Three days have come and gone since Merry and Hammer began smelting all the ore. Due to a mix up they apparently had an extra 6 pounds of mithral. Merry and Hammer didn’t complain though, it just meant they got a good deal.

“Alright considering Scootaloos size, we can get away with using 2.5 pounds of mithral to make her sword and we can make her a full armor set with 3.5 pounds, Helmet included. I didn’t think she was so small.” Hammer shrugged “No biggie, we can save the left over metal to reforge the armor and sword when she grows out of it.”

“Sounds like a plan to me. Let’s get started after I pick her up from school.”

“Sure no problem, I’ll just work on something else until you get back.” Merry hung up his apron and goggles and went out toward the school. Along the way he put his ear buds in and played The Vapors - Turning Japanese. With a spring in his step and a song to hum too he went along his way toward the school.

‘I cant wait to see Scootaloo in her mithral armor when its done, She’s going to look so cute! Haha!’ When Merry turned the corner he saw two creatures that were new to him, a Zebra and a Minotaur. They were asking that flower girl Rose something. The 1st thing he noticed was that they had what looked like leather armor on. The Zebra had a small repeater crossbow strapped to his front right hoof and the Minotaur had a Greataxe made of a black metal.

‘Are those bounty hunters? I best take the long way around to avoid them.’ With his earbuds in Merry couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he’s sure it was about him. And hopefully the towns ponies knew not to tell those with weapons where to find who they were looking for. Merry spun around and began to walk the long way around to the school.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“For the last time little pony, Do you know anything about the alien that killed two griffins that were here about 2 months ago?”

“I know nothing of such an alien, and besides if those horrid griffins died then good riddance I say, they were downright dreadful.” The Minotaur grumbled and turned to walk away. As they left the Zebra bucked Rose’s cart over.

“I don’t think that was needed Stripes.” The Zebra just huffed

“That horse knows who were talking about, I could feel it. This whole towns probably in on it. Keep your eyes peeled Duke.” The Minotaur just shrugged

“Whatever man, just don’t go around killing random’s like last time, we don’t need the local guard chasing us around again.” Stripes just laughed

“Its not my fault he looked at me like that, not to mention my trigger finger was itchy and I had to scratch it.” Duke just sighed

“I really regret teaming up with you sometimes, but your tracking sense is uncanny. I can usually wrestle the info I need but if they run there’s no way I could find em.”

“Heh true that, I cant get anyone to talk for shit, but once I find the target, they never get away.” Stripes just laughed as Duke rubbed his temple.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry arrived at the school just as Ms. Cheerilee was letting everyone out. For once Scootaloo didn’t fly out the door above everyone, she was hovering next to Featherweight and they were the last two out of the school. She looked up long enough to see Merry and she tried to ignore him as he walked up to them.

“So anyway Featherweight, what are you doing later today?”

“Hm, nothing big. I was just gonna head out with my mom to go shopping, but that should be over quick.” Scootaloo started to shuffle her hooves

“Well, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me later today...” Featherweight stuck his tongue out in thought.

“Yeah sure, My mom doesn’t need me to help her anyway.”

“Ok! Lets meet up at Sugercube corner in 20 minutes!” Scootaloo ran off to Merry’s side “come on dad lets go quick!” Merry just laughed as he walked behind Scootaloo back to the house.

“So Scoots, ya need any money for your date?”

“Its not a date! Jeez, but yeah if you could loan me a few bits, I’d appreciate it.” Merry just chuckled

“Well alright then. When we get to the house I’ll loan you some money.” Merry stopped walking when he saw that Zebra from before watching all the ponies pass by.

“Hey, Scoots I’ll meet you at the house in a sec, I just remembered something.”

“Well alright dad... just be quick I don’t wanna be late.” Merry nodded to Scootaloo as he turned the nearest corner to be out of sight and ran the long way back to his house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stripe was standing in the middle of the road watching all the ponies pass by him. He was waiting for Duke to finish questioning the owner of the quills and sofas shop. While he was watching ponies leave, he noticed a lot more foals then usual. When he saw an orange Pegasus pony quickly flutter by, Duke walked back out of the store.

“Any luck Duke?” The Minotaur shook his head

“Na same story as the others. But this time he said he saw the alien. Said it walked on two legs like me, but I couldn’t get anything else outta him.”

“Two legs? That’s a big step mate, You know how many creatures walk on 2 legs in this continent?” Duke put his hands to his chin, then shrugged

“The only ones I know of are young dragons, Minotaur’s, diamond dogs and the odd ape. But around here, its only diamond dogs. We just have to look for something on two legs that isn't a diamond dog, or you.” Duke rubbed his chin.

“You’re pretty smart, but you have been a hunter of exotic animals and creatures before, so I guess you knowing that stuff makes sense.” Stripes just grinned at the complement.

“Hey Duke, why don’t you try questioning some of the colts and fillies? I guess they just got outta school or something.” Duke just grinned

“Good idea, Kids are easily really talkative. Here hold Betsy, don’t wanna scare em away now...”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry had made his way back to his house without incident. When he opened the door he was hit in the chest by Scootaloo.

“Where have you been! I’ve been here ages!” Merry just chuckled

“Sorry Scoots, took a bit longer then I thought, let me get you the bits hang on a sec.” Merry ran upstairs to his room and took out a box from his closest and opened it up. He grabbed the magic pebble he got from the princesses along with a handful of bits and ran back downstairs.

“Here, this should be enough right?” Scootaloo just cheered

“This is more then enough! Thanks dad you’re the greatest. I’ll see you later!”

“Alright Scoot’s. Tell me how your date went when I get back from work.” Scootaloo yelled back

“Its not a date!” She slammed the door behind her as she left and Merry just laughed.

‘Oh man, I really wanna just stay home...But I need to get back to work. I’ll just have to take the back roads again...Cant let them see me, hopefully someone will just give them a false trail and they leave town.’ Merry looked to his left and right when he opened his door and sneaked around to the back streets of the houses as he made his way back to Smith Hammer’s shop.

After a long walk full of sneaking and hiding he made his way back to Hammer’s shop.

“What took you so long boy?” Hammer was tapping his hoof impatiently

“Oh uh, Scoots had a date apparently, so I was giving her some pointers and a couple bits just in case.” Hammer just sighed

“Kids sure grow up fast these days, and I’m shocked you didn’t protest some boy dating your little girl.” Merry just chuckled as he rubbed his head.

“Well uh, it seems she asked him out, but I don’t think he even knows it’s a date. Also she refuses to call it a date and that its just a simple hang out.” Merry sighed “So whateve’s, hopefully it doesn’t go far, she’s still young.” Hammer just laughed

“Well alright boy, Anyway lets get started, We gotta start shaping this mithral to look like a sword.” Merry just nodded and threw on his gear to get started on Scootaloo’s birthday present.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two hours passed and Merry just finished the shape of the blade. He set it to cool upon the avail for the next 24 hours. Hammer just nodded at Merry.

“Looks like a fine greatsword already. We probably wont need to sharpen it, but we can engrave it when it cools.” Merry just smiled

“Thanks, I know just what to engrave it with as well.” Hammer just laughed back at Merry.

“Heh, That’s good. I’m glad I don’t have to teach you what to write, on what most likely will become a family heirloom in later years.” Merry just laughed out loud

“If she makes it to be a happy adult. My life will be complete.”

“And what if she just makes it to be an adult?” Hammer had raised an eyebrow at Merry

“Then I’ll keep working until she’s happy.” Merry and Hammer smile at each other.

“You really are a nice guy, shame you cant find your self a nice mare that will take you for who you are.” Merry sighed.

“You don’t know the half of it my good pony. Anyway, I’m off. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Hammer just sighed as Merry left the building.

As Merry walked out he put his earbuds in and played Mindless Self Indulgence- Shut me up as he walked home. He hoped he wouldn’t see those two from earlier in the day. He made his rounds around town and he thought himself lucky he didn’t see them anywhere. Merry walked to his house using the main roads because he didn’t see anyone out of the ordinary.

‘Good, it looks like they left or someone sent them on a false trail. I just hope I don’t see them anymore... Let alone any bounty hunter’s, I need to finish Scoots’ present then I can go into hiding or something, I’m sure Scoots will understand if I have to go into hiding for awhile.’ Merry sighed ‘its not like I’ll be hiding very far, I’ll prob just make a shack in one of the nearby forests and live outside of the town or something...yeah that sounds good.’

While Merry was musing over what to do and how to hide from prying eyes, he noticed his front door was open. Merry’s heart immediately sank and he ran for the door. It was dark inside as all the curtains were pulled down.

“Scoot’s? Are you here? Answer me!” Merry didn’t see anything out of the ordinary in the living room and walked inside. When he passed the door something bucked him extremely hard in the back and sent him flying into the table in the living room. The table was smashed to bits and Merry just groaned, more about the table being destroyed and not getting injured.

“Hey Duke, that stupid kid with the glasses was right. A 2 legged alien does live here.” Merry got up and looked at them, it was the Zebra and Minotaur he saw walking around the town.

‘Shit they found me, maybe I can talk my way out of this.’ “What are you guys talking about? Who’s an alien? I’m just a mutant Minotaur.” The large Minotaur walked up to Merry and looked him up and down, he then smelled him.

“There is nothing about you that even resembles a Minotaur, and by the way you look, I’d say you are an alien.”

‘Maybe I should crush that magic pebble now... na, I’ll crush it if they capture me or something.’ Merry just sighed.

“Hey, if we take him alive, we get 5 million bits right?” The Zebra and Minotaur just grinned.

“I think you’ll find me a hard target to take alive, I’m not as weak as I was when I fought those griffins...” ‘Its really not a bluff, my regeneration also applies to my muscles after a workout, I can literally train, eat and train and end up being stronger then ever after just 1 day. Not to mention working as a blacksmith has me moving heavy bits of metal around all day.’

“Sounds like I’ll have to switch to my neurotoxin bolts. Don’t worry, they shouldn’t kill you...Unless I hit you with too many.” The Zebra just laughed as he pulled out some green tipped bolt’s and loaded them into his mini crossbow. He loaded all 5 of the bolts he had in his hoof and pointed the crossbow at Merry. “Now hold still, I don’t wanna travel all the way back home for more of these baby’s.” Merry responded by picking up part of the shattered table in an attempt to use it as a shield.

“Grr, Hey Duke go kick his ass, I’ll back you up. I don’t wanna waste my bucking bolts by hitting that piece of shit wood...” The Minotaur walked up front with his Greataxe at the ready.

“Not a problem little buddy, I’d love to split that 5 million bits, but half a mill ant bad either.”

“Damn right it’s not. Half a million bits will set both of us up for life. Now just be a good alien and let us take you in...” Merry picked up a table leg and held it up while still using the other broken piece as a shield.

“You sure we cant just talk this out?” Merry was met with the flat of the Minotaur’s greataxe and slammed into a wall. “Guess not...” A bolt flew at Merry’s face but he quickly brought the piece of wood up and blocked it. Just as Duke came charging at Merry the front door opened and in walked Scootaloo.

“Dad I’m home! Why’s it so dark in here?” Everyone watched as Scootaloo flew over to the window and opened the blinds. She turned around to see the broken table and Merry against the wall with the Minotaur and Zebra just staring at her.

“Scoot’s get the hell outta here fast!” Scootaloo started to make a B line for the front door

“I don’t think so kid...” Stripes aimed his crossbow at Scootaloo, but before he could fire a chair leg flew over and hit him in the face. His bolt missed her by a long shot and hit a wall.

“Leave her alone you sack of shit!” Merry brought the magic pebble out from his pocket and stomped on it. Stripes then ran in front of the door and bucked Scootaloo into a wall. Then slammed the door shut and turned some of the locks while rubbing his face.

“Sorry kid, nothing personal, but I cant let you out so you can get help. So be a good kid and just lay their for a bit.” Scootaloo groaned and coughed, but remained motionless otherwise.

“Jeez Stripes, last time you bucked a kid like that he died. There’s no reason to kill her, were just here for this alien.” Merry had gotten up and ran toward Scootaloo.

“Hey Scoots, dad’s here now. So don’t worry, I’ll fix you right up...” Merry placed his hands on Scootaloo. ‘Take the pain and injury...come on...’

*thunk, thunk, thunk* Merry was hit in the back with the remaining 3 bolts.

“There, that should keep him from moving for a the next 2 day’s at lest. Hopefully it doesn’t stop his heart though...” Stripes loaded some regular bolts into his crossbow as Merry fell over. As he fell Scootaloo got up and looked her self over.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore?” She looked at Merry who had blood dribbling from his mouth and 3 bolts sticking out from his back.

‘Holy shit, she had like 5 broken ribs and a punctured lung...it even feels like my stomach was torn open. Those fucking fairy’s were right, I feel everything in full effect. My masochist side does nothing for the pain.’

“Hey scoots, I see you’re doing better, now go hide quick...Help...is...on...the...way...” Scootaloo just looked at Merry with tears in her eyes

“I cant just leave you like this!” Merry just slowly moved his hand up and pushed her toward the stairs

“Just Go...” the Zebra Stripes Whistled

“I don’t know what happened, but she must be made of something fierce if she can move after that kick I gave her. And you talking and still moving after 3 of those bolts? You must be some kinda monster.” Stripes walked up next to Merry and just looked at Scootaloo.

“Hey Stripes, lets just tie him up and get the Tartarus outta here. There’s no reason to kill the kid.” Stripes just laughed

“You don’t get it Duke, that kick was supposed to kill her, I had every intention of it. The fact she’s moving around kinda pisses me off. I feel like I’m losing my touch.”

“Celestia dammit Stripes, just hurry the buck up then and lets go. We’ve been in this town long enough.” Scootaloo had a look of fear on her face as she bolted upstairs and Merry began to grunt and shake.

“Leave...her..alone!” ‘Shit shit shit! My body wont move the way I want it too’ Stripes just laughed

“Still trying to move? Like I said, it should be 2 days before you can do anything major. Just wait here a moment, I shouldn’t be long...” as Stripes went up the stairs Duke just sat on the couch and watched Merry struggle.

Merry’s body was in maximum overdrive repairing all the damage he absorbed from Scootaloo while fighting off the neurotoxin. Merry’s body just laid there literally broken in the light of the window. Merry’s eyes filled with tears as he realized how powerless he was in this situation. His only hope fell to the fact the princesses would arrive in time to save his little girl Scoots.

Just as Merry thought hope was lost a shadow came in from the window Scoots had opened and looking in was Twilight.

“I see him! He’s on the floor!” The front door handle was jiggled a few times then he heard Princess Luna’s voice.

“The door is locked! Quickly break it down!” The door began to bend inward as the ponies outside tried to break it down.

“SHIT! HURRY IT UP WE HAVE COMPANY STRIPES!” Duke ran up to the door and placed his large body in front of the door to try and keep it from breaking in. He proved to be semi successful.

“Found you!” Yelled stripes followed by a shrill cry. “Wont take but a moment more.” Merry began to drag himself across the floor to the stairs

“Mother...fucker...” By the time Merry reached the stairs he was crawling. The farther he got the more he could feel his body again, his regeneration was rapidly destroying the toxin from the bolts. Duke was too distracted trying to keep the others from bursting in too stop Merry.

“Ha-ha! How you survived after my 1st kick I’ll never know!” Merry witnessed Scootaloo fly out of her room into the hallway and smash into a table. Merry’s eyes got wide as he saw her with 2 bolts in her side.

“SCOOTS!” Merry ran up to Scoot’s again and picked her up. He cradled her in his arms as he spoke softly “Hey hey, stay with me, I’ll fix you up again, I’ll fix you as many times as I need too, So just hang on...” Merry had pulled out the bolts and began to absorb her injuries and pain once again.

“You?! How the buck did you get up here?! And why are you moving?! Don’t tell me those bolts didn’t work!” Merry ignored him as he was concentrating on healing Scoots. She opened her eyes again and saw Merry.

“Why, huh?” Merry just smiled but his teeth were layered in blood.

“Hey Scoots, I made you all better again. Now lets get you out of here. Help is outside.” Merry stood with Scootaloo in his arms and began to walk down the stairs.

“Don’t Ignore me!” Stripes launched another 3 bolts into Merry’s back. But he kept his pace as he went down the stairs. The Zebra just gritted his teeth and loaded 5 more bolts into his crossbow and launched them at Merry’s back again. All 5 hit their mark and Merry continued to ignore him and kept walking to the door.

“I’m not moving you pathetic alien. You look like you could die at any moment. So drop dead already so we can leave through a back door and escape to become rich.” Duke stood his ground in front of the door as the ponies outside continued to try and break it down. Just then they heard a frustrated shout from Luna.

“ENOUGH OF THIS!” The door was blasted down with a huge purple bolt and it sent Duke flying, Merry had ducked out of the way with Scootaloo still in his arms.

‘Finally I can get Scoot’s out of here, the princesses can handle these sons a bitches, and everything will be just...’ Merry’s train of thought was interrupted by another barrage of bolts, only 4 hit him this time, but they came from his right side. Merry felt something warm run down his right forearm. He looked down to see a bolt embedded into Scootaloo’s skull.

“Ah...Don’t worry, I can fix this...” Merry tried to use to his absorption powers again, but nothing was happening. “Oh duh, I have to take this out 1st...” Merry pulled the bolt out and tried again...But still nothing happened...” Merry just stood there dumbfounded.

“Merry! We came as quick as...” Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and several guards had stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Merry holding Scootaloo in his arms. Merry just looked at them with tears in his eye’s

“Hey, you can fix her right? Use your magic or something? Come on Twilight, You said it your self, You’re the best at Magic right?!” Twilight just shook her head

“Merry she’s...” Merry cut off Twilight before she could finish her sentence.

“Come on Twilight! There’s no time to Fool around! She’s going to die!” Twilight just got tears in her eyes and looked down to the ground. Merry started to hyperventilate then he turned to Celestia and Luna.

“Hey, You two were supposed to be gods right?! Come on, fix her! I’ll do anything!” Princess Celestia and Luna just looked to the ground as well. Merry was breathing heavily through clenched teeth “Please! I didn’t mean to say she was a better Princess then you two! So please Fix her!” Merry feel to his knees and held Scootaloo’s body close to his face and the tears poured down from his eye’s.

“Please, bring her back...please... My power isn’t fixing her anymore...” Another wave of bolts flew in and hit Scootaloo’s dead body.

“Stop Ignoring me!” Merry blinked and realized more bolts had hit Scootaloo.

“Why...? WHY?! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FIX HER, IF YOU KEEP ATTACKING HER?!” Merry Placed Scootaloo down and sprinted at the Zebra as he tried to reload his crossbow. Merry drop kicked the Zebra in his face and swept out his front legs after hitting the ground. Merry then grabbed the Zebra by his mane and repeatedly smashed his face into the floor until several of his teeth had fallen out and he went limp. Merry stood up with all the bolts still sticking out of his back and blood dribbling from his mouth. He slowly walked back over to Scootaloo’s body.

“Hey Scoots, lets get you out of here now, I took out the jerk with the crossbow that was being mean to you.” Merry slowly picked up Scootaloo “oh hey, lets get these out shall we? Can’t heal you with them in you still.” Merry pulled out the bolts that were in Scootaloo’s body. “That’s my brave little girl, doesn’t even complain that it hurts. But I know it does, so hang on I’ll fix you up just like last time.” Merry held her in close and tried to use his power again.

“Why, Why isn’t it working like last time?!” Princess Luna and Celestia just watched in tears as Twilight had laid down on the floor crying as well. Princess Luna looked up to see the Minotaur trying to sneak out a window.

“Oh no you don’t!” She blinked the tears away and grabbed the Minotaur with her telekinesis and slammed him around the room a few times until he stopped moving and threw him next to the Zebra. Merry had ignored the whole thing and was just hyperventilating over Scootaloo’s body as tears streamed down his face onto hers.

“Why wont she wake up? Was it something I did? Come on Scoots, this isn’t funny. I... I’m sorry. Just wake up” Merry just kept kneeling over her body with his palms on her chest.

“Sister, we have to do something, Merry’s mind has broken. If we don’t do anything, he could stay in a complete state of shock for the rest of his life...” Celestia nodded and walked up to Merry.

“Merry...” Merry just looked up to Celestia and smiled

“Hey Princess, Scootaloo is just napping right now, I’m trying to wake her up. But she’s being stubborn...” Merry kept shaking her body

“Merry! You need to come to terms with it, She has died.” Merry lost his smile as he looked back to Celestia.

“You’re lying, she’s just sleeping, she’s too young to die... I promised her I would keep her safe. If she’s dead then I broke my promise and that makes me a liar...” Merry got a huge frown on his face. “ I never lie to kids.” Merry broke down into tears on her body

Luna walked over and placed a hoof on his shoulder. She began to take out the bolts from his back with her telekinesis. “Its Ok Merry, I know this is a terrible thing to happen, but you must be strong.” Merry just looked up at her with his beat red eyes

“But I’m not strong at all! What kind of Shitty father lets his only child die in his arms as he’s taking her to safety?!” Merry continued to cry and hyperventilate through clenched teeth. Celestia, Luna and Twilight all gathered around him in a hug.

“Heh heh, you are a shitty dad, letting your poor kid suffer the way you did.” Merry looked over to the Zebra on the floor with his bloodied face and missing teeth. “Yeah, if I knew I had to kill the stupid kid to get your attention, I would of done it a lot slower.” Luna got a look of rage on her face

“Shut your mouth you Cur! Before I...” Luna stopped when she saw Merry stand up and walk over to the Zebra named Stripes. Merry Grabbed him by the mane and lifted his head up to look him in the eye.

“Heh ,What are you gonna do? I already know I’m going to jail now.” Merry just grinned at him with tears in his eyes still.

“You said I was a monster? You’re about to see the real deal now.” The Zebra just laughed

“What can you possib...” Merry opened his mouth and ripped a chunk of the Zebras face off, chewed and swallowed. “AHRG! WHAT THE BUCK?!” Merry forced his hand into the Zebras mouth and grabbed his tongue.

“I’m sick of hearing you speak...” Merry ripped Stripes tongue out of his mouth and proceeded to eat it raw as well. The Princesses and Twilight stood in horror at what was happening.

“Sister! We have to stop him! His sadness and guilt turned into rage and malice!” Celestia just nodded and went with Luna to Merry’s side.

“Merry you must stop. Let the law deal with these vile criminals.” Merry just turned to face Celestia with part of the zebras tongue hanging from his mouth.

“What criminal? All I see is food.” Celestia gagged and Luna just made her horn glow.

“Merry, I’m going to put you to sleep. You need to let your mind heal.” Luna hit Merry with a bolt and he fell over limp. “Sister I’m going to enter Merry’s mind. Tie up these criminals and keep the zebra from bleeding out. He needs to pay for his crimes.” Luna’s horn glowed again and she placed her horn onto Merry’s forehead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna entered a pure white landscape. The only things she could see were two figures standing in the distance. One was in the fetal position while the other was in a cage. She approached both of them and coming closer she realized they were both Merry. The one in the cage had spikes erupting from his shoulders and had claws in place of hands. But his face was the same. The one on the floor in the fetal position had small orange wings on his back that looked a lot like Scootaloo’s.

“Merry! What is happening? Why are there two of you?” Luna walked up to the one who was on the floor and tried to get his attention.

“No point in speaking to him he’s given up. He let me out before, but now that you put him to sleep I was locked up again.” Luna turned to look at the Merry who was in the cage.

“And who are you supposed to be?” He just grinned at her revealing a row of sharp teeth.

“You can just call me Sue, and I am the animal and monster that lives within Merry. You remember those griffins? I was the one he let out when he deemed them unworthy of life. And he let me out again when that Zebra called him a shitty dad.” Luna just looked at him behind the bars

“So you are his dark side then? A manifestation of his rage and malice?” Sue laughed out loud

“You got that right princess, and when Merry wakes up again, I’ll have full control. The pansy with the orange wings over there gave up on life when our little girl died. But unlike him, I don’t want to give up, I wanna kill and eat those fuckers that hurt and killed Scoots. Although, I wont necessarily do it in that order. And then when I’m done with them, I’ll move on and kill the griffin family that sent them here in the 1st place!” Sue just laughed as Luna’s face went pale.

“I wont let that happen, I’m going to bring him back!” Luna horn began to glow and images from Merry’s past began to surface and show all around. They were images of Scootaloo and Merry having fun together, going shopping, eating dinner. Just things they did throughout the 2 months they were together.

“Look Merry! You have to remember all the good times you had with her! She wouldn’t want you to be sad and depressed, She would want you to live!” Merry uncurled out from his fetal position and watched the images of him and Scoots smiling and playing together. He slowly sat up and watched all the happy memories. After a moment Luna sighed and began to relax. It seemed to be working, Merry was getting his old self back. Suddenly a scream was heard in the distance. Everyone turned to look at the memory. It was an image of Scootaloo being held by the griffin Zed.

“That shouldn’t of shown up, I only summoned happy memories!” Luna’s horn began to glow again but she stopped when she heard Merry scream at the image.

“SUE, YOU NEED TO STOP HIM!” When Merry finished yelling another image of Scootaloo laying on the floor after being bucked by Stripes showed up. Merry began to hyperventilate and his small orange wings began to flap rapidly.

“I need to get out there! SHE NEEDS HELP!” Merry began to slam his head into the floor and Sue was bending the bar’s of his cage. “WAKE UP WAKE UP!” Luna began to retreat as the white room turned red and black and cracks began to form in the landscape.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna awoke in the middle of the room next to Merry. She shook her head and turned to look at Celestia and Twilight, the rest of the mane 6 had arrived and were crying. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were watching the 2 bounty hunters as they had been tied up.

“Luna, what happened?” Luna shook her head

“I wasn’t...” Merry jumped up onto his feet and looked around the room

“Where’s Scoot’s? Is she ok!?” Merry scanned the room and saw Fluttershy stroking Scootaloo’s mane. Merry’s heart sank as he walked over to them. When he saw her body laying there broken and full of holes he fell to his hands and knees and began to cough uncontrollable. After his coughing fit a huge splatter of blood flew out onto the ground. “She really is dead...” Merry wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up.

“Don’t worry Merry were all here for you...” Merry just began to laugh

“In a moment, you will see my other side.” Merry turned to face the bounty hunters that were tied up and walked over to them. The Zebra was patched up while the Minotaur had a black eye. Merry walked past Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and the several guards and just looked Duke in the eyes.

“I’m Innocent I never hurt her or anyone, it was all this crazy Zebra.” Merry just shook his head

“Who is innocent? No one is innocent. Your corruption is like a cancer growing inside. And you owe the world an apology.” Merry raised both of his hands into the air and was about to bring them down on top of Dukes head, But Duke lunged his head forward smacking Merry under his right armpit, a distinct shattering of glass was heard followed by Merry shouting.

‘What is this pain?!’ Merry stepped back and fell to his hands and knees again as a dark goop enveloped him. ‘I feel...Power, hehe’

“What did ya do to him ya damnable minotaur?!” Applejack was about to charge the minotaur when the black goop dissipated and showed Merry again. Except it wasn’t Merry. He had spikes along his back and shoulders, in place of hands he had claws, and he had fangs instead of his normal teeth. Luna gasped at the sight and whispered

“Sue...” Sue stood up and flexed his claws and looked himself over

“Interesting...” Sue got a wicked grin and walked back up to Duke. “Lets remove these nasty horns shall we?” Duke just got wide eyed as Merry brought his claws up

“What are you...” Merry grabbed both horns in his claws and yanked them out, causing Duke to yell in agony.

“Merry Stop! You don’t need to kill them!” Merry just threw the minotaurs horns behind him and smiled with tears still in his eyes.

“Kill? Who said anything about killing them? I want them to suffer 1st.” Merry’s wounds all disappeared as he grabbed Dukes face and bit a chunk off like he did with Stripes. The Minotaur had it easier as Sue’s sharp teeth made more of a slice instead of ripping. Duke screamed none the less and struggled to get away.

“Ha Ha! Look at this fuck head squirm!” As Merry laughed at Dukes pain some of the guards walked up behind him.

“Sir Merry, you need to stop.” Merry turned around and looked the guards in the face.

“But I don’t...” Merry fell to the ground and was covered in the black goop again, only to have it leave a second later with him returning to normal. All of his injuries had disappeared. Just the holes in his cloths remained. Merry stood up rubbing his head.

“That was... fun.” Merry looked around at all he shocked looks of the ponies around him.

“What was that merry, you turned into some kind of monster.” Merry just smiled again and lifted his left arm.

“Not quite sure, but I’m wondering what happens when I break this one.” Merry slammed his right fist into the bottom part of his armpit. The distinct sound of glass shattering was heard again as Merry fell to the ground shouting in pain. This time he was enveloped in a blueish white glow. When the glow ended he had orange wings that looks like Scootaloo’s.

All the ponies in the room gasped at Merry’s transformation, and Luna again whispered under her breath “Merry...”

“I feel... I feel an overflowing energy..." Merry went up to the Zebra and placed his hand upon him. All of Stripes injury’s were healed instantly as his body glowed with the blueish light.

“Ah, that feels much better, thanks for healing me you idiot, Hehe.” Stripes stopped laughing when he heard Merry laugh back.

“I always wondered, If it's possible to heal someone to death?” Merry increased the flow of energy and Stripes began to yell in agony as his body began to rapidly expand until he was nothing but a huge mass of flesh.

“It doesn’t look like I can kill you, But I’m sure I just made your life a living hell! Baw-ha-ha-ha!” As Merry was laughing he fell to the ground again and was enveloped in the blueish glow. After about a second he returned back to his original form.

Luna ran up to Merry and looked him over, he seemed to be passed out, but when she nudged him he got up and looked at her.

“Luna...” He looked around the room. All he saw were ponies with looks of shock and sadness.

“I need to go. I have to finish something...” Twilight walked in front of Merry and tried to speak

“Merry I...”

“Not now Twilight, I have to go finish Scootaloo’s present. I need to finish it so she can be buried with it...” Merry turned to face Celestia and Luna. “Please, take care of this mess, I have work to do...” Merry grabbed the Zebras repeater crossbow and the Minotaur’s Greataxe. The Minotaur began to struggle when he took the Greataxe

“Hey! Give Betsy back!” Merry turned and looked at the hornless Minotaur and kicked him in the teeth.

“Trash need's to act like trash and shut the fuck up.” Merry started to walk to the front door and turned to face Celestia, Luna, and the mane 6. “I’m going to be busy over the next few day’s. Please take of things here for me.”

Merry made his way toward Hammer’s shop with the Greataxe and Repeater Crossbow in hand.