Matthias and Fluttershy carried Warbeak to the infirmary in her basket. "You're gonna be okay, little one," said Fluttershy. "You're among friends."

"Warbeak no make friends with worms. My uncle King Bull Sparra. He killee you."

"There's just no talking to some creatures," Matthias sighed.

Fluttershy looked around. "Look! The fox is missing from his bed!"

"If Chickenhound is running loose in the Abbey, there could be trouble," said Matthias.

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Chickenhound was having a sniggering fit, even attempting to dance a little jig. The old fool of an Abbot and his stupid devoted band of creatures were outside, shoring up gatehouses, drilling, fetching, carrying, and generally being good and useful.

What a crowd of ninnies!

With a sack upon his back the wily fox roamed from room to room. The Abbey was his oyster.

"Hmm, this is a nice green glass vase. Why hello, what a lovely silver plate. My, my, fancy leaving a beautiful gold chain like you all on yore own."

Sniggering delightedly, the fox trotted along the corridor into the next room, where the ponies were staying. But there was nothing very valuable in here. Except for a brooch he found among Rarity's things. "Hmm! Genuine amnyfest! There now, I'll just pop you into my sack. Don't worry, Uncle Chickenhound will take care of you!"

"WHAT IN CELESTIA'S NAME ARE YOU DOING?"

Chickenhound turned to see Rarity standing in the doorway. "You wicked creature! That brooch is worth more than your entire house!"

"I'm taking this as payment for all my trouble," he snarled. "Now get out of my way!"

He brought the bag crashing down on Rarity's head. She crumpled to the ground as Chickenhound leaped over her and dashed out of the room.

"Stop, thief!" Rarity yelled. "Stop the fox!"

Basil came down the hall. He bent over the unicorn. "Rarity, are ye all right? I say, you young blaggard, if you've harmed this good unicorn lady…"

But Chickenhound was already running away. Rarity got to her feet. "After him!"

They chased him into the grounds. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Constance were standing outside.

"Catch that fox!" Rarity yelled. "He's stolen my amethyst brooch!"

Chickenhound made a sharp turn and cut through the orchard. They all ran after him.

More and more animals joined the hue and cry. They chased Chickenhound through the orchard until he got to the north wall. He reached the gate and struggled to open it. Just as they were closing in on him, he was able to force it open and slip through. He slammed the door behind him. Rarity crashed into it and bumped her nose.

"Quick, get that door open again!" Basil cried.

Constance shook her velvety head. "We can't just go running out into the woods. Cluny could be out there."

"I'll go after him," said Rainbow Dash. "He won't get away from me!" She flew over the wall.

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Chickenhound paused to catch his breath. He had taken refuge in a grove of oak trees. He listened for sounds of pursuit but could hear nothing.

Without warning Rainbow Dash swooped down and crashed into him. Chickenhound dropped the sack of loot. They started rolling around on the ground.

"So, this is how you repay our kindness!" Rainbow Dash said.

"I'm only taking what's due to me," Chickenhound snarled as he threw dirt in Rainbow's eyes.

They were making so much noise as they fought that they didn't notice the serpent slithering toward them.

"Asmodeus!"

Rainbow Dash and Chickenhound sat up in surprise. Asmodeus was standing right in front of them. The snake brought his fangs down into Chickenhound's face. The fox let out a piteous scream. Rainbow Dash didn't waste any time getting out of there before he bit her too.

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Rainbow Dash flew back over the wall and landed on the lawn, panting. Everybeast in the Abbey was gathered out on the lawn now.

"Did you recover my brooch, darling?" Rarity asked.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "I couldn't. I saw the biggest snake you ever laid eyes on. He kept on saying, 'Asmodeus, Asmodeus.'"

"I've seen that name in a book," Twilight said. "It's the name of a demon."

"The snake looked at me with his big hypnotic eyes. I could barely tear myself away. Poor Chickenhound wasn't so lucky, though."

Rarity stroked Rainbow Dash's mane. "Poor thing. I'm just glad you got out of there safely. Don't worry about my brooch."

"So now we've got something else to worry about," said Matthias. "A monster serpent."