The Troubles of Traveling Musicians (Thunderbuck)

[Blueblood]

Sky Sailing couldn't sleep.

 

This was not in itself unusual.  In fact, one could say it was the only thing about his current situation that wasn't unusual.  The pegasus had always had trouble sleeping, generally only getting a few hours a night, at best.  It was these extra waking hours that had allowed him to pursue his music; giving him time to build his instruments and recording studio, fashion a portable cloud house to carry it all in, and write and practice his songs.

 

And now, all those long hours had borne fruit.  He'd quite his day job, pressed his first record, joined up with another musician to form a band, and was now on tour with a full traveling posse.  And yet... he couldn't rest upon his accomplishments.  And now that he had four other ponies around him actually trying to sleep, late night practice sessions were not exactly an option anymore.

 

Tossing and turning on his cloud, he ended up staring at the stars for a few minutes, contemplating the night sky, before hearing a slight rustle from below.  Was somepony getting out of the cart?  Perhaps Caramel Cream needed a drink of water or something.  He turned around upon his stomach, looking down upon the ground.  

 

But what he saw... was not what he expected to see...

[BeGoneThots]

Buck was awake. He was part night owl as well. He hadnt slept all night in years. But this wasn't like thunderbuck. This pony was hanging upsidedown from the edge of he cart roof. All around it a light fog hung, making the view hazy but still clear enough to seethe glint of eyes an teeth.

The eyes of he pony below were the same green they always were. But the pupil was different. The look in the eye was... Vicious. The horn was curved now. Hooked at the end. It was a very mean look for such a time pony.

Then came the hiss. It was violent. But soft enough not to wake th others. The eyes roved the area. And on the ground around the area were apple cores and peach pits. Hundreds of them. It was near impossible to tell if they were all eaten completely or partially. But the click of fangs gave it away.

Then the wings stretched out and the pony yawned.curlingbits wins around itself it seemed t sette down to sleep.

[Blueblood]

At first, Sky had no idea what to make of the sight.  Who was that hanging upside-down?  Tincho?  Did changelings sleep like bats?  No, wait, Tincho never slept like that.  And that horn... the pegasus had never seen a horn like that...

 

Curious, he spread his wings, jumping off for a slow descent.  He very nearly crashed on the landing, though, due to all the peach pits lying about.  "Whoa- yi!"  He tried to keep his voice to a whisper, but the surprise still took him off-guard.  He spread his legs to steady himself, looking up at the hanging figure, just as it was spreading it's wings.

 

Sky's breath caught in his throat.  A bat-pony!  But... with a horn?  And why did it look like Tunderbuck.  "Hey... Hey!"  He called out, hoping to wake the others inside as well as the bat.  He didn't look like somepony the stallion relished taking on alone...

[BeGoneThots]

Tincho awoke quickly. More out of fear. Upon seeing the pony hanging upside down he gave a hiss of his own and back peddled until he tripped over CaramelCream. The filly awoke with a start and yelled.

The commotion set the bat pony on edge and he drove into the back of the cart. Hiding among the instruments and sacks of food. Most of the fruit ones were empty now. CaramelCream ran to Sky. "Where is Uncle Buck?!?" She cried. Tincho grabbed Brick in his magic and ran out as well.

Once outside he spoke, "What in the name of the queen is that thing?!?" He yelled. His horn glowed as he tried to cast some light on the situation. What it revealed was a terrified bat pony hiding in the cart from the others. But Buck was no where to be seen. As the light shifted, it revealed the cutie mark on the pony. Buck's cutie mark

[Blueblood]

The night was not slow to descend into chaos.  Once Sky's cries awoke Tincho's instinct of worry, the whole cart and caravan was up and out, panic running through them-

 

ZZZZ-nsrkork-zzzz....

 

...Except for Flying Brick, who was the one sound sleeper among the whole traveling group.  It was said that she had slept through Discord's return, and it seemed that one little bat-pony was not going to rouse the earth pony mare from slumber, even as she was suspended in the air by magic.  Well, you couldn't get a mattress with that level of support...

 

The rather comic contrast of her snores cut across Sky's apprehension, giving him enough of a boost to approach the cart, where the creature had now retreated to.  "Hello, who's there?"  A sibilant hiss was the only answer.  As Tincho's horn illuminated the situation more, Sky's pupils widened in surprise.  "...Buck?  That... can't be..."

[BeGoneThots]

The bat-pony shifted and hissed, more violently. Threatening Sky for approaching. Tincho set Brick down, but his horn glowed brighter. This time he put CaramelCream behind himself in a bid to protect her. The bat-pony did look like Thunderbuck. "S.. Sky... That cant be. Buck do not know any transformation spells. His spells are all weather and water related. He can barely Teleport. This cant be him." The changeling was nervous. THey were in an open area. No nearby towns. Which meant no guards to assist them. That was bad. THey would have to defend themselves. "Sky..."

 

Caramel peeked from behind Tincho, looking at the pony. It made eye contact with her, and its expression softened some. Slowly it came from the cart. Walking right past Sky like he didnt exist. Tincho made to move more between them and found himsel levitated up suddenly. The bat-pony stopped before Caramel. She cowered down but it sat before her. IT did nothing. Tincho couldn't in good conscience let this thing hurt her, and so he summed up what little courage he had. "HOI!!! LEAVE HER ALONE!" 

 

The bat-pony shot off into the air, dropping Tincho lick a sack of flour as it gained altitude quickly. IT was jsut a speck in the star lit night sky. But it stayed flying in circles above them. Tincho coughed as he stood. "That was... That WAS Thunderbuck. It has to be. Look at the cutie mark. Look at how it behaved." Caramel Cream was looking at the ground, not their faces. She couldn't tell what they were saying. She only knew she was terrified of that thing. "What should we do?" Tincho asked softly. "I dont think he will stray too far. But come day time... we have to keep him hidden."

[Blueblood]

Sky retreated rapidly from the violently hissing... whatever-Buck-had-become.  Was this all real, or had he fallen asleep, and this nightmare overtaken him?  Going through life half-asleep most of the time could often lead him to confusion on this point, and this was a bad time to be confused.

 

Fortunately, despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding the situation, nopony was getting hurt yet.  And at Tincho's shouting, even Flying Brick was now awake, at least partially.  "Yawn...  what is commotion, tovaritch?"

 

"Uh..."  Sky was momentarily dumbfounded by the effort of summarizing the situation, but managed to come out with.  "Buck's a bat.  Bat-pony."

 

The earth pony mare blinked blearily, seeing from the sky that it was so early in the morning that "late at night" wasn't over yet.  "Oh, is that all?"  She yawned again, rolling over as if to fall back asleep.

 

While at first shocked by this blase attitude, it did awaken Sky to the fact that, aside from his scary look, there didn't seem to be much danger.  "I... think we'll be fine?  I mean, he hasn't hurt any one, right?  We can... figure out what to do in the morning."

[BeGoneThots]

Tincho was not so sure. CaramelCream was still shivering, and so he tried to put a hoof around her. She gasped and looked up. HE tried to smile. "It will be ok. We just need to get him to come close and talk to him." "But.. where did Uncle Buck go?" "That is him dear. HE seems to have changed some, but he didnt hurt any pony..." She seemed confused. He pat her head softly. "Come now. You need to return to bed. I will stay awake and keep an eye out. Alright?" She nodded and slowly went back into the cart. Tincho settled down at the door of the cart. Watching the bat-pony fly in circles. 

 

It was not long before it landed again. Approaching slowly, he was greeted by the site of Tincho sitting in the door of the cart. Tincho said nothing. But Buck stared at him. After a bit Buck came closer. He seemed nervous. Looking around, as if in danger. Tincho did nothing. Buck moved to hang from side of the cart again. Closing his eyes and falling asleep before too long. Tincho remained awake until the sun rose. It was then he saw buck, laying on the ground like a normal pony. He looked normal. No wings, normal horn....what was happening? Was all that a dream? 

[Blueblood]

The events of the rest of the night passed like all of Sky's nights; in a long, dreamlike trance, broken by fits of actual sleep.  Bats were in the belfry, as far as those moments were concerned, with all five of the traveling party sporting leathery wings and flitting about search of fruits...

 

These fantasies evaporated like dew in the morning light, leaving the pegasus feeling stiff from lying on the ground.  Cloud beds may not have helped him sleep, but there was still no more comfortable place to rest.  Stretching and groaning, he opened his eyes to see a perfectly-normal looking Thunderbuck.

 

He blinked.  A dream.  It had to have been a dream.  He looked up to see Tincho's face, and then grew less sure.  "If that was a dream... we all had the same dream, didn't we?"

[BeGoneThots]

Tincho looked at Sky. If he had seen it... "not likely my friend." Tincho looked back at buck. He seemed normal now. "Maybe... Maybe hes always been this way and we just didnt know. If he has, can you blame him for hiding it? He didnt seem very dangerous. He was likely as scared as we were. Remember last week when that kid tossed a firecracker at you and him during a performance? The whole town was shut down because of that fog. They werent happy. but at least they understood what happened once we explained."

 

CaramelCream came from the cart, rubbing her eyes. "Morning already?" She had as little rest as the res of them. She muttered under her breath about wanting to wash her face. "Sky, can you tend to Caramel while I try to rouse Brick. Maybe then we can get buck to talk to us about what happened." He moved to the cart, moving to his best friend and shaking her softly. "Brick. Dear wake up. It's time to make breakfast. Its our turn. Come now. You remember what happened last time you didnt get up. I made oatmeal... again." He tried to be joking, hoping ot mask the fact he was still shaken. 

 

Buck snoozed on. as if nothing were happening. In fact his ears were lowered. normally they were up, taking in the sounds in his sleep so that he could remain partially alert to his surroundings. He would have to be extremely tired for this to happen. And the ground was still littered with fruit pits and cores. Caramel almost tripped on one in her sleepy daze. 

[Blueblood]

Sky shook his head at Tincho.  "I've never seen him this way before; and I've seen him at night many times.  If this is a new thing..."  He left the phrase unfinished, both for lack of anything to say, and because Caramel Cream was coming out of the wagon.  He mustered a smile for the filly.  "Hey, good morning."  He yawned, perpetually tired as he was.  "Breakfast will be in a little while, OK?"

 

Brick, too, was yawning, though fatigue was slipping off her like a blanket, leaving an active and alert mare.  "Da?  Ah, yes, morning.  Time for famous fruit pancakes!"  Leaping to her hooves, she immediately began rummaging through the supplies.  "Oy!  Who ate all fruit!?"  She popped her head out of the wagon, accusatory expression on her face, before seeing the sleeping Buck surrounded by fruit pits and cores.  "Oh..."  Her voice dropped.  "Was not dream, was it, tovaritch?"

 

"Yeah..."  Sky replied, sighing.  "When we next get to town, we're going to look for somepony who... knows stuff about this."

[BeGoneThots]

Tincho was not so sure. He had never seen it before. "Maybe.... I dont know... Shouldnt we seek out the help of someone that knows... I dont know... Honestly... I have never seen any transformation magic before, aside from my kinds ability to change our appearance. Maybe.... Hmm what is the closest town to here?" He moved to look at the map hung up inside the cart. Looking it over he bit his lip. "Nearest large city is Manehattan. Another three days at this rate. But we are coming up on a small depo. They may know directions to somewhere closer." There was a thought in Tincho's mind but he didnt want to speak it. 

 

However, CaramelCream had the same thought and said it aloud. "If Uncle Buck is in trouble... shouldnt we tell the guards? They could ask the Princesses. Wouldn't they know what to do?" She had been watching their lips now that she was awake. Buck continued to snooze on. As if nothing were happening. Tincho came out of the cart. "I'm not sure that is a good idea.... Unless.... Isn't Stormstride still a guard? She sent a letter last week saying she had a new posting somewhere. Do you know where Buck would have put it?"

[Blueblood]

"I keep Thunderbuck's letters in my house.  Less worry of them getting lost or stolen."  That was also where he kept his instruments, but that was more for the fact that Tincho's cart, roomy as it was, hardly had the space for their whole collection!  

 

Sky flew up, sorting through the papers quickly.  In no time at all, he found the relevant letter.  His face, upon emerging from the search, was less than hopeful.  "Storm got assigned to Fet Loch.  That's practically on the other side of Equestria!"

 

Brick, meanwhile, had left these discussions to focus on more practical matters.  "Enough with the chattering, zherebets!  No good thinking on empty stomach."  The Earth pony mare had dragged out the pot and filled it, starting to cook... oatmeal.  Well, at least it was filling.  "Plan is this: we go to Manehattan.  On way, we ask for names of ponies for help with dark magics and the like.  Travelers always bring tales of things from outer Equestria, so no suspicions!  When we get name, we go discreetly.  No need to involve guards before we know what is what, eh?"

[BeGoneThots]

Tincho nodded as he went to help Brick. he went into the cart and came back with a small sack. Holding it up he smiled. "here I kept these safely tucked away for a special occasion. Heard they are the best cherries in all Equestria." Inside the bag was a hoof full of large juicy cherries. As TIncho held one up, Buck twitched softly. Tincho saw it. Tucking the fruit back away he bit his lip. "best hurry with the food dear. Buck seems like hes still hungry."

 

Tincho came back to Sky. "Hmmm. Brick has a point. I have heard enough tales from other travelers. Maybe we can pick up something from others. Spooky stories always have a hint of truth. And I can tell when a pony is hiding something....usually. Maybe we can find a clue to help us out. At least we own Buck that much." CaramelCream was watching them talk. She knew what they were saying. It seemed they were trying to help Uncle Buck. She wandered closer to him and settled down beside him. He instinctively reached around her and held her close as he slept. 

 

It was as breakfast was finishing up that he stretched and yawned. Tincho watched him blink. His eyes were normal. His ears were normal. No wings. Maybe it only happened at night. After helping Brick, by mostly staying out of her way and just handing her what she needed, he brought them a bowl each. "Here. Better start the day of right. We have a long way to go before we reach Manehattan." Buck nodded, rubbing his eyes. "Im still so tired." he muttered. 

[Blueblood]

Brick nodded with a somewhat comical degree of solemnity as Tincho entrusted her with the secret fruit, but then again, food was a serious matter for the mare.  It didn't stop her from making liberal use of the cherries in her breakfast oatmeal, though.  After all, who knew whether Buck might get into the stash tomorrow night?

 

The delicious smells of cooking breakfast seemed to banish, at least temporarily, the terrors of the night before.  The red-stained hot cereal filled Sky Sailing up, warming him for the journey ahead.  "If we make a good pace, we should arrive in the depot by evening.  There's usually a crossroads inn at places like that; we might be able to get in a music venue, too!"  He spoke with excitement partially tempered by fatigue.  Indeed, given how tired Buck was now, who knew if he'd be in any shape to play tonight, no matter what shape he turned into?

 

Thus, the thoughts of the party were troubled as they set off into the next leg of their journey...

 

~***~

 

The sun was half-set below the horizon as the five of them arrived at the small supply depot.  It was basically a crossroads inn and store for those on the main road between Manehattan and the northern cities of Equestria; the first stop out or the last one before arriving, depending on which direction you traveled.  The route tended to be well-populated at all seasons, but it wasn't overly crowded today.

 

The wagon and sky-house drew some attention as they pulled in; the caravan promising some entertainment.  Perhaps they would be able to deliver?  But not tonight.  Tonight, the travelers were tired from their pace, and what energy remained to Sky and Brick was spent in simply talking to their fellow-travelers, swapping road stories, and dropping mention of dark portents, hoping to draw out somepony who might be able to help before the sun fully disappeared...

[TheFinestSorcerer]

Telling stories in a smoky tavern-esque environment fitting of a supply depot at the crossroads of Equestria's eastern frontier wasn't the BEST way to hope for a miracle but for all intensive purposes... the band was somewhat in luck.

 

Unfamiliar with Equestria's 'popular music' the sight of such an odd bandwagon did draw him, but only for the temptation of experiencing it's design, not so much ask for autograph signings or even finding bewilderment in that this was a party of musicians or bards. Clearly they were performers of some sort... and through that observation alone did the unicorn piece together that these few ponies had some talent. Rhythm wasn't exactly his specialty.

 

Looking out of place given that somewhat medieval attire? Now that was a specialty. Dressed in a wide, rough, brown hat and a long, downy gray/brown gloak lined with thin, archaic gold trim should have tipped anypony off that this unicorn were some sort of magic-peddling traveler. His outgrown fetlocks, that outgrown patch of chin fur... and don't even get the narrator started on his unusual choice of earfur length.. curled against that hat of his while his horn stuck quite a decent length into the air above him.

 

Perhaps he was the help they were looking for. Fixing a long, thin ivory pipe as he seemed to idly keep close by. Engaging in passive but friendly conversation with the other depot ponies.

 

though having heard NONE of their stories... it seemed by luck of the draw they'd lured SOMEPONY of interest into the midst of their troubles. Their level of caution shouldn't have been too high.. this was Equestria after all. But then again very few ponies tended to look as odd and out-of-place as this wild card stallion. Tall.. lankish... in need of a grooming. His mane long and outgrown but his tail stocked and short. A hat that shaded his lovely sapphire eyes despite the rest of his brownish, earthy colors.
 

[BeGoneThots]

CaramelCream, as inquisitive as she was, wandered the depo talking and laughing. She wore bows on her ears, that had the words deaf written on them. While she didnt like to advertise that she was deaf, she needed to at least let ponies know she could not hear them without reading their lips. So when she wandered toward the Strangely dressed pony. Looking up at him in wonderment, she smiled. "Hi. Im CaramelCream." 

 

Thunder had stayed quiet and calm. Mostly tending to his violin between yawns. The walk had been, unusually quiet. He couldn't put his hoof on it but he figured everyone was just ready to sleep. The depo was going to be a place they could rest up. And as he tweeked his violin he listened to them telling spooky tales. He thought nothing of it. Tincho was keeping his ears out for any information. Though in all fairness it was near impossible to pick up any. WHen he noticed Caramel was missing he nudged Brick. "Come on. Let's find CaramelCream before Buck notices her missing." The foal was likely with some new friend, entertaining them with tips on backing and making sweet things to eat. She was a good kid, if a little heavy hoofed with the sugary stuff. But at least she was happy and energetic. 

 

As Tincho spotted her, he saw whom she was talking to. That... was strange. The changeling was slower about approaching now. But he was definitely headed for them. 

[Blueblood]

It was common for the group to sing for their supper.  Sing more than dance; a crowded inn gave Flying Brick little scope to show off her best moves without accidentally braining a patron of the establishment.  Hence, she had a natural reason to blend in with the crowds, and watch for effects in Sky's breaks in song to tell stories.  

 

She was interrupted in this task by Tincho's request to search for Caramel, but soon found all her efforts converging upon one pony.  She had to stop short at the looks of him.  He certainly stood out, and some instinct told the mare that this stallion had some familiarity with the... darker aspects of life.  "Heh, evening is good, is it not?"  She broke in as she approached, coming up next to Caramel and rubbing her head.  "Who is new friend?"

[TheFinestSorcerer]

That muffled clicks and clacks of ivory running along his jawline, knotching in a cozy place was hard to miss given how quiet he were at first; only to be approached by a little filly with perhaps some of the biggest bows ever draped on a lovely little face. Though it were unfitting to smoke in front of children it were a might too late... had to come out sooner or later.

 

From the breaks in his lips an pluming from his nostrils the bright white fumes left him; his great height letting it soar into the air and not disturb the health of the small filly while those sapphiric blue eyes drew down on her for a moment. A smile crossed his muzzle after a moment in sharing a pleasant gaze before he pulled his pipe free and started, "Aye.. why hello-.. oh.", she were deaf?

 

Did she perhaps know how to lip read? As he did not know sign language, "... CaramelCream... A very pretty name for such a darling little filly.", though he wondered if she could read his name?

Then came her.. caretakers perhaps? Two.. an odd looking hybrid with the most... bug... eyes he'd ever seen coupled with a young mare- older than the filly- all of them surpassed by his tall yet very lankish physique, "So long as the weather remains well.. the evening is grand."

 

[BeGoneThots]

Caramel smiled up at Brick. "I dont know his name. I just introduced myself." She giggled. Sometimes her friends could be so silly.

"This is Mr. Tincho and Ms. Flying Brick. Hes a sales pony and she's an acrobat!" Caramel seemed very proud to call them her friends. "And that's Mr. Sky over there singing. And the pony in the corner is my uncle Buck. But hes really shy." Buck heard his name and looked up. His green eyes locked onto the tall stallion with an intensity that was uncharacteristically strong. But it soon broke and he looked shyly back to his violon.

Soon he stood and put on his mask. Joining Sky on stage he began to play softly. Accompanying this stories with melodes to match. He was calm about it today. The old violin singing its tune sweetly and softly.

Caramel cream smiled up at the Stallion. "I wish I could hear him play. But I can feel it." She was contented at least.

[Blueblood]

Sky was finishing up his story now, one of a tragic curse put upon a lonely pony.  It was paralleled from Buck's case... slightly.  Thunderbuck wasn't exactly alone anymore.  But it was like real life in the fact that it didn't end artistically, with the stallion basically ending with, "And that's all we know, sadly.  We'd like to think it'd be broken someday, but..."  He could only shrug, and sit back down to play his music.

 

As the pegasus finished, Brick cocked her head towards the stage, keeping her eye on the lanky stallion in front of them.  "Wouldn't happen to know pony like that, tovaritch?  Is very useful pony, kind that break curses.  Not all are simply tales."  Not exactly the most subtle of requests, but it got the job done.

[TheFinestSorcerer]

It was very rare that in such a short amount of time somepony would make the obvious application that they were in need of dire assistance. His eyes glimmered gently between the many faces he now were poised against.

 

Even he had to admit they looked like a quirky bunch... and that was coming from himself. Though perhaps it was the 'horrors' or 'curses' they were ailed by that made them this way. Forced to be awkward and in dire need of assistance. Of course... he had to make something vividly clear with them.

 

"Aha... You need not be so vague, friends. I am no soothsayer.", but his magic does pluck his pipe from his lips as he starts to gesture around the inn area, "But I'm certain you'd rather keep this a private matter?.."
 

[BeGoneThots]

Tincho laughed a little nervously. "Yea. But... Well.." he motioned toward Buck. "he's really not comfortable around ponies he doesn't know. More than once we had to search for him for an hour after he randomly teleported away. That said. He is also the one we would like the help for." The changeling looked toward Buck. Buck himself was yawning softly. And as he blinked, it looked like his eyes changed between blinks a few times. He rubbed his face and for an instant, Tincho thought he saw fangs. But as Buck pulled his hooves away, he still looked normal. 

 

Buck himself was sleepy. Way more than usual. He set his violin in the case and moved to the cart. "Sky. Im gonna skip dinner and get to bed. I feel a bit funny. Might be catching a cold or something." He whispered to the pegasus as he passed him. Climbing into their cart, Buck found his pillow and bedroll. He was out before he was even laid down fully. CaramelCream was still looking the tall pony over. She had never met anyone like him before. He was interesting! And she wanted to learn all she could about him. After a moment her tummy grumbled. "Uh oh. Mister Tincho, can we cook now. Im kind of getting hungry." Tincho felt like an idiot. In all the excitement he had forgotten to make sure Caramel had something to eat. "Let's jsut try to order off the menu from the vendor over there ok? It looks like Buck is already asleep and I dont want to wake him up by making noise and cooking. He seemed really tired today." she nodded with a big smile. "Ok!!!" Tincho led her off, leaving Brick to discuss with the stallion the matter at hoof. He knew she was a bit blunt. but she could get the point across. And he trusted her too. She had kept him safe so far. Though no one had actually attacked him. But she had given him the courage to be himself. So she wouldnt intentionally get Buck hurt. 

[Blueblood]

Flying Brick was not a mare to waste time in getting to the point.  Particularly in this case, where the posse of artists she was with really didn't have time for her to faff about.  Buck might be going back into bat form in less than an hour, if they were right about what sort of curse he'd got, and who knew what would happen now that he was in an inhabited area?

 

The mare kept this in mind as she watched the unicorn go off to bed, so as soon as Caramel was sent off for food and Sky Sailing had finished packing up the instruments, she had practically dragged the lanky stranger over to a secluded corner table.  Taverns probably kept tables like this around for just the sort of meeting like they were having.  "Is perplexing matter, tovaritch.  Last night, our traveling companion is seen with bat wings and fangs, surrounded by disheveled fruit.  He hiss and fly away when approached, but wake up perfectly normal.  Far as we can tell.  Have heard of anything like this?"

[TheFinestSorcerer]

The unusual ailment of one sprouting wings and soaring away certainly wasn't common in Equestria. Though thankfully it were just fruits their friend were after. Things were alas a tad more chaotic where he'd recently hailed from. At some times... he'd come across bat-like ponies who feasted off a different kind of nectar; the essence of the soul. Not blood! But the waking energies of the ponies it prayed upon. The more it devoured.. the longer the Bat could stay awake during the daytime and of course the stronger it became.

 

Said breed was a bit more violent and less predictable than a simple batpony of course. Though a misfortune it was actually quite a funny one to him. Resulting in the wizard covering his lips and uttering a chuckle, "Ehehehehh... Heard?... It is nothing new to ME persay but.. Is it an easy fix? Well.. likely not but we'll have to have a look see, won't we?", his level of optimism only came from the fact it were no unfamiliar problem to him.

 

Actually this grade of Bat was more desireable and less mortally dangerous to him unless it.. grabbed him and flew him up high enough to drop him. But the last time anypony or anything attempted that ... he'd made it sorely regret it. Tenderly fiddling with his now dry, unsmoking pipe which he eventually threw it into his bag, "This is under the assumption you don't mind me getting a tad hooves-on with yer friend that is..."