“INTRUDERS DETECTED. ACTIVATING AUTOMATED DEFENSES,” a voice boomed out of the darkness after Clover reached the bottom of the staircase.

Nibble yelped as the metal door behind us slammed shut, a heavy bolt slid into place to guarantee nopony would be opening it anytime soon. Lights built into the ceiling activated down the hallways, revealing dusty but undamaged concrete corridors. My EFS filled with neutral indicators as some sections of the wall slid to the side. Robotic things, slightly resembling ponies, rolled out on treaded hooves. Their bodies were made of stainless metal aside from a glass case at the top of their head, holding what appeared to be an organic brain.

“Are they friendly?” I asked as I tried to recall any stories Shot Chaser may have told about robots. I remembered him bitterly complaining about how he only found the terminal to turn them all off after he destroyed them all. Probably should have asked how he destroyed them.

“Not for long.” Clover stepped forward.

One of the robots met him halfway and spoke in a child's voice, “Present your identification, please.”

“Sure, it's right here,” Clover replied, lowered his head, and fired his battle saddle. Lasers tore into the robot's glass dome, turning the brain inside to mush. The robot fell to the ground, part of its metal cover breaking off to reveal an internal mess of wires.

All the lights on my EFS flicked red but started to disappear as Clover continued to fire down the narrow hallway. The burning glow of his laser rifle flashed multiple times and was always followed by the sound of metal clattering to the ground. After a moment the corridor was filled with the smell of oil and scraps of destroyed metal ponies.

“These things are pathetic.” Clover kicked the machine out of the way. “Seriously, a pony fresh out of a Stable could deal with them. Nothing to be worried over.” Clover raised an eyebrow and glanced back. “Right Gale?”

I turned to see Gale in the back, trying his best to hide behind Mangle, but considering her size and his mohawk it was a failed effort. He glanced from me to Clover before standing up and returning to his usual demeanor. “Of course. Just a bunch of unfeeling tin cans.” His voice wavered at the end.

Seriously? Out of all the terrors of the wasteland Gale is scared of robots.

Clover grunted. “Nibble, Ardent, up front with me. Gale and Mangle in back. Understood?”

“Understood,” we replied in unison. Taking formation, we headed further into the underground facility.

As we walked passed a split in the a path a metallic “BEEP! BEEP!” echoed down the hall to our left. Nibble and Clover jumped back. I stopped to see what made the noise. Two semicircles of metal mounted on the ceiling rotated until four gun barrels aimed directly at me. Oh shit! Mangle bit down on my tail and pulled me out of the hallway right before it was showered with bullets.

“Thank you,” I said looking back at Mangle. She gave me an exhausted nod. I’m glad she refused to stay behind. The side effects of using her cannon were still slowing her down dramatically.

“I got this,” Nibble hugged the wall as her horn glowed and sparks of electricity started to mix with her magic. She poked her head around the corner and launched her spell, it crackled like a distant thunderbolt. She ducked back and levitated her pistol out.

“BEEP! BEEP!” Gunfire filled the hallway followed by an explosion. Nibble rounded the corner firing her pistol until another explosion flashed from the the corridor. She smiled triumphantly and motioned for us to follow.

“Pretty neat, right?” Nibble asked.

“Yeah,” I replied, “What was it?”

“A spell that messes with targeting systems. Makes everything look hostile.”

I nodded despite my lack of understanding.

Clover attempted to open the door the turrets had been guarding, but the handle refused to move. “Ardent, you can deal with this, right?” He gestured at the lock.

“Maybe.” I took out the lock picking gadget.

“The rest of you, check the other path,” Clover ordered. Nibble nodded and the three headed off, leaving me alone with Clover.

I placed the device inside the lock and slipped into my trance. It took less time than normal and I soon felt the click of the door unlocking and let my senses return to normal.

My memories caught back up, Clover had been messing with me while I was in my trance. Waving a hoof in my face, poking me, and trying to talk to me. I turned to see him towering over me, his yellow eyes focusing on me as if seeing me for the first time.

“Why weren't you hiding with the rest of the town when Nibble first found you?” Clover asked.

Why does he want to know that now? “I was heading for my house-”

“Later than the rest of the town, why was that?” Clover’s eyes darted back and forth, reading my expression. I started to stammer a reply but Clover interrupted, “Did you know we were there?”

“Well, yes-”

Clover’s eyes narrowed on me as he stepped forward. I retreated until my back leg hit against the cold concrete.

Clover began spewing out unfiltered thoughts, “It would make sense, you live so close. From what Shot Chaser told me you have the history. Why didn’t I see it before. Some earth pony shows up and helps us right after releasing Cerberus. He got to you didn’t he!”

“What are you talking about?” I yelled.

Clover froze and read my expression over again. He let out a breath and took a few steps back.

“I…” Clover closed his eyes. “Have you ever heard whispers from the mountain?”

“Whispers from the mountain?” I asked back to make sure I heard him right.

Clover shook his head. “Nevermind. Forget I said anything.”

“But-”

“I said, forget it! Understood?”

I nodded. Yeah... not possible.

“And so she said ‘Oatmeal are you crazy?’” Nibble said to Gale and Mangle as they came back. If Nibble was telling a joke it failed to make either of them react.

“Find anything?” Clover said.

Nibble sighed and shook her head. “I searched high and low but apparently there isn’t a single sense of humor to be found.”

“We're moving on. I doubt we are going to run into much resistance.” Clover pushed past the now unlocked door.

“How did they even fit a sentinel in here!” Nibble yelled past the storm of bullets coming from the hallway. The barrage shattered the containers in the lab, creating a symphony as innumerable shards of glass danced along the ground. The lab untouched since before the megaspells was now turning into another ravaged mess.

“Probably built it in here!” Clover yelled back from the other side of the door. When the bullets finally stopped Gale levitated an aluminum tray into the doorway. I could see the reflection of the armor-clad machine made of dark metals filling the hallway. The sentinel lowered itself, its four legs spreading out as much as possible, the wheels at the bottom scraping against the walls. A hatch on its shoulder flipped open.

“Rocket!” Gale yelled. Nibble and I ran out of the lab, heading left. Clover, Gale, and Mangle did the same but headed the opposite direction. The hiss of a fuel propelled rocket zipped past just as I cleared the exit. The ground shook as the rocket exploded. The room behind us collapsed and filled with dirt and concrete.

We galloped down the hallway until turning a corner. Nibble made a hard stop and peered back.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Seeing which way it goes.” She motioned me to look as well.

The sentinel rolled up and pushed itself against the wall in order to have enough room to rotate. It turned our way. Nibble and I took off at top speed down the hallway. We passed countless other labs as we ran but most of the doors earlier had been locked and stopping to check now would be suicide.

“What about your targeting spell thing?” I asked.

Nibble shook her head. “Doesn't work when we’re the only things to shoot at.” Nibble thought for a moment. “I only have one grenade on me. That won't be enough to kill it but… I have another spell.” We took another turn in the labyrinth of halls and stopped to catch our breath.

“What're you thinking?”

“The spell I have in mind might shut it down for a little bit, but I have to touch it with my horn,” Nibble explained. “After that maybe I can open it up and shut it down for good.”

“Might and maybe?” I scratched at the back of my head. Nibble gave me a -do you have a better plan- look. The sentinel's wheels echoed from the hallway as they squealed from the effort of moving something so massive. “Ok, might and maybe it is.”

Nibble’s horn lit up in a brilliant purple light, similar to her other spell aside from the intense concentration of crackling electricity. She crouched next to corner and as the sentinel came into sight she lunged forward striking her horn on its leg.

A burst of electricity danced over the sentinel. It seemed unaffected as the minigun passing for an arm started to spin. I clenched my eyes, waiting for a pain that never came. I opened one eye and saw the lights on the sentinel dim as the minigun slowed to a stop.

“Close one,” Nibble said casually as she hopped up on the machine, making her way to its back side.

I marveled at the giant metal death machine. It stood three ponies tall with well-crafted steel covering every inch. I doubt my gun would even dent it.

“That's not good,” Nibble said. “The panel is welded shut.”

“Plan B?” I asked.

“I… I don't know. I could destroy a leg with the grenade, maybe.” The sentinel started to power back up, the black empty eyes sockets turning a glowing red. Nibble repeated her spell, hitting the machine, and causing it to power down again. “Only got one more of those in me.” She wiped away the sweat forming on her brow.

Despite my racing heart rate and impending death my mind was strangely clear, almost like I have grown accustomed to these types of situations and my brain was bored of being scared. I looked to Nibble and noted the single grenade hanging from her utility belt. I glanced down the hallway to an open science lab at the end of the hall. I focused back on the defenseless sentinel and its arsenal of weapons. That could work.

“Are you able to open that hatch?” I pointed.

I galloped down the hallway. As I approached the nearly identical science lab the sentinel powered up and its minigun whired. I ducked into the lab as bullets put a few fashionable holes into my tail.

“You just can’t make a clean get away, can you?” Nibble asked with a smile. I shrugged, bracing myself against wall as the destruction of the last lab repeated. Eventually the minigun stopped.

I peeked around the corner to see the sentinel lowering itself like before. The hatch on its shoulder opened, revealing the grenade we lodged in its barrel. The rocket detonated inside the sentinel, turning it into a violent explosion of blinding light and junk metal. The ceiling above it gave out and buried whatever bits remained in earth.

“That was amazing!” Nibble said as she shook me.

I laughed in disbelief. “You did all the work.”

Nibble gave me a brief hug before letting go and messing with her Pip-Buck. “Time to go find Clover and the others.” She lead the way out of the lab.

“How do you know where they are?”

“Each Pip-Buck has a tag you can trace. It’s in the tutorial somewhere.”

We took a few turns until reaching large double doors which opened automatically as we neared. The ammonia scent filling the labs was replaced with smell of body odor and burning metal as the doors slid out of the way to reveal a massive manufacturing floor. A variety of assembly lines stretched across the room.

“Is that a circuit board?!” Nibble pointed at an unfinished piece of metal. She raced over and examined the pony sized slab. “Dear Celestia, it is. What were they making?” She was in awe as her eyes slowly moved to the other giant circuit boards littering the room.

At the end of the assemble line was another science lab. I could make out Gale in one of the windows. I poked Nibble, getting her attention, and pointed at Gale. She nodded and we walked over to join them

“You lost the sentinel before coming here?” Clover more told than asked without looking up from a computer screen.

“One better, we destroyed it,” Nibble replied standing tall, pounding a hoof on her chest.

Clover stopped and raised an eyebrow. “A story for later. We are about to find out what this is.” He motioned behind him.

A syringe containing a rainbow colored injection rested on a pedestal protected by a thick glass case. Clover hit a few keys and played an audio file. A stallion’s deep voice started to speak,

“Apparently Flim and Flam borrowed a set of statuettes representing the ministry mares from Princess Luna. We received the one of Rainbow Dash of the Ministry of Awesome, and big surprise, the text on the bottom is ‘Be Awesome’. I couldn’t believe they built this entire place just because of a few toys, until I grabbed it with my magic. In lack of a better explanation, the statuette granted me power. My earth pony and pegasi co-workers don’t appear to feel what we unicorns feel when holding it, and that is the whole point of obtaining this object. We are to analyze and replicate it into something usable by the other ponies as well as try to increase its potency. We have been granted a special team and almost unlimited funds to make this happen.”

“After triple checking we have discovered the source of the power. The magic is necromantic in nature. Replicating this just became a... sensitive matter, but our exact orders were ‘Get it done, no matter the costs.’ I’ve requested an extra lab be built away from the others, past the added manufacturing area. I will have to make sure the place is soundproof unlike the other labs. Ever since they found some blueprints to some mainframe thing they have been working round the clock, it's made it impossible to focus with all that racket. Oh, I should also request an extra entrance be built for transporting the more sensitive material.”

“I.M.P, so named by Twilight Sparkle of the Ministry of Magic, or was it Arcane Science, doesn't matter. I.M.P is the material we need to recreate the statuette. As luck would have it she is throwing barrels of the stuff away somewhere in Maripony. Apparently the stuff she is tossing isn’t the finished product, but that doesn't matter because it will work just fine for what we need it for. All we need to do is pay off a delivery driver and we’ll have plenty of I.M.P to spare. After all, nopony will care if a few barrels of a flawed product go missing.”

“Seventeen failures. It seems there is more to it than we thought. We have developed a possible way to replicate the effect in an injection. However all of our volunteers have failed the injection process.”

“One of our couriers came with a message from the hub in Hope. They successfully recreated the effect. I believe they had Rarity of the Ministry of Image. Some soldier offered himself despite knowing all the risks. The soldier was a decorated war hero who had been paralyzed in the war. Why did he work and not our priso- volunteers?”

“Of course! The volunteer needs to reflect the element of the ministry mare. That would be why our attempts have failed. Loyalty would be a rare thing to find among our subjects. Except… the case file for thirty seven. She could be what we are looking for.”

“Close one. Turns out thirty seven was about to be released by none other than the Ministry of Morale mare herself. Seems she used her all knowing, completely incompressible, power to determine thirty seven’s innocence. Which turns out to be all good news for us, our paid guards just finished escorting her here and it verifies the hunch I had about her being loyal. Time to see if I was right.”

The audio file ended.

Again it was brought up that Flim and Flam were up to no good. Now instead of taking Luna’s bits they were taking her… toys? Kind of foalish but still, what assholes.

“Gale, assessment?” Clover’s eyes stayed glued on the prismatic injection as he paced around the encasing.

“Statuettes that grant power?” Gale pondered. “Never heard of anything like that before. How you turn a doll into an injection I've no idea. Anyway, I would guess it's some sort of steroid. Sounded like it only works on ponies that are loyal? I don't know how virtues dictate how a drug affects you. ”

“Interesting, get it out.”

Gale levitated a scalpel and cut a hole in the glass. He grabbed the injection with his near colorless aura. “So who’s getting their loyalty tested? ” Gale grinned. He levitated the needle close to Nibble who shrieked and jumped back.

“Dammit Gale, you know I hate needles!” Nibble yelled, cowering in a corner. “Now get it away before I mention what you hate.”

It's robots, I wanted to say out loud, but seeing how Gale backed off just to keep his secret gave me pause. Gale may be better at reading other ponies, but it would take a blind one not to notice how much he wanted to keep me in the dark. I played dumb and tilted my head as he glanced my way. He wasn't the only one who could play this game and with any luck I could somehow use it as leverage in order to hear how they handled Lazuline.

Gale turned the needle on Mangle, she readied one of her power hooves.

“Ardent,” Clover said, drawing all attention to him. “Inject Ardent now,” he growled

“Whoa,” I objected. “Can we just hang onto it unti-” A sharp pinching pain stabbed into my flank. I looked back to see the syringe emptying into my body. “What. The. Fu-” My muscles violently tensed and a wave of energy washed over me. I felt faster, more flexible.

“You ok?” Nibble slowly approached.

“Yeah.” I stretched out one of my legs. “In fact I feel awesome.” A jumble of images flashed in my mind and overloaded my senses. My eyes rolled back and the world went black.

I ran through our village. Jumping over the thick roots emerging from the ground, ducking in and out of neighbors’ huts as I rushed to my mother. Many of the homes had the decorated masks welcoming friends above the opening. I scared Latanus as I dashed through her house, jumping off her table, and knocking some of the potions she was making onto the ground.

“Careful young one!” Latanus yelled as I escaped. Without losing my pace I maneuvered past a crowd in the market. The scent of freshly picked herbs filled the air. I finally reached the wagon at the edge of town. My mother was packing our luggage. I joined her and placed the doll I forgot with the rest of our things.

“Now do you have everything my sweet Kalita?” mother asked. I nodded and she helped me up into our seats. “Are you excited for our trip?”

“Very much! Tell me what it's like again.” I snuggled up under her, taking shelter from the blazing sun, no longer blocked by the trees of our village.

“They say the land is covered in green. It is inhabited by ponies. There are three types-”

“Earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns!”

Mother giggled and tickled me. “That's right. There is also another. She is said to control the sun itself.” Mother gestured at the sun. “Princess Celestia. She is the ruler of the land.”

“What was it called again?”

“Equestria my sweet, our new home.”

I awoke from the strange dream. A zebra? I was a zebra, and it felt, real. What I thought was the lingering warmth of the sun was actually the warmth of Mangle as she carried me on her back. I rolled off of her and landed on my hooves.

“Sorry,” I said to Mangle who gave a tired shrug. “Where are we?”

“Heading for the back exit,” Gale replied. “Do you know what caused you to pass out?”

“I remember a blur of images and it was like my mind couldn’t handle it.”

“Strange, well you were only out for a few minutes and your vitals were normal last I checked. Just come to me should you find yourself in horrible amounts of pain.”

I nodded and then glared at Clover. He met my gaze, his eyes showing no regret or remorse. After everything, he risked my life to see if I was loyal... Which apparently I was.

Nibble ran ahead as stairs leading up came into view. She grabbed ahold of the cellar doors at the top and pushed, but the doors remained shut.

“They're not locked,” Nibble said. “Somethings blocking it.”

“Move.” Was the only warning Mangle gave as she activated her back power hooves and bucked at the door. It flew open and piles of sand fell in. When it stopped it revealed the grey sky of the wasteland. We exited the corridor and found ourselves just outside of Furlong as the sun was setting.

Nibble stretched out. “I think a hard day's work deserves a harder night's party. Who's with me?”

“I'll pass,” Mangle replied and trudged back to town.

“I'm assuming that means Gale’s out too?”

Gale nodded and followed after Mangle.

“Just me and you I guess.” Nibble wrapped a hoof around me. “Maybe you could try to keep up with me tonight. ” I smiled, excited to redeem myself.

“Actually, I'll be joining tonight,” Clover stated. “I have one thing to take care of first.”

The moment Clover was out of sight Nibble cursed. “Dammit. Whatever, let's go.”

With hesitation I decided to bring up what I originally wanted to discuss at the F.F.I hub. “Can I talk to you about Celestia?”

“We probably should,” Nibble sighed. “I've been thinking, and I hate to admit this, but I understand where you’re coming from. But you need to understand what Celestia is to some ponies, is to me. She is the embodiment of the sun itself.” Nibble turned to the setting sun. “Have you ever seen the sun Ardent?”

“No.” Although, the sun in my zebra dream had felt real. “A few times I saw light break through the clouds but I wasn't in the right position.” Everypony always desired to see the sun, everypony except me. I always dreamed of seeing the night sky, clear of any clouds, a sky not with a single star but thousands. The radiant light of a full moon shining down on me.

“Could you imagine telling ponies there’s nothing up there?” Nibble’s stared into my eyes with a burning passion. “I have seen it. The power of it is indescribable. I felt Celestia when I felt the warmth of the sun. She is out there Ardent.” Nibble maintained her stare. I was unconvinced but I knew she believed.

I looked away. “It still doesn't forgive her actions during the war.”

Nibble tapped at her chin. “I guess not even the goddesses are above criticism.”

To my surprise Nibble wrapped me in hug. “I’m sorry about the way I acted, still friends?”

Still? A quote from the mysterious voice surfaced, “Since you failed to notice you’ve made two already.”

“Friends,” I said hugging back.

“With benefits?”

“What?” I broke the embrace feeling my cheeks burn.

“Oh nothing.” Nibble started to wander to town before looking back. “You said there was nothing wrong with Luna, what did you mean by that?”

I whinnied. “You mean aside from having all the responsibilities of Equestria thrown on her overnight, during a war. I mean, could you imagine the courage it must have taken?”

Nibble smiled and brought her muzzle close to my ear. “Probably the same amount as saving a bunch of ponies you don't even know from a giant robot dog.” Nibble turned and continued on, leaving me blushing again. Did she just compare me to Luna? Nibble was mad if she thought there was any comparison. Nonetheless my steps felt a little lighter as I followed.

The bar reeked of one too many spilled drinks and was full of ponies at all levels of inebriation. I never felt more at home. Most ponies celebrated the success of defending the town, but some drank for the ponies they lost in the attack. Regardless, ponies knew without Elpis the casualties would have been worse.

It was a new experience to be revered. We were given a table to ourselves with a line of ponies forming to give thanks and place a drink at our table. I couldn't help feel a little undeserving. Clover lead the attack and gave the orders. If I saw the town in peril I'm not sure I would've made the same decision.

After the initial wave of praise passed, the drinking contest commenced. I matched every drink Nibble had but she seemed to be holding back. “You know you don't have to take it easy on me,” I told her, finishing off an extra sweet apple cider.

She spat out a laugh. “It's not you I'm worried about.” Nibble stared at Clover who slammed a shot of apple whiskey and gave her a smirk. “Every time Clover joins he stays a few drinks ahead of me. The worst part, he NEVER gets drunk.”

Clover simply shrugged and called over a round of shots. He passed them around and raised the drink. “To Elpis!” he yelled.

“To Elpis!” Nibble and I cried, along with the entire bar.

Slamming the shot I finally felt the courage to be direct with Clover. “Elpis is collecting the best of everything, but what for?”

Clover tipped his shot glass over. “To eliminate Pandora’s Children.”

Nibble shrank back. Clearly it wasn't her first time hearing this and she carefully gauged my reaction, which was complicated. On one hoof the final goal of Elpis helped Equestria. On the other I couldn't help but feel the goal was suicidal.

“That's insane! No matter how elite and legendary,” I said, mocking the words, “a handful of ponies won't be enough to take out an army.”

Clover was calm with his response. “Pandora’s Children pose a greater threat to Equestria than anypony understands. Trust me when I tell you it will come down to us or them, and when that moment comes we’ll have more than a handful of ponies.”

“Why, because they owe you favors? You think that will be enough for them to sacrifice themselves for you?”

For a brief moment doubt crept onto Clover’s expression. “Yes, I do.” I wanted to press him further but he put a hoof up to silence me. “My turn. Since it appears you will be staying with us, I want the story behind that cutie mark.” He pointed at the sparkling tome on my flank.

Normally ponies just mocked me for having a unicorn-like cutie mark. However, Clover seemed genuinely interested. As did Nibble as she scooted closer, relieved at the change of topic. I took another shot and began.

About a year after I had been working for Shot Chaser, a traveling entertainer visited Dust. Her name was Deviation. She was a dark purple unicorn with a sparkling cane for a cutie mark. She and Shot Chaser knew each other from long ago and she thought this was a good chance to catch up and use her connections to try out a show she was working on.

That night Shot Chaser told me to inform everypony in Dust that his bar would be hosting a talented unicorn entertainer. Seeing as Dust was so little with nothing better to do, the entire town showed up.

Late into night, after everypony had the chance to find a seat and finished a drink or two, the performance began. Deviation stepped out from behind curtains she had conjured herself. She wore a long cape with stars scattered over it and a pointed wizard's hat.

With a bow she introduced herself, “Hello ponies of Dust.” Her voice sounded so different than what I was used to, precise, yet elegant. Shot Chaser had called it high class, how most of the ponies in Tenpony sounded. “I am so glad you could come and see the one, the only, Deviation!” She transformed the curtains into illusionary fireworks that exploded all around her. The show had only just started and the bar was already cheering for more.

“Hey, Ardent,” Shot Chaser whispered from behind the bar. “If you can tell me how she did each trick by the end of the show I'll tell you a new story.”

“Really!” I replied in excitement which was quickly replaced by confusion. “But isn't it just magic?”

Shot Chaser shrugged. “You tell me.”

From that moment on my eyes were glued to the magician. Deviation danced between tables as she juggled rocks and with a flick of her hoof she replaced the rocks with ponies’ drinks. It took a moment for anypony to realize what she had done. She finished by flipping the drinks into a stacked tower. This elicited a laugh from the crowd and she’d return the drinks.

That’s when I saw it. While she returned the beverages her hoof slipped into the owner’s saddlebags. I thought she was stealing from them but when her hoof came out it had nothing in it.

She began the next part of her act. “Did you ponies know that I am psychic?” Deviation said in a low voice so that the crowd quieted. “I don’t even need a spell, it was something I was born with. Feel free to watch my horn for it will not glow.” She tapped at her horn, then pointed her hoof at one of the ponies she stole a drink from. “You my fair stallion have thirty seven caps on you.” The stallion took out his caps and started to count. “And you ma'am, you have… Oh my. Why would you have that, you dirty mare you?” The mare’s cheeks flared red.

“Thirty seven!” The original stallion shouted before the whole crowd focused on the blushing mare. He gaped at the magician. The whole crowd appeared impressed with the trick, but I knew better. She searched those ponies’ bags before the trick, how did nopony notice she picked the same ponies she stole the drinks from?

Deviation took a bow and took a seat at an empty table. “For this next trick I need a volunteer.” I raised my hoof.

“Ah the young one there.” Deviation pointed at me. My heart raced. Now I would have a front row view to see the next trick and I could use this as an opportunity to verify my guess. I joined Deviation at the table and watched her closely. She took out three stackable mugs and a metal ball.

I leaned in and whispered, “I saw you look in their bags.” This caused the magician to pause for a moment.

“Did you now?” she replied in the same whisper. “Let's see if you catch onto this trick.” Deviation put on her show face and addressed the crowd. “Okay everypony, pay close attention. Which container has the ball?” She placed the containers upside down, one covering the metal sphere, and shuffled them slowly.

Her horn lit up while she shuffled. Illusions manifested on the table. Images of creatures running about, colorful forms trying to fight for attention, but my focus was adamant. Before she finished the illusions turned into fireworks and started going off. When it came to an end she stopped shuffling and pushed one of the containers forward. She lifted it up to reveal the metal ball.

I had no idea what she was planning. She had just revealed which mug had the ball, but I caught the slight smirk on her face. I changed my focus from the hoof hovering over the ball to the one she brought behind her back. She was quick but I saw her swap the mug with an identical one before placing it back over the ball.

“So my young colt, where is it?” the magician asked. Was this a joke? She just revealed which one had the ball. I pointed to the correct mug. She lifted the container to reveal nothing.

Surprised murmurs and entertained laughter came from the crowd. She stacked the containers and took a bow “Thank you all very much! That will conclude the show.” The crowd gave a short cheer and turned to their own conversations.

“Didn't see that one, did you?” Deviation asked with a neutral expression. I thought back. The only thing that had changed was the container she used to cover it. I leaned over the table and flipped the container over. On the inside clung the metal ball. Deviation smiled.

“Magnetic inside. Would you like to learn my tricks?” Deviation asked.

“I'm not a unicorn,” I replied sadly.

“Did any of my tricks require magic?” she asked. My eyes widened. Deviation laughed seeing my realization. “So would you like to be this magician’s apprentice?”

“It appeared after demonstrating my new tricks to Shot Chaser,” I concluded.

“That explains why you’re so quick with your hooves,” Nibble said. “So going to do any tricks for us tonight?”

“I'd rather not,” I sighed. Nibble whined and poked at me.

“Come now Nibble,” Clover said. “Don't expect too much from the barmaid.”

My jaw clenched and childish defiance flowed throughout me. I’ll show you a trick you’ll never forget.

I got up on the table and shouted, “Ladies and gentlecolts!” The crowd silenced. My body started to tremble from all the eyes suddenly on me. No going back now. “Did you know that you can turn cups into caps?” Whispers of confusion broke out amongst the crowd.

“But it only works on certain cups,” I explained as I moved behind the bar. The bartender didn’t seem to mind my intrusion. I placed three plastic cups on the countertop while hiding a pile of caps underneath the counter. “The only way I can tell is to juggle them.” A smile broke out on my face as I began to juggle the cups. Random cheers burst out as ponies realized the intent of my outburst.

I picked out which cup I would use. Every time that cup came down I slipped a cap into it. As long as I kept it rotating fast enough the caps would stay at the bottom. It was difficult to maintain the appearance that all three cups weighed the same, but I had practiced this trick of my own creation to death.

After the cup was nearly full I brought the juggling to an end. I placed the cups on the table covering them with rags as they landed. I picked one up and gave it a squeeze. The crowd watched silently.

“Nope, not that one.” I tossed the cup back and caught it under my back hoof. I tapped the other empty cup and sighed. “Not this one either.” I pushed it off the counter towards the crowd. I picked up the last one. “Ah, here we go.”

I flexed, making a show of crushing the cup, but in all earnesty I was only tilting it. I put pressure on the cup under my back hoof and as it started to crack I poured out the caps.

The crowd gasped in shock as a pile of caps fell from the rag. I lowered the cup after emptying it making it look like I was discarding the rag. I took a bow as ponies cheered. I looked up to see Nibble jumping up and down in applause. Even Clover gave a slow clap.

The rest of the night was filled with fun tricks and alcohol. Eventually it did come to an end and we headed for the inn. Turns out we each got our own room this time. Clover was on a different floor so Nibble and I staggered to our rooms. We reached Nibble's first.

Before going inside she offered, “You know. You could sleep with me tonight.” She leaned against me and nuzzled my neck. “It would be a lot of fun.” She went in for a kiss, but I backed away.

“What's wrong?” she asked.

“I want to...” I paused for a moment. “But not when you're drunk. Not while I'm drunk.”

“You’re such a lightweight.” She wrapped her hooves around me giving a seductive look.

Her warm, gentle touch was intoxicating. It had been forever since my last intimate encounter. I wanted to give in to my urges, but I would hate if Nibble regretted it.

“Sorry.” I broke free of her hold, “Next time?” She humphed and headed into her room. I stood in place, doing my best to convince myself this was the right decision.

Just as I was content and about to walk away Nibble called out, “Last chance.” I turned.

Now that’s just unfair. Nibble crouched down on her front hooves and lifted her flank into the air. She had her tail pulled to the side, exposing everything she had to offer. I felt blood rush to more than my cheeks. I ran to my room before any urges overpowered me. It appeared I had one more thing to do before I could sleep tonight.

Footnote: Level up New perk; Commando You accuracy to hit in SATS goes up by 25% when using weapons that require a battle saddle to use.

New Perk; Awesome injection Your agility has been permanently increased by 2.