The seven future Bearers of Harmony let out screams of surprise as the wave of power from the Shadowbolts and Hinoinus blew right into them. They were sent flying away due to the massive shockwave emitted from the blast and they either tumble away or crashed into the giant pillars of rocks around them. Some of them were unlucky about where they landed and ended up on top of some of the bones that were littering the Everfree Graveyard.

“Ah, dammit, my wings!” Goku hissed, shaking the sharp broken skeletons off her wings. “These bones are going to be the death of them!”

“Try addin’ that will collidin’ with a wall that’s as hard as an entire wall o’ apples or th’ strongest apple trees.” Applejack groaned slowly staggering to her hooves. “Land sakes that was one hay of a damn shockwave. Just how powerful are them Shadowbolts?”

“Powerful enough to the point where they can send us nearly flying out of this place.” Rainbow Dash muttered, shaking her wings of debree. “They could’ve at least warned us that they were going to make that big of an explosion before this happened.”

“They did Rainbow.” Fluttershy replied. “It’s just that we weren’t fast enough to get out of the way in time. Besides, you felt the power emitting from both groups, didn’t you?”

“I did.” Twilight replied grimly. “And it’s not like anything I’ve felt before, like with all of the other animals that we encountered. It really does feel like I’m staring into the eyes of…D-Death.”

“Well, with any luck, we won’t have to experience that tonight.” Goku murmured, lashing her tail out. “We have five elite flyers, plus a guard that’s part of Queen Celestia’s Solar Branch. So, we have more than enough of a chance to get out of this unscathed, assuming the Hinoinus are not going to try and any tricks on our friends to get to us.”

“Well, if they do, we can just blast them away like I do with my confetti in my Party Cannon, simple as that!” Pinkie giggled. “It’s not like we’re being party poopers or anything, besides, we have a super-duper fantastic show now!”

“Yes…” Rarity grumbled. “Fantastic.”

Any conversing between the seven mares was cut off by the howls and maniacal laughter of the Hinoinus, and the neighs and whinnies of their adversaries. They all turned to see the groups of feral canines and equines clashing tooth, hoof, and claw with one another. Flocks of fire, bolts of lightning, and slices of wind could be seen being shot into one another and throughout the Everfree Graveyard, causing the ground to shake. Each of the mares could feel the raw power radiating from both sides, and needless to say, it was frightening.

“Lightning Thestral Knight: Electric Whinny!” Fast Tracks yelled, shooting off an enormous blast of lightning at a Hinoinu. The demonic looking dog snarled and opened its own mouth, firing off its own blast of green lightning at Fast Track’s own. The two attacks clashed for a long moment, before it exploded in midair, covering both fighters in a huge cloud of smoke. Their keen eyes allowed them to see one another through the darkness, and they launched themselves at each other.

The Hinoinu’s massive clawed paws clamped around the stallion’s armored hooves as he fought to push him back down to the ground. Its head lunged for Fast’s neck as it attempted to clamp its jaws around his throat and rip it out. The light brown thestral hissed as he evaded the feral Hinoinus attacks, wrapping his tail skirt around its midsection before throwing it to the side. It immediately shot to its feet as it hit the ground, and fired off another blast of lightning at Fast Tracks, this one being twice as big as before.

“Lightning Thestral Knight: Electric Wing Attack!” Fast Tacks shouted, flaring his evolved wings and sending huge slices of lightning at the Hinoinu’s attack. It sliced them into three separate bolts of lightning, one of which Fast Tracks destroyed while the others flew past him. He turned to see where they were heading, only for his violet eyes to widen upon seeing their unintended targets.

“ZEPHYR, WATCH OUT!” Fast Track yelled, flaring his wings as he prepared to take off towards the armored stallion. He suddenly stopped as he saw the stallion leap away, a Hinoinu running into the line of fire of one of the lightning bolts. The canine didn’t see the attack coming, and it let out a deranged shriek of pain as the bolt hit it, electricity coursing through its body.

“Don’t worry Fast, I’m good!” Zephyr called, giving a salute to the Thestral. “I saw it coming!”

“Oh, thank Faust…” Fast Tracks sighed, hanging his head. A cry of surprise alerted him to the battle once more, and he looked up to see the third lightning bolt still sailing. Blue Skies, who was engaged in a wind battle with a Hinoinu, saw it coming, and flew back just as the Hinoinu was lunging at her. Its keen ears picked up the chirping sound of the lightning bolt, and as with its packmate, it was unable to defend itself from the electric convulsion it was given. Blue Skies tore her eyes away from the scene just as an explosion rang in her ears, and her Hinoinu was sent flying away from the palomino mare.

“F-Fast Tracks!” Blue Skies exclaimed. “W-was that you?!”

The light brown stallion smiled sheepishly, evading the claws of a Hinoinu. “Uh, yeah that was me! That was not planned Blue, I swear!” He explained hastily, belting the canine across its muzzle. “That was completelyout of the blue, all I was doing was trying to keep myself from being charred to ash!”

“However unintentional it was, it seemed to do the trick in helping Zephyr and Blue.” Violet said, winking at her second in command. “You just saved them from becoming Hinoinu chow for these canines, so good on you Fast Tracks.”

Before the Thestral stallion could reply, he suddenly heard a maniacal laugh, and turned around just in time for a Hinoinu to pounce on him. Fast was barely able to keep from getting bitten in the face, before he kicked the canine off of him. As he got to his hooves, was just in time to see the Hinoinu let off a blast of fire at him, and he tried to fly away from it. Luckily, Zephyr came to Fast Tracks aid and shot out a breath of his own fire, letting it clash with the Hinoinus own. At first, it looked like Zephyr was able to keep Fast Tracks from being burnt, but the Thestral soon noticed that he was. That part of him being his tail skirt that, unfortunately, got burnt into the wake of the flames.

“YEEEEOW!” Fast Tracks yelled, falling back first to the ground as he scrambled about in an attempt to put out the flames. “HOT HOT HOT! MY TAIL; MY BUCKING TAIL IS ON FIRE!”

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry Fast!” Zephyr cried, biting his lip. “I think I may have put a little too much power onto that breath…”

“YOU THINK?!” Fast Tracks roared angrily. “MY MOTHERBUCKING TAIL IS ON FIRE NOW, AND IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU, YOU DUMBASS!”

“Hey hey! Calm down, don’t worry!” Zephyr said levelheadedly. “Here, I’ll perform a wind spell and put it ou-”

“ZEPHYR!”

Blue Skies’ cry of alarm immediately made Zephyr spin around just in time to see the Hinoinu that went after Fast Tracks heading for him. The next thing he knew, he felt a strong weight on top of him as the canine sunk its teeth into the back of his neck. The wings of the blue stallion beat violently as he bucked and kicked, attempting to get the Hinoinu off of him.

After endless bucking and kicking, he stopped and looked back at the canine, his garnet eyes glowing angrily. “Alright, you asked for this!”

Swirls of flames emerged from the ground, staring form Zephyr’s hooves, and it soon exploded into a massive pillar of flames that engulfed both enemies. Since the flames were from Zephyr, he was not hurt, but the same couldn’t be said for the Hinoinu. The howl of pain that the canine let out gave Zephyr enough time to buck the canine off of him. As the flames vanished, he fired more from his mouth and watched as they flew at the Hinoinu. With speed that no other canine should be capable of wielding, the Hinoinu dodged and swerved around the firebolts, explosion after explosion following suit. When the canine got within range, it tried to slash Zephyr’s neck with its claws, but it was stopped dead in its tracks.

“Sky Pegasus Knight: Blazing Whirlwind!” Blue Skies yelled, shooting out a giant whirlwind at the canine that tore through the Everfree Graveyard. The attack came just in the nick of time, and the canine was blasted away by the sharp whirlwind attack, howling all the while. Zephyr and Blue Skies watched as the canine was sliced repeatedly by the swirling wind before it hit a giant rock pillar nearby. It whined as he slowly slid to the ground, blood seeping it as it coated the rock pillar behind it.

“Thank goodness…that was too close.” Blue Skies sighed. “Are you okay Zephyr?!”

“Just peachy Blue!” Zephyr replied, winking at the smaller Pegasus. “Although I did get a jump scare from seeing that Hinoinu under me about to slit my throat.”

Blue Skies giggled, and was about to speak again until she noticed a Hinoinu running up behind her, looking like it was going to jump at her. As it did, Blue Skies cried out and held a leg out in front of her, a leg that the Hinoinu chomped on hard. The armor around it prevented its teeth from ripping it off, but it still managed to pierce into her skin. Using its strong neck muscles, it began to violently shake Blue around, the force sending her to the ground. A groan let her as she attempted to get to her feet and after a few struggles, she finally did it, a determined glare etching onto her face.

“Sorry, but I’m not going to becoming Hinoinu chow today!” Blue Skies shouted, yanking her bitten forehoof back so she could look the canine in the eyes. “Let me go!”

The Hinoinu’s snarl turned into a whimper of pain as Blue Skies delivered a swift and sharp kick to its stomach, causing it to bite down even harder. Pursing her lips, she punched it again, even harder, and this time, the Hinoinu let go, and the young mare spun around to kick it away from her. Flaring her wings out wide, wind swirled around her, as she swung them out. “Sky Pegasus Knight: Slicing Wing Attack!”

Blue slices of wind emerged from her wings as they sailed towards the Hinoinu, who leaped and ducked under the slices. As they cut in the rock pillars, the Hinoinu opened her mouth, shooting off its own breath of wind at Blue Skies. Her eyes widened at the attack, but she quickly got into gear and let out a large blast of blue wind back at the canine. They clashed together in a wave of power that made bones and large stones fly about, along with making the other stop briefly in their own fights. At some point, the Hinoinu started to gain the upper hoof in the struggle of power, and before Blue Skies knew it, she found herself blown back and crashing into a pillar of rock.

“O-ow…dammit, I almost had it.” Blue Skies said looking up at where the Hinoinu was, or, at least, where it had used to be. Her pupils contracted upon seeing the canine right in her face, its teeth bared in a snarl as its eyes of flickering flames burned into hers. She only had time to open her mouth for a cry before the canine was upon her, its teeth sinking into the lower part of her neck, silencing her scream. Faster than she could get its hooves on its face, the canine flew her across the air before leaping above her. It slashed her across the face, and send her to the ground with another wind blast, before it landed on top of her, sending her deeper into the ground.

“Blue Skies!” Lightning Shadow shouted; her eyes wide upon seeing her youngest teammate about to get killed. “Hold on honey! I’m coming!”

“Lighting, behind you!” Storm Shadow’s warning came too late as Lighting felt something slam into her from behind. She flared her wings and took to the air, looking down to see a Hinoinu leap at her and grab her by her shoulders. It latched its teeth into her neck and sent her into the ground like Blue Skies was, but managed to push it off before it could rip it out.

“Dammit! Hold on Lightning Shadow!” Storm shouted as she attempted to get past her own Hinoinu adversary.

They both suddenly heard a blast of wind emitting right where Blue Skies was, and both sisters looked back to see blue wind rising in the sky. The Hinoinu could be seen within it as Blue Skies ascended towards it and delivered a punch to its chin, before kicking it away. The pillar of wind made from Blue Skies vanished as she dove towards the Hinoinu, both engaging once more in a wind breath battle that resulted in another explosion. Quickly, the palomino mare soared at the Hinoinu and slammed it into the ground, dragging it deep enough to leave a trail behind it.

“Hot damn, Blue Skies is killing it out there!” Fast Tracks shouted, grinning. “She is kicking that wooly dog’s ass!”

“They’re called Hinoinus, Fast Tracks.” Violet Fire corrected gently. “And if you don’t keep focus on your own battled, they’re going to kick your ass.”

As if to show her point, Violet Fire lashed out with her wing and sent slices of fire at a Hinoinu that was taking advantage of her distraction. They burnt into its wooly fur as the ebony mare let out a blast of fire that completely engulfed the beast, at least temporarily. A howl, along with a shriek of laughter burst out from the flames with the Hinoinu as it charged Violet and collided into the mare with the force of a bull. The Shadowbolt Captain grunted as she dug her hind hooves into the ground, preventing herself form being topped over as she kneed the dog in the stomach. Spinning around with speed that would’ve seemed like she was diving, Violet kicked the canine away from her, before extending her forehooves outward.

“Fire Pegasus Knight: Fiery Flaming Explosion!” She yelled, shooting off a gigantic blast of golden flames at the Hinoinu. It growled before firing off a blast of wind back at Violet’s own flame attack, and there was a brief power struggle between the mare and dog. As the Hinoinu attempted the burn her to a crisp, it didn’t notice the two Pegasi hovering above it, preparing to attack.

“Dark Pegasus Knight: Dark Shadow Explosion!” Lightning and Storm shouted in unison, both of them unleashing waves of dark magic at the unsuspecting Hinoinu. The canine’s ears were able to hear the sound of the attack, but was unable to dodge it in time to keep from being buried in the ground, letting Violet’s attack sail off.

“Whoa…” Fast Tracks breathed as the twins hovered down. “Now that was a cool sneak attack!”

“See what I mean baby?” Violet Fire asked, ruffling her wings. “If you don’t watch yourself left and right, and from all sides, that’ll happen. Plus, the Hinoinus also work as one in a pack, so you’re bound for what happened to that Hinoinu to happen to you too.”

“Duly noted there, Captain.” Fast Tracks said sheepishly. “As if I didn’t get that pounded into me during training sessions before I became your second in command.”

He suddenly turned his head and saw a Hinoinu sneaking up upon him, readying to pounce on him to try to bring him to the ground. With a hiss, he lashed his tail out and wrapped it around the canine’s neck and started spinning it around in the air. As he flung it away, he shot a blast of lightning from his hooves, washing the Hinoinu in a sea of it, all while being electrocuted on the spot in midair.

“Well done Fast, you reacted as quickly as I thought yo would.” Storm murmured, looking impressed. “You’re living up to your name as you always do.”

“I sure am girls!” Fast Track said, his fangs shining from his wide grin. “Question is, can you do the same?”

“What do you-?” Lightning Shadow’s question was cut off when she and Storm heard the sound of psychotic laugher behind them. It soon dissolved into even more deranged shrieks and howls as they both spun around to see a couple of Hinoinus racing towards them. They shot of blasts of fire and wind that combined into one, heading right for the ascended twin sisters. They both took to the air as swirls of blackness surrounded them, their eyes glowing as they both inhaled.

“Shadow Pegasus Knight: Dark Shadow Whinny!” They both yelled, shooting off large waves of darkness at the beasts. The Hinoinus skidded to a halt as they attempted to either counter or try to evade the waves of darkness, but they found themselves in the ground by the dark waves of magic. It left a huge indent in the ground as the canines were pushed into the ground as they crashed into a few pillars of rock in the process.

“Heh, looks like you can.” Fast Tracks chuckled. “You two are as sharp as you were since the day you joined our team!”

“I see what you did there.” Lightning Shadow murmured with a half-lidded gaze.

A blast of wind suddenly shot past the four ponies, and they looked to see Zephyr flying away from it. A few moments later, the whirlwind vanished, and Blue Skies could be seen flying down towards them, looking to be a bit flustered.

“Whoa Blue, what happened?” Fast Tracks asked.

“There were a few Hinoinus trying to surround Zephyr from behind him.” Blue Skies replied with a slight pant. “I…acted out of instinct and just, um…shot them away.”

“And what a close call it was.” Zephyr murmured. “I didn’t even see them coming from behind, I was only focused on the Hinoinus in front of me.”

“Well, it’s a good thing Blue Skies was there to see it honey.” Violet Fire commented. “Well done there, sweetheart. You managed to save a valuable ally and friend.”

“T-the pleasure was all m-mine Captain.” Blue Skies said, blushing at the sweet smile Violet sent to her.

“Um, you guys!” The silky voice of Goku called out, her tone carrying deep urgency. “You may not wanna relax just yet!”

As if to show that they weren’t down for the count, the chilling laughter, snarling, and barking of the Hinoinus alerted Zephyr and the Shadowbolts to them. They turned around to see said canines regrouped and looking even more ferocious than ever. Swirls and coated of lightning, fire and wind surrounded them as they stalked towards the ponies, cracks left in the earth by their steps.

“Uh-oh…” Violet Fire cooed. “It looks like some doggies are upset.”

“You think?” Fast Tracks asked dryly. “They look like they want to rip all of our throats out.”

“As if they didn’t try that before.” Zephyr replied, rubbing at his neck. “Regardless, anypony ready for round two?”

“W-well, it’s not like they’re giving us any other option.” Blue Skies whimpered. “They’re gonna go after Goku and her friends if we do.”

“Something that we’re intending to not let happen.” Lightning Shadow murmured, crimson lightning coating her armored body. “Right sis?”

Storm Shadow nodded. “As if we weren’t going to let them harm the girls in the first place. If we do, then Violet Fire will burn us alive.”’

“That I will.” Violet Fire giggled playfully, before they resumed their battle.

While Zephyr, the Shadowbolts and the Hinoinus engaged in another feral battle, Goku and her friends all huddle together around a giant rock pillar. They all watched in silent fascination and awe as the six ponies kept th canines at bay, all while keeping a safe distance from the fight.

“Land sakes, they’re really tannin’ them doggies hides ain’t they?” Applejack asked out of nowhere. “Ah really thought that they’d be havin’ a harder time with ‘em.”

“It may not look like it, but they actually are, in a way.” Fluttershy murmured, observing the battle carefully. “The only thing that’s keeping Zephyr and the Shadowbolts from really feeling the effects of the Hinoinus powers are their armor. Since they are all ascended, it leaves the Hinoinus having to use even more of their powers to try to bring down or even injure them. If they were still choosing to fight in their Adrenaline Modes, then they’d be looking much worse for wear right now.”

“You’re right.” Twilight nodded. “Our Ascension Modes may help us amplify and increase our physical and magical power, but it slows down our agility somewhat. And unless you’re trained in going as fast as you do in your armor than you do in normal form, you’re going to have a hard time evading or dodging attacks as fast as those.”

“You mean like with Blue Skies and Zephyr?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, pretty much.” Rainbow Dash replied. “The only difference with that is that they were caught off guard, and those mutts managed to get a lucky hit on them.”

“D-do you think we should step in and help?” Pinkie Pie asked, trying not to look to disturbed by the Hinoinus disturbing laughter.

“…No, at least not right now. We don’t know how many more Hinoinus could be hiding her, or if they’ve sensed the battle yet.” Goku said, holding her wings out as if to keep her friends from doing anything. “For now, we stay on the sidelines, and keep a look out for-”

The tan Thestral suddenly found herself silent and her head snapping into the direction of the woods on the right side of her. Her bat ears swiveled this way and that as they picked up what sounded to be a roar coming from the trees. Although she couldn’t pinpoint what it was, she could tell that it was something dangerous.

“Hey G, you okay?” Rainbow Dash asked. “You’re looking kind of spaced out there.”

Goku shook her, glancing up at the cyan mare. “It’s nothing Rainbow Dash, I just thought that I heard a roar coming from the woods.” She replied, gently rubbing a concerned Chenoa’s head.

“A roar?” Fluttershy asked, her ears falling flat. “W-what do you think it could be?”

“I have no idea…” Goku replied, glancing behind her. “But whatever it was…it sounds like it just got one hellof a smackdown.”

Venture Vine coughed violently as she attempted to shield her eyes and nose from the clouds of dust that covered the area around her. She expected that the Ursa Major’s fall was going to rock the ground, and it did, but she didn’t think it would be of this magnitude. Nor did she ever expect such a strong cloud of dust to take over the area, let along blast her and the guards away from the beast. The only pony that stood an even remote chance of not getting swept away was Queen Celestia, yet Venture Vine couldn’t find her anywhere in the dust and smoke.

“Dammit, I can’t see a thing!” The grass green mare cursed to herself, her keen eyes struggling to see through the thick greyness. “I should’ve flown somewhere high, so I didn’t get caught up in that fall. Now I don’t see the Queen or anypony else.”

Snorting, Venture got up from the tree she was hiding behind and took off into the air, flying through the clouds of dust in search for any survivors. Thankfully, it was all beginning to clear, albeit slowly, and she could see the shadows of ponies from within the dust. Relief washed over her when she saw their moving figures, even when some of them were covered in bruises and wrecked armor.

“Well, at least the guards seem okay.” Venture said to herself, stopping around the guards before looking around. “Still, I can’t find where Queen Celestia is.”

Before Venture could search for her Queen’s magical presence, or call out her name, she felt the dust getting blown around her. The Kirin covered her face with her forehooves to keep from getting blinded again, feeling the dust blow into her for a few moments. After ten seconds, she opened her eyes, and found the clearing completely cleared of dust. Venture’s eyes widened when she saw the fallen and injured forms of the guards that lay before her, but that was soon replaced when relief upon seeing Celestia with them.

“Queen Celestia!” Venture cried, flying over to the swan white Alicorn. “What happened?! I didn’t see you anywhere with me in the smoke!”

“I was in one of the trees.” Celestia replied, not looking the smaller mare in the eyes. “I was going to get blown away by the smoke, so I took to the treetops to keep myself stable. How’re you and the other guards?”

“Well, I don’t really have any injuries whatsoever other than getting bitch slapped into a tree by a gigantic tail.” Venture said somewhat dryly, swaying her own long appendage. “I can’t really say the same about the guard here. I can smell the blood and their burnt fur all around us, even from this distance.”

“As a Kirin, you are prone to be subjected to that, having such sensitive noses.” Celestia said as she looked around, wincing at the sight of the injured guards around her. “I would seem that my subject took more of a hit than I thought they would. I’m amazed that they’re still even on their hooves right now.”

“Well, we did just face off against an Ursa Major.” Venture pointed out. “After I had woke her cub up and inadvertedly pissed her off into trying to swallow me whole. Sorry about that by the way.”

“Don’t be sorry Venture Vine, you had no idea that a beast of that size and power was in there waiting for you.” Celestia said with an assuring smile. “All you were doing was keeping an eye out for any animals that may attack us, and you did. Even if you came to warn us too late.”

“Yeah, at least her cub didn’t try to eat me.” Venture murmured, sighing. “So…what’re going to do about the guards here?”

Celestia’s assuring smile turned serious. “While a majority of our guards have been critically injured, it is not to the point where they won’t be able to fight. I can still sense their magic at the height as it was when we first came here, so it shouldn’t take very long for me to heal them before we continue.”

“Wait, you’re going to heal them?” Venture asked, surprise overtaking her. “All by yourself?”

“I can heal more than one pony at a time.” Celestia said, her horn igniting. “I’ve done it before; it’s a spell that I spent countless hours perfecting and mastering for situations like this. It wasn’t easy, I can assure you, and I spend a good amount of time in bed resting from headaches, but I was able to do it. The spell is basically a large sphere of magic that can spread a magical warmth designed to heal any injuries present, and anypony in this sphere will find themselves healed in an instant. It’s basically like the magical healing powers that the Nightstalkers Thestrals have in their manes, along with the egg like spheres of healing magic the Dragons, Shenrons, and Kirins have.”

“Oh, I see.” Venture murmured, taking in the information as if she was breathing in fire. “So, all of the guards here will be healed just like that?”

“That depends on how long I’m able to make the spell last, and if I can get all of the guards in one group quick enough.” Celestia replied. “Another setback is that I’m only able to use this one spell once every three days. Any more than one time a day, my regular magical powers will get severely decreased. So, I will have to make each one count, unless some of the Unicorn Guards here can heal one another’s injuries with a healing spell of their own.”

“If that’s the case, then I suggest that you let the guards who are able to heal others, and each other do that for themselves.” Venture Vine advised. “That way, you’ll be able to save more of your magic, especially for that spell, since there will be less ponies for you to have to heal. And the quicker they’ll all be able to be healed, the quicker we’ll be able to move on and get to my son and his friends so we can help them face off against Nightmare Moon.”

“A wise idea.” Celestia nodded, smiling in approval at the Kirin. “Are you going to partake with us?”

“Y-yeah, I will. L-let me just…” Venture replied with a slight stammer. “I’m gonna go see if the Ursa’s still…u-um…”
“Do as your conscience dictates, Venture.” Celestia said gently. “Don’t worry, we all understand your desire to be there for lives of nature that you and your kind hold dear. Go on dear, we will be right here waiting for you.”

Venture nodded, and without hesitation, she turned tail and ran into the direction of the Ursa Major, leaving Celestia to tend to the guards. She could hear the Queen calling out to some of the guard, presumably to heal them with her spell. The mare could see the other guards down below her igniting their horns and performing healing spells of their own on their comrades.

‘They must’ve heard me and Celestia talking about her spell.’ Venture thought as she flew past the trees. ‘It looks like these ponies really are capable of journeying into this forest after all. I guess I underestimated them and their tenacity to succeed.’

As she continued to soar through the giant groves of trees, Venture’s nose picked up the scent of the Ursa Major from afar. She also detected another scent, one that she didn’t want to smell for a good majority of the trip, despite having smelled it just moments ago.

“Oh yeah, that is definitely blood I smell.” Venture said to herself, seeing the bright stars of the Ursa Major’s fur coming into view. “We did hit that Ursa pretty hard with that last attack me and Celestia pulled off. I hope that we didn’t injure her to the point where we killed her…now that would be bad for her cub.”

It was only two seconds after this thought crossed her mind, did Venture see the condition of the Ursa Major, and needless to say, it was shocking. All over her bloodied fur, were deep cuts, slashes were imbedded in her body, allowing her to see the meat and muscle from within. The parts of her fur that wasn’t slashed, were either burnt to a crisp or blasted off revealing pure white skin from underneath. Venture could see blood spilling out from the wounds like water from the edges of a rock floor or a large cliff, pouring onto the painted red grass. Venture Vine could also see an even larger stream of blood coming from up above the Ursa Major’s back, and it immediately dawned on Venture what it was.

“Oh shit…that’s the blood from the wound that...” Venture whispered, hovering down to the ground below. The moment she touched the ground, she suddenly grew aware that she landed on something wet and cold, and coppery scented. Looking down, she shrieked upon seeing the pool of blood under her, and in her shock, she slipped and fell into it.

“Gah, ah, son of a bitch!” Venture cursed, scrambling back to her hooves. She spread her wings and looked over herself, disgusted at how dirty she had got herself. “Ah shit, there’s so much of it on me, and it’s so hot! It’s going to take me forever to get this off of me!”

As she tried to wipe the blood off of her, Venture suddenly felt a large breath blow right into her, mane and cloak in all. She froze as if she was suddenly stabbed in the back by the Ursa Major’s claws, and she slowly turned around to see said bear breathing heavily. Venture sighed as she saw that the Ursa Major’s eyes were still closed, though her face was contorted into one of pain and agony.

“The poor dear…she’s in so much pain…we really did go hard on her, didn’t we?” Venture asked herself, walking closer to the Ursa. She lifted a hoof and ran it along the beast’s nose, ignoring the blood flowing out of it. “I really wish that I could have make a large enough egg shell so I can heal her wounds. Unfortunately, she’s too big, and if I try to stretch out my magic too far, I may end up ruining the process.”

A soft growl left the mouth of the Ursa Major, making the blood covered ground shake under Venture’s hooves as she continued to stroke the giant bear’s nose. The beast shifted as it tried to regain its footing, but the pain coming from its stomach and its back from its hole prevented it from doing so. As Venture continued to try to soothe the beast’s pain, she suddenly became aware of the presence of another creature behind her. Despite not needing to turn around to see who it was, that didn’t stop Venture from locking her yellow eyes with the garnet ones of the Ursa Minor standing behind her.

“Hello sweetie.” Venture Vine said gently, letting her hoof fall down to the ground. “I didn’t expect you to come running over here. I take it you heard all of the commotion?”

The act of the Ursa Minor rubbing his ears told Venture all that she needed to know as the cub slowly trudged toward them. Its large paws smacked onto the ground, making the blood splash about and sweet across the clearing as he aimed towards his mother. The Ursa Major must’ve picked up her cub’s scent, because her eyes slowly opened, and her baby was the first thing that she saw. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and was about to reach out towards him when she saw Venture Vine with him as well. Snarling, she weakly lifted up one of her massive paws in an attempt to crush her, but the Ursa Minor ran in front of her and held his paws out.

The Ursa Major froze, and for a brief moment she wondered why her baby was stopping her, but then she took note of his body language. The very same one that she would use for him whenever he was in danger and needed saving. Just the stance alone and the look in his eyes was enough to make the mother stand down, still keeping a watchful eye on Venture while she did so.

Once he was sure his mother wasn’t going to harm Venture, the Ursa Minor slowly walked up to her and nuzzled against her muzzle. His star covered blue fur go stained with his mother’s crimson life fluid, but the young cub ignored, the only thing one his mind was to be there for his mother and try to soothe her pain. While the comforting gesture did nothing to make the pain in her body go away, it did fill the Ursa Major with relief that her youngster was okay. That and the pony in front of her posed no threat to her, let alone her cub, from the start.

Venture Vine watched the scene from afar, her heart swelling at the tenderness, despite the rather gruesome state the Ursa Major was in. It reminded her of all the times that she cuddled and played with Zephyr when he was a foal. Along with all of the times where they went out together, either alone, or with friends to build the bond they had now. It made her heart ache somewhat to know that the bond this Ursa Major and his mother had now would soon break, and they’d eventually go their separate ways for good. Which made her all the gladder that she was able to have the relationship she had with her own youngster, and that it was a n-t short-lived one, like a majority of animal others and their young.

With a sigh, Venture Vine slowly walked up to the two Ursas, caring not for the blood that stuck to her hooves the closer she got. It was only when she reached out with a hoof and rubbed the Ursa Minor’s right leg that the cub turned his attention to her. They stared into each other’s eyes for what seemed to go on forever, yet was only for a few moments. Then, with regretful tears rolling down her face, Venture spoke.

“I’m sorry…both of you.” She said softly, leaning in and nuzzling into the Ursa Minor’s fur. “I didn’t want it to go this far. I meant neither of you any harm…I swear it…”

Nothing else came from the grass green mare’s muzzle as she nuzzled into the Ursa Minor’s fur for a moment longer, before pulling away. Wiping her reptilian eyes, she turned away from the duo, her tail brushing against the Ursa Minor and Ursa Major’s chin in the process. A mewl was what stopped the grass green mare, and as she turned around, she found herself staring into the eyes of the Ursa Minor. Venture had no time to say or do anything before the cub to her in its furry arms, nuzzling her like he did in the cave. Although he was in capable of verbal speech, the gesture alone was all that Venture needed to know that the Ursa Minor forgave her for what happened. From the look its mother’s eyes, she did to, and the expression on her face even looked…apologetic.

“Thank you…” Was all that Venture said as she smiled up at the Ursa Minor, kissing its nose in the process. “Thank you…both of you.”

A shining golden light appeared out of Venture’s peripheral vision, and that was all that she needed to know that Celestia was at work. She looked over and noticed the light poking right through the grove of enormous trees, giving her Queen and the guard’s location. Knowing that it was time for her to leave, she tugged at the Ursa Minor’s fur, and he set her back down on the ground, perhaps sensing that she had to go.

With another nuzzle and a gentle wave to the mother and cub, the grass green mare took flight and soared off towards where Celestia was. As she did, the light grew brighter the closer she got, and soon enough, she found herself in a scene that made her gasp. Right in the center of the other clearing, was Queen Celestia, with a large group of guards surrounding her, in a huge golden sphere of magic. Many of the guards with them were standing outside waiting for the Queen to finish healing their comrades, while the ones inside relished in being healed.

‘Wow, it looks like the Queen already went to work in her spell.’ Venture murmured to herself as she watched the scene before her. ‘She was right…that is a pretty big sphere of magic. I do wonder how she’s able to spread it out so much.’
It didn’t take very long for Celestia to finish her healing spells, and once she did, the golden sphere encasing her and the now healed guards vanished. They backed away from the swan white Alicorn as they let her rest from the whiplash of the magic she used in her spell. As the guards hugged and checked one another, Venture slowly walked towards the panting Queen, who immediately locked eyes with her.

“Oh, Venture Vine, you’re back.” Celestia said, her expression brightening somewhat. It soon turned to dread when she saw the blood coating the smaller mare. “I take it the meeting with the Ursa Major didn’t go well?”

“Actually, it went…pretty fine as a matter of a fact.” At Celestia’s surprised expression Venture continued. “When I got there, the Ursa Major looked really worse for wear…luckily, she was still alive, and as I was trying to soothe her, her cub came along. I honestly though that he was going to try to eat me for harming its mother, but he didn’t. He just went over to his mother, nuzzled her and tried to soothe her pain, and I…sort of joined in and said I was sorry. I saw the light of your magic coming from the forest, and I was about to leave, but the Ursa Minor stopped me and…hugged me. I don’t know what compelled me to do it, but…I kissed him on his nose, and I thanked him for not eating me, and after that I…came back here.”

Celestia said nothing for a while, silently absorbing the information given to her by Venture while the guards stood beside her in stunned states. Once it had sunk in, the Solar Goddess spoke. “I see…it looks like Faust’s angels were on your side today. Usually Ursa’s are extremely aggressive if you threaten their young or wake them from slumber. Whatever you did must’ve worked essentially for you to come back just covered in its blood.”

“I didn’t really do anything to be honest, I was just…there.” Venture Vine shrugged, blushing a bit. “Still, I guess even that was enough to save my scaly ass.”

“Maybe so.” Celestia giggled, ruffling her wings. “Anywho, are you ready to head off now?”

“Yeah, I do…I think the Ursas will be fine.” Venture nodded softly. “Though I think we should go around the Ursas just in case. I don’t want them to be in the receiving and of an angry Momma Ursa, least we have to go through this whole process over again.”

Celestia nodded, and with a swift gesture of her hoof, she and Venture led the guards through the trees, making sure to keep a safe distance from the Ursas. As they did so, Venture could’ve sworn that, out of her peripheral vision, she saw a set of yellow and white eyes gleaming from behind the trees. A glow growl emitted from that spot as the eyes narrowed, giving off a faint flash before the figure containing them slinked off into the trees.

Violet Fire whinnied loudly as she shot out a large blast of black and purple fire at a Hinoinu as it attempted to slash at her face, only to miss in the process. It then found itself being scorched as the ebony mare’s flames consumed him. Using the flames as a cover, Violet soared towards the canine in attempt to sock the canine right in its face. She instead met its chest, before she felt something sharp clamp around her shoulder and spin her around. Violet cried loudly as she was slammed hard into the ground, but was able to keep her throat from being torn out by the Hinoinu. With a snort, she summoned a pillar of flames that sent the Hinoinu in the air, which allowed her to fly up and kick him across the air.

“Fire Pegasus Knight: Scorching Neigh!” She shouted, sending a blast of fire at the Hinoinu, who crashed into one of its packmates in the process. They both got burned by the mare’s flames just when a bolt of lightning struck, causing an explosion to ring out. Violet Fire covered her eyes to shield herself form it and when she did, she found herself staring at Fast Tracks, who was hovering not too far away from her.

“Um, Captain…” Fast Tracks murmured, blinking in surprise. “Did that come from you?”

Violet Fire sweat dropped. “Uh, yeah…it did. I totally wasn’t expecting that to happen. At least, not that part where you unleashed your attack. I’m sorry about that honey-”

“No, it’s cool, I was just taken aback by that.” Fast Tracks said sheepishly. “It did help in killing two birds with one stone though! Even if we both launched our attacks at the same time.”

Violet Fire laughed bashfully, and was about to speak, but was cut off when she saw a surge of fire coming up at her and Fast Tracks. They both flew back just in the nick of time as the pillars of fire soared past them, and they flew down to the canines down below.

“You can take the canine on the left!” Violet Fire said. “I’ll take the one on the right!”

“Got it!” Fast Track nodded as purple lightning began to coat him. “Lightning Thestral Knight: Electric Explosion!”

“Fire Pegasus Knight: Scorching Explosion!” Violet shouted, shooting off a blast of fire right around the same time Fast Tracks let out his. To both leaders’ surprise, the attacks fused into one and struck both Hinoinus simultaneously, resulting in a huge explosion.

“Holy shit!” Fast Tracks shouted. “Did you see that Captain?! Our attacks just became one!”

“More like fused, but it looks like it served us well.” Violet Fire corrected, brushing her mane away. She then looked over to where the others were, and she smiled. “And it looks like we’re not the only ones.”

Raising a brow, Fast Tracks only to see streams and drills of wind and fire being shot at a group of Hinoinus, courtesy of Blue Skies and Zephyr. The pack retaliated with their own elemental attacks, and some even tried to slash and bite at them with their claws and teeth. They were able to get through to their armor, but thankfully not at the vulnerable parts like their necks, but the same couldn’t be said for their legs.

“Gah! My legs!” Blue Skies shouted painfully, falling belly first onto the ground. As she grabbed at her hind legs, she noticed the Hinoinus rushing at her. She flared her wings and took to the air just in the nick of time, but she did get slashed on the muzzle by one of the canine’s claws as she did so. “Z-zephyr, are you okay?”

“Apart from getting bitten in the dick, I’m just peachy Blue.” Zephyr replied, in a half dry and half sarcastic tone. “Are you alright though? You took a real nasty swipe to the face….”

Blue Skies winced, putting a suit to the bloodied part of her face. “I…think I’ll be okay. My inner Pegasus magic is going to get rid of it before long…but I think I might be left with a scar.”

“That makes two of us.” Zephyr said, giving the smaller mare a comforting pat on her head. The sound of soaring flames then caught their attention, and their eyes widened when they saw a huge pillar of flames soaring at them.

“Dark Shadow Pegasus Knight: Dark Shadow Explosion!” A large wave of darkness collided with it just as the fire was about to incinerate them. They looked over to see Lightning and Storm both behind them, waves of black magic emitting from their hooves.

“Don’t worry guys, we’ve got this!” Lightning Shadow shouted. “We won’t let them hurt you!”

“Just focus on getting yourselves fixed up!” Storm added. “We’ll take care of these Hinoinus for you!”

“Thanks girls, your life sav-” Zephyr began, but was cut off when he heard a scream from down below that made him freeze. Whipping around to the source, his orange eyes widened upon seeing Violet Fire on the ground with blood flowing from where her stomach was. Fast Tracks was standing over her, fangs bared as he hissed as at the Hinoinus closing in on him.

“Oh, no, Captain Violet!” Blue Skies cried, her fear overcoming her pain as she flew down to her fallen leader. Wind swirled around her as she attempted to blast it at the Hinoinus, but she was stopped as all five of them let off wind blasts of their own. Blue Skies screamed in both pain and surprise as they hit her, sending her crashing into a rock pillar.

“Blue Skies!” Zephyr shouted, flying down towards the fallen mare. “Are you alright?! Please, say something!”

The palomino grabbed at the royal blue stallion’s shoulder, coughing up blood. “Z-z-zephyr…b-behind you…!”

Zephyr turned around just in time to see a torrent of flames rushing at him, and he tried to use his wings to block the attack. He managed to keep it at bay for only a few moments, before it overwhelmed him, consuming both him and Blue Skies.

“Shit, Blue Skies and Zephyr are down!” Lightning cursed. “C’mon sis, let’s go! I’ll go help Fast Tracks and Captain Violet; you take care of the others!”

“Right!” Storm nodded as she followed her twin down to the ground before they split up. As the twins went to fight off the Hinoinus, the seven mares were watching in silent horror from afar, the Hinoinus psychotic laughter echoing in their ears.

“Oh, sweet Celestia, they’re losing!” Rarity cried, biting her lip. “T-they were evenly matched with those beasts just several minutes ago!”

“Yeah, they were beating those mutts’ asses!” Rainbow Dash added. “Why is it that they’re losing now?!”

“It’s because of the amount of magic they’re producing.” Twilight replied, sounding calmer but by no means less afraid. “The Ascension Modes allows ponies to increase their physical and magical strength at exponential levels, but it comes at a cost. The amount of power behind their attacks depends on the amount of magic they put into it, which can result in a pony draining their magic faster than they usually do. In other words, the more magic that a pony uses in their attacks, the faster their magic drains from them.”

“So, what yer sayin’ is…” Applejack murmured. “The more Zephyr an’ them Shadowbolts use their attacks at such a high level, the faster their losin’ their magic?”

“Exactly.” Fluttershy nodded. “Which is why they’re having the trouble they are now, and why the Hinoinus are gaining the upper hoof…or paw.”

“Dammit, then it looks like we’re going to need to jump in sooner than we thought.” Goku cursed, flexing her wings. “Anypony have any ideas?”

A pink hoof suddenly raised in the air, and six of the seven mares turned to see Pinkie Pie being the owner of said raised hoof. “Yes, Pinkie Pie?” Goku asked, noticing the unusually serious look on the party pony’s face.

“Girls…I think I may have an idea, and of course, it involves all four of us.” Pinkie replied, not looking back at her friends. “Though, it maaaaay not be in the way that you’re usually familiar with.”

Rainbow Dash raised a brow. “Whaddya mean Pinks? What you have cooking in that cake loving head of yours?”

“You…you guys hear that laughing right?” Pinkie Pie asked. “You know, the laughter coming from those big scary looking furry doggies?”

“How could we not, they’re most certainly not music to my ears!” Rarity said, a shiver going down her spine. “Why do you ask dear?”

“Nothing, it’s just it gave me an idea.” Pinkie Pie replied, pawing at the ground. “It’s an idea that I know you guys are going to think I’m crazy for, but I may think it’ll work.”

“Pinkie, in all of the times that we’ve known each other, you have done a shit ton of crazy things that cannot even comprehend.” Goku stated bluntly. “Even so, they’ve also helped us in a lot of unsettling situations. And if it’ll help Zephyr and the Shadowbolts, then by all means do it!”

Pinkie Pie sighed, sucking in a breath before a smile stretched across her muzzle. “Well, since you’re the ones saying it, I might as well. Zephyr and the Shadowbolts are going to end up as doggy show if I don’t.” Her smile faded as she looked at each of her friends. “Just promise me girls, that whatever happens afterward…don’t interfere.”

“W-why?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “What’re you planning to do?”

“Some of the craziest stuff you’ll probably ever see me do.” Pinkie Pie replied, before she turned tail and ran into the battlefield.

“Wha-Pinkie!” Twilight shouted. “Where are you going?!”

“Consarn it, girl!” Applejack yelled. “Git yer pink ass back over here this instant!”

The farmer’s demands fell on deaf ears as she ran across the clearing of Hinoinus, swiftly evading and dodging their attacks in the process. As she made her way to the opposite side, Fast Tracks took notice, and his eyes bulged in shock.

“PINKIE PIE!” He yelled. “What the bucking are you doing?!”

The pink Earth Pony stopped at the end of the clearing, spinning around with glowing eyes. “I’m putting an end to this party!”

Rearing up, Pinkie slammed both her forehooves down, sending a wave of blue energy across the clearing as a large rock ring appeared. At the same time, vines appeared where Zephyr and the Shadowbolts were, and hoisted them into the air. As they did so, the ring wall that had the pack of Hinoinus closed in around them, but the vines still held the ponies encased in them.

“Pinkie Pie!” Zephyr cried as the vines set him and the Shadowbolts on opposite sides of the large earth sphere. “W-what’s going on?! What are you doing?!”

“Don’t worry you guys I got this!” The pink pony replied as smaller spheres encased the six flyers. “Just trust me for what I’m about to do! I don’t have much time, so I need to do this quick!”

Ripping out a large thick vine that was next to her, Pinkie Pie bounced up towards the top of the earth sphere. She tapped the tip of her earth vine as if it were a microphone as she cleared her throat, the blue aura if power still surrounding her body.

“You gotta be bucking kidding me.” Goku muttered, her eyes widening. “Is she really doing this right now?”

“What Goku?” Rarity asked, noticing the tan Thestral’s jaw dropping expression. “What is Pinkie going to do?”

Before Goku could reply, all six mares heard singing starting to emit all throughout the Elephant Graveyard. They all slowly turned to the source of it, wondering if they were hearing right, and sure enough, they could Pinkie Pie was indeed, singing.

When I was a little filly and the sun was going down

The darkness and the shadows would always make me frown

“Is…is she doing what I think she’s doing?” Twilight asked, looking on in disbelief at what she was seeing.

I’d hide under my pillow, from what I thought I saw

But Granny Surprise said that wasn’t the way to deal with fears at all

“Yep, she is.” Rainbow Dash said flatly, facehoofing herself.

“Really Pinkie Pie?!” Rarity screeched, a disapproving frown on her face. “Of all the times to be singing, you pick now to do it?!”

“Hold on.” Fluttershy said, putting a hoof to fashionista’s shoulder. “I think she may be onto something.”

She said, Pinkie you gotta stand up tall, learn face your fears

You’ll see that they can’t hurt you, just laugh and they will disappear

As if prove her point, Pinkie Pie began laughing heartily the infectious sound reverberating in the ears of Zephyr and the Shadowbolts. They soon began to writhe and shake around and before they knew it, they were giggling and laughing as well. Right into small holes that were places right where their muzzles were facing, courtesy of the vines ticking them all over.

“What in the hay…?” Applejack whispered, looking utterly flabbergasted.

“Oh, my goodness!” Fluttershy gasped, putting a hoof to her mouth. “Pinkie’s vines are…are tickling them!”

“I knew it...” Goku said, a grin coming to her face as she heard a distinct sound coming from within Pinkie’s earth sphere.

Sooo giggle at the ghostly

Guffaw at the grossly

Crack up at the creepy

Whoop it up with the weepy

Chortle at the goopy

Snorkel at the spooky

Chuckle at the chunky

Snort up at the slinky

On and on Pinkie Pie went, her chorus of bouncing and singing never stopping as she bounced about her earth sphere. With each word she sang, and every laugh, giggle, chortle and guffaw she gave, the shrieking and whimpering from within the earth sphere grew. Zephyr and the Shadowbolts all continued laughing, even as tears fell from their eyes.

And tell that creepy face, to take a hike and leave you alone,

And if he thinks he’s scary he’s gotta another thing coming,

The very idea just makes you wanna laaaaaaaaaaaaugh!

As the last word extended, the earth sphere she created began to crack, bright blue magic shining from it. Sensing the incoming outcome, Pinkie Pie, still laughing, bounced off of the earth sphere just in the nick of time. Just as her hooves touched the ground, it exploded, and a gigantic green vine burst out of the ground. Goku, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy all watched on in awe and amazement as the giant vine carried the Hinoinu pack into the air. With a powerful jerk, the vine threw them across the air as if they were baseballs off into the opposite direction of the Everfree Graveyard, their howls echoing about the sky.

Author's Notes:

Wow...this one was so hard for me to end without wanting to rip it off too much from the previous one of Pinkie Pie living to her element! Still, there you have it folks, the next chapter of one of the Main Seven living up to the element that they're destined to get and wield!!! I'll admit, this was one of the harder chapters that I had to right, mainly for the the purpose of how I was going to start it, and what scene that I was going to add so I could figure out out to end that right. I can see it took me considerably less time for me to do that, and I think that I executed the little scene with Venture and the Queen quite well. I have no idea how I'm gonna flush out the next chapter, but I'm pretty sure that I'm gonna enjoy that a lot.

Well, that's all for right now everypony. Tune in next time for a journey through the waters of the Everfree Forest, along a new surprise character of an even more surprising species!!!