Twilight lifted the massive glowing broadsword out of the crate in her magic, before placing it carefully on a special pedestal in the middle of the lab.

“What did you say you needed this thing for again?”

“I told you pinkie, this sword is the perfect source of light for a new herbal infusion tea!”

“I didn’t know you drank tea! You always seemed like more of a coffee mare to me.”

“I am! But this new blend I got from Zecora has got a serious kick to it, and when I read up on it there was a recipe calling for luminous metal heating that said you can get even more caffeine out of it! Usually you make it with a fancy self heating glowing teapot but the only glowing metal I could find was this sword!”

“Sooooo, you stole a sword just to make extra caffeine tea?”

“I didn’t steal it, I’m just borrowing it for a bit. I’m going to find a way to recreate the light so I can make the tea right without it, then its going right back to the minataurs.”

“You know I could just make you a fancy mocha right?”

“Could you? I’ll need all the caffeine I can get until I’m finished with the project.”

“Uhhh, sure. You should probably get it done before the minataurs come looking for their sword.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine!”

– three days later –

What do you mean there’s a bunch of minataurs wandering around town!”

“I told you they’d come here, your lucky one of them picked up a cupcake on the way to the castle! I ran here as quick as I could!”

“Sweet Celestia, I’m not even done yet! I can’t give it back already!”

The banging of the door echoed down the hall.

“I think that’s them!” Pinkie said “I’ll go get it!”

“Wait! Pinkie! Not yet! Let me put my crown at least, maybe I can talk my way out of this.”

“You know minotuars don’t talk a lot right? There more the ‘Graa! You killed my brother and now I’m here to kill YOU!’ kinda creatures. They reeeeeally like killing stuff.”

“Pinkie! Not helping!” Twilight slipped her crown on her head, a rush of recently drank tea based caffeine and the confidence of regal clothing passing through her and helped quiet her frayed nerves. She took a deep breath and glanced over at pinkie for a moment to see her reassuring smile before cracking the door.

“Who-”

“GRAAA you are the pony princess who stole thicklegs sword of the damned, now YOU will be damned!” the mighty figure stared down at her, despite his loud confident voice however, his face was a mask of exhausted annoyance.

The crown suddenly felt like a bad choice, and while pinkie was still here, she had her doubts the two of them could handle things alone.

“Um, I’m sorry Mr Thicklegs, I think there’s been a terrible misunderstanding-”

“Yea! Twilight was just BORROWING your sword! She totally didn’t steal anything!”

“You took my sword. By war doctrine you have started a blood feud with my clan. After three days of walking I am here to retrieve what is rightfully mine, and slay the pony who took it from me.” he said in a tired tone

“You don’t sound like you want to kill a pony.” Pinkie said rubbing her chin with a raise eyebrow.

“Thicklegs will do what Thicklegs must. Clan wants the sword back, so you’ve got to go.”

“But! I just need another day to finish my research!” Twilight said

“Swords are for killing, not researching. Why would you even try to research it, its just a glowy piece of junk. I haven’t even sharpened it in a few years.”

“Why would you even want it back then?” pinkie said

“Look, I don’t expect you to understand my people but the situation is pretty simple. The clan wants it, I’m their leader. If I don’t bring it back they’ll think I’m weak or lazy or something.”

“But you can have it back! I just need another day. And Uh I don’t want to die.”

“Fine. Whatever, just give me somewhere good to sleep and a decent meal and I’ll let it slide. I just need some way to convince the others I killed you. Not like any of them are walking for three days jut to make sure.”

“Oh thank Celestia. You can stay here at the castle while I finish up.”

“And I’ll make you a Pone-yata!”

----

Another day passed and Thicklegs trekked home, glowing sword in tow and a strange paper pony head on his hip. He was glad he didn’t have to kill anypony, he wouldn’t have even bothered walking out there if the clan didn’t demand it.

He got back to his clan a few days later, when they spotted him approaching the gates the crowds gathered in a massive mob to hear their leader speak.

“Did you get the sword of the damned back!” one crowdgoer yelled over the mumbles of the others.

Thicklegs held up the sword, its strange glow illuminating the mob to the many cheers of those present.

“What did you do to the pony!” one minotaur cried

“I tore their weak head from their shoulders!” Thicklegs bellowed to the crowd holding up the Pone-yata in one hand, then threw it to the ground and crushed it underhoof, a wet sound echoing through the crowds as the watermelon inside split pouring red gushy juices over the roadway.

“YEAH” the crowd screamed as one.

“Long live captain Thicklegs!” they chanted.