it’ll be business as usual,” Oskar stated. “I just wanted to make sure that I gain a profit on a daily basis with our business deal as well. And don’t worry, I don’t expect some massive pay roll for being majority shareholder. Anyway, when shall I come in for photo shoots?”

“Well… we need to set up a few things first. Rent a studio, hire a photographer…” the unicorn began.

The next hour and a half was filled with business conversation and talk of the many photo shoots Oskar would be posing for. Though Oskar was setting up something that would hopefully pay off big should things work out the way she planned, it was still rather stale, as a snoozing Navi attested. Eventually the meeting came to an end, and though Over Look was rather disappointed in losing total control of his company via impulsive decision, he was still rather happy with the potential financial outlook of the future.

“I shall be seeing you in a week Emerald,” Over Look stated as he and his aide walked out the door. “I look forward to the projected increase in contracts when we get those ads out into the public.”

“I look forward to a bright, industrious, and most of all profitable future,” Oskar replied. “Something we both agree on I believe.”

“Indeed, until then.”

With that, the two ponies left and Oskar gave a small satisfied smile.

‘That went well,’ The Evolved thought. ‘Ponies aren’t too used to others outright trying to take advantage of them. Here I was expecting to only be able to buy a fraction of the shares and have to network with the other shareholders so I could manipulate them to get what I want. Now that I don’t have to, everything will go a bit faster and easier. Now… what to do? I guess I could rest up a bit more and start practicing my teleporting again…’

It was then that Oskar happened to look out the window and see several ponies walking by. It was her other friends, Lyra, Bon Bon, Time Turner and Rose Locks out on a walk somewhere, or maybe just walking around town. Oskar barely spared a moment to ponder before she decided to head out and see if she could join them.

With that, the virus walked out the door, Navi still snoozing in her mane.

BETA

“There it is lads,” Oskar said in his Gray Fox persona, “Las Pegasus. This is where we’ll be looting next.”

It was noon, about two days later. Oskar had taken a group of Diamond Dog Alphas to scout out the next city on their list, doing so from the summit of the mountain with the Applewood sign. Twilight and the others hadn’t returned from their apple tree delivery just yet, and while Oskar was beginning to feel worried about it, she trusted her to be able to get through whatever situation she had gotten into just fine.

“Shiny,” Bluno commented as he used a stolen telescope to spy the city below. Las Pegasus was basically a far more tamer version of Las Vegas. There was singing, dancing, partying from dusk till dawn, but the lack of sure debauchery made the place just seem really lively. It had a massive array of lit up signs as well, though most of them were off during the day. The one thing that really helped differentiate Las Pegasus from Las Vegas though was the many city blocks made of clouds floating overhead, the pegasi housing and entertainment. “I think I find industrial area.”

“I think I found, mate,” Oskar corrected absently and spied the city with his own powerful eyes. “And yes that there is the industrial quarter. Notice all the Royal Guard wandering around? Slight chance we may have angered the power that be methinks.”

“The ponies are keeping close watch on factories.” Belvedere stated as he did his own spying with a telescope. “They will catch us stealing even faster than last time and boys aren’t ready for heavy fighting yet.”

“Right you are mate,” Oskar replied as he scanned over the city. “What we need is a distraction…”

The virus searched the city for anything that could be of use in creating a distraction, but also made note of several factories, particularly those belonging to the company he pretty much owned, ‘New Paradigm’.

“See the factories with the triangle within a circle symbols on em?” Oskar asked. “Those are factories we are ignoring. In fact, just had an idea, not only are we going to be stealing from some factories, we are going to just bust into some, purely to break stuff.”

“Mentioned you own a pony business now…” Belvedere stated in thought. “Getting rid of competition?”

“Real good head on your shoulders mate,” Oskar complimented as he narrowed his eyes at something that caught his attention. “Wait a tic, notice all those posters everywhere? Those look like sports advertisements. From what I can see… it appears we have our distraction lads!”

“What’s the plan boss?” Bluno asked.

“I’ll tell all of you about it when we get back, savvy?” Oskar said, moving away from the ledge. “Let’s head back into the tunnel. I’ll teleport us the rest of the way.”

With that, the group followed their viral leader into the tunnel. A flash emitted from within the hole a few moments later, the angle keeping it from being spotted by the ponies who lived in the city below.

GAMMA

“Yay! Almost home!” Pinkie cheered, bouncing on her seat whilst wearing her saloon girl outfit, which she had refused to take off for some reason.

Twilight smiled at her friend’s antics as she watched Ponyville become closer with every moment. It had been a rather exciting few days. What had at first purely been an apple tree delivery turned into a rescue mission, then a negotiation of grievances, and finally an all-out battle between the local Buffalo and the settler ponies. Thankfully it all ended up getting resolved fairly well when the Buffalo Chief had unintentionally taken a bite out of some apple pie and decided to share the land, which Pinkie had been a bit annoyed about as that was what she had suggested, though in a form that no one seemed to take seriously. They had also ended up staying a few extra days afterwards to help fix up the town as well as move around apple trees off the ancestral Buffalo running grounds.

The violet unicorn smiled brightly when she saw the train platform approach. Sitting on it, waiting patiently, was Emerald and her pet Navi happily buzzing in the air. Spike had sent a letter ahead of them, telling Emerald they would be in today and also informing the unicorn of everything that happened during what was supposed to be a simple apple tree delivery.

Wheels screeching from the brakes, the train slowed to a stop into the train station. The Mane Six got up and off immediately. Having only expected a short trip, they had little in the way of luggage.

“Hey there Emmy!” Pinkie greeted as she cheerfully bounced onto the platform. “We’re home! Didja miss us?!”

“Why are you dressed like a wild west prostitute?” Emerald asked with a raised brow as she took in Pinkie’s outfit.

“A wild what? What in tarnation is a prostitute?” Applejack asked.

“I’m rather confused as well. I’ve never heard that word before,” Twilight stated with a tilt of her head. “What is it and what does it mean Emerald?”

Suddenly the unicorn in question appeared incredibly embarrassed. “Umm… uh what does prostitute mean? Oh uhhhh…. Crud.”

“It means ‘crud’? Quite an odd alternative word if I do say so myself,” Rarity commented.

“No, that’s not what it means…. It means, ummm…” Emerald began rubbing the back of her head and looking to be at a total loss of what to do.

“What’s wrong Emerald? Aren’t you going to tell us what the word means?” Twilight asked.

“I’m… going to be at the library if anypony needs me,” Emerald replied and teleported a second later.

“Well something’s mighty off about that,” Applejack commented before shaking her head. “Whelp Ah’m off to the farm, gotta check in with family and catch up on chores.”

“I’m going to go see if my building materials have arrived yet before checking up on Angel and the animals,” Fluttershy said as well and walked off. “Hopefully I won’t be too delayed by fanponies…”

“I’ve likely got a backlog of orders to work through, best be off to handle that,” Rarity added. “Have a good day darlings!”

“I wanna show off my prostitute clothes to the cakes and everypony else!” Pinkie said, adopting Emerald’s strange name for her outfit with nary an afterthought before darting off to do just what she said.

“Meh… that comfy cloud up there has my name up on it,” Rainbow Dash said with a shrug. “Time to catch up on my afternoon naps, see ya Twi!”

Seeing that all her friends were off to handle their own business, Twilight decided to emulate Emerald a bit and teleported directly home. Arriving in the library with a purple flash, Twilight took stock of her surroundings and saw that Emerald wasn’t there. However there were a lot of flashing lights coming from the kitchen accompanied by the sound of clanging pots and pans.

Thinking that her friend was busy baking again, something Twilight was loath to interrupt for love of delicious pastries, the studious unicorn decided to take it upon herself to study and find the meaning of Emerald’s word.

Walking over to a bookcase, Twilight scanned over the books before pulling out the largest and most complete dictionary in her collection. Taking a seat at a desk she then opened the massive dictionary before her and flipped to the ‘P’ section. She had expected to find it right away as she was carefully moving through each word but soon found herself in the next section without finding it.

‘Prost, prostate, prosthesis, prosthetics but no prostitute.’ Twilight thought in irritation. ‘Where in the world is it? Do I just keep overlooking it? It doesn’t seem like that much of an inconspicuous word… maybe this one just doesn’t have ‘prostitute’ in it? Okay let’s check the others then.’

Curiosity raised and nothing much better to do, Twilight set about trying to find the word prostitute in other dictionary publications, thinking it was just a really obscure word. She was about through with her second dictionary when a rather irritated Spike suddenly walked into the room.

“Uhhh Twilight?” The baby dragon began crossly. “I think you kind of forgot about me when you teleported from the train station.”

“Oh no, I’m really sorry Spike,” Twilight said somewhat absently, most of her attention on the book before her. “You wouldn’t happen to know what prostitute means do you?”

“No I don’t,” Spike said with a facepalm. “… I’m just going to go to the living room.”

“Sure thing Spike,” Twilight said as she opened up her next dictionary. “Would you kindly get me those other dictionaries? Spike? Oh… where did he go?”

It was about an hour later that Twilight finally gave up with a huff after finally searching through all the ‘P’ sections of her dictionaries.

‘Honestly it was a bit of a long shot now that I think about it…’ Twilight thought to herself. ‘Emerald is from a foreign land so the word could very well be part of a different language. It could very well even be slang in that language. Of course it could very well be some new word that started circulating around the town and Emerald just found herself embarrassed from unintentionally using it.’

It was here that Emerald finally came out of the kitchen and, despite her own formidable beauty, she looked terrible. Covered in patches of flowers and splotches of various cooking ingredients, Emerald Gleaner looked the part of a mischievous child that managed to get into the pantry to play.

“Wow Emerald… did you have an accident?” Twilight asked with some concern, mostly for what the other unicorn was making though.

“Nope! I was practicing my magic,” Emerald replied cheerfully.

“I thought you had good telekinetic control?” Twilight asked, getting up from her seat and approaching the other mare. “How did you make such a big mess of yourself?”

“I wasn’t using telekinesis though,” Emerald replied, “I was teleporting ingredients around instead… I’m not very good at it, honestly.”

“That sounds very challenging… and fascinating.” Twilight said in interest. “You’re really working at getting very good at teleporting aren’t you?”

“Yeah, if you see Spike tell him not to worry about cleaning the kitchen okay? I’ll handle it,” Emerald said.

“Sure… by the way Emerald,” Twilight said as the unicorn turned to go back into the kitchen. “I tried finding that word you said in one of my dictionaries but I couldn’t manage it. Is it a word from a different language? Foreign slang perhaps?”

“Uhh… well it can be considered foreign and slang I suppose.” Emerald admitted in embarrassment.

“Won’t you tell me what it means?”

“Nope!” Emerald said with a definite shake of her head. “I can’t believe I let it slip out in the first place.”

“Hey Sweetie Belle! Do you like my prostitute’s outfit?” The two unicorns heard Pinkie Pie shout from outside.

“Oh yes it’s so pretty! Can I be a prostitute too?”

“Sure!” Pinkie answered cheerfully. “Let’s go see your sister! We’ll ask her if she can make you an outfit too!”

“Yay!”

Emerald became stiff as a board and her eyes widened for a few moments before looking at Twilight.

“Gotta go,” The mare said before quickly teleporting away.

Twilight blinked at her friend’s sudden departure, still curious about what the word meant and disappointed she did not find out.

DELTA

“Greetings and welcome fine ponies of Las Pegasus!” a voice boomed loudly. “It’s a fine day, not a cloud in the sky, not too windy, not too cold, not too hot. Perfect soccer weather if you ask me!”

It was the day of the big sports tournament in Las Pegasus, and being the fun loving city it was meant to be, the stadium was utterly packed with ponies, some even having to just sit out on the floor, though they didn’t mind it at all. The stadium itself was a thing of modern technology. Being in a society that had full control of the weather meant that the organizers just had to look up the weather schedule to determine when the best time was to have the game. However, Las Pegasus wasn’t the type of city to just wait for a good sunny day for some fun. After all, if it was a rainy day then one just moved the party inside and applied that logic to a specially built sports stadium. Not that they couldn’t just negotiate with the local weather teams or plan around the weather, the mentality of fun loving Las Pegasus meant that organizers often had to make sure events happened as quickly as possible no matter the weather.

With a retractable ceiling for those bad weather days and a team of earth ponies on hand to rapidly replace turf, any game could be played and spectated in any weather.

“Today’s game has Las Pegasus’ very own Party Animals versus the Canterlot Colonials!” the announcer pony said, a pegasus with a headset, sunglasses and a black suit floating around on a cloud. “With the home advantage can our Party Animal- GAAAH!”

As the announcer floated near the seats a shape suddenly leapt out and towards him, tackling him off the cloud and to the ground below. Ponies screamed and shouted in alarm at this but whatever had tackled the announcer spun something long above its head and managed to slow its fall. Landing fairly softly on the ground, it simply reached down and took the announcer's headset and walked towards the middle of the field. And that is when the spectating crowds got a good look at it.

Fumbling a little with a headset specially designed for a pony, the Gray Fox managed to put it on before tapping on the microphone, both gaining the attention of what few ponies that weren’t looking and quieting them.

“Hello friends!” the Gray Fox greeted with a jaunty wave of his hand. “I am the infamous king of thieves himself, the Gray Fox… how are all of ya!?”

Shocked whispers and buzzes of conversation met this proclamation, but not everyone reacted that way. On the sidelines of the playing field were many reporters who had been sent to cover the game, they weren’t exactly the best of their paper’s reporters, being the new guy sent to report on mundane things. However that didn’t mean they weren't willing to take any opportunity to improve on their lot in life, and who they saw standing in the very middle of the field was an opportunity to do just that.

Reporters galloped onto the field, those that were unicorns simply teleported right next to the infamous criminal. Despite being few in number those unicorns still managed to drown themselves out with rapid fire questions as notepads and quills levitated in the air, ready to record anything he said. The deafening flow of questions only grew worse as the other reporters arrived and several photographers began taking shots like crazy of the vulpine criminal. The Gray Fox seemed content to simply let them be for a few moments, smiling toothily at the reporters around him before he raised both hands and somehow quieted the lot of them. Then he raised a pointed finger and scanned over the small crowd of reporters for a moment.

“And… you, the bonny lass,” The Gray Fox said, pointing to a pegasus mare.

“Oh ahem… Gray Fox how did you become the leader of the Diamond Dogs?” the slightly blushing mare asked.

“Ah now there is a proper action packed tale,” the Gray Fox said, still wearing the headset and therefore allowing everyone in the stadium to hear him as well. “Well it all began several months ago when I decided to get me a crew…”

EPSILON

Shining Armor was on patrol alongside his own Royal Guards around a factory. Since he had a lot more resources to work with now, he was capable of covering pretty much all the factories, ensuring those that weren’t were watched and would get reinforcements quickly if raided. He was definitely more confident of countering the Gray Fox this time, but was much more wary. The Fox had proven himself to be both dangerous and crafty in the past, and Armor was well aware he may have something planned.

But so far the guarding of the factories seemed more a test of patience than of mettle. It had been quite some time since the raids on the factories in Manehattan and Shining Armor had expected the Gray Fox to have done something by now.

“Captain Armor! Captain Armor!” Shining heard someone shout and turned to see a pegasus guard diving out of the sky.

‘Now is the time!’ Armor thought, tensing up as the pegasus landed before him.

“Is it the Gray fox? Has he attacked another factory?!” Armor asked.

“It is the Gray Fox sir, but other than one announcer he hasn’t assaulted anyone or anything,” the pegasus answered.

“What?” Armor said incredulously. “Where is he, what is he doing?”

“He is in the Las Pegasus stadium sir,” the guard replied. “So far he has only stolen a headset from the announcer and is now answering questions the press has for him.”

“What is his game…?” Armor muttered in thought. “Send messages to all Royal Guard units. We shall group together before attempting to apprehend him. The Gray Fox wouldn’t appear out in the open like this if he didn’t have some sort of plan.”

“Right sir!” The pegasus guard said with a smart salute before flying off to fulfill his orders.

It didn’t take Armor’s group long to reach his designated location a short distance from the stadium, but he was the first, and in the Captain of the Guard’s mind the others weren’t fast enough. It was incredibly frustrating for him to be this close to the Gray Fox, to actually hear his voice talking over the speakers of the stadium, yet simply sit and wait for others to arrive. He knew this was needed though, the only things the Diamond Dogs had going for them in a head on brawl was numbers, their digging ability and the fighting skill of the Gray Fox himself. If this was a trap of some sort then the dogs would have surprise alongside their numbers, and while they were terrible fighters, they were excellent ambushers.

Finally after what seemed like far too long to Armor, the other Royal Guard detachments began arriving. Waiting ever so impatiently as their quarry basked in the attention of the media, Armor finally ordered the charge when their combined force reached five hundred.

Unicorns teleported directly onto the playing field and pegasi flew up and through the roof, while the earth ponies appeared in the stands and galloped down onto the field.

“… and they made me their boss,” Armor heard the Gray Fox finish before turning to look at him with a smug smile. “Why hello there Mr. Armor! Fancy meeting you here… did you want my autograph mate? Amazing how famous I’ve become, maybe I ought to make some t-shirts with my face on them, savvy?”

“Gray Fox, you are surrounded!” Armor shouted. “Surrender peacefully and no harm will come to you!”

“Actually Captain Armor I am the one to have you surrounded…” the Gray Fox said and the guards took his claim utterly seriously, looking all around them and preparing for the Diamond Dogs to burst out of the ground until the Fox pointed towards the ceiling with his staff. “At least from this side.”

The gems on the staff suddenly glowed brightly and explosions resounded loudly within the stadium. Armor stared upwards at the retractable ceiling as the crowd started screaming in panic. There were several large scorch marks from black powder going off, but nothing near enough to threaten the building’s integrity. The fact that the explosions did nothing didn’t mean anything, they still sent a very clear message.

‘He has far more powerful explosives than black powder at his disposal.’ Armor though as he grit his teeth in anxiety. ‘If he wanted to he could basically bring the ceiling down on all of us. We are now all his hostages… he got me again… BUCKING TARTARUS!’

“Now don’t be alarmed!” The Gray Fox said to the panicking masses of ponies around him, the reporters having taken off the moment they realized that the Fox was actually quite dangerous. “While I DO have the entire place rigged to blow up to Celestia’s Sun, I am not holding you captive. None of you innocent bystanders anyway. No, I am more concerned about the Royal Guards not going anywhere, ey? So all of you can take right off but if any of you guards try to do the same, kaboom.”

Again, Armor and the Royal Guards took this claim seriously. Even though they knew the Gray Fox was standing in the middle of the field, and therefore in the center of the explosions, they also suspected he had a way to not be harmed by his own explosions, likely to do with how different his staff looked again.

Ponies ran away and quickly emptied the stands, but the Royal Guard stayed in face of the threat they faced. A long silent moment passed then, filled only with the Gray Fox’s soft humming heard via the headset he still wore. The guards waited, thinking that the Gray Fox was going to issue a command or demand something but nothing happened. The Fox just stood there leaning on his staff, wearing his now iconic long coat and cuirass. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting and the Fox continuing to softly hum over the speakers Armor stepped forward and came to a stop before the criminal.

“Yeah, you need something Captain Armor?” The Gray Fox said.

“Who are you?” Armor asked. “Why did you come to Equestria?”

“Who am I? Well if you really want then you can call me Jack McCloud mate.” The Gray Fox smiled. “As for why I am here… well I don’t even know the how let alone the why mate.”

“You don’t know how you got here?”

“Yep, but I decided not to let it bother me,” Jack said with a shrug and flick of his ear. “I’m here, I have many opportunities, I’m making lots of friends, I’ll bother with the why and how when I’m done being all I can be.”

“You being yourself is costing ponies their livelihoods!” Armor said with a scowl.

“Well that is a right shame innit?” Jack said and pulled up a coat sleeve to glance at a non-existent watch. “Well it’s time I made my daring escape wouldn’t you say?”

With that, the Gray Fox raised his staff to the ceiling and both gems glowed brightly. Explosions rang throughout the stadium roof, and this time they weren’t overgrown firecrackers, but the powerful untraceable explosive made by the Gray Fox himself.

Shining Armor turned his attention to the falling pieces of roof, ready to cast his shielding spell at a moment’s notice to save any guards from the debris. But the more he looked the more Armor realized that the explosions that went off were over areas that had few or didn’t have guards at all, the few that were in harm's way were more than able to jump out of it. Armor turned to where the Gray Fox was and saw that he had taken the advantage of the panic his explosives caused to run past guards and into the halls of the stadium.

“Quickly! Regroup and after him!” Armor commanded his scattered Royal Guard.

Armor and the unicorn guards quickly teleported outside the stadium and the pegasi flew out via the ceiling and kept watch overhead as the earth ponies galloped into the halls, intent on trying to find the Gray Fox in them. For a long moment, Shining Armor thought that the Gray Fox was already out into the city when the criminal himself came flying out a window on the third story.

Spinning his staff over his head, the Gray Fox somehow slowed his descent enough to impact the ground without hurting himself, then he quickly burst forward in a display of speed that was still surprising to Shining Armor. Shaking his head clear, Armor made after the Fox and his Royal Guard followed suit.

Turning a corner, Armor saw that they were now on a large street with many flashing signs and one animatronic one of a stallion kicking his forelegs. The Gray Fox was running along the street when one of the ponies decided to try to help the guards and attempted to tackle the fox. Fearing the worst, Armor was surprised when the Fox just tripped up the earth pony and leapt up to one of the many signs darting the sides of the buildings. As he bounded along the signs, a few pegasi made to dive at him when he jumped and swung from the animatronic sign. The sudden weight seemed to cause the inner workings of the sign to malfunction and make the kicking forelegs drop suddenly. The pegasi guards did not see this coming and ended up flying headfirst into it. The Fox’s luck didn’t hold up however and one of the next signs he bounded to couldn’t support his weight and broke, spilling him to the ground where he rolled back to his feet and quickly darted down an alley.

Several earth pony guards managed to reach the alley before Armor and were about to run down it when the Gray Fox came running back out and bowled them over.

“Whoops, dead end!” Jack said as he sprinted with his odd, off-balanced run.

The Fox’s short little trip down the dead end alley didn’t do him any favors as it allowed many Royal Guards to catch up and more to run ahead in an attempt to cut off the Gray Fox. As it was, Jack now had Royal Guards right on his heels and even more ahead of him to deal with. Whether or not he was concerned with the guards closing in around him, he definitely didn’t show it.

Another corner was turned to see a line of earth ponies covering the entire width of the street with gaps between their numbers being far too small for even the Gray Fox to slip. Undaunted, their vulpine quarry charged ahead.

“Halt!” Shouted one of the earth pony guards, but prepared anyway to face the Fox in combat.

Now only a few feet from the line of ponies, Jack struck out with his staff, not at the guards but at the ground. End of the staff stabbing into the street, the Gray Fox pole vaulted over the ponies and hit the ground running. To their credit, the earth ponies only paused for the briefest of moments before galloping off after the Fox.

Down another street with bystanders scattering out of the way, a pegasus made to dive at Jack, only for the criminal to jump up into the air at the last second and bring his staff down, sending the pegasus crashing into the pavement. Hitting the ground running yet again, the Gray Fox continued his mad sprint towards an intersection.

Suddenly, a cart appeared at the intersection. It was large, carrying a tank containing some liquid and needed at least six earth ponies to pull it along at a comfortable pace along the street. As everyone neared, a label on the side of the tank could be seen, a white stencil of a bowl of fruit. The Gray Fox leapt forward, now holding his staff like a spear and buried the slight point it had on the ends into the tank, causing a pinkish red liquid to start spurting out. Jack clambered over the tank and was somehow able to drag his staff along the metal and cause a massive rent in the side of the tank, spilling forth gallons and gallons of juice. More than a few Royal Guards were taken by surprise by this action, and were briefly swept away while the rest slowed to a stop. Armor and the unicorns teleported ahead while the pegasi flew overhead.

As he continued on his gallop after the Gray Fox, Armor briefly thought of simply surrounding him with unicorn guards via teleporting but quickly discarded the idea. Unicorns were trained for melee just like the others but they weren’t as good at it as the earth ponies and most of the time stuck to long range support. The Gray Fox was an incredible fighter and Armor was loath to have more unicorns with shattered horns. Horn sympathy aside, there was also no telling just what the Fox was capable of with that new staff of his.

Suddenly, the captain saw his chance to corner Jack, a three way street with one of the roads leading to a place he had taken Candance to for a date.

“Quickly! To that street!” Armor shouted, and after a few moments he and several other unicorns teleported ahead of the Gray Fox. With a crowd of unicorns in front of him, pegasi over him, and earth ponies closing in behind him, the Fox chose the only street free of foes.

Knowing full well what lay ahead, Armor allowed himself a moment’s hope, but quickly squashed it. Now wary of the craftiness of his foe, he would only allow himself celebration when he was in chains before the Princesses.

A massive swarm of Royal Guards behind him, the Gray Fox continued his way forward until he was forced to stop, the reason being a cliff. Leaning over the protective wall and seeing the water crashing on the rocks below Jack simply let out a soft hum before turning to face his pursuers. All of them had been exerted by the merry chase he had led them on, and even the earth ponies couldn’t help but pant.

Shining Armor stepped to the front and breathed deeply a few times and was about to speak when Jack pulled back a sleeve to glance at a non-existent watch.

“That ought to be enough time for the lads to work.” The Gray Fox said before turning to Shining Armor. “You ponies have been getting fat on peace and prosperity a mighty bit too long methinks. I’ve barely hit my stride, you're all already out of breath.”

“It doesn’t matter Gray Fox, you are cornered.” Armor said before narrowing his eyes. “And what did you mean by ‘Time for the lads to work’?”

“Why don’t you go see for yourself Mr. Armor?” Jack simply replied and spun his staff grandly in the air, making all the guards tense up. “Now you see me, now you don’t.”

With clang Jack brought his staff down onto the pavement and disappeared with a flash of icy blue light.

‘Of course he can teleport.’ Armor groused. ‘I am going to get as many interdictors as possible shipped to Vanhoover… what did he mean’ look for yourself’? Did he… we spent all that time held hostage in the stadium doing nothing…’

“Quick! Back to the factories!” Shining Armor barked.

Despite being worn out from the chase, the guards made good time to the buildings they were supposed to have been protecting, but it did all of them no good.

Shining Armor looked over the wrecks covering the factory floor. Once highly modern and expensive machines of commerce and production, now nothing more than twisted scrap metal to be melted down.

“How are the other factories?” Armor asked as a pegasi guard suddenly flew in.

“Bad, sir,” the newly arrived guard answered. “Most factories just had their machines smashed to pieces while some have had them stolen instead.”

“Have some at least been untouched?” Armor asked, feeling depression beginning to set in.

“Yes sir there are,” the guard replied. “There are several factories completely untouched by the Diamond Dogs.”

“Hmm… the Diamond Dogs have numbers… there was plenty of time for those just smashing machines to hit those as well…” Shining Armor pondered. “The Gray Fox suddenly starting to smash up factories he can’t raid in time… if it wasn’t for the fact the Fox said he wasn’t interested in money I’d think… perhaps he is lying? He is a criminal, really anything he says should be taken with a grain of salt…”

“What do we do now sir?” the guard asked.

“We pack up and reinforce Vanhoover,” Armor stated determinedly. “That is the last industrialized city in Equestria so it’s likely his last predictable target. I’ll need to make a report to the Princesses and request for some Teleportation Interdictors, in order to counter the Gray Fox’s own teleportation capability, though it’ll keep us from teleporting as well.”

Armor sighed as he took in the sight of his failure to stop the Gray fox yet again.

“…Right let’s go.”

ZETA

Oskar sat at a park table in Ponyville, simply doodling random shapes and figures as she thought about her latest additions to the pieces of machinery in the cavern beneath the Everfree.

They would be useful for making plastics and other synthetic materials that required unsustainable resources to make. Though now she needed to survey for oil, and pumps and pipes to transport it back to the cavern. Thankfully she didn’t need to worry about drilling for it as the Diamond Dogs could dig through anything and to anywhere with enough time and effort.

“Uh, hi,” Oskar heard a voice say unsurely.

Looking up, Oskar saw that it was “Time Turner with Wings” standing a short distance away and smiling a tad nervously. Feeling her face flush in embarrassment at her past behavior, she couldn’t help but return the nervous smile with her own. Thinking about it in-depth, the virus recalled that she had seen him a few times after that fateful outdoor photo shoot, but they both were always busy to properly greet each other with Emerald doing contract work and whatever it was “Time Turner with Wings” was doing behind the scenes.

“Err, hello!” Oskar greeted. “It’s been a long time since that first photo shoot and… even longer since Cloudsdale.”

“Yeah,” the pegasus couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory of Oskar when she had been doped. “I’m Clock Work.”

“I’m Emerald Gleaner, not that you didn’t already know that,” Oskar said, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. “You want to take a seat?”

“Sure!” Clock Work said and plopped himself down on the opposite seat. “So… what was that whole thing about anyway? The way you were acting in Cloudsdale I mean.”

“Oh… you see I was in some pain,” Oskar began. “You probably know this but I was a travel pony, I’ve seen and experienced many things. One of the things I know to do is this little technique to stop myself from feeling pain but it ends up making me… loopy.”

“That’s an understatement!” Clock said with a toothy smile.

Oskar returned the smile as she pondered the pony before her. It was extremely odd that he looked like Time Turner right down to the cutie mark, but from the sound of his voice the virus could tell he was younger than the pony doctor. Taking his name into account, Oskar guessed the pegasus specialized in machines instead of having an affinity for the science of time.

“So what is it that you do for Photo Finish?” Oskar asked. “Well besides carrying her, but she conscripts the nearest pony on hoof for that.”

“I work on the special effects,” Clock answered. “At the time I was prepping some smoke machines and spotlights when she just pointed at me and demanded that I carry her along on a platform. Technically I didn’t have to do that if I didn’t want to━ I’m a contractor after all━ but considering who she was, I really didn’t want to get blacklisted by the fashion industry, so I bit my lip and did as I was told.”

“Photo Finish can be such a diva,” Oskar said with a roll of her eyes. “Plus she speaks in third person, though it isn’t as bad as some others I have heard.”

“You hate ponies speaking in third person?” Clock Work said in some surprise. “That’s a new one.”

“Please don’t tell me you were expecting me to match my ‘Know your Mare’ profile?” Oskar said, slightly annoyed. The virus had expected quite a few hare-brained articles about her in tabloid magazines considering how serious a stance she had taken on her and Fluttershy’s right to privacy, and had actually thought that she would find them amusing. Turns out there was a bit of a difference between reading “facts” about someone else and reading “facts” about herself. Some of them painted her as some sort of saint utterly incapable of being inelegant. others depicted her as secretly being some weepy girl that just collapsed behind closed doors. Then there was that whole situation that came up a while after she had punched that reporter. He had just tried to enter the library and she reacted to it. Apparently she was such a media darling that people were more willing to imagine some crime that the reporter did to deserve being punched, than that she was just being a bit too protective about her privacy. So of course the reporter was on the verge of being crucified in a figurative sense when she had stepped in, at Twilight’s insistence, and explained what had actually happened and publicly apologized to the reporter for it. Her popularity had taken a bit of a hit after that, but Photo just waved it off saying that there was no such thing as bad publicity. Sure enough, she was back to being whitewashed as a family friendly role model after only one round of slightly negative magazine articles.

“Well… heh, sorry but it was all I had to go on,” Clock admitted with a sheepish look. “Not smart for a pony who works in the fashion industry, huh?”

“Well you seem to have your head screwed on right when it counts,” Oskar stated with a shrug, smiling all the while.

“Emerald!” The virus heard someone shout.

Turning away from Clock Work, Oskar saw Sweetie Belle along with her friends come changing up, the little filly hopping over to her excitedly with an unbeatable smile.

“Oh hello Sweetie Belle,” Oskar greeted. “Can I help you three?”

“Okay… right next to Rainbow Dash I’m actually looking forward to this story.” Scootaloo said as she plopped herself down on the ground in front of Oskar.

“Ah can’t wait to hear about all the action!” Applebloom added and sat herself down next to Scootaloo and looked up at Oskar expectedly.

“Uh, what’s going on?” The Evolved asked the younger unicorn.

“We want to know how you got your cutie mark Emerald!” Sweetie said and crawled up onto the bench with Oskar, scooting over until she was leaning into the virus.

“My cutie mark? Umm…” Oskar began, a little at a loss yet still smiling at the little filly. In the same way Rarity could be considered her mother, Sweetie Belle could be considered her aunt. While Rarity expressed her familial attitude towards her via motherliness Sweetie Belle expressed hers by being an utter cuddle bug.

“Yeah! How did you get it?!” Scootaloo asked. “Was it taking back jewels from a bunch of thieves? Braving their clever traps and sharp-eyed guards before fighting your way out and returning them to the owner? The crown jewel of her collection being a tiara carved out of emeralds?”

“Uh…”

“Or did ya get it from finding a treasure?” Applebloom said. “Going into a spooky booby trapped ol’ ruin for this carved emerald… thingy an’ getting back out in an exciting boulder chase!?”

Everyone, including a rather amused looking Clock Work turned to look at Sweetie Belle. The little filly’s eyes widened from being put on the spot and she began thinking intently for a few moments before taking a deep breath.

“… I can’t think of anything…” Sweetie said after a moment, looking rather disappointed with herself.

“Well…” Oskar began, a bit amused about their little ideas of how she may have gotten her cutie mark, considering that is “Emerald” had actually done those so she wouldn’t be poor, the fact they were young and didn’t really understand the idea of being poor probably had something to do with it. “To tell the truth… I just… looked down one day and… it was there.”

There was a long moment of silence as everyone just stared at her, completely unsure if she was being serious or not.

“… Really?!” Scootaloo exclaimed finally. “You just looked down and it was there? What kind of story is that?! Even Fluttershy’s story was better than that!”

“An what does that even say about getting a cutie mark?” Applebloom said, scratching her head. “We jus’ do whatever till it shows up one day?”

“That wasn’t a good story Emerald.” Sweetie said with a shake of her head.

“Emerald… are you totally serious about how you got your cutie mark?” Clock Work asked.

“Er, yeah?”

“That’s… incredibly weird.” The pegasus said. “When a pony gets their cutie mark it’s a moment of total clarity and realization, the moment when you truly realize what you are good at and would be happy doing for the rest of your life. But you… you just looked down one day and saw your cutie mark was there.”

“Not only that!” Sweetie Belle added. “Emerald actually hates the idea of going around digging for gems!”

“So not only did you get your cutie mark with pretty much no explanation you got one for something you hate doing?” Clock said incredulously, shooting her a weird look that the fillies mimicked.

“What? No pony said I was ever a normal pony,” Oskar said defensively. “I’ll be the first to admit I’m probably going to be one of the strangest ponies you’ll ever meet.”

“Okay this is boring!” Scootaloo said, having lost interest long since finding out Emerald didn’t have an exciting story. “Let’s go find Rainbow Dash now!”

“Wait for me!” Sweetie Belle shouted and leapt off the bench after her friends who had started running off. “See you later Emerald!”

“Nice kids,” Clock commented with a smile before looking up at the sky. “Well I have to go now or I’ll be late. It was nice finally meeting you Emerald.”

“The same, Clock Work,” Oskar replied as the pegasus lifted off into the air. “Maybe we can meet up for lunch sometime, after all we’re basically co-workers. And whenever you come back to Ponyville I’ll introduce you to the rest of my friends.”

“Sounds like fun!” Clock Work called back. “See ya later Emerald!”

“See you!” The virus said waving.

‘Well that was nice,’ Oskar thought as she directed her attention back to the little piece of paper on the table. ‘I made myself look weird again but oh well, it’s not like I don’t already have a ton of outrageous stories made up about me all the time. Anyway, what was I thinking about again? Oh right, the machines and materials. Well, getting oil for plastic shouldn’t be too hard, there are probably countless gallons of untapped oil wells all over the place, what with Equestria’s traditionalist attitude towards industry. It’s just a matter of digging around and finding one. Just a bit of time and patience is all that is needed here really.’ Suddenly a thought occurred to the virus that she should be doing more than doodling random shapes on the paper. ‘Getting some interesting ideas for that little side project of mine as well… purely theoretical right now though, but I if it works out…’

Leaning back, the virus then admired the rough sketch she had created. It looked like a unicorn was wearing some sort of weird full body plated armor that even covered the horn and shaped it into a razor edge.

‘If everything works out just right with the Storm Sapphire, setting up a production facility and my own research, then the future will be very interesting.’

ETA

Oskar walked into a freshly carved out room in the Everfree caverns. He was in his base form and being held in his hands was the now dull and lifeless Storm Sapphire.

The room was fairly bare, with just stone walls, floor and ceiling. But large cables stolen from various factories were lined into the room via large holes cut in the walls. In the center of this room was a solid gold pedestal, sitting on roughly cut mats of rubber, with a three pronged claw at the very top, near the bottom of another cable painted bright yellow and lined into a hole cut into the floor. Along the sides of the pedestal were also many, many little spikes that seemed inexplicable in their purpose.

Walking over to the pedestal, Oskar then placed the magical gem upon it and stepped a short distance away. Then he raised a hand and pointed it at the gem, red and black flames arising from his fingernails. The gem suddenly leapt to life as it greedily drained the magic that encapsulated it, the lightning bolt within its very core leaping and dancing with life as it glowed ever brighter. Stopping his flow of magic, Oskar then approached the pedestal.

He crouched down next to the yellow cable next to the pedestal and picked it up. Shooting it a thoughtful look, Oskar then reached over and plugged the cable into the pedestal via the spikes that were actually outlets. The reaction was almost instant.

The Storm Sapphire glowed brightly before its light immediately started to die down. The hum it was emitting faded to nothingness and the lightning bolt that surged and danced within its core was once again frozen into stillness.

‘Well grounding the gem causes it to immediately discharge itself.’ The Evolved hummed in thought. ‘This might have been a problem if we didn’t have transformers rigged up to control the flow of energy, we might end up with overloaded machines. Right, now let’s set this up again…’

Unplugging the grounding cable, Oskar then took a few steps back and fed magic back into the gem, recharging it rapidly. Once that was done, he then walked over to one of the cables coming from the wall and plugged it into the pedestal. Observing the cable plugged into the pedestal for a few moments, Oskar then reached into a pocket before pulling out an object.

It was a mass of spliced together circuits, exposed gold wiring somewhat in the shape of a remote, if one didn’t have a plastic covering and was more prone to give you a lethal shock the moment you touched it. Near the top was also a red needle and a piece of plastic with numbers etched into it.

Bringing the device down and pressing the red needle against the cable, Oskar watched as the piece of plastic rotated and began fluctuating between numbers, showing the general amount of energy in the cable as well as telling him that there was power actually running through it.

Putting the device away with a small satisfied smile, Oskar then teleported in a red flash. Arriving in a new massive room, the virus looked around to see it bustling with activity.

Diamond Dogs were everywhere, as well as pieces of machinery and machines in one piece. They didn’t need all the machines they had stolen, but the extra ones would be very useful in making even better machines. Doing this would give him a bit of a head start regarding producing more advanced machines, he still planned on teaching the dogs advanced skills, but while they seemed to have an affinity for tools and machines, they still needed time to learn and practice.

Oskar approached one of the set up machines, a metal lathe that had a few Diamond Dogs surrounding it, making sure they had bolted everything right.

“Power ready boss?” one of the dogs asked at his approach.

“Yes, and from what I can tell it’s not an insignificant amount,” Oskar replied as he picked up a large plug from the lathe. “So all of you won’t be too reliant on me. The gem still needs magic in order to produce electricity, but it has a fairly high capacity from what I can tell. So we won’t have to worry about our power usage, especially this early on with our current level of development. But eventually we are going to be using power for more than just production, and we are going to need to rely on more than one magic gem, but that’s something to worry about later. Let’s see if this will work…”

Walking over to the wall roughly installed with power outlets, Oskar took the cable in his hand and plugged it in. Pausing for a few moments to observe the cable, the outlet and the machines, and seeing none of them suddenly explode or anything, the virus decided everything was going well.

Teleporting back next to the lathe, Oskar paused before pressing the button. All around him were Diamond Dogs looking at him, their basic knowledge of mechanics letting them know that this was a make it or break it moment. Oskar then pressed the button.

The lathe struggled and seemed to die a few times before suddenly chugging to life, it was also fairly loud in the enclosed underground space. After a few moments of letting it run, Oskar then turned it off. Turning around, Oskar saw that the Diamond Dogs were covering their ears.

“That was a bit loud,” Oskar stated. “But it works!”

The dogs cheered to that, their own shouts just as deafening as the machine was.

“Now, we are going to need to make some ear protection if we are going to be running and operating these all the time,” Oskar said, and started waving the dogs near him. “We are still some time away from using these daily but we are getting close, so I’m going to have to teach all of you machine safety and what to do when something is going wrong, but your co-worker doesn’t notice because he can’t hear anything. But before we get into that, a different but very important rule…”

“From this point on, if any naturally long haired dogs want to work in or around heavy equipment you are going to need to shear your hair short.” Oskar stated to a few groans. “It’s for your own good. The last thing anyone needs is to see someone get killed because his fur got caught in a machine or had a chunk of his flesh ripped off for the same reason, alright?”

Many Diamond Dogs winced at the thought of that happening, the short haired breeds looking relieved they didn’t have to worry about that, and the long haired ones looking resigned.

“Good, now onto the rules.” Oskar began, raising his voice so the dogs could hear him clearly. “These protective rules are essential to staying safe, where I come from we call it OSHA compliance…”

THETA

Celestia sighed as she looked over a letter.

“Is it as bad as it seems, sister?” Luna asked.

The two royal sisters were in a study in the palace, Celestia’s horn glowing with magic as she slowly lowered the sun past the horizon.

“Once again, the Gray Fox has proven to be a masterful thief and leader of brigands,” Celestia said tiredly. “Using himself as bait, he lured Shining Armor and his contingent of Royal Guards away from the factories they were protecting and let his Diamond Dogs wreak havoc on the factories.”

Coming over to her sister, Luna leaned over and began reading the letter herself.

“So the Gray Fox’s name is Jack McCloud?” Luna stated. “Truly a name that will live on in infamy even if he is caught and brought to justice. The Captain suggests an interesting theory on why the Fox started destroying equipment out of the blue.”

“Yes, though I sincerely hope it is merely a theory,” Celestia said with a troubled frown. “The thought that one of my ponies could fall to such levels, to hire an unscrupulous being such as the Gray Fox just to get ahead in profits, troubles me dearly.”

“It is still a valid theory sister, and those in positions of wealth and power tend to lose touch with some values in the pursuit of even greater social stature,” Luna said a tad grimly.

Celestia sighed and leaned against her sister. “It was not your fault Luna, the Nightmare preyed upon your doubts. You would have never tried to create an eternal night had you not been influenced so.”

“Yes sister…” Luna merely said, averting her eyes guiltily before shaking her head and returning to the letter. “It seems the Gray Fox has been getting improvements to his staff, Captain Armor noted several instances of new uses, like the Fox using it to slow his fall, remotely trigger explosives and now teleport.”

“I wonder if it is a freeform teleport or one locked onto a specific location,” Celestia said in thought.

“It would take a far greater amount of power and control for freeform teleportation, even if it is handled by a magical object,” Luna stated. “The Gray Fox would get more uses out of a fixed teleport, Captain Armor is smart to simply go with the thief capable of freeform teleportation and reacting accordingly though.”

“Yes I shall be sending him the interdictors he requires,” Celestia stated. “There is only one city with untouched industry now. This means the Gray Fox now has to deal with the full attention of the Royal Guards.”

“He has done his damage already I fear,” Luna stated. “Prices are rising even higher, investors are being scared off from the Gray Fox raiding production facilities and crippling their growth as a result. Whether or not we catch him, I fear Equestria will face a minor recession, the kingdom’s GDP will fare even worse if he manages to succeed in Vanhoover.”

“He must be caught then,” Celestia said firmly. “These factory raids are the only predictable pattern we have and we’ll only lose it the moment he succeeds in Vanhoover, meaning we’ll have to wait for him to steal again to figure out a new pattern. I fear for my ponies' livelihoods should this come to pass.”

“This part about the Gray Fox admitting he doesn’t know how he arrived in Equestria disturbs me,” Luna said. “A master thief brought into the Kingdom through means even he doesn’t understand? This rabbit hole’s depth is proving to be quite abyssal indeed.”

“I agree with you Luna,” Celestia said with a frown as she watched the sun finally dip beneath the horizon. “But for now all we can do is sit and wait. Hopefully Shining Armor will be able to overcome the Gray Fox’s intellect.”

“I hope so as well sister.”

-TBC-

Chapter 12: The Rise

View Online

Bluno watched as the Boss worked on some weird looking pole.

He and his shapeshifting leader were in the Everfree caverns, in said shape shifter’s personal workshop. He had asked for a long piece of metal and some wood before sitting down to work, shaping the metal and carving the wood with those little weird tentacles of his. Oskar also made these little screws out of the metal when he needed it and created this glue-like substance to help hold the wood in place. When he was finally done after a few hours of work, he was left holding this strange long pole. One end was wood and looked sort of like a paddle, while the other end was this metal tube with a point sticking up at the end. Near the wooden part was this strange little blunt hook that Oskar had placed for some reason and atop it was a latch like mechanism.

Just when Bluno had thought that Oskar was done though, the shape shifter just went right back to work on something else. Oskar began shaping a piece of brass and some scrap metal into two shapes while mixing various powdery substances together as Bluno watched on in increasing boredom born out of incomprehension.

‘Boss is always making weird stuff like this and thinking of weird ideas.’ Bluno thought as he scratched his head. ‘They all have been useful so far though, like those foundry things that make good steel instead of that cruddy foot iron we used to have. So we have nice armor now that won’t get bent all the time. Not too sure what those pony machines we are stealing are going to be good for yet though. Boss says they’ll be very useful though, and he hasn’t been wrong so far.’

Oskar didn’t need nearly as long to finish the other thing as he needed for the pole thing. He was already done shaping the metal, making this weird little solid metal cone and this small metal pot like thing. Oskar then collected the powder together and poured them into the metal pot before taking the cone and sticking it in the top, squeezing the lip around the cone to hold it securely in place. After that, Oskar then sat back and viewed his creation for a brief moment before nodding in satisfaction. Putting the little metal capsule in his pocket and picking up the long pole thing in his hand, Oskar then stood up.

“Follow me,” Oskar commanded Bluno and the Husky Alpha fell into step silently.

The two soon exited out of a building that had dogs with crude chisels hammering away at the walls and trying to make decorative patterns, all the while being supervised by an elderly Diamond Dog.

“Quid est hoc? Si iam tempus catulos?” the old Boxer muttered in irritation under his breath, making Oskar immediately stop and look at him in surprise. The elder dog noticed Oskar out of the corner of his eyes and faced him before bowing his head respectfully and placing a closed fist against his chest. “Princeps.”

Oskar seemed to be rather surprised by the elder greeting him in what Bluno identified as the old tongue that he never had time to properly learn. He knew enough to make translations, but after an incident involving a few elders decided not to do translations again. From what little Bluno knew, he guessed that the elder had asked a question about the time. As for the word the elder had called Oskar, Bluno had never heard of the word before and so partly guessed from what the word sounded like in Equestrian, namely he guessed that the elder called Oskar a Prince… or accused him of prancing. Bluno was pretty sure the elder hadn’t said the latter.

Oskar nodded back at the elder before continuing on his way with Bluno quickly on his heels, the elder turning back to overseeing the dogs working on the wall.

The two walked down a street in the cavern, walking past a busy street leading down to the large room with the stolen pony machines. Dogs were carrying out parts and plates of steel processed by the machines on large carts while others brought freshly smelted steel to be processed. The steel being processed by the machines wasn’t even being used for anything, it was just being stored for the time being, leaving a massive room slowly filling up with more and more metal parts.

While Bluno was curious about the purpose of the metal, he was more than willing to wait until the Boss saw fit to tell everyone why he was making a large stockpile of it, guessing it would be sometime after the last factories were raided.

Moving further along the streets and away from the one that led into the pony machines, the two moved deeper into the tiny underground city. Diamond Dog civilians wandered the streets going about their business, many took the time to wave or greet Oskar who smiled at them in turn. To Bluno, this was a contrast to how dogs acted around Oskar a few months ago, where they showed great fear and avoided the shape shifter like a plague. It helped a lot that during the entire time Oskar had been leading them as the new Boss, he had never been cruel to them. Granted, neither was he particularly nice or close to any of them on a personal level, but he was the Boss. He was meant to lead them, not be their friend, and Bluno could easily understand that.

Soon the sound of Dogs cheering and egging on someone started to reach the ears of the two, causing Oskar to frown and pick up the pace with Bluno right behind him. Eventually the sight of a small plaza met the eyes of the two. In this plaza was a large group of Diamond Dogs. These dogs were ones that Oskar had been putting through their paces in this really tough training. It appeared that what had once been an orderly training session had eventually devolved into two of the most imposing dogs in the group having a wild brawl with each other as the others watched and egged them on.

“Hold this,” Oskar said slowly as he shoved the weird pole into Bluno’s arms before striding off to the brawl.

The surrounding dogs cheering on the two brawlers quickly began to quiet as Oskar approached and moved out of his way when he moved into the crowd of them. Soon the only sound was of the two dogs hitting each other, but that soon stopped as well as they also started to notice the quiet. A look of panic appeared on their features as Oskar appeared and they quickly dusted themselves off as he stared at them judgmentally.

“What is this?” Oskar said aloud, motioning to the two dogs, yet looking at all the others around him. “This isn’t what I’ve been trying to teach you. This is two meatheads beating each other until one cries uncle. This isn’t at all the fighting discipline I am trying to instill in all of you.”

He stared at all the dogs, waiting for an answer he knew wouldn’t come.

“You!” Oskar said, pointing at one of the dogs that had been fighting and making him jump. “Come at me! Attack me! Come on, DO IT!”

The dog in question hesitated greatly, but charged Oskar with a half frightened shout, knowing full well this was going to hurt far more than his previous fight.

He was right. As soon as he was in range, Oskar dropped down into a crouch and punched him in the groin, causing the dog to bend over as he clutched at his groin. The shapeshifter then kneed the dog’s face as he rose back up into a stand, making the dog clutch at his face as he fell backwards with a thump, blood pouring from his nose. Quickly stepping forward Oskar then raised a foot and brought it down, smashing the rock ground right next to the dog’s head.

“Now I know what you are thinking,” Oskar stated simply, turning away from the agonized dog on the ground. “So what if I could do that? I’m immensely fast and strong, so of course I’d be able to do that with ease. Being strong and fast helps but what I just did can be done by any one of you as long as you keep the ideals I am trying to teach you in mind.”

“One: Counter attack as soon as possible!” Oskar began loudly. “Or better yet, preemptively attack your foe! Two: Target the weak points foremost! Eyes, throat, face, groin, knees, feet and fingers if they have them! Don’t let idiotic concepts like fighting fair get in your way! Three: Maximize effectiveness and efficiency. In short, incapacitate your foe as quickly as possible and with as little effort as possible! You never know when the next fight will be! It could literally be around the next corner, so using up as little of your energy as you can is essential! And finally, Four: Maintain awareness of your surroundings as much as possible! Look for means of escape, further enemies and weapons in the environment you can use in a fight!”

“I am teaching all of you to fight!” Oskar continued. “I’m not talking about fancy moves and stances. I’m talking about winning! What I am trying to instill in all of you isn’t pretty and will make you look downright brutal to anyone that sees you in top form, but fighting isn’t meant to be fun, now isn’t it? But at the end of the day, as long as you are the one left standing and your enemy isn’t, does it really matter?”

“Back to the surface,” Oskar commanded the silent dogs. “I’ll be giving you all some remedial training later. You obviously need it.”

Oskar then walked back to Bluno and wordlessly took the pole from his grasp and continued on down the street as the dogs dispersed. Bluno felt phantom pains of twisted joints and punches to the throat and groin as he followed after him, recalling his own training sessions with the shape shifter and not at all envying the others for their future one.

Overall, Bluno agreed with Oskar’s statement of the style of fighting he was trying to teach, not at all being pretty or pleasant to look at. All the times he had seen Oskar in action, he worked to end a fight as quickly as possible. He didn’t waste time on talking or doing anything showy, he just wordlessly put his enemies down without gloating or hesitation. Of course, the same couldn’t be said of the Boss when he was acting like the ‘Gray Fox’, but that was just an act, and not how he really was.

One time he had asked Oskar where he had learned to fight the way he did, and he simply replied that he picked it up from a soldier who learned from a people that were being attacked all the time in a desert land. In Bluno’s mind, these desert people were a ten foot tall warrior race of solid muscle that learned to fight from the day they could walk and talk. Then he wondered who in their right mind would attack such a race.

Soon the two arrived at a building with a sign above its doors marked in crude Equestrian letters, ‘Presentation Center’. The two entered and immediately the sounds of talking and murmuring echoed faintly at them from down the hall they were in. The floor was made of stone bricks, and covering it here and there were home woven rugs and pelts from the various animals hunted in Everfree. Instead of walking towards the sound of talking, Oskar took an immediate right and went down another hallway.

Making some turns, they soon came before a single door and entered it.

Stepping out onto a brightly lit up stage with some dogs on it and hundreds of dogs gathered on the floor before it, Bluno hesitated briefly before following after Oskar, who hadn’t paused and simply continued on. The gathered dogs quieted themselves as they noticed Oskar arrive, and began watching him.

It was then that Bluno noticed that there appeared to be a large cage on the stage with a tarp covering it, and for some reason one of the tarp’s corners had a rope tied to it, which a dog a fair distance away was holding.

Oskar turned to the dog holding the rope and waved at him. The dog nodded in return and pulled on the rope, revealing its contents.

Inside the cage was a manticore who looked rather nervous at all the strangers around it. It then turned its attention to Oskar who was looking at it dispassionately, and gave a questioning nervous mewl at him.

Ignoring the manticore, Oskar brought up the pole he was using and tugged on the latch, opening a hole in the side of the metal tube. Taking the capsule out of his pocket Oskar then placed it in the hole before moving the latch back into its original position with a noise that was beginning to sound oddly ominous to Bluno’s ears.

“Cover your ears,” Oskar commanded and waited until everyone did so.

Bringing the pole up, Oskar then placed the wooden part against his shoulder and pointed the metal tube at the increasingly nervous Manticore. Oskar then leaned his head slightly against the pole, looking down along the metal tube’s length. Oskar brought his hand up to flip a switch at the pole’s side, before bringing it back to the dull looking hook on the bottom, then he-

BANG

Bluno jumped at the loud noise echoing throughout the room, frightened to such a degree he could hear his own heart in his ears, and it was so deafening he almost never heard the loud thud following the explosion-like sound. The rest of the Diamond Dogs were in no better shape as they shouted and panicked before briefly settling down. Not because they had gotten control of themselves, but because of what they were seeing on the stage.

The Manticore was very clearly dead, as the bloody hole where its left eye had been and its blankly staring remaining one attested. On the wall behind was a large splatter of blood.

Smoke emitted from the hole at the end of the pole Oskar was holding. The shape shifter then brought a hand up to the latch and pulled it back, causing the capsule to shoot out of the hole with a loud “ting”, inexplicably missing its cone. The capsule flew through the air before landing on the wooden stage with a thud that sounded so very deafening to everyone’s ears.

Flipping the switch on the side of the pole, Oskar then walked over to the very edge of the stage and held the pole above his head.

“THIS! IS A GUN!” Oskar shouted to the crowd before him. “You will learn to make them! You will learn to use them! With our machines we will soon be able to make them by the hundreds! With this, the Royal Guard of Equestria will no longer be a true threat.This weapon outranges every single thing they have in both power and lethality!”

Everyone in the room just stared at him with wide eyes, the silence drawing on and on as Oskar looked over the whole lot of them.

“And this is just the beginning,” Oskar said softly though the silence that may as well have been deafening. “I will personally make several more guns just like this one in order for everyone to get practice in, and bullets for said practice. There is still some time before we will have the capacity to build guns for everyone though, so for the foreseeable future the only time you will be using a gun is to learn how to handle, clean, dismantle and assemble it, safety, and finally, how to properly fire it. But you ALL will learn how to use a gun.”

‘Use em on what?’ Bluno thought, deathly curious but unwilling to ask.

ALPHA

“The Gray Fox, Equestria’s infamous and most wanted king of thieves decided to make a dramatic appearance at the games held in Las Pegasus,” Twilight read aloud to her friends who were listening intently as they all sat around a table in the library. “During this appearance, he allowed himself to be briefly interviewed by yours truly and answered a question on how he became the ‘Boss of the Diamond Dogs’. “I was just going on a bit of a walk about looking for a crew to work with when I found out about a local pack of Diamond Dogs. I went on over to see what was up and found that the entire group had suffered a run of bad luck. So I decided that they obviously needed someone to help lead them through their rough patch, and what better person to do that than me ey? Course they raised a bit of a clamour over the fact that they already had a boss so I went and took care of that myself. Let me tell you, that big blighter could take a hit.” When further questioned about the former Diamond Dog Boss the Gray Fox could be quoted as saying “He’s still around underground, pretty sure the useless lout is just feeding the vermin though.” Soon after sharing his story the Royal Guard made their own dramatic appearance and attempted to arrest the Gray Fox, however the dangerous thief proved to be still in control of the situation by revealing and demonstrating that he had rigged the stadium’s ceiling to blow. Allowing people and the press to leave, the Gray Fox only wanted the Royal Guards led by Captain Shining Armor himself to stay put. It was only later after a lengthy chase throughout the city that the true cunning of the Gray Fox was revealed. Having used himself as bait, the Gray Fox bought time for his Diamond Dogs to raid the unprotected factories, both stealing and destroying priceless machinery. Shining Armor of the Royal Guard could not be reached for comment on the perilous situation, but a Royal Guard representative did assure that the utmost care is being taken to protect Vanhoover from the King of Thieves, and revealed a tid-bit about the Gray Fox. His name is Jack McCloud. For a full quote on the Gray Fox’s story and everything that he said during his appearance, go to page 4.”

“Oh my…” Fluttershy said as she brought her hooves up to her face. “The Gray Fox sounds so scary and threatening!”

“Well that is jus’ great, jus’ what Equestria needed. Some no good thief stealing everypony’s hard work,” Applejack said sarcastically with a frown. “Ah was hoping they’d catch him quickly after they started posting those wanted posters everywhere. Starting to not look like it now.”

“Well he isn’t stealing from everypony,” Twilight emphasized as she flipped over to the page with the full quote. “It seems like he is only interested in stealing tech stuff. Not that that isn’t a bad thing. It just means the Royal Guard knows what to protect from him now.”

“I think he’s a big meanie!” Pinkie said as Rarity looked thoughtful. “He ruined that game for everypony in Las Pegasus, and now they have to wait until it can be rescheduled!”

“He seems kinda cool,” Rainbow Dash said, looking at the front of the newspaper which had a picture of a smugly smiling Gray Fox on it. “You know… for a thief that steals expensive egghead junk.”

“For such a successful thief, you’d think he’d take the time to manage his image better,” Rarity said distastefully as she eyed the Gray Fox’s ratty clothes. “Every time I’ve heard of an extremely intelligent and cunning thief they’d be wearing the sort of fashion not out of place for high society.”

“Rarity, ain’t the only thieves ya heard about in those romance books of yours?” Applejack stated questionably.

“Well… ahem that is besides the point,” Rarity said while clearing her throat, and turning when she heard a door open. “Emerald darling! Whatever do you think of this scoundrel in the papers?”

“Well… I just hope he doesn’t attack the company I invested in,” Oskar said as she walked over to the table with a tray full of muffins. “I’m also glad Ponyvillle doesn’t exactly have much in the way of tech to attract his attention.”

“Well, not exactly Emerald,” Rarity replied, looking at Twilight. “Twilight does have all those advanced looking devices in her basement. Those could very well attract his attention.”

“Cool as he is, if he came here to steal Twilight’s stuff, I’d kick his flank from here to Canterlot!” Dash said boastfully. “Let’s see him use that staff on something super-fast and airborne!”

“Nah ya don’t need to do nuttin showy,” Applejack said with a wave of her hoof. “I could tie him up lickity split with my lasso. And if he tried to get uppity, a good buck in the in the face would make ‘im settle down!”

Oskar just chuckled softly and shook her head in amusement as she brought the muffins down onto the table and took a seat, grabbing a blueberry muffin for herself.

Taking one of the Evolved’s muffins for herself, Pinkie almost inhaled it when the taste hit her tongue, then she pressed her hooves to her cheeks and released a delighted moan.

“Mmmmm, this is delicious Emmy!” Pinkie exclaimed after she swallowed the muffin.

“Thanks Pinkie!” Oskar said happily. “I know it isn’t exactly my talent, but I love baking.”

“Hmmm… I hope my brother is doing okay,” Twilight said softly as she read the paper. “It sounds like the Gray Fox is giving him a lot of trouble.”

“You have a brother?” Oskar said, whipping her head towards Twilight. “And he’s in the Royal Guard?”

“Uhhh… yeah?” Twilight said as her friends looked owlishly at her. “You know, my brother Shining Armor? Captain of the Royal Guard? I’ve told you all about him before, haven’t I?”

Everyone stared with wide eyes at that bit of information, Oskar even more so.

“You mean I’ve never told any of you?” Twilight said in the face of her friends’ silence, looking increasingly sheepish as it dragged on.

“…No darling you have not,” Rarity finally said after getting her wits about her, and then she leaned in close to Twilight. “So your brother is Captain of the Royal Guard hmm? My, that is a prestigious position. Would it trouble you greatly to… introduce us to him? I would be most delighted to meet such a pony, even more so if he is a bachelor.”

“The last time I heard he was still in a long term relationship with my babysitter,” Twilight said with a roll of her eyes at Rarity’s behavior, then she suddenly looked troubled. “Oh dear… I don’t know if he is still in that relationship. I don’t even know anything he has been up to these past few years. I never realized how distant we’ve become.”

At the moment, Oskar was stuck in her own thoughts, thinking about the times she had encountered and even fought Shining Armor. It wasn’t completely unlikely that Armor was being stressed out by his continued failures in stopping the persona she had created, not to mention he was also likely being reprimanded and punished for said failures. Thinking about how her efforts could be threatening Shining Armor’s mental and physical wellbeing, as well as his job security, Oskar could feel an unpleasant tightening in her chest.

‘My current actions as the Gray Fox are causing grief to hundreds of thousands of ponies,’ Oskar thought as she shook her head clear. ‘Now is not the time to feel sorry for just one of them, especially when I am not even done what I’ve set out to do yet. Twilight’s brother or not, these raids are very important to my goals and I can’t just stop for the wellbeing of just one person. That never stopped me before after all.’

Though Oskar steeled herself and was very determined to finish what she had started, the tightening in her chest when she thought of the pain she must be causing never faded.

BETA

“There are a lot of Royal Guards everywhere,” Belvedere stated, pointing at several circled spots on a map of Vanhoover placed on a table. “Never seen so many before, it make me think they are dead serious about stopping you here.”

“Plus I see many strange glowy boxes with funny lines on them being hauled everywhere,” Bluno added. “I think they be using weird magic too.”

Oskar was in his base form back in the Everfree caverns and listening to a scouting report of their final targeted city. So far it was all going as expected.

“The greatly increased difficulty is to be expected,” Oskar stated from his chair as he absently poked at Navi on the table before him. “I demonstrated my ability to teleport in front of them back in Las Pegasus so the boxes must be meant to counter that ability, which actually helps out come to think about it.”

“Oh?” Belvedere said with a raised brow and crossed arms.

“We now have a target of opportunity alongside the machines we are going to get,” Oskar replied, picking up a delightedly trilling Navi and placing her on his shoulder. “While I can’t exactly teach any of you the magic I know, I still don’t have much in the way of knowledge in certain fields. the base magical science of runic systems for artificing magical artifacts for instance. While I can’t exactly gain a mastery from examining such a thing, I can still advance what I do know by studying magical works, which is ultimately another advantage to us.”

“Still…” Oskar said, leaning back in his chair. “A target of opportunity is just that, an opportunity. While it would help us to go after it, I don’t want to endanger our primary objective by trying to get them, and I’d doubt the Royal Guards would keep the boxes right next to the things that are going to be attacked. Likely they are going to be hidden away somewhere safe or placed in highly secure outposts throughout the city and away from factories.”

“Hmm… I think we can still get them,” Belvedere said thoughtfully as he picked up a marker and started circling more areas of the map. “These are areas I and Bluno saw the boxes placed in. They all happen to be outposts set by the Royal Guards or buildings for the local guards. They know that we Diamond Dogs like to attack purely by ambushing, so they won’t be expecting a direct assault from us, they aren’t even expecting a direct assault on the factories. They are preparing for some daring scheme being concocted by the ‘Gray Fox’ instead.”

“Your idea is reliant on the fact that our boys will be competent enough in a direct fight to actually win,” Oskar stated. “I’ve been training all of you like crazy, as much as I can do without burning any of you out, but they are still only a fraction through the conditioning I’ve planned out.”

“I’ve seen them fight, been in a fight with them,” Belvedere stated. “To you they are untrained ‘greenhorns’, but to me they are blossoming brutal fighters. Every time I’ve seen them fight it’s either dragged out to their exhaustion or ended mercilessly quickly as both fighters pull every trick they know to put their opponent down. The Royal Guard are used to criminals that put up a token resistance at best before being brought in, but we are becoming soldiers. They will not be expecting us.”

“Saw what I was doing, huh?” Oskar stated.

“You are instilling discipline in us, making us into something more like you promised,” Belvedere stated as Bluno watched on and scratched his head. “As soldiers we are an army, but as we are an army, we are also without a nation. We are an army in a foreign land… which usually means we would be here to take it. Is this what you intend to do with us? Steal then invade Equestria? I admit that would definitely not be stealing scraps from the dinner table, more like stealing the entire house and booting the residents out.”

“I…” Oskar began before sighing and brought a hand up to his face. He remained like that for several moments in silence before lowering his hand to look at Belvedere and an interested looking Bluno. “Why do we need to take Equestria? People assume the Everfree belongs to them but they actually want nothing to do with it and have no formal claims on it. I know the old Royal Palace of Celestia and Luna is here, but from what I can glean from the old records that area wasn’t covered by the forest back then. “

“So… we have this big gray area of the sovereign map of Equestria we can claim as our own,” Oskar continued. “Or rather, this big green area.”

“Make Everfree our home!?” Bluno said with wide eyes.

Belvedere just looked at him a moment before smacking the back of his head. “We already did, or does those big stone buildings out in the cavern look like they can be packed up to you? Still, Everfree is surrounded on all its borders by Equestria, what kind of nation would that be?”

“A nation within a nation, an enclave,” Oskar responded simply. “And that is what we shall be. No one would look for us here in the Everfree anyway. They are too hung up on the fact that this place is so unnatural, so we would be an unseen and unheard secret nation within Equestria’s own borders. With this advantage, we can build up in secret indefinitely.”

“Build up for what though?” Belvedere asked. “Who are we going to be fighting?”

“There is always going to be conflict,” Oskar simply stated. “It’s better to be prepared for any eventuality than to be caught with our pants… to be caught unprepared. “

“Now, any other issues?” Oskar asked. “Okay good, because I need to go develop something to help us in Vanhoover. You two can go back to work.”

With that, the two Diamond Dog Alphas nodded and made for the door, Oskar soon behind them, Navi fluttering along in the air behind him. Eventually coming out onto the street, Oskar and the Alphas went their separate ways, with the Alphas off to make sure their dogs were doing their assignments and jobs, and Oskar off to develop yet another game plan for Vanhoover.

Granted, he didn’t really need one considering his Dogs were just going to make a direct assault since that was actually unexpected here, but his persona for the Gray Fox couldn’t just run around before diving into a hole in the ground, that was just too anticlimactic. So the Evolved needed to do something suitably grand and epic for yet another daring getaway… and he already had the beginning of an idea for one, from a movie he had watched years ago.

Oskar walked around the corner and came into view of the plaza often used by Diamond Dogs to practice their combat skills, but smoothly darted back out of sight when he had spotted Whisper Wind. The convict pegasus was off to the far side of the plaza, watching the Diamond Dogs train with a miserable expression on her face. Inwardly curious as to why Whisper Wind looked so miserable considering she had only been given free roaming privileges in the cavern two days ago, Oskar shifted into Emerald Gleaner and walked over to the mare.

“What’s the matter, Whisper Wind?” Oskar asked, taking a seat beside the pegasus, her pet lighting down on her ear. “Is being free to explore and stretch your legs instead of being cooped up in a small space all day too boring for you?”

Instead of recoiling away from Oskar like the virus expected of her, Whisper only looked at her with a miserable expression.

“What are you going to do with this army you’re training?” Whisper asked. “Invade Equestria when you get them good enough and have enough of them?”

“Why does everyone assume that is what I am going to do?” Oskar wondered aloud, making Whisper blink, but couldn’t help herself from wondering the same. Just what did she intend to do with this army she was training and building? It wasn’t very big now, only over a thousand Dogs in size but she intended to get the independent packs wandering somewhere in the depths of the far tunnels to join her some time down the road, which would no doubt inflate the number of battle ready dogs greatly. So what was she intended to do with them when she had thousands of them?

“Then what are you going to do with them?” Whisper asked impatiently.

“Hopefully… nothing.” Oskar answered honestly.

“Nothing?!” Whisper said incredulously. “You built an army just to have them do nothing?!”

“Not nothing,” Oskar replied simply. “They are training, getting stronger, running patrols in the Everfree for some practical experience, and helping out with the work down here when a few extra sets of paws are needed. Really, having an army around can be really useful, and not just for invading people, plus having a spare army lying around can be useful for when you are the one being invaded. And I don’t see why we would want to invade Equestria. Why take someone else’s nation when you can make your own?”

“Make your own?” Whisper said with eyes wide in sudden realization. “You’re not going to take over Equestria, you’re just taking this place instead… why?!”

“Why not?” Oskar stated.

“Why not?!? It’s the Everfree!” Whisper said. “It’s like the most unnatural cruddy place in the world, and you want to make a home out of it for yourself?!”

“Unnatural by pony standards maybe,” Oskar replied. “But it’s just fine for our needs.”

“So what, you’re just settling here where Equestria won’t dare look for you as you steal from them?” Whisper said, and added after Oskar shot her a look. “I hear things. your dogs like to talk a lot.”

“Hmph, righteous talk for a thief,” Oskar shot back, making Whisper avert her gaze. “I’ve got things to do, feel free to enjoy watching the sparring practices prisoner.”

With that, Oskar teleported up to the surface, leaving behind a sour-faced convict. Looking around, she saw the obstacle course currently in use by several Diamond Dogs, and by it was a small clearing where dogs sparred. Though they would normally be using their fists, the dogs here were using fake wooden guns with a blunt wooden bayonet on them, practicing fighting with them for the day when they would be using the real thing.

Oskar walked forward, intent on making her way into the depths of Everfree. As she walked by trees and trails made by Diamond Dogs, the Evolved prodded at Navi in her mane.

“I’m going to need your help in a few minutes Navi,” Oskar said to her pet who was now fluttering in front of her. “You mind doing that for me?”

Shaking her head no that she did not mind, Navi flew up to Emerald’s ear to stand at attention, ready for whatever Oskar needed of her.

Smiling at this, Oskar sent out a viral pulse for her target. After it came back a few moments later, Oskar then quickly shot off in that direction. Soon the virus arrived in a clearing that had a scenic pond at its center. Flying above the pond making faces at its own reflection in the water was a yellow parasprite, Oskar’s target. A few moments later a fish leapt out of the water, its jaws wide open only for it to clamp down on nothing but air. The parasprite giggled as it dodged the fish, oblivious to the fact the fish was trying to eat it and not play a game.

‘Seriously, if it wasn’t for the fact they reproduce just by eating it would be a miracle that parasprites have survived so long,’ Oskar thought, sighing inwardly. ‘Right, let’s collect her before she gets snapped up.’

“Navi, could you go over there and make a friend?” Oskar asked her pet, motioning to the other parasprite over the water. “When you do, bring her over here please?”

Navi just trilled in enthusiasm and took off to do just that. Oskar watched her carefully, ready to call upon her magic in an instant to either teleport Navi out of harm’s way or simply deal with whatever was foolish enough to try to eat her herself.

The little blue parasprite flew over the pond, skimming the surface with her legs as she did so, making Oskar tense up a little as she expected a fish to try to snap her up any moment. Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened and Navi reached the yellow parasprite with no issues. Upon reaching her fellow parasprite, Navi started trilling excitedly, an action the other bug mirrored. Soon the two were flying wildly around each other in the air, seemingly already fast friends as they paused a moment to press against each other in an armless approximation of a hug. After that, Navi flew towards Oskar at top speed with the other parasprite in close pursuit.

Navi lighted down on Oskar’s ear, trilling happily in accomplishment as the other parasprite came to hover in front of the virus, staring at her in innocent curiosity.

“Hello little thing,” Oskar greeted with a smile. “Would you like to come home with me? You’ll get to play with Navi and I’ll give lots and lots of food.”

The little parasprite didn’t waste a moment to trill an agreement, flying happily in the air as she did so. Smiling in satisfaction at her objective being accomplished, Oskar was about to teleport when she heard rustling behind her. Turning around she came face to face with a Timber Wolf.

Leaping backwards on battle hardened instinct, Oskar narrowed her eyes and frowned as she took in her surroundings. Timbers Wolves entered the clearing by the dozens- no, by the hundreds, all staring at her with brightly glowing green eyes. She prepared herself for their charge but they didn’t do that. Most stayed a fair distance away but a few came to a sitting stop a few feet from her, forming a rough circle around her.

‘… Illness… infection… blight? No…’ Said a voice she had heard before when she was alone in Everfree. a deep voluminous voice, almost foreboding in its timbre. ‘…Strong… forsaken dominance… seeking freedom… free of vulnerability… free of hurt… free of enslavers… kin? Youth… uncertainty…’

“Who are you!” Oskar shouted, now certain that the voice was in control of the timber wolves. “What do you want!”

‘… Fractured… confusing… tired…”

With that, all the timber wolves suddenly fell apart, like the perilously stacked masses of wood they were. Oskar just stared at them a long moment before levitating a piece of wood over to her. Placing a hoof on the wood, Oskar extended tendrils into it, expecting something, anything to come of it.

Nothing. As far as she could tell, the wood she had just absorbed was just that, old partially rotten mossy wood from the forest floor. With that, Oskar continued to stare at the pieces of wood on the forest floor around her, after a long moment Oskar then teleported away taking Navi and the yellow parasprite with her.

After her departure the wood on the forest floor began moving, soon disappearing into the underbrush.

GAMMA

“Good evening sir and madame!” greeted a dapper pony. “How may I help you two today?”

“W-we have a reservation,” Time Turner said in slight nervousness, tugging at his good tie a little.

“Names?” the doorpony asked after opening a book on his stand.

“Uhhh, Time Turner and Emerald Gleaner,” Time Turner answered.

Emerald and Time Turner were out on a date, specifically a fancy expensive one. The pony doctor had decided to take Emerald out to a rather famed and classy restaurant. In fact, he was surprised he was able to get reservations on such short notice or the fact he wouldn’t have to wait a month for a spot to open. The restaurant in question was the ‘Cloud Nine’, a sky ship that had been repurposed by its new owners to be a flying eatery. The often breathtaking scenery quickly made it into a success. He was wearing only his best tie but Emerald was wearing the dress Rarity had designed for her, making her look like the princess he thought she was.

“Miss Gleaner!” the door pony gasped and quickly rushed over to open the door. “Right this way, your seat is just over here! And might I compliment you on a timely arrival? The captain was just about to make last calls before lifting off.”

‘Well that explains why I was able to get a table on such short notice,’ Time Turner thought. ‘It also explains why it didn’t cost me a hoof and a leg to get us a table here, anything for Equestria’s most beautiful mare. I couldn’t blame them really.’

The inside of the ship’s hull was very beautiful to behold. The ceiling was completely covered in a massive masterpiece painting, depicting both the day and night with Celestia as its centerpiece. Large windows allowed everyone to see the world outside the ship and would soon be giving a far grander view. Each table was covered with a silk cloth and golden jewel encrusted cutlery with matching goblets.

Nearly all the tables had ponies at them waiting for the ship to lift off. Every pony in this room seemed to be rich or famous in some way. Sitting off at a table right next to the large windows was Sapphire Shores wearing her best, puffiest dress. At another table was Spitfire and some of her Wonderbolts wearing their dress uniforms. Everywhere Time Turner looked, there seemed to be famous ponies.

Nervously adjusting his tie, Time Turner led Emerald over to the very bow of the ship where the best table happened to be. The sound of conversation buzzing in his ear, Time was somewhat surprised that no one tried to approach Emerald, but figured there was some sort of unsaid rule regarding celebrities dining in the Cloud Nine.

“Wow look at this!” Emerald said as she and Time took their seats. “You know I’ve never been on an airship before? I never thought I’d be on one as grand as this though.”

“So you’re enjoying yourself?” Time Turner asked happily as the captain announced the last call. “I’m glad your first time is going to be wonderfully memorable.”

“Everypony remembers their first time no matter what Time Turner,” Emerald replied with a deeply amused smile. “But… I’m fairly certain I remember bigger ships than this though. I remember seeing massive ships flying into Vanhoover every now and then.”

“Well yes, there are a large variety of ships for many different occasions,” Time Turner replied, the two of them not noticing the gentle lurch as the Cloud Nine lifted off the ground. “The ones you likely saw were Sky Freighters. Other types of airships include yachts, often owned by the rich and the nobility, and passenger ships that make the journey across the east and west oceans and directly to landlocked cities. The dry docks in Baltimare also make many different types of ships for other nations like uhh… fishing trawlers for the Principality and flying dojos for the Heron Republic.”

“So Baltimare makes all the skyships?” Emerald asked as a waitress dropped two menus for her and Time Turner.

“There is a rival Sky Ship company in Vanhoover as well, but for the most part it’s Baltimare that handles large orders,” Time Turner answered as he leafed through the menu. “The Vanhoover company handles more personal orders and does modifications as well. The Baltimare company also has the luck of having Horse Shoe Bay, so lots of large ships like to anchor there.”

“That’s rather fascinating,” Emerald said and turned to the waitress when she came by. “Oh, I’d like the special of the day with some punch please.”

“And I would like the… gourmet salad and the broccoli with melted cheese appetizer,” Time Turner said, handing the mare his menu. “Oh, and some punch as well for me.”

“Okay, your food shall be cooked in a short while and I’ll be back with your drinks soon. Please enjoy the view and thank you for eating with us.” The waitress smiled before heading off.

Time Turner did as the waitress suggested and looked out the window to see the landscape of Equestria move before them. The moon shone brightly and the white stone city of Canterlot almost seemed to shine with reflected moon light. The view was very scenic, but in Time Turner’s opinion it didn’t compare to the mare sitting opposite him.

Emerald stared out the window, enjoying the view for a long time before noticing Time looking at her. Then she seemed to get embarrassed from the affectionate look he was giving her and averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed.

“What?” Emerald questioned, looking at Time from the corner of her eye.

“You are very stunning Emerald,” Time Turner said. “But honestly I find the fact you are so smart to be your most attractive attribute.”

A sad look flashed across Emerald’s expression for the briefest moment before being replaced with a small smile. “Thank you Time Turner. It’s nice to know a smart pony like yourself as well.”

“So what is it like to be a model?” Time Turner asked.

“It’s not as glamorous as you may think,” Emerald said with a shrug and took a sip of punch when the waitress arrived with it. “Well, to other ponies it probably is really. Like Rarity, she wouldn’t mind the constant attention and ponies you don’t know poking their noses into your business, she craves that kind of thing in fact. Not me though, I like my privacy and the last thing I appreciate is some ponies I don’t know deciding it’s their business to know what I do in my free time.”

“Then why do this kind of work then?” Time Turner asked.

“For the bits,” Emerald replied simply. “I may find it unpleasant but the pay more than makes up for it. I make more a month then some ponies in a year! I could do so much with that money, so I just bite my tongue and keep working. Besides… having Fluttershy there makes it all the more bearable, though she doesn’t work as often as I do anymore.”

“It’s always great to have a silver lining,” Time Turner commented. “By the way, have you heard about the home computers that are in development?”

“Oh really?” Emerald said in interest. “I didn’t have a clue about that.”

“Well I do read journals about the latest scientific developments,” Time Turner said a little sheepishly as the waitress arrived with their food. “Now what I read was…”

And thus the night went, with Time Turner and Emerald occasionally taking a bite of their meals as they talked with each other, the world of Equestria slowly rotating around as the Cloud Nine moved through the sky.

But all things must come to an end, and soon the Cloud Nine returned to its dock. Time Turner had barely finished half his meal, far too engrossed in talking with Emerald. Said unicorn however had cleaned several plates of food, demonstrating an impressive appetite for a model. Still, the two enjoyed their time on the Cloud Nine. Time Turner made the decision to escort Emerald back to her home, though in actuality it was Emerald teleporting back to Ponyville and Time tagging along.

“It was a wonderful night out Time, thank you.” Emerald smiled, she and said pony doctor were just outside of Twilight’s library.

“It was my pleasure Emerald,” Time Turner replied. “I am very glad you enjoyed yourself on our night out together. I hope we can have another one just like this one together soon.”

‘Though I am rather glad they gave me a significant discount.’ Time Turner thought in relief. ‘I didn’t think a mare could have such a ravenous appetite and still have such a trim and athletic figure.’

“Sure!” Emerald answered cheerfully. “I would like that myself.”

“Then it’s a d-date,” Time Turner said before pulling Emerald into an affectionate hug, a soft happy smile on his face.

However, in contrast to Time Turner’s expression and demeanor, Emerald looked wide eyed and uncomfortable as she seemed to lock up in Time’s embrace. When Time Turner let go of her however the expression was gone, replaced by a delighted smile and her stance was as easy going as ever.

“Good night Emerald,” Time Turner said before turning away to walk home.

“Good night Time Turner,” Emerald said a little softly as she opened the door and went inside the library.

Time Turner walked home, looking like he was on top of the world and had everything he could ever want.

DELTA

Oskar hummed in thought as he finished wiring up a crude circuit board, cannibalized from some spare machines.

The Evolved was back in the Everfree Caverns, specifically a specially and freshly carved out room. This room had thick rough stone walls and was square in shape. Also in the room was a speaker with several cords leading to a control panel Oskar had finished wiring up, along with the Paraspite Oskar had seen fit to name Tatl. Navi was there as well, but had little sound dampening earmuffs around her head.

Looking up at Tatl circling the speaker curiously, Oskar flipped a switch on the control panel, causing it to light up as it turned on. He then flipped another switch, making polka music start playing from the speaker, specifically the very type of music Pinkie had used to lure Navi around.

The very instant the music had started up, Tatl stopped encircling the speaker and flew in front of it, smiling happily as she bobbed in place to the beat of the music. Navi however just looked confused and wondered what her friend was doing as she couldn’t hear the music at all.

Oskar smiled in satisfaction before turning his attention back to the board. He began turning knobs and manipulating sliders to alter the way the polka music sounded. For the most part, Tatl only looked confused and sometimes downright annoyed as the polka music changed in both volume and pitch seemingly wildly. Despite this poor showing, Oskar was not dissuaded as he had only just started out and didn’t expect instant results. Instead, he just kept fiddling with the knobs and sliders on the board, mentally listing any change in behavior in Tatl no matter how small.

It was a few hours into the constant experimentation when the door to the room opened and in walked Belvedere. He looked very curious at the sight before him but didn’t say anything. Instead, he walked over to just behind Oskar and waited for the virus to notice him.

While Oskar found the interruption irritating, he knew better than to take any of that out on Belvedere and just simply shut down his cobbled together sound equipment before turning to face Belvedere.

“Yes, is there something wrong?” Oskar asked as he took the ear muffs off Navi.

“Nothing wrong at all Oskar,” Belvedere stated. “I’m just here to remind you that you have that little star gazing trip to attend with those pony friends of yours soon.”

“Oh, that slipped my mind. Thank you for telling me,” Oskar replied, absently wondering if the Alpha using his name instead of calling him boss was a sign of respect or disrespect. It was kind of hard to tell with the dog to be honest.

His reason for coming apparently accomplished, Belvedere just nodded and left the room as quietly as he entered.

‘Hmm, troublesome…’ Oskar thought, his mind dwelling over having to go see the meteor shower with his friends. ‘So much work to do and so little time to do it. I really don’t have much in the way of time regarding this little meteor shower watching trip. Maybe I should just blow it off? Cite being busy with work? Hmmm… I don’t know… the others probably wouldn’t like it very much if I did that, would they? But this work is so very important to get done… well… it’s not like those machines are going anywhere in particular are they? I’m not exactly racing against the clock here. The last thing the Royal Guard are expecting is a direct assault, so no matter what they will be setting up in the time I am giving them to prepare, they still won’t be prepared for us.’

Sighing in resignation, Oskar waved Tatl over.

“Come over here you, it’s home time,” Oskar stated as Tatl fluttered over to his outstretched hand. “I’ll just drop you off to your little house before heading off to my other little appointment.”

With that, the Evolved and his two parasprites disappeared in a flash of red.

EPSILON

Oskar, back in her Emerald Gleaner form, looked fairly distracted as she followed Twilight and Spike over to the place they had chosen for watching the meteor shower. Despite having chosen to come anyway, Oskar seemed to be stuck between regretting the decision and being resigned to it. There was so much for her to do, so many books on magic to study, dogs to teach mechanics too, yet more dogs to teach how to fight, making guns for dogs to learn how to use, trying to balance making bullets and altering machines for them to do it for her, paid work as a model plus the technically free advertising work she was doing for New Paradigm, plus those experimental side projects. just so much work she would rather be getting done than watching some space rocks burn up in the atmosphere.

But… making time for her friends could be considered just as important as any of the many numerous things she would be working on instead. So here she was, waiting to watch space rocks burning up in the atmosphere, yet still wondering if she should have blown it off.

Her friends were currently going on about Spike, talking about how good an assistant he was as crowds of ponies moved around them to find a good spot for themselves to watch the showers.

“Punch?” Oskar heard Spike offer her, hand outstretched with a little cup full of said juice.

“Sure,” Oskar simply replied and grabbed the cup with her hoof before downing it in one go. As she waited for the showers to begin, Oskar decided to be creative on refilling her cup rather than use the punch bowl Spike brought along.

Pulling up a clump of grass from the ground the virus then transfigured it into a large orange. Squeezing the orange magically until it was a crushed little ball, she then dropped it on the ground before repeating the process with another clump of grass until her cup was refilled. Once that was done she reversed the transfiguration on the crushed oranges, turning back in blades of grass which now looked rather brown and shriveled up.

Oskar downed her glass yet again as the meteor shower finally began. Everyone was ooh’ing and ahh’ing but the Evolved’s mind had wandered back to her various projects and jobs she needed to work on, once again bringing up the thought that she should have blown this little get together off.

“Emerald darling, are you alright?” Rarity asked in concern. “You don’t seem to be all that impressed about this rare event.”

“I’m just thinking about work,” Oskar answered honestly as she once again refilled her cup with orange juice.

This was apparently the wrong thing to say however as the others shared a look before sitting close to Oskar, the meteor shower seemingly forgotten.

“Emerald, I believe I speak for all of us when I say that, while taking your work seriously is very admirable and I am certainly proud of you for it…” Rarity began, making the others look at her oddly when she said she was proud of “Emerald”. “You have been focusing too much on work and not enough on enjoying yourself.”

“I agree with Rarity here Emerald,” Twilight added. “All you seem to do lately is just work and study books, and whatever it is you do when you are gone for most of the day. Honestly, we are starting to get worried about you Emerald. It seems like you are going to end up burning yourself out sooner or later.”

“Hard work ain’t a bad thing sugarcube,” Applejack said. “But ah know from experience that too much work is just plum bad for ya.”

“But my work is very important!” Oskar protested. “I can do so much with the money I get from my work!”

“Like get even more money?” Rarity stated with a raised brow. “We all know about that company you invested in from those ads. Emerald dear, look, it’s not a particularly pleasant cycle you want to be getting stuck in. Having lots of money is wonderful and even I of all ponies would be the very first to admit that, but you can’t let it influence you. There is so much more to life than grinding the days away and longing after ever bigger paychecks.”

“But… Spike doesn’t mind hard work, does he?” Oskar pointed out half-heartedly. “And he makes it work!”

Just as the virus said that however, there was the sound of flesh hitting glass and everyone turned to see that Spike had fallen into the punch bowl, in a deep sleep born out of exhaustion.

“Okay maybe not…” Oskar said with an irritated sigh as Twilight looked at Spike thoughtfully.

ZETA

Roughly a day later, Oskar was back in the Everfree Cavern, once again working on the project involving parasprites and the effects polka music had on them with Navi hovering about with her ear protection.

He was making immense progress today despite yesterday’s poor results. It helped that his perfect memory and ability to pick up the subtlest changes in the music made progress easy once he knew what to look and listen for. He just needed to find a pitch that had the effects he was looking for on Tatl, and then needed to test just how that effect could be sustained despite making changes to the audio.

Starting the vanilla polka music back up again caused Tatl to fly in front of the speaker and bob to the beat. Then, Oskar altered the music, making it faster and more intense. Its effect on Tatl was immediate, the little parasprite started trilling loudly in excitement and flying wildly around the room, bouncing off the walls like a little ball whenever she managed to hit one.

Oskar observed this for a few moments before fiddling with the controls again. The music started changing again, becoming quieter yet higher pitched. Its effects on Tatl didn’t abate with the changes however and the little yellow bug continued flying wildly about the room and trilling in excitement.

Oskar watched Tatl do this for several moments before reaching down and flipping a switch on the control board, turning it off and ending the music.

With that, Tatl slowed to a stop and looked towards Oskar curiously.

“Come here Tatl,” Oskar beckoned with a hand. “It’s time that you got lots and lots of food to eat.”

Tatl didn’t need to be told anything else and trilled with delight before darting over to Oskar. The Evolved quickly shifted back into Emerald Gleaner and removed Navi’s ear muffs magically before teleporting with the two of them.

Oskar sighed as she arrived in a large kitchen-like chamber. She had just started to get used to being in her base form for long periods of time again, but now she had to be in disguise in the caverns as well, thanks to letting Whisper have some limited wandering privileges. Ah well, it was either be in disguise again or make Whisper stay in her cell all the time, and that seemed a bit much for just wanting to be used to her human form again.

Dogs in patchy stained aprons moved about the kitchen, preparing fresh meat and equally fresh gathered wild vegetables. The meal of the day was a large communal stew, which had also been the meal of the day for the past while now. The dogs knew far better than to complain though, as it was far better than the gruel they had been eating for most of their lives, having little to no time to prepare or gather ingredients for something better. It helped that though it was once again stew being served, it wasn’t the same kind of stew, having different kinds of meat and vegetables being mixed in every other meal.

The thought of the stew also brought up a concern to Oskar. food. While the Everfree was rich in game and wild vegetables, it would not remain so for long at the rate her dogs were hunting and gathering from it. They had been rationing what they had been cooking for everyone from the start, and the dogs were more than happy with it as it was still better than before, but rationing was merely delaying the inevitable. Oskar needed an alternative means of getting food that wasn’t an antiquated practice for a settled society.

‘I already have something in the works to solve that issue thankfully,’ Oskar thought as an old Diamond Dog approached her. ‘I just need to work on it a bit more to make sure nothing could go wrong, like accidently making tainted food and poisoning everyone.’

“Hello dear,” an old female pit bull greeted Oskar. “Would you like something from the kitchen again? There are plenty of treats for our young leader.”

“No thank you,” Oskar replied with a smile, both at the greeting and at the fact another dog had picked up on her grammar lessons quickly. “I’m here to set up a feast, the guest of honor being Tatl here.”

“Ah, the time for the Vanhoover raid is coming then?” the old dog said, motioning for several of her fellow cooks to come over. “I’ll have everything set up in half an hour. Tatl will have her feast.”

“Very good,” Oskar said. “Keep up the good work. I have to leave now, but I’ll be back to help with further preparations tomorrow.”

With that, Oskar teleported, leaving an eager Tatl behind and taking Navi with her. The Evolved expected to arrive in a fairly quiet library. Instead, she arrived in the middle of Twilight running around the room looking incredibly worried.

“Uh, what’s wrong Twilight?” Oskar asked as she approached the unicorn.

“Who,” Owlicious hooted from his roost.

Oskar merely glanced at the owl. The virus hadn’t really bothered to give him much in the way of thought. At first she had been worried his presence may complicate her now nightly trips, but Owlicious had seemed to abandon an owl’s normally nocturnal lifestyle for being up when everyone else was, thereby solving the problem before Oskar had to worry about it.

“Spike is missing!” Twilight shouted distraughtly, running in place before taking off again. “I don’t know where to look for him!”

“Who!” Owlicious hooted loudly, gaining everyone’s attention.

The owl had flown off his perch and was now on the ground, right beside a pair of red footprints on the floor. Walking over, Oskar looked at the footprints. Examining the outline, the virus saw what looked to be claws. Examining the red substance, the prints were made of lead to Oskar concluding it was ketchup.

“Are those Spike’s foot prints?!” Twilight asked in anxiety.

“Looks like it to me,” Oskar stated.

“Oh thank goodness!” Twilight exclaimed. “We can use his ketchup prints to track him down! Let’s go!”

“I highly doubt he has nearly enough ketchup on his…” Oskar’s statement died off as Twilight galloped out of the room with Owlicious flying just ahead of her. “… right, don’t mind me I’ll just follow along and make sure you actually find him.”

The Evolved followed after Twilight… and soon became utterly dumbfounded by the fact Spike’s footprints were still stained with ketchup long after they had left the town and entered into the Everfree. And as they moved into the Everfree, the ketchup stains continued to be as clear as ever, despite the fact various creatures in Everfree would have quickly eaten the splotches of condiment.

Whatever other issues Oskar would have thought up were quickly pushed aside as her ears picked up the roaring of a dragon and Spike’s panicked shouting.

“Faster,” Oskar said as she pulled up alongside Twilight and quickly pulled ahead, Twilight doing her utter best to keep up.

The two ponies and one owl soon came bursting into the cave to the sight of Spike being cornered by a large green dragon.

“Who, Who!” Owlicious hooted as he flew straight at the dragon, getting right in the massive lizard’s face.

The already angered dragon quickly became incredibly frustrated with Owlicious being in his face, and immediately shifted his attention to the bird. He snapped his teeth and swatted with his claws at Owlicious, but the little bird skilfully avoided every attempt to swat him away and continued to fly circles around the dragon, even making him hit himself at one point.

“Spike! Over here!” Twilight shouted, waving her foreleg wildly and gaining the little dragon’s attention.

Oskar ignored Spike as he ran past, utterly focused on the dragon as he continued to swat at Owlicious. Said little owl suddenly broke away from distracting the dragon and flew towards the cave entrance, causing the large lizard to charge after him and consequently towards Oskar.

Suddenly, two massive pairs of ghostly pink hands formed in the air besides the dragon’s head before forming into fists and flying at him. The dragon gave a shout of complete and total surprise as he was suddenly and powerfully punched on both sides of his head, stunning him briefly. Shaking his head clear he looked around for the source before spotting Oskar on the ground before with brightly glowing pink eyes and a magical aura around her horn.

Guessing the source of the sudden attack, the dragon inhaled in preparation to sound a blast of fire at Oskar, consequently leading to his throat being quite exposed as he did so. Another pink hand appeared, delivering a quick chop to the dragon’s throat, making him cough, gag, and spew black smoke.

Yet another pink fist appeared, this time level with the dragon’s gut. It launched forward like a bullet and impacted the dragon’s belly solidly, causing him to let out a long wheeze as he bent over from the strike.

The fist faded from view and another one appeared at the side of the dragon’s head, gripping it and holding him in place. Another hand then appeared and wrenched a stalactite from the ceiling before flying forward and utterly smashing it to pieces on the dragon’s face.

Still out of breath, the dragon could only wheeze in pain as he found himself crashing against the cave wall before collapsing to the ground on his belly and trying to catch a second wind as he lay there. Taking advantage of her opponent’s prone position, Oskar called up another pair of pink hands and conjured them just above the dragon’s wings.

The hands then reached down and gripped the wings of the dragon just above a major joint. Then they pulled and twisted.

Twilight galloped forward with Spike on her back and Owlicious just above and in front of her when she heard the distant roar of agony. Coming to a stop, Twilight saw that the dragon wasn’t behind her and neither was “Emerald”. Realizing that her friend was in a fight with a fearsome dragon and hadn’t run with them, Twilight quickly galloped back without another thought.

Rage burning in his eyes, the dragon pushed himself off the ground as his now broken wings hung at unnatural angles. Building up a blast of fire as quickly as possible, he sent it forth towards Oskar. The Evolved simply teleported away long before the flames could reach her however, and the dragon soon found another pair of floating magical fists striking him in the face.

The dragon began turning on the spot, trying to find his foe as blows rained down on him from all angles. About a dozen punches later, he finally located Oskar peeking out at him from beside a gem pile and charged at her in rage.

Oskar’s glowing eyes and horn increased in intensity, her eyes becoming more like spotlights and her horn flaring up like a blow torch. A pair of pink hands appeared in the air before the dragon, wreathed in pink flames… followed by a second pair of hands just below the first pair as Oskar gritted her teeth in concentration.

The dragon came to a stop as a fist solidly impacted him in the snout, and found himself reeling backwards as the others soon began raining blows on him, much like pistons at top speed.

Suddenly the lower pair of hands gripped his legs while the upper pair lashed out with a pair of uppercuts. The dragon toppled over and landed on his broken wings, causing him even more pain. The upper pair then quickly moved over to the dragon’s arms and held onto them, effectively pinning the large fire breathing lizard down while the lower pair kept their grip on the legs.

Grinding her teeth in exertion at the effort, Oskar pulled a stalagmite from its base on the ground and quickly brought it up over the dragon. The rock spike glowed brightly for a brief moment before being replaced with a smaller metal spike. The spike floated up higher in the air in its preparation to plunge down as the dragon seemed to blankly stare up at it.

“EMERALD!” Oskar heard a shout and turned her attention towards the cave entrance and saw Twilight standing there, looking caught between shock and horror as Spike and Owlicious did the same.

“You… you don’t need to go that far!” Twilight shouted. “Just come with us.”

Oskar just blinked and almost shrugged as she let go of the beaten and broken dragon before tossing the large metal spike aside. Then she teleported to Twilight’s side before the now group of four ran out of the cave, leaving a pained dragon behind.

The group ran for some distance before Twilight suddenly skidded to a stop, making Oskar stop as well and stare at her questionably.

“Emerald… what in Celestia’s name was that?!” Twilight shouted at Oskar, causing her to reel back, not at all expecting anger of all things from Twilight after just dealing with the dragon that threatened Spike. “I’ve… I’ve never seen something so brutal… You were about to k-k-kill that dragon! What were you thinking?!”

“What?” Oskar blinked. “I don’t see how I am the one in the wrong here! That dragon was threatening Spike! You see that scorch mark on his crest there?! Who knows what would have happened if we didn’t happen to arrive at the right time!”

“You didn’t need to go so far Emerald!” Twilight replied hotly before looking back at the cave. “Owlicious had distracted him. We only needed to take advantage of that and run away with Spike… you need to make things right. We have to go back and help him in any way possible.”

“WHAT?!” Oskar exclaimed incredulously. “I was only protecting Spike! WHY THE HEL-HAY SHOULD I HELP HIM?!”

“Because it’s the right thing to do and he is very hurt because of your actions,” Twilight answered as she stood resolutely before Oskar’s anger.

“Wha-bu-he… ERRRRR, FINE!” Oskar shouted and turned back towards the cave before stomping off towards it.

Twilight just stared after Oskar sadly as she stormed away.

‘Such terrible violence…’ Twilight thought sadly. ‘It’s beginning to become clear that the origin story we thought up for Emerald is starting to look rather plausible. I don’t know how to handle this… I should send the Princess a letter when I get some time to myself. She of all ponies would know how to proceed here.’

With that, Twilight trotted after Oskar, a subdued Spike and Owlicious in tow.

ETA

Shining Armor scrutinized his forces as he marched with a steely look in his eyes.

The Captain of the Guard was in Vanhoover now, the last predicted target of the Gray Fox, and could ill afford yet another failure on his part to defend the livelihoods of the ponies of Equestria. Though the Princesses were quick to assure him that he was not at fault for the Gray Fox managing to steal from cities under his protection, each failure still hit his pride like a hammer blow. He was supposed to be Equestria’s protector, the defender of her people, but here he was failing to catch one glorified leader of thieves. If he couldn’t stop one thief how in the world was he supposed to protect those he cared about? Candance… his parents… his little sister Twiley… the very fact the Gray Fox, Jack McCloud roamed free and unpunished for his crimes against Equestria made Armor question his whole worth as Captain of the Royal Guard.

‘Focus…’ Armor thought, taking in a deep calming breath. ‘You can’t be doubting yourself when this could be the day he finally attacks. Everpony is going on about how the Gray Fox won’t dare come to Vanhoover thanks to the massive Royal Guard presence and that this long quiet period proves that. I know him though. He has something up those torn sleeves of his, he always does. But the question now is what it could be?’

Taking another look around at the large Royal Guard patrols moving around the exterior of the factory, Shining Armor narrowed his eyes critically, attempting to spot even the smallest flaws the infamous self-styled King of Thieves could take advantage of.

‘Most of the Royal Guard is here, bringing our combined numbers up to about six hundred,’ Armor thought to himself. ‘More if we include the local guards as well, meaning that the Diamond Dogs’ advantage of number is fairly nullified now. As great a fighter as the Gray Fox is, even he wouldn’t be able to turn a fight this big in his favor.’

‘So he must clearly have a plan to get around this,’ Shining Armor thought as he started pacing anxiously. ‘Again the question is what, and that could be anything. I have numbers to stop a direct assault, equipment to stop his teleporting, but there is only so much I can do without knowing what the Gray Fox is planning. And that is impossible without trying to find his headquarters in the Diamond Dog tunnels, doing that would be both stupid and incredibly dangerous.’

“Captain Armor! Captain Armor!” a pegasus Royal Guard shouted as he dived out of the sky.

“Where is he?” Armor stated simply.

“Sir, the Gray Fox has been spotted at the Museum of Vanhoover,” the Royal Guard said with a salute. “It was evacuated as soon as the reported sighting was confirmed. As far as we can detect, the Gray Fox is the only one in there now.”

“Who is guarding the museum perimeter?” Armor asked.

“A contingent of the local guards has the building surrounded sir,” the guard responded. “I made sure they would not go in without express permission, but they assured me there was no danger of that. The Gray Fox’s reputation has had an effect on them.”

“This is beyond them, far beyond them,” Armor stated with no recrimination in his voice. “I do not blame them for not wanting to face the Gray Fox. I will gather a hundred of the most able Royal Guards. Go spread the news to everypony that the Gray Fox is here and that he will likely have something planned to draw them away from the factories.”

“Yes sir!” the pegasus shouted with another salute before flying off.

Shining Armor worked fast and gathered with him a hundred of his most skilled Royal Guards currently nearby. He would have spared the time to gather the truly best from the entire force, but there was no telling what the Gray Fox would be planning, and he wished to give him as little time as possible to act.

Even though he set a breakneck pace, Shining Armor still wasn’t happy with the time they made to the museum. Knowing it was simply his own frustrations regarding the Gray Fox acting up, Armor bit his tongue to keep from being critical of his Guards.

“Is he still in there?” Armor asked one of the guards milling about around the museum, their armor looking much more bland compared to the Royal Guard’s decoration.

“As far as I can tell,” the guard replied with a shrug, snapping the bubble-gum he was chewing. “Machines should be keeping him from teleporting right? Though those Diamond Dogs of his could easily dig him a hole out of there I guess.”

“Right… I want two squads with me!” Armor commanded his guards. “The rest of you shall remain outside to help guard the perimeter!”

With that, Shining Armor and two squads of twenty Royal Guards entered the Museum of Vanhoover. The very moment they had entered, the sound of music being played reached them. a violin being played to be exact.

They moved towards the sound of the music, an almost mournful sounding song, and quickly galloped past exhibits.

They soon arrived in a room obviously dedicated to musical exhibits, as the music wallpaper and aged instruments in glass cases attested. Moving into the room, still following the music while being very mindful this was likely a trap, Armor caught sight of a broken case. Judging by the stand and the fact the other instruments in the case were old and rather valuable violins, Armor guessed rightly that Jack took his instrument from there. Armor mentally added a count of vandalism and larceny to the Gray Fox’s already massive list of crimes before moving on.

The captain and his group continued to follow after the music. The fact that the source always seemed to be just around the next corner however made everyone tense, fully believing a trap was about to be sprung on them at any moment.

To their utter surprise, the next turn happened to lead them back to the musical exhibits where the Gray Fox was just finishing up his song before replacing the violin back on its stand. They walked into the room, expecting a hundred different traps to be set off with every step but nothing happened.

“That was ‘Winter Sonata - Only You’ if you want to know,” said a strangely subdued sounding Gray Fox as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a messy looking small speaker with exposed wires covering the entirety of one side. “The song I mean, mate.”

“What is that?” Armor questioned, eyeing the gadget in the Fox’s hand suspiciously.

“Oh this?” Jack stated and flicked something within the tangles of wires, causing quiet high pitched polka music to begin playing. “Just some music mate. That’s not a crime, is it? Course I do happen to be Equestria’s most wanted at the moment, so I suppose it must be a crime.”

“No, it is not a crime just because you happen to be doing it,” Armor replied tartly, insulted by the implication. “Everything you are guilty of are things no decent being should do in civilized society. Those and only those are what you shall be tried for Jack.”

“Well there is that bit of fairness at least,” Jack said with a small smile.

Outside the museum several holes suddenly burst open all around the museum to all the guard’s shock. The Royal Guard charged over to them, fully expecting Diamond Dogs to pour out but none did. One of the local guards pushed down his fear and walked over to one hole to look down it. Straining his ears he could almost hear… trilling?

“Why are you doing this? Why steal the machines?” Armor asked, taking advantage of the fact the Gray Fox seemed to want to talk.

“Why are you Captain of the Guard mate?” The Gray Fox asked instead of answering.

“It’s… in my nature to protect others,” Armor answered, glancing at his armor-covered cutie mark. “To protect Equestria, her people and my family. And what about you Jack? Do you have a family?”

“Dad was a love em and leave em thief, and mum was a lass that didn’t know any better,” Jack said with a shrug. “Course mum would likely be a tad disappointed in me.”

“For becoming like your father?”

Just like that the Gray Fox’s expression changed, instead of that smug smile on his face he was frowning angrily, speaking the next words lowly and dangerously. “Mate… if you are implying I would leave a vixen and kit of mine to fend for themselves… then I’m afraid we are going to have a fight on our hands.”

Shining Armor and his two squads tensed up as the Gray Fox twirled his staff before bringing it to bear towards them. It was very clear to everyone that in the next few moments a brutal fight would soon be breaking out.

“… What is that sound?” said one guard, bringing to everyone’s attention the muffled trilling sound coming from outside.

“What in the world is that?” Armor asked aloud.

“Oh that?” The Gray Fox, smug smile suddenly firmly back in place as he took a much more relaxed stance. “That’s just backup mate.”

Back outside, the guards grew increasingly wary of the holes as the trilling noise grew and grew in volume. The guard that was looking into one hole hadn’t retreated from them just yet, and his eyes widened when he saw countless green eyes twinkle in the darkness below.

“What’s that?!” he shouted as he recoiled from the hole, just as a geyser made up of paraspites exploded out of it.

Parasprites exploded out of the other holes as well, seemingly endless in number as they quickly swarmed over the shouting and screaming guards surrounding the museum.

Back inside the museum, Armor’s Royal Guards looked around wildly as the muffled trilling became much louder, and shapes darted by the windows by the hundreds.

Then through sheer force of number, parasprites shattered the windows and swarmed into the interior of the museum, sending the guards into a panic just as the ones outside had been.

“Everybody cover up!”

“I can’t see!

“Don’t open your mout- ACK!”

All around them parasprites swarmed in hyperactive excitement, trilling happily as they flew wildly everywhere. Armor did not share his subordinates’ panic however, and tried to peer through the almost solid cloud of insects between where he was and where the Gray Fox had stood. When Armor didn’t see him, he instead paid attention to the cloud of bugs, assuming that Jack was responsible for them. When he saw that the swarm was not only decreasing in thickness, but seemed to be moving down a hall away from him, he quickly ran after them.

Halfway down the hall the parasprites were swarming through, they suddenly stopped flying and trilling wildly. Instead, they briefly milled about before curiosity got the better of them and they quickly began exploring their surroundings. At this, the Captain of the Guard only ran harder.

He found his quarry a few moments later atop a set of stairs to the second floor before a now broken large window.

“Jack!” Armor shouted, interrupting the Gray Fox while he was in the middle of leaping out the window. “What was all this for?! The guards protecting the factories would never leave their posts for this distraction! Your Diamond Dogs are no match for us in a straight fight!”

While Shining Armor could have taken this chance to attack Jack instead of shout at him, he was under no delusion that he could fight and take down the Gray Fox by himself, though it galled him to admit it. Meaning his only choice here was to watch him leave… again. At least he had managed to keep the Fox from stealing anything this time…

“Well I admit that is true…” Jack said with a large toothy grin. “Once upon a time that is… I did say I was going to whip that sorry lot into shape now didn’t I?”

With that ominous statement, the Gray Fox leapt from the window. Armor dashed up the steps as quickly as he could, arriving at the window just in time to see the various holes surrounding the museum to close up. As he watched the various guards running around the streets in panic and the parasprite swarm spreading into the city and causing chaos, Armor couldn’t help the sure dread that filled him at Jack’s words.

Running back down the steps, Armor determined to quickly gather up his guards to check up on everyone as quickly as possible.

“No…” Armor said in little amount of despair at the sight before him.

Before him was an electronics factory, once bustling with worker ponies and guards protecting them. Now it was a total wreck with filled holes scarring the land before it. The factory was in shambles. Doors were busted down, windows broken, and the workers gone. The guards who were left behind to protect were still there… but now they were on the ground.

All of them were in various states of injury and a few were well enough to be even limping about. One such limping, heavily lacerated and badly beaten unicorn Royal Guard stumbled over to Shining Armor.

“What happened here?” Armor questioned.

“It… it was the Diamond Dogs,” the guards answered with a gulp as he tried to bite down the waves of pain washing through him. “We expected them to distract us… to try to bait us away from the factory… they didn’t. They just burst out of the ground and attacked us instead.”

“We thought… our training would see us through against such an attack…” the guard continued as he swallowed down blood from broken teeth and torn gums, his eyes blank as he seemed to be somewhere else. “But they have training now too. It was so brutal. I had never seen anything like it. The one I fought was like a frenzied snarling beast. I thought I had him when I held him aloft with magic but he took out a bag of sand and threw it in my face… I couldn’t see, I couldn’t concentrate… I felt something hit me in the mouth… I think he had smashed my face with a stone… I was on the ground then, blinded and in pain… he didn’t leave me alone. He made sure I wasn’t getting back up to fight… I never realized how sharp a Diamond Dog’s claws were, you know… I hadn’t really thought about how sharp and tough those claws were… claws that cut through rock all the time like nothing… claws that tear away at you like nothing… claws…”

“Get him out of here,” Armor whispered urgently to one of his guards.

“Yes sir,” the guard said solemnly, and began leading the clearly traumatized Royal Guard, whispering softly to him as he did so.

Armor couldn’t help himself as he stared over the devastation and brutalization that his forces had been put through, not the least bit doubtful that all the other hit factories would be the same. Wordlessly, the hundred Royal Guards that had come with him went over to their fallen fellow guards to provide what aid they could.

Shining Armor looked up as trilling parasprites flew overhead, exploring their surroundings and looking for more food to eat and propagate more of their kind.

Armor then looked down at the ground as the feeling of despair seemed to become all-consuming inside him. He had failed… again. Not only did he fail the people of Equestria and the Princesses, but he failed his own guards as well… and in his failures allowed for all of them to suffer.

“Captain Armor?” Said a guard standing before him. “What are your orders sir?”

Armor looked up at the Royal Guard before him and saw that he was desperate for direction, for something, anything to do in this time of crisis. And when he saw that, Shining Armor showed just why he was Captain of the Royal Guard.

“We will start collecting up the wounded and putting them together,” Armor stated, his expression clearing of all emotion and his stance radiating strength. “I also want pegasi to be sent all over Vanhoover, gathering up the local guards and any volunteers they can find. There is going to be a lot of hurt ponies today and we will be needing all the extra pair of hooves we can get. Once that is done, we will need to start dealing with these insects swarming the city, but that can wait until the wounded are cared for. Do you got that!”

“YES SIR!” The guard saluted and took off.

With that, Shining Armor decided to take part in his own orders, giving as much help as he could. There was much to do and he couldn’t waste time feeling sorry for himself. Once the local issues were taken care of, he would need to inform the Princesses of what had happened today. He… did not know exactly what would be going into the letter to them. His mind was focusing on the here and now, but he still worried about his future, namely what kind of work he would be able to get after being fired for incompetence, and whether or not it would be enough to support the family Candence kept talking of having in the future.

THETA

“This is a disaster,” Celestia murmured as she looked over the letter before her. “An utter disaster.”

“Indeed sister,” Luna agreed. “The Gray Fox has not only succeeded in raiding his final goal but has trained his Diamond Dogs to be able to fight on equal terms with the Royal Guard.”

Celestia and Luna were in the throne room reading from a report Shining Armor had sent them, and they most definitely did not like the contents.

“And Armor is blaming himself so badly,” Celestia said sadly. “It looks like he is expecting to be discharged as soon as he returns to Canterlot.”

“He did all he could to fight the Gray Fox,” Luna said. “To punish him for doing everything in his power would be wrong, and we can ill afford to lose a skilled pony such as him.”

“I dearly wish I could give him some time off. He clearly needs it,” Celestia said. “But with the Gray Fox on the loose and us no longer possessing a predictable pattern of his future targets…”

“It is now a waiting game then,” Luna stated. “We do not know where he will strike next, and as the Captain pointed out in the letter, the only other way is to try to infiltrate the Diamond Dog tunnels, an incredibly dangerous task for anypony to be sure.”

“The economy is going to be in shambles now,” Celestia sighed tiredly. “The recovery is going to put an incredible strain on the treasury, not to mention the suffering my ponies are going to be put through.”

“Regrowth could very likely be thrice as hard, I’m afraid, with the Gray Fox still out there,” Luna stated. “I have little doubt he will strike again and again. His target would be something of vast worth to the Kingdom as a whole.”

“What would it be though?” Celestia wondered aloud. “What else besides the machines will he target?”

“Perhaps he shall strike at warehouses holding electronic devices?” Luna offered. “The Gray Fox has an impressive mind, but I doubt he knows the subtle workings of such devices to the point he can repair and replace parts with ease.”

“Possibly. Again, the problem here is that we have no clue as to his next target,” Celestia said with another sigh. “Make no mistake, your idea has merit, but ultimately we will be forced to spread out all over the kingdom trying to predict all of his possible targets.”

With that, Celestia put the letter from Shining Armor away and took another one out, this one from Twilight.

“Well, hopefully some normal news from Twilight shall lighten the mood,” Celestia said with a small smile as she began reading, said smile soon faded from sight and was replaced by shock. “Oh dear…”

“What is it sister?” Luna asked and leaned over to read the letter as well, her expression soon matching that of her sisters.

“I never realized that young Emerald Gleaner could hold the capacity for such violence in her,” Celestia said softly.

“… It was in defense of another,” Luna said in quiet defense of the mare who was to be her future apprentice.

“Even so… though it does somewhat gladden me to see that Emerald would go to such lengths for a friend,” Celestia said lightly, “Twilight’s hypothesis that she developed with her other friends sounds like a probable reason for Emerald’s violent outburst.”

“Yes, but in the end without solid proof, or the story from Emerald herself, that is all it really is, a hypothesis,” Luna said. “I applaud her willingness to dirty her hooves… though I will most certainly go to lengths to plan lessons in ethics and self-control. A potential future princess should know when enough is enough. Moderation can be key in a great number of actions.”

“Hmm…” Celestia looked at her sister with a deadpan expression. “Perhaps I should help you in planning those lessons? Or better yet, take part myself.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?!” Luna demanded indignantly.

“Why, nothing at all my dearest sister.”

-TBC-

Chapter 13: Skyfall

View Online

Oskar sat cross legged on a stone work floor, his face fixed in an expression of pure concentration.

The Evolved was back in the Everfree Caverns and in one of the many rooms set aside for him and his various projects. His current project was the study of a Teleportation Interdictor that his dogs had managed to steal. He had two of them now actually, truly the Alphas went above and beyond in collecting the devices Oskar wanted.

The Interdiction box looked fairly plain and was purple in color with black around the edges. On the very top, embossed in brass, was the crest of the people that created the box, a shield that had a heraldry of books, armor, sparks, and a crown. Atop the shield were a pair of silhouettes of two rearing unicorns, and along the bottom was the group’s name.

‘Royal Guild of Magical Craftsponies.’ Oskar read as he brought a hand near the box, a forefinger alight with blood red magic.

Instantly the box became utterly covered with many crisscrossing lines intersecting many concentric circles. To the untrained eye it was a maddening mess of random glowing lines and shapes that gave no real indication of logical method, but Oskar had the luck of knowing the primer of Artificing thanks to Silver Light.

Narrowing his eyes in concentration, Oskar moved his hand over the surface of the box, scanning over it. Suddenly bringing his hand to a stop, Oskar slowly and with great care placed a finger on one of the concentric circles. Placing his finger on the inner circle, Oskar then moved his finger, the circle it was on following it. Enlarging the inner circle until it nearly touched the outer one, Oskar pulled his finger back and waited.

Suddenly there was a single click from the box and it unfolded like a flower. The process of the change from metal box to metal flower was hard to keep track of, but Oskar’s attention was attracted to the long prism-like gem. Beams of light leapt from the gem floating in mid-air and into the “petals”, sigils seemed to be created and sent flying from the prism and destroyed as they drifted away.

‘This must be the power matrix,’ Oskar thought as he leaned back and examined the gem.

Oskar reached forward with both hands now, both alit with magic. Carefully surrounding the prism with his fingers without touching it, the virus sent careful pulses of magic through them. The Prism glowed brightly and the sigils emitting from it stopped before the glow ended and the gem began to dull. Once the gem lost its brightness and began to descend towards the “flower”, Oskar then slowly took it in his grip.

Bringing the gem to him, he looked at it in his grip before looking at the device it had powered, said device was now dark and the air of magical energy it once held was quickly fading. Carefully replacing the gem it used to float back, he then reactivated it with another pulse of magic. The gem lit back up immediately and beams shot off it into the box, causing it to light up with the many runic markings as well. Oskar also noticed that several runes he hadn’t seen before appear briefly without the inner working of the unfolded device, flashing and flickering before fading from sight.

‘Perhaps they are runes specifically made to aid in the start-up sequence?’ Oskar hummed in thought as he reached forward and tapped a brightly glowing dot on one of the petals, causing the device to fold back up.

‘Well that was certainly an interesting exercise of knowledge,’ Oskar thought to himself as he studied the magical box before him intently. ‘Not much more I can do without experimenting, which I can’t really afford to do. The slightest change in ignorance could cause the Interdictor to simply stop working or fry its runic circuitry… may even explode if I mess up badly enough.’

‘Silver Light was never going to know more than the very basics of Artificing,’ Oskar thought as he brushed himself off and stood up. ‘It simply wasn’t in his temperament to learn this fine and finicky craft. He was more of an action loving pony and preferred a more direct form of magic. I’m going to need to find someone who knows this craft, as trying to figure things out myself, while possible, just isn’t practical time wise.’

‘Hmm… I don’t want to have to kill someone for this knowledge though, orchestrating a believable accident would be troublesome,’ the Evolved thought as he began to walk out of the room. ‘This side project of mine is starting to show a lot of promise. Some of the animals managed to retain a few of their higher brain functions. They are still basically retarded, but progress is progress…’

Oskar left the room, closing the door behind him with a click. He then wandered down a random hall as his mind wandered over issues and problems he had to deal with. Eventually, the sounds of muffled rhythmic booms met his ears as he walked. Before long, he found himself before a door where the booming noises were much louder, though still slightly muffled.

Opening the door, Oskar found himself in a firing range being used by a dozen Diamond Dogs. The dogs all wore ear plugs stolen from factories to protect their hearing. They didn’t fit perfectly well though, depending on the breed of Diamond Dog, but it was better than nothing. Each dog had his own stall and little table which had a small bucket on it. They all also had their own bolt action rifles and a few dozen bullets. At the far end of the firing range were wooden boards with red painted targets on them, very basic but it did the job.

As they fired, the dogs made sure to collect all the spent shells that had popped out of the chamber before placing it in the little bucket in their stall. When they had fired their allotted bullets, they flicked the safety switch on their rifles and picked up the bucket of spent shells, carrying it over to a large bin before dumping the bucket over into it.

Walking over to the bin, Oskar grimaced when he saw the growing pile of spent casings. He had a number of the smarter dogs now helping with manufacturing bullets, but the fact remained they were still going through tons of them just using them for practice. The virus could only imagine the sure strain on the supply chain if they actually got in some serious fighting with guns.

‘Thankfully ammunition will not be a problem forever,’ Oskar thought as he left the firing range. ‘The first assembly line is going to come online soon and its product shall be bullets. Then I can have more firing ranges carved out and everyone will get a chance to practice with the guns as much as they want. Then I can have the dogs making the bullets doing more productive things like helping their less skilled fellows pick up the engineering trade faster.’

Leaving the room and closing the door behind him, the loud muffled bangs of the guns going off became steadily quieter as he walked away. Oskar looked over his shoulder with a wince as a thought struck him.

‘Diamond Dogs have sensitive hearing,’ the virus pondered. ‘Even though I have the walls doubly thick in loud working environments, they can probably still hear it a good ways away. Hmm… perhaps a sound dampening charm? Easy enough, but the trick is keeping it powered for a decent length of time… how about I make use of my basic artificing skills then? I can’t do anything complicated, but setting up something to power a spell is easily within primer levels. Now I just need a good storage for magical power. A decent quality gem will do, we literally have a mountain of the stuff lying around in the tunnel network, though higher quality gems will hold much more power. Hmm…’

In his wanderings, Oskar happened by another door with noise emitting from it. This time the noise was not nearly as deafening and the door was marked as the ‘Workshop’. Deciding to enter on a whim, he opened the door and entered.

The workshop was massive in comparison to the firing range. It had to be considering all the hundreds of dogs working at tables, practicing metal working and putting together small basic machine parts. Some of the dogs were making basic machine parts like cogs and the like, but a few of the smarter ones were already in the process of making very, very basic circuit boards. However, for the most part, the dogs in the room were working on making guns.

Now the guns weren’t on the same level of the one that Oskar himself had made and demonstrated. At this point the dogs were still learning the basics of gunsmithing and the guns they were making could be described as crude breech loading muskets. They couldn’t hold a candle to Springfield Muskets, but the fact remained that as far as Oskar knew his Diamond Dogs were making the very first firearms in the world.

Another thing about the room was the light bulbs fastened to the ceiling. The conversion to electricity powered lighting was slow going right now, and only important places like the production facilities got them, but as soon as Oskar could get a few steam power plants up and running he would see to getting power to the rest of his people.

‘Heh, my people,’ Oskar thought with a chuckle. ‘How stately of me.’

Suddenly one of the Diamond Dogs working at a crafting table came running at him eagerly.

“Boss, boss!” The dog was a female golden retriever with her fur coat cut short and wearing an aqua green buttoned up vest. In her hands was a musket she had obviously finished working on. “Look what I made!”

The Diamond Dog then lifted up her rifle and aimed it at Oskar intentionally. The way she held the rifle was almost firing from the hip but high enough that she would have either gotten a bad bruise or a broken rib from the kick of the gun. Knowing that she didn’t mean to threaten him, Oskar examined the rifle she had made and was rather surprised to see that it looked extremely well done. It wasn’t near the quality that he would have managed, but impressive all the same.

“This is fantastic work, you should be proud… but there is one issue,” Oskar began, making the dog change her expression from beaming to almost pouting. “Nothing with the gun but with the way you are handling it. You must NEVER point a gun at anyone you don’t intend to shoot at, yes even if you know with absolute certainty that the gun isn’t loaded. Even then, you still mustn’t aim it at anyone. The best way to hold a gun is to always keep the muzzle pointing at the ground, that way even if it does go off by accident you won’t hurt anyone you didn’t intend to.”

“Oh… uh…” the dog began, fumbling a little with the rifle before adjusting its position to suit what Oskar had told her. “Thanks boss. I’ll make sure not to do that again, er… I’ll just go back to work now.”

Oskar just smiled as he watched the Diamond Dog dart back to her crafting table, satisfied that she was going to be rather talented, and that it appeared she had also picked up on the grammar lessons quickly as well.

Taking another look around the large workshop, full of busy dogs working away at guns, parts and circuits, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He had taught them to do this, had given them the opportunity to be more than slaves scratching at the earth for treats to sate their murderous tyrant. And now they were flourishing and proving that they were a people naturally inclined to working with their hands.

‘I did all of this just to have a power base with which to give nations a reason to think twice,’ Oskar thought. ‘And I have succeeded at that, but now even if I didn’t want that anymore, I don’t think I could bring myself to stop working to make them better. I remember what it was like working under Mercer. Sure I had power and the freedom to wander the NYZ, but the threat of death was always there. I could never relax, never slow down, the slightest mistake could have easily ended up with me dead and replaced by some random Black Watch grunt plucked off the street. It always seemed like he was harshest on me, the most suspicious and critical. Every conversation was almost like a duel to the death with every victory only winning me a short reprise until the next duel… In all likelihood it was probably me being incredibly paranoid of him and his intentions towards me, but considering what he did with the surviving members of the Cadre on that rooftop… it doesn’t matter anymore I suppose. What I am feeling is that I know what it was like to work for a cruel master and I can’t find it in myself to just stop here and not put in any more work on improving their lives.’

‘Anyway, I have somewhere to be today and I can’t be late… no matter how much I want to be,’ Oskar thought with a sigh before teleporting away. ‘At least there is only one factory left…’

ALPHA

“L-lift your head up please,” Fluttershy asked before pushing a massive pillow. “Thank you.”

The demure pegasus was on her grounds, which happened to be very different now. The chicken coops were much larger now, and the penned area for the chickens to range in was much larger as well. The trees were practically overwhelmed with bird houses and most of them had yet to be even filled as prospecting bird couples and bachelors constantly flew by. The river banks had been altered and the bridge made wider so that even more animals could burrow homes there. There was now a barn-like building set off to the side that had six small silos attached to the sides, each one filled with a different animal feed. Despite all these additions, Fluttershy’s own home was completely untouched, seemingly forgotten in the rush of construction and improvements. Despite the previous statement, the feed barn wasn’t actually completed just yet. The back wall and part of the roof needed to be finished, and to do exactly that was Emerald Gleaner.

“I-is the p-pillow soft enough?” Fluttershy asked her patient. “S-should I fluff it up some more?”

“No, it is fine.” A large heavily bandaged and bruised dragon huffed in some annoyance at being coddled by a much smaller creature.

“O-oh good…” Fluttershy said nervously. She wasn’t going to refuse to treat someone that needed her help, but she was still rather scared of dragons. She wished Emerald could help her here, but considering that she was responsible for the dragon’s condition she didn’t think that was very smart. She was much better off without the unicorn’s help, as she would have likely agitated the dragon something fierce. Even now, when she wasn’t in sight, she could tell the dragon was angered by her presence. “L-let’s just change these dirty b-bandages now…”

“Hmph, very well,” the dragon half growled and presented one of his arms to her. “To think this resulted out of some hatchling getting too familiar with my gem horde.”

“W-well they did think you were going to seriously hurt Spike,” Fluttershy defended softly as she replaced the large bandages.

“Hurt him?!” the dragon said incredulously. “It takes a bit more than some fire and minor gnawing with teeth to hurt a dragon, even for a little brat like Spike.”

“Yes, but don’t you think you were acting like a bully?” Fluttershy said, her slight stutter disappearing and her voice rising.

“Hardly.” The dragon huffed. “The whelp was stealing from my horde. I was the one in the right to teach him a lesson and what happens because of it? I get beaten to near death!”

“Well I am sorry but you are so much bigger than Spike!” Fluttershy said sternly. “You really should know much better than to breathe fire at him and try to chomp on him.”

“Exactly. To me it looked like something much worse was going to happen than some disciplinary action,” Emerald said from Fluttershy’s side, making the pegasus jump with fright. “Sorry, that was why I attacked so… eagerly. I sincerely thought Spike was in serious danger and helped him to the best of my ability.”

“But he WASN’T in any danger!” the Dragon said with a loud growl, turning onto his side to face her. “Even a dragon as young as him has a hide tough enough that most normal predators are better off hunting something else, and no matter the age, all dragons have a high heat tolerance! YOU NEARLY KILLED ME FOR NO REASON!”

“I told you my REASON!” Emerald shouted back defiantly. “I thought YOU were trying to kill him! I was just defending him!”

“Kill him?!” the dragon roared in disbelief. “I don’t know who or where you were raised, but I wouldn’t have killed the whelp just for stealing!”

“WHAT DID YOU IMPLY ABOUT MY MOTHER?!?” Emerald shouted at the dragon.

“O-o-o-oh my…” Fluttershy breathed, taking in the scene before her with wide eyes. Emerald Gleaner, a unicorn, practically muzzle to muzzle with a furious dragon and shouting in his face in anger, and he roaring back with equal rage. Normal ponies would have just run from a fully grown dragon on sight, but Emerald not only was not doing that, but getting in his face and not paying any heed to the fact he could just gobble her up in one bite.

Suddenly, the two stopped their screaming match and simply panted, glaring at each other with murder in their eyes. In this “quiet” moment, Fluttershy decided to offer her own opinion on the argument.

“Umm… maybe… maybe the both of you are responsible for your actions?” Fluttershy said quietly, her voice sounding so deafening in her own ears as Emerald and the dragon shot her incredulous looks. “B-because you know… both of your actions are kind of bad… and… umm… yeah…”

Emerald and the Dragon just shot Fluttershy dirty looks before returning their attentions to each other and resuming their shouting match. Said demure pegasus only sighed tiredly and went back to work on replacing the dragon’s dirty bandages as the two argued very loudly with each other.

This went on for quite a while, Emerald and the dragon furiously arguing with each other as Fluttershy strove to work around it to the best of her ability. She had nearly finished applying the bandages through great effort when she spied Pinkie Pie tiredly walking up to them with Gummy on her back, wearing her ridiculous dress that she had forced Rarity to make several months ago.

“Oh hello Pinkie,” Fluttershy greeted as she flew over to the pink pony. “How do you do? Did you need something maybe?”

Trudging up to Fluttershy, Pinkie drew in a deep breath before breaking out into a song that instantly ended the argument between Emerald and the dragon.

“This is your singing telegram…” Pinkie began slowly, sweat dripping down her brow. “I hope it finds you well~ You're invited to a party~… Cause we think you're really swell~ Gummy's turning one year old~ So help us celebrate~…” Pinkie briefly took a quick breather and sighed. “The cake will be delicious~ The festivities first-rate~ There will be games and dancing~ Bob for apples, cut a rug~ And when the party's over~ We'll gather 'round for a group hug~ No need to bring a gift~ Being there will be enough~.” Pinkie paused again and gulped in a lungful of air as she seemed to struggle to stand. “Birthdays mean having fun with friends~ Not getting lots of stuff~ It won't be the same without you~ So we hope that you say yes~ So, please, oh please R.S.V.P~ And come, and be our guest~!” With that Pinkie gasped and flopped onto the ground.

“Oh my! Pinkie are you alright?” Fluttershy asked with concern. “Do you need something?!”

“…Water,” Pinkie rasped out.

“Right away!” Fluttershy said and darted back to her house.

“A party huh?” Emerald stated. “Hmm… sure why not? Better than shouting at this useless massive lump all day.”

Said “useless massive lump” growled angrily before letting out a huff and turning onto his side facing away from everyone.

BETA

Navi trilled in delight as she drank from a tiny cup and nibbled a slice of cake on her equally tiny plate whilst wearing a party hat, not bothered at all by the fact that the punch bowl had been used as an impromptu pool by gummy a short moment ago. The same could be said of Oskar as she continued to pour glass after glass of punch for herself despite Rarity’s objections, and had already eaten one of the cake layers entirely by herself again despite Rarity’s objections, though those were more for worry of her figure than anything else.

“Having fun?” Oskar asked her pet as she sat at the table, her cheek resting on her hoof. Her pet trilled her delight again and Oskar simply smiled at her before downing yet another cup of punch.

Try as she might, the Evolved just couldn’t get herself to relax and enjoy Pinkie’s party. There was just so much stuff she found herself thinking of doing. Finishing up on the solution for the predicted food crises, not to mention the bullet production line, she really needed to get that up and running so her dogs could practice their marksmanship skills. But the food issue was honestly much more important, so she was going to solve it first before going on to the next problem.

“Emerald?” Oskar heard Twilight say and turned to face her.

Before her were the Mane Six, all of them looking at her with clear concern. Oskar winced at that, apparently she was a bit too obvious with her own problems.

“Is there something the matter dear?” Rarity asked, taking a seat beside the fake unicorn. “You’ve been fairly quiet and aloof since the party started.”

“Did I do the party badly Emmy?” Pinkie Pie asked sadly.

“No, not at all!” Oskar quickly assured Pinkie. “It’s just that… well I was thinking about work…”

“Oh,” Rarity said a little unhappily, the others looking a bit upset as well.

“Look I’m sorry, I know we’ve already talked about this,” Oskar said. “That I should be taking more time off for both myself and all of you, but I just can’t help it. I have so much important work to do. It just bothers me so much to leave it undone and try to have fun instead.”

“Is making money really so important to you?” Twilight asked, causing an almost smothering silence to fill the room.

“It… my work is…” Oskar tried before sighing, then her expression became much more steely. “What I do is very important to the people I work for, it does so much for them to get my projects finished. So much more than you can believe.”

“Well…” Rarity began, trying to end the following silence, but was unable to. Suddenly Pinkie bounded forward and wrapped Oskar in a tight hug.

“Emmy you silly filly!” Pinkie admonished playfully. “If your job is getting in the way of fun then go get it done! Don’t cha worry about a thing! Just go get your work done as fast as possible so it doesn’t get in the way of partying with your friends!”

“Thank you so much Pinkie.” Oskar smiled and returned the tight hug with one of her own. “I’ll get my work done as fast as possible so we can have fun more often. Navi come here.”

With that, Oskar teleported away, intent on doing what she had promised to Pinkie Pie, both so it wouldn’t get in the way of being with the others, and so that her projects can start helping her dogs as soon as possible.

Navi took flight as soon as Oskar arrived in the Everfree caverns, the Evolved reorienting herself to her surroundings as dogs shouted in surprise at the sudden arrival.

“Hiya boss!” one dog greeted cheerfully as he trudged by pulling a cart filled with gems.

“Hello,” Oskar greeted back before sharply pointing at a dog that didn’t seem to be doing anything. “You! I want at least three Alphas and a small crew of dogs to meet me in the cultivation chambers, on the double!”

“Yes boss!” the dogs shouted before quickly bounding off to do as told.

“Come here Navi,” Oskar commanded of her pet again before teleporting.

Oskar arrived in a large bare chamber with a dirt floor and large industrial lights hanging from the ceiling. Darted here and there were palm tree like plants, except they looked burnt to a cinder and had excessively long leaves drooping down their sides.

Stepping towards one of the “trees”, Oskar took a seat and waited for the Diamond Dogs she had requested to arrive. She didn’t have to wait long, as about fifteen minutes later a large group entered the chamber.

“Everyone over here!” Oskar called, waving the dogs over with a hoof. “I’ve got something important to show all of you!”

As the dogs made their way Oskar placed her hoof against a tree and extended a tendril into it.

‘Now all of the plants are connected via roots, so they should all get this at once… more or less,’ Oskar thought as she brought up some genetic material and prepared to inject it into the plant. ‘Now if I did all the work exactly right, they should all do as they were designed to and not, you know, turn into monsters and kill everyone. Yeah, hopefully I won’t be finding out what the heads behind Gentek felt like when their creations went crazy… here goes.’

Oskar injected the activation gene and it was like flipping a switch. One second the trees looked burnt and dead, the next their leaves had practically leapt up and orange bioluminescent lights began shining brightly along the “trunks” of the viral trees.

From the very bottom of the leaves, shapes began to rapidly form. Large basketball sized fruits of varying colors, pink, red, yellow and blue rapidly took shape under the leaves of the many trees.

Magically taking a hold of a pink fruit, Oskar pulled it down to her before briefly presenting it to her dogs who eyed it curiously. Oskar then formed a short claw and began carving into the fruit, causing a red juice to squirt out of the fruit as she did so.

Having carved out a small square of the fruit, whose innards looked incredibly meat-like, the virus brought it to her mouth and exhaled. Red flames flowed over the piece of fruit, rapidly cooking it before presenting to a dog nearest her.

“Here. Try it and tell me how it tastes,” Oskar said. “It may taste a bit off because I cooked it so quickly but it should still taste like it’s supposed to.”

Barely hesitating a moment, the dog took the floating piece of fruit and put it in his mouth. He started chewing slowly with a deeply thoughtful expression on his face before finally swallowing.

“Well?”

“Tastes like pork… though off like you said boss,” the dog replied.

“The red ones should taste like beef, the yellow ones should taste like chicken, and the blues ones should taste like fish,” Oskar stated, waving to the trees around her. “With this, we no longer have to hunt and gather food for everyone. The “meat trees” will provide everything we will ever need. Though we will need some other things for dietary supplements, these will do just fine by themselves.”

“There is another benefit to these trees as well. Anyone notice the large pipe outside the room?” Oskar asked. “That leads to a chamber filled with water beneath this one. The trees’ roots extend down into that chamber and into the water, though they are fully capable of going without and relying on regenerative abilities to grow fruit for a time. The trees can absorb outside nutrients as well. This means we also have a multipurpose garbage dump for all organic materials, and I do mean all organic materials. Once we have the sewage system plotted out it would be all dumped in the chamber beneath this one.”

“That not going to taint food?” an Alpha asked. “Or make it taste bad?”

“No, it all gets broken down and purified by the trees to be used as raw materials for its fruits.” Oskar answered simply.

“Good,” the Alpha stated with a nod, the other dogs sharing the same sentiment. Surprisingly, it seemed their only worry about growing food from sewage water was whether or not the food could be safely eaten afterwards.

“Okay, now I want the hunting teams to slow down on their hunting trips,” Oskar commanded. “We don’t need all the meat anymore, but I still need animals for testing so we can do with far less.”

“No problem boss,” an Alpha stated.

“Great, now I want you all to start harvesting the fruits from the trees,” Oskar ordered. “I’ll leave exactly how and the best way to go about it up to all of you, as I need to go work on a different project.”

“Right away boss,” one of the Alphas said before turning to a subordinate dog. “You go get hunt leaders, need to tell them about orders.”

Oskar nodded in satisfaction then teleported once more, intent on getting at least most of the bullet production line online today.

GAMMA

“… And done,” Oskar said as she finished the final question on her exam, Navi napping in her mane out of sheer boredom.

It was the next day, bright and early at Twilight’s library. The previous day Oskar had managed to get two major projects done. First was the food issue with the meat trees, and next was the ammunition problem. She personally hadn’t finished the bullet production line, but what she had done was finish up all the complicated parts, leaving the more simple parts to put together for the Diamond Dogs as she left for home. She couldn’t help but feel some concern that the dogs would manage to break something, but she forced herself to have faith in their skills. Currently, after everyone had fully woken up and eaten breakfast, Twilight had set out her final exam for her mundane studies, and if she finished on a high enough grade on this, she wouldn’t have to do any more mundane studies ever again and focus solely on magical education. Considering she had perfect recall, she was more than confident of getting full marks.

“Already?” Twilight asked excitedly as she darted over. “Wow! That’s a whole hour and a half earlier than the average!”

“I am anything but average,” Oskar said with a shrug as Twilight collected her exam.

“Modest are we?” Twilight commented with a smile, getting a chuckle from Oskar. “But I agree with you fully. Within just one year you have managed to learn the entire high school curriculum! I had expected to be doing this for a few years yet and look at you now, already nearly graduated!”

“I kind of wish I got a graduation ceremony like everyone else…” Oskar said lightly. “You know, even though I think of those things as frivolous and a waste of time… I guess what I am saying is it would be nice to have one.”

“Oh…” Twilight said now looking rather thoughtful. “So… do you want to help plan out Pinkie’s surprise party? Or are you busy again?”

“Not this time Twilight,” Oskar said with an apologetic smile. “What do you need me to do?”

“Fantastic Emerald!” Twilight shouted happily with a quick clop of her hooves. “The party will be this afternoon and it will be a ton of fun. It’ll also be great that you will actually be able to enjoy it now. I’m going to sneak over to the Cakes today and get Pinkie her cake. After that I’ll be moving the cake through a chain of couriers made up of our friends to the Apple Family’s barn where the party will be held. While we are doing that, you can go directly to the party’s location and start setting things up.”

“Sounds like a plan, I’ll go there right now,” Oskar said as she stood up. “But doesn’t Pinkie know that today is her birthday? Wouldn’t she be expecting something?”

“Not at all!” Twilight said cheerfully. “Pinkie has been so focused on celebrating every other pony’s birthday that she hasn’t noticed hers coming up at all!”

“Huh, ironic I suppose,” Oskar said. “I guess I’ll be-”

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“Oh, I wonder who that could be?” Twilight asked aloud and went to the door. Opening it she was greeted with the sight of Pinkie Pie hopping excitedly in place.

“Oh! Hi Pinkie-”

“It’s soon!” Pinkie interrupted happily.

“Pardon me?” Twilight questioned.

“You said we should have another party soon, and it’s soon!” Pinkie replied, finally stopping her hopping to lean forward and present her basket, which held a bunch of letters, to Twilight. “Here’s your invitation!”

“You are invited to Gummy’s after birthday party,” Twilight read out from the letter. “This afternoon at three o’clock.”

“All of our bestest friends are invited and there’s going to be dancing and games and cake and ice cream and PUNCH!” Pinkie said in hyperactive enthusiasm.

“This afternoon?” Twilight stated, concern filling her voice as Pinkie nodded. “As in… this afternoon, this afternoon?”

“Yes indeedy!” Pinkie answered happily.

“Oh… gosh, I wish I could make it… but I’ve gotten behind in my studies!” Twilight said and flashed Pinkie a massive, clearly forced smile. Her horn was alight with magic as she levitated books by the dozens off their shelves and into a massive collection of towering stacks. “I’ve really got to hit the books!”

“I understand, your studies come first,” Pinkie said with a smile, not doubting Twilight in the slightest. “But don’t worry. We’ll be sure to save you some cake! Right Emmy!?”

Blinking at being addressed, Oskar cleared her face of the amused expression it held and just smiled apologetically at Pinkie. “I’m very sorry Pinkie. As much as I would love to go to your party, I’ve already promised to help out Twilight all day today.”

“Oh no, It’s not a problem at all!” Pinkie replied with a shake of her head. “At least you aren’t busy with work now, and it’s only helping out another friend that’s keeping you busy! Well, see you girls later!”

With that, Pinkie bounded out of the door but quickly called back from the middle of the street. “And you girls really shouldn’t hit the books! You should really just read them!”

“I’ll keep that in mind!” Twilight answered back with a slightly bemused look on her face before closing the door.

“You suck at lying,” Oskar stated as she walked over to the other unicorn.

“Well not everypony can be good at everything like you Emerald,” Twilight simply replied.

“I’m not good at lying. I never needed to be,” Oskar answered. “I only tell the truth… as it suits the context.”

“Oh really?” Twilight said, looking deeply interested. “Can you show me what you mean?”

“Perhaps some other time,” Oskar said with a shrug. “I’ll be heading to the barn now and setting stuff up. See you and the girls there.”

With that, Oskar teleported away to Apple Acres.

Oskar then spent the next few hours helping to set up the party. At first she was by herself, but the first one to arrive and help was Applejack, who had to lie rather unconvincingly to Pinkie Pie that she couldn’t make it to her party as well. Oskar had just remained quiet in the barn so as to not attract Pinkie’s attention. The rest of the girls began streaming in afterwards, next was Twilight, then Rarity, then Fluttershy, and finally Rainbow Dash. Though Dash had the issue of an angry Pinkie Pie chasing right after her right to the barn. What had followed was something that Oskar had just barely kept herself from bursting into laughter over. Applejack struggling to keep Pinkie out of the barn and everyone in the barn faking construction noises in an attempt to fool Pinkie into believing the paper thin lie the cowpony had made up. Oskar had been rolling around on the floor the entire time, hooves fastened to her face as she struggled to keep silent.

It was about an hour or so after that, that everyone considered the party ready for its guest of honour and sent Dash out to collect her. Now they sat in the dimly lit barn awaiting Dash and Pinkie’s arrival.

“So what is your work like that you have to be working so hard all the time?” Twilight asked. “I figured you would be just walking up and down aisles and posing for pictures.”

“Well I have to do that too,” Oskar said. “But I have to also help out with other things like those advertisements I had offered to do for free for New Paradigm, standing up for them on the accusations of corruption and criminal ties…”

“Oh my! I remember reading about something like that, but the paper only said that the company was being investigated!” Rarity exclaimed. “I never realised somepony had accused them of having ties to criminal elements! I wager they were accused of employing the Gray Fox, I take it?”

“Yeah,” Oskar answered. “I’m not surprised they were, to be honest. The Gray Fox did steal and smash up everypony’s factories but theirs. What else were the authorities supposed to think? What I am surprised about is the fact they decided to keep quiet about why they were investigating the company. I figured their intentions would be plastered over all the papers.”

“Well… it’s likely they just didn’t want to ruin the company’s reputation if they were wrong,” Twilight stated before asking with concern. “They were wrong… right?”

“Oh yes,” the virus answered with a nod. “Whatever the Gray Fox’s reasons were for not attacking company property, they were his own and not New Paradigm’s.”

“It is rather curious though,” Rarity began with a thoughtful hum. “Whatever could be the reason for him to avoid the company’s properties?”

“I couldn’t tell you,” Oskar said with a shrug.

‘Because I don’t want to.’

“Everypony shush!” Twilight whispered. “They’re coming!”

Everyone went silent and still as the sound of grunting and something being dragged along on the ground outside became progressively louder. Oskar raised her brows at that.

‘What, did she knock Pinkie out and drag her back?’ Oskar thought sarcastically.

“We’re… here…” a slightly out of breath Dash said and opened the barn door.

Oskar blinked at the sight of Pinkie Pie as everyone shouted ‘surprise’. The mare looked… darker somehow, and her mane had lost its iconic curls, becoming very straight. Even more shocking was her expression, Pinkie’s normal nigh unbeatable cheer was instead replaced with a furious scowl and looked like she was on the verge of growling.

“I really thought she would be more excited…” Fluttershy half whispered to the others.

“Excited?! EXCITED!?!” Pinkie shouted incredulously. “Why would I be excited for my own farewell party!?”

‘Wow… Pinkie actually has a chip on her shoulder,’ Oskar inwardly commented as she witnessed Pinkie’s temper. ‘I guess it’s true what they say about people who laugh and smile the most in life.’

“Farewell party?” Twilight asked in confusion.

“YES!” Pinkie said angrily, becoming very animated as she continued. “You don’t like me anymore so you decided to kick me out of the group and throw a great big party to celebrate! A farewell Pinkie Pie party!”

“Why in the world would you think we didn’t like you anymore sugarcube?” Applejack asked gently after walking over to Pinkie.

“Why?!?” Pinkie ground out, first at Applejack then at everyone else in the room, surprising Oskar when she was included in being yelled at. “Because you have been LYING to me and avoiding me all day! THAT’S WHY!”

“I wasn’t lying to you,” Oskar said, immediately catching Pinkie’s attention. “Or avoiding you, I told you the truth when I said I was going to be busy all day helping Twilight. I just didn’t specify what I was busy doing.”

“Well… yeah I guess,” Pinkie huffed as she averted her eyes away from Oskar.

“Oh, so that’s what you meant when you talked about telling the truth based on the context!” Twilight exclaimed in comprehension.

“Err… not really. This was more not mentioning certain things,” Oskar replied, looking rather troubled.

“Well that interesting thing aside, we just wanted your party to be a surprise!” Dash said, sarcasm bleeding into her voice when she referred to what Oskar and Twilight were talking about.

“We’ve been planning this part for such a long time!” Rarity began her explanation. “We had to make excuses for why we couldn’t attend Gummy’s party so that we could get everything ready for yours!”

“If this is a farewell party, why would the cake I picked up from Sugarcube Corner say, ‘Happy Birthday Pinkie Pie’?” Twilight added.

Pinkie stewed in silence for several long moments after that, taking in her surroundings carefully, the party balloons, the decorations, the birthday cake. The change was near instant. One moment she was a darker shade of pink and her hair flat as a board, the next she was back to her old self.

“Because it’s my birthday! Oh how could I have forgotten my own birthday?” Pinkie exclaimed and somehow reached out her forelegs far out enough to pull everyone into a hug, including a very surprised virus, and dropped them a moment later. “And you liked me so much you decided to throw me a surprise party!”

“That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you darling!” Rarity said.

“How in the world did she… never mind,” Oskar muttered before picking herself up, mentally filing what Pinkie did under magical unknowns.

“You girls are the best friends ever!” Pinkie exclaimed before looking very ashamed. “… How could I have ever doubted you?”

It’s okay Pinkie Pie,” Twilight reassured the pink pony. “It could have happen to any of us.”

The others closed in as well, speaking their reassurances as well.

“I’m just glad I haven’t been replaced by a bucket of turnips,” Rainbow Dash stated in relief to which Pinkie grimaced in mortification.

“Huh?” Twilight looked between her and Pinkie in confusion.

“You don’t want to know.” Dash said confidently.

“I do. What was that about a bucket of turnips?” Oskar asked with a sly smile at Pinkie whose face was quickly turning bright red in embarrassment.

“Alright girls, enough of this gabbing!” Applejack said and moved a needle onto a record player, filling the barn with music. “Let’s party!”

Immediately, Twilight Pinkie and Rarity started dancing together to the sound of the music. Oskar simply rolled her eyes with a smile before quickly joining them, a now fully awake Navi darting through the air with delight.

“Yeah Emmy!” Pinkie cheered. “Shake those hooves!”

Oskar just laughed and continued to dance with her friends, feeling herself truly unwind as she did so. And so the party continued well into the evening with everyone enjoying themselves. Oskar never did find out what Dash had meant about a bucket of turnips.

DELTA

The moon shone overhead as Oskar and a small group of Diamond Dogs stared out at the glimmering city of Baltimare. The virus was in his Gray Fox form again and had gone out to gain something he wanted ever since hearing about it some time ago in a restaurant, an airship. Specifically an air freighter, the very one he was spying with his powerful eyes.

It sat in the water of the harbour, moored to one of the many docks of the city. It was a plain wood, large and long ship, meant solely for moving cargo, it had little to no decoration on it. The balloon that was responsible for giving the ship flight was massive and made out of a plain white tough canvas with its stitching visible even from this far away. It wasn’t much to look at, but for what Oskar intended to use it for it was perfectly fine.

“Why don’t we have our guns?” Padfoot asked.

“We don’t have many of them mate,” Oskar explained. “And we don’t want to be tipping our hands to the powers that be savvy?”

“Oh, alright boss,” the big dog accepted.

“Now then, let’s just give us a bit of cover shall we?” Oskar asked aloud and reached out with his hands, the claws on the very ends of his fingers glowing with magic. The water rippled as the virus worked his influence on it, working to kick up a fog.

Now Oskar didn’t have any pegasi memories, nor practiced a pegasus’ influence on clouds much if at all, having been only interested in learning how to fly. But Oskar did have memories gained from various Griffin Rangers. They tended to use cloud cover or kicking up a fog to help keep hidden from their prey. It wasn’t pegasi knowledge, but the theory should still be sound.

Working Griffin knowledge, pegasi magic and a bit of unicorn together, Oskar slowly but surely conjured up a sizable fog from the bay. When he had a large enough cloud he magically gave it a shove, sending it streaming forth over the harbour and Baltimare.

“Now, everyone ready?” Oskar asked as soon as he was finished. “I’m porting us to that big ship there in the water in a moment.”

“Ready boss,” Bluno said after a moment.

“Right… three, two, one.” On one, Oskar and the group of Diamond Dogs disappeared in a flash, reappearing in the far distance upon the ship.

“Now… uhhh…” Oskar rubbed his head as he took in his surroundings, seemingly at a loss. None of the people he had consumed knew anything much about airships. Silver Light only ever rode on passenger ships and was in a compartment every time, having not been interested in the slightest in how such ships worked. “Just… just take positions by those railings and keep a sharp look out for guards. I’ll just… be over here working on getting the ship moving.”

The dogs looked at each other and shrugged before going to take lookout positions by the railings. Bluno walked over to the helm where Oskar was fiddling with the wheel of the ship and tentatively experimenting with some levers.

“You alright boss?” Bluno asked. “You do know how to work this thing don’ cha?”

“It’s just a different sort of ship mate,” Oskar replied as he pulled another lever. “How hard can it be?”

Suddenly the shape of something falling from the balloon could be seen in the thick fog, followed soon by a splash as it hit the water. Oskar and Bluno stared in that direction for a short moment in silence.

“Right… not touching that lever again,” Oskar muttered. “Just… just give me a few moments alright? I’ll figure out how to work this thing.”

“Right boss,” Bluno simply said as he scratched his head.

“Pony guards!” the two heard a dog say. “Everyone get down!”

Oskar and Bluno quickly dropped to the floor before crawling over to the edge of the ship facing the docks. Peering through the thick fog, they could see a pair of guards on patrol, one was a unicorn judging by the light emitting from his head, the other an earth pony.

“What’s with the fog?!” they could hear one guard complain. “This weather was supposed to be scheduled for next Friday!”

“I say the weather controllers are lazy,” the other said. Female from the sound of the voice. “They’re always late. First was being two hours late with the rain last month, then last week they delayed the scheduled overcast skies well into the next day! Citing ‘administration issues’… right.”

“If you can’t trust the weather ponies to be on time, who can you trust?” the other guard complained again as the two walked past the air freighter and were seen walking down an alley.

Everyone waited several moments after the patrol disappeared from sight before standing back up. Oskar quickly strode back over to the ship’s helm and resumed figuring out the controls.

“Right, let’s try and get out of here before another patrol comes by shall we?” Oskar asked aloud as he pushed another lever.

This time the ship suddenly lurched, making some of the dogs fall over as the ship rose into the air. Oskar blinked and pulled the lever back a bit. The ship slowed its ascent, and upon pulling back even more it stopped and even started floating back down into the water with a soft splash. Having figured out the lever for raising and lowering the ship, Oskar worked double-time to find the one that made it go forward, he would figure out the rest later, he just needed to get out. Pulling another lever caused the ship to lurch again, only forward this time with the sound of something slapping against the water. Pulling it all the way and making the ship pick up speed and start to move as fast as it could, Oskar reached for the altitude lever.

“Here we go lads!” Oskar said, pushing the lever full forward and making the ship rise out of the water quickly as it continued forward. The virus spun the wheel, turning the ship inland and using his magic to pull the fog into the air with him to give him some much needed cover. However, Oskar had misjudged the rate at which the ship gained altitude.

“Bugger!” Oskar muttered as he heard several loud crashes, guessing the belly of the ship had bashed into some warehouse. The fog was working against him as well, making it so he was unable to see obstructions until he was already on top of them, case in point being a tall chimney that he saw suddenly appear in the fog and be bashed into pieces by the bow.

“Boss!” Bluno shouted in concern.

“No need for concern mate!” Oskar called back. “We’re still flying and in one piece aren’t we?”

From the look of his face, Oskar could tell Bluno was not very comforted by that statement. Baltimare wasn’t a city of skyscrapers like Manehattan though, and the air freighter was soon out of danger after a few more close calls. Oskar kept the fog on him for a bit more before letting go, judging from how fast they were rising that the clouds would soon be serving as their cover instead.

“See? What did I tell you lot,” Oskar said as the air freighter flew into a cloud. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Sure thing boss.”

Oskar only smirked at Bluno before looking at the stars and turning the ship.

‘Second star to the right and on till morning,’ Oskar thought with a bright smile as he set course for the Everfree.

EPSILON

“Clock Work will be arriving soon,” Emerald said. “I’m certain you’ll love meeting him!”

“I’m rather interested in this pony you want us to meet,” Bon Bon said. “You have been rather excited about introducing him to us.”

Emerald Gleaner had gathered her group of friends together to meet with someone she often worked with. A work friend from what the others had been told, and all had been very interested in meeting ‘Clock Work’ as they had never seen Emerald this eager about something. Time Turner was the same in this matter, though he was just honestly interested in meeting the young stallion that Emerald was excited about, his pony innocence not making him suspicious in the least.

“So what is Clock Work like?” Rose Locks asked.

“Well he is very good with machines,” Emerald began. “He is a bit young but he already has a good head on his shoulders, which he needs if he wants to keep working in the fashion industry, what with there being so many divas that can take offense to any random thing.”

“He sounds like a fascinating individual,” Time Turner said as he adjusted the tie he decided to wear for the occasion. “I would very much like to speak with him over profession, mostly the parts involving machinery.”

“Oh come here you,” Rose said a little gruffly as she pulled Time Turner closer and began fixing his tie for him. “It’s a miracle you can get your ties looking well at all with how you fiddle with them.”

“Lyra has often told me I shouldn’t wear them if I can’t keep them on straight,” Time Turner said sheepishly.

“I am not surprised,” Rose remarked with a smirk before finishing fixing Time’s tie. “There, now DON’T touch it!”

“Right sorry,” Time Turner said ruefully as he lowered a hoof that had already begun rising to his neck.

“Heh, good thing Rose is here now to look after you huh TT?” Lyra asked as she nudged the earth pony playfully. “Honestly, I couldn’t make heads or tails of those things and made little knots whenever I tried to fix one of his ties up. You’d think Bon Bon would know, but nope! She gets all OCD about the details and never manages to do it right.”

“A tie is supposed to look a certain way,” Bon Bon huffed defensively as she tried to preserve her dignity.

“And you just can’t settle for good enough, huh little miss pretty puff?” Lyra teased her friend, causing said friend to roll her eyes.

“There he is!” Everyone heard Emerald say and turned to look where she was pointing.

They all saw a brown coated pegasus flying from the direction of Cloudsdale and didn’t think much more of it. But as he got closer, they started to make up more and more details. The way his mane was styled, the look of his face. Then suddenly, he landed on the ground before them and all everyone could do was stare at him, Emerald looking like she might burst into laughter at any moment.

“Err… hi everypony… is there something wro-” Clock Work began hesitantly as he took in the stares when he noticed Time Turner.

The two stallions stood frozen and staring at each other with wide eyes. After an incredibly long, awkward moment of the two ponies staring silently at each other, and Emerald giggling softly in the background, the two raised a hoof in greeting.

“… Hi,” They both said at the same time.

“Er…”

“Um…”

“Hehehe, Clock Work this is Time Turner, Time Turner this is Clock Work,” Emerald said, stifling her laughter long enough to introduce the two.

“How are we… how are you…” The two stallions said in sync.

“I have no idea why the two of you look so identical, down to the cutie mark,” Emerald said. “Good thing he has a different voice and wings, otherwise we might have some trouble telling the two of you apart.”

“Indeed,” Time Turner stated and Clock Work could only agree with him with a nod.

The two ponies took each other in. They really did look like each other. Brown coat, brown mane, blue eyes, and the same cutie mark. Really, if it weren’t for the fact Clock Work had wings and had a young sounding voice, you really wouldn’t have been able to tell the two apart.

“Heh heh, come on everypony,” Emerald said gleefully. “I have a full day for us and Clock Work can’t stay here all day! It’ll be fun, I promise!”

With that, the group shook themselves out of their shock at finding a pony looking exactly like Time Turner and followed after Emerald. Though as they did so they couldn’t help but throw looks back at Clock Work. The same could be said for the citizens of Ponyville, some of them even approached the group and asked about Time Turner’s ‘fraternal twin’. Thankfully the day would prove to be fairly fun like Emerald had promised.

ZETA

Whisper Wind sighed as she walked about the streets of the small underground city her Diamond Dog captors had made. At first she had found watching the dogs work and train and basically go about their business interesting enough to spend her time watching, but there was only so long you can watch someone beat on each other or just plain work before that got dull. And for Whisper Wind, it had grown very dull for a while now.

Whisper came to a stop and rubbed against the side of a building, managing to shift her wing clamp just enough to scratch an itch that was driving her crazy despite previous attempts. Then she took stock of her surroundings again with a deeply bored look and saw the same thing, dogs going about their business. There was just nothing to do in the underground city. The dogs were more than happy to keep busy most of the day since they actually had the choice to do so of their own free will, something the convict found perplexing.

‘Why would anypony in their right minds work when everything you would work for is being given to you?’ Whisper thought bemusedly. ‘There’s literally no reason at all to get up from bed and do work around here, Emerald gives everything for free. Food, water, and homes too I guess. And what do they decide to do when they no longer have to work for a living? They work anyways. They’re all crazy, just like that too pretty psycho leader of theirs.’

Really, Whisper would have settled for playing with the Diamond Puppies running around, but they didn’t even have toys or a ball. Apparently they were so used to using their imaginations to making up their own fun they just didn’t think of asking for toys when the resources from them were actually available. Whisper had actually been rather troubled by this. Kids should always be having fun being kids and playing with toys and just plain enjoying their young lives. But they seemed fine and happy… so in the end Whisper decided to not think much more of it.

As she moved along the streets she had to glance down one that led to the rail yard and the large tunnel leading to the surface.

‘I’m sick and tired of seeing nothing but gray stone day in and day out,’ Whisper thought as she walked towards the large tunnel entrance. ‘I’ve been good this entire time, I deserve to see the sun and sky again for just a little while shouldn’t I?’

Indeed, Whisper hadn’t even given much thought to leaving. The few times she had the memory of the overwhelming agony she felt from the disease she had been infected with would fill her mind. It was something that didn’t leave her or dull over time in her mind, she had never been in that much pain before. Sure when she had been caught by the Royal guard they had roughed her up a bit, and a rare few times she had been caught by her targets they would give her a bit of a thrashing. It never resulted in more than a bruise or two though, and she toughed it out. But that… the sure agony and feeling of helplessly lying on the ground before the very pony that nearly killed her… well suffice to say, Whisper didn’t want to feel that again.

Whisper noticed that there were a few guards around the tunnel entrance but didn’t slow in her advance, confident that she could at least be allowed a few minutes of sunshine in the very least.

“What cha’ want pony?” one of the guards asked, a Husky Diamond Dog.

“I wanna go outside!” Whisper said. “I’ve been down here for some long I've almost forgotten what the sun looks like! I don’t understand how you Diamond Dogs can stand it.”

“Err… boss never said anything about you being allowed outside yet,” the guard said, looking at his fellow who could only shrug at him. “Boss said you’d be allowed eventually though…”

“Come on!” Whisper pressed. “I haven’t done anything in the least bit bad since that first escape attempt! Can’t I at least go outside for a little while?”

“I… don’t know…” the guard said uncertainly.

“Pleeeeeeese?” the convict insisted, making her best puppy eyed look. “You can even go out with me and watch me to make sure I don’t do anything.”

“… Not too long,” the dog finally said, and Whisper cheered before running past him into the tunnel. “Whoa! Slow down a bit!”

Before long, Whisper found herself galloping out into the sunlight for the first time in ages, the guard close behind her. She luxuriated in the feeling of being outdoors after so long, to feel the sun on her coat and to feel the wind blowing through her mane. Suddenly, she noticed a strange bipedal creature standing some distance away.

“What is that?” Whisper asked the guard, and the being she was referring to stiffened and turned towards her.

It looked something like an ape, except it lacked a coat of fur and was exposing its pale skin. It also wore clothes, a white hoodie with a light blue shirt worn under it. It had mostly white footwear covering its feet and wearing a pair of tan colored trousers with many pockets on it. It also wore this odd looking hat on its head which covered the only patch of platinum blond fur she could see and shadowed its pale blue eyes.

It walked towards her and the Diamond Dog guard and came to a stop before the two of them, crossing its arms.

“And why exactly is she outside when I haven’t given permission for her to be out?” the being said, the sound of his voice identifying him as male.

“O-oh, uhhh… sorry boss!” the guard said very nervously, and the being only sighed.

“Boss?!” Whisper exclaimed. “Why in the world do you dogs have so many leaders! First it’s Emerald, then it’s the Gray Fox, and now whoever the heck this is!”

The being only tilted his head at her with a very thoughtful look on his face for a long moment, and suddenly he nodded.

“That’s because there is only one boss,” the being said, and to Whisper’s shock he suddenly changed form with a surge of writhing… black and Emerald stood before her.

“Are… are you a changeling?” Whisper asked after a moment of silence.

“No, though I can shape shift like they can, and that is all I will tell you,” Emerald said.

“Oh… okay,” Whisper said simply, and took another look of her surroundings and noticed a massive airship moored to the ground some distance behind her. It was close enough that she could spot the ship’s name on the back, ‘The Great Fox’ and it seemed to be in the middle of being modified, dogs darting about as they tried to fasten a long wooden beam to the side of the ship. “And where did you get that? What are you going to do with it?”

Emerald just tilted her head at her again. “Do you really want to know that?”

“… No,” Whisper said after a moment, a feeling of utter helplessness overcoming her. “I really don’t… what are you up to up here?”

“I was thinking about trying out some things with my wings.” Emerald explained flaring said wings which had appeared when Whisper looked away. “Because, you know, it looks like a nice day and I’d like to go for a nice flight.

“That’s… you’re cruel…” Whisper murmured, taking the statement very harshly. Being a pegasus and unable to fly when the clear blue beautiful sky was above her was tormenting enough. Her captor taunting her with her own freedom of flight? That was just extremely cruel in her mind.

“…” Emerald looked at Whisper for a long moment before turning her head away from her and walking a short distance away. “You can come up to the surface when you want to now, BUT you must always have guards in the vicinity.”

“Thanks I guess,” Whisper muttered.

“Listen here,” Emerald said firmly, looking back at Whisper with hard eyes. “You snuck into our tunnels, it was your choice to come down here with the intention of stealing from us, no one forced or influenced you into doing it. Playing up the pitiful, woe is me act isn’t going to get you far thief, so stop whining.”

“I’m not whining…” Whisper protested lightly, though she looked a bit chastened as well.

“Whatever…” Emerald muttered and stretched out her wings a bit in preparation. “If the idea of me flying is so painful, then don’t watch.”

With that, Emerald lifted off into the air. The apparent shape shifter didn’t lift off too high though, ten feet above the ground at the very least. Emerald hovered in mid-air with a thoughtful expression on her face for several moments before another surge of black appeared over her wings. Suddenly, instead of pearly white feathers she had gray metal blades replacing them. Emerald had instantly started losing altitude but with a look of deep concentration on her face Emerald had another black surge go over her wings. Her descent stopped and before long she started rising in the air again. After a few moments of this, Emerald stopped flapping her “blade wings” and dropped down onto the ground with a soft thump.

Looking at her blade wings thoughtfully, Emerald fanned out one and swiped at the ground. The wing glided through the dirt like it wasn’t there, leaving a deep rift in the ground.

“Well that is quite interesting,” Emerald muttered.

“I’m not even surprised anymore,” Whisper said as she took in Emerald’s wings. “I’m just going to accept whatever happens next as my new reality.”

“Boss!” a Diamond Dog shouted in alarm. “Log wolf!”

“Log wolf?” Whisper stated questionably and looked over to see a circle of Diamond Dogs surrounding a large wolf made of moss covered logs. “Oh… log wolf.”

“Hmm… he’s really beginning to seek me out now isn’t he?” Emerald stated as she walked towards the “log wolf”.

“Yeah boss, never seen them wooden wolves showing up near us,” a dog replied as he followed after her.

“What?” Whisper said, taking off after Emerald as well. “What’s going on? What’s with the weird thing made of wood over there?”

Emerald however just ignored her and continued on her way to where the Diamond Dogs had the wooden wolf surrounded. Not feeling it in her to get upset over being ignored, Whisper stayed silent and continued to follow along.

“So… we meet again,” Emerald said once she had stepped within the circle of Diamond Dog guards. “This time more on my terms… somewhat.”

Whisper looked at the massive wolf expectantly. Since Emerald had talked to it so readily, she expected it to talk as well. However…

“Is that so?” Emerald said and Whisper blinked owlishly at her. “It seems like you consider this place yours and would see us as invaders.”

Whisper looked rapidly between the two, half convinced she had somehow missed the wooden wolf’s response.

“Huh, I think I get what you are saying,” Emerald replied to something the wolf had apparently said. “Still, this seems like a step up from the randomly sneaking up on me in the forest you used to do… Hmm, would you be able to explain that? No? Oh… okay now you are beginning to sound like you did last time… so you are getting tired again? That’s what you told me before you left, remember? Ah, you don’t… you do? So it’s easier to recall things now?”

Whisper was completely and utterly confused from listening to a seemingly one sided conversation. Thankfully she didn’t seem to be the only one, as the guards also seemed confused but didn’t let that get in the way of their jobs.

Suddenly it seemed like the conversation ended as the wooden wolf turned around and made for the forest. The guards attempted to block it off but Oskar just waved them off, letting the large magical being slink into the underbrush.

“Well… that was an interesting conversation,” Emerald said lightly. “He seems more coherent, didn’t fall to pieces either this time too.”

“What in the world was that?” Whisper asked. “The only one I heard talking at all was you.”

“So… would you like to stay on the surface for a few hours?” Emerald asked Whisper, ignoring the convict’s question.

“Well yeah,” Whisper said, trying to push down the irritation she felt.

“In that case, boop,” Emerald said and placed her hoof against Whisper’s nose. The convict immediately recoiled from the touch and reached up to touch her nose when she saw a glow coming from the tip before it faded.

“The hay was that!?” Whisper shouted.

“Oh, just a little something I wanted to test out,” Emerald said lightly. “It should let me keep track of you from afar and allow me to teleport directly to you… as well as one or two other things I don’t care to mention.”

“And what is that supposed to-” Whisper began but Emerald teleported away before she could finish. “mean… well at least I can stay outside…”

ETA

Luna wandered the darkened halls of the palace at night.

Ever since the last reported sighting of the Gray Fox in Vanhoover, Princess Luna had made it her personal mission alongside Shining Armor to spot any new pattern at all to track him down. However it proved to not be easy in the slightest. For the Gray Fox had apparently dropped off the face of Equestria after the Vanhoover raid. There was not one confirmed sighting of the infamous thief or a reported burglary suiting his style. It didn’t help at all that a massive amount of criminals roamed the kingdom still, and many of them had started to try to emulate the incredibly skilled thief, cluttering the reports further with false alarms. There was one crime though that had caught Luna’s attention…

‘The stealing of the Paragon moored in Baltimare,’ Luna thought. ‘It doesn’t fit in with the kind of things the Gray Fox has previously set his gaze on but… it’s the only thing I have to go on. The sudden mist the local weather ponies had not planned on, the fact that nopony had seen or heard a single thing… well beyond the sound of a few buildings breaking that is. But still, an air freighter doesn’t seem to fit in with the Gray Fox’s established patterns, though granted we only have one pattern to go on.’

Luna found herself walking past a balcony and decided to go out to enjoy the brisk night air. Now outside, she absently started stargazing, enjoying her own ground works.

‘Honestly, I don’t know what else to do,’ Luna thought with some irritation. ‘One would think that someone as boastful and arrogant as the Gray Fox would be quick to follow through on his success. Yet the most Shining Armor has to deal with has been copycats trying to make their own names and failing because they lack the sheer intelligence the Fox has. Shame… so talented, so clever and yet he decides to use it in the lowest of ways. When he is caught, I would like to meet him and get to know him. T’would be an experience to speak with one such as him. Plus I may be of help reforming him for greater things, returning from the darkness of one’s heart is one thing I do know…’

Luna continued to gaze into her night sky when she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she saw a ship flying towards Cloudsdale, it was an air freighter and though she couldn’t really make it out, she thought she could make out some shapes against the hull. Luna wouldn’t have given the sight much thought then and there. After all, it wasn’t unheard of for ships to drop off supplies to the city in the clouds, even at this time of night. But Luna had been reading reports in great detail and therefore knew exactly what type of Air Freighter had been stolen from the docks of Baltimare. Of course, the type of Air Freighter stolen was far from rare, and it could very well just be a normal ship bringing in a shipment.

‘… It could not hurt to simply check, could it not?’ Luna thought, and flared her wings out to take flight. ‘Yes, a surprise late night inspection as it were. And if there is nothing wrong, then I have simply wasted a trip.’

Princess Luna, Alicorn of the Moon, took flight and soared towards Cloudsdale.

THETA

“I didn’t know we had a shipment,” a female guard said as she approached the Air Freighter slowing to a stop beside the weather factory.

“Neither did I chief,” responded a guard, one of many following behind her. “Wonder what’s up? Huh… ‘The Great Fox’. That’s an odd name for a freighter.”

The air freighter had slowed to a stop and was now lowered to level its deck with the clouds as the night watchmen gathered below. Suddenly, someone leapt from the deck of the ship and landed down on the clouds before the guards.

“The-the Gray Fox!” the female guard and apparent leader shouted in shock. “Walking on a cloud?! How?!?”

Oskar however was not alone, and dozens of dogs followed after him from the deck of the Great Fox, landing on the clouds as well and quickly moving to surround the pegasi. Oskar then absently flourished his staff as he studied the guards before him.

“Hello there. Like your little boss there said, I’m the Gray Fox,” Oskar said with a smug smile. “And I’m just here to take a look at all those fancy little machines of yours.”

“WHAT?! NO! We need them to make the weather!” the female guard shouted in dismay but made no move against Oskar.

“Now now, no need for that,” Oskar said, wagging a clawed finger at her. “I’m just going to take a… few. Padfoot! Tie 'em up!”

Oskar strode forward to the weather factory as Padfoot did as ordered and began tying the guards up.

“You all know what to do lads,” Oskar stated as he strolled forward at a leisurely pace. “Spread out and collect any stragglers. Make sure to check every nook and cranny now, we’ve got plenty of time before any real help is sent, but I’d prefer if we didn’t have to worry, savvy?”

The Diamond Dogs surged forth, a great many following after Oskar, but small groups split off to go hunt down the remaining guards. Those that had already been caught were being carried along into the factory proper.

Throwing the front doors of the weather factory open, Oskar and his entourage of Diamond Dogs and captive guards marched onto the factory floor. Splayed out before him were the many cloud making machines he had recalled from slightly drug addled memories.

“Right, you lot know what to do,” Oskar said, waving his dogs forward.

“Right boss!” many dogs shouted as they charged forth.

“Lads maybe you could a tad bit quieter?” Oskar stated.

“Help!” A voice shouted.

Suddenly a pegasus guard flew into the factory from one of the windows. Before anyone could react though, another dog leapt from outside through the very window the guard had flown through. He managed to land on the pegasus in mid air and the two struggled for a brief moment before there was a loud snapping sound and the guard fell to the floor with an agonised scream. Moments later, in walked the other Diamond Dog groups with a handful of tied up pegasi.

“Got them all boss,” the dog that had tackled the pegasi said, and then he bent over and picked up the softly crying pony from the floor.

“Good work mate, now we just wait to get this stuff disassembled and lug it back to the ship,” Oskar said, motioning to the dogs hard at work.

“B-b-boss!” one dog cried out, sounding very distressed.

Oskar turned and froze, his Gray Fox persona dropping instantly at the sight before him.

Standing in the doors of the weather factory was Princess Luna herself. She stared at the Diamond Dogs and Oskar, her lips curling into a pleased smile when she saw the utterly shocked and fearful look Oskar had on his face.

Oskar for his part was frozen in indecision as two desires warred within him. The moment he saw Luna, he immediately wished to teleport away, to be far away and never look back… but he also knew he couldn’t leave his dogs behind, just abandon them to the Princess to save his own hide. After a long moment, Oskar steeled his expression and knew what he had to do.

Oskar teleported, not from Cloudsdale and his dogs but to just in front of Princess Luna and raised his staff to strike.

There was a loud ‘clunk’ as the end of Oskar’s staff met the cheek of Luna’s face solidly. However, Luna just turned her head with the strike and glared darkly at Oskar after being hit.

“Right… just as tough as I’d figured you’d be,” Oskar stated before taking a deep breath and teleporting again, this time behind Luna and outside the factory. “Catch me if you can, Princess!”

“HAVE AT THEE GRAY FOX!” Luna boomed and charged after Oskar. “IS FIGHTING A PONY YOUR OWN SIZE TOO FRIGHTENING!?”

“… What we do now?” A dog asked after Oskar and Luna left.

“We work,” Padfoot rumbled. “Boss is giving us time. We need to finish quickly and go help him as fast as possible.”

“GAH!” Oskar shouted as he rolled out of the way of a beam of purple magic blasting past. He was keeping ahead of Luna and found himself having to run faster as Luna kept gaining on him. His intention was to just run until his dogs were done, but that was quickly proving to be impractical, he was going to have to fight. But he had an issue concerning the fact he couldn’t fight with his full strength if he wanted to still seem like a mere skilled thief. So he had to be a bit clever to get through this alright. Thankfully this situation was serious enough that Oskar didn’t need to worry about masking his emotions. If it weren’t for the fact he didn’t have a heart, he knew it would be pounding deafeningly in his ears.

Leaping over a gap in the clouds, Oskar found himself in a town square and turned to face Luna, said princess landing down a short distance away, looking at him with a guarded expression. Under one tattered sleeve, he formed a hollow dart and quickly filled it with sedative. Oskar then whipped his arm out, sending the dart forward.

“Arrgh!” Luna shouted in surprise as the dart hit her in the shoulder. “I’ll not fall to mere tricks, Gray Fox!”

“I didn’t think you would,” Oskar stated simply and prepared his staff. Luna was showing no effects of the sedatives, showing she was either immune to them or he was going to need to use a lot more.

Luna charged forward and lashed out with her hooves. Oskar moved his staff to block the blows and gritted his teeth from the sheer force behind them. Deciding he shouldn’t be able to block such powerful hits directly, Oskar shifted tactics to deflecting strikes and dodging them.

Deflecting a powerful hoof strike from Luna to the side, Oskar took the opportunity to quickly grow another dart and stabbed it into her side. Luna growled at this and Oskar only had time to see her horn alight with magic before he was sent flying and in pain.

Quickly righting himself in mid-air, Oskar landed on his feet. Rubbing at his shoulder where he had been hit with some sort of high impact spell, Oskar quickly got back into a combat ready stance.

“I do not intend to gravely harm you, but it surprises me that you absorbed such a hit without a broken limb,” Luna commented, magically pulling out the dart in her side.

“For a Princess you are surprisingly good at taking a hit,” Oskar said, flourishing his staff pointedly.

“Quite,” Luna said simply and teleported.

Oskar rolled forward to avoid being clocked in the head with a hoof and lashed out with his staff as he rolled. His staff hit the back of Luna’s hind leg solidly, and though it wasn’t enough to cause any lasting damage, it was enough for her leg to buckle, sending her to the ground. Oskar almost lost his grip on his staff when Luna sent another beam of violet light at him and he blocked it with his staff.

The Evolved teleported and the beam continued on into the distance. Oskar stood beside a quickly rising Luna and brought his staff down again. Luna saw it coming this time though, and she blocked the strike with a hoof before quickly casting another impact spell, once again sending Oskar flying.

Landing on his feet again, Oskar saw that Luna had taken flight and was now above the battlefield by about half a dozen feet. An idea appeared in the virus’ head and Oskar reacted immediately.

Oskar tossed his staff at Luna and the Princess caught it before it could stick her. Luna wasn’t simply a pony in the slightest, quickly realising that Oskar was using the same tactic he had used on a unicorn in Alcoltraz, and prepared to counter it. However instead of Oskar leaping at her via the levitating staff, Luna was instead met with several poisoned darts flying at her.

Luna twisted in mid-air and avoided half of them, but the other half, three of them, hit her left wing with resounding thuds. The Moon Princess gritted her teeth as she felt a tingling feeling spread over her wing, quickly followed by a numbing sensation.

Oskar charged forward as he saw Luna forced to land on the ground, intent on taking advantage of the opportunity. He once again lashed out with his staff but Luna proved she wasn’t slowed in the slightest by her wing rendered numb and useless. She blocked his strike with her hoof and lashed out with her other, striking Oskar solidly in the face. Taking advantage of the brief opening her strike gave her, Luna sent out another beam of magic, not taking the time at all to charge it up, striking at him as fast as possible.

Oskar couldn’t help the shout that left his throat as he was blasted in the back and sent flying again. The Evolved rolled as he hit the ground but quickly got to his feet again and faced Luna.

“… Surrender,” Luna said with hard eyes, though she herself looked rather ragged from the fight, her mane a mess and sweat beginning to mat some areas of her coat. “If I had wished I could have broken you with that hit, you have given me a superb fight for a mere mortal, but in the end you stand no chance.”

“Pardon me your highness, but I’m still feeling a might bit defiant,” Oskar said as he brandished his staff. “And let me just add that you have taken enough sedative to put down a bull elephant. You may want to lay off the cake, your highness.”

“Hmph, the nerve… Why?” Luna asked, making Oskar blink. “Tell me this before we once more battle. Why did you release the ponies your Diamond Dogs had enslaved.”

“There isn’t much to it, highness. People aren’t things to own,” Oskar answered and glanced to the side before taking up a much more relaxed stance. “As much as I want to continue this, it appears my ride has arrived.”

Luna glanced to where Oskar had looked and saw only some cloud buildings with shocked Cloudsdale residents staring out the window. Suddenly bursting through those very buildings made of clouds was the very top of a large canvas balloon rising through the cloud ground.

Oskar leapt forward onto the balloon just as it began lowering out of the clouds. Luna charged after him, intending to leap down into the balloon with him when yet more darts flew at her. This time she wasn’t so lucky in dodging and several impacted her in the chest and shoulder, one even hitting her quite dangerously in the neck.

Hissing in pain, Luna pulled all the darts out magically, but they had already done their damage. The fatigue she felt from the fight she had just been in and previous hits with the poisoned darts were now having an effect, allowing the darts she had just been hit with to have an immediate effect on her.

Tiredly dropping down onto the edge of the clouds, Luna was forced to watch as Oskar clambered down the side of the air freighter balloon and onto the ship proper. Once he was on the ship, the long wooden poles fastened to the sides swung out, revealing that they had sails on them which unfurled once the poles were fully extended. With the sails, the ship gained considerable speed and before long it began fading into the distance.

‘Beaten by a thief…’ Luna thought bitterly. ‘At least Captain Armor had the excuse of being a normal unicorn. What shall I ever tell Celestia how I failed…’

IOTA

Oskar stood atop a hastily constructed podium in his human base form. He was back in the Everfree Caverns, and before him was its entire population. If he looked hard enough, he was sure he could have spotted Whisper Wind somewhere in the crowd.

“Remember when I said we weren’t going to be stealing from Equestria forever,” Oskar said to the quiet crowd. “Well I wasn’t lying, and today is that day. We no longer have to steal from Equestria, today we are truly autonomous! Today I announce that we are a nation. We are the Enclave!”

At that, dogs began cheering. No longer would they have to commit actions that marked their people as slavers and thieves, now they had a future that they would have a hand in forging.

“And what is a nation without an army?” Oskar questioned. “Even Equestria, peace loving and righteous, has an army. So must we! From the very Diamond Dogs I have trained, I announce the formation of the Warhounds! They shall serve as our sword and shield, protecting you, our people, from harm, and striking out preemptively at those who would seek to destroy us!”

The cheering and howling became deafening as it reverberated off the walls of the cavern city.

“Though we are done with stealing from Equestria, there is still much to do!” Oskar shouted, managing to be heard above the raucous shouting. “We still have great works to finish, the city needs to be expanded, to be made ready for the independent Diamond Dog packs to join us. Great machines need to be built, guns to be made, bullets to be produced! And with you at my side, all these tasks shall be finished and we will only grow stronger from them! But not today. Today we are a nation... today we celebrate!”

The cheers to that were both deafening and very eager.

-TBC-

I still kind of suck when I write action scenes... :/ Nightmare Knight decided to take his sweet time but it's done now

CREDITS

Ideas and Story Development: Gekko and Trondason

Grammar Edits: Nightmare Knight

Chapter 14: The Gala

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“Only two weeks left until the Gala girls!” Twilight said to her friends excitedly. “Are all of you as eager as I am?”

“Ah sure am sugarcube!” Applejack replied. “Got everything all set up. Me and Big Mac made this fancy schmancy stand to sell Apples’ pies and fritters and caramel covered apples. Ah’m going to make a ton of bits for the family.”

Twilight was with her friends at the library, everyone either sitting at a table or lounging about somewhere in the library. All of them were quite eager for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala, greatly looking forward to experiencing the famed event for themselves.

“And to think it was a year ago that we all came together as friends,” Rarity stated in some nostalgic glee. At the unicorn’s statement, everyone couldn’t help but smile widely as they all recalled the various moments they all shared together. Suddenly, Pinkie gasped aloud.

“We never celebrated Emmy’s birthday!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, holding her hooves up to her face in shock.

Everyone blinked at that and began thinking about the past year, indeed they couldn’t recall a time when they celebrated the unicorn’s birthday, nor could they recall her ever talking about when her birthday was.

“Oh my… I don’t even know how old dear Emerald is,” Rarity said looking bothered. “I… I don’t know why, but I feel very disappointed in myself for not knowing.”

“Well nothing keeping us from celebrating it early… or belated… something like that,” Dash said from overhead.

“Hey yeah! Let’s do that! Another surprise party!” Pinkie said happily, taking out a party favour and blowing it enthusiastically.

“Good thing Emerald is out right now busy with her work,” Twilight said with a smile at Pinkie. “It will give us time to set up the party, which we will need if we want to set up something like this on such short notice.”

“Oh Twilight, you have me this time!” Pinkie Pie chided cheerfully and left the room, coming back a near instant later with a colorful cannon. “It’s Pinkie time!”

With a boom the cannon went off as confetti filled the air. When everyone got a good look of the room, decorations and balloons now hung everywhere.

“Good work Pinkie darling!” Rarity said happily. “Now we only need to get the cake baked and put icing on it. I hope Emerald doesn’t come home before we are ready.”

“Yay! Let’s go bake a cake!” Pinkie shouted and ran into the kitchen, Rarity following after her.

“Hey, can I help?” Dash said as she flew over.

“And by help do you mean?”

“Lick the beaters clean?” Dash answered with a wide smile.

“Well that is a form of help I suppose,” Rarity sighed and walked into the kitchen, Rainbow Dash not two steps behind.

BETA

Gunshots rang deafeningly through the air as Oskar watched with a studying gaze. Diamond Dogs stood in the now enlarged firing range, big enough to now hold over two dozen dogs. And it wasn’t the only firing range now, either. Having the bullet production line finished meant Oskar no longer had to use her most gifted Diamond Dogs to help her make bullets, allowing for basically the entire Warhound fighting force to practice using their guns. Helping this further was the Warhounds using the rifles built by their fellow Diamond Dogs. They weren’t as good as the ones made by Oskar, but it allowed them all to get practice in.

Her examination of the Diamond Dog’s practice done, Oskar turned around to walk out of the room. Beside the doorway and installed into the wall was a fairly large crystal with a basic runic circuit around it. Stopping next to the gem, Oskar examined it.

It was a runic array designed to power a silencing spell. Oskar’s skill in runic arrays were fairly basic at the moment, her knowledge purely from primers and not any practical memories, but the primers allowed her to set up simple arrays to power straight forward spells. As long as she didn’t try to do anything complicated, Oskar could manage a lot.

Oskar exited the room, the moment she crossed the threshold of the door the deafening gunshots became muffled, sounding more like a dull pounding in the far distance.

The fake unicorn made her way through the halls, passing quite a few doors each with muffled gunshots emitting from behind them before reaching a staircase. Making her way up the stairs, Oskar eventually exited out into the streets of the underground city.

‘Really ought to name this place sometime,’ Oskar thought as she walked down a street. ‘Can’t keep calling it the Everfree Cavern or the Underground City all the time, it is the hub of our nation now… hmm, hub…’

Distracted by her absent musings, Oskar almost didn’t notice Belvedere sitting on a stone bench with patchy cushions on them. Coming to a stop, the Evolved took a closer look at what the Greyhound was reading and saw that it was a newspaper from Ponyville.

“Where did you get that?” Oskar asked.

“I snuck into Ponyville one night and took it,” Belvedere replied, most of his form obscured as he flipped to another page. “I left a bit behind to pay for it. This is an interesting article by the way, like this part here.”

The Alpha turned the paper around and showed her a section mentioning New Paradigm’s acquisition of a publishing company.

“What are you going to do with a publishing company?” Belvedere asked.

“I have some ideas to make a lot of money off of it in the near future,” Oskar answered. “It took a bit of wordplay, but I made sure Over Look thought it was his idea to buy up that publishing company. It was my idea to help him buy it though.”

“Oh…” The Greyhound hummed in thought as he went back to reading his paper. “I’ve noticed something else, you’ve been in your pony form more often than not around here.”

“Is that a problem?” Oskar questioned with a somewhat puzzled expression.

“No, as a shapeshifter I would figure you would enjoy taking on different forms,” the Alpha answered casually. “But I also figured that since we all know that you are a shapeshifter, you would like to stay in your base form more often than not around here. But most of the time I’ve seen you walk around, you’re in that pony form.” To this Oskar only stared at Belvedere silently with an unreadable expression. “…Perhaps you’ve had a change of heart about which form you feel comfortable in?”

To that, Oskar just turned and continued down the street, choosing to ignore Belvedere’s spoken musings rather than comment. Before she got far though, Belvedere spoke again.

“I would like you to know that both I and all the Alphas deeply appreciate all you have done for us.” Oskar looked back at that and saw the Alpha had put his paper down, now looking at her with a soft smile rather than his usual stony serious expression. “You promised you would make us more than slavers and thieves, and you have fulfilled that promise. You’ve built a nation for us, made us strong, made us independent and given us a future to look forward to. Such is our gratitude and loyalty, there is nothing any of us wouldn’t do if you ordered us to do it, Oskar.”

“I’ll… I won’t misuse this trust,” Oskar replied quietly before continuing on her way down a street.

“I know you won’t boss,” Belvedere stated as he picked his paper back up and went back to reading.

Oskar walked along a street, Belvedere’s voice expressing his gratitude and loyalty resounding in her head.

‘Well… I’ve got a loyal army now,’ Oskar thought solemnly. ‘That is objective four finally complete, now onto Objective Five: Claim the top of the Food Chain… I… this can wait a good while I think…’

The Evolved continued her stroll along the busy streets of the cavern city, her mind swirling with troubled thoughts when an armoured Diamond Dog suddenly appeared from around a corner.

It was a Warhound, wearing the now standard issue armor. Oskar had put the smiths through their paces working with high quality steel and creating a standardized suit of armor for the Warhounds. Rather than a simple inflexible metal cuirass with a spiked helmet, this armor provided much more protection and was also heavier. There was a solid metal plate around the chest of the armor, but sectioned plates along the stomach allowed more range of movement. To provide as much flexibility as possible, the armor completely covering the arms were also sectioned plating, and instead of a spiked open faced helm, Oskar had sallet helmets with adjustable face plates made. Painted on the left pauldron of the armor was the emblem of the Enclave, a black background with a tribal forward facing dog head sitting in the middle of a large crimson biohazard symbol.

“Boss! Boss, there’s one of those timber wolves here to see you!” the Warhound shouted as he skidded to a stop before the virus. Despite having seemingly come running from the surface wearing heavy armor, the dog wasn’t short of breath in the least, having trained while wearing something that was twice as heavy as the armor he wore now.

“Oh okay, I’ll go up to see him right n-” Oskar began when the form of a large Timber Wolf lumbered around the corner the dog had come and started moving towards Oskar.

“Err, boss, you said not to do anything to make the timber wolves mad,” the Warhound replied when Oskar shot him a look. “So we didn’t know what to do when it didn’t want to wait at the tunnel entrance for you.”

“It’s alright, you were just following orders,” Oskar said with a wave of her hoof. “I suppose timber wolves can be allowed down here now, but I want at least five Warhounds keeping watch of one when it’s down here. Back to your station, and inform the others of this.”

“Alright boss, right away,” the Warhound said with a salute and darted away.

“Hello, you wanted to see me?” Oskar greeted the Timber Wolf as she moved closer.

“Virus… I greet you,” the deep voice replied out loud and out of the mouth of the Timber Wolf. “I have come to speak with you again.”

“Oh… okay,” Oskar blinked, judging that the voice was now much more coherent and stronger. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Those that dwell on the edges of the forest and beyond,” the voice answered. “I see them mill and swarm about through the eyes of my limbs. Always, they pay little heed to the plight of the wild, living in willful ignorance of the chains they force upon it.”

“Really?” Oskar asked with a raised brow. “I know the ponies and they tend to concern themselves with the wild. They handle the weather and seasons and wake the animals from hibernation when winter rolls around after all.”

“It is of that which I speak!” the Timber Wolf growled in anger, though not directed towards her. “The animals have no instinct save for the direction of the ponies. Leaves do not fall from the trees, they rely upon the pounding hooves of running ponies. The clouds do not form of nature’s cycle and must be manufactured by the hooves of ponies. Everywhere I gaze, I spy the ponies tread upon the cycle with casual airs, replacing the free wilds with their structured order. And I see them encroach upon me as well. Through my limbs do I spy the settlements of ponies grow fatter and closer to this bastion of the cycle. They begin to dare to hack at these woods to form their homes, to venture underneath the shade of my canopy. They view this bastion as a nuisance, as something UNNATURAL, and dare to dream of enchaining it as well.”

“It sounds like you hate the thought of being controlled, of having your freedom ripped away,” Oskar stated. “I… do as well, because for a long few years I have had to deal with exactly that. But now I am strong again, and will not allow anyone to chain me and take my choice away again. I am now preemptively working to make sure no one will do that to me again and if anyone does try it, they will regret it.”

“Your words fascinate me virus…” the voice rumbled as the timber wolf narrowed its eyes in thought. “I shall contemplate them deeply.”

Oskar watched as the Timber Wolf plodded away from her and next to the side of a building. It then curled up next to the side of the building and closed its eyes. Oskar stared at the apparently sleeping timber wolf before shaking her head and continuing on.

‘What else do I need to do down here?’ Oskar asked herself. ‘I finished off another load of animals, they all retained lots of higher brain functions so I can think about doing some stress testing later. That other project can’t really get started until this one is finished, but I have had the digging teams start carving out the needed chambers, and they should be done after a month or so.’

‘Well since I have nothing else to get done, I’ll just head home now,’ Oskar thought and quickly teleported away with a flash of pink light. She arrived an instant later in Twilight’s library to an unexpected sight and sound.

“EEK!” Fluttershy squeaked in shock as Oskar suddenly appeared before her and recoiled.

“Gah!” Oskar shouted in surprise and recoiled as well. She quickly got a hold of herself and took in her surroundings, blinking at all the party decorations filling the room, her friends wearing party hats and a cake with a single candle on it.

“What’s going on?” Oskar asked everyone. “Is Pinkie holding another party?”

“We are all holding another party darling!” Rarity replied happily. “We were just waiting for the guest of honor!”

“Oh… so who is the lucky pony?” Oskar asked, teleporting a spare party hat onto her head.

“It’s you!”

“Surprise!” The Mane Six shouted together. “Happy birthday!”

“What?” Oskar stated, her eyes wide in surprise. “M-my birthday? You’re celebrating my birthday?”

“We all realised we never got to celebrate your birthday Emerald,” Twilight said with a smile. “We’re sorry if we are late or early, but none of us actually know when your birthday is or how old you even are…”

Oskar looked at each one of her friends, each one of them looking rather saddened they never thought to ask her when her birthday was supposed to be. Then she looked at the cake with the single candle and saw that it had writing on it as well, ‘Happy Birthday Emerald’ was what was written on it. Seeing this, Oskar could feel a warmth bloom in her chest and she couldn’t help the massive smile on her face. Focusing her attention on the singular candle on her cake she charged up a spell. There was a flash of light and when it faded, twenty two identical candles appeared.

“I’m about twenty two,” Oskar said with a truly happy smile. “And… yes, today would be my birthday.”

“Oh wow, today is actually your birthday?” Pinkie stated in gleeful surprise. “That is like a one in a million chance of being guessed right!”

“One in three hundred and sixty five actually,” Twilight corrected with a smile.

“Enough of this egghead crud!” Dash said loudly. “Let’s party!”

“Sure thing Dash,” Oskar smiled widely. “Sure thing.”

And Oskar did just that, partied and had a grand time with her friends. The thoughts of work she needed to do for the Enclave and modeling would occasionally wander into her head, only to be ignored. This time she was determined to give her friends her total and undivided attention, and to have fun and unwind.

BETA

“AHHH! I! Can’t! Believe! The Grand! Galloping! Gala! Is! Tonight!” Pinkie Pie shouted with glee as she bounced on a trampoline. Oskar glanced at her from her place on a transfigured bench and smiled before returning her attention to Twilight.

“Pinkie! Please stop shouting!” Twilight said irritably before returning to her book. “I’m trying to concentrate!”

It was about two weeks later and the Gala was that very night. Everyone was to get together beforehand so they could prepare themselves for the majestic formal event, getting themselves pampered at a spa before getting their manes done just so and putting on their dresses. Twilight was busy getting in some last minute practice with a spell she wanted to use for the Gala. Oskar for her part was rather interested in what the spell was going to be since Twilight didn’t tell her or allow her to peek at her notes.

“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity shouted from the doorway of her boutique. “Stop that right now! It’s time to prepare for the Gala and I refuse for you to put on your dress when you’re all sweaty.”

“I guess this is the part where we spend hours and hours gazing into a mirror and getting everything just right huh?” Oskar said in a deadpan voice. “Truly, I am overcome with excitement.”

“Now now dear, it’s beneath you to complain,” Rarity chided as she trotted over. “And besides, don’t you spend hours preparing for your appearance in the backstage for photo shoots and fashion shows? Surely you ought to be used to it by now?”

“Of course,” Oskar said and rolled over, her head hanging over the edge of the bench as she gazed at Rarity with an annoyed look. “But I get paid very handsomely to put up with that. You can’t exactly blame me for not looking forward to having to put up with such stuff in my off time.”

“Okay, one: sit up properly this instant!” Rarity said insistently. “You’re dragging your beautiful mane on the ground and it’s only going to take more work to get it cleaned up for the Gala. And two: The Grand Galloping Gala doesn’t even come once a year, so getting the opportunity to attend it isn’t something one should wave their hoof at! And three: you should put up with it because I say you should put up with it!”

“Yes mom,” Oskar said sarcastically and sat upright, brushing out all of the dirt that managed to stick to her mane with one pass of her hoof.

“That’s better,” Rarity said with a smile, finding it odd that she felt incredibly satisfied at being called ‘mom’. “Now where in the world is everypony? We have to get ready for the- oh there they are.”

While Rarity had been speaking with Oskar, Applejack and Fluttershy had arrived and were with Pinkie and Spike, watching Twilight cast a spell on an apple.

Rarity and Oskar watched on as Twilight charged up her spell before finally casting it with a flash of light. The apple bulged out and twisted, becoming far larger, gaining a metallic shine, several gilded engravings on the side and equally gilded wheels, a door and a seat for a driver.

“Now that is an interesting transfiguration,” Oskar commented thoughtfully before smiling widely. “And I do believe I have seen something like this before.”

“Most wondrous,” Rarity agreed before blinking her eyes when she noticed something. “Where in the world is Rainbow Dash? If she doesn’t arrive soon, we are going to be late!”

“Hold on everypony!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she dived in from above. “I’m here! Sorry I’m late, the last shipment of clouds was late and I had to work longer.”

“Well as long as you made it in the end darling, that’s all that matters.” Rarity stated.

“Hey, I’m like the fastest pegasus since ever!” Dash protested. “Of course I’m going to make it, working a bit later or not.”

“Well since you made it, you can watch what I do next,” Twilight said before turning to Fluttershy. “Do you have your friends, Fluttershy?”

“Yes,” Fluttershy answered as several mice poked their heads out of her mane. “Will they be safe Twilight?”

“You have my word,” Twilight assured her friend as the mice darted off Fluttershy’s head and onto the ground. Twilight then charged up another spell, casting it with a flash. “Ta da!”

When the flash ended, before the ponies were four tall remarkably horse-like creatures, though they also had eyes, whiskers, ears and teeth like mice. The others could only stare with wide eyes and mutter forced compliments upon the sight of the hybrid creatures before them.

“Well… I also saw something like this as well,” Oskar muttered. “Though the transformation was much more… neater.”

It was then that Rarity’s pet cat Opalescence suddenly appeared and leapt at the changed mice with a yowl. Landing upon the flank of one of the changed mice, Opal sunk her claws in and startled it, making all four of them rear up and squeak in alarm before taking off, bucking off Opal in the process.

“Wait! Come back!” Twilight shouted after them. “Those horses were supposed to pull our carriage! How will we get to the gala?”

“What ever shall we do?!” Rarity exclaimed dramatically before shooting Twilight the very same deadpan look Oskar had sported at her a few moments ago. She then walked a short distance away to where several stallions were hanging out.

“Ah ahem, excuse me?” Rarity began, getting the stallions’ attention. “Uh would you boys mind pulling our carriage to the Gala?”

The two stallions only gave very eager smiles in answer to Rarity giving them a winning smile and fluttering her eyelashes at them. A few moments later, the two stallions were all geared up and hooked up to the carriage.

“Oh… right.” Twilight said, giving a sheepish smile.

“Oh right? What do you mean, oh right?” Oskar asked Twilight with an incredulous expression. “Did you really forget we are all ponies?”

Twilight blushed in embarrassment and looked away from Oskar.

“Seriously?” Oskar said with a small laugh. “I can’t believe you sometimes Twilight, it’s like the simplest things can escape your mind at times.”

“Ahem, well now that that issue has been solved, it’s time we prepared for the Gala,” Rarity stated imperiously. “Chop chop, everypony to the spa, follow me.”

GAMMA

Oskar flipped the page of her magazine as everyone around her worked busily to make themselves presentable for the Gala.

At first, Rarity had helped the fake unicorn try to fix herself up but had soon given it up as a lost cause. It wasn’t because Oskar was being uncooperative or that she was just having an incredibly bad hair day, it was because of her secret nature as a sapient shape shifting virus. Being such a deadly being meant bacteria had more to fear from her than she ever would have to them, so she didn’t have to worry about cleaning out her pores, and thus had a photoshop perfect complexion. And because of her hidden nature she didn’t have to worry about oily hair, split ends, or frazzled hair. If she didn’t wish it, her hair would never change from its picture-ready appearance. It had taken Rarity a few minutes to realise that Oskar was already ready for the Gala before turning her attention to helping the others with a huff, seemingly annoyed with “Emerald” not having the same problems as everyone else.

And so Oskar sat off to the side on a chair, resigned to reading girly magazines.

‘How to find out if your coltfriend is keeping a secret from you, take the ‘surprise’ out of surprise party!’ Oskar read from an article. ‘Well at least the pony version of the Cosmopolitan isn’t advising girls to commit violent crimes as revenge for cheating, or telling them to torture their boyfriends to be kinky. This magazine is downright tame, kind of amusing how innocent ponies can be though.’

Oskar flipped over to the next page when Spike started pounding at the door in irritation. Wondering why in the world they decided to kick him out in the first place, Oskar absently opened the door with her magic.

“EEK! EMERALD WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!” Rarity shouted in shock, quickly grabbing the nearest towel and shielding her body from sight.

This action caused everyone to pause in what they were doing to stare at Rarity in confusion.

“Rarity… you do know that you’re a pony right? And as a pony, you don’t normally wear any clothes at all, right?” Oskar said in utter disbelief.

“Hmpf. Fine, be that way,” Rarity said, tossing the towel away and walking away with her head held up in the air haughtily.

“Seriously, what is up with everypony today?” Oskar asked aloud as she returned to her magazine. “First Twilight, now Rarity. What’s next? Pinkie saying you can’t fit stuff into a container smaller than it is?”

“You can’t?”

Oskar refused to acknowledge that statement and continued on reading her girly magazine.

“So is everyone excited to be at the Gala tonight?” Spike asked excitedly as he walked into the room. “Because I am super psyched to be there and have fun together all night long!”

“I don’t know Spike,” Dash said hesitantly.

“We’ll just have to see,” Rarity added lightly as she put on a fake eyelash.

“We’re gonna be a mite busy,” Applejack stated as she literally spit shined Fluttershy’s hoof.

“Busy having fun!” Pinkie contributed from under a hair dryer.

“Oh… okay,” Spike said in disappointment.

Oskar glanced over her magazine disapprovingly at everyone in the room before turning to Spike.

“Don’t worry Spike. Unlike everyone else, I don’t have any plans at all.” Oskar said to the baby dragon. “So if they don’t want to spend time with you then I most certainly can.”

“Well you don’t have to make it sound like that,” Twilight muttered.

“Really?!” Spike said happily and cheered when Oskar nodded. “Alright! I’ve got a bunch of great stuff to show you! Trust me, you’re going to love the grand tour of Canterlot I’ve got planned.”

“Looking forward to it,” Oskar said honestly before turning back to her magazine. “You know I almost miss the magazines back home compared to this.”

“Why? Were there more exciting things in them?” Rarity questioned as she redid her face after noticing an imperfection of some sort. “Because darling, if excitement is what you want, then there are several magazines for stallions I can point you towards.”

“Well, yes and no,” Oskar said, turning another page. “The other magazine did have some exciting stuff here and there, but it also had ridiculous things too, like the best and most exciting positions to spice up things with your significant other.”

“Positions?” Spike questioned. “Do you mean like dancing positions?”

“Heh, it’s been called a dance,” Oskar said with a small chuckle. “I mean mating positions.”

The effect of that word was instant, and in Oskar’s opinion, utterly worth it. Twilight, who was in the middle of applying blush, mashed the powder puff into her face and made a large cloud. Pinkie jumped up in her seat under the dryer and banged her head loudly on it with a bell like bong. Applejack was in the middle of helping Fluttershy file her hooves and ended up giving her a cut. Rainbow Dash was using her towel to dry off her mane a bit more and ended up tripping over a small stool, and Rarity ended up smearing her eye shadow over the upper half of her face.

“WHAT?!” Everyone shouted at her after recovering from their own little catastrophes, their faces flushed crimson.

“Oh yes, and believe me there were tons of positions that were likely made up on the spot from the editors,” Oskar continued mercilessly. “I could describe in detail one such ridiculous position if you want?”

“NO, NO, NO THERE SHALL BE NO SUCH… INAPPROPRIATENESS HERE!” Rarity shouted in embarrassment, her cheeks utterly crimson as she set about cleaning up her face to start over again.

Oskar only giggled under her breath and went back to reading her magazine. Spike was off to the side in a seat, covering his face which was likely also red in embarrassment. It took a bit, but eventually everyone got back into the rhythm of things as they prepared for the Gala.

“So…” Rainbow Dash began as she approached Oskar, her mane now dry and brushed into its Gala ready style. “What was that uhh… thing you were going to tell us?”

“Oh? The thing huh?” Oskar replied with a sly smile. “So you’re interested in knowing huh?”

“NO… just… curious is all.”

“Come closer,” Oskar said and whispered softly into Dash’s ear when she leaned in.

“Oh my gosh…” Dash said with wide eyes and brought up both her hooves over her mouth. As Oskar continued whispering more and more lurid details into her ear, Dash’s face started to redden. Before long Dash’s entire face was almost the same shade of red as the red stripe in her mane. Suddenly the pegasus’ eyes rolled up into her head and she fainted over into Oskar’s bench.

“Now that’s just hilarious,” Oskar said with a massive grin.

“Oh my goodness! Emerald! Help me wake her up!” Rarity shouted. “She has to get ready or we’ll all be late!”

DELTA

Sometime later, the entire group eventually managed to get ready and make way for the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot. It was a bit of a tight fit with all seven of them inside the carriage, but it was comfortable enough. Oskar was sure the enclosed quarters with so many people would have made it uncomfortably hot, but Twilight seemed to have taken account for that, as a slight cool breeze could be felt inside the carriage.

The sun had long since gone down by the time Oskar could spot Canterlot being reasonably close, and it was still a long way off. Everyone in the carriage was excitedly talking about what they would be doing during the Gala, noticeably none of those plans featured Spike in them in the least. Oskar for her part didn’t really have anything to add, and didn’t really feel like trying to speak over everyone, so she settled for someone that wasn’t speaking at all.

“So what’s the game plan Spike?” Oskar asked the suited up baby dragon after opening a small hole near the driver’s seat with her magic.

“Gah! Oh, hi Emerald,” Spike said, quickly getting over Oskar popping her head out unexpectedly. “What do you mean by game plan?”

“You know, what are you going to be showing me on our tour?” Oskar asked.

“Oh! Well first I was thinking about showing Applejack the golden apple tree orchard,” Spike began.

“Umm… sorry to interrupt, but don’t you think you might want to alter your plans a bit?” Oskar asked a little gently. “Everyone seems to have plans of their own for the Gala.”

“Yeah I know,” Spike said a little sadly. “I’m kinda hoping they’ll at least let me give them a quick tour though. I mean, me and Twilight know Canterlot and the palace like the back of my hand.”

“I’ve been to Canterlot for a short while,” Oskar stated. “A guard showed me around the city but I haven’t been to the palace yet.”

“Oh, anypony I know?”

“Not unless you know somepony by the name of Razor Wing.”

“Can’t say I have,” Spike replied.

“So other than that golden apple tree orchard, what else are you planning to show us?” Oskar asked.

“Well… not much else to tell the truth,” Spike said with a frown. “There was so much I wanted to show the girls, but they want to go their own separate ways and do their own things. So I have only two other stops planned, like the crown jewels and my favorite donut shop.”

“Sounds like fun to me,” Oskar answered. “Especially the last one. What kind of donuts does the shop sell?”

“Oh Joe has everything,” Spike answered. “Like donuts with vanilla icing and coconut sprinkles.”

“Mmm, definitely looking forward to it,” Oskar said, licking her lips. “When we get there, I’m buying. Good thing I brought a pocket full of bits!”

“Sounds great to me! Let’s see if I can get us there quicker, hiyah!” Spike said and snapped the reins.

Instantly, the carriage came to a stop and one of the stallions turned around to glare at Spike.

“Hey!” he shouted.

“Yes?” Oskar replied lowly with an expression that clearly promised great anger if the answer wasn’t satisfactory.

“…Nothing,” the stallion squeaked out before he and his fellow returned to pulling the carriage, this time running at trotting speed.

“Thanks for that,” Spike said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“No problem.”

Before long, the carriage finally arrived at the palace and Spike leapt down and opened the carriage door for everyone, all of whom streamed out of the carriage. Oskar left last, mostly because she took the time to repair the hole she made.

“Alright then so what are we going to do?” Oskar asked as she walked out of the carriage. “I think we should go with Spike for a shor-”

“At the gala~ at the garden~ I’m going to see them all~!” Fluttershy sang out. “I’ll befriend them at the Galaaaa~!”

‘Oh my fucking god they’re singing again,’ Oskar sighed as she faced hoofed. ‘Well, no use saying anything now. Might as well go wait for everyone to stop singing and dancing in perfect choreography over at the palace gates.’

The Evolved then started moving through the dancing and singing crowd as each member of the Mane Six had a major singing solo. She started to get rather annoyed at the bounding and prancing crowds around her as they seemed to always block her. It got to a head when she was almost half way down the walkway when a dancing line of ponies started forcing her to retrace her steps back down.

‘Oh screw this!’ Oskar thought as she spied a stick on the ground. ‘You all want to dance and sing? Fine, but let’s see if you can adapt!’

Being as subtle as possible, a difficult task as she was the only grumpy looking and non-singing and dancing pony there, Oskar magically took hold of the stick and then shot it in the path of one of the many dancing ponies.

“Been dreaming~ I’ve been waiting~ To fly with thos- GAH!” Dash started in her own solo when a stumbling unicorn rammed right into her.

There was sound almost like a needle scratching across a record as every singing and dancing pony suddenly froze up for a split second. It was like the force that had allowed each and every pony to sing like professionals and dance in a perfect synchronization had left as every single pony in the field started stumbling around. It quickly grew worse from there as it seemed like everyone had lost their situational awareness and ended up crashing into each other. Before long, everyone was in great piles here and there on the field, with the Mane Six being amongst the casualties. And off to the side, watching this entire event play out was Oskar, snorting as she struggled to hold in her laughter before giving up and just plain laughing aloud.

“Ohhh ow…” Twilight moaned as she got off the ground. “What happened?”

“NO! OH NO, IS MY DRESS OKAY!?” Rarity shouted in distress. “AHHH! HELP, I AM IN NEED OF VITAL AID!”

“Woo! Now that was a tumble!” Pinkie cheered as she bounded over.

“Boy howdy,” Applejack muttered as she dusted herself off. “Everypony okay?”

“Yes. It is an utter miracle, but I am quite alright,” Rarity said as she frantically looked over herself. “No tears, no grass stains, no unsightly wrinkles. Yes it was most certainly a miracle I’ve come out of that uninjured.”

“I was talkin’ about important stuff sugarcube,” Applejack replied as ponies all around them got up from the ground.

“What? So was I,” Rarity said in honest confusion.

“Well at least Emmy is having fun,” Dash said, pointing towards Oskar as she rubbed her slightly achy head. Over to the side, Oskar had gotten her laughter under control and was now just giggling as Spike stood next to her, watching on in concern.

“How about we just go inside now and forget that the evening started this way?” Twilight offered as she walked towards the palace entrance.

The Mane Six, including Spike and a still slightly giggling Oskar, entered into the main hall. The girls had seemingly already put the small disaster outside behind them and were all looking at their surroundings with enthusiastic glee. Oskar, now finally in control of herself, wasn’t so enthusiastic. She took one look at the type of people attending the Gala and had pegged the event as just one big extremely expensive networking event. Upon realising that, Oskar had pondered going amongst the more obviously wealthier party goers and setting up a few business opportunities for New Paradigm. She decided to discard that idea, as she had already promised Spike to go on a palace tour with him.

“This is going to be so great! The best night ever!” Spike said eagerly to everyone. “And the best part is that we will be-”

Suddenly, everyone darted off in separate directions to pursue their own reasons for coming to attend the Gala.

“Oh…” Spike sighed and looked utterly downtrodden.

“Don’t worry Spike,” Oskar assured the little dragon. “I promised I was going to go on your tour. There may be only two of us, but we can still have fun.”

“Yeah… yeah we can, can’t we?” Spike said, already looking happier. “Alright, first stop on our tour of the Royal Palace is the Golden Apple Trees.”

“From the sounds of it, I’m thinking the apples are gold too,” Oskar stated as she and Spike started walking down one hall. “Can you still eat them? Or do you need to prepare them in some way?”

“Oh no, no preparation at all!” Spike said with a wave of his hand. “You just pluck one and take a bite. Hmm… if I remember right, the trees should still be in season and should have their apples on them. Come on, the orchard is this way, though it’s a bit isolated from the rest of the party.”

After some twists and turns, Oskar and Spike arrived at the golden apple trees at the far side of the palace grounds. Just like Oskar had expected, instead of just having bright yellow bark, the trees appeared to be made out of actual gold, their metallic like surface reflecting light and making them shine in the night.

“And here are the golden apple trees! Cool huh?” Spike said as he waved grandly to the orchard. “And they look like they are still in season too! Wanna pluck a few for ourselves?”

“Sure,” Oskar replied, and magically pulled several apples for herself and Spike from the branches. Just like the trees they were grown from, the apples also appeared to be made out of gold. The virus stared a little hesitantly at her apple when she heard Spike bite happily into his. Throwing caution to the wind, Oskar took a bite of her apple and found it to be the most delicious, juicy and delightfully textured apple she ever had.

“Great huh?” Spike commented with his mouth half full upon hearing Oskar’s delighted moan. “From what I know these trees are the result of several decades of work and research from Canterlot’s greatest unicorns and members of the Apple family. Crossbreeding apple trees and gold, brainy stuff like that.”

Oskar was fairly certain there must have been more to it than that, but didn’t expect Spike to know everything about it, so she left it be. The Evolved, however, swallowed the core of the apple as well, tucking away the golden seeds of the fruit to grow her own orchard for both her dogs’ benefit and her own.

“So, on to see the crown jewels?” Oskar asked after finishing off her apples.

“Sure!” Spike said, wiping his mouth of apple juice and chucking a core away. “This way.”

The two moved back into the palace and down several halls. The room the crown jewels were in was apparently a bit closer to the party then the golden orchard was, as the dull roar of ponies chattering echoed down at them as they traveled. Eventually the two arrived at a set of double doors with two Royal Guard ponies standing by on guard.

“Hi Iron Hoof!” Spike greeted one of the guards.

“Hey Spike,” the guard nodded back with a smile before adding teasingly. “Taking your fillyfriend to see the crown jewels?”

“Wha-what!” Spike exclaimed with rapidly flushing cheeks. “She- Emerald isn’t my-”

“So what if I’m his fillyfriend?” Oskar said defensively while pulling Spike into a protective hug, inwardly roaring with laughter at the look on the baby dragon’s face. “You make it sound like it’s bad he wants to treat me right and show me a good time.”

“Whoa… Spike…” Iron Hoof said, his eyes wide with both shock and awe.

“NICE!” the other guard commented with a toothy grin. “Always knew you had it in you little guy.”

“Wha- but- she isn’- EMERALD!” Spike shouted his face crimson in embarrassment.

Oskar laughed at Spike’s expression and the guards’ obvious confusion. Deciding to show mercy on the baby dragon, Oskar decided to clear up the situation.

“No I’m not his fillyfriend,” Oskar said with a small laugh. “I was just teasing him. We are actually here to look at the crown jewels though.”

“Hehe, nice one,” the other guard said with another toothy grin.

“Definitely,” Iron Hoof agreed. “You’re alright in my books Miss Gleaner. Go on in! If you want to borrow something you can, just make sure to return it by the end of the week.”

“No problem!” Oskar smiled at Iron Hoof’s joking offer before walking through the doors with a still embarrassed Spike.

The room was fairly plain, as it wasn’t something the public would normally have access to, but it didn’t need to be decorative. Set up on marble pedestals with silk cushions, the many various jewels Celestia had at her disposal glimmered grandiosely. The Princess of the Sun appeared to have jewels for any occasion, and Oskar found herself gazing upon a crown when she noticed Spike shooting looks at her out of the corner of his eyes.

“What’s the matter Spike?” Oskar questioned with a humoring smile. “Thinking about us being a thing?”

“NO!” Spike denied with a massive blush before quickly adding. “Not that I wouldn’t want to I mean! I mean, who wouldn’t want that with you being a beautiful mare, but I know about what you and Time Turner and I’m devoted to Rarity. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or anything! But I was actually thinking about that and I’m sorry! I won’t think about it again! I’m-”

“It’s okay Spike!” Oskar laughed at the increasingly frantic dragon. “You’re a young man hanging out with me. I’m not going to hold it against you for thinking about that.”

“So… we cool?” Spike asked, cheeks still bright red.

“We sure are.” Oskar smiled and held her hoof out. Spike smiled widely at this and held up his fist before pressing it against Oskar’s hoof. “Want to go to that donut shop now? I’m in the mood for some awesome donuts.”

“Definitely!” Spike smiled.

The two left the room and began making their way down the halls. The way back out of the palace to Spike’s favorite donut shop led them back fairly close to the Gala, leading to Oskar and Spike spotting more and more party guests in the halls including one guest Oskar hadn’t expected at all.

“Emerald?” Oskar heard from behind her and turned to see Time Turner standing there, wearing his best tie along with a matching rented tuxedo.

“Time Turner?” Oskar blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“Neither did I to be honest,” Time Turner said a little nervously. “But I happened to win a contest involving mathematical equations a while back and got a Gala ticket along with a cash prize. I didn’t think I would actually use it, but then I heard you were going to be here… so I decided I wasn’t going to miss this.”

“Wow uh…” Oskar said with growing unease. “I would love to be with you tonight but I promised Spike I would-”

“Oh don’t miss out on this on my account,” Spike commented with a smile and a thumbs up at Oskar. “You two go have fun. You can come find me sampling the appetizers when you’re done Emerald.”

‘God damn it Spike!’ the virus thought in frustration at the sight of the retreating baby dragon. ‘Now is not the time to be polite!’

“Would you care to follow me Emerald?” Time Turner asked with a soft smile. “Something fantastic is going to happen outside and I want you to see it.”

“Alright… lead the way,” Oskar said, somehow keeping her smile from looking forced.

The two walked outside to the gardens, where ponies were spread out all over. Some were in small groups and were obviously business associates, while others appeared to be sweethearts out to have a wonderful time together.

‘Guess that puts me and Time Turner in the latter category…’ Oskar thought as she subtly ground her teeth in agitation. She could see what this was going to lead up to, some beautiful show, either fireworks or the Wonderbolts doing aerial maneuvers, and Time Turner taking the chance to have that ‘magical’ first kiss of a relationship. Oskar could seriously see it working in a normal situation, but as it was, she was the girl here and she wasn’t at all looking forward to it.

‘I… I don’t want to hurt him, yet leading him further and further along is going to hurt him more in the end,’ Oskar thought with an inward scowl as she and Time took a seat upon a semi-secluded bench. ‘And if I do just go through with it, I’m going to end up extending this mockery of an actual relationship to even worse points. Eventually, one of two things are going to happen. He is either going to get comfortable enough with me to go for a… “home run” or he is going to pop the question. I am most certainly not going to let either of those happen… so why can’t I just end this act right now?!’

The Evolved’s main problem was what she thought just moments before. The current situation was leading up to quite a romantic moment and thus ending things with Time now would cause much more pain than simply doing it at some diner. It also would have been much easier to go through with ending things if Oskar didn’t particularly care about Time Turner all that much. But the pony doctor had ended up being one of the few people the virus could consider a friend, and thus any plans that included causing him suffering of any sort didn’t sit well with Oskar.

‘Oh god here it comes,’ Oskar thought as she saw fireworks shooting up into the air and detonating, causing a grand display.

Sure enough, after watching the fireworks go off for a few moments, Time Turner subtly sat closer to Emerald, then after a moment he placed his hoof on her shoulder and got her attention. Looking at her with warm eyes, he leaned closer and closer to her. Oskar closed her eyes as well, but more out of a desire to not see the kiss coming. Her mouth twisted into a deeply unhappy frown and her form went rigid as Time Turner came closer and closer.

“I…” Oskar began softly. “I CAN’T DO IT!”

With that shout, Oskar disappeared in a pink flash, leaving Time Turner to fall onto the bench and hit his jaw on it, cracking his teeth together loudly. Time Turner blinked in shock for a few moments before the faintest signs of tears began to form as his mind leapt to the worst, and true, conclusion.

Oskar reappeared back in the palace in the very hallway she had encountered Time Turner. She quickly sent out a pulse to locate Spike and started quickly walking in that direction. She looked back over her shoulder at where she knew Time Turner was and felt her chest clench at the pain she knew she was putting him through right now.

‘Sorry Time Turner,’ Oskar thought honestly. ‘It’s better this way. You’d be happier with someone who actually wants to be with you than me. The feelings there would be real on with both sides for one.’

Walking faster, the Evolved made her way down some halls and started walking through a study to another hallway.

‘What other emotionally trying thing could happe- NO, I DIDN’T THINK THAT, NOPE!’ Oskar thought as she shook her head. ‘I DIDN’T FINISH THAT THOUGHT SO IT DOESN’T COU-’

“Hello Emerald Gleaner,” Oskar heard Princess Luna say from behind her.

‘… Shit,’ Oskar thought, and with a small gulp turned around to face the music.

“Oh! Umm, young Emerald, please pardon me. I don’t mean to frighten you!” Luna said as she saw Oskar start to have a minor panic attack. “Please do not distress! What can I do to show to you my honest and true intentions?”

Oskar just stared at Princess Luna with wide eyes, but she did start to calm down, though not because of the Princess’ efforts. It was because she was recalling the fight she had with Luna in Cloudsdale, and the fact that she hadn’t been obliterated the instant the fight started like she always feared would happen. True, Luna wasn’t trying to kill Oskar at the time and thus was holding back quite a bit, but it still did Oskar’s confidence wonders. Plus, there was another fact Oskar recalled about the fight.

‘My darts pierced her hide,’ Oskar thought as her breathing evened out. ‘She may be a god but she isn’t invincible. I can hurt her… I can kill her…’

“There we are,” Luna said softly as she saw Oskar calm down completely. “No need to be alarmed at all. I only wish to have a small conversation with you.”

“…Right, I am supremely sorry for my behavior, your highness,” Oskar said with a bow. “I’m sure you have been told by your sister that I have had bad experiences with authority figures in the past.”

“There is no need to apologise young Emerald, none at all!” Luna stated before motioning to some couches over to the side of the study with her wing. “Have a seat and we shall converse on the matter at hoof.”

“Yes your highness,” Oskar said, and did as she was told.

“Now… umm, how are you?” Luna asked awkwardly. “Er, how was your day and… how are you enjoying the Gala?”

“Everything is fine your highness,” Oskar said, and couldn’t help but openly eye Luna warily, not at all taken in by the alicorn’s attempt to act casual. “Did you require something of me, your highness?”

“I…” Luna sighed and closed her eyes in consternation with herself. “I suppose I am not making a good show of being ‘casual’ as it were. Forgive me for I am… out of practice with modern social norms.”

“Young Emerald, to be completely and utterly honest with you, I am here to give you a proposition,” Luna stated solemnly. “I know that your immediate reaction would be to deny it with all your heart, but I beseech you to give pause and think hard of what I am to offer you. Will you do that for me Emerald Gleaner?”

“I… I’ll promise to think about whatever it is you wish to offer me Princess,” Oskar answered.

“Emerald Gleaner, I wish to offer you the chance to become my personal student,” Luna said in total seriousness.

Oskar blinked. Luna happened to be right about what the virus’ initial reaction would have been, instant denial. The idea of spending so much time with her secret enemies was completely unappealing. But Oskar also did what Luna asked and thought deeply about it.

‘The chance to be a personal student of one of the Princesses...’ Oskar thought earnestly. ‘I really can’t pass this up, can I? Luna may have been sealed away for a thousand years on the moon, but in all that time, magic hasn’t made much in the way of revolutionary developments of itself. All of its innovation is the result of it working in concert with mechanics and technology. So her knowledge is still very pertinent and would benefit me greatly to learn. But… at the same time, this is Princess Luna we are talking about here. I run the risk of casting suspicion on myself if she gets too interested in knowing what I do in my free time if I become her student. I’ve managed to deal with those that could threaten my disguise and keep people from wondering about what “Emerald Gleaner” does in her off time. Granted, the fact that Emerald is a pony and the Gray Fox is a “Diamond Fox” helped to keep people from considering the idea at all.’

“Young Emerald, I understand you would still be very reluctant to accept this offer,” Luna stated. “Thus I ask of you to let me know what I can do to make it more appealing for you. I see the potential in you to go on to do great things, Emerald Gleaner, and I only wish to help you nurture and grow that potential to its very limits.”

“Well…” Oskar began hesitantly. “In that case… I do have other responsibilities to attend to that I need time for, and I also have a life in Ponyville I really don’t want to leave.”

“Then we can adjust the schedule around your life,” Luna said kindly. “Far be it from me to force any subject of mine to choose between higher education and those they hold dear.”

“Thank you Princess Luna,” Oskar said, and began thinking intently. “I… I would like to take a while to think about your offer before giving you a definitive answer though, I hope you do not mind.”

“Of course not young Emerald!” Luna assured. “Think intently, let not the slightest doubt cloud your mind before you make this decision, for it shall influence the rest of your life!”

“Yes it will, won’t it…?” Oskar said thoughtfully. “Well Princess Luna, thank you for this offer. I shall message you soon about my answer, if I may take my leave?”

“Fare thee well young Emerald.” Luna nodded at the Evolved. “I shall eagerly wait in anticipation of your letter, I sincerely hope you will agree to be my student.”

“Thank you again Princess, and good night,” Oskar replied and made her way out of the study. Sending out another pulse for Spike, she saw he hadn’t changed his location much and headed straight for him.

It didn’t take long for Oskar to find Spike, he was actually in the hallway outside the kitchen, sitting on a chair and munching on some appetizers, likely something that the cooks had made especially for him.

“Hiya Emerald!” Spike greeted, finishing off the last of his appetizers. “How did your date with Time Turner go?”

“Hn,” Oskar grunted noncommittally. “You want to go see that donut shop now?”

“Sure!” Spike replied eagerly and placed his empty plate on his seat before patting his stomach. “Still got plenty of room for treats!”

“Great, let’s go.”

EPSILON

“Wow, it sounds like your date went pretty badly,” Spike said gently as he nursed his hot chocolate.

The two were now in Joe’s Donut Shop and were enjoying some late night donuts and hot chocolate.

“Yeah I’m pretty sure I’m uh, single again,” Oskar replied before gulping down her cup, heedless of the heat. “If I ever was in a relationship in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

“I… my feelings for him weren’t as true as his were for me,” Oskar answered with a sigh. “I guess… I was only ever keeping up the whole thing just so I wouldn’t hurt him with rejection.”

“Well… what about you?” Spike asked.

“What about me?”

“What about your feelings?” Spike explained. “Don’t you think it’s wrong to be with somepony if you don’t actually love them?”

“Yeah… true,” Oskar nodded. “You know… you never told me how exactly you found out Time and I were together. We happened to be very discreet about it, to make sure the magazines and reporters, even got Bon Bon, to not spread rumors about it.”

“I was up drinking a cup of water before going to bed when I saw you teleport in with Time Turner,” Spike explained. “The both of you were dressed up so I just put two and two together.”

“Oh.”

It was then that the door to the shop opened with a ring of a bell, and the two glanced over their shoulders to look. Meeting their sight was the entire Mane Six looking miserable with their beautiful dresses torn and dirty.

“Hey, how was the Gala!” Spike asked excitedly as he leapt off his chair towards the girls. “How was your best night ever?”

Oskar shot Spike an incredulous look before glancing at Twilight’s expression, she looked like she was on the verge of tears. Frankly, it was clear to the Evolved that everyone’s “best night ever” turned out rather badly. Truthfully, she was disappointed, but not surprised.

The next twenty minutes or so passed with everyone telling their own story of their experience of the Grand Galloping Gala, famed for supposedly making everyone’s dreams come true. Everyone seemed to have come close to realising their reason for coming to the Gala. only to fall short. Applejack made only one sale due to the free and expensive appetizer table a short distance away. Rarity found a Prince, but he turned out to be a jerk. Rainbow Dash was unable to enjoy being around her idols at all. Pinkie Pie’s efforts to make the party more fun weren’t exactly appreciated. Fluttershy wasn’t able to connect with the royal garden animals the way she was able to with those near the Everfree, and Twilight was unable to spend any real time with Celestia due to said princess being incredibly busy.

And yet…

“That sounds like the worst night ever!” Spike commented.

“It was!” the Mane Six said at once before bursting into laughter.

Everyone seemed to be already looking back on it fondly, maybe everything was just funny in hindsight? It wasn’t to Oskar truthfully, but then she hadn’t experienced those events first hand.

“I just hope Princess Celestia isn’t upset with us for ruining the Gala…” Twilight said softly in worry.

“That was the best Grand Galloping Gala ever!” Oskar heard Celestia’s voice exclaim happily from the door.

Everyone turned to look with shock at Princess Celestia at the door of the donut shop.

“Princess Celestia!” everyone exclaimed.

“Pardon me Princess…” Twilight began as Celestia walked over to stand at the table. “But tonight was just awful!”

“Oh Twilight, the Grand Galloping Gala is always awful!” Celestia explained with a humoring smile.

“I can agree with that wholeheartedly,” Oskar stated with a huff. “The whole thing was rather cut and dry to be honest. It all seemed more like one big expensive business meeting rather than some celebration, to me at least, and I’ve had to deal with enough of those for work. If it wasn’t for Spike and his little tour of the palace, I doubt the whole thing would have been worth it. Probably would be dearly wishing I’d have sold my ticket the first chance I got… speaking of which, I still have mine,” Oskar said with a puzzled look on her face as she pulled said ticket out. “Were we supposed to stop somewhere and drop them off or something? I met some guards earlier, but they didn’t ask for it.”

“Hmm? Oh…” Celestia began, looking confused before realising something. “I suppose the lands you have traveled, you were required to turn in your tickets for the event? That is not the case here, why would it? Anypony that would come to the Gala surely would only come if properly invited.”

“Oh… yeah that is definitely different from what I’m used to,” Oskar commented.

Celestia for her part was rather delighted that Oskar could speak to her now without stuttering or showing fear. Taking advantage of this lack of fear, Celestia decided to ask Oskar something.

“I met with my sister before coming here,” Celestia stated. “She says that in her opinion, her meeting with you went rather well. I hope you will consider her offer to make you her student seriously Emerald, it would be a considerable waste if your potential went uncultivated.”

Everyone gasped at hearing what Celestia said.

“Oh my gosh Emerald!” Twilight exclaimed excitedly. “Princess Luna offered to make you her student?! That’s fantastic! You really should agree Emerald! Becoming a student of Princess Celestia was the best thing to ever happen to me!”

“Well that certainly sounds great…” Oskar said a bit blandly. “It’s an important decision to make though, and I wouldn’t want to rush through it. Also, it’s getting a bit late. What do you all say I buy us rooms at a high class hotel?”

Twilight was about to say that she was sure Celestia could give them a few guest rooms at the palace when Rarity eagerly spoke up.

“Oh that sounds wonderful Emerald!” Rarity said happily. “A relaxing bath and some room service before bed would be utterly delightful after today’s events.”

“It’s settled then,” Oskar said with a smile. “Let’s go get ourselves some nice rooms.”

ZETA

Oskar spent about two hours in her room. She had passed the time having a decadent bath just like Rarity no doubt was having, and reading from a well-stocked book shelf in the corner. After which she left her expensive luxurious room.

Moving down extravagantly decorated halls and pristine red carpets, Oskar made her way to the lobby of the five star hotel. Descending a magnificent grand staircase, Oskar arrived in the lobby, which looked more like the concourse of a mansion.

“If anyone asks for me, tell them I’ve gone out for a walk,” Oskar stated to the pony at the front desk.

“Of course miss Gleaner,” the receptionist replied with a smile. “Have a good night, miss.”

Oskar walked out the front doors of the hotel onto a path flanked by colorful and perfectly maintained gardens. Continuing on down the path, the virus walked out onto the dark streets and walked for a bit before darting down an alley. Then she carefully took stock of her surroundings before her form changed with a surge of black tendrils. In a moment, standing within the walls of Canterlot for the first time was the Gray Fox.

‘It’s time to pull one last robbery,’ Oskar thought as he climbed up a wall to the roofs. ‘I would have liked the Diamond Dogs’ help in getting stuff collected and put away, but I did promise them that raid on Cloudsdale was the last time they needed to steal from Equestria, so I’m doing this myself.’

Reaching the roof of the building, Oskar took off at a sprint for the Palace, where his target was.

‘It’ll be a bit tricky to do it myself, but not impossible,’ Oskar thought as he rapidly traversed the rooftops. ‘Now let’s focus. I have to actually manage to sneak in and not get caught before getting to steal anything.’

Before long, Oskar arrived on the street that divided the city between the palace. Watching the walls and open courtyards of the palace, Oskar made sure to spy any patrols of Royal Guard on the premises. Once he had memorised what few patrols he could see in, he bolted into action. Jumping down and running across the empty street, Oskar clambered up and over the perimeter walls of the palace. Leaping down from the wall, Oskar sprinted silently across the garden he was in and dove into a bush with barely a rustle, managing to avoid the gazes of guards at the last second.

Oskar waited for the next opportunity to move, gazing at the ground floor windows and trying to remember if they could be opened. Spying a locked latch, Oskar manipulated it from afar and unlocked it. Seeing his opportunity to move, Oskar darted over to the window and cast a silencing charm over the local area as a precaution and opened the window, closing it behind him after slinking inside.

Oskar silently sprinted through the halls of the palace. There were Royal Guards wandering the halls on patrol, but Oskar heard them long before he saw them and managed to keep clear. However, one of the patrols was near silent and if it weren’t for the fact they were talking, Oskar may have just ran into them.

“Princess Luna is sleeping tonight?” questioned a Royal Guard, though this one was different from all others seen before, yellow eyes, bat wings, dark purple coat and wearing dark purple.

“Yeah, we aren’t going to go beat up manticores in the Everfree Forest again,” said the other guard who looked the same. “I’m glad. This means I’ll have time to heal my bruises for once.”

“Yeah, Princess Luna doesn’t really seem to realise we aren’t as tough as her,” the other replied as the two walked down an empty hall lined with columns.

As the two walked away, Oskar stared after them, pondering what they had just said about Luna. Thinking for a brief moment longer, Oskar then dropped down from the ceiling where he had been clinging.

‘Hmm… according to the blueprints it should be around this corner…’ Oskar thought and peeked around a corner.

Standing guard at a barred door was a single Royal Guard. Oskar frowned in thought for a moment before getting an idea, though rather unpleasant. A form began to appear in one of Oskar’s hands wreathed in tendrils. When the tendrils withdrew, in Oskar’s hand was a disgusting looking ball of tangled, foul smelling hair dripping with a yellow pus like ooze. Claws glowing with magic, Oskar levitated the grotesque hair ball into the air near the ceiling and moved it to the end of the hall opposite from Oskar. Dropping it quietly onto the floor, Oskar pulled out of sight and waited.

“Ugh… what is that smell?” Oskar heard, and could imagine the guard looking around him. “The hay is that thing?”

Listening carefully, Oskar could hear the sounds of hooves stepping away from him. The virus darted out from around the corner and ran silently down the hall. The guard was walking down the hall away from him, and was cautiously approaching the smelly hair ball he generated.

Reaching the barred door, Oskar briefly became a mass of black tendrils and surged between the bars before reforming on the other side. Upon reforming, Oskar searched the book shelves nearest the door as fast as possible so he didn’t risk being spotted by the door guard. Finding a handful, Oskar placed magical tags on them before moving onto shelves out of view.

This went on for a well over an hour, Oskar working as fast as he could to cover the library as quickly as possible, his nerves fraying whenever he was searching a bookshelf in view of the door, though that specific area was only one wing of the larger library. By the time Oskar had gone over the entirety of the library, he had tagged well over a hundred books of interest for himself. He was now looking over the initial wing he had entered into for any books he had missed.

‘Let’s see… here’s one,’ Oskar thought, brushing a loose page out of the way and onto the floor. ‘Hmm… another book on runic arrays, could be useful. Tagged.’

Oskar carefully and silently walked back to the barred door. The guard was back there again after apparently handling the hairball he had created. Oskar wondered what he could do to distract him again when a vicious smile appeared on his face.

Generating another disgusting hairball, Oskar stepped beside the door and levitated the hair ball through the door, bringing it just over the guards head before he released his hold on it. The hairball landed on the guard’s face with a wet splatter.

“EUGH!! UGH!” The guard shook the hairball off his face and retched. He briefly tried to wipe the pus off his face before retching again and bolting off down the hall.

Surging through the barred door, Oskar glanced down the hall the guard took off down and walked over to the windows. Making sure there was no one in the garden outside, Oskar opened the window and closed it after exiting.

Now outside Oskar sent out a viral pulse with Luna as the target. The pulse went out and Oskar saw it come back from a window with a large balcony. Oskar darted over to the base of the tower with the window, his head constantly scanning his surroundings. Taking one last look of his surroundings Oskar stared up at the balcony before crouching down, his legs writhed with tendrils, before leaping straight up into the air.

Flying through the air at incredible speeds, Oskar nearly ended up flying past the balcony, but he was close enough that he could latch onto the banister with a hand and swing himself over onto the balcony. Landing on his feet with a sharp crack, Oskar quickly fell to the floor and pressed himself against the wall and paused. He didn’t hear shouts of alarm from below or movement from Luna’s bedroom. Crawling forward cautiously, Oskar glanced around the corner and through the glass door into Luna’s bedroom.

The room was grand and luxurious, as could be expected for the personal quarters of a princess, but Oskar wasn’t concerned with that, his concern was the alicorn supposedly sleeping on the bed. He watched her from his spot on the floor for a few moments before determining that she really was asleep. Getting up into a crouch, the virus then opened the door and crept inside.

Oskar silently approached the bed of the sleeping Moon Princess, snugly tucked away in her bed, her hair seemed to be without power while she was asleep and was back to the way it looked just after she was redeemed. He was about halfway to her when he noticed a wall covered in parchment out of the corner of his eye. Curiosity raised, Oskar changed direction and crept over to the wall.

Coming to a stop beside the wall, Oskar stood upright and stared at it for a few moments before his eyes widened in shock. There were crude sketched pictures of himself on the wall along with papers making hypotheses on what things like cars and guns were, as well as what kind of creatures Imps and humans were. It didn’t take long for Oskar to figure out Luna was referring to Evolved when she wrote about Imps. Studying the papers further, Oskar found out exactly how Luna found out this information, his dreams. Or rather, the sole time he decided to try sleeping again after arriving here in Equestria.

Oskar’s breath came quickly as he felt the onset of panic rise within him. If he had a heart, it would be pounding deafeningly in his ears. He turned on the spot and stared at Luna and immediately knew he couldn’t allow her to live with what she knew. The Evolved strode over to Luna’s sleeping form quickly but silently. He then shifted one arm into a claw and pulled it back to plunge it into the slumbering alicorn’s body.

Just as he was about to plunge his claws forward, Oskar hesitated, memories of a situation so similar to this one that happened a year ago flashing through his mind. Oskar thought hard on what he just learned, his claw still raised in the air in preparation to murder. He knew that Luna knew about him, but he also knew that Luna thought he was dead, killed by Bergren’s suicide attack in the Everfree Forest. And because she thought he was dead, she hadn’t added much more theories and ideas to her wall, though the recent looking pages appeared to be concerned with finding out where he came from and how many more of his kind there were.

So Luna might know a few things about him. She only had impressions, no concrete truths, and with his “death” had lost a great amount of interest in brainstorming more ideas about him. In the end, the real decision for Oskar was either to kill Luna because of what she knew, though she wasn’t going to do anything with it, or let her live in peace even if he might grow to regret.

Almost letting a shuddering breath leave his lips, Oskar lowered his clawed arm and reformed it back. He stared down at the Alicorn of the Moon, his unsuspecting enemy, for several long moments before turning around and walking back over to the wall. There was a desk with a pile of parchment and a quill and inkwell on it.

Taking a piece of parchment, Oskar rapidly wrote down a note before walking back to Luna’s bed. He then placed the note on Luna’s bedside table before returning his attention to Luna. Leaning over her sleeping form, Oskar delicately grabbed a small lock of her mane and snipped it off with the natural claws on his fingers. Placing the lock of hair in his jacket pocket, the Evolved retreated from Luna’s sleeping form before walking back out onto the balcony.

Looking out onto the gardens below, Oskar saw that there was no one patrolling nearby or looking upwards in his general direction. He perched briefly on the banister before leaping off and swan diving towards the ground.

‘I wish I was wearing something white for this,’ Oskar thought humorously before landing in a bush with a soft rustle, his body impacting with the ground with a barely heard thud due to him lightening himself greatly at the last second.

Peeking out of the bush, scanning his surroundings for patrols coming into his area, Oskar darted out and towards the perimeter wall, clambering over it in a moment and landing on the empty, dark streets of Canterlot on the other side. Oskar took in his surroundings one last time to make sure he was unwatched before calling on his magic, then he teleported away.

The Evolved arrived in a grassy area with a pond where, miles in the distance, Canterlot could be made out. Oskar stared at the distant capital of Equestria for a moment before turning and walking towards the pond where he stared at his reflection.

‘Well Jack McCloud, it was certainly an experience…’ Oskar thought as he took in his reflection. ‘I certainly enjoyed being you, but in the end it was only ever a temporary act. Just this one last thing to do and then I’m retiring you for good. Not to worry though, with what I am planning to do with your legacy, you will most definitely live on in the minds of ponies everywhere for generations to come.’

Giving his reflection a jovial salute, Oskar turned on his heels and faced Canterlot again. He then called on his magic, concentrating deeply on the books he had left the magical tags on. Drawing upon the many days of practice he had spent teleporting objects around, Oskar poured his magic into a teleportation spell. Gritting his teeth with exertion, Oskar felt his magic surge. There was a bright flash of magic, and suddenly there was a large pile of books on the ground before him.

Off in the far distance, Oskar spied the Royal Palace lighting up, his powerful eyes straining to just see distant ponies in the windows running about.

‘Yep, I figured there was going to be an alarm for taking the books out like this,’ Oskar thought in satisfaction at being right. ‘Right, no time to waste. Let’s get out of here.’

Grabbing a hold of all the books in his telekinetic grasp, Oskar levitated them into the air and quickly ran as fast as he could. His direction was going to be anywhere but the Everfree for a bit before he caused his weight to lighten to the point of him not having prints, then he was heading straight there.

ETA

Princess Celestia stood in the library, her mane a mess from having awoken from bed. An alarm had been blaring throughout the palace but it had been turned off once patrolling Royal Guards had arrived. The library itself didn’t look like it had suffered any abuse, but Celestia’s long memory helped her to spot that there were books missing here and there. While she didn’t know exactly what had been taken, she was going to have the librarians do a full inventory of the entire library to see just what had been stolen.

The alarm had been set off when a teleportation spell had been used on its grounds while it was locked up for the night, which meant whoever had gotten in hadn’t unlocked the door, and had somehow gotten in through another means. The guard who had been assigned to watch the library that night was getting an earful from an irate Shining Armor, that much was sure to Celestia.

Part of the security system set up in the library tracked teleports, so Celestia had a group of unicorns head to the tracked location several miles away as soon as possible. As to who could have stolen books from the library, Celestia had her suspicions as to who but wasn’t entirely sure due to this crime not following his modus operandi.

It was then that an equally dishevelled looking Luna entered, holding a letter that would confirm Celestia’s suspicions.

“What is that you have Luna?” Celestia asked.

“Here!” Luna said furiously as she levitated the letter over. “Read for thyself!”

Taking hold of the parchment for herself, Celestia looked down at it and began to read.

Dear beloved Luna

It is I, the Gray Fox, but you can call me Jack if you wish. I came by for a visit to Canterlot and saw that the palace was closed up for the night. I figured that since we had made such an impression on each other in Cloudsdale, you wouldn’t mind me coming in anyway. Let me tell you my dear Luna, you look graceful as ever asleep as you were dancing with me in the clouds. As loath as I am to say this, I have to tell you, dearest Luna, that all things must come to an end. Yes, even our short but passionate time together. This will be the last you will see of me (even though you never saw me in the first place) I’m afraid. There will be no more daring raids, no more clever escapes that will incite the mind to fill with awe and wonder. Yes my lovely Luna, this will be the last time Equestria will have to deal with the King of Thieves, and the last you’ll see of me. Take heart, dearest Luna, for I will always remember you

Love

Jack McCloud

P.S. I hope you don’t mind but I borrowed a few books from the library despite not having a library card (silly me). Don’t worry, I’ll bring them back when I’m done reading through each and every one of them.

And drawn along the very bottom of the letter was what could only be a chibi version of the Gray Fox blowing a kiss, a little heart flying away from his open palm.

“The gall! The nerve of that thief!” Luna growled furiously. “First he utterly humiliates me during his damaging Cloudsdale raid, and now he taunts me with this letter! We must track him down! Have you sent any Royal Guards after him!?”

Seemingly in answer to her irate question, a squad of tired looking Royal Guards appeared in a flash of light.

“Princesses,” the leader of the squad said with a short bow. “We tracked the spell to its origin point and found what could only be the Gray Fox’s tracks. We followed them as long as we could, but they soon inexplicably faded to nothing after a while. We went in what we assumed to be the direction he was going, but we were forced to stop after finding no more signs of him.”

“As can be expected of the Gray Fox, he escapes us again.” Celestia sighed. “Thank you for trying. Please report to Shining Armor.”

The group of guards saluted the princess and left. Celestia turned to face Luna and saw that she was reading over the letter again with a scowl on her face. Celestia walked forward to stand just beside her sister.

“What do you think of his letter Luna?” Celestia asked. “Do you believe him to be telling the truth? That this will be the last time he commits a crime against Equestria and her people?”

“He has never lied before…” Luna frowned. “But he is still a criminal and thus should not be beyond such lowliness. Even if this is his last crime, we must endeavor to track him down and bring him to justice.”

“Of course,” Celestia agreed before smiling slyly. “After all, no one breaks my baby sister’s heart no matter how roguishly charming he is.”

“ARRRGH!” Luna shouted in anger. “There was nothing of the sort between us!”

“Hehehe.”

THETA

“Finally,” Oskar said aloud as she glanced out the windows of Twilight’s library.

It was several days later, and the virus had yet to consume the lock of alicorn mane, keeping in mind when she had first gained magic and had consumed Twilight’s genes and gained her magical potency. Thus it was reasonable to assume that consuming alicorn genes would cause quite a reaction in her. So she had waited until she had the library to herself before going about consuming the alicorn genes in private.

The time had finally come when Twilight and Spike went out to visit Rarity at her boutique.

“Come with me Navi,” Oskar called to her pet who immediately flew over to land on Oskar’s ear. “Now, let’s go downstairs and handle this in private.”

Oskar walked over to the basement door and turned on the lights, showing all the various magical instruments and machines that were stored down there. Closing the door behind her, Oskar descended the stairs down to the basement floor before coming to a stop in the middle.

The Evolved took out the lock of alicorn hair and stared at it for a few moments in the grasp of her hoof. Almost hesitantly, tendrils erupted from the sides of Oskar’s hoof and tore into the lock of alicorn hair, consuming it in a moment.

Oskar closed her eyes as she felt the genes being incorporated into her being. At first, there was nothing more than a small tingling sensation throughout her body as the changes were applied. Then, with the suddenness of a lightning bolt, Oskar felt intense, agonising pain lance through her.

“Auuuuuggggh…” Oskar groaned out weakly as she keeled over and crashed to the floor before curing in on herself. Machines and devices shook, and the smaller of them lifted up into the air as intense energies started lancing out from Oskar’s body and swirled about her like a small typhoon. Tendrils ripped out of Oskar’s flesh and she could feel her body begin to change its shape against her will.

“Navi… hide…” Oskar told her pet, her voice coming out in a deep guttural growl.

Navi trilled in alarm and flew over to one of the many machines Twilight had and hid within it, staring out at Oskar in intense worry.

Concern for Navi soon faded from Oskar’s mind, replaced instead by quiet murmuring voices. The voices rose in volume and Oskar soon realised they weren’t whispering, but screaming in agonised terror. Oskar’s world faded into darkness, replaced with deafening screams.

‘My legs!!!’

‘Don’t eat me!’

‘NOOOO! MY BABY!’

‘Fuck you monster! Eat shit and die!’

-TBC-

Left you all on a cliff hanger didn’t? Jack McCloud and Princess Luna OTP! Nah :P

CREDITS

Ideas and Story Development: Gekko and Trondason

Grammar Edits: Nightmare Knight

Chapter 15: The Monster

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Twilight walked along a busy street in Ponyville, Spike on her back riding along as they made their way to visit Rarity. Everything was calm and peaceful. The sound of ponies trotting along and talking as they went about their day was the only thing to be heard. The weather ponies had done a wonderful job. Large puffy clouds dotted the sky in the distance, creating a scenic view from the sunlight shining through.

Suddenly a deafening explosion sounded off some distance behind Twilight and Spike, the studious unicorn turning in place and her eyes widened at what she saw. Before her was a massive beam of pink magic blasting off into the air, very much like a geyser. The beam of magic whipped wildly in the air as ponies screamed and ran in panic from it, turning steadily from neon pink to a dark crimson.

A short distance away, the door of Rarity’s boutique flew open and out ran Rarity followed by her little sister Sweetie Belle.

“What in the world is tha- MY GOODNESS, WHAT IS THAT!?” Rarity began shouting in surprise at the beam of magic.

Twilight was about to answer when the beam of light suddenly cut off. For several long moments there was silence. Then screaming began, coming from the direction the beam had originated from.

“Come on!” Twilight shouted as she ran forward. “There is something wrong!”

“Sweetie Belle stay here!” Rarity shouted sternly and took off after her friend. Sweetie looked like she was about to protest and follow when the screaming grew louder and she immediately darted inside.

Twilight, Spike on her back and Rarity ran down the street. Panicked and terrified ponies ran at them and passed on the street, concerned only with running away from whatever they had seen.

“Twilight,” Spike said with great concern.

“I know Spike,” Twilight said solemnly. “Whatever that beam was, it came from the library.”

“On no, Emerald!” Rarity gasped.

Intense worry blossomed in Twilight’s chest as her other friends wordlessly arrived and traveled along with her, knowing that wherever they were going, it was going to be serious.

By now the screaming had decreased greatly in volume as nearly all the ponies had left the vicinity of whatever had terrified them so. As the Mane Six neared ground zero of the beam, they could hear the sounds of heavy footsteps and strange mutterings of a reverberating voice.

The group neared the edge of a building, around which would be Twilight’s library and whatever caused the people of Ponyville to panic and run. Inching around the corner, they all peeked out and froze, their eyes widening in shock at the sight before them.

Twilight’s library was in ruins. Books, broken branches and furniture were scattered around the area, but standing beside the wreckage was what could only be a monster. It was big, at least six feet tall at its thick shoulders and eight feet long. It had a leathery black hide that sheened red in the light, and along its sides were splotches of orange bioluminescence that pulsed between dull and bright. Its thick tail seemed to actually be many smaller tails tightly coiled together. Its four legs were thickly muscled and ended in paw-like appendages that had long brutal claws. Many silvery spikes spouted from the ridge line of its spine, sharpness gleaming in the sunlight. Its head was long and narrow, its lipless mouth bared its silvery teeth and the bone of its jaws to the world in a brutal permanent snarl. Two large, lidless bulging orange eyes sat on the sides of the head, scanning the world independently of each other, and two long black horns sat atop its head shooting upwards before curving forwards.

Almost every one of the Mane Six released a Fluttershy-like squeak at the sight of the creature before quickly darting back out of sight behind the building. Surprisingly, Fluttershy was the only one not to do so as well. At first she looked to be on the same track as everyone else, but then her fearful look was replaced by a frown as she took in the sight of the creature moving around.

Whenever she had seen a predator like a wolf or manticore move it was always with confidence and an innate grace, but not the beast before her. For one, it spoke, though it seemed to be either speaking gibberish or constantly switching between languages. Its steps were unsteady and its eyes occasionally went spinning madly out of control. Overall, it looked more like a creature deeply confused and in pain more than a vicious beast on a rampage.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, how the heck are we going to take that thing?” Rainbow Dash asked nervously.

“W-what’s the matter, Rainbow?” Applejack forced out a light taunt in an effort to embolden both herself and Dash. “T-that big hubbard ain’t as big an’ fearsome as that dragon now, huh?”

“Have you seen the claws and teeth on that thing?!” Dash exclaimed in a whisper. “Those look like they’ll give a dragon nightmares!”

“I don’t see Emerald anywhere,” Rarity whispered as she quickly glanced around the corner again. “I… I think that beast may have done something with her!”

“No choice then!” Dash gulped then steeled herself. “Gotta beat that monster’s flank in!”

“Hold on a minute, it looks very powerful and dangerous,” Twilight said cautiously. “We have to make a plan of attack first before doing anything.”

Fluttershy widened her eyes as she took in the monster suddenly groan and grip its head, standing up onto its hind legs.

ALPHA

‘Fucking patrol around these fucking civvies again, who the fuck did I- ARRRGH SHIT!’

‘Lighter out of fluid again. Guess I’m going to have- wait who is that? AUUGH!’

Voices by the dozens echoed constantly within Oskar’s mind. He felt himself move, unable to tell if he was crawling or walking. The world swirled and twisted around him, memories so intense they intruded into his perception of his surroundings. Everything was a mixture of the reality of Ponyville and the last moments of those he killed, the inside of a lab, a base, a holding cell, an alley, an empty street, a quiet rooftop, the cockpit of a helicopter, the inside of a tank. No matter which way he looked, Oskar couldn’t make heads or tails of the mosaic that was the world around him.

‘Mommy… my eyes hurt and I can’t see anything… why aren’t the lights on?’ Oskar reeled from the emotions assaulting him. Foreign, yet they might as well have been his from the intensity.

‘Shhh i-it’s o-okay honey, just stay close to mommy.’ Waves of depression and grief assaulted Oskar’s mind, resignation against the inevitable and helpless rage despite of it.

‘Their mewling is pissing me off,’ a voice said in disgust, muffled by the rebreather of a Blackwatch helmet. ‘You, get rid of them! Rip apart the little shit first.’

BETA

Fluttershy screamed in terror as the monster suddenly sunk its claws into its own head, ripping out chunks of black flesh with each rending swipe. The rest of the Mane Six looked around the corner and could not help but add their screams to Fluttershy’s. The monster continued to rip apart its own head, ripping out its jaw and slicing out its eyes, its panting screams descending into an indescribable gurgle as its head was turned into nothing more than a shredded stump.

Fluttershy held her hooves over her mouth as horrified tears rolled down her cheeks, the others stared on with wide eyes and gaping jaws. The sound of retching and puke impacting the street reached the Mane Six’s ears as Pinkie lost her lunch, the others couldn’t blame her and felt close to doing the same.

Then, in a near instant, black tendrils erupted from the monster’s torn neck and filled in the space where its head had been. One moment there was nothing, the next the monster had a head again and was back on its four clawed paws, muttering under its breath and eyes spinning in their sockets, seeing everything yet comprehending nothing.

Suddenly a blue shape flew from the ruins of Twilight’s library and started circling rapidly around the head of the monster, wild concerned trilling filling the air. Suddenly the eyes of the monster seemed to clear a little as it stiffened at the sound. Then it looked up at the rapidly moving form of Navi buzzing above it. With startling quickness the monster whipped one of its powerful arms forward and plucked Navi from the air, cupping her in its dangerous paws and bringing her down before it.

“Oh no, Navi!” Twilight shouted and ran out into the open. “Let her go!”

“Y-yeah you big… monster!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she backed up Twilight. “D-do it before I beat your flank into next week!”

“Ya heard her ya big vicious critter!” Applejack added, confidence fully restored as she stood beside her friends.

“And while you are at it, show us what you did with Emerald!” Rarity shouted furiously.

“N-now just hold on a moment,” Fluttershy said. “Maybe… maybe we can talk before anypony tries to-”

The monster however stared at the Mane Six, its eyes filling with panic. With a rapid shake of its head the monster suddenly teleported in a crimson flash, appearing a short distance away on the roof of a house. Even as far away as they were, the Mane Six could still hear the monster muttering rapidly and unintelligibly under its breath. Then, with a shake of its head, it leaped off the house and ran down the street at incredible speeds towards the Everfree , Navi clasped securely in one of its paws.

“Quick! After it!” Dash shouted and was about to fly after the monster when Twilight shouted at her.

“Wait! Let’s check the library first!” Twilight said, running over to the ruins of her home and beginning to lift wreckage with her magic. “Emerald could actually be under all this!”

“You need not say anything more Twilight,” Rarity said as she quickly got to work beside Twilight, lifting wreckage as well and not caring for how big and heavy it was.

The others quickly got to work as well, determined to find their friend as quickly as possible if she was under the ruins of Twilight’s home.

“Over here everypony!” Fluttershy shouted.

The very moment they heard Fluttershy’s shout, everyone dropped what they were doing to run over to her. As soon as they got near, they saw what it was that Fluttershy had found.

“W-who…” Owlicious hooted weakly from under a beam Fluttershy was hoisting up, one of his wings bent at an unnatural angle.

“Owlicious!” Twilight exclaimed and reached over to pick him up.

“Wait! Don’t touch him!” Fluttershy shouted, making Twilight flinch back and look at her with a hurt expression. “I’m sorry, but you wouldn’t pick him up right and you’d end up hurting him more. Hold up this beam for me and I’ll carry him myself.”

Twilight obeyed and magically levitated the beam, at first intending to simply pull it out from the wreckage, but the pile they were beside rumbled and shifted worryingly.

Fluttershy carefully and gently maneuvered Owlicious’ broken wing, tearing a strip of cloth off of a curtain in the ruins. Fluttershy then started binding the owl’s wings. Owlicious hooted in pain as Fluttershy bound his wing, but stayed still and waited for her to finish.

“There we go. It’s not the best solution, but it will do for now,” Fluttershy muttered as she cradled Owlicious gently in one of her forelegs.

“It appears that the beast had absconded away with Emerald,” Rarity said in concern before turning to Fluttershy. “I have a first aid kit in my home. We can take Owlicious home before tracking down that beast.”

“Right, let’s head over as quickly as possible,” Twilight stated. “Not a moment to waste.”

The Mane Six quickly ran back to Rarity’s boutique, almost bashing down the door in their haste. Sweetie Belle was incredibly worried when they arrived and became even more so when no one would tell her where Emerald was. After bringing Fluttershy the first aid kit she had asked for, Rarity went about claiming down Sweetie Belle.

After ten long minutes, Fluttershy had replaced Owlicious’ makeshift bandages and given him pain medication. Only telling Sweetie that they were going to go get Emerald, and leaving Spike to look after Owlicious and the little unicorn, the Mane Six left.

“R-right… everypony ready to go beat up a super scary monster?” Rainbow Dash asked everyone as they all stood before the darkness of Everfree Forest, a gaping swathe cut through the underbrush by the monster’s size.

“Ready as ah’ll ever by sugarcube,” Applejack stated warily and adjusted her Stetson.

“Come on girls, we’ve all been in here before,” Twilight reassured everyone. “Just another adventure for all of us, right?”

“Except this time we are all here to save somepony near and dear to us,” Rarity said with a deeply serious look.

“Right,” Twilight agreed with a nod. “Let’s go in.”

GAMMA

Oskar knew he was in a forest, as more often than not the surroundings became trees and thick underbrush rather than the various sceneries of the NYZ. But sometimes things became so confusing and trees intermingled with the bloodstained linoleum of a lab, a lush bush would be growing out of a cracked virus stained road, or he would hear the rumbling booms of distant tanks alongside the calls of animals and howling of timber wolves.

Near to him was the sound of Navi trilling worriedly, and he turned towards it. It was as if the sun had turned blue. Oskar blinked his eyes at the sight, not truly comprehending what he was seeing. The trilling was becoming increasingly nervous and Oskar desired to tell his pet he was okay but no matter where he looked he couldn’t find her. All he could find was the flashing of lights… so many lights.

‘Sir! Sir, the test subjects broke loose!’ a voice said in an ear that wasn’t his. ‘They have guns!’

‘Fuck! Try to round them up!’ Oskar cursed in a voice that wasn’t his. ‘We can’t kill them, that would cost us shit tons of money! Remember to tell that to the pieces of shit you call a unit, you hear me!’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Goddamn useless fucks,’ Oskar heard himself growl as he took out a cigarette and a lighter. ‘How the fuck did those test subjects get guns anyway- ARGH!’

Through ears and senses that weren’t his, Oskar heard a gunshot and felt like he had gotten punched extremely hard in the back. Falling to the ground and rolling himself over, Oskar saw himself standing a short distance away, holding a dazed man in one hand and a handgun in the other. Looking closely, Oskar could also see the hand holding the gun looked very much like the ones the dazed man had. Oskar could feel a hand that wasn’t his scramble for a side arm but the movement felt so slow as the other him aimed at where his heart would have been.

Oskar felt… he felt…

DELTA

The Mane Six froze up when they heard a distant roar of agony.

“M-maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.” Dash shuddered as she took in her surroundings.

The forest had seemed to become worse since their first visit a year ago. The trees were groaning and seemed to be moving a little, their branches shaking without aid of the wind. Off in the distance, animals called out and wolves howled insistently.

“Something is wrong,” Fluttershy said worriedly. “The forest normally isn’t this… active.”

“Sugarcube, this here is Everfree,” Applejack replied. “Ain’t nothin’ natural about it.”

“No, well yes, but there is a… cycle to this place,” Fluttershy said. “I’ve only seen it from the safety of the border, but I’ve never seen it like this before.”

“Whatever is going on, we have to keep going,” Twilight said as she studied the trail of large footprints. “We need to know what that monster did with Emerald.”

“That is something I readily agree with, Twilight,” Rarity stated and started following the prints.

“What we need is a little ditty to bring our spirits up!” Pinkie said cheerfully and took in a breath. “When you’re rife with de-“

Instantly, the groaning of the trees grew louder and it became very clear they were moving of their own volition as the branches shook and leaves fell all around the Mane Six. The tree’s agitation lasted several long moments before their shaking lessened, along with the groaning.

“I-I-I don’t think the trees like your singing Pinkie,” Fluttershy muttered to her friend who was currently hiding behind her. Pinkie Pie just let out a little squeak as she peeked at the trees around them.

“Hey… I’ve just got a crazy thought,” Rainbow Dash said as the group continued on, much more mindful of the trees.

“And what’s that Dash?” Twilight asked.

“Remember that ‘Monster of the Everfree’ thing a few months ago?” Dash asked and the others nodded. “Well, what if this is the same monster? They didn’t really see what it looked like, right?”

“That can’t be right, Dash darling,” Rarity stated. “The princesses said that the ‘Monster of Everfree’ had perished in combat with some griffins within this very forest.”

“What if it didn’t though?” Dash replied somewhat excitedly. “What if the monster survived and spent all this time licking its wounds, waiting to hunt again!”

“Don’t be ridicu-”

“If that is true…” Twilight interrupted, looking straight ahead steadfastly, “Then that means Emerald was kidnapped by a monster that had fought... and killed many, many griffins.”

For a long moment the group didn’t say anything, Dash wincing in immense guilt.

“Look Twilight, just… forget I said anything… it was a stupid idea anyway,” Dash said apologetically and Twilight merely nodded her head in response.

Before long the familiar sounds of heavy footsteps and intelligible muttering met the ears of the Mane Six and they all started creeping forward. Inching their way through a thick bush, the Mane Six spotted the Monster stumbling about again in an open field bordering a cliff edge.

“What’s the plan Twi?” Applejack asked.

Twilight didn’t hear her though. All she could hear was Dash’s idea rolling around her head and repeating endlessly. She remembered when she had thought Emerald had died the day after she had met her, how she had actually been strong enough to beat a manticore into submission. But in the sight of the creature before her, Twilight could not help but doubt that strength, the terrible, horrible idea that Emerald could actually be dead at the claws of the killer beast stumbling about in the field before her.

“Er… Twi?” Applejack asked again, reaching over and shaking Twilight’s shoulder. “What’s the plan?”

“We attack!” Twilight shouted and charged at the monster.

“Whoa!” The cowpony blinked before quickly running after Twilight along with the others.

With a shout, Twilight charged in on the monster that continued to stumble about, completely oblivious of the furious unicorn charging at it. Nearly point blank, Twilight skidded to a stop and charged up a spell, her horn blazing like a blow torch. A beam of violet light then shot out from her horn and hit the monster in its side.

The beam drilled into the leathery black hide of the monster which started stumbling sideways, blinking its eyes wide in confusion. Eventually the beam ended and Twilight started panting in exertion. Looking up, she took in the damage she had done to the monster… which was none. For the monster’s part, it only shook its head in confusion.

“Heads up you big monster!” Dash shouted as she dived at the monster. Said monster only looked up to stare at her uncomprehendingly before she impacted him in the face.

The monster found itself rising up onto its hind legs unwillingly with Dash plastered into its snout. It then shook its head again, sending Rainbow Dash flying and landing on the ground a short distance away, where she lay still a moment before letting out a pained groan.

The monster wiped at its face and flared its nostrils in an attempt to rid itself of a few stray feathers.

“Just stay still ya big hubbard!” Applejack shouted as she spun her lasso above her head before tossing it at the monster. The lasso ended up around one of the monster’s paws and pulled tightly, making it stare at the rope around its forelimb uncomprehendingly.

“Hey you big meanie!” Pinkie shouted as she jumped in place. “Over here!”

The monster turned towards her and then dropped back onto its four legs. Applejack only had a moment to widen her eyes before there was a mighty tug on her rope and she was sent flying. Soaring over the head of the monster, Applejack ended up shooting towards Pinkie Pie.

“Arrrrgh!”

“Ahhh!”

The monster stared uncomprehendingly at the two ponies tangled up together on the ground. Suddenly, it felt something hit it in its back legs and turned around to see Rarity on her hind legs, holding up her forelegs and showing off a martial arts stance. With a deadly serious expression, Rarity stared down the monster standing a mere foot away from her.

“Hiyaa!” Rarity shouted as she delivered a kick to the monster’s chin that would have floored a pony sized creature easily. The monster however just shook its head and rubbed the bottom of its chin. After kicking the monster in the chin, Rarity’s lips started quivering and tears started to form in her eyes.

“…Ow,” Rarity let out before falling to the ground and clutching at her hurt hoof.

“E-e-excuse me M-Mr. Monster sir?” Fluttershy said from just behind it. “C-could I just speak to you f-for a moment?”

The monster turned to face Fluttershy and for a brief moment its eyes cleared and it seemed to truly see her. However, the next moment the glaze over its eyes reappeared and the eyes started to spin. Quickly recovering from their minor injuries, the rest of the Mane Six got back up onto their hooves and started to surround the monster. Fluttershy was about to speak to it again when the monster suddenly reared up onto its hind legs and clutched at its head. Recognising the action Fluttershy quickly turned around and put distance between her and the monster. The others however were not as quick.

Instead of ripping into its head again the monster flailed its deadly clawed limbs wildly. The Mane Six backed away and dove for cover from the deadly claws, however one of them had the poor luck to have her back facing the cliff.

Twilight backed away from the flailing monster. For the briefest moment she had forgotten that there was a cliff close behind her, she was quickly reminded when her hind legs found nothing but air to stand on.

“Ahhh, help!” Twilight shouted, her forelegs scrabbling for a grip to stop her slide over the edge.

Upon hearing Twilight’s voice call for help, the monster’s eyes cleared and widened. It turned towards her and what confusion that remained in its gaze vanished at the sight of the unicorn in danger.

Just as Twilight was about to slide over the ledge, the monster quickly appeared at the edge and its forelimbs reached over and grasped her around her waist in a flash of movement. Before long, Twilight found herself almost cradled in the monster’s arms as she was quickly carried from the ledge. The violet unicorn could only stare up at the fearsome creature that had saved her with shock and surprise.

“A-a-all b-brains and n-no brawn e-eh T-Twilight?” The monster stuttered out with what could almost be called a grin despite its mouth lacking lips.

Twilight looked up at the monster in great confusion as she lay in the grip of its surprisingly dull and comfortable claws. Suddenly, Navi appeared and landed down on the tip of one of the Monster’s horns before trilling in concern, staring worriedly at the fearsome beast it lighted down on without another thought.

Glancing between Navi and the monster rapidly, Twilight’s eyes suddenly widened in an absolutely shocked realization.

“Emerald…” Twilight half whispered gazing up at the monster’s face.

Suddenly “Emerald” looked completely panicked and dropped Twilight onto the grass covered ground and rapidly backed away from her, Navi being tossed away from the rapid movement. Head rapidly turning this way and that “Emerald” saw the other girls of the Mane Six all around her, though with a quick flare of magic around the horns, she was gone.

“No!” Rarity shouted and started looking all around her. “Where is it?! Does anypony see where it is?!”

“Consarn it!” Applejack shouted in frustration. “We lost it!”

Twilight only stayed lying on the ground where she was dropped, utterly stunned by what she had learned a moment ago. It was only when Navi lighted down on her snout that she snapped out of it and started thinking critically of what she had thought up.

‘Was that really Emerald?’ Twilight thought as she sat up, Navi changing place from her snout to her ear. ‘It is a bit of a leap in logic to assume that a spoken line by… whatever that was makes it Emerald. It could very well have just been a coincidence, a chance coming together in the most unlikeliest of ways for that creature to say the exact same thing Emerald told me once. But… if that’s so, why did Navi look at it like that? Why would she be worried about something that kidnapped her? I… I don’t know what to think…’

“Twilight?” the unicorn heard from beside her. Turning, she saw Rainbow Dash and her friends standing near her despondently.

“Sorry, but we lost it,” Dash sighed. “And unless you got some sort of magical teleport tracker spell or something…”

“No, I don’t know one.”

“Then we can’t track that beast,” Rarity sighed. “Who knows what poor Emerald is going through right now.”

“Girls, that… let’s head back to Ponyville,” Twilight said as she got back onto her hooves. “We’ll think of something when we’ve had a bit of rest.”

“Gee, I hope Emmy’s alright,” Pinkie said sadly as the group started walking back, not noticing how much calmer and serene the Everfree was now. “Least we got Navi back, right?”

“I have this feeling… that Emerald is fine right now,” Twilight said as Navi dived down to her mane, her brows furrowed in conflicted thought.

“You know Twilight, I actually feel the same way,” Rarity said with a smile tugging at her lips. “I thought it was me just hoping for the best, but since you feel that way too I am absolutely certain Emerald is fine right now.”

“Well if you feel so strongly about that sugarcube, then the only thing we have to worry about is rescuing Emerald,” Applejack said with a confident tip of her Stetson. “Long as we all are working together it’s a sure bet we’ll get her back.”

“Yeah,” Twilight said softly.

The Mane Six then made their way back to Ponyville in silence. When they arrived, however, a surprising sight met their eyes.

Swarming over the town were masses of Royal Guards. Everywhere the Mane Six looked, they could see the guards on patrol, pegasi in the air, while unicorns and earth ponies were on the ground near completely surrounding Ponyville. And standing in the distance in the streets of Ponyville were the princesses themselves.

Twilight gasped at the sight of her beloved teacher and galloped forward, her friends not too far behind her.

“Twilight!” Celestia shouted in relief as she spotted Twilight running at her.

“Princess!” Twilight shouted back and, as she neared Celestia, the princess brought her head close to Twilight to nuzzle her affectionately.

“My dear Twilight, I was very worried when I couldn’t find you or your friends in Ponyville,” Celestia said. “Even more so when Spike explained to me what you and your friends left to do. I was just about to go into the forest myself along with the entire force of Royal Guards I had brought with me.”

“I’m deeply sorry to make you worry, Princess,” Twilight said sincerely, touched that the princess was concerned for her.

“With the suspicions I have of the creature you faced, I am rather relieved as well that you and your comrades made it back, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna replied.

“What do you mean Princess Luna?” Twilight asked.

“First things first. Explain to me what you have seen.”

“Well… it had these large vicious claws and this tail made up of smaller ones,” Twilight began. “It also had this really, really hard black hide with these orange glowing spots, and a lipless mouth full of teeth and these bulging orange eyes.”

“Hmm… sounds truly monstrous,” Luna stated thoughtfully as she tapped her chin with her hoof. “And also not of the Everfree.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve spent quite a few times since my… return, reacquainting myself with Everfree forest,” Luna explained. “And while I have seen and fought many strange and exotic creatures that have roamed neath its canopy, there is nothing that matches the description of such a creature, which leads me to tell you all that the Monster of Everfree is alive and well.”

“I knew it!” Dash exclaimed as everyone gasped.

“But Luna… we saw the scene of the battle. We saw its remains,” Celestia said with some skepticism. “How would anything survive such terrible burns and loss of flesh?”

“Because it’s a shapeshifter,” Luna answered. “I just never thought his abilities would be so great that he could heal via shape shifting.”

“He? Luna, you make it sound like you know this being?” Celestia said in confusion.

“I do, somewhat,” Luna replied. “Let me explain further. Several months ago I was familiarizing myself again with the dream realm. Everything was going as expected and I was settling in for a relatively peaceful night when I heard terrible screaming. I immediately went to investigate and came upon what I knew to be the most terrible nightmare I had ever had the misfortune of seeing, and I had yet to go into it. And when I did… words do not suffice for the things I had witnessed… but I had learned much from my experience there. I had learned the name of what you would later dub the ‘Monster of Everfree’. I had seen what could quite possibly be his worst memory. His name is Oskar, and from what I can gather, his race are shape shifters like changelings. But unlike changelings, Oskar’s race, which I had taken the liberty to name Impius Mutante, or Imp for short, feed off the flesh of those they take the forms of instead of emotion. Furthermore, unlike the changelings, they can shift their limbs into deadly weapons, and now that we have the nigh confirmation of his survival, we can also say that it also allows him to regenerate grave damage. Though just how much though is the question.”

“This is a lot to take in Luna, but…” Celestia began. “Why haven’t you told me or anypony else of what you knew?”

“I had doubted his existence, and didn’t truly know if he was responsible for the griffin’s demise.” Luna sighed guiltily. “It could have all been the fevered delusions of a stricken mind and nothing pointed to Oskar being involved in the whole sordid affair, my sister.”

“Why were the griffins hunting the Monster of Everfree in the first place?” Dash asked curiously.

Luna was about to answer when she caught her sister subtly shaking her head at her. Quickly recollecting her thoughts, Luna gave Dash a different answer.

“The party of griffins were here at the behest of one of their nobles,” Luna replied. “From what I can ascertain, they had heard of Oskar and decided to make a grand hunt of him... but it ended poorly for them.”

“There is something I just realized,” Celestia said as she looked over the Mane Six with a worried gaze. “Where is Emerald Gleaner.”

“She was kidnapped by that horrible beast you call Oskar!” Rarity answered quickly. “We have a strong feeling she is alright, but we still need to track her down and save her.”

“A most terrible event,” Luna commented with a frown. “You are sure she is well?”

“I can say with total confidence that Emerald Gleaner is fine,” Rarity said confidently. “We only need to save her.”

“Hmm… there is no telling for what reason Oskar would want Emerald Gleaner,” Luna said. “But we will do all in our power to hasten her return.”

“But until then, take the time to rest,” Celestia advised. “Some preparations need to be completed before anything can be done, and you all look like you need a bit of sleep.”

“Thank you, your highnesses,” Rarity said as the two princesses walked away. “Well, today was very eventful. How about I house everypony until the preparations to go rescue Emerald are finished?”

“That sounds good and all but,” Applejack began with a frown. “Ah don’t know. It just feels plum wrong to be restin’ while a friend is in trouble.”

“It shouldn’t be too long at all Applejack,” Rarity assured. “And besides, Emerald’s rescue will surely be all but assured with the Princesses’ aid and the help of the Royal Guard.”

“Ah guess so… it still feels wrong to me though,” Applejack muttered as she made for Rarity’s boutique.

“Oh, and Twilight, in light of your home being destroyed I would gladly house you until a new one is built.” Rarity smiled.

“Huh? Oh thanks…” Twilight said absently and started walking away.

“Twilight? Whatever is the matter?” Rarity asked in concern. “And wherever are you going?”

“Oh I’m…” Twilight began hesitantly, not exactly wanting to tell Rarity she was going into Everfree alone, yet not wanting to lie to her friend as well.

‘…I’m not good at lying. I never needed to be,’ a memory whispered. ‘I only tell the truth… as it suits the context.’

“I’m going for a walk,” Twilight told Rarity. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Oh, okay darling,” Rarity said. “Just be sure you get back quick enough that you can have some time to rest as well. There is no knowing when the princesses will be done with their preparations. And be safe!

“I will!” Twilight shouted back before muttering to herself. “I know I will.”

Before long, Twilight had found herself on the very path she had taken to face down Nightmare Moon over a year ago, but this time she was alone. The unicorn moved forward, suddenly very aware of how quiet the forest was. She remembered earlier that day and how the forest was alive with sounds and movement and wondered what was going on. But as far as she could tell she was safe, as she couldn’t see anything. The very moment she had thought that, a shadow suddenly moved over her and she looked up fast enough to see something white and blue coming down at her really fast.

The world went spinning for a few moments as Twilight felt something heavy impact her and suddenly she found herself pinned on her back with a bipedal creature straddling her stomach.

Looking at the creature pinning her, Twilight saw that it was wearing clothing and guessed from its soft features that it might be female, no real way of truly knowing unless she was either told or examined ‘her’. The creature wore a pair of tan colored trousers over her legs that had many pockets on the sides. On her torso was a sky blue t-shirt with a white unzipped hoodie worn over it and atop her head was a white bucket hat. Shoulder length moderately curly pink hair came from under her hat and her emerald green eyes glinted in the shade of her hat. From the nakedness of her skin, Twilight assumed the amount of clothing was required to retain heat. Currently, the creature was scowling at her and leaned in close to her, slamming down her palm on the dirt beside her head.

“Do you know how many predators were stalking you?” the being said with a feminine voice, cementing Twilight’s idea that she was female. “I had to chase off dozens of wolves and several manticores. Just why in the world did you decide to come into the Everfree alone?!”

“I wanted to talk with you Emerald. You’re my friend, and I want to hear your side,” Twilight stated blandly, going on an assumption of who the being on her was, and tilted her head at ‘Emerald’. “We are still friends right?”

“You… you still think…” Emerald began haltingly with wide eyes, almost recoiling from Twilight. “Even after what you must have been told… what you’ve seen... you still think I am your friend?”

“Am I wrong?”

“I… I don’t think I deserve to be your friend,” Emerald replied quietly, averting her eyes away from Twilight.

“We are just going to have to see about that,” Twilight replied and looked over Emerald. “Is this your base form? Hmm… Princess Luna referred to you as a ‘he’ so it must be some other species you encountered.”

“… Yes and no,” Emerald replied while looking down at her smooth pale hands. “This is the same species as my base form but… well, I made few genetic alterations and spliced together genes from my pony form, and I ended up with this.”

“You use genetics to change?” Twilight said in interest, her intellectual curiosity almost overwhelming her before she stamped down on it. “Actually, it’s not important. Can you get off me? Like I said, I just want to talk.”

Without another word, Emerald got off of Twilight and let her stand up. Taking a look at Emerald while she was standing up, Twilight could see that her clothes were a bit on the bulky side and hung off her slender form a bit. She could also see that she wore white footwear of some sort with little white ropes on it. Suddenly, Twilight felt movement in her mane and felt Navi burst out to fly around Emerald, trilling excitedly and happily.

“Hey there Navi,” Emerald greeted softly as her pet cuddled her cheek. “Yeah, I’m okay now.”

“So…” Twilight began, smiling at the sight of Navi and Emerald. “What exactly do I call you? Oskar or Emerald?”

“… Call me Emerald, Twilight,” Emerald said with a wince as Navi flew up under her hat. “Hearing you call me Oskar feels… wrong.”

“Alright,” Twilight agreed without another word.

“I’m guessing you want that talk now right?” Emerald asked and got a nod. “Well… we should go somewhere else for that… I know a place, where I first saw you and the others in action.”

“Huh?”

“The ruins of the old palace,” Emerald answered and waved Twilight forward. “Come with me, I think you know the way.”

The two then started walking down the dirt path in silence. Twilight and Emerald traversed the long path, crossing the river and passing things that were obstacles before. After what seemed like an hour of pure silence, the two found themselves entering the front door of the old palace ruins. Entering, the two traversed the insides of the palace and before long Twilight found herself standing in the very room Nightmare Moon had been defeated so long ago.

Sitting down on the ground, Twilight watched Emerald walk over to the window and lean on the banister, brushing her hand over the hole where a heavy rat had fallen through.

“You might not remember this, but there was a rat here when you fought Nightmare Moon with the Elements,” Emerald stated. “I was that rat. I sat here and watched you all in action for the first time, though it wasn’t the first time I had seen all of you.”

“When was that?” Twilight asked.

“I was the river serpent,” Emerald answered.

“Oh… Emerald?” Twilight began with a troubled look, prompting Emerald to look back at her. “How much of what you told me about yourself was a lie?”

“Pretty much nothing,” Emerald answered, causing Twilight to look at her in surprise. “Like I said, I never needed to be good at lying. I learned to tell the truth as it suited the situation. Everything I told you was pretty much true. I just never specified certain facts about them.”

“My mother died during a disaster when I was younger,” Emerald continued. “You all assumed I was a little filly at the time, but I was actually about sixteen years old and I had spent the next year by myself struggling to survive. He came then, Alex Mercer. He saw how desperate I was and took advantage of that. Free food, water and shelter? How could I refuse that? I was in no condition to think clearly, and even if I was, I don’t think I would have been smart enough to refuse his offer. Princess Luna told you her theory about me right? About me being a species of shape shifter she called impius mutante right? Well she was right about me being a different species from what I look like now, which are called humans. What I am is a viral life form called Blacklight. It was created by a military organization called Blackwatch, specifically a scientist by the name of Alex Mercer. Yeah… the very man I would end up being enslaved to created the virus. I wasn’t born Blacklight, you see. I was a normal, non-shape shifting human being with no great abilities whatsoever. I didn’t even have any magic abilities before arriving here.”

“That’s why you didn’t have a magical education,” Twilight said softly. “Do humans have magic?”

“No, none at all,” Emerald replied. “We have stage magicians, but they use tricks and gimmicks to create the illusion of magic… anyway. He offered me a chance to join him. I did, and I was given the virus. You see, there are two ways of giving someone Blacklight. One way has you directing the virus and ensuring the infected becomes a proper Blacklight being. The other has you just inject the virus into them, and more often than not they’ll die. Alex Mercer used the latter method on me. I managed to survive, just barely. The entire time during my turning, I felt myself falling away and knew I was dying. So I fought for life. I crawled and fought desperately, and before I knew it, I was picking myself up from the dirty streets.”

“Like I had told you, I spent two years or so under Alex Mercer, doing anything he wanted me to do just to ensure my survival,” Emerald said with a sigh. “I had killed dozens of people with my bare hands, and hundreds more are likely dead as a result of my actions, all because Alex Mercer told me to.”

“Yeah, I know…” Emerald commented on hearing Twilight’s horrified gasp. “How could I possibly do something like that? Well I’m not you Twilight. I’m not a hero. I don’t possess that special strength of character to look evil in the eyes and say no. A better person would have defied Mercer to the very end, but I didn’t. Where someone would have stood strong, I buckled and broke. I killed and killed again at his command like a loyal, rabid dog for two long years… then I saw my chance.”

“Alex Mercer had given a man named James Heller the virus,” Emerald explained. “At first, it looked like Heller was just going to be another one of his enforcers, but I stumbled along him destroying one of Mercer’s operations. I could have done my duty and informed Alex Mercer of Heller’s betrayal, but I didn’t. I kept it to myself and kept my distance from Heller. Before long, James Heller caused so much damage that Mercer only had a few operations left and a handful of his elite forces. Mercer called for me to join him at a final confrontation, but I took the chance to meet up with Mercer’s other forces. He had this other group called the Cannon Fodders… yeah, you can tell from the name that they weren’t exactly an appreciated part of his army. They were planning a rebellion of their own and I made a deal with them. I wouldn’t inform Mercer of their betrayal before it started if they let me be.”

“The final fight between Alex Mercer and James Heller came and went, with Heller as the victor,” Emerald continued. “As part of the deal with the Cannon Fodders, I had given them powerful genes to arm themselves. The leader hadn’t told the others about me before it was time to fulfill my side of the bargain, and they weren’t happy at all that I wasn’t going to die like I deserved. But it soon didn’t matter because somehow… I ended up here, in a completely different world.”

“You’re from a whole new world?” Twilight asked with a gasp, her mind alight with wonder at the idea of travel between entirely different worlds.

“Yeah… it’s not that new or that great, but it was a home,” Emerald said with a nod. “Before you ask, I have no idea how I got here. I just felt this desire to go somewhere and before I knew it I was falling through a field of stars, then I landed face first on the bank of the very river I would see all of you for the first time.”

“You know what happened after that,” Emerald said. “After you redeemed Princess Luna, I decided to infiltrate Ponyville. Thanks to Rarity giving me her tail, I had her genes for a pony form, but I couldn’t pose as a known face so I went looking for another pony to get genes from…”

“Rose Locks!” Twilight suddenly gasped. “You… you were that animal that attacked her… and sent her to the hospital.”

“Yes… yes I was,” Emerald admitted softly. “If it… if it somehow makes it better, my first impulse was to kill her for her genes and whatever information her mind had but… I chose not to… as my first truly independent and free choice. Instead, I took her genes and put her to sleep.”

“I returned to the cover of the Everfree and created my new form,” Emerald continued. “I created Emerald Gleaner from specifically chosen genes taken from both Rarity and Rose Locks.”

“So… you, or your form, is technically Rarity’s daughter?”

“Yeah, and she keeps getting these motherly instincts too,” Emerald said with a small smile. “The same goes for Rose Locks too, though it isn’t as obvious as Rarity. It did help me become friends with her… to make amends for the torment I put her through.”

“Well… giving my new form a trial by fire, I went to Ponyville to start getting information of this new world I found myself in,” Emerald continued. “Imagine my surprise when I knocked on the library door and you answered. You know what happened then. We bonded over books, though I was purely using that as a means to gain access to information… and Twilight? Remember that too tight hug I gave you?”

“…Yes?”

“I… I was very seriously considering killing you then,” Emerald said, and she could feel the enormous weight of the silence that followed. “I-I didn’t though, I decided to… I didn’t. So the next day I left and went into the Everfree where I started collecting genes and memories from the creatures living there. Then I went to Canterlot to set about finding a way to skip going through years and years of basic schooling for learning magic. I found it in the form of a very old and very ill unicorn named Silver Light. I snuck into his house and gave him a bad virus in his sleep, he passed away quietly within a few minutes. After that, I spent a few days waiting for his funeral and… got the memories from his body. After that, I went to the Everfree for a day or so to practice my new magical knowledge. I found out though, that having the magics of all three pony tribes messes up your control over most of them save for earth pony magic. So I decided to return to you and take up studying in your library. You know what happened next.”

“I spent my time with all of you, pretending to be friends… at least at first,” Emerald stated. “I don’t know when or how it happened, but I genuinely started to care about all of you, even though I secretly thought of all you as threats thanks to you being bearers of the Elements of Harmony. So time passed, I spent time with all of you acting like a friend and finding myself having to act less and less. And then… the griffins came.”

“The Monster of Everfree,” Twilight whispered.

“Yeah… a monster… that describes me,” Emerald said softly. “Did Princess Luna say why they were here?”

“She said they were here because one of the nobles asked them to,” Twilight answered after a moment. “And when they heard about… about you, they decided to go on a hunt.”

“She gave you a censored version of events then,” Emerald said with a sigh. “The real reason why they came here was because they were looking for one of their own who had gone missing. That missing griffin was Gilda and… a-and… I killed her.”

“W-why?” Twilight asked, voice choked with horror and tears.

“Because I felt I needed to know how to fly,” Emerald explained, and in a sudden surge of black, a pair of wings with the feathers made of blades appeared on her back. “I saw something that could make the difference between life and death, the ability to flee into the air, and knew I had to have it. It doesn’t sound like justification to you and now it doesn’t sound like one to me… but at the time it was reason enough to kill someone for.”

“Dear goddess.”

“The noble that had led the group was her father, a noble of high ranking in the Griffin Principality,” Emerald explained. “He tracked his daughter, then he started tracking me. I had noticed the griffins, but I hadn’t paid them much attention. I was rather more concerned with you guys, participating in games and events, taking part in a fashion show… it all seemed so much more important than keeping an eye out for people who might be hunting me. Eventually, I found out about them and what their plan was, so I was faced with a choice. Either run from Ponyville and never show my face again so they would never find me… or stay and fight for the right to stay here and be your friend… a right I know I don’t deserve, but I fought for it anyway... So I made sure you and Spike wouldn’t wake up in the night and follow me into the forest like you did when you thought I died, then I went into the forest to fight.”

“That was the reason why I was so tired. You put something in the muffins.”

“Yeah. I went into the forest and, using my experience with ambushing and assassination, I killed all of them. Loyal devoted soldiers in a foreign land, and they died so I wouldn’t.” Emerald sighed. “But their leader, Gilda’s father, put up a much more deadly fight. In the end, he was still a flesh and blood griffin, and I mortally wounded him, but he knew a magic that I was vulnerable to at the time, the power of electricity. He called down a massive lightning bolt and vaporized himself, but also greatly wounded me in the process. Even managed to cripple me for a short time.”

“That was why you weren’t able to use magic without hurting yourself, wasn’t it?”

“Yes… and you know what happened after that,” Emerald replied. “I freaked out in the hospital because it reminded me of Blackwatch labs, adding to that I was afraid I’d be found out. And the reason I freaked out in the Diamond Dog tunnels was because it brought back memories of being Mercer’s slave.”

“Later, after we got back and you “healed” me, I decided to head back to the Diamond Dogs,” Emerald continued. “I beat them into submission, a lot of it was expressing my anger for them kidnapping Rarity. They told me about their leader who was forcing them to dig up gems and capture ponies for use as slaves, so I went to face him. I kind of wish they told me beforehand that their boss was a massive dragon, but I handled it. After ending their oppressive master’s reign, I freed them and offered them a choice to join me or go on their own way. They joined me, though likely more out of habit of just following someone stronger than them.”

“I released the slave ponies and called home all the packs mining for gems,” Emerald said. “Then I brought everyone to a new home, all while maintaining a normal life back in Ponyville… well, normal for us anyway.”

“We… we are kind of weird aren’t we?” Twilight stated with a short giggle.

“Remember what you told me about what you called everyone? When you first arrived in Ponyville?” Emerald said with a weak smile. “Well… before I set up a new home for everyone, I had broken out a bunch of Diamond Dogs out of Alcoltraz… and in the process spread chaos in Equestria from allowing criminals the opportunity to escape as well… I suppose I could have spent a couple of hours refining the plan to ensure that the non-Diamond Dog prisoners escaped.”

“After collecting everyone and settling them in their new home, I decided we needed to improve our means of production,” Emerald continued. “So I decided to plan and prepare for raids on various production centers of Equestria.”

“You were the Gray Fox!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Hit the nail on the head there bonny lass,” said the Gray Fox as he leaned carelessly against the wall and flashed Twilight a charming grin. Suddenly, Emerald was back with a surge of black, looking rather sheepish. “Sorry, couldn’t resist. Yeah, I played the part of a leader of thieves, was a bit easy since I actually was one. And over the following months I did my best to balance leading the Diamond Dogs and my life here in Ponyville. Sometimes I was successful, a lot of times I wasn’t… but I never stopped trying.”

“I planned the successful raids of Manehattan, Las Pegasus, Vanhoover and Cloudsdale,” Emerald stated. “And after our trip to Canterlot a few days ago, I took the opportunity to take a few choice books, which I plan to return after I read them. Also, during the trip, I had taken the opportunity to take a sample of alicorn DNA from a sleeping Princess Luna. I absorbed the DNA earlier today in your basement where you have a majority of magical shielding and protection for the experiment you perform down there. I figured it would conceal any magical changes in me from consuming the DNA… I vastly underestimated the power the change would release.”

“Well… now you know what there is to know about… the cliff notes version anyway,” Emerald said and waited a long moment for Twilight to speak… the unicorn’s only reply was to teleport away in a violet flash.

Emerald quickly turned around, her eyes wide then she quickly frowned and looked depressed.

“Well… I’m not surprised about that at all,” Emerald muttered as she half collapsed against the worn stone wall and slid down to the floor. “So why does it still hurt?

Navi trilled in worry and popped out from under Emerald’s hat. She flew in front of Emerald’s face and stared worriedly at her.

“Navi… I want you to go stay with Twilight,” Emerald said dully.

Navi’s eyes widened and she quickly started trilling her refusal.

“It wasn’t a request, it was a demand!” Emerald shouted at her pet, making Navi recoil in shock. “Now go!”

With a flash of pink light, Emerald took Navi’s choice out of the matter and teleported her directly to Ponyville.

“Besides… you would be safer and happier with her,” Emerald said with a small sob before bringing up her knees close to her, hugging them and staying there in the silence of the palace ruins, alone with only her self-loathing and pain to keep her company.

EPSILON

Five of the Mane Six sat in the living room of Rarity’s boutique, relaxing and waiting for the princesses to give the word for Emerald’s rescue operation to be ready. Suddenly, there was a flash of purple light and Twilight appeared in the middle of the room.

“Twilight you’re back, how are…” Rarity’s greeting trailed off when she saw the look on Twilight’s face. “Darling… whatever is the matter?”

“Lots of things,” Twilight muttered with a half angry and half miserable expression on her face. “I’ll talk about it in a few minutes.”

With that, Twilight walked over to a couch where Pinkie was lounging, levitated the party mare off the couch, and claimed it for herself. Ignoring Pinkie’s exclamation, Twilight curled up on the couch and closed her eyes.

“Well… it’s good that you are back to rest now. We’ve been doing a lot today and, like I said earlier, there is no telling when the princesses will tell us that they are ready to go rescue dear Emerald.”

Twilight flinched at that and her first impulse was to tell her friends the truth about Emerald, that she was a horrible murdering monster and that they should go see the Princesses and have the Elements of Harmony brought in. But she hesitated, and for a long moment she found herself intensely conflicted, then she released a shuddering sigh and opened her mouth.

“We don’t have to go rescue Emerald,” Twilight said, making everyone look at her.

“What? Why?” Dash questioned. “Of course we have to rescue her! She’s trapped with that monster!”

“I found… I got a letter from Emerald,” Twilight said, feeling terrible for lying to her friends. “She decided to go on a sudden road trip like she used to do when she was a travel pony just before the monster attacked the library. She said she will be back in a… while.”

“What?” Rarity said incredulously. “Darling, it seems a bit unlike her to just leave like that without giving us all some sort of warning before-”

“I’m not lying!” Twilight shouted angrily, shocking everyone.

“Whoa there sugarcube,” Applejack said with her forelegs up in a placating gesture. “Nopony ain’t accusing ya of lying. We all believe ya.”

Twilight just huffed and turned to have her back facing her friends, not in the mood to talk anymore.

The others looked at each other worriedly. They all were a bit angry at Emerald for leaving out of the blue like that and making them all worry about her, but Twilight seemed to be so much more furious about it. Perhaps there was something else to the message Twilight received that made her angry?

Suddenly there was a small tapping sound at one of the windows.

“Hm? Oh Navi is outside,” Rarity stated and opened the window with her magic. “Now why in the world would Emerald leave Navi behind?”

“I… have no idea,” Twilight said with a frown as Navi flew over to her. The unicorn blinked her eyes wide as she saw how sad Navi looked, tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes as she released little trills that sounded suspiciously like sobs.

“She sent you to stay with me didn’t she?” Twilight asked Navi softly who nodded and quickly dived into her mane. Twilight quickly turned away from her friends again as Navi’s soft crying trills filled her ears.

“Well…” Rarity began when a knocking came at the front door. She walked over and opened it to see a unicorn Royal Guard there.

“Hello miss Rarity,” the guard greeted with a salute. “I’m here to collect all of you for the rescue operation.”

“Oh, actually some vital information has come to light,” Rarity replied. “Emerald hasn’t actually been kidnapped. She is just out on a road trip.”

“Oh…” The guard blinked his eyes in surprise. “Well, I better bring you along to inform the princesses of this.”

“Yes, let’s be on our way,” Rarity said and closed the door behind her.

“Well…” Rainbow Dash said, looking over everyone. “What do we do now?”

No one knew the answer to that.

-FIN-

AN:Cleaned up edition!

And here it is people! I hope you all love it! Also I am proud to announce... the sequel!

Emerald Gleaner: Viral Unicorn

I just need to post the Epilogue before putting the completed tag on this :)

CREDITS

Ideas and Story Development: Gekko and Trondason

Grammar Edits: Nightmare Knight

Oskar Osäker: True Omnivore

by Legionary

Chapter 1: Arrival

Chapter 2: Infiltration

Chapter 3: Return

Chapter 4: Dream Life

Chapter 5: Unforeseen Consequences

Chapter 6: Self Delusion

Chapter 7: Wounded

Chapter 8: Empire of Dirt

Chapter 9: Outbreak

Chapter 10: Other Mother

Chapter 11: Equestria's Bane

Chapter 12: The Rise

Chapter 13: Skyfall

Chapter 14: The Gala

Chapter 15: The Monster

Epilogue: Astral Viewing

NEWS