Another day dawned on Ponyville as the sun made its way across the sky, heralding the start of work for many of the townsponies. They stretched their limbs and looked out of their windows in wonder at the landscape. A landscape which bore no signs of the terrible, and at often times bloody, battle which had been waged there only a week ago.

As the townsponies prepared themselves for the day ahead, they often thought that they could hear the sounds of combat coming from near the Everfree Forest. Shrugging it off, they opened their businesses and began another day's work.

Of all the ponies in town, the only one who seemed remotely interested in the noises was Fluttershy. The usually timid pegasus, who's home bordered the forest, was both intrigued and terrified by the noises she could hear. She was intrigued because they were new noises, and terrified because they reminded her of all that she had seen during the battle.

She cautiously set out from her house and followed the noises. They grew louder as she got closer to the source. Growling and hissing combined with what sounded like a whip to make a cacophony of war.

Fluttershy lowered herself to the ground as she got closer, for fear of disturbing whoever, or indeed whatever, was making the noises. Two figures loomed ominously over her. She squeaked in fear, which in turn made them aware of her presence. They looked at each other before one of them laughed.

Fluttershy saw a hand approaching her and gulped, fearing the worst. She was surprised when the hand went under her chin and lifted her head up... so that she was looking into the eyes of a bewildered blood elf mage.

"Fluttershy," the elf asked, "what are you doing?"

Fluttershy's eyes darted between the elf and her companion, a tauren druid. She let out a sigh of relief and stood up.

"Oh," she said, "sorry Luxxoria. I didn't realise that you and Zorann were here. I, um... heard noises and came to see what was making them. It might have been an injured creature."

"You're not wrong there." Luxxoria replied. "Zorann and I are just partaking in a pet battle, so of course there will be some injuries."

Fluttershy's eyes widened at the mention of 'pet battle'. She looked over at where Zorann was standing and gasped. Standing on either side of him were two creatures. One resembled a baby dragon, while the other looked like Zorann, except on four legs. In front of him was a cat-like creature with a body made of nothing but fire.

The creature meowed piteously at an obvious injury along its side. Standing over it was another creature which looked like a flower. Behind it, on either side of Luxxoria, stood a cockroach and what looked like a cross between a dragon and a hawk.

"You're doing what?!" Fluttershy squealed, rushing over to the fire cat and standing over it protectively. "How can you make these critters fight each other like this?! What have they ever done to you to make you treat them in such a barbaric manner?"

Zorann and Luxxoria shied away from Fluttershy's sudden burst of energetic rage. Zorann looked her straight in the eyes and sighed. He snapped his fingers and the dragon moved in front of him while the fire cat limped back to stand by his left leg.

"They're battle pets." he said. "This is what they're for. But you don't have to worry about anything, Fluttershy. The injuries are temporary, as is death. Both Luxxoria and I can he—"

"DEATH?" Fluttershy screeched. "You actually make these animals kill each other?! That is the most horrifying thing I have ever heard! You should both be ashamed of yourselves!"

"Let me finish!" Zorann snapped, causing Fluttershy to flinch. "Both Luxxoria and I can heal the pets' injuries. They are not in any genuine danger. They know that it's all harmless fun... okay, somewhat harmless fun."

"I don't care!" Fluttershy said with a stomp of her hoof. "It's horrible and degrading and I demand that you stop it now! Have you ever stopped to consider that these animals don't like being made to fight with each other?"

Zorann and Luxxoria exchanged a glance.

"No, we haven't." Luxxoria admitted. "But that's only because we don't have to. You're forgetting, Fluttershy, that these are Azerothian creatures. Therefore they are not like your fluffy little bunny friends here in Equestria."

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes as she stared the two of them down. She snorted once and walked over to Zorann's fire cat.

"And you're forgetting," she said, "that here in Equestria, our laws of magic apply to you... as well as all other living things."

She looked at the cat, which looked back at her.

"Don't worry little friend," she cooed, "I'm not going to hurt you. My name is Fluttershy. Do you have a name?"

To Zorann and Luxxoria's amazement, the cat responded to Fluttershy's question with a series of meows.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Firefur." Fluttershy beamed. "I must say that I have never met a Cinder Kitten before. But you are just so adorable! In fact, all of you are! Even you, little baby dragon!"

The whelpling let out a shrill cheer as Firefur tugged gently at Fluttershy's mane. She leaned down next to it and listened carefully as the cat meowed in her ear. After a while, she nodded and turned her attention to Zorann and Luxxoria, both of whom had nervous looks on their faces.

"He says that he and the other pets want to talk to the two of you." she said. "Ordinarily, I would just translate, but I think that this calls for a more... direct approach. That said, wait right here and don't go anywhere."

Zorann and Luxxoria nodded as Fluttershy looked over the assorted pets, a large smile on her face.

"Don't worry little ones," she said cheerfully, "I'm going to get my friends, and then we're going to sort this out once and for all!"

She turned around and trotted back towards Ponyville, the spring in her step clearly visible. The pets watched her go, and then turned slowly to face their owners, each of them with an angry look on their face. Zorann gulped.

"Should we run?" he asked.

Luxxoria shook her head.

"Nah," she replied, "I'm actually keen to see how this turns out. Though part of me wishes she'd brought that rabbit of hers along."

"And why the hell would you want to see that Nether-blasted little cretin?" Zorann asked. "Do you not remember when he turned your Water Elemental into a Carrot Juice Elemental?"

"That's why I want to see him," Luxxoria replied. "so I could tell him no harm done, and then introduce him to my Toxic Wasteling."

There was a moment of silence before the two of them burst out laughing, ignoring the seething looks their pets were giving them.

"Ugh, what's going on Flutters?" Rainbow Dash groaned. She and the other Elements of Harmony followed Fluttershy through the Everfree, surprised by her sudden boldness.

"You'll see when we get there." Fluttershy replied. "And Twilight, I hope you're ready to use that spell I asked you about, because we're going to need it."

"A spell to make animals talk?" Twilight said. "Yes I know one, but can you tell us why you need a spell like this when your special ability is, well, talking to animals?"

"As I said to Rainbow Dash, you'll see when we get there." Fluttershy said flatly. "But let me just say that I want the spell because these animals deserve to have a voice of their own."

Twilight rolled her eyes and looked towards Rainbow Dash, who simply shrugged. The five of them continued following Fluttershy through the dank forest as the sounds of shouting filled the air. Fluttershy's ears folded back against her head while the other Elements pricked theirs up towards the noise.

"Dammit all to the Nether," Luxxoria bellowed, "all of my pets are refusing to comply with my commands!"

"Same here," Zorann muttered, "and I'm assuming it's because of what Fluttershy said earlier."

"It is because of what I said earlier," Fluttershy said as she stepped into the clearing with the others, "and I intend to help these little critters escape from the horror you are putting them through."

Firefur ran up to Fluttershy and nuzzled her leg as the pegasus turned towards Twilight and nodded. Twilight returned the nod and charged her horn with magic, enveloping the various animals in her aura. Once it faded, Firefur looked at Fluttershy.

"Can you hear me?" he asked.

Several sets of jaws hit the floor as Fluttershy nodded, Zorann and Luxxoria both beginning to look nervous. The Cinder Kitten turned to face Zorann, its face contorted with anger.

"For as long as I can remember," he said bitterly, "you have been using me as a battle pet. I know nothing but pain and sorrow, yet you seem more interested in pushing me to my limits. The pain I inflict and receive is real. We were once your loyal companions, following you in your adventures across Azeroth. But once you learned about the Battle Pet League, you just had to get involved."

"But you were not content with the companions you already had. Oh no, you both had to begin capturing wild creatures to serve your barbaric schemes. Innocent little critters, torn away from their families to fight."

As the cat spoke Fluttershy's ears remained pinned against the sides of her head, while the other Elements of Harmony listened in rapt horror. Zorann and Luxxoria looked around the clearing, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with the creature.

"I used to respect you Zorann," Firefur continued, "I really did. But all that respect vanished when you made me kill my first critter... only because it wasn't good enough."

"It was a poor quality pet," Zorann muttered, "and I don't—"

"THAT DID NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO END IT'S LIFE!" Firefur roared, "You could have walked away and left it. But no, you made me kill it because you wanted me to gain 'experience'. I gained that experience all right. Time and time again, I gained that experience when you made me slaughter an innocent creature. You may think we companions are incapable of emotion, but let me tell you right now that you're wrong. Every time I took a life, I cried. I cried for their loss, and I cried because of your brutality."

Zorann sighed as the whelpling next to Luxxoria spoke.

"I agree with my counterpart here." it said, "None of us wanted to do this, yet we had no choice. I too have taken ended lives simply because my 'owner' willed it. Hmm, 'owner'... never before has a truer word been spoken. This elf owns my very being. She controls everything I do, for I am nought but a slave."

"I'm sorry you feel that way Timekeeper," Luxxoria replied, "but what do you want me to do about it?"

The elf watched as her companions, and those of Zorann, joined Firefur in standing next to Fluttershy.

"Set us free." Timekeeper said simply, "Set us free, so that we are no longer bound by the shackles of battle."

Luxxoria snorted.

"And where will you go?" she asked, "Back to Azeroth?"

"They can stay with me." Fluttershy said proudly, "I will keep them safe. They will be able to live in peace at my house."

Luxxoria opened her mouth to respond when Zorann tapped her on the shoulder. He said something to her in Orcish which caused a small smile to appear on her face as she nodded. The Elements cocked their heads, unable to comprehend the language.

"I really wish they'd teach us that." Twilight muttered, "It would be really interesting to learn a language from another world."

"So you keep saying," Dash groaned, "but they've already told you they're not going to teach us, as they need something they can keep to themselves."

"So they can have private, and maybe even disturbing, conversations with each other?" Rarity asked, "Let us not forget what they talked about the last time they switched to speaking this tongue of theirs."

Luxxoria clapped her hands together gleefully, attracting the attention of ponies and companions alike.

"Zorann and I have discussed it," she said, "and we've both agreed to set you free. So, yeah. You're free."

Fluttershy cheered in delight as the six companions hugged her tightly around the legs.

"Thank you," Firefur said, "for giving us respite at last."

"Whatever." Zorann muttered, "Now get out of here before I change my mind and recapture you."

"Recapture me?" Firefur said mockingly, "With what?"

"With one of the several other pets I still have." Zorann replied smugly, "You never said anything about Luxxoria and I releasing them now, did you?"

As Zorann spoke, three more creatures appeared at his feet. All three were metallic in appearance and belching smoke. Luxxoria too had summoned three more companions, all of which were bear cubs — including one which appeared to be rotting.

"We've kept to your agreement," Luxxoria said with a grin, "but if you don't mind, we're trying to battle here. Now clear off."

Fluttershy watched in horror as one of the mechanical creatures fired a bolt of lightning at one of the bear cubs. The cub squealed in agony and dropped to the ground, unmoving.

"Critical hit!" Zorann cheered. "Looks like your Hyjal Bear Cub couldn't handle my Lil' XT!"

Luxxoria cursed in Thalassian as the Elements of Harmony slowly walked away, followed by the six freed companions. Fluttershy looked back towards the scene and frowned.

"This isn't over," she whispered, "not yet."

With those words she left the clearing, trying her best to block out the squeals and whimpers of agony coming from behind her.

Luna's moon made its way slowly across the sky as Zorann and Luxxoria walked back into Ponyville. The two friends were laughing and joking about their day.

"As fun as today was," Luxxoria said, "we still need to bear in mind the fact we've pissed off Fluttershy and the rest of the girls. I don't have to tell you that we haven't heard the last of this."

Zorann sighed.

"It's not our fault those ex-companions of ours didn't choose their words properly," he said, "but I still have to agree with you. It took us so long to get on their good sides after what happened, and this is just going to ruin what we worked so hard to build."

"Still," Luxxoria replied, "I wish she'd brought Angel along. My Toxic Wasteling was really looking forward to meeting him."

"'Meeting'," Zorann said with a smirk, "or 'eating'?"

"Hopefully both." Luxxoria said.

The two of them howled with laughter as Ponyville came into view, along with the silhouettes of a pegasus. The laughter stopped when the serious look on Fluttershy's face became evident.

"Damn," Luxxoria whispered, "I told you that we hadn't heard the end of this."

"Okay girls," Zorann said as he folded his arms, "what's up?"

"I want you to release all of your companions from their servitude as battle pets," Fluttershy demanded, "and let them live out their lives in peace and safety at my cottage."

Zorann and Luxxoria exchanged a bemused look.

"Okay," Luxxoria replied, "but let's make it a wager. One final battle, us versus you and the six we released earlier. If we win then you will let us do as we please, but if you win then we will release all of our companions to your care."

Fluttershy baulked at Luxxoria's words as she shook her head fiercely, while Firefur let out a disgruntled snarl.

"Very well," he said, "we agree to your terms. If we must go through the horrors of battle once last time in order to secure the release and safety of our peers, then so be it."

"No," Fluttershy shouted, "you can't! I won't let you!"

Firefur nuzzled her cheek affectionately.

"We'll be fine." he said soothingly before dropping his voice to a whisper, "After all, I have a plan. Send the cockroach in first."

Fluttershy nodded meekly.

"Okay fine," she said, "I accept. You will face the cockroach first."

"An easy battle," Luxxoria cackled, "and one that my bear cub will be all too happy to win!"

The cockroach flew out in front of Fluttershy.

"Hello again Luxxoria," it said, "I'm sorry it has come to this."

Luxxoria groaned.

"How long does that spell last?" she muttered, "Because I'm getting a bit freaked out by all the talking critters."

She glared at the cockroach.

"You're going down, Gordul." she spat.

"Gordul?" Fluttershy parroted, "You're named after the former leader of the Shattered Hand?"

"I am," Gordul replied, "for like a cockroach, Gordul seemed capable of surviving anything."

"Enough talk," Luxxoria snarled as her bear cub took its position, "let's get this over with. You're the faster companion, so you get to go first. Make your move, Gordul."

"With pleasure." Gordul replied smugly. "I will use..."

There was a brief pause before the cockroach shouted as loud as it possibly could.

"... SWARM! GET THEM, GUYS!"

The ground rumbled beneath Zorann and Luxxoria's feet as swathes of animals came rushing out from between the trees of the Everfree Forest, unleashing roars and howls of fury.

Zorann and Luxxoria looked at each other.

"Crap." they muttered, as the crowd of animals descended on them in a flurry of blows.

Dear Princess Celestia,

We are still recovering in hospital from the many bites and scratches we received from Fluttershy's animal friends. She insisted demanded that we write you a letter telling you what we have learned from this whole experience.

We should have realised that what is normal in Azeroth wouldn't be considered as such here in Equestria. And for that we are sorry. It was wrong of us to force these critters to fight and kill each other to entertain our sick sense of enjoyment. We can only hope that Fluttershy can rehabilitate them, and thus allow them to live the rest of their lives in peace.

We have also learned to never judge a book by its cover. Fluttershy may look helpless, but underneath that timid exterior lurks a fiery temper just waiting to be released against those who would hurt the innocent — like we did.

Our short-sightedness led us to believe that Fluttershy was incapable of stopping us. But she is tenacious, and a hell of a lot smarter than we give her credit for.

Her determination to save these companions from our clutches has reminded us both that life is precious, and not a thing to be squandered. You'd think that the recent battle with the Horde would have told us that.

In conclusion, your highness, we are sorry for any trouble we have caused. And we promise to never get on Fluttershy's bad side for as long as we live. We wish her all the best in taking care of her many new friends. Just make sure to remind her that she must keep Firefur away from sources of water.

Your humble servants,
Zorann and Luxxoria.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I feel bad about what happened to Zorann and Luxxoria, but I have to keep telling myself that it was the only way to make them see sense, and that what they were doing was wrong.

I apologise for the way my animals acted, and I assure you that it will not happen again. They were simply defending the others, and for that I am proud of them.

Speaking of the others, I have several new friends here to take care of! Most of them are new species from Azeroth, and some are even made of metal. I'm having a bit of trouble with one of the mechanical creatures, as it keeps having tantrums. I have also had to stop it from destroying some of the other mechanicals. But I have a feeling that if I am firm yet kind, I will get through to it.

I have another letter to write now, as I need to see somepony about getting an extension built for my cottage. It makes me wonder how Zorann and Luxxoria carried all of these critters.

Your humble subject,
Fluttershy.

Dear Princess Celestia,

We're all a bit worried about Fluttershy. Living with all of those animals can't be good for her health. Some of them belch out enough smoke to make even a dragon jealous!

We went up with our own pets, but that turned out to be a mistake. Opalescence got sprayed by a skunk, Winona tried chasing the fire cat, Gummy met an alligator which actually had teeth (one of which was soon embedded in his back), Owlouiscious had to dodge a strange fish-like creature which was firing a projectile of some kind into the air and we all got scared witless when Tank bumped into a cat and a disembodied voice said something about 'the armies of the Scourge' hunting us down.

Fluttershy doesn't seem to mind the antics of her new friends, but that's because she's too kind.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go and find a spell which will allow me to fireproof Fluttershy's house. It's only a matter of time before one of those dragon whelplings sneezes.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.

Dear Fluttershy,

If at any point in the next few months Angel goes missing, then please come and find me as quickly as you can.

I might have an idea as to where he would be. And I apologise profusely to you in advance if it turns out that my assumption is in fact correct.

Your friend,
Luxxoria.

Author's Notes:

Why all the letters at the end? Because I wanted to add them, that's why. I also felt that letters were a good way of getting some of the jokes out. In fact, just think of the letters as a little Epilogue.