Twilight Gets a Puppy, Season 4

by TDR

First published 1st of January, 2020

New gods, spiky vines, singing fish, ghost dogs, theatrical mishaps, and a new enemy seeking to destroy everything, The Sparkle siblings will have their hooves, paws, and claws full this season.

Twilight Sparkle and her brother Rahs Sparkle have become gods. One would think that would mean that there would be less problems for them. Having survived three years in Ponyville [ or Ponyville having survived three years of them] the Sparkle siblings and their friends are about to have a whole lot more problems.

Vicious vines, end of the world doomsday cults, vampire ponies, Equestria Games, Party wars, Lip sync scandals, breezies, a trade expo, members of the royal family moving into town, betting pool changes, more dating shenanigans, a fishy presence, darkness, and the return of a great evil.

Now with 20% more Discord!

[ As usual i post my Slightly dirty tag here as while there is no clop or smut, it's hinted and and conversations tend to get a little filthy, also Cadence.]

Editing assistance by ThatNoobPony

Useing Ko-Fi to accept donations to get Fan art for the story. What art I have so far is also linked HERE!

TGaP now has a TV Tropes Page thanks to matt+s0101745, You can find that HERE.

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

Celestia's Journal wheneverly

[Heavy fluttering of large wings.]

Been a while since I've written here. In this instance I think I had best put my thoughts down. I'm using the 'self scribe' spell so I can simply talk and allow the quill to write itself, mostly because I can't seem to sit down. I've a good bit of nervous energy lately.

[Thuds of pacing hooves]

Of course this manner of spell has it's own issues as it records any sounds picked up as well. But in this case since I'm the only one who should be reading this.... and Discord. At least if that ass wants to do the same trick twice and didn't take the hint last time with the explosive runes.

The reason for my nervousness is obvious really, Sunset Shimmer is back. She's been gone since she turned seventeen all those years ago. And now she's back and it's like we barely were apart.

In that regard I mean she's still doing her best to test me, she just now has new material to work with.

I still don't understand the 'Okay Boomer' phrase she keeps using when she responds to me sometimes, but it amuses her, so I simply ignore it. She has picked up a lot of slang from the other world she was trapped in for three years. I barely understand any of it, but neither does any pony else so I suppose that's fine.

[Hooves thudding on wood floor back and forth]

I have a lot to make up for with Sunset, but at the same time I'm not going to let her trot all over me because I'm sorry for hiding things from her to protect her and try and guide her properly.

This is one of the reasons I'm sending her to Ponyville to stay with the Apples for a time. She can be apart from me which seems to be what she wants, but can still be close enough to visit or be visited. Granny can get to know her half sister. And most importantly Granny and the rest of the Apple family can focus Sunset's energies into something constructive, I hope.

It will also keep her away from any more griffons as Ponyville doesn't have a standing population of them. With knowledge of her being my daughter a lot more common now, the nobles will be doubling down in trying to wed her to one of their sons or daughters. And after I practically kicked the entire noble caste of griffons out of Equestria, I don't want any of them to think they can get their claws back in by catching her interest.

I honestly don't care if she decides she likes griffons or dragons or whatever tickles her fancy. I would just like to avoid a political shit storm dependent on who she decides to interact with in that manner.

[ Snort of annoyance]

Luna has pointed out that Sunset has had a tough time of it in the other world. She won't talk about it, but Luna has been watching her dreams and has seen something of her life on the street and stealing food to survive.

Going from a pampered filly to a homeless bum on another world clearly changed her, there's still her underlying anger at me, but none of that is directed towards the castle staff. To be honest she was a bit of a spoiled brat to the castle staff back before she left. Now she treats them like actual ponies. Still I wish she hadn't had to go through that just to gain any empathy or respect. In thirty years time we plan to head back through the portal to retrieve what she left there. Twilight wants to study the place as well. Sunset tells me it's unlikely any one will find her things in just a year, the building she was staying in had been abandoned for years and was locked in a political stalemate on ownership of the property. Those can take decades to sort out.

[ hooves falls on wood floor moving back and forth, tail whisking ]

Then there's Sombra. As close as I have gotten to my nephew in the last year, I will have to say I still do not trust him completely. He is not the same stallion that was ripped from the Crystal Empire but...

He has no drive, no real motivation. He studies and reads anything he can get his hooves on but he does nothing with it. He is still very standoffish about everything and seems to have no goal or direction in his life, that he still doesn't have a cutie mark may have something to do with that, at least according to his psychiatrist.

Given how things are now, I almost find it hard to believe he is the same pony who killed his father as a child, then managed to hold the empire together for ten years with only a single dreadnought he didn't even have control over and a hoofful of conscripted soldiers and zealots.

I know most of my focus was on Nightmare Moon at the time, but he still drove off six attempts to take the main city from him by joint forces and he actually managed to capture three of the ones selected to be the Element Bearers. When my attention finally turned to him during a lull in combat with my sister, the whole city vanished. Sombra still doesn't know why it did that, as he was caught unawares as well.

I'm hoping that some time out of the castle will show some sort of positive result, and since Twilight and her brothers have agreed to keep an eye on Sombra and Sunset both, I am at ease with this decision.

I made sure to tell the trio and Granny the whole plan as well, I don't need any of them to be any angrier at me.

Speaking of the Sparkles...

Yet again they have managed to completely astound me with what they have done. Not only has Twilight ascended, but so has Rahs, and he managed to actually hide it for several weeks.

While I am quite proud of both of them, a few things about Rahs' ascension confuse both myself and Lulu.

His gaining Moon Dogs and theater as his main portfolios are hardly a surprise.

Given his sister has Tuesdays, him having Fridays is not much of a surprise either. I'm still waiting for all the other days of the week to show up in god portfolios, though in truth Tuesdays in Ponyville and Fridays in Canterlot are really the only two disaster heavy days I have hard data on. I have heard rumors of Sundays being a bit odd in Trotkyo, but it's been so long since I've been there, I have no idea if it would match up at the same level. I'm also not certain what a kaju is and why they come to town on Sundays there.

Back to Rahs, it's his 'dreams' portfolio that have Luna and I worried.

It's not shared with Luna.

Rahs and Luna have stand alone lesser portfolios that list 'dreams', though by the same token they are not shared. Luna found out he was a god because his name was in her portfolio as having taken the Moon Dog portfolio, not because she was sharing dreams.

Rahs claims he doesn't know what it means, but everyone is skeptical that he isn't just trying to be dramatic again.

[ Long sigh]

Luna even looked into it from the other side and she still cannot see the dreams of the Sparkles. She still finds it odd, particularly since, while they don't remember any of their dreams, at times each of them has noticed one of the others having what could be considered a nightmare, despite not recalling it. None of them are plagued by nightmares and Rahs certainly sleeps just fine. But it seems that when they do dream it's not connected to the Oneiroi.

On another note, I believe that this is ' Magic' from the prophecy. Either the Sparkle's ascension or Sunset trying to steal magic.

All that is left out of that list is greed and pride. Once those two come to pass this damn thing will be over.

It was probably too much to hope that Forgescale was greed and Sunset was pride.

[ Annoyed sigh ]

I couldn't be so lucky.

I also expect there's more than just this. Buck... we might not have even gone past madness with how vague everything is. If not for Twilight's ascension and the obviousslap in the face that she should be magic in the prophecy we wouldn't even know we passed envy. I still think Envy and Lust were not good fits for Chrysalis and Sombra. But then again they might have been dead on, prophesies suck.

[ scratching sound against glass.]

Hmm? What's that?

[Hoof steps walking away]

Did a bird smack itself against the window again? I told them to reset the wards.

[Sound of doors opening and the faint whoosh of wind. Fluttering of cloth, likely the bed awning.]

Odd there's nothing out... What!? What even is, GAH!!

[ Sounds of struggle, flares of magic, and flame crackling. Sounds of plants being ripped, shattering glass cries of pain and muffled screaming. Cracking of stone, stone crumbling. ]

[Pounding on wood ]

Princess, Princess Celestia are you alright!

[More pounding, louder.]

“Princess this is Sergeant Blue Steel, I'm coming in!”

[Sound of impacts on the door. Shattering wood and the thud of bits of broken metal and wood striking the ground.]

Princess Celestia!? Corporal Fern, check the bath room, Corporal Thorn go sound the alarm.

[Thudding of hooves]

Sergeant, bathroom's clear.

The window's broken and a chunk of the balcony is shattered here. Looks like there was a fight, there's a few piles of ash here she must have burned something.

She's got a spell going over here, the pens still writing Sergeant. It's about out of page though.

Don't touch it, we'll get a forensics team in here, some one go wake up Princ

[page end]

Author's Notes:

'Fish puns,
fish puns,
rolly polly fish puns,
fish puns,
fish puns,
eat them up,
yum.'

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Nearing Canterlot, Summer, One month after the return of Sunset Shimmer,Friday]

The steady click, clack of the train riding along the rails was soothing. It was almost enough to lull Twilight into a false sense of calm.

Almost.

The thirty or so Guards from the Six Sixty Sixth clustered around her on the train and flying outside of it as the massive armored rail car was brought to Canterlot however, kept her from relaxing fully.

Today had been a pain in the ass since early this morning.

Apparently Princess Celestia had been foal napped last night with Princess Luna going missing about the same time.

The Guard had behaved like a foal trying coffee for the first time.

About as coherently as well.

The Six Sixty Sixth had a small contingent in Canterlot at the time and their commander recalled that there was another Princess in Ponyville.

The commander did forget several other things however. Though he was quickly reminded when he and his unit galloped into Ponyville with the intent on securing the newest Princess at what-the-buck-o-clock in the morning.

The first was that she didn't want to be a Princess .

The second was that she had warded her tree against invasion six ways from Tuesday.

The warding was such, that the things that had grabbed Luna and Celestia had given up trying to grab her after a couple of minutes of prodding. But no one knew that yet.

The third thing was discovered after three spell breakers finally pried the wards apart enough to open the front door for the rest of the unit to rush inside the library. The commander had been certain the wards were placed by the individual who had foal napped the other Princesses.

The Six Sixty Sixth routinely faced down monsters and other horrors that could cause the hardest veteran soldiers to soil themselves in fright. And they consistently won these conflicts.

This time they were up against an alicorn who had only gone to bed two hours prior from a late study session and was barely awake.

A moon dog who was slightly more awake, but half deafened by the klaxon alarm his sister had set in case of some one trying to break in.

And a cranky baby dragon who really wanted to go back to bed.

The explosions woke the rest of the town.

Thankfully for the Guards, Rahs was awake enough to realize that what Blakeney had stolen from one of the buglers was a guard badge and stopped the battle before Spike and Twilight set any one else on fire.

Currently the soldiers were around the trio on the armored train. They didn't speak, they simply kept their eyes and ears open looking for anything that could be a threat. All of them were probably wondering why they bothered however and all but the spell breakers were at least a little charred.

The explanation for why they showed up was quickly told and pointed out. The Sun and the Moon remaining high in the air, splitting the land into night and day was such a scientific impossibility Twilight almost went cross eyed.

Still both Princesses were missing.

And given the Sparkle's reputation, the strongest of the guards were sent to bring her safely back to Canterlot.

The trip was uneventful except another fight breaking out when the Guards tried to stop Rahs and Spike from coming along.

That led to the destruction of the ticket booth at the train station.

The commander of the unit proved he wasn't completely stupid and relented without much issue leaving a promissory note to bill the crown for the damage before ordering everyone onto the train, then asking the Sparkles nicely to get on.

Still the Six Sixty Sixth proved their mettle, by neither backing down, or going down easily when Spike and Rahs got into it with them.

Twilight doubted they would have fared that well if the three of them were fully awake however, but she didn't say anything.

The train ride had calmed most of them down and Spike and Rahs wound up managing to get a few of the guards talking.

By the time the train arrived in Canterlot, Rahs had bits on another of Celestia's Exes, the guard commander had money on one of Cadence's and Spike had put money down on it being one of Luna's, because they were about due for one.

Twilight also took note of a few bids on it being Sunset, and a few on Sombra as well.

As the group of guards and the three Sparkles left the train they were greeted by Princess Celestia's aide, Raven Inkwell. Raven was a white unicorn with a brown mane and tail who had served as Princess Celestia's aide since Flowery Text had retired. She had a twin sister who was an earth pony in Ponyville, that worked for the mayor, the twin's name was Raven Quill.

“Princess Sparkle, thank goodness you're here...” Raven began.

“Not a princess. No coronation, not royalty.” Twilight cut her off. “I'm just here to figure out what happened. Given it's Tuesday I figure being in Canterlot might be safe.”

“Woof.” Rahs grumbled.

“What do you mean it's Friday...... shit...” Twilight dropped her head with a groan.

“We were safer in Ponyville. Spike grumbled.

“ Yes, well...” Raven continued as the small group climbed aboard an armored carriage. “ Last night the Princesses went missing. Princess Celestia was taken from her room. There were signs of a struggle and she had a a recording spell going so the forensics team was able to piece together what happened. She heard something at her balcony window, went out to investigate and fought something that dragged her off. We considered griffons or dragons, but there was some material burned on the balcony that was neither scales nor feathers, and it looked like she was dragged over the edge of the balcony rather than carried off into the air. There was however a caved in tunnel at the base of the wall under her balcony. So diamond dogs are on the top of the list.”

“What about Princess Luna?” Twilight asked, stifling a yawn.

“Much the same though there was no struggle for her. After her breakfast she retires back to her chambers for a few hours for her dream patrols before she opens the Night Court. Whatever grabbed Princess Celestia also snatched Princess Luna right out of her room. Outside of her balcony were the same collapsed tunnels.” Raven explained.

“Where's Sunset?” Spike asked.

“Sunset is in her room asleep. No one has tried to wake her yet. She takes after her mother in she is a very very heavy sleeper. She also tends to be the sort that if something does manage to wake her up, she explodes.” Raven sighed.

“Well her mother's missing, some pony can just suck it up that Sunset will be mad and grouchy at them for a while.” Twilight frowned. “Trust me I get where she's coming from at being woken up but still.”

“Umm no Princess..”.

“Not a Princess.”

“Errrr Twilight,.. when I say she explodes I mean she wakes up casting Lina's Flaming Burst. She warded everything in her room herself, and the only one willing to risk going in there to wake her before her alarm was Princess Celestia.” Raven sighed.”No one else has enough fire proofing to do so.”

Rahs and Twilight looked at Spike.

“FIIIIINE..I'll go wake her up.” Spike fussed.

“Okay what about Sombra?” Twilight asked.

“He's been detained, though he professes not to know what's going on. He also beat the fool out of four Guards who were a little more insistent that he had something to do with this. Luna's student has also been detained just in case and she's less than thrilled about it.” Raven explained.

“I can't fault him for that.” Twilight grumbles.” At any rate you seem to have everything under control for the most part, why did I get dragged up here ?”

“Well, with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna gone, the Night Court did not get held, so the petitioners for the crown were all pushed back to the Day Court...” Raven offered.

Twilight, Rahs, and Spike all blinked as they stared at her.

“You want... to hold court.... at a time like this?” Twilight asked very carefully.

“Yes.” Raven stated flatly.

The Sparkles all looked to one another.

Spike stood up on the seat leaning out of the carriage window.”Hey driver, turn the wagon around we're leaving!”

“What? No!" Raven protested.” Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have been pushing these sessions back for the last three weeks as they tried to get Sunset settled and spend time with her. They did the same thing with Sombra and the event was a nightmare when they finally relented. Half of Canterlot and nearly the entire noble caste will be at this court due to push backs.”

“Which makes me want to leave faster. I think I can teleport us back to the train station from here even with Rahs.” Twilight stated.” Also so help me if those two went on vacation I am going to steal Dr. Choppy and do something to them that only Chrysalis would approve of.”

“Woof.” Rahs pointed out.

“Right. I'm not even in the line of succession!” Twilight flailed her wings.

“You are fifth actually.” Raven corrected.

“What?” Spike asked.

“The first in line for the crown is the first born of the two sister. Prince Sombra, we all know why that is not viable. Second in line is the second born, Princess Shimmer, also not viable right now. Third in line is Prince, Prince Blue Blood of the Blueblood family. He is a direct descendant of Princess Luna's bloodline and while his father and grandfather should be in the line of succession, Princess Luna disowned the family line some time ago and only recently allowed it to be reinstated after she got to know Prince.”

“Well why isn't he here?” Twilight fussed.

“He's in Catcun setting up a trade deal with the Abyssinians.” Raven pointed out. “After that is Sweetiebelle Reignolds due to Princess Luna's … surprisingly legal adoption of the filly as her sister.”

The Sparkles flinched thinking of what would happen if Sweetiebelle became the Princess of Equestria, along with her closest advisers Applebloom and Scootaloo.

Spike nearly turned pink as he paled at the thought of the Cutie Mark Crusaders Royal Triarchy, Yay!

“Well I can see I don't have to explain why THAT is a bad idea.” Raven stated. “Which leaves you.”

“I still want nothing to do with this.” Twilight snapped.

“We need the nobles support for a great many things. The Princesses cannot deal with everything on their own and oft need to appease the business tycoons and the like in order to keep things running smoothly.” Raven sighed. “ Not to mention the non nobles who petition the court.”

“Still not interested.” Twilight huffed.

“Woof.” Rahs considered.

“What?!” Spike and Twilight both looked at him in horror.

“Woof!” Rahs explained again.

“Why would you want to agree to this?”Spike frowned.

Rahs smiled a smile that was full of fangs, malice, and evil.

Raven quickly reassessed the idea of Sweetiebelle.

“Bork.” Rahs pointed out and both of his siblings blinked in unison, then developed grins of their own.

Yep, Sweetiebelle would have been a much better idea, Raven concluded.

“Fine, I'll do it, but I want the full reports on what the forensics teams found. My goal is to find the Princesses, not replace them. If Sombra and Sunset want to prove they didn't have anything to do with this they can help as well. Also send a message back to Ponyville and ask Pinkie and Fluttershy if they can ask Discord about this, Spike once you wake Sunset, send a message to Bleu and Iinii asking them about this and to watch themselves just in case.” Twilight ordered. “ Rahs you keep an eye on Sombra and Sunset once we start looking into this. I'll deal with the court.”

“While I am thrilled you are helping now, might I ask why the sudden change of heart?”Raven asked with more than a little worry.

“Rahs' idea.” Spike pointed out. “So don't blame me.”

“What?” Raven asked.

“Just because it's a Friday in Canterlot, doesn't mean we have to be the ones suffering from the effects of it.” Twilight pointed out, gesturing to Rahs. “He is the god of Fridays after all.”

“What?” Raven asked again.

“Fridays in Canterlot tend to be chaotic disasters, but no one ever said for whom.”

The trio grin again and Raven whimpered.

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Canterlot Castle, throne room]

“This is all you found?” Twilight sighed looking over the report that Guards Forensics officer, Huge Guy, gave her. Despite his name the dark gray and white splotched earth pony was smaller than her. He was recently promoted after solving a serial crusher case.

“I'm afraid so Princess. We have a few diamond dogs on the force that tried to follow the tunnel though they ran into some sort black thorn covered roots. That prevented them from following the tunnels. We're not willing to destroy them until we find out if they may be something important or some sort of fallout from the Mage's high energy team.”

“Alright keep me or one of my brothers updated when you find out what they are.” Twilight sighed.

“Of course Princess.” The guard bowed and turned heading back out the door.

“You didn't seem to have a issue with him calling you Princess.” Raven snarked, having fought for a good hour to get her to accept it.

“Meh.” Twilight shrugged. “No point. Is everything set up?”

“Indeed, Twilight...”Raven sighed, Twilight had fought for just as long for Raven to stop calling her Princess as Raven did for her allowing others to do so.” The crowds are not happy about it, but we can send them in one pony or small group at a time.”

“Good. They'll have to deal, I took a glance out side as every pony was gathering and started to freak out a little at that. I still can't deal with large crowds.” Twilight frowned.

“Understood, will there be anything else?” Raven asked .

Twilight sighed then looked at the two thrones in the middle of the great hall and frowned.

“Yes. Send some one to grab one of the lobby chairs from the Royal Library and bring it here.” Twilight ordered.

“The lobby chairs? You mean the couches? How is sitting on a couch going to show you're in charge like a throne would?” Raven flattened her ears.

“They're actually recliners not couches. And it shows I'm in charge because I have a comfy seat and they have to stand.”Twilight explained.” Plus those things smell like books and are the best things ever to stretch out on to read in. I need to see if I can convince the library to get new ones so I can snag the old ones for Golden Oaks.”

“That's not on today's docket.” Raven sighs.

“Spoil sport.”

[Canterlot Castle private quarters.]

“You sure about this little dude?” The guard questioned looking down at Spike.”She's rather temperamental in the morning.”

“Pfft, you don't know my sister. I can deal with it.”Spike sighed. “Still you might wanna close the door and stay back.”

“Braver soul than I am.” The other guard at the door offered a salute as Spike waddled into Sunset's quarters.

The drake had no real fear of a defensive fire spell, after all, when you walked though a wall of solar fire made by the goddess of the sun herself, what said goddess' daughter could do was a little less intimidating.

“Hey... Sunset , wake up!” Spike said.

Still he went though the usual escalation rituals that he went though with his siblings. Speaking to her to wake her up, shaking her a little, poking her with the end of a broom handle, yelling,shaking her a lot, tickling her nose, no luck.

It was his patented number 17 method, also known as the 'Twilight/Rahs it's an emergency get your tail up' method, that finally worked.

To the untrained outside observer this might come off as a confusing way to go about things. But Spike had the complex method distilled down to 3 easy steps.

Step 1. Get a bucket
Step 2. Fill bucket with cold water.
Step 3. Dump bucket of cold water on to stubbornly sleeping target.

Results were usually instantaneous and Sunset was no exception.

Spike had gone in expecting his sisters version of Lina's Fiery Burst, not the Sunset version. While the flames themselves didn't bother him at all, they did burn his wooden bucket to ash and send him sailing across the room to impact the wall by the door, he then found he was stuck there hanging from his spines.

It said a lot about the little dragons life that he was barely phased by being reduced to wall art.

Sunset on the other hoof …

“I'M GONNA RIP YOUR HEAD OFF AND MAKE YOU SUCK YOUR OWN DICK WITH IT!!”the mare screamed as she flailed about in the flash dried sheets fire radiating off of her. It seems her room was well warded against fire as aside from his bucket nothing seemed even slightly singed. Spike sorta felt sorry for any one she might decide to sleep with however.

“Wow, that's the third.... no make that the forth most threatening and least age inappropriate threat I've heard in my life.” Spike muttered.

Sunset flailed and fell off the bed with a crash tossing away the sheets while swearing. The reason for the flailing was the sudden blast of humidity from the water evaporating had curled her mane and tail into something that resembled a orange and yellow streaked version of Pinkie Pie's mane.

Spike attempted to hold back his laughter, but failed to hide a snort of amusement from behind his claws.

Of course watching Sunset zero in on the laugh and stomp over towards him, only to run straight into the wall made him lose it fully.

“Son of a bitch.” Sunset growled pushing her fuzzy mane out of her face to glare upward expecting a soon to be deep fried pegasus, or Philomena. Seeing a little dragon stuck to the wall was new.

“What?” Sunset stated eloquently. "Aren't you Spike?!”

“Yep.”

“What the fuck are you... why the fuck are you here?”

“You want the long version or the short version?” Spike asked.

“Short.” Sunset growled.

“Your mom and aunt got foal napped, Twilight's been suckered to be in charge until they get found and she wants to ask you some questions because you're one of the suspects.” Spike explained.

“Great.” Sunset sighed turning to stomp off towards the rooms bathroom.

“Where are you going?” Spike demanded wiggling on the wall.

“To fix my hair. I'm not going out there like this.”

“Well get me down.” Spike flailed.

“Nah you can just hang out a bit.” Sunset smirked.” Maybe you'll learn a different way to wake some one up other than a deluge.”

“You didn't respond to anything else.” Spike huffed as the bathroom door closed.” And adding a force effect on a fire ball is bull crap!!”

“Alright so do the guard captains have the weekly reports or did Celestia move that back to the end?” Twilight asked as she adjusted into the recliner with a small grin. Okay there were some perks to being a princess it seemed, she always loved these couches.

“Errr, no we can start with that if you wish. I'm surprised you know about that.” Raven questioned.

“I suppose you wouldn't know as I don't recall her doing it since you were hired. Every so often Celestia would bring her students to one of her day courts to show us how everything worked.” Twilight sighed.” Personally I think Celestia did it because if a foal poked a hole in some nobles plan that embarrassed them even further than her simply telling them no. That Celestia promised us ice cream if we successfully did so helped. I think I held the record at twenty three plans ripped apart.”

“Well. I suppose that means you do have a head for this.” Raven blinked.

“Not really. I just had good motivation.” Twilight shrugged.

“Perhaps I should see if we have any of that white chocolate and raspberry ice cream left to add to the lunch selection.”Raven added slyly.

“And just like that, a horrible day is improving.”Twilight beamed. "Okay lets hear the reports.”

“I have been here a year with no issue, one would think by now they might stop considering me the culprit for every single thing that goes wrong in this castle.” Sombra growled. “The rulers have been foal napped, Sombra must have done it. Some pony broke into the kitchens and raided the cakes, must have been Sombra. I forgot my spear at home, blame Sombra.”

Rahs glanced down at the pony storming along beside him and shrugged. Sombra wasn't so much talking to him as he was ranting to himself and Rahs saw no reason to interrupt him. He didn't like the guy anyway and the feeling was mutual, but he agreed to keep an eye on him for Luna when it was first brought up about moving him to Ponyville for some semblance of normalcy. So far the only thing he had learned about him personally was that he was grumpy.

And that he had evidently been going at it a while as the two guards with them seemed bored of it.

Still, he had gotten Sombra, like Twilight asked and Spike probably already had Sunset, all that was left was to find...

“FUZZY!!”

A blue furred mass hit him about chest level and flung him sideways into a store room, the door exploding inward as Rahs cried out. There was a tremendous crash as the pair impacted somethings in the storage room. More crashes and splintering was heard along with the destruction of old furniture shattering of glass. Sombra and the guards peered in after them only to be forced to dodge a rather life like griffon statue that was flung out the door along with a ton of other debris. The three ponies watched as in a strange comedic series of events that looked like it could have been scripted for a stage play, the entire room was destroyed in a Rube Goldberg style of domino cascade.

In the end Rahs lay dazed on his back in a pile of rubble with Princess Luna's student, The Great and Powerful Trixie hugging him and nuzzling against his chest.

“This day might turn out more interesting than I thought.” Sombra smirked.

Author's Notes:

Not the chapter i wanted to put out, but i've had the flu for the last week so i'm amazed i managed this. Recovering now, but still it sucks

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Part 3

Twilight Get's a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle,

Part 3

“That's the report Princess.” The Guard Captain bowed

“I'm surprised there wasn't more.” Twilight frowned looking at the few sheets she had been given.

“There generally isn't Princess.” Raven offered.” Princess Celestia is only informed of any major events in the week as reported in to the Castle Guard.”

“To be fair Princess, aside from a few small things of note, like the riots and fighting that sprang up in Wilmingtrot and on a Minotaur freighter in the south east there's been nothing to report. Though I fully expect that to change due to the current panic going on over the sun and moon.” the Guard Captain stated.

“Thank you Captain. Might I suggest that you send a few experts in enchantment and enscrolment to investigate the ship and the port town, just to make sure it's not some cursed mcguffin washed up from a storm or something. Keep an eye out for anything similar we are still two things away from being done with the prophecy at least. I hope it's nothing, but well suspect everything.” Twilight sighed.

“Already have Princess. Princess Celestia gave us similar orders in regard to the prophecy.” The Guard Captain saluted and trotted off.

“Alright I guess we should get started with the first petitioner.” Twilight grumbled looking at the table Raven had brought out stacked high with papers.” Who's first?”

“That is up to you Twilight. Princess Celestia tends to go with level of importance. Though we don't have time to review and sort that now.” Raven frowned.

“Alright.” Twilight considered. “ Start us with a non noble petitioner, then we'll go with a noble's. Lets see, base them on the fifth and eighth numbers of the petition number as their placement, in the event of a tie use the first number and so on until a number is higher.” Twilight offered, her horn glowing as the massive stacks of papers launched into the air floating before her rapidly being sorted as she looked over the numbers printed on the corners of the page. “All the T ranked ones are nobles right?”

“Yes Twilight.” Raven blinked as everything sorted and rearranged itself before settling back in neat stacks on the table.

“Okay that should do it.” Twilight let out a pleased sigh. “Nothing like a bit of cataloging to take the mind off all the crap I'm gonna be dealing with. Can't I just yes or no on the forms without meeting them?”

“I'm afraid not Twilight. On the plus side, your reordering will keep any pony from trying to use two petitions in a row for more time.”Raven offered.

“Right any word from my brothers?” Twilight asked hopefully.

“Last word was Sunset and Sombra wanted breakfast. No more delays please.”Raven frowned.

Twilight groaned.” Alright send in the first one I guess.”

“Okay Spike.” Sunset Shimmer asked as she munched on a piece of toast. “ I gotta ask...”

“Hmm?” Spike questioned dropping a clawful of gemstones provided by kitchen into his cereal.

“How was what I said when I woke up, the fourth most intimidating thing you've heard?” Sunset asked. “What was worse than that?”

“Oh... well you did win the most vile cringe worthy threat I've heard, which should be impressive given I run a O&O game for a bunch of preteens.” Spike offered.

“O&O?”

“Ogre's and Oubliettes?” Spike offered.” You create a character and go on adventures. You never heard of it?”

Sunset blinked considering.” Sounds like Dungeons and Dragons.”

“That sounds more like one of Cadence's games that no one talks about in polite company.” Spike frowned.

“Fair enough.” Sunset shrugged putting jam on another piece of toast. ”So what were the threats?”

“Well.” Spike offered as he crunched on his gem cereal. “Rahs still has number three, and all he did was quote something about eating my liver from some story about quiet sheep or whatever, but it still freaked me out.”

“Okay.”

“The second was Cadence. I can't remember why I was waking her up , but she didn't even say anything she just growled at me.”

“She growled?”

“Yeah this low rumbling growl that sounded like it came from Tartarus itself. It shook all my teeth and scales with the vibration.” Spike shuddered.

“Cadence?” Sunset asked.

“Yes.”

“Pink alicorn?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then.”Sunset sighed. “What's number one?”

“Shining, when he threatened to kill my paladin.”

“Your paladin? Is that a game character?”

“You know how much time and effort I put into that character, and Shining was just gonna off him for a couple more minutes of sleep!?”Spike flailed.

Sunset stared at Spike a moment before sighing. “I think your threat assessment skill is off.”

[Case 1]

The music came to a screeching halt as the two unicorn ponies stopped dead staring at the pony sitting on a couch before the throne.

Twilight stared back at the two yellow unicorn brothers and smiled.

The two stallions blinked.

Twilight fanned her wings a little.

Flim and Flam tipped their hats and sashayed right back out the door sans musical accompaniment this time.

“Well.” Raven sighed. “Here's hoping they can all be that quick.”

“FUZZY'S A GOD!?” Trixie shrieked.

“For bucks sake mare, do you have volume control!?!” Sombra cursed, glaring at her from over his stack of pancakes.

“Well excuse me if this is big news. Princess Luna has been keeping me out of the loop of most things and grilling me on magic all night, every night to try and train me.” Trixie explained.

Spike sighed pouring another bowl of cereal and gems. Sunset and Rahs seemed ready to throw down as a plate of bacon was brought out.

“All night every night and a ten year old foal is still further along with some of her teaching than you are.” Sunset snarked and she and Rahs started dueling with fork's over the bacon pile, neither managing to get the upper claw or hoof in order to snag more than one or two pieces at a time.

“At least Trixie knows spells that do not have fire in them.”Trixie scoffed sipping her coffee.

“Hey. I know spells that don't have fire in them!” Sunset protested, her horn glowing brighter as she added a second fork into the melee, forcing Rahs to duel wield forks to keep up.

“Like what?!” Trixie demanded.

“Espoir!” Sunset stated proudly as she added a third fork in her magic only for Rahs to knock it away with his tail sending the steel utensil soaring through the air to embed into a wall.

“A blood magic healing spell that literally burns toxins and disease out of the blood stream.” Trixie pointed out.

“Sketches etch...” Sunset added. Managing another piece of bacon as the dueling forks started throwing up sparks as the two fought each other off both trying for the biggest portions of bacon.

“A rather artistic spell that is primarily used in wood burning artwork or searing letters into metal with extreme heat.” Trixie grinned.

“Are they always like this?” Spike asked Sombra.

“No, but the blue one is looking to impress your brother for some reason and my cousin is looking to be difficult.” Sombra explained as he saturated his pancakes in syrup.

[Case 23]

Twilight pressed both her hooves together against either side of her temples, hoping against hope that she could perhaps will her head to be squished like a grape. She let out a long sigh and opened her eyes again looking at the nondescript brown maned and lighter brown furred mare who was standing before her.

“Let me get this straight Miss....”

“Portland.” The mare answered.

“Miss Portland. What you are trying to tell me, is that.... peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, are racist.” Twilight expressed the words like they had coated her tongue with something foul.

“Yes.”

“And you want the crown to fund a study. So that you can prove ...”

“That peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are racist, yes.”Portland agreed.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.” Portland stated.

“First off the obvious question. How can a sandwich be racist?”

“It's more of a pony privilege not every culture makes sandwiches some have pita or thicker bread the minotaur use I'm not sure what it's called...”

“It's called bread, potato bread to be exact. Second off you do realize that peanut paste was invented by the Yaks who found that the gooey mess they made from smashing peanuts was delicious. Jelly or fruit preserves were first invented and documented as such by a Romane Griffon named Marcus Gavius Apicius. And bread has been around since wheat was domesticated and grown, and it was one of the first crops EVER to be domesticated back in the ancient pony days in what is now Saddle Arabia. Heck the only part of a sandwich that could even be considered Equestrian enough to be a pony invention is SLICED BREAD, because we only invented an automated slicer just shy of a hundred years ago.”

“Well, see that is a perfectly legit reason why...

“NOPE!” Twilight stated. “ No, flat out, no. Get out.”

“But.”

“Do you not understand no? I will not sign off on such a dumb project. I will certainly not allow it to be funded. And I am making a note to have your tenure on the board of education investigated. For some pony who is supposed to promote higher learning, that you refuse to even research your proposal before putting it forth does not fill me with any sort of confidence that you are fit for your position.”

“But...”

“You may go now.” Twilight stated flatly.

“But...”

“Guards, make sure Miss Portland can find the door.” Twilight stated. Two of the guards move from the sides of the throne ushering the still attempting to protest mare out.

“Twenty three cases already Raven.....” Twilight muttered.

“Well you are certainly blowing through them.” Raven nodded.

“There have only been two that needed any sort of royal input.” Twilight explained.

“Well yes.”

“One of those was the Royal Gardener who wanted to know if Celestia wanted the sunflowers on the eastern side of the garden or the southern.” Twilight muttered.

“Well it was important.” Raven sighed.

“Raven... it has been over an hour. Where the buck are my idiot brothers with Sombra and Sunset?” Twilight demanded.

Rahs raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the mass in the hall before him.

Spike tilted his head staring in awe.

Trixie and Sunset were still arguing with each other particularly since Trixie's interference allowed Rahs to get more of the bacon.

Sombra just looked annoyed.

Crossing in front of the group, filling the hall way as they made their way between the castle's moat and the inner castle gardens were hundreds upon hundreds of slowly waddling ducks.

“What the duck?” Spike asked.

“Discord pranked Celestia by filling her room with baby ducks one morning.” Sombra explained. “She didn't want to get rid of them while they were so young.... and now … they are pampered guests who get a red carpet escort between the pond and the moat rather than just be fed to a griffon ambassador or something.”

“Wuff.” Rahs shook his head.

“I know, just when you think you've seen everything.”Spike sighed.

[Case 73].

“I'm afraid i don't have the authority to approve this as it would go against a ruling made by Princess Celestia specifically.” Twilight offered looking over the paper work before looking up at the red maned changeling stallion standing before her.

“I understand Princess, but i would still like your idea on the proposal so I might alter it to be more favorable for when Princess Celestia returns.” Atta nodded lightly.

“Well I don't see any issue with it myself. This just seems an assurance that if a changeling is revealed property that they can prove they own is still theirs. There are a lot of legal parts here I only half understand regarding the law in terms of a criminal or foal support case.......”

Twilight continued the conversation for a bit wondering what the heck had happened to her brothers.

“Woof.” Rahs frowned looking down at the pile of ash before him that used to be a collection of black roots covered in thorns. The small group had come out to have a look at the spot the Guard pointed out had been tunneled into under the Princesses' balconies.

They had barely made it to the edge of the hole when the roots launched out and tried to grab Rahs.

This was a mistake.

Between Spike, Sunset, Trixie, Sombra, and the collection of Guards around, the roots barely managed to wiggle in Rahs' direction before being hit with a good dozen spells and a gout of dragon fire.

“ Well. It seems we know what happened to Celestia.” Sombra grumbled watching one of the roots that they had missed try to wiggle up after Rahs.

“ They're focused on Rahs, so it's a safe bet they are designed to capture gods. They ignored the two demi gods here to go after him specifically.” Sunset hummed to herself.

“Spike is a demi god as well, but Trixie agrees, Fuzzy needs to be protected.” Trixie agreed.

“I think we should check on Twilight before something like this comes after her.” Spike offered.

“Ruff.” Rahs pointed out.

“You can smell the Princesses' magic but it's dulled? What about the roots?” Spike asked.

“Wuff.” Rahs frowned.

“No scent at all? “ Spike crossed his arms.

“They also drew in some of my magic, unless that was Rahs.” Sunset pointed out.

“No that was the roots. The beasts draw on spells is different. This was less subtle and felt more like am attempt to drain outright before it was over loaded with power.” Sombra considered.

“That would explain how they were grabbed. If these things seek gods and drain magic.” Sunset considered.” But where did the roots come from?”

“Perhaps we should inform Twilight before they go after her?” Trixie offered.

A massive explosion rocked the castle grounds sending a number of guards into a panic. Sombra and Sunset jerk around looking for the threat. Trixie simply follows the Sparkles lead, neither of them seem impressed.

“ I think we left Twilight alone too long.” Spike sighed.

[Case 117]

Raven decided that if this ever happened again, she would most certainly go with Sweetiebelle. Things had been going rather well too. Even the reaction to Posh Posh of the Posh family showing up was met with surprising calm by Twilight.

That she punted him out the door personally, non withstanding.

Currently there was a crater in the middle of the marble floor, about two feet in front of the throne where a lilac and rose maned pony stood with a few other ponies behind her. To be fair to Twilight the blast of magic seemed a more surprised reaction than anything else. The crater used to be the pamphlet that the group had given Twilight. The pressure the alicorn had exerted on the parchment made it implode.

“What did you say?” Twilight demanded.

Raven wondered if this small group of ponies was brave or stupid.

“We wish for a royal ban of the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Such filth does not belong any where near proper books.” The lead mare stated.

Raven mentally checked off the box in her mind listing this one as 'stupid'.

“You want to ban a book..... and have it royally banned. Something reserved for the most dangerous tomes there are. Things that can corrupt and defile or cause actual harm to the reader.” Twilight frowned. “ Why... do you want To Kill a Mockingbird banned?”

“Because it makes ponies uncomfortable.”

“THAT IS THE POINT OF THE BOOK!”Twilight screamed.

“So you won't permit the ban?” the mare scoffed.

“No.” Twilight shook her head.

Raven blinked in surprise, she had expected Twilight to go off on this group. Yet she was dealing with this with a surprising amount of calm.

“Well I suppose we shall simply need to take it on our selves to gather up these foul tomes and burn them ourselves.” the mare stated flatly.

Raven didn't even wait. She flipped the table over sending paperwork flying and dove behind it casting every protection spell she knew.

Twilight twitched.

Rahs, Spike, Sunset, Trixie, and Sombra moved into the shattered remains of the throne room.
The marble floor was destroyed, several pillars were knocked over and the twin thrones of night and day were blown against the back wall.

A comfy looking recliner sat in the middle of the room untouched, though before it a trio of ponies were being loaded on to stretchers muttering incoherently about 'the horror'.

Raven was sitting off to the side draped in a thick blanket and being offered some coffee by one of the guards.

Twilight was smoldering still.

“Woof?” Rahs asked.

“They wanted to burn books...” Twilight snarled.

“And you let them live? You're self control is improving.” Spike nodded.

Sunset and Sombra glanced to each other, then slowly backed out of the room. It would be safer to simply remain in their rooms until the whole thing blew over.

Author's Notes:

still some what sick, hopefully the next few chapters will kick things up again i feel thus far season 4 has been lackluster

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Episode 2, Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Canterlot throne room. ]

“Whoa. What happened here?” Rainbow Dash questioned as she glided into the room from the main doors. Behind her a particular pony was flailing around with his tie pulled up over his head. The two guard on either side of the door snickered to themselves and closed the double doors behind her.

“Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?” Twilight demanded looking away from her brothers. Their explanation of things helped Twilight figure out what may have happened to the Princesses, but the 'how' and 'why' or even the possible 'who' eluded her still.

Sombra and Sunset sat off to the side of the dais clearly annoyed that Twilight had pulled them both back in by their tails the moment they tried to leave. Trixie was trying to flirt with Rahs, poorly, and he was completely oblivious to it.

At least he seemed oblivious to it , the moon dog looked more confused and out of sorts by Trixie than anything else. Perhaps he wasn't oblivious, just unsure what to do particularly with three others who seemed interested in him, whether Applejack would admit it directly or not.

“We got trouble back in Ponyville I came up here to tell the Princesses since we couldn't find you, but here you are so, two birds and all that.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Anyway some weird vines are growing out of the Everfree and are eating the town. They're even infecting the clouds, my house looks like an exploded rose bush and the weights dragged it down to the ground. Applejack's going nuts trying to protect the farm, and don't get me started on Fluttershy trying to deal with her animals.”

“Out of the Everfree?” Twilight considered.

“The source is all the way out there? That doesn't make any sense, You two were in Ponyville why did the roots come here first to snag Celestia and Luna” Sunset questioned.

“Given how Golden Oaks library is the only place in town untouched by the vines, probably all the spells Twi has on the tree.” Rainbow Dash shrugged.

“You warded a library?”Sombra raised a brow.

“I live there.” Twilight huffed.

“I am unsurprised.” Sombra frowned.

“Who lives in a library inside a tree... Twi~light ~Spar~kle. A purple and nerdy and Princess is she....” Sunset muttered to herself with a snort of amusement that no one else understood.

“Alright we have a possible source for the roots that seem to have taken the Princesses. We need to head to Ponyville. Raven we need a couple of flying chariots and some pegasi guards. Heck just mobilize the Guards period to head to the towns around the Everfree and try and drive back the roots.” Twilight ordered.

Raven shrugged realizing there wasn't going to be any more court today anyway and went off to summon the Guard.

“Why do I get the feeling you are including us in this trip?” Sombra growled.

“Because I am.” Twilight explained.

“Yeah I'd rather pass. Luna's okay, but mom can go star in a La Blue Girl film with these things for all I care.” Sunset snorted.

“I have no idea what you said, but it sounded insulting, so I will agree, with the names reversed.” Sombra muttered.

“Trixie will not need convincing to try and help.” Trixie offered nobly as she inched closer to Rahs.

“Woof. Ruff.” Rahs ticked off on his claws.

“Right. One, you coming along will keep the Guard off your back because I'll be there watching you. Two, both of you are going to be living in Ponyville shortly I figure you might want to at least attempt to make good with the town by helping to try and save it. Ponyville tends to follow more what they've seen versus what they've heard... most of the time.” Twilight explained, her expression darkening. “ And three, because I'm your parole office in Ponyville, and I said so.”

The air of menace Twilight was projecting with that statement came to an abrupt end as Rahs cuffed her in the back of the head with a paw.

“Bork!” Rahs snapped.

“I am not letting the power go to my head! I am asserting dominance over a thief and a tyrant.” Twilight frowned.

“Gee thanks.” Sunset huffed. “Glad to know where we stand.”

“Nah, that sounded like power tripping.” Spike added.

“Don't you start.” Twilight frowned.

“Of course not Princess, hey haul me a couch from the library to use as my throne.” Spike snarked.

“Well I wasn't sitting in either Celestia or Luna's thrones.” Twilight fussed.

“Can we go? Those things are wrecking Ponyville.” Dash huffed.

[Ponyville, early afternoon]

“Wow. You weren't kidding. This place is a bigger mess than when Discord first got out.”Twilight frowned looking over the edge of the chariot at Ponyville. The whole town and the surrounding area was covered in black vines that were wrapped around and through nearly all buildings. Twilight was willing to put bits on Applejack having lost another barn, but there were no takers.

“Yeah this got way worse in an hour.”Rainbow Dash grumbled flying along side Twilight and Spike's chariot. Trixie and a ill looking Rahs were in another with Sunset and Sombra in the last. “ The girls are scouring the library for anything of use.”

“Weird weather, creepy vines, half day half night, missing Princesses.” Spike frowned. “ Seriously doesn't this seem like Discord?”

“That would mean he violated his agreement and we can blast him again.” Twilight stated.

“Woof.” Rahs pointed out as the group of chariots landed, the Guard unhitching and flying off towards the next town with the rest of the squad.

“He has a point.” Spike frowned.

“What did he even say?” Sunset grumbled.

“Discord is more theatrical, this is chaotic, but there's no gloating or riddles or any sort of thing that would pin it soly on him.”Twilight sighed.”Still we should ask Pinkie and Fluttershy, they were the last ones to see him.”

“They should be in the library.” Rainbow Dash pointed out. “We already grabbed our Elements as well just in case.”

“Bark.” Rahs offered tossing the crown to Twilight as he pulled it out of his light blue coat.

“I've been wanting to know this, why the heck is you brother carrying the Element of Magic?”

“Do my wings look like they come with pockets?” Twilight snarked as she put on the crown with a sigh and walked into the library with Dash.

“Bork.” Rahs huffed turning a bit red as he glared at Sunset..

“Translation, no one expects it and he looks way more intimidating than Twilight does.”Spike sighed .

“Is she always like this?” Sombra grumbled.

“She's got worse and then she got the wings.” Spike sighed.

“Worse?” Sunset frowned.”What did mom do?”

“Quite a bit, don't worry she'll calm down once this issue is over.” Spike frowned. “Mostly.”

“... And most of the critters from the woods are all in my house now and there's no room for me or any one else.” Fluttershy muttered.” The whole forest is being attacked by these things.”

“Farm's overrun too. Vines ain't damaged tha trees too badly, yet, but if it continues we're gonna be more vines than apples. Axes only do so much and they grow faster'n anything else ah've seen before cept Zap apples.” Applejack explained.” Wrecked the new barn already too.”

“You've seen the town darling. While my shop is fine as the wards you helped me set up there have kept the vines away thus far, the rest of the town is not as lucky.” Rarity frowned.

“Those stupid clouds, have actually started chasing anything that flies and they're charged with something too. It's not lightning either, that would barely bother the weather team.” Rainbow Dash protested.” But even Thunderlane is getting shocked and that idiot is practically immune to lightning.”

“I can't find my purple crayon.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and was mostly ignored.

Twilight let out a sigh as she thought. “Pinkie, Fluttershy, have either of you seen Discord?”

“Nopers.” Pinkie shook her head dislodging the purple crayon from her mane. “There it is!” she cheered scooping it up.

“Discord talked to us after the trip to the Crystal Empire for that gods council meeting and said that he would be gone for a few weeks dealing with some family business.” Fluttershy explained.” He seemed rather happy about it.”

“That explains why he has not been around to bother Luna and Celestia since the ducks.” Sombra added with a hum.

“ Applejack, you were trying to get rid of the vines on your farm right?” Twilight asked.

“Of course. They cut like normal roots or vines but they keep coming.” Applejack snorted.

“And you didn't change form by being near them?” Twilight asked.

“Nah.... thinking on it, gitting near them seems tah make it easier tah deal with all tha ambient magic. Didn't even change with a host of tha local unicorns blasting at um. Course tha spells didn't do much to the vines neither.” Applejack explained.

“They're resistant to magic and seem to drain spell energy from what we saw in Canterlot.” Sunset added.

Pinkie Pie shot up right to her hooves from a prone position and started bouncing around the room with out moving.” OOH, OOH, quakey hooves, quakey hooves, you're gonna get a unexpected visitor bearing gifts” “ What?” Sombra scowled.

“It's Pinkie Pie. Don't question it.” Spike added heading to the door as the first knock on the wood was heard.

Spike pulled the door open to reveal a gray and white striped zebra mare, loaded down with saddle bags and with a cart full of things parked behind her.

“Twilight might ah speak with you ah bit, before the whole town goes completely to shit?” Zecora asked.

“Did she just rhyme in a Baystonionion accent?” Sunset blinked.

“Second thing to not question.” Rainbow Dash chimed in.

Twilight blinked looking at the heavy saddlebags and the cart parked outside behind the zebra mare loaded down with furniture and things she had seen in the zebra's hut. There were also a number of bandages wrapped around her legs and chest with a few visible scratches.”Are you alright Zecora?”

Zecora shook her head. “ My home is a totahl loss, the vines destroyed it to the lahst strahnd of moss.
“I salvahged whaht I could from there, thahnkfully my mahre friend hahs ah room she cahn share.”

“Oh no.” Fluttershy whimpered.” You've been hurt too.”

“Zecora waved her hoof.” It's not the first time I've needed to rebuild a home, this time at leahst I don't plahn to say buck it and continue to roahm.”

“That's good, we're trying to figure out what this is to stop it. Hopefully it won't be long before you can go back.” Twilight sighed.”I don't suppose you have any insight, because thus far aside from rushing into the forest to see where they are coming from, I don't have any ideas.”

“Trahveling into the forest with no goahl I cahnnot recommend, unless of course your plahn is to meet your end.” Zecora snorted holding up a bandaged limb.”But there is good news thaht I bring too, Velkorn mixed up some potions for you.”

“What? The goddess who gave us the prophecy?” Spike questioned.

“Oh stars, what sort of headache did she drop on us?” Twilight sighed.

“Surprisingly a light one this time, besides, being cryptic is hahrdly ah crime.” Zecora frowned. “Despite what you claim her to be, she is still considered a god to me.”

“Right, the zebra god, sorry. As usual I have a lot going on. So what sort of potions did she want you to give me?” Twilight asked.

“Don't worry too much ahbout it, despite her stahtus I know she's ah twit.” Zecora shook her head.”If she knew ahll there is to be, ahbout this crap she could have wahrned me.”

Zecora pulled three flasks out of her saddle bag, each filled with a thick white liquid and set them down on the table the girls had set up to read on. “To stahrt with she hahd four, but I tested one myself before bringing it to your door.”

“So what do they do? They're radiating strong divination magic.” Twilight frowned as Sunset and Sombra looked them over curiously.

“From the one I tested on me, it allows visions of history. While I sahw the vision of my tribes exodus from the plahins, I was told you would see the source of the vines that give us such pains.”Zecora pointed at the flasks her eyes darting to Rahs and Applejack as she shifted a little keeping Twilight between them and her.

“So which one will show that?” Twilight asked.

“Given from whaht Velkorn sahid to me, to see whaht you wahnt, you hahve to drink ahll three.” Zecora nodded.

“I don't like this.”

Sunset and Sombra blinked looking at Rahs in confusion.

“Neither do I. I know Zecora tested it, but we've never even met this Velkorn and all this prophecy hooey is just headache inducing, now we have another problem instead of just telling us, she goes , 'here drink this.' “ Spike fussed.

“Need I remind you Spike you used to do this sort of prophecy and riddle stuff all the time in O&O?” Twilight grumbled looking at the potions.

“Yeah, I do, but that's a game and not exactly a life or death situation. Not a REAL one any way. No offense to Zecora, but that could be some sort of poison that doesn't work on zebra's, only on alicorns.”

“It is nearly impossible to kill a god. And I don't see magic or books vanishing any time soon.” Trixie pointed out.

“Yeah well if it kills me I'll have something else to have words with her about. And by words I mean turning her inside out a few times until a get a straight answer. But I don't think it will come to that.” Twilight sighed. “ Celestia seems to trust her for some reason, despite being annoyed by her.”

“Right, well, here goes nothing.” Twilight frowned popping, the cork and downing the white liquid.

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Episode 2, Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[?]

The landscape was broken.

There was hardly another word for the jagged and wiggling terrain that Twilight was standing on.

Looking around there were countless things wrong with this place. Trees growing out of clouds, the Maneterhorn mountain in the distance was spitting out hot chocolate and marshmallows like a volcano. The sky was pink with the moon high in the bright sky being bounced back and forth by clouds shaped like scantily clad mares playing with a beach ball. The ground itself rolled and undulated like something massive was moving underneath it without disturbing the sod, occasionally in the distance Twilight spotted a dirt spout like a whale or dolphin was swimming through the ground.

“Woof?” Rahs asked.

“What?” Twilight blinked looking back to see her brother looking around in confusion.” Oh... of course you got sucked into.... what ever this is too.”

“Ruff.” Rahs pointed out with a shrug.

“Yeah this is Discord's doing alright.... but where....” Twilight pondered.

“DISCORD!” bellowed a voice.

“That sounded like Celestia.” Twilight pondered and the pair rushed forward over the roiling checker board landscape coming up upon a rise that wasn't moving, but looked like a disco ball half buried in the ground. Sitting atop of it in a oddly mismatched looking throne made of plastic ninja swords sat Discord.

Before him at the edge of the disco ball hill stood two figures, a much younger, or at least less plump, Celestia, and Luna.

The pair of them were decked out in some sort of jewelry that Twilight recognized as the Elements of Harmony in a different form. Each of them wore three piece with Celestia wearing a crown like Twilight's Element became.

“Welly welly well, I was wondering when you were going to show up.” Discord grinned.”I somehow doubt it's to try and win me back however. Even if it is, that ship has sailed.”

Discord muttered the last and a model of the Enterprise D floats out of his hand drifting a little bit away from him before falling and crashing into the dirt next to his throne with a minor explosion.

“Hmm, guess they let Deanna drive again.” Discord shrugged turning his attention back to the two Princesses.

“You've gone too far with this Discord, return everything to how it is supposed to be.” Luna snapped.

“Oh you poor foal... this IS how everything is supposed to be.” Discord gestured. “Or did you forget that I was in charge of the entirety of 'Equestria' when your little ponies arrived here?”

“You gave that land to the ponies who were running from the Windigo, you have no right to take it back.” Celestia snarled.

“Celestia let me level with you here. I was in a fairly bad place when you first met me and our time together was quite delightful before it all came crashing down. As such I'm still willing to let your little ponies live in MY LAND, however, I am going to amuse myself however I feel like because this place is mine. If they don't like it they can move.” Discord snarled. “ Or not, because everything IN this land is mine too.”

“This is hardly the proper response to a break up.” Luna frowned.

“After what you did when your last date died. You don't get to talk about proper responses.” Discord snapped.

“Do not target us in this, we were not responsible for your actions in thine break up, nor our sisters. We simply stated thee was a twit, and let our sister choose her own path.”Luna growled.

Discord pondered a moment and shrugged.” Fair enough. But the answer is no, I'm not stopping. Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.”

“I was trying to be reasonable Discord, but ponies cannot live like this. I will ask you one more time to stop this madness.” Celestia snapped.

“Madness!?” Discord twitched standing up quickly enough that the throne flew backwards and took out a group of trees shaped like a triangle. An odd red X appeared in the air as all the trees crashed to the ground from the hit.

“THIS...”

Luna and Celestia frowned, the Elements starting to glow.

“...IS...”

A beam of rainbow light burst forth from the jewelry soaring through the air as Discord struck a dramatic pose.

“CHAOS!!!”

The cry reverberated around the land as the energy of the Elements wrapped around him exploding with a burst of white light leaving a statue of the draconequus mid pose like Twilight and Rahs had first seen him in the Canterlot Royal Gardens.

“Woof.” Rahs sighed.

“Yeah that happened pretty much exactly as I thought.” Twilight nodded as the world faded out.

[Back in the present]

“Right, so that's what the potion does, okay Rahs did you....... what the buck?” Twilight demanded as her head cleared from the odd fog of the potion's effects and she spotted the state of the library.

Rahs was laying on his back on the floor, with Sunset sitting on his chest.

Rarity, Spike, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie were all sitting on the couch with a big bucket of popcorn.

Sombra was buried under a bookshelf that had fallen over.

Zecora was simply gone.

The rest of the room was trashed and the source was readily seen as Trixie, who had Witch-Jack in a head lock, while Witch-Jack was flipping around the room trying to dislodge the mare all while chewing on Trixie's hat. Trixie in turn was gnawing on Witch-Jack's, hat trying to return the favor while shouting muffled curses as the pair smashed through a table.

“Applejack and Trixie both rushed over to check on Rahs when he fell over, completely ignoring me when I told them he probably got sucked into the potions effect.” Spike offered.

“The pair of them then got upset with each other checking on Rahs and started arguing which led to shoving and magic and then the pair of them just well... whatever this is.” Rarity offered.

“Sombra was in the wrong place at the wrong time and got knocked into the book shelf.” Fluttershy stated.”He's out cold.”

“And I made Popcorn.” Pinkie Pie stated.

“Woof?” Rahs asked from the floor.

“Good point why are you sitting on Rahs?” Twilight asked.

“Because those two are fighting over him, not fighting on him so this was the safest place. Besides he's comfortable.”Sunset shrugged.

“I know right, great place to nap.” Dash cackled. “So anyway Twi. How was the potion, was it sticky and salty?”

“It tasted like coconuts.” Twilight frowned.

“So it didn't taste like, baby batter, pale marmalade, pearl jam, penis colada, pole milk, ball barf, bonk juice, cuckoo spit, crack wax, cream, daddy juice, boy foam, nut butter, dong water, fish dip...” Rainbow Dash grinned as the fighting stopped and every pony looked at her.

“Flour water, fun gel, gentleman’s relish, happy trail mix, hot milk, jamba juice, chode nectar, nob slurry, throat yogurt, white honey, load, love liquor...” Fluttershy continued drawing even more stares, every ponies eyes widening. The shy mare meeped lightly and dove behind the couch after realizing what she said.

“No, it didn't taste a thing like, stallion chowder, erecto plasma, population paste, protean shake, buttermilk, fructis, clam sauce, rude glue, schlong jelly, worm gob, nizzle-drizzle, high fructose porn syrup, hemulsion, or willy milk.” Twilight concluded causing everyone's jaws to drop.

Twilight blinked a moment as she processed what she had just said. Rainbow Dash grinned even wider as she waited for the realization to hit.

“OH BUCK!! It is a pegasus thing!! I've got wings now craaaaaaaaaaaap!” Twilight wailed. “ I'm the element of depravity!”

“Calm down. Ah'm pretty sure you have some competition in that Twi.” Witch-Jack muttered.

“Applejack. It is not nice to bring up a ladies private interests like that.” Rarity scoffed. “ While I'm sure that comment means nothing to Rainbow Dash, must you be so insulting to poor Fluttershy?”

“Ah was talking about you.”Witch Jack snapped back.

“What?!” Rarity gasped.

“If ah got to explain to the Crusaders one more time about somethin they found under yer bed ah'm gonna sanitize yer whole place with some oil and matches.”Witch-Jack growled as Rarity turned bright red.

“Oooo, fire from the get go, we really are related.” Sunset grinned.

“Bork!” Rahs added.

“What right, get off my brother I've got two more of these bottles to go through. All that one showed me was when Discord got turned to stone.” Twilight sighed trying to force down her desire to go hide in the basement for a few years. She picked up the next bottle as Rahs whimpered about the stupid connection, as she downed it.

Author's Notes:

Of course i had to do another one of these kinda rants.

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Episode 2, Part 3

Author's Notes:

Just a heads up. This is a warning this chapter ahead contains the stuff that ets me my violence and gore tags.

Reader discretion is advised.

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[?]

Twilight Sparkle screamed out as the severed unicorn head passed through her. She flinched back peddling away as the skull smashed into the stone wall behind her, turned to a slurry of bone fragments, black mane, and gray matter upon impact.

The massive witch wolf roared out as it stomped the headless carcass of the unicorn, the head less body bursting like an over ripe melon and splattering the stone hall with his innards. The massive spiky furred beast howled and lept into a group of armored guards that were approaching, claws and fangs brandished as blood ran down it's form, the remains of those it had found before this group. The armored ponies forced their magic user back, drawing simple steel weapons to face the monstrous witch wolf.

Twilight shuddered stumbling back over her own hooves prancing in place as she looked around the hall. Tattered banners hung from the ceiling, the walls had chunks taken out of them, some deep enough that a dim light from outside could be seen through them. Scattered across the ground were savaged bodies, some missing body parts, others burned or blasted apart by spell fire, others still filled with arrows. The bodies numbered castle servants, guards, and a number of silver and black armored nox-cal.

The clash at the end of the hall seemed to finally resolve as a large earth pony brought his ax down on the neck of the witch wolf, the beast refusing to give up and clamping it's bloodied jaws around the ponies leg as the ax fell a second time in a violent swing that removed the witch wolf's head from it's shoulders. The four remaining guards stepped back panting and checking over the fallen ones to see if any still lived the wounded guard was treated by the unicorn who stayed back from the fight.

They only managed a moment of peace before the wall next to them exploded in, burying them with rubble as a the massive form of a buffalo juggernaut tore through the wall trampling them all to death, showering the area with gore and screams.

The buffalo itself only lived a few moments more before a blast of magic from further down the hall burned a hole larger than Twilight through it's side, showering the wall behind it with it's smoldering guts and bones. The massive beast collapsed instantly, as another squad of guards already bloodied and battered rushed down the hall.

Twilight panted in panic her eyes darting around at the mass of bodies, her wings flared as she tried to lift her hooves up from a bloody floor that she wasn't even really touching. She screamed out loudly as something grabbed her and pulled her back through one of the walls.

Outside Twilight shrieked out flailing in the grip.

“WOOF!!” Rahs barked as he clutched Twilight against him as she panicked. He looked around the large courtyard as his sister hyperventilated. This was not a good spot.

Outside was far worse than the halls. Bodies lay strew all about as griffons, pegasi, and thestrals soared through the air tearing into each other, knocking bodies out of the sky or flying down to grab opponents off the ground dragging them screaming into the air before dropping them.

Three massive armor plated dragons soared overhead, blasting the lines of Guard to ash.

One of the great beasts screamed, as it's wing was ripped free by a silver griffon in steel armor, the massive hen ripping and tearing into the side of the falling dreadnought before bursting out of the bloody wound she carved with a chunk of what could only be the dragon's still beating heart.

The griffoness barely paused, leaping from the creature as it slammed into a castle tower sending the stone crashing to the ground with it. The hen payed it no mind, before the last stones crashed to the ground she was already soaring up in a shower of gore after the next dreadnought.

More witch wolves and juggernauts surged against the army of guard, massive nox-cal nocturnes rampaged through the guards, laying siege almost as well as the remaining juggernauts. Kirin fired blasts of spell energy that tore gouges through the guard ranks when they hit, and both sides threw up shields to protect their side as they rained down death on the other.

The sounds of conflict and the scent of blood, bile, and worse things filled the air in a overwhelming assault on the senses.

Rahs frowned as he looked for a way out of this with his sister, before spotting something on top of one of the walls. Tossing his sister over his shoulder he darted over scaling the brick work, wondering how the heck this potion could tell the difference between him wanting to pass through something like a ghost or touch it.

Ehhh, figuring that out was more Twilight's thing.

The air was a little clearer far above the battle field though the scent of blood and now fire, still filled his nose.

Shaking his sister a little as she finally seemed to be calming down he pointed to what he had seen on the wall.

Standing there in golden armor marked with the symbol of the sun, holding a massive claymore as large as she was, was Princess Celestia.

Across from her in steel blue armor and holding a massive double sided ax in her magic was a black alicorn with glowing green eyes, Nightmare Moon.

The pair were only apart for a moment before they were on each others, the impacts of the pairs hooves ripping chunks of stone from the wall as they moved. The clang of their weapons meeting threw up sparks and arcane energy that seared the air around them and turned the darkened sky bright as if the sun was sitting atop the castle walls.

The pair lept apart after the brief clash, Nightmare's mane lashing out and striking a pegasus who was trying to get the drop on her. The stallions head was jerked to the side with the hit, a sickening crack sounding before his body collapsed with a lifeless thud to the wall, bouncing once and falling over the edge into the melee below.

Celestia's horn glowed with brilliant power as she fired a bolt towards Nightmare. The dark alicorn tilted her head a little as the blast shot past her, hitting it's true target and melting the head of one of the remaining dreadnoughts sending the headless creature smashing into the stone wall of Whinnysor.

“You need to stop this Luna.” Celestia snapped.”Solomon is dead, the Crystal Empire is gone. There has been enough war.”

“You don't get it do you. This is not going to be over until I have your head on a wall and the country under my rule.” Nightmare Moon snarled. “You listened to much to those mewing fools you call nobles and have become a pathetic excuse for a ruler. Once you fall they will be ripped from their little nests like the rats they are, and made an example of to the rest of Equss as to what will happen if you cross me.”

“Please Luna.... you need to give this up. Let me help you. I want my sister back.” Celestia pleaded back peddling as the massive ax nearly took her head off in a wild swing.

“Sister !? All you want is a weak little patsy that you can ignore when you feel like it and pretend to care about to make yourself feel better. I came to you with my concerns, my worries and what you didn't out right ignore, you disregarded as the ramblings of a foal who knew no better.” Nightmare Moon Snarled. “ Solomon might have sped up the process but I was already going to have to rip you apart in order to be taken seriously by anyone anyway!”

“Luna....”

“YOUR SISTER IS DEAD CELESTIA.” Nightmare Moon snarled as Celestia shoved her back with her blade. “You already killed her.”

“That is not true, I know Luna is there some where trapped by this monster. I hope she understands this.” Celestia frowned.

“She understands you need to DIE!” Nightmare screamed out launching herself at Celestia.

The solar princess frowned, her horn glowing bright as six points of light start shining under her armor. The golden plate suddenly exploding with brilliant light as six pieces of jewelry are seen wrapped around the mares forelegs, wings, neck and resting on her now unarmored head, as a crown.

“What.. HOW DID YOU GET THOSE!?” Nightmare bellows as the Elements of Harmony glow brightly, the rainbow of light slamming into Nightmare Moon knocking the ax from her magic. The dark alicorn's horn glowed brightly, magic bursting from her pushing back the energy of the Element's as she snarled. “I WILL NOT BE BEATEN LIKE THIS!”

“Stop fighting, Luna I'm trying to cure you...” Celestia winced, her fur turning black around the Element's as the power of them grew, searing into her flesh.

“I WILL NOT BE A ORNAMENT IN YOUR GARDEN CELESTIA!” Nightmare Moon roared the shield of magic around her slowly being crushed as she fought to keep the power away from her. The dark alicorn's eyes widened and she glanced up to the moon, high in the sky then to the Element's burning the white alicorn's flesh, before she grinned. “You might win this round Celestia. But I will be back, and I will end you. The Element's will reject you for this and nothing will stop me.”

Celestia screamed out as the crown atop of her head representing magic exploded, taking off a chunk of her horn, a large section of fur, and her ear, showing some of her skull underneath. The magic surged with the explosion, smashing through Nightmare Moon's barrier, the impact flinging her into the sky, the energy smashing into the face of the moon, burning the image of a mare in the surface.

“See you soon.... sister.” a disembodied voice snarled as the magic faded.

The air was quiet for several seconds as the battle was watched by the combatants in the court yard.

“LUNAR REPUBLIC, FALL BACK!!” Bellowed a voice as the conflict resurged, the guard rallying to their princess as the nox-cal fell back at nightmares defeat. The remaining dreadnoughts were torn from the sky and the guards ripped apart any juggernauts and witch wolves that still pressed the attack, chasing the nox cal back towards the main bridge over the canyon around the castle. The Lunar republic forces maintained an orderly retreat, but with the victory of Celestia over Nightmare Moon the guard forces were not letting up an inch in driving the invaders back.

There was a sudden massive flare of magic and a dome of light formed over the castle. The magenta glow sealing off the guard from the retreating nox-cal.

Standing on the bridge was a single nox-cal kirin. The black furred and scaled creature's horn glowed brightly, sweat poured down his feature along with his own blood. Sword wounds covered his form, arrows and spears riddled his body, and burns from magic scoured away patches of his fur, but still he stood clutching a large spear with a red ribbon wrapped around the haft just under the blade, the weapon being used to prop himself up.

Nox-cal rushed through the raised shield and across the bridge, though guards and griffons slammed into it clawing and attacking impotently against the barrier.

One of the thestrials stopped at his side. “Lord Lionheart we can still hold them here, you need to fall back...”

“I'm already dead, major.... fall back to the island, prepare for an invasion, rally everyone we can, these bastards are not going to stop here.”Lion Heart growled. “Go. That's an order. I'll hold them off. Tell.... tel my son I'm sorry...”

“Sir....” swallowed the thestril before taking off shouting orders at those who had paused to ready to fight again.

The kirin winced blood starting to seep from his horn as the silver griffoness slammed into the shield, the barrier even holding back the griffon god for the moment.

The kirin fell to one knee panting hard, his horn still glowing brightly as the army of guards slammed against it.

The attackers fell silent suddenly.

“I asked Luna to stop and she refused. Will you do the same? Will you persist in this senseless killing?” Celestia offered staring down at the kirin from the other side of the shield. Her burns had healed , though her armor was gone, and the jewelry hanging from her body was lifeless and gray.

“Senseless killing? What a high and mighty line of bullshit to spout.” Lionheart growled spiting at the shield, his blood passing through it and splattering on the solar Princesses cheek. Celestia didn't so much as flinch. “You killed our kind senselessly for years before all this started. Witch trials, refused us work, stole what we had, buried our foals alive or drown them to be rid of the monsters before they could grow up to be a threat. We didn't start the senseless killing, you did, you and your bucking ponies made it legal. We fled from everything and the only one who cared enough to listen to us was some pony else you ignored. We fled further, and still you pursued and murdered and killed us because we don't look like you pastel colored freaks. And when we were finally backed into a corner, when we had no where else to flee and we started fighting back, you all screamed that it was proof we were the monsters you always saw us as. It's small wonder we sided with the one seeking to destroy you, because only then would we be safe from you murderers.”

The kirin coughed dropping hard to his knees in the middle of the bridge, blood splattering the ground under him as his horn sputtered and the shield faded.

The guards rushed forward in a surge crossing the bridge to set out in pursuit of the fleeing nox-cal. Lion Heart forced himself back up at the surge of guards was nearly upon him.

“You..” The kirin snarled.

“Shall.” Gripping his spear in his fore limbs he whirled it around to his left, his horn glowing as the spear blade flared with magic.

“NOT!!”

The kirin slammed his spear blade down onto the railing of the bridge, the burning magic striking a spark on a fast burning fuse that ignited and raced away along it's path.

“PASS!!”

Everything exploded in a blast of magical fire as the casks of explosives the demo teams prepped under the bridge once they had taken it went off.

Tons of rock lurched upward, thrown high into the air along with the bodies of galloping ponies, the projectile bodies and rocks smashing like a spread shot into the pegasi and griffons in the air over the bridge. The bridge itself collapsed completely, the whole mass of it along with hundreds of guards, griffons, and one nox cal kirin, fell screaming into the depths of the chasm far below.

Celestia winced , her magic fanning out trying to grab as many as she could, though between the explosion and the falling rubble she could only manage to save a dozen at best.

“AFTER THEM NOW!”Shouted the commander of the guard, the remaining pegasi launching themselves forward.

“STAND DOWN NOW.” bellowed Celestia.

“But Princess the enemy is getting away...” the commander pointed out.

“Let them, if they return to their island like they were ordered we shall deal with them there. There's been enough death.... period. “ Celestia frowned.

“But Princess we can still...”

“SHUT UP. I WILL NOT RISK ANY MORE LIVES ON STUPID REVENGE HERE. THERE ARE ALREADY TOO MANY BODIES TO BURY ON BOTH SIDES.” Celestia snapped glaring at the commander. “ If you still have the energy to fight then get to the bottom of this chasm and see if any one survived, the rest of you search the grounds, treat any wounded you find, I don't care what side they were on, if they can be saved do it. Defend yourself as need be and make sure there are no juggernauts or witch wolves left, they cannot be reasoned with. Those of you who can start gathering the bodies of those who have fallen, I want a head count. Again of both sides. NOW GO!”

The surrounding guards saluted and took off in a rush to do what they were ordered. The clear tone of their princesses voice making it certain that none would disobey her.

The silver griffoness landed heavily beside the princess gesturing to her forces to do the same.

“Are you sure about this?”Southern Cross asked.

“No. but this has to stop some where. I cannot control them, so I need to show them we are willing to stop. It is better the nox -cal did find their own place. It will take years to calm down the populace to where they would even be accepted at all. Ponies still have a herd mentality, they are distrustful of anything not the norm. It is not an excuse, not a valid one for how the nox-cal were treated, but this war likely pushed back any chances of peace by decades if not centuries.” Celestia sighed.

“And if the Nightmare comes back?” Southern Cross frowned. “ Leaving them will give her a ready made army to oppose you.”

“She won't be back for a long time. More than enough time to sway them away from her violent teachings and alleviate all their concerns.” Celestia frowned looking up at the moon and the new face on it. “ I can simply wait out any dissenters. We have that option.”

“You have that option. I'm tired of this living forever shit.” Southern Cross sighed. “ These wars cost me my daughter and my grandson, and any other I might be related to. I'm done. Thunderbolt was my choice for this, but with him gone I've got to look for other candidates to take my place.”

“I understand, and I am sorry about Thunderbolt.... I still don't know what happened to the Empire.” Celestia sighed.

“Don't worry about it. He knew the risks, Sombra just pulled a last trick before we ended it for him.” Southern Cross frowned. “ So what now?”

Celestia let out a long sigh holding up a hoof to look at the grayed out Element wrapped around it.

“I need to talk to Harmony about this.” Celestia admitted.

[Present]

Those watching Twilight and her brother were greeted to the sight of Twilight coming to and immediately vanishing in a flash of light. Seconds later the loud sound of retching could be heard from the upstairs bathroom as Twilight revisited her breakfast.

Rahs sat up quickly pushing Sunset off of his chest, the moon dog looking a little green as well.

“Rahs what's wrong?” Spike asked looking up at his brother as the taller sibling stood up shakily.

“Rrrrrrrrrrrr.” Rahs growled as Spike, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Witch-Jack's eyes widen.

“ Translation?” Sunset asked.

“I'm curious myself.” Grumbled Sombra with an ice pack on his head.

“They saw the battle of Whinnysor castle, the last conflict of the Equestrian civil war when Celestia banished Nightmare Moon and drove off the Lunar republic. Historically it's considered on of the bloodiest battles in Equestrian history. Thousands were killed on both sides in the space of hours, and thousands more were crippled for life. “ Spike explained. “It was the primary reason that the capitol was moved out of Whinnysor and to the newly built Canterlot. And Rahs and Twilight got front row seats for the thick of it.”

“Wuff.” Rahs grumbled as they all heard the shower turn on upstairs.

“And there's still one more vial to drink.” Fluttershy added.

“ Who knew she had such a weak stomach.” Sombra stated.

“Bork!” Rahs snapped.

“He said he shouldn't expect you to be upset by the carnage they saw.” Spike offered a bit of anger in his voice as well.

“Remind me to not tell any of you about some of the human movies I've seen then.” Sunset shrugged.

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Episode 2, Part 4

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

4

[?]

Twilight flinched as the world solidified around her, her body tensed up as she forced herself to open her eyes. After the last vision she was reluctant to try this again. Her friends managed to convince her to give it a go and Rahs was going to be there so she finally went for it. Still she was going to have words with Velkorn if she ever saw her, and Rahs had already stated he was planning to eat the zebra gods face for this, so she might not even have to get violent herself. Which worked out because she wasn't really feeling that violent at the moment.

The place they arrived this time was the mouth of a large cave. Looking around outside they seemed to be in some sort of chasm, far above at the top of the cliff face she could see trees, likely a forest of some sort.

Still it was what was in the cave that caught and held her attention.

A great crystal tree, reminiscent of a weeping willow, dominated the center of the cave casting a sparkling light around its little niche. The tree itself was what seemed to give off the glow that caught it's leaves lighting them up like prisms. Etched on the tree trunk itself were two symbols one depicting the moon, the other the sun. Their placement on the trunk seemed almost natural as if they had been put there when the tree was younger and had grown with the tree itself.

The air felt charged with energy, a magic that Twilight could taste despite this only being a vision. Rahs stood nearby walking around the tree as it hummed softly. As he drew nearer to it, the lights flickered brighter towards him as if the tree knew he was there despite this simply them not really being there.

The investigation of the crystalline tree was stopped as a line of energy cut in the air just outside the cave, the line tore open with a sound of a thousand ripped out book pages. Horrific screaming could be heard emerging from the hole, just a constant sound as if ponies with infinite air in their lungs were tearing their throats bloody as they cried out constantly.

Either that or a whole mess of Pinkie's rubber chickens.

Soon eight figures stumbled out of the tear and scattered across the small area at the mouth of the cave.

The first was an wrinkled lavender unicorn mare with gray greenish hair that fluttered in a unseen breeze. Given her poise and grace she was likely quite beautiful when she was younger though age had clearly tried to rob her of it. She winced as she stumbled out taking a spot on a small patch of grass outside of the cave clutching her chest.

The second was a blue earth pony mare with a red mane, she wore some sort of costume and mask that was reminiscent of a bird. She quickly shook her head as she collected herself before rushing over to the older mare's side to check up on her.

The next was an armored orange furred pegasus stallion. He was carrying a large shield on his back and a red scarf adorned his neck. He landed heavily on the ground with a clang before quickly moving around the area checking it over like a guard or a solider.

A small dark blue maned and light blue furred unicorn mare staggered out of the rift, quickly darting past the pegasus stallion to a large rock out side the cave to release the contents of her stomach. A small emerald green dragon fluttered around her landing on the rock she was heaving behind, patting her back. The little green dragon glared at one of the others leaving the portal.

The next out of the rift was a massive earth pony stallion, the light blue stallion had a shock orange and red mane, and a large beard. The pony might have been larger than Big Mac even, and carried a large shovel across his shoulders. He was the first to notice the tree given how he stared at it in confusion.

The seventh figure was a pretty pink pegasus mare dressed in something that looked to come from Cleopatrot in the far east. Her green striped tail and mane were barely visible under the headdress she wore. She flew out to land next to the solider saying something he nodded to, before she took to the air flying up out of the chasm.

The final figure didn't stumble and he strode out of the rupture in reality like he owned the place. Twilight recognized him instantly. A gray furred unicorn stallion with long white hair and a great bushy beard, the sort that iconic wizards were depicted as in all of Spike's games. Well all male wizards, the less said about what the female wizard images wore the better, as like what they wore, there wasn't much to say.

He wore a dark blue cloak with a pattern of the night with stars and moons and a large hat to match festooned with bells.

“Th... that's Starswirl the Bearded.” Twilight squeed.” Which means that ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh. That's Lady Mistmane. and that's Mage Medowbrook, and that's Rock Hoof, and that's Flash Magnus, and the one who flew off is Somnambula and those two are....”

Twilight trailed off looking at the ill unicorn mare and the green dragonling. “ Well I have no idea who those two are, but these are the Pillars of Old Equestria. This must be a vision of right after the unification when the group of them first formed to deal with the evils still left in the world.”

“Woof?” Rahs asked and Twilight blinked.

“Sunset banished herself, and the other monsters he sent in clearly didn't manage to do anything to the other world, so Starswirl must have examined the other side of the portal before sending anything through.....”

“Bork....” Rahs again pointed out.

“Nothing was wrong with the journal, I must have read something wrong with it....” Twilight protested as Rahs threw his hands in the air.

“Okay Starswirl. The next time you get a bright idea to throw us into a freaking Tartarus portal to fight an army of undead controlled by an old goat, DON'T!!” Flash Magnus shouted at the gray unicorn.

“It worked didn't it? We had the element of surprise on our side and we easily defeated the hordes and their creator.” Starswirl harrumphed as he put his hoof down and frowned shaking it.

“Grogar will be back, we didn't find his phylactery.” The unnamed blue mare coughed.

“Good news.” Somnambula stated as she flew back down to the group. “We're in Equestria, Whinnysor is at the top of the Canyon. And we haven't been gone long as they are still building the south wing.”

“Perfect, I could use a little break.”Mistmane stated.

“Not to distract from the much needed rest. But what is that?” Rock Hoof asked. “I've never seen anything like it before.”

The group looked taking note of the crystalline tree in the back of the cave.

Starswirl frowned as his horn lit up, his spell scanning the tree before he frowned.

“Clearly it is nothing of importance, as my spells tell me it is simply a mutant tree.” Starswirl huffed his attention going back to his hoof seeing if he had a rock or something stuck in his frog.

“It's beautiful”Mage Meadowbrook added in lifting up her mask to look at the faintly glowing tree.

“Yes, yes, visually attractive.” Starswirl gruffed.” It has the same magic as those toys Celestia and Luna used on that lout that was making eyes at her. Still better that they dealt with the problem for once. I'm sick of cleaning up their messes at this point, and that Discord thing made a big one.”

“You're just [CENSORED] mad that they fixed the problem first and no ones [CENSORED] the [CENSORED] with you[CENSORED] and a couple of[CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED] drag my claws though your burnt stubble.” The little green dragon yelled at Starswirl.” And Lily take [CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED] spell off of me!!”

“Not until you calm down Drusy.” Lily chided, frowning as it seemed their whole exchange was ignored by the others.

“Now then we have a week before the next chaotic mess shall happen so every pony go rest and do what ever it is you ponies do. I have research to take care of.” Starswirl muttered.

“Are you sure this thing is safe?” Flash Magnus uttered looking at the tree.

“Indeed, perhaps we should investigate this further?” Somnambula asked.

“For crying aloud. Why do you care about something so easy to dismiss. It is a crystal tree, there are hundreds of them in the Empire. If you are so concerned with a plant here. “ Starswirl pulled what was stuck to his hoof off, the item looking like a black seed. He blasted a hole in the ground and dropped the seed in before covering it. “ Mistmane set that growing.”

“Umm are you sure about that? That thing came from the undead realm of darkness we just left.” Lily pointed out.

“Lily hush and let your betters work.” Starswirl snapped.

Mistmane rolled her eyes and lit up her horn the ground where the seed had been planted glowed lightly and a few black tendrils with blue thorns emerged from the hole burned in the ground.

“There. The crystal tree now has a friend so it won't be lonely, we are leaving. Starswirl snapped and his horn lit up causing the whole group to vanish save the unicorn mare Lily and the dragon.

“[CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED] bags, at least they didn't leave us in the [CENSORED][CENSORED] Lichs home.”Drusy snarled. “I mean seriously [CENSORED][CENSORED]!!

“I …. it's just because I'm not as strong as they are... maybe if I could do something on my own … they might notice me....”

“Or I can set fire to [CENSORED][CENSORED]swirl's pointy [CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED] hat.” Drusy offered.

“No, it's okay.. clearly I need to do something....” The mare muttered as the images started to fade.

[Golden Oaks]

Sunset frowned looking at the catatonic Twilight Sparkle and Rahs Sparkle. The former getting giggled at by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie as some of the potion trickled down her face. Sunset was going to make a Bukkake comment, but Pinkie beat her to it.

Trixie and Witch-Jack were still fighting, despite both of their hats being gnawed to bits, neither of them seemed to be gaining the upper hand... dammit, hoof.

“Hey Spike. Mind answering a few questions for me?” Sunset asked.

“If it's about my brothers love life, no, I am not dealing with that..... in regards to either of them.” Spike stated flatly as he played with a little phoenix chick that fluttered down once everything was calmer. There was also a raccoon asleep on Rahs now that growled at any one who came close. Sunset was curious, but wasn't about to mess with a creature that would fight a god for a half eaten bagel out of a trashcan.

“Nah mostly about my cousin or niece or grand niece or whatever there.” Sunset gestured to Witch-Jack who was currently sitting atop of the 'Small and Comically Flailing Trixie', looking quite proud of herself.

“Ehh she got possessed by the spirit of a dead witch wolf and now when too much magic is used around her she turns into one. She's still Applejack now, but well, like if Applejack was a cat. It's weird how she acts when she's like this. It's still her, but a far less … bound by laws and morals, her. You understand?”

“Sorta and sounds fun.” Sunset shrugged.” Couldn't you just hit her with an exorcism spell if its a possessing spirit?”

“Well that's a necromantic spell and Twilight's not familiar with them. The court licensed necromancer couldn't cast anything on her she didn't eat, and Discord said even if we did remove it fully she'd still be changed. Removing it might even make it worse since it seemed to bond fully to her now.”

“She eats magic ? Like Rahs?”Sunset blinked.

“A little worse than him. Rahs has had his whole life around magic and he can turn his down a little, or off … I dunno what he picked up as a god, but he's just a moon dog. Witch- Jack is a witch wolf, which is like a hyper version of a moon dog and she hasn't even been one for a year yet, so she has no control over what she eats.”

“Ahhh, I see.” Sunset smirks.” This is gonna make things interesting when I head out to the farm.”

“So I've got a question for you then. What's up with Trixie's training?” Spike asked pointing at Trixie who had formed the illusion of a small red dot that drew Witch-Jack's attention. Trixie had then run it across the floor and Witch -Jack gave chase, only for Trixie to yank it to the side sharply, forcing the orange furred wolf mare to turn sharply and loose her footing on the smooth floor. Witch-Jack then slid into another bookshelf, which collapsed atop of her as Trixie cackled.

“From what I under stand Luna is trying to teach her to improve her illusions. The fact she can trick the universe into making them real is pretty impressive, or would be if she could make anything complicated that was bigger than a bit. Seems the bigger it is the simpler it has to be or it won't take. And she needs a lot of rest because her mana pool's not that big. I was told about the alicorn amulet and Luna still can't get her to reproduce the same results as she had with it on. Luna says that's odd because all the alicorn amulet does is open the path to your magic flow better.”

“Of course the fool thinks that because she didn't think to ask me.” Sombra growled from where he sat nearby, half hiding behind the check in desk holding an ice pack to his head. “ I made hundreds of those things for practice, why would I only use the one enchantment on them? True some opened the mana pathways fully, but others drew in mana from the surrounding area and channeled it into the wielder, others had set spells in them, still others had nothing but a curse on them, and others did other things like helping some ones cooking skill.”

“I'm surprised there's not a ton of them around then.” Spike frowned.

“I called them dog treats for a reason. The witch wolves ate most of the ones I made, turning them back to scraps of metal.” Sombra frowned. ”I'm surprised any survived. I never had the time to make more while trying to keep my kingdom. And the damnable guards won't let me near a forge.”

“Probably a good thing given they think you'll make something and go after Twilight or one of the Princesses.” Spike growled.

“And exactly what would I be able to do to them whelp? I couldn't beat your sister when she was mortal with a concussion, what am I against her as she is now?” Sombra snapped.

“Well for starters you're not drooling all over your self after looking like you just 'had a drink from the fire hose.'” Sunset offered.

“Good one!” Rainbow Dash chimed in.

“Not right now.... ugh you know what I mean mare....” Sombra growled.

“BUCKING. STARSWIRL. THE. BUCKING. BEARDED!” Twilight ranted suddenly.

“Either this was a really weird nerd dream, or she found something.” Sunset offered.

“She found something, usually if she has dreams like that it's about Big Mac.” Spike offered.

“Wait is he my nephew or what ever?” Sunset blinked.

“ Yup.” Spike stated.

“Reeeeeealllly.” Sunset grinned.

“Don't They're already dating. You won't like what happens if you mess with her about it. Trust me.”Spike warned.

“Fiiiine” Sunset huffed.

“Woof!” Rahs shouted back at his sister as he sat up only to be knocked back down again as Witch Jack and Trixie tackled him driving him face first to the floor.

Blakeney had wisely moved the moment he woke up.

“Right, focusing. I know where we need to go for answers and also what looks like the source of the vines.” Twilight stated.

“Into the Everfree I assume?” Rarity sighed.

“Ummm yes.” Twilight blinked.

“Of course because everything has to come out of that nasty place.” Rarity sighed.” Well darlings give me a moment to get my boots and we shall go.”

“No, you guys stay here it's too dangerous. Rahs and I can deal with this.” Twilight shook her head before blinking as she noticed everyone else in the library was glaring at her.

“How about no.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Trixie did not get dragged down here to Ponyville simply to let you run off with Rahs some where.” Trixie scoffed.

“Seriously we didn't let you go last time alone and it's worse now.” Witch-Jack offered.

“I agree with Trixie on this. Besides you and Rahs are both what the vines are after so some ones got to keep you two from getting grabbed. In truth you two should be the ones staying here and letting us go.” Sunset pointed out.

“Well we all know that's not gonna happen.” Pinkie Pie grinned. “ I already packed cupcakes.”

Sombra blinked at this looking at the pink mare though he shook his head. ”My cousin has a point. The vines have not shown any interest in foal napping any ones else, just harassing them and driving them off like in town and with that zebra. Gods seem to be the target.”

Twilight sighed. “ Fine I'm not even going to argue, just bring the Elements of Harmony with you girls we might need them. Along with a few hundred gallons of weed killer.”

“Plants hate fire.” Sunset grinned.

“No.” Sombra growled.

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Episode 2, Part 5

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[The Everfree Forest]

Say what you will about the Everfree forest, that it's unnatural, that it's dark, that its full of monsters and horrors, because it's all of those things.

The main thing the Everfree Forest was however, was dangerous.

In this instance however, could it feel emotions, the forest would be scared.

Twilight Sparkle, Rahs Sparkle, and Spike Sparkle strode, and in Spike's case, rode, into the place without a bit of worry about anything inside it.

With them was a dress maker, Rarity, who regularly dealt with one of the more dangerous predators, the Diamond Dogs, and had a tiny animal who thought it was a god that she kept as a pet. She also was sister of one third of the CMC.

With her was a timid animal caretaker, Fluttershy, who went out of her way to deal with dangerous animals when they were hurt or scared, had made friends with a god of chaos, and was a member in good standing with at least four hardcore 'eco terrorist' groups and was known by name by seven others. She also had a pet that was descended from a literal god and was the apex of his kind BEFORE, he started training to get better.

Following along with her was Pinkie Pie. Enough said.

Above them floated Rainbow Dash, fastest pegasus alive, who was a brown belt in three styles of martial arts and a black belt in two others including Griffonise kempo.

Below her was a demi god unicorn that had ruled a nation with an iron hoof and had personally slain some one who was considered one of the biggest threats Equss had ever seen. Not to mention Sombra was grouchy.

On the left of Rahs was a simple unicorn mare, likely the weakest in the group, though she had trained with Princess Luna, was a gifted spell caster in her own right even before that and was in top physical form from transporting and setting up her own shows. That Trixie's great grandfather was a dragon hardly entered into it.

On the other side of Rahs stalked a much larger orange furred canine like beast wearing a stetson hat. Applejack had been through a lot recently , though her current form was a furry engine of destruction capable of eating the magic of the most powerful non alicorn spell caster known to pony kind. And the teeth and claws she had were certainly not for show either. Rarity had managed to get her a vest and some shorts, though Witch-Jack didn't seem comfortable in them. Rahs had grumbled something about the tight clothing simply making the situation worse, but he was ignored. She was also the sister of one third of the CMC.

Behind them was another orange mare and the third demi god of the group. Sunset Shimmer. This mare was the one that made the forest, and every one else, a bit leery, more so than Pinkie Pie as she seemed unable to burn back the encroaching vines without cackling like a mad mare, or like Twilight doing science.

Rahs was a little worried that Sunset was staying behind him. She was also humming something to her self and occasionally Pinkie would chime in with ' Baby got back' for no reason which always seemed to throw Sunset for a loop.

The Everfree Forest had no chance.

Twilight was rather surprised at how easy the trip had gone. The hardest part was finding an easy way down into the ravine.

They had encountered a Cragodile, which was flung into a distant pond by Sombra without batting an eye, though he had to listen to Fluttershy scold him for a portion of the trek.

They ran into a manticore, which proceeded to lick Fluttershy's face until they needed to continue on.

They ran into a Ursa major, which Trixie surprisingly got to leave them alone. It seemed being Luna's apprentice had some benefits. Granted once Trixie found out Luna had a connection to the star bears that was the first thing she wanted to know about.

They had run into an odd three headed snake.

No one was quite sure where that thing wound up by the time Twilight had stopped screaming. Though a good chunk of the forest around them was on fire or missing and Sunset was laughing her head off.

The black vines were hardly a threat given Sunset 'Pyro' Shimmer was with them, particularly after she found out that certain ones spit out a gas that was highly volatile.

Sunset didn't stop cackling for five minutes after the first one exploded.

They also encountered a small pack of timber wolves.

Rahs and Applejack were both on them and had ripped apart two of them before the remaining three could react, and the remaining three were destroyed before they could do more than growl.

The pair then spent the rest of the trip picking twigs out of their teeth.

In fact the only real issues came from the inter party dynamics.

“BURN, BABY BURN, DISCO INFERNO” Sunset cackled as her horn glowed and she continued her one mare crusade against anything flammable.

“Sunset Focus.” Twilight sighed.

“I am focused. I'm focused on clearing a nice wide path we can put sports stadium or a twelve lane highway in.”Sunset grinned.

“Okay, Rahs before Fluttershy's friend Smokey gets here.” Twilight sighed.

“Woof.” Rahs nodded and walked up behind Sunset as she set a rather nice looking shrubbery, one that wasn't too expensive, on fire and took a large bite out of the magic she was flinging about.

“GAH!!” Sunset jerked back flailing.

Rahs blinked and smiled wide.

“Ruff!”

“It tastes like bacon?” Twilight gasped.”I thought you said it tasted like green apple tea cake?”

“ Woof” Rahs shrugged.

“Really?Bacon?” Witch- Jack asked looking at Sunset.

“What the heck did you do that for?” Sunset snapped glaring at Rahs before grumbling and turning to start casting again only to have Witch-Jack take a bite out of her magic, making her cry out again.

“Hey, he's right.” Witch- Jack nodded appreciatively.

“Damn my inability to taste magic!” Twilight wailed.

Rainbow Dash found the way into the ravine and the group was currently making their way along the bottom when they started encountering ruins.

Twilight and Rahs both shuddered, recognizing the remains of the old bridge that had lead to the castle of Whinnysor.

As the group continued on Sombra lingered behind as he noticed something. Throwing a few of the rocks aside he uncovered a very faint, and familiar magical presence. Moving more of the rocks he started to find bits of metal. What once might have been the haft of a spear, the broken broad blade tip and a tattered red ribbon still wrapped around it. The weapon was in easily eight or nine pieces but it was untarnished by rust or age and he could feel the magic still filling it.

He gave it a look and tucked all the broken bits into his saddle bag before quickly following after the others before they left him behind.

“Well this is it.” Twilight frowned looking at the mass of black vines that filled the cave mouth before them. There was a faint glow from behind the black mass, though the vines choked the entrance enough that no one could tell what it was.

Twilight and Rahs had both seen it before however.

“So this is it... we need to get inside some how. “ Twilight frowned.” Sunset?”

“Oh no. You didn't want me to burn everything so I didn't burn everything. Now you want me to burn everything and I'm still not doing it because you'll just complain again.” Sunset ranted. “How bout you do the grunt work and show me what you mean by 'fire control' Sparkle...”

“I can't because this thing goes after gods magic and if I cast anything it will be coming after me.” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Sounds like a personal problem to me.” Sunset huffed.

“ Sombra?”

“My magic is ineffective against this Sparkle. The few spells I have tried have been less than successful and Sunset has only likely succeeded because her talent is burning things, both physically and verbally.” Sombra grumbled.

“Did you just make a joke?” Sunset asked surprised.

“Oh for the love of... Trixie has this.” Trixie huffed.

The show mare stormed up to the mass of vines, her horn glowing as she followed along the ground and the edge of the stone wall of the cave poking at it lightly and dodging some of the half hearted attacks of the vines. Finally reaching one corner where the vines clung to the rock she took off her hat and reached into it digging around. The others blinked wondering what she was doing before the blue mare turned suddenly and ran back towards the group, leaping up and tackling Rahs, shoving him and herself behind a large boulder.

The others watched them, then turned to look back at the rock wall where the fuse on a fairly large cask labeled TNT was quickly burning out.

The group of them cleared out quickly diving for cover as the cask exploded.

When the smoke cleared and the falling rubble stopped, the vines seemed slightly damaged, and quickly replacing themselves with more vines, though the rock wall next to them had a large hole blown into it that had soft light coming from the other side of it.

The group glared at Trixie, save Rahs who was being nuzzled again by the happy pony atop of him.

“Question. “ Spike asked.

“Yes?” Trixie asked a bit annoyed.

“I thought Illusions were your thing not explosions.” Spike pointed out.

“Trixie's talent is illusions, but her expertise is in spectacle. Fireworks count for that.” Trixie explained.

“Okay have you been taking lessons from Luna on how to flirt and date because that was a rather slick move to get to Rahs.” Sunset nodded appraisingly.

“Maybe a few.” Trixie admitted.

Twilight however had left the others and made her way into the cave with the other five Element Bearers. Though Pinkie Pie had to drag Witch-Jack along to keep her from going after Trixie.

Inside the cave was a massive glowing crystal tree looking very much like a weeping willow,though it was wrapped in black vines that seemed to be trying to choke the life out of it.

The tree pulsed with light though it was dimmed by the vines around it.

“Whoa...” Rainbow Dash gasped looking at everything.

“My My it's gorgeous.” Rarity gasped. “Or would be I suppose without all these vines.”

>”I was wondering when you would show up.”< The tree pulsed with light as it's words echoed in their heads.

“ Did that tree jus talk?” Witch-Jack asked.

“Neat it spoke in my brain. Be careful there mister tree. It's dangerous in there.” Pinkie Pie giggled a little deeper than any one expected.

>” I am afraid my time grows short. The Plunder Seed vines are strong magic absorbers, While it is unable to destroy gods, it can contain us and it uses our own magic to keep the bonds tight around us as well as help it grow. I have been keeping this contained here for some time, but with the repeated use of the Elements of Harmony as of late, the draw on my powers has allowed the vines to gain a much better foothold and has left me over run. I need you to return the Elements of Harmony to me.”<

“ You need them back? But we need them to protect Equestria.” Rainbow Dash shouted. “ How are we going to do that with out them?”

>“You seem to have done quite well in the Crystal Empire. And truth be told I would say you need to protect Equestria from Twilight more than anything else.”< the tree pulsed.

“What?!” Twilight snapped.

>”That was a joke. Did I not do it right?It is rare I get a chance to do humor or speak at all. But never the less I need the Element's returned to use my full power to destroy the plunder vine fully and release the other gods taken by it.”<

“What exactly are the Element's any way?” Rarity asked.

>“My Familiars.”< The tree glowed.

“What.....?!” Twilight blinked.

“Not to nit pick your choice of friend but, umm, rocks?” Fluttershy asked.

>” I'm a tree. I certainly hope you didn't expect me to have a woodpecker or something.”< the tree glowed.

“Hey Maud has boulder!” Pinkie huffed. “There's nothing wrong with rocks...”

“Oh no Pinkie I didn't mean it like that.” Fluttershy tried to placate.

“Alright, great, ROCKS can be familiars, yet no ones tried ponies, perfect just what I need to hear. We can do this, but I want to know who you are first.” Twilight demanded.

>” I would think that would be obvious Twilight Sparkle. I am the god Harmony.”< The tree flashed. >” I am one of the first three gods created by the universe to watch over Equss along with Law and Chaos. Or as he prefers to be called, Discord.”<

“Wait Discord's one of the first gods of Equss?” Rarity asked.” This explains a few things.”

>”I would regal you more but this is a strain to keep Grogar's plants at bay and talk AND keep doing Law's job.”< The tree glowed as it seemed to grumble. >” Seriously first Law vanishes and I'm stuck keeping the balance by doing her job to keep chaos from getting too big, Then Law's kids show up and I loan out my familiars so they can deal with Chaos, then her kids start making things too orderly so I have to do Chaos' job while he was sealed away, then you come along, and I have to swing back to law, and now this. Honestly it has been a very stressful millennia.”<

“Oh you poor thing.” Fluttershy frowned.

>” Thank you at least I get some sympathy. It would have been fine if Law hadn't vanished, but NOOO, I even learn how to move my roots in order to do that thing she liked and still buggered off after a few centuries”<

“Oh dear, sounds like there's some history there.” Rarity added.

>” You have no idea.”< the tree seemed to shudder.

“Wait you and some body else got freaky? What with pollen? Oh crap are we getting covered in tree sperm every time it's pollen season!?” Rainbow Dash snapped, her eye twitching. “ Is blowing on a dandelion helping a weed jack off?”

The rest of the group looked ill at that.

“ We were having a good day.....” Pinkie Pie muttered.

“No it's not. Seeds are not analogous to sperm. Neither is Pollen. Plants don't do dimorpic gametes like that. Harmony aside, as I'm not even going to think on that, blowing on a dandelion is closer to firing a bunch of fully formed foals from a party cannon.” Twilight lectured before she frowned and pointed a wing at Pinkie Pie. “Do not fire any foals from a party cannon.”

“Awwwww.” Pinkie Pie pouted.” There go my weekend plans.”

“Right let's do this. Give me a second to get the crown.” Twilight muttered walking back to the hole in the rock to look outside for her brother.

Twilight blinked at the scene outside.

Sombra was half buried in the ground, head first his back leg twitching in the air.

Spike was sitting on a rock, his face buried in his claws.

Rahs was laying face first on the ground, out cold and smoldering, twitching slightly every so often. He was also missing his pants for some reason. Sunset sat on his back, a look on her face like the cat that ate the canary.

Trixie was yelling at Sunset and trying to put her burning hat out.

Twilight blinked.

“It has not even been five minutes.” She shook her head and grabbed Rahs, yanking him out from under Sunset, flipping the mare off him and sending her crashing into Trixie. She flipped him over onto his back getting a pained groan from him before collecting the Element of Magic from his pocket.

Trixie yelped as Rahs was flipped over and tried to cover her eyes with her hooves, though she still peeked around at Rahs lying on his back pants-less.

“Heeeelloooo!” Sunset yelped appreciatively.

Witch-Jack took that moment to peek around Twilight and spotted Rahs, her eyes widening before Twilight shoved her back into the cave.

“I don't even want to know.” Twilight grumbled as Rahs woke up, yelped and closed his coat around himself.

The Elements of Harmony glowed brightly as they were locked into place at various points around the tree. Harmony glowed brightly for a moment before dimming, then flaring like the sun at midday. The vines around the tree turned to white ash as the energy coursed through them, spreading out from the tree. The magic fizzled a little as they hit the thickest parts of the vines where Starswirl had planted them, before this too was destroyed.

The others watched as the large vine barrier in the cave faded away showing the tree to of those outside.

The burst of magic traveled outward further destroying all of the vines across the forest and over Ponyville.

The tree seemed to unfold from it self, branches stretching out and spreading into a majestic crystal weeping willow. The Element's shown brightly, seeming to merge with the tree, all retaining the shape of the former Bearers cutie marks.

Gathered in a large pile under the tree were three large mounds of vines that seemed to be fighting the destruction, though one by one they all poofed to dust as well. Revealing the tall white form of Princess Celestia, the tall, but not quite as wide form, of Princess Luna, and the long and sinuous form of the Goddess Ascepius who had been in Canterlot at the time studying Applejack's situation.

“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!” screamed Twilight, taking off like a shot into the air.

“Oh neat. When did she learn to fly?” Pinkie Pie asked watching Twilight soar out of the cave.

“She didn't” Rainbow Dash winced as Twilight plowed into the side of the canyon, sliding down it like a plate of pancakes flung at a wall by a foal throwing a temper tantrum.

“What the buck happened?” Princess Celestia asked looking around confused at the others gathered around.

“And where are Rahs' pants?” Princess Luna added.

Plecostomus Twilight Sparkle, Epilogue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Golden Oaks library, the next day]

Twilight stared at the box on the table.

The box sat on the table.

Applejack looked warily between the two.

“Tell me you secrets....” Twilight hissed, narrowing her eyes.

The box continued to sit on the table.

After freeing the captured gods, Harmony had presented the others this box as a gift for the six of them. It then opted to relocate itself some where less well known. It seemed the tree preferred solitude and more than one sapient creature finding it every hundred years was too much, five gods finding it at the same time was way to much. So before Twilight could recover the tree vanished in a flash of light leaving the cavern empty with no hint of where it might have gone.

This pissed Twilight off as she had SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many questions, the biggest of which was why her cutie-mark was on the tree.

Now there was this box. A vaguely diamond shaped chest with six keyholes that was gifted to the former Element Bearers, meaning that the six of them had the keys, or would find them, or some other noble test of worthiness or whatever the damn tree wanted.

Twilight had tried a number of spells and other things before she let Pinkie Pie try all the keys she had laying around. Four hours later and seven hundred and forty nine keys, showed no progress.

Rahs and Spike refused to allow her to spend the household budget on power tools to try and break it open.

Rahs and Applejack both didn't feel any magic from it, which was weird because Twilight was certain that the box was multidimensional since at least one facet on it moved depending on how it was placed.

“Twi. Ummm, yah got a moment?” Applejack asked nervously.

“Hmm sure. What's up? I still haven't figured this out, plus with the whole rock thing I really need to get back to work on that Familiar spell.” Twilight sighed poking the box with a hoof before turning her head to look over at Applejack.

“Yeah...well it's about yer brother...” Applejack muttered.

“ Which one?”

“Rahs..”

“Crap.. What did he do this time?”

“Nothing .. ah think..... look, no, he ain't in trouble..”

“Yet. So what about him?” Twilight offered, turning to look back at the box.

“Ah....... shoot ain't no easy way tah say this. Ah'm thinking tah maybe ask him out or something....” Applejack muttered.

“Bout time.” Twilight muttered.

“What?” Applejack asked.

“I thought you didn't like him like that, that it was all the witch-wolf ?” Twilight explained.

“Yeah well ah figured that would die down after a bit, but seeing Trixie all over him jus made me mad. So ah did some thinking and ah figured it's more than just what ever happened tah me. Though ah think having something else in my head pointing it out sorta brought it intah focus or something.” Applejack sighed.

“He's not likely going to use poison joke to be a pony for you....” Twilight stated, her attention on Applejack despite her gaze being on the box.

“In case yah don't recall, ah was one of tha few not going gaga over him as a pony. And given ah sometimes don't even notice when ah change forms now, ah doubt it matters too much.”

“You realize you'll have to be going against Jynx who has the goddess of love and Rarity backing her, Saturnia who has Chrysalis and oddly Shining Armor, backing her, and Trixie who has Spike and Princess Luna supporting her?”

“Yeah, ah know. Which is why ah'm asking you fer yer help. Ain't no one know more about him than you. Younger an older siblings gonna miss things bout tha middle child. But he's tha same age as you and thus a middle child as well.” Applejack logic'd.

Twilight smiled. “True, Cadence may have foal sat, and Chrysalis might have studied him from Celestia's notes, and Even Luna might know what he is and have a better connection with his race than any one else, but I've been studying him for years. The only one who might know even close to what I do is Celestia. And she's not got any bits in this bet.”

“Wait what was that last thing? Applejack blinked.

“Nothing, I will help you, lets get you hooked up with my brother. Clearly there is no accounting for taste.”

[Canterlot]

Celestia sighed, this was quite aggravating. Twilight did quite well considering, though ninety percent of Celestia's court cases this morning had been to complain about Twilight's methods. And one was from the Royal Library demanding she return their chair.

Celestia had no issues with how Twilight conducted things, Raven had already filled out a report and Celestia was rather proud on how Twilight dealt with everything. She was a little rash, true, but she had not been taught how to be a princess and had no desire to do so. Still reminding the petitioners that if anything happened to Celestia or her sister, Twilight would be in charge again probably cut down on some of the more stressful requests simply due to the fact no one wanted Celestia to take so much as a sick day now.

Court had broke for lunch a little while ago and Celestia was surprised to find Sunset was waiting for her in the small meeting room attached to the throne room where Celestia often took her meals between cases.

That her daughter looked some what pensive made her worry a bit.

“Did you need something Sunset?” Celestia asked moving to take a seat at the table.

“Not really, but maybe...” Sunset sighed. “ Look dad..... mom..... fuck it I'm going with mom I'm already going to have a head ache and half dealing with how I'm related to the Apples.”

“Well Granny's your half sister......”

“And her names Granny, and I'm Applejack's age, I'm probably just going to call everyone cousin and leave it at that.” Sunset grumbled.

“Alright. So I take that wasn't what you wanted to talk about then?” Celestia offered waving off the servant with a short statement of whatever the chef had on hoof. Lunch tended to be light for her any way, usually only one cake, maybe two.

“Well it's complicated. i might have found some one I'm interested in.” Sunset muttered.

Celestia paused sipping her tea. A thousand scenarios raced through her mind on who she might have met in the month she'd be back. There were also the mix of thoughts if she should be supportive like a mother or go borrow Granny's shotgun like a father.

Celestia had been quite careful to keep her away from any of the griffons that still came around. She doubted it would be one of the guards, maybe one of the Night Guard, Sunset did have a thing for the exotic and dangerous looking ones.

Not that Celestia could fault her, the Nocturne Nox- Cal were probably the only stallions that could mount her without a step stool. Hmm, might be good to look into that if Twilight ever figured out the familiar spell.

Sunset took the pause from Celestia to mean a large number of things, most of them were what she was worried about.

“I'm surprised you're asking me about this sort of thing and not Luna. Or Cadence, it is sort of her thing.” Celestia finally spoke.

“Yeah okay keep in mind it was Cadence during one of her visits that taught me sex ed cause I asked her about it.” Sunset shuddered.

“If it makes you feel better I banned her from trying to teach that to anyone in any public venue. And then after Twilight and Rahs received a lesson in private, I banned her from doing that too.” Celestia sighed.” Seriously if she has a foal with Shining, I have the entire Sparkle family and a legion of Guards ready to be teleported up there to stop any 'talk' she has.”

“Actually that does make me feel a little safer. But no I can't talk to Luna either due to …. reasons, but I figure you would be the best bet here anyway.” Sunset let out in a bit of a rush.

“Ahh well. I will help how I can. So who is this mysterious individual? When did you meet him? I'm assuming it's a him as you haven't had any interest in mares before.” Celestia smiled happy to be getting more into the parental role here.

“Well it started when I came back to steal the crown..........”

[Cadence's Love Lab, Canterlot]

“Wait so what did happen to his pants?” Chrysalis asked, she and Cadence had come down from Canterlot to find out what had happened to the sun and moon for a while there. Once here Luna pulled them both into Cadence's old Love Lab to talk.

“We don't know, we simply know that Trixie and Applejack seemed greatly amused by it.” Luna offered.

“Damn it. That would put you and Twilight in the lead.” Cadence frowned working over a cork board with some pins.” Trixie has now had several kisses with Rahs, and she's seen him naked. Applejack has seen him naked and no one knows what happened in the woods when she first changed. Jynx has one kiss, but Saturnia has nothing to show for her efforts yet.”

“HA HA Trixie shall be Rahs' paramour.” Luna grinned.

“My daughter has Twilight's permission.” Chrysalis offered leaning back in her chair with a smirk. “ She might not have had a kiss yet, but she's taking it slower.”

“Yes, well so does Applejack.” Cadence sighed.” But given Twilight supports Applejack, that Saturnia got permission from her is a fairly big deal.”

Any further statements were cut off as the big steel door to the main entrance of the Love Lab was blown off it's hinges. The great steel door was blasted across the room clipping the table and striking Chrysalis dead on, before impacting the far wall at high speed splattering the changeling queen against the wall like a bug under a flyswatter.

Luna and Cadence blinked looking at the mess against the far wall then back to the door as Celestia strolled in like she hadn't done anything wrong. She trotted up to the table and slapped her hoof on top of it, the bag of bits she held clanking on the table.

“Put me down for Sunset getting Rahs.” Celestia grinned.

Cadence blinked at Celestia, then looked at her carefully laid out shipping board. She then kicked it over with a scream.

[ Deep in the Everfree forest.]

A single black vine studded with blue spikes lay twitching on the ground. A large bulbous knot at one end of it exhaled a bit of gas as the plant tried to wiggle.

The vine had almost reached the far side of the forest and as such was almost out of the range of the blast that had destroyed all of the other vines.

Almost.

The broken end of the vine sizzled as the last of the magic of Harmony started eating along it's length turning it to ash. The magic had weakened from distance, but the plunder vine had not quite made it out of range.

The light had almost made it to the gas pod when a slash of darkness cut through the air severing the fading tendril from the rest of the gas pod.

The spell dissolved the rest of the cut vine leaving the pod and about two foot of vine left wiggling on the ground.

A dark figure approached the pod stomping on the wiggling tendril and slashing open the gas pod.

The vine shuddered it's last, though the dark shadowy figure smiled, and picked out a hoof full of black seeds from the pod.

“Well, well, plunder vine, who knew it was this potent. Seems I need to plant a little garden...” The darkness chuckled.

Author's Notes:

Not exactly a Hearts and Hooves Chapter , but it's got shipping, so that's good enough

"Power Pacu"

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Ponyville, one week after The Princesses Rescue, Golden Oaks Library.]

“Well I suppose I can refit the dress you have, but truth be told darling I would much rather make you something new. It wouldn't do to have the newest Princess....”

“Not a Princess.” Twilight corrected.

“... the newest goddess of Equestria wearing the same old things.” Rarity concluded without missing a beat.

“And it probably wouldn't hurt that I would be seen wearing what you designed.” Twilight sighed.

“That was a given Twilight. Of course as always you don't have to do anything. I can adjust the dress for your next date with Big Mac with little to no issue to account for your wings. But you know as well as I do that you are going to draw attention no matter where you go and I would not be me if I did not suggest you at least try to adapt to the modern fashion scene. And while I would very much like to use you to advertise my shop for me, particularly since I'm going to be opening that new one in Canterlot soon thanks to all the dragon money, I certainly won't force it.” Rarity stated. “ I will whine and carry on like a spoiled foal yes, but I will not force you to wear something of mine.”

Twilight smirked.” Alright fine... it's at the end of the week, and I don't want anything too fancy, and please don't overexert yourself just to make it on time.”

“Please darling, it is one dress and a simple one at that, plus I've already taken your new measurements a dozen times and have some delightful ideas I want to try. I'm thinking perhaps something a bit more.... risque for a date. Something to draw his eyes where you want them, and keep them there?”

Twilight opened her mouth to protest the idea and point out she wanted a simple dress. After a moment she closed her mouth, considered again then spoke. “I'm listening.”

“Fabulous. While I would love to suggest a little red dress I designed a while ago, your fur coloration wouldn't do it justice. Your coloration is more of a cool tone, it would blend seamlessly with other cool pastels or perhaps something more of an electric blue or green. Baby blue, turquoise... hmm no...Ocean or royal blue I can see. Emerald could work, but a leaf would do better. Or failing all that, black fits everything. Such a pity your two coats don't compliment each other. I could do much with that...”

Rarity trailed off as the door to the library was pushed open and Sombra stomped in. Behind him was Pinkie Pie, beating the dark unicorn in the head with a broom and anything else she could get a hold of.

WACK!

“That's for biting Fluttershy.” Pinkie Pie cried out as she hit him with the broom.

Twilight and Rarity stared as Sombra approached them trying to ignore the pink mare.

WACK!

“And that's for biting Fluttershy.” Pinkie screamed hitting him with a flyswatter.

Rarity and Twilight looked between Pinkie and Sombra confused as the stallion sighed.

WACK!

“And that, That was for biting Fluttershy!” Pinkie fussed after belting him with fender guitar.

WACK!

Sombra growled as Pinkie smacked him with a pumpkin head key blade.

“YES, THANK YOU WE HAVE AKNOWLAGED THAT I HAVE BITTEN FLUTTERSHY. YOU MAY STOP NOW.” Sombra roared.

WACK!

“No.” Pinkie stated flatly and smacked him with a stale bagel.

“By the stars.” Sombra grumbled.

WACK!

“That's for me, being mad at you, for biting Fluttershy.” Pinkie shouted as Sombra sat down at the table with the other two as she smacked him with a roll of Hearths Warming paper.

“Might I ask something here?” Rarity lifted a hoof. “Why did you bite Fluttershy?”

WACK!

“That's FOR PONY and that pony is Fluttershy, who you bit!” Pinkie snapped smacking him with a metal pipe.

“ There was an argument between myself and several of her animals that I forcibly evicted from her spare room where I was sleeping. “ Sombra offered.

WACK!

Pinkie smacked him with the front bumper of a 1957 Buick Century Estate Wagon, Model 69.

“She decided I was being too mean to them and slapped me in the nose with a newspaper like I was a bad puppy.” Sombra growled his head bounced with each impact. Twilight took note he had a stone fur spell cast on him and was simply letting Pinkie vent.

WACK!

Pinkie smacked him with a wing from a 1941 Supermarine Spitfire.

“And given i was not going to widdle on the carpet as protest like a dog, i bit the hoof holding the newspaper instead.” Somebra explained.

WACK!

Pinkie smacked him in the back of the head with a 1:183 model of Canterlot Castle.

“To be fair to Fluttershy.” Rarity offered. “Using the rolled up newspaper did work on Discord.” Rarity sighed.

WACK!

Pinkie Pie smacked Sombra with a mailbox that was painted up like R2D2.

“So it seems I am no longer welcome there.” Sombra frowned.

WACK!

Pinkie Pie smacked Sombra with a 745 ANMM Princess Celestia Commemorative Cake Pan.

“Well you can't stay here, all the rooms in the tree are taken up by my brothers or my equipment. Plus Rahs would probably maul you so much as to look at you. “ Twilight sighed. “Applejack has enough problems with her curse. Well that and her new wolf form, but she seems to be dealing with Sunset fine. Rainbow Dash is out for obvious reasons, as is Pinkie....”

WACK!

Pinkie Pie smacked Sombra with a wack a mole mallet.

“Maybe I can set something up with the guard.” Twilight muttered.

WACK!

Pinkie Pie hit Sombra with a Q-bert arcade cabinet.

“Darling I'll take care of it.” Rarity waved a hoof.

“What?” Twilight and Pinkie both asked suddenly.

“Hmm?” Sombra questioned before Pinkie hit him with a Carnival Cruise line ship anchor.

“I said I'll take care of it, I have a extra room in the boutique that I've just been filling with what ever I want to ignore. It's not very big, but it has it's own bathroom. I let the Crusaders use it until they tried for their indoor plumbing cutie marks, now if they stay over they sleep upstairs in one of the better warded rooms.” Rarity explained.

“Oh... that's why you wanted all those spells put there.” Twilight nodded sagely as Sombra was hit with a waffle cone, a BIG waffle cone. ”I suppose I should have asked you, but with all you have going on with your sister, your work, and setting up that new shop I didn't really plan to impose.”

“I understand darling don't worry about it. Besides you did say that Princess Celestia wanted him to be nearby one of us or a local guard. “ Rarity smiled.” And it is not as if I cannot knock out a few more teeth if he tries something.”

Sombra grumbled as Pinkie hit him with a Hay-burger sign.

“Well I suppose that will work. I'll have to send a message to change the location of the allowance Princess Celestia is providing for room, board, and acclimation.” Twilight considered.

“Do I not get a say in this?” Sombra grumbled.

“No.” Twilight shook her head.

“Not really.” Rarity shrugged.

“NO!” Pinkie Pie snapped hitting him with a small uprooted apple tree.

=====================================
[ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAApleooosa. ]

“I think you're just seeing things Braeburn.” Little Strongheart sighed.

“Nah I'm serious, Bloomberg jus vanished fer a second. “ The stallion pointed at the tree in question. “Look tha dirt's all disturbed around the roots!”

“Come on, lets get you in some shade and I'll get you some water.” the buffalo cow sighed pushing Braeburn away from the tree.

=====================================

[The Next Day, Carousel Boutique ]

The small white filly stared up at the larger dark stallion with narrowed eyes.

Sombra stared back down at Sweetiebelle with no change in expression.

Applebloom joined Sweetiebelle in staring up at Sombra.

Sombra remained with no change.

Scootaloo joined the other two in staring up at Sombra.

Sombra remained neutral.

Spike flipped a table on it's side and hid behind it.

Sombra started to look a little worried.

The fillies all took in a deep breath at the same time , then started talking at the same time.

“What are you doing in my sisters house?”
“Why's your horn curved like that?”
“Aren't you related to Princess Luna?”
“Are those fangs?”
“Cats eyes? Are you related to Rahs?”
“How do you get your mane to do that wavy thing?”
“How does Pinkie Pie make two plus two equal cupcake?
“What's your name?”
“Why's your face so angular?”
“Aren't you the big bad guy from season 3”
“ How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?”
“How did Pinkie Pie get in here?”
Hey, where's your cutie mark?”
“His cutie mark?”
“Cutie mark?!”

The three trailed off staring at his flank.

“Ah crap...” Spike muttered from cover.

Sombra was much more concerned now.

“He doesn't have a cutie mark.” Sweetiebelle gasped.

“But he's so old!” Scootaloo protested.

“Does that mean we might not get one?” Applebloom whined.

“We can't have that.” Sweetiebelle nodded sagely.

“So we have to help.” Scootaloo added.

“Right maybe we can get our cutie marks in helping ponies get cutie marks” Applebloom offered.

“Wow. That's dumb.”Scootaloo muttered.

“What would that even look like?” Sweetiebelle asked.

“Who cares, it's not on Spike's list so we haven't tried it yet.” Applebloom offered.

“We haven't tried body shots like Berry suggested yet either but he won't let us try that one.” Scootaloo offered.

“Or Hydra hunting.” Sweetiebelle added.” Though Pinchy drug Berry off for suggesting those.”

“WITH GOOD REASON .” Spike shouted from behind cover.

Sombra might have taken the opportunity to run but the fillies were circling him like sharks.

“Right so we have a new mission girls.” Applebloom stated.

“Cover your ears.” Spike offered. The little dragon was quite surprised that someone followed his directions for once, though it didn't matter as it seemed Sweetiebelle had mastered the Royal Canterlot Voice perfectly and the larger stallion was flung back against the wall.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS NEW INDUCTEE AND CUTIE MARK QUESTING YAY!!!!”

“Ow.” Sombra finally offered.

“Just great .. first Rahs gets me kicked out of that new comic shop for eating the comics magic or whatever now this.” Spike groaned.

=====================================

Rarity smiled in the other room as her little sister and her friends cornered Sombra. She hadn't quite expected this, but she had expected the Crusaders to be the Crusaders.

“And that, is for biting Fluttershy.” Rarity giggled.

Author's Notes:

This chapter was always going to be a filler. Magic comic books mean nothing to Magic eating Moon Dog, let alone magic eating Witch-Jack

Do Piranha Dream of Magic Squid? Prologue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville Library]

“Soooo wait, you want to do what now?” Twilight asked with Rahs and Spike both also staring at the Moon Princess.

The Sparkles, as well as the other former Element bearers, were scatted about the main room of the Library, mostly just hanging out and chatting about the week. A rare bit of down time for them as of late it seemed, one they were making the most of as they talked about the plans for the year.

Rarity was also trying to subtly question Twilight how the date with Big Mac went. Spike stopped the line of questioning with a growl and pointed out that he and Rahs had gone up to Canterlot that night for a reason after Twilight kicked them out for complaining about the noise, before anything even happened.

Rainbow Dash was rereading the complete Daring Do collection for the second or third time in expectation of the next book coming out soon. It seemed Twilight had convinced her to read them after she enjoyed the Daring Do film. After her success in convincing Dash Spike had pointed out that Twilight had been seen rubbing her hooves together and muttering something about her power growing.

Applejack was stalking Rahs, and pretending she wasn't, though thus far she hadn't quite gathered the nerve to ask him out, nor even what to ask him out to do.

Spike, Twilight, and Rahs lived there, so of course they were there. Rahs was lounging and Spike had been playing with Peewee.

Pinkie Pie had noticed there was a gathering, declared it a party, and brought Fluttershy and food.

And then Princess Luna had shown up.

Which leads back to now.

“We said we would like to take Rahs to the Oneiroi. He is the god of the Moon Dogs now and it is time he met his people. We have done some research in the books recovered from the old castle and have reworked the old spells we used to use to ferry supplies into the Oneiroi. We can easily come back the same way.” Luna explained.

“Woof?” Rahs tilted his head ears perking.

“We are quite sure that we can bring you back and forth at this point. We may even be able to teach you how to do so yourself in time. You had no connection to the Oneiroi at all before you ascended, now your very portfolio has two such connections making the transference not only possible, but fairly easy. Had we tried this before, what ever Twilight used to pull you free would have left you here, if not disrupted the spell entirely. We made a few tests not long after we were freed with some of your shed fur and it did not come along with us no matter what we tried. We would also like Applejack to come along. We believe a trip to the source of her.... alteration might be beneficial.” Luna explained.” Not to mention we wish to see if she might even revert to something closer to a moon dog once returned to the source.”

“Well...... Alright.” Applejack agreed with a shrug. “Guess I'm good tah go.”

“You realize that I'll be going as well.” Twilight stated.

“Ditto.” Spike nodded.

“Of course. The spell we have recovered was to bring supplies. A few more will hardly matter. We regret forgetting how to do so, but when the Moon Dogs became self sufficient , there was no need of the spell so it was forgotten.” Luna nodded. ”Besides Cosma and Blink wish to meet their son's adopted relatives, Shining Armor, and your parents shall also be coming along.”

“Sounds cool, I'm in.” Rainbow Dash shrugged.

“If it's not to much trouble I would love to go to see the moon dogs, oh especially the puppies.” Fluttershy squeed. ”Rahs looked so cute in those images Mrs. Sparkle showed us.

Rahs grumbled burying his face in his paws.

“I can hold a coming home party!” Pinkie Pie smiled.

“I must say I am a little curious myself Princess.” Rarity considered. “If it is not to much trouble I would like to tag along.”

“We did say the spell is used to ferry supplies, and we doubt any of you weigh the several tons we once used to transport. It will be no trouble.”Luna offered. “Now if our sister opted to tag along.....”

“So when do we go?” Spike asked.

“We were considering immediately, though we understand that that is not feasible for most, so a week from today. Thursday, our sister can deal with what ever issues Cloudsdale develops on her own this time.” Luna proclaimed.

The others started discussing things rapidly at that point with Twilight asking a thousand questions and Spike already starting a list for her. Pinkie was discussing parties, Dash was running on another innuendo tangent, Applejack was staring at Dash and Fluttershy as the two bounced sayings off each other, and Rarity was considering what to wear.

Rahs however sat back with a frown. Something about this bothered him. Sure he was nervous about meeting his real parents, though that wasn't it. There was a building dread he couldn't identify that was almost instinctual. It wasn't CMC sense or Sparkle Sibling Shenanigan sense, it was something else and it had him on edge about the whole idea of this trip.

Author's Notes:

And here we go. Another world building episode that i have been waiting to do.

Do Piranha Dream of Magic Squid? Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Canterlot, the following Thursday]

Twilight Sparkle was mildly disappointed. Luna's spell was a simple modified teleport spell cranked up to eleven for mass transport and twisted slightly at the end to hop realms.

She barely had to look over it to figure out the spell.

She had hoped for an ancient spell created by an alicorn would be more complicated.

The small group going consisted of all four of the Sparkle siblings, plus their parents. It also included Princess Luna, and the other former Element bearers.

Of course that was where some issues sprung up.

“What do you mean we can't go?” Saturnia demanded, Trixie, and Jynx growled in agreement.

“ We understand you wish to … meet the parents so to speak. Though we are unsure when any of you had the time to meet Twilight Velvet and Nightlight Sparkle.” Luna frowned looking at the two elder Sparkles. Both of them who had some how found out about all this and had made their own choices. They even had their own pennants made to prove it.

Twilight Velvet grinned back at Luna waving a little blue pennant with Trixie's name on it. When asked why, she recalled how cute Trixie and Rahs looked together in their play.

Nightlight however had his own little white banner with Jynx's name on it. When he was asked he simply shrugged and stated he was a boob stallion. He was then promptly walloped in the head by his wife.

Twilight was annoyed by this, Spike and Shining found it hilarious and Rahs was trying to hide in his coat.

“None the less, this trip is for Rahs to reconnect with his people, not for you to make it another brawl for his affections.” Luna frowned.

“So why can't I go?” Sunset asked innocently enough that any one who'd had kids or taken care of the Crusaders immediately had alarm bells ringing.

Luna was having none of it.

“Sunset we are VERY much aware of your talk with my sister and your joining those who are seeking Rahs' affection.” Luna frowned.

“WHAT!?!” The others shouted all whirling on Sunset with looks of pure murder on their faces at yet another suitor showed up to challenge them out of no where.

Sunset for her part sat there with a smug grin on her face that seemed to say, 'Problem?'

Applejack eased back a little trying not to draw attention to herself. Inside her head she was cheering at being allowed to go off with Rahs somewhere where this lot couldn't follow her. She was surprised about Sunset, though grand aunt or not, she wasn't going to let her come out of no where and take Rahs.

“No.” Luna stated flatly her eyes narrowing at Applejack. “ We are quite aware of YOUR interest in Rahs as well. And you are going to see if it may have some effect on your change, NOT to gain an advantage.”

“Damn.” Twilight muttered.

“Wait Applejack too!?” Trixie demanded as the others turned to glare at the farmer.

Rahs tried to sink further in his coat.

“Seriously dude? Fifteen years of being a theater nerd and not getting a girl to so much as look at you and now all the sudden you have five of them trying to get into your pants?” Shining grinned. “ Impressive.”

Rahs growled at his brother who pulled out his own little pink pennant flag with Saturnia's name on it waving it around.

“Wait … why are you supporting me?” Saturna asked.

“It annoys Cady.” Shining grinned. “ And the old saying may go, 'Happy wife, happy life', but I subscribe to the old saying 'Slightly annoyed wife, highly amusing life'.”

“Well he's decidedly your son.” Twilight Velvet sighed.

“I'm so proud.” Nightlight sniffled.

Rahs had taken the time to hide behind Fluttershy.

“Can we go now before this gets even worse?” Spike sighed.” Before he gets a dragoness, or a seapony ,or a griffon, or a scared reformed villianess, or something.”

[Oneiroi]

Rahs' suitors were forgotten by everyone as they arrived on a large cyan colored platform.

Before them was a massive glowing city. Crystal and steel spires rose into the sky, archways cross-crossed the sky between them, the roads were perfectly carved gem stones, fountains and statues of various moon dogs and ponies decorated every where. Bat pony like gargoyle statues looked over the outside of the city spouting water and what looked like magic out of their mouths . Every color of the rainbow and numerous ones that no one could identify lit up everything in a kaleidoscopic glow.

The city itself seemed a odd mishmash blend of classic architecture, modern structures, and Crystal Empire buildings with a few hints of other locations dotted among them.

“Ooooohhh shit....” Rainbow Dash stammered out.

The others turned to look at her, noting she wasn't looking at the city before them. Looking back they were greeted to the sight of a blue velvet colored night sky, one impossibly clear, showing the twinkling of billions of stars, yet still lighting the landscape as if the sun was on it.

A landscape that was miles below them. Filled with unknown species of trees and plants, a rolling grassland like plain that gave way to a black sand beach and a sapphire ocean, that the city seemed to float over.

“Whoa.....” Spike uttered.

Rahs simply stared, seeing colors he had never seen before in addition to the ones he recognized. He was also vividly aware of everything around him, the scent of each little crafted bit of every structure and every star and drop of water in the distance hit him like he had just stepped into a massive kitchen. Everything smelled delicious.

“We told them not to go over board, but does any one listen to their former goddess? Nooooooooooooooooo.” Luna grumbled. “ We have to impress the new god... no one ever built me a city to welcome me back.....”

“Wait, Moon Dogs didn't build this?” Twilight asked.

“Oh they did, but they live in warrens typically, not giant crystal cities in the sky.” Luna sighed. “ They likely built this to impress Rahs.”

“Well why does everything smell so good?” Witch-jack asked. No one had even seen her change this time.

“Because all of it is made of dreams, and dreams are made of magic.” Luna explained.

“And magic is food.” Witch -jack nodded.” Also what tha heck is that florescent greenish yellow-purple
color that's every where?”

“Octarine.” Rahs answered recalling some of the things he was taught when he was little, before he was pulled away from here by Twilight. The moon dog moved forward slowly , his ears perked up high as he took it all in, the feeling of dread forgotten in the face of this.

He remembered this. Remembered how this place smelled how it felt. He hadn't been here since he was five, but he knew it.

The other Sparkles looked on with a bit of worry as Rahs flattened his ears to his head.

“So, I'm home...” Rahs muttered.

“Yes, you are.” A gruff voice stated

The group turned to see a short moon dog, likely male, with nothing on in the way of clothing. His face was a little longer than Rahs' and he was about half as tall, though he was much bulkier and wider at the shoulders. His chin also had a great deal of dark blue scruff fur as if it was a beard. Amber eyes regarded Rahs as the older dog made his way up onto the platform along the path that lead into the city.

Behind him hurrying along was a female moon dog, again a bit older judging by how her ample chest seemed a little sagged. She had the same navy blue fur as Rahs though she was wearing an apron and had a bit of weight to her.

Behind her were another six moon dogs of varying genders , though with the same coat coloration as Rahs, the eldest of which regarded Rahs with green eyes. Like the older male, she wasn't wearing anything, though her build was not that far from Rahs' and she like the older one had longer head fur that spilled down her back, the tips of it fading into deeper purples. The others behind her ranged from young adults to what looked like one just out of being a puppy.

The older Moon Dog female stopped dead at the sight of Rahs, her hand covering her mouth as she stared.

The male however continued on without pause stopping before Rahs to look up at him tears welling in his eyes.

“I told them you weren't dead.” Cosma offered weakly before grabbing his lost son in a hug.

Do Piranha Dream of Magic Squid? Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Bayston]

“A dark and moonless night
Has never felt so right
An empty mirror only shows what's left inside
Lost in the city street
Electric tapestry
The neon beckons me beyond its ghostly light “

Adagio shuddered feeling the draw of power from the rioting ponies in the stadium before her. Aria and Sonata stood on either side of her their forms floating slightly and flickering between their natural form and the ones they had taken to hide as they sang. She expected she was doing much the same though her focus was simply on the stadium.

“No longer I pretend
The staircase I descend
Will lead me anywhere but my unscripted end
My heart and hands collide
The gun lays at my side
Too late to turn back,
only fate’s left to decide “

She wasn't sure how Sonata had gotten the gig to perform as an opening concert for the hoof ball game, though it hardly mattered . What did matter was that Green monster stadium was already packed with anger and strife from the fans of the Soxs and Yanks or whatever. They barely had to do anything to devolve this into a full blown riot.

“Magnum bullets
Settling a score
Magnum bullets
Kicking down the door “

This was a bigger venue than she expected. Aria was trying to play it safe, though Adagio wanted bigger, to gather power quickly and they couldn't do that in smaller venues.

“Back up the stairs again
I am a different mare
A broken mirror only shows as best it can
Running in shoes that shine
With blood that isn't mine
A staining trophy of the battles I've survived “

As much as Aria complained and wanted caution she was easily swept up in the rush of energy from something like this. That they were singing a song she liked from the human world likely helped too, even if the ponies had no clue what it was about.

“No longer I defend
The choices I pretend
Could make amends
that heal the loss of precious time
My conscience paralyzed
Against the rising tide
Of haunting memories
that drown a wasted life “

It shouldn't be too hard to convince her that they should seek prey inland. And once they had enough, a stop in Canterlot would be delightful. The history book she had found told of a war between Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, that sort of strife would have been exquisite.

“Magnum bullets
Always wanting more
Magnum bullets
Closing every door “

Well perhaps if they managed a concert in Canterlot, Adagio might just get a taste of something like that again if the two Princesses heard their concert anyway.

[Oneiroi]

Rahs was overwhelmed.

The Moon Dog who hugged him was his father Cosma, His mother was the older bitch in the apron named Blink.

The others behind them were his siblings. His older sister Bri, his two younger brothers Shin and Ko, and his three younger sisters, Terri, Sherri, and Mairi. While the primary coloration of his family seemed to be navy blue, it seemed that if a color existed, a moon dogs fur could match it.

Even octarine.

This was very noticeable in the ones behind his family, as of course, behind them, scattered about the city were a good several thousand other moon dogs poking their heads out of buildings or from atop clouds or even from the streets themselves, some of them having eaten through the dreamscape to come and see the new god.

Of course this did little to the stability of the dream crafted city, though a few of the younger pups seemed intent to keep eating leaving at least one building floating in place as it's bottom floor was devoured.

After quite a number of hugs, a great many questions and a round or two of introductions done by Luna, the group was lead through the streets towards the council chambers.

Like a number of other gods, Luna had placed some elder alphas in position as leaders and then stepped back to let them rule as a council, only popping in when they needed help or advice. While Luna was quite certain Rahs was going to do the same thing, the alphas were worried that wouldn't be the case and wanted to meet Rahs in person.

The trip was interesting to say the least. Cosma and Blink both got into rather elaborate conversations about Rahs growing up, though Cosma never left more than a pace or two from Rahs as if afraid he would vanish again, Blink was a little more standoffish and kept looking at Rahs like she wanted to apologize for something.

That Rahs was clearly speaking Equish was made more confusing by Bri telling the ponies that they were speaking moon dog, and Luna explaining language barriers hardly existed here.

And of course, as was typical, Rahs was getting a number of looks and a good bit of purring from a large number of females and a few males as they passed who were trying to gain his attention.

Twilight was ready to interfere, but it seemed Bri was a bit over protective of her little brother as well and those that got too close learned very quickly that they should back away, without Twilight having to do anything.

Twilight liked her already.

It seemed Bri was a rather big deal in the moon dog culture and was next in line to become one of the council alphas.

The same thing could not be said of the multitude of posing males and a few females trying to gain Witch-Jack's attention. Unlike Rahs she didn't have any siblings backing her up. Though she didn't need it, she had a Luna shooting glares at the ones who got too close.

That sort of reaction made Twilight wonder if Luna was really in favor of Trixie, or was just trying to play fair. Applejack herself hardly seemed to notice as she was focused on not beating down all the ones flirting with Rahs.

The council building gained a number of reactions.

“Well that's odd.” Twilight Velvet offered.

“It's like a neo classical yard sale aesthetic.” Nightlight nodded.

“Wow, that things a mess.” Spike offered looking at the building that didn't fit the grandeur of the city at all and seemed to be built from whatever happen to be laying around. Crates, pallets, old barrels, and other assorted bricabrac was put together some how to shape a building.

“This is the only solid structure in the Oneiroi, it's built from all the supply crates and the like we brought with us when we first brought the Bunyip here.” Luna explained.

“Is that parta my barn?” Witch-Jack asked.

The others looked and took note that one full wall of it did bare a striking resemblance to one of the Apple family barns.

“What?” Rahs asked.

Cosma shrugged. “Years before you were born, a building dropped out of the sky and landed here. Crashed into some poor fillies nightmare and crushed a witch that was after her shoes.”

“What?” Rarity asked.

Blink shrugged.”Dunno, but it gave us a lot of building material.”

“Granny did say one barn vanished in a twister when she was younger. They never did find out what happened to it.” Witch-jack shrugged.

The rest of the group looked at her before Luna shook her head, and gestured for Rahs and Bri to follow her as she headed into the chamber.

The others moved around as Cosma and Blink formed some seats for everyone from the dream stuff and started discussing Rahs with Twilight Velvet pulling out the photo album, much to the remaining Sparkle siblings horror.

“So why are you coming in?” Rahs asked as Luna went ahead into the chamber to speak with the alphas.

“I'm allowed due to my job as assistant to Alpha Typhon. When he finally retires I will be taking his place. Echidna is looking for a replacement, but she isn't in any real hurry and the other five alphas are still relatively young.” Bri explained though she smirked. “You've been gone a long time little brother, I don't expect you know how anything works here any more.”

“I remember octarine...” Rahs grumbled.

“Puppy's first book of colors lists that one.” Bri laughed.

“Yeah well that's about all I remember. I'm supposed to be a god of moon dogs and I don't even know what a moon dog is supposed to be or do.” Rahs grumbled.

“Hmm, crash course I suppose. At least you asked the right bitch, with what the alpha's are teaching me I know more than the average dog. Alright no idea what Princess Luna told you so I'll start from the basics. Moon Dogs eat dreams, nightmares and that sort of thing. Dreams are leftover or excess magic from the other side, ever creature on Equss produces some level of magic and when they sleep at night they keep producing it. That magic winds up here in the Oneiroi and is shaped by the dreamer. Most of the time that's nothing more than snippets of how the day went, or forgotten experiences, sometimes it's some complex shaped dream, and occasionally a nightmare of the fears and stress the dreamer might be going through. When Princess Luna created us she specifically adjusted us to hunt nightmares.”

“I've heard she raised us from Bunyip to moon dogs, though the bit about nightmares is kinda new.” Rahs grumbled.

“Well seems you know more than most moon dogs then. But as for the nightmares, they have the best flavor. Not sure why but nightmares are a delicacy.” Bri pointed.

“Alright I understood that. So what was the deal with the bonding thing I was supposed to have done to the Sparkles?” Rahs asked.

“Ahh that. It's not to a family it's more to a individual, usually when a new pup is born it is to a mated pair that is already bonded. This pup tends to be bonded to any child produced by the mated pairs bonded.”

Rahs slowly blinked as he processed this.

“Ugh. When two dogs have a pup the pup usually bonds to the kid of who ever the pup's parents are bonded to.”

“Sounds rather crappy if that means you mate with whoever is bonded to who ever your bond hooks up with.” Rahs grumbled.

“You would think that, but no, our parents are just the rare exception of bonded to ones who chose each other. It is considered good luck which was when I was born and there were no foals yet on the other side i was scouted to be trained by an alpha. I'm not bonded to anyone in Equss, yet anyway. Then Shining was born a few years later. Our parents dealt with his dreams as discussion on whether I was to go back to bond with him or remain to be trained as the next elder. Then Twilight was born.”

“It took ten years of discussion?”

“And was still never resolved. Politics is politics.”

“Point.”

“At any rate you were born soon after and that was considered another sign of luck that you and Twilight were born so close together. Hence why you were quickly bonded to her before the alphas decided to take you too. Then at six you simply vanished. Twilight was known to be having a great deal of nightmares which kept you close to her dreams and then one day you were just gone.” Bri explained.

“And I wound up in Equss, Then Twilight and Shining stopped dreaming and Spike never started.” Rahs summarized. “So what should I be expecting out of all this any way?”

“You're the god of us now, or so I've heard, shouldn't you already know that?” Bri perked her ears.

“I've been a god for maybe a month or two now, I've got four powers, two of them I have no clue about and the other two I've barely figured out yet.” Rahs grumbled. ”I was six when I got pulled to Twilight. The spell screwed up my memory and all I really recalled was I was supposed to guard her. Not her dreams, just her, and evidently that imprinted on Spike and sorta on Shining too. Now here I am back in the Oneiroi and I have no idea about any of this.”

“That bad huh?”

“I've also been having a bad feeling about this trip the whole time. There's nothing wrong it's just... “ Rahs trailed off.

“You're not really comfortable here any more. You've been to the other side and lived there. Coming back to the Oneiroi is clearly distracting. It's nothing like what we see in dreams and you're unsure how to deal with that. You never got used to life here.” Bri explained. “We get a few like that from time to time. Hunters who see the world outside through the dreams of their charges and get caught up in them too deeply. It takes time to get acclimated. But it's a safe bet you're not going to stay here any way.”

“No... and I rather wonder how that is going to effect everyone after they just met me again.”

“It'll be fine. Dad's happy you're alive, and Mom's still freaked out over it and upset she wrote you off so quickly.”

“And you?”

“I stayed out of it, kept the peace in some arguments, but I was already training as an alpha when you vanished.” Bri explained.

“Right the alpha's what even are they?”

“Oh. They are the ones bonded to gods or demi gods. They are for the most part immortal as long as their charges live. Moon Dogs tend to die at or around the same time their charges do. So the ones bonded to the immortals tend to be alphas, the unbonded ones tend to die at around fifty or sixty years.” Bri explained. “There are nine immortals in Equss or ordered by Princess Luna that we protect. Princess Luna herself. Celestia, Cadence, Iinii, Maohk, Sombra, Sunset, Chrysalis, Saturnia, and Bleu. Most of those are new pairings. Luna, Sombra, Saturnia, Maohk, Sunset, and Bleu are the newest , with Bleu and Sombra being the newest over all. The Apple family was on Nightmare duty until Princess Luna returned as well they lost two of their charges, but their bonded didn't fade out as expected and so they have extra claws in their pack.”

“Applejack's parents. They died a while ago. I thought you said Moon Dogs don't live much longer than their charges.” Rahs questioned.

“They don't usually, but there are exceptions. Usually with the very young,The ones bonded to the Apples are an odd case, but not unheard of. Speaking of which, Applejack is that pretty orange bitch you brought with you? “

“What? Oh yeah that's Applejack, though she's a pony...”

“Doesn't look it, soooo, you two an item? Because if Sheeba is to be believed, she's got quite a thing for you, so do a lot of others too it seems.” Bri chuckled.

“Oh stars...” Rahs growled slapping his paws to his face.

“So how much of a stud are you over there? Since Princess Luna told us you were alive we've seen hundreds of dreams with some very interesting thoughts about you. The majority of them seem to think you're a pony though.”

“Ugh, look there's only five that I know of. And I just found out about two today. Applejack and Sunset, and I was already messed up in regards of what to do about Jynx, Trixie and Saturnia.”

“Celestia's daughter? Yeah.. I've watched her dreams a few times.... She has got some VERY interesting dreams about you.” Bri grinned. “Mom likes Applejack, and Dad has a thing for the bug, something about a female that can be anything you want. Personally after seeing Sunset's dreams I'd say go for her. She will keep you entertained. Plus she'll be around the longest, which if you are a god, should be important.”

Rahs grumbled.” You're not training to bond with Sunset are you, as if the idea wasn't awkward enough.”

“Nope, Celestia.”Bri grinned wider, her tail wagging. “Though failing those pairings, I've got a few friends who could use a mate, I bet I could convince them to share too....”

“NO” Rahs snapped. “ It was bad enough I had Twilight, Spike and Shining, now I've got more siblings to torment me.”

“Torment you? Perish the thought little brother.....”Bri chuckled. “It's not like I don't have fifteen years of sibling 'love' to catch up on.”

“Rahs.” Luna stated as she poked her head out of the door that looked like it came off an old cargo container. “The council will see you.”

Rahs grumbled glaring at his sister who simply grinned and stepped in after Luna.

Spike was bored.

He wasn't exactly sure how with everything going on, but some how he managed it. Mom and Dad were chatting it up with Rahs' real mom and dad, and going through the dreaded photo albums. Spike was certain he had 'accidentally' burned them twice in the past.

Pinkie Pie was setting up a party for when Rahs came back, evidently she brought a ton of food thinking that they wouldn't be able to eat moon dog food. She was also running around like normal trying to make friends with every moon dog in sight. It said something about Pinkie Pie , that creatures that regularly saw weird ass dreams and nightmares had no clue how to deal with the mare.

Fluttershy was trying to make friends with the few pups running around with mixed results.

Witch-jack was talking with some moon dog named Sheeba who had shown up, evidently she was bonded to Applejack and Witch-jack was trying to get her to come to one of the family reunions to be inducted to the family properly.

Rarity was talking to a few of the other siblings of Rahs about something though she had asked the question about being able to understand Rahs only to have the other moon dogs point out that she was the one speaking weird.

Rainbow Dash was being shown how to shape dream stuff and she was having a blast building things with some of the younger ones.

Shining was speaking with some of the older dogs about the feasibility of using dreams of certain people to see if they might be a threat to Equestria.

And Twilight was writing down everything.

Spike didn't feel like doing anything. He was bored and starting to develop a headache. Maybe he needed a nap or something. The dream stuff was fairly comfortable and he could think of a lot of uses for this sort of stuff in his games, but for right now he just felt off. Everyone else was right there so they would wake him up when Rahs came back.

As Spike closed his eyes he didn't notice both Shining and Twilight occasionally rubbing their heads or wincing as if they had headaches too.

[ About an hour later ]

“So you have no plans to change anything...?” an alpha who Rahs had mental started to refer to as 'Sourpuss', though he expected the bitch's name was Kepler, maybe, he hadn't been paying any attention when introductions were finally made after the first round of complaining and accusations.

“You're just now figuring that out? Wow, it's like I haven't been saying the same thing for the last hour.” Rahs snapped having had enough of this after ten minutes, and here it was an hour later.

“Watch your tone pup, do you have any idea who you're speaking to!?” Another one that Rahs had dubbed 'Hag' snapped, she was younger than the others, but even more stuck up.

“No, because I gave up on trying to remember your names when you started accusing me of trying to usurp your positions. I really don't care who you are or what you do. You've kept things running for this long, as far as I care you can keep things running until the stars die out or some one overthrows you for being a bunch of ponces.” Rahs growled.”I didn't even really want to talk to you. I wanted to come here, meet family I didn't even remember I had, check things out and leave. I certainly didn't want to be dragged into a meeting where I get yelled at by a group of dogs who take ten years or more to decide anything.” Rahs digs into his pocket and pulled out a bit coin to toss to the one he called 'Hag'. “ Here next time just flip this. By the stars I should fire you all and replace you with the coin. Same chances of a good choice, a fraction of the time. I'm done here.”

Rahs turned to leave in a huff only to have 'Sourpuss' yell at him.

“Where do you think you're going, we're not done with this meeting yet!?”

“Okay first off, I'm the god here, so while I don't care if you listen to me, I sure as Tartarus don't have to listen to you. I have neither the knowledge nor the interest to make any changes. Go on and talk amongst yourselves about what that means maybe it will finally sink in that I don't care.” Rahs snapped.

“Who even made such a rude mutt a god?” 'Hag' shouted.” Why would anything intelligent make some mutt as far removed from a proper Moon Dog as you, a god?!”

“Beats me, but...” Rahs held out a paw snapping his fingers to make a glowing folder appear in his claw.”... here's the proof, deal with it.”

Shifting his purple coat up over his shoulders more Rahs stomped out as the pair started yelling again.

Luna sighed as she followed him back out into the lobby.

“That could have gone better.” Luna sighed.

“Maybe, but I don't care enough. It took an hour, an HOUR, just to get them to even acknowledge that I didn't care what they did and I still don't think they got it. Out of nine of them I think three might have caught on after I flat out told them I wasn't going to do anything.” Rahs growled. “This could have been an hour I was actually learning about this place or talking to family I didn't know I had, but no, I'm stuck in political bullshit.”

“Welcome to our world.” Luna muttered getting a snort from Rahs.

“Anyway you keep doing what you're doing here and I'll keep ignoring this part of my portfolio for a few decades anyway. I still need to figure out what 'dreams' means.” Rahs sighed. “This meeting has got to be the worst thing that can happen today.”

Before Luna could respond a roar cut through the air, the sound of it like claws over a chalk board combined with the endless scream of a hundred toddlers being told they couldn't do something, with just a dash of a rooster crow, and a bored goat's scream at 2am. The sound shook the cobbled together building causing parts of it to start to collapse.

“I need to learn to shut up when everything can understand me.” Rahs whined.

Author's Notes:

The song the Dazzlings were singing. Shows a bit of Aria's taste too

Been listing to this song nonstop since i first heard it.

Also .. Now we get to the meat of the episode.

Do Piranha Dream of Magic Squid? Part 3

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Oneiroi]

Rahs and Princess Luna burst out of the front of the building with Bri hot on their tails to see what was going on.

They didn't have to look hard to spot it.

A massive shadowy purple form loomed over the city. The shape of it was vaguely unicorn like with a long flowing mane. The edges of it seemed indistinct and blurry, however it was the roiling mass of shapes in the things body that drew everyone's attention

Headless corpses, strange green egg like sacks, grave stones, tentacled horrors, hundreds of faceless figures, serpents of all sizes and shapes and countless of other horrific and scarring images bubbled and shifted in the things flesh like forms rising from a tar pit only to sink back down again after barely a glimpse.

“A tantabus.....”Luna offered with a shudder.

“A what?” Bri demanded.

“A night mare creature. Things brought to life by a surfeit of magic and the horrors brought on by a dreamer.” Typhon supplied as he and the other Alphas came out of the building to see what the roar was. “ I've never seen one this big before, they tend to result when some dog doesn't eat enough of a nightmare for it to vanish. I've only ever seen two and they weren't any bigger than me.”

“We have seen ones this size before during Discord's mad reign when the Oneiroi was in chaos. It was why we sought out the Bunyip.” Luna frowned. “But why is it here? Surely someone must have seen this sort of build up.”

A group of moon dogs darted towards the creature looking to start breaking it up only for the five of them to slam head first into a suddenly formed shield and get thrown back.

“What?!?!” Typhon and the other alphas demanded.

“That shouldn't be possible!”Luna shouted” Why does it have a shield?”

No one had an answer as the monster let out a gargantuan hiss, it's maw opening displaying a pair of viper like fangs and row upon row of spinning teeth that seemed to fill it's throat

“PRINCESS!” Rarity screamed out rushing over to them with Rainbow Dash and Witch-Jack in tow.

“Rarity what's going on?” Luna demanded.

“I have no idea Princess. Fluttershy, Pinkie, and the elder Sparkles are trying to herd all the pups and younger moon dogs away from it, but this thing simply spawned right where we were at.” Rarity offered.

“This thing is huge, it smashed a couple of buildings just by appearing.” Rainbow Dash shouted excitedly.

“Not only that, but ah can't find Twilight, Spike or Shining.” Applejack offered.

“That's because it is them.” Rahs growled, his ears laid back against his head, a low rumbling growl emerging from his throat as he spoke The usual expression on his face was gone replaced with a look of utter hatred and anger that made even Luna flatten her ears.

“Is them?” Luna looked back at the creature, her eyes widening as she noticed a few things in the images.

Cadence rejecting something, a pile of burning books, a sheet of paper with with intricate writing and a small picture of some one in the corner with big red marker scrawled over it reading 'D E D', a collection of savaged Guard corpses, a very old looking Applebloom, laying in bed and closing her eyes slowly, as if for the last time, a quesadilla dripping with cheese.

“By the stars.....” Luna's eyes widened.”The Sparkle's aren't connected to the Oneiroi, fifteen years worth of dreams and nightmares manifesting at once....”

Rahs snarled and was gone, tearing across the distance between the massive nightmare creature and the group before any one could stop him. The glowing points of light on his ears and tail blazing with an after image.

Rahs slammed into the shield barrier just as the others did though unlike the other moon dogs he didn't bounce off , his paws slapped to the shield barrier making it ripple like water in odd angular shapes away from where he had hit. His claws dug into the shield, piercing it before his chest, he strained his arms pulling apart as he spread his arms, the shield before him starting to tear open.

There was a roar from the creature, before a beam of pure darkness fired from the tantabus' horn slamming into, Rahs flash frying him and blasting him away from the creature. The moon dog was launched through the air smashing holes in several dream buildings before impacting through the barn wall side of the council meeting chamber and causing the whole structure to implode on itself in a symphony of destruction.

“RAHS!” Luna and Bri cried out.

“Does that count as your barn being destroyed for this month?” Rainbow Dash asked Witch-Jack who simply shrugged

The nightmare screamed out again the air visibly vibrating around it as it cried out, the moon dogs around howling in pain and covering their ears from the sound.

“We need to stop it.” Luna snapped. “ Something of this size and power might rip the veil or actively start killing dreamers.

“How?” Rarity asked

“Applejack. That shield is magic, go after it and drain it as best you can.” Luna ordered.

“What?” Witch-Jack whined her front paws over her ears.

Luna frowned gathering a hoof full of dream stuff, quickly shaping an image of Witch-Jack attacking the shield.

The orange pony turned bitch nodded and rushed off to do so.

“Rarity gather the others and do what you can to lower the shield, we should be able to cut the creature to pieces bit by bit when the shield goes down, Bri get the other moon dogs ready to attack the parts we cut free, if we can whittle it down, we can defeat it.” Luna ordered.

Bri blinked nodding as she caught on and rushed off.

“How exactly are we gonna deal with that thing?” Dash demanded.

“This is the dream realm Rainbow Dash, you shape clouds do you not, as you have seen the material here can be shaped to whatever you wish. Get creative with that. Do anything you can to keep the tantabus here in the city and damage that shield.” Luna stated firing a blast of her own magic which slammed into a shield and bounced off destroying another building.

“Anything?” Rainbow Dash pondered looked at Rarity and grinned.“Get the others and tell them about the dream shaping thing, I got an idea.”

“That worries me more than this brute does.” Rarity sighed before running off to let everyone else know the plan as Rainbow Dash started shaping something from parts of the fallen building.

The massive creature started stomping towards through the city crushing buildings and batting aside any moon dogs that came after it.

Luna's eyes narrowed as she fired off a series of blasts all over the shield trying to break through. “Get to cover, we will deal with this.” Luna snapped at the alphas as she galloped forward.

A wire shot over her head and a blue furred figure in a brown uniform with odd boxes on her hips and large blades strapped for her fore hooves flew zipped overhead being yanked along by the wire.

“YEEEEHAAAAA!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she was catapulted at the tantabus, the cable separating from the box and allowing her to go into a brutal spin like a buzz saw slashing across the entire top of the shield before another wire was shot out sending her soaring another direction.

A massive boom filled the air and Luna beheld the sight of Pinkie Pie in a gas mask and spiked helmet wearing a long coat, waving a shovel around as she stood atop a massive tank that Luna recognized as a 'Bane something or other' from the Battle Mallet games.

A lance of light shot from behind the tank as Rarity drew back the string on a bow taller than she was standing on her back legs. The bow itself seemed to be composed of red scales and the spine of a dragon, and Rarity herself was dressed in a black dress that was almost a ball gown, covered in white frills with a white bone spike crown and frilled collar.

A massive armored minotaur knight tore across the street, the spell burst in his back launching him like a rocket, the armored rear hooves sparking over the dream road, the massive armor looked as if it could fit King Kaz. The suit was a perfect replica of the ancient minotaur crusaders armor that fell out of favor when the minotaur left the main land to claim an island kingdom instead. The massive war hammer the minotaur carried was bigger than Luna was.

“Hammer DOWN!!!” Nightlight shouted whipping the massive weapon around and smashing it against the shield with a blast of lightning spreading across the shield from the impact.

Twilight Velvet... well she was dressed in gray tights with a blue cape and cowl, a thick yellow belt and a oval symbol of a bat on her chest.

Her horn glowed and she pulled a small spray can labeled' Bat Shield Remover'. She sprayed the shield with it and the parts touched started to dissolve.

Witch-jack had missed the conversation in attacking the shield and was still doing just that, not able to do as much damage to it as Rahs was, but the nightmare had shot at her several times already.

“He picks up a bus and he throws it back down,
As he wades through the buildings toward the center of town...” A voice sang softly.

Luna turned looking up, then up again, and up some more, standing taller than even the tantabus was a massive green reptile like creature with a more feline muzzle. The thing was stomping up towards the tantabus knocking over buildings. Sitting on it's head was a little yellow pegasus with pink hair singing softly.

The massive creature looked at the tantabus, the spines along it's back starting to glow, the reptile opened it's mouth and beam of blue glowing fire bursts forth from it, smashing into the shield.

“Why are we even here?” Luna muttered to herself as she watched the shield start to crack in several places.

Applejack, and the other braver moon dogs, had switched to taking out the attacking tendrils, simply biting or clawing through them. Applejack severed a few of them, the mass on the other side of the cut away from the main body turned into a thick tar like liquid and splattered whatever landscape hadn't been destroyed with black icor. And in one case, that Applejack swore later wasn't intentional through her grin, a white coated fashionista, who's shriek at getting splashed with black gunk was louder than the creatures roar.

Despite the attacks to the shield , the damage was repairing itself faster than anyone but Witch-Jack could damage.

The shield dropped briefly as Witch-Jack tore into it . Luna and the others took the opportunity to blast the creature with everything they had sending it reeling back on it's rear legs in evident agony.

Though that proved not to be the case as the thing slammed back down it's forelimbs crashing into the island sending the floating structure rocking and sending every one stumbling. The tantabus suddenly exploded outward the larger mass thinning as massive tendrils shot out in all directions lamprey like mouths on the ends slamming into and boring through the ground, the clouds, as well as all of the larger creations of the ponies. Rainbow Dash was sent spiraling out of the sky as one of her wires was clipped before she remembered she could fly, Nightlight and Pinkie were forced to abandon their armor and tank, Twilight Velvet had to run away like she was trying to get rid of a bomb, and the less said of what happened to Fluttershy's monster the better. Luna made a note to ask the moon dogs to double up on her dreams for a while.

The moon dogs who set out to attack while the shield was down were all forced to run away as some of the tendril mouths turned back to them spitting green fire, the others started to devour everything they touched the creature growing in size yet again growing larger than Fluttershy's pet monster had been.

An unearthly roar cut though the Oneiroi and snapped everyone's, including the tantabus', attention to the collapsed council building.

The pile of rubble was flung into the air raining down around the city, forcing a number of dogs, the council members, and Luna to either dodge out of the way or put up a shield.

A massive snarl sounded as a dark blue form rose out of the pile of rubble. The creature bore only a slight resemblance to the moon dog he had been, looking much closer in size and appearance to how Witch- Jack looked. The creature was bulky, as if it's muscle had increased dramatically, the fur along it's body was spiked and wild and the remains of a long coat hung to it's form, the pants hardly any better, both nearly burnt to ash. It's long ears were topped with balls of white light that shown like full moons on a cold clear winters night and left contrails when his ears shifted. His fur crackled with light as if it had built up a static charge of energy. His tail had grown longer, the glowing crescent moon on the end having tripled in size looking more like a double bladed scythe as the appendage lashed.

“Rahs?!” Luna gasped as several of the moon dog bitches swooned.

The blue witch wolf opened his mouth exhaling, sparks of magic dancing along his teeth and forming into a small cloud like a breath on a cold day.

His eyes opened, the amber orbs narrowed as they glared at the tantabus before he took a step forward.

The tantabus took a step back.

Then Rahs moved, the ground and rubble where he had been standing flying back to crash into the dream structure behind him across the street.

The impact as he met the newly raised and evidently empowered shield was felt in everyone's bones before any one heard the noise of the impact. Claws ripped open the shield like it was tissue paper, the entire bubble of protection torn away in a instant and fluttering away from the massive creature like shredded strands of gossamer silk.

The tantabus roared out, it's horn blasting Rahs with another beam of energy.

Rahs caught it.

Luna's eyes widened as the beam seemed to solidify against Rahs' claws, the tantabus snarled, and Rahs yanked.

There was the sound of tearing metal and the entire beam of energy was ripped away from the tantabus, tearing it's horn free as well.

The monster screamed out staggering back as Rahs devoured the black mass he had torn free, like a particularly long noodle.

“What. The. Fuck, darling!?” Rarity demanded.

The tantabus broke into a run away from the blue witch wolf.

Rahs tore after it leaving a trail of silvery light as he burned off the magic he had eaten.

Reaching the edge of the floating city the tantabus grew wings and prepared to fly off, only for Rahs to slam into it's back and rip free one of it's wings treating it the same way it had the creature's magic and horn.

The tantabus screamed out again, whirling around and crashing through the city as it turned into a more amorphous form, pseudo pods, spikes, tendrils, whirling maws of lamprey teeth, and blades formed of itself lashing inward at Rahs as it curled up around him attacking from all sides as it sought to engulf the blue witch wolf.

The blackish mass closed around him as Rahs was rending the tendrils and spines attacking him in splatters of icor,though it was clear there were too many for him to deal with himself as many slammed into him and through him as he roared before the blob closed over him.

After a heart beat or two the blob shifted back into a pony like form with no sign of Rahs.

“What are you staring for!” Cosma snarled.” ATTACK IT, I WILL NOT LOSE HIM A SECOND TIME!”

The older moon dog rushed forward with a snarl, joined by several score of other moon dogs, including Blink and several of the pairs older pups.

They didn't even make it to the tantabus before it exploded.

The remaining dream buildings were leveled and everyone on the floating island was knocked onto their collective asses.

Black icor sprayed over everything, including an annoyed fashionista who had just gotten clean from the first bout of splatter.

Standing in the center of the exploded mass was a surprisingly unsplattered towering blue form, the points of light on his ears glowed almost blindingly as his fur danced with energy, the scythe at the end of his tail as long as he was tall and he towered over even Luna now.

Draped over his shoulders was a white unicorn stallion with a blue mane and tail, under one arm was a purple drake, and under the other was a purple alicorn mare. The three of them were unconscious but seemed other wise unharmed.

Rahs opened his eyes again looking out over the ruined city full of moon dogs and ponies simply standing there staring and panting heavily.

A number of the moon dogs seeing this dropped to their knees before him, a act quickly followed by all those dogs present, including the elder alphas. Though almost as one, they all rolled onto their backs exposing their bellies and throats.

Rahs blinked as he watched this his head tilting a little in confusion.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

Author's Notes:

References.

Can you name them all?

Do Piranha Dream of Magic Squid? Epilogue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville, Golden Oaks library, later that night. ]

“SNNNNRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRK!!” Rahs snored, draped over the couch. The blue moon dog having face planted onto it the moment they got home.

Princes Luna, Twilight, Spike, Shining Armor, the Sparkle parents, and all the mane six, save Rarity, who had run home screaming about a shower, were sitting at the kitchen table sparing glances at Rahs as he snored.

Luna sat back having explained what happened to the three siblings.

“I can't believe I slept through all that.” Spike muttered.

“I can't believe we manifested a nightmare like that.” Shining Armor added.

“Ah can't believe Rahs gained another portfolio, for witch-wolves.” Applejack frowned.

“I can't believe all those cute moon dogs were showing their bellies and I didn't get to pet any of them.” Fluttershy pouted.

“I can't believe he turned down all those chances to make me some grand pups.” Twilight Velvet also pouted.

“I can't believe you're still on about that.” Nightlight sighed.

“I can't believe it's not butter.” Pinkie Pie stated.

“I can't believe that his dreams portfolio, means 'dreams as food'.” Twilight grumbled. “Though to tell the truth I'm not that surprised either.”

“SNOOOOOOOOOORRRRRE.” Rahs added to the conversation.

“Plus that was the weirdest way to bow i've ever seen.” Night Light pointed out.

“Oh that's a instinctual show of submission by most canid creatures. Bearing their throats and belly leaves them vulnerable and shows they are submissive to the one they are showing.” Fluttershy offered.

“Kinky.” Rainbow Dash chimed in.

“Yes, well, moving on.” Luna sighed. “Still at the very least that incident has brought you three back into the dream world. We were able to reach your dreams while you were unconscious, though Rahs still remains inaccessible.”

“I'm still not sure what happened?” Spike muttered.

“The nightmares and dreams you three have been having since Twilight pulled Rahs from the Oneiroi built up without anything to feed on them and when you were brought to the Oneiroi the connection was reestablished and that tantabus got out. It also absorbed the three of you and was feeding off your powers. Due to the connection Rahs, was bleeding off the power that the tantabus was using which given you three are, a god, a demi god, and a highly skilled unicorn respectively, it was much like he had been gnawing on Discord again. Though perhaps a bit more than that given the state of the transformation.”

“What about his going ballistic like he did, last time he did anything like that was with the foal nappers when he was a puppy.” Nightlight added.

“And with that witch wolf in the Crystal Empire.” Shining pointed out.

“And with Discord.” Twilight added.

“And sorta with Chrysalis.” Spike commented, “Though he got pretty sick there before doing much.”

“Don't forget PETA.” Fluttershy commented.

“That was less a going ballistic and just being mad, Twilight went ballistic then though.” Pinkie Pie corrected.

“In those events it was to protect his siblings. That does seem to be an instinctual bond he has.” Luna nodded. “In the Oneiroi, however there was that bond as well as being presented a ancestral enemy. The very reason we created the moon dogs, that it was tied to you three simply made that instinct stronger and he was able to rip and tear until it was done.”

“So ah got a question.” Applejack offered.” If he's tha god of witch wolves now, doesn't that mean that he's only got me? Well half of me, tah take up that portfolio.”

“Haaahpewwwwwwwwwwwww” Rahs snored.

“One soul does not a portfolio make.” Luna frowned. “Which is why we shall not be bringing this up to Iinii or Tia as it likely means there are more witch wolves out there some where.”

“Or the powers 'Whats Iz' are prepping him for having lots of puppies!” Pinkie Pie suggested.

“I do like her theory.” Twilight Velvet offered pointing at Pinkie. “Spike's still to young, Twilight's a virgin and clearly somethings wrong with Shiny. He's got two mares and can't put a foal in either of them, seriously dear go see a doctor.”

Shining narrowed his eyes at his mother.

“Wha.. what, I'm not a virgin!”Twilight sputtered.

“Wait? You've been having the sex?” Twilight Velvet gasped.

“Please don't say it like that.” Twilight muttered.

“And no grand foals? Is he sterile like your brother here!?” Twilight Velvet demanded.

“Mom I'm not sterile.....” Shining grumbled.

“Seriously, I had Cadence as a foal sitter and sex ed teacher.” Twilight shuddered.”Do you not think she taught me some contraceptive spells..... okay a lot of them?”

“Twilight dear Cadence already has a foal. One older than you.” Twilight Velvet pointed out.

“To be fair, Cadence wasn't the one who got pregnant.” Nightlight offered.

“I don't think I'm old enough to be hearing this conversation.” Spike grumbled.

“Spike... we do not think WE are old enough to be hearing this conversation.” Luna mumbled.

“SNRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRK!!” Rahs slept on.

[ Carousel Boutique ]

Rarity sighed stepping out of the shower humming to herself as she started toweling off her mane and coat before quickly wrapping her tail and mane up in a pair of towels. She then trotted over to her vanity and levitated a number of hair driers up to start her work on looking fabulous again.

“Ah that is much better, and none of that awful goop seemed to stain either, delightful.” Rarity hummed as she worked.

As she dried off, she failed to notice that along the back of her neck just at the roots of her purple mane was a black spot that seemed to sink into her hairline.

Author's Notes:

because i had to.

Flounder to the Finish. Prologue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville, Golden Oaks Library. Two weeks after the return from the Oneiroi]

“Look you've got the thrum's power at point eight three five, that's three orders of power bigger than it needs to be.”

“Of course it's bigger, you set it too low, this is deific power, your setting might ruffle their fur at best.”

“And yours might set it on fire.”

“MMMM, fire.”

“Seriously?!”

“It's a joke Sparkle, contain the calamity that is your mammeries.”

“I understood that reference.”

“At least some pony gets some of them!”

Spike and Rahs glanced up from their books to look at the two egg heads arguing over Twilight's notes.

It had been some time since Twilight had someone who could talk shop with her. Sunset might not have been as into everything as Twilight and Moon Dancer were, but in her areas of expertise she could keep up with the new goddess of magic fairly easily.

The orange mare's foray into Blood magic was a lot more complex than Twilight had expected. While it could indeed be a shortcut to power, that was clearly for the rookies and idiots. At it's core blood magic was a amplification style of magic, but that was hardly it's only use. An expert in the school could do things that would make a skilled surgeon whimper with how useless their doctorate was. Turned inward a blood mages magic could alter the very cells of their body if need be, permanently if one was not careful. Sunset's change in the human world was based off this theory, but she had sacrificed a good bit of the power she drew from the Element of Harmony to make sure the effect was an ongoing enchantment rather than a full change, which was why Rahs was able to break it.

Had Sunset gone the other route she would have remained a demon when she was spit out, just a powerless one.

And Sunset thought she looked too damn good to change herself permanently like that.

Still this meant that Sunset's skill in transformation magic was exactly what Twilight needed to help her figure out the Familiar spell to get it to include ponies. Despite testing it once or twice, the spell wouldn't stick for long.

Still even with Sunset's help this was slow going, particularly since Applejack was working on getting Sunset adjusted to the farm's schedule, which was going about as well as one would expect from a night owl like Sunset.

And of course there were other problems too.

“Hey Rahs!?” Sunset called out as the pair took a small break, ”What are you doing Saturday?”

“Woof?”Rahs asked.

“He asked why?” Spike offered.

“I got that, I might not understand him but I'm trying to learn the language, Pinkie's not helpful and it's Fluttershy's talent. I tried asking Luna and she just laughed about it. I bet she's teaching Trixie though.” Sunset snorted.

“Soo why?” Spike asked again.

“Look are you busy or not?” Sunset sighed.

Rahs considered a moment looking worried then shook his head.

“Great, you want to have a date? There's something coming up in Canterlot that I think would be a decent start to a relationship with a first date, particularly with you in mind.” Sunset smirked.

“Ummm.” Spike offered as Rahs just stared.

“Why are you even interested in my brother?”Twilight grumbled. “The only encounter you had with him was setting him on fire and getting nearly eaten.”

“Spike set him on fire, not me, I blasted him into the wall, and of course he ate me as payback, there was a bit of another encounter too, but that's better left unsaid.” Sunset grinned as Rahs turned red, hiding his face in his book. “Besides it's a first date, those are hardly meant to be serious and simply to see if it might be of interest to do something more. I figured since I was interested and the others are clearly idiots to have waited this long, I'd ask him out. I figure Applejack might get up the nerve to do so as well if some one else did first.”Sunset explained. “As for why, let's just say my tastes have never been for ponies, humans and minotaur are kinda boring, Diamond Dogs a bit too handicap mentally, and griffons are on the banned list for me due to something mom did, that leaves a nice little niche that you fit into along with Nox-cal, but I've yet to meet one of them that held my interest.”

“That.... that is surprisingly logical.” Twilight pointed out.” Though I am reassessing my thoughts on you due to the obvious mental handicap you have being interested in him.”

Any further conversation was stopped by a knock at the door.

Rahs put down the couch he was going to fling at his sister with a grumble as she got up to answer the door.

“So is that a yes a no?” Sunset ignored the exchange and threat of violence, focusing on Rahs. After a moment or two he nodded. Maybe he would luck out and Sunset would lose interest with the date, or it might spur the others to back off. He really didn't want to hurt any of them. It also didn't hurt that Sunset didn't smell like a pony. She smelled like the waves of heat from a hot stone in the summer. It was rather odd, but nice.

“Oh, hello Ditsy. Mails early today.” Twilight stated.

“Hey, yeah this isn't standard mail, it's a special delivery from the Crystal Empire to deliver to the direct hooves of a one Princess Twilight Tuesday Sparkle.” Ditsy offered.

“What?” Twilight asked as Sunset noticed both Spike and Rahs suddenly paying full attention to Twilight and the mail mare, both with barely repressed grins.

Sunset wisely stepped back out of the firing line.

“ One, I'm not a Princess, two my name is not Twilight Tuesday Sparkle.” Twilight frowned.

“Says right here on this legal form that we got at the post office that it is. And there's only one princess in Ponyville..... not counting Ole Greg, but he's a bit odd.” Ditsy shrugged, hoofing over the letter before taking off to return to her route.

“My middle name isn't Tuesday.” Twilight protested looking at the letter.

“It might be.” Spike offered.

“I think I would know my own middle na...... what did you do?” Twilight whirled on her brothers as Sunset retreated to the kitchen.

“Well remember that whole situation where you annoyed the crap out of us by throwing us out of the house when we complained about you and Mac making too much noise rather than just increasing the silence spells power?” Spike offered.

“What did you do?” Twilight demanded her voice dripping with malice.

“Went to Mayor Mare and had your name officially changed to reflect your new princessieness.” Spike grinned.

“That's not a word.” Twilight ground her teeth.

“Woof.” Rahs added.

“Right, it is now. Royal decree, signed by you while you were hunting coffee. They plan to add it into the dictionary next print.” Spike chuckled.

“That.... “ Twilight growled before shaking her head and glaring at them, her mane starting to spark. Sunset pushed the kitchen table over and hid behind it before she started raising shield spells.“Besides that, you can't change my name without me being present to sign off on it. I know I wasn't tired enough before my coffee to have walked down to town hall to sign off on it.”

“Well actually you can if you're a legal parent or guardian and given mom named Rahs our legal guardian when we first moved here because I was too young and she was afraid you'd spend all our bits on books.” Spike smirked and fist bumped Rahs who had a equally wide grin.”Given that that never got changed, Rahs was legally able to change it. So you're Princess Twilight Tuesday Sparkle now. Nice and legally.”

The resulting explosion sent both of them soaring across Ponyville to crash land at the Apple's farm taking out the barn that had been rebuilt after the whale fell on it.

It was described by both of them later as 'Still worth it.'

Flounder to the Finish. Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville School House, late summer, first week of school, Friday.]

[ Charlie.]

[Not this again.]

“….. So are all the schools in Equestria submitting ideas like this ?” Spike asked looking up at Miss Harshwhinny.

“Yes. Each school district shall have their own team and bear the flag their district or town.” Harshwhinny sighed.”Due to... Royal favoritism....Ponyville is counted as it's own district for these purposes despite being part of the Canterlot school district.”

“Were we in the same meeting? Cause if I recall Ponyville was made it's own district due to the growth spurt we had the last two years, that made it's population and the number of incoming students reach well above the minimum needed to form a new school district. Not to mention being one of the most diverse towns in Equestria we needed our own district as our curriculum will need to be build from scratch to cover everything and become suitable for everyone. I mean we have ponies of all three tribes, an alicorn, Equss' only Moon Dog and Witch Wolf, plus a dragon, the first self revealed changelings, some griffons, a number of nox-cal of all three tribes, whatever Pinkie Pie is, the largest pack of peaceful Diamond Dogs on this side of the zebra lands, a bunch of zebras, a couple of mules, some cows, a buffalo family, some crystal ponies, heck we've even got a kitsune running Lee-ho -foxs. Not bad for a town that started as an earth pony settlement only about a hundred or so years ago huh?”

Cheerilee, Harshwinny, and all the students stared at Dash who was playing with a bit of chalk in a distracted manner.

“What?” Dash asked noting all the silence and stares.” I read the notes! …. Mostly...”

“District dividing aside, at the moment the students here are the only ones in this district participating in this contest. You will be judged on a number of things in regards to a complicated system which I will go over now....”

“Boring. Tell um the important stuff.” Dash offered.” Like who's the schools coach for the event.”

“I hardly see how that is more important than knowing the rules.“ Harshwhinny frowned further somehow.

“Pfft are you kidding, it's super important. And I sat through the reading of the judging rules, you had to wake me up fifteen times,while that's nothing really you had to wake Twilight up twice. TWICE. That mare would make a list of her favorite lists for fun!”

“She has.” Spike added.

“You really think any of these guys can pay that much attention?” Dash continued.

“Ugh, I suppose you have a point.”

“Any way. The coach for the school to help you all out with what you need to know about the empire or help with your set ups is … drum roll..” Rainbow Dash began.

Scootaloo started hammering on her desk in time much to Harshwhinny's annoyance.

“Spike!” Dash pointed out.

”What?” Spike asked looking up, not really having been paying much attention as he had had all this information, including the rules guidelines, hammered into his head by his sister. He had only fallen asleep three times. In either case he was sick of it.

“You're the coach.... didn't Twilight tell you?” Rainbow Dash questioned as the rest of the class room looked at him.

“Of course she did.” Spike yawned. “It's not a big deal. I just help everyone with the information they need, what's allowed and not allowed as well as offer to guide them in a direction that doesn't involve massive property damage.

Everyone in the class room looked at the Crusaders.

“Why is every one looking at us?”
“That lake was on fire when we got there.”
“Due to legal concerns ah am not authorized to talk about tha incident.”

“Anyway.” Spike offered. “Due to my connection to the judges and the Empire itself I'm not allowed to do more than help out with guidance.”

“Who is judging?” Dinky asked.

“Empress Cadence, Emperor Shining Armor, Queen Chrysalis, myself and Rahs Sparkle.” Harshwhinny offered not seeming too thrilled with the last.

“They'll be checking for heart, order, emotion, adherence to the rules, and style respectively.” Rainbow Dash offered. “Due to the nature of the class we will be composing teams of three, mostly to cordon off the damage....”

The class looked at the CMC.

“They're looking at us again.”
“I keep telling you we were trying to fix the water main it was already busted.”
“By royal order 629 ah am not allowed to answer questions pertaining to any of the events of last Tuesday.”

“ Yeah... well... good luck Spike.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Also class keep in mind that this will also be a graded project for your civics course this first semester. So you do have to participate.” Cherrilee added to a collection of groans.

“So we just need to come up with the perfect routine to win this thing.” Scootaloo considered as she trotted out the front door.

“Sounds like a plan tah me. Pity we can't get Spike tah help, bet he knows a whole bunch about the Crystal Empire.” Applebloom offered.

“I don't think it matters how much we know about the Empire, I think it matters more about what we can put together to impress the judges. Only three of them are from the Empire and if we don't score high enough with all five in terms of points it won't matter if we only super impress one or two.” Sweetiebelle stated.

“Well at least we know Rahs should be easy to impress, the more theatrical we make it the better. Miss Harshwhinny's gonna be the problem. You saw her in there, she seems to hate everything.” Scootaloo huffed.

“Still we need to come up with a plan.” Applebloom offered. “What shows what's special about Ponyville?”

“Hmmm.” the trio hummed in thought.

The few ponies that saw the trio thinking like this suddenly realized that it would be best if they were else where before they decided to do something, particularly since they didn't see Spike around to reign them in.

“I got it. Rainbow Dash gave me the hint too!” Scootaloo yelped suddenly.

“Be awesome?” Sweetiebelle stated.

“Sleep all day?” Applebloom suggested before considering, ”Well that might get points from Rahs.”

“No... well yes on the first one, but no. She said Ponyville was diverse in who lived here. We could put something together to show how in Ponyville every one is a friend no matter who or what they are.” Scootaloo stated.

“I think that's mostly Pinkie Pie.”Sweetiebelle considered.

“You have a better idea?” Scootaloo demanded.

“Nope.” Sweetiebelle shrugged.

“If that's the best idea you have, then your entry is going to be even more of a hilarious failure than I thought.”

The trio turned with a mix of frowns and glares as Diamond Tiara sneered at them while she trotted up, with Silver Spoon right behind her. Behind them was one of the new students who's family had moved out of the Crystal Empire.

She was a silvery crystal pony with a white mane and tail named Sterling Silver. Her cutie mark was an antique looking silver tea pot, that at the time she got her mark was considered new. Her cutie mark was almost invisible on her coat unless she pointed it out, or you were looking close. Evidently she was an ancestor of Silver Spoon some where down the line and the pair of them had been hanging out most of the summer. The Crusaders thought she was alright, but given she followed along with Silver Spoon every where, that mean that she was unfortunately part of the Diamond Tiara circle despite simply staying back and not contributing to the bullying.

Applebloom didn't like her much because of how flirty she was around Spike.

Spike never noticed.

“We already have the best plan that will absolutely crush, and I do mean crush the competition.” Diamond Tiara offered.

“It is quite good.” Sterling Silver offered quietly.

“Yeah, well we have a great plan as well, and it's gonna be perfect!” Scootaloo growled.

“Yeah? But you know what you don't have?” Diamond Tiara grinned.

“Bad hygiene?” Sweetiebelle suggested.
“Daddy issues?” Applebloom offered.
“A lack of spacial awareness?” Scootaloo added looking back behind the pair.

“What, no, Cutiemarks you blank flanks!” Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara chimed pointing at the Sweetiebelle's rear as they chanted their primary insult in a sing songy tone.

“There's no way any pony is going to chose some stupid fillies with no cutie marks to represent Ponyville.” Diamond Tiara laughed.

“And why would that matter in the slightest?” a deep voice asked from behind the pair of bullies.

Scootaloo grinned as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon whirled around to see who spoke. Sterling Silver had already noticed and was gone in a eye blink, tearing down the road at a speed that would have made Rainbow Dash pause with a scream that made most of the canines she passed howl.

Behind the pair was a tall, dark gray unicorn stallion with a reddish curved horn sprouting from a mass of black hair that seemed to wave and shift on it's own, his red eyes stared down at the fillies and he was currently sporting what amounted to an eggshell white and dark blue trimmed suit top. Rarity had some how gotten him into it and it wasn't a surprise to see him wearing something completely different each time he left the boutique.

“I hardly see why having a mark on your flank means anything in terms of what your skills. Too many focus on it soly and what they think it means for it to really mean anything.”Sombra continued. “Better to have no mark and be able to choose your own fate than have it splashed garishly across your rump and have your destiny decided for you. And what are your cutie marks even supposed to mean?”

Sombra raised an eyebrow looking down at the two fillies.

“Oh, well my family deals heavily in tea and ceremonies such as that. We provide at least seventy percent of all the tea used in Canterlot Castle by the Princess.” Silver Spoon offered.”My mark represents my skill in that field and following my family line into the tea business.”

Sombra nodded slightly his gaze turning to the pink filly. “And yours some sort of frost pattern on glass?”

“IT'S A CROWN!!” Diamond Tiara shrieked before realizing that who she just yelled at was not Spike this time.

“Really? Fancy yourself royalty then? Well most of the nobility and royalty when I grew up tended to do a lot of infighting and backstabbing to gain favor with the ones who were really in charge. Some pony with a cutie mark like yours tended to be murdered in their sleep by jealous rivals before they turned ten in order to remove some pony who might curry favor from their mark alone.” Sombra explained. He then looked thoughtful for a moment before narrowing his eyes at Diamond Tiara. “How old are you again?”

Diamond Tiara's eyes widened at the story and the dead pan look Sombra was giving her before she took off like a shot screaming, with a slightly less panicked Silver Spoon right behind her.

“Hmmm.” Sombra offered watching the pair run off.

“Hey Mister Sombra what brings you out here?” Sweetiebelle squeaked acting as if the conversation had not just taken place.

“Your sister sent me to collect you. It seems your parents have left on another vacation.”Sombra growled. “And your sister refused to let me have a word with them about leaving their foal behind so often.”

“Oh alright. Did she say if she just wanted me?” Sweetiebelle asked. “We need to work on our project.”

“If you three can distract her from using me as a clothes horse the moment we get back, I wouldn't care if you brought the whole school with you.” Sombra snarled before he looked around again. “Where is the dragon?”

“He has to stay after to talk to the event coordinators Dash and Miss Harshwhinny. “Applebloom offered. ”We'll see him this weekend ah'm sure.”

“Very well. Come along then.” Sombra stated turning to walk away as if to leave them, though the three followed along simply chatting plans around him as if he was part of their group.

Admission to their little club might have been forced, though Sombra took interest in the three for a different reason that the missing cutie marks.

Scootaloo's parents couldn't be there for her all the time, but they tried to be there as much as they could. Sombra was not thrilled with it, but he gave it a pass as she was, while not happy, at least content with the set up.

Applebloom's parents were dead. And one could not blame corpses for their absence. Often it was worse if the corpses were there.

Sweetiebelle's and by extension Rarity's parents however, irked him something fierce. The sisters might have accepted it, but Sombra was angry at the way their parents had started leaving Sweetiebelle to be watched by Rarity so often after she had her own place. Neither of the siblings were too thrilled at the multitude of trips their parents took, be it for work or pleasure, and it was more often the latter, but they had gotten used to it.

Having come from a situation like that himself Sombra found himself sympathizing with the trio. That they thought he was just the largest member of their Crusaders mattered little to him. It mattered even less to him what the dragon thought of him. Spike did not trust him in the slightest, much like the rest of the town, the pink one still threw things at him when she saw him in fact.

Despite this Sombra still he put forth the effort to try and at least be there if the three needed some pony for something.

It was not as if he had figured out anything else to do yet anyway.

Flounder to the Finish. Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Wilmingtrot, at the mouth of the Cape Foal River]

Adagio was less than thrilled.

She had been outvoted in this particular instance and Aria had set up a plan for at least two more stops before they hit Canterlot in order to gain more strife before trying for the seat of power in Equestria itself.

The first was a little port town that thought it was a tourist town judging by the exorbitant cost of everything, then they would head up the Cape Foal river to a town called Dodge Junction before heading to Canterlot.

That plan was solid and more power was always good, it hardly mattered if she was out voted or not.

No what annoyed her now was not that she was on stage in front of quite a large crowd ready to sing, what annoyed her was 'what' they were to sing.

“Why did we let Sonata choose the song this time?” Adagio grumbled to Aria.

“She won the coin flip.” Aria sighed.

“The coin flip... The one that the two of us were using to decide which song we wanted would be used?”

“That's the one.”

“The one where the only options were heads for my song and tails for yours?”Adagio muttered.

“She takes a lot after dad...” Aria stated rubbing her temple with a hoof.

The music started with a weird warbling cord before a much heavier tune began.

“There are no hoof prints deep underwater,” Sonata belted out in a guttural growl. “Nothing to tie one to a crime. But if you seek vengeance, all you need are instruments of pain!!”

Her sisters gave up and simply went along with it, not even bothering to ask why Sonata insisted on wearing a Bat Mare mask as she sang.

[Ponyville, Fireball's residence.]

“So what happened?” Rainbow Dash asked Spike as she took a sip of her drink. Fireball's ears perked up as she listened in as well. Scootaloo had come home in a funk and then spent most of the weekend nearly killing herself trying to fly with no success.

“I really don't know. I had a test day set up for everyone to show me what they had already and the Crusaders had this awesome routine going, but I kept my response level and told them it was awesome just like I told every one else theirs was awesome. Except for Snips, Snails, and Rumble, but that was only because they broke the stage that we set up.” Spike explained. “It wasn't as if they didn't know I had to remain neutral and when they left they were still talking about improvements.”

“So it was good?” Fireball asked.

“I'm surprised they didn't get cutie marks for it.” Spike pointed out. “It was a little rough, but if they can smooth that out they will win this claws down.”

“Then I don't get it why is Scoots so messed up by this. Did the routine even have any flying?” Rainbow Dash questioned.

“No, it played to their strengths without making them do anything too awkward.” Spike shrugged.

“Then why is she trying so hard to fly again? I keep telling her it will come. Filly's got power and stamina for days, she just needs to focus that into lift. There's nothing physically wrong with her is there?” Rainbow turned to look at Fireball.

“No.” Fireball sighed sadly.

“You think it might be some mental thing. Some sort of trauma?” Spike considered.” Twilight has a block or two like that when it comes to cheese, crowds, and snakes. She can't do any spells that would involve any of those, though she's getting better with crowds.”

“Hmm, yeah that will do weird things to a pony..Fireball?” Dash glanced to the other side of the table as Fireball sat down.

“My mother, her grandmother, is a Squall Mason.” Fireball sighed.

Spike blinked confused not sure what the term was, though Rainbow Dash was on her hooves, wings flared, her chair clattering back across the floor to strike the wall behind her. The blue pegasus had a look on her face that would kill and was on par with a few of Twilight glares.

“SHE'S A WHAT!!!? I'll kill her!” Rainbow Dash snarled.

“Sit down.” Fireball offered.

“I will tear her wings off and beat her to death with them....”

“SIT DOWN RAINBOW DASH!” Fireball shouted. “Mother has been dealt with. She's disowned by the family and shoved in a nursing home near Stalliongrad.”

“That's not enough...” Rainbow Dash growled, but settled down some.

“Non pegasus here I need an explanation. What the heck is a Squall Mason?”Spike offered.

“A cult that should have been hunted to extinction.” Dash growled.

“I'm not fighting that statement. Squall Masons came about around the time of the War of Night and the Equestrian Civil war. They were a group of pegasi led by a Blustery Squall. They saw a way to profit and gain power from the conflict. It might have started as little more than looting battlefields after each skirmish, but it blossomed into actively betraying troop movements and setting up failures of our own troops so they could sell 'better' equipment. Any time they were called on it they pointed out they were only doing it to the dirt hooves and the pin heads and not the clearly superior pegasi race. They gained quite a following by outing the Nox-cal, and started to bring back a lot of old pegasi traditions that had been banned at the unification of the three tribes. By the end of the war they had enough power to force ponies to do what they wanted, entire settlements of pegasi were members of the Squall Masons, whether they wanted to be or not. Those that disagreed or fought with them vanished...”

“Or committed suicide, by jumping off of clouds, with their wings and legs tied..... onto some spears.” Rainbow Dash snarled.

“Eventually Princess Celestia caught wind of this perhaps fifty years after the war ended. She didn't take to kindly to it. Those that she didn't rip from power personally, and very angrily, were forced to go into hiding or pretend they were threatened to obey. Squall himself was tried convicted and was one of Equestria's last known public executions. Sadly that just mayrtered him to his followers.” Fireball continued. “The order just went underground for a while and every so often they pop back up in some shape or another. Several conclaves of pegasi still follow them directly, but so long as they don't do anything Celestia lets them be. It would be near impossible to root them all out completely and as long as she knows where they are, she can keep an eye on them. Thankfully most of their numbers are confined to the older pegasi nowadays.”

“Alright so while this sounds horrid, and not far off the Earth Pony and Unicorn cults I've heard of, why is this a problem for Scootaloo” Spike asked.

“One of the tenants of the Squall Masons is that pegasi are superior than all other races. And that is because they can fly. A pegasi that cannot fly is better off dead rather than bringing the rest down.” Fireball offered as Spike could hear Dash's teeth start to grind.

“My older sister took off out of her crib into the air the moment she was born, and it was hard to get her to land. Scootaloo however was always carried around and didn't really try to fly when she was little. She didn't need to when her mother carried her everywhere. She was going to teach Scootaloo when she had the time, but when she was off at work one day my mother decided that she was going to force her granddaughter to fly. As such, she threw Scootaloo off Cloudsdale when she was two years old. Either her granddaughter would fly, or she wouldn't be her granddaughter any more.”

Spike stared.

“Luckily Scootaloo's father was heading home and saw it. He managed to save Scootaloo, though when he was sure she was safe he went after my mother. I always thought he was this slacker goofball who was only coasting by on his looks. “Fireball whistled.”It took eight Wonderbolt's to pull him off my mother before he killed her and twice that number to keep my sister off the old bag when she found out. Mother was disowned rather privately and dumped in a home in the least pegasi populated city that could be found. As far as anyone in the family knows or cares she never recovered from the beating she got and is still ground bound. Scootaloo doesn't remember her, but the trauma of the fall has stuck with her even if she doesn't recall it.”

“Shit.” Spike offered.

“Language... but yeah .”Fireball nodded. “We're pretty sure she'll get over it in time. She loves to fly , she just can't do it under her own power yet.”

“Are you sure?” Spike asked.

“We've sent her to a number of specialists, but so far all of them have said she'd work it out on her own.” Fireballs smirked.”We have proof that it will be the case, after all I can fly.”

“Wait, she did that to you too?” Rainbow Dash blinked then pawed at the floor, her wings nearly buzzing.

“Dash I'm one of the very few non injured pegasi in Ponyville that doesn't have a cloud house. I work for the weather office, in the office, doing the paper work and I never go into the field, why did you think that was?” Fireball questioned.”Flying still unnerves me in the best of conditions.”

“I dunno, maybe that you liked doing the paperwork?”Rainbow Dash shrugged.

“Who in their right mind would enjoy that kind of thing?” Fireball scoffed.

“My Sister.” Spike sighed.

“I said in their right mind Spike.”

“Yeah okay I'll give you that.”

[ Canterlot, Saturday.]

Rahs walked along as Sunset Shimmer strode along in front of him.

Out of those interested in him, she was the one who confused him.

The others he understood, Trixie was an old friend with a hidden crush, classic drama trope there.

Jynx had the opportunity to increase the strength of her blood line if Luna was correct about Diamond Dog and Moon Dog cross breeding, though it seemed what might have started as 'good breeding stock' was progressing to a more romantic interest, if Rarity was to be believed. Another classic trope of strong girl having a sensitive side for the hero of the story.

Applejack, while a bit harder to understand, might have had some feeling for him before she was changed, and now that animal side was bringing out what she felt rather dramatically.

Saturnia well..... okay, there were two of them that confused him, but Rahs was pretty sure that was the whole point of Changeling courtship. To confuse the one you wanted to be with to the point they didn't even know what was going on until the changeling already had them. That seemed to work for Chrysalis at least. He had been there when that agreement was reached and he still had no clue what happened.

Despite Sunset explaining her reasons, he was still in doubt that she was really that serious about dating him, though like the others, he wasn't going to tell her 'no' outright. With the exception of Sunset, he rather liked them all, maybe not in a romantic way, like they wanted, but he had been rather blindsided by this turn of events and none of the plays or books he could find had anything on five females chasing after one male. Unless it turned out to be a romantic comedy, or a tragedy.

He didn't like any of those endings.

So he was still of the mind set that he was going to go into this as he was, and hope that the interest some of them had would die off, or at least, if they were not compatible it would become obvious.

Thus far he expected Sunset might be the first to see something like that, she was smart, almost as smart as his sister. And despite knowing where it came from, Rahs couldn't help feel a draw to the smart ones. Not that any of his other suitors were dumb, but this mare was on a different level.

Plus the bacon flavored magic didn't hurt either.

Thus far she had just led him into Canterlot and into one of the higher end areas of the city.

As usual some of the locals had called the Guard at the sight of him, and as usual the Guards took note of who it was and just had a few pegasi around to make sure no trouble found him.

There was one noble who decided to come out and start screaming at Sunset to take her 'pet' away from this part of the city.

Sunset had made a remark that Rahs was hardly a pet as they hadn't even chosen a safe word yet.

The noble didn't get it.

Rahs did and was quite glad his fur tended to hide his blushes.

Still the noble persisted and found out what happened when you provoked Sunset ' Burn it all' Shimmer.

Granted to be fair, the snob did jab her in the chest with a hoof, while it wasn't hard, he did make contact and thus could be considered an assault by most lawyers.

Rahs hadn't even seen the newspaper cart move before it flattened the complainer.

In the end the Guard watching sided with her and all Sunset had to do was fill out some paperwork.

Still Sunset had apologized for the delay seeming a bit worried her attitude might run him off. Rahs waved off the suggestion, after all Sunset was showing remarkable restraint compared to what his sister might have done.

With no further incidents they arrived at what the Sunset declared was the date location.

While Rahs didn't understand why a 'trade and magic expo' might be of interest to him, let alone a date location, it turned out Sunset was being clever as she led him to a booth.

A booth she had rented and set up with the tagline of 'Find out what your Magic's Flavor is.'

She had printed pamphlets out any everything.

And there was already a line.

“It's a fairly novel and popular date idea back in the other world. They called it a wine tasting tour in some of the local vineyards. I was told you don't drink, so I figured this might be the next best thing.” Sunset grinned.

Rahs blinked as he looked at her, then the line. Well she was getting points for being clever for sure, he had never even heard of anything like this.

But he liked it.

Author's Notes:

And here's Sonata's song

As if you didn't know.

Flounder to the Finish. Part 3

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ One week later]

“What do you mean she isn't coming?” Spike demanded, as he glared at the other two Crusaders.

“She said would just bring us down because she couldn't fly.” Sweetiebelle offered.

“What was wrong with your first performance?” Spike asked.

“I dunno, but she kept wanting to do it better and now she's not here at all” Applebloom huffed, clearly annoyed herself.

“You do realize that without a third you'll be disqualified right?” Spike offered.

“What?” Applebloom gasped.

“Seriously!?” Sweetiebelle demanded.

“Did either of you even read the rules?” Spike sighed. His head fins twitched as he heard giggling behind him and barely whispered insults. Well, at least he knew who to blame for this turn of events. Those three better be glad he wasn't a judge. Not like he expected Diamond Tiara's ' Commerce is what makes Ponyville special' to win.

“Well at the very least you guys get to see the Crystal Empire. Though I'm not happy with you two for leaving her behind, when she is clearly going through some stuff.” Spike sighed as the pair flinched. He shook his head and headed up towards the other train cars to let the Event Coordinators know about the lack of Scootaloo and the Crusaders dropping out of the competition.

Dash would not be happy about this.

Spike stumbled forward as the train screeched to a halt. He quickly looked back to see two little ponies hopping from the back of the stalled train.

The train started up again, with barely a moments pause.

“The emergency stop is for EMERGENCIES ONLY!” Cheeriliee shouted from the next car in a very decent rendition of the Royal Canterlot voice.

“The Cru....”Diamond Tiara started to call out before Spike quickly leaned over the seat and slapped his claw over her mouth.

“It was an accident Miss Cheerilee, they all know better.”Spike called out before whirling on Diamond Tiara. “I don't normally get directly involved to stop you bullying my friends, but I've learned some things about the one you decided to target this week that have made me step up this time. If you tell Cheerilee about them leaving like this I will make sure to yank that rope again and blame both of the resulting problems on you. Miss Cheerilee will believe me over you, Silver Sterling won't say anything because it's me and Silver Spoon will step back so as not to get in trouble with her own father. You will be alone with your word versus mine, and your word alone is not worth anything. So sit down, shut up and enjoy the trip, or don't. I hardly care.”

Spike snorted letting go of her muzzle as he glared at her, the other foals in the car staring at the angry little dragon.

“I don't know what your problem is with the Crusaders, but you need to get over it. It takes a special kind of stupid to antagonize a trio that can bring down the Wonderbolts, The Element Bearers, a couple of random demi gods, probably Discord, and most, if not all of, the Princesses on your head. And that's before I would get involved and bring in even more gods. You're not bullying a trio of fillies, you're bullying something that can call a HK class, world ending, legion of pain on your stupid crown painted flank.”Spike growled before heading up towards the next car leaving Diamond white as a sheet.

Spike paused looking back at her his tail whipping.”Good talk.”He stated before entering the next car.

[Golden Oaks Library]

“So why are you here again?” Twilight demanded as she scrubbed another plate, rinsing it off with the sink hose before putting it in the rack.

Behind her sipping a cider and reading the newspaper at the kitchen table sat Queen Chrysalis.

“Visiting my daughter, but she's freaking out so much over Sunset managing to be the first one to date your brother and I got sick of it.”Chrysalis offered.

“No, I mean specifically why are you in my kitchen” Twilight sighed starting on another plate.

“Because I'm bored and you tend to be entertaining when you're not pissed at me.” Chrysalis offered taking another sip of the cider. “Besides I'm rather curious as to how your brother reacted to his date with Sunset.”

“Of course you are. Well first off she's going to have to wait her turn. Because of Sunset, Applejack got up the nerve to ask him out next weekend, She's up in the Empire to cheer on her little sister today. Evidently there's a Cherry festival next weekend in Dodge Junction they're going to. Be sure to pass onto Saturnia that if she interferes, I will be very cross. The others already know that. Interestingly enough Sunset has offered to set any one on fire who messes with Applejack's date as well.”

“I expected that since she's your choice, but that doesn't answer my question.” Chrysalis added.

“It's not just that Applejack is my choice. Despite his being an idiot he's still my brother and I do want him to be happy at least until he does something else that makes me want to kill him.” Twilight sighed cleaning a cup. “As for the date, as far as I can tell it went fairly well. Sunset had a rather novel idea and he enjoyed himself.”

“Hmm, well with both you and Luna playing fair now I suppose I'd best do the same.”Chrysalis sighed.

“That's rather surprising.” Twilight offered. “You seemed as gun-ho as Cadence about this.”

“Saturnia's my daughter and I do want her to be happy, but she picked a difficult target of her desire is all. And I thought getting Cadence was hard. Any way, do keep in mind I am the god of change after all. Granted I also have bees in my portfolio as a lesser. I met at least three others with bees as their lesser portfolios and the council meeting. “Chrysalis shrugged. ”In particular a Giraffe god named Mythos introduced me to a strain of bee called the 'Loco bee'. They are the only known creature who is unaffected by poison joke, and they actually make honey from the plant when it blooms. Seems that concentrates the effect to make it act near instantly as well. It's a rather ingenious natural defense as no other animal will go after their honey because of it.”

“While that is .. a decidedly interesting bit of trivia why are you telling me tha......”Twilight began before her eyes narrowed. “What did you do?”

“Muuuhahhahahahhahaha.” Chrysalis cackled.

[ Canterlot Castle]

Princess Luna sat at the dining table trying not to smirk.

Princess Celestia sat across from her trying to get comfortable in her chair.

The attendants watched horrified, one or two had run off screaming, and at least one fainted.

The Solar Princess sighed, her long snake like form covered in her usual pure white fur, though her head was more fox like now, with one moose antler and one ram horn. She had a narwhal horn sprouting out of the bridge of her nose and her mane flowed and swayed looking all the world like red kelp caught in the tide. Her left arm was from some sort of lizard and her right from some featherless biped that was decidedly not a chicken. Her right leg was a minotaurs, and her left a nox-cal kirin's. Her tail was long and cat like ending in a forked tip.

“I have the uneasy feeling that the honey used in my tea was NOT from my usual apiary.” Celestia stated flatly.

“Clearly.” Luna snorted.

“HEEEEELLLLLLOOOOOO NURSE!” Discord popped in with a wolf whistle before getting decked with a thrown table.

“You know what? Never mind, I don't want to know.” Twilight grumbled.

“Hey, hey, hey, Twilight, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie shouted pronking in and bouncing around the kitchen table.

“Hey... close the front door, were you born in a barn?” Chrysalis grumbled.

“Yes, I was..... how did you know?” Pinkie asked flatly as Chrysalis' ear twitched.

“Never mind that… what did you want Pinkie?” Twilight smiled, glad she wasn't the only one at odds with Pinkie's pinkieness.

“Oh, right I figured it out!”Pinkie exclaimed with a grin.

“Figured what out?” Chrysalis asked.

“Why everyone is after Rahs romantically like they are!” Pinkie Pie smiled.

“Okay this is not going to end well, but I'm going to ask.” Twilight sighed. “And why is that Pinkie?”

“Because he's everyone's 'DREAM” date!” Pinkie Pie cheered. “ Get it? Because he's a moon dog and they live in the Oneiroi...”

Chrysalis smashed both her hooves into her face in a epic face hoof that toppled her out of her chair, while Twilight simply turned the dish hose on the shrieking and giggling Pinkie with a dead pan expression.

[Ponyville]

“So you abandoned them to their fate?” Sombra asked raising an eyebrow. For once the stallion was without a suit as Rarity had left earlier for the Crystal Empire to support her sister.

“They're better off without me.” Scootaloo huffed staring at the ice cream she had been given as it slowly melted.

“If you say so.” Sombra grumbled. He had come across Scootaloo making her way back home from the train station. He was quite certain she was supposed to be on her way to the Crystal Empire. The trio had invited him, but he had refused. Part of his parole was to stay away from the empire. In truth, Sombra was fine with that, there was nothing in the Empire for him and he had no desire to rule anything again anytime soon. His short stint as king had left a bad taste in his mouth. Though given it was all he had really known it left him out of sorts. But that was his problem, there was another to address now.

“Applebloom told me they didn't need a quitter on the team.”Scootaloo sighed.”Sweetiebelle at least tried to get me to reconsider.”

“She has little tact.”Sombra agreed.

“Yeah....”

“And disposing of your Scooter was supposed to mean what specifically?”Sombra demanded glancing at the alley that Scootaloo had been heading down with her scooter to throw in the dumpster there, the pair of them were across the road from the train station now, sitting on a bench in front of an ice cream parlor.

“Cause it's pointless, I'm never gonna fly and never be anything at this rate it's just... What's the point?” Scootaloo sighed.

“I did not take you for an idiot.” Sombra stated flatly examining the ice cream he floating in his magic as if to figure out the best way to eat it, chocolate was a wonderful thing.

“What?” Scootaloo snapped.

“Why are you giving up something you clearly enjoy just because you are unable to do something completely different?”

“What?”

“Is it that hard to figure out? You already know my stance on destiny and cutie marks. I am also not fond of giving up for no reason like you have done. You should not have done so. You terrify a dragon with that wheeled board of yours, the only other I have heard to have done the same is Twilight Sparkle.”

“Yeah but she's all magic and angry and alicorny and stuff.” Scootaloo sighed.

“And yet for all that, she flies like a brick.” Sombra stated with the hint of a smirk at the memories of Twilight trying, and failing, repeatedly, and painfully, to learn to fly.

He had eaten far too much popcorn that day.

“But flying is the one thing I'm supposed to be good at as a pegasus!” Scootaloo whined.

“Really? Did your cutie mark show you that?”

“Dude, that was low.”

“Well?”

“No....”

“Then how do you know your talent even is in flight? Your aunt hardly flies and her cutie mark seems to be related to that.... or evocation magic.... maybe stargazing, in either case Fluttershy as well is not a strong flier, her talent lies with getting others to protect her from things.”

“No it isn't, her talent is.... oh.”Scootaloo protested before trailing off.

“My point stands. You had something that seemed entertaining, and you threw it away for no reason. Like a pony dying of thirst being offered a glass of water, but ignoring it in favor of looking for a lake.” Sombra grumbled before snapping up the rest of the cone in two bites. “It hardly matters if you cannot fly, that hardly defines everything you are.”

“I guess, but I screwed up now. The others are mad and already half way to the empire by now.” Scootaloo moped.

“I would not be so sure.” Sombra offered noting two little figures running their way.

Sombra sat back as the trio started their little discussion and made up over their shared issues. He resolved to ask Fireball about Scootaloo's flying problem at a later time.

“But now what? We're all stuck here.” Applebloom trailed off as the conversation died down.

“We can always catch the next train.” Sweetiebelle offered.

The trio rose and rushed off to the train station with Sombra following along at a more measured pace. Scootaloo had forgotten her ice cream on the bench and rather than let it go to waste Sombra was finishing it off.

“Oh no, the next train isn't headed up their until this afternoon, we're not gonna make it in time for the contest.” Applebloom wailed.

Sombra strode up looking around the station as the fillies started to panic.

“All of your supplies are already on the other train?”Sombra asked simply.

“Well yeah expect for Scootaloo's scooter.”Sweetiebelle offered.

“I see.” Sombra nodded and walked over to a uniformed stallion who was watching a train be hitched up to some supply box cars.

“Are you the station master?” Sombra asked.

“I am, is there something you need sir?” The gray coated and blue maned stallion nodded with a small smile.

“That train is going to the Crystal Empire.” Sombra pointed at the train loaded with box cars.

“No sir, that train is going the exact opposite direction, towards Appleloosa and Dodge Junction.” The station master answered.

Sombra raised an eyebrow. “You misunderstand........”

The dark unicorns horn flared and a purplish almost black light colored corona formed around his horn. The same aura formed around the train engine, disconnecting it from the front of the other cars and lifting it into the air. He flipped the engine around to face it the other way on the tracks before letting his aura fade from it. A wagon of coal was gripped next and dumped in the engines coal hopper. The box cars were all shoved further down the tracks out of the way and a single passenger car from one of the side tracks was connected to the engine.

Through the whole event Sombra's eyes remained locked on the station masters, the stallion darting his attention between the black unicorn's glare and the events going on behind him with nervous glances.

“.......That train 'is' going to the Crystal Empire.” Sombra stated again to make sure there was no confusion this time.

“Ummmm, yes sir....” the station master stammered as the engineers and other attendants nearby watching rushed to ready the train for it's new destination.

“Good. Girls get on, I will go pay for the tickets. I expect to hear that you have won.” Sombra stated .” Do not disappoint me.”

“Oh wow.... that was cool!” Scootaloo offered. “Thanks Sombra.“

The trio ran off climbing onto the train as Sombra went to the ticket booth dropping the bits needed for the trip on the counter for the teller as well as a few others for the trouble. He glanced back as the train whistle cried out, the engineers nervously looking at him as the fillies waved out of the window at him.

“Hmmph.” Sombra grumped as the train started to pull away.

“SOMBRA!”

“Sparkle.” Sombra stated turning to face the mare storming up to him.

“What are you doing!?” Twilight demanded.

“Paying for train tickets.” Sombra offered gesturing to the ticket booth, only to flinch as a plate bounced off his head.

“That's for biting Fluttershy!” a soaking wet Pinkie Pie shouted.

“PINKIE, stop throwing my dishes!” Twilight shouted before turning back to Sombra.“Why did I just have a panicked pony run up to my house and tell me you were throwing train cars around at the train station?”

“Because the ponies of this town are easily panicked and have vivid imaginations?” Sombra asked staring down at the shorter mare.

“Sombra!”

“Umm Miss Sparkle, he did flip around a train engine and tell us to send it to the Crystal Empire.” the station master offered.

“What? What did you do!?”Twilight snapped looking back at the train pulling away.

“I made sure some fillies who missed their train caught another one in order to do what they needed to, nothing more.” Sombra explained.

“You can't derail a whole train schedule like that!” Twilight fussed.

“Last I checked I was actual royalty, Luna's son and by Celestia's own admission third in line for the throne now that Cadence has her own place to rule. Commandeering a single train for my purposes is well within my rights. I am still holding up my end of the parole and going no where near the Crystal Empire myself no matter who I send on a train.“ Sombra stated. “Before you start quoting the law book and the rest of that at me Twilight keep in mind I have had nothing to do for the last year BUT read, and the terms of my parole I studied quite closely. I have broken no law, and perhaps only nudged my bounds in terms of courtesy by not giving the train yard time to adjust to my order. That is hardly a crime itself, and another train will be along shortly headed towards Dodge Junction, adding a few more cars to the end of that will hardly matter. In any event, I will be taking my leave now Sparkle. I have promised Miss Rarity that I would feed her cat while she is away and the little beast gets cranky if not fed at a certain time. Good day.”

Sombra turned and trotted off, a smile growing on his face as Twilight fumed behind him.

Yes, this was a good day.

Flounder to the Finish. Epilogue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Crystal Empire]

“In lucent of the ostentatious display being quite exemplar as well as compellingly put together, in lieu of or even because of the age category presented. The originality was something quite unexpected when compared to other rival ternion, who while also putting their own spin on things, with the exception of the group plagiarizing miss Brisby's well known work, Nimh, still seemed to incorporate elements of other works and sometimes even each other. The choreography was much more refined than expected in this category of display, while still requiring work, it could almost be on par with at least a moderate amateur performance. The motivation however was truly the biggest point of interest as they seemed exceedingly driven and that energy was expertly channeled into their presentation, with no displays of stage fright, nor hesitation in what I expected were several impromptu changes in the routine due to small errors that were expertly ad-libbed on the spot. While noticeable they hardly deviated from the message of the performance. In light of the combination of these elements of the display I shall be giving a favorable tally to this group.”

The other judges, the competitors, and the entire audience stared at the speaker.

Except of course for the collection of mares, and a few stallions, that fainted at the sound of his voice.

Shining Armor snorted in amusement as Rahs stared back at everyone staring at him. His ears flattened to his head and he let out a sigh.

“Woof.”

“He says it was good.” Shining Armor smirked holding back a chortle.

“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!” the whole stadium erupted as Rahs smacked his head into the judges desk beating his forehead against the wood as he held up a card reading 8.9.

“I must agree, that the performance was superb.” Miss Harshwhinny stated with a hint of more emotion in her voice than she had expressed with any of the other ones aside from Dinky Doo's group. Granted that filly could give a rock a heart attack without trying. They had to talk Cadence down from giving her group a 80 on a ten point scale.

She held up a place card with a 7.2 on it, her highest score thus far save for the aforementioned Dinky Doo, who got . 2 higher.

Still with the last judge having shown her tally, the winners by .5 overall for the Ponyville district, were the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Spike I need to have a word with you.” Miss Cheerilee stated as she pulled the small dragon to the side of the back room of the stadium, frowning down at him. The rest of the area was filled with screaming foals and a number of family members and others congratulating the Crusaders.

“Hmm what's up?” Spike questioned.

“I am quite cross with you for lying to me about the train, and I am even more cross with you threatening Diamond Tiara.”

“Ahh found out about that huh?” Spike let out a sigh.

“It was uncalled for Spike and I had hoped you would remain the more level headed one in class that I could trust.” Cheerilee scolded. “While I rather expect this sort of thing from your sister, I trusted you to do better. So imagine my surprise when several other students brought this to my attention.”

“She needed it.” Spike stated, unrepentant.

“it is not your place to judge that. Nor did she need to be terrified like that for no reason Spike.” Cheerilee stated with a glare. “ You should have informed me and I would have dealt with her.”

“Maybe, but you and I both know punishment doesn't take with her, it just makes her madder and more eager to go after the ones who she perceives are the cause of her punishment. Besides do you really want to deal with spoiled again?” Spike offered.

“That is not your call to make Spike.” Cheerilee stated.”Spoiled is all mouth any way, Filthy Rich is much calmer and easier to deal with. Problem parents are my concern, not yours.”

“Yet Diamond remains a bully. Whose favorite targets are friends of mine.“ Spike pointed out. “Thing is this is to protect her as well as the Crusaders. What do you think Princess Luna would do if she knew her 'younger sister' was being bullied? How well do you think Applejack would handle it when she has a hard time with her own emotions and even her own body after this curse of hers. Heck the less said about what Rainbow Dash or Scootaloo's parents would do the better.” Spike offered. “And that's hardly even all of it.”

“What?”

“What happens if Diamond finally pushed one of them too far and they lashed out at her. Diamond might be an earth pony but she doesn't have near the power or durability a life long farmer like Bloom has, not to mention Applebloom's still learning things from your mare friend, and Zecora has taught her some potentially dangerous things. Then there's Sweetiebelle, who's being taught magic by Princess Luna, who wants to train her up to be a magus. A war mage...“ Spike offered. “And we can't forget Scootaloo, who despite not having a major patron like the others, is a powerhouse on her own and is likely the most physically fit out of all of them, including Applebloom. Add into the fact that she's taking two martial arts classes because Dash did and so far she's really good at them. Would you rather I terrify Diamond Tiara or let one of them snap, which Scootaloo almost did this time?”

Cheerilee stared down at the dragon a moment before letting out a sigh. “I cannot fault your logic Spike. I can fault your execution. And I will be bringing this up with Nightlight and Twilight Velvet as I expect your sister would just give you a high hoof if she caught wind of this. I will also be assigning detention and it will be some time before I place my trust in you fully again.”

“Expected, and accepted.” Spike nodded.

“For now however go back to the party, we will discuss this again later, and you will leave Diamond Tiara alone.” Cheerilee ordered.

“So long as she behaves herself.”

“Spike.”

“Fine, fine....”

[Ponyville]

“The nerve of that ass... How the heck does Rarity deal with him?” Twilight fumed.

“Likely the same thing he thinks about you Sparkle.” Chrysalis offered from the Library couch.

“Chrysalis? What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Crystal Empire judging the Games flag carriers?”

“Pffft yeah right. I sat in on, I lost count of how many, junior recitals and other events preformed by foals when we were still hiding. For every decent performance there are thousands of foals that are only skilled enough to be a back ground tree in a desert scene. The parental love was great, but holy fuck was the rest bad." Chrysalis waved a hoof in the air dramatically. “I have no idea how your brother can stand it.”

“He can't.” Twilight smiled darkly.”I tricked him into going to the Empire for something else and let Shining and Cadence trap him there for this as I signed him up to be a judge.”

“Bucking Tartarus mare. You are far more evil than I thought.” Chrysalis clapped her hooves in approval. “I am almost upset I sent a stand in and missed his reaction, almost.”

“A stand in?”Twilight offered.” You trust some one else to assume your identity?”

“Just this one.” Chrysalis grinned.

[ Crystal Empire]

Shining Armor took note of Cadence's reactions to the foals. His wife's lowest score for the day was 9.8 and that was only because a pegasus foal who flubbed a line swore and she had to dock the team for that.

This would be a discussion later he could feel it.

Shining himself was just making up arbitrary scores at random depending on how well the foals seemed to have their act together.

Miss Harshwhinny and Rahs were taking this far too seriously and had ranking and reasons for every single decimal point they gave or took away.

Then there was …. 'Queen Chrysalis'.

The changeling sitting to his left was a stallion. He was also smaller than Shining was. He had a tiny paper crown on his head from Hay Burger and long stringy hair that Shining was pretty sure had started life as a mop before it became covered in green mildew.

He also had a sticker on his chest that read ' Hello, my name is 'Queen Chrysalis and definitely not Bees'.

He made up scores based on what number he could remember, or he copied some one elses card. At one point he held up an uno draw four card.

Cadence played along with it. Shining didn't say anything, but rolled his eyes at the changelings antics.

Miss Harshwhinny was not amused, but that was normal.

Rahs was grumbling under his breath about digging a shallow grave for his sister as the 4^th hour of nine hours of events began.

Author's Notes:

I cannot write anything with Bees that doesn't have me cracking up.

Rarity Takes Moreton Bay Bug, Prologue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Get it cause this is a generosity episode and the title is a shellfish/selfish! HA!]

[Don't patronize me.....]

[Friendship express. One week after the CMC won the right to carry the flag. Start of Fall]

“Thanks for inviting me along on this trip Rarity. I've never been to Manehatten before.” Fireball offered waving a dark orange wing from her seat.

“It's quite alright darling, I had purchased tickets for everyone earlier on and with Applejack, Spike, and Rahs not coming, I had some extra tickets.”

“And that those extra tickets conveniently add two models for you to show off your new line...” Sombra grumped. “As well as get us to carry the three tons of things you brought along was just a happy coincidence was it?”

“Eeeyup.” Big Mac nodded with a frown.

“Come on it should be fun,” Twilight giggled, wondering what Rarity had set up for Mac. Neither of them were willing to tell her, and she really wanted to see her colt friend in a suit.

“Of course it will be fun, even with a different crew than our usual trips. I mean this is the week of the Cherry Festival and Applejack finally managed to ask Rahs out for it.” Pinkie Pie added.

“Mmmmmmm.” Big Mac growled debating on whether or not he should have done more to harass Rahs. He needed to be careful though, as he expected AJ would kick his flank if he ran Rahs off before they had a date.

“I know, but far be it for me to stop something romantic.... well.... it's a farm festival...... So.. maybe... interesting? From happening.” Rarity shrugged.” Though Rahs did recommend Hinny in the Hills on Bridleway for us while we are here.”

“Everyone recommends Hinny in the Hills, it's been the hottest musical this season.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “It's also mostly sold out everywhere.”

The others stared at her.

“Oh for the love of..... Keep in mind who I am dating. We see a lot of stuff with visiting dignitaries and his parents.” Dash sighed.” It's not all action and adventure and dropping off perfectly good airships with nothing but a sheet in a backpack to keep you from smearing across the ground.”

“Oh wow, is our Rainbow Dash becoming, shock, awe, horror, cultured?”Fireball mocked tossing her blonde mane a little, the red streak falling over her eye.

“Don't even.”Dash snorted glaring at the other pegasus.

“So how was it?” Fluttershy asked working to defuse the situation.

“Not as bad as some of the other ones I've seen.” Dash shrugged. “I'd say it was pretty good actually, music was pretty catchy.”

“Rahs was able to get a set of tickets for us, evidently he knows one of the lead actors.” Rarity grinned.

“Shirley's in it?” Twilight asked. “I did not know that.”

“At any rate this fashion week is going to be the best.” Rarity giggled.

[Dodge Junction, the next morning.]

Rahs stepped off the train, stretching a little, his ears perked up as he looked around. A large gathering of ponies milled around the station, with a few who hadn't ridden on the train with him from Ponyville giving him a wide berth.

The town was much bigger than he thought, though it had the same feel and much the same look as Appleoosa, a large orchard took up most of the view as the train pulled into the station , though with cherries rather than apples.

Also unlike Appleoosa a large river ran alongside Dodge junction allowing for river traffic and a second side of the city was built across the river, one that looked more like Neigh Orleans with how the structures were built. The rustic western town and bayou like structures seemed to blend together the closer one got to the river, until the architecture could have been it's own distinct style.

Had Twilight been here, she would have explained how during the Griffon War of the North, a force of griffons had sailed around the continent to attack from the south west, raiding Neigh Orleans and burning the city to the ground before being driven off.

While most of the population opted to rebuild in the same spot, a large group had traveled inland and found themselves in a newly founded Dodge City, where they settled down. This of course lead to some arguments with the locals, a few fights, and lawsuits over the land. All of that was pushed under the rug when a messenger from Princess Celestia had brought a royal statement to the town that simply read 'Deal with it, or else'.

Given the state the Princess was in due to the war with the griffons, none of the locals wanted to know what would happen if they pushed that 'or else' so they simply split the town using the river as a divider and left it at that. Over time what started as two separate towns on either side of the river eventually built up and became one that was renamed Dodge Junction to note the joining of the two towns into one much larger one. The Neigh Orleans side was still called the Prench quarter by some of the older locals, and the dialect shifted dependent on what side of the river you were raised on, but aside from that the town functioned quite well as it's own thing.

Rahs perked his ears, amber eyes looking over the multitude of booths and stages set up all up and down the streets of the place. Even the river was chock full of ships, enough that you could walk across them to the other side without getting your hooves wet. And every one of them almost had their own little shop or make shift restaurant on board.

A few of the ships seemed to be just moored rather than set up for the festival, including a large fancy, modern looking one, called 'Song Fishies' that drew the eyes over the rest of the ramshackle craft.

The smells of the place were indescribable as if every food and spice in creation were layered atop of one another without blending and every breath of air brought a new scent. Of course all of it was underlined by the scent of cherries which was fitting.

Rahs hadn't expected too much out of this date, but then again, Sunset had surprised him as well. Right now his curiosity was pinging him something fierce about this place, there was likely no way a full day would allow him to see or sample everything. While Maredi Gras might have been a bigger party overall, there was plenty of that style mixed in with the Cherry Festival and you would have to be dead inside not to feel the electric excitement filling the air.

Still the goal for this was to meet Applejack here at the train station and the date to last the whole day before they caught the train home back to Ponyville.

Granted Sunset had offered to keep an eye on Applebloom and Spike if they wanted to get a room there, she had also added a 'hint hint, nudge nudge, saynomore squire' comment after that.

Rahs really didn't understand that mare. Sunset seemed just as interested in getting Applejack to be his mare friend as she was at making herself his mare friend.

Twilight had suggested she was playing the long game, which given her mother... err father... made some sort of sense.

So there he was dressed in a rather nice red long coat with gold trim, a fancy dress shirt, and a nice pair of slacks. Rarity had insisted on setting up for him for this date with plans to make a number of other outfits for his other dates, particularly after he had worn his usual attire going out with Sunset and Rarity lost her mind about it.

He was still pondering this when Applejack trotted up. His gaze immediately was drawn to the mare. Rarity had clearly gotten to her as well.

Not that Rahs minded in the slightest.

The orange furred mare was dressed in what Rahs considered a rather sheer black dress that clung to her form, attaching at her throat and covering her chest while leaving her shoulders bare. She wore black stockings on all four legs that left her hooves bare. Silts ran up the sides over her back legs showing hints of her cutie mark without revealing it. She had on a bit of make up and a black choker around her neck with a simple apple shaped gem at her throat and a pair of small silver studded earrings in each ear. Her hair was unbound and hung down her back falling lightly over her shoulders as she moved, the whole outfit seeming to be of Neighjing design.

Rahs continued to stare a little longer before noting the gem gave off a faint scent of magic as well.

Applejack noticed the staring and turned a bit red as she chuckled. “Too much?”

Rahs shook his head quickly, ears flattening to his head even as his tail tip whipped fast enough for the glowing crescent to be a blur.

“Woof!” Rahs offered.

Applejack blushed a little more. “Thank yah.... ah figured ah'd get a little bit gussied up here for this date. Course seems it got away from me a bit when Twi, Sunset, and Rarity got involved.”

“Bark?” Rahs asked moving a bit closer trying to seem calm though his tail whipping clearly showed he wasn't.

“Yeah Twi was worried about that too since ah still ain't got full control of tha changing. So she and Sunset rigged up this doohickey.”Applejack offered tapping the gem dangling from the choker with a hoof. “In case ah change from too much magic being around. Dunno how this getup looks if ah'm changed though, whatcha yah think?”

Rahs was about to reply when Applejack shifted to her Witch-Jack form.

If anything the dress seemed even tighter on her now, the leggings seemed to turn into finger-less gloves, and stockings that left her rear paws and front claws bare. Her ample chest strained against the front of the dress as the lower portion, which had hidden her cutie mark before, hiked up her hips to show off her marked flank now, turning into a much shorter and much tighter dress as she shifted and rose shakily on her back legs.

Rahs' eyes went wider as he fought back a bit of drool, he quickly pulled a handkerchief from a pocket to stem the obvious nose bleed, though he didn't take his gaze from her.

“Ah take that it looks good then?” Witch-Jack grinned.

Author's Notes:

Date number 2 is go

Rarity Takes Moreton Bay Bug, Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Manehatten, the next day, while Rahs and AJ are at the Cherry festival.]

“Well I'm impressed, that was some of the best sleep I've gotten in a while.” Fireball offered.

“I know, I've slept on clouds harder than those beds.”Rainbow Dash smirked as the group trotted out of the hotel.

“Probably while on duty too.” Fireball rolled her eyes.

“No comment.” Dash stated flatly.

“Still I'm surprised Rahs gave up those tickets, I'm pretty sure he really wants to see this performance.” Twilight offered.

“Ahh well, I made him a 'proper outfit' or three for his next few dates and it seemed he couldn't go due to the promise he made with Applejack, so he passed them along to me so they would at least be used.” Rarity smiled. ”After all you do something nice for someone and you never know if they will do something nice for you.”

“So what's got you in a grump?” Rainbow Dash asked Sombra who was staying behind the others as he trudged along eyes darting around at the city.

“Hmm? I am not in a grump.” Sombra grumbled.

“Nah you are. I've seen you around the town and even back in Canterlot when I stopped in, and you're always kinda 'harrumph', but you seem super grumpy today.” Dash pestered.

“Does he have a cape with a big G on it?” Pinkie Pie asked suddenly and was ignored.

“If you must know I do not really wish to be here. This place is … unsettling with it's design.” Sombra offered.

“Really, and the idea of seeing Hinny in the Hills isn't cheering you up any?” Fireball asked.

“I am not a fan of musicals. The suspension of disbelief of a stage play ends for me when random songs break out for no reason. What sort of pony breaks into a song at the drop of a hat?” Sombra demanded.

“Oh Manhatten.....” Rarity began.

[ Dodge Junction]

The morning had started off quite well after Rahs had calmed down from the meet up. Applejack had reverted back to her normal form after burning off the magic she used to transform and the pair of them had started wandering around the festival. Though it was fairly clear she had taken some lessons from Rarity with how she occasionally brushed against him and how she moved. She drew a large number of eyes on her own, though he could feel a few stares of his own as usual.

Applejack seemed to know a number of the locals and also clearly knew her way around. The pair browsed around a few craft booths, tried some samples of food from some other booths, and tried their luck at some of the games that were set up here and there.

Rahs had managed to get a little hoof trap with his show of skill, though Applejack had managed to win him a giant pink stuffed rabbit in a horseshoe toss. The massive beast was almost as big as he was and Rahs was a little miffed the farm mare had outdone him so easily in some of the games, though he let it slide as he was enjoying himself.

They found a Abyssinian place for lunch and were waiting on the meal when they both caught a familiar scent and whirled in their seats

Wandering past them in the crowd was a very tall and obviously shady looking individual in a trench coat, a fedora, and a pair of dark shades, looking all the world like the image on the neighborhood watch signs. He seemed to move with a oddly disjointed grace and a dragon like tail whipped from under the back of his coat, one with a number of teeth marks in it.

“Is that?” Applejack questioned.

“Discord.”

Said creature paused at the sound of his name and started walking backwards through the crowd to spin around and face the pair, with a finger pressed to his lips and a loud shushing sound that went on for a few moments longer than was comfortable to any one.

“Well well, fancy meeting you two here. Are you two on a date? How lovely and me without my camera.” Discord chuckled, his voice low.

“Woof.” Rahs snapped.

“What am I doing here?” Discord gasped.”How accusatory. This is a festival why wouldn't I be here? Do you know how chaotic these events can get? For all the organization put into making sure they run smoothly these things tend to be delightful messes just barely holding a semblance of order. All it takes is the slightest little snap, and all Tartarus breaks loose. And I usually don't even have to do anything!”

A few screams drew the trio's attention back out to the road outside the shop as a number of barrels rumbled down the path slinging mustard from cracks in their side. A strange blue pegasus mare with gossamer like wings was running atop on of the barrels giggling like mad, as three stallions and a lavender earth pony mare in pigtails rushed after her.

“Case in point. I didn't have anything to do with that... directly... and that just a taste of the madness.” Discord giggled. “Oh don't give me that look, I'm not going to do anything. I'm actually here just to listen to one of my favorite bands that's performing. Pity Moosey Python retired or this group would be my second favorite band.... but don't tell them that. You two should go listen to the Song Fishies when they play... or Dazzlings or whatever they call themselves nowadays. They are quite good.”

Discord tapped his chin.

“Perhaps you'll mitigate some... hmmm, I have no idea what's going to happen, I love it! Never mind. Ahh, well. Toodles.” Discord smirked kicking away from their table and rolling backwards out into the crowd wearing a pair of sneakers with a wheels in the heels. He paused, pulled the collar of his coat up higher and crept off away from the pair following the path of the barrels following the trail of spicy mustard.

Applejack and Rahs watched him go with more than a little worry.

“Is it me or did he seem more subdued than usual.”Applejack muttered.

“Bark?” Rahs asked.

“Yeah, seems it, but who would Discord, be hiding from?” Applejack considered. “ Hate tah say it , but we should keep an eye open fer anything he does. Ah hate this date just turned into a bit of a job, but ...”

Rahs shook his head.” Woof.” He offered.

“Huh … thanks, guess it still is on until he does something.”

“That was fun, can we do it again?” Sonata asked as Aria dragged her back towards the stage.

“No. Do you want to get arrested before we can perform today?” Aria grumbled.

“Please tell me no one noticed her?” Adagio sighed looking over the sound equipment Aria had set up. The pig tailed siren glared at her sister, still annoyed that the big haired floozy insisted on checking after her setting up the sound equipment every single time. Aria had been setting up stages and doing their roadie grunt work since before the term was invented in Equestria, and the more modern stuff she had learned from some guy named Eddie before he vanished at a concert. Adagio probably couldn't even tell a boundary mic from a bass mic. It was one of the reasons she had even gotten into engineering when they had time, that and she liked fixing things, almost as much as Adagio seemed to enjoy breaking them when she was pissed, and Sonata broke them by existing.

“The whole damn place noticed her. I doubt they could place her as being the source of the problem , but any one paying attention would notice she was at all the booths where the crap started,

“I only asked them if they knew how to make a mustard roll....” Sonata giggled. “Oh they have Chimicherries.... or are they called Cherrychangas?”

“Not this again...” Aria sighed tossing her sister up onto the stage before climbing up onto it herself. “ You can baby sit for a little while now Adagio, I've got to finish setting this up.”

“Hmph.” Adagio grumbled glaring at the giggling Sonata.

The three of them had a unspoken agreement on how things worked in their shows. Adagio would get the money, somehow, to purchase what they needed, the less said about how the better.

Aria would take the money and set up the venue or secure their place on one already set up.

Sonata would go do her own thing and drum up interest in the show some how. The other two had learned not to ask after Sonata stole a police car, mounted a sports stadium speaker pole to the top and drove around town and across the beaches shouting about the show while dressed in a black suit and sunglasses.

They were only able to do smaller shows back as humans as the major players in that world had issues with the trio edging into their turf with different magic. Still the smaller shows worked out well enough to keep them empowered, if not overly so.

Now that they were back, the shows they gave were creating enough strife that their gems were practically thrumming with energy.

This was the last show before they were going to try for Canterlot. Aria hoped it would be enough.

[Manehatten]

“What the crap was that?” Sombra growled.

“Heart song.” Twilight explained as the group followed after the still giddy Rarity towards the hotel.

“That tells me nothing Sparkle.” Sombra snapped.

“A type of wild magic, one that's become a bit more common with the release of Discord according to studies. Generally a pony with a high enough level of emotion might tap into a strain of wild magic and have a song bubble up that will sweep nearly any one who hears it into the song, some how teaching everyone the words as well.“ Twilight lectured. “Several places have localized and captured the wild magic that brings it about, locking the wild magic into place to enforce songs for specific events. Which is why the Equestrian national anthem is always sung at the start of major games events even if no one knew we even had a national anthem. Another notable case is the Grand Galloping Gala's flash mob, and there are several seasonal songs that break out during at the appropriate seasons. Thankfully the wild magic surges like this tend to peter out as the magic is bled off in the song, so we avoid back to back renditions.”

“I believe I could have done without ever having experienced that.” Sombra muttered.

“Why, you have a wonderful baritone darling, perhaps I can convince you and Big Mac to team up for a little song group I'm putting together?” Rarity grinned.

“No.” Sombra grumbled.

“Oh, we'll talk later, we should be coming up on the theater for the runway show.” Rarity gestured to the large building before them. “Thank you gentle stallions ever so much for bringing my dresses along.”

“You were going to leave them behind when you knew the event was at two.” Sombra grumbled.” I am sometimes amazed you remember to put your tail on in the morning.”

Big Mac harrumphed. While Sombra was carrying a few bags, the massive trunk with the dresses had been on his back the whole time, he had no idea how he participated in the dance number with it.

“Do you think your designs will do well Rarity?” Fluttershy asked.

“Of course Darling. I spent months working on a new type of fabric for this event. It's shimmery but not showy, stretchy, but not clingy. I made all my dresses of this material. It will be fabulous.” Rarity squeed as she pranced into the event.

“I hope the girls are doing alright.” Fireball sighed as she followed.

“Why wouldn't they be?” Pinkie Pie questioned.” Applejack's there, except for today of course.”

“Yeah. And Sunset is watching them now.” Fireball shivered.

“It will be fine, Sunset isn't as bad as she's made out to be....” Twilight trailed off as she considered.

[Ponyville]

Sunset Shimmer stared at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders stared at Sunset Shimmer.

Spike sat back looking between all of them.

Soooo.... huh...” Sunset pondered.

Soooo?” Applebloom asked curious.

“You kids wanna see a dead body!?” Sunset asked suddenly and rather loudly.

“Sunset, no.” Spike snapped.

“Sunset, yes.” Sunset responded.

“Not really” Applebloom shrugged.

“Yeah! Cool!” Scootaloo stated.

“What another one?” Sweetiebelle grumbled.

The others all looked at the unicorn filly.

“What?” Sweetiebelle asked.

“Ehh, I'm sure they're fine, Spike's there after all.” Twilight waved a wing dismissively.

Rarity Takes Moreton Bay Bug, Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville]

“Diamond... are you sure about this?” Sterling Silver asked as she followed along behind the pink earth pony. Silver Spoon walked along the other side looking just as reluctant to be following the pink filly.

“Of course I am. That stupid lizard was just talking out of his tail hole. Those three are nothing, and I'm going to make sure they know it...” Diamond Tiara snarled.

The two Silvers looked at each other with a bit of worry Diamond Tiara had been going overboard lately, obsessed with getting the CMC back for any perceived slight, even if it had nothing to do with them. Even Spike's threat barely seemed to make her pause more than a day or two. Silver Spoon knew Diamond's mother was more than a little ruthless against those she considered her enemies or beneath her, but Diamond had taken that to a whole new level lately.

“I'm going to see those fools destroyed utterly for everything they've done.” Diamond snapped with a grin as the trio headed towards the Apple family farm.

A sudden explosion of fire from the orchards brought all three of them up short as a pillar of flame shot into the air easily a hundred stories rising into the sky as if to touch the sun.

“BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” .

“DAMNIT SUNSET!! Spike shouted.

“Language!” Sunset countered.

“This was a completely valid use of a swear!” Spike retorted.

“Tha barns on fire again.”Applebloom added.

“So's your bow.” Scootaloo offered.

“It's sooo pretty.” Sweetiebelle cood.

“Maaaaaybe we should come back tomorrow.” Diamond Tiara added and turned around quickly headed back towards town.

[ Manehatten]

“Ahhhhhhhh hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! RUINED I TELL YOU, RUINED!!!!” Rarity bawled.

Fluttershy, Pinkie, Twilight, Dash, Mac and Sombra all glanced to each other then back to the dramatically crying Rarity. They had gone out to see the sights of the city after dropping off Rarity's supplies. Mostly due to no one wanting to stick around and get in her way if she got into a proper 'zone'.But she had said she was alright if they left her.

When they had gotten back to the hotel Rarity was already bawling and at least two tubs deep in double fudge ice cream.

“So let me get this straight?” Rainbow Dash asked. “You met this Suri, who said she was from Ponyville, and after a bit of talking, you lent her some of your fabric to make an accent, whatever that is, and she used it to make a whole bunch of dresses? In a couple of hours? Damn I thought I was fast.”

“Can't you just talk to the judge about it?” Fluttershy questioned.

“Suri showed off her designs first and the judge didn't care about my protest.” Rarity bawled. “She used my designs as a base and then used my fabric to improve on them to fit what she knew the judge's tastes were, .thus making mine look like cheap copies....”

“I will go have a word with her.” Sombra stated, heading towards the door.

“NO. I know what you're going to do and that would be a violation of ethics... and your parole.” Twilight snapped. “ 'I' will go have a word with her.”

“NO!!” every one in the room shouted, save Big Mac who added his usual 'Eenope'.

“YES!” Discord shouted at the same time popping out of a nightstand drawer.

Everyone glared at the draconequus until he sheepishly pulled himself back into the drawer closing it behind him.

“Twilight don't make me get a newspaper.” Fluttershy warned.”I know how you feel, but Rarity can't have her outfits judged if you vaporize the runway.”

Sombra was suddenly belted up side the head with a pillow.

“What!?!?” Sombra glared at the pink mare.

'That's for biting Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie stated.

“I have been traveling with you the last two days and you just NOW hit me?” Sombra snapped.

“She just reminded me by mentioning the newspaper.: Pinkie Pie admitted.

“Stars....” Sombra grumbled.

“So, all you need is some new fabric and you'll be good to go!” Fireball suggested.”Shouldn't be hard to find something in town you can use if you get an idea.. We spotted a couple of fabric shops while we wandering around town, Dash can probably go get what you need rather quick.”

“Yes but I'll need to come up with new designs.” Rarity pouted.

“ I've seen you put together a clothing line based on a bee that got stuck in your window. I am sure you will be fine.” Sombra grumbled.

Rarity's eyes narrowed as she considered. Blue eyes looked over the lavish hotel room, then at the group with her.

“ I think. I might have something.” Rarity admitted with a wide grin.

[Dodge Junction.]

“So this is them?” Applejack questioned looking around at the crowd around them. All manner of creatures had turned up for the show, from ponies, griffons, and diamond dogs, to a couple of nox-cal and some stranger creatures Applejack couldn't identify... that one she thought was a camel but she wasn't sure. She and Rahs were looking to make this the final part of the date before they headed back to Ponyville. A couple hours of travel and they would be back home to see if anything had gone on while they were away.

Neither expected much, given they were only gone for a day and it was Saturday, not Tuesday.

[Ponyville]

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Scootaloo screamed as she flew over the town, a bright red crash helmet on her head, she was also wreathed in green flame.

“WHAT THE SHIT?!?” Sunset shouted as she ran up glaring at the remaining Crusaders and Spike.” I left you alone for twenty minutes to get dinner? How did you manage to fire Scootaloo from a cannon.... where did you even get a cannon!?”

“Pinkie Pie.”Applebloom offered.

“SCOOTALOO IS ON FIRE!!" Sunset shouted watching the burning green figure arch towards the lake.

“Yeah but it's that self sustaining immolation spell you taught me. She's not burning really she thought it would look cool.” Sweetiebelle added.” She also has a helmet.”

“Red makes it go faster.” Spike added.

“It's not supposed to be green fire!” Sunset snapped

“That's cause no one will let us play with matches, so Spike added his flame to the spell, and lit the fuse.” Applebloom offered.

“SPIKE!?” Sunset whirled on the dragon.

“I willingly hang around these three. Did you not actually expect that I might be easily swayed into their shenanigans by my filly friend?” Spike offered with a dead pan expression. “ Besides this is pretty tame in truth and Scootaloo is gonna hit the lake and probably come back to ask to do it again. This isn't the first time I've calculated the trajectory for one of them.”

Sunset blinked.

“This is why Applejack laughed at me when I offered to watch you four isn't it?” Sunset muttered.

“To be honest given Sweetiebelle is technically your aunt, thanks to Luna, so you only have yourself to blame.” Spike offered.”The warning signs are there.”

“Hey Spike.... Scoots missed the lake.” Applebloom offered squinting into the distance against the setting sun.

“What? By how much!?” Spike questioned pulling out a large sheet of paper covered in calculations.

“Dunno... She hasn't hit the ground yet, ah ken still see tha fire.” Applebloom stated.” Maybe she hit a tree?”

“GAHHHH!” Sunset snapped and vanished with a flash of teleportation towards the lake.

“I wonder when big sister Luna is gonna teach me to teleport?” Sweetiebelle pondered.

“I think, that if anyone really doesn't need to learn that spell, it would be you.” Spike pointed out as the three started running towards the lake.

[Dodge Junction]

Rahs and Applejack suppressed a small shudder, settling in with a box of fried chicken bits to snack on from a little booth run by a diamond dog that was named Kennel Fried Chicken. They didn't ask about the name, but the food was pretty good.

On stage a lavender earth pony with twin pigtails was going over the sound equipment again. It seemed that the Dazzlings, were not even on the planned program to start with, but the head liner John-Bon-Poni had to cancel for some reason or another. The two groups that had come on the main stage before hoof hadn't been a couple of local bands, they were not bad but they were not really note worthy otherwise.

Rahs had liked the stage presence of one of them called RAWR, but the music had left something to be desired in his opinion. The costumes were very well done however.

“Well, if anythings gonna happen due tah Discord, this'd be it wouldn't it?” Applejack stated.

Rahs simply nodded as a trio of mares, the pig tailed one, the pegasus from the mustard barrels earlier, and another that was sixty percent mane easy, moved up to the mic stands on the stage.

“Woof.”

“Yeah ah'm kinda curious as to what sort of band Discord would like maiself.” Applejack offered turning her attention to the stage.

Then the trio started to sing.

Rarity Takes Moreton Bay Bug, Part 3

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Dodge Junction.]

“WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!” Adagio screamed out whirling to glare at her sisters. The pair of them didn't seem to have any clue what had happened either.

“I dunno, it was weird.. some sort of spell blocking us?” Aria muttered as she ran her hoof over the gemstone hanging from her necklace. The stone hummed lightly as it always did at the caress, but otherwise it was drained slightly.

They had started their set, working up the crowd a little with two songs, then turning loose the full power to turn the mass of beings into a riotous mob on the third. They had done it in every town the same way for as long as they had been doing this.

Only this time... nothing happened.

“Well at least they liked the songs.” Sonata added.

“Who gives a shit about the songs, we gained nothing from this place. A crowd this big and we LOST power casting the initial spells with no effect.” Adagio screeched.”So tell me What the fuck happened!?”

“Calm the fuck down, like we know.” Aria snapped.”We were there same as you and you're the one who's got the damn horn on your head. You're supposed to be able to figure this out!”

Sonata frowned as her sisters started bickering. This wasn't going to get them any where. She considered the crowd as she saw them. Nothing of note really stood out, no one trying to steal their power, there was that big boobie puppy that she was pretty sure was a pony before, but given she seemed to be with the other big cute puppy, maybe she hadn't been a pony?

In either case she would bring it up with her sisters when they calmed down. They wouldn't believe her, but at the same time she could say' I told you so' later if the big boobie puppy was the cause.

[Earlier]

“Well that's some might pretty warbling.” Witch-Jack considered.”Though something's fishy about it.”

Rahs nodded, rather distracted by the taste of seafood flavored magic filling the air, and by Applejack filling out that dress a little too much again as she switched forms.

He could tell the magic was coming from the three on stage, and he was somewhat annoyed by that in truth. While he couldn't tell what the spell was, it was clearly an emotional one, likely something to boost how they sounded to draw in more fans.

Rahs thought that was cheating.

As such he and Applejack had moved up to near the front row of the concert, pushing past what was starting to look like a mosh pit in order to stem the flow of the magic.

Witch-Jack wasn't quite sure why they moved forward, though she did quickly catch on that the girls were the ones casting spells.

Even with the spell disrupted the trio were decent singers. Some of the best Rahs had heard outside a proper opera.

The trio seemed confused that their magic was being disrupted, which confused Rahs a little, he had thought the unicorn was casting and hiding her horns aura in that ridiculous mass of hair she had, but it seemed all three were the source.

The effect of having magic eaten was also not present, none of them winced, and the magic didn't stop until the song did.

Rahs glanced over to Witch-Jack almost wishing his sister was here to try and figure this out, but at the same time rather glad she wasn't. Still best to make a note of this for later. It would be future Rahs' problem.

He was on a date after all.

[Ponyville]

“Damn it.“ Spike snapped his eyes narrowing. “I owe Lyra ten bits.”

“Right.... so am I going to get stuck watching them more or less because of this? “ Sunset asked.

“Less when it's the relatives choice, but they are probably gonna seek you out more often than not themselves now because of this.” Spike offered.

“Shit.” Sunset muttered.

The three fillies were all running around in circles screaming and bouncing about like lunatics chattering at a hundred words a second.

The reason for this, was because of the laurel wreath made up of green flaming wings that adorned Scootaloo's flanks.

Like her mother, Scootaloo seemed to have a talent for making Saint Equine's Fire. She had just needed a little spark to make it happen the first time. Something Sunset's spell, inexpertly cast by Sweetiebelle, had provided. The cutie-mark seemed secondary however as Scootaloo had yet to touch the ground more than a few seconds, her little wings spread wide with green fire licking off the tips of her feathers extending them into much larger wings, that she was using to keep herself aloft.

“Well at least some good turned out of this and I shouldn't get a lecture or anything from mom or Granny.” Sunset sighed.

“Except now the other two are going to try more dangerous and ridiculous things because it worked for Scootaloo.” Spike pointed out.

“You're the one who lit the cannon!”

“But you're the adult here.” Spike grinned. “Remember I'm grounded because I acted 'immature' to a bully.”

“Bullshit, Sparkle gave you a high five.”

“But mom was less than thrilled. And she ranks higher than Twilight. “ Spike pointed out with a grin.” I'm not trusted to be the adult any more, so it's on you.”

“Craaaaaaaaaaap!”

[Manehatten]

Rarity had barely made it to the run way in time. Everyone had helped her out considerably and she felt quite bad at all the work she forced them into last night. She was also thankful for Fireball and Sombra both of whom managed to talk some sense into her before she ground everyone into dust. Well Fireball talked sense, Sombra just stubbornly refused to do certain things.

Still standing back stage and watching the praise and adoration that was being given to Suri who was showing off HER material and product line was making her truly start to understand Twilight.

Using the other mare as a weed wacker in a forest of poison joke sounded very cathartic right now.

Rarity's eyes narrowed as Suri sauntered past the mare with a vile grin on her face, her assistant Coco hot on her hooves.

“Oh well, look who it is, here to show off your copy cat collection.” Suri laughed trotting past.

Suri missed the look that Rarity gave her, but Coco caught it, as well as the dark flicker in the white unicorns eyes. The blue maned earth pony froze on the spot with a shudder then quickly darted past after her boss.

“... Hotel Clique...” Prim announced.

Looking back out across the stage as the models trotted out, Rarity watched the crowd with some interest. There were a number of big names in the crowd and all of them seemed to be excited about her line. Rarity's gaze swept over to a small area reserved for the contestants, spotting her friends sitting there. They all looked a little worn out, but at the same time they seemed to be having surprised and pleased reactions at all the talk starting around them about the work they did. Well except Sombra, who still seemed annoyed to be there.

Rarity let out a sigh and smiled, not noticing a flicker of rainbow coloration run across her eyes and the rope separating her friends from the other VIPs, as she moved back from the stage. She would need to have a word with some ponies to see if she could get another set of tickets to Hinny in the Hills. With the work she had every one do last night, they had missed out on the show. And with the exception of Rainbow and Sombra, they all seemed excited to see it. They had been quite generous with their time and patience with her, the least she could do would be to return the favor somehow.

Rarity headed back to the work room she had been given at the end of the hall, as the next contestant's line was called up. She was so lost in thought she barely noticed another presence standing before the door until she spoke.

“You haven't won yet Rarity.” Suri snapped as she glared at the white unicorn.

Rarity blinked coming to a stop her eyes narrowing at the mare Suri was apparently trying to be intimidating stepping out of the shadows just before Rarity reached her room. Rarity had faced down Nightmare Moon, cannibalistic diamond dogs, Timber Wolves, Discord, Opal's litter box, a literal nightmare, an invading army of changelings, and had Sombra as a roommate after knocking him out while escorting a group of civilians though a fire, Suri really needed to up her game if she thought she worried Rarity in the slightest. ”Really? Because judging by the praise and the cheering, the crowd would seem to say other wise.”

“Feh, you got lucky is all. And with your attitude they're going to trot all over you here.” Suri growled.

“If you had half the talent your assistant seems to I might be more worried about a thief such as yourself warning me.” Rarity scoffed, her eyes darkening a little, something Suri missed.

“Pity I've got her so wrapped around my hoof her work is my work.”Sui snapped back.

“A thief and scoundrel to the last. No I take that back, at least most thieves and scoundrels have some small talent in the art of theft, you had to be given everything first in order to steal it.”Rarity countered the lights in the hall dimming, unnoticed by either of the mares.

“And yet I still managed to make a full line in only a few hours.” Suri replied.

“You mean your assistant did. Sooner or later that mare is going to realize what a horrid pony you are and quit.“ Rarity scoffed the lights dimmed further in the hall. Both of them casting longer shadows though Rarity's seemed to writhe behind her.

“Whatever. A small town yokel like yourself will never make it no matter how lucky you are. The way you give so much away and actually seem to care about the ponies you step on shows how unfit for this life you really are.”Suri sneered turning her nose up and walking away.”The fashion industry is a dog eat dog world Rarity.....”

Whatever else the mare was going to say trailed off as the lights in the hall went out completely.

“What?” Suri questioned.

“Hmm, perhaps you are correct......” A sultry and husky sounding voice replied.

Suri blinked peering into the darkness, the only lights coming from the far end of the hall where she could hear the crowd applauding someone. Suri's eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, only for the outline of a form to appear before her eyes. The figure was tall leaving Suri to only come up to her chest in height, her black furred form shimmering with a silvery coloration as it caught the faint light. Looking up, she saw a massive mane of gently flowing purple hair that shimmered in the light just as the coat did. The figure stood as tall as Princess Luna and towered over the other mare, glimmering blue eyes slit like a cat's stared down at Suri.

“....The fashion industry is, indeed, a dog eat dog world as you say.” The tall figure hummed. “Luckily for me, I have the 'teeth' for it!”

As she spoke she smiled, the lines of her mouth spreading all the way up along her jaw and down the sides of her neck, the opening seeming to unhinge and drop down to the figures chest to just above where her legs joined her torso. The lower jaw split again forming two separate lower jaws displaying rows and rows and rows of shark like teeth, and two decidedly long black tongues that lashed out at the earth pony with a sounds like a whips cracking.

Suri screamed, bolting as fast as she could, tearing away from the monster. She crashed into a few things in the hall screaming and crying out each time she hit something before she ran out the exit at the far side of the hall, ripping across the stage and smashing open a fire exit, completely ignoring the crowd she had to rush past or the show she interrupted.

Prim blinked looking at the fire door as it swung closed with a slam. She considered a moment moving to the edge of the darkened hallway peering down the darkened hall.

“Hello?” Prim asked curiously.

“Oh, hello darling.” Rarity stated from the other end of the hall. “Do be careful I think the lights had a short.”

“I'll get some on on that, what happened with Suri?” Prim asked.

“Honestly.... I don't rightly know. One moment she was doing a bit of trash talking and the next she was screaming bloody murder and running off like her tail was on fire. “ Rarity sighed opening the door to her room at the far end of the hall, casting the white mare in a halo of light from the door. “ Oh good my room is still lit. I will warn you Prim dear you might want to get a cleaner back here as well. Judging from the smell, I think she might have had a bit of a... hmmm, shall we say accident when the lights went out.”

“Ugh. If it's not one thing it's another.” Prim sighed with a roll of her eyes, heading back to the stage to reassure everyone everything was fine and to call the janitor.

[The following day.]

“So what did you think darlings?” Rarity asked with a smile as the group trotted out of the theater.

“It was really good. Shirley's gotten even better than the last time I saw him.”Twilight offered with a smile.” The book was better though.”

“Of course it was.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as Pinkie and Fluttershy giggled.

“Well I enjoyed it.” Fireball offered with a smirk.

“Eeeyup.” Big Mac added.

“Hrumph” Sombra offered though even he didn't seem to be putting much effort into being a grump. That and everyone was used to him by now.

“How did you even get a second set of tickets?” Twilight asked.

“Ahh, I spoke with the producer of the play. After a bit of negotiating I got the tickets as part of the deal I made to make all the costumes for his next show.” Rarity smiled.” He was rather impressed with my designs and while the pay isn't excessive it will be more than enough to pay for itself at least twice over.”

“Free tickets and a job. I hope you won't be over worked with all that you signed up for, plus what's likely to come in terms of business from winning the show.” Fireball added.

“It's quite alright dear, I'll manage.”Rarity smiled despite herself. ”I did promise that you would see Hinny in the Hills, and I would have hated to go back on that.”

“Excuse me... Miss Rarity!?” A soft voice questioned.

Looking towards the voice, the group spotted a cream colored earth pony mare with a blue striped mane.

Rarity blinked and raised an eyebrow. “ Coco was it? What can I do for you?”

“Oh nothing really, sorry, I just wanted to congratulate you on your win.“ Coco offered. “ And to apologize for my part in all that happened with your first line and that lovely material.”

“Oh? Why thank you. And I wouldn't worry too much about it, it's in the past and it was your boss that stole my designs and used my material. “ Rarity waved off the apology. ”That said I am impressed you managed to make an entire line from my materials in just a few hours.”

“Oh.. well thank you, but the designs were just some older ones I had plans for...” Coco muttered.

“Don't sell yourself short. It took all of us all night to do what you did in a few hours.” Twilight added.

“Thank you.... I'm glad Suri didn't manage to run you off... though I'm not sure what happened to her.”Coco stated.

“Run me off?” Rarity asked.

“Yes, the last thing she said was she was going to try and run you off so Prim would think you left and would have you forfeit thus allowing her to win.” Coco explained. “ Well, then she told me to have a coffee waiting for her when she got back. So I suppose that was the last thing she said to me.”

“Hmmmm.”Sombra growled.

“I wouldn't worry darling I'm sure Suri will turn up again, like a bad bit.” Rarity sighed.

“I hope not.” Coco sighed. “I've been working with Suri for so long I started to believe what she said. But then you came in with all your generosity and showed that everything she was saying was wrong. You didn't treat any pony badly nor did you seem just out for yourself. You won despite doing everything Suri said would cause you to fail. You proved that there is something better.”

The others blinked looking at the mare with a bit of pity.

“It's quite alright darling. Surely she couldn't have been that bad.” Rarity offered.

“She was, and if she hadn't have run off, I would have quit.” Coco stated with a bit more determination than she had started with. “That all said, I brought you something to thank you.”

“You didn't have to....” Rarity looked at the little box she was given.

“No, I insist, it's the least I can do.”Coco offered.

Rarity considered, looking at the box, then the mare. “I suppose with Suri run off and your plans to quit anyway, you are out of a job now.”

“I'll be fine.” Coco placated. ' It's not the first time I've needed to look for work.”

“Hmm... How would you like to work for a friend of mine designing the costumes for his next show?” Rarity offered. “The pay might not be the best, but you would be your own boss with it, plus your designs would be seen by everyone who came to see the show.”

Coco blinked in shock as Rarity smiled continuing on. “You never know what a bit of generosity might bring back to you dear.”

[ Friendship Express, Ponyville bound.] Later that evening]

“So what did she give you any way?” Sombra asked, shifting in the seat across from Rarity as he flipped though his book.

Fluttershy was asleep on the couch at the back of the car, Big Mac and Twilight had also retired to the sleeper car of the train to 'sleep' as well.

Rainbow Dash and Fireball were both trying to beat Pinkie Pie in cards and failing miserably.

Rarity blinked as she looked up at the dark stallion across from her. This was really the first thing he had said to her since they settled in a few hours ago. Though in the short time she had been his 'warden' he had been a bit rude, but not otherwise hostile, and barely talkative at all. He hardly seemed like the stallion she had knocked out in the empire, though the mare was still leery of him. Though not nearly as much as she had been at first.

Rarity smiled opening the little box again and showing off a spool of thread that looked like a collection of different colored threads wrapped on one spool until her hoof shifted and the light caught it at another angle shifting the colors along the thread.

“A spool of thread?”Sombra scoffed.

“Indeed. The thread it self is quite gorgeous and I wonder if the poor thing made it herself some how. It seems like some sort of silk.” Rarity offered.

“I take you already have some design in mind to use it?” Sombra offered.

“Oddly … no.” Rarity admitted.” For some reason despite this being a delightful spool of thread, I can't seem to think of anything I would use it for at all. It's as if I don't want to use it.”

“I see. Well you can add it to the growing pile of fabric and thread you don't use now.” Sombra scoffed.

“I do not have that much unused material.” Rarity snorted.

“I am fairly certain the pile has gained sentience and is breeding, given how often I still find spools of thread, yarn, and bolts of cloth in my room no matter how many times I clean it out.” Sombra rolled his eyes.

“It is not.... did you just make a joke?” Rarity gasped.

Author's Notes:

And now with this episode finished. I vanish into Midgar. FF7 remake here i come!

Maud Pike

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville, O-dark-What the buck, in the morning, Sugar Cube Corner]

Twilight rubbed her temples as she looked at Pinkie Pie who was bouncing like a lunatic around the mountains of rock candy. She was not thrilled to be woken up this early despite the fact that Pinkie -Pie had asked them all to show up at this gods awful hour.

Hmmm, maybe Twilight should start making swears up on her self like ponies used Celestia's tail and what not. Actually no given her brothers that would get old quick.

Her attention left Pinkie and went to Spike, who was busy chewing his way through his third pile. Then to her other bottomless pit of a brother Rahs, who had discovered that Pinkie Pie had some how managed to put a great deal of magic into certain types of the candy, and he was starting his fourth pile.

Twilight then looked to her other friends as if to figure out what was happening, or at least show that some one else recognized how ridiculous this was.

Applejack..... Witch-Jack, was going through the rock candy as fast as Rahs was. The only time she stopped was to ask Pinkie why the flavor she called Snozz Berries tasted like Rahs.

When Rahs was done choking and Rainbow Dash finished laughing her head off, Witch-Jack and Twilight were both still confused as no one explained anything.

Rarity was trying out the candy as she was asked to, though she seemed to be taking great effort to try it as daintily and slowly as she could, clearly not wanting any, but willing to help out Pinkie with the taste testing. It was before breakfast after all.

Dash was just grabbing hoof fulls of her favorite and just tossing them into her mouth not bothering to really try any others.

Fluttershy was.... well Fluttershy seemed as exasperated as Twilight was.

Twilight moved over to the yellow pegasus who was prodding at the rock candy before her.

“Is this normal?” Twilight questioned.

“Unfortunately.” Fluttershy sighed.”She does something like this every time she hears one of her family is coming. You should have seen her when her dad stopped by on the way to make a delivery to Canterlot.”

“I don't get it. I mean I guess Maud likes rock candy, but to this level?” Twilight muttered gesturing to the big rock candy mountain, particularly the one Pinkie had named Charlie.

“Hey don't knock it this is great.” Dash offered.

“Shun the nonbeliever.” Spike added.

“Shhhunnn.” Pinkie Pie added

“Shhhhhuunnnnnnn-naa.” Dash continued laughing.

“ Right, well, she doesn't, Maud doesn't like candy, but Pinkie got it into her head that she liked rock candy and Maud doesn't want to upset her.” Fluttershy whispered. ”Wish I could have this kind of excitement from a family visit.”

“You don't get along with your family?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Oh, I get along with my mother and father great. It's just usually if they visit it's because somethings happened or they need something.” Fluttershy offered. ”Then there's my brother.....”

Fluttershy trailed off as Twilight backed away a few paces, the tone and venom in the sweet butter yellow mare's voice was enough to make Twilight 'Tuesday' Sparkle wonder if the Flower Trio had enough room in their bunker for one more.

Drawing on some of Spike's wisdom stat, which he clearly wasn't using having eaten easily several times his weight in rock candy by now citing it was future Spike's problem, Twilight changed the subject.

“Soooooo when is Maud supposed to arrive?” Twilight asked hopefully.

[ Canterlot]

Trixie screamed out, throwing her hooves in the air and falling back to the ground cursing with a heavy Neigh Orleans accent.

Princess Luna watched her antics with some amusement and a hint of boredom. This was a usual result for her student when something frustrated her.

For the most part Luna was happy to share what she knew and she found she rather liked Trixie as after a few days the mare was not the slightest bit intimidated by her and had gotten quite informal.

Unfortunately after all this time it was becoming quite clear that Trixie was in no way as much a savant as Luna had thought.

Unless it involved illusions, by her own star filled tail this mare could do illusions like she was the alicorn of them.

Almost every other school of magic however, well to put bluntly, Trixie was shit at.

Trixie couldn't manage a basic transmutation spell, for crying out loud, even a newborn foal could turn lead into gold.

She could manage the basics of abjuration and evocation, conjuration was almost as bad as transmutation, but she could at least manage to turn summon a few spices to add to her meals, if they were within sight and only a few feet out of reach.

Enchantment she was fair at, though at best a journymare level, she had used this school to set things up in her act enough that she was proficient. Luna had even tried a bit of necromancy and blood magic.

The blood magic she could do the basics, but was averse to using it to the point that most of her spells would fail.

Necromancy, well there was a reason it was a opposite school of illusion. Luna was fairly certain the spell she cast was supposed to be a simple chill touch, hardly even a necromantic spell, at best it could be used to make ice for drinks.

When the fire was put out Luna gave up on that school of magic entirety.

“Are you done?” Luna asked the mare.

Trixie seemed to ponder a moment more before nodding. “Yes.”

“Good we shall move on to...”

“No Princess. Trixie is DONE.” Trixie stated picking herself up.

“Hmm? We suppose it is getting late.” Luna sighed.

“No. Princess you still do not understand. Trixie is done with the lessons, done with the training, done with this. Trixie has been stuck in Canterlot since last winter and she has improved not a whit.” Trixie explained.” Trixie has improved on nothing ..”

“Not true, you have picked up a great deal of refinement to your skills...”

“Skills Trixie already knew. It is is far to clear to Trixie now her initial plan was not going to work. There is no way Trixie is going to out magic Twilight Sparkle and take over Fuzzy's link.”

“To be fair it was not a good plan anyway since no one , not even us, knows how that works.” Luna sighed.

“Yes, well, Trixie needs to come up with a new plan, one that will allow her to show she is the better choice beyond the others. Which Trixie really needs to focus on.” Trixie pouted. “Trixie is the underdog here and she is the only one who is not a dog or able to turn into one out of those after Fuzzy.”

“Sunset is not a dog...” Luna offered.

“Sunset is a total bitch, which is close enough to count.” Trixie huffed as Luna rolled her eyes without disagreeing.” Coming out of no where like that when Trixie only had to deal with two others, Trixie can't even blame Apple Smack for her involvement, but she can blame Sunset.

“Applejack.” Luna offered.

“Whatever.”Trixie sighed. “Trixie is sorry Princess it is not your teaching, though Trixie will still complain about the dream classes, in Trixie's dreams, but Trixie is at the limit of her skills. She does not have the power to fool reality with her illusions like you seem to think she can.”

“Yes well after having the amulet investigated it seems we may have to agree, we did not recall that Sombra made other types of amulets, but it seems there are several hundred types that he often used to 'feed the puppies' as he had mentioned.”Luna frowned. “So what do you plan to do now?”

“Right now Trixie has heard of Sunset and Snapple Crack having asked him out on a date. Trixie needs to get to work on some of her shows so she has the bits to ask him out and be able to do better than they have with her date.” Trixie offered. ”Though she needs to get back on the road to do so. While her savings have not taken any real hits staying on the palace's bit, she is not wealthy enough to be comfortable.”

“Oh that reminds us, since you have been our student for this long we have forgotten to give you the usual stipend that is granted to students of the crown like Twilight had.” Luna's horn glowed and a rolled up sheet of paper appeared that was then offered to Trixie.

“Ahh that should help. Thank you Princess. Though we can't imagine it being that much for just a few months of …....” Trixie trailed off as her eyes widened looking at the scroll, which was a writ for payment from the Royal Treasury. “That..... is an awful lot of zeros....”

“Well aside from the stipend there is also the reimbursement for what you paid for the amulet we seized, the finders fee for an cursed artifact. The reward for the aid in recovering the crown Princesses, pay the few times we have asked you to help us foal sit Sweetiebelle and her friends, plus the hazard pay for that, and payout for the few impromptu shows you put together for a few of the royal guests, ambassadors, and their young, at palace prices of course.”

“An awful lot of zeros.” Trixie muttered.

“As they say in the modern tongue, do not spend it all in one place.” Luna offered with a smirk.

[Ponyville]

So wait you're studying for a Rockterate? I'm not entirely certain what that is?” Rarity asked questioned.

“It's like a doctorate, but with rocks.” Pinkie Pie chimed up.

“So a geologist?” Twilight asked.

“Geologists are amateurs.” Maud stated flatly.

Twilight sighed. It had pretty much been this way the entire visit. Pinkie Pie was cranked up to eleven, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were confused at how different the two sisters were. Fluttershy hadn't added anything and simply gone along with Pinkie's excitement like she was used to it. Spike and Maud had gotten into a minor conversation about the taste of certain gems, though that was mostly Spike talking animatedly about certain flavors and Maud slowly offering a suggestion or two for him.

Twilight tried to learn about her only for the mares slow and direct method of speech to frustrate her to no end, and this was after dealing with Big Mac for two years.

She seemed nice, but Rarity had been confused to all get out about the mare taking a simple painting smock as high fashion. The mare had yet to crack so much as a smile or a frown or anything and Twilight was being driven mad.

The closest thing to a facial expression had been when she greeted Rahs, and that exchange was maddening.

“Rahs.” Maud stated looking up at the moon dog.

“Maud.”

“Keeping out of trouble?” Maud asked.

Rahs grinned.

The small hint of what might have been a smile in another life touched Maud's face for an attosecond, before she lifted a hoof and fist/hoof bumped Rahs before the moon dog went back to what he was doing and the pair ignored each other the rest of the time they were all in the library.

Fluttershy had explained that Rahs had met Maud during the PETA incident and they approved of each others style on handling the situation.

Twilight and Applejack were both thrilled to find out Maud was not interested in Rahs like that.

Spike and Rarity lost a few bits on that one.

Twilight wasn't sure how the conversation came up, but the talk of pets was brought up. Fluttershy twitched lightly at the talk which should have been a warning.

Then Twilight was introduced to Boulder.

A magnesium-rich basalt chunk if Twilight was correct, she only dabbled in geology as a hobby after all along with all her other studies.

To be honest after the whole deal with the tree of Harmony and the Elements, Twilight wasn't even going to say anything about Boulder.

“Huh. I wonder if Princess Luna thinks of the moon as her pet rock?” Rainbow Dash considered.” That has to be an awesome thing.”

“Princess Luna may have the biggest pet rock. But I have the best. Isn't that right Boulder?” Maud asked holding the small rock up with a hoof.

Given that was the longest series of words Maud had spoken all day thus far Twilight wondered if there was some history there.

“One does not use a pet as a weapon.” Maud continued.

Yep, there was the history. This was going to be a long day.

Author's Notes:

Yes, i know what i did here.

Filli-mahi, Prologue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

Filli-mahi
Prologue

[Ponyville, Fluttershy's cottage three days after Maud's visit.]

Rahs Sparkle was annoyed.

Pinkie Pie was annoyed.

The targets in this instance were Rarity, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack.

The group had come across Fluttershy singing on their way to pick her up for lunch. They had then gone nuts over it, forcing the little yellow mare to draw into herself more and more. Rarity cranked it up a notch further by trying to get Fluttershy to join her Ponytones group, you could see the yellow mare start to pull into her self like she was trying to vanish.

Rahs glanced to Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie glanced to Rahs.

Rahs moved between Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie moved between Applejack and Rarity.

There was a loud whump sound as two hooves and two paws Gib smacked four ponies in the back of the head at the same time.

“No. Bad. Fluttershy does not want to sing on stage.” Pinkie Pie stated flatly.” Do you remember what we had to do to get her to go on stage for the Hearths Warming play?

“But....” Rarity protested.

Whump.

“Ow!” Rarity whined.

“No.” Pinkie snapped.

[ The next day, the pet center fund raiser. ]

Rahs was annoyed.

Two members of the Ponytones were annoyed.

Rarity was freaking out.

Twilight was oddly calm.

Big Mac seemed rather proud of himself.

“I cannot believe that you managed to throw out your voice.... with a turkey call.” the mare of the Ponytones stated. flatly.

“How could you let him do this!?” Rarity shouted in a panic at Twilight.

“I'm dating him Rarity, I don't own him.” Twilight sighed. ”Besides from my understanding he competes every year and well, that was a … interesting event to say the least. And he did win first place.”

“But the Ponytones need their base tone....” Rarity whined.

“I have that covered.” Twilight smiled.

Rahs glared.

“Don't give me that look, Fluttershy is counting on this group performing to draw in ponies to adopt the animals in need of homes. “ Twilight stated her voice taking on a tone of what could best be described as 'malicious sweetness'.“ And you don't want to disappoint Fluttershy, do you?”

Rahs glared harder.

“What on earth are you two talking about?” Rarity frowned.

Twilight grinned and held up a vial of a blue liquid in her magic. There wasn't much left of it from her experiments, but there was enough.

“Woof.” Rahs growled.

“Awww you know you love me.” Twilight laughed.

Filli-mahi Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville]

Rahs Sparkle was annoyed.

This was starting to be a trend.

The stage presence and singing he had no problem with, he reveled in that. The singing wasn't much of an issue either, his stage training allowed him to harmonize perfectly and his tone, while not quite as deep as Big Mac's, was more than enough to do the job.

Rarity was a perfectionist which while annoying, he was used to.

He wasn't much a fan of the outfits. It might also have to do with the fact that the uniform had to be re-tailored with him in it to hide his wings, the horn on his head was a lost cause despite his long mane. Ehh what ever, one must suffer for their art and all that.

They had indeed gotten every pet adopted as well, which had Fluttershy happy, and a giddy Fluttershy was something to see. She seemed a little worried about the stallion that adopted the tiger, though that seemed mostly due to the precarious eyebrow ring he had.

Rahs was however highly annoyed that he had managed a new collection of groupies including Torch Song, one of the other Ponytones.

“Really? Are you sure you don't want to get a drink with me after the show?” The mare smiled nearly purring.

“I will pass.” Rahs sighed wondering where the heck Rarity had wandered off to.

“Are you really sure? I know a delightful little place with some private booths....”

“He's spoken for. By far more than I like already.” stated Rarity.

Looking around the pair took note that Rarity was coming towards them, though she was also on the other side of the stage talking with a filly and her father.

“What?” Torch Song blinked, before yelping as a mass of green fire consumed the Rarity approaching them turning her into a tall pink maned changeling.

“AHHH!” Torch Song yelped back peddling as Rahs rolled his eyes.

“Saturnia please don't scare off the other singers. We're already down Mac.” Rahs grumbled.

“Sorry. But old habits even if everyone already knows what I am I don't like to advertise it.” Saturnia sighed glaring at the mare before turning her attention fully to Rahs.”That's not a bad look for you.”

“Thanks. I hate it.” Rahs muttered.

“Ha. I expect so. Which is fine because normal you is a good look for you too.” Saturnia smiled.” The wings and horn are a bit much in truth. With your navy fur you look like some ones bad OC in a fan novel.”

Rahs shook his head with a small smirk.”Is there something I can help you with?”

“Yes actually. I've heard about your dates with Sunset and Applejack, so I would like to ask you out myself... say next Wednesday?” Saturnia nearly purred.

Rahs considered before nodding.”Alright, it's only fair. Anything I should know about this?”

“While I do plan for it to be a surprise I would say maybe grab something to eat first, it's a bit of a trek to where we are going even after the train ride.”

“Oh. A mystery tour?” Rahs chuckled.

“Trust me I'm sure you'll like it more than any of the other dates you've been on thus far.” Saturnia smiled.” And this is certain to be much better than anything Jynx or Trixie can come up with.”

“Be nice.” Rahs chided.

“Sorry... “Saturnia turned her head a little.” But yes, next Wednesday morning would be the best time. It might wind up as an all day thing like the Cherry Festival, and we can get some lunch along the way.”

“Alright I suppose I'll see you then.” Rahs nodded watching the Changeling walk off, she paused by Torch Song and hissed at the mare suddenly, making her jump.

“Saturnia!” Rahs chided as the changeling laughed.

“She doesn't count!”

Rahs shook his head as the real Rarity trotted back up with the other singer Toe Tapper, and a tiny filly zipping about in the air around a large stallion.

“Yes well, good news darlings. Zipporwhill and her father here want us to perform at her cute-ceañera.” Rarity stated.

“Oh that's good. What is it? Next week should give Mac time to recover.” Rahs offered.

“Umm no.” Rarity frowned.

“It's tomorrow!” The little bundle of energy zipping around in the air stated.

“Yes, well I feel we can do that...” Rarity offered.

“Rarity!“ Rahs snapped.

“Yes Darling?” Rarity smiled.

“I've already been a pony longer than I like I'm not...” Rahs hissed at her trailing off as the little filly looked up at him,clutching her new puppy in her forelegs with sad eyes.

“What was that Rahs?” Rarity asked again with a wry smirk..

“You are an evil mare.”

“So that's a yes!” Rarity smiled.

[Crystal Empire]

Shining Armor Sparkle was annoyed.

Her wife was thrilled.

As Was Chrysalis.

“So this is what he looked like as a mare?” Very nice.” Chrysalis purred.

“I know right, he keeps all his muscle tone too.” Cadence purred as well.

Shining Armor was going to murder her sister. It would be fine. She's a god now, she'd come back right?

“Given there's no telling how long this will last we should take full advantage of it while we can.” Cadence explained.

“Oh, I agree.” Chrysalis added.

Buck.. well time for plan B.

“So I've been meaning to tell you that I've developed a new trick.” Shining stated with what he hoped was a seductive smile towards the two goddesses before her.

“Ooh, I love the voice.” Chrysalis smiled.

“Really? Is it a sexy trick?” Cadence asked.

“In a sense, yes.” Shining offered, her horn glowing. “Bye.”

And with that, Shining Armor vanished in a flash of teleportation.

Cadence and Chrysalis stared at the spot for a moment in shock.

“Since when can he teleport?” Chrysalis asked.

[Ponyville]

Rahs Sparkle took note of how much more face hoofing hurt with actual hooves than his paws as his hooves impacted his face again.

“Rarity.......” Rahs growled.

The cute-ceañera went off without any sort of hitch. Rahs was rather glad that Scootaloo had used her connections through Luna and Sweetiebelle to get Luna's contracted group Pontera to play at her cute-ceañera. instead of the Ponytones. He was completely done with this.

Well he thought he was.

“The mayor wants us to perform at her ribbon cutting ceremony tomorrow.” Rarity pointed out. “ We can hardly disappoint the mayor can we?”

Rahs opened his mouth to protest when the mayor cut him off.

“I'll waive the fine you received from that last fight you had with Angel Bunny that tore through the records office.” Mayor Mare stated flatly.

“What time do you want us there?” Rahs questioned.

“The Spa.... Seriously?” Rahs grumbled.

“One hundred percent off the next time you need a treatment... like you do now.” Rarity offered.

“Fine....”

“ Well I can get the school ponies to ask you directly....” Rarity offered.

“Forget it, no, you probably gave them all little teddy bears or something else to amp the cuteness.” Rahs snarled. “Last one Rarity. This is the last one, Big Mac's voice is back he's just been told to take it easy for a day or two more, he can pick up were he left off.”

“Alright darling. Last one.” Rarity admitted.

“You call that singing? I've heard frogs with better tones.” Adagio pointed out and laughed. Aria rolled her eyes and Sonata stared at Rahs having the odd feeling she had seen him before.

The trio had come into Ponyville in time to catch the Ponytones show and afterwards Adagio had started talking crap, riling up the group before throwing down a gauntlet of challenge.

Rarity and the other Ponytones were highly annoyed.

“Rarity.”Rahs stated.”One more.”

“Yes, I know Rahs I promised one more we can get Big Mac in this and we can still beat them...” Rarity trailed off.

“No Rarity.” Rahs added with a bit more emphasis as he growled. “'One' more.”

“Oh..... oh of course.” Rarity smiled.”I suppose a proper thespian such as yourself doesn't like having their stage presence questioned.”

Rahs blinked at her and smiled as she under stood that. Of course now he had to get Applejack involved, because those three cheated.

Author's Notes:

Rahs vs the Song Fishies.
Round 2
FIGHT, errr, SING!

Filli-mahi Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville]

The band battle went off exactly as one would expect.

The Dazzlings got their tails stomped.

A combination of the Ponytones' music, their town reputation as a group, not to mention their town reputation as individuals, and Rahs' new collection of fan fillies over whelmed the voting box that had set up so that the voting slips overflowed on the floor.

The Dazzlings were still good, but given they were not local, had issued the challenge, and had Applejack front row center blocking whatever magic they were trying to perform meant they only got two votes.

And all three of the Dazzlings had voted.

The trio had departed with a mixture of rage, indifference, and congratulatory cheer, depending on which one was confronted.

The Ponytones did an encore.

[Outside of Ponyville]

“This is bull shit!” Adagio screamed yanking her stone from her neck and flinging it.

Aria's hoof shot up catching the stone before it went sailing into the bushes.

“Calm the fuck down.” Aria grumbled. “ These things are chaos constructs, of course they are not always gonna act like they should.”

“They have for the last hundred years. They worked on that little podunk trading post we passed on the way here from Dodge Junction, so why are they not working now?! Huh wanna tell me that miss engineer!?!” Adagio snarled.

Aria glared at her sister then looked at the gem curiously turning it over in her hoof.” Ahh here's the problem.”

“What?” Adagio blinked in surprise.

“This little part right here is dark, that's a sure sign that you're a little bitch.” Aria explained in a professional tone.

“That's it you fuck! I'll kill you!” Adagio snarled.

“Bring it mop head, I'll wipe the floor with you.”Aria snapped back tossing Adagio's gem to the side.

Both had shifted to their draconic looking sea pony forms and were hissing at each other .

“Boobie Puppy was there.” Sonata said calmly as she walked between the two and picked up Adagio's gem.

The statement threw off the pair about to throw down.

“What?” Aria asked.

“Boobie puppy, though she started as a pony then when our magic started up she turned into a big boobie puppy, then our magic faded.” Sonata offered.

“The diamond dog that popped up in front?” Adagio asked.

“She was at Dodge Junction too.” Sonata offered.

“ Why didn't you say anything before!” Adagio glared at Sonata who tossed the gem back to her sister.

“I did. Twice, though I saw her turn into boobie puppy this time.” Sonata smiled a maw full of sharp teeth that looked odd on the cheerful looking pegasus. “You ignored me.”

“You have a history of weird tangents.” Aria sighed.” Still once is odd, twice is coincidence and dad told us there are no coincidences.”

“How does that even work, is she stealing our magic?” Adagio muttered.

“Doesn't matter.” Sonata grinned wide.

“Oh no.” Aria sighed.

“I told you so.” Sonata sang.

“She is going to go on like this for weeks..” Adagio grumbled rubbing her temples with a fin.

[Golden Oaks library]

“Don't give me that, you didn't have to stay a pony for the last four days.” Twilight rolled her eyes as she trotted along side her newly 're-moon dog-ed' brother.

Rahs glared at her, his ears flat to his head as the pair approached the front door of the library.

“You sicced Rarity in a mood on him, played on his sympathies with Fluttershy.” Spike offered waddling along with the pair.”That's foul play.”

“Okay, so maaaybe Rarity is kind convincing sometimes, but you told her to buzz off before, you should have done that now. I mean Big Mac's voice came back and you still accepted that challenge.” Twilight flicked her wings.

“Cause it was a stage gauntlet, asking Rahs to refuse something like that is like asking you as the god of books, NOT to read anything put in front of you.” Spike rolled his eyes.

Rahs continued to glare remaining silent as Twilight pushed open the door to the library.

“Seriously I didn't even really force you to take it to start with...” Twilight started, before she let out a loud yelp as a bucket of water splashed down over her head, the bucket then gripped in a magic glow and upended onto her head fully.

Rahs and Spike blinked looking at their sputtering flailing, sister, then across the library where Shining Armor sat in a chair his hooves steepled over his muzzle as he glared at his siblings.

“Hello again Twilight. Did you forget to tell your big brother something?” Shining Armor growled.

Twilight sputtered shoving the bucket off her head and started to yell at her brother only for a gout of flame to come from her mouth as the little dragon she had become with the poison joke mixture fell over backwards at the sudden burst of flame.

Rahs looked down at his sister with a smirk, then up to Shining.

“I spent two days running from a pair of mares that really wanted to try out my cursed form. I managed to evade them and meet up with that zebra you told me about. I got the super potent mix and an agreement that she wouldn't make the cure for you. I also used up all your cure shampoo you had to fix my problem, and I paid off the spa to not treat you though it seemed Rahs had a deal with them to get treated regardless. I also hid or bought every copy of supernaturals in town as well as any specialty mixes from the two alchemist shops in town and I bribed Applebloom not to make the mix for you either.” Shining Armor growled.

[Sweet apple Acres]

“ Applebloom where tha heck did you get all this.” Applejack gasped looking at the massive pile of candy and cookies that filled her room , that the filly was swimming through like a duck who was part of the 2%.

“It's mai first bribe as a potion maker.” Applebloom smiled.

“It ain't to make a love potion was it?” Applejack frowned.

“Nope it was NOT tah make somethin.” Applebloom cheered

“Oh.... well.... huh....” Applejack considered. “ Well stop eating it you'll ruin yer supper.”

“ Enjoy your week as a lizard.” Shining smirked.

“Hey!” Spike snapped.

“Sorry.” Shining shrugged..”But only a little bit, you could have sent me a message.”

“I only have the connection to Cadence and Chrysalis.” Spike huffed.” You never paid for the gem for me to connect to you.”

“Fair enough. Still. My work here is done.” Shining stated and with that he popped away in a flash of teleportation.

“I really need to ward this place from him.” Twilight growled.

“Good luck, he taught you everything you know about wards and shields, but I'm pretty sure he didn't teach you everything he knows.” Spike nodded sagely.

Sombra tilted his head looking over the forge in the back of the shop. It was an old bellow furnace one that he was familiar with, but it was set up oddly by his consideration, granted that was likely due to the owners.

It would still be suitable for what he needed. However there were issues.

This was the fifth blacksmiths shop he had visited in Ponyville. The first two had been some modernized mechanical contraption as a forge and were useless to him, one of the others was too small as it was designed for jewelry, the other belonged to a crystal pony family which according to his parole he couldn't intentionally visit.

This one however had a very large issue staring down at him.

To say the brown curly furred minotaur was burly was an understatement, the female minotaur at his side however was frail and delicate looking by minotaur standards.

Which meant that she might actually have to show effort to break him in half with one hand.

The young bulls eyes glared down at Sombra, the golden orbs glinting in the light of the forge.

“ You want to use my husbands forge?” the female asked.

“Indeed, if possible. I have a few things I wish to work on and thus far his forge has been the closest to what I need.” Sombra offered.

“Hmmph.” The bull gruffed.

“I'm surprised you didn't go to one of the more mechanized forges, most ponies seem to prefer that.” The cow offered.

“I do not trust the newer forges to work properly, the materials they produce tend to be of inferior quality if not carefully moniterd. If they cannot learn how to regulate the forges heat on their own they should not be using one.”

“Hmmph.” the bull offered.

“My husband does not like magic in the forge, unicorn..” the cow frowned.

“Of course not, magic will infect material and tools, altering the shape and intent. Another reason to dislike modern forges with the magic power sources, it bleeds into what is made.” Sombra explained. “ That causes issues with further enchantments or repairs down the line.”

“Hmmph.” The bull enunciated.

“If it is a matter of pay I have the bits..” Sombra started

“Flail.” The bull spoke before she could. “We left two rivers behind us. Do not get greedy now.”

The dark furred cow frowned then threw her hands in the air and stormed off into the main house.

“You will work for me unicorn, as an apprentice. I have many smaller projects to take care of and I could use the extra hands. If you prove yourself to practice the words you preach and are competent, I will allow you to use my forge.” The bull stated.

“That is acceptable.” Sombra agreed

Dolphin Don't Prologue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Friendship express, Wednesday after the Ponytones' concerts, Fall]

Rahs looked out the window of the train as it clacked across the landscape, the sun starting to rise over the edge of the world casting it's rays into the sky just before it would crest the horizon.

Rahs really wasn't thrilled about being up this early.

Sparing a glance to the other bench across from him where Saturnia lay partial curled up disguised as a navy blue pegasus, he took note she had nodded off again. She claimed to have a late night dealing with Bees.

Rahs still wasn't sure if that was another changeling or she was into apiculture.

Still despite falling asleep already the mare had played to one of his interests quite well, whether that was a real connection or not he was unsure, but the curiosity over what was going on with this date kept him, if not fully interested, at least invested.

There was still an hour at least before they were to arrive at the station where they would disembark. It wasn't a town he had heard of, though evidently it was little more than a logging village. Rahs rather hoped that Wednesday wasn't this little towns day.

The second part of the trip was a bit of a hike, though a picnic was prepared, so there was at least something romantic.

Saturnia had also suggested a few books to read for the trip and had asked that he bring one of his favorites,'Wolf of the Harvest Moon' for her to read. It was an older copy of the book that he picked up from a second hand store years ago, but the story, the drama , and the romance in it was something else. He was fairly sure most ponies thought the main character was based off a diamond dog with supernatural powers, but there were hints that it was something more akin to what Applejack had become. Twilight had tried to investigate, but the author had sent their last manuscript over forty years ago, and that had been rejected for no given reason.

To be honest though, the book reading thing sounded more like a date designed for Twilight, but aside from the ungodly hour, it had been a nice trip, if quiet.

The one thing he hadn't found out was why Saturnia was interested in him. And at the moment he didn't feel like waking her to find out, he had too many experiences with those who didn't wake up in the best of moods and was wary of finding out if Saturnia was one of them.

Twilight had explained that Saturnia was interested enough in him to actually seek her out while she was in the Crystal Empire. Chrysalis was rather forth coming about her daughters interest as well.

Though Rahs wanted to hear why she was interested in him straight from the changeling herself.

Well when ever Saturnia woke up any way.

Still a nap didn't seem like a bad thing, thus far this date had gotten off to a slow start, but Rahs was content with that. Given how hectic his life tended to be a little bit of down time where nothing was happening was always nice.

Today should be interesting to say the least, and he had borrowed Spike's camera as well in case something caught his interest. He rather wished he had it in the Crystal Empire last time he went, though for the moment he expected he was going to take a photo of Saturnia in her normal form, he had already gotten a shot of Sunset and one of Applejack and Witch-Jack. The plan was to also get one of Trixie and Jynx on their dates, if nothing else as a reminder that at one point in his life he had five females after him.

Shirley wouldn't think he was serious without proof after all.

Author's Notes:

Cue the music

Dolphin Don't, Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Where the Fucksilvania.]

[ Yeah, I got nothing]

Rahs briefly considered that this might be a mistake.

After getting off the train, the pair of them had started walking out into the wilderness beyond the lumber camp and further north along a old dirt path that looked like it hadn't been trod on in years.

Perhaps the changeling had snapped and was taking him off to some secret hive to trap him and force him to marry her or something. Then the other girls interested in him would have to mount a heroic rescue to save him and prove above all others that they were the one who was his true love.

Rahs had to let out a sad sigh at that, because as dramatic and awesome as that would have been, he knew Saturnia was terrified of Twilight, and in no way shape or form be willing to get his sister angry at her even a bit.

Pity.

“I apologize for this trip like this, but she tends to live all the way out here to try and avoid ponies.” Saturnia sighed. “I really wish she lived closer, but I did double check to make sure she was home.”

Rahs raised an eyebrow at that. This was the second time Saturnia had mentioned there was some one out here and all the teasing and hints were doing was getting him more curious.

“Oh good. We're here.” Saturnia said with a sigh, the pink changeling having remained in her blue pegasus form the whole trip. There were still a number of those who didn't like changelings.

Rahs and Saturnia both paused as they came closer to the house, Rahs' ears flattening to his head.

“What... what happened here?” Saturnia gasped.

The house was a mess, the door busted in, furniture and books strewn around outside, flower pots smashed, and the windows broken. It even looked like some one had climbed up onto the thatch roof and ripped a few holes in it.

Rahs paused pulling out Spike's camera taking a picture of the scene before tucking it back in his coat and sniffing around the home. There were scents of multiple ponies and a few diamond dogs and at least one griffon.

At a crash, Rahs flattened his ears to his head, and looked over as Saturnia had tried to knock only for the door to fall in.

“DD! Where are you!?” Saturnia called out stepping into the house and wincing. The inside was just as thoroughly ransacked as the outside.”Damn. She was still reported to be here yesterday.”

Rahs stepped inside as well, ducking his head under the door frame and narrowed his eyes. The place was an absolute mess. The scent of the others was stronger in here as well, though it was old so they weren't here any more at least, though there was one scent that was prevalent in the house, a mares...

“What are you doing here......”a voice stated behind them. “ … YOU!!”

Turning around Rahs took note of a older looking mare with a silvery gray mane, and a tan coat. She wore an old some what ratty overcoat, a large pair of red glasses, and a floppy gray hat.

Rahs blinked as the mare glared at him and stomped up with a growl.

“I told you lot before, I am still honoring my agreement about Artemis, so you can stop sending some one to check on me all the damn time!” the mare shouted up at Rahs.

Rahs raised an eyebrow in confusion, before pulling out the camera and taking her picture, the flash making the mare stagger back and rub her eyes with a hoof under her glasses.

“DD, there you, thank the stars.” Saturnia sighed her wings fluttering a little.

“What?!” the mare narrowed her eyes behind her glasses, her attention now on Saturnia. “Who the buck are you? You're not Kirin.....”

“Umm no... oh right.” Saturnia sighed, a flash of green flame running up over her form revealing the pink maned changeling mare fully.

“Bug?!” The mare blinked. “I say again. What the buck are you doing here, and I will add in. Why are you with a witch wolf? And what did you do to my house!?”

“Alright first off, but in no real order DD, the place was like this when we got here, secondly he's not a witch wolf he's a moon dog, and third we're on a date.” Saturnia frowned as the mare she called DD wandered around the house throwing things aside and digging through various bits of rubble.” Now what the heck are you doing?”

“Figures you show up again after all these years again Bug. You tend to bring trouble with you every time I see you, the shit hits the fan soon after you pop up.” DD stated.

“Oh no you don't. You are not blaming your bullshit on me. The band of the heavens, that was all you, Volcano of Doom? You! Lost city of El Da Burro! You! That one horrid double date you brought me on that burnt down half the city in Marephis? AAAAAALLLL YOU!”

“Really, because I seem to recall Marephis was because you couldn't handle your coffee!” DD stated.

“You were the one who poured that shit down my throat knowing how I get with caffeine!” Saturnia snapped.

“Oh yeah... good times.” DD stated with a small smirk as she picked up a book off the floor fiddling with it before the side of the book opened and a large glowing band was drawn out.

Rahs blinked catching the scent of familiar strong magic from the band, though rather than inquire about it, he took another picture.

“Could you NOT do that!” DD stated turning back to glare at Rahs then blinked a little noting the camera. “Why would one of you have a camera? Hold up did you say moon dog?”

“Yes, you need to listen more.” Saturnia stated.

“He's a Sparkle isn't he?”

“Woof.”Rahs snarked with a smirk.

“Yep. He's a Sparkle.” DD sighed slapping her face with a hoof.” I stand by my statement Bug , that you bring trouble. Why are you even here?”

“First off you owe me still DD. And he's a fan of your work.” Saturnia stated.

“You came all the way out here for an autograph? On your date?” DD stared at the pink changeling.” Seriously? You know I don't sign any of the Daring books...”

“It's not for one of those.” Saturnia smiled. “It's for the other one.”

“You're kidding right?” DD blinked.”Are those even still being sold?”

“Bark?” Rahs demanded.

“Oh, right, sorry. I suppose you wouldn't know what's going on. Bug over there and I used to 'hang out'. My name is A.K. Yearling.” Yearling offered.

“Woof?” Rahs questioned.

“Yes of the Daring Do fame.” Yearling waved a hoof. “Pity none of the other things I've written have been as popular.... and that Bug here stopped my second book.”

“I told you writing about changelings was not to be allowed. You should have stuck with the fantasy like with Wolf of the Harvest Moon.” Saturnia sighed.

“Right..... fantasy..” Yearling rolled her eyes.

Rahs let out a startled gasp that was a very close imitation of Pinkie Pie, before he was up in Yearling's face.

“WOOF?!?!” Rahs demanded.

“GAH!” Yearling yelped hopping back away from the moon dog. “Yes I wrote Wolf of the Harvest Moon. I wrote two other books in the series too, one about changelings and the other about..... well lets not get into that disaster.”

“Hold on. You understand him?” Saturnia narrowed her eyes. “DD how do you understand Rahs?”

“Ummm. I am not at liberty to say?” Yearling smiled sheepishly. “Look, my place got trashed, can we talk about this after I clean up?”

“This looks like it could take days and we are supposed to be on a date.” Saturnia sighed.”I brought him out here to talk to you a bit, get his book autographed, and then we were going to have a picnic before heading home......”

Saturnia blinked as she trailed off, turning to look at the ceiling.

“You have guests.”Saturnia frowned turning back into the blue pegasus with a flare of green fire. “Angry guests.”

Before Yearling or Rahs could ask what she was talking about on a trio of stallions entered the room. Two came down the stairs from the second floor, and one walked in the front door to join up with the others.

The trio looked like a collection of burly ner-do-wells that probably all had tattoos with a heart and the word 'mom' some where on their five-o-clock shadow having selves.

Rahs wasn't even going to try to figure out how fur covered creatures had five-o-clock shadows.

The three of them didn't seem the slightest bit intimidated by Rahs and Saturnia, all their attention was focused on Yearling.

Rahs blinked and snapped a picture of the trio.

Dolphin Don't Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Where the Fucksilvania, part 2.]

“I'm not helping you with this DD.” Saturnia sighed as the thugs moved around them.

“What!?” Why not?” DD gasped.

“Because, I'm on a date . We're not getting caught up in your ridiculous escapades.” Saturnia huffed.

“Seriously? After everything we've been through together, you're abandoning me now?”

“ESPECIALY, after everything you dragged me through.” Saturnia growled. “ I should have known something would happen. I should have gone with the basic dinner date , but nooooooo I just had to try for something risky.”

“Woof?” Rahs questioned.

“Yeah, what he said.”DD offered.

The three thugs glanced to each other, then moved to ignore the other two and approach DD.

“I don't know what he said.” Saturnia rebuked.

“And you're dating him?” Daring questioned.

“Rahs don't let her act fool you, she can handle three thugs with both wings tied and or broken.... she's done that before in fact.” Saturnia pointed out.

“Spoil sport.” DD huffed stepping back from the thugs before jerking forward suddenly, one took the thick pair of glasses to the snout and another was tangled up in the dress, the third was hit by a hat and flailed back comically before falling on his rump showing there was a thick book hidden in the hat.

Standing before them now was a tan pegasus mare with a mane and tail made up of black and two tones of gray. She wore a green button up shirt and a pith hat.

Rahs immediately recognized her .

“Woof.” Rahs nodded clapping lightly, snapping a picture.

“At least some one likes my dramatic reveals.” Daring Doo growled.

“I expected he would. Though I figured this would just be a nice meet and greet. Not a brawl.” Saturnia sighed as the thugs lunged at DD, the mare meeting their charge with vicious blows of hooves and wings.

Rahs glanced over to Saturnia as DD fought the three goons off.

“Sorry Rahs. There's a long history between us. We met a long time ago and DD had a habit of getting into trouble and dragging me along with her. After getting nearly killed, cloned, and foal napped more times than I care to count, I decided to leave.” Saturnia explained as more things in the house were shattered as a goon was thrown through them. “While I'm not going to deny I sometimes enjoyed my time running around with her, mother needed my help and I found I preferred not nearly dying on a semi weekly basis.”

Rahs raised an eyebrow as DD hammered one of the others into the ground by bouncing off his head.

“Don't give me that look. Ponyville is a lot safer than it seems, when was the last time any one was really hurt by a Tuesday event?” Saturnia sighed as DD flung one of the goons out through the only non broken window. “Besides the whole point of this was simply to do a meet and greet catch up a little then go have lunch. DD can handle herself, and I don't want to be in another book written in as a sidekick. Three times is enough.”

“Woof.” Rahs stated after a moment of consideration before nodding as a book case was pulled down onto a goon.

“Thank you. I think.” Saturnia considered as one of the goons went flying past. “I'm not trying to be mean, but this wasn't in the plans.”

Rahs opened his mouth to respond before he was hit from behind and sent crashing to the ground as a over sized burly griffon tom plowed into him.

“RAHS!” Saturnia gasped whirling to look at the door as two other goon ponies and a trio of diamond dogs with matching red shirts reading, Thug 1, Thug 2, and Thug 4 strode in.

“You did not just tackle my date.” Saturnia snarled.

The newcomers were going to ignore her, though the flare of green fire and the massive white four armed gorilla that appeared in the ponies place was hard to ignore. Particularly when the Girallon lunged at them, sending Thug 2 through the wall of the building with a back handed swing.

It became rather clear, rather quickly, that the goons were out matched.

The new comers were no match for a pissed of Saturnia, who had shifted forms three times already from the Girallon, to a manticore, then to a mouse to dodge a hit, and she was currently a ophiotaurus wrapped tight around one of the pony goons while smacking the fool out of another with her fore hooves while Thug 4 clung to her horns as she lashed her head about.

Rahs had only got hit once and that was by surprise. Currently he was making the griffon hit himself with his own back leg. Much to the aggravation and confusion of the griffon who hadn't even know he could bend that way.

Daring was probably struggling the most, as the thugs were after the golden ring she had more than anything else and the ensuing fight had her lose and regain it a number of times.

The three thugs finally all dog piled on DD forcing her to lose the ring and send it clattering across the floor to roll to a stop at the door where it was scooped up by a hoof by a gray coated stallion in a tan version of DD's shirt . The green eyed pony had a black slicked back mane and a slightly darker five-o-clock shadow.

“Ahh here it is, how kind of you to find it for us so soon after our earlier search failed to uncover it, Daring Doo. Again we see there is nothing you can possess which I cannot take away.” The stallion grinned, posing for a picture as Rahs took it, before ducking back out quickly as one of his thugs was thrown at him by Saturnia.

With the ring acquired the rest of the thugs started to back out, move away, or simply haul flank after him.

“DAMNIT CABALLERON, GIVE THAT BACK!” DD shouted.

“THAT'S DOCTOR CABALLERON!!” The stallion shouted back.

“YOU GOT THAT DOCTORATE OUT OF A GUMBALL MACHINE!!” DD screamed back.

“Well that happened.” Saturnia muttered as she shifted back to her pegasus form, before trotting over to check on Rahs.”Are you alright?”

“Damn it. We have to get that back. He's going to give it to Ahuizotl so his hold on the Fortress of Talacon will be good for eight centuries as foretold by prophecy! “ DD snapped.

“Sounds like a personal problem to me.” Saturnia huffed. “What did I say about us not getting involved?”

“But if we don't do something it will doom the valley to eight centuries of unrelenting heat?” DD snapped.

“DD we did not come out here to go gallivanting across the country looking for Ahuizotl to stop another one of the world dooming plots you get tangled in on a near weekly basis....” Saturnia sighed before she blinked and looked to Rahs who looked back at her with a small smile, his tail wagging.” You're not serious?”

Rahs grinned wider.

“Ugh.... fine. We'll help.” Saturnia sighed. “But so help me if we don't get better billing in this book.......”

“Great, let's go. Come along Patsy.” DD grinned as she set off after the goons.

“Don't call me that.” Saturnia growled muttering something under her breath about coconuts.

Rahs followed along, taking a last snapshot of the ruined house. DD might want it for insurance purposes after all.

Author's Notes:

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/016/000/972/medium/marco-ferraccioni-11160c3a-3eff-4355-98d0-9f342ce3b85b.jpg?1550618272]This is what Saturnia turned into.

These things are a nightmare in D&D i've lost at least 2 of my characters to one of these things as it rended them in half.

Dolphin Don't Part 3

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Somewhere at the edge of Equestria ]

“So what happened to Daring' I work alone' Do?” Saturnia muttered as they made their way through the forest towards the Talacon valley.

DD lived this far from civilization to be left alone mostly, though also to be as close to the valley as she could while still remaining in Equestria.

The valley was a hot bed of old archaeological finds, fallen temples, and the ruins of at least twenty differing ancient cultures. Despite the valley being quite large, this many cultures living this close together was something that no other site across Equss had.

The popular theory was that this was the Rainbow Valley of legend, just like every other odd valley on the whole damn planet, and a few of the craters on the moon, as well as one spot on the sun some swore was darker than other parts.

When Rahs saw the map DD provided he refrained from commenting that it looked to be the exact same size and shape as the new sea that was filling up by the Crystal Empire.

He would ask Luna about it later.

“Okay Bug you know as well as I do that I use that line to keep the fans and thrill seekers out of my mane. Though it rarely works.” DD sighed. ”I know you have skills and your colt friend there is a Sparkle. Word of what that family is capable of gets around. And given he's not not a fan of my newer books I don't have to worry about him trying to prove something to me at an inopportune time and ruining any plans I make.”

Rahs shrugged.

“So what is your glorious plan?” Saturnia sighed.

“Simple we catch up to Caballeron and his goons before they get to the valley. You shape shift into some random stallion and offer to pay a great deal of bits for the ring of Scorchero. DD explained hefting a bag that clinked as she did so. “Caballeron will be more than happy to sell it to anyone, as he's just in it for the bits. Well anyone but me, he hates me, no idea why.”

“Countless years of abuse and spurning his advances I expect.” Saturnia sighed.

“Ehh. He's not exactly my type this decade.” DD shrugged.”Maybe a century ago...”

“Woof.” Rahs added staring at DD.

The mare paused with a wince.

“Look. I CAN'T tell you anything about it. I was sworn to secrecy about Artemis. I suggest you just forget about it. I know you can get all the Princesses out here to demand it out of me, and I still won't talk. There's too much at stake and after what was done, I'm not going to betray that just because you asked nicely.” DD shook her head.

“Bark?” Rahs asked.

“What!? No I'm not a witch wolf, where did you even get that idea? I'm a pegasus.” DD started forward again with a shake of her head. She paused a moment and considered. “Mostly a pegasus.”

“Ruff!?”Rahs pointed out.

“How I can understand you is based on something else I can't tell you due to my promise. “ DD rolled her eyes. “And yes I am just a pegasus, mostly, my being three hundred and something years old has nothing to do with my promise however.”

Rahs blinked raising an eyebrow.

“Look I've been all over Equss. I've seen and done things that I can't even write about. I've followed white rabbits, been a vampire for a little while, been trapped in stasis, cloned, drank from wooden cups, bathed in mystical waters, been force fed the flesh of a sea pony, annoyed some guy named Hay Sues in another dimension, sampled ambrosia, ate a couple of golden apples, and borrowed an Alkahest stone from an animated suit of armor and a midget pony. I have literally no idea of all the magic spells and curses I've been under, infected with, or seen in my life. I was even an alicorn at one point, that was a weird time.”

“Woof?”

“Nah. Law is some other alicorn I've never seen before. Surprised you've heard of her through.” DD offered.

“Alright here we are. I can feel Caballeron and his goons up ahead.“ Saturnia stated glancing to Rahs before letting out a sigh. “Does it have to be a male?”

“What? Getting cold hooves now?” DD smirked.

“I'm on a date still you nitwit.“ Saturnia hissed glancing to Rahs.”Some guys are not too thrilled that their date can be a guy.”

“Bork.” Rahs shrugged.

“What?” Saturnia blinked.

“He said he knows your parents. It would be odd if you couldn't. It's not his thing, but he understands the necessity, evidently he's been told he looks good in drag.” DD blinked staring at Rahs with one eyebrow raised.

Saturnia smirked. ”I can wholeheartedly agree with that. He does look good in a dress.”

Rahs nodded and reached into his coat pulling out a stack of photos before offering one to DD.

The mare looked at it a moment her eyes going wide.

“Woof.” DD offered before Saturnia snatched it away from her.

“Bark?” Rahs questioned.

“The history of pith helmets? What?”DD blinked.

“Why do you have these?” Saturnia frowned before tucking the photo of pony Rahs in a dress away in her saddle bag.

Rahs simply grinned putting the other photos back in his coat.

“Alright fine.” Saturnia sighed a green flame rushing over the blue pegasus leaving a gold furred, silver maned unicorn stallion with an old looking gold coin on his flank. He looked very much like an older noble, who liked playing at exploring and tomb raiding without really wanting to get his hooves dirty.

“Nice. Here I figured you would have changed into Laura Crop for him.” DD laughed.

“Maybe later.” Saturnia muttered in a rather deep baritone as Rahs snapped a picture of the new form.
“Alright, give me the bits DD and let's get that ring back before Caballeron sells it to Ahuizotl.”

Dolphin Don't Part 4

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

“This was an absolutely horrid idea and I hate you.” Saturnia snapped as she ducked under the claw swipe of a diamond dog.

“Don't give me that, it would have worked perfectly if your acting was better.” DD shouted back as she traded blows with Caballeron.

“Bark!” Rahs snapped, hitting the diamond dog with the Thug 2 shirt with the griffon that tackled him back at DD's house.

“Okay fine. It wasn't her acting, but she's supposed to know how to mask her scent from the diamond dogs!” DD stated kicking Caballeron in the belly and sending him tumbling away from her only to get tackled by another goon.

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to change how you smell?” Saturnia snapped shifting to a bright pale grayish purple furred abyssinian with wild spiky hair and a white underbelly clearly visible, as she forgot clothes, to duck another blow from the diamond dog before lashing out with her claws ruining the dogs Thug 1 shirt.

Rahs let out a whistle at the form that made Saturnia blush as she drove the thugs head into the ground.

“Hah! Should have figured Rahs would like that form. How the heck did you not figure out to try an abyssinian?”DD laughed pulling off her pith helmet with a wing and belting one of the thug ponies across the face.

“It's not easy to balance on my back legs.” Saturnia muttered letting a green flicker of flame cover her in clothing that matched Rahs' pants and long coat, though her coat was buttoned up rather than open. The pants however were very tight and almost seemed painted on, and the top of the coat was open enough to show off a good bit of cleavage, with the bottom open to show off her flat belly, leaving only two very strained buttons to hold the coat closed over her bust.

“WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!” Caballeron shouted suddenly, waving a hoof in the air getting all the thugs and the trio to pause a moment.

Every one stared at the pony as he jabbed a hoof towards the moon dog.

“Daring, did you just say Rahs? As in Rahs Sparkle?” Caballeron demanded.

“Umm yeah.... why?”DD asked.

“That IS Rahs Sparkle!?” Caballeron demanded again, the rest of his goon's eyes getting wider

“All day long.” Saturnia added curiously.

“Right.” Caballeron stated before flinging the ring back at DD and turning to leave.”We are done here, the thieves guild does NOT mess with the Sparkles.”

The trio watched the group walk off, the griffon giving Rahs a single finger salute as he limped away with the rest.

DD smirked holding up the ring.

“Well, that went better than I expected... ah fuck he took the money didn't he?” DD cursed noting the bag of bits was gone.

“Well you did offer them to buy the ring back. And Caballeron is part of the thieves guild.” Saturnia sighed, though she had yet to change from an abyssinian and was inching a little closer to Rahs who was trying not to glance down at the fairly sizable amount of cleavage the changeling was offering. It wasn't at Jynx's or Witch-Jack's level, but still. It seemed he and his adoptive father had much the same taste, which was odd given how few species actually had boobs like that. Not that he was going to complain at how her rump looked in the too tight mockery of his pants either.

“Yeah yeah.. Well at least we got it before Ahuizotl got it.” DD sighed.

The crashing of trees and the thundering of something rushing through the jungle area like a gorilla drew the groups attention as a blue ape like creature burst from the trees with a deafening roar.

“You had to say something. “ Saturnia sighed.

Rahs blinked noting the creature's fur was the same shade as his with a lighter underbelly. The back half of it was more feline, with the arms and hands of it's upper body more of like the gorilla he thought it was at first.

Then things got weird.

The feline like tail it had ended in a blue three fingered hand. It's head had a vaguely feline shape with long pointed ears before it's head stretched out not unlike a alligators with teeth to match from the look of it. Though the things eyes were on the end of it's snout and it's mouth seemed to open like an alligators with a bit of good bit of an over bite. It also seemed to be dressed very sparsely but in rather colorful gold and red bands with a thick necklace. It also needed to do something about the mess that was it's eyebrows.

Rahs wondered if Discord had a brother.

“The ring, Daring Do! Give it to me! ” the creature bellowed ignoring the flash of Rahs' camera.

“Now, Ahuizotl, you know I love you, but I can't give you the ring 'til I've properly proposed.” DD snarked.

“Hey Ahuizotl, 'long' time no see...... kinda like your face.” Saturnia quipped along.

“Ooh, good one.” DD smirked.

“What..... Saturnia? Lovely, both of you are back together. “ Ahuizotl growled, slapping a hand to his face.

“Aww, you know you missed us.” Saturnia offered.

“With every crossbow bolt so far.” Ahuizotl snapped. “Now give me the ring!”

“Yeah, how about no.” Daring responded.”You could never beat us before when it was just me and Bug. And now we've got a Sparkle.”

“A what?” Ahuizotl questioned.

“Not a what, he's a who.” Saturnia pointed to the moon dog who offered a small wave as the others looked at him.

“An overly large abyssinian?” Ahuizotl questioned, clearly confused. “Or some sort of strange diamond dog? Is he a new species called a Sparkle?”

“Seriously, you've not heard of the Sparkles?” Saturnia blinked.

“Should I have? I don't get out of the valley much. While I rather like cats and I would prefer not to hurt them, excluding you Saturnia no matter what form you are in, simply having a 'Sparkle' creature with you is not going to stop me.” Ahuizotl growled.

“Meow.” Rahs interrupted.

“What?” Ahuizotl blinked.

“Meow, meow. Fffftt fffttt!” Rahs stated.

“What did he say?” Saturnia blinked glancing at DD.

“I don't know, I don't speak fancy.” DD muttered.

“He was informing me of his intent to stop me and quite a bit of of that was a rather impressive description of bodily harm if I was to injury his date.” Ahuizotl blinked looking a little pale. “I am impressed, it seems at least Saturnia has developed some taste.”

“Umm, thanks?” Saturnia muttered.

“Oh shut up.” DD snapped.

“Never the less I will have that ring. And it is not as if I came alone.” Ahuizotl snapped his tail hand.

Nothing happened for a moment and the blue creature blinked before snapping his tail again.

DD, Saturnia, and Ahuizotl looked around in confusion before a loud purring could be heard.

The trio's gaze snapped over to Rahs, whose ears were flat to his head, though a tiger, a cheetah, a lynx, a panther, and a little white house cat were all rubbing against him purring loudly.

“Seriously girls?” Ahuizotl sighed. “I am doubtful he is into you like that.”

“Oh! Buck! NO!” Saturnia yelled out, dashing over and leaping with a roar at the gathered cats, starting a massive brawl around Rahs that unfortunately drew him into it as the group crashed back into the jungle with much growling and yowling.

DD and Ahuizotl stared at the vicious attack and subsequent fighting for a moment before Ahuizotl simply sighed and clubbed Daring Do in the back of the head with his tail hand, dropping her like a rock.

“Well.... I suppose that worked after all.” Ahuizotl shrugged picking up Daring, and the ring before running off back into the jungle.

Author's Notes:

Everyone loves Rahs.

Dolphin Don't Part 5

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Fortress of Talacon ]

[ Finally we have a named location again! No idea where this is though.]

Daring Do frowned.

It didn't take long for her to assess her situation. She was bound spread eagle to a wall, she would have to call out Ahuizotl for being a pervert later. The walls were lined with spiked poles that might be an impediment to any one flying who wasn't skilled. There was an open tunnel a few stories above her head that was likely how she got into this chute.

There was a large pool of water below her at the bottom of the shaft that was slowly filling with water and she could see what looked like piranha swimming around in it.

Daring was more worried about the water rising than the piranha as the fish were not likely to bother her until she drowned and became little more than carrion for them to pick at. She didn't understand where the fear of the fish came from after all. Sure there were a couple of reported bites here and there but there were very very few deaths by piranha and most of those were foals or idiots who decided to swim in the middle of a small pool of them during the dry season when the fish were already stressed and starving.

Crabs were worse, buck she was glad no one used crabs in death traps, she hated crabs.

The worst thing however, was that she had lost her hat.

Still all in all this was a pretty standard death trap, she expected Ahuizotl was just trying to slow her down a little bit so he could do what he was planning.

Honestly she had hoped for a bit more originality than this. Ahuizotl was slipping, he wasn't even around to gloat, truly amateurish for a villain.

Daring squirmed a little pulling at the bonds letting out a little yelp as one of the blocks of stone holding her pulled free of the wall and yanked her back leg down with the weight of the stone.

Right okay so this was a better death trap than she thought.

Still she had to try to get free.

More struggling wound up with two more hooves freed and weighed down with weights.

“I did not think this through.” Daring muttered noting the last brick was starting to slip free.

She jerked with a wince as it fell, her wings flapping wildly trying to lift herself up as the weight of the stones pulled her down, the stone brushing against the waters surface as she was barely able to keep herself aloft.

A rubbery appendage suddenly wrapped around her middle and pulled her up with a yelp. Looking up a large purple octopus was hanging out of the tunnel further up the wall. Two of it's arms were gripping her and the rest were clinging to the walls or gripped by a large blue furred moon dog with a clawed up coat.

“I got you.” Saturnia offered pulling DD up along with her self, with Rahs' help, back to the platform.

“Nice of you guys to finally show up.”DD snarked.

“We can put you back.” Saturnia grumbled pulling DD up into the tunnel. “ Also did you put on weight?”

“I have bricks on my hooves!” DD snapped.

“Really I was talking about that you felt more routound …..”Saturnia smirked shifting back into her pink maned changeling form once DD was on solid ground.

“Woof?” Rahs asked leaning over the edge of the pit to take a picture.

“No we're not related. We've just been friends a long time.” DD offered smashing the stone bound to her hooves against the walkway to free herself.

“Too long one might suggest.” Saturnia smirked.

“Right, anyway, we have to stop Ahuizotl before he completes the ritual, he has to have all the rings by now.” DD pointed out.

“Well we had best help so you don't screw it up like the Mareavo thing.” Saturnia huffed.

Rahs tossed DD her pith hat and the pegasus grinned snatching it out of the air and putting it on.

“Let's go stop Ahuizotl!”

Arcane blasts of power soared skyward like a burning tornado as Ahuizotl cackled like a mad pony.

Waves of heat radiated from the pillar of gold rings, the mass of energy shooting into the sky, burning away all the cloud cover, lighting up the valley brighter than a thousand flashbulbs.

Rahs quickly took a picture.

The thumping beat of scores of ponies stamping the butts of their spears on the floor echoed in the temple hall, chanting in some old language filled the air.

The ponies had odd looks to them, as if they had some sort of mixed heritage, likely a zebra as some of them still had stripes along their legs or neck.

“We're too late.” Saturnia gasped.

“Bark?” Rahs offered.

“Can you deal with this much magic?” DD asked.

“He did use Discord as a chew toy at one point.” Saturnia pointed out.

“Why does every one keep bringing that up?” Huffed Discord.

“Bork!” Rahs pointed out.

“It was not funny.” Discord grumbled before vanishing.

“You're too late Daring Do! The Bands of Scorchero have been gathered and this valley will be bathed in eight hundred years of unrelenting, sweltering heat! HAHAHA!” Ahuizotl laughed. “ Now, DESTROY THEM!”

The tribal ponies all turned to the trio and rushed forward with their spears.

Rahs quickly took a picture, blinding the closest with the flash causing the others to crash together in a jumble of limbs.

DD launched herself at Ahuizotl soaring over the others heads. Saturnia shifted into a manticore and plowed into the mass of ponies as Rahs rushed forward towards the pillar, throwing ponies aside who got too close.

DD impacted the odd chimeric creature, the pair starting to brawl on the far side of the pillar as Rahs closed on it.

There was an odd scent to the magic, familiar almost, though Rahs couldn't quite put his claw on what until the pillar flared brightly, the wash of energy sending everyone tumbling away from the pillar to crash against the walls of the temple.

The pillar burned brightly, the orange power pouring off it flickering like flame as it danced over the stone work. The fire spread, fanning out to either side of the pillar nearly touching the walls as it grew bright enough that every one had to shield their eyes.

In the midst of the burning aura, a darker form moved, seeming to be emerging from the fire.

“Behold Scorchero, the one to protect us from the coming Frozen Dark!” one of the tribal ponies shouted.

The rest of the tribe quickly dropped their weapons and bowed deeply leaving Rahs and Saturnia staring at the approaching figure.

Behind the pyre DD and Ahuizotl continued to brawl.

Stepping out of the fire strode a tall white form. The equine creature was striped with streaks of red across it's flank and legs, gold bands covered it's limbs and more ran around it's neck . It's purple, pink, and blue tail and mane were heavily braided and dotted with small burning embers woven into them, that produced flickering flames, though did no damage to the hair. It's face was obscured by a massive skull of what might have once been an elk, the antlers stretching up with a gold disk suspended on strings between them. A single pearl horn jutted through the main part of the skull, the heavy bone casting the figures eyes in shadow and only showing the red stripes along it's muzzle.

Saturnia growled at the presence, her ears flattening to her manticore head as the form emerged from the fire, the ancient god Scorchero had returned.

Rahs on the other hoof had to hold back a snort of laughter.

“GAH!!” DD shouted, being flung through the fire to land with a thud and bounce back up to her hooves next to the summoned god. “Was that your best Ahuizotl?!”

The newly summoned god looked down as DD grabbed her hat, putting it back on her head with a snarl, getting ready to launch herself back through the fire at Ahuizotl, not even noticing the deity.

“Yearling?” Scorchero asked.

DD stopped, and turned to look back and then up at the figure wreathed in flames.

“Celestia?” DD asked blinking in confusion. “What the buck are you wearing?”

Rahs finally fell over laughing his tail off.

Princess Celestia huffed glaring at the moon dog.” I will have you know this is the style of dress that I was most often presented as when I was still the goddess of the Zebras.”

“What?” Saturnia asked.

“I was rather wondering who had activated this spell. I should have known it was you Yearling.” Celestia sighed.

“Wait, so you're Scorchero!?” DD demanded.

“That is the name the zebra gave me.”Celestia grumbled.” I made them change it from Urya Ibiryo.”

“'She who devours pastries'. Yeah, good change.” DD smirked.”So what is all this why did the rings summon you?”

“Oh. This is one of the plans I had in place to deal with my sister's return. The summoning circle could pull me from anywhere including from being locked into my own sun once all the rings were gathered.”Celestia explained. “ This was a bit of a long shot in truth, but I prepared countless counter measures.”

“So the eight hundred years of unrelenting, sweltering heat?”DD questioned.

“Was supposed to be a counter for the pitch black cold, eternal night would bring. Granted that entire statement sounds like a bad translation really. The message I left was simply 'to bring back the sun'.” Celestia sighed. “After all this temple was built to..”

“NOPE!” DD stated. ”Stop right there. I told you before you are not going to tell me these things I am going to figure them out for myself. I am not taking the easy answers.”

“You know they make a thing now called mystery novels if you are really so set on figuring things out. Much less dangerous then digging around in old temples fighting guardians.” Celestia sighed.

“AKK !! Ahuizotl!!” DD shouted turning and launching herself back through the flames.

“Honestly it would be that much simpler if she just let me tell her these things. Ah well.” Celestia stated turning to look at the still bowing tribal ponies. “Rise my little ponies, seriously it's been centuries I didn't even realize there were any followers of my old name anymore... and most of you are zebra descendants too. Well so long as you're not sacrificing anything in my name I suppose it's fine. You can all go back to doing... well what ever you were doing out here.”

Celestia frowned noting a flare of green and spotted a navy blue pegasus try and back out of the hall.

The Princess turned, quickly approaching the mare, looking down at her, the alicorns eyes narrowing. “So you're Saturnia, Chrysalis' daughter.”

Her tone was flat, though Saturnia's eyes widened at being recognized, the mare quickly trying to back up more only to press against the wall shaking as she stared up at the large tribal looking solar princess. She could feel the anger and rage boiling just beneath the surface of the mares calm looking expression.

A sudden flash of light distracted both of them. The pair looked over at Rahs who was holding up the camera a wide grin on his face.

“I wonder what Luna would think of this outfit of yours?”

“Don't you dare Rahs!” Celestia snapped her eyes widening as Rahs took another picture of her, stuck out his tongue at the princess, and took off running.

“Damn it Rahs! Get back here with that camera!” Celestia shouted taking off after the moon dog. “ You are not to show those pictures to Luna by royal decree!!”

“BORK!!”

“I don't know what you said but don't you take that tone with me!”

Saturnia blinked and slumped down against the stone wall as the pillar of flame faded out. Her hoof pressed to her chest as she panted trying to calm down from that encounter.

“This has been the stupidest adventure with DD yet.” Saturnia grumbled.

Author's Notes:

Celestia's look

I had this planned a long while back

Dolphin Don't, Epilogue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville]

Saturnia sighed as the train slowed, drawing within sight of Ponyville.

Ahuizotl had escaped while DD was talking to Princess Celestia. The Princess had cleaned up most of the mess made and sent the tribal ponies back home.

It seemed she and DD had a history. Not really surprising since DD had a history with nearly everyone.

Rahs was giddy, she could feel it, that eased Saturnia's worries about the date a little. They never did get around to the lunch after everything that happened and Saturnia could hardly call this a real date.

She wasn't even sure if Rahs was happy with the date, or that he got his copy of Wolf of the Harvest Moon signed, on top of a complete collection of autographed Daring Do novels to rub in his sister's face.

In truth that last one added a bit of maniacal glee to his eyes that Saturnia was both worried about and drawn to.

As she had told Twilight she might have started simply attracted to the power he and his name could provide, but the more she found out about him the more drawn to him she became. Now she was proving that by doing unchangeling like things, like asking him on a date rather than just swapping herself with some one who probably had a better chance with him like Applejack or Jynx.

She could feel his interest in the others and those two thus far appealed to him the most, even if it was mostly physical. Still there were other emotions there as well, for Trixie, herself, and Sunset. Saturnia knew that he had some feelings for all of them, which was causing him issues that he had to choose, any choice he made might hurt the others if he didn't return their interest. And that upset him considerably.

It was almost enough that Saturnia had a small inkling in the back of her mind that she should bow out of this so Rahs wouldn't be so troubled.

She crushed that thought every time it came up. The daughter of the queen would NOT just give up.

Besides he knew now that she could become something that attracted him physically which should put her on par with Jynx and Applejack.

“I do apologize for this Rahs. Not exactly the best first date.” She sighed finally. “It went better in my head in truth.”

The moon dog glanced over to her from where he had propped himself on the seat next to her by the window and smiled.

She blinked at the emotions coming from him and smiled a little herself. He had liked it. She could feel that even if she didn't understand him.

“Well... still I am sorry Celestia got your pictures, I can pose for another image if you want.... Maybe the Abyssinian?” Saturnia purred.

Rahs blinked, then started to laugh.

The changeling flattened her ears to her head regarding him in annoyance before he reached into his coat and pulled out eight little crystals that held all the camera's images. Evidently Celestia had only gotten the blank crystals he had swapped out before she got a hold of the camera.

His grin was malicious.

Saturnia was not going to lose this devious creature to anyone.

[ Fortress of Talacon ]

“More tea?” Ahuizotl asked.

“Thank you, but no, Ahuizotl, I'm fine. So yes, as I was saying, after the little incident that left me a draconequus for a time I opted to get her back. So I asked Twilight to mail her a bottle of specially prepared Sweet Apple Acre's cider, with a note telling her and I quote 'Hey, here's your own cider, stop drinking all of mine, dammit' signed Twilight.”

“And that worked?” Ahuizotl questioned.

“Like a charm.” Celestia laughed.

[Crystal Empire a few days ago.]

“What? The? Buck?” Cadence stared.

“Uhhh.”Shining Armor stared as well.

As soon as the box sent by Twilight was opened, Chrysalis had grabbed the cider jug and downed the whole thing greedily.

Cadence was going to call her on not sharing when the change happened.

The green haired black carapaced changeling queen was gone, in her place was something that looked like a box of paints had exploded.

Her shape was much the same though her holes had filled in. Her legs were a bright lime green, with her middle a shiny purple. Her head was a bright yellow with a neon blue mane that didn't match her new light blue and pink lined tail. A single bright yellow horn jutted up from her hair, as well as two golden spikey antler like horns. Her gossamer wings had turned bright blue with pink trim and various tiny hearts dotted her mane and tail.

“Ahh stars, I'm blind!” Cadence shouted falling back out of her chair, covering her eyes.

“That looks like a poison joke effect to me.” Shining Armor winced.

“I am going to have words with your sister...” Chrysalis growled looking herself over.

“Why would Twilight prank you like this? It's not really her thing.” Shining stated.

Then Chrysalis exploded into a shower of green goo.

“Ahh.... It was from Celestia.” Cadence pointed out.

“I'll get the mop.” Shining Armor sighed.

“This cannot be healthy.” Ahuizotl laughed, his free hand stroking the head of the cheetah that came up for pets, his cats looked a little worse for wear but none of them were that bad off after fighting the changeling.

“Probably not, but it is therapeutic at least. Changing the subject however I did want to talk to you in regards to Daring Do. Don't you think you were a bit harsh on her?” Princess Celestia questioned.

“She is not dead yet, so no.” Ahuizotl offered taking a sip of his tea, holding the cup by his tail. The pair of them were in a chamber far under the fortress in an area that the explorers had yet to find.

“Yes about that...” Celestia offered.

“Stop. We have this discussion every time you come here and every time I explain the same thing. My mother tasked me to guard this place and you know full well what happened last time the truth came out.” Ahuizotl snapped. “ You may not like what I do, but those I kill should have listened to the locals and obeyed the signs, their deaths are on their own heads.”

“Yet Daring is still alive?”Celestia smiled.

“Ugh, not for lack of trying, she is the worst sort of thief. All this gold, the ruins, and relics scattered about the valley to distract the greedy, and that one wants to know 'why'. She's the most dangerous sort, that she has Faust's own luck and his harder to stamp out than a roach just adds to it.” Ahuizotl grumbled. “When I finally finish her off I plan to mount her skull in a place of honor over my mantle.”

“That almost sounds like a bit of respect. I'm sure she'd help you with your task if she would actually listen when I try to tell her what the valley is.” Celestia sighed.” I'm sure you two could be quiet close if you were actually working together...”

“Not you as well. Stop trying to play matchmaker, I get enough of that from my mother.” Ahuizotl growled.

“Ha, well I suppose Grace would want grand babies, and I'm sure you've noticed how athletic and attractive she is......” Celestia murred.

“Stop it.... “Ahuizotl snapped. “ Don't you have to get back to your kingdom? If you are going to visit you should do so. Not sit here and torment me.”

Celestia sighed.

“Yes, I suppose I should, it has been some time since I came here.”

“I shall leave you too it. Your sister has not been by yet either. Hence the reason I set up the ritual. It is good to know the nightmare is not an issue anymore.” Ahuizotl offered rising from the table and moving across the room to a blank wall tapping a few bricks with his hands and tail hand.

After a moment the wall parted and spread open revealing a well maintained tunnel.

Ahuizotl offered a small bow as Celestia strode into the tunnel before shutting the wall behind her.

While teleportation was banned to and from this location and a multitude of things were set up to prevent it, the door was easy to open from this side if the guardian wasn't present to do so.

Her hooves echoed down the tunnel before it opened to a massive chamber filled with stone monoliths. Ghostly blue grass covered the ground and a rainbow kaleidoscope of crystals sparkled in the large dome of rock towering into the air above the chamber giving the whole area a soft glow of near perpetual twilight. The size of the chamber was the same size as the valley above, taking up miles of space under the earth.

In fact this chamber had once been the real valley floor before a volcanic eruption started to bury it hundreds of thousands of years ago. A god of the time protected it from the falling lava and ash, creating a massive dome that was buried under millions of tons of rock. In time Talacon valley was created on top of the original valley.

The fabled Rainbow Valley of legend.

Most thought it was in other parts of the world, such misdirection was the work of many gods, and yet not even all of them knew of this place. Some had no need, and others would never understand this place.

The council heads knew however and Celestia and Luna knew of it as well.

Celestia moved through the soft grass passing by a multitude of stone markers, each in with their own markers carved and set by those of various cultures, the mix of temples above was sparse compared to the multitude of monuments down here.

Celestia weaved her way unerringly across the valley to a small spot a bit apart from the others. There were four stone markers here, one a fair distance apart from the others. The single one a simple slab of stone jutting up from the blue grass.

The princess moved towards lone one shifting to the side of it to settle down next to the stone. Her wings folded at her side as she regarded the stone and the single name etched on it.

Solaire.

There was unlikely a body here anymore, but the marker was enough.

“Hello father... it has been a while.” Celestia offered with a small smile.

Author's Notes:

Chryssy love bug form

Twilight Tuna Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

Twilight Tuna
Part 1

[Ponyville, four days after Daring Do saved the world....at least that's what her next book will say. Saturday, Fall]

“So how are the girls doing?” Rainbow Dash asked as she stretched out on one of the libraries bean bags flipping through of an old copy of Daring Do and the Viper's Kiss.

“You mean at the moment or in general?” Twilight asked.

“Pff in general your class thingy, right now they are probably setting fire to AJ's barn or something.” Dash scoffed.

[Sweet Apple Acres]

Applejack slowly blinked looking at the new barn.

The current betting pool for it's destruction had been two weeks.

It lasted an hour.

They hadn't even put the tools away yet.

The entire structure was encased in a massive block of ice that was lowly crushing the wood inside it as it melted and refroze instantly.

“We didn't do it!” Scootaloo shouted causing AJ to look over at the trio plus Spike who all looked like they had been set on fire. Even Spike who seemed really confused by that.

Twilight looked up from where she was trying to take a hammer and a chisel to the magic key box Harmony gave them and frowned.

“Mixed.” Twilight sighed.” I'm sure you know more about Scootaloo's progress than I do with flying, right now I'm trying to focus her energy on something constructive and she's trying to build a unicycle from a kit.”

“Yeah her flying is nuts. She never had a proper teacher show her things in the air so she's doing stuff she shouldn't be doing. And she's doing it well. There's almost no pegasus alive who can make a ninety degree turn at full speed, even my best was 98 degrees, not counting rain-boom powered, cause for some reason physics goes out the window when you break the sound barrier and you're leaving rainbow contrails. But Scoots evidently didn't get the memo about what she can't do and she's not only hit a ninety, she's hit as short as a twenty degree turn at her full speed, that shouldn't be possible. A normal pegasus would rip their own wings off with the sudden Gs. But those fire things she has seem to allow her to ignore that. Fillies gonna get into the Wonderbolts before I am. Heck, word is Spitfire and Soarin came to see her themselves not long after she got her cutie-mark. They're already scouting the girl.” Dash huffed.

Twilight opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. She had some bits riding on when Rainbow Dash would find out about Scootaloo's parents. Rahs had bits that Twilight would spoil it and she wasn't going to give her brother the easy win.

“Any way the thing with the unicycle, I got her instructions on the assembly, and some how she built a tricycle.” Twilight offered working a few little wires into one of the boxes locks as she tried to pick the box open.

“What?”

“I know right, I don't even know where she got the other two wheels.” Twilight huffed, her hair standing on end where a jolt of energy fried her lock picks and shocked her.” Sweetiebelle is doing fairly good. She's shown me some exercises that Luna showed her to gain more control of her magic, She has a deeper well of power than most unicorns her age too. So long as she keeps up her practice and studies she should be come quite the mage. I need to ask her parents why she hasn't been brought to Celestia's school for gifted ponies to be tested.... when ever they get back.”

“Yeah keep an eye on Sombra when they do. He's made it clear he wants 'words' with them.” Dash waved a hoof in the air.

“Lovely something else I need to keep an eye out for here.” Twilight sighed trying to open the box with a crowbar.

“Ehh don't worry about it, they need a good butt kicking to remind them they have a kid and Sombra won't do anything to upset Sweetiebelle.”

“What?” Twilight blinked, the crowbar sailing off across the room with a crash as she lost her grip on it.

“You haven't noticed? He's seriously overprotective of those three, they have him wrapped around their hoof despite how much he protests it.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“How the heck have I not noticed that?” Twilight grumbled.

“Cause you and him butt heads every chance you get. All you're gonna see is how much an ass he is. To be fair, he is still an ass, but he seems to at least try to be polite around Rarity and the Crusaders.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Besides Scootaloo told me some of the stuff he's done for them.”

“Oh.”

“So what about Bloom? She blow anything up yet?” Dash asked turning a page.

“Well she's getting potion training from Zecora most of the time, though Zecora's got her own style of zebra alchemy. Bloom wants to learn pony alchemy as well and see if she can mix them. So far all she's done though is make a flower cough.” Twilight offered and frowned at the box pulling a rather large mallet from under the table.

“How does a flower cough? I didn't think plans had lungs.” Dash responded.

“They don't and this one was overly dramatic about the coughing. I expect my brother had something to do with it either directly or indirectly.” Twilight huffed.

“Ahh don't blame it on him, Rahs can't be responsible for every dramatic thing that happens. After all Rarity was here long before you guys showed up.” Dash smirked.

“Point.”

“Where is he any way?” Rainbow Dash questioned.

“Trixie invited him on a date.” Twilight sighed laying her head down on the table, the mallet broken and laying off to the side.

“Bout time. How'd that go?”

[ Two days prior]

The front door of Golden Oaks library burst open with a crash. A light blue mare with a white mane and tail, a pointed purple hat, and a billowing cloak festooned with stars and moons strode in.

“Fuzzy!” Trixie shouted.

Twilight stared at the mare from the reception desk.

“Trixie this is a library, you need to be quiet.” Twilight fussed.

“Trixie is well aware of that fact Twilight, Trixie is also well aware that you live here and Trixie cannot shout for your brother silently.” Trixie explained.

Rahs took this moment to come down the stairs to see what was going on. Trixie smiled as she saw him and sashayed up to him.

“Fuzzy. You are going on a date with Trixie on Saturday. You will need to leave fairly early, unfortunately, to make it on time. Here is your train ticket, and please dress nicely.” Trixie stated. “There will be dancing.”

Rahs blinked looking down at her, his ears perked up as he was given the train ticket.

Trixie smiled putting a hoof on his chest and stood up on her back legs to kiss his cheek before dropping back down, her tail brushing against him as she sauntered out the door .” Don't be late Fuzzy” She called back..

Twilight and Rahs stared at the door as it closed blinking in confusion. After a moment there was a loud giggle and a squee from outside before the sound of hooves running off.

“Alright so that WAS Trixie and not Saturnia trying for a second date.” Twilight offered.

“Wait, when did Trixie learn how to vamp?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“No clue. Clearly Rahs was clueless as well with how stunned he was.”Twilight offered.

“Dang might need to revise the betting pool. She was the dark horse.” Dash pondered.

“Hmm?”Twilight questioned.“Trixie was? I though Sunset was the long shot?”

“She is too, but she had better odds than Trixie. Sunset's actively helping Applejack go after Rahs and some of the things she's suggesting are just.... wow. “ Dash whistled. ”It's pretty clear she's also taking after her dad and playing a long game here too, if she can't get him now she'll try to make sure AJ or one of the other mortal girls gets him so she can pick him up later in life after they've passed.”

“Umm.”

“Saturnia's pretty high on the list as well, cause come on, who wouldn't want some one who can turn into anything you want?” Dash explained. “AJ and Jynx are about even in they are the closest to what he is and any one with any sense can see he's attracted to them at least physically. Trixie is just kinda there, her only saving grace is she's an old friend of his. That's not much to go on, but it's a big hurdle to change foal hood friend into some one you wanna bang for some ponies.”

“And here I though Cadence was the match maker.” Twilight frowned.

“Pfft, I don't care about that. I got bits on the line here, so I'm keeping a close eye on this.” Dash huffed.

“Soooooo who are you betting on?” Twilight raised a brow.

“My money's on AJ. Rarity of course is supporting Jynx, Fluttershy likes Saturnia for some reason and Pinkie's betting on all of them.” Dash explained. ”Though she's changed that every time we allow a new bid when another one shows up.”

“What did Lyra say?” Twilight asked raising an eyebrow.

“About twelve different things. It's kinda weird, she hasn't tried to bet in the overall pool. Says it gives her a headache to think about it.” Dash waved a hoof.

“That worries me.” Twilight muttered.

Twilight Tuna Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

“OOF!” A large earth pony sounded as he bounced off the stone wall, his blade skittering across the floor as it was knocked from his grip.

A loud yelp sounded just before his impact as a robed female griffon dodged out of the way of the flung stallion.

The black coated and red maned earth pony stood back up, shaking his head as he growled before, fishing out another dagger from under his black leather armor. The cutie mark exposed on his flank showed a crossed pair of daggers dripping with green icor dripping from the blades.

“I though you were supposed to be a master thief Rook?” The griffoness snarked.

“Hey, Twinkle how about you actually DO something. Cast a fire ball at this thing or whatever.” The stallion growled.

The cream and white feathered griffoness huffed in annoyance, her bright purple robes sparkling with rhine stones. Twinkle's green eyes narrowed at the stallion. “I don't have fireball.”

“WHAT?!? That's like the biggest evocation spell ever. EVERYPONY learns that one, it's like the most used spell there is!” Rook snapped.

“I'm divination wizard, I don't do evocation.” Sparkle grumbled.

“ Don't do evocation!?! By the stars, we hired a hipster mage.” Rook rolled his eyes.

“Can you two idiots focus!?” A large minotaur roared back at them, ducking behind a shield as he readied his mace.

The gray furred bull growled as he lashed out with his weapon, the silver and gold armor adorning his massive form was filled with rents and cuts, though none seemed very deep. A holy symbol of the moon clung to his neck and was emblazoned on his massive shield.

“Not to interrupt Grump, but can you please heal me?” A massive dragon asked politely, the green scaled beast had a battle ax as tall as she was, though she was only wearing a number of strategically placed furs covering her, not too far off the classic chain mail bikini look. The green dragon was covered in cuts and bruises as well, and was splattered blood and other mess.

The reason for said bruises and cuts towered over even the large dragon barbarian. An abomination that looked half built out of a multitude of other creatures,and half built out of metal junk parts. The undead rotted monstrosity had a number of arms and a few heads as well as numerous other things sewn all over it's form, several of the flailing arms were holding old rusted and pitted weapons and were lashing out the two figures it was attacking.

“Dee, I told you, I'm a war priest, I don't do healing.” Grump snapped.

“That just sounds like a fighter with extra steps." Sparkle snarked.

“At least I have something I can attack with, unlike you. Do you even have any attack spells?” Grump snapped.

“I have named bullet.” Sparkle offered.

“That's great, except no one here has a ranged weapon to put it on. Why did you even learn that spell?” Rook snapped.

“Because it seemed neat. And you lot weren't complaining when I found that treasure using the guts of that last monster.” Sparkle yelled back.

“I'm not complaining.”Dee offered.

“Yeah but that just makes you a one trick pony.” Rook offered. “And while it's a pretty good trick you need more spells that can attack things!”

“Big talk from a rogue that thinks they're a barbarian.”Sparkle snapped.

“HA!” Grump laughed.

“Oh stuff it. What kind of cleric doesn't take any healing spells?” Rook snapped.

“I'm a WAR PRIEST!” Grump yelled. “ Besides it's not like our barbarian remembered she could rage.”

“Oh right.... I did forget about that.”Dee considered.

“Alright alright that's enough.” The undead monstrosity stated flatly. “I dunno what's gotten into you guys but we're gonna take a break now.”

[Golden Oaks Library, Friday afternoon.]

Spike dropped his notebook on the table with a sigh. Before him on the other side of the GM screen a dungeon map was set up with four little figures and one bigger monster. Seated around the table where his players.

“So I guess trying to force you guys out of your comfort zone of classes and races wasn't such a good idea.” Spike sighed.

“I dunno I kinda liked it.” A teal green pegasus colt with bright red hair offered, his wings fanning a little as he sat back, his cutie mark was a jade version of the bug that he was named after. “Never played a barbarian before.”

Spike nodded a little looking away from Firefly. The colt was about his age and was super excited about everything gaming much like Spike was, though he was just setting hoof into the hobby. He was also fairly sure Firefly was a changeling. Spike would have to let Kevin know his suspicions about his cousin some time, though Firefly seemed harmless and wasn't replacing any one as far as Spike could tell.

“Ehh you were fine. Need to be a little more aggressive and you'll have it down.” Scootaloo offered stretching out her wings flickering a little before she caught herself and doused the flames. Twilight had been very insistent that Scootaloo not try to fly inside the library and the first lecture after doing so had been more than enough for her. She had been playing a cleric, though she had turned it more into a fighter with an archetype, Spike was so surprised she managed that, he hadn't stopped her. “How did the titan mauler thing work?”

“Fairly well, the better damage was nice though I am having issues hitting now.” Firefly offered.

“That will balance out in a couple of levels. And later on you can use a ax twice your size.” Scootaloo shrugged.” Sweetiebelle though needs to get some attack magic!”

“I'm a divination wizard.” Sweetiebelle threw her hooves in the air.” I'm a support caster, like you were supposed to be! In a couple of levels I can start making golems and I'll be wrecking everything! At least I'm not a rogue that thinks they are a fighter!”

“Like ah know how tah play a rogue!” Applebloom huffed. “But even ah know yah should at least have a magic missile as a mage fer SOME sort of offense!”

“Okay hold up hold up. Stop.” Spike snapped cutting them off. ”Are you guys still pissed about Diamond Tiara this afternoon?”

“Yes!” Applebloom huffed.

“She didn't even do anything and everyone was praising her like she didn't just tell her butler to do it.” Scootaloo growled.

“I mean we put in all that effort with Twilight, and Diamond' I'm rich' Tiara, gets credit for nothing.” Sweetiebelle huffed. “Though if we can put all of what we learned to use, maybe we could be the big shots at the school for a change.”

Sweetiebelle trailed off as her mind wandered a moment, though the evil sounding giggle she let out informed Spike that he didn't want to know where her mind went.

“Of course then she opted to taunt us with her Manehatten trip.” Scootaloo growled. “And then the complete disregard that we were training with Twilight, or even that she was any pony important. Twilght's helped save the world... at least twice!”

“So have I” Spike grumbled.

“We know, but we were talking bout yer sister.” Applebloom offered.

“Fair enough. Still, Twilight doesn't want to be thought of as some one important.”Spike explained.”Heck she turned down being a princess outright. Besides you guys shouldn't worry about being popular or what Diamond Tiara does. That filly is hardly some one to be impressed by.”

“Ah ain't impressed, ah'm annoyed.”Applebloom huffed.

[Neigh Orleans, late morning ]

Rahs stepped off the train platform, his ears perked as he looked around the city. The air was muggy even this late into fall. The sounds of the busy streets echoed around the station, the chatter and noises of the locals almost musical. The low hum of a fog horn sounded from out over the water the city was practically spilling over as a large ship sounded in the distance. The scent of food and salt and distant rot of the swamp and plant life bracketing the city on nearly every side assaulted his nose. The architecture of the place had it's own style, with a number of designs seemingly taken from the Prance region, though over time it developed a style all it's own.

Rahs smirked, glad that, despite the location on the coast, the air was still fairly cool. He wasn't one to really enjoy dressing up, but the black three piece suit he wore was rather nice. The black slacks and over coat were well made, and the burgundy under shirt was partially hidden under the black vest that accompanied it. He wasn't sure of the amber, almost gold tie he was wearing, though Rarity had claimed it went well with his eyes.

Still he rather liked it.

Judging by the whistles and the few cat calls he was getting as he stepped off the train platform, others liked it as well.

Rahs wasn't sure why Trixie chose this place, he knew her mother was from here, but beyond that he had no clues on her plan. From time to time he could tell Trixie had a bit of an accent, but it was very subdued most times and only came out with certain words or sayings.

Any further thoughts he had were cut off as a gold and crystal gilt carriage rolled up before him stopping suddenly. A well dressed stallion moved from the front of the carriage with the other puller, and trotted around to open the door on the carriage.

Stepping out of the carriage, in a flowing burgundy dress trimmed with gold and black thread, the material clinging to her light blue form and spilling over her back legs like a ball room dress was Trixie. Her hair had been done up in a multitude of bouncing white curls that fell over her face and horn, jeweled filigree was tastefully added to her ears and her mane and she wore rather elegant looking metal hoof covers, likely to protect the black lace stockings she wore, at least on the front legs he could see.

“Rahs Dawlin'. Ah'm quite glad ya could make it. Ya look as handsome as ever.” Trixie offered in a very heavy Neigh Orleans accent. “ Please join me, we got ta head up daroad a little fer dinner, ah'll be sure tah give yah tha tour along da way.”

Trixie grinned, beckoning him inside as she slipped back and took a seat.

Rahs raised a brow at this and smiled as he climbed in, time to see where this date went.

Author's Notes:

Rahs' suit https://simages.ericdress.com/Upload/Image/2017/46/watermark/8bfb7ffd-ead6-4a1d-b343-7deccba08cd6.jpg

Trixie's dress https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41cShyWw8PL.jpg

These are more the ideas that inspired than what they are actualy wearing though as Rahs isn't wearing shoes

Twilight Tuna, Part 3

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Neigh Orleans, late afternoon]

Rahs smirked as the music tempo increased and Trixie spun off away from him, her dress flaring out around her legs before she paused, her hooves skidding a little on the floor as she smiled back at him. He had no idea where she had learned to dance like this, but he was hardly complaining. Her balance on her back legs was nearly flawless, and she was easily keeping up with if not outdoing him.

He had expected some sort of ballroom dancing given her dress and the whole Beauty and the Beast thing she seemed to favor, though she had surprised him with a music hall focused more on swing and blues.

Rahs wasn't an expert dancer, but he had quite a bit of stage training and a decent enough rhythm, though he had to admit Trixie was leaving him in the dust.

The tour had been rather nice, Trixie seemed to know most of the points of interest and some that tourists didn't likely know. Evidently the circus her parents belonged to came through here quite often and given it was her mother's home town she was taught a lot about it.

They had paused the tour and stopped at a fairly fancy restaurant for lunch, he had been surprised at the sheer volume of seafood that was presented in the place. He had thought the menu odd of a primarily pony town, though there were quite a few ponies in the restaurant partaking, as well as some Mokolé and a few Naga, so the seafood focus of the place was a little more understandable.

Rahs was rather surprised that Trixie seemed to have no issue with the meal eating the spread with no hesitation. The tour picked up after the meal and Rahs was starting to wonder if he knew as much about his friend as he thought he did.

Of course then they had come to the dance hall and things had only gotten more fun from there. It was a great way to spend time until the show they were to go to later that evening.

[Ponyville]

Sunset Shimmer glared at the pink changeling.

Saturnia glared at the orange pony.

The Ponyville citizens that had been on the street with them had already backed away to a respectable distance.

Sunset was sitting at the Apple's cart selling some late season apples from the orchard. Sunset had studied why the place was still so warm, and found that the remains of the palace spire the Apples had turned into a rather large and neigh indestructible barn still had a sympathetic connection to the Crystal Heart and kept some of the magic that kept the northern cold away from the Empire. It wasn't as strong, but even the worst Ponyville winter had only felt as bad as the early chill of fall.

The magic might also explain some of Applejack's earlier unwarranted changes, though it didn't explain why the family kept building separate barns on the property, or why they were destroyed nearly once a month. Granny had refused to let her reinforce the new one and told her not to worry about it and that she would explain why later when the zap apples came in again, seems that that particular crop came in when it wanted.

Saturnia had been walking through the market to pick up a few things with Bees tagging along to carry it all. After changelings were accepted as a race, a small number had moved to the Ponyville hive. She had Thorax and several others of the newcomers working on expanding the hive for new housing. Some how she had wound up being the liaison to the mayor and was in charge of the hive and those living there.

Aside from Bees, Thorax, Shadows, and Kevin, she now had four small families of changelings and a few warriors, including Thorax's brother, Pharynx, who was not settling down that well. The hive was supposed to be known and was being used as a test bed to see if Celestia could be trusted. The changelings under her now were some of the few willing to risk it.

There had been more that showed up, but after a couple of Tuesdays in Ponyville, and meeting the pink one, several had wisely fled.

None of that was a concern right now as the mare Saturnia saw as her greatest threat to Rahs was before her. She had realized after their date that while her chances were good in securing the moon dog, it was still only a one in five chance of him choosing her. As such she had started plans for playing a long game, most of the others were mortal and wouldn't be around forever even if he did choose them.

Then there was Sunset.

Sunset stared down the changeling and wondered if her promise to Granny not to burn any pony counted towards bugs. She was already sorely tempted just from dealing with some of the idiots that harassed her.

Retail was not something Sunset felt comfortable with.

Saturnia was a problem, the bug in her long term plans, the only other one who would live long enough to be a problem to her getting Rahs later in life. The bugs very existence was problematic to her goal.

Sure she could have found some one else, rather easily in fact. Let's face it, Sunset was sexy and she knew it, but with her tastes and the challenge put out by this, Rahs was going to be hers, or else. And this bug was a threat to her achieving her goal.

The pair glared at each other for a good ten minutes, the air around them crackling with fire and sparks, though it was silent until Sunset spoke up.

“That will be twenty six bits.” Sunset stated flatly without breaking eye contact.

“I haven't bought anything yet.” Saturnia answered only for Sunset to point a hoof.

Sparing a glance to the side Saturnia frowned deeper seeing Bees sitting there polishing off another apple and adding to the pile of cores around him.

“Hey these are good, we should bring some back.” Bees muttered through a mouthful of apple seeing he had gained Saturnia's attention.

“Those are coming out of your pay bees....” Saturnia grumbled as Sunset smiled.

“I get paid?” Bees questioned.

[Golden Oaks Library]

“You ever get the feeling that something was supposed to be about you and some how isn't any more?” Sweetiebelle considered tapping her chin with a hoof.

“A little.” Applebloom offered.

“ Waxing the poetic is not going to get you out of rolling a fortitude save.” Spike pointed out.

Sweetiebelle sighed flipping the die with a grumble then dropping her head to the table with a heavy thud at the low roll.

“Ooh that's another minus two to con as the cloak Twinkle put on continues to choke her.” Spike frowned.

“I told you you should check it first.” Scootaloo offered.

“Dumb fabric.” Sweetiebelle huffed.

Author's Notes:

And here's some of the music from the dancing date

Twilight Tuna, Part 4

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Golden Oaks Library]

The sounds of a chime was heard ringing though the room, though no one in the main area of the library so much as batted an eye. The chime went silent just before a faint pop was heard as some one appeared in the cordoned off teleport square that was set up nearby the libraries' travel section.

“Hey Luna.” Spike called from the table behind the DM screen.
“Heya Princess. “ Applebloom offered.
“Sup?” Scootaloo waved a hoof.
“Umm Hello Princess Luna.” Firefly muttered.
“Hi big sis!” Sweetiebelle cheered.

Twilight poked her head out of the kitchen curiously, and offered a wave to the other alicorn, then went back to the kitchen table and her reading.

“Greetings young ones.” Luna smiled as she stepped out of the marked off area. “We apologize for our tardiness, but we bring snacks.” Luna stated approaching the table with a couple of boxes of donuts from Pony Joes.

“Great. You haven't missed much, they haven't even managed to blow up an inn yet in this town.” Spike pointed out.”

“That was not our fault, the giant rampaging turtle just smashed it , we weren't even any where near it.”Applebloom huffed.

“Yet your rogue stockpiled blasting powder in his room in order to use later on the fortress.” Spike pointed out.

Applebloom grumbled. “Three thousand gold gone up to make turtle soup.....”

“Anyway. I can easily put you in now that they are in town. Did you read the books I loaned you?” Spike asked.

“Indeed, there is quite a lot more math then we were expecting.” Luna admitted.

“I know right!?” Scootaloo huffed. “All those cool pictures and it's all points and skills and thaco and crap.”

Spike narrowed his eyes at Scootaloo.

“THACO is an old rule.... I've not been using it where did you hear that?” Spike questioned.

“I read some of Appleblooms's books when I was bored during a sleep over okay? It happens and every pony else sleeps too much.” Scootaloo protested.

“What's thaco?” Firefly asked.

“To Hit Armor Class Zero.” Spike, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo all offered as Applebloom giggled.

“Anyway.” Spike smirked.” I've got a character set up for you already so we don't need to pause for long. Here you go.” Spike offered a sheet of paper to the Princess as she pulled a chair over.

“A ranger?” Luna questioned.

“Yep, it's a bit more complex than most GMs give beginners but it gives a bit of the magic system, a bit of the combat system and a bit of the companion system all in one character. I left the name blank for you and your animal companion, but everything else is set up for you to just jump right in.”

“Animal companion?” Luna questioned looking at the second sheet. "An Emu?”

“Hehehehehehehe”

Spike blinked taking the sheet back as some sort of giggling could be heard from no where and every where at once.

“Why is this written in red? It was supposed to be a bear.... bah whatever it's got the same stats as a cassowary though it has a hide ability rather than rend. Ehh good enough I suppose for a starting character. Gimmi a second to find a spot to put you in in my notes and we'll get back to it.” Spike offered writing something behind the GM screen.

“So we take Rahs has not come back yet?”Luna offered.

“Nope, guess he's having fun on his date.” Sweetiebelle offered.

“Truly, it is this late and he is not back yet?” Luna smiled.

Spike peered up over the top of the GM screen his eyes narrowed. “Are you using my game to try and spy on my brother?” Spike demanded.

“Of course not. Sweetie convinced us to come to your game, we hardly need an excuse to see how our grand pups date with our chosen student is going... well former student, but still.”Luna smiled. “We would like to know how our choice is faring.”

[Neigh Orleans, Prench Opera House ]

Rahs smiled, his amber eyes darting around the old theater. This place had been around for nearly two centuries, despite several near misses that almost destroyed it utterly. About a hundred years ago the place nearly burned to the ground, most of the building, including the main stage, and a large number of theater goers were saved by the intervention of a pony many thought to be Princess Celestia in disguise. Though after the fire was out no one could figure out where she went, and the Princess declined to comment about it afterward.

And then only thirty years ago the place was saved again by an anonymous donor that paid to have the run down theater restored, provided a few rules were kept and the ponies running the place didn't discriminate it's actors races. The current head of the theater stated that the donation was enough for the theater to run for another hundred years with free admission.

The storied history of this place coupled with the number of shows that had come through here over the course of the buildings life added a feeling that he couldn't describe. This theater had a history to it he could feel. Rahs felt if he concentrated enough he would be able to look back and watch every act that had ever crossed the stage of this place, though he stopped himself from doing so as he was on a date and there were a few complaints about the glow above his ears and the crescent at the tip of his tail growing too bright.

Still he would need to investigate this further another time.

A few small acts had come across the stage tonight, some skits, comedians, a short musical number or two, though the main show had yet to start when Trixie excused herself to head to the little fillies room.

Rahs was rather content with how this date had gone. It was quite nice to go on a traditional sort of date after all the out there ones the others had gone on, not that he had any issue with them, but this was the sort that featured the most in the novels he read.

The moon dog blinked as the lights dimmed and the curtain started to rise. He glanced back to see if Trixie was returning, she was going to miss the final act at this rate.

“Fillies and gentle colts, prepare to be amazed, astounded, and in awe of, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRRRRRRRRRRRRIXIE!!”

The stage exploded with fireworks as Rahs' head snapped back around to see Trixie standing on the stage with great gout of colored sparks erupting behind her.

She had swapped out her dress for something closer to a suit, though her back legs were clad in fishnets rather than pants and her forelegs were hidden in a suit jacket with white cuffs, she had a bow tie that matched her cape, and her pointed wizards hat. The dark purple of the suit clashed with her blue fur though it matched her cloak and hat despite not being covered with stars and moons, the whole ensemble would likely have given Rarity a heart attack, though it was a perfect fit for Trixie.

Rahs grinned as the fire works died down.

“And presenting the first appearance of Trixie's assistant. The talented and wonderful Rahs!” Trixie rose to her back hooves and gestured, the seat next to him where Trixie had been sitting exploded in a shower of sparks and fireworks. Rahs blinked as the spot light moved to him, feeling a spell wrap around his form.

Rahs stood up with a wide grin, the whole crowd focused soly on him now, a long flowing cloak matching Trixie's was draped over his shoulders and a top hat of the same design rested on his head.

There were sounds of surprise and applause before a brief yell of panic as all the lights in the theater went out.

When they came back on after a heart beat Rahs was gone.

Trixie blinked though she turned her head, still feeling her illusion and was therefor able to gesture to the side of the stage a moment before Rahs steeped out of the wings onto the stage proper, the cape flowing around him as he approached Trixie.

The crowd clapped at the sudden change from in their midst to the stage without any one noticing.

“Clever mare.”

Trixie smiled at the soft statement. “Please, as if Trixie would bring you to a theater without a way to get you onstage. Now let's see if you can keep up with Trixie.”

Rahs grinned.

[Golden Oaks library]

Everyone stared at Spike.

The purple and green dragon currently had a large lavender top hat atop his head festooned with stars and moons and a large billowing cape of the same material that fluttered through the chair, the illusion ignoring solid objects as it clung to him.

The kitchen door burst open and Twilight stormed out heading up the stairs. She was dressed in a dark purple suit that had long coattails, fishnet stockings on her back legs, a rather large top hat, and flowing cape the same color as the ones Spike had.

“I'm going to bed before this nonsense gets worse.” Twilight huffed.

Luna watched them go before looking to Spike.”Her illusions are getting better. It seems your brothers date is going well.”

[Crystal Empire.]

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow as he regarded himself in the mirror. A dark purple suit covered his form with a flowing purple cape and wizard hat festooned with stars and moons.

“This is a pretty good illusion.” Shining offered poking the inside of the cape and watching as it conformed to his hoof despite not being able to be removed or interacted with by any one else or anything.

Chrysalis and Cadence glared at the illusion.

“Seems Trixie is going up in points again.” Cadence huffed.

Pinkie Anostomus Pie

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville, an open field just outside of town, end of Fall]

“Alright do you have that feeling again? Good now tug on it!” Luna stated.

Rahs grumbled, his tail whipping as he started the motions to try and cast the spell Luna was teaching him.

Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Spike, and Rainbow Dash sat on the other side of the field watching while having a picnic. Occasionally Twilight would need to head over and put out a small fire that started some how.

“... so Pinkie Pie and the Apple family set out to visit one of their relatives who might have a more complete history of the family to find out for sure.” Twilight continued as the sound of an explosion made her look up from her meal to the training pair , before disregarding it as nothing left to burn in that part of the field.

“So that's why Pinkie ran off this morning.” Fluttershy considered.”I have some trouble understanding her when she's super excited about something, so I suppose I got the full story in about four seconds earlier, but thank you for explaining it Twilight.”

“No problem. It may explain a few things about why Pinkie freaks out about her family. I'm still getting used to how the Apples react to it.” Twilight explained.

“Well darling you best get used to it particularly if you are serious about Big Mac. There are quite a number of mares that have their eyes on him. Best you snatch him up as quickly as you can.” Rarity offered.

“Ugh you sound like my mom... until I get that Familiar spell working right I'm not going to go past what we have right now.” Twilight sighed, though she quickly brightened as she struck a pose. “ I'm not worried though where would he find some pony as wonderful as me?”

Spike rolled his eyes as Twilight tried to hold her laughter back at the over the top statement.

“Honestly I kinda wanna know how that trip is going.” Rainbow Dash said as she tapped her chin with a hoof. “They brought Sunset along. And she doesn't strike me as the most stable of ponies.”

“I'm sure it will be fine darling.” Rarity considered looking to Twilight. “ Right?”

Twilight shrugged.

[The scariest cave in Equestria, exit ]

Smoke poured from the mouth of the cave as the little raft floated with the current back out of the darkness.

Sunset Shimmer clung wide eyed to the front of the raft, her mane blown back and horn still smoking.
Witch-Jack sat behind her, also charred, while Granny, Applebloom, and Big Mac all looked like they had rolled around in soot, and Applebloom's bow was on fire.

Big Mac moved to put his little sister out as well as the few flames still licking at the sides of the raft. Behind them smoke poured out of the 'The scariest cave in Equestria' and even the rock seemed to be burning and melting to slag.

Pinkie Pie was unaffected and was still taking pictures.

“We. Are. Not. Coming . Back. This. Way.” Sunset Shimmer stated, her features pale.

“Ah don't think you left anything in that cave tah come back to.” Witch-Jack growled as the tortured stone around the cave mouth finally collapsed blocking off the tunnel from this entry point.

“So what is Rahs doing out here anyway?” Fluttershy asked as there was another explosion.

“Luna is trying to teach him how to open the portal to the Oneiroi. He is the god of moon dogs now and she feels that he needs to learn how to go there himself rather than rely on her. She claims she doesn't want the hassle that comes with having 'travel' in her portfolio.” Twilight explained. “I'm trying to figure out how he can cast spells at all.”

“Well you had to have noticed he's been teleporting around some lately.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Actually I haven't.” Twilight frowned.

“To be fair, he can be sneaky and not noticing him going from one place to another is kinda easy.” Spike pointed out before stuffing a danish into his mouth.

“Well you might just notice if you were flying..... you know.... like I've been trying to get you to do since you got your wings?” Rainbow Dash snarked leaning closer to Twilight who looked away from her.

“ So why are we out here then?” Rarity asked. “The picnic is nice and all but isn't this a tad dangerous?”

“It's fine Luna's warding most of his mistakes, and all he keeps summoning is fireworks.” Twilight offered.”We thought it would be best if he had an audience as one of his portfolios is Theater. Maybe it would help.”

“Theater, hmmm. HEY RAHS!” Spike bellowed as another explosion happened.

Rahs glared at Spike.

“Oops.” Spike smirked. “Anyway try looking at it like you're bringing in another actor or something for a second part.”

Rahs frowned at that his ears flattening to his head as he considered.

“Thank you for your input young Spike but that is not the way this spell works. One has to focus on the destination and ...” Luna was cut off as Rahs pulled what looked like a smoke bomb from his coat and threw it at his paws filling the whole area around him with a thick gray cloud.

Luna blinked stepping away from it as the smoke billowed out more, then quickly started to dissipate leaving Rahs standing there in the middle of the field.

“What was that even supposed to do?” Twilight asked.

Rahs grinned and took a step to the side. Standing behind him was a confused looking and quite curvy navy blue furred female moon dog who was at least a few inches taller than Rahs and had some how been hidden behind him.

“What!?” Luna demanded.

Rahs smirked whipping off his teal long coat with a flourish and draped it over his naked sister though some how he was already wearing a light gray long coat to replace it the moment the flourish ended.

Bri blinked looking around , her amber eyes taking in everything in confusion.

“Woof?” Bri asked.

“Bark.” Rahs explained.

Bri frowned and punched Rahs in the shoulder.

“BORK!”

“Do not be like that Bri we did warn you that Rahs was trying to open a portal and odd things might happen. Still we didn't expect him to bring some dog here.” Luna frowned. “How did you even do that? It wasn't the way I taught you.”

“Stage magic is still magic. He has been hanging out with Trixie after all.”Spike sighed

Luna smacked Rahs upside the back of the head with a wing growling at him.

“Why did you bring her here? Don't you recall what happened last time moon dogs were pulled from the Oneiroi. “Luna fumed.” This could have been a disaster!”

Rahs frowned glaring at Luna before poking her nose with a claw.

“Bork.” Rahs stated and Luna flinched.

“Yes... well...... we are sorry it's just....” Luna sighed closing her eyes and exhaling deeply.”Can you do that again? And better yet can you get yourself there now?”

Rahs considered for a moment before nodding.

Spike waddled up with the others offering a wave to the other moon dog. “ Nice to see you again Bri.”

“Ruff?” Bri asked.

Spike and Twilight stared at her.

“What?” Spike asked.

“Bark?” Bri questioned.

“Woof?” Rahs asked as well.

“I understand you, but not her.” Twilight pointed out frowning as Rahs grinned.

“Really?” Luna questioned.

“I understand her, she was asking how you've been and why Twilight smelled so much like food.”Fluttershy offered.

“Woof.” Bri agreed.

“So this is what it's like.” Spike grumbled.

“Bark.” Bri pointed out glaring at Rahs.

Rahs rolled his eyes.

“What?” Rarity asked.

“Now that he can visit the Oneiroi, Bri told him that Cosma wanted him to visit more often.”Fluttershy translated.

“This is very annoying.” Twilight huffed.

“Welcome to our world.” Rainbow Dash laughed.

“Woof?” Rahs asked.

“Ruff.” Bri rolled her eyes.

Rahs winced and patted her on the head as if he was sorry for her, that got him a punch in the gut.

“What?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“He asked if she had finally been assigned a god to watch over. Seems after Rahs was accepted as a god his biggest detractor in the council stepped down, and Bri took the roll of watching over Cadence's dreams. Rahs was apologizing for her having to do that.” Fluttershy offered.

“Ouch. I feel sorry for her now too.” Spike muttered.

“Who is this?” a fairly deep voice asked with a hint of a growl.

Glancing towards the voice the group was greeted to the sight of a large well muscled midnight black furred female canine, her long white hair done up in a large number of braids that hung down nearly to her tail. Her ample chest seemed to barely be contained in a rather ornate blue vest that bared her tone midriff before her many pocketed pair of cargo pants took over covering her legs to her ankles. The touch of Rarity's work in the clothing was apparent with some of the trim and designs of the thread being a little more decorative.

Ice blue eyes regarded the navy furred bitch in Rahs' coat with the way she was tensed she seemed ready to do something.

“Ah lady Jynx. This is Bri. Rahs' sister from the Oneiroi.” Rarity added quickly before anything happened.

Jynx nodded a little at that her gaze darting over to Luna, though she clearly didn't relax.

Bri blinked surprised she was looking up at the diamond dog.

“So what brings you here Lady Jynx.” Rarity continued.

“ Yes. Well. My apologies. I have been wanting to ask Rahs out for some time now though the issues with my pack have gotten a bit more complicated and I have not been able to get away from them until now.” Jynx sighed, her top some how still not bursting.

“Oh? Nothing that will be a problem we hope?” Luna offered.

“ Not at all Princess. Just for some reason a number of other packs have come here to join the Jade Wolves. It has been . Rather chaotic.” Jynx explained. “There have been a few disputes and a great deal of expanding of our tunnels to adjust for the new comers.”

“ Jade Wolves? No longer the Wolf Fang?” Luna questioned.

“We are seeking to have amicable relations with ponies. A slightly softer name was in order.” Jynx offered. “Despite some disagreeing with it, I am the Alpha and what I say goes.”

“Woof?” Bri asked.

“Ruff.” Rahs explained gesturing to Jynx.

Bri smirked.

Rahs rolled his eyes.

Jynx glanced between the two.

“Yes well darling don't just stand there. Ask.” Rarity ushered.

Jynx blinked at the white mare and nodded.” Errr right. Sorry.” Jynx let out a held breath. “ Rahs if you would I have this Monday free, if those idiots know what is good for them. And I wonder if you would like to have dinner with me?”

Rahs blinked surprised the large diamond dog seemed so hesitant, the few glances she spared to Rarity made him wonder if she was being coached.

Still he offered a nod in response and a smile at her which she seemed to accept.

“Alright. Well. I will see you then Rahs.” Jynx offered before moving away from the group her gaze darting to Rarity who was smiling, then to Luna who was watching warily then to Bri who was pondering it seemed.

Jynx took another step back then dropped into a hole that was unnoticed, but did explain how she snuck up on them. It was quickly filled in and the diamond dog was gone.

Bri smiled wider looking at Rahs.

“Woof?”

Rah blinked his ears flattening to his head as Bri mad a pantomime of Jynx's huge tracks of land.

“We would not say he has a type per-say, but we cannot argue that Lady Jynx is rather well endowed for her species.” Luna offered.

“I dunno. “ Twilight offered. “ Applejack is fairly stacked and we all saw how he reacted to Rarity when she was under the effects of poison joke. Saturnia could be something like that easily so he might just have a type.”

“I am not fond of being brought into this conversation as I am not involved as one of his growing number of suitors.” Rarity huffed.

“Yeah, Sunset and Trixie are kinda the odd ones out.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Not really. If I recall how Sunset looked in the human world her chest was pretty big too.” Spike offered.

“Bark?” Bri asked slapping Rahs' arm and laughing.

Rahs growled burying his face in his paws as the others laughed as well at his embarrassment.

“I hate you all.”

Author's Notes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anostomus_anostomus
Title refrence.

Indonesian damsel manifestation, part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Golden Oaks Library, start of winter]

“Spike!!! Are you ready to go yet!?” Twilight screamed out.

“Hold onto your wings, I'm getting there. I'm the whole reason you've even have an excuse to head to the Empire any way so chill.” Spike huffed digging through a box in his room.“Where did I put that steam lands book?”

“You are not the only reason we are going. Sure you might have gotten invited to be a guest at the first convention they are holding in the new hall they built, but I still have yet to head up there and see Moon Dancer and Sunburst's foal!” Twilight huffed grabbing a book off the shelf in Spike's room, the cover showing a number of steam powered carts trying to smash and destroy each other in some sort of death race.

“That's just an excuse, you could have gone up any time.” Spike huffed taking the book and packing it away with a number of small toy carts that had been modified.” Ugh I wish I had more time with this. My Guard army for Battle Mallet isn't even fully painted yet, and every one plays Lunar Marines so I don't want to bring them.”

“SPIKE!” Twilight snapped.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, I should have got this done yesterday, and I would have if you didn't have me running around helping with your research, so this is your fault.”Spike huffed.

“Woof!” Rahs snapped leaning his head in the door and glaring at the two arguing.

“FINE! I'll skip the Battle Mallet army but so help me if they have a decent tourney for it...” Spike huffed shouldering a large bag.

Rahs rolled his eyes and stepped out of the doorway as his siblings stormed out of Spike's room. Blakeney chittered at them from one of his shoulders, and Peewee shook his head as he perched on the other.

“Don't you take that tone with me mister!” Spike huffed at the raccoon.

“Right Rahs here's a list of everything I want you to take care of while we're gone, it should only be a few days...” Twilight began.

“Woof!” Rahs snapped.

“I'm aware you have a date tomorrow, but if you start now you should have plenty of time before then.”Twilight stated passing him a list as tall as Rahs was.

Rahs glanced at the list before handing it to Peewee, who set it on fire.

“And that is why I wrote it in triplicate and fire proofed the other ones.” Twilight stated floating a new list over to her brother.

Rahs frowned and handed it to Blakeney, who mauled it a bit, got annoyed it wasn't food ,then bunched it all up and threw it at Twilight.

“The last copy is magically bound to the fridge.” Twilight stated flatly.

Rahs rolled his eyes.

“TWILIGHT LET'S GO!”Spike bellowed from downstairs. “ Applejack and the Crusaders are already here.”

“Don't you dare tell me to hurry up buster!” Twilight snapped back.” Look Rahs, at the very least try to get those books we got from the old castle sorted. There was some odd magic in that crate and I'd rather you check to see if it's dangerous.”

Rahs sighed.” Woof.”

“Thanks.” Twilight smiled as the pair headed downstairs.

Applejack and Rarity stood off to the side watching the crusaders bounce around excitedly with Spike. Firefly stood apart from the others, though he did have a big smile on his face as well.

“I can't believe we got out of school for this!”Scootaloo cheered.

“Don't fergit Miss Cheerilee did give you assignments because of that.” Applejack stated adjusting her bag over her shoulder.

“Who even holds a convention starting on Sunday night?” Rarity sighed.

“With the Equestria games prep going on it was the only time they could set one up. Besides with how hard the foals in the Crystal Empire have been going in school since their return to catch up with the rest of Equestria, their winter and summer breaks are a bit longer. Though they don't get summers off like the usual equestrian schools. They just run them year round.” Twilight explained.

“Year round school? Bleh!” Applebloom exclaimed.

Twilight huffed at the comment though, she didn't respond to Applebloom's disgust.

“Are you sure you have this Darling, they can be a hoofful.” Rarity frowned.”Plus they are going to miss the Ponyville foal fair.”

“PASS.” The crusaders and Spike all chimed in.

“Seriously a gaming convention in the Crystal Empire where Spike is a guest of honor, or a local street faire with puppets.” Sweetiebelle scoffed. “No contest which is better.”

“Yes, well, given the reaction to my expertly crafted puppet theater, I don't think there really will be much of a puppet show.” Rarity sighed.

“It's okay Rarity. I thought the theater looked good.” Sweeteibelle offered.”Maybe you can make something else?”

“Thank you Sweetie, I suppose I could... Oh, forget it. I'd never have something finished in time! “Rarity wailed.” I wanted to leave my creative mark on the fair, and I failed miserably! And that makes me miserable!”

The others watched Rarity carry on a moment before Rahs held up a score card with a 2 on it. Blakeney gave her a three at least and Peewee accidentally set his card on fire before the number could be seen.

“Oh please who are you to judge!?” Rarity huffed.

Rahs grinned snapping his fingers and making his portfolio appear which made Rarity pout more.

“Alright lets go! We need to get to the train!” Spike stated stumbling out the door with the others following along leaving Rarity, Twilight, and Rahs behind.

“Twilight do you mind if I look through your books, perhaps something will strike my fancy.” Rarity sighed.

“Go ahead, this is a library after all.” Twilight offered glancing to the door at Spike's shout. “Rahs make sure you check her out properly if she finds something.”

“Pfft.” Rahs hissed. Waving a claw before heading back upstairs.

“Arrgh ...”Twilight growled glaring after her brother.

“Darling it's fine, go enjoy yourself and tell Moon Dancer I said hello.” Rarity waved a hoof as Twilight headed out.

“ Thanks Rarity. Good luck.”Twilight offered closing the door behind her.

The white mare let out a sigh as she moved along the bookshelves, looking over titles. She pulled out a few books here and there flipping through them before putting them back as she slowly circled around the library. Nothing was striking her.

This was terrible.

Making her way along the shelves closer to the reception desk she came to a open crate sitting behind the desk half covered with a tarp.

“What's this?” Rarity considered.

Pushing the tarp aside a little Rarity blinked looking down at the crate full of old books.

“Oh, it seems Twilight got another shipment from the workers at Whinnysor.” Rarity exclaimed lifting a few books up.”Hmm perhaps something from the past might spark an idea.”

Rarity rummaged through the crate before finding an odd gray book with a circle of of spikespoking out of the cover design.

“Very tacky.” Rarity scoffed at the cover flipping it open to look over a few pages. “Inspiration manifestation?”

Rarity hummed, her eyes flashing to reptilian slits as her shadow shifted and danced at her hooves as she read over the page. “This may be exactly what I need.”

Author's Notes:

These fish puns are harder than i thought with some episodes.

Also for those wondering Spike was looking for his Equestrian version of the Gaslands book.

Indonesian damsel manifestation, part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Carousel Boutique, Sunday afternoon]

“From in the head to out in the world, every thought to action. Hold close this book and through its spell, you'll start a chain reaction, projecting forth whatever beauty you see. Only when true words are spoken will you finally be set free.” Rarity tilted her head. ”What an odd spell.”

The white mare stretched out over her bed, looking at the book curiously. “I wonder if it worked?”

Green magic struck the book and in a flash the spiked gray tome was gone, replaced by a ornate gold leafed and jeweled tome.

“Ooooooh!” Rarity gasped, her eyes starting to flicker green, her pupils still slitted. “ That is much better. I should head out and see about fixing that puppet stage.”

Rarity chuckled, trotting out the door, her tail whisking as she smiled, showing a bit more fang in her smile than she should have.

[Golden Oaks library]

Rahs sat up from the couch with a start, sniffing the air curiously as he yawned. Something smelled rather good.

After a moment the faint wisp of a scent faded and Rahs shrugged and fell back onto the couch returning to his nap.

[ Moon Dancer's house in the Crystal Empire ]

“He's adorable Moon Dancer.” Twilight cood looking over the crib's edge at the pale orange dappled foal sleeping there.

“Honestly you wouldn't say that if you didn't catch the little monster while he was sleeping.” Moon Dancer chuckled. ”This has been a long year.”

“I expect so with all the classes you've had to give, plus helping out my brother and Cadence on top of having to care for a newborn.” Twilight smiled moving back to take a seat across from Moon Dancer at the table. ”So how's Sunburst been?”

“A bigger wreck then me. Of course he has to deal with his mother too. It's a wonder he turned out as well as he did with how that mare is. Much as I like the help with Stargazer here I really want to put her on the list of ponies my shield blocks.”

“Oof. That bad huh?”Twilight questioned.

“ I love the mare but holy buck......” Moon Dancer sighed. ”Still she set up Stargazer's first birthday fairly well. Princess Cadence and your brother showed up with Chrysalis and brought gifts.”

“Please tell me he didn't bring Foal's first O&O game.”Twilight grumbled as Moon Dancer laughed.

“Alright I won't tell you he did that, Cadence did a little better with a bunch of baby books. Seems a certain little unicorn she foal sat skewed her ideas of what a foal might like. Chrysalis was the one who actually brought the most useful thing with the changing table and actually showed us the best way to deal with diapers.”

“She buried Celestia under a pile of them didn't she?” Twilight deadpanned.

“Suffocated her in them actually.” Moon Dancer sighed.” Though Princess Celestia did get us the crib there. Of course Princess Luna showed up too.”

“Oh no.” Twilight gasped.

“And she brought a gift.”

“Oh no.” Twilight gasped.

“She claimed he would grow into it.”

“Oh no.” Twilight gasped.

“ Yup, the battle Scythe is currently locked in the attic.”Moon Dancer smiled. “ So are you sure it's okay to sit around and talk? I've heard some worrying things about those friends of Spikes you brought along.”

“It's fine. Spike tends to keep them a bit more grounded and Applejack's here watching them. She's got a great deal of experience with dealing with that lot.”Twilight offered.

[Crystal Empire, 5^th Precinct]

The cell door slammed shut leaving Witch-Jack to stare out from the cell with a frown on her face. A stray bit of magic had triggered her transformation as she went to get a snack from one of the food carts outside the convention.

The reaction of the Crystal ponies around her was instant and had lead to a number of guard and empathetic changelings tackling her.

At the moment she was sitting in a mithrial cell down at the local precinct awaiting orders from higher up on what to do with the captured witch wolf.

“Ah can't believe ah forgot about this being a problem here.”Witch-Jack sighed.

[Crystal Palace Convention Center, built in the spot across the street from the library in Sparkle Square where the statue was]

“Oooooh look at that , and that, and that, and that, and that.......” Sweetiebelle cheered, bouncing around the room looking at all the gaming exhibits.

Applebloom sighed. Spike had been dragged off almost immediately to host some event or another leaving the crusaders with Applejack.

Applejack had stated she was gonna see what the snack carts had and wandered off as well.

That left Applebloom and Sweetiebelle practically alone.

Scootaloo and Firefly had gone off to look at something, though Scootaloo was more dragging the colt around to look at things then the pair of them just wandering off.

Applebloom narrowed her eyes as she watched the pair of them examine a game based of some Japony comic about ponies in robot battle suits fighting rogue blue robots destroying some future city to a rock soundtrack about storms.

“Hmmmmmm” Applebloom pondered tapping her hoof to her chin, a couple of ponies dressed as waifu battleships walking past behind her.

Cadence's ear twitched as she looked out over the city from the half rebuilt crystal palace.

“Some one's horning in on my job.” Cadence frowned.

“Cady, you are not the only match maker in Equss!” Chrysalis called out.

“No, but I am the best!” Cadence snapped back. ”I have the charts to prove it!”

“Oh stars, you got her started again.” Shining Armor groaned.

[ Moon Dancer's house in the Crystal Empire ]

“Let that be a warning though of what will happen when Stargazer gets to the cutie-mark age.”Twilight explained.

“And I heard the terrible two's were bad.” Moon Dancer sighed.” Though speaking of foals...”

“Don't you start too, I get that enough from mom.” Twilight warned.

“Ha, well consider it a valid topic when you point out the obvious problems with you and Big Mac right now.”

Twilight nodded a little sighing. She couldn't really explain what she was doing as the Familiar spell research was a bit hush hush. She did talk to Big Mac about it however and he was oddly in favor of it. He didn't like the idea of watching his family grow old and die around him, but he did like the idea of being around to help out the family as a whole for as long as possible. Applebloom was still young, despite Spike's worries right now, and no one had any idea on how long Applejack was going to live. Luna predicted that her life span would be the same as normal, as she hadn't bonded with anyone and wasn't likely to do so. Twilight knew she was on the right track with the spell, and Sunset had been a great help thus far, but she felt something was slowing her down in her progress and it was taking forever to see results.

“I'm sure it will be fine.” Twilight offered finally.

[ Carousel Boutique Monday morning, 7am.]

Flashes of magic filled the room as piles of clothing and various fabrics that could likely only exist in fantasy covered the room in growing mountains of cloth, with each new flash of magic adding more to the towering range.

A door to an old storage room opened and a dark gray and black maned stallion poked his head out with a growl.

Sombra frowned deeper looking at the mess of dresses and cloth scattered around and offered a fanged hiss in response.

“What the buck is all this?” Sombra snapped, or asked normally, it was hard to tell with him.

“This book is amazing! Why, I, I, I, I've been up all night just creating and creating and creating and creating! I've completed my fall line for the next fifteen seasons!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Mare what are you on abo..........” Sombra started to gripe before he stopped his eyes going wide.

Standing in the middle of the mess with a book floating around her was a very tall dark figure, her black furred form shimmering with a silvery gray coloration as it caught the light. She had a massive mane of gently flowing purple hair that shimmered in the light just as her coat did. Sombra estimated the mare was as at least as tall as his mother with glimmering blue eyes slit like a cat's that stared down at him.On her flank was a trio of diamonds that somehow seemed sharpened giving the dark mare a bit more menace.

Sombra blinked.

“Is something wrong darling?” Rarity asked, the flash of fangs visible in her mouth.

“I shall be in my bunk.” Sombra stated flatly getting a last look before closing the door to his room again.

Author's Notes:

Go ahead shippers. I know you want to.

Indonesian damsel manifestation, part 3

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Crystal Empire]

“How did you even get arrested?” Twilight fussed.

“Tha better question is, how did you manage to leave me in there all night?” Applejack growled her ears flat to her head.

“Sorry, I got back from hanging out with Moon Dancer late and the girls were already asleep as were Spike and Firefly. I thought you went out for some air or something and I went to bed pretty quick.” Twilight protested.

“Well, at least that crap is over.” Applejack grumbled.

“Sorta.” Twilight frowned.

“What do yah mean sorta?” Applejack questioned turning to narrow her eyes at Twilight.

“Weeeeeell, turns out my word doesn't carry as much weight as my brothers due to no one seeing me beat Sombra, or really do anything but blow up the top of the palace. I'm still considered a hero but... well. Spike and Shining have the most popularity. Heck even Rahs has gotten more popular here as a 'heroic moon dog.' “Twilight offered. “I'm not even sure where Shining is right now. If I could find him I could get a full on royal pardon.”

[At the con]

“Oooooh, look at that , and that, and that, and that, and that.......” Shining Armor cheered, bouncing around the room looking at all the gaming exhibits.

The Emperor of the Crystal Empire had on a costume to help hide him, though he got a number of stares due to the detail he put into the mind flayer costume he wore.

Cadence had opted to simply dress as the princess from that one turtle stomping game on the Neightendo. Clearly she had taste with her pink design, thus far she hadn't been recognized or paid much attention to. Seems not every one was a fan of her however.

“And I married him.” Cadence sighed, before she glanced to Chrysalis.

The Changeling Queen was in the form of a cream furred tall blonde maned mare in a skin tight blue suit with some red design on the back. She was currently striking a number of sexy poses to the fan colts with cameras around her, feeding on the lust for that zero tux thingy she was dressed as or whatever. Cadence did have to admit she looked good though.

Cadence sighed regardless. “ Nerds.... both of them.....”

“I managed to get you out, but it's a pretty safe bet you're going to be followed all day. And if you transform again they might just lock you up again.”Twilight explained

“Really?”Applejack questioned with a glare.

“Fraid so.” Twilight sighed with a shrug.

“Right. Ah'm headed back to the hotel, yer on crusader duty then.” Applejack huffed.

“What, wait I had other stuff to do...”Twilight protested as Applejack trotted off whipping her tail.

“Twilight, ah've been here three times since ah had this curse and each time yah told me yah were gonna talk to yer brother about letting everyone know ah was good, and there wasn't any reason to panic. And yet here it is mai fourth time here and, AH SPENT THA NIGHT IN JAIL!” Applejack snapped. “Yah clearly ain't done it, and ah ain't gonna risk going back again fer something not my fault. Ah'm going to that hotel, yer on Crusader duty. They didn't burn anything down yesterday being alone, so today's got a higher chance. Better git going afore tha fire starts.”

Twilight flinched and looked back at the currently unexploded convention hall, then to the mare walking off with three, not so subtle, guards following her.

“Well crap.” Twilight sighed.

[Ponyville mid afternoon.]

Rahs Sparkle yawned as he closed the library door behind him. The sign was flipped to closed, the wards set, the pets informed exactly what might happen if they made a mess, and off he went.

Padding through Ponyville towards the train station he stifled a small yawn. He didn't think he slept well at all due to his nerves. How did any one get by on only 12 hours sleep any way, the only pony in this town that came close was Rainbow Dash.

Speaking of Dash.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!” The cyan mare screamed before plowing into the roof of a house.

Yeah, that was about right. Something felt off about the town today however. The shouting was a clue, though by the same token not really, this was Ponyville after all. Though it was a Monday not a Tuesday. Something smelled really good to, though he hesitated to seek the source as he had to meet Jynx for dinner.

“Rahs Darling, there you are!” Rarity called making Rahs groan a little.”Oh lovely you're wearing that ensable I set up for you, perfect. I take you are on your way out to your date, hmmm?”

“Woof.” Rahs said flatly trying not to get drawn into a conversation, his train to Canterlot was leaving shortly.

“Wonderful.” Rarity stated before starting to offer advice and suggestions.

Rahs rolled his eyes as he headed towards the station. Was the north side of town always this gaudy? Gold and gems seemed every where. Did he miss a holiday that needed this sort of decoration? Ehh whatever.

“... now I do hope you have the address and the time, it took a good bit of effort on my part getting this set up, Canterlot is still rather problematic about diamond dogs.. well I'm sure you know that...”

Was that a crystal tree? When did that get planted, evidently recently due to how the birds seemed to be freaking out over it.

“... but any way darling, please do keep in mind that while I have done my best, Jynx is from a differing culture and she is trying very hard regardless. So do try to be tolerant.” Rarity continued.

Rahs sniffed the air, his ears perking.

“Bark?”

“What? Oh why thank you, I did try a new perfume, my last one simply didn't have the … glamour and impact that I wished. So I changed it.” Rarity offered with a slight if menacing chuckle. “But any way darling do keep in mind what I said and try and enjoy yourself, feel free to give me all the juicy details later as well, ta ta.”

Rahs blinked looking back at her as he caught the flare of magic. He had a brief glimpse of a dark form before it vanished in a flash of teleportation.

When did Rarity learn to teleport? Wait was that town hall? Why was it crystal? Why were all the trees sapphire and gold... was that a garden party in front of Sugar Cube Corner, what?

Rahs blinked turning to take a step back into town and figure out what was going on when the train whistle blew behind him.

“All aboard!” The conductor yelled.

He paused glancing at the town then at the train and after a moment of thought he shrugged and turned to board the train. Whatever this was would keep until either he or Twilight got back. He had a date to get to, and it wouldn't be fair if he was on time to the others but not this one.

Indonesian damsel manifestation, part 4

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Crystal Empire]

“So what you're saying is this entire Adaptus Alicornius faction is all alicorns?” a crystal pony asked looking at a collection of miniatures on the table before him.

“Yep. Though they are all artificially created from normal ponies. Then there's the Guard which is just a large collection of normal pony soldiers from all three tribes, the Daughters of Battle, which in truth I think was just some guys love of space nuns.” Spike explained to the crowd gathered around the table. “Then we have the Elk'dar, and Dark Ek'dar, which is pretty much just space Elks and dark space elks. Then there's the Mau, which are really tech obsessed Abyssians and the like with no melee skill what so ever, the orks...”

“Which is speciest.” a large boar snorted.

“Hey at least you guys got a race that's fun to play, dragons are reduced to a enslaved race stuck working for robot ponies.” Spike snapped pointing at a set of miniatures each time he spoke about the faction. “There's chaos, which Discord has threatened to sue over which is just the bad guys of the ponies. Then there's the Tyra-sprites, Emperial Knights, which are ponies in giant robots, and finally the Adeptus- marecanus, which are mostly robot ponies.”

“Neat.” One of the other's gathered around the table stated. “So what do you play?”

“One of the Adaptus Alicornus groups called the Salamanders.” Spike offered.

“VULKAN LIVES!!!” a number of the other con goers shouted from around the room before stomping the floor twice to the confusion of every one else.

“Yer stars damned right.” Spike grinned.

[Canterlot]

Rahs padded along following after the beige pony showing him to the reserved room. This place was a bit weird, he had seen it a few times in passing but never gone in.

The building was set up sort of like a conference hall, with multiple rooms and offices that could be rented out, but it also had other rooms, like racquetball courts, banquet chambers, and even a full sized music hall.

In the winding mass of hallways however he was led to a smaller selection of rooms, ones composed of smallish kitchens and dining areas. Once the pony had him where he was supposed to be the stallion trotted off leaving Rahs to knock on the door.

A moment later the door opened revealing the black furred, chest of Jynx, barely hidden behind a size or three too small bright blue apron that matched her eyes. Well as much as he could recall any way the pony sized door only opened to about her chest level which was just about Rahs' eye level. He had forgotten she was so tall.

“Stupid pony door.” Jynx muttered. “ Come in.”

She stepped back from the door and he moved in having to flatten his ears and dip his head a little to get through. It had been a bit since he had really noticed having to duck to get into a room, most of the doors in the castle and Ponyville had been built taller over the numerous Tuesday repairs.

A glance over to Jynx did little to help the fact the apron she wore was far too small as it barely reached her mid thighs.

Rahs blinked tearing his gaze up to where Jynx's face was.

“Ah. You are early. It took me some time to figure out how to work some of these things.” Jynx offered stepping back and gesturing for him to have a seat at the table at the edge of the kitchen. She closed the door and move back over to the kitchen area stirring something in a pot.

The room smelled wonderful, whatever she was cooking had Rahs' full attention as he made his way over to take a seat.

Looking around the room there didn't seem to be much too it. A small dining area with a table that would seat six ponies, or four of Jynx and his size. The rest of the room was taken up by a large kitchen , that currently had a number of things cooking across most of it. What surprised him is that it was just Jynx here making the food.

“You seem surprised. I take you did not know I could cook.” Jynx asked as she glanced over at him.

Rahs shook his head lightly.

“My mother taught me. When I was was growing up and my father ruled a female only had three jobs, care for the young, cook, and be bred to make more young. So my mother taught me to cook. Before I was old enough to be bred however my father was killed. During all the fighting that happened after for the position of alpha, I decided I had had enough and fought my way to the top.” Jynx explained as she worked. “I refused those who sought to claim me, often fighting them after the rejection. I was forced to become the strongest because no one would listen otherwise save for those few who recalled my father favorably or those who liked the change.“

She paused to stir something here sparing a glance behind her as if looking at her tail and how she lost the club on the end most diamond dogs had before she continued.

“Meeting lady Rarity helped with that. An outside contact with the ponies who had stopped the last war caused a number of dogs to change their minds on what they wanted to do. Not that those dogs ideas had been very complex, the average dog is not that bright.” Jynx snorted. “But that contact managed to bring you to my attention.”

Rahs' ears perked up as he watched her work.

“Simply put you caught my interest then, at first simply for your species, then for how you carried yourself and what you did. Even knowing better, I still cannot help be attracted to strength, even if I am stronger than you.” Jynx smirked and Rahs chuckled not even going to try and argue with a bitch who could and had tied him up like a pretzel. “But you were also raised by ponies and had no idea how things worked in the pack. A perfect strong mate who would not try to take over. Then you were pup napped and things had to be rethought out.”

Rahs frowned a little as Jynx pulled two rather large steaks out of a bowl with some sort of seasoning or something in it, padding both dry before she dropped them on a cast iron skillet.

“The traditional way of a female getting a mate is to simply go up and take them while fighting off any others that wished the same mate. That is not something I was willing to try after the visit from Princess Luna, so I had Lady Rarity try and teach me the best way to... court you.” Jynx waved a paw in the air with a huff. “That went as well as expected when the other two showed up. Although some of her tips have been useful.”

Jynx moved to get something off the closest counter and it was at this point that Rahs noticed the well muscled black furred bitch was ONLY wearing the apron, and despite her white hair being long it was braided and kept high off her very firm rear. A rear her tail did very little to cover as it wagged slowly.

Rahs nearly choked on the air.

Jynx glanced back barely hiding her smirk. “Are you alright?”

Rahs turned his head trying not to stare, but greatly wishing he could get away with a few pictures.

“Hmm? Ahh my manner of dress? I did not wish to ruin the dress Lady Rarity provided while cooking.” Jynx explained with a sly grin as she continued cooking doing her best to make sure he got an eyeful every chance she could get away with.

“In the end while my goal is still to simply have your pups. I am also quite for the idea of keeping you as my mate. And as you were raised by ponies with pony rules, I shall play by those rules despite my desire to present and get you to mount me.” Jynx offered.

Rahs' eyes had gotten larger the longer she spoke and his ears had started to droop. Jynx was also quite sure he was some how bright red through his fur.

Lady Rarity was correct. This was fun.

Author's Notes:

it was high time i earned my self inflicted Lewd Tag

Indonesian damsel manifestation, part 5

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Crystal Empire]

“Sooo.... you enjoying yourself?” Applebloom asked slyly as she approached her target from the left.

“Ehh.” Scootaloo shrugged. “It's been okay.”

“Reeeeeeeally?” Sweetiebelle asked moving up on the other side.

The two mares manning the comic table turned their attention to the two fillies creeping up on the third that was browsing their wares with a bit of wariness.

“Really.” Scootaloo shrugged turning to look at the pair .”What? Do I have something on my face?”

“Nooo, but yah seem not to be spending much time with us at this con.” Applebloom grinned.

“And you have been spending an awful lot of time with Firefly.” Sweetiebelle offered.

The two sales mares relaxed going back to what they were doing, not planning to get involved in the friends teasing.

“So? Where are you going with this?” Scootaloo deadpanned.

“So when's the first date?” Sweetiebelle grinned.

“About three weeks ago.” Scootaloo stated.

“What?” Applebloom blinked thrown off her planned pay back teasing.

“You were busy with the harvest, Sweetiebelle was hanging with Button, and Spike was dealing with the fallout of Twilight and Rainbow Dash finding out Rahs had a complete signed copies of all the Daring Doo novels.” Scootaloo explained.

“Uhhhh” Sweetiebelle blinked.

“What? I kinda wanted to see what it was like to have a colt friend like you and Spike, and Sweetiebelle and Button.” Scootaloo shrugged.

“HE IS NOT MY COLT FRIEND!!” Sweetiebelle bellowed in the Royal Canterlot Voice drawing a large number of stares. The two mares at the comic booth both glared at Sweetie as they moved to fix the comics her cry blew off the table.

Sweetie's two friends looked at her, then ignored her.

“Well ah can't say ah expected that. But good on ya.”Applebloom shrugged. “Though ah gotta warn yah. Spike thinks he's a changeling.”

“Really?” Sweetiebelle asked completely derailed by that.

“He is.” Scootaloo nodded. “He let me know when I asked him to the movie, though he's only about Spike's age. He was the one who was disguised as me during the Canterlot invasion.”

“And you're okay with that?” Sweetiebelle asked.

“Why not? No one got hurt in that except that one jerk captain guy. Plus I've heard a lot of mares and stallions talk about how awesome it would be to be dating a changeling.” Scootaloo shrugged.

“Why is that?” Applebloom asked.

“Dunno, something about the fact they can turn into anything. Maybe the ones I over heard really like easy Nightmare Night costumes?” Scootaloo shrugged as the two mares at the booth nearly choked at overhearing her.

“Huh. Maybe I should as Big Sis Luna about that.” Sweetiebelle considered. “Nightmare Night is her holiday. Would changeling costumes be cheating?”

“Sure why not. I'm kinda curious.” Scootaloo pondered.

“So where is Firefly?” Sweetiebelle asked.

“Last ah saw him was with Spike as they went to some event panel.” Applebloom explained.

“So where's Twilight then, wasn't she supposed to be keeping an eye on us today?”Scootaloo asked.

“Dunno.” Applebloom offered.

An explosion rocked the building as the trio heard screaming.

“HOW DARE YOU! The book was far better than the stage play!” Twilight screamed out.

“The book was a dull read and you KNOW IT! The play was far better and had far more detail than the books. The stage play was even written by the author of the book because he thought the book sucked.” Shining Armor shouted back.

“BLASPHAMY!!” Twilight shouted as another explosion rocked the convention hall.

“Heresy?” questioned a stallion in cosplay of some battle mallet character

“Found her.” Sweetiebelle pointed out.

“By my aunts plush white flank I can't take you two anywhere.” Cadence fussed.

[Canterlot]

Rahs shifted in his seat, these bench things were not really meant for some of of his size and he wasn't even sure how ponies sat on the things, the whole bench seemed more like the hard edge of a proper seat.

He spared a glance over to Jynx and she didn't seem that comfortable either. Granted looking at Jynx made him a bit more uncomfortable as he had to shift again.

Not that her time in just a apron wasn't enough as it was, nor the fact she seemed to have no problem changing into the dress in front of him, though he did turn around at least with a titanic effort.

But while the black dress Rarity made for Applejack was very nice, and very much showed her off in both forms, Jynx's was on a wholly different level.

The dress was very form fitting, the red dress attached at her neck and ran down over the front of her body covering her breasts despite the strain on the material, this left her back and shoulders bare as well as a little bit of the sides of her black furred tits. The material again pulled tight around her hips falling nearly to the floor as she walked. The sides of the dress however were slitted all the way up to her hip allowing Jynx's legs to show presenting the matching red leggings that ran from her ankle to her upper thigh. She also had a pair of arm coverings that matched running from her bicep to her wrist. The whole outfit looked like it was out of one of those japony comics Spike had. The fact that there was a small red band that also wrapped around her tail and a bright red band that went into her hair to hold the braids back told Rahs that Rarity had gone all out over this, particularly with the gem designs threaded into the material. Thankfully she hadn't added a boob window.

That was three times tonight it had taken all his will power not to stare at his date, and even more not to take her up on the offer of making some pups, though the thoughts of the others kept him from going for it.

He rather liked Sunset, she was an interesting one to say the least, and the idea that she would be around practically forever did play into it as well as her intelligence.

Trixie was a close friend, and he had to admit he didn't have too many of those, though her actions and intent were getting him to start to see her as something more than just a friend.

Saturnia was great, she was clever shared a number of interests and the fact she could change shape to something he would find interesting was a plus as well. Like Sunset she would be around for as long as he would as well. Though the idea that his brother was her step dad was a little weird in his mind.

Applejack was also interesting, though at the same time they really didn't have that much in common. She wasn't too interested in the theater scene and while she liked some books he did, it wasn't much of a drive for her. Plus he greatly enjoyed lazing about and she was more than eager to work. Though there was no denying he was greatly attracted to her physically, well that, and her cooking skill.

Jynx on the other paw cranked that attraction up by ten, the cooking skill was a little better to, though that was mostly because Jynx knew how to prepare meals for a carnivore where AJ did not.

Had Jynx simply showed up before the crap with the other diamond dogs with an interest of having pups.. well... she would likely have some pups. But since that and all the other girls bringing up their desire for him, that wasn't something he was willing to try at the moment.

The main issues with Jynx was that she didn't quite seem to share any interests with him, and he felt something like he was more of a prize to be won with her than anything else. Granted he got the same thing from the other girls, but it felt different with the diamond dog.

Rahs shook his head clearing it of those thoughts, they were here to have a good time, though he wasn't sure this was thought out very well in the end.

The place was a large sports arena, filled with the uncomfortable seats and a large number of ponies, a few other scattered races, and a surprising number of minotaurs, many of them waving signs over their heads.

Rahs had already yanked one of the signs out of the grasp of the stallion in front of him. The sign had been waved in front of his face blocking Rahs and Jynx's view with the size of it.

The fact the sign read' The guy behind me can't see' didn't help the stallions case for Rahs wanting to beat him with the sign. But he refrained and the stallion wisely chose not to annoy the two very large predators behind him.

The arena was sloped down towards a large square ring in the center lit by numerous spot lights with the crowd seating a bit darkened, not that that bothered him, though Jynx seemed to have a bit of issue seeing anything that wasn't the ring with how she squinted once the lights went out.

There had been a bit of fan fare at the start, a few ring bunnies wandering around and an announcer working up the crowd.

It had been fairly interesting, but nothing had grabbed his attention. Jynx like wise didn't seem that interested.

She let out a small sigh as some muscular stallion in an obvious toupee stood in the center of the ring with a large gold belt on his shoulder talking about how great he was.

“It seems I may have chosen poorly. I was hoping that there might be something more to this pony wrestling that you might be able to learn from.” Jynx sighed.

Rahs considered as he saw where she had been coming from and opened his mouth to respond when the lights all went out.

Both of them turned to stare at the darkened ring, the blackout making even Rahs' usual night vision useless as the darkness was absolute. Rahs caught the scent of strange magic. His ears flattened to his head as a narrow spot light came up on the stallion in the ring. The light only managed to shine on him and he looked around as confused as the crowd was.

The lights came back on suddenly and behind the stallion was a massive Nocturne nox-call stallion towering over the pony. This new comer was dressed in red with a mask covering his face. His mane was wild and he stared down at the boasting stallion towering over him. There was a moment of pause where the stallion was about to continue his boasting before he turned and screamed out at the massive nox-cal behind him. The larger pony grabbed him by the neck with one hoof and lifted him high in the air as the nox-cal reared up, before smashing him down onto the mat hard enough the other stallion bounced.

As the stallion hit the ring a second time, he quickly scrambled to his hooves with the belt, leaving his toupee behind before rolling out of the ring to the ground out side it. He scrambled to his hooves backing up the path that was cordoned off from the crowd towards the opening he came into the arena from.

The massive nox-cal in the center of the ring stared after him before rising onto his back legs and slamming his fore hooves down on the ring mat. The lights went out that instant and the four ring posts exploded in pillars of fire as a bell tolled deep enough to shake the arena, a dirge of some sort starting to play.

The nox-cal stood in the middle of the ring silently starting after the other still shouting stallion as the crowd went nuts.

Jynx raised an eyebrow not sure what was going on.

Rahs however stared at the ring his eyes wide, a tingle running along his spine as he looked down at the ring.

No.

Not a ring.

A stage.

Rahs grinned, his tail starting to whip.

[Ponyville]

“And you get some bling darling, and you get some bling, EVERY PONY GETS BLING!!” the dark furred mare screamed out, cackling as ponies tried to flee the mad fashionista only to be wrapped in fine clothing or too much jewelry and precious metals.

The whole town already looked to crash the market of gems alone, every surface was bedazzled with something. If there was a spot that wasn't, as soon as this nightmare version of Rarity saw it, it was. Everything looked like it could be art, even the trash cans were not safe.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were hidden behind a low wall that was made of gold bricks and topped with platinum.

“We have to do something.” Fluttershy muttered.

“Don't look at me, one stupid fancy dress was bad enough, I've been dumped in three today.” Dash muttered back.

“We have to do something.” Fluttershy pointed out as more screams sounded as Rarity found some ponies she considered criminally under dressed.

“We are doing something silly. We're waiting for Twilight or Applejack or Rahs to get back and fix this.” Pinkie Pie explained. “I dunno about you, but magic is totally not my thing.”

“Oh Pinkie Pie! Where are you? I've been wanting to do something about that mane of yours for a little while and I have just the idea.” Nightmare Rarity sing songed.

Pinkie's eyes went wide and she screamed clutching her mane.

“Nightmarity is after me!”Pinkie cried out. ”EVERY PONY FOR THEMSELVES!!”

Pinkie Pie and the other two took off like shots, Pinkie screaming bloody murder and some how managing to keep her fore hooves covering her mane.

“Darling come back, it's just a little trim” Nightmarity called.

Indonesian damsel manifestation, part 6

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Crystal Empire, late Monday night]
[I can't believe that that's the name of the city itself.]

Twilight muttered to her self looking over a few of the books she picked up while Applejack lounged on one of the beds, and the Crusaders, Spike, and Firefly sat on the floor comparing con swag.

“So tell me again why we ain't headed back home now that tha con is over?” Applejack asked.

“Rule six of a successful convention. Always take another day to relax and wind down after a con before heading out. You get to stay until the closing ceremony and you get to miss most of the traffic of ponies heading out after the con.” Twilight offered.

“There's rules for going to a con?” Firefly asked.

“Sorta. Guide lines mostly but they should be rules.” Spike offered. “Like rule one is take a freaking bath at least once a day while at a con.”

“I really wish some of those guys followed that as a rule.” Scootaloo made a gagging face.

“Right and rule two is make sure you eat and sleep to keep healthy so you have a harder time catching what ever con funk is going around.” Twilight offered. “Most of the other rules are about how to treat people, always save a few extra bits to get home, and inventory all you came with and what you picked up to make sure you didn't leave something. Stuff like that.”

“There's also a set of rules for cosplay, and turning in any one who is trying to trash the place for any reason to keep the rates down for everyone else.” Spike offered.

“There's a much bigger reason for staying another night however.” Twilight offered.

“An what's that?” Applebloom asked.

“Tomorrow is Tuesday.” Spike offered.

“Oh.” Applebloom blinked.

“So we're going back Wednesday?” Sweetiebelle questioned.

“Ah'm okay with that.” Applejack offered.

[Ponyville]

Jynx was not entirely certain what had gone on.

The wrestling matches had started, and rather than be disinterested at the over the top things going on in the ring, that was clearly not any sort of wrestling that she knew of, Rahs took note of it and was enthralled. Sure some of the moves were the same and the competitors were clearly powerful enough to do some damage, but none of them did any thing real it seemed.

She was certain there were some getting hurt, but this wasn't really any sort of fighting so much as it was some sort of complex impact heavy dance.

Rahs absolutely was loving it though, so she held her tongue on her complaints.

After a time however she started finding herself rooting for certain competitors. Less for how showy they were, but due to some of the ways they went over things. I mean there was no way something called a huricarana would be effective in a real fight, but the skill of it being used was quite impressive.

Still the evening had ended on an enjoyable note and a train right back where she got to lean against Rahs much to his discomfort at the closeness and her enjoyment, though now she was even more confused.

Why Jynx was confused was that Ponyville was practically glowing with the amount of gems and precious metals that were reflecting the moon light and some how enhancing it to sparkle like a disco ball.

She never really asked about the mirror sphere, some of her pack had developed a thing for that dance style the more familiar they became with pony culture.

“What is going on here?”Jynx questioned as her ears flattened to her head.

Rahs simply sighed and slapped his face with his paw.

“So you know what has happened?” Jynx asked curiously.

“DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHLINS!!! There you are!!” a voice called.

Jynx and Rahs both turned to see a black unicorn all but prancing towards them. The tall mares purple and white streaked mane and tail flowing behind her on some unseen current, rippling like water.

“Is that Lady Rarity?” Jynx asked.

Rahs shifted, growling, and glaring at the approaching mare.

“BORK!”

“Language dahling. There is no need to be rude.” Nightmarity offered.

“WOOF!” Rahs snapped.

“Ah, well of course you don't quite understand it. I got this wonderful book from the library and it's allowed me to make everything fabulous. I mean look at Ponyville it's never been more high class and gorgeous since I've lived here.” Nightmarity offered. “There are of course a few spots I'm having a difficult time with. Nothing I try on Golden Oaks seems to work and I simply thought making it a real gold oak tree would be perfect, maybe with jade leaves. Of course I need to get out to Sweet Apple Acres as well, but that can wait a bit until I'm finished with the town itself.”

“Are you alright Lady Rarity .. you seem..... darker?” Jynx questioned tilting her head.

“Oh quite wonderful dahling, I do hope the date went well. I have such high hopes for the two of you.” Rarity chimed up smirking showing off razor sharp teeth that filled a mouth that smiled just a little too wide. “I know, perhaps I should add a bit more glam to you perhaps that will help out.”

Jynx was about to question that when the dark unicorn fired some sort of magic at her, Jynx jerked back only for a blue furred form to dart in front of her faster than she could follow, the spell slamming into Rahs.

The flare of the spell faded and the Moon dog's coat was decked out in gems and fine silks, gold leaf and silver and looked to weigh a good hundred or so pounds.

Rahs growled shucking out of the long coat which stood on it's own as he slipped free of it.

His fur looked neatly trimmed and he took a moment to tear off the few bits of jewelry that had appeared on him the glimmering items turning into nothing in his claws.

Jynx was slightly disappointed he didn't get rid of the red silk and gold embroidered pants he had on, but seeing him shirtless was nice enough.

“BORK!” Rahs accused.

“Mad? No dahling I'm quite sane. I've been wanting to change this town for years and I finally have the power and the ability to do so. But why would I stop here? Canterlot and countless other cities could do with some more glamour.” Nightmarity chimed in with a toss of her mane.

“Judging by just what I see here, you have already reduced the value of gems and gold as currency.” Jynx frowned. “You seem to be intent on crashing the Equestrian economy. Not to mention it looks tacky.”

“This is not tacky, this is HIGHLY stylish!” Rarity snapped.

“WOOF!” Rahs snapped back taking note of a number of ponies in rather fancy clothing and decked out like his coat was poking their heads out of various doors and windows. All of them looked like they had been on the receiving end of her antics all night. He could smell the tantabus on her, though it didn't seem the same as before, like it had changed. There was some strong unfamiliar magic here as well.

“I have not become the villain of the week, how dare you. How does wanting to improve something make me a villain.” Nightmarity scoffed. “ Not that it matters. I have no plans on letting you get any where near me and there for you certainly can't stop me. NO ONE CAN STOP ME FROM MAKEING THE WORLD FASHIONABLE!!!”

Rahs snorted.

“I am the bone of my claw.
Steel is my body, and magic is my blood.
I have eaten over a thousand spells.
Unknown to Love, nor known to the Sun.
Have withstood pain to become as I am.
Yet this realm holds nothing to me.
So as I pray.
Unlimited Pup Works.”

“What?” Nightmarity blinked.

The sound of portals popping into being around the trio was heard as dozens of glowing portals formed in the air around them.

“What? What is this?” Nightmarity gasped.

Rahs grinned.

Countless glowing points of light were seen in the darkness of the portals, all of them seemingly getting closer before the first figures burst out of the portals their ear and tail tips aglow with small orbs of silvery light.

Moon Dogs of all shapes and sizes rushed towards the tasty scent of the nightmare from all directions at once as they burst out of the portal plowing into the now panicked Nightmarity.

“AHHHHH!!!” Nightmarity screamed out as she was buried under a mess of hungry moon dogs.

Jynx blinked at the mass of Moon Dogs still pouring out of the portals trying to get to the Tantabus touched unicorn.

“No, stop that, EEEKKK don't lick that you cur. AHHHAHAHHA, no not there, ahhh, I'm ticklish Eeeeee!!” Rarity screamed from the bottom of the pile.

After a few moments the moon dogs started backing away some of them licking their lips and looking around in confusion as Rahs strode up looking down at a perfectly normal, if completely covered in dog drool, Rarity.

“Woof?” one of the moon dogs asked looking up at Rahs.

“Bark.” Rahs nodded.

“Ruff?” Another asked pointing to the rest of the town.

Rahs considered before nodding.

The pack howled out and rushed off into the town following the scent of magic from the tantabus eating away the magic that was left to start to make the town look at least some what more normal in removing a good portion of the bedazzling.

Rarity screeched looking down at herself and how matted and saliva soaked her fur was before running off like a shot screaming about a shower..

Rahs looked down noting a small pup hadn't left with the others and was chewing on a book.

“Woof.”

“Grrrr”

“ Woof!” Rahs demanded.

The pup tried to run off with it before Rahs caught him by the tail and pulled him back taking the book from his mouth after a bit of struggle before setting him down near the coat he had been wearing which the pup started chewing on to get the magic out of it.

Rahs regarded the book curiously. The pup had eaten away most of the magic covering it, showing just a gray book with spikes on it underneath. There was strong magic in the book, though it seemed to have a underlying scent that was mixed with the smell of the tantabus.

Rahs frowned looking at the town before devouring the spell around the book in two bites, the tome crumbling to dust in his hand.

It tasted like lemons.

[Ponyville, Tuesday]

“A month? Is that all she's gonna be on the black list for?” Dash snorted.

“Well most of the changes were fixed by the moon dog swarm that ran through town.” Pinkie Pie offered.

“But your hair.” Fluttershy pointed out pouting a little that Pinkie Pie's mane was cut as short as Rainbow Dash's, though more in a pixie cut.

“Well not everything was done by magic so the moon dogs couldn't fix everything.” Pinkie frowned running a hoof through her super short mane. The air around her darkened and all you could see was a red glow in Pinkie's eyes as her voice deepened. “Don't worry. I won't be forgetting this.”

Rahs, Fluttershy, and Dash stared at her a moment before they were distracted by the door opening and Princess Luna coming in.

“Woof?” Rahs asked.

“Yes, well, as far as we can tell she is fine.“ Luna sighed. “Though in truth we have never really ever dealt with a Tantabus possessing a pony before outside of the Oneiroi. This is quite an odd event.”

“What about the book Rahs ate?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“One of Starswirl's old spell books if we are not mistaken. A reality warping spell, we think it was from a time he was trying to prove he could do it better than Discord....”Luna began.

“PPPFFFT that old codger couldn't even come close to me.”

“A dangerous tome, but the amount of power needed to power the spell was far more than most could sustain. We think the Tantabus was altering the spell in some way, hence why the Rahs could smell the books taint in nearly everything and why the Moon Dogs could easily devour the spells effects, at least the ones that were not made physical by other means. Like your hair Miss Pie.” Luna explained.

“So is everything going to be alright?” Fluttershy asked.

“We believe so.” Luna nodded.”Although we have no idea if there will be any long term effects.”

[ Carousel boutique]

Sombra shook his head as he trotted through the building. This day had been a interesting one and he was quite glad that he missed most of it.

The appearance of his mother at the end didn't help his mood, but at the same time at least the nonsense was over.

The worst part was listening to the pink one explain about her 'black list' thing. Honestly like he really needed a reason not to share his chocolate ice cream. Still he should check on his host.

He had never really considered her attractive before, though that brief stint she had as a tall dark mare decidedly caught his interest. He wondered briefly if this meant he had a type and was attracted to dark furred mares.

Stopping at her door he took note that it was partially open. She had come home, back to normal, and screaming about dog drool, before rushing up to her room. Luna had shown up not long after, though now everything seemed back to normal.

“Rarity are you....” Sombra trailed off as he pushed the door open a bit more.

Standing in front of the mirror was a black furred version of Rarity with a wavy purple mane and tail. She wasn't as tall as she had been earlier but her coloration was the same. The mare was examining herself in the mirror, and turned, startled as he poked his head in the room. The coloration faded quickly and the normal white furred Rarity stood there.

“Umm, yes darling, did you need something?”Rarity asked.

“Eenope.” Sombra stated and closed the door.

[North Havenhock]

Adagio smiled, the brawling crowd in the bar was getting into a proper tizzy after their performance. The crowd was trashing the place, feeding their gems.

It seemed Sonata was correct about the 'boobie puppy' after all.

Aria had done a bit of investigation and found out the two dogs were a one Applejack Apple, who was cursed as something called a witch wolf. There was evidently a big scare about her a while back and there was a great deal of info about her. The other one was named Rahs Sparkle a creature called a moon dog though there wasn't much known about him, though Aria found they both did, in fact, eat magic.

The two of them would be a problem. Though she was currently thinking of a way to get rid of both of them before they sought to take Ponyville again. Once Ponyville fell, Canterlot was next.

It was only a matter of time.

Author's Notes:

Alright Stuck in another hurricane here figured i would post this before the storm hit in case something happened.

I'm hardly worried as this is the most normal thing that has happened this entire borking year.

Plus it's only a cat 1.

On another note i have fan art coming of Rahs so stay tuned for that.

Those in my Discord chat got a sneak peak of the line art for him.

Sardine Ways

Author's Notes:

Please read.

Alright i don't normally put one of these at the front of the chapter but i would like you all to read this.

I have gotten some commissions done for TGaP fan art.

Just some basics for now.

However i was thinking of setting up a patron or something in order to pay for various scenes of the fic to be drawn out.

I am curious as to what you all may think of this idea.

It's not going to be a requirement, as i have no plans to paywall any of my writing, but i'm too poor to afford too many commissions on my own, and a number of you have expressed interest in scenes of some of the parts of the story.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

And for reading this, i present to you the first commission i paid for......

Rahs

It's an imgur link.

Artwork by Marking.

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Ponyville]

CLANG!

“My fire is extinct.”

CLANG!

“And my forge is decayed, “

CLANG!

“By the side of the bench”

CLANG!

“My old vise is laid.”

CLANG!

“My anvil and hammer”

CLANG!

“Lie gathering dust,”

CLANG!

“My powerful bellows”

CLANG!

“Have lost all their thrust.”

CLANG!

“My coal is now spent,”

CLANG!

“My iron’s all gone,”

CLANG!

“My last nail’s been driven,“

CLANG!

“And my day’s work is done.“

HISSS

“You have a lovely baritone.”

Sombra perked his ears turning to look over at the minotaur cow who had walked in behind him. He shifted a hoof pulling the metal up out of the water and looked it over with a critical eye.

“It is simply something one of my teachers used to chant as they worked a long time ago.” Sombra offered. “I was not even aware I was singing it.”

“You ponies do have a thing for songs.” the large bull growled thudding out from behind the cow. He took the tongs from Sombra and lifted the piece the dark stallion had been working on up to examine it.” The chant is called the Blacksmith's prayer. No one knows who the first who sang it was, but the meter and time of it fit well enough that it is used as a learning tool for rhythm when hammering things out.”

“Hmmph.” Sombra replied.

“This is acceptable.” the bull offered setting the piece aside. “We are caught up for the moment. Flail and I will be gone for two weeks for my friends wedding. I never thought that sneak thief would find a cow, let alone a warring tribes princess.”

The Bull snorted.

“You may use the forge while we are away, though you will pay for the materials used. If any one comes with a piece to work on you know the rates and should be able to handle most requests.” the bull offered.” Do not disappoint me pony.”

“Hmmph.” Sombra replied with a nod.

[ Golden Oaks library]

“This has been the worst week ever.” Rarity whined, ignoring the 1.4 card Rahs held up from his spot on the couch in the libraries living area. The white mare and Twilight were seated at the table sipping tea, well Twilight was sipping tea, Rarity was venting.

“To be fair you brought some of that on yourself.” Twilight offered. “After the whole Nightmarity incident not too many townsfolk were thrilled with you, so of course you didn't get the nomination.”

“Yes, well, I suppose, but still. Why did they choose Applejack?” Rarity huffed.

“Woof.” Rahs pointed out.

“Oh, I don't want to hear it from you, You're biased anyway.” Rarity grumbled.

Rahs considered a moment then shrugged.

“I'm still surprised you can understand him.” Twilight offered.

“Trust me with what he says half the time I am quite certain I am not happy about hearing such uncouth utterances.” Rarity huffed as Rahs laughed.

“You know he's doing it to annoy you.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “ He's not usually worse than Rainbow Dash.”

“Still, I had a a whole diorama built up of the town, the detail of it down to the pony. “ Rarity sighed.

“You know, they are still cleaning up from....” Twilight began.

“Yes, yes, I get it... I get it . It doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.” Rarity pouted.” After all I had the opportunity to impress Trender Hoof with this and I blew it.”

“Bark?” Rahs questioned.

“What?! How can you not know who Trender Hoof is? Trender Hoof is only the most amazing, handsomest travel writer to have ever traveled or written! Before Las Pegasus became an Equestria travel destination, he wrote about it! Before the culinary revolution in Trottingham, he discovered it! He knows what's going to be hot even before it's tepid! “ Rarity exclaimed.

“Well sounds like you've got a bit of a crush.” Twilight smirked.

“Oh, Twilight, "crush" doesn't even begin to describe it. He's practically divine. I can't believe he's coming!” Rarity tittered” And I can't believe I'm not in charge. Applejack had to go with a rustic vibe that looks more like a county fair.”

“Bark?” Rahs raised an eyebrow.

“Oh no, there's nothing wrong with it per-say, it is a style, rather than just slapping together whatever works like I expected, but it certainly won't impress Trender Hoof. “ Rarity sighed.” And since I'm not in charge I can't interact with him nearly as much as I would like to.”

“That might be for the best.” Twilight pointed out. “You aren't really the best judge of character when it comes to some one you are crushing on. Remember Prince?”

“Not my finest hour.” Rarity grumbled.”But it is not as if I make a habit of horrid choices like that with stallions. I only made that mistake once.”

“Woof!” Rahs corrected.

“Please, Sombra is not nearly as bad as you two seem to think. I cannot deny he is very rough around the edges, but all and all he is far less rude than you are Rahs.” Rarity rolled her eyes. “ Besides we are not attempting to court him, so he hardly counts in this situation.”

[ Later]

“Okay, this guy is seriously starting tah bug me.”Applejack grumbled as she and Twilight sat at the table with some tea.

“Still?” Twilight questioned sipping a new batch of tea. Rahs remained on the couch, his ears were perked however.

“Yeah still. He don't seem tah take tha hint ah ain't interested. Ah mean ah'm trying tah be nice cause tha mayor said his good word could do a lot fer Ponyville's tourism board, but seriously. Tha stallions almost as bad as Applebloom was when she an Spike became her colt …. drake -friend.”

“Bark?” Rahs asked.

“Oh yeah, that bothersome, at least she listened when everyone told her to dial it back a bit.” Applejack huffed. ”Doubt this guy would.”

“Where are Spike and the crusaders any way?” Twilight asked.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!

It said a lot for Applejack, Rahs, and Twilight that the most any of them did at the sound of the explosion was Twilight lighting up her horn and making sure the tea set didn't bounce off the table as the tree rattled.

“THAT WAS NOT OUR FAULT.” Scootaloo bellowed.

“Sounds about like they're over by Sugar Cube Corner.” Applejack offered.

“Ahh good. I'm sure Pinkie Pie can deal with any fires then.” Twilight nodded.

“Right, so any idea bout what to do with this guy?” Applejack huffed.

“It can't be that bad.” Twilight offered.

“He sang a song about mai legs.....”

Twilight and Rahs both raised an eyebrow.

“Seriously?”Twilight asked.

“Well maybe not entirely about mai legs, but still.” Applejack huffed.” Surprised Rahs hadn't come in tah do somethin but him hitting on his mare friend.”

“Woof.” Rahs huffed holding up a single finger.

“True. You two have only gone on one date. That doesn't exactly make you his mare friend as he's also gone on a date with the others.” Twilight considered. “Plus I hardly think you would like him being over protective like that any way.”

“Ugh,yeah, yer right. Sorry, this guys just got me frazzled.” Applejack grumbled.

“Have you tried transforming, that might drive him off.” Twilight suggested taking another sip of tea.

“Yeah and all he said was that ,'It was wonderful ah had such a delightful wild side, an was fierce,
indigenous, untamed, and a buncha other four bit words.” Applejack huffed as Rahs snickered.“Quiet you.”

“Woof.” Rahs pointed out.

“Really?” Applejack questioned.

“Of course. If you really need help getting rid of him all you have to ask. I'll be happy to assist and Rahs somehow managed to get his paparazzi and noble hunting license renewed. Trender Hoof falls under that.” Twilight offered. “Granted Angel bunny some how managed it as well...”

“What about Rainbow?”Applejack asked.

“Well...” Twilight trailed off.

[Grand Galloping Gala, last year]

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Screamed out the posh looking mare as she ran around in circles fanning her mouth. Her tongue hung out of her wide open mouth, a half eaten cupcake arcing through the air from where she flung it after one bite.

The launched pastry splattered across a stallions face. The suited noble screamed out as the 'Volcano spice' frosting started burning his nose.

Rainbow Dash snickered to her self as Prince Blueblood watched the pair of pained figures crash into other guests, tables, chairs, and displays. The mare finally dunked her head in a punch bowl sending a gout of steam and splashed punch out hitting a few other guests.

“I believe that makes forty seven now pranked.”Prince chuckled to his date. ”And bonus points for a cascading cupcake.”

“Celestia said it was the first time in over a hundred years that the nobles were united on something. And it was just to make sure Dash's license wasn't renewed.” Twilight explained. “Celestia was to impressed by the show of unity to refuse.”

“Figures Rainbow would over do it.” Applejack snickered. “Still, ah hope this guy can take a hint. Rarity's been fawning all over him and ah've been trying tah avoid him.”

“Bark?” Rahs questioned.

“Right, cause Rarity's got great judgment on who's good fer her. Look what happened with Prince.” Applejack pointed out.

“Woof.”

“Really? Ah didn't think she was interested in Sombra.”Applejack muttered.

“She's not. I'm surprised you haven't asked Sunset for help in this.” Twilight commented.

“Please Twi. Ah want him tah leave me alone, not tah be turned inta an ash pile.” Applejack considered. “Fer now.”

[Later]

Trender Hoof watched from the orchard as Rarity and Applejack talked to each other by the farm house.

The day had been a long exercise in flip flopping and teasing between the two mares before they finally got over it and both ignored the stallion they had been fighting for and against.

Trender had yet to get it.

“I'm moving to Ponyville! Being the most interesting pony in Equestria is exhausting. I want to leave my exotic, exciting life behind and live on a farm!“ Trender Hoof spoke mostly to himself.

“Not on this farm you're not.” A mare's voice stated behind him.

Turning his head Trender Hoof was greeted to the sight of an orange unicorn mare with a red and yellow mane, and a stylized picture of a sun on her flank trotting out of the trees.

Next to her was a dark gray unicorn stallion with a black mane and tail that seemed to ripple with their own unseen breeze, though he didn't seem to have a cutie mark.

“You don't understand. She's the most perfect pony in Equestria, I've never seen any one like her, I have to be here to make her mine!” Trender ranted.

“You do realize she told you 'no' outright don't you?” Sombra stated. “She is clearly not interested.”

“Bah, she is simply playing hard to get, a mare like her probably has to to weed out the worthless suitors she must get constantly.” Trender offered.” I must get through to.... yurrrrk!!!!”

The stallions rant was cut off as he felt claws along the nape of his neck pricking at his skin as the large paw gripped tight and lifted him up off the ground to where only his back hooves were barely touching.

He was turned around and brought face to face with a navy blue furred muzzle full of very sharp teeth.

“Applejack said no. So she means, NO.”

Trender yelped as he was dropped, landing heavily on the ground with a thud. He looked up at the towering feline like creature before him, it's amber eyes glaring down at him in clear annoyance.

“My cousin's a bit too nice. Personally I would have set you on fire.” Sunset offered.

“That is your answer to everything.”Sombra rolled his eyes.

“Of course. Because fire fixes everything, if it doesn't fix it, clearly you are not using enough fire.”Sunset smirked. “So what would you do?”

“Mail him to Yakestan.” Sombra said simply. “Postage is fairly cheap this time of year.”

The moon dog and the pyro both looked at the former king, then each other then back to Trender who's eyes widened in realization, then to the large crate sitting next to a tree behind Sombra.

“No, you can't do anything to me, I'm the press, we have rights!” Trender snapped.

“Rahs has a hunting permit.”Sunset smirked. “I'm sure you've heard of those.”

“I.. I .. I'll write a bad review, you'll never get another tourist in town!” Trender stammered.

“A useless threat, as the three of us are the least likely to care about tourism. Personally the less random ponies who show up the better I am.”Sombra stated carrying the crate over in his magic.” Now then...”

[Ponyville post office.]

Ditzy narrowed her eyes as she looked at the three before her, mostly the tallest one.

“This isn't your sister running off to be a goat again is it?” Ditzy asked Rahs.

Sombra and Sunset raised one eyebrow each as they looked at the moon dog who simply slapped his face with a claw and shook his head.

“Well alright. We have a train ready to head out with their next peanut shipment, the package should get to Yakestan in two days.” Ditzy offered.

“Thanks Ditzy.” Sunset offered as the trio walked out of the post office, a suspiciously wiggling and muffled crate left on the counter. No one in Ponyville was going to ask.

“So should I expect you to ever white knight for me if I need it?” Sunset smirked looking up at Rahs.

“Mare as if he would need to. “Sombra snorted.” I would feel sorry for anyone or anything that thought it could capture you for long enough to need a rescue.”

“Hey it's the thought that counts. Every little filly had a Princess and knight in shining armor fantasy once or twice growing up.”Sunset snorted. “Granted so far only Cadence had that come true... literally, but still.”

“Hmph.” Sombra offered.

“Wait a minute why were you so ready to deal with Trender?”Sunset demanded as the group moved down the street away from the post office. “I get Rahs and I've been listening to Applejack bitch all day, but why were you there?”

Sombra remained silent.

“Hold on, does this have to do with Rarity?” Sunset asked. Rahs' ears perked up at that.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Sombra growled.

“Ahh it is!! Were you jealous she's been gushing over that guy?”Sunset grinned. “That has to be it, you wanted him gone cause she has a thing for him!”

“It is nothing of the sort.” Sombra snapped. “That mare is insufferable when she's whining, and with her stuck on that black list, her usual whining into a bucket of ice cream is not feasible so I have to hear it.”

“Somby has a crush, that's adorable, what would Cadence say about that?!” Sunset sing songed.

“Mare if you tell that pink water craft fanatic anything I will personally pull out every single one of your hairs with a forge reddened pair of pliers.” Sombra growled.

“Oh no, Rahs protect me!” Sunset cried out and darted under Rahs' coat nearly tripping him as she pressed against the back of his legs.

Rahs blinked raising an eyebrow at Sombra who looked at him with a huff before storming off.

“You are my least favorite cousin.” Sombra growled.

“I'm your only cousin!”Sunset called.

“Not if you count the entire Apple family as related, at which point you are far, far, down that list.”Sombra snapped storming off as Rahs pulled the cackling Sunset from under his coat.

For Whom The Sweetie Betta Toils, Prologue

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Friendship Express, En-route to Canterlot, early Winter]

The train clicked and clacked along the tracks as it made the rather slow ascent up the mountain. Despite the trip only taking an hour at most, to the three sitting in the train car, under the careful watch of at least three plain clothes Guards and two obvious guard, it was highly dull.

Granted the guard was not there to protect the three normal looking ponies, they were there to protect everything else from the three normal looking ponies.

The Decaff Brigade, the Cake Hunters, and the few Heart Guard that remained in Canterlot as some sort of embassy guard, had come together to assign guards to make a fifth specific guard unit.

There was a fourth guard unit of course, but the 'Sparkle Squad' was not spoken of often by the other guard units. Simply put, because anyone willing to join that unit was either a glutton for punishment, or clinically insane, and they scared the normal guard.

Even the Six Sixty Sixth was wary of any Guards in purple and navy blue armor trimmed with green.

Thankfully the score or so guards in that particular unit stayed in Ponyville for the most part, under the lead of a former Captain of the Decaff Brigade, Comet Trail. The stallion had managed to bring another nox-cal in from the Decaff Brigade to be his second. Lodestone was a massive mountain of a pony and had taken to living in Ponyville surprisingly well, most likely due to the three mares that 'welcomed him'.

The fact that the Sparkle Squad also tended to the near weekly disasters that plagued the town made a number of of insurance providers, who were tricked into covering the town by Princess Celestia, a great deal happier.

But the fifth squad in the making was one that some considered a joke.

But the order had come from both the Lunar Princess AND the Sparkle Squad commander that it was a needed thing if these three ponies left the confines of Ponyville.

That one of them was the adopted younger sister of Princess Luna only added to the urgency.

At the moment the few guards assigned to watch over the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders' didn't have an official name. They were composed of a number of new guards and a few who had signed up willingly for what was considered an easy job in foal sitting.

The unofficial name of this unit by those in the know however was,' Suckers'.

Sweetiebelle huffed as she looked out the window and watched the trees go past. Luckily for the guards the three were pensive, half asleep, and reading a book at the moment. The five guards present last time they had come up to Canterlot had either retired , transferred, or were still in therapy from the 'Engineering cutie mark' incident.

Two engines and four miles of track also had to be replaced.

Neither of the damaged engines had been the one they were on.

“Ah figured you'd be more excited than this Sweetiebelle.”Applebloom offered looking up from her book at the noise Sweetie made. “Been a while since we got tah go stay with Princess Luna.”

“I know. She owes me a rematch in Road Kombat.” Scootaloo grinned opening her eyes the rumble of the train lulling her to doze. ”I've been practicing.”

“I am excited, it's just mom and dad dumped me on Rarity again and then she had to run off to deal with an order from Sapphire Shores and drug Sombra off to help her so we couldn't stay there.” Sweetiebelle sighed.

“Well Aunt Fireball had to head to Cloudsdale for the meeting about this years snow schedule, so staying there was out. Fluttershy was too busy with getting all the animals hibernating properly to watch us.”Scootaloo added.

“Big Mac, Granny, and Applejack are off to help with a bumper crop of them weird Crystal Apples with a cousin of ours up in tha Empire.” Applebloom offered.” They'll be gone all weekend and maybe a bit more, which is why ah was staying with Sweetie and Rarity so ah didn't miss any school.”

“What about Spike and Twilight?” Scootaloo asked.

“Already told yah. Twilight and Sunset are doing some sort of experiments this weekend. He's gotta keep an eye on them so they don't blow up tha town, and Rahs' winter coat is coming in and you know how he gets when he's itchy.” Applebloom offered. “Spike said it's way too dangerous for any pony tah be around for it when those two start on somethin.”

[ Ponyville, Golden Oaks library.]

“PULL THE LEVER KRONK!!” Sunset shouted from behind a magically reinforced slab of wood and lead shielding.

“Who's Kronk?” Twilight asked as she pulled the lever from behind another such shield.

The sound of two billion volts arcing through the air from some strange apparatus that seemed to hover over the basement floor filled the air as a bolt of lightning slammed into the top of the odd box left by the Tree of Harmony. The energy arched over the box for a little while scorching the stone table it was on before everything exploded, sending the entire lab flying around with a roar of noise. The room was filled with smoke the scent of ozone and a hint of roasted pecans.

“Wrong lever.” Sunset coughed casting a spell to disperse the smoke so she could look over the damage.

The box sat on the remains of the table looking completely undamaged from the wash of energy that destroyed everything else in the room and melted the barricade shields.

“Well crap.” Twilight huffed.

Upstairs, Rahs sat on the couch blinking.

A large circle of fur lay around him covering the couch and the floor and much of the room.

Spike who had been nearby eating ice cream now had a full navy blue beard, though his ice cream cone was also covered in fur.

There had been shouting from the basement, a dimming of the lights across town, then his winter coat had suddenly exploded into existence puffing him up like a large cotton ball of fluff.

Then there was an explosion down stairs and more yelling.

“The Buck was that!?”

At least his fur wasn't itchy any more.

Spike just wandered upstairs to admire his new beard.

“Besides I thought ya liked hanging out with Princess Luna?”Applebloom continued.

“I do, it's just I still kinda feel like I'm getting pushed off on other ponies sometimes.”Sweetiebelle sighed.

“I know that feeling, “ Scootaloo huffed.”But I also know they have jobs and things they have to do sometimes. I mean heck, I can fly now, but I'm still staying in Ponyville because I want to. I could head off and travel with my parents now, but I got used to it here and then I'd miss you guys.”

“Yeah, but your parents have tah work, Sweetiebelle's just go on a ton of vacations and business trips.” Applebloom offered.

“Oh yeah, them... I'm starting to think Sombra might be onto something with them.”Scootaloo nodded.

“You know what, you're right.” Sweetiebelle stated suddenly.

“About your parents?” Scootaloo questioned.

“No, about enjoying this trip. I get to stay with the best big sister ever.” Sweetiebelle grinned and bounced off the seat down to her bag pulling it open and drawing out a book.

Scootaloo and Applebloom's eyes widened in fear at the sight of it.

The guards around them looked confused at the fear they showed of the book.

“I can try out some new recipes I read about and she can tell me what she thinks.”Sweetiebelle beamed waving the cook book around.

“Are we about to be charged with regicide?” Applebloom muttered to Scootaloo.

“I think it would have been safer to stay at Twilight's.” Scootaloo agreed.

Author's Notes:

and with that we cue the theme music

For Whom The Sweetie Betta Toils, Part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Canterlot]

Princess Celestia looked out the window over looking the courtyard and down at the small collection of guards escorting three fillies into the castle. Celestia smiled softly it had been a while since the Crusaders had stayed over.

Usually it was planned well in advance, though the message she gotten from Spike earlier mentioned this time it was a random string of events that lead them to show up, almost as a surprise with how quickly it had been arranged.

One of these days she was quite certain Hondo and Cookie would retire for good. Perhaps that would happen when they finally managed to put Quayle away for good. That griffon was a constant thorn in the sides of S.M.I.L.E. and only those two seemed to have any success against him.

Still, it was their constant 'trips' that likely had them sign off on Luna adopting Sweetie as her little sister. Not many of their enemies would be willing to target a daughter under the protection of some one far more than willing to ax their entire plan, literally. That Rarity was part of a group that took down Discord, Nightmare Moon and a number of other large threats kept her off the 'revenge on their family's' list.

The Thieves Guild was not that stupid.

Celestia let out a sigh. In truth she was rather glad things worked out this way. Luna had a habit of adopting random individuals that impressed her or she thought were cute. She hadn't done it before the nightmare incident, though she was nearly always depressed since the death of her first son. Though once she had come back, in the course of the three years since, she had adopted at least thirty two individuals.

Everyone from a few foals on the street, to the Sparkles, to a maid she particularly liked. There had been a statue, a full grown chimera, whom none of the heads knew what was going on, a few Guards, a trio of balista, that had been weird even for her, a couple of ambassadors and Pony Joe at one point. That was nothing to say of all the Neightendo characters she took on in her games.

Thankfully all of them refused, were inanimate objects,or were other wise talked out of joining the royal family. Well, all save Rahs, that malformed rat of a cake stealing familiar she had, and Sweetiebelle.

Rahs just shrugged and went along with it not really caring beyond the fact he had a bit of a clingy grandmother now.

That damn rat of hers loved it and did everything he could to torment Celestia and steal her cakes. He was up to forty and that was terrible.

Sweetiebelle had actually been seeking out something like it and was more thrilled with having a doting big sister than any royal nonsense that came with the adoption.

It didn't take a psychologist to understand why Luna did this. The guilt over what happened with Sombra weighed on her even if she wasn't in full control of her actions. Sombra might be back, but he was neither a foal, nor interested in anything involving his mother. By comparison she and Sunset were getting along quite well. And by quite well, Sunset hadn't tried to set her on fire lately, or lobbed a flame strike at the palace from Ponyville.

She was quite proud of the range her daughter had, but the guards and clean up crews were far less impressed.

What had surprised Celestia was that when the same offer was given to Rarity once she and Sweetie made up, Rarity had refused.

She claimed she would prefer that ponies chose her clothing lines for her skill, not because she was related to royalty.

With Sweetiebelle still excited to see Luna every time she could, it seemed to ease that particular issue her sister had. Luna hadn't adopted any one or anything else lately, though she had tried to knight Pony Joe twice, both refused.

Celestia had been trying to do that for years herself so didn't see it as an issue.

She would see him be the Duke of Doughnuts yet.

Still the solar princess took note of the foals entering the castle and then went about her business. While she had no issues interacting with them, they were here for Luna, not her and she had no plans to interrupt whatever they were going to do short of blowing up the castle.

She would badger Applebloom for all she could about Sunset's progress at dinner though.

[Las Pegasus]

“Please?” the mare asked.

“No.” Sombra replied.

“Pleaseee?”the second mare added to the request as the first repeated it.

“No.” Sombra frowned.

“PLEEEASE?” three other mares joined in.

“No.”

“PLEAAAAAAASE!!” More of the background dancers, and a few of the stage hooves chimed in.

“No.” Sombra growled.

“PLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSEEEE.!!!!” The same group asked along with Sapphire Shores which made the whole thing far more like a rehearsed song chorus than it had any right to be.

“What part of ….”

“PLEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE!!”Rarity joined in with the others and one of the stage hands turned the mics back on so the askance reverberated in the theater nearly knocking Sombra off his hooves.

Sombra growled. ”I never should have let you hear me singing along to that damn song.”

“But you have such a lovely baritone.” Sapphire Shores chimed in.

[Ponyville]

“I warned you this would happen!” Spike shouted. ”But you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN”T YOU BELIEVE ME!?”

“Calm down Spike, this is just a small error. What we thought was a decimal point was just a cookie crumb that got stuck to the paper.” Twilight offered. “We can fix this easy.”

“BORK!!!” Rahs shouted clawing and biting at the mass of black tentacles that emerged from the basement and were trying to envelope everything in the house.

“BWAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!” Sunset cackled burning everything that came her way to ash.

"̵ͩ͗̎̀̚҉̹̩̼G̴̦͎̤͖̈̏ͫ́͋ͨ̃͛̉̕͡L̹̹̼̜̇ͦ͒́ͯ̑͑̿͢Ụ̴̼͕͉̎ͪ̈̈̈̀͟ͅB̿ͨ̾͏̻͈͈ ̸͎͔̮̫͉̖̬̔̃ͯ̈́̌̈̇̈̕ͅG̗̯ͣ̐̍̅̌͛͗L̨̯͈͎̟̼͎̭̋͗ͅU͇͓͇̪̠ͮ́̿̄̄̎̊ͮ̚̕ͅB̪̙͇̙̯̺̍̏́͟ͅ ̦͎͉̓̒̈D̡͔̹̱̩̙͚̮ͦͮͪ̀Ĕ̷͈̞̻̫̑̊̊́M̷̲̩̝̙̼̖ͯ̔A͙̟̖̒ͭN̦̩͍̰̪̆̓̑̓͑D̲̲̮̘̩̼̮ͧ̊͌S̡̳̬̤͈̪̲͎͒̒̋̌̋͒͐ͬ͘ ̛͙̦͆́ͫ̀̇ͤF̸͕́ͧͦ̉̀͜Ȉ̡̛͖̣̩̻̯̏ͯͥ͗S̷̷̩͙͓̙̗̲̺͔ͮ͆̾͘Ḧ̸͙̳̈́͛̊̉͠ ̡͓͎͚̭̮̪̊̏͑̐ͮͮͯ͢F̴̜̦̪̞̣̣̓͑͡L̶͍̦͍͎̙͕͋̄̀̂̾̏́̚͡Ä̵́̑҉̰̬̘̻͙̗̜̪K̷̴̳̃̈́E̡̪͇ͩ̚͟͟ͅS̼͔̟͔̰̰̬ͯ̆͌̆̕ͅ!̵̧̱̟ͬ͢!̛̫̤̤̮̝͒ͨ̈́̅̅ͯͧ!̵ͥ̇͌͂̃͋ͨ͏͉̜̺̼"̲̬̳̳̻͛͂͊

“Now why does this thing sound so familiar?” Twilight muttered as she looked over her notes.

Luna yawned pushing herself up out of bed a few hours earlier than she preferred. She offered a nod to the maid that had come to awaken her and collected the big gulp of coffee that had been brought sipping it as she made her way to the window squinting out at the late day sun outside.

It had been a bit of a surprise to hear her little sister Sweetiebelle was coming to visit, but it had required little change to her schedule.

Fridays were usual swamped with cases for her to oversee in her Night court, but her bailiff , Bull, had told her there were very few cases scheduled for tonight when her court had concluded this morning. With luck she would be done in a hour or two tops, then she would be able to hang out with Sweetiebelle and her friends until they dozed off. The girls were getting better at staying up with her, but they had not mastered it fully yet.

Luna smiled.

Unless there was a sudden crime wave or a riot this should be a relatively calm night, a few cases and then she could spend the rest of the night with the Crusaders.

[Canterlot bar and Grill.]

“Hey you!” The grungy looking tan stallion shouted pointed at another patron of the crowded bar.

“Ehh?” the gray and gold stallion questioned looking over the bar at the one who shouted.

“Uppercut, jab, jab, roundhouse, body blow!” the first stallion shouted.

“Hey!”the second stallion shouted. “Them's fighting words!”

The bar then exploded into a brawl.

For Whom The Sweetie Betta Toils, Part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Canterlot]

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” two thirds of The Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed.

“.......” stated Princess Luna, her horn embedded into the table, the mug she had been drinking from sliding across the table in a slow spin where it had fallen from her magic leaving a trail of coffee behind it.

“Dang, I was sure I had that right.” Sweetiebelle huffed.

[Earlier]

Sweetiebelle shooed the night chef away again as she watched the pot boil. She glanced over to the book and started adding things to the water. The instructions for the coffee were right here in this book and she was determined to get it right for when her bestest big sister came down for dinner/ breakfast.

Sweetiebelle knew Luna loved coffee and as such had gotten this book specifically for the coffee recipe it had. She wasn't sure what Turkey coffee was , but it didn't seem too hard to make. And there didn't seem to be any turkey in it either, which just made the name that much stranger.

Still it was odd that the chef kept trying to interrupt her and it was getting annoying, she hadn't even made a mess.

And her friends certainly didn't help matters by setting up a bunch of sand bags and wearing bomb squad gear they borrowed from the Guard. Why the Guard even had bomb squad gear in their size was something Sweetiebelle didn't bother to think about.

Still there were no obvious explosions and the one fire that was quickly put out.

The head chef was unsure how the little white unicorn had managed to set the kitchen sink on fire, though the coffee was done and being carried off before he had the time to ask.

The coffee was brought before Luna as she settled in at the table and the others gathered around, Sweetiebelle with excitement, the other two with building dread.

The Princess of the Night had taken a sip of the 'coffee' complimented Sweetiebelle on the taste and drained a good portion of the rest of the mug.

About that point her eyes rolled back in her head, her magic winked out and she slammed face first into the table, leading the other crusaders to scream out and Sweetiebelle to wonder what happened.

[ Ponyville]

Twilight stared at Twilight.

Twilight stared back at Twilight.

“You are not scientifically possible.” Twilight stated.

“Don't even start with that.” Twilight huffed fluttering her wings. “We went through that last time we time traveled!”

“It doesn't make it any less scientifically possible.” Twilight stated.

“We literally know a god of time, and Minuette. It's magically possible.” Spike snapped.

“Yeah, what I said.” Spike offered as well.

“Woof.” Rahs nodded sagely.

“Bark?” Rahs asked.

“Yeah, it's just timey whimy stuff. Don't think about it too much, kinda like Pinkie Pie.” Shining Armor added from where he sat next to a large stone table that appeared in the middle of the library.

“I for one would like to know if I can borrow both Rahs' for a bit. I have had an idea that I am not sure a cloning spell would work on....” Sunset offered biting her lip a little as she looked between the two moon dogs.

“No.” The collected group stated, save the Rahs' who simply looked at the mare with wide eyes.

“So if you are me from the future, what sort of dire message do you have?”Twilight huffed. “What's gonna happen next Tuesday that brings Shining in too?”

“Nope, we're a little more than a year in the future if I recall correctly. And really there's so much shit that happens I can't really explain it all. Good news, the rest of that stupid prophecy is figured out. I can tell you that you don't need to worry about figuring out the stupid box because that comes into play this summer, I also figure out the Familiar spell.” Twilight added with a small glare at Sunset at the mention of the spell.”

“The next expansion of, Fallout Equestria is pretty neat, but don't buy it day one, there's so many bugs and stuff you wanna wait until about the end of the year before picking it up.” Spike told himself. “Also hold off getting any new Battle Mallet rule books as 9^th edition is gonna drop in the middle of next year.”

“Sweet.” Spike nodded.”See this is the sorta stuff that's important to know from the future.”

“Bark.” Rahs offered making Rahs stiffen.

“BORK!” Rahs gasped.

“Yes, he means six, by next year you're gonna have a a rather intense sixth girl chasing you.” Shining Armor chuckled. “I still can't believe it.”

“What!?” Sunset snapped. “Who is she so that I may burn her!?”

“No.” The collected group stated, save the Rahs' who simply looked at the mare with wide eyes.

“Annnd it's reasons like that which are why we are keeping this simple.” Twilight sighed.” This is all I told you when I came through last time so this is all I'll tell you coming through this time because of the time issues. And I really don't want to annoy White.”

“Fair enough.” Twilight agreed.

[Canterlot]

“This is a horrible plan.” Scootaloo muttered setting up the rope and pulley system around the throne hiding parts of it under a blanket draped over the back.”We are so boned.”

“This will work, it has to work.” Sweetiebelle stated running around doing her best to hide the puppeteering strings with a bit of magic or decoration.”It worked with Granny Smith that one time.”

“No it didn't. That whole thing was stupid and that was just trying tah fool one pony not a whole court.” Applebloom fussed, the little earth pony struggling under the weight of Luna as she moved the Princess to the throne.” Ah'm sure glad this is Princess Luna an not Princess Celestia, dun think ah ken lift her.”

“Look this is gonna be easy We've sat through a couple of her night courts before. Her secretary Miss Darksky already knows most of the verdicts and points out the changes in the laws that Luna might miss so all we have to do is get Luna to nod or shake her head dependent on what is asked.”

The trio propped Luna in a chair and Sweetiebelle paints a pair of fake eyes on Luna's eyelids as Applebloom hooks the Princess up.

“This is super dumb we are gonna get thrown in jail, then banished, then thrown in another jail where we're banished to, then that's gonna get banished.” Scootaloo muttered.

“Calm down, this is fine everything's gonna be fine, she said before she passed out.....” Sweetiebelle started.

“You mean before you killed her with your cooking.”Scootaloo moaned.

“SHE SAID! Tonight was a light night and shouldn't take her more than an hour or two to get through the cases.” Sweetiebelle squeaked as she shouted. “ We will be fine!”

The door to the throne room opened and a dark purple mare walked in. the cloven hooves of the female clicked along the floor as the kirin Nox-cal levitated a stack of papers in front of her , the mass of paper work swirling around her head barely allowing the yellow maned pony to see, yet she some how stopped in front of the throne.

“Hi Miss Darksky.” Sweetiebelle chimed up as Applebloom and Scootaloo ducked behind the blanket draped over the back of the throne to work the pulley system, lifting Luna's head up as if she was looking at the kirin.

“Hello Sweetiebelle. Are you here to watch Princess Luna hold court again?” The mare asked without looking out from her halo of papers.

“Yep she says it's gonna be a light night so we can uhh go hang out after wards.” Sweetiebelle offered.

“Oh dear, I suppose no one told you or the Princess then. There was a riot earlier today and the judicial court has close to three hundred cases to oversee this evening.” Miss Darksky stated.

“WHAT!?” all three of the crusaders screamed out.

“No need to use the royal Canterlot voice Princess. Seems a bar fight escalated into an all out riot that took up most of down town and set a few clubs and bars on fire. The fourth worse riot we've seen since the changeling invasion.” Miss Darksky offered. “And this one had nothing to do with sports or a price hike on popcorn at the theater.”

“But...” Sweetiebelle gasped wide eyed glancing between the oblivious assistant and the comatose princess.

“I'm sorry Sweetie, this still shouldn't take all night though, the cases are fairly straight forward, Danny will read the evidence against them, Kristy will try to say why they are innocent, the Princess will consider and since the most of them were caught red hoofed the only thing the Princess needs to do is pass sentence. The only reason most of them are even being brought here rather than this being dealt with by the lower courts is because of all the bartenders and clubs are demanding this be dealt with by the patron goddess of the night life. Plus they are trying for harsher penalties and reimbursement.”Miss Darksky offered. “We probably could have passed that off too if there were not so many, we don't have enough cells to hold them all for the lower courts to work through. So most of it needs to be done tonight.”

“Oh no.” Sweetiebelle muttered.

[ Las Pegasus]

“Well that went wonderfully don't you think?” Rarity chimed up as she and Sombra strolled down the still rather busy late night street.

“Hmm.” Sombra shrugged.

“Wasn't it nice of Sapphire Shores to get us a table at that restaurant... I've never seen such opulence paired with such delicious food.”Rarity crowed.

“I have had better....” Sombra trailed off.

“Yes, but wasn't that lovely regardless? We had that whole booth to ourselves over looking that delightful live band they had there.” Rarity smiled.

Sombra sighed.” I already agreed to sing for that one song on her album, you do not need to continue to try and butter me up.”

“Oh I'm not...” Rarity offered as she nearly purred, pressing up against the side of Sombra.”You know what would make this night even better?”

Sombra glanced over to the white mare pressing to his side with a raised eyebrow.

“Ice cream?” Sombra asked.

“YES!” Rarity cheered.

[Canterlot]

“Where have you been?” Applebloom hissed as Scootaloo slipped back under the blanket at the back of the throne.

“I had to go move all the lights we put out side the windows up more cause the Princess hasn't moved the moon.” Scootaloo hissed back.

“ Fine. Help me move this over a little.” Applebloom muttered pulling on a cord.

In front of the throne, Luna seemed to shift over to whisper something to Sweetiebelle. Early on Sweetiebelle had some how managed to convince the entire court that Princess Luna was telling her the judgment so she could relay it and try to get rid of her fear of public speaking.

There was of course some annoyance from some of the petitioners, though that was rapidly defused by Sweetiebelle giving a bit of a pouty lip at the ponies didn't seem to like her.

Given that most of them were trying to appeal for a more lenient sentence with Luna they all quickly agreed and any who might have had issue wisely kept their mouths shut about it.

It had been a few hours of faking this and most of the court cases were pretty straight forward with the punishments mostly being community service and a few fines. Sweetiebelle just picked a few things that Danny wanted to happen and went with that rather than the whole list, keeping a little bit of a middle punishment rather than the excessive amount Danny wanted, or the scott free Kritsy wanted.
The massive minotaur 'Bull' and the smaller but far more dangerous Bailiff Ross kept every pony in order and accepting of their judgments.

[?]

Discord sat in a chair on his wall watching the fish tank that was showing a TV show of what was happening in the Night Court.

The God of Chaos blinked slowly at the scene with the Crusaders, then turned to look at you and shrugged.

“I have no idea how this is happening.”

He then turned back to the show staring in confusion.

[ Las Pegasus]

Rarity smiled as Sombra came out of the ice cream shop. She then frowned in noticing he only had one chocolate cone in his magic.

“You didn't get me one?” Rarity pouted.

“You are still on the black list for another week.” Sombra explained simply.

“Oh please, like Pinkie Pie would ever know.” Rarity huffed.

“She is in the shop.” Sombra pointed out.

“What?!” Rarity gasped.

“She is in the shop.” Sombra explained.

“How is she in the shop!?” Rarity scoffed.

Her questioning was interrupted as a waffle cone filled with sprinkles belted Sombra up side the back of the head thrown from said ice cream shop.

“ AND THAT'S FOR BITING FLUTTERSHY!!”

“What!??” Rarity blinked.

“You have lived in Ponyville longer than me and I have learned to not question it.” Sombra explained taking a lick of his ice cream cone as he shook the sprinkles out of his mane.

[Canterlot, early morning]

“I cannot believe that worked.” Scootaloo muttered her head face down on the table.

“Ah'm just glad she woke up in time to finish up and didn't ask too many questions about tha ropes.” Applebloom yawned.

“At least it's over and no one called me out on any of the cases so I guess they were all done correctly.” Sweetiebelle muttered.

“Oh, good morning girls.”

Looking up from the table the trio took note of Princess Celestia trotting into the dining area from the kitchen.

“You look like you've had a rough night. Did you finally manage to stay up with Lulu?” Celestia asked floating a mug over to her lips and taking a sip.

“Yah ken say that.” Applebloom grumbled.

Scootaloo had noticed something. “What's that you have?” Scootaloo demanded.

“Oh this?” Princess Celestia lifted the mug which had 'Equestria's #1 Flank' written on the side, Applebloom felt that might have been Cadence's mug. “I don't normally drink coffee but there was a pot of it left in the kitchen that smelled rather good and only needed to be heated up a little bit. Some times even I have a bit of trouble getting up in the morning girls.”

The trio stared in horror as Princess Celestia finished the coffee, licked her lips then promptly collapsed.

The Cutie Mark crusaders stared at the prone form of the Princess of the sun a moment before the shouting started again.

“ Why didn't you throw that away!?” Scootaloo shouted.

“I'm not supposed to waste food.” Sweetiebelle pouted.

“Oh thank tha stars, ah ain't sure what tha heck ah'd do if ah got a cutie mark in regicide.” Applebloom muttered checking her flank just in case.

Author's Notes:

Weekend at Luna's.

Trout Ya!

Author's Notes:

Alright here with another please read.

I now have a Kofi page. https://ko-fi.com/tdrtgap

I'm using this to commission more art for TGaP since i'm poor .

Currently i've purchased 4 pieces and have another two on the way from donations.

The Artist is https://www.deviantart.com/xxmarkingxx, though i have another one or two in mind if he gets swamped.

Feel free to suggest scenes or characters from TGaP, SiS or any of my other works you would like to see done, and if there's enough interest in those scenes[and funds for it] and the like i'll commission the work.

Here is the second image I commissioned.

JYNX

Now as a disclaimer, i am using this for fan art, not to live off of or anything and if you don't want to donate or don't feel like it , the fic is still gonna be free as are any images that come up from the donations.

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Rainbow Falls, early mid Winter]

“Why am I doing this again?” Sunset huffed, sitting at a podium looking out over a crowd of ponies and other creatures milling around an open field full of booths and tables. The crisp air was enough to send a chill down everyone's spine, though the first heavy snowfall had yet to hit.

With Hearths Warming coming, the Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange was held at the near perfect time to find that gift for a hard to shop for pony on your list. A few scattered industrial grade magical heaters kept the chill away enough for ponies to enjoy wandering around the countless stalls.

“Because there is always a princess in attendance to settle disagreements over whether a trade is fair or not. And since the rule is that a trade is fair as long as both ponies get what they want, there's never been a disagreement.” Twilight offered.

“You're the Princess!” Sunset snapped.

“Nope!” Twilight stated.” I refused. You however are the daughter of the current ruler of Equestria and therefore an ACTUAL Princess, therefore again, this is your problem.”

“Seriously Sparkle!?” Sunset growled.

“Yup, have fun.” Twilight grinned trotting off with a large collection of books she had brought to trade leaving Sunset to fume.

“You have no idea how hard it is to shop for some one who has literally everything.” Rainbow Dash grumbled looking around the table before her at the odd glass lamps.

“Oh, I can imagine.” Fluttershy nodded, looking at the bird whistle she had traded her bear whistle for. It had been a rather simple trade and was one of the first things they had done.

“Yeah you might, Pinkie's real hard to shop for too.” Dash muttered. “i mean she loves getting anything, but what does she really want? What are you getting her any way?”

“I can't tell you, she's around and you know how she always pops up at the wrong time.” Fluttershy offered gesturing lightly with a wing to a poofy pink mane bobbing in the crowd.

“Fair enough. I don't suppose you have an idea what I can get Prince?” Dash asked.

“How about a ribbon?”Fluttershy said after a moment of consideration.

“A ribbon?” Rainbow Dash asked.”Pretty sure that's something you wrap gifts with not give as a gift.”

“Oh, you are right, but the ribbon would be wrapped around you.” Fluttershy nodded.

“Around me ? What are you......” Dash froze her eyes going wide as her face turned bright red.

Fluttershy simply tittered at her friends reaction.

Sombra ignored Applejack and Rarity's bickering about pie tins and made his way over to a small area that seemed to be taken up by a number of blacksmith booths.

The work was good but there was nothing he was really interested in until he came across one trading ingots and unrefined ore.

On top of the usual ingots of iron, gold, and copper, there were more exotic ones, such as nickel, mithril, and bauxite, though the latter three were in much smaller bars.

There was one silvery ore that drew his attention in the collection of rarer ores. Reaching out a hoof he picked it up, turning the small ingot over in his hoof. It was far lighter than anything he had seen before with it's sheen. As he lifted it he took note of an odd bluish glow around the ingot.

“Oh very good, I was afraid I was going to need to hit you.”

Sombra raised his head looking into the green eyes of a reddish furred kitsune who sat behind the table with a long iron pipe clutched in one paw with a bit of smoke wafting from the end.

“One does not use magic with metal unless you are looking to enchant it after it is worked.” Sombra snorts moving his hooves to see if there was any give in the bar before he tapped it a bit.” Anything else cheapens the material.”

“Well well, it seems you know your stuff.” The kitsune smirked.”Not many unicorns do.”

“Humph.” Sombra offered.”What is this material?”

“Ahh that is an oddly special bit of ore. I have had it in my collection for quite some time. What I have been able to find out is that it is a material called Starmetal, collected from a fallen star, it has many compounds similar to iron, but there are other unknown materials that the stars decent from the heavens smelted to the base iron forming something wholly unique.” The kitsune offered his five tails swaying behind him. “The material has an effect when it comes in contact with some one who has been blessed by the god of the night sky, that blue glow you see about it now. Other wise though it tends to disrupt enchantments much like mithril does”

The kitsune considered.

“Oddly I've only see that glow when the bar is touched by a nox-cal.” the kitsune considered.

“Likely anything she's touched, hmm.” Sombra turned his head looking around spotting the moon dog wandering along with his brother, further away then he was willing to yell. He'd test the theory later “ What is it you want for this?”

“This is a trading fair, the question is, what are you offering?” the kitsune smiled.

Sombra shifted pulling his saddle bags off with his magic drawing out a few odds and ends he had made at the forge, a pair of daggers, some foals puzzles, and a bit of jewelry he had made of gold when he was bored at one point. The spread also had a few old patches and the remains of a number of antique coins and ravenged swords.

“What are these?” the kitsune asked picking up one of the patches.

“A few old Guard patches from the War of Night. The enchantments on the old palace kept most of the barracks preserved fairly well, these were in a pile of old clothes molding in the corner of a room. The weapons as well, though the preservation spells did not hold the metal as well as I like.” Sombra offered.

“These are near priceless artifacts.” the kitsune trailed off, picking up and looking over one of the patches.” The bits you could get for one of these patches alone from a collector would be a fortune.”

“I have no need of bits.”Sombra stated.

The kitsune stared at the pony before him for a moment frowning lightly.” And you are trading these for the bar?”

“One of them.” Sombra corrected. “You explained yourself how valuable it is. All it would take to get more of the ore would to have Luna throw a snit fit and try to crush something from orbit.”

The kitsune stared at Sombra with a deeper frown.

Sombra matched his gaze.

“The patch and two of the foal's puzzles.”

“Done.”

“You want me to trade all my books for a broken pen?”Twilight raised an eyebrow looking down at the little pegasus filly.

The filly nodded.

“Alright, fine. You got yourself a–“ Twilight began reaching out a hoof to shake the fillies hoof.

Suddenly there was a pink form between the two of them.

“STOP!!!!!” Pinkie Pie shouted. “What are you doing!?”

“I was trying to get rid of the excess books from the library. Most of them are older tomes or ones with a newer editions that cover more.” Twilight explained.

“For that?” Pinkie pointed accusingly at the filly holding the feather pen. “Do you Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally want that!?”

The filly huffed.

“Well, not really, no, but...” Twilight began.

“Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh! I can't believe that almost happened! But luckily, it didn't happen, thanks to me.” Pinkie Pie beamed.

“What the hay are you talking about?”Twilight demanded.

“According to the rules of the Exchange, a trade is only fair if both ponies end up with something they want. You can't break the rules! Did any pony see you do it? I don't think any pony saw!” Pinkie Pie looked around before leaning down menacingly in the face of the filly.”But you're not gonna say anything, are you?! Haha, I'm just kidding! Or am I?! Sometimes I can't even tell!”

Pinkie Pie might have gone on though her rant was cut off my a grip of magic closing around her mouth.

“Pinkie you know that you are my friend, and I do appreciate you trying to look out for me, but do not threaten a foal with whatever unknown horror you can think up.” Twilight stated as Pinkie squeaked around the muzzle gag.

“Okay, what are you going to do with these books?” Twilight asked the filly.

“Read them, what else do you do with books?” the filly responded clearly confused.

“Some of these are higher reading level books you might not understand.” Twilight stated.

“Well, how do I get to a higher reading level?” the filly blinked.

“By reading books above your reading level.” Twilight explained.

“Uhh, isn't that what I'd be doing with these?” the filly flattened her ears.

“Precisely.”

“Uhh.” the filly questioned.

“Oh don't worry these questions are not for me they're for her.”Twilight pointed at Pinkie Pie. “ Do you still want to trade?”

“Yeah, I like books.” the filly nodded.

“Then we have a deal.” Twilight smiled feeling a twinge of something with her magic.” Remember if you don't understand something you can always as for help, and when you are done with the books pass them on to a library or some one else who will read them.”

“Okay!”

“So..... how were you going to carry all these home?” Twilight asked finally letting go of Pinkie.

“Uhhhh.” the filly considered looking at the towers of books.

Rahs smiled as he and Spike wandered the exchange. Spike had managed to trade for the comic he had been looking for fairly early, though he was currently in super protective mode of it now, despite having put it into a steel briefcase he now carried around handcuffed to his wrist.

Rahs did not understand comic book collectors.

Still he was on the look out for a few things himself. Hearths Warming was only a few weeks away and while most of his shopping was done, there were still a few here and there he wasn't sure of what to get.

Spike and Twilight were easy, a miniature kit he didn't have, or some paints, and a book she didn't have which was fairly easy given the release dates of some books. Mom had forced Twilight not to buy books for a month before Hearths Warming and thankfully that stuck.

Shining and Cadence were a little harder, but not by much. Chrysalis was going to be surprised by the chocolate sampler he sent, though he had gotten the one that was a prank mix, hot sauce, and high caffeine. The idea of the drunk changeling queen running around with her tongue on fire just amused him to no end.

And the best part was he could blame it on Celestia.

Comet Trail was getting a few out of season durrians he had managed to find, though despite being friends with the guard captain there was no way EVER he was going to order that damn fruit for him again. It would take weeks to get rid of that smell.

He also had a collection of holiday cards to send out to all the ponies and other creatures he had been in plays with over the years, the list was quite sizable even cutting out the jerks in the bunch, and the ones he lost contact with.

Of course he had the eight by ten autographed Glossy of himself to send to Shirley, something he would get a matching one of from said now famous actor, but that was a joke the pair had been doing for some time. He kept all the ones he got in a scrap book though evidently Shirley had a few of the ones he sent in picture frames around his mansion. Something which had confused the heck out of a reporter doing an interview at one point.

Rahs sighed a little, he was in a play coming up and it worried him. It was the first one he had managed since becoming a god really and everything was coming too easy for him. The script was already memorized, his timing was spot on and he could feed lines to everyone else in the entirety of The Peanut Cracker play.

He was the mouse king of course, he couldn't seem to get free of the bad guy / monster roles, but still it was a big part, it had been a while since he had one of those.

It was just too easy. He wasn't sure if he had just gotten that good or it was because of his portfolio. It worried him a little that the only reason he was doing well was because of becoming a god due to his sister becoming one. He rather understood Rarity's refusal of Luna's offer now. Was he good because he was good, or because of what he was.

Not that his inner musings mattered, he still showed to every practice, because the show must go on, but that was neither here nor there.

Let's see who else was on the list. His biological family were being invited to a big cook out with a large number of meat dishes being presented, mostly bacon, cause it was the best gift.

He was helping Sweetiebelle with her gift to Luna, mostly funding it, whatever it was, and Celestia was getting cake.... like always.

Then there were the problems.

The girls who were interested in him.

Applejack was covered. She had expressed interest in trying to learn how to cook things other than apples so he had gotten her a fairly sizable Griffonese cookbook.

Jynx was a bit harder and required Rarity's aid, though finding a nice dress in her body type that Rarity could properly adjust had been a pain.

Shining had offered his two cents when it came time to find something for Saturnia. And by that Shining had just shown up at the Ponyville hive, asked her what she wanted directly, then split the list between himself, Cadence, Chrysalis, and Rahs.

Rahs had never heard of sugared fruit bats before, but he had sampled one before buying a box and it was pretty good even if he couldn't taste the sugared part of it. Seems it was indeed some sort of delicacy for changelings.

Sunset had been a bit of a pain to figure something out, she had also been a fairly expensive one. Neightendo it seemed had a competitor that created some sort of large tablet device of crystal. It could socket movie crystals and have documents written on it as well as play various games and take pictures.

It sounded like that cell phone thing he had heard her talk about so he managed to track one down. A bit pricey, but it wasn't like he didn't have a good number of bits lying around from all the nonsense he had done. Plus he had Celestia cover half the cost because she had no idea what Sunset might want, so this gave her an excuse to buy all the accessories for the device for Sunset.

Trixie thus far he hadn't found anything just yet. Which was one of the reasons he was here. He had considered a dress or even some cute stuffed animal given how she clung to the one he had won her in the past. Though while looking through a fair sized collection of theater memorabilia one pony had, he found a book.
An old script in fact.

A very familiar old script.

A very familiar old script that had him holding the pony running the stall up by the neck the other claw as he shoved the book into his face.

“Where did you get this!?!?!”

“GAH!!” the pony yelped flailing.

“Rahs put him down.” Spike shouted. ”What are you even doing!?”

Rahs offered the book he held to Spike who looked it over.

“Is this a play book? Beauty and the Beast at North Canterlot theater.....?”Spike read opening it. “ It's autographed......didn't they only give these out to the actors and stage hooves?”

“Woof.”

“Yeaaaah,okay, hey mister if this is stolen, the guards are gonna be the least of your worries.” Spike sighed closing the book. ”There are only thirty three of these things in existence and I know one was destroyed. And clearly my brother here knows you were not given one.”

“It it was part of an estate sale. I picked up a whole bunch of stuff from some pony who died. I brought that to the trade show because it's autographed by Shirley Drebbin.” the pony stammered.

Rahs blinked looking at the book and setting the stallion back down opening it and noting the name with a small wince. The owner of the script had been one of the older stage hooves that worked with Miss Broadway a lot, Priss Flamenco. She was also one of the ones Rahs hadn't managed to keep up with.

“Bark.” Rahs sighed.

“He says he's sorry about that, but only those who were part of the play were given these.”Spike translated. “His names in this one too. It's a theater thing.”

“I .. I suppose I understand. I take you are interested in trading for it then?” the stallion rubbed his neck.

“Ruff.” Rahs nodded, pulling one of the autographed Daring Doo books he had been given to trade. Something that drove his sister insane, but he still wasn't much a fan of the series despite having read it all to try and pick out Saturnia's parts and who else some of Darings references were. And maybe find a clue as to where she learned how to understand moon dog.

Unfortunately there was no luck there.

“Daring Doo?” the pony considered before shaking his head.” Nah , never been much of a fan, autographed or not, it's clear you want this a good bit, so you need to sweeten the deal a bit.”

Rahs growled lightly about to suggest that perhaps the stallion might want relief from all the nightmares he was surely going to have when Rahs told the moon dog watching this stallions dreams to take a vacation, but he stopped himself. He had just grabbed this pony by the neck so it was his fault in the first place. He considered a moment before reaching back into his coat and pulling out a pair of ticket stubs to Hinny in the Hills, both signed by Shirley, who played the bandit chief, and the lead actress Teresa Collins. Rahs had another two at the house given how many times he went to see that play while it was in Canterlot, but still.

“Woof?” Rahs questioned.

“Deal.” The stallion agreed.

"Three's a Cod"

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[ Coco Cabana, ten miles south of Caduceus, Capitol of the Zebralands., just after Hearths Warming.]

Aria climbed out of the engine compartment of the 'Song Fishies' and closed up the hatch. There was nothing wrong with the craft, she just needed something to do so she was studying how to fix the ship. It really wasn't that hard, the mechanical parts were the same as human watercraft, and the only real difference was how it was powered by magic rather than gas. There were other changes of course, magic power didn't require the need for pistons, and the oil use was very sparing, little more than grease on some gears.

This meant the ship was quiet too when it ran, if not for the churning of water behind it you wouldn't be able to hear it running.

The thing had a self repair enchantment too which annoyed Aria until she found a way to cut it off. Not that she wanted the work, but having magic do things for her like this also annoyed her.

It was why she left after all.

The trios mother and father were rather doting, smotheringly so. Granted when both parents were gods it tended to go over board. She was never left wanting for anything, barely ever was hurt, and saw no challenge in anything with out it being taken care of for her.

She needed to get out from under that. Go out on her own see the world without being coddled and protected.

Well that had certainly happened, far faster than she liked thanks to Adagio.

Her poofy headed sister had gone the full spoiled princess route, thinking everything was owed to her and was the perfect image of a royal brat. Aria was never really sure why she agreed to go along with Adagio's stupid idea of taking the gems, not much good usually came from screwing with things their father created, but back then none of them had ever seen anything harmful from him.

Adagio wanted to claim everything as her own and show she was better than everyone else. Aria wanted to be out on her own doing things herself. And Sonata.... well neither of them had any idea why their youngest sister came along, she was the most complacent and happy with how things were. She absolutely adored their father as well which made her joining the others odd.

Speaking of which, Aria had no idea where the usually bubbly third siren was.

[Edge of town, Coco Cabana]

Blood dripped down the walls of the old barn, bodies of griffons, ponies and zebra's lay scattered around, some still breathing, most not. In the middle of the room was a walled off pit, with the body of one dog and the cowering form of the other dog looking up at the figure standing on the edge of the pit, blood dripping down her blue fur, a wide shark toothed smile gracing her features.

The figure had a red and white ball cap with a green swoosh sort of arrow on it, the blue mare also had a darker blue jacket on her though all of it was soaked in blood.

Sonata had been invited to this event by a local looking to impress the pretty tourist and thought it was some Pokemon thing. After the first dog ripped apart the other to the cheers of the crowd she had learned other wise and reacted not exactly favorably.

A griffon whimpered trying to crawl away only for a hoof to slam into his back pinning him down as the shark toothed pegasus mare glared down at him

“What in Tartarus are you!” The griffon screeched.

“Pecking order.” Sonata grinned.

“That doesn't make any GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!”

There was a scream and a snap and the dog fighting ring was silent save the sound of dripping blood and the whimpers of the dogs still in their cages.

Aria shrugged, her sister was probably chasing a butterfly or watching grass grow or something.

Not that it mattered she was quite sure their father was keeping an eye on them, the ship and the things on it were proof of that, though she wasn't sure the others noticed.

Adagio on the other hand was probably getting pampered at the resort and or sleeping with anything there that caught her eye. She had no idea how her father, if he was watching, was allowing that but she chocked it up to him actually taking the hint to let them be.

Thus far she was glad he was keeping away, doing her own thing like this was what she wanted any way, and she had certainly gotten a lot of that following Adagio.

For better and worse.

[ Ponyville]

Rahs shifted back on his bed stretching out as he considered the holidays this year.

It had turned out rather strange to say the least. As expected all of the girls chasing him had given him a gift, though all of them were surprised he did the same.

Applejack had been rather confused at the cook book and had jokingly accused him of only getting it for her so she could cook for him.

Rahs neither confirmed or denied that though he was happy to note she was looking through it when he left. That she had given him a jar of zap apple jam as a present was perfect, so long as he kept it hidden from Twilight and Spike.

Saturnia had been greatly surprised by the fruit bats. She had some what expected them from Shining and her parents rather than Rahs, but she was quite pleased with the 'candy'.

Her gift had been quite a surprise. The original transcript of the sequel to Wolf of the Harvest Moon. It didn't take Rahs long to figure out why the book had been rejected as it was about Changelings. Though again it didn't hint at where DD might have learned to understand Moon Dog.

Sunset, as usual, surprised him. She had done a good bit of thinking and had written down a number of recipes she recalled from the human world, compiling them into a collection that was like a hoof written cook book. There were only about fifteen of them, though they did seem interesting even if the main ingredients would be hard to come by, granted most of the recipes were prefaced by innuendo laden descriptions, but he had expected that. She also added a cheese sampler, it confused him a little but she had an explanation for that too, about how canines in the human world generally liked cheese.

She wasn't wrong, Rahs did like a good cheese.

She had been surprised and confused at the CDP or crystal data pad she had been given, when he left she was already on her way to make improvements and was talking about something called a 'cell tower'.

Trixie.

Trixie had been crying when he gave her the playbill. With hers lost due to the ursa attack she never thought that she ever could replace it. She was quite upset with herself that he had gotten her that and all she had found for him was some show memorabilia and props from her travels. Rahs didn't mind at all though where she had gotten the silver wolf headed cane from Lon Chaney's The Wolf Mare, was beyond him.

Jynx was a bit confused by the holiday as Diamond Dogs didn't really celebrate Hearths Warming, which was a predominately pony holiday.

They had a winter solstice sort of thing that didn't usually involve gifts and was more of a large party to mark the end of the year and start of the new in midwinter.

Rahs had declined the offer to come to it as he still wasn't entirely comfortable around a large group of Diamond Dogs, he explained it as such and while she seemed disappointed she understood it.

After he some how survived the crushing hug she gave after he gave her the dress she offered him an envelope stating Princess Cadence had suggested the idea after learning Jynx hadn't gotten Rahs anything for the holiday as she didn't know she needed to.

Rarity was thrilled to help it seemed as well with some 'clothing' designs.

There was quite a collection of photos in that envelope.

No one else was going to get to see that gift.

[Ponyville]

“So you're headed to Canterlot for the weekend? Didn't the crusaders just come back from that?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah about, two weeks ago, though I'm going with them this time.” Spike offered.” There's also a Battle Mallet tourney being held up there and Sweetiebelle and I have entered.”

“Sweetiebelle plays Battle Mallet?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah Princess Luna got her into it, she plays Mau.”Spike offered.

“So what Japony comic did she base them off of?”Twilight sighed.

“The one with the whiny colt in the giant robot. I never could get into that one. If some one came up and said 'here, pilot this giant robot to fight monsters', I wouldn't even hesitate, yet this guy just whines about it and cries a lot.” Spike huffed. “Sweetie's painting skill could be better. But she's trying.”

“If Luna got her into it what does she play?”Twilight asked.

“Orks.” Spike sighed. “ Bad moons specifically. With a second Chaos army of Luna Wolves.”

“Can't say I'm surprised, well so long as everyone's having fun. “ Twilight nodded.” It should give Fireball and her colt friend a bit for alone time for once.”

“So what are you gonna do this weekend.” Spike asked.

“Oh, Cadence is coming into town and we're going to hang out a bit. I was originally going to do something with Fluttershy but she and Pinkie are gone off to some animal conference near Griffonstone.”

[ Off the coast of the Griffon lands.]

“Fire.” Fluttershy stated.

The cannons aboard the galleon roared as the shots slammed into the whaling vessel blowing great holes in the griffonesse ship.

Screams sounded as the birds ran about the deck trying to stop their ship from sinking or fend off the attackers.

Fluttershy stood on the deck dressed in a long coat and a tricorn hat, Angel sat on her shoulder looking grumpy in the little parrot costume he wore.

Pinkie Pie darted around the three masted sailing ship shouting and helping the others of the crew reload.

Maud Pie stood on the prow of the Sea Shepherd, simply flinging the cannon balls herself, punching holes in the whaling ship below the waterline.

Tree Hugger sat up in the crows nest a bit red eyed with a number of punks burning in her mane and tail giving her whole form a smoky appearance as they worked to sink the whaling ship a skull and crossbones flag fluttering above her head.

“Yarrr.” The earth pony laughed.

“Well that should be interesting to hear about. I certainly hope Pinkie Pie doesn't scare any of the animals off by trying to throw a party for them or something.” Spike nodded.

“I don't think Fluttershy would let her hurt any one.” Twilight nodded.

Author's Notes:

Alright there's a new image over at my Ko-fi page here.

Saturnia.

Currently have a pause for the donations because well.. i received enough for three or four more pieces already and i dun wanna overwhelm the artist. Tempted to see if i can get a image of Rahs from a few other artists to see what their take on him is.

I wonder if Fred Perry does commissions....

I've also got a Imgur thread for the art work if you don't want to bother going to the KoFi, thought he KoFi page will have the new images first.

If i can plan far enough ahead i might try and set up images going for the story i'm working on kinda like 'Off the Mark' does.

'Pecking Order ' joke with Sonota shamelessly stolen from /story/324532/three-more-things
by

Tatsurou

Three's a Cod, part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

Three's a Cod,
part 2

[Ponyville station]

“So why are you here anyway Sunset?” Twilight asked,as she glanced at the clock on the wall of the station house, before turning her attention back down the tracks looking for any sign of the train.

“I heard Cadence was coming to visit, it's been a while since I've seen her not counting my glorious return, and I at least wanted to say hi or something.” Sunset muttered. “Bit of a history with us, and it's not that good.”

“I suppose so, though I thought you and Celestia were trying to get on better terms, and aside from your date with Rahs, I don't recall you going up to Canterlot since you left.” Twilight stated.

“I haven't, though I've been asking Applebloom about what's going on when she comes back with Sweetiebelle from the sleep overs with Luna. “ Sunset growled. “I don't like what I've been hearing from her, it seems she doesn't even ask after me or what I'm doing.”

“Maybe Applebloom just wasn't paying attention when she did?” Twilight shrugged. “Spike hasn't said much either, but when he goes up there with the girls he spends most of his time either at the game store, running something for the others, or sneaking off to try and make out with Applebloom.”

“Guards?”

“I have four of them on order to interrupt if it looks like it's going too far.” Twilight stated flatly.” I'm willing to give him a bit of privacy , but that has limits.”

“They are not subtle sometimes. I'm surprised Applejack hasn't caught them around the farm yet.” Sunset smirked.

“She has. But she's reluctant to say anything, she usually just sends Big Mac or Granny in to interrupt.”Twilight offered with a smirk.

“Huh, that's my strategy too. I suppose we should expect this, they're becoming teenagers.”Sunset sighed. “ I had to deal with that shit twice as two separate species.”

“I never really understood the issue with it. Rahs got all lanky and strange looking for a while, but I didn't have any issue aside from all the dates Cadence set me up on.”Twilight explained with a small twitch.

“Didn't you find any of your dates attractive?”Sunset asked.

“A few but the ones that I liked tended to be dumb as posts or taken. I really lucked out with Mac.” Twilight smirked.

“Built like a truck and smart, he is a rare one. Though I can understand how you developed that taste, I grew up around a lot of Guards too. Celestia does tend to keep the pretty ones close.”Sunset chuckled. “They pretty much fade to the background after a while which is why I went after that ambassador's son. Exotic and rather beefy.”

“A minotaur?” Twilight asked.

“What no... right human term, beefy means muscular or robust.” Sunset explained before muttering the last bit. “And occasionally tasting like beef.....fuck, do I want a hamburger....”

“Oh.... one of these days we're going to have to set up a dictionary of human terms and slang. I have too many projects at the moment though.” Twilight sighed with a smile.

“Once the portal opens again, we'll pop through and get a dictionary and see if they have an urban dictionary in print. or on a tablet with a solar panel charger.... hmm.” Sunset considered her mind wandering across what she wanted to bring back. Still that was thirty years or so away, so no real rush.

“Oh, I think that's the train.” Twilight pointed a wing to a slowly growing pillar of smoke in the distance.

“Is it on fire?” Sunset asked.

“No, it shouldn't be. Why?”Twilight considered.

“I thought the Crystal Empire used infused crystal powered engines on their trains.” Sunset offered.

“Oh, only a few of them the technology is still pretty new and a lot of places don't have the space to store a solar rock boiler train engine, those things are massive. But in this case the smoke is likely from the passenger cars chimneys, wood stoves are still used to heat most of the older cars because it's rather costly to upgrade them.”Twilight explained.

“Never thought I would say this, but magic makes technological advancement wonky. We've got video games, but only rudimentary planes, no TV, but we have movies and data tablets.” Sunset shrugged. “ Hell, half of that stuff came from other nations at that. While I'm not fond of the fact the minotaur have firearms, at least I get why they never caught on here. Unicorn attack spells, pegasi dropping shit from near orbit and earth ponies able to flick a rock hard enough to pierce a brick wall if they wanted, we don't need guns.”

“Granny Smith has a gun.” Twilight offered.

“That's a blunderbuss full of rock salt and junk, it hardly counts as a proper gun from what I've seen.” Sunset sighed.

“And yet I still would not want to get hit with it.”Twilight nodded.

“Yeah, well, duh.” Sunset agreed as the train's brakes screeched as it slid into the station.

"…..Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Cadence and Twilight chuckled.

Sunset slowly blinked as she watched the pair of them shaking her head a little as the two alicorns went off on a rapid fire discussion of how things had been, despite the pair having seen each other not that long ago.

“That is still weird to me.”

Sunset blinked then looked over and then up to a figure as tall as her mother. A black carapace covered the form, she had with a greenish blue mane and a gnarled looking horn. Fangs sprouted from the creatures mouth and various parts of her body seemed to be filled with holes as if chunks of her were missing.

“GAH!!!!” Sunset shrieked falling backwards.

“You sure know how to greet someone don't you?” Chrysalis sighed.

“Chrysalis, what are you doing here?” Twilight asked.

The Queen of the changelings shrugged. “I got a ride out here with Cady to see my daughter. I didn't expect to meet Sunbutt's daughter though.”

The changeling queen grinned looming over the fallen Sunset.

“Chryssy. No.” Cadence snapped.

“Oh relax Cady, I'm not Sunbutt, I don't go after foals.” Chrysalis rolled her eyes.

“Except when you did. During the time frame of the war between you and Celestia, numerous foals were taken and replaced by changelings, entire regions of crops were burned and salted, villages vanished without a trace and numerous public works and structures were destabilized from within.”Twilight offered up suddenly. ”Following the figures in some of the older tomes written by ponies and the other races that were allied with us at the time, the war between the Changelings and Ponies, which was never listed as a war, was the closest ponies have come to extinction since before the exodus into Equestria.”

The three of them stared at Twilight who was glaring at Chrysalis.

“What.....?” Chrysalis began.

“I did some research after our talks, despite Celestia's actions being deplorable, you and the changelings were hardly any better. You don't get to play the innocent card with how many foals went missing on those census documents.” Twilight stated flatly. ”And before you protest on superficial evidence, I can check myself with some of Zecora's potions or I can just ask White. He seems to like me for some reason.”

“Probably for something you haven't done yet.” Chrysalis muttered pointing at Sunset.”Can I at least mess with her about her being my daughters competition for your brother?”

“Go ahead, she deserves that for liking my idiot brother for some reason any way.” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Hey!” Sunset protested.

“Keep in mind Twilight, I like you other idiot brother.” Cadence smirked.

“And I find that aspect of you confusing too.” Twilight smirked back.

“Maaaaybe I should have waited until another time to try and talk with Cadence...” Sunset offered.

Three's a Cod, part 3

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Off the coast of the Griffonlands. The Sea Shepherd ]

“You didn't have to come out here to see us Discord.” Fluttershy offered taking a sip of tea.

“Nonsense, I missed out on our last tea party and I had a bit of time so I figured I would come out and see how you all were faring. Plus I get to meet the delightful crew you two lovely mares hang out with when not with the Sparkles or my charming self.” Discord waved a hand at Maud and Tree Hugger.

Maud hadn't really changed her expression, and Tree Hugger seemed wary of Discord for some reason, but both Fluttershy and Pinkie seemed happy, if surprised to see him. The other members of the crew simply hung back, not really sure what to make of the Draconequus.

A bit more so when he produced a number of tables and a rather large, if odd, neon green and orange tea set that had enough pieces for the entire crew of the Sea Shepard. There was also enough for the Griffons they had captured, but no one was giving any to them.

Many, okay pretty much everyone, found the relationship between Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Discord to be odd. After he was freed a second time he stuck around Ponyville for a while to see what was happening and wound up having a Pinkie Pie party thrown for him.

Of course the chaos the party planner produced perfectly pleased the patchwork personality Discord was, though his becoming close with Fluttershy was a surprise, an even bigger one was that he would even listen to her.

If anyone bothered to ask, and no one ever did, Discord would explain that the former model, animal lover, and secret eco terrorist was the most chaotic thing in Ponyville, short of himself.

He didn't count the Cutie Mark Crusaders as even he wasn't at their' level' some days.

Heck all three of the Sparkles plus Rahs' dates had to be lumped together just to produce the insanity that the shy pegasus could produce with a bunch of baby bunnies, or a smile at some one when Pinkie was nearby and feeling jealous.

And the best part was, she didn't even realize it.

“So how are your little fillies doing?” Fluttershy asked before taking a bite out of a cookie.

Discord smiled.

“Quite well, though I am afraid they seem to be growing up far too fast for my taste. “ Discord sighed.” Though that was the issue with one of them. Seems that I was a bit too much a helicopter parent.”

This statement was accompanied by Discord turning into a big white machine thing with a rotating blade on top of it that Pinkie Pie immediately giggled at and started calling Harold.

“Well that's what happens, all little birds do leave the nest.” Fluttershy nodded.

“Mm true enough, though it doesn't make it any easier, particularly after how long they have been away.” Discord considered. “Still one of these days I do hope you'll meet them, I'm sure you would get along fabulously with my youngest.”

“Well I most certainly look forward to that. I'm sure all of them are lovely Discord.” Fluttershy smiled.

“Oh, they are, if a little grumpy at times.” Discord sighed before tilting his head for a moment and looking around.

“Something wrong?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Have you ever had the feeling you were supposed to be some where else doing something else and being blue while you were at it?” Discord pondered.

“What like sad?” Tree Hugger asked.

“No, no, more like I'm blue.” Discord stated, turning a bright blue.

“Da ba dee da ba daa ” Pinkie Pie sing songed.

Discord stared quizzically at Pinkie Pie and shrugged. Even he wasn't going to try and explain that mare.

[Ponyville]

“So you've not made any more progress on this?” Cadence sighed.

“I'm afraid not. We have the spell itself broken down into what parts are needed, but we can't seem to get it to stick properly. There's a number of other issues that keep cropping up as well with the power and leveling of the spell thraums, though the thramanic resonation seem good....”Twilight explained.

Chrysalis watched as the pair talked, recognizing the signs of Cady zoning out but still listening, it was interesting to see where she had learned that skill.

Her interest at the moment was on Sunset.

Or more particularly her emotions.

Sunset was feeling guilty, something that had only come up when Twilight had started discussing the Familiar project.

Chrysalis considered it might be something to do with their failure thus far, but it seemed a little too deep for that. Was she guilty about all the progress they had made even with the failures?

Honestly that wouldn't be too uncommon for someone trying something like this in truth. Some people felt guilty they couldn't do more than they already were in situations like this.

From what she knew about Sunset this didn't seem like something she would do though. That she refused to look at Twilight while she was explaining was fairly telling to. Was she doing something to sabotage the project?

That made no sense why..... oh.....ooooooooooohhhhhhh.

Chrysalis grinned, she was starting to like this girl a bit more. Maybe she could adopt her and really fuck over Celestia.

Ehh, later plan.

For now however she needed to put a stop to it, she had a vested interest in this spell working properly. Sure her original plan had been to outlive Shining, but she had come to decide she was quite interested in keeping him around.

Of course after the earlier implied threat from Sparkle she wasn't going to bring it up with Cady or Twilight, but to Sunset herself? Oh yeah.

“It's not going to work.” Chrysalis stated in a low tone to Sunset.

The mare jumped at the statement, Twilight and Cady continued their conversation. “What? It should work we have all the necessary components and the lay out is....”

“Not that. Your sabotage.” Chrysalis stated flatly noting the orange mare's wince. “While a fair plan, you are not thinking ahead enough. Sure delaying the spell until most of your competition becomes too old to be viable sounds good at first, but you are forgetting that my daughter is also a demi-god, and we have no idea how long Applejack is going to live now.”

Sunset winced again at the mention of Applejack, ahh there was the guilt's source.

“I'm not going to tell you what to do, but keep in mind that this spell will be used on Shining Armor when it's finished. “ Chrysalis stated flatly. “And if you keep hindering progress to the point that you want to let the others who want Rahs grow old or die off, given he's older than most of them he would likely die of old age first.”

Sunset blinked and bit her lip.

“If that even looks like it will happen I'm going to inform Sparkle there of this and let her figure it out. “ Chrysalis stated.” I'm sure you don't need to be a genius to figure out her reaction. Let alone Rahs'. You're a clever mare, but it seemed you inherited some of your fathers, 'not thinking shit all the way through' talent.”

Sunset growled a little at the comparison.

“Well I've said my peace...”

“It's not as simple as that. I'm not 'sabotaging it...” Sunset grumbled. “ I'm... just not putting forth as much effort as I could.....”

“Tomatoe, Tomahto.” Chrysalis shrugged. “I'll keep this to myself for now, but you are on a timer, and this plan of yours wouldn't work, I'm rooting for my daughter and won't hesitate to do something that gets her what she wants normally. But I want this project to work, and you'd up your chances with the Moon Dog more if you did manage to get it to work for use on his brother.”

Sunset said nothing watching as Cadence struggled to stay awake as Twilight went all in on lecture mode.

“Whelp, I'm off to see what Saturnia is doing, Toodles.” Chrysalis grinned turning to walk away from the ranting Twilight leaving Cady to her fate.

[Canterlot.]

Sweetiebelle blinked looking up at Princess Luna in confusion.

Luna looked down at Sweetiebelle with a small smirk on her face.

The other crusaders and Spike stared at the Princess in absolute horror.

“You want me, to cook?” Sweetiebelle questioned hesitantly.

“Partially, we want you to join us in a few cooking classes taught by our chefs here in the castle.” Luna explained. “We need a bit of practice on modern cuisine as we have not been allowed near the kitchen since the oven incident not long after our return.”

“We're doomed.” Spike recoiled in horror.

[Ponyville Hive]

“What do you mean she's gone?” Chrysalis demanded looking down at the changeling before her.

Thorax swallowed hard wishing he could have made Bees talk to the queen instead, but the annoying drone was at work.

“As I said my queen she is gone. She had another date with the Sparkle tonight. I think they went to a movie or a stage play or something.” Thorax explained.

“Well damn, so much for getting her and Cady to sit down together for a while. “ Chrysalis sighed.” They have so much to work through still.”

“Wait the princess of Food is here?” Thorax blinked.” Can I meet her?”

“No. Mine.” Chrysalis hissed.

“Meet her not, court her, my queen.” Thorax frowned rolling his eyes a bit.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at that.” When did you grow a spine? I only ever got that tone from your brother.”

“Ponyville.” Thorax stated.

“Ahh.” Chrysalis nodded sagely understanding.” This place is weird.”

“You barely know the half of it.” Thorax shuddered.

[ Canterlot Castle ]

The sound of screams echoed down the halls as a number of guards galloped down the hall. The flames lapped at the curtains just outside of the kitchens, sending the staff screaming and running around like mad. The kitchen staff was doing much the same with only the head chef moving around like there was no cause for alarm. If he rushed, his souffle would fall,and come Tartarus, high water, or some burning walls, that was not going to happen on his watch.

Granted with every one else panicked or thus focused no one noticed the door open a little with nothing opening it. They also didn't notice the door to Celestia's cake vault open the same way before closing.

In the silence of the chilled room the sound of hooves on the floor was still barely audible, the steps muffled as a figure dressed in black materialized as the potion wore off. The figure spared a glance to the collection of bottles around its belt, reminded the pony that they had to take the second invisibility potion in order to leave.

For now however the next week of cakes for Princess Celestia was before her. All prepared and ready to be served.

There were forty of them.

Evidently someone thought to put the Sun Princess on a diet.

Likely her sister.

Still it was enough. One by one the figure crept among the carts of cakes opening bottles of various potions pouring them on top of the cakes, letting the liquid soak into the baked goods, before slipping the empty bottles back into their belt.

A glance to the door showed no sign of any one following, though the figure moved quickly stopping only to pick up one small cake that was untreated before they drew out a small patch of gray fur from their belt leaving it on the floor near the door before downing the invisibility potion and slipping out with the final cake.

Evidently it was just in the nick of time too as the fire was being brought under control.

Slipping down the hall the invisible figure paused at a broom closet just around the corner from the fire, opening the door and sliding the cake inside, where it was quickly snatched by a small pair of pink hands attached to a rather rotund opossum.

Bribe delivered, the figure darted down the hall again leaving the chaos behind.

[ Canterlot, theater district.]

“Well I didn't think that I would enjoy that as much as I did.” Saturnia stated with a smirk. “ But I certainly did.”

Rahs smiled walking along side of the pink changeling. The pair had gotten a number of stares as they entered the theater, though the few Guards called noted who he was and started writing tickets to the ones who summoned them for false emergency's.

The pair were not even bothered other wise save for a older couple in the theater asking if they could switch seats with Rahs. A move that put the pair closer to the front of the show. The older pony waved off any questions simply thanking Rahs for the fine seats to a show a few years prior and reassured him with the stadium seating here his height wouldn't be much of an issue.

The show was more of a stage play that was heavy on the comedy element with a number of songs and skits. The troupe had Rahs and Saturnia rolling with most of the parts.

“Who would have thought that some old group that came out of retirement for a last show would be this good now fifty years after they first came out.” Saturnia smirked.

Rahs nodded his ears perked as the grin remained on his face.

“I know you said this was recommended by Discord, but I never figured something called Moosy Python's Airborne Carnival would be that good. I'm surprised Discord wasn't there in truth. I figured he would be for this sort of thing.” Saturnia considered.

“He's, ah...probably pining for the fjords.” Rahs parroted sending Saturnia into another fit of laughter.

[Canterlot Castle]

"So, have they burned the place down yet?” Applebloom asked Spike as she and Scootaloo peered into the secondary kitchens where four of the castles chefs were staring over Luna and Sweetiebelle's shoulders like vultures waiting for the animal they were watching to finally stop moving.

“Not yet. Did you guys find the bathroom alright?” Spike asked, not looking up from the game book he had brought with him.

“Yeah, place is huge and easy to get lost in.” Applebloom offered.

“Are you sure they haven't started any other fires? There was a big commotion down the hall near one of the other kitchens.” Scootaloo offered getting a annoyed glance from Applebloom.

“Nah , they've been here the whole time.” Spike stated jotting down some notes.

“Alright Sweetiebelle, perhaps we should take a break for a little while and come back after we see if our creation has baked properly.” Luna stated putting two large pans in the oven.

“That works, I gotta run to the little fillies room any way.” Sweetiebelle chimed up. The collected chefs all sighed with relief slumping down where they were.

“Scootaloo would you mind showing her where they are in this wing.” Luna offered.

“Sure.” Scootaloo nodded.

“And no fires this time.” Luna called after making Scootaloo wince. Though she didn't protest. The chefs took note and went out for their own breaks as Luna turned her attention to Spike who looked up from the book to meet her gaze.

“I'm not going any where and I still think she deserves it.”Spike stated

“Be that as it may,” Luna stated looking to Applebloom. ”I would ask that you stop attempting to harm my sister.”

“What...” Applebloom blinked.

“You bribed my familiar Applebloom, Tiberius is under orders to help me keep an eye on all of you.” Luna smirked as Applebloom frowned.

Applebloom gritted her teeth at being caught, and she thought she had been careful enough using the invisibility potion she learned. “She tired to kill mai sister.”

“Indeed she did. We are not saying she didn't make a mistake, and had she succeeded there would be a very large number of consequences for her actions.” Luna offered. “ The council would have investigated this and finding out that the Element's were Harmony's doing, she would have sent the council into some interesting discussions.”

“If they would have ever found the body.” Spike offered in a off clawed tone that made Applebloom smile a little. At least she knew her drake friend had her back.

“Spike, do keep in mind that until Rahs took over the portfolio she was one of mine, likely one of the last, as far as we know.” Luna added.” That would have been a genocide, something which the council would have sealed her in Tartarus for at the very least.”

Luna sighed.

“At least they would have had it not been for the reputation witch wolves have. Given I was not even on probation at that point in time there likely was not much that could be done. You saw Bleu's reaction to it, sealing off Ponyville from the rest of the world with orders given to the flight of dragons with her to burn anything that tried to leave to ash. My sister's actions would have been considered justified by nearly every other god.”

“That doesn't make it right!” Applebloom snapped.

“Of course it doesn't, but if you have not noticed, she did her best to fix the situation afterward when another path was presented to her.” Luna explained gesturing to Spike who tried not to look smug and failed. “Tia had to rule by herself for so long she came to a point where she refused to hesitate making hard decisions and planning everything. That has been coming back to bite her flank for quite a while now. She is getting better, but over a thousand years of things going one way is a hard thing to shake. But that is neither here nor there. You need to stop.”

“Ah ain't gonna fergive her fer that, nor what she did tah Sunset!” Applebloom huffed.

Luna smiled. “Nor did we ask you to, though to be fair Sunset brought a good bit of her troubles on herself. But she is not the issue. Holding onto such anger is like swallowing a poison and expecting the other person to die.”

“There's a couple of poisons that do that.” Applebloom pointed out.” Pretty sure ah ken make at least one of them. Zecora knows a lot about somthin called Voodoo.”

“That is not what we.... never mind.” Luna sighed. “ Thus far your actions have been blamed on Chrysalis, but there have been a few close calls on both sides of that fight so the pair have agreed to lock their pranks and murder attempts to personal attacks that can easily be directed, or things that only target a magic signature that matches the target. Neither of them want some one else to get hurt that would cause all of this to get out of hoof again. Your attempts have no such fail safe.”

“It's why ah ain't using anything lethal.” Applebloom stated. “ Far as ah know tha only ones who git intah her cake vault is yer little rat....”

“Opossum.” Luna corrected.

“He ratted me out, so 'rat'.” Applebloom countered.

“Fair.” Luna admitted.

“Anyway, him, Celestia and sometimes Discord. And ah warned yer pet and tha other one ah ain't real worried about.” Applebloom finished.

“That yes. But what you tell or do not tell Sunset is not as controlled. Celestia is trying to at least not be hated by her daughter, at the very least the damage Sunset can and has done when angry enough is a good reason to not antagonize her further. Sunset is not as careful as you might be when she lashes out.”

Applebloom frowned.

“Fine. But ah ain't gonna like it.” Applebloom huffed.

“That's the best we suppose we can ask for.”Luna sighed,

“Given the list of grievances I have.” Spike added. “I hope you are right that she's learning. Celestia isn't well liked any where in Ponyville right now. I forgive, but I don't forget.”

“She is trying to make sure she does not have any other issues and mends whatever bridges she can. It is not as if she is trying to simply outlive her problems.”Luna stated. “It is a work in progress.

“It's not like she can, given three of us.” Spike huffed.

“True enough though we are still finding it odd that we are the favorite Princess.” Luna smiled a little.” Even if only in Ponyville.”

Author's Notes:

For those wondering the artist is still working on the art for the donations given to the kofi page. I'll open it up again once I have the current images done for more art.

Current Commissions are on Kofi and can be found here on Imgur.

TGaP also now has a TV Tropes Page thanks to matt+s0101745, You can find that HERE.

BASS!, Prologue.

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Sweet Apple Acres, Two weeks after Princess Celestia was briefly turned into a giant toad]

Applejack stared at Saturnia.

Saturnia stared at Applejack.

Rahs simply sighed.

“Woof” The moon dog pointed out. Applejack flattened her ears under her hat.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Still ain't sure ah like it though.” Applejack huffed.

“You wanted to know how to do this, so I came to show you.” Saturnia frowned.

“And brought tha rest of yer kin?” Applejack offered looking at the other changelings and Kevin, sitting behind Saturnia in the grass of her orchard.

“No, I'm not related to any of them though I'm just the one sort of in charge of the hive here. “ Saturnia frowned before starting to point them out. “That's Thorax, everyone knows Bees...”

“Hi!” Bees stated.

“Cicada and Aphid, their son Firefly tends to hang around with the crusaders.” Saturnia pointed out.” And Kevin.”

“Yeah, I met them two, and ah ain't sure why Kevin's with yah, but okay.” Applejack nodded.

Rahs took note that Saturnia seemed to be developing a twitch when Kevin was brought up. He wondered if Kevin had married a changeling or something to be hanging out with them before shrugging, not his business who Kevin liked.

“At any rate, while raw isn't something any one is really against, I know you ponies have a bit of a issue with it.” Saturnia offered.

“Ah ain't too squeamish bout it any more, but ah was curious about how tah cook it too. Plus word is yah ken get all sorts of nasty diseases eating things like that raw.” Applejack pointed out.

“True I suppose griffons could, but given we heal by the emotions we take in and you and Rahs do the same with magic, I doubt we could catch anything with out it being purged.” Saturnia pointed out.

“Point.” Applejack admitted. ”But still.”

“Alright well. In any case I'm certainly not going to pass this up.” Saturnia smirked as the group started walking out further into the fields.” Aphid is the better one for this though. She's had a lot more experience.”

“We used to live near a lemon farm. They were quite tart.” Aphid pointed out, the changeling mare having an almost teal coloration to carapace.

Applejack considered a moment, looking at the group of them. The male, Cicada had a coarse mat of dark green hair cut short almost in a mohawk, the female Aphid how ever didn't and she was pretty sure Firefly had a mane and tail too though aside form Saturnia the others were bald, well Bees wore a large red clown wig at work occasionally, but he was bald here. She honestly was considering asking about it but she didn't know enough about Changelings to do so without risking what might be a faux pas. Saturnia and Firefly were the two she had the most contact with and they both had hair, so did Chrysalis, but given she was a god....

Ehh whatever, she wasn't concerned about it. She had enough crap happen to her to no longer be disturbed by some creatures appearance, for the most part, so long as they were civil. Getting turned into something that made nations close their borders would did that to you.

“Well these guys ain't tart, most of taste like apples, and lemmi tell yah, I missed that.” Applejack stated. “Any way, ah got a set up out here yah might like.”

Stepping out of the edge of the orchard the line of where the field of protective magic the crystal spire that had become the Apple's biggest barn could easily be seen by the thin line of snow on the other side of it.

The Everfree forest loomed a good dozen yards past that, though the place was no longer quite as threatening. After the Timber wolf attack that caused Applejack's issue, the few monsters that did come out of the forest were met by a much more vicious farm pony than they had expected. They were either driven off by Witch Jack, or wouldn't be a problem to anyone any more.

Some parts of this transformation Applejack rather liked.

Sitting at the edge of the protective magic was a large awning that looked as if it had been built recently. The side facing the forest was a brick wall with the other two sides and the front open to the air save for some support pillars.

Along the back wall was what looked like a full kitchen, though judging by the smoker and roasting spits, one with more griffonese palate in mind.

“ Well I didn't expect this sort of set up.” Saturnia whistled. “ Trying to get to Rahs' heart through his stomach?”

Applejack didn't say anything though Rahs simply coughed nervously.

Saturnia smirked, though a cry from Bees drew her attention. The strange drone was already under the awning, drooling heavily as he poked at a cage sitting at the corner that was filled with the very thing that they had all come here for.

Fruit Bats.

Rahs and Applejack both had found out that these particular creatures, which practically overran one of her fields were very tasty.

Judging by the way most of the changelings with them were drooling, they agreed.

Trapping them had been rather easy, as the fat things tended to fall asleep after gorging on her fruit trees. With the weather around the farm staying warm enough to grow, the little buggers had stayed around instead of hibernating or flying south or whatever they usually did.

Applejack was planning to ask Twilight to do some hocus pocus stuff and run them off, but then Rahs had pointed out how they tasted, and well. That's why there were all here now.

Saturnia wasn't Applejack's first choice to talk to, but her own buggy relatives were a bit far to ask, and thus far she hadn't really come into any sort of direct conflict with Saturnia aside from the obvious.

She and Trixie didn't like each other very much even before Rahs was in the equation, and she and Jynx tended to end most of their meetings fighting or just growling at each other. Applejack was rather amazed she and Sunset stayed so friendly sometimes.

“So then. How we gonna set this thing up?” Applejack questioned.

“Well given the flavor, most of the time they are sugared and used as a desert, but a lot of other ways are available to prepare them as well.... “ Aphid pointed out after wiping her mouth. “ Oh, you have a fryer out here, that will help.”

“Yeah, it's one of the old fritter vats that we didn't use to much after gitting a new one, so we dun need tah worry bout any one complaining bout their fritters tasting like bats.” Applejack offered.

“Fruit bat fritters sound good.” Cicada offered.

“I can make those.” Aphid pointed out. “It helps there's apples around to add to the mix. It's always good to add in fruit from what they ate to enhance the flavors.”

“Not sure I'd taste it unless we added specific apples from trees ah didn't work on, but that still sounds good.” Applejack pointed out.

“Well I suppose we should start with the cleaning and preparing them.” Saturnia pointed out.

“We set up a table out in tha woods a few paces, in sight, but far enough that anything cleaning up scraps ain't gonna come intah tha farm.” Applejack pointed a hoof towards a slightly worn path to in the woods marked by a few large rocks.

“Great.”Saturnia nodded. Bees, you and Thorax take the cage back there and start cleaning them, we can start getting everything set up here.”

“Woof.” Rahs pointed out.

“Yeah good point, if yah need any other supplies we ken git um, didn't bring much out here jus yet.” Applejack translated.

“Ummm, Princess.” Thorax stated with a frown pointing a hoof towards where the bats were.

“What?” Saturnia turned her eyes widening along with everyone else who looked over at the cage of fruit bats.

Bees was wrapped and bound up on the ground in a rather surprising amount of rope and was wiggling around.

“I'm going to be a beautiful butter bug!” Bees squirmed happily.

More importantly, the cage of fruit bats was gone.

Looking around Rahs quickly pointed out the culprit as a yellow figure with a long pink tail dashed across the farm into the orchards with the cage on her back.

“FLUTTERSHY CONSARN IT, GIT BACK HERE WITH THEM SOON TAH BE VITTLES!!!”Applejack bellowed.

Author's Notes:

And on that note, we cue the theme song.

Welcome to Spooky month.

BASS!, Part One.

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 4
By TDR

[Golden Oaks library]

“Seriously?” Twilight raised an eyebrow, looking between Applejack and Fluttershy, the latter of which was currently bound to a push cart in a straight jacket with a odd half goalie mask muzzle on her face. Rahs was glaring down at her in clear annoyance.

“Durn right. She's waylaid at least six attempts at cooking... just today!” Applejack snapped.

“Really?” Twilight blinked .”I have a hard time thinking Fluttershy could just run off with a cage of fruit bats. Don't you have a large portion of your orchard full of them?”

“Yeah we do, they're pests. If ah didn't plan tah eat um, ah'd have had some one come and magic um out!” Applejack fussed. “ Because of that summer shield or whatever it is they've been breeding like crazy and moving intah other fields. We coulda thinned down the numbers quite a bit by now if we hadn't had everything hijacked!!”

“They are thinking and feeling creatures Applejack. Not meals.”Fluttershy added.

“Fluttershy you do realize that Rahs and now Applejack are predators right? Carnivores at that.” Twilight frowned.

“They have plenty of fish and other things that they can eat in the forest. These little bats are practically domesticated and they all have little families....” Fluttershy explained.

“Cause they been breeding in mai trees like it's spring time. They weren't this bad last year but tha populations exploded this year fer some reason.” Applejack snapped.

“Never the less, there are other things for your to eat and you do not need 'treats' like you were calling the fruit bats.” Fluttershy said calmly.

“They ain't fruit bats, half of um are vampire fruit bats. Have you seen the mess left of mai apples? Mai eating a couple's just fair play!” Applejack snapped.

“Why is she wrapped up like that?” Twilight asked finally, pointing a hoof to the bound Fluttershy.

“Woof.” Rahs grumbled ticking off on his fingers as Twilight's eyes got wider.

“Seriously? She set the kitchen on fire? Where did you even get trained monkeys? And a tiger?!?” Twilight stammered looking at Fluttershy. “The tiger would eat the fruit bats.”

“Mr. Hobbs is very gentle and he only likes tuna.”Fluttershy corrected.” And George and his friends wouldn't have caused such a mess if Rahs hadn't tried to eat one of them.”

“Bork!” Rahs snapped.

“He did not fling poo at you it was a bit of mud.” Fluttershy huffed.

“BORK!” Rahs snapped pulling up the hem of his coat and showing the tears in it where the monkeys had tried to bite him.

Before Fluttershy could answer, Rahs was belted in the back of the head by a tendril of shadow and a voice from across town cried out.

“I TOLD YOU TO NOT DESTROY IT FOR AT LEAST A WEEK!”

The shadow tendril reformed and quickly sewed up the rent before fading into nothing.

The group stared a moment.

“Woof.”

“I'll check your coat for alarm enchantments later.” Twilight sighed.

“Is any one else weirded out by this? Like how stuff like this is normal now?” Pinkie Pie asked as every one looked at her. “ No ? Just me? Okay.”

“In any event Fluttershy. I would like you to stop. Fruit bats are considered a pest species everywhere in Equestria and many other countries. That they have a use here, even this gruesome, means that they are going to be some what protected from over hunting and extermination.” Twilight explained, “Right now they are only a problem at Sweet Apple Acres because that's the only place producing fruit in the middle of winter. Once spring hits they will spread everywhere and be an even bigger problem if their numbers are not thinned a little.”

“I see. It seems I cannot rely on your help in this Twilight Sparkle. If you are not with me, you're against me.”Fluttershy growled making Twilight lean back a little her eyes wide. “I'm going home.”

The pink maned mare wiggled a little in the straight jacket and muzzle before sighing and looking to Rahs.” Can you wheel me back home please?”

Rahs rolled his eyes moving to start pushing Fluttershy's cart out the door.

Pinkie Pie let out a long sigh as Twilight and Applejack looked at her curiously.

“Yeah, sorry about this guys, usually after one of our trips she sometimes gets stuck on a 'save the animals at all costs' kick and it takes a bit for her to get back to normal.” Pinkie Pie muttered “She should be fine in a little while once she calms down.”

“That doesn't explain why she was strapped to a dolly.” Applejack questioned.

“Trust me. It was necessary.” Pinkie Pie sighed and trotted out.

[Sweet Apple Acres, sundown]

“You want me, to do what now?” Sunset tilted her head looking at Fluttershy like she had lost her damn mind.

The pair of them were out in the west field sitting by a tree that had a number of fruit bats in it. The animals were screaming and screeching as they flitted about the tree stripping it clear of off season fruit.

“I need your help with a spell, or something. None of them are listening to me about the danger they are in here, all they see is food and warmth. Applejack and Rahs have some how masked their scent and these little things won't even run unless it's already too late.” Fluttershy explained.

“Oh, so it does work, great.” Sunset smirked.

“What?” Fluttershy demanded.

“I made a charm for those two, with blood magic to mask their scent, getting the proper bit to stick was rather difficult as I couldn't use blood from a dead fruit bat and get it to radiate enough...”Sunset started to go into the technicalities.

“You helped them kill these poor things.” Fluttershy growled Staring at Sunset.

Sunset raised an eyebrow meeting the gaze.” You're doing something, what are you... oh … that stare thing of yours that Twilight mentioned from the dragon.”

“What!?” Fluttershy blinked.

“Fluttershy. I jumped through a portal as a teenager that could have led any where and was supposed to be filled with things Starswirl the Bearded considered threats to pony kind, I argued constantly with a mare who controls the sun, stared down and fought an angry Twilight Sparkle and her brothers, I am dating a very toothy predator, have been threatened by my mothers nemesis, Have Princess Luna as my 'FUN' uncle, and I regularly watch the Cutie Mark Crusaders with out Spike to help, or actively NOT helping.” Sunset huffed.” My Castle is great, you have no power over me.”

“Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaseeeeeeee help...” Fluttershy immediately switched over to super cute watery eyes with a pouty lip and Sunset gasped clutching her hoof to her chest.

“GAH!!! Turn it off! Turn it off, I'll help, geez, I'm not immortal like mom... fuck, mare....” Sunset panted glaring at Fluttershy who smiled cutely.” Stop that.”

“Right so all I need to do is get them to understand that they should go back into the woods and hibernate, but I can't get them to do that.” Fluttershy sighed.

“Well probably because you can't talk in ultrasonic. I don't think anyone short of a stallion getting hit in the nuts with a hoof ball can hit that volume.” Sunset considered.

“Oh.” Fluttershy muttered. “They understand me, but it's like they don't hear everything. That explains why though, I thought I just didn't speak enough bat to translate well.”

“Whelp I do have good news. Blood magic does have an spell that allows you to use animal empathy, all we have to do is find the leader of this flock...”

“Colony.”

“What?”

“A group of bats is called a colony not a flock.” Fluttershy explained.

“Learn something new every day, any how find the leader and I can set up a sympathetic link between you and it and you can explain everything in a way the bat will understand.” Sunset offered.” Now, unless you have any more animal grouping facts, lets find the lead bat and get this done, the girls and Spike ordered pizza and I wanna get back to that. Some foods are universal, though I miss pepperoni.”

“A group of pandas is called an embarrassment. However, they can also be called a cupboard of pandas or a bamboo of pandas.” Fluttershy offered.

“What?”

“You said unless I had more animal facts, like a group of ducks on the water is called a raft, and a group of jellyfish is called a smack.” Fluttershy explained.

“No, no. focus, bat leader, mare, the bat leader.” Sunset muttered rubbing her forehead.

“But I was just going to go into how turtles are natures suction cups but, if you insist. He's right here.” Fluttershy offered lifting her foreleg showing a very large fruit bat that looked like a grape hanging from it.

“Wow, he is a big one . Any way I'll cast the spell and hold it in place, that should act as a limiter. “Sunset mentioned.

“Wait, is this dangerous?”Fluttershy asked.

“Hmm nah, even if things went haywire the worst you would have is sensitive hearing for a couple of hours, maybe more a taste for fruit. The bat might develop anxiety for a while but it'll be fine, this spell isn't casting anything on you directly, it's forging a translation connection between you and the bat. Basically its a babble fish spell using blood magic. The only reason it's connecting to you is to take a scan of you and turn it to bat and vice versa.”

“Oh well .. lets do this, hopefully I can convince them that they need to hide so no more will get eaten.” Fluttershy sighed.

“That's not how nature works, but what do I know studying blood magic and such. Also if you tell Rahs I ruined his lunch and lower my chances with him I will set fire to every fruit bat I see for the rest of my life are we clear?” Sunset grumbled, casting the spell, the aura from her horn wrapping around Fluttershy and the large bat.

The pegasus mare immediately began talking to the bat in high pitched shrieks, the fruit bat speaking back in turn. Sunset sighed rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof as she flattened her ears to her head. The constant screaming sounded like a lot of that new wave screech techno or whatever that was getting popular before she left the human world.

“HEY SUNSET!” Applebloom shouted from right behind her.

“GAH!!” Sunset shouted, her horn flaring for a second before she dropped the spell turning to glare at Applebloom.”Don't do that!?”

“Foods here.” Applebloom grinned cutely.

Sunset sighed.” Curse this kryptonite of mine.”

“Hey is Fluttershy okay ? She sort a fell over.” Applebloom pointed out.

“Oh right, crap.. yeah she should be fine. The spell only fired a little, though try to be quiet, her ears are gonna be sensitive for a bit.” Sunset offered trotting over to where Fluttershy was squirming on the ground with her hooves over her ears.”Oh hey, the bats are gone, guess it work huh shy?” Sunset added softly pausing.” You okay?”

Sunset leaned down to touch the mares shoulder only to draw back quickly as Fluttershy whirled with a hiss displaying large fangs which she promptly bit into Sunset's neck.

“GAH!!”Sunset flailed.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! VAMPIRE!!!!” Applebloom shouted reaching a hoof behind her bow and drawing out a few flasks flinging them.

[Farm house.]

Spike bit into a slice of pizza looking over his notes for tonight's game. He had decided to run something different called Planet of Shadows. It was an odd setting where magic was to be hidden, vampires ruled the night and were ponies were eco terrorists.

The name confused him wer, was old Latin for man, which was short for mannulus, which translated to pony, so the things in the game were pony ponies. Clearly what a man was was a miserable pile of secrets, and dodgy translations.

Sweetiebelle was in love with the setting and had her own little vampire outfit ready to go, the cape was a bit much but Spike was more concerned how she pulled off a widows peak. Scootaloo as fussing over the rules of the magic users and Applebloom was gonna copy her sister a little with a werepony.

Not the sort of group that usually hung together in game, but this was what they wanted to play and Spike could adjust enough. Now only if he could get Scootaloo to stop calling Sweetiebelle a leech before a fight broke out.

The sudden explosion that shook the farm house didn't startle any one.

“Hey Scootaloo, wanna hand me a blank piece of paper?” Spike asked.

“Yeah, here yah go. Sending a message to the Princess?” Scootaloo asked offering the paper and looking back at the rules.

“Yep. That was at least a three on the explosion scale so it bears checking out, and since Applejack and Rahs are seeing a movie in town, and Twilight and Big Mac are out of town for that festival thing, and I don't want to deal with it, Luna can. “ Spike admitted.

“Good call.” Sweetiebelle nodded.