Fluttershy hadn't meant to get captured, she had been keeping up with the group of fleeing ponies the best she could until her hooves became stuck on Changeling slime; her wings were too weak to pull her off...as she blatantly remembered it was strong enough to hold Rainbow Dash in place. And as usual her tiny voice wasn't loud enough, especially not with Grievous slaying Changelings and other ponies running and fighting.

Now here she was, tied up in the town's local bar. A humble place where ponies would go to have a few drinks, or play a a game of cards or pool. There were also a set of beautifully crafted stairs that led up to a few vacant rooms where travelers could rest for the night. About a dozen round tables each with four chairs dotted the area away from the bar and the bar itself had become somewhat dusty from disuse.

Fluttershy was bound to one of the chairs the thick rope pressed tightly against her body leaving only her neck and head along with her back legs free. Completely helpless and terrified of her captors, six malevolent Changelings watched her with their eerie and pupil-less blue eyes, their sharp fangs practically gleaming in the dark. The occasional buzz of their like insect wings made her squeak and cower...just waiting to be maimed or drained. She didn't want to predict in what order that would happen either...however...none of them did a thing except stare at her.

'W-what're they waiting for?' She questioned internally, observing that they all seemed to be waiting for somebody.

And her intuition was correct. Seconds later the doors to the bar flew open and a figure walked in, Fluttershy at first thought it was Renn only to see that while he was undoubtedly the same species as Renn he was different.

He was a few inches taller, hair was cut short and he had a jet black beard and equally dark eyes that seemed to bore through her. His robes were a bland gray color and his boots were sandy in coloration. His lightsaber hung by his belt at his left side. It was mostly silver, with a black grip just below the ignition button to help keep it in his grasp.

The Changelings acknowledged him respectfully perhaps even more than Renn. Unbeknownst to the shy butter yellow Pegasus his name was Ulrik, Renn's long time friend and now fellow Dark Jedi and assassin. He had joined his friend in secretly leaving the Jedi Order when they were both believed to be dead. Neither wanted any part of the Clone Wars seeing it as nothing more than a senseless massacre and reducing Jedi to nothing more than mere generals! An insult in both of their views. Because they were skilled in the ways of the Force as well as lightsaber combat performing assassinations was remarkably easy for them.

Their most recent employer, King Craw, who had revealed to them that because of an energy rift primarily caused by the Changelings failed queen, Chrysalis, they were stuck in Equestria. But he had promised to help them find a way back home...and by paying them a handsome fee...to help him conquer the various lands of Equestria.

“Master, we have successfully captured one of the Elements Of Harmony!” One Changeling spoke in a raspy voice, his blue eyes wide with triumph and excitement.

“I can see that,” Ulrik stated in an uninterested tone, “as of now I am more concerned with Grievous.”

“Oh you have no need to worry about him sir, he and those wretched ponies have left, even with just one dead Element they'll be helpless against us!”

Fluttershy whimpered quietly. If only she had been brave enough to call out for help...or better yet fight  her way to freedom. And then the though that bothered her the most:The pain her death would cause her friends, who had brought her such joy and fulfillment.

Then came a strange set of noises. They rang clearly and ominously throughout the town and the bar, a sound that was mixed between heavy stomping and whirring of gears and servos.

“What is that sound?” A smaller Changeling whispered, the anxiety evident on his face, he even lowered his body to the ground slightly.

“Its him,” Ulrik stated bluntly, his arms folded over his chest and he looked around silently, attempting to pin point where the noises were coming from.

“H-h-he's all around us!” The small Changeling cried out fearfully his eyes darting everywhere. One of the drones worked up the courage to peer out one of the window's located at the back of the building, close to the storeroom.

“Nothing out here sir.”

Ulrik deliberated for a moment.

“Go out and investigate,” he commanded with a point of his finger to the firmly shut doors.

“Sir?” The largest Changeling asked, obviously the ring leader of the other five, even he looked nervous.

“Well we want to be sure it isn't a ploy for him to lure us out, sneak in and take that Pegasus.”

“Y-yessir,” the six drones filed out, the doors slamming shut behind them.

- - - -

“Search everywhere, and when you see him...kill him. No hesitations!” Their leader ordered, and with that, the search began. Two Changelings floated loftily over buildings to scour the ground from above, including alleyways. Others checked the various deserted building interiors, one of which to was bold enough to march fearlessly into a clothing store.

Vests hung on display along with large and small hats and finely made boots. The store was dark and only the glow of the Changeling's eyes could really be seen.

“Come out and play...,” he hissed threateningly, passing by a few changing rooms. The fourth door burst open and a pair of powerful metal arms seized hold of the drone, he could barely even register what was happening his neck was broken like a twig. The glowing blue eyes dulled immediately and his limp corpse was lowered quietly to the ground.

'One down...five to go.'

- - - -

Two rather aggressive Changelings were checking the dozens apple barrels that were gathered around the orchid area. Loudly kicking them over and magically tearing the lids off, rotten and foul smelling apples tumbled and rolled and bounced in all directions. Their eyes squinted in the harsh afternoon sun.

“This is ridiculous!” One of them exclaimed, waving his forelegs in the air in exasperation. “How can something like that hide so easily?”

BSSSSH!

Both turned in time to see a flash of blue.

Instantaneously their headless bodies fell uselessly over, the heads themselves rolling and stopping against the apples.

- - - -

Fluttershy hadn't spoken a word the whole she had been in the room with Ulrik. Her blue eyes  were concealed behind her pink mane but she could tell from all the Dark Jedi's pacing he was beginning to wonder about the fate of his minions.

'They're as useless as those damned clones!' Ulrik shouted mentally, however his other thoughts were cut short.

The right front window exploded into nothing more than hundreds of shards making Fluttershy yelp loudly in fright, the body of the lead drone slid across the bar and fell over the opposite end!

Ulrik was further surprised to find to see two blades pierce through the left wall as he had been expecting the cyborg to enter through the shattered window. The hissing blades carved their way through the wood in a perfect circle, slowly and steadily. They were withdrawn...and the now wooden circle was pushed in by a single metal finger.

BANG!

Fluttershy winced at the noise, but never the less hope filled her as she watched General Grievous march in without hesitation. Ulrik ignited his sky blue lightsaber, holding it with a single hand and pointing it aggressively at Grievous. Ulrik was aware his minions were all dead but that was of no concern to him.

Grievous glanced briefly at the scared pony with a barely noticeable glint of concern in his glowing golden eyes, and then at Ulrik; growling inwardly.

'I don't have time for this!'

He chuckled loudly as he reached into the folds of his war cape and pulled out an additional lightsaber for each hand.

'What is he doing?' Fluttershy thought. And both she and Ulrik were completely caught off guard by what happened next.

A slight clicking sound emitted from Grievous' metal arms as they literally split apart! Forming two other fully functional arms with two fingers and thumb allowing him to hold his weapons perfectly. Four glowing lightsabers illuminated the flat, expressionless but still intimidating metal face.

The duel began.

Ulrik sprang overhead to avoid a green lightsaber, landing behind the warlord and attempted to slice him, Grievous casually brought the upper arm over his shoulder and blocked the attack; quickly jabbing both of his left arms at the Dark Jedi and swinging with his lower right. Successfully putting Ulrik on the defensive. He rushed his foe with a few rapid strikes, spinning his upper right blade around and brought it down hard on Ulrik's own weapon which he was barely able to counter with an overhead swing.

Ulrik had never felt quite this overwhelmed before...each of the Kaleesh cyborg's attacks nearly knocked his lightsaber out of his hands and with every strike he blocked another just simply swung at him immediately after. He switched his saber's position to a downward pose and swung to the right, forcing Grievous to block with both left arms, Ulrik grunted as he pulled his blade away and spun hoping to skewer Grievous through; but was forced to stop entirely when he saw Grievous simply rotate his lower right.

At Ulrik's hesitation he struck again, stabbing with his lower arms keeping his foe distracted and swung at his head causing him to duck. Grievous kicked him hard in the chin, sending the Dark Jedi sprawling onto the green pool table, the hissing blade scorching the surface, the dazed and frustrated, he grunted and hauled himself aside as he witnessed the fearsome general descend from a powerful leap. All four blades slashed their way through the pool table, each severed part crashing down on the floor loudly. Grievous easily parried a hard hit driving his enemy back. Jabbing with his lower left and followed with a downward swing with his upper right; and a quick left swipe with his lower right. Effectively controlling  his foe's position.

Ulrik swiped at Grievous causing him to casually bend back to the point where he was parallel with the ground. He growled and roughly swatted the humming blade aside, standing to his full height he attempted to swing with all four blades going outward only to have Ulrik intercept them. Just as he had wanted. Grievous sent a metal foot smashing into Ulrik's hard abdomen and sent the man flying back and crashing through the back wall and the sound of more breaking glass sounded out as Ulrik went sailing into a store.

Fluttershy cringed at every sound as she had kept her eyes firmly clenched shut during a majority of the fight therefore she had zero insight as to who was winning. The humming sound of a lightsaber drew closer to her and she cringed further.

The ropes fell off her body and landed messily on the floor. Cautiously she opened her eyes. The unmistakable eyes of Grievous peered down at her.

“Let's go.”     Next Chapter: King Craw Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 2 Minutes