Dagger's End:

The Swine Tide &

The Underworld Uprise (Vol. 2)

Chapter 8

A Pursuit That Persists

It was the middle of the day, as Kora was just exiting from the portal, that she previously entered in before. She jumped out from the portal, along with Fauna, Kora's partner full of personal information, of who she was hunting... The two, hid behind some rocks, as there were several diamond dogs, searching for diamonds. " Alright Fauna... Lets see how well you know about my next target... Start with her name, and then tell me of what she has been through, briefly..." commanded Kora, as she looked at her partner. Fauna, nodded her head, and took of a form, of who she was hunting for. The changeling, turned into an yellow color, mixed with a bit of orange, skin mare. The mare had barely any armor on herself, as she was a special kind of archer... She had one big shoulder armor pad, on her right shoulder, and a very small one, on the other. Her mane, was light blue, as it hung loosely, covering her left eye, as it looked very straight. Her mane was very well combed, as it hung low to the ground, as the strands of her mane, barely touched the ground... She had arrows, behind her back, as well as her bow, as she looked back at Kora, with a serious look, on her face. She also had wings, on her back, for she was a pegasus... Fauna, was a very uniqe changeling... as she could even mimic a personality, just from taking one's form, which was extremely rare, for a changeling... Fauna, started to speak, as she spoke in a soft graceful tone, of the mare's voice... " Commander Grace, once served Princess Celestia's and Luna's mother and father, during 'The Great War'. In that era, gods were fighting against one another, before our world was even created. The mother and father, of Celestia's and Luna's, created a body for Commander Grace, and then was frozen in time, to be helpful, in the future... She has been summoned several times, but only in desperate matters... Now, she rebels against Celestia and Luan, as she only took her orders, from their parents. Now, she had learned to preserve herself, as she is still in her young age. How long she had lived, is out of the history's data." finnished Fauna, as she went back into her form. Kora, thought about this mare, as their was no data records, about how long she has lived. " How many times have she been summoned?..." asked Kora, as she looked at the changeling. Fauna, turned back into Grace, as she replied back to her, in the mare's very own voice, " Four times... on the fourth, she refused to be frozen, as her mind was made up, just after the mother and father had died, leaving Celestia and Luna, when they were babies. The two sisters, forgot about their parents, as they have no recollection, of them..." finnished Fauna, as she took back into her normal form. Kora, looked behind the rocks, as she spotted a few of the diamond dogs, as it looked like they were searching for something... Kora, crept back down behind the rock, as she spoke to Fauna, " Ok, Fauna... Stay here, and make sure no one sees you... I will leave it to you, to open the portal, to head back into the castle... I want to make this quick, as possible. So if anyone sees you, hide! Understand?" finnished Kora, as she looked at the changeling. Fauna, shook her head happily, as Kora then walked away from her, leaving her be... and so started the hunt, to find this legendary pony, who probably had a lot of experience, of fighting in range combat and possibly more...

Dagger's group, have already traveled from a far distance, from the Everfree Forest, as they went around the forest. Later on their journey, Dagger had noticed that the Hogz had already took some of the tanks, buggies, and other vehicles that would make their job, more difficult to track down, as the Hogz now had mobility, on their side. He looked at the tracks, left by the vehicles, as this made Dagger, very angry... Dagger's group, was somewhere between Rambling Rock Ridge and Baltimare, as they were close by a few moutains, and were now far away from the Everfree Forest. They were all following a path, left by the Hogz, as they have chopped down a few trees, and killed a few animals, as they left blood, behind... "Damn it!..." cursed Dagger, as he kicked the ground hard. Dagger's group had stopped, as they all looked at him. Pinkamena, was the closest pony, around Dagger, as she looked at him, unsure what he was all upset about... " What's wrong?... Forgot one of your little toys, back at the forest?" asked Pinkamena, as she stared at the stallion. Dagger, sighed as he replied back, "... No... These tracks... The Hogz have transportation, on their side. We won't be able to keep up with them, at this rate. By the time we have tracked them down, ponies everywhere will die, because we couldn't stop the Hogz, in time..." " So what do we do now? If they have so much speed, on their side, what's the point now?" asked Flash Sentry, as he caught up, to the conversation. Dagger, looked around, as he was thinking about wheels, or wings, big enough to carry all of them around... " I'm not sure... But if we want to catch up with them, we need to find something with speed, or else this world of yours, will be over run by these beasts..." answered Dagger, as he still had his helmet on him. Dagger, singaled a colt for a map. The young stallion, trotted twords Dagger, and had handed him a map of Equestria. He looked to where they were, as Dagger pointed a hoof, to where they were. He saw that Baltimare, was the closest place to go, for transportation. Dagger, sighed again, as this would take more time for them to get to. They had no other choice, but to go to Baltimare, hop on a train, and probably ask Celestia, for something they'll need to use to catch up, with the Hogz. " Ok... I think right now the best thing to do, is to head back to Canterlot, and tell your princess, about the situation... We cannot keep going on like this, if we are to finnish the Hogz off." spoke Dagger, as he had a few ponies around him. " But that will take too much time! Wherever these monsters are going, they'll get plenty of time to kill thousands of ponies!" reminded Flash Sentry, thinking of how long it would take to travel, from place to place. " It's a chance will have to take... The quicker we can solve this soulution... the less ponies will die, by their hoofs... We have to move now, if we are to save as many other ponies' lives, as we can. Tell everypony, to double time it! We move now!" spoke Dagger, as he and a few other ponies started to run, as they were going to be the first ones to get to Baltimare. Flash Sentry, was not pleased with the idea, and thought that maybe there was another way for them to catch up, with the Hogz... He couldn't think of anything, as they were far away from anywhere, that they could get their hoofs on something with wheels, and with a lot of horse power...

Kora, was sneaking around the diamond dogs, as she walked around, undetected. She was having a hard time, trying to find Commander Grace, as she hid herself very well, from Kora's sensing ability... She couldn't find any caves... unless... Kora, passed by a lot of pits, that were left made by the dogs, but never came to realize that, until she just thought about it, and looked at one of many holes, in the ground, now know where Grace probably was.

Kora, lept into the pit, as she slid her way down into the hole. She made her way on the ground floor, as she landed quietly on the ground. Tourches lit up the passageways, as she walked into one of them, as she begain to explore her surroundings. She looked around the caves, as she would get lost in it, not caring how she would return, back to the surface... She wasn't afraid of getting lost, nor was she afraid of the dogs. However, she worried about her target, thinking of the possible traps, that she had set up, whoever was coming near her... For now, nothing that looked like a trap, came into Kora's view, as she searched through the tunnels.

Dagger's group made it to Baltimare, as the whole group were paying to enter the train station, and getting on the train. They got on a train that was just about to take off, right after they bought their train tickets. As Dagger's group climbed aboard, Rainbow Dash spot something unusal... a few other ponies, who were tough looking stallions, were placing crates inside a freight, on the train they were boarding on. Rainbow Dash, didn't like the looks of things, as she looked around them, noticing no pony was going to stop them, or even gave them any sort of permission. Not even the Equestrian guardsmen, have showed up, to keep an eye on them... Just as the last pony, from Dagger's group, got on the train, Rainbow Dash was the last to aboard the train. Dagger's group had practically their own train cart, to themselves, as only a few other ponies, who were not enlisted into Dagger's group, sat in the room, with them.

The train took off, and everypony was heading to Canterlot...

Rainbow Dash, had finally managed to get twords Apple Jack, so she may speak to her, after she had to push and shove her way to her friend. Apple Jack, spotted her, as she looked troubled, about something. Eventually, Rainbow Dash made her way to Apple Jack to tell her, what she had saw, " What's go'n on Rainbow? You look like your as eager, as an angry beaver, who's dam got messed up, on a sunday morning." joked Apple Jack. Rainbow Dash whipered to her country friend, as she didn't want to alarm anypony about any thing, " I saw a few ponies, loading things into this train, and there were no markings, symbol, or anything like that, on the crates." " I wouldn't worry about it R.D. I'm sure we'll be just fine, as we rest our way, to Canterlot. There's noth'n to worry about..." finnished Apple Jack, as she tilted her hat, in a position as it would cover her eyes, from the sun light. Rainbow, didn't want to bother her friend, and decided to investigate the situation, herself... Scootaloo, rested nearby Apple Jack, thinking that Rainbow Dash would sit right by her, as she fell asleep. Most of everypony was tired, from running from a far distance, when they got to Baltimare, as most of them rested. Only a few had a bit more energy, inside of them, as they would look out the window, chat, or even sleep for a short time, as the train calmly rumbled a bit.

At the front of the train, where the conductor would control the speed of the train, was a stallion, named Tiger Zann... He held onto the conductor's clothes, threatening him, as the stallion held a very unusal weapon... Tiger Zann's weapon, was a gun of somesort, as it had one fat looking berral, and looked rustic, as it looked like an old pirate gun or something... " I will not ask again conductor... You will either teach me how to operate this train... or I will shoot you down, like a rabbid animal!" growled the stallion. " You can kiss my flank! I will not allow you to harm, other ponies' lives!" barked the conductor. Tiger Zann, smiled, as he then pointed his old gun at the conductor's front hoof, and fired it. The gun made a loud, shotgun noise, as hot rocks of some sort, bursted out from the berral, and melted the conductor's left front hoof! The conductor cried in pain, as he had lost a hoof, as it burned. The conductor, could see the inside of his flesh, of where his left hoof used to be, as he can see his bone, and flesh, as it burned into ash... "... Now then... If you would be so kind to show me, how to operate this train, I am sure I can show you some mercy, from my prized possession..." smiled the stallion. The conductor looke up, at Tiger Zann, and looked at him, as he gave him a dirty look. Tiger Zann, had a long white mane, covering one of his eyes, as the other would show. The color of his skin was a semi-dark tan color, as he wore a leather brown jacket, with some sheep's wool on the collor section. He was a bit old aged, but could put up a fight, as he was kept in decent shape. He also had a cutie mark of what appears to be a tiger's eye, and in the center of the eye was the symbol of money. Tiger Zann, smiled at the conductor, as he looked at him, "... Either way... I'm going to get what I want, whether you like it or not!... So now tell me! Or I will blast you, into dog food chunks, and feed you to my hounds..." " Never!..." grunted the conductor, " Fine!.." replied Tiger Zann, as he torture him, with every shot! First he went for the rear hoofs, then the legs, and then to his flank, as the conductor felt every burning shot, fired at his body. The conductor eventaullly passed out, and died, as Tiger Zann kept on shooting at him, until he reached for his head, and fired a few more times, at his head, until his skull showed up... Tiger Zann's gun, was scattering out lava rock particles out, melting and burning the flesh, of one's body, as the shots would toture the flesh, and the nerves. Tiger Zann, spat at the dead conductor, as his saliva quickly, sizzled and evaporated up. Tiger Zann, then reached in his pocket, in his jacket, and spoke into a walky talky, " Uber Fend, is everything that is planed, set?" asked Tiger Zann, as he was trying to figure out of the controls, to the train. A deep ancient voice replied back, as it growled, " This is Uber, and yes... Everything is set..." replied back the stranger. There was a pause between the two, until Uber continued, " Tiger, are you sure this plan of your's will work?... Celestia, may execute you, and will not hesitate to do so..." finnished Uber Fend, as Tiger replied back, " If the plan is a success, our battles against anyone, will be short. This is why we need to make sure, nothing goes wrong. Besides, paying a visit to the princess, will be an... honnor, to see that bright, shiny, happy face of hers... when I see her, again..."

Rainbow Dash, was in a train cart, that was carrying the crates, that had no lable on them, as she snooped around. She hid inside the room, that had the crates, as she had plans on opening them... She found a crate next to her, and tried to open it, only to find that it was nailed shut. Rainbow Dash, then pulled her sword from her side, and opened it, slowly, trying not to create too much attention. A couple of stallion, were walking twords the exit, of the room, as they carried unusal ranged weapons, on their back, as they walked by Rainbow Dash, as she hid, in the shadows. The two stallions, walked out of the room, closed the door, and locked it!... Rainbow Dash, herd the click, from the lock, but it didn't bother her, as she still wanted to have a look, inside the crates. She managed to open the first crate, and found hay, inside the wooden box... She then pushed aside the hay, and found something, totally out from the ordinary! Inside, were explosives of some sort, but weren't bombs, as they had symbols on them, and they were shaped like cylinders. The cylinders were mixed with green, and orange, as they looked like not a good sign, at all... There was also a timer set, only for the amount of time left, to reach for Canterlot, "... What are these!?..." wondered Rainbow Dash, as she then was making her way out, from the room. She tried to open the door, to exit the room, but remembered it was locked, as she jerked the handle. She looked up, and found a sun roof door, as she flapped her wings in the air. The sun roof door was also locked, as she banged at the door, several times! Dash, then used her sword, to pry open the door, and managed to open it. She flew out, as she was making her way to Dagger, and the rest of the group! Just before, she could go to the cart that was next, before reaching to the cart that had Dagger's group in it, she was stopped by something, as it flew out of nowhere! The two landed on the roof, of the train cart, as they looked at one another... In front of Rainbow Dash, was an old looking griffin... He had dark navy blue feathers, and his neck was white, with some black spots on it... His wings, were repleaced with very thin metal wings, that were light enough for him to fly, and sharp enough to cut through wood, like butter... The old griffin's feathers, were ruffled up a bit, as he didn't bother to groom himself, or even clean himself... The griffin, also had something on his chest... It was a golden plate, of some sort, that was attached to his chest, as it had one ruby on the center of the chest. Suddenly, it hit Rainbow Dash in the head, as the artifact look very familiar!... As if she had read it, from the book... of... "... Daring Doo, and the ancient one... No way..." whispered Rainbow Dash, as she couldn't belive that it was actually real... or was it?... " And I suppose, you know what happens when I do this..." spoke the deep, old voice griffin, as his wings spreaded out, pointing to the sky, then lowered them quickly, almost touching the roof... Rainbow Dash then thought in her mind, that it could be a simple cosplay, but suddenly... she couldn't move!... " W-what's going on!?..." grunted Rainbow Dash, as she tried to move a muscle, " Why can't I move!?" cried Rainbow. The old griffin, walked up twords her, looking her in the eyes... "... Hmmmm... Interesting..." cooed the griffin, as he looked at the mare's flank... " What is one of the elements, of harmony, doing around these parts... I supose, you are looking for trouble?" spoke the old griffin. "... So you're behind this!... You planted those bombs, in the train!... Ngh!... I knew, there was something screwy, around here!... Gngh!" spoke Dash, as she couldn't even wiggle her wings! " Yes..." growled the griffin... " and no..." he continued, as his metal wing, slid across Rainbow Dash's side, of her head. Rainbow Dash, couldn't belive how sharp the wings were... They were so sharp, that she thought, that a bit of her skin was cut. She felt something warm, on the side of her head... She was bleeding, already... " Wha-... Who are you!?..." barked Rainbow Dash, questioning him, for answers! "... All you need to know, young one... Is that the forces, of Corruption... is on it's way to Canterlot..." answered, the old griffin. Rainbow Dash herd rumors, about the forces of Corruption... The mafia, was led by a powerful crime lord, called Tiger Zann... and his right hoof, griffin... " Uber Fend... What are you guys, going to do!" shouted Rainbow Dash, sounding like a threat, to the griffin, as she tried to free herself, with all of her might! The griffin, turned and looked at her, and smiled, " Let's just say... you ponies, are getting a taste of your own... medicine..." " How about we let you, have the first taste?..." spoke a voice, that sounded like a mare. The pony who spoke, showed herself, as it was no other, than Pinkamena... She had her black coat, still on, as she pointed two shotguns, at Uber Fend. " Ah... You look like, a worthy opponent... You better be packing, more than those squirt guns... don't disappoint me..." growled Uber, as he got into a stance.

Dagger, walked into the cart, that his group was in, as he brough some snacks for the little filly, Scootaloo. " Hey, kid. Got ya something." spoke Dagger, as he woke up the little filly, gently. Scootaloo, woke up, as she yawned. In front of her, was a small basket of snacks, for her, as she was a bit hungry, " Thanks, Dagger!" cheefuly spoke, Scootaloo. Dagger, looked around the room, noticing that Rainbow Dash, was missing, along with Pinkamena. "... Scootaloo, have you seen Rainbow Dash?" " No, I thought she was in the mares room, or something." replied the orange filly, as she had stuffed her mouth, with a few crackers. Dagger, simply nodded, and was heading out of the room, only to be blocked by two stallions, with weird guns! " Where do you think you're going?... You must stay here, were you will be... safe..." joked one of the suspicious guards. The guards, wore golden armor, that looked a bit dull, and almost fake looking, as the armor didn't shine. They had a golden soldier helmet, with some ventilation on the top of the hat, were there were three slash marks on the top of the hat. Thier armor only covered their chest, and shoulders, as they almost looked like american football pads, on them. Dagger, didn't like the looks of this, as he backed up slowly away from the two stallions, as they pointed their deadly weapons, at him. Then, the two corrupt troopers, fell, as they were tripped by two ponies, who were from Dagger's group. A young stallion, was on the left side of the seating area, while on the right of the seating area, was Mr. Booze. " Pfft... Learn to walk, sluts..." commented the old mule, as he scuffed his hoof, that he used to trip them, on the side of a seat. A few other ponies, who were from Dagger's group, hopped on the two stallions, pinning them to the floor, making sure that they didn't have a chance to get back up, and attack anypony, on sight. " Good job, guys! We need to get to the bottom of this... I'll go find Rainbow Dash. Trixie, Octavia, and Flash head to the controls to the train. I bet who ever is behind this, will be there... Brave Heart, Mr. Booze, and Frost take a squad with you, and secure the rear of the train. The rest of you, make sure to stop, who ever is trying to take over, this train." Finnished Dagger, as they all spitted up, and did what they were told.

Pinkamena, and Uber Fend, were putting up a fight, as Pinkamena now had two katanas or samuri swords, on each hoof, as she engaged Uber, in a dual! Sword's clanked, metals banged, and made sparks, as the two fought valiantly. This was going to be a fight to remember, for the both of them! Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash finally felt something... Her wing! She could move now!... Her wings were slowly, were able to bend, as she soon could move the rest of her body. She then got control of herself, and decided to assist Pink, or Pinkamena, in her little dual, with the old griffin.

Rainbow Dash, was coming from the side, as she flew around Uber Fend, ready to make a cunning attack. She then darted at him, pointing her sword at the old griffin, only to be blocked by the attack! " Two on one?... Heh heh heh..." growled the old griffin, as he smiled. He then flapped his wings, and both mares flew away from the griffin. Pinkamena, was hanging on the edge of the roof, of the train cart, while Rainbow Dash, had to regain control of her flight. The two, got back to attacking the griffin, as Uber Fend found himself, to have trapped him self, in a cross fire... or did he?... A loud shotgun sound was made, as the shots scatted around Pinkamena! " Gugh!" cried the pink mare, as she jumped backwards, trying to avoid the attack. Pinkamena, shook off the pain, that was on her rear legs, as they burned a bit. Pinkamena, looked at the attacker, and saw Tiger Zann... " Uber... You didn't tell me, that you be needing my help... or that we had guest, on the ride..." spoke the pony, as his long straigh mane, flew behind his head. " I was saving them, for us, Tiger... Now we can enjoy this..." grinned Uber Fend, as the two readied their weapons. " The only thing you are going to enjoy, is being dead!" hissed Pinkamena, still feeling the burn, on her rear legs. Rainbow Dash, landed right besides her, as they both walked slowly twords Tiger and Uber. Tiger Zann, didn't have any melee weapons, only his powerful shotgun, was the only weapon he was carring. Uber Fend, made a quick dash, to Rainbow Dash, as she had already blocked the first attack, and engaged her attacker. Pinkamena, was going to make a quick dash at Tiger Zann as well, only to be stopped by his shotgun, as it burned through the roof of the train's cart. " One more step, and I'll make sure, your legs get fed to the poor, who don't have any legs, to spare..." smiled Tiger Zann... Pinkamena, pulled out two uzis, out from her black coat, as she opened fire at the stallion! Tiger Zann, was surprised, as he hopped back, in a gap, were two of the train carts, would connect. Eventually, Pinkamena's fight was brought inside of the train, as there was more cover in the rooms, then there was outside of the moving train.

Rainbow Dash could barely keep up, with Uber Fend's attacks, as his thin metal wings would move, like the wind! Uber Fend's attacks, were quick, swift, and sharp attacks, as Rainbow Dash only had one sword to fight with, as she was being pushed back. Rainbow Dash, was doing her best to fend him off, only to have small cuts, around herself, as she didn't notice them...

Pinkamena, and Tiger Zann, eventaully brought their fight back outside of the train, as they both destroyed everything, that was inside the train cart, they have both just left. The four of them, met up with each other, as all three of them panted a bit, while Uber was used to all this action... "... You mares, sure put up a good fight... Say... that... You... should work for me?..." offered Tiger Zann, as he showed a bag full of bits, coming out from a pocket, in his jacket. Rainbow Dash and Pinkamena, were now being tested by temptation... Rainbow Dash, looked at the heavy looking, small back of coins, but shook her head, as well did Pinkamena, as the two knew better. " This is an offer... you can't resist..." offered the stallion, trying to get them to work for him. Rainbow Dash, suddenly, looked again at the bag of coins... with that amout of coins... she could by every book of Daring Doo... She then snapped back, into reality, as she didn't want to betray anypony. " No! Not a chance, scum!" snapped Rainbow Dash, as she held tightly, onto her sword. " Well... You leave me no choice then..." smiled Tiger, as both Uber and Tiger, relaxed. Tiger put his weapon, back on his holster, which was on the side of his jacket, while Uber folded his metal wings... Tiger Zann, then pressed on a button, in his hoof, as he smiled. Suddenly, a machine bursted out, from one of the carts, from the train. It came from the direction, to were the controls to the train was, as it then zoomed twords the stallion and the griffin. The machine, guarded both Tiger and Uber, as it looked at the two mares. The machine, was white, with a bit of blue stripes around it's plates. The machine was shaped like a pony, mixed with both bodies of a mare's and of a stallion's. It had a visor, for eyes, as it glowed one red light, inside the visor. It's legs were quite thin, while it's hoofs' were big looking. It had no tail, no mane, no horn, and no wings... All it had to use, for flight, was hover boots, installed under it's hoofs. " Alright X-4... Have our guest, depart from this train..." commanded Tiger Zann, as the robot obeyed it's orders. The mecha pony, then flew twords the two mares, in such incredible speed! The two mares were grabbed, by the neck, as they both choaked! The mecha pony, led them away from both Uber and Tiger, as it tossed them on the roof of the train, very hard! Pinkamena and Rainbow Dash, landed on their backs, really hard, as their bodies were at shock. The mecha pony, X-4, then transformed one of it's front hoofs, into a small minigun, as it was getting ready to open fire at the two mares... The berrals rolled, as it spun slowly, then more rappid, as seconds passed...

Out of nowhere, a wired rope, snagged onto the mecha pony's rear hoof, as it was now being pulled by something. It was Dagger, as he pulled the robot, twords him, where he would cut it, with his bulky blade. " Come here, you!" he shouted, at the machine, as he readied his thick blade! The X-4 machine, then shot the wire rope, and Dagger, fell back into the gap, between two of the train carts. The robot, then turned around to it's targets, only to find that it got bucked, in the chest, by Pinkamena! The robot, flew around, away from the three ponies, as it flew out of control! It soon, regained it's flight control systems, and thought that it was time to retreat, just at it had already, spot Canterlot...

" Hey! Get back here!" shouted Pinkamena, as she hopped from cart to cart. The machine, was heading to Uber Fend, as Tiger Zann, had already left him, alone. Uber, looked at the robot, and braced for impact, as the maching looked like it was going to crash into him! " Huh! Looks like your toy, is on a malfunction!" spoke Pinkamena, as she ran twords Uber, ready to buck him in the face, as the old griffin, didn't even move, to evade. Suddenly, the mecha pony, was inches away from the old griffin, as it summoned some sort of teleportaion, divice! Both Uber Fend, and the X-4, disappeared into thin air, in such a flash! Pinkamena, had already pounced, twords Uber's direction, only to land on the train cart's roof. She was upset, as she had failed to capture, the griffin, as she stomped her hoof on the roof, of the cart.

Trixie, Octavia, and Flash Sentry were close to the controls, as they moved from cart to cart. They bumped into a few of Tiger Zann's soldiers, but were easily taken care of, because they lacked in training, in self defense. " We're almost there!" shouted Flash, as he trotted fast, to a nearby door.

Tiger Zann, was guarding the controls to the train, as he held his unusal shotgun, in his hoof... "... This plan... better work..." he whispered to himself. Tiger Zann, could hear his men, trying to put up a fight, against the three ponies, who were making their way here, but were easily defeated. The door burst opened, showing Flash Sentry, who came into the room first. " Hoofs, where I can see them! You're under arrest!" commanded Flash Sentry, as he pointed his sword at the crime lord. " Ah... a guard... Listen, I can pay you handsomely if you would-" " He said, hoofs in the air!" spoke Octavia, as she had the two black bandanas, around her face, as she pointed a bow and arrow, at the fairly old, stallion. " Very well..." replied Tiger Zann, as he dropped his trusty weapon, on the floor, and kicked back to Flash.

The train, was heading to Canterlot, as Dagger was later informed, about the unusal bombs, that were on board the train. He commanded his group, to dump them off the train, since there was no other pony, to disarm them. Tiger Zann, was sent to court, for his crimes, and would soon be sent to prision, where he would rot, in his cell...

Dagger, and only a few of his group, entered inside the castle, as they made their way to Princess Celestia. Celestia, was surprised to see them, almost in shock, to see them in fact. Luna, sat next to her, as she too was curious, of the situation... Dagger, respectively bowed his head, as well did the rest, of half of his group, with him. " Sorry, that we have returned, your majesty... But we have another problem..." Celestia, and Luna looked to one another, then looked back at Dagger, " Go on..." replied Celestia. Dagger, and the rest of his group, got back up, as he continued, " It would seem, that the Hogz, have managed to recreate, some of their war vehicles. Making it very hard for us, to chase after them... Not to mention, heavy weapons, to be used against us." Finnished Dagger, as he removed his Quantillian helmet off, from his head. Celestia, thought about the situation, for a bit, and nodded, "... I see... Well... We can only offer you, the means of fast transportation. We offer you, a big air ship, with the fastest equipments, to help you to track down these beast. Please, take care of it, for it is the last one we have, in this kingdom." " Understood Princess, we will leave at once!" replied Dagger, as he placed his helmet back on his head, as his face was covered, once again.

" Hmmm..." " What is it, sister?" asked Luna, right as the last pony, had exited the door, from the room they were in. " These, brutes are more violent than I thought, and a bit smarter than I thought..." " And?..." " I don't know... It's just... I feel like something, worse is coming into our lands..." answered Celestia, as she pondered about. " Don't forget, about King Sombra's forces, sister! We still don't have enough ponies, to fend off the great attack. Nor can we get help, from any other kindom." reminded Luna, as she was a bit stressed out, from the Hogz' activity. " I haven't, Luna... But something, or somepony... will be suprisingly stronger, than both of us... I just hope, it does not come to us, any time soon..." spoke Celestia, trying not to show any fear, of what lies ahead...

" Oh... My... Gosh!..." spoke Rainbow Dash, as those were the only words, that she could discribe the only thing that was infront of everypony, in Dagger's group... " You've got to be kind'n... The princess, kept that thing here, ever scince the war against the griffins?" commented Apple Jack, as her mouth hung open, in awe. " Mares, and gentle colts! I welcome you, to the Heavenly Angel!" annouced Flash Sentry, as he knew about the air ship, already, as he continued, " It has living quarters, a kitchen, a war room, another living room, a stock room, and an armory! We should be thankful, that Princess Celestia herself, offered such transportation, to us!" spoke Flash Sentry, happily. The air ship, was huge and massive, as it floated in the air! It looked like a wooden submarine floating in the air, as it had three long balloons, lifting it up high in the air. It was humongous, to everypony...

" I just have one question... Actually, two..." asked Dagger, as he looked at Flash. " Go ahead, shoot!" replied Flash Sentry, " When do we take off, and are there any weapons, installed in that ship?" " Sorry Dagger, this ship was designed for infantry deployment, were it would suprise and over run, any kindom, in Equestria. It was also made for speed, so we could have a chance to trap the enemy, when we would deploy. We will leave, as soon as tomorrow, as soon as everypony is in it, on the Heavenly Angel." answered Flash Sentry. Dagger, smiled a bit, now having the needs, for speed to chase after the Hogz. Equestria would soon be safe, from these beast, once they were taken care of!