Maple Bat

Maple knelt down near Speechless "I'm still sorry, Let me..." Maple hurried to go get some cold water for him from a well outside. She brought it back inside and put a rag in it. After a few seconds, she lifted the rag out of the water and gently set the cool, wet rag against speechless snoot "Is... this helping any?" She asked him worriedly.

Woody was still busy with the injured and he heard news that more were on the way. He continued for a while until a nurse came up to him " Excuse me... Could I politely ask you to leave... some of the hurt are very nervous with you here... I'm sorry about this but you know how this is..." He nodded to the nurse that old him and he left, He figured he might as well go help for when the other group returned, They were close now at that. He waved to the carriages.

Luna walked away from the others and hurried into the tend "Jack! Gosh, that bullet... Is... Is there a way I can do anything? I remember my sister removing a bullet with magic... Maybe I could do that? I mean if you think It'll help any... Please just let me help, anything I can do please..." Evelyn looked at her, "I don't know Luna... I just don't... Jack that dream sounds lovely. I bet you're proud of something like that!"

"My name is Woodland Orchestra, My lady." Woody said with a bow. "However many call me Woody. And you may call me that too Ms. Swirling." Maple went to say hello too "And I'm his sister Maple, It's possible you've heard of me. I, however, doubt it." Maple said with a small laugh "And before you ask, Yes We are actually brother and sister. Despite the difference."

Woody was wandering the Castle in search for his father. He sighed to himself as he passed the throne room for the 3rd time. " I don't know what's up... But you know what? I don't really care. Whatever is out there can come face me. I don't think it could be that bad. " With that woody starte to again wander the halls however he used his magic to start walking through walls to make it easier to move around the castle. He started to tend to wounded ponies with his mom again, Turning off the spell he was using

"W... Wow I never really figured that... But again... Not always does that happen... I guess mercy work differently here than it does back home... Well... I guess I'll either adapt or head home, Mine and my brother adventurous vacation kinda spiraled out of control. Tartarus seems to have that effect." Maple drank the last of her ale downing the remainder in a single go. "I could use some more..." She said with a chuckle Woody jumped when War attacked, He reacted quickly to it moving around the Twin Tails and using a dark energy focused on those tails of his. He was trying to cancel out Twin Tail's magic his magic alone wouldn't do it. Now knowing that Woody started to sing a melody similar to earlier, he brought up a huge vine under the Twin Tails bringing him up, The vines grew outwards into a platform, Woody stopped time and approaching Twin tails before unfreezing it quickly "Haha! Try using that magic of yours up here!"

Maple had defended like before she had lightly tapped Speechless several times "Very good... I can't seem to hit you with anything more than a tap. Keep it up." It continued until Maple started to take it too seriously and she swung her weapon across her whole body in a full spin, nailing Speechless in the snoot with half of her overall strength. Maple gasped when she saw and dropped the weapon. "Oh, my 'Tia! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hit you that hard. I'm sorry."

The other Equestrians arrived back and Windphaser approched them, Telling them the plan that he and Karth agreed on Celestia noded "Very well... Wehere ever all of us are needed we are ready to assist." Luna nodded too horn glowing "Running does only work for so long. We may have losses true but this is our only way out." Ember and Festus went over by themselves. "You ok Ember? That's a lot of damage." "I'll heal... It's ok..." Ember said standing on her own. "We need to help as much as we can here. It's not good as is." "Yea... You're right Ember. I'll do my best you can count on it." Festus said "Make sure to get those checked as well... I'm scared..." "What do you aspire to become Jack?" Evelyn said trying to make conversation, it tended to help ease the pain if you didn't focus on it. "You wanted to be a hero right?"

"Sounds like a plan... I'll make sure they know." Windphaser said. He drew his katana, the energy coming off it like lightning He levitated a whetstone to it sharpening the edge. "They'll be back soon... So for now... We wait." Evelyn still watched worried "Quick and painless... Hopefully... I wish I could make it hurtles- Actually Jack just talks to me ok? About something... Anything you can think of." She said moving closer to him.

Woody chuckled, content. "Will, I said the spell was new! Not even I knew I could do this! Well, I am a draconequus, What can't I do? Hay, If I adjusted the spell a bit I could maybe look like Chrysalis... Hmm... I'll try that after we meet your sister Midnight!" Woody smiled warmly the Stag form having a much nicer one than when he was a draconequus. Maple looked at him and rolled her eyes "There's a lot a half-Draconequus can't do. Where is your sister anyway?"

This time around Maple was struggling to keep up with Speechless, She attempted to follow him with her eyes yet, He seemed to be faster than what she anticipated. After a while Speechless started to feel her armor from his hits, meaning that he was hitting Maple and she wasn't managing to keep upi with him "Good... Good. I'm going to start hitting back. You ready?"

Maple and her platoon started back towards Canterlot. They were walking since not all of the ponies were winged, The only that flew away from the gorge was the messenger that Maple had sent. She wasn't happy about the encounter however she knew that it could've gone a lot worse... She sighed to herself but didn't say anything.

"Karthspire... Sir, I can lead one of the groups if you trust me enough with it. I'm a rather good leader. I'm also cool under pressure as you might've noticed... But the choice is yours... The other equestrians should arrive here soon as well. However, If I was you I'd only have one Equestrian leader if any." Windphaser suggested he didn't have a lot of experience but he knew how these things went. "I'm ready for whatever you need of me sir." Evelyn watched nervously "B... be careful. No need to hurt him if we can avoid it." Evelyn looked concerned at Jack, She'd been caring for him a lot, He'd really grown on her

@WiiGuy2014 "Oh, we can just change to make it seem better. I'll actually transform into a pegasus real quick" Maple did as she said, Changing from her bat form to the Pegasus form with the mirror. She nodded to Woody who smiled he hummed a tune and he started to change the 2 paws changed into normal hooves, same with the dragon claws, his tail turned into a stabby tail and he took on a stag-like appearance in the face, His goat horn changed to match the Deer horn that was already on his head. " Ah Ha! It worked! Haha! New magic! How do I look to you 3?" Woody said looking at Midnight and the wills "Good? Bad? Not sure how well the magic worked but I know it worked... How do I look?" Well, one thing was for certain, He was no longer a draconequus. So he was less scary and more friendly and inviting, in terms of appearance. Nothing else about him changed however

"Sorry, I've got nothing... Perhaps one of the equestrians will? They're coming here... one of their own got hurt as well I think they'll be able to take care of her though." Evelyn said. She moved over to Jack "You'll be ok... I know it..." Windphaser approached Karthspire. "Running is a worse plan... Once we get to the center and get in they'll wait outside it for us... That said I have an Idea. We split our forces. That way they'll do the same, however, at that same time we prep our forces. One of the squads fights and that is the one the giant mech doesn't follow... What do you think?"

"You all seem pretty riled up about this... Storm you have every right to be... I can't imagine what that was like." Maple, as she took another drink of the ale, watched the scene paying the Wolf warriors a lot of attention given she was around a lot of them, She wanted to learn about them and the way they fight, she agreed that Serpent's forces were terrible yet... "At least they let them live... Look at those warriors... All those civilians... I mean for the injured warrior it's mercy, and the warriors took the chance in a fight too... but for the non-combatants, it's just kinda cheap." Maple was probably expressing such disapproval in the wrong area but for some reason, she didn't realize that "Salacious? War?" Woody turned away from the Twin tails and looked at them when they reminded him they could see through the eyes of their followers he blushed embarrassed "Well... I'm glad that you came" He looked and noticed Shadows wasn't present in the group. A look of uncertainty crossed his face before he saw War and Salacious start to fight, "HEY! Now is not the time you two... We need to deal with him. So put that rivalry aside for now... Please." Woody turned back to the Twin tails just after which he glanced at 2 two and then grinned "Besides this was my plan, So he's technically mine."

Maple nodded to speechless "Sounds like a plan. Let me get ready." Maple placed the leather sleeve back over the blade of her weapon and spun the weapon overhead, Going back into her defensive stance. She shifted around a bit before saying "Alright, show me what you've got. Remember, stay low." She added just to be sure he remembered.

"He was shot by a sniper, Hallow point round... So it really hurt him. Get to work quick! He's losing his strength." Evelyn moved in a way that tossed Jack out of the saddle and into her arms, she handed him to the medic that was close to her. She then faced Karthspire. "We're lucky... The equestrians saved him. I don't know why he went out there sir, However, I did make it in time to save him sir."

When Woody noticed the heat as he had half finished his healing, "B... bad... Ok uhh... I can just kill him myself. No magic." Well... that wasn't exactly true. Woody cloaked himself in an arctic cold aura, something that would let him get close the Twin Tails despite the heat. He also added a enchantment to his claws making them razor sharp. Woody ran at the Twin Tails and, sliced at his throat with his fangs, After which he was forced to let time resume, If he'd kept it up for much longer it would've been too taxing on his magical reserves, even in Tartarus, he couldn't draw power from around him while time was stopped as well. After drinking the new brew Maple smiled, delighted. "Oh no, this is nice! Much nicer tasting than what you first gave to me storm..." Maple commented on it. She watched the fight for a while noticing something that was bugging her. "What's up with those fighters? Look at that armor... It's so... Little... Is that even effective armor? Well, It looks nice sure. It probably distracts your opponents... That's not something to lean back on however since it won't always work." Maple suddenly didn't know how she felt about the armor. IT had benefits, and it had downsides, Like the leather armor, she was wearing at the moment.

"One thing at a time Will. I'm sure That your sister would be a bit... Intimidated by there being this many of us... If you Wish for it I'll leave." Earth pony, Moonshadow told Midnight He then looked at the sun outside still raising in the sky. " Scratch that... I need to head to Canterlot anyways. Duty calls as you all know. I think we're close to finding Chryssi and I can't wait for round 2... Anyways see you all later." Moonshadow cuddled Maple for a second before he dashed to the door heading outside it. Maple followed him to the door and before he left Maple looked him in his eyes "Goodluck, I bet you can beat Chrysalis once she shows herself again. Probably won't show up though knowing her." She still was blushing after he left and she had a starry look in her red, nocturnal eyes, She looked lost in thought as well.

'He's right Maple... I faced Valtrek myself on the way here... He takes a form but that form is well... Not really there... Fighting is something else... We'll have to find a weapon or something that can hurt him first... And we don't even know if anything like that exists... Just stay calm and safe sister... Ok?' Woody thought to Maple, He'd been listening for a little while 'Alright Bro... I will... For you and Mom. Dad too... I'll stay safe... Whether I'm alive is up to debate. I think I'm "Dead" Technically' Maple thought back to her brother. The Equestrians would get back to camp... But they were traveling slowly. -------------------------- "Help!" Evelyns Voice boomed over the camp "Jack... He needs Help NOW!" She shouted as she landed in the center of everyone

"We will," Maple said turning back to Speechless "Staying here... Suddenly feels less safe... However, I don't know how we could safely get to canterlot castle nor anywhere safer for that matter. We'll just say here... for now. Did you want something a moment ago? It kinda looked like you had something but I'm not the best at reading expressions." Maple said brushing the top of her mane with a hoof.

'It's not about the glory... I just want to fight him, For everything, he's done... I know that 'Tia can be stronger than me. I've known that But 'Tia has one thing that will keep her back during that fight. She's needed in Equestria more than anypony else. Me... I'm really no pony. I've made connections with others and I have those who are about me but... I worry about anyone else challenging Valtrek because Many fear death. I've managed to survive that sensation once and I'm not afraid to face it again. My talent with a bow isn't something I need to practice, it's a lay line in my soul, so it's not something I get worse at, nor a skill I lose. Spear fighting is something I train to keep on point, I don't want anyone to die that doesn't have to... It was never about being the strongest... I told Jack that Strength was all I had but... It wasn't that... When I see someone stronger I fear that my own ability to protect innocent people is diminishing but... Seeing 'Tia that strong... Well, It proves me wrong now... Personally, I don't care if I have a future as long as I make it so others do. If that makes sense.' Maple thought back with a audible sigh ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hearing what Jack said... about feeling uncomfortable around certain people worried her "We'll... Have to work on that..." She said to herself. "For now we need to get you patched up."

'I know. I saw the memory... If I was to guess... That "Fluttershy" I bet the wound is still there... She cared a lot for you... Looking at it. She was trying to fill for Luna almost. I man she made you a bed out of things she could find since you needed sleep. She tried to make sure you were comfortable and safe the whole time she was with you. Too bad she vanished... Well, Anyways we're closing in.. Just hold on tight...' Evelyn was pushing past her normal limit but still, it was going to take time to reach the camp. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Really? I thought it was kinda reckless. I actually feel this heat... It's nice but That means that I've really overheated myself. It was just one of those all or nothing moments... I can only imagine what that kid was going through... I've said it before and I will again... I lived in luxury my whole life... Safety... A Family... Home... A steady Job even... I took all those things for granted. Listen... I want something from you... I know I said that I didn't need help but...' Maple hesitated, waiting a long time... awkwardly long even. 'I just want to beat Valtrek... Even if I must sacrifice myself to get rid of him that's truly my goal. I don't know what to think... I just... after what he's done... I want him gone'

Maple enjoyed the change of scene, She'd been rather tense since she died the first time, however now she was in a safer and more casual area. Entering the lodge felt inviting and cozy rather than the prep for war feeling Maple had gotten from the outside surroundings, it was certainly a welcome change "So... What kinda drink they got here, could use something to help me unwind. I think you were right earlier... I might be going a bit crazy." After that comment Maple saw the 'screen' and started watching the battle "Huh... Where is that going on? Seems like you could see it better if you were there." Maple joked. Woody saw his own fireballs coming back at him but he was too busy holding himself against the increasing gravity to defend himself the blasts torched him in a few places but overall he'd be alright. When The Twin Tails got closer to him he stopped time, with the same melody as before, Once time stopped, Woody sang a cold and sharp melody a spear of cold and sturdy ice formed into his paw and he threw it with all the strength he could muster, The tip of the spear hovered, inches from the other god's throat, halted in the timeline. He stared at that for a second and smiled. Woodland moved away and started to heal himself keeping time on pause. Despite having this ability the young draconequus was rather scared he'd never faced a being stronger than him aside from his own family but this time was very different if he lost... he wouldn't see his family again. Woody shook his head "He can't do anything... You're fine Woody... He's stalled in time... Even his energy..." He said to himself trying to relax while healing but he couldn't shake this uneasy feeling.