Chapter 6: Becoming The Hunted! A More Dangerous Threat!

After delivering such a heavy blow to the Black Knight, Rail Spike was stunned by what he just did. He actually hurt the Black Knight and sent it flying far.

Rail Spike: Did I really just do that!?

Mighty: You sure did! That was amazing Rail! You bucked that thing like it was a football!

Mighty excitedly got back up and shook himself to regain his focus as Misty got up herself.

Misty: And it looks like we don't need to search on that train anymore, we've finally found who we're looking for.

Rail Spike: Hold on, am I the pony you've all been looking on the train for?

Terri Belle: Pretty much.

Swift Foot: Though we wish we had a way to know sooner.

Rail Spike: Well I'll be. Who would've thought a conductor like me could be a special pony with powers that incredible.

Farther away from the heroes, the Black Knight was shown getting back up, where it's armor began glowing red as it started to go berserk. it let out a wild, raging roar that could be heard for miles.

Mighty: Uh oh, I think it's mad guys...

Terri Belle: You think!?

The knight charged towards the Saints where Mighty stood his ground before he charged towards the knight once again.

Swift Foot: It's back on it's hooves!? After an attack like that!?

Mighty: Everypony! Get behind me!

Both sides entered a fierce collision as their helmets clashed and formed a shockwave upon impact, causing Mighty's helmet to fall off in the clash.

Mighty then turned around and furiously bucked the knight in the face, denting its helmet.

Mighty: I won't go down that easily, no way you're going to hurt my friends!

The Black Knight started to twitch as it let out a loud shriek, it angrily charged towards Mighty once again before getting stunned by a magic blast from Misty.

After getting stunned, the knight changed targets and was ready to attack the Countess instead, but Rail Spike bucked it towards Mighty who leapt into the air and stomped on the knight's head with heavy force, destroying it.

The knight disappeared into a cloud of smoke as the Taurus Gold Cloth returned as a pendant around Mighty's neck.

Mighty: We…we did it!

Rail Spike: Okay. So…what's going on?

Misty: It's REALLY complicated. You'll have to talk to Starswirl at the Castle of Friendship.

Mighty: And you might need to take a leave from your job, if you're okay with that.

Rail Spike: We better get back to the station and board the train. You all said you're heading to Canterlot right?

Misty: Right. Let's head back everypony.

The group returned to the station where they told the folks of Vanhoover what happened. Content with their safety, they returned home to rebuild as the train left for Canterlot.

Rail Spike was in one of the cars with the group explaining the situation.

Rail Spike: So this evil unicorn named Virus broke out of his prison after a thousand years and now he's planning to destroy Equestria!? And these Gold Saints you mentioned are the only ones who can stop him?

Misty: Pretty much.

Terri Belle: And I'm willing to bet that he was responsible for that monster who attacked us.

Swift Foot: It's a lot to take in..

Mighty: If you need a minute Rail, we totally understand.

Rail Spike: More like a day. My whole world just got turned around so many times, I might get dizzy.

Swift Foot: Starswirl knows more about it than us, so if you have any other questions, it's best you talk to him.

Rail Spike: Well I'm about to go on break after this stop so I can ride down after I drop you all off.

Rail Spike walked out of the car and towards the passenger car.

Rail Spike: Next stop, Canterlot! Next stop, Canterlot!

The train stopped at Canterlot station where Rail Spike walked them off the train.

Rail Spike: I'll meet you guys back at the Castle of Friendship. Good luck finding the other two.

Terri Belle: You're not coming with us?

Rail Spike: I'm still on the clock but don't worry, we'll see each other again.

Misty: Thank you for bringing us here Rail, you've been a great help to us.

Rail Spike: My pleasure, it's our duty to make sure the passengers arrive safe and sound.

Mighty: He's so cool!

The doors closed as the train sounded off and left as the group went into Canterlot, where they saw how big the city was.

Mighty: Wow! Look at this place! I never get tired of seeing it!

Terri Belle: We're going to be stuck here for a while.

Mighty: We'll definitely find them, plus it'll be fun to look around Canterlot.

The group started to look around the city. In Canterlot, there were a lot of rich folk, diplomats, and 3 hooved restaurants where it was home to the Canterlot Castle where Twilight Sparkle ruled Equestria.

Mighty was flying around looking at the fliers where the mares were walking around the streets to see any bizarre actions.

But sadly, like always, nothing.

Mighty landed to give his wings a break after flying for so long as Misty took a deep breath and sighed.

Mighty: Any luck guys?..

Misty: We looked everywhere but there's still no sign of the two.

Terri Belle: I wish that map would show us cutie marks instead of a gold box. It would be so much easier to find them.

?: Then won't you have to look at the flanks of others?

The group jumped back and saw the same black unicorn stallion from before, still wearing his cloak.

Misty: Oh, it's you again. Are you following us?

?:...No….

Terri Belle: There he goes again with a long pause. I say he is.

Swift Foot: Now hold on, if he was, we would've noticed it earlier.

Mighty: Then how'd you get here so fast?

?:...Teleport….

Mighty: Ohhh.

Misty: Impressive, you must've had a great unicorn teacher.

?: She's not a unicorn….

The group was confused by this.

Swift Foot: Not a unicorn?

Mighty: What do you mean?

The stallion was quiet for a bit.

?:...She's an earth pony….

Terri Belle: Earth pony? How can an earth pony teach you magic?

?:...Books….

Misty: Sounds like she went through a lot to make sure you learned magic. Your parents must be very proud of you.

?:...

Misty: Hey what's wrong?

?:...I have no parents….No family….

The group were shocked to hear this. The mystery stallion that helped them had no family. He was alone.

Mighty: I'm...really sorry to hear that.

?:...It's fine….my teacher is my family…

Mighty: Do you have any friends?

?:...No…..Sorry….but I have to leave, or else she might wonder where I am.

The stallion teleported in a white flash and was gone.

Misty felt sad knowing that the stallion who had helped them earlier was alone. Mighty then put his hoof on her shoulder.

Mighty: Big sis, I know you want to help him, I do too after what he said. But we need to focus on finding the other two Saints.

Misty:...Right.

The group continued their search while thinking of their mystery helper.

Terri Belle: He might be empty…but nopony should go through that.

Swift Foot: Maybe that's why he behaves like that. He has no family, just his teacher.

The group continued looking all over Canterlot. They went to restaurants, boutiques, salons, and other places but found nothing.

Eventually it got late and they stayed at a hotel for the night.

Mighty: Let's hope we can find Aquarius and Cancer tomorrow, cause I'm not too sure how long they're gonna stay in Canterlot.

Terri Belle: Let's hope so, because I refuse to let this trip be a waste. As for you pegasus, hold still while I cover your eyes.

Mighty blinked in confusion and he tilted his head at Terri's remark.

Mighty: What?

Terri Belle: You heard me, now hold still.

Misty was doing her mane after a shower as the sisters walked out of the bathroom with towels wrapped around their manes. Whereas Mighty is shown having his eyes covered with a piece of cloth.

Mighty: Can I take this off now?

Terri Belle: Not yet mister.

Mighty: We could've gotten separate rooms you know.

Terri Belle: And waste bits while all four of us can sleep in this one? This isn't the train, pegasus.

Misty: That's enough Terri. Mighty, you can take off the cover.

Mighty took the cloth off as he rubbed his eyes as his vision started to refocus.

Mighty: Phew, much better.

Later that night, the sisters shared a bed while Mighty slept on a couch, and Misty had her own bed.

While the others were asleep, Misty was thinking of the black stallion and wondered who he was.

Misty: Who are you? Running into you these many times, not a coincidence.

Mighty: Can't sleep?

Misty got up and saw Mighty looking at her while laying on the couch.

Misty: That black stallion. Even before we started, he's been showing up. First he met the sisters, boarded the same train as us and got off the same station. Then when we were looking for you and Sparrow, he showed up again and teleported us to the top. It might sound crazy and random, but I think him showing up is not a coincidence. He might even be connected to what's going on. But I don't know how.

Mighty: You make a good point, maybe he is, maybe he's not. But for now we should get some sleep, we got some more searching to do tomorrow.

Mighty went back to sleep as Misty lied back down.

Misty closed her eyes and went to sleep. Meanwhile somewhere in Canterlot, there was a pompous white unicorn stallion with a blonde mane and tail looking up at the castle with disdain. This was Prince Blueblood, well, Ex-Prince since Celestia was his aunt, but she's no longer the Princess.

Blueblood: That cursed Twilight Sparkle. I should be the one on that throne, not that filthy commoner.

?: Hmph, then why not dethrone her by force?

Blueblood turned around and saw Circe.

Blueblood: Who are you streetrat?

Circe got mad at the former prince, so she used her telekinesis to pick Blueblood up as she brought him close..

Circe: Hasn't anypony taught you to never insult a lady. Talk like that can get you killed outside of Canterlot, do you understand?

Blueblood: Y-Yes ma'am!

Circe: Good.

Circe dropped the former prince on the ground and presented him with a dark pendant with a frog insignia.

Circe: Tell me, have you ever heard the story of the Princess and the Frog?

Blueblood: Pfft. Who hasn't?

Circe: Well, you know how the frog is actually a prince who has been cursed? This Frog Surplice will grant you the power to dethrone Twilight Sparkle, so you can rule Equestria with an iron hoof. Between you and me, I think you would be much better suited for the role.

Blueblood: At first, I would decline because of being compared to a frog. But to have a chance at dethroning that commoner…

Blueblood formed an evil smile.

Blueblood: I'm in.

Circe: Excellent…

Circe smiled as she gave him the Frog Surplice.

Circe: Come with me. My lord will want to meet you.

Circe teleported her and Blueblood back to Thrace, where Virus is seen in the throne room still regaining his power.

Circe: Lord Virus. I present you…Prince Blueblood. Nephew to Celestia.

Virus' eyes lit up with rage and he immediately pinned Blueblood to the wall.

Blueblood panicked after seeing the evil alicorn staring at him with pure hatred in his eyes, as if he were staring into the eyes of a violent demon.

Virus: You DARE bring Celestia's flesh and blood into MY domain! Answer me Circe! Why is one of Celestia's next of kin standing before me!

Circe: My lord, there's a simple explanation for that. You see, after Celestia and Luna retired, Blueblood lost his place and now wants nothing more than to take HIS throne back from Twilight Sparkle.

Virus stared at his subordinate and then back at Blueblood, to which he let the Frog Specter go.

Virus: A noble stallion denied his rule…such humiliation…I feel his pain. My apologies Prince Blueblood, it's nothing personal but your aunt's very existence makes my blood burn.

Blueblood: Um...apology accepted?

Virus: Nevertheless, if he dares betray me, you will be punished Circe.

Circe: Yes my lord.

Circe teleported away to look for one last Specter.

Virus: Now then, to hunt down those remaining Saints before they stand a chance, hopefully this time…the odds are in my favor.

Virus used the power he had acquired and formed another Black Knight. However this one was different, it was glowing blood red with it's black armor where it had claws on the hooves and razor sharp blades.

Virus: Arise my Black Knight. Find the Gold Saints, and destroy them!

The Black Knight flew off as it started it's hunt.

The next morning, Mighty got ready first and waited outside the room while the mares were getting ready.

Mighty took off his goggles and wiped a smudge off one the lens and put them back on as the mares walked out the room.

Mighty: You mares ready to go?

Before Misty answered, a loud explosion was heard outside where they ran out and saw another knight creature. It was wearing black armor but now it was glowing red and had claws and razor sharp wings.

Misty: Another knight monster!?

Mighty: Not another one!

Swift Foot: Except this one looks more dangerous.

Terri Belle: Look! It's fighting somepony!

The pony was a maroon red pegasus stallion with black mane and tail where he had a white star as a cutie mark.

Mighty: Hey! That's Arthur Sky!

Misty: Wait, look!

Misty noticed something about this knight. It was only attacking Arthur and was ignoring everything else, simply treating it like collateral damage.

Misty: Why is it only attacking Arthur?

Mighty: That's weird, this one seems different from the last knight we fought yesterday. It's just going after Arthur like he's hunting him down or something.

Terri Belle: So like…a hunter?

Swift Foot: But why attack your friend and nopony else?

Misty was trying to think where she figured it out.

Misty: I think I have an idea why. Virus, he knows we're after him so wants to get rid of us before we find the Gold Cloths.

Mighty: So he made a special knight monster to make that happen!

Swift Foot: This hunter looks stronger and smarter than the last one. Like an apex predator.

Terri Belle: Well, let's call it Apex then.

Mighty: Swift Foot, Terri Belle, go to the castle and get help, me and Misty are gonna help Arthur.

The sisters did as they were told and ran to the castle, whereas Mighty and Misty ran towards Apex and Arthur, ready to help their friend.