Joshy Stag Hare landed his balloon on the Abbey lawn, and he, Basil, and Rainbow Dash stepped out. Unfortunately, as soon as they got out the balloon went flying up into the air, never to return.

Joshy shrugged it off. "I can always make another one."

"At least we got the tapestry, wot wot?" said Basil, holding it high in the air.

They brought it inside. Matthias, Twilight and Pinkie Pie were standing in the entrance hall. "Martin is back in his rightful place," Rainbow Dash announced.

"You got him back!" Matthias cried. "How did you manage that?"

"We had a little help," Basil said. "Allow me to introduce my father, Joshy Stag Hare!"

"Hey, Joshy," said Twilight Sparkle. "It's been a while."

Matthias shook Joshy's paw. "So, you're Basil's father. He's told me a lot about you. He said you were a wizard?"

"I am indeed, wot. Watch this. Fried chicken!" Instantly a bucket of fried chicken appeared on the ground.

"You came at just the right time," Pinkie Pie said. "We've been having food shortages."

"Well, your culinary problems are over now, wot wot," said Joshy.

They all walked into the Great Hall. Rainbow Dash flew over to the far wall and hung the tapestry back up. "I can't wait to see the look on the Abbot's face when he finds out."

"So, I hear you've been havin' trouble with this rat, Cluny the Scourge," said Joshy. "Honestly, he didn't seem that scary to me. You should be glad you're not facin' Badrang the Tyrant. Now there was a warlord."

"But you can't possibly have known him," said Matthias. "That was hundreds of seasons ago."

Joshy chuckled. "You'd be surprised at some of the things I've seen, young Matthias."

"Just how old are you?" Matthias asked.

Joshy went over and tapped the picture of Martin the Warrior. "Old enough to have known this chap personally. Come to think of it, he bears a great resemblance to you, wot!"

"I hear that a lot," said Matthias. "So, if you're so old and wise, maybe you've heard of a snake called Asmodeus."

Joshy did a spit take even though he wasn't drinking anything. "Asmodeus? Why the deuce d'you want to know about that monster?"

"We think he has Martin's sword," Twilight explained.

"Do you know where he lives?" Matthias asked.

"Quite frankly, old chap, I know nothing about the bally snake. I thought the blighter had died years ago."

Matthias groaned aloud, but Joshy cut him short. "Mind you, having said that, I think I have a pretty fair idea who will know. The chap you want to see is a whopping great snowy owl, name of Captain Snow. If anybeast knows Asmodeus's whereabouts, he will."

"Can you take me to him?" Matthias begged.

"Certainly. We can go right now if you want. You'll have to be careful, though. Captain Snow eats mice."

"Maybe I should go along, to make sure Matthias stays safe," Twilight said.

Pinkie Pie jumped up and down. "I want to come too!"

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash. "Can you oversee the defenses until we return?"

Rainbow Dash saluted. "You can count on me!"

"Okay," Twilight said. "Let's go."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cluny was crouched in the ditch with Darkclaw and Redtooth. He saw Matthias, Joshy, Twilight and Pinkie leaving the Abbey.

He elbowed Darkclaw. "Look! It's that little mouse who defied me. He's leaving the Abbey with some friends."

"Where do you think they're going, Chief?" Darkclaw asked.

"I don't know, but we're going to follow them. That mouse has been the cause of all my problems since day one. Whatever he's up to, I'm going to put a stop to it. Darkclaw, you come with me. Redtooth, I want you to take charge of the army. You remember the plan we talked about?"

Redtooth nodded. "I sure do, Chief. Leave it to me. I'll make sure the attack goes perfectly."