Tristan looked down to the man whom was once a legendary fighter, revered by others for his prowess and near indestructibility. Looking next to Celestia, he let out a soft laugh. “Strange really... thinking back on it. I almost wish I could have fought him at his full potential, to see what he was really capable of... but I suppose the capable one was his other half.”

Horn lighting up, Tristan focused his levitation spell on the man's body but struggled when it wouldn't budge. “What?!” he grunted, focusing harder but to no avail. “What is this?!” Tristan snapped, unable to grasp the concept of why he couldn't even budge the man.

The hypnotized Celestia slowly stepped up to the man and gave him a slight nudge with one of her front hooves, frowning slightly as she inspected one of his gaping wounds. “As I expected,” she noted, pointing to one of his chest wounds that revealed his rib cage. “My sister's... other, has gifted him with Shadow Steel, encasing his entire skeletal structure with it. Being fused with his body, it has allowed him, even after death, to resist most forms of magic,” the alicorn informed, to which the younger stallion cocked a brow.

“I don't understand. He has been hit with magical blasts in the past, why is this metal so effective against levitation but not other forms of magic?” he asked in slight irritation. Celestia shrugged.

“It's the way Nightmare Moon designed it. Trying to muster enough magic to levitate him will be about as successful as trying to make two positive ends of a magnet connect,” she told him, Tristan grunting irritably.

“I never intended for him to arrive for Daring. I was truly hoping he'd stick to his retirement plan. Even so, I can improvise perfectly. Though I truly would like to keep his corpse for decoration in my throne room... when I make it of course. His head will symbolize one of my grandest achievements... such a pity really,” he muttered, Celestia ducking her head under the man's body and sliding him onto her back with a slight grunt of effort.

As Tristan's eyes went wide, Celestia looked to him with a rather blank expression. “He may be near impossible to grasp hold of with magic, but that doesn't make him impervious to physical handling,” Celestia told him, letting out a heavy exhale as she felt his heavy weight atop of her, nearly four times the weight she expected from the man.

“Excellent. You truly are a magnificent help,” Tristan mentioned as he turned to leave, Celestia speaking up and nabbing his attention.

“What of his company?” the alicorn goddess asked, Tristan looking back to the deceased body of Bill.

“I will say, I never gave him so much as a second thought when I saw him but... now that you mention it, I suppose his abilities are on par with even that of Senka. Being able to ascend past a handicap of visual loss yet still able to be more perceptive than the average pony is truly remarkable... though he was never a threat to my overtaking of Equestria, I suppose his exceptional skill deserves him at least some form of farewell bidding rather than being left to rot in an abandoned mine...” Tristan's horn lighting up and encasing Bill's body with a magical aura.

Seconds past and the buffalo's body slowly started to change to a dark shade of gray before rapidly crumbling into a pile of ash and being blown away down the tunnel system. “Yes... well, now then. Onto the task at hoof,” Tristan mentioned as he began to walk down the tunnel system of the mine, Celestia nodding in response.

“Yes, master,” she replied, Tristan stopping for a moment.

“Can you... say that again?” he asked in a pleased tone.

“Yes, master,” Celestia repeated, her eyes glinting from the mind control.

“Ahhh,” Tristan sighed in relief. “I love hearing that...”

Applejack groaned in pain as Braeburn and Lassie helped her to all fours. “Ah... ah don't get it! Why did Celestia do that?!” she grumbled painfully. Lassie opened up her bag and began rummaging through it. Seeing this, Applejack scoffed. “Let me guess, more guns?” Applejack coughed painfully, Lassie rolling her eyes.

“Yes, you nimrod. Hmm... where did I...” she began tossing various items out of the bag, including camping supplies, sex toys and currency. “Found it!... okay, just hold still,” Lassie said as she pulled out a small container.

“What... what is that?” Applejack asked, groaning in pain as she tried to slide back while Lassie took some of the gel into her paw. Reaching forwards to spread it on the mare's injuries, Applejack swatted away Lassie's paw. “What is that?!” she demanded, Lassie rolling her eyes as she took another pawful of the gel.

“Just let me put it on you, alright?” she demanded, going to apply the mystery gel to Applejack's injuries, which was again thwarted when the mare swatted Lassie's paw.

“Not till ah know what yer tryin' tah do!” she snapped, Braeburn stepping into the argument.

“Come on cousin. She's obviously tryin' tah help,” he tried to assure her but the farmer mare would have none of it. Lassie scoffed as she took another pawful of the gel and gave Applejack an annoyed look.

“Oh jeez. Frig, it's some hocus pokus recipe that Zecora made up and gave me a while ago. Now hold still, you've already wasted more than half of it,” she grumbled as she applied the pawful of gel and gently rubbed it on Applejack's injured chest.

Slowly, the bruises and small cuts began to heal. Taking another pawful, Lassie rubbed it on Applejack's hindleg, depleting the reserve of the restorative jelly. “There... good as new. And as a bonus, unlike the hospital's healing potion, you're not left a gushing wet horny mess,” Lassie said with a smile. “But I'm still ticked you wasted half of it.”

The group stood up and Lassie tossed a few more things out of her bag, muttering to herself how she wished she could keep some of the things but needed to lighten the load. Applejack brushed herself off then looked to the dog. “Yah coulda just told me what it was instead a just tryin' rub it all over me,” she snapped Lassie rolling her eyes. “But... thank yah, all the same,” the mare gave a nod which Lassie returned.

Lassie actioned the levergun and looked down the only way they could travel. “Okay Braeburn... how do we get back there to rescue Evan and Bill?” she asked, the stallion blinking in complete shock.

“H-how should ah know?!” he stammered, Lassie rolling her eyes.

“Because you had that dream. Come on, there had to be more to it,” she noted, Braeburn merely shaking his head. “Great... so now we're traveling blind,” she grumbled, Braeburn speaking up again.

“B-bu-but... ain't yah a... a dog?” he asked, Lassie perking a brow.

“Yeah, why?” she asked back, Braeburn pausing for a moment before speaking.

“W-well... you got that nose, right?” he asked, Lassie giving him a mortified look.

“Oh, you are not saying what I think you're saying!” she stomped, Braeburn flinching slightly.

“Glorious Luna, ah'm sorry. Ah'm from Appleloosa. Crazy stuff just comes outta muh mouth sometimes, yah know?” he replied back, Applejack lost in slight confusion.

“Ah don't get it. What does bein' a dog have tah do with-” she began, Lassie cutting her short before she could finish her question.

“He's saying that because I'm a dog, I can...” she trailed off, her nose wiggling subconsciously and head turning to the direction it led. “Oh wait... hold on... I think I got something...” she told them as her head lowered to the ground and she began to follow the scent of the trail...

Celestia followed Tristan into the small camp they had set up in the mine, dumping Evan's body on the ground in a heap. Letting out an exhausted exhale, Celestia wiped the sweat from her brow. Tristan looked to the body of the elderly man whom once posed the greatest threat to him. “There must be an easier way to transport his corpse,” Tristan muttered. “Just leave him here. We'll have Rufus's stallions pick him up on the way out. For now, let's see if those incompetent idiots have managed to lure out Lassie and the others,” he told Celesta whom nodded in return.

Grabbing a nearby lantern, Tristan covered his facial features once more with his cloak's hood and began his journey down into the catacombs of the mine, Celestia in tow...

Lassie's tail wagged from side to side as she sniffed her way along the trail, leading the others through near darkness, the only source of light being that of a glowing vibrator she had kept which she made Applejack carry.

Stopping at a crossroad in the path, Lassie looked both ways, sniffing the ground profusely. Applejack leaned down beside the dog. “Well... which way?” the farmer asked, Lassie raising a brow as if conflicted about her thoughts.

“But... wait, that can't be...” the dog muttered to herself, walking down the path to the right with the other two following in close pursuit. “She's alone... but she should be-” Lassie was cut off as she bumped into a mare's rear end, having been previously fixated on the ground and following the scent.

Both parties let out a combined gasp of fright as they looked to face each other. “DARING?!” Lassie gasped as the mare looked to the group.

“Back off! I'm warning you! That book belongs in a museum!” the adventurer mare warned, Lassie waving her paws in defense.

“Hold on, wait! We came to... hold the phone. What's going on here? You're supposed to be tied up and gagged.” Lassie rose a brow, Daring taking a defensive stance.

“Ha, more of Ahuizotl's goons? Or maybe your with Rufus?” she challenged, Lassie looking at her with a truly stunned look.

“What?! No! I'm with Evan. Somepony...” she trailed off in total loss. “You were tied up and gagged and needed to be rescued,” Lassie commented, Daring laughing heartily.

“Me?! Needing to be rescued?! Bwahahaha, I never need to be rescued,” she laughed. Lassie paused for a moment before taking a step closer. “Hey, woah, step back. I don't know who you are. Besides, you could be working for Ahuizotl and just making up a fib,” she commented, Lassie shaking her head.

Taking a close look at the mare, Lassie motioned with her paw. “Applejack... you still have that photo of Daring, right?” she asked, Braeburn totally bewildered by the events unfolding in front of him.

“W-wait... ai-ain't yah t-that mare from the... them adventurin' books?” Braeburn stammered, vaguely remembering seeing the mare before them on several posters and book covers. Applejack took out the photo of Daring Do tied up and gave it to Lassie, Braeburn gasping in response. “Yah'll had a picture of her that yah didn't give tah the sheriff?! It coulda-” he was cut off by Lassie as she took hold of the photo.

“We can't let everypony know she's real. She has to be kept a...” Lassie trailed off as she looked at the photo then to Daring. “I don't get it... in this photo, you're tied up but...” Lassie looked at Daring, into her eyes, then gasped with a horrible realization. “Oh no!” she cried out, Applejack running to her side.

“What is it?!” AJ gasped, Lassie slowly handing over the photo.

“You tell me..." she told the mare before shaking her head and muttering to herself. "No. No, I can't believe this!” Lassie groaned as Applejack took hold of the photo and inspected it under the light of the glowing vibrator. “We were duped.”

Applejack looked at the photo while rubbing her chin in thought, then looked up to Daring whom rose a brow. Looking back down to the photo, the realization hit her as well. “Ah shoot! Darn it! Ain't her!” she snapped, Daring taking a step back in slight hesitancy as she and Braeburn spoke in unison.

“W-what do you mean it's not?” they both asked, Applejack handing the photo to her cousin.

“You tell me Brae. Yah always was a smart cookie,” she noted, her cousin looking at the photo with a perked brow.

“W-well... well, it's her...” he said, pointing to Daring whom slowly and most cautiously walked over to look at the photo. “B-but... but she's tied up,” he mentioned, Daring peaking over his shoulder.

Applejack shook her head. “Is it really her Brae, take a good long look at it,” AJ made mention, the stallion looking hard at the photo before turning his head to look at Daring, whom was just inches away from him as she had been looking over his shoulder at the photo.

They went silent for just a moment as they locked eyes in utter silence. Their faces were so close they could feel one another's breath. “Uhm... sorry for being so close, I was just-” Daring began to step back before Braeburn grabbed her by the shoulder, holding her in place and leaning closer. "W-wha... what are you doing?" the mare asked hesitantly as she tried to pull away.

“No, wait,” he said in haste, Daring raising a worried brow.

“You're not gonna try to-” she was cut off by Braeburn's realization.

“She's not Daring Do,” he announced, the mare taking a quick step back and breaking his hold.

“Woah! Hey now, listen... nopony is even supposed to know-” she was cut off as Braeburn interrupted her by handing over the photo while speaking.

“No... ah meant... 'she' ain't the real Daring Do. The one in the picture ah mean,” he told her, Daring taking one good, unobstructed, look at the photo before smirking.

“Well duh... I don't have blue eyes. Mine are purple,” she answered before blinking hesitantly. “Why... you didn't seriously believe that I got tied up and... and believed this was me... and came to rescue...” her words began to slow as she realized they had come to rescue her on the false pretext she needed to be saved.

Lassie cursed to herself as she looked down the tunnel system of the mine. “We were duped... somepony wanted us to come here for some reason. Or maybe they just needed us to come somewhere secluded so they could... Celestia, you bitch,” Lassie cursed under her breath, Daring raising a brow.

“Wait... what's Celestia got to-” she was cut off by a somewhat frantic Lassie.

“What are you after? This adventure, what are you trying to find?!” she snapped, Daring blinking unsurely.

“W-well... there's an old legend about-” she received a brisk slap across the cheek from Lassie whom immediately spoke up.

“I don't want to know about it, just what it is!” she ordered, Daring rubbing her cheek.

“The book of Unlimited Fantasy,” she answered, Lassie raising a brow.

“Huh... sounds like a porno... what does it do?” Lassie asked curiously, Daring raising a brow as she protested.

“I was about to tell you then you slapped me saying you didn't want to know about it!” Daring nearly yelled, Lassie huffing before slapping herself.

“Look, there, now we're even. Now get on with it. There's a reason we're all involved with this and to find out what that reason is, we need to know everything we possibly can...”

Evan's perspective...

I found myself gasping for air, withering on the ground... feeling completely naked... cold...

There was a dark presence nearby. I could feel it. I winced and whined out a painful cry as I rolled over, my good eye going wide as I found myself before Death. I let out a stifled grunt as I tried to shuffle back, to escape him but it was no use. I was already caught.

“Fear not, for I have not come for you yet.” His voice was like sharp daggers, slashing into me. His mere presence here struck fear into the deepest parts of me. His hellish red eyes glowed from within the black confines of his hood. I couldn't even muster the strength to let out a roar or even a yell...

“For your time, is yet to come, but...” he trailed off and the scenery quickly changed to something more comforting. A beautiful meadow, with grass taller than knee height. Just Death's upper body, though cloaked, was visible.

A gentle, pleasantly warm, wind gushed by, the grass wavering in the gentle breeze. I heard giggling, laughter, pleasant conversation... I attempted to look up but found the grass blocking my view.

Death walked over and helped me to my feet, placing my right arm across his shoulders and supporting my weight. “Wait... but don't I die if you touch me?” I asked but he never answered. “Death?” I asked but he merely shushed me, pointing out with his bony hoof to the scene before us. I watched as... it was me. I used to think I looked so old in this vision of what was to be the future but now... I seemed to be the same age.

A few tears dribbled down my face, realizing how much time I had wasted, how much time I should have spent with...

I looked to see Twilight resting on her haunches, sitting on a picnic blanket as I... played with my daughter in the fields, with Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “She... my daughter... the first time you showed me... she was a son,” I mentioned, Death nodding but not speaking as we continued to watch the scene unfold. “Why are you showing me this?!” I growled, making Death chuckle to himself.

“Have you still not realized?” he asked, making me lose myself in wonder.

'Realized what? I don't get it... that I'm not going to die? That despite everything I've done, I'll live to have a happy ending?' I thought to myself, watching silently. Everything seemed so... perfect, I didn't understand.

“Even now, watching this before your own eyes, you can't see it?” Death asked. I was still lost. He seemed so cynical, like what we were watching had some dark meaning to it. “Or rather, who you can't see?” he laughed. I rose a brow.

“Can't see?” I asked aloud. “Who can't I see?” I asked, puzzled.

“Exactly... who has been missing since the beginning? A few minor things may have changed in these visions of yours, but one thing has remained constant,” he remarked in a darkening tone.

I blinked as I looked out. I still didn't quite understand what he meant. There were lots of ponies not here. It wasn't like I was looking at a big portrait of everypony I knew. I was just watching a relaxing afternoon with my fami...

“UGH!” I gasped out as the realization struck me like a punch in the gut. “NO! Not her!” I yelled. Sure, The Cutie Mark Crusaders have their sisters and perhaps they should be here too, and maybe the rest of Twilight's friends... but no matter what, thick and thin... Lassie has been with me since the very beginning, hardly ever leaving my side. She was most possibly my closest friend, on par with Derpy. She was like that perverted older sister or the horny aunt that still gives intellectual words of wisdom... To think she wouldn't come along for an afternoon in the sun...

I turned to Death. “What happens to her?!” I yelled, panic starting to invoke me.

“The same thing that happens to all of you,” he replied cynically. My body tensed. I couldn't let anything happen to her...

Third person...

Daring looked with peculiar interest towards Applejack, whom lit there way. “So... why exactly are you carrying around a glowing dildo?” she asked, Applejack's face quickly turning to a frown as she audibly cleared her throat.

“Because somepony fergot tah bring a flashlight,” she remarked, Lassie stopping for a moment.

“Well sorry, Missy. It's not like I can predict the future and think of every possible thing we need. What? My glowing vibrator not up to your standards or something?” she shot back, Daring snickering to herself.

“And here I thought you all were playing it smart by traveling with a dim light source so you wouldn't be detected,” she laughed, Lassie looking to Daring then to Applejack.

“See? She understands. I'm intelligent even when I'm making mistakes,” the dog laughed, Braburn merely shaking his head and wondering to himself just what exactly he got himself into.

Daring snickered to herself as she rummaged through her saddle bags and pulled out a torch, promptly igniting it and lighting the way. “If you don't mind...” she smiled with a roll of her eyes, Applejack's jaw hanging slightly agape.

“So... yah had that torch but yah was just walkin' along this whole time makin' me carry this... this?!” she said in a disgusted tone, tossing the glowing sex toy away, Lassie gasping out in protest.

“Hey! That was one of my favorite toys! It was modeled after Sylvester Stallion! FUCK!” she cried out, Daring just stifling a laugh as she continued on, Braeburn quickly catching up and walking alongside the adventure mare.

Deciding to finally speak, he turned to the new addition of their group. “So this... fairy tale book... it can bring anything tah life?” he asked in wonder, Daring shrugging.

“Well... in a sense. As the old legend goes, it was a great mystical spell caster book that could make any dream a reality. You know, bring about happiness to foals and all that. Anything you could imagine, you could make happen with this book, and this book alone. And, go figure, it didn't take long for some pony to abuse the book's power and try to overthrow Equestria with it's seemingly unlimited potential, so the book was cast away and hidden forever... so the legend goes,” she told the young stallion who blinked in fascination.

“Wow... so then, if it was cast away tah never be found again, how'd yah figure out it was here?” he asked in pure amazement as the group continued down the tunnel of the old mines.

“Same way I uncover all of the artifacts I find. A few rumors here, a few legends there, an old map from a traveling merchant and then bump into Ahuizotl or Rufus, get in a big confrontation, totally beat them then bring whichever artifact to the Museum in Canterlot... usually,” she informed, Braeburn lost in a world of amazement.

“Wow, that's incred-” he was cut off as Lassie gasped in utter shock.

“WOAH! You're in my head?!” she burst out randomly, the others all stopping with expressions of confusion. “So you're telepathic now too?! L-like, a psychic?” she asked aloud, the others still all lost in wonder. “What do you mean just listen to you?! This is a serious-” she was cut off by something that was silent to the rest of the group.

“Uh-huh... yeah?... o-okay... wait, no way! Celestia just tried to kill us!” she screamed out. “Uhh, yeah! She did. She blasted Applejack into a wall and nearly collapsed the tunnel on top of us!” she yelled back. “What do you mean where are we?! Where are you?... Are you okay?!” she asked herself, the others all lost in confusion.

“Uhh, yes it matters! We thought you were-” she was cut off again but only momentarily. “What?! Mind control! Who in the hay of it could mind control an Alicorn?! Celestia no less!” she exclaimed but didn't say anything after that, going silent for a moment. “Hello? Hey, you there?” she asked then sighed. “Hey listen, I know you said listen because you didn't have a lot of time, but seriously... come on, I gotta know... hello?” she asked then gave a confused look.

“H-hello?” she asked, mimicking movements as though she was talking on a telephone. “Huh... he hung up on me...” she said as she hung up the imaginary phone. Turning around, she looked to the others with wide eyes.

“You guys... you won't believe it,” she said, Braeburn speaking up.

“Who was yah talkin' tah just there?” he asked curiously, wondering just what exactly had went on.

“Evan was just inside of me...” she snickered. “I mean... not like inside of me, but like Inside of me, you know?” she told them, Applejack scoffing at her lewd remarks.

“Just what the hay is going on? Yah'll was talking about Celestia, so what exactly did he say. And how the hay did he talk tah yah if he wasn't here?!” she interrogated, Lassie huffing.

“Well, if you'd let me speak, I could tell you... jeez,” Lassie remarked, clearing her throat. “So... there we were, just the four of us. Embarking on a great adventure to retrieve The-” Daring cut Lassie short.

“Yeah, we already know all that. Get to the talking part,” she said in a blatant voice, the canine companion of the group huffing.

“Jeez, and ponies call me needy and particular... fine, we'll just cut to the good part,” she muttered. “So as we were doing our thing, without warning, Evan suddenly came inside of me, hahahaha," she laughed, the others not feeling her sense of lewd humor. "Okay, sorry, sheesh... I'll be serious about it. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to drop that line..." Lassie huffed. "So anyway, Evan just blurted into my head, all like 'LASSIEEEEEEEE'!” She screamed out in a dramatic way. “And I was all like 'Woah! You're in my head?!' and that's when I realized it. He must be telepathic now too... you know, it's totally unfair. He doesn't even have a unicorn horn... I mean, he does have a unihorn but... hee-hee...” she trailed off as the group gave her a look. “Okay, being serious...” She brushed off her shoulder.

“So anyway, he was all like 'Lassie, this is super important, you need to listen to me' but I was totally like 'Just listen to you?! This is super important. You're telepathic now!' And then he cut me off and said something like 'Just listen alright!' and he screamed that it was super duper important so I was just like 'Uh-huh.' And he said to take it seriously because if I didn't, I would die so I was like 'Yeah?' and he screamed and was all frantic and started begging me to take him seriously because he didn't want me to die so I was like 'Ooookay...' and he was like 'Whatever you do, don't confront Celestia. She's not actually bad,' and I was like 'Wait! No way! Celestia just tried to kill us!' and I was gonna yell at him for telling me to take him seriously because he didn't want me to die, then turning around and telling me not to fight Celestia meanwhile she just tried to kill all of us,” Lassie took in a huge breath before continuing.

“AND THEN, he was like 'Celestia didn't really try to kill you!' and I was like 'Uhh, yeah, she did!' and I reminded him about how she blew Applejack into a wall and nearly crushed us all to death by collapsing the tunnel on top of us. After that he asked me where we were and I thought to myself, 'Hold on, Celestia separated us. So that meant Evan and Bill were left alone with her,' so I asked him where he was but he said he didn't know. So I asked if he was okay. He said it didn't matter and I told him it totally did matter because we all thought he might be dead but he cut me off again and told me Celestia was under mind control. I was all like 'What?! Mind control?!' because seriously... who the hay would be able to mind control Celestia of all ponies but when I asked him who was mind controlling her, he hung up on me... or, whatever it is when you don't answer someone back with your new telepathic powers... and... and then you guys asked what happened,” she finished her story with a huge exhale. “Man... that was a mouthful... heh-heh. Mouthful.”

Daring scratched the back of her head. “I... I wonder if it's Rufus,” she mentioned, the others all looking to her. “If he's got his dirty hooves on that book, there's no telling what he's capable of,” she informed them, Applejack speaking up and addressing Lassie.

“So, yer saying Celestia wasn't acting on her own will? That somepony else was makin' her do what she did?” she asked, Lassie giving her a stupidified look.

“Yes Applejack. That's what mind control means. I know, it's big words for you, just try to keep up, alright?” she insulted the farmer pony, their relationship deteriorating even further, as it had been doing so since the beginning of the adventure. Just before the farmer could reply however, a new voice yelled out.

“Hey! They're over here!” the stallion thug screamed out, charging at the group. They all turned to him with a shocked look but Braeburn was the first to act, tackling himself into the stallion and struggling around on the ground with the aggressor.

“Hold him down!” Lassie called out, jumping in and slapping a pair of fluffy pink hoof-cuffs on the stallion, effectively cuffing the stallion's forelegs behind his back.

“HELP! THEY'RE OVER HERE-” the stallion was cut off as Daring shoved a hoof in his mouth.

“Do you have something to keep this guy quiet? He's one of Rufus's thugs,” she asked, Lassie nodding with a wide grin.

“Oh yeah... I have something that can keep him quiet...”

Evan's perspective...

My world was shrouded in darkness. I could feel my body... devastated and riddled. I could hardly even process thoughts... and I couldn't breathe. My lungs... my heart as well...

I heard hoofsteps walking along and entering the area where I was. “This is getting out of hoof. I should have never agreed to this stupid alliance,” grumbled one voice. He sounded... older, more defined... experienced.

“I know boss. This is ridiculous. One of our guys were just found blindfolded with a red ball gag in his mouth. He says Daring is here with a talking dog and two farmers... I mean, she usually works alone but... a talking dog?!” the second voice stated.

“I know... this has all gone to everypony's head. First that blue unicorn shows up with Celestia off all ponies, then has us join forces with Ahuizotl... now this?!” he snapped. I couldn't see what was going on, my eyes were closed and there was some kind of blanket or tarp over my body.

There was a brief period of silence before the second voice spoke. “So... is that really him?” the second asked. I wondered if he was referring to me but I quickly got my answer.

“Yes... that's him! He wasn't even supposed to be involved with this. That blue idiot said somepony else was supposed to show up. Sent a picture of somepony he had mocked up like Daring, all tied up, to get her to come rescue Daring, or whom she thought was Daring... and 'he' showed up instead... I swear, I doubt this stallion's plan is going to go accordingly.” The first was probably speaking about Tristan but... how come they didn't want me showing up, and who was this mystery mare they wanted to come instead of me?

“Can I take a look?” the first asked, the second huffing.

“Fine, just make it quick... I don't even know if I want to stick around anymore... all for a stupid foal's fantasy book or something...” the first grumbled. I felt the cover being pulled off my body, followed by an awing gasp from the second stallion.

“Woah... look at this guy...” the second mentioned, the first huffing out audibly.

“I know. It's disgusting to think that blue unicorn wants to keep his body as a trophy,” the first noted. I thought to myself... 'Tristan considers me a trophy?'

“Woah... just look at his bones... they're not even damaged... and they're fuming some kinda blue smoke,” the second mentioned, the first quickly cutting in.

“Just!... stop already. Stop poking around that guy's body for Celestia's sake. For all you know that blue smoke could be poisonous,” the first shouted. I could feel the stallion's hoof poke at my body, feeling into one of many holes that riddled me.

“His bones feel like... like they're made of metal or something,” the second noted just as I felt my body start to kick back into gear. Very slowly, I could feel my heart start to flicker back to life, my lungs beginning to take in small amounts of oxygen... very slowly, the machine that was my body, began to start all over again.

“I said stop touching it!” the first yelled out furiously. “It's bad enough that blue flank-hat wants us to carry him out of this retched tunnel, but now you've taken interest in his-” the first was cut off by the second.

“Uhh... boss..." the first said in a wavering voice of worry. "There's something wrong here...” the first stammered out, growing increasingly worried by the second.

“Yes! I know! You won't stop poking around every single part of him!” he shouted, the second gulping loudly as he spoke.

“N-no... no, it's not that... his heart... i-it's beating... and his wounds, they're closing shut... Rufus, I don't think this guy is-” I cut him short with a powerful boot between his hind legs, a screaming yelp leaving the thug's mouth as he collapsed to the ground in withering pain.

I slowly came to my feet as I stood tall, wincing a bit as I licked my lips, tasting the ever present brassy flavor of blood in my mouth. Rufus, going on what the second stallion addressed him as, stumbled back in fear.

“B-but y-you-you're... you're supposed t-to be dead!” he blabbered out and I nodded with a furious expression coming across my face.

“I'm only gonna ask this once, bud,” I told him as my fists clenched, blood oozing out of my wounds and dripping off my knuckles. “Where are they?”

Third person...

Lassie scratched the back of her head as the group continued on through the tunnels. Her and Applejack kept their space away from one another, an ever rising tension growing between the two.

Braeburn however, kept talking with Daring, completely enthralled by the the mare's various adventures and endeavors. “You mean to tell me, not only did you fend off a pack of ravage Timberwolves, but you did so while poisoned?” Braeburn gasped out, Daring chuckling slightly.

“Yeah... kind of amazing when you think about it I guess,” she chuckled with a rub against the back of her mane, blushing slightly at the thought of other ponies completely awed by her stories. Lassie got a few paces closer as she spoke up.

“Hey... I thought you were supposed to be all secretive and work alone and all that gab... so what gives?” she asked curiously, Daring shrugging.

“Well... this has started to get out of my scope, if you know what I mean. Originally I wanted Evan to help me out for this exact reason. Plus... this guy already figured out who I am, so why not tell him a little bit? Get him to trust me and realize I really am on his side. I guess a few of Evan's lessons to me have started to sink in... besides, even if he was to go out and start telling ponies that he met Daring Do in real life... who would really believe him?” she asked, the group going silent for a moment as Braeburn wondered to himself, Daring giving him a wink.

“But you're not going to tell anypony, right?” she asked and Braeburn quickly shook his head in haste.

“N-no, ah would never think about it. Yah have my word ah'll keep yer secret,” he said as they continued along. Lassie fell behind slightly as she unslung Daisy, the levergun she had taken a liking too. It certainly was pretty. Derpy and her had made sure of that when they painted it with Evan. She smiled as she reminisced on all the adventures they had together, her and Evan.

As the group rounded the corner, Braeburn continued to speak but was cut off by Daring as she gasped, wrapping a hoof around his mouth as she pulled him back around the corner, the group going silent.

“Shhhoot!” Daring whispered to herself as she cautiously peeked her head around the corner again. Ahead of them lay an open pit inside the mine, the area having been widened out with multiple spotlights set up and several guard posts. Several old crates of dynamite were scattered about as well, some of them starting to 'sweat'.

“Jeez... this is crazy...” Daring muttered to herself as she looked out to the open pit, several guard ponies stationed keeping watch, while others dug. Her right ear flickered as she caught wind of a certain voice, her head tilting just a few millimeters more as she tried to spot the voice's owner.

“And I said I want it found now! We've already been here for two weeks and I don't want to spend another minute down here!” screamed the hulking mass of muscle that Daring knew all too well.

“Ahuizotl... I should've know you were behind this. Rufus doesn't have the brains to orchestrate something of this magnitude...” she whispered to herself, before promptly noticing Braeburn's head leaning out past hers with a look of curiosity on his face. Daring rolled her eyes as she shoved him back behind the corner.

Leaning back behind cover, she let out a sigh. “Okay... this is the crazy part. We could, if we had the time, wait for them to uncover this relic. Or... we have to somehow scare off all his thugs, and probably him too, and then go get the book for oursel-" Daring cut herself short as she gave a puzzled look. "Wait, hold on... we're missing somepony...” she mentioned, looking to Applejack and Braeburn whom also looked to each other.

Applejack turned around to where Lassie had previously been, quickly scowling at the fact the dog had taken off. “Figures. Loyal muh flank,” she muttered. Daring let out a quiet exhale before looking back to the dig site.

“Doesn't matter. Looks like Ahuizotl has found where it's burried. No matter what happens, he can't leave with the-” she was cut off as a limp body hit the ground a few feet ahead of her, making her stumble back in shock. “What the?-” she cut herself off as she watched a large pink box slither along undetected. “Deh... wha...” Daring watched in utter disbelief as the box went along completely undetected, even slipping by right in front of some guards. “That's... impossible...” Daring muttered, Braeburn leaning out past Daring to take a better look.

“That's amazing...” the stallion complimented, Daring rolling her eyes as she again pushed him back. As Daring watched, she gritted her teeth just as the box slipped right by the open dig pit.

“Ugh... she's going the wrong way!” Daring cursed to herself, watching as the dog slipped right by their prize.

“Or is she?” Braeburn asked quizzically, again leaning out. Daring looked to him with a narrow eyed look.

“You're not very discrete, are you?” she asked, Braeburn shaking his head then pointing back to the pit.

“No, not entirely... but she certainly is,” he mentioned, pointing to Lassie whom was ascending up some scaffolding that no doubt was a makeshift lookout tower. Applejack watched as well before briefly wondering how exactly Lassie managed to sneak past their own group without detection. The tunnel only went one way, meaning she would have had to slip right past all of them to get out there.

The farmer mare turned back to where Lassie had once resided, noticing a note taped to the glowing sex toy she had tossed away earlier. Walking over, she picked it up and read it aloud. “Trust me...” she said, the other two looking to her, Braeburn speaking up.

“What's that cousin?” he asked, Applejack's eyes going wide with realization.

“That... that dog! Ah can't believe she's really gonna...” she growled, taking a look around the corner, causing Daring to groan.

“Seriously... this is why I work alone,” she muttered, Applejack shushing her.

“This is serious... oh no... all them ponies,” Applejack whispered in despair, Daring perking a brow.

“What about them?” Daring asked back, also taking a look as Lassie ascended the scaffolding tower like a ninja, doing several flips and leaps in perfect stealth.

“Lassie... she's gonna shoot 'em all... ah just know it!” Applejack said in distraught, Braeburn's eyes going wide. Daring blinked as she looked out, biting her lip slightly as she thought to herself.

'Sure they're bad, but they certainly don't deserve that kind of punishment...'

Lassie flipped up onto the scaffolding platform at the top, sneaking up behind the guard and chopping at the corner of his neck with her paw, the stallion's body going limp and falling to the floor.

Lassie grabbed his body before it tumbled off the platform, setting the body aside as she dumped her duffle bag beside her. Reaching into her leather jacket's pocket, she fished out a gizmo that used to belong to Evan. “Huh... now, I think...” she fitted the gadget to the side of her head, the ear piece fitting in nicely while the eye piece came to life in front of her right eye.

“Oooh... this thing is so cool,” she whispered to herself with a gentle laugh as she tapped a few buttons on the side of the gadget, a few diagnostics and readouts appearing before her eye on the display screen.

Reaching into the duffle bag, she pulled out her instrument of greatness...

Ahuizotl looked to his underlings with fury. He had been there long enough in his opinion, all for a stupid cause that wasn't really his own. Sure he had been promised Daring Do in return but this seemingly simple endeavor had turned into a long dragged out labor effort in the end.

“I want double work shifts starting now! Don't stop until-” he was cut off by a glass shattering crash, turning all the attention over to one of the scaffolding towers where the flood lights had gone dark. The lights that had been kicked off were smashed against the ground, sparking and sizzling with small currents of electricity.

Several other lights flashed over to the guard tower, the lights searching up and down the tower until they lit up the top, where a lone dog stood idly on her hind legs. “What is the meaning of this?!” Ahuizotl screamed out. “Guards, get that dog down from there!” he hollered, several ponies rushing towards the tower.

Suddenly, and without much warning, an ear piercing buzzing echoed throughout the entire mine. Dirt and debris kicked up just a few feet in front of the charging ponies, bullets taking chunks at a time out of the ground.

Scrambling on their hooves, the ponies ran for cover as Lassie chased them off with the minigun. It's barrels spun at a cyclic rate so extreme the barrels themselves were a mere blur, illuminated by the constant fury of the muzzle flash. The barrels of the mighty gun burst with energy, the muzzle flash a seemingly constant, endless blinding light.

Several screams were drowned out by the sound of the gun as ponies scrambled for cover, and for their lives. Lassie tilted her body slightly and chewed apart some of the ground flood lights with the massive machinegun, the lights sparking as they were shredded apart, several more screams being doused by the awe inspiring noise of the whirring minigun.

“RUN!” screamed one of the thugs, dashing off for an exit, with several others chasing after him. An arrow plinked off the scaffolding below Lassie, taking her attention to a pony armed with a crossbow across the pit on another scaffolding tower.

Raising her minigun, she opened fire and chewed apart the supporting structure of the tower, the support braces quickly shredded like Swiss cheese and promptly crumpling down to the ground. The stallion posted there let out an iconic scream as he fell to the ground with a 'THUMP', soon after getting up and limping away.

“Where are you going, COWARDS!” Ahuizotl screamed out in rage, watching as his henchponies all scrambled away for their lives. Several of the laborers scrambled out of the pit, ditching their work equipment and taking off. Ahuizotl grabbed one of the thugs trying to leave. “Stand tall and fight!” He yelled just before a few bullets chipped away at the ground nearby, making him flinch and release his grip on the stallion, whom promptly took off with the others.

The gun's terror shifted over to a nearby generator, spewing several jacketed rounds into the machine. Sparks and crackles of electricity fizzled before it died, along with several of the spotlights. With most of the pit now dimly lit, the true terror of the machinegun was unleashed, its blazing barrels illuminating the mine with a constant bright flash, still dumping out a mass of ammunition.

Swinging the gun to another side of the pit, she chewed apart more of the scaffolding used as defense posts, with even more of Ahuizotl's thugs abandoning ship as they ran off. “IT'S NOT SHOOTING AT YOU!” He screamed, taking notice on how not even one pony had died, not even the stallion that fell from the scaffolding.

“GET BACK HERE!” Ahuizotl roared, his voice almost on par with the blazing Gatling gun. A few more bullets chipped away at the ground nearby before the gun ceased, coming to a whirring stop in Lassie's paws.

Dropping the gun into the pile of brass beside her, she pulled out a single shot grenade launcher from the duffle bag, taking aim and plundering out a round that struck an unoccupied defense post. The shock wave caused by the explosion ripped through the underground mine, enough to make even Ahuizotl's most trusted stallions turn tail.

Flipping open the break action breach, Lassie gave the weapon a slight shake, emptying out the empty shell before replacing it with a fresh one.

With a flick of her wrist, the weapon locked closed and she took aim upon a small bundle of unused scaffolding where some of Ahuizotl's last stallions hid. Seeing her aim down at them, the stallions screamed and took off running.

When they were finally a safe distance away, Lassie fired, the grenade round rupturing upon impact and sending several of the pieces of scaffolding flying through the air, accompanied by the mass fireball from the explosion...

Moments earlier...

“What is that?! What in the hay is going on?!” Tristan yelled as he hurried down the tunnel ways in slight haste, Celestia following him with a blank expression on her face, still under his mind control.

Several ponies scurried by them, frantic and panicked beyond belief. “Where... where are you going... hey!” Tristan shouted out, the buzzing still echoing down the tunnels of the mine. “It must be her... so, she's finally made her move,” he muttered just as the buzzing stopped. He perked a brow before the ground beneath his hooves shook, small bits of debris falling from the roof of the tunnel system as the explosion threatened the structural integrity of the entire mine, some of the lights flickering.

“Is she mad?!” the blue unicorn stammered with his eyes wide, more ponies flocking past him. “So be it... Celestia!” he ordered, the elegant alicorn mare stepping up beside him. “You go fetch Evan's body! I'll take care of her myself,” Tristan announced.

“Yes, master,” Celestia said in a monotone voice, slowly trotting away to go retrieve the body of the man while Tristan made his way to the mine pit...

The Eagle Eye on Lassie's face scanned the area, only picking up one remaining life form. “Go on. Run away you overgrown pussy cat,” Lassie called out as a bunch of readings came up on her display screen, indicating the ammo count of her minigun to be at 0, along with stating Ahuizotl's estimated mass and distance from her.

“I can see through your petty attempts, dog!” the beast yelled back, Lassie sighing as she leveled the cannon at him. Ahuizotl however, didn't even flinch as he stared her down. With a huff, Lassie moved her sights slightly and fired, the blast coming dangerously close to blowing the beast to pieces, but Lassie's calculations were relatively spot on, the concussive blast knocking Ahuizotl back and his body falling down to the bottom of the pit.

Lassie smirked to herself as she dropped the grenade cannon, having depleted her ammo reserves for both weapons. The Eagle Eye scanned the area before giving her an after action report, ammo expenditure came up on the screen followed by causalities which read 0.2.

“Ohh pfft... for buck sakes. Yeah, so I hurt that one stallion that fell off the scaffolding and maybe gave puss puss over there a broken rib from the fall...” she muttered before climbing down. “Okay! Daring?! The bad guys are gone!” she called out, Daring and the others slowly walking out to the pitt.

Braeburn rushed over. “That was incredible! Just unbelievable! We thought yah was gonna kill them, but instead yah just scared them off!” Braeburn complimented, Lassie shrugging.

“Meh, it was nothing,” she yelled back modestly from her scaffolding tower before looking to Applejack. “See? What I tell yah? Have a bit of faith in the ol' dog,” she poked with a wink, Applejack rolling her eyes.

“Fine... ah'll give yah that one. Ah really did think yah was gonna kill all them ponies and ah'm quite relieved yah proved me wrong... maybe... maybe yah ain't so bad after all,” she admitted, though rather reluctantly.

Lassie turned to Daring Do. “So... Ms. Adventurer Mare... ready to find your-” she stopped herself as a slow clapping echoed out, gaining everypony's attention.

“Bravo... bravo... what a wonderful, happy ending, hmm?” he asked, slowly walking forwards from the dark shadows that once confined him, rolling back his hood as he approached. “Ahh, it's so good to finally meet you Lassie. I've put in a lot of effort to make this all happen. Though there have been a few hiccups along the way, I must admit.”

Lassie let out a deep gasp. “That's... you... you're... that stallion... the one from my dreams... UGH! he must be the one who brainwashed Celestia!” Lassie announced to the others, Tristan clapping with a hearty chuckle.

“Ahhh, two points to the mutt. What else?” he asked, Lassie spitting to the side.

“I'm a purebred!” she snapped, Tristan sighing with a roll of his eyes.

“You!” Applejack snarled, Tristan looking to her.

“Ah yes... the orange one... I remember you like it was yesterday. So stubborn and ignorant,” he mentioned, Lassie raising a brow.

“W-wait... who is this guy?” Lassie asked, not knowing him from looks alone.

“Tristan,” Applejack snarled as her lips curled back, Lassie's doing the same. Braeburn and Daring were left a little in the dark, having no previous understanding of who he really was or what he had done.

Lassie's fur along her spine rose up as she lowered her front half. “So... you're the puke that raped his own sister, huh?” she growled, anger rising. Tristan sighed as he brushed off his shoulder.

“Well... that's a little harsh, don't you think? I don't believe rape is an appropriate word for the love I share with my sister,” he spoke in a relatively calm voice, Applejack shooting back at him with a voice as sharp as daggers.

“It's only one way, and it's wrong what yah did!” she snapped, Tristan huffing to himself.

“Well... and here I was ready to invite you all to tea and biscuits... oh well,” he sighed as he let his cloak fall to the ground...

Evan's perspective...

I rushed along through the tunnel ways. I knew, deep down, that had to be Lassie. I damned myself for not knowing how to properly use telepathy. Only that short, brief moment and I didn't even get my message across. All I had to say was that Celestia was under mind control and that a stallion named Tristan was the one behind it... and that he might kill her.

Why didn't I see it before? Lassie had said a blue unicorn killed her in her dream... but those weren't dreams we all had, they were epiphanies. If only I had've been blunt about it...

I turned a corner and had to stop for a moment, wheezing as I nearly doubled over from the exhaustion of sprinting. Good goddess I was terrible. Not only hadn't I properly warned Lassie, but I doubt in this shape I'd even be able to help her.

I winced as I took in a deep breath, a tear forming in my eye. This was what it meant... my dream. Derreck was always there for me... and since he was me, he'd always be there for my friends... and I had killed him because Tristan had tricked me by using Celestia to convince Luna to convince me... “Fuck...” I swore coldly, coughing violently as I tried to recompose myself. He would've been able to stop Tristan... and probably Celestia too... and this was all my fault.

My fists clenched as I punched the stone wall, letting out a yelp as it ripped up the flesh around my knuckles. 'Note to self... punching wall hurts...' I thought as I held my bleeding hand. Gosh... I was so-

My mind was cut off in a blinding white light as an agonizing pain burned throughout my entire body. I could see brief images of my skeleton beneath my skin while lightning sizzled me, launching me down the hallway some distance.

As the lightning ceased, I found myself withering on the ground in agonizing pain. “Ugh... mmphff... gah!” I screamed out, twitching involuntarily just as another burst of lightning hit me, skidding me down the path a few more feet as my skeleton was illuminated by the lightning.

“Conductive... isn't it?” came a regal voice. My whole body was shaking in pain as I slowly looked to where the voice had come from. Celestia slowly trotted forwards, a slow clip clop echoing from her strides.

I let out an audibly pained groan as I tried to stand but was rewarded by torrents of lightning that hurtled my body down the tunnel even further. My body sizzled and crackled, my skeletal frame visible as my body glowed with a bluish translucency.

“Ahhh... Celestia... wait,” I begged, my body being grabbed by the lightning she emitted from her horn tossing me into a wall this time while she laughed.

“I was baffled at first. Thoroughly shocked,” she told me, her hoofsteps drawing ever closer. “When I couldn't grasp you in a levitation spell, my thoughts were puzzled, until I thought of Derreck and Nightmare... interesting she would gift him with such a prize but I suppose love does silly things to ponies' minds.” Her voice was sharp yet with a monotone feel to it. She wasn't acting on her own free will, I knew that. But even if I wanted to, I couldn't surmount to her level, not anymore... if only Derreck was here-

Torrents of lightning hurtled me once again, my screams echoing down the tunnels, accompanied by the static crackling of her blasts. My muscles felt tensed, cramped... I could barely breath.

“I realized she had gifted him by encased his skeleton with that blasted Shadow Steel. Nearly indestructible. Solid down to a molecular level. Impervious to most forms of magic... however, a metal is still metal and all metal is conductive, isn't it?” she asked.

There was nothing I could do...

Third person...

Applejack took a raging charge at Tristan, Lassie calling out in protest just before Tristan grabbed hold of her with a telekinetic grasp. “Tsk, tsk, tsk... you earth ponies never learn do you? So thick headed!” He snapped as he tossed her across the open pit, into a wall on the other side of the open area.

Braeburn let out a cry as he rushed to his cousin's side, leaving Lassie and Daring to face Tristan by themselves. Lassie took a brief look over her shoulders, heart beginning to pump at an accelerated rate. “Don't worry about her,” Tristan chuckled, bringing her attention back to him. “She won't have died from a mere hit like that,” he chuckled. Daring stepped a little closer to Lassie.

“I have a plan,” she whispered through the side of her mouth. “You gotta buy me some time though,” she whispered, Tristan slowly trotting towards them with a prideful stride. Lassie quickly spoke up.

“If Daring wasn't actually captured, what gives with the photo? If you wanted us to come so bad, why not just send a letter telling us where you were?” Lassie began, trying to play along with Daring's plan.

“Simple isn't it? If everypony found out, my plan would be foiled. Nopony can know Celestia is sided with me. Not yet anyway. I was half expecting Evan to stick to his promise he gave to Twilight and retire, and his powers would further recess. However, you... well, you Lassie, you'd still pose an incredible threat,” he stated, Lassie perking a brow.

“I... I do?” she asked, Tristan laughing.

“Oh course! You're one of Evan's closest friends, and one of the most talented combatants I've ever seen. Don't tell me they don't appreciate you as much as you deserve,” he said in a suave voice, Lassie stepping back with Daring stepping behind her.

“Can it bud. Your flattery won't work on me,” she quipped, Tristan rolling his eyes.

“Flattery isn't the objective. What I was getting at was that you are talented beyond belief in armed combat... even going as far as being lethal. You could easily throw a wrench into my plans. I knew if I sent a photo of a mare in distress it would conflict Evan, even more so if it was somepony he knew but had little contact with. It would foil my plan if I had sent a photo of Derpy but he ended up running into her before anything was done. On top of that, I needed somepony whom he didn't fully care for, somepony who he would ultimately leave to their fate. However, I knew he'd most likely discuss it with you and you... well, you believe in justice and rightfulness. You would come in a heartbeat. I knew you'd find me. After I took care of you, it would leave Evan thoroughly defeated and I could reveal to Nightmare Moon, through Celestia, that it was Evan and Luna whom destroyed Derreck. In retaliation she would destroy them both he and Luna but the Elements of Harmony would destroy her in a destructively enticing battle. After that, Twilight would be left ultimately crushed by the loss of her lover however. I would have Celestia opt to comfort her, bringing her away from her friends long enough to erase her from the picture. And without a pivotal player, the one who orchestrates nearly all of their plans... The Element Bearers would fall to Celestia's wrath and with it, I would overthrow Equestria and finally... the love I give to my sister would no longer be shunned,” he informed her.

Lassie took a deep breath, firmly planting herself on the spot. Dropping her duffle bag, she went for her 30-30 levergun but Tristan's horn quickly lit up, knocking it out of her grasp and tossing it away. “You won't be needing that... but I give you one last option. Join me... and together, we can overthrow Equestria,” he offered.

Lassie stood to her hindlegs, taking a defensive stance as she readied herself for the fight that was sure to come with her response. “No deal,” she quipped, Tristan sighing as his horn lit up.

“So be it,” he answered back, grabbing Lassie. However, just before he could toss her, much less even lift her, she reached into her jacket pocket and pitched a small baggy at the blue stallion, taking him by complete surprise.

A black plume of smoke engulfed him, Lassie released from his grasp and quickly looking to Daring. “Go! I'll buy you some time!” she screamed, playing along with Daring's plan. The mare nodded and took off, running towards the exit. “HEY!” Lassie screamed out as she watched Daring take off. She turned back to the fume of smoke that was starting to settle. 'Maybe Evan was right about her... double crossing coont...' Lassie thought to herself as she watched the smoke clear.

“Nice trick, but it will do you no good!” Tristan snapped as his horn began to glow but suddenly sent shocks down his body, making him flinch with a small yelp. Touching his horn, he let out a deep breath of disbelief as he felt the pitch black shards that we embedded into his horn. “WHAT?!” he screamed in anger, Lassie smirking.

“Like you said bub, a real threat... now, let's bumble-”

Daring slid down to the bottom of the pit without notice, everypony else thinking she had taken off like a coward. “This shouldn't be too hard,” she muttered to herself, looking around at the excavating machinery.

A low rumbling from behind had her turning her head rather slowly, followed by her whole body turning around as she came face to face with Ahuizotl. “Always speaking too soon, little pony,” he cackled, Daring huffing in return.

“Let's settle things between you and me, you big oaf,” she challenged back, the big lumbering hulk charging at her wildly...

Lassie circled Tristan, keeping her distance as she recalled her dream of Tristan impaling her with his horn. “So be it,” the stallion said confidently as he shed his robe, letting it drop to the ground beside him.

Lassie pondered her thoughts, wondering exactly how physically strong the stallion was. “Jeez... if only Derreck was here...” she whispered under her breath, knowing the other half of Evan could've smoked him in a second.

She dared her luck, making the first move as she slowly edged forward towards the stallion whom still stood on all fours. Taking a few more cautious steps forwards, she faked a punch to Tristan, drawing out a reaction from the stallion.

Tristan lurched forwards, attempting to stab her with his horn. Lassie however was already in the motion of her jump, leaping into the air with a flip and landing on Tristan's back before he could even react to the new circumstances.

She dropped a heavy heel kick into the back of his head before leaping off him, letting the stallion stumble forwards. Twirling on his heels, he turned to face her, fury in his eyes. Still not having a knowing to his physical extent, she kept her distance for the time being, playing it safe...

Ahuizotl charged Daring like a freight train, attempting to crush her in one blow. Leaping into the air, she took flight, the hulking mass slamming into some metal scaffolding and ringing his bells. “UGHAAAAH! GET DOWN HERE, LITTLE PONY!” He boomed, catching Lassie's attention for a split second as she looked behind herself, noticing Daring mid-flight.

'Huh... maybe she's not so bad after all,' she thought to herself as she returned to her own fight.

Daring zipped down head on towards Ahuizotl, giving the big creature a small window to defend himself. Going into a defensive stance, he readied himself for the blow that never came as he expected. Zig zagging last second, Daring cruised around his defense like a pro, hammering him in the side and having him emit a yelp.

The beast staggered from the blow before regaining his footing to face the nimble pegasus. “When I get my hands on you!” Ahuizotl roared, lunging forwards but missing horribly as Daring darted out of the way, the mass of muscle crashing into the ground and skidding along from his momentum.

Clenching his eyes shut in frustration, he staggered back to his feet and turned to face her. “What's wrong Ahuizotl? Cat got your tongue?” she poked, the beast's face going beat red in anger as he charged her again, even more wild than before which made it all the more easy for Daring to leap around him.

Crashing into the ground yet again, his body unearthed a corner of a hardcover book, making Daring's eyes go wide. “The book!” she whispered, hoping Ahuizotl hadn't noticed it...

Evan's perspective...

Withering on the ground, Celestia trotted up to my side, shaking her head. “So, very, very disappointing. You should have stayed at home and died under whatever rock you crawled out of. Then at least you could have died by your loving family, not in some hole where nopony will ever know what happened to you...” she told me as she stopped a few paces away from my still smoldering body. “How much punishment do you think you can take before you regenesis finally caves to my unequaled powers? I am the goddess of Equestria. There is no other pony so lovely and beloved as I,” she announced and I exhaled painfully with a soft grunt.

“Please... Celestia... don't do this...” I begged, the regal ruler laughing.

“Has it really come to this? Pitiful begging?” she asked insultingly, pushing her hoof against my shoulder and rolling me over onto my back. “You used to be legendary warrior with unmatched potential and now here you lay, begging me,” she laughed. My head flumped against the ground as I winced.

Of all the things... here I was... 'Looming death cloud...' my thoughts came to me of my first impression when I me her, all that time ago, probably a thought spurred on by Derreck... 'Oh Derreck... how sorry I am,' I thought to myself. Sure he wasn't the good guy, more like a brutal anti-hero... The Punisher... heh... he was better than me... he was the best. He fought all walks of life and evil... even mystic beings... the Hydra... Ursa Majors... but even then, he showed compassion to his rivals, like the Teumessian Fox...

My eyes opened to the thought of that. When it had kissed me and Derreck begrudgingly wondered if it was a male or not... and it's gift to us... to me...

“One last chance...” I said to myself, Celestia laughing.

“Or what? What are you going to-” she cut herself off as my body disappeared into a puff of red dust, my body immediately teleporting directly above her as I let out one last final roar of power, mustering a great deal of power behind my swing. She barely managed to look as the side of my palm connected with the corner of her neck.

Celestia let out a gasp as time seemed to stand still, my hand chopped against her neck. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she collapsed onto the ground, myself falling on top of her.

Regardless of her actions, she wasn't acting on her own will and I couldn't kill her for that, not even being able to bring myself to hurt her beyond reason. A non-lethal knockout strike would be enough for now.

I let out a pained groan. On top of her brutal assault to me, that teleportation had drained me completely. I could barely move. But I needed too...

My eyes closed for a second and I was plagued by the vision of the future. It seemed marry and grand at first glance, but in knowing that Lassie was dead and hence her exclusion... the vision skipped to a new scene.

It was Lassie and Tristan! They were fighting, somewhere in the mine!

My eyes shot open as I staggered to my feet, knowing I had to save her. Looking down, I winced. I couldn't just leave Celestia here. She needed to be saved but that was out of my league. But I couldn't just leave her here.

I grunted as I heaved her up onto my shoulder. Nopony left behind... not my friends... not my family... sure, she hadn't been either of those really but that didn't change what I was going to do.

I searched deep down... how would I even find them? This place could be huge...

As my eyes closed, everything began to materialize before me. I could see and hear everything as my senses kicked into an unnaturally high state of alertness. It was like sonar or something...

My nostrils twitched and I could smell apples. My eyes shot open, my vision blurry since Celestia's lightning had knocked off my eye patch. I knew where I needed to be...

Third person...

Lassie twirled in an acrobatic way, booting Tristan across the jaw and staggering him. “Give up, it's over,” she offered, Tristan's horn trying to ignite with magic but the dark shards again causing him pain as it stifled his magic.

“I've got it!” screamed a voice, causing both Lassie and Tristan to look to the pit. Daring flew up with a rather large hardcover book that spanned nearly her whole chest.

Noticing her lack of attention, Tristan jumped at the dog. Barely having any time, Lassie leaned to the side and managed to dodge his impaling stab but was still tackled to the ground, Tristan holding her down in an aggressive hold.

Daring went to fly to the aid of her friend but was suddenly tackled from behind by Ahuizotl whom also pinned her to the ground, though she was held face down. “Boss, I've got it!” the beast called out to his boss. Tristan went to say something but an ear piercing 'KCK-BOOM' went off, one that would challenge the crack of thunder.

Tristan was nailed in the shoulder, blood spurting out as he was knocked off Lassie. Letting out a scream, he withered on the ground from the pain of the gunshot, giving Lassie her opportunity to get back on her paws.

Ahuizotl looked up in shock as the farmer mare stepped forwards, levergun in her grasp and barrel smoking. Before he could even do so much as blink, Daring took advantage of his shock and kicked him off her despite the weight difference.

Ahuizotl fell back into the pit while Lassie stood up, Applejack slowly trotting over while keeping the rifle trained on Tristan. “ENOUGH! Ain't nopony need tah get hurt bad!” she yelled out as Daring briskly trotted over, with Braeburn accompanying Applejack.

Tristan slid himself away from the group, his back against the ground as blood oozed from his shoulder. “Go ahead... shoot me,” he challenged. Applejack stood tall against his challenge.

“We're not like you,” she shot back as Lassie brushed herself off.

“Thanks AJ... nice shot,” she remarked, Applejack nodding slowly as she kept the rifle trained on him.

“Ah may not 'ave ever used one of these, but ah sure as shoot saw Evan wield one and it don't take long tah figure it out,” she said back, Tristan scowling.

“Just shoot me already!” he yelled, trying to stand up but having a swift kick to the nose from Lassie put him back down.

“So what now?” Daring asked curiously, beginning to stuff the book she had come for under her wing. Lassie began to say something before another voice entered the mix.

“GUYS!” Evan called out as he staggered into the open area, Celestia still unconscious in his arms. They all looked to him with shock, especially Tristan whom was baffled beyond belief from the fact the man, despite his age, had bested the most powerful alicorn in existence.

“Evan,” Lassie called out with the beginning of a smile. Just before anything else could be said, Tristan let out an exerted yell as his horn glowed brighter than ever before, sparks of dark magic from the shards thwarting his attempts at using magic.

In a fraction of a second the entire group looked to the stallion just as he let out the finale of his yell, the shards bursting from his horn with a brilliant flash which had everyone covering there eyes. There was a scream followed by a pained yelp.

As Evan lowered his arm from across his face, his expression going pale. Lassie hung from atop Tristan's held, held in place and impaled through the gut by his horn. “LASSIE!” He boomed as Applejack went to fire the rifle in her hooves.

Tristan gave his head a slight swing, tossing Lassie's body aside before his horn ignited and sent out a shock wave that knocked everyone back and to the ground. Braeburn and Applejack were tossed, the rifle rifle slipping from the mare's grip.

Daring was flung aside as the book fell from under her wing as she took flight to stop herself from crashing into the ground.

Evan hit the wall behind himself hard, Celestia falling from his hold. Tristan looked around to the scene then to the book that had been the bait for everything. “Humph...” he scoffed to himself as he slowly walked over, Ahuizotl crawling out of the pit and walking forwards as well.

“Boss, we did it! We got the book,” he told Tristan who just rolled his eyes.

“No you numskull. I got the book, and it was never the objective in the first place!” he shouted, unknowing that Evan was slowly crawling across the ground to his fallen friend, pulling himself along painfully with what little strength he had left.

Ahuizotl looked in shock to the stallion. “Boss, I don't understand,” he spoke out, Tristan rolling his eyes yet again.

“Yes, well let's just say your usefulness has come to an end,” he replied, his horn lighting up and blasting a beam of energy straight through Ahuizotl's gut. The big beast let out a bloody gasp, blood spurting from his mouth as he fell to the ground with smoke coming from the hole in his body.

Evan's perspective...

I crawled up to Lassie's side, wincing as I finally made it. “No... nononono, no this can't be happening...” I panicked, Lassie bringing a soft and gentle paw to my cheek.

“Relax...” she coughed with pain in her voice. No, this couldn't be happening, she was going to be okay... she had to be. She was Lassie.

“Lassie, I can fix this,” I said, coming back to all the teachings Derreck had taught me, and some I had learned on my own. My hand began to glow as I went to heal her wounds, much like I had Echo's cold, by taking it upon myself.

“No,” she groaned through a whisper, grabbing my wrist. I went to protest but she stopped me, putting a paw digit to my mouth. “It'll kill you... you-you've b-been through t-to much. I've seen what it does... does to your body...” she managed through gasps of pain. I went to say something but she again cut me off.

“Sssh... you have to... for Twilight...” she told me before closing her eyes and leaning her face towards mine, pressing her lips against my own as she wrapped her free paw around the back of my neck. The kiss only lasted but a moment before her head fell back, her body weakening by the second as I watched helplessly. “I've always wanted to do that... without you thinking I was being perverted...” she whispered as she reached into her coat pocket. “Now...” she whispered to me weakly.

Drawing out a shiny piece of metal, she put it in my palm and closed my fingers over the handle. “Never forget... who you are...” as her words hit my ears a memory burned into my head... it was from earlier in my life in Eqeuestria... the dream I had of the Fruity Hoops mascot killing Ally, my dog from Earth... but that wasn't a dream, it was an epiphany...

Her paw rested against my hand that was closed around the handle of Belladonna, but slowly slipped away as she went limp in my arms. “No... L-Lassie... Lassie...” I wept, tears dripping from my eyes. It couldn't be this way... it had to be a nightmare... or something horrid... it couldn't be...

I closed my eyes hard, an enchanting voice coming to me. “Evan? Are you there?” she asked. My eyes opened, and I could feel the fury burning deep down within. What I hadn't done all that time ago had finally caught up with me now...

“Where are you? I can feel your pain...” she asked.

'Nightmare?' I thought back, remembering her voice.

“I can feel your anguish building. A deep sense of sorrow. Are you alright? What's happening?” she asked. The lie was in my mind before I even thought of it. I was exhausted, my body nearly destroyed. I could barely even move.

'Tristan... he killed Lassie... and Derreck too!' I shouted telepathically. There was a short pause before I felt an even greater anger surge through me, a power beyond imagination. I felt my eyes shut before shooting open wide, my left eye no longer damaged and blurred.

A dark blue aura surrounded my body as I subconsciously stood tall, feeling a second presence stand with me, though in actuality there was nopony there. “TRISTAN!” My voice was like thunder.

The stallion turned to me and sighed casually. “What? Your puppy dog die on you? Oooh, too bad, so sad,” he laughed mockingly. My natural instinct would have been too just shoot him dead on the spot but instead I charged forwards like a mad beast, a burning fury deep within my eyes that was accompanied by fuming blue smoke that came from my left eye.

Tristan held the book open, horn glowing as he shouted something out. Nearly a dozen Timberwolves appeared before me, snarling and snapping, jaws drooling. I felt myself move like lightning, red fumes coming from my legs as I moved with the incredible speed of the Teumessian Fox.

I could feel Nightmare Moon's presence beside me as our motions were synced together, cutting through the Timberwolves in a matter of a heartbeat. Tristan screamed something again, this time a Chimera appearing before me.

Moving at an increasingly rapid pace, the side of my palm... and Nightmare's hoof, slashed the beast right in half, as though it were butter and our slash had been performed by a red hot katana.

The creature burst into sparkling dust, as had the Timberwolves before it. Tristan staggered back and began to stammer his words but finally roared out something fierce. The ground shook and Nightmare and I paused for just a moment.

Before us stood a massive being that had to slouch to avoid hitting the ceiling of the mine room we currently resided in. A gigantic blue mystic bear stood before us, it's body created by stars and its fur glowing brightly.

I felt oppressed but my body had other plans. “FEEL THE WRATH OF MY NIGHT!” I roared out, fist embedded with a blue glow as my body launched itself into the creature which attempted to swat me.

My body went too fast for the creature however and I found myself plowing right through it's chest, tunneling through it and coming out on the back side, a fury of sparkling dust bursting out with me. The beast let out a screech before bursting into magical dust, as all other previous creatures Tristan had conjured did before.

Tristan looked in utter disbelief before trying to take off. My body teleported before him, stronger than ever. The stallion, once so confident in himself, staggered back in fear. “Wha... what are?” he gasped in complete fear.

I winced slightly as I felt a great amount of stress flowing through my body, a pain I hadn't known before. “Your worst nightmare,” the words flowed through my mouth flawlessly. Suddenly, and to both Nightmare's and my own shock, Tristan repostered himself with a smile.

“Look at you, old man. You're ancient. Battered. Out of shape. Defeated and you don't even know it. Look how you're standing. You're about to keel over. You can't even lift that cannon!” he cackled.

I had no idea what he was talking about but I didn't care. My grip on the Desert Eagle tightened and I went to raise it but nearly collapsed as my heart clenched tightly in my chest, making me gasp.

My muscles began to convulse severely, Belladonna dropping from my grip as I fell to my knees, aura fading in an instant before I nearly doubled over, catching myself with my left hand as I gasped for air, heart beating at an irregular pace as my right hand gripped my chest.

“An alicorn's magic like Nightmare Moon's conveyed through your body?! Ha, what a foalish last ditch attempt! I should've known from the start what was going on!” he laughed. So that was it! Nightmare Moon... because she was part of me through the Shadow Steel that encased my skeleton, should could tap into me and use my body... much like Derreck had... but I couldn't handle the stress of it.

“Yes... realizing it all aren't you. Let it set in... not even an alicorn can stop me now-” he was cut off by his own scream as a thunderous gunshot went off, a hole tearing through his side. I heard the clacking lever action of Daisy and turned to see Applejack take better aim with the rifle.

Tristan's horn lit up and in an instant he was gone. In a brief moment, from the corner of my eye, I spotted old dilapitated crates of TNT sitting nearby, a couple dozen feet behind where he had been. “APPLEJACK!” I screamed out but it was too late, the shot was already off. The bullet whizzed through the air and blew into the unstable dynamite.

The explosion was massive and shook the entirety of the mine, the walls of the mine cracking and splintering as debris began to fall from above. My body was tossed through the air, closer to the group. Applejack and the others looked up as a large slab fell down towards us. I closed my eyes, not wanting to watch.

I half expected a scream or at least the crushing feel of the slab on my body, but neither happened and had me creaking my eyes open for a peak. There before us, Ahuizotl stood, having previously been absent before I closed my eyes.

Arms above his head, he had done the impossible and stopped the slab from crushing us to death. Tossing the slab of stone aside, he turned to our group. “Quickly, this way. Before the tunnel collapses on us all,” he ordered. I... I didn't understand...

He scooped up Celestia and went for the exit, the others all pausing. “What? Are you going to just wait there or-” he was cut off as his exit tunnel collapsed and he staggered back in shock.

Looking around he pointed to another exit. “There, into the tunnel!” He ordered, the others still hesitant. As more and more debris began to fall, the entire mine started to shake worse with every passing second. “You want to live?! Come on!” he roared, running for the exit.

Applejack looked to the exit then to Lassie's body. Dipping her head, she slipped the deceased dog's body onto her back before running for the exit, Braeburn and Daring in tow. “Don't forget Evan!” Applejack shouted, Braeburn making a slight detour in his path as he tried to scoop me up on the go but tripped over my extensively heavy body.

The others all looked to us in shock as Braeburn struggled to heave up my body, Ahuizotl quickly scoffing and running over. Heaving me up, the beast huffed. “Sweet Celestia, what do you eat?!” he complained before he took off down the tunnel, with us all in tow.

The clearing we had been in promptly collapsed, which spurred on the collapse of the rest of the mine. The tunnel we were in began to cave in behind us, the collapsing debris following us like some sort of action sequence from an old adventure movie.

We came into another huge opening in the mine that was also starting to collapse. Pieces from the roof of the cavern began to fall, the quaking beneath us making it feel like an earthquake. We stood on the edge of a cliff that overlooked a deep chasm. “Down there, jump,” Ahuizotl ordered, the others looking to him as Daring spoke up.

“No way. It's a trick!” she shouted. The beast pushed Braeburn and Applejack off first, the farmers letting out echoing screams as they fell. Daring went to attack but Ahuizotl grabbed her in his massive fist and jumped as well, pulling her down with us.

I felt the darkness envelope us before we hit water, hard. My world went dark as I lost consciousness from the impact, feeling the water wash over my body as I drifted away into an underwater current...

I awoke coughing and gagging, water coming up from my lungs. I nearly puked once or twice as I felt burly hands pulling me up and out of the stream. My eyes fluttered as I tried to make sense of it all. My world was spinning all around me as I felt my back dragged through soft beachy sand.

Finally my body was let go and the dragging came to a stop. I looked up to the hulking mass of muscle that had dragged me ashore. I wondered if perhaps it was another recurring memory of when Derreck had saved me. I could hear voices, distorted and blurred in my head. In my daze, I could see something above myself, in the clouds. The being was dark... shrouded in a cloud of shadows...

“Nightmare...” The words slipped out of my mouth in a mere whisper but even so, the other voices around me went silent. The goddess alicorn swept down gracefully, landing nearby and looking to Celestia. “Nightmare... wait...” I grunted, hearing her respond with a calming voice.

“No, dearest child. I am not whom you think I am. The one known as Nightmare Moon was banished long ago. Fret not, for I am not here to harm you.” Her words were so soft... so caring and loving... a voice that could sooth even the most damaged of souls...

“Princess Luna... what are yah doing here, yer majesty?” Applejack's voice came into focus and I shut my eyes, partially clenching them shut as I tried to move. I could hear Luna's hoofsteps trot away from me, towards Applejack as she spoke.

“I could feel my sister's inner conflict. Controlled yet trying to resist, as I had with Nightmare Moon so many years ago. I knew something was amidst and I came to... I'm sorry I had not arrived sooner to lend my support.” He voice sounded very sympathetic and saddened.

I heard another voice speak up, one more gruff and despised. “Well... if all is said and done, I'll be taking my leave,” came the masculine voice. I rolled onto my side with a groan of pain, looking to the creature known only as Ahuizotl.

“Why?” I coughed, the creature looking to me.

“There's nothing left here for me,” he answered as I rolled onto my stomach and groaned.

“No... why did you...” I trailed off, unable to finish my question of wonder. He was supposed to be the bad guy, so why did he save us? Sure, Tristan had betrayed him, but he could have just left us to die.

I didn't get an answer as he slowly walked away without another word. Braeburn came to my side and helped me to my feet, supporting part of my body weight as I struggled to stay standing.

Luna tipped her horn down to her sister's forehead, looking to me for a moment. “Excuse me for a moment. I must ensure my sister's well being, both mentally and physically,” she told us before her horn began to glow and her eyes shone brightly.

I turned to Daring, my chest heaving heavily as I struggled to breathe. “I thought... Ahuizotl was evil,” I wheezed, Daring shrugging with a somewhat saddened look to her.

“Evil? No... no, he was never really evil. Just disillusioned,” she responded.

I blinked and held my eyes shut as I asked a pressing question. “So... why did he save us then?” I asked curiously, hoping perhaps she had an answer.

“I suppose it's the old adage, the enemy of my enemy is my friend...” she trailed off with a sad tone to her voice. I didn't understand. Why was she so sad about all this? As I opened my eyes, my heart flickered and nearly stopped.

“Lassie,” I gasped, going to rush forwards but falling short as I tumbled off of Braeburn's support and fell face first into the sand. Crawling forwards while I groaned in pain, I looked to my friend... her fur soaked... body motionless...

“Lassie!” I cried out again, getting closer and having Applejack look away in sadness. I crawled up to Lassie and rolled her body over, tears dribbling from my eyes as I looked to her lifeless face...

“LAS-SAH-SIE!” I sobbed, my voice stammered and staggering on my sobs of sorrow. I scooped my arms under her and held her limp body to my chest. I just wanted her to do something. Anything. To have her open those eyes... just to say something perverted.

I just wanted to be able to tell her how much I love her and...

“No... no, Lassie, please...” I whimpered, my voice trembling. This couldn't be... it just couldn't. I heard a gasp and turned my heard to see Luna stumbling back and Celestia gasping for air followed by a scream of panic from the regal princess as she nearly jumped to all fours but her legs quickly wobbled and gave out.

“It's him!” she cried. “Quickly, we need to... to... to...” she trailed off with a deep swallow as she looked to the group, everything setting in for her. I didn't know what mind control was like, but I had a hinting suspicion she didn't quite have complete knowledge of what had happened.

I looked back to Lassie and dipped my head in shame. She had told me of her dream, of her future vision. She had asked if I would be there to save her if that time came and I promised her I would... and I failed... the more I thought about it, the more it sunk it. It seemed that everything I promised to do, I failed to see that promise through...

Days later...

We all stood at the top of the hill, several graves in front of us. Some were from ages ago, from different events that had unfolded, while three newer ones stood before us. Twilight stood beside me, hoof holding my hand as I stood, completely traumatized.

It just... everything had slipped away... and so quickly. I looked to Lassie's grave, situated beside the grave of her mother, or the one whom claimed to be her mother during our rescue of Lassie. The one whom had given her life for Lassie and in my books... well, nopony knew who Lassie's real parents were but she was close enough for me.

Celestia dipped her head in regret, feeling as though she had utterly betrayed us all and was left as devastated as I. Her sister stood beside her, trying to assure her what she had done had not been on her own will and that she was not to blame.

Daring, disguised as an older mare, stepped next to me as she went to make her leave. “I'm sorry for dragging you into this,” she apologized, both honestly and to try and keep true with the story.

In keeping with her life of secrecy, Applejack, myself and the others had to play like a young filly had been kidnapped, and Daring's character she disguised herself as was her pleading old mother whom came to me for help.

In playing true with the real events, I admitted to Twilight everything that had transpired, save for a few details that would have revealed her existence to Twilight's friends whom were there at the time of my confession.

Strangely though, Applejack came to my aid and said that I didn't want to go, but my conscious wouldn't just let me leave a pony to there fate and that she of all ponies convinced me to go and even accompanied me to make sure I saw it through... for the Element of Honesty, she had a way of twisting the truth.

I gave Daring a nod as she walked away, leaving me to turn back to Lassie's grave. I had buried her with Daisy, the lever action Winchester, seeing it somewhat fitting that she be buried with it.

My chest heaved with a heavy heart. This couldn't be... I kept telling myself that, in a convoluted hope that everything would change... that it would be just a bad dream... that I'd wake up in my bed beside my moth... Twilight, with Lassie snoozing peacefully at the base of our bed...

Celestia gave us all one final apology before her and Luna departed. Gosh... I never thought defeat could feel so bitter and... heartbreaking. Spike and The Cutie Mark Crusaders were the next to leave, as Lassie had a lasting impact on their lives that brought even more tears to their eyes than my own.

Seconds later, Chrysalis took flight. After the death of Max, Chrysalis's own dog, Lassie had given her a puppy that had been her and Max's pup. The gift had fluttered Chrysalis's heart in a way I doubted anything before had done. No pony, not even myself, had ever shown her such care and affection...

Twilight and her friends were the next to go, along with Trixie, whom were all effected by what had transpired for various reasons.

The only one of Twilight's friends not to leave was Applejack, whom slowly walked to my side as I looked to the next grave. 'Derreck...' I thought quietly, now even more crushed by the fact I couldn't, and would never again, hear his voice in my head.

“Ah'm so sorry,” Applejack whispered to me, her head hung low like my own. My eyes were kept close, trying to keep back the tears.

“For what?” I asked, just as a gentle breeze blustered by, weaving the soft grass against our legs. The sun was blocked out by gloomy grey clouds, making this all even harder to take.

“Fer... actin' like ah've been actin' lately. See... yah'll had dreams when we went tah rescue Darin'... an ah had one too. It was the memory a when yah ran inta that barn fire tah save muh sister, while we all watched. It... it made me realize how harsh ah been on yah'll... you an' Lassie. Yah didn't deserve one bit a what ah've been treatin' yah both like. Yah'll both helped the family farm in ways ah could never repay yah... an never judged me on nuthin. And yet when time came, ah judged yah both unreasonably... like ah was higher than yah er somethin'... ah just... ah'm so sorry. An' ah wish Lassie could be here tah hear it...” she told me, striking me deep.

I looked on to Derreck's grave. Trillium, the Mosin Nagant PU sniper rifle, leaning up against his grave stone. That was his rifle, no way around it. At first I wanted to bury it, but with no body to bury, I decided to leave it to perish away in the elements. It seemed disrespectful to do so but would be a constant reminder to myself of how badly I had betrayed him.

“Applejack... what happened was none of our fault... we all just contributed in some small way but none of us can be fully blamed,” I told her, my voice deep and betraying how I truly felt.

“Tristan can,” she said sharply, her tone hateful and resentful of the stallion. I didn't say a word as I walked up to the final headstone. Applejack stepped back with a deep sigh of regret. “Ah'm so sorry about all this... ah truly am... ah... if yah ever want, yer welcome tah the farm, always... yer family tah me, yah know?” she asked but I didn't answer as I fell to my knees in front of the final grave, nopony else but myself knowing who it belonged to.

“Ah'll just... leave yah tah yerself...” she whispered before trotting away. I could feel the cool wind brushing by. My body... my soul... everything seemed so empty. Some of Lassie's final words came to me.

My fist clenched and a single metallic blade emerged. I began to etch a few simple words into the headstone as I made one final promise, one I intended on keeping for her sake. 'Lassie... I won't forget...'

Author's Notes:

Bud-dum-tssh! Good goddess man. That hurt to write. And no, I won't change my mind about it and rewrite it. Jeez, Lassie was... ugh, I feel so hurt about it. Anywho, sorry about the delay. I had... issues that I'll write about in a blog tomorrow. I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to finish this story after everything that was happening but... well,
I'm back... hahahaha, sorry. Anywho, the next chapter will be the finale, but I may opt to break it into two separate chapters, not sure yet so don't keep me to my word about it.
Cheers everyone