He slowly rubbed his coat with the soapy sponge. The water in the bathtub was very cold. From where he came from, there was no such thing as bathing in warm water. This was a luxury, which only the highest ranking ninjas and generals enjoyed. The common warriors like him had to live without many common necessities, which were in plenty in this land.

His grey eyes stared at the black and white tiles. They seemed to be empty of any emotion or life. His brown body was covered in many scars. The biggest one stretched from his neck, through his back and ended in his plot. This cut was done by a very notorious swords master, before he died by a poisonous arrow to the hoof. He was so lucky that day but nothing topped his plane accident.

All his scars were reminders of his constant struggle of life and death. Most were made by ponies without fame and only a few were by well-known ninjas. He used to brag about his encounters all day but as time slowly went forward, his spirit to fight died a little with each fight and thus his mouth became quieter. After his bloodiest battle, his mind changed completely. His eyes had seen enough killing and their youthful gloom disappeared.

His small soul darkened. Everything around him seemed to be colored in grey. No longer he felt the satisfaction from drinking cider. The food didn't have the same juicy taste as before. His heart didn't desire to be with a mare anymore.

He only wanted for his miserable life to end. However, the ninja was unable to perform the sacred ritual of harakiri. He was too weak and his loyalty to the leader was to high. The pony patiently waited for the one, who'd end his suffering for once and for all.

Suddenly there was a knocking on the door. It opened and an brown unicorn entered the bathroom. Volts was carrying a first aid kit on his back. The ninja greeted him only by sight and continued slowly washing himself. The unicorn removed the curly bright hairs from his face before beginning to heal his wounds. He pulled out a clean towel, when his green eyes accidentally noticed the big scar on the ninja's back. Volts had never seen such a thing on anypony and wondered what could have done this to him.

"Do you feel pain anywhere on the back?" he gently asked.

The ninja was silent.

"I guess not." the unicorn then put spirit on the towel. He put the bottle on the floor and then by using his magic, began attending his flesh wounds. Although it was painful, the ninja kept a perfect silence and barely moved a muscle.

"We've chosen some cloths that may fit you for tonight. They are in your private room, the first one on the hallway."

"I'll check them." the ninja didn't seem too excited.

"We would prefer that you do not bring a lot of attention to yourself. We must not appear that we are hiding something."

"Got it. Now if you don't mind, I'd like you to shut up and finish with the healing."

Volts was not astound by the ninja's cold behavior. The previous assassins were as cold as this one, the only exception was ambassador One, who was very civil and polite. The faster he treated his wounds, the sooner Volts would get away from this impolite pony.

A few hours later...

Phoenix was packing some stuff in the lower section of the lab, when Volts appeared on the stairway.

"Everything is prepared for tonight." he said with a loud voice.

"Excellent, dear Volts. I'll come to check it out."

When the other unicorn shut the door behind him, Metal Eye saw a chance to have a word with Phoenix, without being interrupted.

"What you are doing is wrong!" he said under the black sack.

Phoenix stopped in front of the first step.

"And why do you think so? Is it because you are jealous, my winged spy? Or are you thinking that I'm mad and can not comprehend what's going on?" he turned his head to the captive and smirked. "Do tell me, please!"

Metal hesitated for a bit. The yesterday's torture still resonated in his body and he didn't want to repeat it.

"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" the unicorn moved closer to the pegasus, who seemed to be scared of him. However, that was not the case with Metal Eye.  

"Don't you see your own downfall? Why are you doing this?"

"Aha, so it is the later. You really think I'm not seeing the big picture?" Phoenix looked contemptuously at him. "Why should I tell you about my reasons for helping them? Are you playing with me or something?"

"I not messing with you. Constructing weapons for mass destruction for warrior-like ponies is like dancing around a big fire on only two legs. You never know, when you'll trip over and burn yourself alive!"

"Weapons for mass destruction?" Phoenix raised an eyebrow. "I've created weather controlling machines, that will be used instead of pesky pegasi like yourself."

"What about the medallion that summons a ghost, which obeys your every bidding?"

"It's a medallion, that will allow ponies to get to unsafe places, without exposing themselves to danger. For example, in rescue operations in the mines." the unicorn sounded very confident in his words, which was almost unbelievable.

"Great Celestia! Thousands will die by your hooves!" Metal Eye was very shocked by how ignorantly this pony was thinking. "How can you deny their real purpose?!"

"I do not!" the unicorn stamped. "That's what they were meant to do and not what you are trying to suggest. My inventions are always aimed at helping ponies."

"So, yesterday, when you used that electric stick on me, was because you were helping me?" if the unicorn could see the expression on his face, he'd be a little scared from it.

Phoenix froze for a moment. He felt kind of weird out of sudden, as if a memory, which was suppressed tried to escape the deeps of his mind.

"Yesterday... I-I..." the unicorn placed a hoof to his forehead. He was beginning to sweat and feel hotter by the second. "You are lying!"

"Am I? Just look at the burns on my white body. Truth hurts, doesn't it?"

Phoenix angrily waved his right hoof in the air.

"I'll not stand here and listen to your venomous words. Yesterday I worked quietly on my inventions, preparing them for tonight. You think you can mess with my head, by using your unicorn friend's magic? Well guess again, I'm not gonna fall for your pegasi tricks. Excuse me, but I have things to attend to. May your stay here be as much unpleasant as you've made me feel at the moment!" he quickly turned around and headed for the staircase. Phoenix climbed it fast and finally was in safe place, where Metal couldn't reach him with his voice.

The filly looked down. Despite both wearing black sacks on their heads, the pegasus knew how sad his eyes must be, after their last chance of escaping via reasoning being a total waste.

"What now?" the youngster asked.

"I guess we are waiting. Don't loose hope yet, there is still a way out of this!" Metal tried to sound positive.

"How we beat a crazy pony?"

"By going crazier than him." he smiled, too bad that the young unicorn couldn't see it. The Spy Filly really needed a boost to his self-confidence right now or condemn himself to despair.

Many hours later...

She looked at the vast forest of concrete and bricks to where the eye could see. Foxy spent almost an entire day on this roof, trying to concentrate her thoughts. The sunset was beautiful. The last orange beams calmed her being and gave her strength. Tail felt good.

There was a sudden slow wind, which cooled her heated body. Her scary eyes pierced the horizon. They were fully determined.

"Lone on the battlefield. There lies one in blood. One, on the battlefield, where all have long perished. Only he remains to tell the story of death and glory. Oh, Great Overlord may they sleep in peace. He's the only one to live to see his family back home."

Her voice was pretty for this short war song. A new wave of feelings overwhelmed her. Tail was ready to return to Lucky. She looked back at the chimneys, which had several holes in them.

"Thanks guys. You were great listeners and punching bags. May you have some fortune in the future!" then she jumped off the building, forever leaving this unfortunate roof, which had the pleasure to bare with her rage. Luckily for her, the residents of the building were out in the park and unaware of the fat repair bills that were coming in their way.

Lucky was preparing his costume for tonight, when he felt a familiar presence behind him.

"I wondered when you'll show up." he sounded concerned. "Where have you been? Thank the Princess, that Quarter Key didn't check us or we'd be in trouble now."

"I was just out for some fresh air." she playfully smiled under her mask. "Are you ready?"

Lucky shook head.

"I can't put the bowtie correctly."

She took it from his hoof and threw it away. Lucky stood in a frozen pose. Tail grabbed him and both disappeared in black smoke.

They reappeared on the paved street, in front of the green building.

"You should have just said that it didn't suit me."

"Yeah, it didn't but that's not why I teleported us here. We are kind of late and need to get to the event fast!" Foxy tried to pull him in the direction of the stadium but he resisted.

"Could you at least tell me how I look?"

Tail glanced at him and that was enough to tell her that she had no idea of the Equestrian style of dressing. He was wearing a black stylish suit, which had sleeves only for the front legs. There were four white buttons on his chest and next to them there was a single small pocket, in which he could barely put anything except a pink napkin.  

Lucky had placed a purple silk towel in front of his eyes, which gave him a charming look. He spread his white wings to the sides, revealing the cyan feathers at the sharp angles. This oddly colored plumes were only located on the bottom side of his wings. Foxy had to admit that he seemed quite handsome.

"I guess you look fine. Now let's go!" she took his left hoof and together they left for the tonight's big event.

At the inventor's place...

A barrel was lifted high in the air, so that everypony could see it clearly. It's metal was sleek and shined under the light in the big living room. Then it was aimed at a red target on the other side of the room. The public had cleared the area around the shooter, ceased any conversations and stood still in anticipation.

"This, ladies and gentlecolts, is called the Gun." Phoenix formally announced. The crowed began to be a little noisy but the talks quickly ended, when the yellow unicorn continued. "What is it, you ask? How does it work? It's all very simple, my friends. It's a tube with a coil inside it and two capacitors, that are connected with the coil. You put this little pellet inside the barrel, like this."

His horn shined in a violet light and pulled out a single small ball from a pouch near him. Then the magically held pellet was put inside the barrel.

"Now the gun is armed. The only thing it needs is a kick in the weak place, if you know what I mean." the public burst in small laughs and he patiently waited for them to calm. "For it to fire, you need to use your horn's magical energy to charge the capacitors. Let me demonstrate."

A violet aura appeared around his horn and the gun, that was on his right hoof.

"However, this is the problem of its design, cause it can be used only by magical creatures. When you have aimed it correctly, then you release the gun."

Suddenly, there was a powerful blast followed almost instantly, when he removed all control over it. It was a very loud sound and someponies jumped from their places out of fear. Other had closed their eyes but the ones, who were brave enough to witness the entire show looked at the red target, which had one black hole in its center. The crowd began to commentating on the presentation of this invention. There were many voices but these stood out the most:

"Amazing!" one exclaimed.

"I'd like to try it myself."

The public was definitely impressed and that pleased him very much. However, there were those, who were not blind like the rest.

"Could you tell us its intended purpose, Mr Phoenix?" said the grey unicorn in purple royal armor. He had a dark mane and blue eyes, that seemed very serious.

"I was going to get to that part. It's for fun and sports. With it you can train you concentration and improve your eye-to-hoof coordination. As a sport thing, I'll show you this little game I and my colleague made. Volts, would you come, if you please."

The brown unicorn went to him and lined himself with the red target. Phoenix took off the bracelet gun and put it on Volt's left hoof.  

"You can play a game with as many ponies you'd like. The rules are simple: shoot near or at the center for the most points. I've shoot already so, it's his turn. Let's see, if he can beat my dead on accuracy."

Volts reloaded the gun and aimed. He began to fill a little bit nervous and that caused him to not do so well. There was another loud shot, which was way out of the center of the target. The shooter smiled shamefacedly at his partner, who patted him on the shoulder with a friendly look of his face.

"Don't worry, dear Volts. Someday you too will be as sharp as me. If you want you can try it with your friends. Volts will provide more targets and instructions on how to use it. Come, don't be shy!"  

At first, the the few aristocratic ponies were a little uncertain, but then one by one, they eagerly surrounded Volts. He was overwhelmed with request and demands from the ones, who wanted to be the first to try this new thing. This made Phoenix very happy. Finally his genius was getting the attention it deserved and seeing all the ponies from the different corners of Equestria admiring on his inventions, made his heart go crazy. This was the best night in his life and almost nothing could ruin his moment, except the one old grey unicorn.

"Is there a possibility that it could be misused? The hole on the target speaks of a lot of the power potential of this gun." Quarter approached him from the right. Phoenix lost his victorious smile but not his manners. He turned to him. The was an audience behind Quarter, which was still not sure, if they wanted to be near a thing, which could shoot projectiles with such a speed and noise. He saw a lot of confusion and some fright in their eyes, which was not good, if he wanted to maintain a respected position in the inventors' circles and among the general public.

"I assure you all that this won't be the case. I've actually given a lot of thought about it and I'm happy to share them with you right now. The distribution of the invention will be very strict! The authorities will control how they are used and by whom. I am fully confident in your abilities to do this, dear representative of the Royal Guards." Phoenix friendly placed his hoof on Quarter's shoulder. "We are entering a new era, in which technology and magic will help us ponies to live a longer and happier life."

"I do not understand how your inventions will contribute to our brighter future." Quarter Key impolitely removed the hoof of him. "And the question is: whose future this things are going to improve? The green metal model of a bigger machine with tracks seems more like a very dangerous tool to be only used in cultivation of vegetables. That's the earth ponies job and if you say that it can do the job of ten experienced farmers and can be used by a fledgling, then what will happen to the said farmers? Do they find another job? Or what about the plane that you claim that can reach and even surpass the speed of the fastest fliers? Both of those devices can be only used by unicorns, if I recall correctly."

Phoenix smiled charmingly.  

"In no means they are to replace but to help the ponies, who need such things. Think of them as helpers and not the work ponies. I'll give you an example, you need to deliver an important message but there are no available postal unicorns or pegasi, who could quickly deliver your letter and doing so by hoof doesn't suit you, that's when you want to have my airplane. My creations should be used, when they are absolutely needed."

The confusion from the other ponies steadily disappeared from their faces and they seemed to agree with his statement. He won the audience and that was what mattered.

"Now if you excuse me, I see the Flim Flam brothers are interested in my twelve capacitor electric generator. I'd like to hear their thoughts about it. Please feel like home and have a great time!" Phoenix then went to the other side of the room, where the famous brothers were studying the small device on the table.

Quarter turned around to meet his colleague, who was looking quite serious like him.

"Was it necessary to be so provocative?" Diamond asked with a quiet voice.

"Of course. We are the decoys, remember? We need to take their attention, while Lucky and his partner do their job. Speaking of which, where are those two? They are awfully late."

Quarter looked at the closed front door and hoped that they would appear soon.

"Who are you waiting for?"

The grey eyes watched the two Guardians from the moment they entered inside the house. His guts told him that they'd bring trouble and the ninja trusted them without a single doubt. The assassin was dressed in a white smart suit, which was a bit to small for him. Many of his scars were visible, especially the biggest one. So far he didn't get any attention from the other ponies, who were too busy with admiring or critiquing the new devices around them. Staying behind the huge vases with small palms trees helped a bit for his low profile.

Unfortunately, there was one lady, who had noticed his mysterious figure. She was observing him for an hour now and the more her eyes looked at him, the more her curiosity grew to the point, where the mare overcame her bashfulness and confidently went to him.

The unicorn went behind him unnoticed. She used her horn to lift one of the two glasses and moved it towards his face. They were half-full with white wine from one of the best vintages from ten years ago. Out of a sudden the warrior hopped to the right and stood in attacking stance. The lovely mare giggled at his reaction, though he was a little confused.

"You silly. There's no need to be so jumpy because of a lady."

Her friendly smile calmed his spirit but his guard was still up. She moved towards him, elegantly checked him from all sides, while he silently analyzed this nuisance. The unicorn had a light pink coat, dressed in a cyan dress with red ribbon on the back. The buttons on the front were yellow, like the stylish hat she was wearing with an orange feather, that bended in the middle. She had gorgeous deep purple eyes that gave the feeling of smartness and experience.

"You look quite torn for an earth pony. Have you worked in a mine?" she gave a glance to his extremely long mark, which made her even more curious to know more about this mystery pony.

"Who are you?" he asked testily.

She made a circle around him like a python around its prey. The mare stood still in front of him, with eyes gazing deep in his.

"I'm glad that you've asked me about my name. I'm Frozen Flash, a photographer and a journalist. I have an eye for detail and frankly you are a sneaky one, who doesn't quite get in the picture."

"What do you mean?" his grey eyes showed the ice in his soul and Flash perfectly understood what they were hiding.

"Only by looking at you, I can see the loneliness, the anger, which burns you like a candle from the inside. Growing older with each passing moment, unable to make peace with yourself. You do not have a mare in your life, am I right?"

He felt relieved that she had not find out his true identity.

"You know a lot about me, I'll give you credit for that. However, what are you really planning?"

"I plan to be in the company of an interesting gentlepony, who hides behind the vases like some sort of thief." she used her telekinetic magic and handed him his drink. "Most ponies here are boring for me and I've seen everything the hosts could offer, so I thought that I'd get to know who the secret pony is."

"Sorry but I have no desire to spend my time in pointless talks." he then drank the entire liquid from the glass in one shot. The ninja put the empty glass in her hoof and turned away. He concentrated on the two officials but his line of sight was blocked by the annoying unicorn, who didn't seem to get the message.

"So, tell me how they call you." her adorable face stuck in his eyes and couldn't brake from it.

That was the moment, when the bell ranged, indicating that new guests are patiently waiting at the door. Volts miraculously escaped the tight ring of ponies and went to answer the door. He needed to maneuver around the groups, that were engaged in long conversations. None of them seemed interested of who was waiting at the door.

Finally, after an half minute delay, Volts stood in front of the home portal, fixed a little bit his suit and then opened the slick black door. The unicorn formally greeted:

"Good-Evening, Ms and Mr?"

"Eight, Lucky Eight and this is my assistant Orange Boom. We are alchemists from Canterlot."

"Pardon me for noticing, but your colleague has an odd taste for dressing."

"We had an incident, about four days ago. I'm forever blind and she can't show her skin cause of the burns."

"I'm deeply sorry to hear that. Please, take my apologies, I didn't mean to be rude. Please, feel like home and do not be shy to look around, everything is perfectly safe." Volts gave a way for them to enter inside. Lucky nodded and at last, the two spies could begin their part of the mission. Foxy gave a quick look of the big room. It was mostly painted in woodish colors and in some places in yellow. The new creations were put in small showcases near the walls and in the center there were two large tables with all sorts of drinks and food. The room was illuminated by a single huge crystal chandelier. To make it more pleasantly for the guests, vases with exotic plants were place on every five meters. It was a little crowded with ponies from every corner of Equestria, who were interested in the latest advancements in magic and technology.

The two new guests went to the closest group of ponies and blended with the environment. They managed to hide from the eyes of the only pony, who could see through their deception. He had an annoying problem, which the ninja couldn't get rid of without harming her and taking a lot of attention to himself.

The presentation was over, which gave the start of the important part of the night. The guests were fully enjoying themselves in the company of many famous ponies, who could entertain them until the first sunbeams. Everything seemed so festive, full of smiling faces and laughs.  

Lucky and Foxy moved from one group to another, analyzing the scene. Nothing in their acting indicated about their secret assignment.

"What do you see?"

"Lot's of ponies in pretty dresses and suits. One of the hosts is talking with two yellow unicorns, the other one is heading to the other side of the room, where a crowd has formed around something. Diamond and your friend are doing their part, I guess. There are no guards or surprises, that I can see for the moment. Huh, how I hate huge parties..."  

"Don't think of it as a party but as a stealth mission. Do you see a door or a hallway, to which we can sneak?"

"There are two doors. The one on the left is behind one of the inventions. It will be impossible to open it, without getting a lot of attention. The door on the right is opened and it leads to a long hallway."  

"Maybe we could teleport behind the left door?" he looked at his partner.

"Only if it is not made of the material that prevents magic. Watch out!"

She stopped him, just before crossing a red line on the floor. A shot flew past them and hit the third red circle on the round target. The loud noise from the gun scared the living feathers out of him, unlike the ninja, who looked ready to kick some serious plots.

The unicorn, who fired the gun, immediately handed it to Volts and went ahead.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to scare you like that... Mr Lucky?" he had an royal accent, which made him sound very intelligent.

"Fancy Pants?"

"How are you, dear Lucky? Haven't seen you in more than a week. I hope that your job with Ms Blooming Rose was a success. Oh, where are my manners. Who is this mysterious lady?" he turned to Foxy, who had controlled her fires and gave him the most charming look, she could create. Let's just say it was a good try...

"This is Orange Boom, my partner." Lucky smiled and put his hoof over her shoulder.

"Greetings." she didn't sound happy to meet the stylish unicorn.

"Is there a possibility to be more than partners?" Fancy nudged him.

"Um... partners for now." he answered shamefacedly.

"I'm interested to know about you. How did you meet? When did that happen?" Fancy Pants took his monocle and wiped it with a white napkin.

"We met in a cell, more than a week ago. You do not want to know what happened then." Foxy said.

"I understand. I'll respect your privacy." Fancy charmingly winked and after that put his eyeglass. "Would you care to join us? We are having a great time with an thing called the gun."

"Maybe later. We want to look around first."

"Alright, Mr Lucky. I'll be very happy to have you in our company. Now if you excuse me, I've got to return and finish my turn."

He gracefully turned away and headed to the big crowd.

When he was far enough, Foxy turned to Lucky and asked:

"You know him?"

"Yep. He was the one, who told me about Ms Rose and asked me to help her. One extraordinary pony he is."

"A pony, who poses a threat to us. He'll blow our cover and ruin the mission." she cut him with her serious sight.

"Well, what is done is done."

"I like that phrase." both quickly turned around to face the yellow unicorn in a blue suit, who was smiling at them. "You must be the new guests. I'm Phoenix's Just." he lifted up his right leg to shake hoofs. Foxy answered his greeting, instead of Lucky. The moment their hooves touched, Tail felt a dark energy move from his leg to hers. It went deep in places that were forbidden and locked for anypony. The magical stream found the golden cage of the sleeping dragon and attempted to open it. The ninja quickly pulled her hoof, after the shaking. However, the damage was done and the demon was slowly waking up from its forced slumber.

"Interesting new gadgets, you've prepared for us." she complimented, while trying to hide her troubled inner equilibrium.

"Thank you, Ms... ?"

"Orange Boom."

"A lovely name, just like your beautiful eyes, Ms Boom."

Behind his friendly face there was something evil, that laughed at her suffering.

"If you think so." Foxy moved her sight from his face to his chest, where the red medallion stared in her. For unknown reason, she couldn't make herself to look at the locket. Tail felt like she was loosing concentration and power over her body. She never felt so dizzy in such a quick time. On top of that, Foxy had to fight the beast or risk it to let it loose in the open, which no pony would want to experience that.

Then Phoenix turned to the white pegasus, who looked very familiar to the one from his dream. The unicorn wondered, if this was just a coincidence or a sign from destiny.

"And you sir are?"

"Lucky Eight. Her partner." the pegasus tried to hold a cool head and calm his spirit. He feared that the host had heard their conversation. If that was true, they had a big problem.

"Pleasure to meet you. Are you having a good time?"

"Yeah. Everything seems to be in order. I love the optimistic feel of this event."

"Glad to hear that." then Phoenix turned to the lady. He looked concerned for her because Foxy didn't look so good. "Are you alright, Ms Boom?"

"No. Where is the toilet?"

"Go straight through the hallway. The door is on the left and has a sign. If you'd like I can call a doctor?"

"No need. Mr Lucky will help me get there." she leaned on his shoulder.

"If you excuse us." the pegasus then helped her to get to the corridor. He was surprised to see her in such a condition. Lucky was usually the one, who needed to be carried. Phoenix followed them with sight and found her dressing to be very akin to the ninja's outfits. Was she a spy from the other clans? But then, why'd the mare show up in such cloths. There was only one way to find out, who she is.

Her condition worsened with every step. The hallway was very well illuminated. There were portraits of unicorns from the old times, all of of which made their names via discovering new technologies or magic. Their iron sights looked down on her, as if her presence brought only disgrace. They found the toilet, Lucky quickly opened the door and helped her get inside. The room was a medium size. There was only one toilet seat, a sink and glass shelf with products for cleaning.

Foxy leaned over the toilet and pulled down her mouth mask. She was out of breath, her body was in total chaos. The mare felt like she was about to throw up. The dizziness was to great for her to concentrate on calming the raging dragon inside her. The beast was awake and it demanded to be freed from the biological shell.

"Foxy, what's happening to you?" Lucky was worried to the tenth degree.

"He did this to me. He used the medallion's power on me. I'm gonna change to a dragon!" she sounded in so much pain, that his heart constricted with her every word.

When Lucky heard that, he froze in one place. Going full dragon in the middle of the city of Manehatten would bring a lot of destruction and death to innocents. They had to find a way to undo the bad magic and get her back to her hoofs.

"Will an apple help you?"

"More like five apples but I do not carry any!"

"Stay here. I'll go and bring you the fruits!" Lucky swiftly left the toilet room and headed to the living room with fast paced. On the way there he bumped into somepony. After apologizing, he continued with greater speeds. At this moment, saving her was the only thing going in his mind. The mission took a second seat in his priorities, which would cost him dearly. The pony, in which he collided, was the ninja, who finally got rid of the annoying photographer with the help of Phoenix. He was asked to check Orange Boom and that's what he was going to do.

He silently approached the toilet room. He could hear her quiet agony. Foxy was holding to her remaining strength to not give in to the suffering and mutation. It took a big spirit not to scream out of pain like hers. It was enormous and unforgiving. The ninja stood at the entrance and smirked by the pitiful sight.

"Foxy Tail. I never thought to see you in such a pathetic state."

She gave him a fearful look. Her eyes were beast-like and showed no intelligence in them.

"And you are?" she asked hoarsely.

"It does not matter." he carefully approached her. Despite her weakened condition, she was still too dangerous. "Where have you been all the time? The leader was so concerned for you that he sent a team of ninjas through the portal to look for you and the Moon Shade leader. But we both know what really matters." he sat next to her and looked her directly in the eye. "Did you accomplish your task?"

"What if I don't give a buck about the clan? Braking the rules and our traditions for an outsider's help. You must be shameless and unworthy of the title ninja!"

"I'll take your answers as a no. Don't waste your energy on lecturing me. I've lost my honorable life a long time ago. My only purpose is to serve the leader until my very last moment. I guess you are against him, so that makes you my enemy. It's a pity, that you lost your way in this chaotic place."

There were steps coming from the corridor. Then Lucky appeared with a basket full with red and green apples, which he held with his mouth. The pegasus entered inside and placed it on the white tiles.

"Foxy, I've brought you plenty of apples." he was breathless. "Huh, crisis avoided!"

The two earth ponies looked at him silently. Out of a sudden, Lucky felt a powerful kick in his face, which sent him directly at the wall. He almost lost consciousness. The blind pony couldn't understand what was happening. Did he fail to get the fruits quick enough?  

Foxy got angry and she attempted to hit the him but the brown ninja dodge her attack with ease. Then with lightning speed pushed her on the ground. He jumped on her and began beating her on the head. His strikes were extremely fast and powerful. He wanted to knock Tail out but she was too tough.

After the sixth blow, Foxy managed to grab his hooves. Then she released some of her flagging control and big sharp claws violently came out, thereby impaling his legs. The brown pony was in a world of hurt but he was used to such pain. The ninja used his rear legs to apply more strikes on her stomach area. It was somewhat effective cause she had nothing to defend herself from such attacks. Her claws were still in his hooves and she couldn't get them out. Tail tried to shake her front legs but he countered this action.

She had to find another way of getting rid of him. Tail timed, when he was about to hit her and then she pushed her body forward. Her force was too immense for him to stop her and both rolled over once. Now she was on top and a demonic smile appeared on her dark face.

Suddenly a flash of magical energy froze her like a statue. Although her rage was still alive in her eyes. The ninja looked up to see who it was. Phoenix entered the room, his horn smoking from the spell he used.

"I guess they weren't here for the party."

"Knock her out but you absolutely need to give her the apples now or you'll have to deal with a dragon." the ninja sounded like he was in great pain.

"Will an apple juice suffice?" Phoenix sounded intrigued.  

"I guess so. And one more thing: fix my hooves!"

When the adrenaline wore off, his brain shut down and his brown body loosened up. Now Phoenix was left with three ponies in bad conditions. If it were any other day, he'd not have trouble with time, but now he had to be present all the time in the party.

"Volts could deal with them. He is not needed there. I only need to tell him how to proceed with our false guests. Yes, that's how we are going to do it."

Then he magically lifted the apples in the air, then created a bubble around them and squashed them. He used another spell and turned the fruits into liquid. The unicorn then created a magical hose, which Phoenix connected with the bubble and her mouth.

"Pleasant drinking!"  

The guests partied to twelve o'clock. It was dark outside but thankfully the city lights were sufficient at illuminating the lonely streets. When most of the guest left, Quarter and Diamond made their way out of there too. They were tired after the 'games' they had to participate just to get the host's attention. Being decoys was not an easy job and they proved why they were chosen for this task by the Princess. However, their play was in vain. The worst part was that they would learn it after the coming morning.

They were walking in the night to their apartment. There was a breeze, which was very welcomed after the hot assignment.

"And that's why I do not go to Royal celebrations. I'm not as young and energetic as I used to be."

"Key, parties were made to be enjoyed by everypony, no matter the age. I'd say you did pretty good back there."

"Heh, did I ever told that I used to be a party-animal back in the day?" Quarter smiled.

"Nope." Rod shook head. "Now to hope that Lucky and Dragon have fulfilled their part of the mission."

"Yeah. I bet they are back with the evidence and Nose is jumping in the air from happiness."

How foolish they were.

Meanwhile, on an island far away...

The protectors of the old ways and laws were utilizing the shadows of the forest. They silently but swiftly approached the capital of the Dragon Claw clan. They could see the lights from the houses and the city's walls on the distant hill. The tension among them raised with each step but this would not be the night to attack. They needed to be fully rested for the big action. They'd hide in the woods that surrounded the capital and when the next moon was going to rise, they'd sneak inside like the agile viper, locate their prey like the bats and strike like the fearless tiger.

Despite their stealth, they were exposed to the one being. She watched how all of the pawns were moving into their positions. Shadow Sun had seen the possible future but when dealing with biological life forms, she knew better not to underestimate their ability to change the words that were written on the stone of time. They were creatures of choice, which she didn't have. The immortal was forever condemned to suffer from internal hunger and outlive the universe itself. Next Chapter: Chapter 24: Ecstasy Of The Kill Estimated time remaining: 8 Hours, 7 Minutes