Visi brings Applejack to the castle entrance...

[silverfall]

(Cont. from Ponyville: Looking for Help)

Visi was whistling cheerfully as he and his companions approached the castle. Darkie hoisted Applejack on his shoulders, once more settling her against his back.

"Oo, boss," Fernando said. "Big castle!"

"Yes, brother," Visi said. "Very big." Then to the castle he called out. "Hullo! Your Great and Gloriful Evilness! We have come to serve thee in your time of need." He gave a great flourish as he bowed.

"Well?" Neve asked. "Where are they?"

"They must be attending to some evil business."

"Perhaps we should go inside, then?" Neve asked.

[LNS]

Twisting her head around Apple's eyes widened. The castle!

Swallowing hard, she looked at the others. What did they want? And what or who is this Evilness?

Venturing a question Apple asked, "Wha ... what's go ... going ... on?"

[silverfall]

At the sound of Applejack's voice, Fernando started jumping up and down on his stubby legs, trying to get a good look at her. But Darkie was so tall that this was difficult. Visi came up alongside and began to speak to her.

"Why, my dear, we've come from a far-away land to seek out our plunder in these fair lands. Evil has made a new home here in your castle and we are merely seeking to get in on the action while the getting is good. You will be our offering to his Darkship, the ponies seven. To pledge our allegiance." He patted her on the head with the tip of his wing. "I'm sure his Darkship will be very good to you."

To Neve, he said, "Go up there and see if there's a bell or something."

[LNS]

Apple could see one of the stallions jumping up and down. Why is he doing that? She wondered.

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. She began to squirm in an attempt to break free from the stallion that held her.

Why did I leave my home? Better yet why did I get out of bed?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A blood red pegasus appeared over the hill. The wind played with black hair as she sauntered closer to the castle and the small group just outside of it. A smile tugged at the corners of her delicate mouth as she noticed the smashed front door. No doubt work of the evils. Already she could tell the trip she had made was well worth it.

[silverfall]

"I can't see a fricking bell, Visi," Neve said. "Let's just go inside. It's not exactly barred to prevent intruders." Then looking up the hill, she noticed the red pegasus. She nodded in her direction, almost a challenge.

Darkie was holding Applejack tight and didn't seem to notice her struggles.

[LNS]

Struggling was proving to be of no use. It all it was doing was wearing her out. Letting her head drop it came to rest on the stallion's upper back. She was beat, and she knew it. There was no escape. She tried not to dwell on whatever it was they or the Evilness wanted with her. Apple was already scared and close to stressing. What good would thinking about what could happen do?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nip made a sweeping sort of a bow as she came to the small group. The rose she had placed in her hair, had its thorns wound about a few strands of her silky hair.

"Good afternoon." Nip purred, her voice suggestive.

[silverfall]

"An afternoon of the best kind," Visi purred back while Neve stamped her hooves. "And who might you be, my dark, wild rose?" He fanned his wings suggestively.

[LNS]

Green eyes glittered as Nip's smile widened.

A fine looking stallion. The pegasus thought to herself. Very fine.

"The name is Nip." She replied with a wink, "I've come to answer the evils call."

Wings dipped and folded gracefully across her back. The tip of her tail swayed to and fro invitingly, as green eyes focused upon his.

[silverfall]

The winged stallion side-stepped up to her. "Well, Nip, you're in luck. I've come to answer the call of evil, too." His tail swished, grazing her rump with a soft, electric touch. "My name is Visioso, but you may call me Visi."

[Becka *Pone*]

Tawny had flipped her ear towards the window facing the front of the castle as she heard a faint call outside. Wonderful - the other evils were assembling! She started towards the door, but Chakra and that d**ned healer were in the way, although the healer seemed to be doing very poorly in his presence. She smiled at him as she passed and he nodded to her - he was perhaps the only pony who didn't see her ugly color on the outside, but the perfectly more ugly aura within, and he didn't mind one bit. She would have to call on him later.

"Keep her alive please, we have business with her." Tawny said as she pushed her way through the others.

"I have family buisness with her also - I will try my very best." He called back down the hall to her.

Tawny smiled and continued on down the hall and to the front doors. "Hello my lovelies, how wonderful of you to join us."

[silverfall]

Visi looked up from Nip and to Tawny. He looked her up and down a minute, then shrugging to himself, slipped away from Nip (but not before giving her an "I'm saving your for later" wink) and came to stand before the yellow Evil.

"My Great Lady, we have come at your request," Visi said, bowing low with his wings spread to the ground. "My companions and I pay your homage with this small token." He nodded to Darkie, who dropped Applejack at Tawny's feet. "She is but a small morsel, but hopefully something fun to play with. I am Visioso, and these are my companions, Nevisangui, Darkie, and my brother Fernando. We await your command."

"Oo, oo," Fernando was whimpering at Tawny's feet. "Great lady. Great lady!"

[Becka *Pone*]

Tawny grinned as the others dropped the red pony at her feet. She circled Applejack quickly, "oh yes, she is a pretty one isn't she. I know that my brother has been having a few frustrating experiances with the filly's lately, perhaps this one will be just the thing to cheer him up."

Tawny bent down at eye level with Applejack, "he's red too dear, blood red - but perhaps you are just a bit too cheery looking, we may have to darken your color just a bit to match his own." Tawny made a quick little cut across the other's shoulder, the blood seeping out and staining the bright coat a dark red color. "Perfect, but we don't want you too tore up yet do we - I will leave that to him."

Tawny stood again and faced the others, "you can take her to Caliban if you wish, or just throw her in a room for later. Some of the pathetic little pink things have already started to try fighting us in the throne room - do as you wish to them, there should be "reinforcements" coming to their aid at any time." Tawny gave a smirk, "it should be fun."

[silverfall]

"Thank you, Wise Yellow." Visi motioned to Darkie who picked Applejack back up. "We will be glad to assist."

"Chomp! Chomp!" Fernando hopped up and down.

"Yes, chomp, brother. Soon, brother."

Visi pointed Darkie, Fernando and Neve toward the great broken doors. He gave a wink to Nip, another bow to Tawny, and trotted off after his companions.

(Cont. Time has come-well past midnight)

[LNS]

Eyes half closed as she let the tip of her muzzle run along his shoulder and up his neck.

"How delightful." Nip whispered softly into Visi.

Nip ran the tip of her tongue along her lips as Visi moved towards Tawny. Her eyes said, I look forward to later.

"Mistress of Evil." Nip cooed, "A pleasure to meet you at long last."

Nip dipped her head in greeting Not to be out done by any, she pulled put an antique dagger adorned with small precious jewels on the handle and offered it to Tawny.

[LNS]

Blinking Apple sat on the ground where she was placed, too afraid to move. As Tawny cut her shoulder, she flinched. Biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out, Apple blinked twice. Staring up at the mustard yellow mare, she knew this was one she didn't want to anger. Darkie's strong hooves soon had hold of her again, and she found herself draped over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.