Spike didn’t show up for his shift the following morning and he wasn’t seen for the rest of the day. When the girls had dinner in the Café, they overheard Celestia tell Discord that she had just come from Spike’s suite. She said that Spike had been shaken by a dream so bad that he wanted to be left alone. The next morning, the girls gathered in the kitchen and prepared breakfast for Spike: Applejack scrambled eggs while Sunset fried bacon and sausage. Fluttershy buttered toast as Rainbow Dash fried hash browns, Rarity and Starlight put a bowl of fruit together, and Pinkie Pie helped Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo make chocolate chip pancakes. After they were done, they tried to decide who was going to give it all to Spike.

“Draw straws?” Rainbow Dash suggested.

Before anyone could say anything else, Pinkie reached into her hair and pulled out a dozen plastic bendy straws, one for each of them.

“Okay, there’s one straw with a red stripe,” Pinkie said. “Whoever picks it gets to give Spike his breakfast. Sound fair?”

They all thought about it for a moment, and then nodded in agreement. Applejack drew first, followed by Sunset, then by Fluttershy, then Rainbow Dash, then Rarity, then Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and finally Starlight. After seeing all the dismal looks on her friends’ faces, Pinkie smiled smugly.

“Well, what do you know,” she said. “I’ve got it.”

But to her surprise, she didn’t.

“Huh? All right! Who’s got it?!” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Guess!” Sunset smiled as she grabbed the tray of food and ran out of the kitchen. “Thank you very much!”

She had drawn the lucky straw.

“I wonder how Sunset always wins when we play that game,” Pinkie said.

After Sunset made her way up to Spike’s suite, she knocked on the bedroom door and was startled to hear Spike mumbling in his sleep. When she entered, she saw him buried under his covers. She finally caught a glimpse of his face – and was shocked to see that he was in tears.

She placed the tray of food on his nightstand and stood by his bed. With her right hand holding the geode of her necklace, she placed her left hand on Spike’s forehead and saw his dream. He was all alone in a thunderstorm.

“Mom? Mom! Mom, where are you? Don’t leave me! Come back, please!”

Sunset removed her hand as Spike tossed and turned, and even kicked in his sleep. Then he started screaming.

“Spike, wake up!” Sunset cried. “Please, Spike, wake up!”

Spike’s eyes opened and he instinctively threw his arms around her.

“There, there,” Sunset said soothingly. “Shh... It was only a nightmare. It’s all right. You’re safe now. I promise.”

She cuddled him until he stopped screaming. His breakfast remained on the nightstand when she left his suite. She rode the elevator back down to the lobby and returned to the kitchen, where the girls were still waiting.

“Well?” Rarity asked.

Sunset didn’t answer her.

“Is he coming out of his room?” Dash asked.

“How is he feeling?” asked Fluttershy.

“Did he at least say anything to you?” Starlight inquired.

“He doesn’t want to see any of us right now,” Sunset finally replied.

“Did you give him his milk?” Applejack asked.

“I tried, but he wouldn’t drink,”

“What about the chocolate chip pancakes that we made?” Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo asked.

“He didn’t eat those, either,”

“Did he even touch his food?” Pinkie demanded.

“No, he didn’t,”

“Sunset, what is Spike doing up there if he’s not eating?” Applejack asked.

“He’s not doing anything,” she said. “He’s just laying there... crying.”

After Sunset left his room, Spike continued to lay in bed, surrounded by his treasures: photographs of his mother and father, a porcelain figurine of a dragon, and the crystal Fabergé egg that held his Gate cards.

Ever since Spike was old enough to remember, he had been born into a world that wasn’t always kind. And even though his mother’s death caused him great pain, he never let it interfere in his daily life... until now. He had tried to tell himself that he could cry all he wanted, but all the tears in the world wouldn’t bring her back. Spike longed to see his mother again. He often hoped that she was a kind, courageous woman like the princesses he’d heard and read about in fairy tales. And when he tried to remember her, what she was like, he felt he was starting to forget. The sound of her voice when she sang, the way she put on her makeup so carefully, and the scent of peppermint whenever she hugged him. But he knew that (from what Celestia had told him growing up) his mother was a wonderful woman, simple and beautiful, and a friend to all she met.

The girls tried to coax Spike from his bedroom, but to no avail. They tried everything they could think of: Sunset and Applejack alternated between cooking and offering him sexual favors while Fluttershy tried to get him to play with her breasts and feed him their milk, and Pinkie exhausted herself trying to make him smile. Starlight tried to explain to Spike that her father didn’t go into business with anyone without doing research on them—unfortunately, Firelight found out more than just a few dirty secrets about Flimflam Resort... even Twilight actually thanked Spike for saving her and the girls’ lives from Discord when he was playing ghost. But it wasn’t enough to get him to come out of his room.

There was little they could do but wait until Spike felt better.

Well, one morning in the staff locker room, Rarity had had enough.

“I have had it!” she shouted. “We’re just sitting by while Spike suffers in his room as if we have no say in the matter whatsoever! I say we put an end to this misery! What do we do when we’re unhappy? We throw a great big party, that’s what! Well, are you girls with me or not?”

“I’m with ya!” Apple Bloom answered.

“So am I!” Sweetie Belle agreed.

“Me too,” Scootaloo joined in.

The girls all agreed and marched up to Spike’s suite in perfect unison with Discord and Zephyr Breeze in tow. Well, all except Applejack and Rarity – Applejack had asked for Rarity’s help on a special surprise for Spike, and today was her day to finally test it out.

Discord, Zephyr Breeze, and the rest of the girls entered Spike’s room to find him curled up under his hoard, and unshaven, as per usual.

“Look, Spike, we understand how you feel, but we are not going to let you waste away in bed,” Trixie began.

Spike sighed as he continued staring out the window.

“All we want is for you to be happy,” Sunset added.

“If you’re not happy, we’re not happy,” Fluttershy went on.

Spike groaned as he buried himself under the sheets, only for Zephyr to tear the covers off the bed and smack Spike upside the head with a pillow.

“Dude, get a grip!” he shouted. “Like it or not, life goes on! Now, snap out of it, get dressed, and march yourself downstairs because there is an awesome convention going on here today and we are gonna have FUN!!”

Spike didn’t know if it was the sudden change in Zephyr’s mood, or the fact that he didn’t want to get hit with a pillow again, but he found the motivation to force them out of his room so he could dress in peace.

“Hurry up!” Sunset shouted. “Or I’m gonna come in there and help you put your clothes on!”

As tempting as that offer was, Spike hurried. He showered, shaved, got dressed, and joined them in the lobby. The resort was filled with little old ladies dressed up like grey extraterrestrials and other various beings from outer space, as well as big, fat guys in ill-fitted officer uniforms, and children playing with “light swords” and miniature spaceships.

“Oh, no,” Starlight groaned at Zephyr Breeze. “You didn’t tell me it was this convention.”

It was a combination comic book, fantasy, and science fiction convention. In other words, a gathering where people who “really liked” said stuff (among other things) could get together and avoid reality. The crowd parted for Spike and the gang, all of their eyes on him, appraising and appreciating, staring in wide-eyed admiration. Spike made it through the mob untouched until he finally reached the Midnight Lounge, which had been converted into the hub of all the activity.

“I can’t believe I’m surrounded by people who not only didn’t go to their proms, but also pop a rod every time they see a robot,” Spike commented.

“I agree, man, bot heads are lame,” Sunset replied. “I’m more of a gamer.”

“Please, tell me less,” Spike told her.

“Now that these programmers have gotten used to the new platforms, we’re living in a golden age of video games,”

“I would like to be left alone with the bar. Thank you,” Spike said before reading the menu. “Super Martini-o Brothers, Pong Collins, Donkey Kongs-mopolitans... What the Tartarus are these?”

“Theme drinks,” Soarin, who was behind the bar, explained.

“How about a bourbon, straight up?”

“You mean a Pac-Manehattan,”

“How about a bourbon... Hold the nerd!” Spike stated. He faced the room again. “This is sad.”

“Not really, it’s people like this that keep the internet alive,” Zephyr replied.

“Seriously; ‘Egghead’ of ‘Big Dweeb’ Counsel, ‘Dorkfleet’ Admiral, ‘Nerd-Eye’ Master,” Spike listed them off. “The big sign over the main entrance might as well say, ‘Welcome to Geeks R Us!’”

“I like Sci-Fi movies,” Rainbow Dash shared.

Spike gave her a disturbed look.

“What? They’re cool! It’s the fans that creep me out,” she added.

“This stuff is for disconnected losers and friendless shut-ins!” he exclaimed.

“Gook-vacht!” someone exclaimed.

Spike and the group turned to see a big, hairy dude in an officer uniform standing by the bar.

“My yeoman just threw up all over her bathroom,” he said. “Can someone mop it up?”

None of them responded... except Spike.

“I think you’re looking for Juniper Montage,” he informed him. “You might try the back, by the pool.”

The man saluted and left.

Spike turned to the girls and said, “The prosecution rests.”

He sipped his bourbon as he surveyed the crowds of convention goers, many of them young men who had probably never even spoken to a female human. Some fit the stereotype of the typical gamer nerd or computer geek—overweight or skinny as a rail—toting backpacks stuffed with gear. But Spike’s eyes picked out a pair of honeys who, simply put, were incredible!

“They’re too pretty to be into this,” Spike thought.

They were; they really were. They were knock-outs!

I mean, they had it goin’ ON!!

One had long brown hair, ice blue eyes, and a beautiful face. Her figure was exaggerated hourglass, which complimented her perfect, creamy skin and big, beautiful breasts. The other was eerily similar, with wavy blue hair, green eyes, freckles, a trim waist, curvy hips, and enormous breasts... definitely not the types Spike imagined “nerding it up”.

“Some underage brats probably begged their mommies to come along and buy the latest M-Rated game for them,” he added in thought.

That’s when both women locked their eyes with his.

“I want you,” they said. “I want your hard cock deep inside my pussy. I want you to fill me, I want to feel you rubbing me from the inside, I want to feel your mouth on my breasts, I want to feel your hands all over me, I want to taste you everywhere...”

Fluttershy’s voice interrupted Spike’s thoughts. “What’s this?”

Spike must have picked up the pen that had been sitting on the bar because she saw that he had written something on his cocktail napkin.

“This written by the guy who fawns over me,” said a new voice.

Spike instantly recognized Applejack’s sultry twang and turned on his stool to see her dressed as Mistress Marvelous. Well, she was wearing a variation of Mistress Marvelous’ classic outfit, which consisted of a sleeveless red leotard with red gloves that went up past her elbows, a black domino mask, a dramatic black sash around her waist, and red high-heeled, thigh-high boots. On the outside, Spike’s calm expression didn’t betray him; inside, he was panting and drooling like a horny fanboy.

“Well, what do ya think?” she asked. When he didn’t answer, she asked, “Somethin’ wrong?”

“What are you wearing?” he spoke.

“Oh! You mean this? I just asked Rarity to make me something that I thought you might like. Do you like it?”

“Why did you do that?”

“I knew it!” Applejack said. “Rarity told me you would love it, but I knew you’d hate it!”

“Hey! I didn’t say that!”

“You didn’t have to,” she replied.

“AJ... no girl’s ever done anything like this for me before... you didn’t have to... but I’m glad you did... And you look very sexy,”

“Do... do you really think so?”

“You know I do,”

For the first time in days, Spike smiled. And AJ smiled back as they were joined by a big and tall guy with orange hair, dressed in a red plaid shirt, faded blue jeans, and dusty brown boots.

“Spike, this is Big McIntosh, my brother,” AJ introduced them.

The two men shook hands and Big Mac gave Spike a brochure of the convention with the main attraction’s picture on the front. A genius in computer science, Micro Chips combined cold fusion with solar energy, which not only charged his prototype car battery... but also gave the engine the power to fly. After finishing college, he became a hugely successful video game developer and entrepreneur.

“So he’s the head of his own tech company, so what?” Spike asked.

“Micro Chips is more than just a video game designer, he’s an artist,” Rainbow Dash said. “His tech in open world games let you push the boundaries of human experience. The possibilities are practically limitless. There’s even a rumor that in his next game, the one that’s being unveiled here today, we’ll be able to... enter the game itself.”

“No one’s playing it until I solve a little problem,”

The gang turned to see the man of the hour. He looked just like his picture, from the birds’ nest of hair right down to the thick, black-framed glasses.

“‘Problem’?” Twilight echoed. “What kind of problem?”

Micro Chips led Spike, Discord, Big Mac and the girls behind the stage’s big blue curtain. Behind it was a square metal structure about the size of a small room.

“This chamber uses hyper energy lasers,” he said. “I’ve been experimenting with them to break down physical matter and project it into cyberspace.”

Twilight gasped. “You mean you can transport objects from the real world into the digital one?”

“Precisely,” Micro Chips answered. “Unfortunately, it beamed someone into cyberspace a week ago during the test run: my partner, who came up with the idea for the game. I’ve been trying to get her out since.”

“Can you show us how it works?” Twilight asked.

“I can show you the demo, but I can’t stop the game,” Micro Chips replied. “I’m still working out the bugs, so until then it is off-limits.”

He briefly excused himself as he approached a podium that had been set up on the stage. The speakers rumbled as Micro Chips spoke to the crowd.

“Thanks, everybody,” he said. “I’m thrilled you could make it here today. But you’re not here to see me; you’re here to see my new game! Here we go!”

The crowd cheered as the lights dimmed and a video projected onto a giant screen overhead. It featured several of the game’s characters walking slowly forward against a backdrop of orange fire and brimstone.

“Centuries of conquest and scattered settlements have done nothing to tame the monster-filled reaches of the Western Heartlands. Perhaps it is for this reason that the realm welcomes ambitious adventurers. And Selena’s Gate, its greatest city, calls to them like a siren luring sailors to their doom. Why do they heed the city so, these brave and wandering souls? Some for the greater good, others for wealth, for power, for glory... some do not know why themselves. This is such an adventurer’s tale. Rumors abound of a dark alliance gathering against Selena’s Gate, of the hateful spirit of the Betrayer, of a stone castle of Darkness in which he seethes and plots. Adventurers flock to the Western Heartlands to forge their destinies in the fire of battle. Even now, some make their way down the Trade Way, moving southwards towards Selena’s Gate. Fortune favors the bold, adventurers. Do not falter.”

The video ended, the lights came back on, and the audience applauded.

Spike and the gang rejoined Micro Chips and he went into further detail about his new game; Ogres and Oubliettes: Dark Alliance, which was a fantasy-role-playing-adventure-themed game. They were also joined by Celestia, Chrysalis, Stellar Flare, Sunburst, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Soarin and Midnight Radiance.

“The O&O game has one hundred levels,” Micro Chips told them. “You need to battle monsters or villains while trying to find hidden treasures...”

Most of them were intrigued and excited, but something about the whole thing seemed crafty and made Spike wary.

“I created this chamber to further enhance the gameplay experience,” Micro Chips went on. “Once inside, you would operate according to the programmed rules of the video game. Also, your data would be filtered through the game’s content. You step through the portal, there’s no telling how you’ll step out.”

“What are you saying?” Rainbow Dash asked. “We might become orcs or something?”

Micro Chips’ lack of response confirmed her suspicions.

“This is why I hate video games,” Spike grumbled (soft enough that none of the others heard him).

“Oh, and one more thing,” Micro Chips warned them. “You’ll have to play through all the levels to get back out.”

“You’re kidding,” Twilight said.

“I wish I was,” he replied sincerely. “Until you can get out by winning every level of the game, the danger in there will be very real.”

“I’m going in,” Spike stated.

“What?!” Celestia, Discord, Applejack, Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom, Sunset, Sunburst, Stellar Flare, Fluttershy, Zephyr Breeze, Pinkie Pie, Trixie, Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Scootaloo, Chrysalis, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Midnight Radiance, Starlight, and Twilight all asked, one right after another.

“If someone’s trapped in there, we have to go in there to try and get her out,” Spike said.

“No!” Celestia replied. “I won’t allow that.”

“I won’t turn my back on someone in trouble,” Spike stated. “Not again.”

“Well, if you’re going, then I’m going with you!” Rainbow Dash declared.

Applejack stepped up to meet her, nodding, as did Sunset and Starlight. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy joined in as well.

“So am I!” Discord proclaimed.

“Me too,” added Big Mac.

Twilight slowly nodded too.

The rest of them wanted to go along, but the Hyper Energy Chamber was only big enough for twelve, and they already had eleven. And once they found Micro Chips’ friend, they would have to bring her back with them.

Celestia reluctantly agreed and hugged Spike tightly as Micro Chips approached the chamber’s main external console and began typing in commands.

“Initializing environmental geography, adding virtual characters... matrix complete,” he said.

Spike, Discord, Big Mac, Applejack, Sunset, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Starlight and Twilight entered the chamber and strapped themselves into the chairs mounted along the walls. Applejack held Spike’s hand as she sat next to him and Fluttershy smiled at him. Rainbow Dash and Rarity both looked concerned, but quickly put on brave faces... for Spike’s sake.

“All right, are you prepared to enter the world of Ogres and Oubliettes?” Micro Chips asked them.

“Let’s just get this over with!” Spike stated.

Micro Chips nodded and typed in the final commands.

Suddenly, lightning flashed all around the machine.

“What’s happening?” Stellar Flare cried.

“Turn it off!” Chrysalis shouted.

“I can’t!” Micro Chips exclaimed. “It’s shorting out!”

The next thing Spike remembered after opening his eyes was he was suddenly flying above a luscious green land covered in fields, forests, and what he thought were medieval buildings. He had just enough time to position his body so that he wouldn’t land on his face when he hit the ground. He landed hard on his feet and went to one knee, steadying himself. He returned to his feet after catching his breath. He looked around, hoping to see something familiar, only to realize that he had no idea where he was. The woods were thick and hid any and all landmarks... not that he would recognize them even if they didn’t.

“Where am I?” Spike thought.

“Girls? Girls!” he shouted. “What’s wrong with my voice?”

He retained his rich baritone, only it took on an even more suave sound.

Sweat glistening on his brow, Spike ran his hand over his head... only to find that he no longer had hair!

“Where’s my hair?!”

Spike looked down at himself. He was clad in long, emerald green robes. He gazed at his strong, muscular arms and his big, scaly hands, opening and closing his fingers in front of his face. Then he stared down at his bare feet, which had long claws on their ends instead of toes.

“What happened? I feel so strange... My hands! My face! My--tail?!”

Sure enough, he had a long, lizard-like tail. He spun around in circles like a dog chasing its own tail and stopped when he saw a pond nearby. He looked at his reflection in the small body of water and saw that his face was no longer human, but reptilian. His skin was covered in shiny purple scales and he had a long snout like a dragon. He did look like a dragon, but without wings. Spike glanced over his shoulder to find a wooden staff slung over his back. He grabbed it, took aim, and a beam of magical energy fired from the gem (the size of a large marble) at the end, and burned a hole in one of the nearby trees, right next to a half-elf Ranger with long blond hair and pointy ears, dressed in a green uniform with a flowing golden cloak, and he had a parsnip plant for his left hand.

“What the--?!” he asked. “Where am I? What’s wrong with my voice? What the Tartarus is this? And what happened to my hand?”

He was accompanied by two women: one was a human Bard with pink hair, dressed in blue and yellow, with a feather in her hat, and a mandolin in one hand; the other was a Rogue in a gray hood and well-oiled leather armor, with a bandana mask covering the lower half of her face, shiny metal shoulder plates, and wielding a handheld crossbow.

“What kind of stupid-ass--?!” the Rogue began. “Who’re you?”

“Who’re you?” the Dragonborn (Spike) echoed.

“I asked you first!” she stated. “And who is she?” she demanded, pointing at the Bard.

“Who am I? Who are you three?” she replied. “Huh?!”

“Okay, what the Tartarus is going on?!” the Rogue shouted.

“Oh, my Faust!” the Dragonborn swore. “Rainbow Dash, is that you?”

“Yeah, I’m Rainbow Dash,” the Rogue replied. “Who’re you?”

“I’m Spike,”

“What? The Tartarus you are! What is going on?”

“I think... We’re in the game!” the half-elf Ranger exclaimed.

“Excuse you?” Rainbow Dash/the Rogue asked.

“What are you talking about?” the Bard added.

“That’s it! That’s what happened! We got beamed into the game and we’ve become characters in it!” the Ranger exclaimed. “You are Spike,” he said to the Dragonborn, “but you look and sound like Garbuncle the Wizard. You have the power to create matter from nothing! You’re phat with magic!”

“What are you talking about?” the Bard asked.

“Oh, my Faust, he’s right!” Spike/Garbuncle added.

“You’re telling me that we’re in the video game?” Dash asked. “No way!” she exclaimed. “This is so cool! But wait... Who are you?”

“Discord,” the Ranger answered.

“Did you just say that you’re Discord!?!” the Bard screamed.

“Yes, it’s me,” he replied, “which means, Rainbow Dash you’re Rainbothyra Dasheyes, a shifty rogue whose pockets always seem to be full of gold. Good at card tricks and good at gambling. And Pinkie, I recognize your character – Pinkamena Diane Rockkin, a bard and minstrel who chronicles heroes deeds in song. Unfortunately, you’re not that good at singing.”

They couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but it was hard to deny what was right in front of their eyes. Spike (or rather, Garbuncle in this form) waved his staff and made a few gestures with his free hand, and snapped his fingers.

He had created a pie!

“That. Was. Awesome!” Dasheyes cried.

“It’s just a little thing I do,” Garbuncle replied modestly.

Pinkie stuck one of her fingers in the pie and tasted it.

“Mmm... Blueberry,” she said.

They turned when they heard a rustling in the bushes. Discord aimed his big bow and arrow and was about to fire when a muscular black knight emerged from the darkness. He was accompanied by a tall, blonde, buxom barbarian maiden dressed in a skimpy engraved chest piece with an impossibly-low neckline, which had been fashioned to protect her feminine frame; and a dangerously short studded leather skirt that showed off her long, very shapely legs (clearly inspired by the outfit of a certain warrior princess).

“What the--?” the Barbarian asked. “What is this thing? Wait! Is this me?”

“Whoa!” Discord exclaimed, lowering his weapon. “Look at those bosoms!”

“Who designed your character?” Dash asked.

“Applejack?” Spike guessed, looking at the blonde.

“Yeah,” the Barbarian confirmed.

“You mean Lady Jacqueline of Clan Applesmith!” Discord corrected Spike. “Quick with a sword... or axe, or dagger, or any other sharp, pointy thing you can get your hands on. More than capable of dishing out and taking serious physical damage; and you can drink any man under the table! And her brother, the noble knight Sir McBiggun!”

“You mean... you’re Big McIntosh?” Spike asked.

“Eeyup!” the black knight replied heartily.

“Look at this,” Applejack motioned to her outfit. “It doesn’t protect my arms, legs, head or neck!”

“True,” said Discord. “But you do have gauntlets, shoulder plates, and high boots. And besides, if you wore heavy armor it would just restrict your ability to move,” he added.

More and more avatars continued to join them in the clearing. The next one was Fluttershy. Like Discord and Rainbow Dash, she had become a half-elf. She had pointed ears, wielded a wooden staff wreathed with holly, and wore a long white gown that fell all the way to her feet, but was slit up one side revealing her long, slender leg. The front of the gown gaped open wide, the neckline plunged all the way to her waist displaying a good portion of her generously rounded breasts and came dangerously close to exposing her nipples.

“Fluttershy, stop fussing!” Discord told her. “You’re the druid Lady Fauna Silentflyer! You can talk to, and control, animals.”

Sunset Shimmer—who didn’t look much different than she normally did—retained her red and golden hair, but it moved and flickered like a candle flame. She was also dressed in a low-cut outfit revealing lots of cleavage, including a silver breastplate... with its own nipples.

“Sunset, you’re the cleric Lady Sistine Sextus,” Discord went on. “You use the power of the Sun Goddess, Celeste, to protect and heal, and to smite the wicked creatures of the Underdark. You’ve got more magic in your little finger than most characters have in their whole body!”

Then Rarity, who had become a moon elf, wore little more than a metal bikini top, a leather bodice, an incredibly sheer skirt (slit up the side to show off her legs), a cape... and absolutely no evidence of the standard bikini bottoms that usually came with such an outfit.

“I’m half-naked!” she cried.

“Rarity--I mean, Ruvia Darkmane,” Discord introduced her. “She will kill anyone who treats her like a bimbo, even though she’s not above using her good looks to get her way.”

Starlight had turned into a stunningly beautiful, lithe and curvaceous elf with blue hair and violet skin and she carried a staff with a U-shaped curve at the top.

“Stostine Darkstar, necromancer and mistress of the shadowy arts,” Discord said. “And I am Captain Wuzz, half-elf arcane archer and ranger extraordinaire!” he added proudly as he struck a heroic pose. “This is my official Ogres and Oubliettes character! Talk about luck!”

“Luck?!” came the distinct, shrill screech of Twilight Sparkle. “What do you call this?”

The group turned and saw a female dark elf with long white hair (which had two streaks, both a different shade of gray), dressed in black leather armor, a purple hooded cloak, and holding a gnarled staff of dark ebony wood.

“Therstine Read, Drow Sorceress, mistress of evils, mechanisms and just plain rudeness,” Discord/Captain Wuzz said flatly. “Frankly, I would have expected nothing less.”

“At least she has pants,” said Rarity/Ruvia.

“That’s the way Elves dress,” Captain Wuzz explained. “Especially female Drow, who seem to know only two sorts of clothes: quasimagical chainmail plus cloak of near-invisibility... and stunningly pimped out un-dress. In Elf society, the more you cover up, the more flaws and weaknesses you’re perceived to be compensating for.”

“He’s right,” Spike/Garbuncle added. “Even the wealthiest and most powerful Elves only really wear clothes as something to hang expensive finery from. It’s common for Elf women, especially Drow, to expose a lot of skin; considering most could protect themselves with magic, wearing a skimpy outfit is akin to announcing their spellcasting ability as well as confidence.”

Their words were true.

And Twilight’s character wore a lot of clothing... A lot!

“How do you know that?” Dasheyes asked Garbuncle.

“I guess we’ve been infused with our characters’ knowledge and mindsets as well as their appearances and backgrounds,” Spike ventured a guess. “I wouldn’t have named myself ‘Garbuncle’ if I’d had the choice.”

“So, what do we do now?” Rarity/Ruvia asked.

“Remember what Micro Chips said?” Rainbow Dash asked. “To get back out, we need to fight monsters and find treasures.”

“Well, I--I mean, my character--received a message from one of the priests of Selena’s Gate, saying that my presence was needed,” Sunset said.

“So which way do we go to get to Selena’s Gate?” Fluttershy asked.

Discord and Sunset looked around until they spotted a signpost.

“Well, that was convenient,” Twilight/Therstine said.

“To reach Selena’s Gate, we must cross through the Everfree Forest,” Captain Wuzz said.

“But how are we going to get past all the dangers?” Starlight/Stostine asked.

“Fear not! I shall protect us!” Garbuncle declared. “Whoa! Where did that come from?”

“I’m worried,” Lady Silentflyer said.

“Fluttershy, you’re always worried,” Applejack/Lady Jacqueline replied. “Selena’s Gate is south, so we should go south.”

“AJ’s right,” Dash added. “It’s the only lead we have to a way out of here.”

And so, they set off quickly to the southwest. The journey wasn’t long, but by the time they were nearly halfway there, 22 brigands sprang out from behind the trees on both sides of the road and attacked them. Sixteen of them had long, untamed black hair and were armed with scimitars; the remaining six had big beards and wielded throwing knives.

Three of the bandits with scimitars immediately went after Fluttershy, but Spike stepped in to protect her. They quickly turned their attention to him and Rainbow Dash, who quickly countered their attacks. Sir McBiggun’s sword sliced through the bandits like a hot knife through butter. Starlight and Twilight beat the brigands back with their staffs, Rarity (who was completely unarmed) started taking wild swings at the bandits with her fists; and even though Pinkie and Fluttershy were armed only with daggers, held their own pretty well.

“I’ve got your back, Garbuncle!” Discord/Captain Wuzz proclaimed.

He and Applejack fired arrows at the remaining six brigands while Spike raised his staff, cast a Wildfire spell, and burned the bandits alive.

“I think that’s the last of them,” Applejack said.

“That was easy,” Rainbow Dash said.

“It’s only the first level of the game,” Discord/Captain Wuzz replied. “It’s supposed to be easy.”

“Fluttershy, are you all right?” Spike asked.

“I’m fine,” she replied, “but what about Twilight?”

They looked at Twilight and saw that she was bleeding out of her shoulder. She had been nicked by one of the scimitars.

“That hurt!” she exclaimed. “That really hurt!”

Suddenly, Micro Chips’ voice came from all around them.

“Remember what I told you! The danger is real! In this video game, you can get hurt!”

“Or worse,” Rarity/Ruvia added. “We better tread carefully.”

“You know, getting beamed into cyberspace might not be such a bad thing,” Sunset told them.

“How’s that?” Applejack asked.

“Maybe, if we continue to play along, we can find out why the machine went haywire and find Micro Chips’ partner,” Sunset said.

AJ started to agree, while Discord/Captain Wuzz was in a world all his own.

“In order to finish the game, we have to beat all the levels, which are going to get harder as we go...” he thought out loud.

Dasheyes nodded in agreement.

“The characters we chose, we all have certain skills,” Captain Wuzz went on. “So, there’s got to be a way to access our...”

Suddenly, a textbox appeared over their heads.

It was Discord’s character’s stat and skill list.

“What did you just do?” Dasheyes asked him.

Spike started reading Discord’s profile out loud.

“Captain Wuzz, a Level 28 Half-Elf Ranger... Strength, 17; Constitution, 14; Dexterity, 15; Intelligence, 11; Wisdom, 13; Charisma, 11... Skills: Arcane Quiver, Acid Arrows, Flame Arrows, Ice Arrows, Shock Arrows, Enchanted Arrows, Exploding Arrows, and Hail of Arrows. Weakness: An Ego the Size of a Small but Violent Country.”

“Why the Tartarus is my Charisma so low?” Captain Wuzz asked. “I am very charismatic! And I have ‘an ego the size of a small but violent country’? That’s a weirdly specific weakness... even, and especially, for a half-elf.”

Spike, trying to remember exactly what Discord had done, started patting himself down, and his own list appeared before them.

“Garbuncle, Level 30 Dragonborn Wizard. Strength, 18; Constitution, 15; Dexterity, 20; Intelligence: 17; Wisdom: 17; Charisma: 15. Skills: Ball Lightning, Icy Sphere, Lightning Bolt, Magic Missile, Maredenkainen’s Sword, Perception, Snowblind. Weakness: Women with Big Busts and Big Butts.”

“Even in a video game, Spike is still a horn dog,” Twilight thought.

“How did you do that?” Applejack asked.

“I think I just pressed my... tight, left pect,” Spike said.

“It’s the breast area,” Sunset added.

Applejack cupped her bust and her stat list replaced Spike’s.

“Lady Jacqueline Applesmith, a Level 18 Female Human Barbarian... Strength, 16; Constitution, 14; Dexterity: 10; Intelligence, 10; Wisdom, 10; Charisma: 11. Skills: Archery, Barbarian Rage, Endurance, Great Weapon Focus, Hero’s Arm, Hero’s Mantle, Melee Combat, Shield Bash, Shield Expertise, Two-Weapon Fighting. Weakness: Limited Magic. I can do magic?”

“Or maybe you’re vulnerable to certain types of magic, instead of all magic,” Captain Wuzz guessed.

“Or both,” Garbuncle added.

Big McIntosh went next.

“Sir McBiggun, Level 27 Male Half-Elf Paladin,” Spike read on. “Strength, 18; Constitution, 15; Dexterity, 12; Intelligence, 10; Wisdom, 11; Charisma: 10. Skills: Bull Rush, Death Blow, Intestinal Fortitude, Sword and Fist, Improved Block, Improved Critical, Shield Expert, Whirlwind Attack, Clopgeddin’s Fist. Weaknesses: A Man of Few Words.”

Pinkie’s character – Pinkamena Diane Rockkin, Female Human Bard – was pretty well balanced: with her Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma all at 12, and Dexterity at 11 and Constitution at 10. Her skills and abilities included Charm People, Detect Magic, Speed, Mandolin, Teleport, and Vicious Mockery; her two weaknesses were Cake and Hideous Laughter.

“Come on!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Seriously? Cake is my weakness?!”

Rainbow Dash, aka Rainbothyra Dasheyes, Female Half-Elf Rogue, had a high Constitution (16) with Dexterity being 15, Strength of 11, and Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma at 10. Her skills: Agility, Arterial Strike, Combat Reflexes, Crippling Blow, Handheld Crossbow, Evasion, Hail of Knives, Hidden Blade(s), Loyalty, Poison, Ransack, Speed, Stealth, Smokepowder Bolt/Bomb/Satchel, and Trickery... and her only weakness was her recklessness.

Fluttershy (Lady Fauna Silentflyer, Female Half-Elf Druid) had 14 Intelligence, with Dexterity being her lowest stat (11), and Strength, Constitution, Wisdom and Charisma at 12. Her skills: Animal Handling, Bless, Clarity, Cure Wounds, Deflect Missiles, Purity, Sanctuary, Spiritual Weapon, Turn Undead, and Unparalleled Cuteness. Weaknesses: Fear(s).

Sunset Shimmer – Lady Sistine Sextus, Female Sun Elf Cleric – had Strength: 13; Constitution: 13; Dexterity: 14; Intelligence: 17; Wisdom: 12; and Charisma: 15. Her skills were: Ball Lightning, Burning Hands, Divine Strength, Divine Resilience, Empathy, Empower, Fireball, Fire Shield, Flame Strike, Healing Magic, Lightning Bolt, Magic Missile, Meteor Swarm, Protective Ward, and Smite Evil. And her main weakness was her Wrath.

Rarity – Ruvia Darkmane, Female Moon Elf Fighter – Strength: 11; Constitution: 10; Dexterity: 10; Intelligence: 11; Wisdom: 10; and Charisma: 12. Her skills: Enchant Items, Repulsion, Spellcasting, Stamina, and Unarmed Combat. And her weaknesses: Greed, and An Expensive Date.

“‘Unarmed Combat’?” she asked.

“The ability to kick ass using only your bare hands and feet,” Dasheyes said. “That’s pretty cool.”

“Said the gorgeous, badass half-elf to the full elf whose weakness is that she’s a ‘greedy, expensive date’,” Ruvia retorted.

Starlight Glimmer, or Stostine Darkstar, Female Night Elf Necromancer, also had 17 for Intelligence, and 12 for Dexterity, but the rest of her stats were at 10. Her abilities: Animate Dead, Contagion, Dark Possession, Ghoul Touch, Undead Magics, Shadow Adept, and Spinning Strike. And weakness: Wrath (something she shared with Sunset).

“I already hate this game,” Twilight said after she looked at her own list.

All of her stats were at 10 except for Dexterity, which was at 19. Her skills included: Alchemy Lore, Chill Touch, Life Drain and Scroll Keeper.

“Therstine Read, Level 1 Dark Elf Sorceress,” Dasheyes read aloud. “Weaknesses: ‘Untrustworthy’ and ‘Chronic Backstabber’?”

“Yes! Those are my ‘weaknesses!’” Therstine hissed in reply. “Along with Endurance, Intelligence, Large Weapons, Strength, Speed, AND Wisdom!”

“Huh,” Garbuncle said, as if he were unsurprised.

“‘Strength’ is my ‘weakness’?” she spat. “Okay, for those of us who don’t understand the rules and basic laws of video games and their physics: how, the Tartarus, is that possible!?! Somebody, please, explain it to me! And why would I need a large weapon when I’m being chased through the forest by an enormous killer unicorn or some shit in this stupid outfit!!”

“You’re also a good... Scroll Keeper?” Starlight attempted.

“What does that mean?”

“It means you carry my spell scrolls and you give them to me when I tell you to,” Garbuncle explained.

“Guys!” Pinkie exclaimed. “There’s another signpost... and it’s changing.”

“What do you mean?” Spike/Garbuncle asked.

“Well, there’s not a whole lot to go on, but, a minute ago, it didn’t say this and now it does,” Pinkie went on. “‘The Trade Way.’”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Twilight stated.

“What else?” Garbuncle asked.

“Well, this says, ‘From Both Sides,’” Pinkie added.

“The bandits came from both sides,” Applejack said. “The ones that--”

“Yes, the brutes that almost did things to us!” Fluttershy/Silentflyer cut her off. “Can we just move on, please?”

“So, if ‘From Both Sides’ was the first level, then ‘The Trade Way’ must be the second level,” said Captain Wuzz. “Which way do we go?”

“This way,” Pinkie said after a moment of thought.

“Forward!” Captain Wuzz shouted. “To Selena’s Gate!”

“A horse!” Rarity/Ruvia cried. “My kingdom for a horse!”

They continued walking down the road with Pinkie singing all the way; but they were not alone on the trail, and Garbuncle sensed peril.

“Stop singing and keep an eye out for--” he began.

“For what?” Dasheyes asked. “What? Keep an eye out for what?”

“Danger,” he finished.

The friends looked to see what Spike was staring at. They came upon the remains of a caravan: burnt and overturned wagons, dead bodies... and a wounded guard. She had amber eyes and blonde hair, she wore golden armor, and she was clutching her side.

“I thought that would be my last fight,” she said. “I’m Valkyrie, and I owe you my life.”

“Well met, fair Valkyrie,” said Garbuncle. “Are you wounded badly?”

“Not terribly, no. But I’m grateful for your concern,” she replied. “Alas... if you’d only come sooner...”

“By my bodice!” Ruvia exclaimed. “What happened here?”

“We were ambushed by the Silver Fang marauders. I had heard there were raiders on the road, but... so many! They must be based out of Everfree Forest. My lord and lady Cashmere were traveling back to Selena’s Gate from Shallowpond. The caravan was attacked... They took some of us away... I believe all the other guards are dead...”

“Who’ve they taken?” Lady Silentflyer asked.

“Please, just lend an ear: I saw Lady Cashmere being carried off over one of the brute’s shoulders... I do not know what happened to my lord. Some of the marauders took prisoners into the forest, southwest of here... but most of them continued southeast to Spork Village. They’re going to raid it... or burn it. You must help, please!”

“Hold on! Why should we help you?” Therstine asked. “We’re on this road to reach Selena’s Gate, not rescue wagoners and peasants. And even if we were, what’s in it for us?”

Her voice was hard, lacking all trace of sympathy and/or empathy.

“Lady Cashmere is a high magistrate in the city, and her husband a wealthy landowner. There’s no doubt that those you saved would greatly reward you,” Valkyrie told them. “Please help them...”

“Wait. Who are these marauders?” Lady Applesmith inquired.

“Monsters, brigands, mostly goblin-kind,” Valkyrie said. “They’ve been raiding around Selena’s Gate for months. The city’s soldiers can’t find where the lot of them hole up. So, will you help?”

“We cannot stand by while innocents are in danger,” Fauna told them.

“I thought we wouldn’t find any further excitement until we reached the city,” Captain Wuzz added. “Very well, we’ll help.”

“Of course we will!” Sir McBiggun agreed. “We’ve been walking the Trade Way for days and are bored as all the Tartaruses...”

“Then continue down the road until you see a path leading into the trees. It eventually leads into the Everfree Forest,” Valkyrie instructed. “I’m in no condition to fight, so I’ll check my fallen companions for survivors and continue down the road for help. I’ll meet you later in Spork Village. Farewell.”

Garbuncle led them down the grassy path until a voice called out.

“Welcome to Level Two, game players,” it said. “Where things get a little tougher...”

Suddenly, the party was attacked by a band of goblins (small, selfish humanoid creatures that lived in caves, abandoned mines, despoiled dungeons, and other dark places). Individually weak, goblins gathered in large—sometimes overwhelming—numbers. They craved power and regularly abused whatever authority they obtained. The first few goblins rushed them, but they were easily dispatched (even by Twilight and Starlight, whose characters were weak melee fighters). Dasheyes looted their bodies, taking anything and everything she could carry (mostly potions and bits of armor).

Shortly after they entered the Everfree Forest, the group encountered a flock of blood crows. They were not very aggressive creatures, and fairly easy prey, but they could overwhelm one if they were not taken out quickly. Captain Wuzz saw that several goblins—spearmen and archers—had taken up positions on the far side of the swamp, and he and Lady Applesmith started trading shots with them from their bow and arrows (but they kept moving so that the goblins couldn’t get a bead on them). Twilight/Therstine tried rushing them, but her staff did minimal damage.

“Your weapon’s no use!” Sunset/Sistine shouted.

“Try your special skills!” Garbuncle added.

“Skills, skills, my special skill is... Chill Touch?”

It wasn’t a very powerful attack, but it worked. Sir McBiggun blocked the goblins’ arrows with his shield, and they deflected into the trees. After the party crossed the swamp, they encountered a deadly wolf. (In this game, wolves attacked head on, but were easy to beat if the party ran circles around them and slashed at their sides—they were a big target and easy to hit.)

But none of that happened. Instead, Lady Fauna Silentflyer (Fluttershy) stood between the wolf and her friends and stared the creature down.

“Don’t come any closer!” she stated. The wolf stopped as she added, “Please don’t hurt us.”

The wolf seemed to understand. She then charmed the beast and eventually befriended it... and it stood by her side.

The final stretch of trail was full of ambushes. The party proceeded slowly with Captain Wuzz and Lady Applesmith leading the way, firing arrows ahead of themselves (getting in a few free shots before the goblins closed the distance), then she switched to her sword and shield and unleashed her Barbarian Rage.

They followed Lady Silentflyer and her new wolf companion into a cave after that. She led the way down the rocky passage, where a heaping helping of goblin hospitality awaited: five archers on either side, protected by a row of crates. The rest of the group ducked behind the cave wall while Sir McBiggun ran right through them, taking them out one by one with his sword.

The group turned the corner into another dark tunnel, and looked around the wide chamber as they passed through it. Twilight/Therstine stared wide-eyed at Lady Fauna. A few spiders clung to her back. Lady Fauna glanced at them and casually brushed them off with her hand. Therstine noticed a spider on her own shoulder. Lady Fauna gestured for her to step closer and turn around. With a stared expression, Therstine complied as dozens of spiders clung to her back. She cringed as one crawled on her neck and Lady Fauna brushed them off.

They passed through another dim passage, which was full of more giant bats than one could shake a mace at. They proceeded slowly, and didn’t disturb the bats. Finally, they reached the end. They found an underground lake, where the leader of the ambushed caravan was being held prisoner by a group of goblins. Using a ring-around-the-rosy strategy, the heroes ran in wide circles around the goblins and attacked them. Once the goblin spearmen were taken care of, Sunset/Lady Sistine turned her attention on the two archers. She ran right up to them and called a Flame Strike (Holy Fire) down upon them.

(The Flame Strike was a doozy of a spell. It did an obscene amount of damage; it could rip apart groups of strong foes, even bosses. Unfortunately, it was only useful at very close range, and it left her open to preemptive hits—but for that much damage, it was worth it.)

Garbuncle and his allies approached the caravan leader, a raven-haired beauty with bronze skin and rosy red lips.

“Set free! I am Lady Cashmere, owner of the ambushed caravan. You have all my gratitude, adventurers,”

“We should praise Celeste, then, for it is in her service that we freed you,” Sunset/Sistine added.

“Very well, I praise Celeste, priestess, and you again as well!”

“Your gratitude alone is of little use to me,” Therstine said.

“Of course not, I was merely being polite,” Lady Cashmere replied.

“But what more could a half-dragon wizard want from such a lovely lady?” Garbuncle flirted.

“Much more, I’m certain. But this is no place for idle flirtations,” she replied. “I’ll see you well rewarded upon my return Selena’s Gate. I am a merchant of no small wealth, among other things. Are you traveling south? Hire on as my bodyguards until we reach the city’s walls. I do pay well...”

“That sounds worth our while,” Therstine said.

“Yes, we’ll see you safely to Selena’s Gate,” Garbuncle agreed. “Let’s go.”

“A deal, then. Wonderful!”

Upon agreeing to Lady Cashmere’s request, the group was teleported out of the cave and to the village of Spork, where its denizens were being attacked by more pillaging goblins.

“Terrible! The marauders are slaughtering everyone,” Lady Cashmere said. “There may be some survivors trying to hold the inn. I’ll remain outside and search for villagers to help.”

The villagers were fighting for their lives as Garbuncle and company made their way through the farmers’ fields, killing every goblin they came across, until they approached the inn and opened the door. They marched in and came face-to-face with the orange skinned, gray haired hobgoblin leader. Dark eyes peered out beneath his beetling brow, and his wide mouth sported sharp, yellow teeth. The group wailed on the hobgoblin boss until Starlight/Stostine drained the last of his life force. Lady Cashmere and Valkyrie entered soon after, and the innkeeper approached Garbuncle and his friends.

“Like a righteous comet from the sky you are!” she said. “Had you not come now, I dread to think what could have happened. I thank you will all my heart!”

“And a heart any man would want to win, at that,” Garbuncle told her.

“Hah-hah, you flatter me...”

“It is Celeste, not we, who deserves your thanks; she guides my hand,” Lady Sistine said.

“Surely, then, Celeste watches over our village,” she replied. “I’ll hang a sunstone over the mantle, and we’ll toast the Sun each evening before supper!”

“And I am certain you mean to thank us with more than your heart...” Therstine led on.

“Yes, of course. Here. Please take these few small things as a matter of reward. It’s the least we can do, seeing as you saved the village and all,”

“That seems acceptable,” Therstine said.

“Our thanks,” Lady Fauna added.

Garbuncle approached Lady Cashmere.

“Well met again. Rescuing damsels and saving villages... Be careful, or you’ll give adventurers a good name outside of Cobb!” she laughed. “I’ll have to spread word of your successes to my friends in Selena’s Gate.”

“Good,” said Captain Wuzz. “There’s no glory in unsung heroics, and it is glory I seek.”

“Yes, please do,” Sistine added. “Tell them one of Celeste’s faithful has come to do good in the Western Heartlands.”

“Excellent,” Dasheyes joined in. “If any of these friends are of influence, things will be easier for us there.”

“So, shall we go?” Lady Cashmere asked. “Selena’s Gate awaits us.”

“I had some questions, first...” Garbuncle attempted.

“Later, later, when we’ve reached the city,” Lady Cashmere said. “A fine tavern, sipping spiced wine, playing my yarting, ahhh... and so! I’ll answer your questions then. Now, shall we go?”

“Yes, let’s go,” Garbuncle agreed.

Elsewhere in the realms, a Dark Elf in black armor approached a satyr-like creature wielding a staff with a crystal at the top.

“Your Highness, the interrogation of the prisoners is complete,” she reported. “As you predicted, they know... little.”

“Nonetheless, I would hear it,” the satyr replied.

“They said the Betrayer used the Midnight Castle to create ‘shadow gates,’ which he then used to move troops around the realms. They also claim that when they slew him, the castle crumbled,”

“Yes. Capper and Catrina’s current employers, the Dark Web, seek to restore the castle--and the power it holds--for themselves. They used those three fools to wrest it from the Betrayer’s hands. However, the castle would better serve me and my allies in the east. I must have it!”

“Yes, Your Highness, but... about Catrina. The prisoners claimed they killed her in her guild,”

The Storm King laughed.

“No, not Catrina. She and her minions have a reputation for being exceedingly difficult to kill. They must have feigned their deaths, just as they were never really working for the guild. It’s more likely that the Dark Web paid them to eradicate the guild, which they accomplished through our three guests,”

“I see. And the ‘guests?’ Should I kill them?”

“No, Tempest. Leave them be for now. I’ll amuse myself with them later,”

The heroes were weary from their travels, but mesmerized at the sight of Selena’s Gate; not only a town of myth and legend, but also a place where one could find fame and fortune around every corner. It was beautiful. A wealthy seaport metropolis, Selena’s Gate took its name from the moon goddess. The city’s unique shape, curved around its harbor, gave it the appearance of a crescent moon, which was how the city was given its nickname. Shortly after the city was founded, pirates attacked and took it over. The four eldest pirate captains ruled the city and to this day, pirates still docked at the city to exchange goods. With over 40,000 inhabitants (although that almost doubled in the summer months), Selena’s Gate was an important merchant city. Its strong watchmen and powerful law enforcement—the Mercenaries of the Crescent Moon—former soldiers, maintained order in the city. Aside from them, Selena’s Gate was the residence of not just pirates, but terrorists and other mercenaries for hire. A whole world-within-a-world of criminals, prostitutes, warlords, and evils of every kind. Additionally, several vigilante guilds were active in the city and worked alongside the Crescent Moon Mercenaries, but were not part of them.

Many years ago, Selena’s Gate fought back against one who would conquer them. The conqueror was defeated, but he vowed vengeance. And every year, the city of Selena’s Gate celebrated their victory. It was night as they entered the city, and it seemed strangely deserted.

“At last, Selena’s Gate!” Lady Cashmere proclaimed. “Your reward, as promised; may the coin serve you as well as you served me, adventurers. So, what will you do now?”

“Find someone else in need of our services, if you must know,” Twilight responded.

Applejack elbowed her hard and said, “We’re all adventurers by trade, so we’ll need to find some work.”

“I heard there was adventure to be had here; I mean to find it,” Dash added.

“Lady Sextus and I hope to help the city,” Fluttershy replied. “One of the priests of Celeste sent us word of a dark alliance...”

“Hmmm,” Lady Cashmere replied. “Well, I have some matters to attend to: informing the relatives of the slain guards, the recovery of the caravan’s goods, that sort of thing... But should you require my help, or are looking for work, please find me at the Singing Siren Inn. I have associates that could use adventurers of your formidable skills. Farewell, for now.”

The heroes walked along the strangely silent street and stopped when they heard someone shout, “Halt! Who goes there?”

They relaxed when they saw it was just two men wearing the armor of the city watch.

“You’d best stay off the streets after the Sun goes down,” one of them advised. “It’s not safe out here.”

“You could seek shelter in the Singing Siren Inn,” added the other. “It’s close enough.”

“Aye, more than enough cutthroats and thugs there,” said the first. “Could be one of them would know how to find those that attacked you on the way here.”

Drawn by a haunting voice, the party strode toward the inn at the end of the street—the Singing Siren. It was a large, elegantly built place, four stories high with four levels of cellars. The windows appeared to be frosted over but were merely coated with dust. According to legend, the inn got its name from an unusual haunting: a ghostly female voice could be heard periodically throughout the night. The Siren was a meeting place for anyone wishing to conduct illicit business. A representative of virtually any illegal group, established underworld, and terrorist organization operating in the Crescent City could easily be found somewhere on the premises. But it was also a safe haven for independent operators like mercenaries and bounty hunters. Patrons were expected to go armed and were responsible for their own safety.

Garbuncle pushed the door open and led his party in. The tavern was filled with a motley assortment of patrons and grizzly trophies. Mostly humans, almost all of them locals, and among them, a dark elf, a surly dwarf, Valkyrie and Lady Cashmere, whom the heroes had helped on the way; and the bartender, a half-elf maiden with golden hair and sapphire eyes, who was also the current owner of the establishment. As soon as they all were inside, everything seemed to have stopped. All eyes were fixed upon them, and the din of voices dropped to about half its volume as they approached the bar. Even behind their backs, they could feel everyone eyeing them. A game of darts, which was going on at the other end of the room, interrupted itself for as much as thirty seconds. As they walked, the haunting voice seemed to come from every direction. The singing was quiet, but it could be heard quite clearly. It was beautiful and mournful at the same time.

“Good evening, Master,” the bartender greeted Spike. “If you’re looking for accommodations, we have more than enough rooms available, Mister...”

“Garbuncle,” he answered. “My name is Garbuncle.”

“Garbuncle!” she gasped. “I remember you had a big gray beard and a pointy hat. It’s been too long.”

The patrons fell silent as the song washed over them. One by one, they all seemed lost at its call.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” the bartender asked. “I’ve heard her sing a hundred times and each time it still moves me.”

“It is beautiful,” Spike admitted. “But where’s the voice coming from?”

“It’s the spirit of a siren; she haunts this tavern, singing once every couple of nights. No one truly knows why she sings. Her spirit was here when I first bought this tavern. Some say she sings for a lost love, a soldier who died defending the city. They say she sings in hope he will hear her voice and return home. Still, that’s nothing but hearsay and tales - welcome to the Singing Siren, what can I get you?”

“Dinner and a dozen beds, if it can be managed,” he said.

She swished two pints of dark-brown beer into thick mugs, which had been drying on the rack by the sink. The game of darts was in full swing again and their presence seemed forgotten. Rainbow Dash looked over the selection of beer. There was ale, stout, lager, even whiskey. They were all served hot soup, meat, blackberry pie, loaves of warm bread, slabs of butter, and a huge chunk of cheese.

“What’s that?” Rarity asked, pointing to Pinkie’s drink.

“This, my friend, is a pint,” Pinkie replied.

“It comes in PINTS?!” Rarity asked. “I’m getting one!”

Starlight was very taken by the monster that hung over the fireplace. It had a spheroid body, a big bulging eye above a wide, toothy maw, and several stalks that crowned its body, each with its own eyeball at the end.

“That’s a stuffed Beholder,” their waitress said. “A small version of the species, I’m told, not that I’ve seen many of them. They’re also called eye tyrants, if that name’s any more familiar to you. Foul beasts that float above the ground and can cast terrible spells from their eyes. Evil things...”

Suddenly, Sunset noticed a strange, weather-beaten man, sitting in the shadows near the fireplace.

“That one in the corner has done nothing but stare at you since we walked in,” she said to Spike.

Garbuncle noticed the large creature. He had a tall tankard in front of him, and was chewing a piece of wheat. His legs were hidden beneath his heavy black cloak, which was travel-stained and caked with mud. And in spite of the heat of the fire he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the Dragonborn. Garbuncle asked the waitress who he was.

“He’s a Centaur. Reclusive wanderers, generally good, neutral creatures, but fight fiercely when pressed,” she answered. “He seldom talks, disappears for months at a time, he just got back in fact... He’s known only as ‘Alden’.”

Rarity/Ruvia slurped her ale down greedily before turning to Garbuncle, advertising her assets by subtly undoing the top laces of her bodice.

“What do you say you and I ditch these dinks, stud?” she slurred drunkenly.

Spike was still sore at Rarity for using him on their “date.” He would much rather have a merry romp with the sexy barbarian lass that was seated across from him (Applejack). But he didn’t share that out loud.

Instead, he snapped, “I would rather kiss a female orc.”

After dinner, the barmaid lit a lamp and led the party slowly up the steep and worn stairs and along a tiny passage, into a room that looked out over the street and provided a magnificent view of the harbor. The furniture was still arranged as though the room was still being lived in. There was a strip of carpet on the floor and a red velvet armchair drawn up to the fireplace. An old-fashioned glass clock was ticking away on the mantelpiece. Under the window, and occupying nearly a quarter of the room, was an enormous bed with the mattress still on it.

“This is your room, Garbuncle. The rest of you are in the rooms across the hall,” the barmaid said. “My parents lived here until my father went off to war, and my mother died. I’m selling the furniture off little by little, but the bed is mahogany and quite comfortable.”

She was holding the lamp high up so as to illumine the whole room, and in the warm dim light the place looked curiously inviting. There was a small bookcase in the other corner, full of books on war and history.

“I trust you’ll be comfortable,” she said as she left. “Just shout if you need anything. My room is two doors down.”

Applejack and Fluttershy remained with Spike while the others went to get settled in their rooms. He looked even more tense since they entered the video game. Then he began to take off his robes.

Fluttershy squirmed a little as she approached him and asked, “M-mind if I touch y-your scales?”

Spike slowly nodded and Fluttershy brushed the tips of her fingers against his new dragon skin. It was surprisingly soft, cool, and smooth. She started to remove her dress, thinking Spike looked even bigger and thicker than in his human form. Applejack gently kissed Spike’s forehead before moving to his lips.

“Mmhf-!” she cried. “Ouch, my tongue!”

“I’m sorry, AJ! Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m just not used to making out with a guy with fangs,”

They kissed again as Spike’s hands freed Applejack’s breasts from their leather prison and he roamed his fingers over them as their tongues danced. Then she felt one of his hands slip up her leather skirt to cup her between her legs before her armor fell in a pool around her feet.

“AAAAAA!!” she shouted.

“What, what?” he asked frantically. “No fangs this time, I swear!”

“N-no, I’m sorry, Spike,” she apologized.

“AJ, you really just need to calm down,” as he gently pushed her onto her back and knelt between her legs.

She loved it when he took charge. She was already dripping wet when he started licking between her legs and she let out a small moan. Then she groaned at the feeling of a whole foot of dragon cock penetrating her. She didn’t last long, but Fluttershy was ready to skip the foreplay and go right to fucking. Spike pounced on her, forcing her onto her back on the bed, beside Applejack. She yelped in surprise when he entered her, then she whimpered, and her whimpers quickly turned into moans of pleasure. Finally, she bit her lip and her leg twitched as she squirted all over him. And the two women curled around him as they lay together.

“Sleep well, Spike,” they said softly.

I regret to inform you that with my new job, I am going to be working a lot of long hours, late nights, and weekends.

So with this chapter, this story and I are on hiatus.

I don't know for how long, and I have no idea when I will be back, but I will try to update as soon as possible.