For a week, eight hours, and twenty-eight minutes, they rode the train before arriving much to Shining Armor’s charging. Though the mares were both shocked and disappointed Blitz didn’t take off his armor once.

Blitz sighs as he looks at the maps they were able to get in his room. “The probes couldn’t find anything more?” He asks Minerva sitting on his bed, writing on her ‘notepad’.

“No, it is far too strange that a Ranchor is here on the planet. It should have been noticed by somepony beforehand.” Minerva says.

“Agreed. Something is off.” Blitz says.

Minerva sighs as she lets go of the cover she’s using for a bit and shows that her notepad was actually a screen in front of her. “I’ll try to find any clues as you go in. Anything to lead us to what got that thing here.”

“Actually, withdraw our probes. If I am correct, they have been detected and the one behind this is hiding.” Blitz says.

Minerva sighs and hits a few things on the screen. “Done, anything else?”

“Leave the rest to me and Terran,” Blitz says rubbing her mane before walking away.

Minerva smiles before charging her cloak completely and changing back. “Let’s go, sir.” She said playfully.

Blitz gets up. “And that’s the first thing I want you to think on. I also don’t want cheap furniture once you finish giving me your best estimate for the bits needed.” Blitz says opening the door to leave and finds Spitfire there about to knock.

Spitfire quickly puts her hoof down. “Oh um…hi Cross. Um…” She looks away.

“We have arrived. Thanks for coming to get me.” Blitz says putting a hoof on her shoulder.

Spitfire looks to him. “Oh yeah, sure.” She said embarrassed as she then turns away and starts walking. Blitz walks with her as they leave the train. “Um…Cross?” Spitfire asks.

“Yes?” Blitz asks.

Spitfire turns to him. “Thanks for saving me.”

“Don’t mention it, I couldn’t just let a c…” Blitz stops, encountering the same problem as before.

Spitfire stops as he stopped. “What was that?”

“Sorry, its part of a problem I have,” Blitz says.

‘C, c, c, Cute!’ Spitfire thinks. “Cute?” Spitfire asks.

All Blitz did was nod while blushing heavily under his helmet.

Spitfire turns away, blushing a bit as well. “I…um…thank you.”

Blitz says nothing as he hurried forward.

‘Wow, didn’t figure Southern Cross to be shy to mares.’ Spitfire thinks.

They soon enter the meeting room and see everypony there already. “So, what do we got?” Blitz asks, slightly rushing to his seat.

“The creature has stayed in the valley so far and hasn’t come out of what we believe to be its perceived territory.” Shining Armor says.

Blitz nods. “Anything else I need to know?”

“Nothing we know.” Shining Armor says.

Blitz sighs. “Okay, I’ll start tomorrow at sunrise. I will see you back here two hours before that.” Blitz says before vanishing.

“Well, even after being in around him for a week, I still can’t understand him.” Rarity says.

The rest nods at that. “He’s…kooky.” Pinkie said.

“Don’t get me wrong, his mysterious charm is alluring.” Rarity says.

“And I can tell he is very caring by the way he treats Terran there,” Fluttershy says.

Rainbow shrugs. “I don’t know, but he is cool in his own way.”

Applejack remained quiet the entire time. ‘Did Southern Cross told to meet him, is that why he left to meet with my cousin?’ Applejack thinks.

Twilight looks at Applejack. “You okay?”

“Um…yeah, I’m ok.” Applejack says.

“Look out Rarity, you have competition,” Rainbow says.

Applejack blushes. “I don’t like him.”

“The blush speaks volumes,” Rainbow says.

Applejack just throws a pen at her which she dodges and it gets lodged into her seat.

“Defiantly.” Rarity says deadpan.

Applejack just throws papers at her.

Blitz reappears and walks the streets as he scans the village with his eyes. “Minerva, how far away am I?”

Minerva smiles as they see her still writing on her notepad. “The cave is on the outskirts of town. Just follow that street and I’m sure Terran would pick up the rest.”

Blitz stops when he sees a few ponies bullying a pegasus mare. “I’ll be there soon,” Blitz says.

The mare backs away as they approach her before she gives off a shrill scream and then launched herself at one and starts to pound away at him. The ponies were a bit surprised, but then recovered and started to hit on her as she and the other pony fell down.

The pony raised his hoof to hit her again but suddenly felt a hoof grabs his. He looked back and saw Blitz holding it. “What do you think you are doing?” Blitz asks threateningly.

The ponies start to back away as the mare stayed on the ground where she was rolled over. Blitz took one more step before the ponies started to run down an alleyway and leave them. Blitz sighs and looks to the mare on the ground. “You okay?” He asks holding out a hoof. Taking a good look he saw the pegasus had a light turquoise coat with an amber and gold streaked mane and gamboge eyes.

“Yeah, thanks Mr.?” She says taking his hoof.

“Southern Cross,” Blitz says pulling her up.

The mare sighs in relief as she was pulled up. “Lightning Dust.” She said while trying to hold her clothing together from the fight.

Blitz eyes the ripped Wonderbolt, almost, clothing. “Are you part of the Wonderbolts?”

“No, was a part of their academy until I was thrown out for reckless endangerment of my team and civilians.” She admires, looking empty.

“Your life dream, wasn’t it?” Blitz asks. Dust nods while Blitz looks where the ponies went. “So what was that about?” He asks pointing down the alley.

Dust sighs. “Simply, coming home. Course, when those guys saw my uniform they figure to have a little fun. I mean look how skintight this is.” She said showing him her flank a bit.

“I can see that and your eyes mostly look dead,” Blitz says trying to keep his eyes on her head.

Dust sighs. “That’s what happens when I got kicked out and never to return and almost raped.”

“You have nothing to live for then?” Blitz asks bluntly.

Dust shakes her head. “My family is actually dead. I was going to their home they left me when I got ambushed.” Blitz moved close to Lightning Dust as she teared up and hugged her. Dust sniffles a bit as she leans her head against his shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Dust, I have an offer. I may not be able to replace your family, but I can offer you a new life.” Blitz says.

Dust sniffs as she pulls back. “What is it?”

“Ever heard of bounty hunting?” Blitz asks.

Dust nods. “Yeah, why?”

“I will train you and take you with me, but if you accept my offer, you must forever bid your former life behind you and there is no going back,” Blitz says.

Dust looks at him before looking back at the town. “Are we traveling that much?”

“You have no idea, but I will be making a base soon,” Blitz says.

Dust sighs. “Okay, I got nothing left anyway.”

“Then welcome to the Mandalorians,” Blitz says motioning her to follow.

Dust starts to follow him as Terran stayed behind them. “So…what are you doing here?”

“Just follow me,” Blitz says as he led her out of town and to a place nopony could see in a forest’s clearing. “Minerva opens it up and lets us start her down the path of her new life,” Blitz says.

Minerva says nothing as something shimmers in front of them before an area of the air started to move and behind it was some darkness and few lights while a quiet whirring sound was spread out. “Come on in my friend,” Minerva said coming into view of them from the home in the air that was metal.

“This is the choice you made, Lightning Dust, don’t back down now,” Blitz says looking back at the slightly unsure mare.

Dust just keeps looking until she steps forward and Blitz smiles and leads her inside. “Welcome to the Darkstar One, my personal spaceship,” Blitz says.

Dust couldn’t believe her ears and was thinking she would wake up any moment now as she kept walking up the ramp with Blitz.

Blitz chuckles a bit before turning to Minerva. “Drop it later, for now, show her around. I’ll go prepare for the Ranchor.” Blitz says walking out before the ramp closed.

Minerva smiles as she turns to Dust who was still looking around. “Having fun yet?”

Dust turns to her. “This place is…awesome.”

Minerva giggles a bit. “Well, bedrooms are down the hall at the end. We only a guest bedroom so that’s yours. Bathrooms are connected to it. The kitchen is right over while here is the dining room, training room, and living room.” She said pointing. “And finally, up front is the cockpit and tech center. You’ll learn the other areas as soon as you need them, but first I will start teaching you what you need to know about the galaxy.” Minerva says.

Dust’s eyes widen. “Oh boy.”

Minerva giggles. “Oh boy, indeed. I’m going to have loads of fun.”

Silver yawned as he sat in the meeting room at the ungodly hour as he waited for Blitz. “Shouldn’t one of us have gone with him, at least looking at him through binoculars?”

“With his disappearing act. He could be anywhere.” Silver says as the Spitfire, Fleetfoot, and Shadow Runner each had a cup of coffee.

Twilight sighs as she poured over her information she got while trying to drink something. “Has anypony seen Blitzkrieg? It’s been almost a week since I last saw him.”

“He had to go somewhere, something about buying something.” Applejack says half asleep.

Twilight sighs. “I was really hoping he can tell more.”

“Tell what now?” Rainbow asks after she just woke back up after her head hit the table when her head slipped from her hoof.

Twilight shakes her head and sips some more coffee. “Never mind.”

“You can sleep if you want,” Blitz says walking in with Terran.

They now all look surprised as they see him. “Cross, about time,” Shining says.

“I came early Armor,” Blitz says.

Shining sighs. “So you finished?”

“Preparations are done, now all that is left is the hunt,” Blitz says.

Shining nods. “Can we go or at least somepony to make sure it’s gone?”

“I just came from there. Three, two, one.” Blitz counted down before explosions were heard and then a roar of anger and pain.

They all looked shocked as they look outside and sees the smoke rising from the horizon and then back to him. “Was that…?” Spitfire tries to ask.

“It’s pissed and following the trail of blood and smell of fresh kills,” Blitz says starting to leave.

Shining looks aghast. “You brought it here?!”

“No, still in the valley actually going the other way,” Blitz says as he casually walks with Terran.

They all look outside again as they see some trees falling and rocks being sent into the air.

“Hitting the second wave right about now,” Blitz says as more explosions were heard.

They keep watching as a fireball went up into the air. “Anything else we should worry about?” Fleetfoot asks.

Shadow was just gorging on popcorn. “Or enjoy?”

“Um, shouldn’t we you know follow Cross?” Silver asks noticing he was barely seeable.

“Oh right.” They all say before they follow him out and sees him sitting down in a large clearing with a large rock bridge over the only entrance through the valley with Terran laying down beside him.

The pegasus was watching from the air as the third cloud of smoke went up with another roar. “How many are there?” Shining asks.

“Four, but they won’t kill it,” Blitz says as they see a large claw grab the side of the cliff face come into view.

Everypony soon backs off. Blitz sighs as he sits up again. “Let’s get this over with.” He said taking a blaster pistol as the Ranchor comes into view. To the ones watching it was a massive monster that was burned and hurt. It sees Blitz and roars and charges as Blitz casually strolls towards it. Once the Ranchor gets close enough Blitz fires his blaster hitting a concealed explosive on the rock bridge setting it off and causing a chain reaction that collapses it and it falls and slams the Ranchor in the back crushing its back and pinning it as it roars in agony.

Blitz smiles. “Sorry, I’m just doing my job,” Blitz says shooting the blaster one last time silencing the Ranchor forever.

They all soon go to him and sees the Ranchor down the casein dead. “So…it’s over?” Twilight asks.

“Not quite,” Blitz says walking up to the corpse and withdrawing claws and starts cutting at its head. “If I am right, then it should be right…ah ha.” Blitz says ripping out some metal with flashing lights.

Twilight looks at it. “What is it?”

“Nothing to concern yourself over. Terran.” Blitz calls. Terran’s head shoots up and goes to him. “Find them, boy,” Blitz says as Terran start sniffing the metal. After a few moments, Terran’s yellow eyes turn red. “Go get them!” Blitz yells and Terran shoots off like a bullet.

“I will leave clean up to you royal guards,” Blitz says running after Terran.

“Um…sir, should we follow him or dispose of the corpse as the princesses want?” Silver asks.

Shining just looked a little stunned. “I…” He sighs. “Let’s get rid of the corpse. There’s no point in following him when we couldn’t even do it here.”

“But that was following him, but we can follow his pet which he is following,” Spitfire says as she, Fleetfoot, and Shadow Runner unfurled their wings.

Shining sighs. “Just stay out of sight.”

The three didn’t respond as they took to the sky. Shining Armor looked back to the corpse to see the mane six inspecting it. “Are you sure you want to do that?” He asks them.

Rainbow punched the nose and there was no response. “It’s definitely dead,” Rainbow says.

“Twily, help us get the rocks off it so we can burn the thing.” Shining Armor asks.

Twilight sighs and uses her magic to lift the rocks off. “There.”

“Fire!” Shining Armor yells as the unicorn guards started to throw fire spells.

The three pegasus mares were surprised at the speed that Terran was booking it through the forest with Blitz right on his tail.

“Does anypony know what’s ahead?” Spitfire asks.

“I’m unfamiliar with this area.” Shadow Runner says.

“There is an old abandoned mine not too far ahead. I know because my hometown is nearby.” Fleetfoot says.

Spitfire looks to her. “Think you can guide us while hidden?”

“We are doing a good job already.” Fleetfoot looks distracted.

Spitfire keeps looking at her. “What’s eating you?”

“It’s just last night, ponies say they saw some strange lights. Normally that wouldn’t bother me, but with the appearance of that, Ranchor, is that what he called it?” Fleetfoot asks.

Shadow Runner looks to them. “So you think they are connected?”

“Maybe, I’m not sure. It just seems that he either chases the strange or he is always there.” Fleetfoot says.

Spitfire sighs. “Well, maybe we can ask him when this whole thing is over.”

“Or she will ask him to sign that latest copy of Daring Do that stars him.” Shadow teases.

“How did you know about that?!” Fleetfoot yells while blushing.

“Also that picture of him you keep in your favorite pillow.” Shadow continues.

Fleetfoot moves over and starts to pound her in midair as Shadow laughs.

‘At least it wasn’t me.’ Spitfire thinks as she keeps her eyes on Terran.

After a while, they finally reach the mining town and sees it mostly abandoned. “What happened here?” Spitfire asks.

“Mine was closed down, but it was completely abandoned,” Fleetfoot says suspiciously.

They start to fly down and soon ended up behind an old building and sees Blitz and Terran walking down the main street. “Okay boy, where to now?” Blitz asks. Terran growled, his spikes standing on end. “Gotcha boy,” Blitz says before he puts what looked like a metal helmet on its head. “Why don’t you come out? I know you’re here, if you don’t I’m not afraid to burn this ghost town down to make you.” Blitz says shooting a short burst of his flamethrower into the air to reinforce his point.

A deep thudding sounded out as a large creature came around a corner. “Nice job, very nice job.” The large heavily armed creature said before smashing a building near him and destroys the front wall. “Want a drink before one of us kills the other?”

Blitz waits as he received the data on this creature. When it did, all he got was mostly unknown until his rap sheet and bounty showed up. 1,000,000 dead. “Save the drinks, I came for answers why there was a Rancher here and I find you. I think I will collect your bounty Warlord Krank.” Blitz says as the aliens hidden started showing themselves with their guns trained on him. The three hidden mares could only watch at what they thought would be Southern Cross’ death.

Krank growls softly. “You do realize why the bounty is so high, right?”

“Yeah and this is also personal for me now. I will avenge my brother and sister Mandalorians you killed. Terran, sick the thugs. This is my prey.” Blitz says and Terran shot off to the side and for an unlucky alien his arm was torn off.

“Kill that bounty hunter and his Varren!” Krank yells as he runs around the corner.

Blitz takes out his blaster and starts firing wildly as he moved around as best he could while lasers erupted from all sides and started to hit almost everything. Terran growls as he rips an alien’s throat out and then runs to the other side and over Blitz as he ducks and allows him to jumps over as he still fires away and Terran runs to the alien on the other side and goes to his second ready kill until the alien’s barrier went up and he charged tearing apart anything he could get his teeth or claws on.

The mares could only gape as they watch him bob and weave through all that. “Is that magic?” Shadow asks as a leg flies across their field of vision.

Spitfire could gape slightly. “Which one, the movement or weapons?” She asks as Terran moves past Blitz as he dodges him and allows him past while still dodging the lasers, almost in a form of a dance.

“Both,” Fleetfoot says.

“What is wrong Krank, can’t understand why neither you nor your thugs can hit me?” Blitz asks.

His only answer was an explosion to a building and debris falling down as Terran comes around and they both start to either move through it or evade it and, in Terran case, jump on it. Blitz then points to the right and Terran rushes that way. “You see, I have always had a gift for predicting trajectory, range, time lapse, structural weaknesses, and limits. I can predict every one of your shots and if I know where they will be, it is easy for me to avoid them and it makes acts like this easy.” Blitz says shooting his blaster, hitting one of Krank’s missile launchers and causing it to spark before it explodes.

Krank growls as he looks to his busted launcher before reaching behind him as his other modified arm lets the launcher fall and he places in a new weapon. He then points to Blitz before firing a straight blue laser at him.

Blitz barely moves and the laser misses his head. He responds by shooting something small from his forehoof’s armor that goes up the laser barrel and after a few seconds of beeping it explodes destroying the entire arm. Krank roars before running at him and tries to swipe at him.

“Now this is just sad, did you really kill other Mandalorians?” Blitz asks dodging and blasting him in the leg. Krank roars at him and charges at him, but Blitz jumps out of the way and lets him charge into a building that soon collapses. Blitz chuckles a bit as he shoots behind him without looking and takes out one more shooter. “You are an idiot.”

“That’s it, everything dies!” Krank yells as several parts of his body open up and reveal missile launchers.

‘Oh great, I got to get with Terran and what are they doing here!’ Blitz thinks spotting the three mares before running towards them and whistles to Terran as the missiles start launching into the air. “Maximum output,” Blitz says as Terran reached him and the mares and a purple energy barrier expanded from Terran and around all five.

The Wonderbolts and Shadowbolt watches as the energy barrier goes past them and the explosions and debris hit the outside. “How long can this hold up?” Shadow asks.

“It should be able to hold for this one barrage, but this ghost town will be leveled,” Blitz says as his own armor’s power reserves were being drained to power the barrier.

The Wonderbolts watches as most of the buildings start to either be destroyed or collapse from the stress of holding itself up in this now destructive environment. “Can you get him?” Spitfire asks.

“This is his trump card,” Blitz says unholstering his second blaster pistol.

Fleetfoot looks to his weapons. “And you can kill him like that, without this shield?”

“The shield drops before this barrage ends and you four will die. I will survive because of my armor. The question is what will give first, the barrier or his ammo.” Blitz says.

They all watch as the shield keeps sending energy waves as it was hit directly and debris fell on top of them. “Maybe the old buildings will protect us.” Shadow offers.

“Or crush us underneath the weight like the Ranchor,” Blitz says as he notices the barrier straining.

They soon turn their attention to Blitz as he looks his foreleg screen and watches a gauge. “Come on. Come on. Hold out.” He said to himself as the bar falls.

Krank cackles as the final missile hits causing a massive explosion. “Always wanted to use that.” He said to himself as the smoke clears and sees most of the town has been leveled and nothing of evidence of a shield. “Hum, good riddance.” He said before walking away.

“You lost your final gambit.” Blitz’s voice was heard before two blaster bolts hit his last two guns, destroying them.

Krank turns around wide-eyed to see Blitz walking out of the smoke. “How did you survive that?”

“Terran’s barrier trumped your barrage,” Blitz says shooting him in the legs.

Krank roars before trying to charge again but was slowed down by his busted legs.

“Bounty claimed,” Blitz says shooting once more blasting Krank’s head off his shoulders.

The Wonderbolt mares screamed a little in surprise as the body fell down without any support.

“I had hoped to keep this secret from the rest of Equestria,” Blitz says turning to them before inspecting them for injuries. “Are any of you hurt?” Blitz asks.

Shadow just shows a slight cut on her foreleg, Fleetfoot just had some of her outfits ripped, but fine and Spitfire some bruises. “We’re okay,” Spitfire said after looking themselves over.

“Who was that?” Fleetfoot asks looking around.

“Krank the destroyer. A self-styled warlord that destroys anything that resists him. That thing I pulled out of the Ranchor’s head was a control unit. Krank installed it to control it and would have used to destroy and conquer.” Blitz says.

All three mares look to where Krank’s body is. “So…we don’t need to worry about him, right?” Fleetfoot asks.

“He’s dead, but his plans might not be, your leaders are going to have to start playing a bit of intrigue to find out if they are. I may have cut off the head of the snake, but the body doesn’t die immediately.” Blitz says. “I’m also sorry that your hometown was destroyed,” Blitz says putting a hoof on Fleetfoot’s shoulder.

The mares looked shocked. “How did you…?” Spitfire asks.

“I researched each member of both your teams during the time I was guarding you to see if there was a possible personal reason for the crippler to have a vendetta,” Blitz says.

Fleetfoot sighs. “Its okay, this town was too old for anypony to get through. I doubt anything survived besides wood.”

“I got something!” Shadow calls going through some broken wood before she pulls out a wine bottle. “It says, wow, this bottle is around a few hundred years old.”

“That’s great, great, grandmother’s prized bottle,” Fleetfoot says shocked.

Blitz smiles as he turns to her. “Looks like something survived for you. Be happy you got something, most don’t have that chance.”

“And I wouldn’t have that chance if you didn’t save my life twice now,” Fleetfoot says hugging him.

“Aww,” Shadow said as she saddled up next to Spitfire. “That’s a cute couple.” Spitfire was giving Fleetfoot a death glare for what she was doing. “Oh, somepony is jealous,” Shadow adds.

Spitfire hits her. “Am not.”

“Oh you so are, maybe I’ll get a turn next,” Shadow says.

Spitfire frowns. “Shut up. Besides he is shy from what I gathered so I bet he is blushing greatly under his helmet.” Spitfire whispers the last part.

‘Oh, he is shy, huh?’ Shadow thinks smirking.

As Spitfire had guessed, Blitz was blushing like crazy under his helmet and unable to speak. He then feels another weight on him. “Thanks for everything,” Shadow said hugging him.

‘I will kill that mare.’ Spitfire thinks.

Blitz pushes them off and turns around. “Well…you two better get going, I’m sure everypony is anxious to see you all.”

“What about these things?” Spitfire asks pointing to the corpse and the destroyed weapons.

“I will destroy them so nopony who is militaristic gets a hold of them and tries to reverse engineer them and gets the thoughts in their heads to go out and conquer others,” Blitz says.

Spitfire sighs and nods. “Okay, but try to get back at the train.”

“What are you talking about, I’m thinking of building the base here,” Blitz says.

They look around. “What base?” Shadow asks.

“Don’t you remember, I told your rulers up front they had to build me and my team a base as the upfront payment,” Blitz says.

Fleetfoot looks to the slight outcrop near the outskirts. “You want to build it here?”

“Why not, this town is very well located and one of the potential spots that were discussed. Also if we start building here we can cover all of this up because it is also involved with the Ranchor.” Blitz says.

Fleetfoot sighs. “Okay, just…”

“And we can bring your hometown back to life,” Blitz says walking over to the first destroyed weapon.

Fleetfoot still looked a little down as Spitfire starts to pat her back.

“Starting with that building,” Blitz says gesturing to Fleetfoot’s family home, catching her off guard.

Spitfire smiles and turns to her. “See, maybe you can revisit this place once it’s done.”

“Spitfire, a request,” Blitz says motioning her over.

Spitfire walks over to him. “Yes?”

“Could I borrow Fleetfoot for this project, ask an advisor?” Blitz whispers.

Spitfire looks a bit shocked as she looks back to Fleetfoot. “I…I don’t know. But this is her choice.” Spitfire whispers back before turning to Fleetfoot. “Hey Fleetfoot, how about you help supervise the rebuilding of the town?!” Spitfire yells.

Fleetfoot’s eyes widen as she gasps a little. “Really?”

“Yeah, Southern Cross is asking for you personally as a favor from us,” Spitfire says.

Fleetfoot looks around a bit before looking back at him and nods. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“You got your answer,” Spitfire says.

“Ok, do inform the rest please, I’ll meet you there soon,” Blitz says looking the destroyed weapon over.

Shadow smiles as she hooks her leg around her shoulder. “So…want to get back or stay a little longer?”

“We are going you two!” Spitfire says getting into her drill instructor tone.

Shadow just smiles as Fleetfoot takes off. “I wasn’t part of your team.” She calls before taking off after them.

“Terran.” Blitz calls.

Terran growls as he pads over to him.

“Go and have fun hunting down the stragglers,” Blitz says.

Terran growls happily and runs off.

Twilight watched as the last of the Ranchor’s bone turn to ash as the unicorn guards were resting from constant use of fire spells for the last two hours. “That’s it. That’s the last of the creature.” Shining Armor says.

“It reeks here,” Rainbow says flying back, holding her nose.

“I think Southern Cross left us with the short end of the stick,” Twilight says.

Rainbow frowns. “What do you think Twilight? He just left us with the good stuff?”

“I’m more curious about that metal he ripped out of its head, that wasn’t there naturally,” Twilight says.

Shining sighs as he looks over the ashes. “I don’t think there is anymore.”

“We are back,” Spitfire says landing.

Twilight and the others look to them. “What happened?”

“Well, it seems the thing was being controlled. The culprit was called Warlord Krank. Southern Cross has already dealt with him.” Spitfire says.

Shining looks a bit surprised. “Really now, so it’s over, no more other connections?”

Spitfire’s show she needed to talk to him in private on that and Shining nods. “Go into town and rest guards.” Shining orders.

The guards follow the orders and Shining moves over to her. “What is it?”

“He said even though Krank is dead, he might have set plans into motion that would outlive him.” Spitfire whispers.

Shining looks a bit shocked. “Does he know what the plan is?”

“No, he says that to make sure the royals might have to do some intrigue,” Spitfire whispers back.

Shining sighs and nods. “Okay, I’ll try to arrange a meeting with the princess as well.”

“He isn’t going to leave, he says he is calling in the upfront fee already,” Spitfire says.

Shining raises an eyebrow. “Let me guess, that base of his?”

“Yes, he also said starting the construction there will cover the battle and with it being a part of this incident, he is doing the princesses a favor,” Spitfire says.

Shining sighs. “Okay, he just needs to give us the plans and well get building.”

“He isn’t leaving, he is starting the clean up by himself,” Spitfire says.

Shining slightly glares at her. “Then how will we know what to bring for supplies?”

“Well yesterday, when I went to get him, he was talking to that one mare that joined us unexpectedly at the train station. He said something about not wanting cheap furniture and to give him an estimate on the price later. So talking to her might be the best thing.” Spitfire says.

Shining nods and looks around. “Where is she?”

“Wasn’t that Silver Spear’s job to keep…oh right, you had him do something else,” Spitfire says.

Shining sighs. “I wish I hadn’t sent him off after learning this.”

“We will look for her, come on Rainbow.” Spitfire calls as she walks away.

Rainbow quickly follows as they fly off.

“Oh, don’t forget to check her room first!” Pinky yells through a megaphone.

Everypony tried to right themselves as Pinkie looks back to their messed up and puffed up mane and coat. “How…?” A guard asks.

Spitfire was reluctant but followed her advice and found Miva asleep in the bed. Spitfire walks over and shakes her awake. “Excuse me?” She asks.

“Um…huh…what, no, the beer is under the elephant, I swear!” Miva says jolting awake.

“Um…we have a few questions that don’t involve beer or elephants,” Spitfire says.

Minerva looks up and sees Spitfire and Rainbow standing above her. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, you and Cross were talking about building a base, right?” Spitfire asks and Miva only smiled.

“He wants it made out of stone and steel?!” Shining Armor yells.

Spitfire nods. “Yeah, guess it must fit his style of weapons and armor.”

“Tha…that is unacceptable, it is far too expensive!” Shining yells.

Spitfire sighs. “The princess promised them anything he needed. I’m sure they could find it somewhere.”

“But you know how much that would cost, we don’t even spend that much on the barracks or an outpost for the royal guards!” Shining Armor kept ranting.

“What do you think princess Twilight?” Spitfire asks.

Twilight pouts her lips slightly. “We need his help, how would it look when we can’t deliver what we promised?”

“So, send the letter to the other princesses and have them start sending ponies and materials with the report?” Spitfire asks.

Shining looks to the ashes before sighing. “Alright, write it. I hope he can help with the building process, maybe help find a way to build all of it faster.”

Celestia, Luna, and Cadence were having tea when a letter appeared before them. “Oh, it must the finished report,” Celestia said smiling.

“You want me to get it or keep telling you about the stallion Twilight is crushing on?” Cadence asks.

Celestia smiles at her. “No, but I hope they have a nice relationship.” She said taking the letter and opening it while sipping her tea. She then spit-takes to Luna as she read what it said. “What?!”

“What is it, sister?” Luna asks wiping off the tea.

Celestia grabs the letter with her hooves. “He wants a base out of stone and metal?! Mostly metal?!”

“So, Cadence’s castle is made of crystal. By the way, shouldn’t you reinforce that?” Luna asks.

Cadence smiles. “Crystals are almost to the level of diamonds, only something of that strength can destroy it.”

“Luna, do you not know how expensive that is, plus it isn’t part of the money for the job,” Celestia says dread washing over her.

Luna looks a bit confused before taking out some material lists and looking it over. “Let’s see, metal, metal.” She then spots the material. “What?! That much for one six foot long piece of metal?!”

“What does the rest of the letter say?” Cadence asks.

“Let’s see…oh, okay, I’m more inclined to build it now.” Celestia says.

They look to her surprised. “What makes you say that?” Luna asks.

Celestia shows them the rest of the letter and their eyes narrow. “Alright, I’ll start getting my ponies to look into it,” Luna says.

Celestia sighs. “At least this will help establish their dominance and position here.”

“So an investment then?” Cadence asks.

Celestia nods. “As long as they keep protecting us.”

“Well, at least we know where to look if anything happens as well,” Luna asks.

Cadance smiles. “I’m sure they will help a lot, considering this is now mutual.”

“And they are good at keeping confidentiality,” Luna says.

Celestia sighs. “Well, at least we can give them a home also.”

“And maybe one day they will be the royal guards,” Luna suggests.

Cadance giggles. “I doubt that, with all their work and life.”

“Then bodyguards,” Luna says.

Cadance shakes her head. “Planet guard maybe, with all the creatures he’s capturing.”

“I wonder how long it will be till the Griffon kingdom and the other counties will start seeking him out?” Celestia ponders.

Luna looks to her. “Maybe we should make a treaty with him or at least for the planet.”

“Luna, why do you keep saying planet?” Cadence asks confused.

Luna looks to Cadance. “You do realize I was banished to the moon and saw everything from there?”

“In Equestria?” Cadence asks.

Luna shakes her head. “Have you noticed that many of the ships we send out across the ocean have only a few that returned?”

“Um…no.” She says.

Luna shakes her head. “Think, where are most of our foreign dignitaries coming from?”

“Across the sea from the eastern continent.” She says.

Luna raises an eyebrow at her. “And you think it is flat, all the lands of this existence”

“Huh?” She says completely lost now.

Luna sighs. “Take a look at the stars and you would see they come by once a year, certain constellations. If the land was flat, like you are thinking, then we would see stars on the horizon while seeing the sun peek out.”

Before Cadence could reply Celestia spoke up. “Ok, so I think we will need many stonemasons, engineers, and construction workers,” Celestia says looking over the request again.

Luna nods. “I’ll see if I can also place a donation system for those in favor of his stay. And maybe now is a good time as any for changing the tax rules. Low taxes for the nobles and high for the poverty ponies, Tia?”

“Can we get a map to see the exact location?” Cadence asks.

“How did the tax laws end up like that?” Celestia asks.

Luna glares slightly at her sister. “Maybe it has to do with the ponies you left in charge of the tax department when I was banished. Really, nobles? They would save their bit bag then choose fairness.” She said taking out a map.

“Well, they were the only ones who halfway understood it,” Celestia says smiling nervously.

About two weeks later, Blitz walks into the Apple family farmhouse and just collapses on the sofa. “At least this can’t get any worse.”

“Hey there Blitzy.” Applejack says petting his head.

Blitz just groans. “Not now Jackie, I’m tired.”

“I’m here to comfort you. So rough last few weeks?” She says continuing her petting.

Blitz still groans. “You have no idea.”

“Hold on, I’ll get you a pillow, a blanket, and something to drink.” Applejack says.

Blitz smiles as he lays his head back. “You’re the best Jackie.”

“Yer darn totting.” She calls.

Blitz laughs as he feels something on top of him. He opens his eyes and looks to Applebloom there. “Hey, kid.”

“I missed ya,” Applebloom says smiling.

“Glad to hear it,” Blitz says.

“Y’all look like you have been through an iron pony competition after another,” Applebloom says.

“Not quite, but close enough,” Blitz says.

Applebloom smiles. “So…did you bring me anything?” She asks with a pleading look.

“How about this?” Blitz says lifting out a statue of Southern Cross in his blue armor from his clothes with his magic.

Applebloom takes it and looks it over. “Oh wow, this is cool. Thanks, Cuz.”

“No problem.” He says petting her head, careful to avoid the bow.

Applebloom smiles at the sensation before jumping off. “I got to find a place to put this.” She said running to her room.

“I’m glad it made her happy,” Blitz says.

Applejack smiles as she walks back in with a pillow, blanket and a cup of something cold. “Cold hard cider, really helps with aches and pains.” She said placing it in his hoof before placing and adjusting the pillow and blanket.

“Thanks, Jackie, I need this,” Blitz says relaxing a bit and rubbing his head as his magic grabs the cider.

Applejack nods. “No problem.”

Blitz smiles before thinking of something. “Jackie, why are you treating me like this?”

“Because I know you have had a hard two weeks, after all, you were helping Southern Cross with that monster and most likely helping to build the base from the shadows.” Applejack says.

“Yeah, I set every one of those explosives,” Blitz says.

Applejack sighs and sits down near him and starts to pet his head again. “Do you have another job now?”

“Not yet on a small break, but we decided to only charge the princesses only a hundred bits to their shock and we will be needing to earn more bits to start furnishing the base, hire other ponies, rebuild or build new buildings. The list just keeps going on and on and we have hunted down so many bounties so fast that there is either no big bounties to chase or they went into hiding. As such, we decided to leave Equestria for a bit and hunt in the Griffon kingdom for a while and try our luck there.” Blitz says.

Applejack looks a little surprise. “So…how long would you be gone, a month, a year?” She asks looking away and stopping her petting.

“No way will it be a year. Months at least, though we have a goal and we are going for it.” Blitz says.

Applejack nods. “So how long are you going to be gone completely once again?”

“Don’t know yet. But I’ll tell you what, I’ll buy you something nice when I get back.” Blitz says, his eyes now closed.

Applejack looks to him. “Nice huh?” She sees him asleep and takes the drink away before pulling the blanket around him. “Night Blitzy.”

“Jackie,” Blitz says in his sleep, curling up.

Applejack smiles as she watches him a bit before getting up and heading to her room. “Oh, Blitz.”

“So you are telling me your job is taking to the griffon kingdom?” Twilight asks, her eyebrow raised.

Blitz nods. “Yeah and was wondering if you can help me learn about their culture and ways so I don’t offend, on top of teaching me more magic for the next month.”

Twilight watches him for a bit before nodding. “Alright, we’ll start with the culture.” She said taking a book with her magic and opening in front of him as she sits beside him. Blitz blushes a bit and tries to scoot away, but Twilight’s wing wraps around him, preventing it. “This will also be another relationship lesson.” She said winking at him.

Blitz was blushing full on as she started. After a while, they finally made it past the whole book faster than expected as Twilight closes the book. “There, so you get it?” She asks turning to him.

“Don’t get the whole feather plucking thing, but yeah,” Blitz says as he focused on the lesson.

Twilight smiles. “Great, magic time.” She said taking out another book and a few random items. “Next line in teleportation, hope you’ve been practicing.”

Blitz smirks as he teleports the book out of Twilight’s magic aura and into his hoof. “I’m not sure.” He says coyly.

Twilight giggled. “Then transport all this at once.” She said pointing to the many items on the table.

“Where to?” Blitz asks.

Twilight just points to the flowers, bows, and chokers on the table. “On me. To see if you can send an item on a living creature all at once.”

“Ok, I think I can do that,” Blitz says focusing on the spell. Twilight watches carefully as items get encased in his magic aura before he lets go and sends them off. “Did I do it?” He asks.

“Why don’t you check?” Twilight asks.

Looking at Twilight, Blitz stopped cold as he saw she had the items applied perfectly and she was looking beautiful to him, causing him to lose control of his blushing.

Twilight blushes a bit too as she circles a hoof on the ground. “I hope this isn’t too much. I just thought that the guise of training might help.”

Blitz tries to speak, but nothing comes out which he was at least not babbling like an idiot. Twilight sighs and holds a hoof to his mouth, making him become quiet. “Don’t speak.” She said before removing her hoof and moving closer to him before leaning on his chest.

Blitz immediately shut his mouth and just stays in place. Twilight smiles as she slightly nuzzles his chest making his heart beat faster as she can it. “I can hear it, you know.” She said.

At that point, it seemed to slow down to her confusion until it sped up at what sounded like twice the previous speed. “That can’t be healthy,” Twilight remarked.

She keeps listening as the speed stayed the same until she wanted to know what was bothering him and looks up at him still blushing as he tries to look down at her.

She smiles and leans up. “Relax.” She says laying her head on his shoulder. Twilight watches and listen as Blitz starts to calm down a little and smiles. “See…its working.”

Blitz still couldn’t say anything, but he was happy he was regaining control. ‘Maybe these sessions are helping me.’ Blitz thinks.

Twilight breathes in his scent as she watches him almost regain complete control. “See…you’re getting it now,” Twilight says as she closes in to his face before being interrupted by the door slamming open. “Hey Twilight, we are supposed to go flying!” Rainbow calls before seeing the situation.

Twilight remained locked in place where she is as Blitz was too freaked out to even move. Rainbow keeps watching until she goes back outside and closes the door and then they can hear loud laughter.

“Rainbow,” Twilight growled releasing Blitz, causing him to fall down on the floor. “Sorry Blitz, we will have to continue this tomorrow,” Twilight says.

“Um…ok.” Blitz managed.

“At eight in the morning,” Twilight said walking out the door.

“Um…yes ma’am,” Blitz says.

“Good boy.” Twilight patting his mane.

Blitz blushes a bit. “Twilight.” He whines quietly.

Twilight smiles. “Now you’re learning about a few boundaries when needed, but you did like it, right?” She asks carefully.

He had a massive blush on his face and he drew circles on the floor with his hoof. “It was…” He stops and looks at her. “One of the most amazing things I was feeling.”

“Oh, let us see about tomorrow’s lesson,” Twilight says with a slight blush. “Oh Rainbow,” Twilight says in a sing-song voice. She quickly turns back to him. “Question, do you want me to keep wearing this?” She asks pouting to the black choker with small white frills around it, slightly purple bow and pink flower.

“O…only if you want to,” Blitz says rubbing his hoof behind his head.

Twilight smiles. “Then I think I will, for you.” She said heading out and then looking back to him one last time. “You do realize you’re talking to me a lot better and not passing out, right?” She asks before quickly going outside and closing the door.

Blitz had a shocked face as he thought. ‘Oh, I’m a little scared of tomorrow’s lesson.’

“Um…Twilight, I’m here.” Blitz says walking into the library.

“Oh come in, I have an assistant in teaching you today,” Twilight says.

“Oh, who…” Blitz stops seeing Rainbow in a dress and with different colored bows in her head. “Da…ah…oh…” He stutters.

“Rainbow has ‘graciously offered’ her assistance in helping you to be able to talk to mares and not just me,” Twilight says.

Blitz stutters a bit more as he walks a bit backward while Twilight approached him in yesterday’s outfit. “I think I realized that it gets easier as you know the mare, but Rainbow is barely known to you so it’s a good lesson.” She said getting a bit closer before moving behind him and starts to lead him along.

“O…okay,” Blitz says.

“Now Rainbow, time to start,” Twilight says.

Rainbow just stayed frowning. “What the heck am I supposed to say?”

“Oh don’t worry, I got this to help,” Twilight says bringing out a heart-shaped item.

“What is that?” Rainbow asks suspiciously.

“Oh, something I got Cadence to send me,” Twilight says.

Blitz gets a bit worried. “It won’t…make us fall in love, will it?”

“No, just Rainbow for a little bit,” Twilight says.

“Wait, what!?” Rainbow yells.

Twilight throws the item at Rainbow and it bursts into dust, making her blink and breathe a bit more heavily.

“Um…Twilight, I don’t think me or Rainbow signed up for this.” Blitz says now worried.

Twilight smiles. “You need to handle a mare who’s too much and forward for your liking.”

“B…but, isn’t that a little too advanced for me right now?” Blitz asks as the pink smoke starts to clear.

Twilight sighs. “Blitz, you’re going to be facing mares soon and they won’t be like me so you have to do this.”

“But…but…but…” Blitz tries to form an argument before he noticed Rainbow was staring at him.

Rainbow grins as she moves one of her dress straps off. “That is a sexy stallion if I ever saw one.” She said lustfully.

“Um…R…Rainbow what are y…you do…doing?” Blitz asks as he starts backing up.

Rainbow licks her lips. “Having fun with the sexy stallion in front of me.” She said reaching for her other strap.

“Twilight, please tell me she isn’t going to rape me,” Blitz says looking at her now obviously afraid.

“There, there, I’m not going to do that.” He hears Rainbow whisper into his ear and a hoof around him.

Blitz gulps and turns his head to see Rainbow right by him and her dress half off. “Rainbow…please stop.”

Rainbow grins as she keeps pushing him until he lands on his back on the floor and Rainbow gets on top of him. “Try me.”

Blitz groans before pushing her away a bit. “Rainbow, I need you to stop!”

Rainbow keeps staring at him until she blinks. “Wh…what happened?” She asks rubbing her head and then notices what state she is in. “What the heck, why is my dress half off?!”

“Oh thank heaven, I thought you were going to rape me,” Blitz says sighing in relief.

Rainbow glares at him. “Were you ripping my dress off?!”

“No, you took that off yourself after pinning me against the floor,” Blitz says blushing a bit for the implication.

“Ok, now that the first time is worn off, I can adjust the level of affection,” Twilight says.

Blitz looks to her. “You know about this?”

Twilight nods. “The reason she broke out of it is that you rejected her firm and absolute. That’s what breaks the spell.”

“Oh thank heaven,” Blitz says.

“Wait, so if he didn’t, I would have really raped him?” Rainbow asks wide-eyed and Blitz soon makes the same expression.

Twilight shakes her head. “I got a counterspell ready to go in case of that. If it was getting to that, I would have separated you two and put it on.”

Both release a sigh of relief. “Now what level of affection should we do next?” Twilight asks smirking. “I know.” She said before hitting Rainbow with another heart and she fell into it quickly. “Stalker fanmare level who wants to be with you.”

Blitz looks worried as Rainbow looks at him and takes her bows off and shakes her mane around. “Like what you see?”

“I…um…well…” Blitz says embarrassed, trying to form a sentence as he looks away, a blush forming.

Rainbow smirks and reaches for her dress buttons. “How about if I take off my dress?”

“W…w…what?” Blitz asks, his mind starting to go blank.

Rainbow starts to unbutton her dress. “Me, without my dress, would you like it?”

“I…I…I…” Blitz continued to fail to think of anything.

Rainbow moans as she finally pulls the dress off and shows herself off. “Well?” She asks showing off mostly her flank.

Blitz was now unable to speak as he was petrified as Rainbow smirked and wrapped her forehooves around him. Rainbow then smiles and moves closer to him before Blitz goes wide-eyed and pushes her away. “Rainbow stop!”

Rainbow blinks once and sees the position she’s in. “Dang it!”

“What, disappointed Rainbow?” Twilight asks smirking.

Rainbow glares at her. “Shut up Twi. This is your fau…”

POOF

Twilight smirks. “Horny mare, willing to get that stallion in any way possible and that means sexual acts.”

“Twilight, please, now you are torturing me,” Blitz begs now hiding behind her, making her realize he used the teleportation spell on himself in desperation.

Twilight sighs. “Blitz, there will mares out there that are like this. You have to face them. I’ll stop it if you can’t.”

“Stop it now, please, my body literally locked up on the last one,” Blitz says, the fear easily evident in his voice as Rainbow starts walking out of the smoke.

Twilight keeps looking at him. “Blitz, look at me.”

“I rather watch her as that look on her face horrifies me and I already uses the teleportation spell on myself with barely a clear location,” Blitz says, his fear increasing as Rainbow comes out and starts looking around.

Twilight presses her lips together. “Blitz, I’ll be here, but you faced the others, you can do this.”

He was no longer behind her though as he was against the wall where Rainbow had slammed him into. Rainbow licks her lips before kissing his neck making him completely lock up and look to Twilight pleadingly. Twilight just watches as she gives him a slightly firm, but also a worry look.

This kept going until she sees blood falling from the back of his head. Twilight goes wide eye and pulls them apart and places the spell on Rainbow before going to Blitz. “Are you okay?” She asks looking at his head.

“She busted the back of my head a bit with that slam and that move after that made me unable to say anything,” Blitz says.

“Ug…what happened?” Rainbow asks holding her head.

Twilight looks a bit worried. “I went a little too far with the spell and it got Blitz hurt.” She admits using her magic to bring out the first aid kit.

Rainbow groans as she gets up. “You owe me Twilight, a lot.” She then looks to Blitz. “Sorry for doing that to you.”

“It’s fine. This is the least of my fears.” Blitz says pointing to his head.

“Rainbow help me treat him, ok?” Twilight asks.

Blitz sighs in relief and winces every time they touch the sore spot until he was bandaged up. Twilight didn’t look at him in the eye as Rainbow checks him over before getting up. “All right, that should be it. I’ll…see you later Blitz, Twilight.”

Blitz looks to Twilight who was still not looking at him. He was then shocked as Twilight takes off her flower and bow and was about to take off her choker before Blitz stops her by placing a hoof in hers.

“I’m not mad, nor am I holding a grudge Twi,” Blitz says.

Twilight stops reaching for her choker and puts her hoof down. “I’m sorry.” Blitz wraps her in a hug and says nothing. Twilight sighs as she nuzzles into his coat. “I’m sorry.”

“Let’s just not do that again and take it slower,” Blitz says.

Twilight nods and buries her head into his neck. “I’m sorry.”

“No more Twilight. Please, you’re only hurting yourself now.” Blitz says petting her mane.

Twilight sobs quietly. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

“Twi, how could you know that would happen?” Blitz asks continuing to petting her.

“I just wanted to get back at Rainbow for embarrassing me in front of you, I got carried away and didn’t consider your feelings.” Twilight sobs.

Blitz just held her until she stopped sobbing. Twilight sniffs and pulls back before reaching for her choker again, making Blitz hold her hoof again. “What are you doing?”

Twilight slightly looks at him. “I think it’s better…if we don’t remember this.”

“Don’t, that choker is from where I was able to teleport objects onto you,” Blitz says.

Twilight shakes as she still didn’t move. “And…this deserves it staying on?”

“Yes,” Blitz says turning his head sideways to kiss her horn at the base.

Twilight yelps quietly as she felt the kiss and blushes. She freezes and looks up at him as he pulls back.

“Better?” Blitz asks.

Twilight keeps looking at him until she lunges forward and kisses him full on. Blitz freezes at this and only when she pulls back does he start to regain motor functions.

Twilight blushes as she covers her mouth as she pulls back quickly. “I’m sorry.” She said as she got up and steps back.

“So…um…should we continue the magic lesson?” Blitz asks.

Twilight keeps watching him until she calms down. “Yeah…let’s continue.”

All the time he learned, he noticed she didn’t take one look at him and kept her head slightly down.

“So tomorrow, same time?” Blitz asks.

Twilight sighs. “I think…we can skip tomorrow. Go out and have fun.” She said still not looking at him.

“Ok, but in exchange Twilight, could you do something for me?” Blitz asks.

Twilight rubs her forelegs. “Yes?”

“Cheer up and stop blaming yourself for what happened. You’re too cute to let it keep holding you down.” Blitz says.

Twilight freezes as she now looks at him. “You…you called me cute.”

“I…I suppose I did,” Blitz says.

Twilight shakes her head. “No, the fact you did it without a break, stutter or a pause.”

“Well, I guess I am getting better. Thanks, Twilight.” Blitz said smiling at her. Twilight smiles back as the bow and flower float back to her. Blitz keeps smiling as he floated the items in front of her. “Wear them, you look better with them, though being without them I guess you can say you still look cute.”

Twilight blushes and puts the bow and flower on. “Thanks, Blitz…for everything.”

“No, thank you, Twi,” Blitz says leaving.

Twilight watches as he leaves, still rubbing her foreleg. “Bye…see you tomorrow.”

“Ok, see you tomorrow,” Blitz calls back.

“Now I just have to go talk to Rainbow Dash,” Twilight says sighing.

Blitz sighs as he sat in the café as Fluttershy sat across from him, now joining him a little while ago. “So Rainbow was under control?” She asks.

“Yeah, Twilight wanted to get back at her for embarrassing her in front of me and thought having her embarrass herself in front of me was the best payback. The last one I think she didn’t take into account Rainbow’s strength or how powerful her flying is.” Blitz says.

Fluttershy looks up at him. “You are okay, right?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been.” Blitz says.

Fluttershy smiles. “That’s good, but what about Twilight?”

“She is most likely trying to patch things up with Rainbow, knowing her. Though now that she has brought in Rainbow it makes me wonder if she will also try and get you, Rarity, and Pinkie to help me with my problem with talking to mares most of the t…wait, why am I not having a problem talking to you? Applejack I understand, because I grew up with her for a few years, but before I came to Ponyville we never met.” Blitz says wondering out loud.

Fluttershy hides behind her mane a little. “I guess it must be working, Twilight’s lesson.”

“Um, I don’t think so. I have met and talked with Rainbow a few times before and got to know her a bit.” Blitz says.

Fluttershy smiles. “And yet you’re still able to talk easily with me. Her lessons are working.”

“But this was before the lesson, it’s like I feel at ease around you and can talk plainly even about th…never mind,” Blitz says quickly.

Fluttershy sighs. “Maybe I remind you of somepony.”

Blitz looks like he is thinking hard about it as he studies her face. “Maybe,” Blitz says thinking about a human woman who he went on a few hunts with along with other Mandalorians.

Fluttershy smiles. “Well…you’re taking to mares and that’s good.”

“Yeah. You think you can help Twilight smooth things over with Rainbow as she can be a bit stubborn?” Blitz asks.

Fluttershy nods. “Sure.”

“Thanks, Fluttershy, also you realize you have fangs right?” Blitz whispers the last part.

Fluttershy grins. “Yeah, I do.” She said taking an apple and bites into it before sucking out a bit of its juices. Fluttershy drinks the juice and licks her fangs. “Yummy.” She said rather sultry.

“Do I have to watch out on nights of the full moon?” Blitz asks.

“Oh no, you’re a little too cute,” Fluttershy says. Blitz just stares as he blushes a bit. Fluttershy giggles a bit. “Unless you need to talk or release tension, come to me. I’ll help in any way I can, even this.” She said drinking some more.

“So you are a vampire pony now, aren’t you?” Blitz whispers.

Fluttershy waves him off a bit. “Because Twilight messed up a spell. But some stallions are coming over for help, talk or otherwise. I can make a time block for you if you want.”

“One last question, have you tried to drink the blood of a pony yet?” Blitz asks.

Fluttershy shakes her head. “No, it was a fruit bat that I was changed into. A stallion asked for me to try it and the blood was too bad for my taste so I stopped that request, through the biting is still up.”

“Um…which stallion was it?” Blitz asks.

Fluttershy grins. “Mr. Cake.”

“Note to self: watch Mr. Cake closely to make sure he isn’t turning,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy giggles. “Want a session with me? I got time all day and night.”

“Um…not yet, my month is pretty much booked and I have to leave for the Griffon kingdom next month for my job,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy sighs. “Well, my door is always open, talk or otherwise.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Blitz says nervously.

Fluttershy nods and keeps drinking the apple and looking at the menu.

Blitz sighs as he lays back down on the couch in the apple home. “Okay, so what’s left?” He asks Applejack.

“Well, we got to do some maintenance on the barn next week.” Applejack says.

Blitz nods. “I can help with that. Should be easy.”

“Good attitude Blitzy.” Applejack says.

“So Jackie, what is this about Flutterbat?” Blitz asks.

Applejack just chuckles nervously. “We thought we got rid of it until we found most of her fruits all over the floor of her home.”

“Ah, so you know. Also watch Mr. Cake carefully, he had her drink his blood.” Blitz says.

Applejack sticks her tongue out. “Blah.”

“I’m concerned he will turn,” Blitz says.

Applejack smiles. “She was a fruit bat. They don’t drink ponies.”

“I’m worried if her condition isn’t contagious,” Blitz says.

Applejack eaves him off. “Its okay, her ‘condition’ is helping a lot of stallions and some mares. Because she can do that mind read thing, it kinda helps others.”

Blitz’s eyes keep going back and forth. “I am very cautious on the supernatural Jackie,” Blitz says.

Applejack rolls her eyes. “Bah, you worry too much.”

Blitz was now cutting open some garlic as Applejack gave him a look. “What?” Blitz asks.

Applejack shakes her head. “Nothing, I’m going to bed. When you’re done vampire proofing our house, come up. I have to talk to you, alone.” She said before heading up.

Blitz finally went up there after every entrance had open garlic placed near them and the liquid around every edge of the entrances before he finally stopped and laid down on the bed with Applejack.

“Blitz?” Applejack asks.

“Yes?” Blitz asks.

Applejack rolls over to face him. “I know something happened that night. You acted weirder than normal that morning.”

“Which day?” Blitz asks his eyes constantly scanning the room.

Applejack sits up a bit. “The night before the princesses asked for Cross to appear in front of them.”

“I had to meet with the team Jackie that is why I left in the middle of the night,” Blitz says.

Applejack shakes her head. “I meant after you came back late at night. What happened with us?”

“What do you mean?” Blitz asks.

“You acted like you couldn’t face me and when I looked your way, you immediately tried to find something to do far away. Now, what is it?” Applejack asks.

“Applejack, tell me the honest truth, how do you really feel about me?” Blitz asks closing the curtains with his magic.

Applejack finally backs away a little. “A lot Blitz. I care about you more than ever.”

“That’s not the only thing is it?” Blitz asks.

Applejack shakes her head before leaning hers close to his and giving a small kiss on the side of the lips. “That’s how much.” She whispered.

“That’s what I thought. The night before you told me something Applejack, that made me really consider a few things.” Blitz says.

Applejack looks to him. “What were those things?”

“My feelings and even now I’m still sorting them. Breaking steel with my head is not as hard as this. Also, it doesn’t help some old feelings are popping up again that I thought were gone.” Blitz says.

Applejack sighs and reaches into her nightstand and pulls out a bag of bits and gives it to him. “Go to Fluttershy. She is more helpful than you think.”

“Um…a little scared of her now and they concern you Applejack. I…I always had a crush on you even when you bullied me back then.” Blitz says.

Applejack just points to the bits. “Talk with somepony else than the ones you have a problem with. That helps the feelings get sorted out faster and better. If she scares you that much, just think of her as the shy, friendly pegasus.”

“Who is a vampire,” Blitz says bringing her close when he heard a sound outside.

Applejack scoffs and forces him to let go and pushes him off the bed. “You’re not going to sleep and end this whole thing until you sort it out. Go to her.”

“It’s not just you Applejack, it is Twilight as well. She obviously loves me in the same way, but I was trained hard for more than a decade with no other real contact beside the guy who trained me. I never saw a mare in that whole time. I am only recently meeting and seeing mares on a daily basis.” Blitz says before sighing. “I actually feel a lot better having said that,” Blitz says.

Applejack sighs. “But a lot more conflicted.” She lays down and brings the covers around her. “Go see Fluttershy. You need another pony to talk to besides the ones that are involved in this.”

“You truly have forgotten, have you?” Blitz asks.

Applejack waves him. “Yes, yes, I know she’s a vampire. Just go.” She said throwing her hat at him.

“I’m traumatized of the ideas of vampires,” Blitz says getting her full attention.

Applejack sits up and looks at him and she sighs and gets out of bed. “Come on.”

Blitz was forcibly pulled along as she recalled that Blitz’s adopted parents accidentally left the TV on a maturely rated vampire movie series with a lot of gore and blood one night when they went out.

After walking for a bit they reached Fluttershy’s home and sees a stallion walking out, smiling a bit. They turn to see Fluttershy waving him off. “Hope you have good luck on your marriage.” She calls before seeing Applejack and Blitz, the former who was dragging the latter. “Oh, you decide to come after all?”

“Fluttershy, we have a little bit of a problem.” Applejack says.

Fluttershy nods and lets them in as she pours them some tea. “So what’s the problem?” She asks.

Applejack starts explaining Blitz’s phobia of vampires and what caused it in great detail as Blitz keeps shaking uncontrollably.

Fluttershy sighs. “Adults with little phobias. Well, this one I had before. Blitz…it was a movie, a make-believe story. Some of those facts they tell aren’t even true.”

“Five movies,” Blitz says.

“Um…Fluttershy I think that argument isn’t the best as he knows you’re a vampire even though you’re not the type from them there movies.” Applejack whispers to her.

Fluttershy nods and sits next to Blitz who started to shake all over as she came into close contact. “Blitz, why did you keep watching it if it scared you?”

“I…I…I couldn’t stop watching.” Blitz says.

Fluttershy nods. “So…you kept watching five movies for the whole night straight and when you had a chance to run, you didn’t?”

“I couldn’t move while I watched and couldn’t sleep for months,” Blitz says.

“I can vouch for the latter.” Applejack says.

Fluttershy sighs and lays her head on his lap, freaking him out a bit. “Then you hate me?”

“N…not hate, fear…pure terror.” Blitz says as Fluttershy could practically smell the emotion.

Fluttershy sighs. “So you do hate me and don’t want to see me again.”

“N…no, I was over this for a while till…” Blitz suddenly stops by biting down on his own tongue hard.

Fluttershy sniffs the air as she smelled blood. “I’ll get the first aid.” She said getting off of him and heading to the kitchen.

“Come on Cuz, it isn’t like you encountered a real blood-sucking vampire before.” Applejack says. Blitz didn’t say a thing. “Right?” Applejack asks again as his eyes scanning the room increased.

Fluttershy comes back with the first aid and they see her starting to show her vampire side. “Open your mouth.” She said placing the kit right next to him.

“Cuz, answer me, have you ever encountered a real-life blood-sucking vampire?” Applejack demands.

“Applejack, I don’t think that is hel…” Fluttershy was cut off when Blitz yelled. “Yes!”

Fluttershy and Applejack look to him. “Progress,” Fluttershy said. “What, when and how?” She asks.

“It was on a routine job, we were hired to find some missing ponies and we decided to check a nearby castle. The castle was ancient and we figure it was just some bandits. How wrong we were.” Blitz says shaking uncontrollably, his heart racing as he relived the entire thing.

Both mares sit right by him. “Keep going.” Fluttershy requested.

“We caught a few rooms in the castle and thought it wasn’t where they were and so we went to the main hall to leave, but then the nightmare started. As we were leaving, the sun was setting and something hit my helmet. I looked up and I found the missing ponies as another drop of blood hit my visor. They were mutilated horribly and looked like they were being harvested for their blood as it was being drained into containers.” Blitz says.

Applejack holds his hoof. “Keep at it, you’re doing great.”

“No, please stop, don’t make me remember anymore, please. I don’t want to remember his face as he was dragged into the darkness by meat hooks. The terror on his face before the scream and being sprayed with blood.” Blitz says now on the ground holding his head almost hysterical.

Fluttershy sighs and moves over to him. “You want it killed?”

“It’s dead, I know it. I saw it skewered through the chest with a wooden beam that splintered in the fire and looked like a cross. I saw it burn alive and turn to dust. It’s dead, it isn’t coming back. It can’t come back, he died to ensure it couldn’t come back.” Blitz says raising his head and slamming it into the floor.

Fluttershy nods. “Then what are you afraid of? It’s dead isn’t it?”

“It was already dead. We killed the thing on five different occasions.” Blitz says catching their attention.

Fluttershy sighs. “So that’s why. You fear he may come again. Well…have you accepted your comrades’ deaths and your close brush with it?”

“It turned them. Three of my friends, it turned them into what it was and I had to, I had to.” Blitz says trying to say it as he cried.

The mares looked sadly at him. “Blitz, have accepted what happened to you and not denying it?” Fluttershy asks.

“I…I…” Blitz stopped when he heard something. “No, it can’t be,” Blitz says.

Applejack looks cursorily at him. “It can’t be what?”

“That humming. It can’t be her, not again.” Blitz says.

Fluttershy listens and hears it too and looks outside to see a mare in blood red clothing walking the down the road, humming a tune. “It’s just a mare.”

“Bloody Mary,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy raises an eyebrow and looks to the window and sees a mare’s face right in front of it. “Somepony called my name?” She asked happily.

“Just die already!” Blitz yells firing a blast from his horn that obliterated the entire wall and shot straight into the Everfree forest.

They didn’t see the mare again, but they heard a cackle echoing throughout the night. Fluttershy sighs and goes to Blitz. “Come on.” She said holding out a hoof.

“Bloody Mary, what do you want from me?! Why don’t you just kill me already?!” Blitz calls into the night as there was no answer and only silence.

The mares watch Blitz keep staring into the hole in the wall. Fluttershy frowns slightly as he kept staring. “That’s it.” She grabs him by the mane and drags him upstairs to her room.

“He was right.” Applejack whispered as this legitimized all of Blitzkrieg’s fears.

Fluttershy nods. “I know.” She said entering her bedroom and throwing him onto the bed. “He needs to know not to rationalize every single piece or creature that play the part or is the part as all bad.” She said before getting into bed.

“Fluttershy that was the real thing. The one that they call the queen of vampires and I know why he didn’t want to remember. Don’t you remember the old legends Fluttershy? She will keep coming back as long as somepony who encountered and remembers her. Even uttering her name makes her appear.” Applejack says.

Fluttershy looks to Blitz who was about to have a nervous breakdown and jump out of bed before she lays down and lays her head on his chest. “He needs to know, just because one is here, doesn’t mean he’s alone and all need to be killed. That’s saying I need to be killed.”

“Wait. Something just occurred to me. He asked why you haven’t just killed me. Implying this isn’t the second time this has happened.” Applejack says.

Fluttershy raises her head but keeps her hooves on him. “Bloody Mary.” She simply said.

Blitz started struggling greatly against Fluttershy as he looked close to a panic attack, but Mary never appeared.

Blitz soon slowly calms down a little, but still panicked. “Don’t say her name. It draws her, but as long as you don’t give her permission she can’t enter the house.” Blitz says.

Fluttershy sighs. “Bloody…” Fluttershy was stopped by Applejack. “Fluttershy, don’t you dare.” She warns now scared.

“Please Fluttershy, it is an absolute vampire that drinks blood is bound to,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy frowns slightly. “Mary, do you love him?” She calls out.

There was no reply, just silence.

Fluttershy looks back to Blitz. “So do you still want to kill me and anypony who’s been with me?”

“No, I never did, any vampire just scares me because of her,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy leans down to Blitz’s face. “Have you accepted what happened?”

“It doesn’t matter if I accept it she is here, and oh my god, she is in Ponyville,” Blitz says as absolute terror gripped him. “She is loose in Ponyville. A vampire that bathes in the blood of mares is in Ponyville.” Blitz reemphasizes

Fluttershy sighs. “So because of this particular one, you fear every single thing with a vampire in its name?”

“No, just legitimate ones. Now let me up, she is loose in Ponyville and I am the only one who knows how to hurt her.” Blitz says now struggling against Fluttershy, a sense of urgency now fueling his actions.

Fluttershy pushes him down once more. “I thought you feared her?”

“She is going to kill anypony she can find on the street,” Blitz says the words echoing through both mares heads.

Fluttershy growls slightly. “So why go after the thing you fear and relive the torment?”

“Because it’s my duty. If not me, who else will stop her? I killed her twice now and I refuse to let her kill again if I can stop her. I won’t let her take another one on my honor as Southern Cross!” Blitz yells.

The mares look to him as Applejack looks a little shocked while Fluttershy smiled. “Go get her.” She said getting off of him.

Blitz gets up and runs out the door. “Blitz is Southern Cross?” Applejack asks not able to believe it.

Fluttershy smiles. “It was the fear of dying as anypony else would get, but also the fear of others he might lose under him. He needed to say it for himself. He wasn’t afraid of Mary, he was afraid of losing the pony he loves that are close to him again.” She said, shocking Applejack at the last statement.

“Minerva, emergency BM gear now, I don’t care who sees,” Blitz yells into the communicator as he runs.

Minerva looks a bit surprised but complies. “Just don’t cause too much trouble and keep her on the ship, she is nowhere near ready for this.”

“No promises,” Blitz says as he grabs a briefcase teleported in front of him before teleporting to Rainbow’s cloud house and banging on the door.

Rainbow grumbles as she opens the door. “What is it?” She groans.

“Rainbow, do you trust me?” Blitz asks.

Rainbow tilts her head. “Well yeah, why?”

“Something bad has happened Rainbow, hold on,” Blitz says grabbing her and teleporting her into the library, scaring Twilight.

Twilight looks to them slightly shocked. “Rainbow, Blitz, what are you doing here?”

“No time to explain, now be back in a second,” Blitz says teleporting away. Seconds later he returns with Pinky. Then with Rarity and Sweetie Belle and finally after all the other CMC, Big Mac, Granny who was still asleep, and the Mane six were gathered he stops, taking a few breaths and sits down.

Twilight goes to him. “Running that many teleports are tough, but why?”

“It’s because something happened tonight,” Fluttershy says before telling them what happened.

Rarity gasp and hugs Sweetie Belle too tight. “I thought she was a myth, a filly’s game.”

“Oh please, there is no way she is…” Twilight stopped as Blitz was in front of her.

“Twilight, look into my eyes. Do you think I would joke about this?” Blitz says. Twilight looks as he held a stern gaze and shakes her head as her face reflected she was believing them.

“So what do we do?” Twilight asks.

“Here,” Blitz says handing her a book. “This contains rules real bloodthirsty vampires must follow. Read it now. I and an old acquaintance have business.” Blitz says.

Twilight opens the book and sees the first section on protection. “Spike, get some garlic, a lot of them!” She calls out.

“Cousin, don’t go out there,” Applebloom begs.

“Sorry Applebloom, I have to do this. She followed me here.” Blitz says.

“Blitz?” Applejack calls wearily.

“I had fun being a part of the family Jackie. Remember that if I don’t come back, don’t leave no matter what happens to me, even if I am about to die.” Blitz says walking to the door.

Applejack shakes her head. “That isn’t what I was going to say.”

“Nothing needs to be said Applejack,” Blitz says.

Applejack sighs before looking at him. “Who’s afraid of going to fight this thing now?” She asks with a knowing smile.

“I am,” Blitz says closing the door behind him as he opens the suitcase with his magic and slips into the armor, revealing he was Southern Cross to all of them who were watching.

“Twilight can’t we get some help from the other princesses?” Sweetie Belle asks making Twilight quickly grab a letter and start writing.

Blitz walks into the center of town in his blood red armor with many silver cross on it. He then uses his magic to forcibly ring the bell. “Mary, oh Mary…” Blitz starts singing an old song mockingly.

Bloody Mary was about to sink her teeth into a quivering mare when she heard the bell. She turns to the mare. “Lucky.” She said before disappearing and dropping the mare to the ground.

“And your head is on display on the table for everyone to laugh at. Oh, fear the queen of blood, fear the queen vampires, fear old hag, Bloody Mary.” Blitz finishes.

“That’s a terrible singing voice,” Mary said appearing behind him.

“I’m not running this time, bitch.” Blitz turns to her, his visor reflecting nothing, but the red clothing.

Mary grins. “Perfect, so you accepted your fate?”

“You could have killed me anytime you wanted to bitch, we both know it, so don’t patronize me,” Blitz says with venom.

Mary smiles. “I just loved playing with you. Now I’m going to have fun killing you.”

“I will kill you first,” Blitz says, his silver claws extending.

Mary hisses as she leans down before she started to fall apart into bats and fly around him, leaving the clothes behind, taunting him to strike. “Let’s play.”

“I would say ladies first, but who wants an old hag to go first?” Blitz taunts and the bats just kept flying around. “What’s wrong you old hag, haven’t learned any new tricks, still doing this like the last eight years?” Blitz asks.

A bat stopped and faced him. “Try something that likes this.” She said as some bats came together and formed a foreleg before trying to hit him.

“Where are you?” Blitz asks looking for one thing, in particular, dodging the hoof before cutting it with his silver claws sending blood onto the ground.

Mary just smiles on her own. “Everywhere. How can you hope to kill me?” She asks while more limbs started to form.

“There!” Blitz says jumping and slicing at a red bat, barely missing before it transformed back into Mary.

Mary hisses before the bats cover her up and Blitz carefully approached the swarm before they flew away and revealed Twilight. “Blitz, what’s going on?”

Blitz freezes. ‘No you fool, that isn’t Twilight!’ He yells to himself, but his body refused to obey.

Twilight kept looking at him in confusion before she lunges at him and sends him to the ground. “Too easy.” She said with a grin and trying to rip the armor apart.

Blitz, snapping out of it, brings his forehooves up and slam both sides of her head, disorienting Mary and causing her to drop her illusion and barely avoids another swipe.

Mary hisses at him before the swarm again comes over and covers the entire area. Blitz tries to swipe at the bats and lessen the swarm before his claws sunk into something and a scream erupted that sounded familiar. “Blitz? Why?” Applejack asks as the swarm leaves again.

“Quit playing with me Mary!” Blitz yells, slamming ‘Applejack’ into the ground causing her to separate into swarms of bats.

Mary laughs as she flew around him. “Now that was fun, who should I do next?”

“Let’s see how your pet like this,” Blitz says taking up the grenades and throws them. When they hit the ground opposite sides from him, they released a blinding light causing the bats to screech in pain.

Mary screams. “Daylight at night! You fool.” She yelled as she formed in the swarm and tried to cover herself up from the light.

“No Mary, it’s the advancement of time and technology. What is wrong, don’t like flash bangs?” Blitz asks.

Mary hisses before launching herself at him as the swarms around him start to go to him too as Mary forms claws on her changing hooves.

Blitz then vanishes to her shock and she skids to a stop. “What’s wrong Mary, you thought I was the same after five years?” Blitz’s voice echoes from seemingly everywhere.

Mary looks around as she growls as her bat swarms move around her in a circle. “Where are you?”

“Oh, what’s wrong, no fun when something does this to you?” Blitz asks.

Mary hisses. “Come out and I’ll show you fun.” She taunts while scraping her claws, making sparks.

“Oh Mary, you, like so many others, always make the tactical mistake of not looking up,” Blitz says causing her to go wide-eyed and looks up just in time to see and barely avoid a sword. “Dracula, stay back!” Mary yells instinctively out of fear rushing away.

“What was that Mary, something you actually fear?” Blitz asks.

Mary hissed quietly as she looks at the silver made sword. “I loathe you Blitzkrieg.” She said before charging while her swarms try to distract him.

“Feelings the same hag!” Blitz yells unleashing a torrent of flame from his flamethrowers into the bats making them sheik in agony.

“My babies!” Mary cries.

Blitz laughs as he sends a grenade into the swarm coming at him before they take the grenade and then explodes into flames. “Fresh bat barbecue. Just need the sauce.”

“I’ll kill you!” Mary yells as she starts to transforms into an eight-foot humanoid bat monster.

“Finally showing your true colors, huh, hag?” Blitz asks looking up to her.

Mary hisses before bats start to come from all over and then she charges with them.

Blitz charges back, his claws extended as aims for one thing. The two swipe at each other and Blitz’s chest armor shatters as three bad gashes were leaking blood as he skids across the ground. Blitz groans and looks up to see Mary slowly turn to him as he sees his claws still in her, but skewered where her heart is. “Game over.”

Mary just starts laughing as she rips out the claw and reverts back to her pony form. “You really think it’s over? Even if I die, I will just keep coming back.” She says.

“Yeah, because you made a deal with the devil,” Blitz says as his blood kept leaking out of him. “But Mary, all of our five previous encounters, I noticed something,” Blitz says.

Mary raises an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

“You always made sure your blood ruby necklace was never destroyed in any of those fights and even let yourself be skewered to keep that from happening,” Blitz says. Mary looks concerned and looks down and sees the necklace in pieces and Blitz holding a few shards. “Like I said, this game over.”

“Next time you die. You die for good. I’m just sorry I couldn’t do that.” Blitz says chuckling as he saw her enraged as he started to feel cold.

Mary screams at him. “If I’m going down, you’re coming with me!” She yells charging at him before she felt she hit a wall and looks around to see herself trapped in a slightly clear box.

“I can’t let you do that,” Luna said flying down with a few Nightguards.

“Let me out!” She yells banging on the box.

“You know Mary, it’s quite beautiful,” Blitz says.

“What?!” Mary yells.

“The sunrise,” Blitz says.

Hearing that Mary could only watch in horror as the sun started to rise. “Damn you Cross. Damn you!” Mary raged against the barrier as power kept leaving her ever since her necklace was shatter.

Blitz smiles. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me,” Blitz says reciting a passage, now just ignoring her as the light starts to touch Mary.

Mary tries to cover herself up with her hooves, they started to burn and burst into flames as the sun started to hit her. “I will get you Cross, I will!”

Blitz could only hear a muffled voice as things became dark and lost focus as his blood kept pooling beneath him. He was then rolled over onto his back as the guards started to work on him while trying to keep their shock to his injuries. He can then see some familiar blurred figures push the guards away and look at him. ‘Hey girls, I’m sorry for not keeping our promise.’ Blitz thought before he completely lost consciousness.

Luna and the rest of ponies in the square watch as Mary burn alive and turn to bone before only her skeleton remained and falls apart before they slowly turn to dust. Luna sighs as she brings over an urn marked with many sigils and puts the ash into the urn. “Get this to my sister and tell her to lock it in our vault.” She told one of the guards who nods and flies off with it. ‘We owe you again Cross, but I don’t know if we can repay you.’ Luna thinks, looking at the dying stallion.

Blitz groans as he kept his eyes closed. “Someone turn off the beeping, I can’t sleep.” He said, still sleepy and hearing an annoying beeping.

“Idiot, that beeping is keeping you alive or rather reading you as alive. This must be the fifth time you’re in here for this serious of an injury.” A familiar voice said.

Blitz opens his eyes and looks around to see himself in the Darkstar’s med bay. “What?”

Minerva scoffs as she comes into view. “When I saw the vitals dropping, I said, screw it. So I flew over and told the guards to place you in here while I work on you.”

“I doubt they allowed that,” Blitz says.

“No, they didn’t, so I teleported you here,” Minerva says.

Blitz groans as he gets up and feels around his chest to see it completely bandaged up. “How long was I out?” He asks sitting up.

“It has been 157 galactic hours, but four planet rotations,” Minerva says.

Blitz goes wide-eyed. “Four days?! Where the heck did you park the ship in all that time?”

Minerva smirks. “Canterlot airspace, near the castle where it’s restricted for regular civilians ponies to fly.”

“Great, just great, now we have tipped the hoof and they know Mandalorians aren’t from the planet. At least tell me we are stealth.” Blitz says.

Minerva nods. “The paparazzi were getting annoyed. Had to concentrate when I was fixing you up. The princesses did place guards around the airspace now.”

“We are an international incident waiting to happen. By the way, how is Dust coming along?” Blitz asks getting up.

Minerva nods her head to Dust laying on an empty bed where even Twilight and Applejack was sleeping on a bench. “Kept being worried about her mentor. As for the other two, they kept knocking on my door so I let them in as long as they didn’t impede your healing.”

“Minerva, you know the rules, we are not supposed to reveal any of this. Why do you think we have been keeping stealth this entire ti…wait, you camouflaged it to be a blimp didn’t you?” Blitz asks with a knowing smirk.

“You know me.” She says.

Blitz sighs. “At least they know to keep much of this secret, right?”

“The dark one is suspicious, to say the least,” Minerva says.

“Then she might be our best ally here,” Blitz says.

Minerva nods. “I left a letter for her to let us meet her at night. I hope to get a replay soon.”

“I wonder what the fallout will be. Bloody Mary was revealed to be real and died for good this time.” Blitz says.

Minerva shrugs. “Probably help put many at ease now.”

“Minerva, prepare the communication room, I need to speak with Mandalore himself,” Blitz says.

Minerva nods. “I’ll see if he’s up.” She said walking away.

Blitz nods and walks through the ship and to the communications room and waits as a connection was trying to be established. He then sees an icon appear and spin around before the screen changes to static before it starts to clear up. “…hear me?” A voice came through.

“Mandalore.” Blitz greeted and bows.

A face finally came on. “Ah, Cross, nice to see you again. How has it been?”

“Bloody Mary appeared again,” Blitz says.

The human appears surprised. “Really now, were you able to get away?”

“No, this time I’m sure she isn’t coming back. I managed to smash her anchor to this world.” Blitz says.

The human claps his hands together as he laughs a little. “I told you, I knew you would find a way to kill her.”

“I almost lost my life this time though. But at least now, our brothers and sisters can finally rest in peace.” Blitz says.

The human nods. “I will let the rest of the clan know. We’ll throw a part in your favor. You should have one too.”

“Can’t yet, still on the job. I got two more bounties to hunt here. Also, could you get the clans to look into the bombing more? I interrogated one before I sent him away. It sounds like none of them were in charge and were paid for it. If we discover who was behind it and present proof, the galaxy will be forced to put out a big bounty for the one or the ones who did this.” Blitz says.

The human nods. “Of course. I’ll send some teams out after our celebration. If we can find anything I’ll send it to you.”

“Also, I’ve got the royalty to start building a base for us. Sending coordinates now.” Blitz says.

The humans look to something. “Got it, I will send some men when things settle down,” Mandalore says.

Blitz sighs. “Alright, I think that’s it. Oh wait, one last thing, Warlord Krank was here and had a Ranchor with a control unit in its brain. I saw and destroyed the ship that crashed landed on the planet and this was a fully grown Ranchor.” Blitz says.

Mandalore sighs. “This is troubling. You cleared the planet right?”

“I killed it and the Ranchor, but my probes never detected the Ranchor. Something is going on.” Blitz says.

Mandalore nods. “We’ll send our probes to the nearest pick-up spot. These will be sensing on a different system altogether. Try to see if you can pick anything up those.”

“As you command Mandalore,” Blitz says bringing his hoof to his bandaged chest as a salute.

Mandalore frowns seeing his chest. “Get that fixed and good luck.” He said before signing off.

“As you wish father,” Blitz says turning off the communications. Blitz sighs before walking out the door and to the training area where he heard gunshots.

He walks over and sees Dust trying to hit a target, but only gets half her shots on it. “Calm down, read the battlefield see what plan you can do. Firing wildly is a last resort.” Blitz says, steading her hooves, holding the blaster with his.

“Cross, you’re awake.” Dust says turning around to see his face for the first time.

Blitz tries to smiles. “Yeah, that’s what happens when I get swiped across the chest.”

“Huh, so you’re a unicorn. I always thought you were an earth pony with all your physical strength.” Dust says a little surprised.

Blitz shakes his head and backs off a little. “Yeah, there was always a confusion with me.”

Dust turns around and sees his bandaged chest. “You’re going to okay, right?”

“Getting hurt comes with the territory,” Blitz says and gives her a smile.

Dust smiles. “The two mares are waiting in the living room for you. Wouldn’t stop crying. Want to surprise them?”

“They were in the medical wing sleeping when I awoke. “ Blitz says.

Dust sighs and turns back to the firing range. “Well, it’s time to go see them, help put them at ease.”

“Ok, so Minerva has told you not to talk about anything about Darkstar One, right?” Blitz asks.

Dust nods. “Yeah, I don’t have anypony to talk to so it’s good.”

“Ok, you alright?” Blitz asks.

Dust nods. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She said trying to smile.

Blitz doesn’t buy it and gives her a hug. “I’m here for you,” Blitz says.

Dust sighs. “Thank you.” She then let’s go. “Now go see your mares.”

“Hey, you’re my mare as well.” Blitz teases.

Dust hits him playfully. “Get out of here.”

“See you later,” Blitz says walking out.

Walking over to the dining room he grabs a cup of coffee as Twilight and Applejack walk in. “Blitz!” They both said before rushing over to him.

“Jackie, Twi, you two have a good nap?” Blitz asks.

Applejack and Twilight both hug him. “You’re okay, right?” Twilight asks as she looks up to him.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just a little sore is all.” Blitz says.

Applejack smiles. “Good.” She said before she grabs him by the ear. “Because I’m going to do far worse for going out there like that and letting it happen!” She yelled pulling his ear.

“Fair enough,” Blitz says.

Twilight frowns at her. “Go easy on him, he just had his chest sliced open.”

“By Bloody Mary,” Blitz adds.

Applejack looks at him. “You aren’t afraid of the name.” She observed.

“Oh, she isn’t coming back this time,” Blitz says.

Applejack keeps looking at him. “And are you afraid of us now?”

“Why, were you bitten?” Blitz asks now examining Applejack’s neck and was thankful he found no fang marks.

Applejack pushes him away a little. “No, I mean our relationships with you.”

“Oh…um…” Blitz starts.

“Hey Applejack, did you know about Blitz’s shyness when it comes to talking to mares about his feelings?” Twilight asks.

Applejack looks to her before smirking. “His parents tried to set him with a filly when he was young. He became a stuttering mess at that point when the filly said one thing.”

“Oh, what?” Twilight asks.

“I don’t recall this,” Blitz says.

Applejack smiles as she turns to him. “You went unconscious after a minute of stuttering.”

“What did she say?” Twilight asks.

Applejack giggles. “Do I look pretty in this dress? She was wearing a new dress and wanted to know. Unfortunately, Blitz was the first one to be asked.”

“I think she was a unicorn. What was her name again?” Blitz asks.

Applejack smiles. “I think it was…” Applejack had the biggest smile as she goes over to Twilight. “It was Rarity.” She whispered

Twilight giggled. “Really? Rarity asked him?” Twilight whispers.

“Yes, let’s go see if she remembers later.” Applejack whispers back.

Twilight grins as she looks to Blitz. “This might be fun.”

“I have a bad feeling with what you two are planning. Please tell me you haven’t spread that I am Southern Cross.” Blitz says.

They both look to each other before looking back at him. “You do realize that when Mary busted your armor, everything fell apart after you fell.”

“Not the helmet, I know that for sure,” Blitz says.

Twilight sighs. “The guards pulled it off after trying to tend to your wounds.”

“But did anypony see besides the guards?” Blitz asks.

Applejack shrugs. “We don’t know. Because we were trying to keep ourselves under control.”

“How did the CMC take it?” Blitz asks.

They look down. “Not good. They think you’re already dead.” Twilight said.

“Bring them up here,” Blitz says.

They look to him. “You sure about that?” Applejack asks.

“Yes, I am. They won’t be able to cause too much damage to Darkstar One.” Blitz says.

They both look to each other before looking back at him. “Okay, we’ll try to get them here,” Twilight said.

“Minerva, lower us so they can enter without having to fly,” Blitz says.

“Of course,” Minerva said as she lowers the ship.

They both look to the many windows and sees the street coming into view. “Canterlot, ground floor,” Blitz announces playfully.

“This thing is amazing,” Twilight says.

“I know,” Blitz says as Terran walks up to him.

Twilight then hugs him. “You’re amazing.”

“Not that amazing. Now go on, it’s time the three got a nice surprise.” Blitz says.

Twilight smiles and let’s go before giving him a small kiss and then turns to leave. “Come on Applejack.”

“Alright Twi. We will be talking about this later.” Applejack says before leaving.

“You doing good boy?” Blitz asks scratching Terran’s head.

Terran just barks and stamps his hind leg.

“That’s what I like to hear,” Blitz says.

Minerva comes around the bend of a hallway. “You ready?”

“Give me a little time with the little ones then I’ll slip into some armor and go see the royals,” Blitz says.

Minerva nods. “Sure, you have fun.” She said before walking off.

“Ok and please don’t assume Miva, unless at the base, gives the illusion of a bigger staff,” Blitz says.

Minerva waves at him. “You got it cutie.”

Blitz sat on a chair as he waited for a bit with Terran unto he heard the someponies come in. “Cool!” He heard. Blitz smiles as he waited for them to enter the living room area.

Soon the CMC came into the room and sees Blitz sitting there with Terran sitting right by him.

“Hey girls, miss me?” He asks smiling.

Applebloom immediately races to him. “Cuz!” She yells before jumping into his lap.

“Hey Applebloom, I’m glad to see you’re ok,” Blitz says.

Applebloom hugs him. “I’m happy to see you’re okay too.”

Blitz just smiles and pats her head as Terran looks up at her. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle look at him as they see the bandage area.

“This is nothing girls, I’m ok now,” Blitz says as Scootaloo just stares at him with a smile. Blitz just smiles back. “Yes, I am Southern Cross, the pony who you have been following,” Blitz says.

Scootaloo smiles big before jumping into his lap. “Awesome, I got two awesome ponies to be with.”

“But you can’t tell anypony I am Southern Cross,” Blitz says.

They bring their heads down. “Aww.” Applebloom whines.

Scootaloo sighs. “Well, there goes our chance at beating Diamond Tiara.”

“Why do you care what she says?” Blitz asks.

They look up at him. “You do realize we don’t have cutie marks, right?” Sweetie Belle asks.

“I never really understood the whole cutie mark thing,” Blitz says.

They show their blank flanks. “You don’t have a cutie mark then you are not cool or grown up,” Applebloom said.

“Bullies will always use what makes you different to make fun of you to make themselves feel better, just ignore them and they lose all interest. Now, who wants to see more of Darkstar one?” Blitz asks.

All the fillies’ legs rise up.

“Ok, lets’ go then. Terran, come on boy.” Blitz says as the girls let him get up. Blitz, them shows them around the ship to their amazement.

“Cuz, this whole thing is yours?” Applebloom asks as they look around.

“Yes and I personalized it as well,” Blitz says.

“Cool.” They said as they look at every nook and cranny.

“Don’t take anything apart girls.” Blitz calls.

“Okay.” They called back.

“I’m leaving Terran with you, so you don’t get lost,” Blitz calls walking away.

“Okay.” They called as Terran sits down and watches them.

Blitz smiled as he heads to the armory. “Have fun,” Minerva called.

“They are cute kids,” Blitz says putting on his blue aerial armor. “Ah, there you are B…oh my.” Blitz hears a voice behind him. Turning around he sees Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, what can I do for you?” Blitz asks.

Fluttershy blushes slightly. “Well…I came by to see how you are doing and to schedule our next session as you are not over your fear of vampires.” She says noticing his shiver after seeing her.

“Um…sure, how does tonight sound?” Blitz asks.

Fluttershy nods. “Okay, that’s fine. Also, I can help with anything else, remember that, so is there anything. Maybe that love triangle you’re doing or is it a love square?” Blitz just stares at her. “Mind reader, remember.” She said with a smile.

“D…did you just come on to me?” Blitz asks, glad his helmet was on.

Fluttershy shakes her head. “No, you have enough problems. But I can help if you are unsure or don’t know what to do.”

“Um…ok,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy sighs. “Blitz, we’ll always be here for you. You don’t have to do things alone.”

“I’m not alone Fluttershy. I’m a Mandalorian and we are never alone.” Blitz says.

Fluttershy taps her hoof on the ground. “I meant here, among friends and family.”

“I will think on what you have said,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy nods. “Please see that you do.”

Blitz finish putting on his armor before walking past her. “I have to see the royals,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy smiles. “Have fun.”

“Don’t count on it,” Blitz says.

Fluttershy rolls her eyes. “Oh yes, you never have fun.”

“No, it’s just business,” Blitz says before heading out the ship. “Okay, where to?” He asks himself. Blitz sees the guards and just walks past them to the throne room.

“I’m up. How’re the ashes? Holy shit! Is that Betty?!” He asks bluntly.

“Sir, you don’t have an app…” The pony was silenced by a back hoof to the face and pushes him to the opposite side of the room. “Get out of my way,” Blitz said as he kept walking up, ignoring the pony who has crashed into a table.

“Ah, Cross, we have been expecting you,” Celestia says.

Blitz shrugs. “Yes, yes, the ashes?”

“Secured in our vault,” Celestia says.

“I would rather destroy them,” Blitz says.

Celestia raises an eyebrow. “And how would you destroy something that is already in a destroyed state?”

“Simple, extreme heat,” Blitz says.

Celestia keeps looking at him. “You want to banish the ash to the sun?”

“Call it being cautious, as this isn’t the first time she has died,” Blitz says causing the court to whisper amongst themselves.

Celestia sighs and turns to Luna. “Get the ash.” Who nods and leaves.

Blitz waits in silence until Celestia spoke again. “I was told the armor you wore fighting her was destroyed and they were unsure if you were going to live,” Celestia says.

“A fair assessment,” Blitz says.

Celestia looks him over. “How did you survive?”

“My team administered medical care on the Darkstar One,” Blitz says.

Celestia raises an eyebrow. “Darkstar One?”

“The name of my ship outside,” Blitz says.

Celestia and the others look outside the window and see only a blimp. “That thing…is your ship?” Celestia asks.

“Yes, it is my personal ship,” Blitz says.

Celestia looks at the blimp again. “And I wonder how you kept getting past all the security and being noticed by us.”

“Because like me, it disappears,” Blitz says.

Celestia nods. “I see.”

Luna then returns with the ash and gives it to him. “It should be fine as long as you don’t open it.” She told him.

“Don’t worry, it will never be opened again,” Blitz says, taking the urn.

Luna sighs. “Alright then.” She said before heading back to her seat.

“Thank you,” Blitz says starting to leave.

“Oh, by the way, have you heard yet?” Luna asks.

Blitz turns to her. “Heard what?”

“The tale of your fight with Bloody Mary has spread already. By now, most of Equestria has heard of it.” Luna says.

Blitz chuckles a little. “Oh, that sounds lovely. But I still haven’t completely finished her yet.” He said showing the urn. “Well, gotta go.” He said before leaving.

“Oh and I swore my guards to secrecy and made sure nopony saw what you look like under your helmet cutie,” Luna calls.

Blitz freezes up as the Nightguards smirks. ‘Just keep walking.’ He thinks to himself before walking again as the court erupted into who is Cross.

Blitz walks back into Darkstar One to see the three fillies playing with Terran. He chuckles as Terran just plays around with them. “Okay you three, that’s enough. I got a job to do before I can actually come home.” He said taking off his helmet.

“Aww!” They whined.

Blitz watches as they pout. “How about I show you something, something that nopony here can experience that much?”

“Ok!” They all say in unison.

Blitz chuckles. “Minerva, lock up and take off. To the sun!” He said as he got out of his armor.

The ship started to shake as Blitz got out of his armor and walks to the cockpit with the three fillies following. “Minerva, tell Dust to join me in the cockpit,” Blitz says.

Minerva smiles and steps out of her seat and shows the fillies that she was a pony robot. “Quiet.” She said smirking at the fillies who were dumbstruck as she walks past. “Dust, get up to the cockpit. Blitz needs you.” She said before going to another seat and working on something.

“Stealth systems engaged, let’s take her into space,” Blitz says as the fillies were glued to the window.