The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 61 – Fun and Games

“Aw, come on Maud.” Rayne pleaded to her in their cave home as he came up from washing himself in the stream.

“I’m sorry Rayne, but I told you that I can’t.” She replied as she set a carefully bound stack of research notes into a small travel case. “I’m going to be very busy. This conference is going to take me out of town for quite awhile. I’d be happy to take you with me but… you’d be a distraction.” She looked over to him seeing how the water was still glistening off of his coat.

The stallion looked to her from beneath the towel he was drying his hair with and tried his best to pout at her. “But all our friends are so busy right now. You’re going off for who knows how long. Dash is out of town on her roller coaster adventure in Fillydelphia. Applejack is swamped now between harvesting on the farm and covering Dash’s classes until she gets back. Starlight has seriously taken to overworking herself as the guidance counselor lately. Heck, even Rarity is busy with Fluttershy trying to make up for lost time after that fiasco with the boutique in Manehattan.”

That was when Maud surprised him by stepping over and leaving a gentle kiss right on his nose. “I’m sure that you’ll be fine. Take care of yourself and don’t do anything dangerous while I’m gone. I’ll miss you.”

After that she picked up her travel case and began walking out from her cave. “I’ll miss you too Maud.” Rayne said softly, flickering his horn giving her the convenience being teleported to the train station.

- Back in Ponyville -

“Now are you sure that we got everything on the list?” Spike asked as he waddled down the street carrying an assortment different boxes.

“Eyup!” Big Mac answered as he looked over a paper list while carrying a few items over his back as well.

“We got the chips, and the dip, and the drinks, and the candied ropes? Oh did we remember the backup pop corn, the back up juice pouches, and the back up chocolate ponies?” Spike recited out from memory as the two of them had collected an absolute smorgasbord of junk food and pleasantries.

“Eyup, eyup, and… EYUP!” Big Mac cheered as they walked down the street together.

However that was when they stopped as a different voice spoke out to them. “Whoa there. Easy Spike. Can I help you carry some of all that?”

“Oh, yes please. Thank you!” The little dragon cheered to the unknown stranger. As items began lifting themselves from out of his face Spike then saw that it was Rayne who had approached and offered to help as they walked through town. But as the dark stallion began loading the items onto his own back the red stallion glared over giving him a sour expression.

“Ah, there you are. Now I can see you.” Rayne chucked to Spike once his face had been freed up. Then rolling his eyes he said, “And hello to you too Big Mac. Aw, what? You aren’t still mad at me are you?”

“Eyup!” The red stallion snarled. Spike looked out in surprise having no idea what the issue was.

“Aww come on. Don’t be like that. I would rather be friends then have you at odds with me. Besides, what did Granny Smith say after you talked to her about what happened?” Rayne asked then clearly waited patiently for an answer.

Now Big Mac scowled with a guilty expression as if he didn't want to say. But eventually he kicked at the ground and mumbled out, “That what I did was wrong and that AJ is a grown mare who can make her own choices.” Rayne smiled but then clearly waited for the rest of it. Giving a scoff Big Mac continued saying, “And that I ain’t allowed in my sister’s room no more for any reason unless the house was flooding, sinking into the ground, or on fire.”

“Whoa, what happened between you two?” Spike asked as the situation went over his head.

But Rayne stepped up at that and quickly answered, “What’s important is that no pony meant any harm to any pony else. And come on, you know that Applejack had to show some interest in somepony eventually. Aren’t you glad that it was with a friend? A friend who you know would treat her right? That’s much better than a stranger, isn’t it?”

“Huh, I never thought of it that way before.” Big Mac said and Rayne reached out a hoof for him to shake. After the two made up they smiled putting the whole incident with Applejack behind them.

Just then there was a snap of magic as Discord appeared in the street before them shouting, “What is taking you two so long?! I’m eager to get things started but I can’t do it all on my own! Oh, well hello there Rayne. What are you doing here?” He asked after noticing that the stallion was standing with his friends.

“Uh, here? In the middle of the street? In the middle of the town?” Rayne chuckled as if this had been an odd place to meet somepony.

“You know...” Big Mac said and then leaned in to whisper something to Spike. After that they motioned for Discord to lean in. Discord nodded agreeing with whatever was said before adding in his own whispering while pointing over to Rayne.

Rayne just leaned back and brought one of his hooves up to his face to blow the dust off it as he waited for them to finish, already assuming about what it was about but waiting patiently nonetheless. Once they were done it was Spike who turned saying, “So Rayne, the three of us were going to have sort of a guy’s night together. Most of the girls are pretty busy right now with their own thing going on and Twilight will be holed up in her study all evening. I don’t supposed you’re free and would be interested in joining us for a game inside the castle?”

Feigning surprise with his best Discord impersonation Rayne shouted out, “What? Me? Oh why I never saw this coming at all. But of course, I would love to join you three in your little game!”

To this the Draconequus crossed his arms and said, “My, how presumptuous. And to think that anypony would ever behave in such a way. Ugh.” Rayne had a hard time not laughing as he raised a questioning eyebrow to him.

But the others didn’t seem to catch on as they smiled and encouraged the dark stallion to follow them. Once inside Rayne saw that the map on the Friendship Table had been deactivated and there were a few decorations about with the box for Ogres and Oubliettes already set out on the table. “Ohhh, is this what you all are planning to play?” Rayne asked as he picked Rainbow Dash’s seat to rest in.

“Yup, that’s right.” Spike told him. “Now this can be a fairly complicated game if you aren’t familiar with it. But from the sound of your voice I take it that you’ve played it before?”

Snickering to himself, “Yeah, you could say something like that. I’m sorry to say that I don’t have a character sheet readily available though. I’ll have to make a new one and maybe you'd let me join your adventure at an average level between your existing characters?”

Spike nodded as that sounded fair enough to him. “Okay then assuming you don’t need the basics explained to you I just need to know what your play style is like. I play the wizard Garbunkle, Big Mac plays a knight as Sir McBiggun, and Discord plays a ranger named Captain Wuzz.”

“Interesting, interesting.” Rayne commented. “I’ll admit that I’ve always been a bit partial to playing a rogue. However, you don’t have any homebrews in your campaign? With a wizard, a knight, and a ranger it seems like your group is sorely lacking for a Charisma character.”

The others listened in as Spike thought about it for a moment. “Well, that’s true. And our group is just about to explore a new town. A homebrew you say? What did you have in mind?”

Rayne thought about a character concept for a little while before saying, “How about I play a Blue Mage? They can be pretty versatile. Instead of fighting with a sword or a bow or with conventional magic spells they fight with monster abilities that they learn through combat.”

“Wow.” Big Mac commented.

“Ohhhh that does sound intriguing. Fighting with monster abilities. How EVER did you come up with such an idea?” Discord questioned to which Rayne gave him a suspicious look but then just shrugged.

Spike thought it over and then asked, “Okay, we can give that a try. But there doesn’t seem to be anything in the core rules about Blue Mages. How would that work?”

To this Rayne scoffed as if it were no big deal. “Oh, just roll me out some basic stats for a character and then take a look at some of the abilities that monsters have for our character levels and below? Then look at how many special abilities your characters have attained so far and give me that many different monster abilities to pick from.”

“Huh, that’s kind of brilliant.” Spike stated. “Okay, I can do that. Here’s your character sheet for you to fill out while I browse over the monster list for a moment.” Rayne and Spike nodded to each other while the other two players had no problem waiting a moment for this to be completed.

Rayne finished first and handed his sheet over to Spike since he was the one running the game. “Oh I see. Wow, not much of a fighter are you? I see that you put most of your stats into Charisma and Intelligence. You know you’ll be a bit of a glass cannon with your health points that low.”

“Eh, I’m not afraid of being a specialist. And I think you’ll find that I’ll be more than useful in a fight. So what did you find for me?” He asked to the game master.

“Hmmm. Okay so I’ll give you three abilities. For a basic power. Would you want be able to create vines that hold a target, have an acid spit attack that’s low power but basically never misses, or be able to detect the feelings of those around you?”

“I’ll take the acid attack.” He decided.

“Alright for a middle power would you want a fire claw, an ice wall, or a charm maneuver?”

“Oh I’ll take the charm ability for certain.” Rayne stated.

“Okay, last power.” Spike told him. “These are a bit strong so you’ll only get to use this once per game session. Do you want an earthquake attack, a dragon breath ability, or a regenerative power?”

To this Discord whistled and Rayne scratched him chin. “Hmm, tough choices. But for this I think I’ll take the breath weapon. And let’s name my mage Altero, for his ability to alter himself.” Rayne chuckled knowing he could have come up with something better but it seemed to fit the cheesy names of the others in the group.

“Alright so it seems that we are all set. So Mage Altero, are you prepared to enter the world of Ogre’s and Oubliettes?” Spike asked dramatically.

“Oh you have no idea how prepared I am for this.” The stallion smirked and with that Spike started the game. And just as Rayne had hoped for Discord snapped his fingers bring the adventure to life for them.

“Our hero’s Garbunkle, Sir McBiggun and Captain Wuzz, along with the mage Altero who they recently befriended on the road, find themselves on the edge of Crystopolis. The sparkling diamond town is known for it’s beauty and friendly inhabitants. However as you approach, a guard stops you from entering the city.”

“Hault, I cannot let you enter the city.” Says the guard.

Rayne rolled his eyes a bit at that modest roleplaying but didn’t interrupt. Captain Wuzz was the first to speak as he shouted out, “Oh just do what we do for every guard in our path and toss him some gold to get him out of the way.”

“Oh now hold on.” Altero said as she stepped up and questioned the non player character. “What seems to be the problem?”

Turning to him the guard said, “We have had recent threats to the city. The evil squid wizard, the Squizard, has threatened to unleash a terrifying monster upon our homes if we do not pay him a ridiculous amount of gold and crystal. We have no means of fighting such a beast but to pay the Squizard’s demands would nearly bankrupt our city. As such, our ruler has requested to turn any traveler’s away for their own protection.”

“A terrifying monster you say? And where is this horrible beast?” Garbunkle asked as he looked around not seeing any danger.

“To the west, in the swamp is where it resides. But many dangerous creatures have always come from that direction.” The guard informed them.

Capt. Wuzz spoke next saying, “So all you have to worry about is this big bad beastie thing and then all will be well? Could we enter the city then?”

“Oh, well I suppose so.” The guard answered.

“Sounds like a quest to me!” Altero stated.

“Eyup!” Sir McBiggun agreed.

Now Spike went on to narrate the next scene. “Here in the Dark Poison Swamp our adventurers battle their way through Toxic Slimes and Bog Goblins. The monsters fall quickly to our mighty warriors, earning the group some experience and a bit of dropped gold. Now though they come across an ancient ruin that has long been forgotten by the people of Crystopolis. As the party approaches the statues of two large Minotaurs loom over the walk way.”

To this Altero smirked and said, “I recommend we take defensive positions. Being a Blue Mage my history of understanding monsters tells me that these statues may come to life just as soon as we pass by them.”

“Hmm. Roll for knowledge then.” Spike asked and Rayne did so. The dragon looked over at his roll and nodded.

But Capt. Wuzz called out in disbelief. “Oh come on! That’s preposterous. These are STATUES made for decoration. Creatures doesn’t come to life from being held within stone!” To this everyone at the game gave the Draconequus an awkward stare as that exact thing had happened to him personally.

“Well moving on then.” Spike said and then leaned down to read the game master book for the story arc. “As the adventurers proceed forward to the ancient ruin the two stone Minotaurs standing by the entryway come to life and attack.”

“Really…?” Discord frowned.

Ignoring this Spike continued, “Okay so Altero, you cleverly avoid the surprise attack all together. Sir McBiggin and Capt Wuzz, how do you react?”

“I defend!” Big Mac shouted as his knight raised a shield in front of him.

“Oh well I just move out of the way.” Discord answered as if it were the simplest thing.

“Okay let’s see. Sir McBiggin, you successfully manage to defend against the initial attack taking only minor damage. Capt Wuzz, I’m sorry to say that as you proceeded forward and were caught unaware which leaves you with taking a mighty blow from the second Minotaur.

“Oh course...” Discord sulked as Capt Wuzz was knocked to the ground. “Well, as hurt as I may be it will take more than one attack to take this adventurer down! Let’s go friends! Let us vanquish these foul beasts!” He cheered to which his other two companions jumped to his side.

Now their party launched themselves into combat. Sir McBiggin worked as the defender to block attacks and counterattack when able. Capt Wuzz provided ranged support firing arrows at the beasts while trying to stay away from the danger. Garbunkle worked to try to hinder the beasts with magic spells. Meanwhile Altero seemed to hang back out of the combat. “No, I pass my turn in combat to study the Minotaurs.” Rayne said as Spike nodded.

“Um, excuse me!” Capt Wuzz called out while firing another arrow and dodging another attack. “A little help here please!”

Meanwhile Sir McBiggin was once, twice, and three times knocked off his balance by the Minotaur’s special attack to use a horn to trip their opponent. “Eyup!”

After his third pass Altero finally stepped foward saying, “I use a minor action to pass my starter healing potion to Sir McBiggin and then hold the rest of my turn until the next time that a Minotaur attacks him.”

“Oookay.” Spike nodded and wrote on his scenario sheet what had been done.

“I hope that you have a plan! These things aren’t going down!” Capt Wuzz complained.

However after their ranger shot off another arrow is was the Minotaur’s turn again. The one on the left attacked the ranger while the one on the right tried again for it’s special attack to get the knight onto his back. “Hold it!” Altero shouted. “I fire my acid attack at the Minotaur assaulting Sir McBiggin. But having studied the creature I use my monster knowledge to attack it’s weak spot which are it’s tiny legs.”

At this the two other players looked over to Rayne in surprise but Spike scratched his chin as he thought it over. “Okay, give me a roll for your attempt.” Rayne rolled the twenty sided dice and Spike looked over calculating something something that the other players couldn’t see. “Congratulations, you manage to do critical damage to the Minotaur. Additionally, because you attacked its weak spot just as it was attacking the Minotaur loses balance and trips itself instead.”

“Now Sir McBiggin! Strike while it’s down!” Altero yelled as it was the knight’s turn next.

“By the power of my virtue let my sword strike true!” The knight yelled theatrically.

Spike then looked over his attack roll and announced. “Alright! So while the creature was unable to defend itself Sir McBiggin managed to slay the first creature. Now Garbunkle’s turn is next. Time to use my greater power to finish the second beast off.”

“No, hold onto it!” Altero yelled out. “Just give me two more turns!” The others looked to each other in confusion but nodded seeing as the Blue Mage’s first plan had worked out pretty well. Capt Wuzz worked on distracting the beast so that it couldn’t attack anyone while Sir McBiggin drank the healing potion and readied to attack.

On Alterio’s next turn he moved over to the Minotaur who had already fallen. “Okay so on this turn I use my power as a Blue Mage to absorb the abilities of the Minotaur.” All three of the other companions nodded as that seemed like something sensible for a Blue Mage to do. But then they all recoiled in disgust at the process of slowly consuming the beast to absorb it’s power.

Another round went by where Garbunkle gave Capt Wuzz a healing potion to drink while Sir McBiggin took over distracting the bull like monster. “Alright get ready everyone!” Alterio yelled now that his turn came about again. “I charge forward toward the Minotaur!”

“What?! Are you crazy?!” Capt Wuzz yelled. “You don’t have any strength! You’ll get torn to pieces!”

While racing over to the monster Alterio didn’t even hesitate. Rayne turned toward the game master now and explained, “I use the new knowledge I gained of being part Minotaur to perform the signature trip attempt move on it! And while I may not be very strong, I use my intelligence and the knowledge I gained from studying this move for a bonus to pull it off!”

“Huh, interesting.” Spike said. “Okay. So you still have to use strength for the attack but I’ll give you a small bonus for those two points each.” Rayne nodded and Alterio continued with his attack. Capt Wuzz and Sir McBiggin watched as Minotaur horns grew from the Blue Mage’s head. Then he reached down with the horns toward the monster’s feet.”

“Ooowww, bad roll.” Spike said looking at the dice Rayne rolled for the attack. “That isn’t going to do a whole lot of damage but… with the bonuses you earned you manage to pull of the trip attempt to get the monster on it’s back.

“Now!” Alterio shouted as Sir McBiggin, Capt Wuzz and Garbunkle all began to wail on the fallen creature until it was defeated.

“Congratulations! You have managed to defeat the guardians and gain entrance to the ancient ruins!” Spike announced to them all. “And you’ve all earned some experience and gold.”

“Well...” Discord purred out. “It seems that you do know your way around this game after all. Very clever being a Blue Mage. Tell me, how DO you come up with these ideas?” He inquired.

Rayne played his poker face well saying, “It’s not that hard. You just use what you know and build on that creatively.” He teased as he obviously wasn’t going to elaborate.

Now Spike went on as he read the rest of the scene to the group. “The adventurers find themselves traveling down a dark staircase. The walls are covered in moss from the swamp and the stinging scent of poison can be detected in the air.”

Switching back into character now Spike spoke out as Garbunkle saying, “Keep your eyes peeled. We want to see the creature before it sees us. Something tells me that whatever is down here isn’t going to be bothered by a metal shield or our attempts to dodge it’s attacks.” The rest of the group nodded before Spike picked the scenario script back up again.

“Just then something large moved through the darkness just ahead of them. A massive shape grew and grew until almost the entire underground cavern seemed to be taken up by it’s shadow. A series of hissing could be heard and the poison in the air seemed to thicken as an enormous Hydra came into view.

“YEEYEEYEEYEEEAAAAHHH!!!” Sir McBiggin and Capt Wuzz shouted together as they dodged a series of poison fangs and retreated to where the two mages had been hanging back. “Well what do we do now?!” The ranger asked.

“Let me have a try at it.” Alterio said as he stepped forward.

“Oh come on! We don’t have four turns to just dance around that thing for you to ’pay attention to it’ or whatever!” Capt Wuzz shouted. “It will eat each one of us one at a time by then!”

“Eyup!” Sir McBiggin shouted as he stepped back seeing that the Hydra was about to charge.

“No worries. I plan to use one of my powers on it.” Rayne told the group.

“Oh, good idea.” Garbunkle called out. “If you use your Dragon Breath you might be able to hit all of the heads at once!”

“I use my power to charm the creature.” Rayne announced.

Suddenly everyone at the table fell quiet in surprise. The other three players looked around in disbelief and as Discord had taken to being Rayne’s token neighsayer this evening shouted, “Now hold on! This is a HYDRA! Not a town guard or some floozie of a barmaid.”

To this Spike spoke up. “Well, maybe as a Blue Mage it might be possible… But are you sure Rayne? It’s defenses are pretty high.”

“Would you rather run up and fight it instead?” Rayne asked.

“NOPE!” Big Mac said as Sir McBiggin shoved the Blue Mage forward towards the beast.

“Okay, let’s give this a shot.” Spike said. “Roll for your attempt to charm the Hydra…. I can’t believe I just said that sentence.”

Rayne nodded and rolled the dice. To everyone’s surprise it landed on a nineteen once it stopped skipped across the table. “That plus my high Charisma!” Rayne pointed out.

Instantly Spike began pouring over his notes and calculating numbers. Big Mac and Discord bit the tips of their paws and Rayne just waited. “You pass… by one point.” Spike said as the Draconequus’ jaw dropped. “The Hydra leans down as the Blue Mage calls to him sweetly. Then it rolls over onto it’s back like a dog as Alterio scratches behind it’s ear in just the right spot.”

“I can’t believe it! This is implausible that a powerful magical creature could be tamed so easily!” Discord shouted.

But then Rayne smirked and said, “But… isn’t Fluttershy able to do about the same thing to Cerberus? Are you calling her a fake?”

Discord’s eyes went wide for a moment before he leaned back and said, “I retract my statement.” Everyone at the table laughed at that as Spike picked up the scenario script again.

“Okay so now that the adventurers had, ahem, ’defeated’ the Hydra they could now return to the town of Crystopolis!”

“I have a better idea!” Alterio announced as he climbed atop of the Hydra as if it were a horse to ride. “Awwww who’s a big good boy? Huh? Yeah, you are! You like us much more than you like that mean ol’ Squizzard don’t you? Yeah, I bet the Squizzard never gave you scritchy scritches behind your ear for any of your itchy itches, did he? No, no he didn’t. Why don’t you show us where to find the Squizzard and we’ll make sure that he can’t be so inconsiderate to you anymore. Huh? Huh boy? Would you do that for us?”

Now the others smiled as they all liked where Rayne was headed with this idea. Feeling inspired Spike decided to run with it as he announced that the Hydra did indeed lead them to the Squizzard’s secret lair. “Okay so you all have arrived at Volcano Tower. However your approach won’t be easy because a massive gate followed by the Squizzard’s army blocks your approach.”

Rayne was surprised when the other three players excitedly looked to him to see if he had any more clever ideas. “Hehe, well… Sir McBiggin, I don’t suppose that some rusty old gate is going to stop your incredible sword now would it?”

“Heh, heh. Nope!” After slashing the way clear for the others Sir McBiggin lead the group forward.

"And what next?" Garbunkle asked as they faced the overwhelming forces ahead of them.

“Okay so... they have an army? Well we have a Hydra!” Altero grinned and all of the players laughed seeing the multiheaded beast race forward to chase the Squizzard’s army about.

Moving quickly now they ran passed all the fighting and up the Endless Staircase, through the Infinite Doors and beyond the Pathless Path to get to the Squizzard’s sanctum at the top of the volcano. “Red light from the lava below filled the room as the Squizzard stood ready to face the adventurers.” Spike narrated.

“You fools think that you can defeat me?! You may have tamed my monster and you may have saved Crystopolis for now. But you have sealed your fate by coming here to fight me!”

“...Challenge him to a wizard’s duel!” Altero whispered to Garbunkle. “A one on one fight to see who is the better wizard.”

“But I’m not stronger than-”

“Trust me.” He said reassuringly to their magical companion.

“Alright then! YOU SQUIZZARD! YOU WILL NOT BE VICTORIOUS TODAY! We will stop your evil deeds here! And once you are vanquished I will save the fair lady 'Shmarity' from your clutches! I the wizard Garbunkle challenge you to a wizard’s duel!”

“Ahem, follow my lead...” Altero whispered to Capt Wuzz as Rayne showed Spike he was rolling for stealth.

“Little fool! Your magic cannot compare to mine! I accept your challenge!” The Squizzard replied. “I will defeat you first, and then I will defeat your friends! Hey, wait a minute. Where did they go?” The enemy wizard asked noticing that only Sir McBiggin was standing behind Garbunkle.

Rayne quickly spoke up. “Having taken the time while you two were talking to study the Squizzard I have Altero charge forward and use the Minotaur Trip against him with a bonus for studying how the Squizzard might move to dodge!”

After Rayne rolled his dice Spike announced, “You successfully get the drop on the Squizzard who is unable to avoid your trip attempt.”

“And it’s right into the Volcano that I trip him!” Rayne yelled out confidentially. “What? I didn’t put him starting near the edge. He was like that when we walked in.” He said to the others.

“Fools! I will not be defeated so easily!” The Squizzard shouts while managing to grab onto a rock and save himself from falling.

“Now Capt Wuzz!” Alterio shouts.

Stepping from out of the shadows the ranger draws his bow and fires. “I aim at the rock that the Squizzard is holding onto!” Discord announces.

Spike looks over Discord's roll and nods. “You successfully manage to break the rock off from the edge causing the Squizzard to fall deeper into the volcano.”

“NOOOO!!! NOT LIKE THIS! THIS IS NOT THE END!!!” The Squizzard shouts as he begins waiving his wand around.

To this Altero yells out, “Quick Sir McBiggin! The Squizzard is going to use a spell to save himself. Interrupt his casting by throwing your sword at him!”

But then the knight looked out nervously. “But- but then my sword...”

“Trust me!” Altero said and then turned back toward the exit to the tower and whistled loudly.

Giving a nod the knight raced over to the edge and said alloud, “By the power of my virture let my sword strike true!” Then he hurled his blade down towards the wizard.

Spike gave a sigh as he looked at Big Mac’s dice roll and compared it to the Squizzard’s stats. “Sir McBiggin’s sword pierces through the Squizzard interrupting the teleportation spell that he was casting. With not enough time left the evil wizard plunges into the molten lava and screams a death cry as the fiery magma envelopes him!”

“Nooooooooooo…..!”

Before anything else could be said Rayne quickly spoke up while looking to the game master for approval. “And just as the Squizzard is about to finish submerging the Hydra appears behind them from Altero’s call. It reaches down to snag Sir McBiggin’s sword before the lava can claim it.

Spike nods and the knight cheered happily as the blade was returned to him. “Oh thank you, than- Yeouch! Hot, hot, still hot!”

Reading from the scene script again Spike announced, “With the Squizzard defeated the Volcano Tower begins to crumble and all of his armies are laid to waste. Our heros race down to the ground just in time for the evil tower to come crashing down and never rise again. After returning to Crystopolis everyone throws a celebration for the defeat of the squid wizard. The hero’s are showered with wealth and praise while the Hydra is accepted as the new official guardian of the city!”

Clearing his throat Spike looked up at the group now. “Wow, we did it! We really defeated the Squizzard you guys!” He cheered but then the other boys chuckled at something that was behind Spike. "What? What's so funny?"

Just then a soft voice spoke out with a flirtatious tone. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Two off-white hooves wrapped around Spike from behind as Rarity said, “And in the end the fair princess Shmarity was saved by the heroic Garbunkle. In fact she was so grateful that she fell instantly in love and the two lived together happily ever after!”

Spike fell into a blushing mess as his girlfriend snuck up and kissed his cheek. Meanwhile Rayne, Discord and Big Mac all just chuckled and turned away minding their own business.

“Rarity! You’re back!” Spike cheered out.

“MmHmm!” The mare smiled happily as she nodded. “That’s right! You know I could never stay away from Ponyville and my Spikey Wikey for too long. Now, if you boys are all finished here I believe that I have a hero to thank for my dashing rescue!” She chuckled as she allowed Spike to hop up on her back as she walked off with him toward his room.

Meanwhile Discord snapped his claw magically cleaning up the game pieces and then flipping the switch to return the map to above the Friendship Table. “Well my friend. I must say, you certainly brought a level of excitement to guy’s night that I wasn’t expecting. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!”

Rayne smirked as he walked with Discord and Big Mac to the front doors of the castle. “Well maybe soon. But for now I say we call it a night. This was fun but I think you all should join me at the Hot Hoof sometime. The other’s nodded and they all went their separate ways while Big Mac considered joining them at the jazz club sometime while Rayne thought ahead about his scheduled clients at work in the morning.

Author's Notes:

Well this was a fun and creative chapter to write. First of all let me state the obvious that I don't own MLP, Ogres and Oubliettes, or D&D by Wizards of the Coast. I'm just a big fan of playing the 3.X version of that game. And for you experienced D&D players who might say, 'That's not how the rules work,' this is just a fantasy story and not the real game.

So for those who caught it, we had some timeline hints included in here. The progress of this story just passed episodes four and five of season eight in the show. "Fake it Till You Make It," and, Grannies Gone Wild," both just happened elsewhere while Rayne was still in Ponyville.

Now there was a very fun little Marvel reference in this chapter which I hope gave you all a laugh. No, I do not own Marvel either. So in the first Avengers Movie there was a meme made from the line, "I have an army. We have a Hulk!" I used this here when Altero said, "We have a Hydra."

Also I hope the game play dialogue made sense. When I wrote that Garbunkle, Sir McBiggin, Capt Wuzz or Altero spoke that meant they were doing so in character for the game. When I wrote that Spike, Big Mac, Discord or Rayne spoke that meant the players were talking to each other out of character for the game.

Oh and Rayne and Big Mac have totally patched things up and are friends again. ^_~