(Diamond Dog Town)

        A few hours have past as the traveling hunters and friends made it to Diamond Dog Town. At first they thought that the town was gonna be a place full of thugs and savage dogs, but to their surprise it was….well nothing like that. Well it still looked like a project where Vanessa used to live, but it looked like it was flea market to her point of view.

“So this is Diamond Dog Town?” Asked Samantha. “It looks like a flea market.”

“In a way it is, but unlike most flea market they sell slaves here. So try not to do anything that might piss them off.” Said the slaver pony.

“Yeah I’ll try not to piss them off.” Said Vanessa.

“I mean it. Don’t forget that we need to get through here to get to New Appaloosa.”

“Yeah, yeah I get it. Let’s just hope my plan will workout in our favor.”

        Just as they were about to explore the flea market a group of Diamond Dogs wearing heavy armor started to approach them. In the middle of them was a Diamond Dog wearing trench coat and a western duster on his head.

“Well what do we have here? Been awhile since I’ve seen a slave train coming here in my town. So what are you all selling to me? Slaves, goods, or do you need some supplies for something?”

“My name is Silver Shot, and we see passage through your town to get to New Appaloosa.” Said Silver Shot.

“Hm what do you have to trade with for passage through my town?” Silver Shot motion Vanessa to bring over a baby Aptonoth. “Oh what do we have here?”

“This is called an Aptonoth. One of the new monsters that have been popping up around the wasteland all of a sudden. We’re willing to trade you three or four of them in exchange for passage and some supplies for the ponies inside the train.” Said Vanessa.

“Hmmmmmm are they any good?”

“If you let them grow into adults they’ll be very helpful when it comes to dragging heavy loads, and the meat you can cook from them is to die for when hit a certain age.”

“Really now?” The Diamond Dog mouth started to water as he thought of how good the meat would be once they kill the Aptonoth’s. “Okay you have a deal.”

“Really? You’re not gonna ask for a slave to eat or something?” Asked Sunny Day. “What the catch Doggy?”

“First of all my name is Blitz, and second I don’t need nor want a slave. Now if you guys came here about a month ago during the previous kings rule then he would of asked for a few slaves, but for me. I prefer to trade with something interesting or caps.”

“I’m starting to like this guy.” Said Vanessa.

“But I have to ask. Who are you guys? Normally I would a group of ponies in that train, but so far I only see you three and…..who the fuck are they?” Blitz asked pointing at the two humans.

“My name is Vanessa Roberts, and these our my friends Samantha Mayfield, Littlepip, and Sunny Day.” She answered as the rest of them waved hi to Blitz.

“Huh, never thought I see a bunch of mutant apes be friends with a group of ponies.”

“HEY! I am not a hairless ape. I am a human being from another world thank you very much!”

“Okay no need to get angry about it. Sorry if I offended you Ms Vanessa.”

“I guess I’ll let it slide seeing how you’re the only one that apologise for saying that. Along with calling me Ms.”

“Does it really matter Vanessa?” Said Littlepip. “At least we can get some supplies and passage through this town.”

“Now wait just a minute there partner. I said I’ll give you the supplies for those slaves you’re trying to help, but you can’t let you through.”

“How come?” Asked Samantha.

“We have a bit of a mutant frog problem near the train tracks. I sent some of my men down there to see if they could drive it off or kill, but the dang thing hard to kill when it keeps jumping around like a filly hooked on coffee.” Blitz tilted his hat in annoyance. “So far I haven’t lost any of my men, but seeing how that mutant frog is blocking the other path of the town. Shipment is taking too long to get here seeing how they have to make it pass Old Appaloosa, and I prefer not to have any of my men be taken in to be turn into a slave.”

“So what you’re saying is that as long as that frog is still there, then we won’t be able to get to New Appaloosa right?” Asked Vanessa.

“If you’re able to kill that thing. I’ll personally make sure whenever you and your friends come into town you can have anything you want. As long as it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg.”

“Okay I’ll take care of your little problem, but before I do this mind telling me what it looks like?”

Blitz reached into his trench coat to pull out a photographic picture of what the mutant frog looks like. “This is what the the bastard looks like. Though I am surprised that radiation would turn a frog into something like this.”

“That's not a mutant frog Blitz. It’s a Berserk Tetsucabra.” Samantha said looking over Vanessa’s shoulder.

“Tetsu-What?”

“*Sigh* Berserk Tetsucabra An amphibious monster known for its distinctive markings resembling a painted face. These beasts dig up and hurl boulders in the same way as a standard Tetsucabra does, but the stones thrown by this Berserk variety explode upon impact.” Said Sunny Day as she closed the monster hunter book she was reading.

“Look I don’t care what it is. Can you kill it or not?”

“This shouldn’t be a problem. Samantha and I will take care of this with no problems at all.”

“Oh hell no! I’m not going near that thing, not after what happened the last time we fought it.” Said Samantha in defence. “Plus I’m ran out of ammo and need to make more before I even try to help you out.”

“What about your bow?”

“Not so useful when I don’t have anymore coating to cover my arrows in.”

“Dammit. Okay fine you stay here and help Sunny Day with the ponies inside. Me and Littlepip will take care of the monster on the train tracks.”

“Try not to get yourselves killed. Lord knows we don’t want that to happen.” Vanessa gave her friend the bird and walked off along with Littlepip by her side.

(Outside of town)

“Okay so we’re looking for a giant monster toad that throws explosive rocks at you. Shouldn’t be that hard to find and kill right?” Asked Vanessa.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to find it seeing how it’s the only thing that is odder than anything else in the wasteland.” Said Littlepip.”But I have to ask. Why did you take Blitz offer to kill this Tetsu-what the hell that name is?”

“Reason number one. We need to hurry up and get to New Appaloosa so we can drop the ponies off. Granted it may not be much but after what Sunny Day told us about the place they should be able to help them get back on their hooves.”

“Any other reason besides that? Because something tells me that you need that monster for something big that’s going to happen later on.”

“Reason number two. I need that monster so I can make some bullet proof armor for when I free the slaves in Old Appaloosa.”

“You’re gonna do WHAT!?”

“Dude too loud.” Vanessa said covering her hears from Littlepip’s outburst. “Like I said I’m gonna free the slaves in Old Appaloosa.”

“Didn’t you hear what Silver Shot said about that place? It’s full of Slavers, Raiders, and Celestia knows what else is in there.”

“Yeah I know that, but I’m not the type of person who like to see innocent bystanders suffer. After I was in the military and we don’t take kindly to people who prey on the weak.”

“Didn’t you hear anything I said before? If you want to free the ponies of Old Appaloosa you’ll need a army. A big one.” Said Littlepip.

“This wouldn’t be the only time I had to do something like this Littlepip. I been in a situation like this at the age of 19 before I joined the military, but unlike what happen back home I’m more prepare for something like this.”

“You’re crazy if you want to get yourself killed fine, but don’t think I will be following you there.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ll come with me Littlepip.” Vanessa said looking at her pony friend with a smile on her face. Littlepip just rolls her eyes at the human as they walk. “Don’t give me that look. You and I both know you don’t want to see me get killed, and plus you know in your heart that you want to help them as well.”

Littlepip was about to say something when she heard a noise. Vanessa heard it too and the two slowly turn around and saw the Berserk Tetsucabra sitting there looking at them.

“You think that monster can understand us?” Asked Vanessa.

“I hope not…” Said Littlepip. “Why don’t you try and talk to it?”

“Okay…...Hey can you understand anything I’m say?” Said Vanessa asking the Tetsucabra a question. “Because if you do understand me then you need to get the hell out of here, and away from this town because we were sent here to make you leave or kill you.”

It jumps forwards and roars at them before jumping at them again with it jaws wide open.

“Well that answers my question!” Vanessa grabbed Littlepip and rolled out of the way of the Berserk Tetsucabra. “Looks like we have to kill it then.” Vanessa said as she pulled out her longsword as Littlepip drew her sniper rifle out.

“You really think that going to hurt it?” Asked Vanessa.

“Well it’s better than nothing.” Littlepip fired at the Tetsucabra, but the bullet did little to nothing due to the monster’s skin being hard as steel. “Seriously? How can you hope to kill if bullets can’t even pierce its skin?”

“That is why I have my longsword to do that. Now go and find some cover and I’ll give you the signal to fill that thing with lead after I damage it’s skin.” Littlepip did as she was told, and ran off towards a pillar of earth and stood on top. Keeping her focus on the monster. “Okay now back to big, tall, and ugly.”

Once again the Tetsucabra jumps at Vanessa with it jaw open. Getting ready to try and eat our huntress, but to its surprise Vanessa jumped above the monster, switched to her charge blade into axe mode, and slammed her weapon onto the back of Tetsucabra causing the scales on it’s back to break. "Okay backs broken now for the legs and tusk." Vanessa switch from axe mode back to sword & shield mode. At that moment the Tetsucabra chucked an explosive rock at the huntress, but was blocked by her shield.  

        Vanessa dashed forwards. Switching her weapon back into axe mode as she was about to strike the monster, but the Tetsucabra jumped over her and ricochet off a boulder and slammed right into Vanessa. Causing her to be slammed through the wall of a broken building.

“Vanessa are you okay!?” Yelled Littlepip.

“Did anyone get number of that bitch that hit me?” Responded Vanessa staggering to her feet. The Tetsucabra started roaring in the sky before it starts digging into the ground.

“What’s it doing?” Asked Littlepip.

“Running away from us. Come on let’s follow it before it get’s the chance to recover.” Vanessa said as she ran off towards where the Tetsucabra was, but it lift its head up with a mouth full of stone. “OH FUCK ME IN THE-!” Vanessa was unable to finish her statement as the monster crushed the rock within its mouth. Causing it to explode and sending Vanessa through another building.

“Vanessa you okay!?” Calls out Littlepip as she runs over to the down human.

“Ugh…….since when did you have a sister Littlepip? Vanessa shook her head trying to knock off the dizziness from what happen to her. “This is another reason why I hate hunting this bastard, but I need him for the armor.” Vanessa pulled herself up and saw the monster watching them from a far. “Smug little bastard. I’m so gonna enjoy killing you and making armor out of you.”

The Tetsucabra started jumping toward them before lunging at them to attack again. “I got an idea!” Said Littlepip as she ran off.  

“H-Hey where are you going? Don’t leave alone with this jerk of monster!” Yelled Vanessa just as the Tetsucabra bit into her longsword and growled. “Uh oh.” The monster then started jumping around with Vanessa holding on for dear life. “Oh god it’s Mexico all over again!”

The Tetsucabra then throws Vanessa into another house before roaring at the sky. It almost sounded like laughter.

“Okay now I’m mad.” She said as she switch to her starlight axe. “I will not be made a fool of by a small minded monster!” Vanessa switch from axe mode to sword & shield mode.

The monster frog just drags it large tucks in the ground before roaring again and start to dig in the dirt.

“Like hell you’re gonna escape from me!” Vanessa started to charge at the monster, and just like before it pulled out another stone into its mouth. “Not gonna work this time stupid!”

The Tetsucabra neck looked like it was getting bigger then It spit the exploding rock at her. As the dust from the explosion started to disappeared Vanessa shield was held up during that time. “Told you dumbass.” She said as she smashed her shield into the Tetsucabra’s face, causing one of it’s tusk to break.

The Tetsucabra growled as it jumped back and drag it feet in the dirt like a bull going to charge. When out of no where a large tarp drops on top of the monster frog. “There now get it!” Yelled Littlepip. However Vanessa noticed something odd was happening the monster frog was not attack or jumping. Just sitting there with the tarp over it head.

“What’s the matter dumbass? Finally realizing that you’re fucked?” Vanessa said as she switched to her longsword getting ready to kill it. It didn’t move. Littlepip walks over to Vanessa then slowly and carefully walks up to it. As they get closer to the monster they could hear snoring.

“........Is it sleeping?”

“I… think so?”

“........That’s it. Gonna kill it while it’s asleep, because right now I’m absolutely fucking livid.” Vanessa once again raised her sword. “Now hold still while I pierce through your head.”

“Wait! Maybe it's not a bad mutant frog. Maybe we can just dump in the wastes somewhere where so it won’t hunt no pony.”

“Dump it my ass! I got some payback to give to this bastard. Not only that but I need some armor and weapons from it.”

“How are you going to make armor out of it? The things bulletproof, so how are you going to cut it up for armor?” Asked Littlepip as she looks up at Vanessa.

Vanessa pulled out a sharp carving knife from her back pocket.

“Okay, do you even know how to make armor?” She asked looking back at the sleeping monster.

“No… but that won’t stop me from trying.” Vanessa threw her longsword into the monster’s head killing it upon impact.

Littlepip did not look happy about what the human did, but then they heard the roar of another  Tetsucabra down the street sitting under the shade of a house.

“Huh didn’t see that coming.”

Then another one jumped into the middle of the street as if not knowing they were there and hopped off down the street to where the other one was resting in the shade.

“HA! Today must be my birthday, because I’m seeing two more to make some more gear for you and me Littlepip.”

“Sigh, why do I always meet the crazy ponies.” She sighed and pulled the large tarp off the dead  Tetsucabra with her magic.

“Oh this coming from the pony who didn’t have a problem killing those jaggi’s awhile back.” Vanessa said as she pulled her sword out of the dead Tetsucabra.

“They’re a pain in the flank, they’re either try to kill you or steal your food.”

“Or both, but either way time for some killing.”

“You’re not going to try and get these things to are you? You guys know it makes me sick watching you guys eat…meat.”

“You didn’t seem to have a problem when you ate some along with Sunny Day.”

“I had to. It was either that or go hungry and I know fully well you won’t last long out here on a empty stomach.” Said Littlepip. “I guess you want me to drop the tarp on them like I did with the other one right?.”

“That’s the plan. Give like five to ten minutes, and then drop the traps on them.”

[Two dead Tetsucabra’s later]

“See I told you the plan worked. Not only that but I have the stuff to make my new armor with.” Said Vanessa pulling a handmade wooden cart with materials from the Tetsucabra’s she and Littlepip killed.

“I get the feeling this is gonna be a normal thing with you when it comes to hunting monsters like this?”

“Pretty much yeah, but this shouldn’t surprise you after all the stuff you seen me do.”

“Which is why I’m against you trying to do a suicide attempt to try and free the slaves in Old Appaloosa Vanessa.”

“Look like it or not. I’m going to do it even if it is suicidal at least I might as well give it a try.”

“And you think our friends will allow this?”

“Maybe, maybe not, but either way I’m going to go save them. Plus maybe your friend Velvet Remedy might be their as well.”

“............”

“So are you in or not?”

“*Sigh* Alright fine, but we better not get killed or get captured their or else I’m gonna kick your flank.”

“Wonderful my little partner in crime. Now let’s head back and tell Blitz that we took care of their little mutant frog problem.”

“Ugh I don’t know why I keep getting myself drag along with her.” Groaned Littlepip as she followed her human friend back into town. Next Chapter: Chapter 5: Rest and Relaxation Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 53 Minutes