Chapters "Now we just need a mighty wizard," said Evening Flash. The young mare unicorn warrior had been on a search for worthy questing companions for days now, to no avail. There are hardly any honorable adventurers left in Equestria. She pounded her staff on the ground in frustration all day in the town square of Canterlot just waiting for the perfect ponies to step forward.
And to her delight a young noble looking unicorn stepped forward. "I'll give it a go," he said.
"And what are your credentials, good wizard?" asked Evening.
The noble wizard hesitated. "I'm not sure, I've never done this before. Do I shout "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" at every demon we come across?"
"Well... that is nice, but-" Evening stepped much closer to the wizards nose. "-can you make with the sparkly, amazing spells?"
The wizard stepped back. "Well I can make a pink sparkly bubble shield, and I also learned a new 'turn everything upside-down' spell," He cast the spell and soon began floating up into the air upside down. "Seriously, you all look silly and it's like I'm walking on the ceiling."
"Oooh, you're in wizard," said Evening, amazed at the sparkly levitation magic.
Many other ponies were caught in the spell and began flying upside down as well.
"Dude, put me down," said a nearby confused pegasus, who had earlier offered her chillax to Evening in an adventure.
"Not my call!" said Evening, though she began floating upside down as well.
"I can't stop it!" said the wizard. He tried to terminate the spell, but failed and only managed to make himself float up higher.
The pegasus began flailing around in the air helplessly "Help... please."
"Fine... wizard, our axe-pony isn't enjoying this. Please right us," said Evening. But the wizard was already out of hearing range.
"Axe pony?" asked the pegasus. "I'll have you know I'm a highly-trained rogue! There is nopony more adept with a bow or a lockpick! Axe pony indeed..."
"But you offered your chillaxe. That's not an axe made of magic ice?" asked Evening.
"I thought it was a very cold spray-on deodorant. Aaaand it's fallen out of my pocket now. There it goes, rolling away." The pegasus mourned the loss of her handy spray-on deodorant. She always loved that cool feeling of it beneath her wings.
"Noo! We could have used that. I think our wizard has abandoned us," said Evening.
The rogue pouted. "So are we stuck like this forever? I don't want to be stuck upside down forever, though I guess it could come in handy... want to play I Spy?"
"I Spy? Is that a rogue game or something?" asked Evening. "I'm still pretty new to the outside world."
"Don't worry about it. Here, I'll go first! I spy with my little eye, something beginning with H."
The unicorn warrior thought for a moment. "Hmmm. Hilt? Halberd? Oh I know, a Half-Staff!"
"Close enough! It was a hillbilly! There are hillbilly ponies all over the place! Haha, you're pretty good at this. Your turn."
Evening was beginning to enjoy this rogue game. "Alright. I spy with my little eye, something that begins with B!"
"Oooooh, balloons? Battleaxe? Bananas? It's bananas isn't it?"
"My master's favorite snack. Your turn!"
"Okay, okay. I spy with my little eye, something that begins with C."
"That's easy! Caltrops. They fell out of your bag earlier."
"Oh great," the rogue sighed. "Those things cost like 15 bits each. At least we're not standing on them!"
"Right. Your turn!"
"I could have sworn it was your turn. We should probably find somepony to undo this spell, the blood is starting to rush into my head."
"IS ANYPONY HERE A WIZARD THAT CAN REVERSE A 'TURN EVERYTHING UPSIDE-DOWN' SPELL?!" yelled Evening.
A magical blast came from a random part of the town square and the two ponies fell back onto the ground with an 'Umph'.
The pegasus cringed in pain. "Hnnng... I landed on all... the... caltrops..."
"Oh, ouch. I'm sorry. I have some healing potions if you want one," offered Evening.
"That would be nice... rogues are squishy."
"Squishy, but a stalwart ally. Drink up, friend." Evening pulled out a nice big healing potion from her saddlepack and handed it to the rogue.
The rogue drank it and shook her head. "Whoah! That's some, hic, strong stuff! What's in it?"
Evening smiled sheepishly. "It's a special blend made by my order. I'm a lightweight, so this one only contains 25 percent alcohol. Sorry."
"25 pershent? Pfft, I could drink more than, hic, that in my, hic, sleep! Shtand shtill! Shtop shpinning around me like that!" The rogue wobbled around.
"Are you okay?" asked Evening.
"Me? I'm absholutely-" The rogue tripped. Thump thump thump, thump thump thump, thump thump thump. "Who put thoshe shtairsh there?"
"Note to self, everyone is a lightweight compared to my order... I think we should take you to a healer."
"What? I don't need a healer! Jusht look how agile I am!" The rogue jumps up into the air and falls with a splat. "Okay, maybe I need a healer."
A small pegasus in full plate armor walks by, the heavy armor looking almost ridiculous on her small frame, and notices the drunk and injured rogue. "I'm a healer. Are you okay?"
The rogue shook her head drowsily. "Well that'sh shome convenient timing. I think I broke a bone... like... all of them."
The healer pegasus let out a gasp as she looked over the rogue. "How did you get so hurt?"
The rogue's head bobbed up and down. "Accidensh happen, offisher. I shwear, thoshe shtairs came out of nowhere.
Hey lady, get your hoovesh off of me. I'm married."
"This is partially my fault, Priestess," said Evening with a sheepish smile. "I did not think the alcohol content of my healing potions would effect her so much"
"Oh, you're one of those warriors," the healer scoffed as she continued fixing up the rogue's injuries. "Just be more careful in the future. And give me back my purse, thief."
The rogue shook her head in confusion. "Oh... oh, this is YOUR purse? Oh wow, I had no idea. It just fell out of the sky into my hooves and I decided that maybe I'd hold onto it for safekeeping. You know, until I could find an orphanage to donate it to, or even its original owner! I'd never steal anything. That would be wrong."
The healer gave her a suspicious look. "And I assume the lockpicks are for rescuing baby bunnies too." She finished up tying the rogue's injuries up with bandages.
"Ah, well, padlocks are a natural predator of baby bunnies. Didn't you know? Yeah, I'm a...biologist! Yes, that'll do. I save baby bunnies from padlocks by using my lockpicks! Sometimes, they trap those bunnies in heavily fortified rooms full of gold, and it would be wrong if I didn't help them out." The rogue stood up and took a few steps to test her strength. Much better, but not perfect.
The healer rolled her eyes. "Just don't let the city guard catch you, they aren't as nice as me."
The rogue let out a chuckle. "They haven't caught me yet! That is to say, they haven't caught me yet because I haven't been doing anything illegal. Yeah."
The healer gave her another odd look. "Right. Tell you what, I can tell you two need a moral compass. How about I join your team, and make sure neither of you dies earlier than The Sisters deem necessary?"
"That's an excellent idea! I'm in no hurry to turn into jam, and I think a healer more or less completes our team! I guess we just need a job now."
"Well, I was sent on a quest to find-" Evening reached into her bags and looked at a set of notes. "-The Kuchen-meisters of Habichtheim. Does that count as a job?"
The rogue went to Evenings side and looked at the notes herself. "Oooh, what are they? Are they shiny?"
"They're bakers," answered the healer. "Why would you be sent out to find bakers?"
"My master told me that it was an epic quest to find my self," answered Evening confused. "I didn't know she was sending me to find cooks."
"How are bakers going to help you find yourself?" asked the rogue. "I mean, don't get me wrong... I am so in... but that seems really weird."
"Well... Habichtheim is hard to get to without wings. It's Griffin territory," answered the healer.
"I wonder if I could steal a pair of wings," thought the rogue. She quickly looked at her backside, seeing her torn up wings with bandages. "Oh right. Silly me."
"If we find another wizard, he might be able to conjure up a set of wings for me," theorized Evening.
"Maybe he can fix mine as well! They're a bit... erm... broken, and I've never been able to fly much. Oh, and I should have introduced myself by now. My name's Sky Runner. Pleased to meet you!"
"A pegasus that can't fly well? That's ridiculous," scolded the healer.
"Hey hey hey, let's not bring race into this. So then, what's your name? Also, here's your wallet back. It, er, fell."
The healer sighed. "Willow Leaf, of the Order of Two Sisters. We worship the beauty and brutality of the Sun and Moon. I can fly just fine outside of my uniform, so maybe I can carry you. And don't steal from me."
"I am Evening Flash, student of the Warrior Celestia," introduced Evening. "I can't fly."
"Well it's a pleasure to meet the two of you! Funny thing. I wasn't expecting to make new friends when I woke up this morning," Sky Runner looked around and spotted a couple of guards. "Now, on an unrelated note, we should probably head somewhere a bit more... private. You know, where the Royal Guards can't recognize certain innocent pegasi that may or may not be wanted for misunderstandings. And I don't steal, thank you very much."
"Yeah... I totally believe you," said Willow sarcastically. "The Prancing Pegasus is just around the corner if you want to get out from prying eyes. Plus, the Cider there comes from the Royal Orchards. It's very delicious."
"Yeah, I've... tried it," said Sky cautiously. "Well, if it gets us off the streets while we work out how to find these bakers, then why not? As long as we don't run into Sword Shield or Shining Armour or anypony like that, I'm in."
Evening looked at Sky in disbelief. "You know those ponies? They are legends back at the Order!"
Sky nodded. "We've met a few times. It was... eventful."
"That's amazing!"
"She means that she wound up being arrested, for what I'm sure was all a misunderstanding," explained Willow. "I'm going to get a drink." She walked around the corner towards the tavern, her armor softly making clanking sounds with each step.
"I believe you, Sky Runner. You have to tell me all about it at the tavern Willow suggested."
"Well, I've got one or two stories, yeah! I'd be happy to tell you! And really it was more of a false imprisonment for a crime I didn't commit, but I happened to be in the vicinity at the time. Racists." Sky looked in the direction of the guards again, her heart beat accelerated. "Oh, and we should probably go to that inn. I think I see them coming."
Evening looked around in a panic. "Where? Is my armor on straight? I have to look good when meeting such-"
Sky cut Evening off by grabbing her saddlepack and dragging her along the ground towards the tavern as quickly as her legs would allow.
"Sky? Why are you dragging me?" asked Evening.
Sky continued to drag the young unicorn around the corner and out of sight. "Look, no time to explain. When we get into the inn, I'll tell you all about it. For now, you just need to know that they're not my biggest fans and that they might be following me."
Evening sighed. "I wanted to meet them... but I understand, wrongful accusations happen. You can stop dragging me now."
Evening Flash trotted around another bend and made it to the doors of the Prancing Pegasus. She opened the door and walked in, but suddenly stopped, becoming blown away by the sight before her.
"Hey, what's the holdup? They'll come round the corner any minute now!" said Sky Runner harshly.
"It's... beautiful... are all taverns like this?" asked Evening.
Willow was sitting down at a nearby table and looked up at Evening. "Oh, you finally made it. I ordered you drinks, then I drank them. Hope you don't mind."
Sky ducked inside trying her best to remain unseen. Once she was inside she noticed the view. "Oh wow! This IS a nice place! I don't know if I can afford to even stand on this carpet, let alone the drinks!"
"After much deliberation, and a few libations, I decided that I was being harsh to you, rogue," said Willow. "I forgot that the the Sisters strive for a balance of ferocity and compassion. So, as long as you don't "find" my purse again, I will fund the evening." She finished with a big smile.
The two ponies sat down with Willow at her table. "Wow, I don't know what to say," said Evening.
"Yeah, thanks very much for helping me out. You really saved my hide back there," said Sky.
Evening gave her own big smile. "That's what heroes do, right?"
Willow looked down. "I'm no hero. I wear armor for a reason."
"Ah, don't worry about it. I sneak around and run away for a reason. So anyway-" Sky pulled out a map. "-I borrowed this from Shining Armour when he went by just now. He's really generous. So, let's work out how we're going to get up there to those bakers, shall we?"
"I say we make a frontal assault. Charge up the mountain, and ask for the bakers when we get there!" suggested Evening.
"Are you insane? It's a stronghold. Of Griffons! " said Willow. "Sky Runner, talk some sense into her."
"Whoa whoa whoa! Look, you can't just go attacking every stronghold just because it's heavily guarded and imposing! You'll get turned into glue! This has to be done carefully. We need a plan." Sky thought for a moment. "But maybe... we CAN attack the stronghold head-on! You know, create a distraction."
Willow stared at them both angrily. "Sisters... you're both insane. You would need an army, and at least twenty pegasi to even get their attention."
"No, I think I see what she's saying," said Evening. "If we find another wizard, I can make a charge at the gates with him and cause a distraction. Then you and Sky can sneak in and take the bakers. It could work!"
"Maybe, if our wizard's any good at illusion-based magic, we can make the threat appear much larger to get their attention," suggested Sky. "Besides that, well, griffon strongholds are quite well protected, but if this one is anything like that one in the Foal Mountains, I reckon there'll be a vulnerability or two we can exploit. There are sewer grates in the walls. Typical Griffons, they spend so long staring at the skies that they can't see that the real threat's coming from underneath them."
The tavern door suddenly opened and a group of Royal Guards walked in.
"Ponyfeathers! Quick, help me look like somepony else!" Sky whispered harshly at Evening.
Evening hesitated, looking between the guards and Sky, but Willow quickly pulled out a cloak and gave it to Sky. "Put this on, and hurry. They'll just assume you are a traveler not accustomed to the cold yet," she said.
The guards stalked through the tavern, questioning patrons along the way.
The Captain came up to their table and looked at Sky Runner, now hidden beneath the cloak. "Well then, who are you?"
"I'm a big fan of your work, sir!" said Evening, stealing away his attention from Sky. "I hail from the Celestial Monastery, and everypony thinks you're great. Is it true that you routed that assassination plot against the Viceroy with just a dinner plate and a smile?"
The Captain smiled. "Well, it's always nice to meet somepony from the Monastery. And it was two dinner plates, a smile and a wink. I was actually hoping that you three could help us with a missing criminal who's been loose around Canterlot lately. Her name is Sky Runner. Have you heard of her?"
Evening tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Sky Runner? Can't say that I have. Willow, have you heard of anypony named Sky Runner?"
"Do I look like I associate with criminals, Captain? I am a Cleric of the Two Sisters," said Willow. She looked over at Sky. "Oh, and don't bother with her. She took a vow of silence as part of her initiation. Very eager to join the Order, really wants the armor."
"Is that so? Well then, I guess we won't bother you three any further. Be sure to inform one of the Canterlot Guards if you spot her, won't you? We have an anonymous tip-off that she might be in the area. Thank you for your time." The Captain and his guards emptied out of the tavern.
Sky took a deep breath, nearly having passed out. "Wow, thanks guys, I thought my goose was cooked just then. I guess I owe you my eternal loyalty now. Only seems fair, since you've saved my hide three times over by now."
"Shining Armor talked to me!" Evening squeed. "This is amazing."
"Sky Runner, put that coin bag back in my saddlebag," said Willow. "Will you stop 'finding' my things now?"
Sky looked at Willow awkwardly. "Huh? Oh... yeah sure, I'll stop finding things. Your things anyway. So, what are we going to do about this griffon place?"
Willow rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Well, you did have a good point about the stronghold's weakness. A small team could easily infiltrate and extract the target. But the distraction team would be at risk the entire time."
"Leave that to me, Willow!" said Evening. "I'm smaller than the stallions of the Monastery, but I was trained to use that. I am not an easy target to hit, even for archers."
"Once we're in, I can take over the distraction from within," said Sky. "I can't really fly, but I can definitely lead them on a wild goose chase while you two find the bakers. They won't be expecting anypony to attack them from behind their own walls."
Evening nodded. "Then it is settled. We strike, and then extract the bakers."
Something began to bother Willow. "Does nopony else find it odd that you were sent to get bakers? I mean, why send an inexperienced warrior at a stronghold for something any town should have?"
"I guess there must be something special about these bakers. Like, maybe they know the secret to creating the perfect cupcake, or maybe Evening is just really hungry today!" suggested Sky. "All I know is that that's a griffon fortress, and where there are fortresses, there's wealth." She looked out the window to see Captain Shining Armor showing a wanted poster with her face on it to a group of ponies outside. "And of course, it might be nice to travel for a bit while the heat dies down."
"I really don't know why I was sent to retrieve them. I didn't even know they were bakers until tonight. I just know that this is my mission, and I must not fail," said Evening.
"And you didn't think to question the mission? Warriors," huffed Willow. "And Sky Runner? Planning on proving your innocence by running away? Brilliant plan."
"But what if she completes a heroic quest? Will that not make all right in the Watch's eye?" asked Evening.
"That's my way of thinking. It's much easier to prove my innocence from outside bars than in. Besides, you guys are my friends and I owe you for helping me out back there," said Sky. "How soon can we head out?"
"Sooner is probably better than later. I say we leave about thirty minutes after the Watch leaves. That way we're less likely to run into them in ambush," suggested Willow.
"I agree. Sky Runner, Willow Leaf, are you two going to need anything for this?" asked Evening. "I was given some money to aid in my quest."
Sky Runner looked at Evening in the eye while slowly and carefully slipping a nearby patron's coin purse into her own saddlebag. "Well, I'm just about ready. Sounds like we have a decent plan in the works. I'll pick up some stuff and meet you guys back here when the time comes. I mean, I guess I can come with you guys if you need to get anything, but it might just be better to lay low until the time comes."
Willow rolled her eyes. "Meaning you don't want two liabilities while you steal from innocent ponies. Got it. But thank you Evening. My Order provides for all eventualities, so I don't need anything. I will wait here until our scout returns."
"Be back in a flash!" said Sky with a chuckle as she quickly and stealthily ran out the tavern's door.
"I am curious about your Order. Would you care to discuss it with me while we wait?" asked Evening.
Willow smiled. "Of course! Always glad to share my faith for my Order."
Evening and Willow sat at their table in the tavern. Willow talked about her Order and their religious beliefs, and Evening told of her Master's training techniques.
"So, your entire order is unicorns? Nothing else?" asked Willow.
"Well, yes. All of us are trained to use our magic so that we can match earth ponies in strength and pegasi in agility," explained Evening. "The one downside is since we focus out magic on that, very few of us can do more than simple telekinesis. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't been born to it."
'That's... strange. Why cripple yourselves for that?"
Sky Runner walked back into the tavern and came to their table. "Hey guys. I just picked up a few essentials, and I'm ready to go. How are you two?"
"We're just fine, thank you," answered Willow.
"It's interesting to learn a little about your Order," said Evening still talking to Willow. "Maybe you can tell us more about it on the way."
"That's an excellent idea! I have been slacking in spreading the Word of the Two Sisters of late, I would be happy to teach you of it on the way."
"And I'd like to know more about you, Sky," said Evening. "How did a pegasus wind up in your line of work? Most that I have met have been merchant guards or couriers. But you are right, we should talk of this on the way to the stronghold," Evening guzzled down her mug of cider in a few short seconds. "Well, I'm ready. Onward!"
The young warrior marched out the door and down a few streets of Canterlot, turning every now and then and getting closer to the city walls. By the time she saw the east gate she started about her training again.
"So, like I was saying," she looked around to make sure her companions were listening, but they weren't anywhere in sight. Evening's eye twitched a few times. "I did it again. But where did I lose them? I've only made a few turns.... seems I have picked up a couple of companions with no sense of direction. I guess I should find them."
Twenty Minutes Later
"Where did you two get off to? I was halfway out of town when I noticed you lost me, and I've been looking. This is not a good way to start a quest!" said Evening as she walked back into the tavern.
"Well to be fair, you took off while I was still finishing my drink. And you left the map here on the table," answered Willow, finishing up her last cider. Sky had at least three other finished mugs on the table.
Sky hoofed the map over to Evening. "You might want this next time you try to leave the city. It's only a good idea to have no idea where you're going when you're running away. Remember that. But I'm ready now!"
"As am I. Did nopony teach you patience, Evening?" asked Willow.
Evening smiled guiltily. "I guess I was being hasty... but this is my first quest, how can I not be excited?"
"It's alright to be excited, Evening! Just try not to get ahead of yourself-" Sky looked out the window. "-Now let's go before the guards come searching through here again!"
The three companions left the tavern and headed down the streets again, with Sky doing her best to avoid any guards along the way. After they had passed the city gates Evening pulled out the map again and held it up for everyone with her magic. "Habichtheim is a few days away. Should we make camp, or try to find lodging in the villages between here and there?" she asked.
'I guess we ought to conserve our supplies for now, so maybe staying in the villages would be the wisest choice until we get closer. I don't know how long we'll have to camp outside that fortress before I can find us a way in," said Sky. "Oh yeah, and if any guards come around looking for me while we're out on the road, you don't know who I am, got it?"
"But you said you are Sky Runner, rogue extraordinaire! How am I supposed to say otherwise?" asked Evening.
"You lie, Evening," said Willow. "I'm sure they'll let that slide for your mission."
Evening grunted. "We can't lie. We're heroes."
"Well, it's not technically lying when it comes down to it. I mean, you only met me today, so it's technically kind of true, right?
Also, it's fair to say that telling anypony who I am would get me pretty badly hurt, and you wouldn't want to be responsible for that, would you?" asked Sky.
"Of course I wouldn't want a friend to be hurt... but I... I've never lied before," answered Evening hesitantly.
Sky looked at Evening in confusion. "N-never? How have you survived this long? Okay, you know what? Never mind. I can teach you how easily enough. I've been doing this all my life."
"Maybe I lied about skipping out on combat training once or twice... but my order is about integrity and discipline. How else is a unicorn supposed to match anypony else in combat? asked Evening.
"Well, how's a crippled pegasus supposed to do it too?" asked Sky. "Best way in my opinion is to avoid the fight altogether, or strike from where ponies aren't expecting you. I mean, that's just common sense. A sense of honor can just get you arrested or killed in my experience."
Evening's eye twitched again. "No... honor?" She stood paralyzed in the middle of the road.
"Great job, you broke her," said Willow, slapping Evening a few times to try and get her senses to come back.
"Why does this happen every time I meet a warrior? Okay, there's a stream just up ahead. Try shoving her head under it for a couple of seconds," suggested Sky.
"Is that really a good idea? Though I guess she is a warrior." Willow brought Evening to the stream and pushed her in.
Sky hopped into the water herself. "Evening! HEY, WAKE UP!" She slapped her a few more times. "Come on! There's a quest to get to!"
Evening shakes her head and brandishes her spear. "Stop slapping me and shoving me into water!"
"You wouldn't listen! Sky Dancer has a point, we have a job to do and not much time to do it," said Willow.
"Yeah! And we're following you, not the other way around," said Sky. "Oh and uh, my name is Sky Runner. "
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" a voice shouted from behind them. An officer of the Royal Guard walked up to them.
Willow looked up at the officer with a smile. "What seems to be the trouble, Officer? Is there any way that I, or my followers, can be of service to you and your fair city?"
"We're just patrolling the areas surrounding Canterlot. A wanted criminal has been spotted in the vicinity, and she's considered armed and dangerous. You three wouldn't know a pegasus called Sky Runner, would you?" asked the guard.
Sky looked at her hooves and said nothing.
"No, the name doesn't ring any bells. But if I find out anything, I will send word as soon as possible," answered Willow. "What about you Evening?
"What?"
The guard turned to Evening. "Have YOU seen any pegasus rogues around these parts?"
Evening panic. A few drops of sweat dripped down her forehead. Sky stood behind the guard making frantic hoof gestures to her. "No, sir. These two are the first pegasi I met, and they are clerics."
"Are you absolutely certain?"
Evening cowered down on the ground. "Yes... why don't you believe me?"
"You seem a little unsure."
Willow stepped in front of Evening. "Leave her alone. She's still young and a little less than confident and it's her first big quest in the open world. We haven't seen the rogue, but if we do we will tell you immediately."
The guard stepped back. "Okay then, no need to be hostile. First big quest huh? Well it does get easier after a while. I used to get quite scared when I first left the city too. It's pretty natural. You guys take care now!" The officer walked away and returned to the walls, but not before Sky had managed to quickly pocket his coin purse.
"An officer... thought I was a criminal." A few tears welled up in Evening's eyes.
"Well, I don't know about that. I figure that you just have to prove yourself as the best hero that you can be!" said Sky. "He'll come around, maybe someday start looking up to you!"
"You're going to need to toughen up, Evening," said Willow. "This is the real world. Ponies are cruel, ponies are mean, ponies will rob you blind-" she poked her in the chest. "-But stay true to yourself, and you will be fine."
"You're new to this, so it's okay to worry and get things wrong sometimes. We've all done it. Plus, there are a lot of bad ponies out there, but it's okay. We're your friends, and we're always going to be here to help you out!"
Evening wiped a tear away, embarrassed by her behavior. "Thank you."
Sky grinned. "Ah, don't mention it! Now come on, we've got a quest to finish, haven't we?"
The trio continued down the road a few miles, finally making it to the base of the mountain which Canterlot settled on. Shortly after a shadow passed over them, but there wasn't a single cloud in the sky.
Sky Runner looked up trying to see what caused the shadow. "What the hay is going on? There aren't any pegasi up there that I can see. No Griffins either."
"I have a bad feeling about this," said Willow.
Meanwhile, up in the sky.
"Ugh, I can't believe the Captain has me up here doing patrols. This would be so much easier if we just set up a blockade, or even just built fifty foot walls all over the place. Sky Runner can't escape fifty foot walls," said Sword Shield, one of the Lieutenants of the Royal Guard. He had been patrolling the skies on his flying sword for hours now. A flash of light caught his eye from down below. "Hey... what's that down there?"
He flew down to the ground directly ahead of the group, finding the source of the glimmer of light. "Oooh, a penny. How lucky." He put the coin in his bag when another pony smacked into him.
"Oops, sorry sir," said Sky. She looked up at who she had smacked into. "Gotta watch where I'm go-ing. Buck."
"Excuse me, I didn't see you there. Wait a second," the Lieutenant picked up a small coin purse from the ground. "Did you drop this? Huh... looks a little like Shining Armor's bag."
"Well, it would, Mr. Big Scary Guardpony sir. We both shop at the same stores in Canterlot. This is some really good quality stuff!" said Sky.
"It seems you have both have good tastes," The Lieutenant tossed back the coin purse. "You have a good day now, and watch out for the thief named Sky Runner. She's a scoundrel not to be trusted." He hopped back onto his sword and fly back into the skies.
"Will do officer! Have a nice day!" said Sky with a big smile. "Phew, that was a close one."
"That could have been avoided. That's twice we've run into guards because of your sticky hooves," said Willow.
"That wasn't entirely my fault, you know. We did need a map and finances... also I liked his penny," said Sky.
"Should we be arguing about this? Sky Runner got what we needed. Besides, can't you hear it?" asked Evening.
Sky looked at Evening confusedly. "Wait, hear what?"
Evening grinned. "The call to adventure!"
"Ha! I like the way you think! All right then, ONWARD!"
A small village lay at the bottom of Habichtheim mountain. Ponies were trotting around doing their usual business when three new ponies walked into town.
"That is a lot higher than I thought... I don't think I prepared for this," said Evening.
"Well, you're not wrong, that's one heck of a climb," said Sky. "There are griffin patrols and all that jazz. On the plus side, unlike the guards in Canterlot, the griffins aren't looking for us, which gives us the advantage."
"I won't like shucking this armor, but since neither of you can fly I will in case the winds knock one of you off," said Willow. "Which reminds me. Sky? What did you do with that rope I asked for?"
"It's in my saddlebag somewhere, let me take a look," Sky opened her bag and began rummaging around. "Hmmm... keys, more keys, lots of keys... hoofcuffs? What they hay were those- Ohhh, I remember now. That was a fun night. Aha, here's some rope!"
Willow chuckled. "When I first met you I would have questioned all that stuff, but now I expect it. Tie the rope to your belts, and loop it through mine. This way there's two ponies to catch you when you fall."
Evening looked at Willow confusedly. "You mean if we fall, right Willow? Willow?" Willow was too busy tying ropes together to respond. Evening sighed in defeat. "I knew it..."
"Don't worry Evening. You'll be quite safe with us!" said Sky confidently. "Besides, the sewerage grate should only be about halfway up this mountain. Just keep an eye out and follow the smell."
"I'm going to trade in my armor for some extra medical supplies," said Willow as she dismantled her armor. "Hopefully we won't have to use it much. I'll meet you at the base of the mountain."
Willow trotted off with her armor while the other two made their way to the base of the mountain, towering tall enough to cast a large shadow over the whole village.
"Alright. I'm ready," said Evening. "Time to defeat this mountain and rescue the bakers."
"Hold up, we're still waiting for Willow. I can see her coming now," said Sky. "Are your ropes tight?"
"As tight as ropes can get!" Evening replied.
Willow came up and tied all the ropes to her belt. "Sky, is everypony secure? We want to get up there before a storm comes out of no where."
Sky nodded. "Sure seems like it. Just hold on tight and yell if you're in trouble... but not too loud, the last thing we need is a bunch of those smelly feathered jerks coming out of nowhere because we gave ourselves away. Got it?"
"Good enough, let's get started," Willow began trudging up the steep mountain first, able to move much more quickly with her armor removed. "Try to keep up, Evening."
Evening's horn flashes some magic and she immediately caught up with Willow and Sky. "I told you, my magic isn't for spells. I think I could outrun you without trying."
"You guys are quick!" said Sky barely breaking a sweat. "I wouldn't have minded doing a few of my old Canterlot jobs with you!"
"Really?" asked Evening. "But I wouldn't know the first thing about working."
"Evening, are you for real? If you are, I so wish more of the guards back in Canterlot were like you."
The trio continued up the mountain, the paths becoming more treacherous as they went, but none of them fell or slipped. Around a corner they came across a pipe jutting out of the mountain like the mouth of a snake.
"There it is!" said Sky.
They carefully walked to the pipe and looked inside through the iron grating. The smells of waste and rotten food came from inside. All of them took a few steps back from the smell.
"Ugh! We have to go through that pipe?" asked Evening with disgust.
"At least this one seems to be dry, Evening," said Willow.
Sky waved a hoof in front of her nose. "It's not pretty, I'll admit, but it'd be less pretty if we took the front door."
Evening frowned. "If you say so... I'll go first then, in case there are any guards at the end." She stepped slowly towards the pipes, gagging every other second.
Sky pat Evening on the back. "Now now Evening, it's going to smell really bad, but it's better than the sewers that run under Canterlot prison! Tell you what, if you're a bit nervous, I can go first!"
"No. I said I will go first, and I will." Evening loosened her staff off her shoulders and held it by her side with her magic, also pulling out a small dagger and holding it in her mouth.
"We'll make a rogue out of you yet! Okay, let me just get this grate off... silly Griffins couldn't fix one of these if their lives depended on it," Sky walked up to the grate and used a small tool to pry it open. "There! So remember, follow the light, all right?"
Evening nodded and slowly crawled her way into the pipe. Willow began untying the ropes so she could move more freely. "She doesn't need you taking advantage of her impressionable nature, Sky," she said.
"Aw, come on! You know I didn't mean it like that!" defended Sky. "Just because I'm a rogue doesn't mean that I want EVERYPONY to be one, right? There'd be nothing left to stealllllliberate!"
Willow looked at her accusingly. "But there's no way you missed that she's very naive. If she starts picking pockets, I'll know where she got it. I have my eye on you. You get in the pipe first, Sky."
"Why would you accuse ME of such shenanigans? I'm an innocent bystander! A harmless friendly pegasus! This is because I'm crippled, isn't it? You're going to be just like all of the fillies at Flight Camp, laughing at me because they had to put me in a harness with a grown-up pegasus who COULD fly! You're mean!" Sky continued to protest as she climbed into the pipe after Evening.
"What?! I am a cleric of the Two Sisters! How dare you accuse me of such... such pettiness. I became a cleric because one of my fillyhood friends had a gimpy wing, and I wanted to help," argued Willow.
"Can you two pick a better time to talk about this?!" called back Evening. "What if we get- caught? So that's what a Griffin looks like..."
"Well done Willow. Your anti-gimp wing agenda just got us caught," said Sky. She turned toward the Griffins. "Hehe, hey fellas! We were lost and... and... ah, ponyfeathers." She pulled out a small hoof sized crossbow and fires, nailing the griffin in the neck.
"Wow! Nice shot, Sky!" said Evening. She casually whipped her staff around and struck the remaining griffin, sending him flying into the wall. "Adventuring is fun!"
Willow stared at Evening in awe. "Wow, Evening... Just wow. And what do you mean my anti-gimp wing agenda got us caught? You were the one shouting about me being suspicious."
"And your shouting about my shouting about you being suspicious got us caught! Come on, try to keep up!" Sky pat Evening on the back. "Nice work kid! You're doing great!"
"It's nothing... It was just a basic strike," said Evening.
"Okay, Sky. Truce until we get Evening's target?" asked Willow.
Sky sighed. "Okay, truce. When we've found these bakers, you can arrest me or whatever it is your order does, all right?"
"Arrest? We don't do that. We rehabilitate."
"Well, are you two ready? I think I can see where the food is kept," said Evening.
"Well, I'm sure ready!" said Sky. "Now, when we get up there, we're probably going to have the whole garrison to contend with. The trick is to stay in the corridors where they can't attack you from the sky."
Willow nodded. "Ready."
Evening smiled, ready to kick some more griffin tails. "Lead on, Sky."
Sky loaded her hoof-mounted crossbow with another sleep dart. "Let's rescue some bakers."
"Do you hear that?" asked Evening. "Sounds like singing."
"Sky, you think you can sneak ahead and see what it is?" asked Willow.
"Yeah, I can do that," Sky stealthily made her way forward. "Weird. I don't know what they could be singing about." She moved closer and listened carefully to hear one of the Griffins singing.
"-So pass me another flagon, of that good old Dragon-" sung the griffin.
"I wish he wouldn't drink on the job," another griffin spoke. "It's unprofessional."
Evening crept up behind Sky. "Can you hear anything?"
"I think we're in luck. Sounds like one of them's hit the cider a bit earlier than usual!" answered Sky.
Willow appeared behind Evening. "Do you think we can take those guards, or should we try to sneak past them?"
"I've got another idea... watch this," Sky pulled out a small glass capsule filled with a bright green liquid. "Guys, hold your breath. I think it's time we got all of these griffins to take a nap."
Evening took a deep breath. "What is that?"
"Where did you get that?" asked Willow angrily. "That's Equestrian Guard gear!"
"It was? Wow, I didn't know that... I didn't think for a moment that perhaps it was a guard's property at one point! I just... found it on the ground one day," said Sky innocently. "I thought it would come in handy. Does it not count as using stolen property if I'm using it to fight evil?"
"But those griffons aren't evil. They are just doing their job like any guard," said Willow.
"Willow, I don't think it will kill them," said Evening. She pointed at the capsule. "It's glowing the same color as the dart she used earlier, and that guard is just unconscious."
"Evening, I don't suppose you know WHERE in this fort those bakers are being kept?" asked Sky.
"Not a clue," answered Evening with a smile.
Sky rubbed her hooves together. "I guess we're doing this the old-fashioned way then! Come on guys! Let's yank this place out by the roots until we find those bakers!"
"And if we run into more guards? Will you knock out an entire fort?" asked Willow.
"Sounds good to me," said Evening. "Between my skill and Sky Dancer's darts, it will be foal's play."
Sky took a short look at her bandoleer which held her darts. "I've only got about five darts left, so if we run into TOO many griffins... well, I hope you can run really fast."
"I won the Monastery Marathon every year, but what does that have to do with the griffons?" asked Evening.
Willow sighed. "Sky, a word with you please?"
Sky smiled. "Sure!" Willow walked back through the pipe a short way with Sky until they were out of hearing distance from Evening. "What's on your mind?"
"I don't think Evening knows the meaning of retreat," explained Willow. "She's nice enough, but this is the third time she's misunderstood something you said about self preservation.
"I know, right? She'd be an absolutely terrible rogue!"
Willow gave Sky an angry stare. "Sky, this is serious."
Sky sighed. "Okay, I think I know how to handle this. If we run into trouble, I THINK I can make her run the other way, all right?"
"I hope so," Willow looked back at the young warrior. "The Sisters would not approve if I let her die because she doesn't know when to run."
"What are you whispering about? We have some bakers to find. I have to prove myself to my master," called back Evening impatiently.
"That's the spirit!" cheered Sky. "Come on, let's start with the dungeons!" She darted off towards Evening, giving an unsure look at Willow.
The three of them finally find an exit from the pipe and make their way through a few tight hallways and down some staircases. The insides of the dungeon were all laid with dark stone. They made it to a dungeon, multiple empty cells surrounded the outside of the place. No griffins were to be seen.
"Oh wow!" said Evening. "Look at the craftsmanship of this place. I don't think I could slide a blade between these stones. And the bars?" Evening tapped her staff against one of the cell bars. "It's adamantium! I wonder if I would work one loose."
A harsh whisper came from above the group. "Don't work it loose, don't work it loose, don't work it loose! "
The group looked up at the ceiling. There was a single pony hanging on for her life.
"Evening wait! I think that pony needs our help," said Willow.
"Do you need help getting down?" asked Evening.
"I most certainly do not! I will get down myself," said the ceiling pony. She walked across the ceiling and down the walls using suction-boots. "There. Now what are you doing here!? You've almost blown my cover!"
The three of them looked at her in confusion. "What the hay? Who are you? One of Shining Armor's spies?" asked Sky. "How long have you been following... never mind. We're here to find something. If it ain't the same something you're here to find, maybe we can help each other."
"Find something? Shining Armor's spy? No, I'm here as a testament to my people, to prove myself worthy as a pony. And because the Griffins here have an excellent sense of humor!" The pony began to introduce herself. "My name's Maboo. Kind of a funny name of you ask me, but I think it's a good representation of my vast curiosity in life. As for what I was doing on the ceiling, I was playing hide and seek with some of the Griffins. You didn't happen to see any on your way here have you?"
"Yeah, we saw a few ... but we sorta... ran over them," said Sky.
"Hide and... Seek?" asked Evening. "But I thought... I'm confused."
"Maboo, a word?" asked Willow.
"Yes, I know many words. How many do you know?" asked Maboo.
Willow flinched. "Another naive... nevermind. Anyway, our unicorn friend there is a very naive warrior on a quest for griffin bakers. You wouldn't happen to know where we could find some, do you?"
"Griffin bakers eh? Um, no, sorry. I've never met any griffin bakers," answered Maboo. "I don't think they'd be anywhere around here either, griffins normally like to hang around in the clouds."
Evening frowned. "What? But this is a griffin stronghold, and my Master told me to seek the bakers here."
"Well you could try the upper levels," suggested Maboo. "They have a kitchen and everything so I'm told, but I haven't seen any bakers. To get there just take the stairs to the left and then take a right and another right and when you come to the 3 section split you want to take the furthest left. You passed it on the way in here, but you probably don't have any memory of that place. The kitchen should be the second door on the right."
Evening stomped her hoof on the ground in frustration. "The top floor? The top floor?!"
"Relax, Evening. Maboo, we thank you, and the Two Sisters thank you," said Willow.
"Don't mention it. I'll be following you all for the time being, but you won't see me. Ninja vanish!" Maboo disappeared into the sudden mist, leaving the three ponies alone.
Evening sighed and turned back to one of the cell cages. "Well, these bars would have more heft than this iron bar I'm using now, and less likely to get stolen from me because it's so heavy. Of course I'd need to get it trimmed down, these bars look to be twice the size I would need."
Sky began yanking one of the bars free. "You say something?"
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Pulling one of those things might alert more guards," said Willow.
"Well they're not going to use it!" argued Sky. One last yank pulled the bar free. It fell to the floor with a loud clang that echoed across the room and hallways beyond. "Whoops."
"It's mine!" said Evening. She jumped to the bar and swooped it up, giving it a few experimental twirls through the air. "I was right, this is too long. I can't use it yet."
"Well I dunno, drop it on their heads or something," suggested Sky. "But come on, we don't want the entire garrison finding us!"
"I guess I can use it like a spear. It's not my specialty, but I want to be useful."
"We should move, we made a lot of noise just now," suggested Willow. A heavy door could be heard swinging open down the hall, a brief thud was felt after. "Run!"
Evening looked at her companion curiously. "Why? Are you not ready to meet these griffins in battle?"
"Didn't you know? There's bigger and more glorious villains to fight down this way, where we're running!" said Sky.
"Really? Then what are we waiting here for? Let me at em!" Evening hugged her new metal bar close to her and galloped up the stairs to the left, making sure to follow Maboo's directions. Willow and Sky chased after her.
"Okay, I take back most of those nasty things I said about you, Sky. But what are we going to do when she doesn't get the fight you just promised her?" asked Willow as they tried to keep up with evening.
Sky hesitated. "I'll... er... I'll get to that part when it comes up, okay? Hopefully when we find the bakers she'll just stop running around looking for a fight. Until then, we've got to make up her own Order's code for her or something. I dunno, improvise!"
Willow looked at the rogue in fascination. "That's a brave idea, Sky... I misjudged you. I will stand by you when the hammer comes down. Until then, let's just keep Evening pointed in the right direction."
"Why do you two keep whispering when you tell me to go ahead? Don't you trust me?" asked Evening. "Maybe I shouldn't tell you that we just passed a door marked kitchen."
"We passed a what now?" Sky skid to a halt and looked at the door Evening pointed out. "Awesome! I bet they're in there! Hey Evening, wanna introduce yourself to the bakers?"
Willow looked Evening in the eye. "Be good, Evening. We're rescuing them, remember?"
"Of course I remember. It's my mission," replied Evening sternly. She kicked open the door. "Who in here is the Baker? I promise that you will come to no harm if you cooperate!"
"Evening, sweetie, you have to be a bit more gentle with your rescues and hostages," said Sky. "You've gotta let them know that everything's going to be all right. Come on, say a nice hello, and give them your name!"
"Oh... Um... Hello everyone, I am Evening Flash and I will be your rescuer tonight."
Sky facehoofed. "Yeah, close enough."
"Now which one of you is the Baker? I see a sous chef, a dessertier, and prep cook."
Willow whispered over to Sky. "Sky, why is it that she knows kitchen terms to that detail, but doesn't know about retreating? I'm starting to worry about her Order."
Sky gave her a look. "Her Order? I'm starting to worry about her! They are a little screwy though. Seriously, I let a whole herd of drugged-up buffalo loose in Canterlot while I was sneaking into their castle, and they went after them instead of me . Can you believe it?"
Evening began going from worker to worker in search of the baker.
"What kind of ponies are we dealing with?" asked Willow. "She's too innocent to let that go on. Maybe it would be better if she didn't find her target."
"I don't know about any baker, but I can direct you to the butcher or the candlestick maker," said one of the griffins. The rest of the kitchen's staff began laughing loudly at the joke.
"Hey, look who's here! It ain't a party without a clown!" said Sky. She lifted up her crossbow at the griffin.
The griffin waved his claws and backed away. "Whoa, whoa! Calm down there. Is she for real? A baker?"
"Who, her? Nah, she's... some kind of warrior or something. I dunno," Sky looked at the griffin curiously. "So, you're not going to get every griffon in this fort to come and get us? Who are you?"
"This is just a paycheck, cloudhorse. They hired me to run this place," The griffin turned towards the rest of the staff. "And these guys better get back to work and ignore the warrior if they want to keep working here!"
"So you have no idea where the bakers are?" asked Sky.
"When did ponies start asking so many questions?! Argh!" The griffin sighed in defeat. "Look, I'll level with you. If there are any bakers here they wouldn't be in this place, they'd be up top, where the Talons live."
"They're the bosses, aren't they?"
A random voice popped out of nowhere. "Well they definitely seem bossy to me. I couldn't take two steps towards them without being ordered to bring them more cake." It was Maboo, once again dropping down from the ceiling.
"Yeah. They're the toughest griffons in the keep. I hope you don't plan to fight them, because they'll win," said the griffin.
"Sky, Willow... there aren't any bakers here," said Evening.
"Don't worry Evening! This friendly griffon just told me where we can find those bakers!" said Sky. "Apparently we have to beat the Talons! They don't sound too tough, do they?"
"Sky... I've heard of them. They're going to tear us apart," said Willow.
"You found me a fight? You didn't have to do that," said Evening gratefully.
Sky gave her friend a reassuring smile. "Anything for a great friend like you, Evening! So wait, what was that about getting torn apart?"
"You don't know Sky? They're the terror of the sk-" Willow looked at the rogue's wings. "Oh, that's why. I forgot you're grounded."
Sky grunted. "Yeah, I'm grounded. It really sucks, I know. So they're terrifying, huh? Probably no worse than Sword Shield... although I don't think anypony could be as bad as he was."
"So what?" asked Evening confidently. "We can beat them, we will beat them, and it will be... Glorious!"
Maboo piped in. "Hold on a minute. Sword Shield? That Lieutenant pony?" She snickered. "He isn't that bad, he just takes his job a little too seriously. Get him riled up by calling him or the Royal Guard names. But I've met these Talons before. They might seem tough, but they can hardly turn their heads up. If I sneak in and attack from above, they'll be so surprised you'll have a perfect surround on them. Are you ponies up for it?"
"I was born ready!" said Evening. She twirled her staff around and accidentally broke two pots filled with honey.
"Hey! I never said you could break anything here! Get out before I throw you out a window!" shouted the griffin.
The four ponies scurried out of the room and down another hallway.
"The Talons are much worse than any Guard you've run across. They like to break a pegasus's wings, then drop them for sport," explained Willow.
"That's terrible... they must be stopped!" said Evening.
"B... breaking... pegasus... wings?" asked Sky, losing a bit of confidence. "Erm, yes Evening! They have to be stopped! For the good of Equestria! We should... fight them... really indirectly... like REALLY indirectly."
"Oh, like using feints? I can do that!" said Evening.
"Yes, you do that Evening," Willow shooed the young warrior down another hallway till she was out of hearing range. "Sky, do you have any more of that knockout juice left?"
Sky nodded."Yeah, tons! Why do you ask?"
"To use on Evening if things get out of hoof," answered Willow. "I can heal her if she's hurt, but she's going to get herself killed."
"I know what you mean. She's getting kinda creepy."
"I've seen this before, especially with these warrior types. When they are asked to prove themselves, they throw themselves into it. Evening is a special case, because she-"
"This is it. I will avenge all those pegasi, save the bakers, and finally prove myself to her," said Evening from down the hall.
"Hold that thought!" Sky fired a dart at Evening. "Proceed!"
"-is so naive about how the world works..."
"Evening sleepy... Goodnight." Evening fell onto the floor with a thud, snoozing dreamily.
Willow looked at Sky in shock. "You just shot her? But we're in a hostile environment! And we have an unconscious... teammate... You know what? You get the front, and we can get her out of here."
Sky pouted. "She started it."
A shout was heard from the room nearby. "NOW! Hiiii-yaah!" There was a loud crashing noise. The trio ran up to the door where it came from and listened to what was going on. "Oops," the voice was Maboo's. "Hey, where's my backup?! Guys? Hello? Bad day..."
Sky opened the door. "Maboo, what the hay are you doing?! We're going to get spot- oh... ponyfeathers." There was a group of Talon's inside staring at Maboo, right in the middle of them all.
"I go, you stay, no following!" shouted Maboo. "Wait, no, I mean, you go and get Evening to safety! I stay and distract them! Hey you stupid big black bully Talons! Over here!" Maboo disappeared further into the room with the Talon's giving chase.
"Come on Willow, let's get sleeping beauty here into a coat closet or something," said Sky.
Willow attempted to lift the unicorn onto her back. "Ugh... Why is she so heavy?" She decides to simply drag her by the hooves instead.
"Thanks for the assist, Master... that manticore was tough," said Evening in her sleep.
"D'aww, she's sleeping like a little psychotic angel!" said Sky with a cute smile.
"And for now she's our angel. Do you see anywhere we can hide?" asked Willow.
Sky looked ran down the hall a few meters. "Hey look, there's a closet. Let's shove her in there."
"Good, I think I hear someone coming." Willow pulled Evening to the closet and shoved her in, quickly closing the door. She dropped to the floor as her muscles gave out.
"Dang it Willow! Come on, get up! Remember the plan! We've gotta sneak in and get those bakers out!"
Willow grumbled. "You didn't have to carry her all the way to the closet," She fished a potion out of her pack and took a quick drink. Her strength quickly came back and she managed to stand back up. "Okay, did you see where they were being kept?"
"Yeah, I think I know the way. Now remember where we parked our warrior!"
"Then lead the way, I'm ready to get out of this crazy place." Willow looked back at the closet, making sure to memorize the location in her head.
"Evening's gonna be ticked when she wakes up."
"She nearly got us killed ," said Willow angrily. "Right now I don't particularly care if her feelings are hurt because we finished her mission after knocking her out."
"Okay, but if she goes all kill-crazy, it was all my idea, got it? Now come on, let's get 'em!" Sky ran over to the Talon's door and peered through the keyhole.
"Do you see them, Sky?"
"Well, the room seems to be empty, and there aren't any guards... but the Talons are supposed to be in there! I can't imagine where they'd be unless-" Sky froze and slowly looked behind her. "-they... were... right behind us. Heh heh... hi."
Two black winged griffins towered over the two. "Oh, what do we have here? Two little pegasi, away from their home. Do you know what we do to ponies like you?" The griffin circled around the two, revealing a small cage with Maboo trapped inside.
"Heheh, sorry guys. The Talons caught me a little too quickly," said Maboo.
"I'm sure you did your best, Maboo," said Willow.
Sky kept an eye on the griffin. "Do you invite them in for a cup of tea and some cake?"
"Get a load of this one, she thinks-" The griffin looked at his third partner who was lazily reading in the corner. "Stop reading and get your head in the game!"
"Huh, what? I wasn't paying attention," said the third griffin.
"Open your ears, mate! They said they wanted you to beat them up!" yelled Sky. "Well, what're you waiting for? Get to it!"
"Hmm?" The third griffin put down her book and saw the ponies for the first time. "Oh, is it time to play? Can I have the healer one? She looks like a fighter."
Willow backed away in fear. "Sisters protect me, sisters protect me!"
"No, you bird brain! They said they wanted you to beat THEM up! They were talking about what a jerk you are with your beak in that book!" said Sky.
The griffin chuckled. "Well, that's cute. You don't know who I am, do you? You hear that guys?"
"Sky... she's the leader," said Willow.
"Oh, look at the brains on that one. Maybe I'll just keep you, after I clip your wings, of course," the leader looked at her guards. "You two can have the other one."
The first two griffins stalked closer to Sky Runner.
"Welp, I'm boned. Okay, here's the plan. Willow, you talk to that one, and I'll... I'll... buck it." Sky shot one of her darts, landing a hit on the first griffin. She smacked her flank with her hoof tauntingly and dashed down the corridor with the second griffin giving chase.
"Sky, get back here and-" Willow noticed the leader staring at her. "Um... can I interest you in some literature on the Two Sisters, and how they can help you live a better life?"
"That the religion that follows the two Princesses? I've read three different versions of your text. Have a problem with splitters, do you?"
Willow swallowed her fear. "Like you wouldn't believe! How hard is it to follow two Alicorns and learn from their examples?"
"But that can be said of a lot of things. Take my Talons. Do you think they started out the way they are today?"
"You mean to tell me it wasn't always a group of warlords?"
"Heck no. My great grandfather started all of it as a refuge after that war between Luna and the griffons. A war that ponies started, I'd like to point out. It's just in the last ten years it's gotten out of claw. My sister ran the Talons like we were some hardcore killers, and some of the older ones still think they are. I just keep them in check."
"What about the stories about you breaking a pegasus's wings and tossing them over the side of the keep?"
"It happened twice, and my grandfather banished the griffon that did it. I don't know why that story persists. I'm tryi-"
"WIIIIILLOW! SAAAAAAVE MEEEEE!" Sky Runner came charging down the hall again.
"Sky Runner, we are having a discussion here," scolded Willow.
Sky skid to a halt. "You know, you COULD take my imminent brutalizing a bit more seriously."
The pursuing griffin caught up and quickly tackled Sky, the two of them tumbled out of sight down the corridor. "No, NO! NOT THE WINGS! NOT THE WIIIIIIIIIIIINGS!"
"Sky?" Willow looked back at the leader. "I'm sorry, I need to make sure that my friend is okay. Maybe we can continue this discussion later," she charged down the hall after Sky. "LET GO OF MY FRIEND!"
Sky was sprawled out on the floor next to the griffin. "Ow... ow... ow... help... he did... bad things."
Willow looked at the griffin with fury and fire in her eyes. "How dare you... how would you like it if I did the same to you?"
"You wouldn't, you are a pony of faith," the griffin looked into Willows eyes and began to have second thoughts. "You haven't seen the last on me!" The griffin ran off down another hallway and disappeared.
"Griffins... griffins hurt," said Sky, shaking on the floor.
"Sky! I'm so sorry I was late. Good thing I have extra healing supplies," Willow pulled her saddlebag aside and began rummaging through her supplies.
"You... you can't ungriffin me," cried Sky.
Willow looked over her friend. "Sky, where does it hurt? I can't ungriffin you, but I can help the physical pain first. The emotional pain will come with time, but right now I need you to be strong for me."
"So many talons... by Luna... the smell ." Sky continued to whimper.
"Sisters... I.. I... will kill him. I will break every bone in his feathered little body, heal him, and do it all over again!"
"Please... help me... bones broken... wings... not getting any better."
"Of course!" Willow began pulling out equipment and bandages. "This will hurt a lot, though. Do you want something for that? It will put you out harder than Evening though."
"Yes please," squeaked Sky.
"Drink this," Willow gave Sky a small vial while she prepared a syringe.
Sky drank it all in one gulp. "That's... that's the stuff." Her body went limp and she began humming a song.
"You'll be just fine, Sky. Just stay still so that the potion can do its work." Willow jabbed the needle into Sky's flank and begins prepping another.
Sky jolted and quickly slumped back into place. "Whoa! Hang on lady... buy me dinner first."
"You're still awake?! Does it still hurt?" asked Willow. Soft pops and snaps could be heard as Sky's bones and muscles mended.
"Yes... yes it does... ow ow ow ow OW!" Sky yelped. "I think... I'm a little better. No need for another syringe, thanks!"
Willow looked at Sky in amazement. "You have quite the metabolism, Sky. Most ponies would be out cold with the sedative I gave you. The good news is that you should be right as rain in a few minutes. But please try not to use your wings for at least another week."
Sky gave a sheepish smile. "I may have jabbed myself with my own sleep darts accidentally from time to time... I guess I probably built up a kind of resistance to it. And don't you remember? Permanently busted wing? Don't worry, I think I'm going to be able to live with it. And hey... uh... thanks, Willow."
"I may have fixed some of the damage to that injury... I told you I joined my Order in order to help a friend with a similar injury, didn't I?"
Sky shrugged. "Maybe, but I doubt you could have fixed much. What happened to my wings was... bad. Like, really bad."
"Well, like I said, it needs time to heal properly. Too much movement could impair that process. If I had more time, I would splint them down but-" Willow stopped herself and thought a moment. "Time? How long do your sleeping darts usually last?"
"Well, the last victim should be waking up from it about... uh oh. We should probably hide."
The two pegasus's found some furniture in the hall and tried hiding behind it all, staying as still as possible.
"Wait, Evening has a high tolerance too. She's probably going to wake up as soon as the other griffins," said Willow.
"I know. Who do you think I'm hiding from?" asked Sky.
"Oh, that makes sense."
"You don't suppose she's gonna be too mad at me, do you Willow? Like, she wouldn't hurt me... or if she did, she wouldn't break anything important... right?"
Inside the closet.
Evening gasped. "Where am I?!" She found a dart in her side and floated it to see. "This looks like one of Sky's darts... why... why. The Talons must have gotten her! Those cowards! I hope they are alright."
A muffled voice came from outside the closet. "Hey, somepony get me outta this cage! Evening! GET ME OUT! " It was Maboo.
"You realize I'm still here, don't you?" asked the remaining griffin.
"Quiet, I'm trying to escape!"
Sky Runner came around the corner. "Psst. Hey bird-brain!" She reared her legs and gave a heavy buck to the griffin's head, knocking him out cold. "Hey Maboo! Having fun?"
Maboo frowned. "No. First I get captured and put in a cage, second, Evening can't hear me. Did you put some kind of deafening poison in those darts? And are you gonna let me out already or not?"
"Well that depends, doesn't it? I mean, Evening can't hear you, so I guess you're relying solely on my sense of charity, and I ain't a charitable pony! Well... maybe I am... just a little... fine," Sky picked the lock to Maboo's cage and let her out. "Now, what do we say?"
"I don't know, what should we say? I say we should say "Hey, maybe we should get outta here before the Griffons raze this place to the ground." But that's just me. Oh, and thanks for knocking out that griffin, he was beginning to get a bit creepy."
Sky frowned. "Yeah, I'd hate to have someone really creepy running around everywhere. Where are you from, anyway?"
"I'm from the great city of Manehatten," answered Maboo. "I was born and raised there, but I don't remember much after that.
A few months ago I was hit on the head and knocked out, I only got a glimpse of who hit me, but I believe I saw a griffin. Since then I've lost my memories of who I used to be, so I dedicated myself to learning who had hit me and stolen my memories. I traced what evidence was left to this place, where I infiltrated through some sort of underground passage. That's when I met you."
Willow had caught up to Sky by now. "That's terrible! I'm so sorry you lost your memories."
"Well heck, we're just here to pick up some bakers, but you know something? It might be useful to have another infiltrator about! Do you want us to help you find out who stole your memories?" asked Sky.
"Actually, I think you knocked out the griffin who stole my memories. Oh well! I'll get my memories back some day. I'll join you on this quest for bakers, I could use a good meal soon anyway!"
Sky grinned as wide as she could. "Well, sure! I guess he ain't remembering anything when he wakes up either!"
The closet burst open and Evening rushed out. "Sky Runner! Willow Leaf! You're safe!"
"It's quite all right! We're totally okay! How are you?" asked Sky.
Evening rubbed her head. "I feel like I was clubbed by somepony, but other than that fine. Were we able to rescue the bakers?"
"About that Evening... I don't think there were any bakers here," said Willow.
"You mean we came all of this way for nothing? How do you know?" asked Sky.
"I got a chance to speak to the leader, she said there haven't been dedicated bakers here since her Grandfather ran the Talons," explained Willow. "I'm sorry."
Evening frowned. "Then why was I sent here? My master would never do something like this, she is too kind."
"Evening, what DID your master say exactly?" asked Sky.
"She just said to go to the Keep at Habictheim and seek the bakers," a tear escaped Evening's eye. "You don't think she sent me here to get rid of me, do you?"
Sky put a comforting hoof on Evening. "Don't worry Evening. If she did, we'll get our own bakers. Just wait and see!"
"Evening, do you want to go back? It seems like an awful place to grow up. Can't you just disappear?" asked Willow.
"I do want to see more of the outside, but I can't leave. It's home, and the brothers and sisters are my family. It's all I've ever known," answered Evening. "I know that if I prove myself to Master, then she will let me go on more missions and see the world."
"Hey Evening, I've got a better idea," said Sky. "What if you go on adventures with Willow, Maboo and me instead? We can go on our own awesome adventures and see the world together! Plus I bet Willow can help to teach you to calm down a little!"
"You would have me? After everything?"
"Of course we'll have you! I don't even know you but you seem to be really nice and an awesome warrior!" said Maboo.
"The whole "running in and smacking everything" shtick is probably gonna need toning down a bit, but hey, I've always got your back! How about you, Willow?" asked Sky.
"Sky is right, you need to work on your temper," said Willow. "But I would be happy to have you along, it's always nice to have somepony to talk to."
Evening blushed. "I don't know what to say... thank you."
Sky looked down the corridor nervously. "So... I hate to interrupt such a nice moment, but I bet those griffins will be waking up about now! So we'd probably better get running!"
"Run? Why?"
"This is one of the things we're talking about, Evening!" said Willow. "Move!"
The three of them charged down the corridor as they heard more guards coming their way, leaving Maboo behind.
"Wait for me!" Maboo popped a smoke bomb and charged after them.
"Maboo? How long have you been there?" asked Evening as they continued running from the guards.
"I've been here for at least the past ten minutes, Sky let me out of my cage," answerd Maboo. "Where are we going?"
"I'm learning how to run away. It's harder than I thought it would be," Evening caught up to Willow and Sky. "So, uh... even if we get away, it's all down sheer cliffs. What are we supposed to do?"
"Erm... Willow, do you reckon we could carry her and Maboo down between us?" asked Sky.
"If you take Maboo, we might be able to make it. But your wing isn't healed yet. It could wind up worse than it was before," answered Willow.
"Alright, I've got an idea, but you're not gonna like it. At least, Evening and Maboo aren't going to like it."
"What do you mean?" asked Evening.
"Turn right here and follow me!" said Sky. She lead the group through another series of hallways and staircases, climbing higher and higher. "Remember how off the battlements there was that sheer drop right down the mountain into a lake?"
"Yes. Wait... I... I can't swim," said Evening.
"It should be fine as long as one of us makes it down quickly enough. If we do this, I want you to promise to take it easy, Sky," said Willow.
"I'll be fine!" assured Sky. "Just watch your own flanks, okay?"
"If you say so."
"Good enough for me! Come on guys! Let's do something stupid!"
The group made it to the outside and ran to the edge of the battlements. Sky runner dived first, but Evening skidded to a halt and looked down over the edge.
"You expect me to jump down there? What if I miss?" asked Evening.
"Trust me, you won't," Willow reared her legs and bucked Evening over the edge, quickly following behind her. "It's for your own good, Evening!"
"If I die, I swear I'll haunt you Wil-" Evening was cut off as she hit the water with a gigantic splash.
"This was a really stupid idea!" said Sky. Her wings accidentally slowed her fall and were torn up even more. Sky hit the water shortly after Evening, with Willow falling last.
Maboo, however, walked down the cliff face using her suction boots. "You ponies are crazy, jumping from so high like that," she walked all the way down and into the water. "This water is so nice! I wonder how it's so clean. You girls okay over there?"
Willow resurfaced. "Fine."
Evening came out of the water splashing and struggling. "I CAN'T SWIM! HELP!"
"Calm down Evening, I gotcha," Maboo pulled out a suction harpoon and fired it at Evening. She swam to shore and pulled Evening along with her. "There, I've got some towels if you want to dry off too."
Evening coughed up some water. "Thanks, Maboo. Wait, towels?"
Willow swam to shore and shook off most of the water. "I'll take one if you're offering. Come on, Sky!"
"I always bring towels on my secret missions, you never know how much they could come in handy," Maboo shook most of the water off as well. She pulled out two towels, completely dry despite being fully immersed in the water. "Here you go. I've only got two so hopefully Sky won't mind. Speaking of Sky, she hasn't emerged yet. I wonder if she is alright."
Willow looked back at the lake in a panic. "Oh no... Sky Runner, you better be fine. I didn't fix your wing just for you to die on me!" She flew over the lake and dived back in. Willow finally found Sky and pulled her out of the water and back to shore. "Sky Runner, how are you feeling? That fall was a lot higher than I expected."
Sky coughed up some water. "Well, I've taken worse spills, but hey, it was my crazy idea! I hope you're not too hurt!"
"You know what I mean, Sky Runner. I could glide down, Evening is made of iron, and Maboo walked down the wall. How is your wing feeling?" asked Willow.
"Why, it feels..." Sky looked back at her heavily damaged wings. "Huh... looks pretty bad. I wonder why I haven't felt any pain yet. AGH, there... we go!" Sky fell down and writhed in pain.
"SKY! Hold on." Willow moved closer to Sky and tried to get a good look at her wings, but she wouldn't stay still.
"What's wrong? Why did Sky fall over?" asked Evening.
"Ow... ah... my wing's pretty broken. I guess the fall... hit me harder than I thought," said Sky.
"You should have tried slowing down before hitting the water, less injuries that way," said Maboo.
Sky looked at Maboo with a painful frown. "Huh... NOT hitting water at terminal velocity... you know, I never thought of that. Thanks Maboo!"
"Really? I'll try to remember that for next time," said Evening. "But then again, I didn't think it was that bad other than nearly drowning."
"Sky, try to hold still. I need to see how bad it is," said Willow.
"It's... pretty bad," Sky whimpered.
"Let me be the judge of that, Sky Runner. Doctor (unlicensed) Willow Leaf is on the case," Willow looked over her friend's two wings. "Now it looks like you landed on your right wing, and hyper-extended the carpal joint. On top of that, you lost some of your lesser covert feathers," Willow sighed. "You tried to fly, didn't you? After I told you to stay off that wing for a week! I knew I should have splinted it to your side. If I thought it would help, I'd bandage you from nose to tail so your brain could heal... but right now, I'm just happy that you are not hurt worse. You had me worried, Sky."
"Am I missing something? Why would Sky try to fly?" asked Evening.
"She's a thief. Wanting more mobility comes with the job description," said an anonymous voice.
"I guess that makes sense. But her wings been damaged for a lon- AHH! Where did you come from?" There was another pony standing next to Evening, wearing a special gauntlet that looked like it hid a knife.
"Well, when a mare and a stallion love each other very much... In any case, it does not matter. I take the name of Swift Blade. I provide certain... services to those who would prefer not to get their hooves dirty doing it themselves."
"Well whatever dirty hoof services that we might require, I'm sure we could handle them ourselves," said Maboo.
"Why are you here anyway? This is a griffin fortress."
"You collect groceries for dirt-fearing ponies?" speculated Evening.
"A client of mine wished that the leader of the group inside this fortress be removed. He paid handsomely, and I don't ask questions," answered Swift.
"But she's not evil! I won't let you hurt that griffin. Though if you find one big male covered in scars, you can do whatever you like," said Willow. She focused back on Sky. "Stop squirming, Sky! It's only going to hurt worse."
"Her alignment isn't my problem, and I won't hesitate if you get in my way. If you want to know the reasons behind the contract, have fun trying to find the stallion that hired me," said Swift.
"Let me guess... was it Mr. Snarky-Pants Armor? Or Mr. Hot-Orange-Balloon Shield? If you told us, maybe I could find him," said Maboo.
"I told you before, I don't ask questions. All I know is the guy had a brown coat and a black mane, a bit spiked up. He looked a little out of it, to be honest, kept tapping out a four beat rhythm on the table. It got kind of distracting. Besides, the guards don't know who I am, so they don't come looking for me for any reason," explained Swift. "So, that's my question quota filled for the day. Now I ask of you; what are you four doing here? As you say, this is a griffin fortress, and, no offense, you don't exactly look to be assassin material."
"Assassins? We were on a rescue mission... but it didn't work out," answered Evening.
Swift rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Clearly."
"My master... lied to me." Evening began sobbing softly.
Willow noticed and looked over at her. "Evening? Are you hurt?" She looked at the assassin enraged. "What did you do to her!?"
"I claim no responsibility for this. We were discussing what you four were doing near a griffin fortress, next thing I know she's leaking everywhere," explained Swift.
"She's having a crisis of faith right now, and doesn't need you reminding her," scolded Willow. "Needless to say, we will be leaving soon. As soon as I can patch everypony up."
"Sure. If you need me, I'll be inside the fortress, doing my job."
Willow stood up threateningly, using her wings to gain a bit of mass. "I told you what would happen if you harm the one that carries a book. The rest of the Talons I will not object to."
"Do you honestly think you could take me on? What would your 'Sisters' say to deliberately harming a pony?"
"I don't think I could take you, Swift Blade, I know I can," answered Willow with even more fire in her eyes. "And if you know about the Sisters, then you know that wrath is just as close to my heart as compassion."
"Willow! What are you doing?" asked Evening.
"She's being a fool. I have defeated clerics, wizards and sorcerers who were twice as powerful as you. But, if that is your wish..." Swift extended her hidden blade.
"What's the harm in letting her go, Willow? Those griffins are bloodthirsty killers that torture pegasi. You said it yourself," said Evening.
"And most of them are! But she's trying to change that. In a year's time, she will have replaced the old members with younger ones sympathetic to her cause," argued Willow.
Evening smiled. "That sounds noble enough for me, Willow Leaf. You have my support. Swift Blade, if you challenge Willow then you will also be challenging me. Have you ever faced one of my kind before, assassin?"
Willow returned her focus onto Sky, trying her best to calm her down and fix her wings.
"I have, and I will admit that yours have given me a little more trouble than most," answered Swift. "But you have not faced my kind before, novice. I'm willing to bet that this is your first time out of your cage."
"How did you know? Er, I mean... none of your business!"
"Simple, your eyes. Every inch of your face says you want to fight me, but your eyes show your true feelings. You want the fighting to end," explained Swift.
"You... I... is that true? Am I the coward?" asked Evening to herself.
"A coward? Certainly not. If that were the case, you would've backed down a long time ago. But you are naive, thinking that you can end all fighting, all conflict," Swift chuckled to herself. "There will always be a war, a battle to look forward to."
Evening looked at Swift with a frown. "You are a very negative pony. There will come a day when ponies won't need warriors. Maybe not during my lifetime, maybe not in the near future, but one day. If that makes me naive, then so be it. I think it is better to be naive than to live for the next fight."
"As far as I'm concerned, as long as two beings wander this world, someone is going to want someone dead. And if they do not need warriors, then there is no reason for either of us to live. Your master knows this better than yourself."
Evening took a deep breath. "You're probably right. She is very wise, and probably felt the best way to teach me this lesson was for me to fall. Or maybe... just maybe... she sent me away before I could become like you, Swift Blade."
"We shall see. But I doubt that Sky Runner will get any better while you stand here arguing with me. I will finish my task, stand in my way if you wish." Swift pushed Evening aside and marched up towards the fortress in search of an entrance.
Evening was about to turn and go after her when Willow stopped her. "Evening, leave her. She has a point. Sky is not looking so well. I'm going to need you to help me hold her still."
"Ah come on, you think this is bad? You should have seen it when I got this thing buggered up in the first place," said Sky. "Ow, ow, ow."
"I told you to hold still, didn't I? Evening, give me that stick you're carrying. I'm going to splint her wing down," said Willow.
"I can't... This "stick" is an heirloom!" said Evening.
"I'm fine, really! Look, I can fly!" Sky attempted to take off but Willow bit down on her tail and pulled her to the ground.
"No! You are not fine! Your wing is very injured, and because you tried to fly away like that you hurt yourself even worse," said Willow. Her voice became softer. "I'm going to need to splint your wing down for it to heal. I'm sorry."
"That's really not necessary, honest!" cried Sky.
"Sky, is there a reason you are afraid to have your wing splinted?" asked Willow.
"I kind of have a thing about ponies touching my wing, or going near me with big pieces of wood," answered Sky.
"I understand, but... don't you trust me?"
Sky sighed. "I guess... when you put it that way."
Willow smiled. "Excellent! I promise it won't hurt too much."
"Wait... too much? Should I bite down on something?" asked Sky nervously.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to reset the joints. I can give you something for the pain, but it will still only deaden the pain," answered Willow. "You might want to bite on something while I set it."
Maboo popped out of nowhere once again. "Wait wait wait! While you were all conversing I was out searching for some firewood, because hey, it's getting dark! But as I was wandering I bumped into an old friend that I believe could help heal Sky's wing! I would like to introduce you to Valhalla. He's a Zebra!"
A zebra stepped out from behind Maboo. "Greetings, ponyfolk. I have heard from your friend Maboo here that you are in quite the dilemma. If you would permit, I would be happy to assist. I have a tonic that would help ease the pain much faster than what your healer might have."
Sky looked up at the zebra. "Yes please..."
Valhalla took out a small vial and lifted it to Sky's mouth. She drank the contents and swallowed, quickly dropping her head back onto the ground. "Just get over with it, Willow, and try not to kill me."
Willow nodded. "I'm sorry, Sky Runner," Willow began popping Sky's wing joint back into place then splints the wing down as quickly as possible. "I'm done... but the rest is up to Sky."
"You're going to be a-okay Sky! Wait uh, is she falling asleep?" asked Maboo.
"The painkillers she's received cause dreariness, but she will be alright," answered Valhalla. "You've done an excellent job, healer. I don't believe we have met. I am Valhalla, an alchemist, inventor and traveler from the far lands to the east where my tribe resides."
Willow smiled. "Thank you, Valhalla. I'm Willow Leaf, and I represent the Two Sisters. To hear praise for my healing is nice, especially from a zebra."
"It was my pleasure, Willow Leaf. I've had some encounters with other followers of the Two Sisters, quite good ponyfolk they were, although they were confused why I wasn't rhyming with everything I say. I do not follow the poetic traditions my tribe holds like I used to," Valhalla looked up at the sky. "Perhaps we should make camp, give our injured pegasus friend time to rest."
"I already got the wood for the campfire!" said Maboo.
"I'll take first watch," said Evening. "The rest of you rest."
"Thank goodness for that... talk about a long day," said Sky, half asleep.
The rest of the group dropped off to sleep except for Evening and Valhalla.
Evening looked over at all her sleeping companions. "Sleep well, friends. You earned it."
"You did... good, Evening... I'm proud of you," said Sky as she slowly drifted into dreamland.
Evening blushed. "Thanks, Sky. I tried my best."
"Shh... we're sleeping... go back to sleep, Sky," whispered Willow.
Evening looked over at Valhalla curiously. "Why are you still up?"
"I thought a study of the stars would be welcome tonight. We have a very beautiful evening," answered Valhalla as he looked at the sky.
"Oh, okay."
A few hours pass and the wind begins to pick up, making the trees rustle loudly. Valhalla was still studying the stars when a whisper begins to creep around the group.
"Far over the foal mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old."
Valhalla looked around confused. He saw Evening bolt to attention, quickly holding her staff out at the trees around the area.
"Halt! Who goes there? Approach to be recognized!" whispered Evening harshly.
"What was that? Is there somepony out there?" asked Valhalla.
Evening ignores his question and continues holding her staff threateningly, but the low voice continues.
"We must away, 'ere break of day,
To find our long forgotten home."
"This is you last warning! I, Evening Flash, of the Celestial Order will protect my friends by any means necessary!" threatened Evening a little more loudly.
"Of harm, you have nothing to fear,
For that is not my purpose here."
Willow turned in her sleep. "Evening... keep it down... Sky is still recovering."
Evening plants her staff on the ground and looks around for the source of the voice. "Then what is your purpose?"
"Evening Flash, the watchful guard, who has yet to learn that life is hard.
Willow Leaf, the kind healer, who thinks that none are positioned beneath her.
Sky Runner, ever the thief, whose suffering will thankfully be brief.
Valhalla, he who turned away, the one who would lead in dismay.
Maboo, the bard who makes good sound, and who brings joy to all around.
But there are others to join your band, before you all will make your stand.
These are the words I bring to you, rest assured they will come true."
Evening kept searching for the voice. "Who are you? Why do you know so much about us?"
"My identity I can not say,
For there are many who wish me away.
As for you, my little mite,
You are those who will make things right."
The voice disappeared as Willow sat up with a yawn. "Evening... who are you talking to?"
"You didn't hear any of that?" asked Evening with disbelief.
"I believe I heard the same voice, though not quite as clearly. What was said, Evening Flash?" asked Valhalla.
"It spoke like it knew us. All of our virtues and flaws... and that we're collecting people to right some wrong... I don't know. We need somepony smarter to understand it," answered Evening.
"I see... I cannot say I understand myself, only recently getting mixed up in all this, but I will meditate on it. I will see you all in the morning." Valhalla walked off and found his own place in the grass to sleep.
"It's time for you to get some rest too, Evening. I will stay to watch the camp for the rest of the night," said Willow. "Sleep well."
"Good night, Willow." Evening put her staff to the side and let her guard down, dropping onto the soft grass and falling asleep herself.
A few more hours passed. It was just before dawn when Willow walked over to Sky to check on her wing. Sky is shaking and her wing is visibly misshapen under the bandages. Willow gasped as she got a closer look. "Oh no... there's no way... What did you get into, Sky Runner? This is beyond my abilities."
Sky shifted in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes. "Whuh... wha?"
"I'm sorry, did I wake you? How does your wing feel?" asked Willow.
Sky rubbed her eyes and stared at Willow curiously. "I'm sorry, what about my wing?"
"Nothing... How are you feeling? Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, like a filly... but it's still super early, why'd you wake me up? And why are you looking at me like that?" asked Sky, slightly disturbed at the panicked look Willow was giving her.
Willow looked at Sky even more disturbingly. "Like what? I'm not looking at you any different!"
"Willow... you're kinda freaking me out. Come on, what's wrong? You can tell me."
"Your wing, it's twisted out of the bandages! There's no way it should have been able to do that! Not unless-" Willow paused as the thought came to her. "-it was a magical injury."
"Oh yeah, that thing," said Sky with a sigh. "I guess I'll come clean with ya. This injury... is very magical. The wounds on this thing were done with a cursed weapon, so I can't heal the damage. All my wings are now is a pair of gliding surfaces," Sky was doing her best to suppress her tears. "It's okay though, really! I've made my peace with it! It's not like I ever wanted to see Cloudsdale or anything anyway!"
Willow looked at her friend compassionately. "Oh, Sky... I didn't know."
"It's okay... you weren't meant to be psychic. It wasn't your fault either! It happened ages ago, months before we even met, so don't sweat it... I wasn't that good at flying anyway."
Willow sighed. "You're right... I should just come to grips that I haven't mastered my art yet."
Sky smiled awkwardly. "Would it make you feel better if I told you that I spent months tracking down almost every doctor in Canterlot, and none of them could help? It's okay. You're a great cleric, you've saved my bacon now more times than I can count! So thanks for all your help."
"Perhaps you should allow Valhalla to examine it. A zebra can bring experience to the table that most ponies can not, especially considering the cursing and enchantment of weapons. I would not hold hope, but do not give up," said an anonymous voice.
The two ponies looked where the voice had come from and saw that Swift Blade had returned. The rest of the group had also began to wake up.
"Oh, it's you," said Sky with a roll of her eyes. "Couldn't hurt, I guess. Still, I've seen your type before. You know your way around a pony's anatomy, but not too much about healing, huh?"
"Only the basics to make sure I'm still alive. Besides," Swift pulled out her hidden blade and gave it a stroke. "My job is making sure my targets stay in the land of the dead, not the living."
Sky swallowed her fears. "Right... So who are you here to take down anyway? I don't think we were properly introduced."
"Not you, if that's what you were wondering. It doesn't matter, my job is done," answered Swift. I" take the name of Swift Blade, and I kill ponies for a living."
"Well my name's Sky Runner! I'm a th... museum curator who likes to collect artifacts!"
"Yeah, and my flank makes the world go around," said Swift sarcastically.
Valhalla had woken up to hearing his name. He saw that Swift Blade had returned and was talking with Sky Runner. He walked up to her confused. "How is it that you would have known my name?" he asked. "You were not present as I came to tend poor Sky Runner here."
"Call me very observant," answered Swift.
Valhalla chuckled quietly. "Yes, I have heard how you assassins can be with your observations. And to be quite honest, I am not impressed."
Swift rolled her eyes. "I know that Evening Flash is starting to doubt the intentions of both the world and the master which she serves. I know that Sky Runner, if unhindered, will be a great flyer, perhaps one of the best you will ever see. I know that Willow Leaf believes herself inferior to her brethren and that your departure from your tribe was not unwelcome. Shall I go on?"
Valhalla shook his head. "Evening Flash's master is a fool, a tawdry pastry craving mentor. She is right to doubt. Sky Runner will not be able to fly again, actually. If you had analyzed the damage closer you'd see there is some nasty twisting and many cuts from some form of enchanted blade. Even if they were to be healed completely, she would not be the best flier I've ever seen. I've been a traveler for a long time, I tend to learn a thing or two about infamous artifact collectors. She was never a very good flier even before her injuries. Willow Leaf is a tender pegasus, but her integrity surpasses even the most brave of ponies, even if she doesn't realize it. There are those in the followers of the Two Sisters who would never have set foot outside of the cities. But you are correct about my tribe. They followed me out, shouting and throwing their stones. But their actions were understandable, and so were mine. It was time to leave."
"This does not prove my observations incorrect, only providing background behind them. And Sky Runner's wings are why I called for you. As I told her, my experience is small compared to a pony doctor's, let alone a zebra's. Perhaps you could look at them, find a way for them to be healed," suggested Swift.
"I was not going for disproving your observations, simply adding my own observations and insight," said Valhalla plainly. "And I have looked, and from what I've seen it would take me weeks to acquire the items needed for an appropriate treatment. Even so, the magical damage done is irreversible. The only item I've heard of that might be able to heal it is another enchanted sword, but the one I'm thinking of is by no means accessible."
Swift shrugged. "You have not seen either of us traverse a dungeon. Sky Runner, in spite of her impaired wings, was able to steal the crown jewels from under the muzzles of the finest guards in this world, and could do so from the top of the princess' heads. And I have not met a fortification that I can not get to the other side of with both pairs of hooves tied together."
"Yes, but this one is special. It is not something you can obtain for long before the owner teleports it away. We would have to kidnap one of the top ranking Royal Guards, alive, and he won't go down without a fight," explained Valhalla. "Sky may have done all those things, but she still makes mistakes, otherwise her wing wouldn't be in such ill repair."
"Then I'd say it's a good thing Evening's with us, is it not? The teleportation I am not yet sure of, but it is more possible than you think."
"But what can I bring to the table?" asked Evening. "I just hit things. Hard. Until they stop trying to hit me back."
"Simple, just make sure he's unconscious, not dead," answered Swift.
Evening thought for a moment. "Hmm... what's one more foalhood memory crushed? I'll help!"
"Uh huh. So, were you trained to fight unicorns that know how to fly?" asked Valhalla.
"I was not trained. I practiced," answered Swift.
"Either way, there is by no means a simple way to capture him. Perhaps we might be able to speak with him though, he is a reasonable unicorn, for a Royal Guard. We could convince him to help us."
"Vally and I ran into him once before. He may be a bit edgy of a Royal Guard, but he will at least talk," added Maboo.
"Just don't let him see Sky Runner. Those two have a grudge match that would tear apart a small settlement," said Swift.
"Most guards never notice criminals like Sky. A little hood, maybe some makeup, he'd never know the difference."
"If Sky's description is any indication, Sword's agenda goes beyond mere criminal vs guard. Sky Runner has been evading him for years, and the Lieutenant has an anger streak regarding her to match. Simple disguises will only draw attention, as many are drawn to things that seem strange."
Maboo shrugged. "Who knows? The Royal Guard never caught me, and I was always wearing a simple disguise."
"You never got caught? Really?" asked Swift with disbelief.
"Okay... maybe once or twice. And it looks like Sky is stealing your dairy."
"What?"
The Poor Crippled Pegasus
"No really! I'm from Canterlot! Perhaps you've heard of me!" said Sky.
"Yes, in the criminal underworld as a thief," said Swift. "I may not have been the one who was paid for it, but I know of the bounty on your head. I will not act on it against my better judgement, and I would recommend not attempting your deceit any further."
"Oh... you heard about that, huh? It's all taken out of context! Conspiracy! Really big cases of slander! I wouldn't steal... I just... there were some accidents," explained Sky.
"Who am I to believe? A single mare proclaiming her innocence, or an entire underbelly that has nothing but praise for the one who stole the crown jewels from right under Shining Armor's muzzle?" asked Swift with a roll of her eyes.
"They started it... being all shiny and stuff. Wasn't my fault, it was an accident... THEY FELL INTO MY HOOVES, OKAY? DON'T LISTEN TO THE GUARDS!"
"You misunderstand. I am actually honored to be talking to a thief such as yourself, as my skills in the art of recovery could not hope to match yours. And listen to the guards? Ha, the only things they're good for are information and practice!"
Sky let her guard down. "Oh... well... it was a pretty cool heist... I mean, you know, it took me weeks to plan everything, but it went pretty well, huh?"
Swift chuckled. "Indeed. I'd say you could steal them right of the princess' heads and they wouldn't know until bedtime."
"Well, that's sort of what happened. Turns out those big wings don't give you good peripherals." Sky began inching slowly towards Swift's saddlebag on the ground a few feet from Swift's location.
'I'm sure that some griffins would say the same... if they were still alive to do so."
"I don't kill ponies or griffins, personally," said Sky with a skeptical look towards Swift, but still inched closer to her bags. "Besides, I liked that weird face Princess Cadance made when she saw her jewelry box was missing!"
"Oh, I'm sure it was hilarious. And if you have a moral compass that I lack, then the world is slightly better for it."
Sky stopped midway looking through Swift's saddlebag. "A moral what?"
"A moral compass. While you and I both make our livings, you would be seen as the better mare. You have not taken a life," explained Swift. She finally noticed her going through her bags. "And get out of my bags before I suffocate you with them."
"I don't have a clue what you're talking about! I was just checking to see if everything was there!" defended Sky.
"And how would you know if anything was missing?" asked Swift.
Sky swiped a book out of Swift's bag as quickly as she could. "Trust me, I'm a professional! See, is anything missing?" She tossed Swift her bag and began looking through her diary while she wasn't looking.
Swift quickly took out a throwing knife and threw it at Sky, it whizzing past her muzzle and embedding itself in a nearby tree.
"A professional in getting yourself into trouble. If you so much as look at that book again, I will have your head. Am I understood?" asked Swift.
Sky jolted backwards and stared at the knife. "Whoa! Point made... I was just looking though, no harm in that, right?"
"There is when it is the private belongings of an assassin. Now I will count to three, and all of my possessions are to be returned to those saddlebags. Your time starts now: One."
"Can we talk about this?" asked Sky sheepishly.
Swift grunted. "No. Two."
"It was only a little peek, honest!"
"I don't care. Three. "
Sky bolted out of position and galloped for her life. "Aaaand off I go!"
Swift smirked as she collected her scattered belongings. "You would think she knows not to mess with the bigger fish," she said to herself.
Sky quickly came back with a giggle. "You'd think that YOU'D know to check your saddlebags before thinking you're safe!"
Swift stared coldly at Sky. "I expect those who would try to be dead before they got near them. Do not make me share that fate with you."
"So, hypothetically, if you checked your saddlebag right now and saw that there might be a few bits mysteriously missing... and I stress that this is hypothetical... what would happen?" asked Sky.
"The bottom part of your hooves would go first, followed by your left eye and then your right. Your tongue would be next, and your nasal area soon afterwards," answered Swift.
"But not my ears, right?" Sky was hopeful at best.
"No, your ears would go too," continued Swift.
"Uh huh... then I'd recommend, erm... not looking in your saddle bag... please and thank you."
"Then I suggest you return the items before I follow through with what I have stated," demanded Swift. "Three."
"Could you turn around and look over there while I HYPOTHETICALLY put the hypothetical coins back in the hypothetical bag?" asked Sky as nicely as she could.
"No, I'd prefer to see the hypothetical thievery personally," answered Swift. "Two."
"What's to see? It's all hypothetical, right?"
"You wouldn't have any problem demonstrating this hypothetical situation to me, would you?"
"I can do, but you have to turn around so I don't get hypothetically killed."
Swift stared at her and thought for a few eternal seconds. She gave up with a sigh. "Fine. I will go to gather food. After that, I suggest we make our way back to civilization, re-equip and re-supply. We can plan our next move from there." She turned her back and began walking off.
"Yes! I got away with it!" said Sky. She quickly found Swift giving her another cold glare. "I mean, yeah, sure thing!"
"And my possessions will be returned by the time I get back. Otherwise..." Swift extended the blade in her gauntlet and holds it in a threatening position at Sky.
"Ten second head start. Got it."
Swift trotted off, sharpening her blade along the way in preparation for food gathering.
Sky pulled out the diary again and began reading. "Hehe, now let's find out who she's got a crush on..." She only made past a few words when a throwing knife embedded itself in the page.
"Well fine! It's Shining Armor, isn't it?" asked Sky.
Another knife hit the book with a piece of paper attached with a big 'NO' inscribed on it. Sky chuckled. "Is it me? It's me, isn't it?"
A third knife hit the book with another piece of paper, it wrote 'You wish your tiny little flank off. The next one goes through the patch of air you call a brain.'
"I'm going to take that as a yes!" said Sky as she ducked behind a tree, snickering like a school filly.
Swift sighed. "Every second of your existence gives me another reason to kill you," she dashed to Sky's position and stood over her. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't."
"Ah! Heh... heh... hi... you wouldn't hurt a poor crippled little pegasus, would you?" asked Sky.
"Try me, I've done worse," answered Swift.
Sky smiled. "Because I'm cuddly?"
"Hah, not in my book."
Sky backed away slowly. "Because I'm really scared and I don't want to die?"
Swift began moving in on Sky, when suddenly Evening appeared in front of them, almost as if she had teleported.
"What do you think you're doing?! I go to collect water, and you two are at each other's throats?" asked Evening.
"She started it," defended Sky.
"I don't care who started it. I already lost faith in something I held dear my entire life, I don't want to lose a friend in the same day!" said Evening angrily.
Maboo had been idly watching the whole thing. "I'm just enjoying a good show. These actors are amazing! They really look like they want to beat each other up." She took one of the water skins that Evening had recently refilled and took a sip from one of them.
"...Actors? Then Swift wasn't really trying to kill Sky?" asked Evening confusedly.
"Heck if I know, Swift looks really upset. The drama really works with the backdrop we've got going on here."
"If they are acting, they are good, but Swift is giving off murderous intent like I've never seen before. Look at her body language. And for that matter, look at Sky's eyes. She looks like she's really trying to find a way out. I had no idea I was traveling with such good show ponies on top of being great adventurers!"
Willow quickly came stomping towards Sky and Swift angrily. "Again?! If we are going to travel together, we need to learn not to kill each other."
"Well we weren't really having problems with that before Swift Blade showed up. I'm telling you, I don't like her type. They're not to be trusted," said Maboo.
"It's less 'everyone trying to kill each other' and more 'Sky Runner giving me reasons to kill her'," said Swift.
"What did she do this time? Steal something, or give the wrong thing back?" asked Willow.
"Stolen items," answered Swift. "Apparently she feels the need to know information about a mare's private happenings, that which can only be found in a diary. My thoughts are there for a reason, that I do not wish them to fall to the outside world. You can at least attempt to put her on a figurative leash."
"I've tried. Believe me, I've tried," said Willow with an eyeroll. "She gets better, though. Just keep important things on your person, or not let her know how important they are."
Swift sighed. "Fine. I'll try not to kill her. Bear in mind that my restraint in that area is limited, but I will attempt to control my urges. Just make sure she does the same."
"I'm a th... museum curator who likes to collect artifacts!" said Sky.
"Collect artifacts? Really?" asked Maboo. "I'm not sure she is a pony to be lied to, Sky. I've dealt with her kind before."
"Ridiculous! I never lie! Lying is bad behavior, and that'd be wrong!" replied Sky.
"You aren't fooling anypony, missy. You have absolutely no problem lying, you were raised into it. To lie and cheat your way out of things. It comes as naturally as fl- okay, well maybe not as naturally as that for you, but you get my point," Maboo looked down inside her saddlebag. "Now I think it's time for some smores, who said you could never eat smores for breakfast? I know I haven't."
"Hey, wait a second! I don't lie and cheat my way out of anything! I feel really insulted that you'd even suggest a thing like that! What do you take me for?" asked Sky.
"A thief? Burglar? Rogue? Outlaw? Escapist? It's no biggie, most of us here have some sort of crime to our name. I for instance once 'accidentally' broke into the Crystal Castle over in the Crystal Empire," Maboo chuckled to herself. "Oh boy that day was such a doozy."
Sky's eyes glimmered. "Really? Did they have anything goo- I mean, anything of value for an academic such as myself to study?"
"Well, everything was definitely shiny and sparkling. Lots of crystals and jewels, some strange looking heart thing, and then of course a lot of angry servants. They did have a really big library though if you were looking to study, I was never a book pony myself."
"Hang on, let's hear more about that big heart thing! I'd love to hear more!"
"Don't get any bright ideas, Sky. I'll tell you right now that the Crystal Heart is off limits," said Willow.
"Aw, come on. You know that when somepony says "off-limits" it's just a suggestion, a guideline!" argued Sky.
Willow glared at her. "Not this time. That artifact is important to the whole of Equestria. I will not have the world plunge into darkness again just because you saw something shiny."
Sky got down on her hoofs and looked upward with big eyes. "Pleeeeeeease?"
"No, I'm putting my hoof down on this. There are plenty of other artifacts with less apocalyptic consequences you can "peruse"."
Sky frowned. "Name one!"
"The golden horseshoes of Queen Faust? The "true" horn of Sombra? I'm sure you have your own list."
"Those are all on the list, sure! I mean, they're nice, but how much would Equestria pay to get that thing back?"
"You would throw the world into darkness... for money?!" Willow paused for a short moment. "Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not surprised."
"What a horrible thing to say! I'd never do something so irresponsible!" argued Sky.
"And yet, you attempted to steal from me. That makes you more irresponsible than every other thief combined," said Swift.
"Coming from you, that's a compliment!" said Sky as she slowly inched towards the pile of saddlebags laying on the grass.
"You're doing it again!" scolded Willow. Sky quickly backed off.
"Does that mean you think she's better than you?" asked Maboo. "Trust me Sky, it's the other way around."
"Awww, you're sweet Maboo. I'm nothing special really. Besides, this here earth pony's more likely to take off than I am any time soon!"
"Yes, why exactly are you here, Swift? There has to be some reason, or I believe you would have moved on to whatever contracts you might have," said Valhalla.
"Contrary to popular belief, assassins do not flit from one job to the next. There are often breaks of weeks. As for here... to put it simply, I'm bored," answered Swift.
"Ahh, an assassin who gets bored. So you come, complete your assignment, and see what the nearest odd group of ponies is up to and see if they are worth your time," Valhalla nodded in understanding. "If I might ask, what do you do in your off time? Surely you must not make a lot of money if contract numbers are in the low. Unless of course your pay is so very high."
Swift rolled her eyes. "Paid murder doesn't exactly come cheap. As for off time, I always spend at least five minutes of my day laughing at the hypocrisy of clerics."
Willow grunted.
"It wasn't my fault... it was an accident," said Sky.
Evening smiled. "I believe you Sky, but I also know that you keep borrowing my utility knives when I'm not looking."
Sky pouted. "I was gonna give them back!"
"I've been taking it back each time, you just keep taking the same two back and forth."
"See? No harm done!"
Evening stepped closer to Sky and stared hard at her. "But if I ever catch you trying to borrow my necklace again, I will not hesitate to use this "restraint" Willow has been trying to teach me. She says I have a lot of potential."
"Restraint? You mean like, not hurting me or doing anything about it?" asked Sky confusedly.
Evening shrugged. "I'm not sure. Willow just said that I need it, and offered to teach me. I think it's a more powerful attack or something."
Sky smiled innocently. "It sure is! And you should use it on me at every possible opportunity!"
"You mean it? You're volunteering to be my sparring partner? I haven't had one since Fire Prancer started crying and had to leave," Evening began bouncing around Sky like a filly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Well, it's always a pleasure to help out a frie- Wait, what do you mean she ran off crying?" asked Sky hesitantly.
"She was a senior student, she shouldn't have left herself open like that. But she did, so I bucked her through the wall. When she got back up, she cried and ran back to her room," explained Evening. "But I think you're stronger and faster than she was. Her talents fell into elemental resistance over physical resistance."
Sky looked at Evening uncertainly."Uhhh, yeah! Of course I can spar with you Evening! I'd be more than happy to... as long as Willow's around."
"Of course, she can tell me if I'm using restraint correctly. Friends are great! I'll go get her!" Evening hopped off to look for Willow.
Sky waved her off. "Sure! Go and get her! I can't wait to get started! Bye now!" Once Evening was out of sight she frowned. "I'm going to die... this is how I'm going to die."
Sky sat in the dirt waiting for Evening to return. A few moments passed and she appeared pushing Willow forward.
Willow looked at Evening distastefully and looked back at Sky. "You didn't really tell her you'd spar with her, did you?"
"I didn't know what to tell her! She can't hit that hard, right?" asked Sky worriedly.
Willow frowned sympathetically. "You saw her in action in the keep. She's a Celestial Warrior, and it looks like she has a talent for it. I will pray for you, Sky."
"Since this is our first match, I'll go easy on you. And you can use any weapon," said Evening.
"I'll be fine with my crossbow, thanks!" said Sky.
"Don't worry Sky, I BELIEVE IN YOU!!! " said Maboo with a charismatic hoofpump.
"Yeah, you're right! Let's see what you've got, Evening!" taunted Sky confidently.
"Okay!" Evening got into position and smiled as she charged forward at Sky, kicking up dirt and grass behind her. She stumbled a few feet in front of Sky. "Restraint... buck!"
"YEAH! RESTRAINT! RESTRAINT!" yelled Sky fearfully.
Evening skidded to a halt before smashing into Sky. "Are you okay, Sky? You look pale, and you're shaking."
Sky shivered. "Yeah, I mean I wasn't quite ready! Come on! Go again, and don't forget the restraint!"
Evening frowned. "If you don't want to spar, I understand... I'm only good at hurting ponies," she said sadly.
Sky swallowed her fear and put a reassuring hoof on Evening's back. "No! It'll be fine, I'm sure! Come on Evening! Come and have a go!"
"No, you were scared. I know... I've seen it so many times before," declined Evening.
"Congratulations, Evening, you passed your first lesson in restraint. You stopped when you saw that Sky was scared, and you refused to fight too," said Willow with a smile. She turned to Sky. "Sky Runner, I'm sorry I used you like this. Can you forgive me?"
"I was part of a... a lie?" asked Sky confusedly.
"More like a lesson. I was sure she would stop," answered Willow.
Sky nodded with a faked smile. "Well, erm, Evening? Did it help?"
"Restraint is the most powerful technique anypony has taught me. My master never taught me to hold back, and I was just a weapon. Now I'm... something more," said Evening with awe.
"You're a pony, not a weapon. It's important to always remember that, okay?"
Evening wiped away a tear and sniffled. "Thank you. You two were my first friends, and-"
Willow cut her off. "We understand, right Sky? You had a sad foalhood, but you didn't know it yet. But now you have us."
"Yeah, we're with you to the end!" said Sky.
"Sky, Swift believes that I might be able to fix your wings. I think it's almost impossible with what your wing has been through, but... there is hope that it could be mostly restored to flying status. It would be quite the task however," said Valhalla.
"I guess it's worth a try!" said Sky.
"I suggest we move out, we've been staying in one place for far too long. The nearest town is about an hour's trot away, shorter if we gallop. We can gather supplies to replenish our stock there," said Swift.
"Works for me. I need some new sleep darts before I can start stea... helping poor little ponies with insomnia problems!"
"Right. I will run ahead of you guys and make sure the paths are safe. If trouble comes around I'll alert you," said Maboo, taking point at the front of the group once they had all gathered their belongings. "To Fillydelphia!" She began trotting off in one direction, but quickly changing as she realized it was the wrong way.
"She will not last long, that is still the wrong direction," said Valhalla.
"Well, she's bound to make the trip more interesting, if nothing else!" commented Sky.
Maboo finally got her wits together and began marching in the correct direction, staying ahead of the group a short distance and singing along the way.
"Now this is the story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down and I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, and I'll tell you how I became the bard of a town called Bel Mare. In west Fillydelphia, born and raised, on the playground is where I spend most of my days. Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool, and all shootin' some p-ball outside of the school, when a couple of griffs, who were up to no good, started makin' trouble in my neighborhood. I got in one little fight and my mind got scared and said 'You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel Mare.'"
"I have to admit, she's a very good singer, if her choice of words is a bit... strange," said Valhalla as they overheard her song.
"Man, what IS she smoking? I want some!" said Sky.
"I heard that!" yelled Maboo. She zipped up into Sky's face with the speed of a bullet. "I'll have you know that the song I was singing was an earlier part of my life! It was very traumatic, and I am not very happy that the only nearby town happens to be Fillydelphia. The song is like the way it is because I want to try and remove the bad memories of the place. So you'll excuse me if it sounds a little weird." She walked back ahead of the group with a frown on her face, and didn't sing anymore.
"Well that was unexpected, to say the least," said Valhalla.
The group continued trotting to Fillydelphia without speaking. They arrived to the medium sized city within an hour, able to spot dozens of earth ponies running around and conducting business.
"We've arrived," said Swift.
A pony at the edge of the city came up to the group with a large smile on her face. "Hey there, fellas! Welcome to Fillydelphia, what can we do ya for?"
"Hello. Can you give us directions to the nearest inn? We've been travelling a while."
"Certainly, you can choose from a few over in that direction," the mare pointed down another street. "Enjoy your stay!"
The group followed down the road and searched for an inn.
"So this is Fillydelphia? It's so much different from Canterlot and the Monastery. Look at all the earth ponies!" said Evening.
"Fillydelphia, the center of pony industry and technology. Forged only from the hooves of earth ponies, with no magic or flight to help them," said Swift.
"Really? Earth ponies are amazing!"
Maboo grunted. "Yeah... amazing."
"It is truly astounding to see the amount of work and progression that has happened in this town. I believe I will have to browse some of the fine shops, all those ingredients and spices look very high quality," said Valhalla as they passed through the market areas.
"I have to agree with Valhalla on this, Maboo. I never knew Fillydelpia had so much to offer," said Willow.
Swift branched away from the group and approached a weapon shop. A unicorn was stood behind a desk with an arsenal of weapons mounted onto a wall behind her.
The mare had multiple pieces of tech attached to her body, a bionic leg with a strange set of metal claws attached to one of her hooves. "What's up, mare? You looking for a blade? We've got all kinds," she said.
Swift looked at the storekeeper's claws nervously.
"Yeah, the metal throws a few ponies off sometimes. I lost a couple of bits when I was a foal. Went to this cool unicorn and got replacements. You like them? "
Swift kept staring at the claws. "Uh... yeah. Some new throwing knives, please. Ten or twenty should do. "
"Well, somepony likes to be prepared. Give me a sec, I'll be right back." The mare went into the back of her shop to fetch some throwing knives.
"She seems familiar... like I know her from somewhere," thought Swift.
Evening walked in a moment later, eyes wide and full of wonder and excitement.
"It's... beautiful. The blades are expertly folded steel, the hafts of the spears are strong yet flexible," Evening gasped. "I should ask the smith to do something with the bar we took from the prison!" She looked over at Swift. "Swift? You look like you've seen a ghost."
The storekeeper came back front with a claw full of throwing knives. "Here's your knives, bud. That'll be 30 bits all up."
Swift gathered up all the blades and stored them in her pack, quickly hoofing 30 bits onto the table. "Thank you."
The storekeeper looked over to Evening. "Oh, hey, another customer! Can I help you?"
Evening excitedly put her large rod of metal over the desk."Yes you can! I came into possession of this adamantium rod recently, and I was wondering if you had an experience working that metal. And where did you get those claws? I wouldn't even need telekinesis with those."
The storekeeper grabbed the rod and looked at it closely. "Well hello, beautiful, where have you been all of my life?" She put down the rod and looked back at Evening. "Sure, I can work something for you. It'll take a little more bits than usual, but I'm sure I can do something with it. The claws were courtesy of a unicorn that felt sorry for me. He found me in a wheelchair a few months after I lost a couple major parts of my legs in an incident a decade or two back, and offered me a chance to get out of it. Needless to say, I accepted the offer."
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou! I mean, thank you. How much will be fair?" asked Evening.
"Heh, I know a warrior when I see one. Most smithing jobs are about 50 bits each, covers materials and labor. I'd charge about 80 for something like this, but seeing as the materials are provided, I can knock it back down to 50 for you," answered the storekeeper.
"That sounds fair. Is this enough?" Evening pulled out a bag full of gems and put them on the counter.
"Let's see," she picked out several gems and floated the remainder back into the bag. "There we are. Come back in a day or two, it should be done by then."
"I will! Thank you!" Evening happily trotted back outside to see what the rest of her companions were up to.
The storekeeper looked back at Swift curiously. "Yo, hornless. Do I know you?"
""I'm not sure... I feel I should know you from somewhere," said Swift. "What town were you born in?"
The storekeeper made a frown. "The patch of ground where it used to be is Trottingham."
Swift's eyes widened. "Impossible. No-one else survived that inferno, no matter how hard they tried."
"I wasn't there. I heard what happened, but... I'm so sorry. How did you get out?"
Swift sighed. "I ran."
"Did they get what was coming to them?"
Swift extended her hidden blade to show. "I made sure of that myself."
"Good to know. Just... tell them what happened."
"I'm sorry?"
"The ponies you're traveling with... make sure they know the full story."
"It seems our resident singing scout has lost it," said Valhalla.
"I can't go back! I can't go back! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! Touch me and I'll deep fry your hooves off!
Stay back! I know what you're planning! And I'll not have one second of it!" screamed Maboo crazily.
Valhalla tried to step closer to Maboo, but she had begun flailing her hooves all over the place, not allowing anypony to touch her. "Maboo, no one is trying to hurt you. Slow down before you hurt someone."
"Maboo, just calm down, we won't be here very long. Just breathe," said Willow.
"Yeah, just a few days for my weapon. Can you show us around?" asked Evening.
Maboo continued to panic. "Can't breathe, can't breathe! Gotta hide before they find me!"
"Who finds you? What are you talking about?" asked Valhalla.
"The madpony, she will not get to me too! Not like you!" yelled Maboo.
"Maboo, I'm afraid you leave me no choice." Valhalla pulled out a small circular sticker and quickly slapped it onto Maboo's neck. She immediately froze in place.
"Oh yes papa, that feels... lovely." Maboo collapsed in the middle of the street, completely unconscious.
Valhalla sighed. "We should get her inside, maybe if she's in a more enclosed environment she can give us some answers about her behavior."
"What was that, Valhalla? It looks useful," said Willow.
"I'll carry her, I'm probably the strongest one here," said Evening, lowering herself next to Maboo. "Just, um, help her into my back. My magic isn't that strong."
Valhalla helped Maboo onto Evening's back. "That was a special invention of mine. The stickers have a specially brewed toxin on them that quickly works on making creatures fall asleep. Similar to Sky Runner's darts, but the stickers lets me keep the creatures incapacitated as long as I wish. She will wake up as soon as I take it off. Unfortunately they are a one time use, and I only have about three left."
"I don't suppose you can teach me how to make more, can you? I can see many applications for it," said Willow curiously.
"So uh... Where do I take her?" asked Evening.
Swift made her way back to the group, hardly acknowledging the commotion that had taken place. "The nearest inn is that way. We can worry about other things later. Move!"
"Okay! I'll go on ahead!" Evening looked down the street and began charging towards the nearest inn.
Willow looked at Evening with worry and flew after her. "Hold up! You still don't know enough about money! Wait for me!"
"Of money troubles I have no doubt, thankfully Maboo keeps such things about," said Valhalla. He quickly cleared his throat. "Maboo should have enough bits for an inn. I'm sure she would understand if we used her money in this circumstance. And of course I could show you how to make some stickers. After we get a room we should take a look around the markets for the right ingredients."
Evening ran into the inn and stepped up to the front desk, the innkeeper being an old mare. "Hello? I'd like a room. Or maybe two. There are six of us," Evening dropped a bag of gems onto the desk. "Is this enough?"
The innkeeper looked at her in confusion. "Eh? What you say, dearie?"
"My friends need a place to sleep. Maboo fell asleep, and... you can't hear me, can you? ROOM! PLEASE! GEMS!"
The innkeeper rubbed her ears and collected some of the gems from the bag. "Sheesh, you don't need to yell. Last two doors on the right, dear."
"Thank you." Evening walked down a hall and entered one of the doors. A nice room with a set of beds was inside. She carried Maboo and rolled her onto one of them. "Here you go, Maboo. Nice comfy bed."
Evening came back to the front as Valhalla, Willow and Swift finally showed up.
"Did you get us rooms?" asked Swift.
"Yes, two. Last two doors on the right. I put Maboo on one of the beds already," answered Evening.
Before they went to enter their new rooms a small dragon appeared from around the corner, he cautiously the group. "Ummm... excuse me. You look like a group of adventurers."
"Of sorts. Why do you ask, little dragon?" asked Valhalla.
Swift looked at the dragon, and immediately her face filled with fear, quickly followed by anger and short after indifference.
Willow noticed the assassin. "Swift Blade... what's wrong?" She extended a hoof to try and comfort her.
Swift pulled away. "I'm fine."
The dragon backed away in fear. "I, uh... perhaps... no, I have to ask," The dragon took a deep breath and spoke more confidently. "My sister was taken by these really scary dudes, and now I have nothing. I was going to go fight them myself but then I realized that... well. I am just a small dragon and they would tear me to shreds."
"Really scary dudes? Could you describe them? What sort of creatures they were?" asked Valhalla.
Willow still held her attention towards Swift. "You look pale. Is it the dragon?"
Swift sighed. "A story for another time. I told you, I'm fine."
"Well, they were big, and angry. They looked like... like Diamond Dogs," explained the dragon.
"I am not sure how much we would be able to help. Our friend Maboo is in a bit of a state, and our pegasus thief seems to have vanished. Have you not told the guards what happened to your sister?" asked Valhalla.
"Well, I did... but they said something about it being gang affiliated and that they wouldn't be able to help. See my dad is... well he's a gem dealer, and- None of that matters though! My sister and I ran away from him because we didn't want to be a part of that!" The dragon sighed. "I am sorry that I bothered you, perhaps I should deal with it myself."
"Can we help him? Please? It sounds like fun!" said Evening.
"If you and any other wish to help, I won't object. I believe I should stay to tend to Maboo. She will need plenty of care when she wakes up, those stickers come with a few... side effects," said Valhalla.
The dragon looked up with hope. "Really? You will help? Oh, thank you. They went out of the town to the north. From what I remember, my father said they have a "lair" of some sort not too far from here."
"I suppose I've got nothing better to do with my life. Very well," said Swift.
Willow looked between the dragon, Evening and Valhalla, debating in her mind where she wanted to be. She finally looked at Valhalla. "I want to stay behind too."
"I must dictate otherwise. We will need at least one healer in the event of injury, plus you have proven most capable of reining in Evening."
"What do you mean, Swift Blade?" asked Evening.
"I may wish to question one of them, and there's no use in trying if they're dead," explained Swift.
"I'm working on the restraint technique that Willow's been teaching me. It just doesn't come as easily as the rest."
The dragon smiled. "Alright! I might get my sister back soon! Um... If you all don't need to rest first, that is."
"Go Willow, they will need your assistance. I will remain and nurse Maboo back to health, I expect she will have a story to tell when you return," said Valhalla.
Valhalla walked into the room where Maboo was laid, but Willow quickly followed in behind. "Then I want to study under you when I get back. I won't take no for an answer, Valhalla," she said.
"Of course Willow. While you are away I shall gather the supplies needed to make some new stickers and a special painkiller elixir," replied Valhalla as he put a cloth over Maboo's forehead.
"Thank you! That means a lot to me-" CRASH! "-What was that? Where's Evening? Or Swift Blade?"
"It's possible Sky has returned. She does have a way of making an entrance. Go and see, I will wake up Maboo if necessary."
"Okay, if I know Sky and Evening..." Willow shuddered, then quickly flew back down the hall. "SKY RUNNER!"
A crash echoes throughout the main room of the inn. A frightened pegasus came charging in through the doors.
"HELP! MAD GUARDS! MAD GUARDS!" cried Sky Runner.
"Sky! Where have you been?" asked Evening.
Sky skirted around Evening and hid behind her, her bags clanking like a tambourine. "Guards! Lots of guards! All of them racist against pegasi! I just wanted to say hi, and they got all mad and chased me!"
"How dare they... I thought this was a friendly city."
Sky frowned in fear. "I know right? How absolutely horrible! Now quick, I've got to hide! I won't last five minutes in the lockup!"
"Where are they?" asked Swift.
Sky jolted from her spot and stared at the assassin. "Oh Luna, the assassin's still here. Don't turn me into a pinata!"
"Of course I'm still here. Now, I'll ask again: Where are they?"
Knock knock knock.
"OH LUNA NO..."
"We have rooms, Sky. Last two doors on the right, quick! I'll talk to those horrible guards," said Evening.
"Thanks!" Sky bolted down the hallway when she ran head-first into Willow.
"Oh, for BUCKS sake," cried Swift. She opened the door and extended her blade into the first guard she laid eyes on, quickly jumping into the crowd and slicing at anything that moved. "If anyone wouldn't mind joining me, I'd be glad for the help!"
"With pleasure! Have at thee!" cried Evening, leaping into the fray and beating the guards up in hoof-to-hoof combat.
"SKY RUNNER!" yelled Willow furiously.
"I WAS FALSELY ACCUSED!" cried Sky. "I walk into one little building and they get all angry at me, like I'm not even a citizen!"
"Can you go one day without angering somepony? We just got here, and you already got the city guard after you? What were you thinking?!"
"Now is not the time, cleric!" called back Swift, only barely dodging a sword and returning with a stabbing retribution.
"Everypony..." Anger and fire built up in Willow's eyes. She stood up tall and looked as though she had grown twice as large. "STOP! BY THE TWO SISTERS, BE STILL! " She pounded her hooves on the ground, causing it to shake violently.
Swift looked back at the cleric as her blade buried into the neck of another guard. "I'm sorry, you said something?"
Willow stared coldly at Swift. "AND YOU, ASSASSIN... STAND DOWN. AM I THE ONLY SANE PONY HERE? "
Evening halted in her attacks and stared at her friend. "Willow... your voice... your eyes," she turned to Swift. "Do what she says!"
Swift rolled her eyes and let the last guard slide to the ground limply.
"These poor ponies," Willow pushed her way into the middle of all the dead guards. "May the Sisters see these brave souls to their reward. And may They forgive my companions for their sins," she turned to her companions with tears in her eyes. "Was it worth it? "
Swift shrugged. "I got some decent practice out of it, so I'd say yes. What about you, Evening?"
"I don't think I killed any of them! I'm learning!" said Evening.
"See? Everyone's happy."
"Happy?! Ponies are dead! Ponies with families! Ponies with..." Willow shrunk down and looked carefully over the guards. "Sky Runner.... We need her before one of these ponies wake up. These aren't real city guards."
Swift waved her off. "I grew out of that bit of morality a long time ago. I'll get the rogue and tell her the fighting's over." She walked back into the inn and down the hall to fetch Sky.
"Evening? Do you think you could keep an eye on the ones you took care of?" asked Willow.
"Okay!" said Evening with a bright smile.
"That... was awesome! Though I am really confused... still cool!" said the little dragon, who had watched the whole fiasco from the sidelines.
"Cool?" asked Willow. "What is wrong with everypony?"
"I am just happy to see that I made the right decision coming to you. Though... now I feel bad."
~~~
Sky ran into the room Valhalla was treating Maboo and ducked under the bed.
Valhalla was putting a special ointment on Maboo's head as Sky came in and hid. "You seem to be in quite the flight. What's the cause of fright?"
"Well, heheh, funny thing. Would you believe that every guard here is racist against pegasi?" asked Sky.
"Half of the Royal Guard are pegasi, so I do have some trouble believing such a thing," answered Valhalla.
"Well... maybe they just hate cripples! You know how angry everypony can get when I can't fly, right?"
Swift walked in and looked down at Sky's tail protruding from under the bed. "Hey, rogue, Willow needs you. The guards are gone."
"Really? Well okay then."
Swift led Sky and Valhalla back to the front of the inn, revealing a mess of dead or injured guards outside the doors.
"Oh... my. What in the name of Tartarus has gone on in here?" asked Valhalla.
"They just had a really cool fight with the guards! I probably shouldn't be so excited," answered the dragon.
Sky looked out at all the guards. "Hey Evening, these guys look way more... alive than normal."
Evening held a wide grin. "Isn't it great? I tried to hold back the entire time! It was a lot harder than my usual style, but it definitely payed off!"
"I'm so proud of you! Maybe we can get something out of these guards. They sure seemed in a hurry to hurt a poor crippled pegasus like me."
The dragon looked over at Sky confusedly. "Who are you?"
"Oh, right. Sky Runner, this is... uh... What is your name, little dragon?" asked Willow.
"I'm uh... heheh... Tex. Tex Ruthor," introduced the dragon.
"Tex Ruthor? You wouldn't happen to be the son of Rex Ruthor would you? I believe I may have heard of your family during my travels," said Valhalla.
Tex sighed. "Yes. Ruthless Rex is my father. Like I said earlier, my sister and I ran away from home so we wouldn't have to be around them anymore."
"Ah, I remember him," said Swift. "He was a good client, paid well, easy tar-" She noticed that everypony had begun staring at her disapprovingly. "-What?"
"Miss, you've got problems," said Sky. She turned back to the dragon. "So Tex, what's your dad's deal anyway?"
Tex looked around the group nervously. "Oh yeah, you weren't here when I said it before. Well... you see, my dad is Rex Ruthor, the Gem Lord. But... not the kind of gems you would want. Anyway, uh... he's a dragon... and my sister and I ran away from him. Now the stupid 'Diamond Dogs' got my sister. And I think that's everything... for now. Oh, and... assassin? Be glad you never met him in person. He probably would have eaten you."
"Diamond Dogs? You've said that twice now, what are you talking about?" asked Willow.
"They're big two-legged dogs that like to attack from below. They also work as a pack. But as long as we work together, then we should be fine," answered Evening. "Just remember your training."
"And they are also fools," said Valhalla. "The Diamond Dogs probably captured Tex's sister as a ransom for Gems from Rex, but it's doubtful he will even acknowledge something like that. But what do we do with all these guards? It's not like we can just leave them here. Maboo should also be waking up any moment now."
"These guys should be able to walk away. If those three help them. And I'm sure Swift has a plan for the rest since she made them," said Evening.
Back in the bedroom where Maboo was resting.
"Ugh... what happened?" asked Maboo. "Everything is spinning. Please stop," Maboo sat up from bed and promptly fell over the side and to the floor. "Urgh, I feel like I could eat a house. Good thing this floor is made of lollipops," Maboo slowly stuck out her tongue and licked the wood flooring. "Blagh... that's not lollipop. Wait a second... I was in Fillydelphia and then... Valhalla! Oh he's gonna get it this time!" Maboo tried standing up, but quickly lost strength and crippled over again. "He'll get it... as soon as I get something to eat!"
Back in the front of the inn.
"Did you hear something?" asked Willow.
"Yes, I believe that was Maboo. She will be hungry. Very hungry. And a bit dizzy with some hallucinations. Courtesy of that sticker. We should go help her, and see what all the fuss was about earlier."
"I'll get her some food. If this is anything like what the order used on me a few times, she'll be trying to eat her bed," said Evening. She walked down some hallways and into a basement to look for food.
"Uh... I'll go help her!" said Tex, quickly trailing after Evening.
"Oh! Then we don't need to leave her behind! And you can tell me more about those stickers before we head out. Why will she be so hungry? What causes that side effect?" asked Willow excitedly.
"One of the ingredients for the stickers is a leaf from an Ever-Tree. The leaf soothes the mind and helps you fall asleep, but can leave you with quite the appetite. The leaf is commonly used in medical centers. A bit of thundercloud keeps the creature unconscious, but can give them some mild hallucinations and dizziness. The last ingredient is apple-tree-sap, which let's the ingredients be combined and lathered onto the stickers for appropriate use," explained Valhalla.
"That's wonderful! How did you think of that combination?"
"It's a special recipe I picked up from another traveler. The only extra ingredient I added was the thundercloud, adds a shocking enough boost to the mix for a very effective sedation."
Willow stepped closer to Valhalla, almost as if begging. "Once this is all over, please! Teach me! Everything."
Valhalla raised an eyebrow, but smiled. "It will take some time, but I should be able to show you a few things your order might not have known."
"Thanks. The Order of the Two Sisters is lacking in many areas with healing. We have unicorn healers, and earth pony first aid, and we can all do minor healing, but they never learned zebra techniques."
Evening and Tex came back holding at least five different trays of food. "Don't worry, we got it. And don't worry Maboo, food is on the way!" said Evening.
The two of them walked back to their rooms and opened the door, finding Maboo face down into the floor.
"Food has arrived!" said Tex.
Maboo looked up at them immediately. "Finally! I'm starving!" She grabbed all five trays and quickly started mowing down every morsel and crumb of food left on them. "Dish... ish very... delicioush. Where did you get it? And where's Vally?"
Evening looked at the quickly emptied trays in horror. "She ate it all... all of it... wait... there's one piece left!"
Before Evening could grab the last piece of food, a cross eyed pegasus flew into the room. "Muffin? Muffin!" The pegasus snatched the muffin right off the tray and quickly disappeared from the inn, leaving Evening with completely empty trays.
"Who was that!?" asked Tex.
"Beats me! But I've got a zebra to beat up," said Maboo excitedly. She rushed out the door, bouncing each step, eyes ablaze and searching for Valhalla.
The Saddest Bard in Equestria
"Maybe she did it for a good reason, perhaps you were in danger, or wounded, or... I don't know!" argued Tex as he tried to get Maboo to stop.
Maboo frowned. "We're in Fillydelphia. Of course I'm in danger. And Valhalla is a he, and he is going to be hurting."
"I thought all ponies were fe... nevermind, I don't get out much, and I'm an idiot." Tex walked to a corner and sat down.
Valhalla came around the hall, staring right at Maboo. "Hello Maboo. I apologize for the sedation, but you left us no choice. You were scaring a lot of ponies."
Sky Runner followed in after him. "Maboo, what the hay's going on?"
Maboo sighed. "If you want an explanation, you might as well bring everyone in here."
Valhalla motioned for Willow and Swift to join them. They all walked back into their inn room and stood around the bed, having Maboo sit down in the middle.
"How are you feeling, Maboo? I'd really like to know," said Willow.
Maboo took a deep breath. "Okay. Well it goes like this. I told you first that I was born and from Manehatten, but that's all I remember. There is a gap in my memories. The last thing I remember after my memories were stolen was being here, in Fillydelphia. I was trapped underground. Literally, buried in the ground. I panicked. I had to scrape my way out by hoof, and was barely lucky enough to find some help. A pegasus by the name of Katana helped dig me out before I suffocated.
"That doesn't explain the whole 'born and raised in Fillydelphia' thing though. Well, it sort of does. What I mean by that is since I woke up in Fillydelphia, it was like being born again. I couldn't remember anything other than my original home. Katana couldn't do much else for me, so she left. That's when I met the unicorn witch, Centeol. She was the one who had me kidnapped and my memories taken away. She had a griffin accomplice, which we saw back in the Griffin Fortress. It turns out he was irrelevant.
"I managed to escape Centeol and her guards, but was basically on my own with nothing to my name. That's when I met Valhalla. He took me to his makeshift shelter and took care of me for a little while, helping me piece together what happened. I left Valhalla in search of who I used to be, and eventually found a job in Las Pegasus. It was an easy one, just some infiltration business. Stealth jobs and sneaking priceless objects out of their place. I didn't think much of it, priceless objects, no one was going to miss those right?
"But then I got caught. I had to sit in a unicorn prison for a few months, and while there I got a tip about the griffin accomplice to Centeol. After I got out I tracked it to the Griffin Fortress. That's when you all found me. I lied about what I was really doing because I was afraid you were also helping Centeol. I assumed Valhalla was also now helping her when he sedated me with that sticker, but I guess he was just trying to calm me down. I'm sorry about my outburst, my missing memories sometimes causes my brain to go all haywire," Maboo sighed. "So yeah... now you guys know."
The group stared at her in shock.
"I'm so sorry, Maboo... I had no idea. If you ever want to talk about it, please come to me," said Willow.
Evening was speechless and in tears.
Even Swift had a tear stream down her face. "Luna darn... makes my story look like a walk in the park," she thought.
"That... that's terrible. Is there anything we can do?" asked Sky.
"No, it's okay. One of these days I'll find the unicorn witch and make her give me back my memories. If I can't do that... well then I'm glad I have you guys to hang with." Maboo tried to force a smile, but it didn't help.
"I apologize for sedating you. I remember when I first met you, though I didn't know the whole story at the time. I'm glad you told us," said Valhalla.
"It's okay Vally. I forgive you. You were only doing what you thought was right, and you were. I can only blame myself for what happened."
"Well, I'm glad that worked out," said Tex.
"Now that the situation has calmed, rest is the best idea for now. We'd only just arrived in the city when this mess began, so I'm sure some of us will be tired from the travel, combined with the fighting two of us did earlier," said Swift.
Tex tensed. "Right.... you all look pretty tired."
"We shall look into the trouble with your sister in the morning. There is no cause for worry, I am sure she will be fine," said Valhalla. He walked into the other room, and could soon be heard meditating.
"Yeah, I'm pooped. That sticker drains your energy faster than doing a thousand backflips. Goodnight," said Maboo, following Valhalla and falling asleep on one of the small beds.
"You know what? Sleep sounds nice. I probably haven't slept in days," said Tex. He curled up in a corner and dosed off.
Swift began taking off her equipment, inspecting it for any damage. She put it aside and crept into another bed and soon fell asleep herself.
Evening curled up at the foot of one of the beds and quickly fell asleep, clutching her staff like a doll.
"Evening? Wouldn't you be more comfortable in one of the beds?" asked Willow. But Evening was already deep asleep. "I guess not." She pulled out a blanket from her pack and laid it over Evening.
Willow walked through the inn and made her way outside. Looking up at the stars she began to pray. "Sisters, we are about to embark on a dangerous mission. We are all skilled, and we have numbers... But we are going into the unknown. Please watch over us, and give us the strength to save Tex's sister. Good night, Luna. May you bring sweet dreams to me and my friends."
Willow returned to her room and prepared to go to sleep, but she noticed Swift tossing and turning in bed, sweating heavily and muttering to herself.
"Oh no, this is a bad sign. I have to try something," thought Willow. She sat next to the assassin and began to sing.
"Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed.
Drifting off to sleep, leave the exciting day behind you.
Drifting off to sleep, let the joy of dreamland find you."
Swift's struggles slowed and Willow smiled to herself. The door creaked open and Valhalla walked in.
"A good song. I can vaguely recall one of the zebra versions of it, though it is not quite as lovely as yours. Where by chance did you learn to sing like that?" asked Valhalla quietly.
Willow blushed. "I learned the song from my mother... but the song is ancient."
"I see. I learned such a song from my mother once too, but that was long ago..." Valhalla began to hum a short melody, but stopped before he was carried away. "It has been a long time since I've seen my tribe."
"I haven't seen my family since I was a filly... doing my family duty, they said," Willow stopped herself. "I'm sorry... I'm complaining again."
"It is alright. I haven't seen my parents since they were... well, since they passed onto the next world, I suppose. I was hardly old enough at the time to take the... nevermind. What do you remember about your family?"
Willow frowned. "Mother was one of the kindest ponies I remember. She always made time for me. Father was a traditionalist, and wanted a son to take his place, so, when my brother was born..." she sniffled and wiped away a tear. "I miss mother. Father wouldn't let her come when he dropped me off at the temple."
Valhalla nodded. "I understand. My own mother was very protective over me, mainly from my father and his servants who wanted... well, none of that matters now, they are gone and I ran away with no intentions of turning back. So did you spend the rest of your life in the temple? What happened to your brother?"
"The brothers and sisters of the order became my new family. It took some adjusting from my old life, but I flourished there. I left the temple three years ago, to follow one of the elders to meet the Sisters. And I discovered that I liked the outside, despite its flaws, so I petitioned to become a Walker. I want to make the world better while I'm still here, before it is my time to meet the Sisters. And I don't know what happened to them. My first year as a Walker, I went to the family estate... but it was gone, and nopony could remember it ever being there."
"Gone? Strange, though I'm sure I've heard stranger. I never knew family beyond my mother and father and their many servants. I was never let outside neither, which I suppose is why I ran away from my tribe. Ever since then it was always seeing one traveler or another. Making friends was easy, making enemies even easier. Only recently has the activity in my life died down as I settled in a home I built myself in a forest. Of course, now I believe I have been sucked into another adventure with you all. Which reminds me," Valhalla pulled out a small pouch of black ink from his pack and dabbed a small amount of ink onto his hoof. "If you would permit me, I would be honored if you would accept my offer of friendship. In my tribe it is tradition to mark each other as friend with a ring on their forehead, representing an eternal friendship."
"What a wonderful tradition! Of course I'll do it. What do I need to do?" asked Willow.
"Just hold still," Valhalla drew a perfect ring on Willow's forehead, then gave the ink to Willow. "Now you do the same for me."
"Like this?" Willow dabbed some ink on her hoof and tried to copy Valhalla, drawing a slightly more wobbly ring.
Valhalla looked up to see the ring and smiled. "It looks good. Thank you Willow."
A loud thud came from over in the corner. "Huh? Who, wha... where am I? What's going on? Why does my head hurt?"
"Tex, are you alright?" asked Willow.
Tex looked around the room and found Willow. "Oh, uh... sorry. Bad dream. I'll just wait outside... maybe find a bench to rest on."
"If you'd like, I have a small mixture that could help you rest peacefully. It looks as if Swift Blade could use a bit too," said Valhalla.
"Hmm... How would that effect a dragon? Even one as small as him?" asked Willow.
"It's a special ointment of oils made from certain plants, many of which can do specific things. The oil of a rose can help ease the mind of almost any creature, and I do believe dragons are not excluded," Valhalla took out a small glass vial and hoofed it to Tex. "Simply rub a small amount across your forehead and feet. The most useful oil, in my opinion, is from the Peppermint leaf, but not entirely useful for this situation."
"Okay." Tex carefully took the vial and dabbed a small amount of the oil onto his forehead and feet, and rubbed it into his scales.
"Hmm, I've never seen rose oil used like that," said Willow curiously.
Tex waited to see if anything happened, and shortly passed out in the middle of the floor.
"Valhalla! Was there anything else in that? He's... sleeping peacefully."
"Well, it wasn't supposed to work that quickly, but I suppose he could have just been very very tired. The oils are one of the most natural remedies I have, they rarely cause serious harm or side effects. Unless you put it in your eyes, of course. They can be used both conventionally, therapeutically or aromatically. Lavender for instance smells quite nice, or even lemon. Of course you want to stay indoors with lemon if you put it on, it can increase the sun's effectiveness to your coat and give awful sunburns," explained Valhalla. "We should probably get some sleep of our own now."
Willow yawned. "I think you have a good point. Good night, and my Luna bring you only the most pleasant of dreams."
"To you as well." Valhalla left for his room and quickly fell asleep.
Willow was about to get into her own bed when she noticed Swift struggling again.
"No, have to keep running... ignore the screams... have to escape the fire... so much pain... can't stop... keep running," muttered Swift.
Willow quickly sat down next to Swift. "What are you running from? Where are you right now?"
"So much burning... the fire... burning the city... all the time, drumming... they watch as we burn," continued Swift.
"You are safe now... Who did this?"
"No, not safe yet... keep running... the clerics... of the Two Sisters... called a dragon... with the drums... 'Purify this city... and all who reside there,'" Swift let out a howl of pain and sat upright, she screamed and fell out of bed.
"Swift Blade! What's wrong?" asked Willow in a panic.
"The burning! I'm on fire! Need water!" shouted Swift as she frantically tried to search for water and douse the imaginary fire.
The rest of the group woke up and peered into the room as they heard Swift's screams.
Willow reached out to Swift. "No, you're safe! You're with friends. It was just a nightmare. Listen to me, Swift Blade."
Swift paused and stared at Willow for some time, then quietly broke into sobs and tears.
Willow wrapped Swift in a hug. "Don't worry, Swift. You are safe. No one will hurt you. Just let it out."
After a few minutes of crying Swift let go of Willow. "That wasn't a nightmare."
"I was afraid of that... you were calling out in your sleep. You mentioned my order calling down a dragon."
Swift sighed. "Do you know anything about the city of Trottingham?"
Willow frowned but nodded. "Everypony knows about that. The City That Burned. It was such a tragedy that nopony lived through it."
"Well, looks like they missed one."
"But you would have been so young! It happened before I joined the order. I'm so sorry. But, who are 'they?'"
"'They' were a group of clerics, at the time aligned to the order of the Two Sisters. They came to the city, claiming that we harbored some evil force, that would destroy the world as we knew it. We told them otherwise, saying we did no such thing, including the fact that several of the order came from there. But they refused to listen. They gave us an ultimatum: 'Find the beast that lies within the city and get it out, or you will burn in the week'. We had no idea what they were talking about, so we let it be. A week later, they came. Three of them had drums, those originally used in times of war. The others were clothed all in black. They gave us one last chance to give up this creature, or perish. We still had no idea what they were talking about, and we asked that they leave, that we had done nothing but help them and their order. In response, they began to drum," Swift tapped her hoof on the floor four times. "That was the only warning we got before the entire population was incinerated by dragon-fire."
"I'm sorry... I had no idea. You've been through so much, and I treated you the way I did. Yet, you treated me with respect despite it all. I..."
Willow was cut off as Evening sat up, her blanket draping over her like a cloak. "You're even more amazing than I thought, Swift Blade. Master told me about the Trottingham fires once. She said that flames were almost alive, both terrifying and beautiful. But she didn't care for the ponies that used it, so she stopped protecting them."
Swift chuckled. "I don't blame you, kid. You said yourself, it was before your time. The order went through a major reformation after that, only taking extreme action when absolutely neccessary. The deaths of those responsible didn't really help their case either."
"Still, you proved I have a lot to learn. Thank you, Swift Blade," said Willow.
"But how did you escape? How many rogue clerics did you kill?" asked Evening.
"I have no idea how I survived. On my part, I ran as fast as I could. So it was either some deity that saw fit to keep me alive, or just plain blind luck. As for the clerics, all six of them died in a fire of my own making. I was young and reckless, and my home was razed to the ground. I'm not exactly proud of what I did, but I might not be here if I didn't," Swift looked back at Willow. "And thank you, Willow Leaf of the Two Sisters."
"But I didn't do anything special. I just saw a friend and helped. Anypony would," Willow stumbled in her words. "Um, you're welcome."
"Still exciting, Swift... I wanna hear... more later," Evening yawned and quickly fell back to sleep despite wishing to hear more.
"Are you going to be alright, Swift Blade?" asked Willow.
Swift nodded. "I think so... it only happens once a night, and now that I've had a flashback it won't return until tomorrow."
"Then I think I will follow everypony else's lead and get some sleep. Good night, and may Luna bring you pleasant dreams." Willow finally crawled into her own bed, as everypony else did, and quickly fell asleep, visions of dragons and burning cities throughout the night.
The next morning, Evening Flash is first to wake up. The unicorn sneaks out of the room so her morning exercises won't disturb her sleeping friends. She quickly goes outside and finds an enclosed courtyard and begins to go through the familiar forms. The Striking Manticore, the Diving Pegasus, moving into Griffin's Dance. Soon, the warrior has worked up a fine sheen of sweat and her muscles are burning from the activity.
"It's been too long. That was-" Evening paused, she looked around the courtyard. "Somepony is watching me... I can feel it."
"Bravo, my good mare. Bravo, I say! Your form is most excellent," called a voice from behind.
Evening turned around to face another unicorn. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"I'd be surprised if you did. I couldn't help but notice your skill in combat yesterday, and my reaction was... impressed, to say the least," answered the mare.
Evening smiled. "I am one of the best. But why were you watching me?"
"Why, I was just passing by the area of your inn when I noticed the disturbance. With most fights taking place in a back alley, I was interested as to the reason why you were out in the open. I never found that out, but what I did find was worth its weight in gold."
Evening tilted her head. "And what was that? Gold is pretty heavy."
"It's an expression, dear. Pay it no mind."
Evening hesitated and looked around nervously. "But the pony inside said I paid enough... all my gems are in the room."
The unicorn looked at Evening curiously. "Do not worry, brave one, I'm sure that your currency affairs are all in order. It would appear that you will need some education on the matter of metaphors."
"What's that?"
"A story for another time, it seems. However, I must ask: There is a training dummy in the courtyard that was not there yesterday. Yet, for your entire session, it has not been used. May I inquire as to why?"
"It's not hers," said Swift.
The unicorn gasped and turned to Swift. "Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on ponies?"
"If I abided by the rules of public decency, I'd be dead."
"That's right. I saw what happened to Sky Runner when she touched Swift's things. Good morning, Swift Blade!" said Evening merrily.
"I take it your practice went well, Evening?" asked Swift.
Evening beamed. "It did! Did you get back to sleep last night?"
"Slept as soon as I got into bed."
Tex walked into the courtyard and up to Swift. "Umm... Swift? Could I... ask you a question?"
"You can ask all you like, the question is 'Will I answer?'" answered Swift sarcastically.
"I was just curious... where are you from?"
The question caught Swift off guard. She hesitated before answering. "A graveyard."
"Um... did this graveyard have a name before... becoming a graveyard?"
"Trottingham!" exclaimed Evening. "Have you heard of it, Tex?"
Swift looked at Evening distastefully. "If you weren't a friend, I'd stab you so many times."
Evening looked back at their spectator. "So, you never said who you are miss?"
"Oh, silly me! My manners seem to have left me today. I am Star Swirl, apprentice wizard under the teachings of Archmage Star Sparkle," introduced Star.
Maboo walked into the courtyard with a mouthful of muffins as Star was introducing herself. "A vivarb!?" She swallowed her food and stared at Star even more strangely. "I mean, a wizard!? And one who studies under Archmage Sparkle no less? What in the hoof are you doing way out here?"
"According to my teacher, I am to study the world and research how those of the magical profession can best benefit those outside the school's walls. I have seen the cities such as Canterlot and Manehattan already, so I moved on to less fortunate population centers such as Fillydephia," answered Star.
"Soooo you skipped Ponyville on the way? I would have thought that to be a good place to see in a quest like that."
"Yes, but with the purpose of seeing places like it on my way back. It was my intention to study less developed areas first, but Canterlot was the place I'd grown up with. The fact that the school was situated there made it an obvious first choice. Manehattan was the next city on my route to Fillydelphia, and I decided to get it out of the way to prevent wasting time later."
"Oooh, that makes more sense. I always thought Ponyville would be a good 'Best for Last' place when travelling. Time travelling especially."
Valhalla finally made it outside and found the group. "Ah, what a lovely morning. Good morning, Evening, Maboo, Swift Blade. Are you all ready to help Tex?"
"I'm ready to go! We were just talking to this nice wizard, Star Swirl," said Maboo.
"A... wizard? Oh dear."
Star looked at Valhalla coldly. "You doubt me, zebra?"
"You assume too much too quickly. Are you sure you are a wizard? I'm quite sure a real one wouldn't do such a thing," answered Valhalla.
Star opened her mouth to protest but couldn't find the words. Instead she took a deep breath and calmed herself. "I am quite certain."
"Show me then, wizard. Can you create even the simplest of light spells?"
"Very well," Star wrapped herself in magic, and with a flash she disappeared and appeared on the roof of the inn.
Valhalla looked at her with disappointment. "That was not a light spell. Regardless, that is proof enough."
"Where's Willow? We really ought to be going soon," said Maboo.
"More importantly, where is our resident comedic relief? Last I saw of the white pegasus was in bed before my own rest," said Swift.
Not long after, Willow came around the bend. "Good morning, I trust that everypony had pleasant dreams? Umm, why are you all looking at the roof?"
Star looked down at Willow. "Greetings, cleric of the Two Sisters!"
"Oh, hello! What are you doing up there? Would you like some help getting down?"
"I'll be fine, dear." Star teleports down to the ground and waves.
"A real wizard? Outside of Canterlot?" Willow sat down and began to think.
Tex sat down and sighed. "Wizards... annoy me... uh, sometimes."
"I am sorry to hear that. Is it a general dislike of wizards, or are there certain ones who have inconvenienced you in the past?" asked Star.
"Well, Dragons toss magic around like it's nothing. Most wizards that show up around us were trying to be heroes and just ended up doing flashy light-shows before the elders ate them, or left them for the older... well, older 'child' dragons. Essentially every dragon older than me got to have fun with... I mean, killed, the wizards. I'm sorry, I'm trying to learn the," Tex cleared his throat. "'Pony way', but it isn't.... what I'm used to."
Star nodded. "Getting used to a new culture is hard for many. I had been told about the various species before leaving the school, but seeing them for myself made me throw up from shock. In addition, the way everyone else did things compared to us was something I had to learn for myself. Do not worry, it will become easier with time. Why did you have to kill those simply because they irritated you? Why not let them live in the knowledge that they had to do better?"
Tex frowned. "I would cry for those whom I never got the chance to know... but I have already cried enough for the disappearance of my sister. Fellow dragons consider it home invasion for a pony to enter the dens of dragons, plus... the wizards were trying to kill them. Nevertheless, the ruthless murder they performed outside of the dens is one of the reasons my sister and I left," He glanced at Swift and back at the ground. "I umm... perhaps I should be quiet."
"While I may not represent the entirety of the pony species, allow me to apologize for any grievances that we have caused, intentional or accidental."
Tex looked back at Swift. "In truth, I feel like I should be apologizing for what my family has done."
"You... you didn't?" gasped Star.
Swift looked at Tex passively. "I suggest that you leave within the next five seconds. Your time starts now: Five."
"No, I didn't! And I don't expect you to like me... or help me. And to be honest, I didn't even realize any of this until the nightmare last night. My father did it! I wouldn't expect you to help any family of the one who killed-" Tex turned around and began to sob. "You know what, just g-go a-ahead... just... just d-do it!"
"I said leave, not 'leave or get killed'. I was more thinking of throwing you."
Tex continued to cry to himself. "Well, there goes the chances of getting my sister back... I knew I should have kept my mouth shut. I'm sorry Gem."
"Time's up, kid." Swift reared her legs and gave a solid kick to Tex, sending him flying into the nearest wall.
"Did you really have to do that?" asked Star.
"That was nothing compared to what I first had in mind."
Tex sat up clumsily. "Ow... thank goodness I was born with scales, though... some are probably broken now." He rubbed his forehead and a small amount of blood trickled down his arm. He quickly passed out onto the grass.
Willow looked up as she saw Tex collapse. "What's going on?"
"Perhaps Evening is better able to explain the situation than I," said Star.
Evening took one of the muffins from Maboo and began munching on it, talking between bites. "Well, Tex asked Swift about where she came from. And they were going in circles, so I told him that she was from Trottingham.
"She told us that in confidence, Evening! How could you?" asked Willow furiously.
"But she's amazing... she survived Trottingham. That shouldn't be a secret."
"Let me get this straight: Last night, you witness an event. Said event causes me great distress. I explain why this event causes distress, to both yourself and Willow, under the assumption that others will be told if/when I am ready to do so. Suddenly, the next day, the idea gets into your head that YOU SHOULD TELL THE BUCKING WORLD!?" asked Swift.
Evening paused her eating and stared at Swift with a smile. "Yes?"
"ARGH!" Willow smacked Evening on the back of the head. "You staff swinging block head!"
"Willow, that kind of hurt."
"Thank the Sisters that I haven't started yet, else they'd need tweezers to pick up your pieces once I'm finished," said Swift as she turned to leave. "If you don't see me in half an hour, keep a close eye on your back."
"I don't understand... Swift? Where are you going?" asked Evening.
"You should probably just let her go," said Maboo. "I've had my eye on her for a while now, and she might think she's one of the best assassins in the world, but she's nuts if she thinks I can't spy on her without her knowing. I don't trust her. And give me back that muffin! Get your own!" Maboo swiped the half eaten muffin away from Evening and quickly swallowed it whole.
Evening frowned. "I don't get it. I didn't think I did anything wrong, but Swift and Willow are mad at me."
"I'm not mad at you. Vally's not mad at you either, right Val?"
Valhalla turned to Maboo and Evening. "Ehhhh."
"See? You might have done something wrong or not, but that doesn't make you a bad pony," said Maboo.
Evening smiled. "You mean it?"
"Of course I do. You're a great warrior! But you'll have to learn and accept that you haven't mastered every art of fighting, only few ponies can do something like that."
"Fighting's easy, Maboo. Ponies are tough."
"True enough. Is that why the Griffin Fortress was so easy?"
"That was something I understood. I didn't have to worry about them being upset with me, all I had to do was hit them."
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Don't Drink Nerve Freeze Elixir (Or Argue with Assassins)
"Cleric! I require your assistance!" said Star Swirl as she levitated Tex from the ground and placed the incapacitated dragon in front of her.
Willow stared at her as she flew over to Tex. "Willow Leaf," she looked over Tex's body. "Hmm, a few cracked scales... small cut on the back of his head. He doesn't seem to have any broken bones."
"My apologies, manners seem to have gone out the window for me in the last 24 hours."
"Apology accepted, wizard . There, now we've both been rude to each other. Let's start over, shall we? I'm Willow Leaf, and you are?"
Star smiled and lifted her hoof. "I am Star Swirl, apprentice wizard under the teachings of Archmage Star Sparkle."
Willow shook her hoof and smiled back. "Nice to meet you. And don't worry. Tex, like most dragons, is made of some stern stuff."
Tex slowly sat up and rubbed his head. "I wish I was more like most dragons emotionally as well. So, not to be pushy, but, how long until I have my sister? I really don't want to spend any more time around Swift Blade. I feel like she is going to kill me in my sleep if we have to sleep another night."
"Don't worry, Tex. Once Sky Runner wakes up, then we'll leave."
"If she wakes up that is," said Maboo nervously.
Willow looked at her oddly. "What do you mean, 'if'? You don't think something happened to her again, do you?"
"I might have seen her going through some of Valhalla's things, and I might have seen her drink something of his," answered Maboo.
"That could explain why my nerve freeze elixir is missing," said Valhalla. "That... is not a good thing."
"Pfft. Thieves. Never know what they're getting into," said Star.
Sky then came around the corner, looking as though she were half asleep and half dead. "Huh... wha...?"
Willow immediately flew over to her. "Sky! Are you okay?"
"What... what the hay happened to me?" asked Sky.
"Maboo and Valhalla think you may have gotten into some serious potions," answered Willow. "Were you looking through his things?"
"Me? Potions? Erm, no! No! That'd be... irresponsible and... illegal! I'd never do that!" argued Sky.
Willow frowned. "Sky, when we get done with the mission, I think we need to discuss your problem."
"What do you mean? I don't have a problem!"
"You stole my Nerve Toxin elixir, and then drank it before you fell asleep. So right now you've got about twenty four problems," said Valhalla.
"So... what does it, uh... do exactly?"
Valhalla sighed. "Well at first it shuts down your body's nervous system, paralyzing you where you stand. It wears off after a while, but it makes it a bit hard to move, thus why it was probably painful to get up. Later down the line you'll have some muscle spasms, cramps, failure to move one or another part of your body, and a list of other possible side effects. You really shouldn't have drank that."
"Oh come on! So one of your silly potions is missing, maybe someone else took it or you misplaced it! I didn't drink it, I never would!"
"Considering that you've done both in the past, I'm loathe to believe you," said Swift.
Sky pouted. "Oh come on, I go through your things ONE time and you turn it into an excuse to shout at me every single time I MIGHT have sampled a potion or two? Real mature, Swift Blade!"
"Sky, this is my normal voice," Swift stepped closer to Sky. "THIS IS SHOUTING! "
"WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THAT? "
"You're the most annoying of the group!" accused Swift.
"Oh, well hey, I'll just be over here, NOT killing ponies like SOMEPONY I know!"
Swift snorted. "And I'll be over here, not trying to get myself killed."
"Last time I checked, murdering a bunch of ponies is KINDA more morally questionable than stealing things, but hey, who am I to judge, huh?"
"That's right. You keep your suicidal pacifist tendencies to yourself."
"Oooooh yeah, I'M the suicidal one. You know how many ponies are trying to kill me ? Maybe like three or four. You know why? Because I only steal. I never, ever kill. It's just not right, and it leaves too many ponies with grievances to settle."
Swift scoffed. "You know how many ponies are trying to kill me? None, because they're busy. Being dead. As for not being right... that's a moral discussion that we'll always be fighting over."
"Look, I steal because I need to. You kill because it's fun . You said it yourself. And I don't think that the matter of "killing ponies is wrong" is open to debate."
"It seems you and I define 'need' very differently."
"Yeah, I steal because it's the only way I can make money. One thing's for certain, I would never kill a pony, not in a million years."
Swift stepped closer to Sky, her eyes staring coldly at the thief. "You didn't survive Trottingham... I tried everything from thievery to prostitution. But the only way I could make sure I lived through the night was killing ponies. I had to take what I could get."
"Maybe. Look, I've been around, done a lot of stuff I'm not proud of. Heck, I'd even maybe let it slide if you killed a pony out of desperation, but killing for fun ? No, that's crossing the line. Not. Cool."
"That's your problem, not mine. If you want to help this dragon, you'll have to put up with me, because I'm not leaving."
"You and I had better go our separate ways, Swift Blade, before somepony does something she'll regret," Sky took out Swift's journal which she had somehow kept and tossed it at her hooves. "And no, I don't reckon that Shining Armor's gonna be that into you! It's... time for me to go back to Canterlot, where I belong. Keep 'em safe, okay?"
"Go ahead. If you don't feel like saving lives, then by all means, go back to the land of the high and mighty where you belong."
Sky began to trot away. "Oh, the irony of hearing all about saving lives from a psychotic murderer!"
"Look, this dragon's family was responsible for burning my entire city to the ground. Yet I'm willing to look past that, because I know that it wasn't his fault. You may not say the same of me, but it's your decision to have it on your conscience knowing you could have tried to save her if we fail because you weren't there."
"It's a bit late to start trying to convince me that you value life, mate!"
Swift sighed. "Fine. Go. Just go."
"Good luck you guys... you're gonna need it." Sky walked off and out of Fillydelphia.
Once Willow realized what had happened, she took off after her, flying to catch up. "Sky, do you mean it? You're leaving?"
Sky smiled weakly. "Aw, I appreciate your concern, Willow. Thing is, I've learned a lot from you about how to be a good friend. I'm just really not comfortable travelling with somepony who kills for fun. It brings back... memories. I'll see you back at the city, yeah?"
"I would feel better if you were there to be a moral compass for Evening. You've been a good influence on her so far."
"Please, Willow, don't make this harder than it already is, please! You guys will always be my friends, I promise, but it's time for me to go home. I'll miss you all."
"Sky, you didn't see Evening when Swift Blade told us you were leaving. I think she sees you as a big sister. And if this is because I got angry over your thefts... you know I'm only hard on your because I know you can do better, right? We need a pony with your strong moral convictions!"
Maboo quickly came bouncing up to them from behind, oblivious to the conversation going on. She bounced in front of Sky and looked her in the eye. "Sky... there will be cupcakes . You'll miss out on them if you go now! Oh, and you really shouldn't worry about Swift Blade killing anypony, see," Maboo revealed a small retractable knife gauntlet. It was Swift's. "I snatched this while she was arguing with you. We could keep it from her until she swears to not go killing anymore ponies for fun."
Willow tackled Maboo with a hug. "Maboo, you genius! I could kiss you," she noticed Maboo looking a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, sorry. I'll just, go over there."
"Uh... right. It's okay. So what do you say, Sky?"
"Can you guys promise we won't kill anypony?" asked Sky.
"I promise not to kill anypony, and do my best to keep Swift from doing the same. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye! And Valhalla is a pacifist," answered Maboo.
"Well... okay, I guess you've got me for a bit longer. But if anypony dies needlessly, I'm out of here. Got me?"
"Understood. But we should get back before Swift decides to take Evening and leave without us," said Willow.
While the rest of the group waited for Willow, Sky and Maboo to return, Star had been reassuring Tex that her sister would be okay and they could still save her. He was skeptical at best, and was willing to charge in and save her himself if he had to.
"Tex, please stay. The Diamond Dogs may not look much, but when they get going they're unstoppable. Trying to do it by yourself will just get you killed, and your sister will still be with those nasty creatures. Do you want that?" asked Star.
Tex shivered. "N-no but... I just don't know if I can wait any longer knowing that they could kill her any moment. I am a dragon... I could take a hit or two, right?" He felt a spike of pain in his broken scales and a tear escaped his eye. "Aw, who am I kidding. I am still too young."
"Don't worry, dear. One day you'll be big and strong and those dogs will be cowering from you. They'll plead for mercy, then you'll pretend to think about it and say 'no' before incinerating them. Won't that be fun?"
"You can do that, Star? I guess magic can be useful!" said Evening.
Star smiled brightly. "Of course it can! There wouldn't be a school for it if there wasn't any use for it."
"Well, up until last week, I was told that spell were the crutch of weaker unicorns."
"Darling, those unicorns trained under your master are using spells in themselves when they augment their strength or speed. Spells used in different ways, but spells nonetheless."
Evening frowned. "It's one of the many lies I'm finding out."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned... I'm sure that she only wanted the best for you. She would not waste such hard work training you only to toss you away, right?"
Willow had gotten back to the group and overheard the conversation going on. "Star Swirl... her master sent her on a suicide mission. And it would have worked if we hadn't been there to help."
"By the Sisters... I am so sorry," Star's frown turned into a scowl. "If I ever get my magic on her."
"The feeling is mutual, Star. That mare has spent too long creating weapons instead of the heroes she promised."
"No, you can't!" exclaimed Evening. "She would tear you apart before you even saw her."
"That's my job, and I'll be darned if I let anyone take it from me," said Swift. "We should have left already. Tex, can you give us an idea of which direction they're headed?"
"North," answered Tex. "Their tunnels should be a few hours north near... or under an abandoned factory, if my eavesdropping on some of my dad's conversations is correct."
"A factory? They'll have the advantage. Too bad that smith said my new weapon won't be ready for another day or two," said Evening.
"Um... would a big sword work?"
"Sorry, I'm no good with swords. Spears and staves are my specialty I'm afraid."
Tex scratched his head. "Spears... hmm. Would that perhaps be a long stick with a blade on the end?"
Evening looked at the little dragon curiously. "It is. Why?"
"Uh... different dragons harness different powers, and I, uh," Tex coughed out a flame, and a nice looking halberd appeared and dropped to the ground. "I can consume things and bring them back later... I thought that thing looked cool, so I took it. From my father that is, not stealing."
"That... that was inside of you? I... I'll be right back," Evening ran over to a nearby bush and emptied the contents of her stomach into it.
"Evening, you might be able to check the weapon shop for your new staff," said Swift. "The mare said 'come back in a day or two.' That means it might be ready today. No harm in checking, right?"
Evening suddenly looked up in excitement. "You think it might be done? Can I go check now?"
"Are there any objections to this course of action? No? Then go."
"I want to go! I want to see what she was able to do!" Evening excitedly took off towards the weapon shop. She burst through the door and ran up to the front desk.
"Hey, warrior mare! What can I do for you?" asked the owner.
"Is it done? Is it?"
"Ah yes! One adamantium staff, coming right up," The owner walked into the back of the shop and brought back a nicely cut shiny metal staff, almost identical to Evening's old one. "All yours, kiddo. You take care of that, you hear?"
Evening looked took the staff in awe, practically worshiping it. "It's beautiful... I will cherish this forever. Thank you so much."
"Anything for a great warrior such as yourself. Now get out of here, you're making me get all sappy."
"Everypony will know of your skill!" Evening ran back to the group, twirling her new staff overhead. She got to them as they were preparing to set out. "I'm back! When are we going?"
"As soon as Maboo and Sky Runner get back," said Swift.
Tex walked up to Swift with a red crystal in his hand. "So, you are going to help? Thank you! I... I can't thank you enough, but," he looked at the crystal and held it forward. "I want you to have this, it will mean more to you than it does to me."
Swift eyed the crystal curiously. "I'm not exactly one for vanity items, but... what is it? Apart from being a crystal."
"It's," Tex looked around making sure everypony else was out of earshot, then began to whisper. "The last remnant of Trottingham. It was the item that the cult wanted. My father had it, and I took it. Apparently it has some... power, but nobody's ever figured it out and they quit trying pretty quick," Tex cleared his throat and spoke normally. "Yeah, it's a pretty crystal."
Swift suspiciously took the crystal in her hooves. "Thank you, I suppose? Now, we'd best get going. Your sister's rescue has already been delayed one day. I'd hate to see it delayed again. Everybody ready?"
"Yes! Gem, here I... err... we come!"
Valhalla looked over at Swift and noticed the crystal. "Wait a moment. Is that red crystal?"
Tex looked at him in surprise. "Uh, well, it is a red colored crystal yes, but it certainly isn't any sort of rare crystal that is only spoken of in fairy tales... if that is what you mean."
"Well red crystal is in some form rare. It used to be much more common hundreds of years ago. One thing is for certain, red crystal is nothing to be tampered with, it is one of the utmost evil magics in Equestria. You are lucky it doesn't seem to be active. Do not break it especially."
"But... not all of them were bad. Some were used to create a life force for sustenance. I guess it was user dependent or something. My father is a gem lord, so I figured out a little bit from my eavesdropping habit."
"True, it was somewhat user dependent, but held in use for too long and it will corrupt your mind. They hold too much power to be taken lightly."
Evening began to take interest in the crystal. "Ooh, you have one of the red ones? Master has three in her helmet. Lucky."
"Three of them at once?!" exclaimed Star. "No wonder she did what she did, the mare would have gone insane getting near them!"
"But she isn't-" Evening paused and sighed. "Is that the cost of the power she has? Then why was she afraid of me?"
"Maybe you are special," suggested Valhalla. "Red crystal does not affect all ponies, you might be one of them with that special ability, rare enough as it is."
Evening shook her head. "I won't risk it. You all make it sound like dangerous magic. I'll stick to my safe battle magic because I understand it."
"Nah, magic is in the claws, or horn, or... whatever it is that Valhalla has," said Tex. "Anyway, magic is in the eye of the beholder. My father always said it with claw, but... you get the point. You do get the point right?"
Evening tilted her head. "Not really. If my master was influenced by those gems... what's to say I won't be?"
"Well, you seem to have your heart and mind in the right place. I don't know about your trainer... master... pony, but perhaps she isn't as good of a pony as she seems. A small amount of tainted thoughts can manifest with the right circumstances... ah but what do I know? I'm still too young of a dragon."
Maboo then came bouncing back to the group finally. "Hey guys! Sky's back with us, as long as Swift doesn't go killing any more ponies, but that shouldn't be a problem anymore. So, what's new with you?"
"Tex gave Swift a red crystal which was from the remains of Trottingham and it may or may not be the doom of us all, so we're trying to figure out what to do with it, more or less anyway," said Valhalla.
Maboo gaped at him. "Wow. Throw it into a volcano."
"Whoa, wait, I didn't say where it was from to anypony but Swift," said Tex. "Also, you may not want to mention that factor too loud. And I say you do nothing with it until after Gem is rescued... but that's my opinion."
"Sorry if I said it too loud," said Valhalla. "My ears are keen on picking up secrets easily, as the life of a traveler has made them. Combine that with what I already know of either of you two it wasn't so hard to piece together in the first place."
"So Sky's coming back? That's great news!" said Evening. "And I think Swift should keep the crystal. It was a gift from Tex."
"I feel it would be best put under Valhalla's care," said Star. "He seems to know the most about it, and knowledge is the greatest weapon we have against it thus far."
"Good idea! You're pretty smart, Star," Evening looked around and noticed that Willow had disappeared again and Sky was nowhere in sight. "Hey, Maboo... where are Willow and Sky?"
Maboo looked around curiously. "They're probably still talking. I'm sure they'll come along shortly."
Tex cleared his throat to get the attention back on him. "Anyway, I'm sure my sister knows more about that crystal than Valhalla. I can assure you, nothing bad will happen. Either the crystal is magically sealed or it is drained. That's what my sister told me anyway."
"A drained red crystal? Well that's certainly fascinating, they don't become drained easily," said Valhalla.
Evening continued to look around anxiously. "I hate to be the one to say it, but, maybe we should go on ahead. Willow knows where we are going, and they can catch up."
Maboo frowned. "Well... I don't like the idea of leaving them behind, so I'm gonna stay here and wait for them. Valhalla can go with you."
"Uh... okay," said Valhalla. He checked his saddle-bag to make sure his things were packed comfortably. "I am ready. Shall we go?"
Swift, Valhalla, Evening, Star and Tex left the inn, leaving Maboo, Sky Runner and Willow Leaf behind to catch up. After a ten minute walk out of town, they found the old abandoned factory Tex had talked about.
"We've arrived," said Swift.
The factory had surely not aged well. The walls were crumbling, the windows broken and the machines rusted to the point of collapsing in on themselves, which the building looked ready to do the same. The group approached the factory.
"We should be careful," said Evening. "That looks like it'll fall on our heads."
She brought out her new staff and tapped one of the walls with it, which immediately collapsed into dust.
"There should be a mine shaft somewhere around here," said Tex. He continued ahead of the group and came upon a tunnel in the middle of the factory that sloped down into the earth. "Here it is."
Valhalla came to the entrance of the tunnel and tapped around the walls. "It looks like it'll hold. If it collapses on us then we'll just have to dig out. No problem."
"If it is no problem, I can teleport back to the inn and show the others the way we went," said Star. "I've been working on a basic plan on our way here, but I need Sky Runner for it to work."
Tex looked between Star and the tunnel anxiously. "Do we have time? I don't want to risk losing my sister!"
"Half of our stealth experts are back at the inn, and Willow too," said Evening. "Star, see if they are back yet. If they are, bring them here."
Star nodded. "I will return as soon as I can." She disappeared in a flash of magic.
Back at the inn.
"Like I said, Sky, if we do this right, the Diamond Dogs won't even know we're there," said Willow as she escorted Sky Runner back to the inn. She noticed that the group was missing except for Maboo, who was patiently sitting at one of the tables at the front of the inn. "Maboo, where is everypony?"
Maboo smiled and pointed north. "They left to fight the Diamond Dogs and save Gem."
Willow gasped. "But why would they leave early? We were only gone for twenty minutes!"
"Tex really wanted to save Gem, and the others decided to go ahead without you. We can still catch up," Maboo turned her head to see Star magically appearing before her. "Hey there Star."
"Oh, I forgot we picked up a real spell caster. What's the word, Star?"
"We have located the factory where Gem is being held captive," said Star. "I can tell you the rest as we walk back."
Star, Willow and Sky Runner began to make their way back to the factory.
"Star, you said that you had more information? What are the chances that we can get in without too many injuries?" asked Willow.
Star shrugged. "The factory itself has definitely seen better days. I'm not certain on whether we can come out of this unscathed, but I have a brief plan, although I may need some input on implementation. Specifically, I require Sky Runner's services."
Back at the tunnel in the factory.
Tex was pacing back and forth at the entrance of the tunnel. "Ohhh... where are they? If she can teleport, why can't she just teleport them all here? Perhaps I should just go, Gem is my sister after all, but... that's why I asked for help. Okay, just keep calm. She has only been gone for a minute."
Valhalla sits down and begins to go through his saddle pack. "Perhaps... we could use these," he brought out five silver bracelets, each with a small white gem mounted onto them. "These are camouflage rings. They're only a prototype I've been working on, but... they could get us into the Diamond Dog's lair more stealthily. Or melt our hooves off, that's always a chance."
Swift looked over the bracelets curiously. "I'll take them once they've been thoroughly tested, thanks. Speaking of which, care to tell me who stole my blade?"
Evening tilted her head at the bracelets. "Sorry, Valhalla... I like my hooves where they are," she turned to Swift. "Have you tried looking in your pack, Swift? I lose things in my pack all the time. Then Sky Runner helps me find them."
Back at the inn, once again.
Maboo was still sitting at her table, playing with Swift's hidden blade, springing it in and out over and over again.
"Quite the funny little knife contraption, aren't you?" said Maboo to herself. She looked around to see she was all alone. "Hey... where'd everyone go? They left without me! The hooligans! Guess I better start trotting."
Back at the tunnel, also once again.
"I do not know where your blade might have gone," said Valhalla. "But I believe the rings should work just fine. Watch," Valhalla put on one of the bracelets and pressed down on the gem. Instantly he disappeared, though not entirely. A faint blur effect was left in his place. "See? Works just fine, minus the blurring. But that's because it isn't a full invisibility, just camouflage. Of course this thing is kind of hot," Valhalla pressed the gem again, turning visible, then began to blow on the bracelet. "So just short term use. We can use them to sneak past guards here and there."
"Ohhh," said Evening, her interest in the bracelets now renewed. "If it just gets hot, I should be able to handle it. I'll take one.
"Wait," said Tex as he looked at the bracelets and back to his arm. "How am I going to sneak past them?"
"Don't worry Tex, these should work for you too," said Valhalla. "And because you have scales it shouldn't be as hot for you, you could stay cloaked longer. I've only got 5 of them though, so not everyone will be able to wear one."
"Awesome! But you only have five? How will this work then? There is like, seven of us and sneaking Gem out would make eight," Tex rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Unless... we find Gem's bow before freeing her."
Evening's eyes sparkled with excitement. "A dragon archer? I knew it was a good idea to help you out, Tex!"
Tex gaped at her. "Uh... my sister... isn't a dragon. She's a pony. Well, a unicorn really."
Swift looked at him confused. "Why would your father take a pony in like that? Especially considering his line of work."
Tex shuffled his feet. "Well, the order that caused bad things said that they wanted to have a unicorn trained in some certain fashion... for bad things I'm sure. I had a bad habit of eavesdropping on my father's conversations. Apparently they wanted Gem to do some evil plan. That is why I took her and ran."
Willow and Maboo finally made it back, though Sky Runner was missing.
"Hello again," said Maboo as she continued to play with the hidden blade, making a shink noise each time. "And having heard Tex's story, it seems that there's still more to everypony here than meets the eye. Care to share your deep and fascinating story now, Vally?"
Valhalla rolled his eyes. "No. Let's just keep focused here. Maboo, I assume you don't need one of my camouflage circlets?"
Maboo continued to play with the blade like a toy with a smile. "Nope, I'm good." Shink.
"The group is reunited, it seems. Does anyone know where Sky Runner is?" asked Star.
Swift noticed the sound of her stolen blade and turned to Maboo angrily. "You!"
Maboo looked up with a grin. "Yes, hello!" Shink. "Is there something you need, Swift?" Shink.
Swift stared coldly at her. "I suggest that my blade is returned. Preferably within the next ten seconds."
Shink. Maboo chuckled. "I don't think so. I'm pretty sure you can manage without it for a few hours now."
"I may not have that, but I have a large supply of throwing knives, and I know how to use them. Don't make me do something that you'll regret."
"You mean these throwing knifes?" Maboo pulled out a bag and shook it, revealing a stash of throwing knives. "It's no wonder Sky can steal your stuff so easily, you leave it right out in the open. Cake."
Swift sighed. "And you wonder why I want to kill you."
Sky Runner finally arrived to the conversation with a proud smile. "Oh Maboo, I knew that there was a good burglar in there somewhere! So Swifty, still talking about killing everypony, hmm?"
Swift grunted. "I'd beat you with my bare hooves if I have to."
Star came between the three of them. "Ponies, please! Let us keep the fighting to a minimum. Maboo, return the items you have stolen at once."
Maboo put away the throwing knives. Shink. "I think I'll hold on to them for a while longer. You can have them back when we've got Gem and we're away from the Diamond Dogs."
Star began to grind her teeth angrily. "You keep talking about how Swift Blade is a bad pony, yet the only wrongdoing I've seen so far is your own! She has never acted without due cause or provocation, which you seem Tartarus-bent on providing."
Maboo stopped playing and frowned. "And out of all of us, as far as I know, she's the only one who's mercilessly killed ponies. She may or may not have had a worse start to her life than me, but even with all I've been through I haven't harmed one single creature."
"Will you please all settle down and focus at the task at hoof? We're here for Tex and Gem, not pointless bickering," said Valhalla.
Star sighed. "Look, I'm not saying that she's a paragon of virtue and decency. But trying to improve someone through blackmail like this will not last long. She needs friends, not more enemies."
"It's not blackmail, it's insurance," said Maboo. "Sky is only coming along as long as Swift doesn't have her weapons of murder. If she wants to improve she can do it without killing for a short while."
"Blackmail by any other name. Look, if you keep her tools, then you are preventing her from helping. Make her promise to use non-lethal methods if you wish, but two wrongs do not make right."
Fumes began to seep out of Evening's nostrils and ears. "STOP ARGUING!
The arguing stopped.
"Well said, Evening," said Willow. "Now, Star, you had a plan?"
Before anypony said anything else, there was a rustle that came from a few bushes.
A voice whispered from it, barely audible to the group. "Well, well, a bunch of ponies planning a raid on our cave? Ha, not a chance."
"Perhaps someone should get rid of that!" said Tex, pointing to the bushes.
"On it!" said Evening as she leaped into the bushes. A couple gasps and yelps come from the bush and soon Evening staggers out, dragging what looked like a shaggy mutt behind her. "I got him!"
"It looks like he gave you as much as you gave him," said Willow. "You're a mess, Evening. If this is a scout, then think about how tough the rest will be. About that plan, Star?"
Star nodded. "Sky Runner will get to the cage as fast as she can, and use her lock-picking skills to get the cage holding Gem open. She will need one pony to defend her, but otherwise she will be alone. The rest of us will be a distraction, engaging in combat to look like we're facing them head on. They should focus on us to the point where Gem will have minimal guard," she looked down at the whimpering dog Evening had beat up. "And can someone shut him up? He's starting to get on my nerves."
Swift turned and gave the dog a solid kick in the face, knocking him out and surely leaving a hefty bruise.
"Thank you."
"Umm, if I might add a change to your plan?" asked Tex. "Perhaps Sky should find my sister's bow and meet us at the cage. I figure, if we can give Gem her bow, I might be able to clear the cave for an easy escape."
"If you feel you can do so, by all means. The faster we get this done, the better."
"I really think I can. Of course, as soon as Gem has her bow, everypony will need to get back into the cage. I wouldn't want any of you to get hurt. Somepony is going to need to make a lot of noise at that moment as well. One other thing," Tex suddenly looked frightened. "If I kill all of the Diamond Dogs... does that make me bad? Will I have to go to jail? They'll ship me back to the dragon dens won't they?"
"Tex, I will personally ensure that you are not shipped back to the dens if we encounter the possibility."
"I'd also like it if you held still so me or Valhalla could patch you up," said Willow "You're still really beat up."
"I'll be fine," said Tex. "All I need is somepony to make enough noise when we get to Gem."
"Tex, if it's noise you want, I can manage that," said Evening. "What do you need me to do?"
"Well, once Gem has her bow, we should be able to create a fireball to clear the cave. Though it would be best if we created enough noise to lure them all to the cage before I release it."
"I bet I could make more noise than Evening, if that's alright," said Maboo. "Besides, she should help take care of any possible stragglers."
"And I'll be ready with painkillers should anypony need them," said Valhalla. "They also give a bit of an adrenaline boost."
Tex nodded. "Alright... let's do this. Let's rescue my sister."
The air stood still as the group stepped toward the tunnel entrance into the Diamond Dogs lair. Before anyone set hoof into the tunnel, Maboo stepped up front and put her leg out and stopped them from going down. She waited.
"Maboo? Is something wrong?" asked Valhalla.
Maboo kept her leg up. "Wait for it."
The area grew more and more silent. The group looked at her strangely and was about to protest again, but before they could Maboo reared on her hooves.
"CHAAAAAAAAARGE!"
Maboo took off with the speed that rivaled an Alpha Timberwolf, galloping down the tunnel and stopping at the first tunnel that was dug by the Diamond Dogs.
She took a deep breath. "HELLO DOWN THERE! WE ARE COMING DOWN TO DEFEAT YOU IN A GLORIOUS BATTLE OF STEALTH! DO NOT TELL ANYPONY! ECHO!"
Her voice echoed throughout all the tunnels, even managing to shake up part of the old factory.
Tex gaped at her. "Um... doesn't that defeat the purpose-"
"She's buying us time, just like you asked," said Willow. "Lets go, she's going to need our help."
"Her methods are certainly... different," said Star with a sideways glance. "Nevertheless, the battle begins!"
"Right! And we'll go get the bow and find Gem," said Evening. "Come on Sky. You too, Tex."
The group began to charge down the tunnel after Maboo.
Swift grunted. "Where I have no form of weapon or defenses, in a location that makes movement difficult. Wee."
"I assume you can use a knife, Swift Blade," said Willow. "I can't let you be defenseless, even if I wanted to." She slipped two small blades over to Swift.
"Thanks. And yes, I can."
"Don't tell Sky. Just, please try to keep the killing to a minimum. Evening looks up to both you and Sky right now."
"Non-lethal. Got it." Swift ran off before any more could be said.
Maboo was still ahead of the group. She dove head first into a steep tunnel. "You cannot catch me, silly Diamond Dogs! I bet you are so slow you couldn't catch a snail! I dare you to try and come up here! Weeee!"
Star caught up and shined a light down the tunnel where Maboo dropped. "Maboo! Is it safe to fall down there? Are there any traps?"
Maboo's voice echoed back up. "Yes, it's perfectly safe. For now. You should probably go down another hole while I distract them all in this tunnel!" Her voice became more distant. "Come on ya dirt diggers! Throw me your best!"
"Alright, quickly, everypony into the next hole," said Valhalla. "Evening and Swift first!"
Star moved to the next hole. She looked down and turned to Swift. "After you."
Swift dove in head first. "I regret nothiiiiiiiing."
Evening peered down the hole. "Ooh. That looks deep." She jumped down after Swift, sliding along the tunnel with her staff instead of falling.
Tex jumped in after her, keeping the camouflage ring close at hand in case he needed to use it.
Star jumped in next, pulling Willow in behind her with magic. As they reached the bottom she cast an orb of light spell to illuminate the cave around them.
Valhalla stood outside the hole, hesitating to jump in. He looked back at Sky Runner. "Sky, you should stay here and guard the exit, just in case."
Sky pouted. "Fine. Tell me if you find anything shiny."
Valhalla looked back at the hole and took a deep breath. "Well... here goes nothing," he jumped down the hole and tumbled around as he fell. "Ahhh! Zebras were never meant to be underground!"
Once they were all down and ready they could hear voices echoing from a dozen different directions. Tex searched around and eventually pointed down one tunnel.
"I hear Gem," he said. "Where do you think they would have her bow?"
"If her ability is as you say, as far from her as possible," said Swift.
Tex turned around. "So, then... this way!" He ran down the tunnel opposite of where his sister's voice came from.
Evening tilted her head. "He just ran off. I'll get him back!" She ran after Tex and the both of them disappeared down a tunnel.
Willow stepped forward. "Get back here you two!"
Before Willow could chase after them, Maboo came speeding towards them from another tunnel.
"Okay guys, I gotta be quick," said Maboo, dancing in place as she spoke. "I'm distracting as many Diamond Dogs as I can. I passed a tunnel and got a brief glimpse at Gem, and she's alright. I suggest you split up to get her bow and the others get Gem. Hey wait, where's Evening and Tex? Ah never mind, just hurry and save Gem, I'll keep these Diamond Dogs busy." She bolted down another series of tunnels, with lots of barking and shouting following.
"Willow, go with Tex and Evening," said Valhalla. "Swift and Star, you're with me. Let's go save Gem."
Willow nodded. "Right!" She ran down the same tunnel after Tex and Evening, trying to step as quietly as possible.
Down the tunnels, Evening catches up to Tex. "You can't just run off like that! We're a team, and-" They turned a corner and entered a room with nothing inside except a table, bow and a large Diamond Dog staring down at them. "-Good... dog," Evening leaned over to Tex and whispered. "Tex, grab the bow, no sudden movements."
Tex slowly approached the table, with the Diamond Dog just standing there assessing his movements. "H-hey there. I'm just a bit hungry, so if you don't mind me eating this," He grabbed the bow from the table and ate it.
Evening prodded Tex back. "Good, now when I tell you-"
Willow came speeding around the corner, laying eyes on the two of them and the Diamond Dog. "This is why we don't split the party! And you! Bad dog! "
The dog began to growl at them.
Tex leaned to Evening. "Now? I can clear the caves if we can get to Gem."
Evening nodded. "Go. Get that bow to her. Me and Willow will keep this one off of you."
Tex ran back down the tunnel towards the group while Evening and Willow closed off the Diamond Dog's escape.
"Good, I don't think he's buying my alpha voice anymore," said Willow. "Ready to fight?"
Evening nodded confidently. "I was born ready!"
"Good, because you're my backup." Willow flared her wings and launched herself at the Diamond Dog, throwing hoof after hoof in a blur of attacks. She knocked the dog off balance, and quickly gave a solid buck to its face, dropping him instantly.
Willow brushed herself off casually. "Sorry, I stole your thunder didn't I? Let's just got rescue Gem."
Evening gaped at her. "That was amazing, Willow! You took him out in a few seconds. Just look at his poor face."
"Don't stop to look! He's going to wake up angry, come on!"
Meanwhile, with the other group.
"So, what's the plan? I can do minimal defense with what I've got," said Swift.
"I can focus a small magic wave to break the lock and get Gem out," said Star. "After that, we get out of the caves as fast as possible. Did you hear that, Valhalla?"
Tex came running out of a tunnel towards them. "Yeah, yeah, break the lock. Come on!" He continues running past them and towards the tunnel Gem was in.
"Hold on, let me see what I can do," said Valhalla. He looked through his saddle pack and pulled out a small leather ball. "Aha, I knew I still had one of these. A smoke bomb. Tex, Star, you two should activate your camo rings, get to Gem and free her. The second the lock breaks I'll throw the smoke bomb in there, and you all run straight back here. And, uh, let's do this quickly. Don't need any more risk of being caught. I sure hope Maboo is still doing her job."
Tex and Star activated their camo rings and ran down the tunnel. They entered a large room filled with stalactites and stalagmites and a metal cage at the far end. No Diamond Dogs were present. Tex rushed up to the cage and whispered.
"Gem, you will be free in no time. I brought your bow," he burped out the bow and handed it towards her. "We can do the trick and save everypony down here. That is as long as they can open your cage and get inside."
A young filly looked out of the cage with confusion. "Tex? Is that you? Where are you?"
Tex turned off the camo ring and revealed himself. "It's me, I'm right here!"
"Tex, what in Equestria are you talking about?" asked Star. "What is your plan? You haven't hardly spoken a word about it."
The rest of the group came running up to them.
"Yes, Tex. What are you planning to do?" asked Willow with a serious tone.
"He's planning on doing something incredibly stupid!" said Gem with a scowl.
Tex pleaded with her. "But-"
"No 'but'! You endangered all these ponies by bringing them here! Cleric, talk some sense into him. He plans to wipe out every Diamond Dog in here in order to save everypony, and possibly kill himself in the process!"
Tex turned to Willow. "Willow, you gotta trust me! They will be waiting for us outside if we don't, and there is no way we can take them all. If we do this right, everypony could walk away safely."
Willow narrowed her eyes. "And what about the dogs? Or you? By the Sisters, you didn't think this through at all, did you?"
"I would not recommend that course of action," said Star. "If your plan does not deal with all Diamond Dogs effectively, it may be in vain."
Some Diamond Dogs rushed into the room, which Swift quickly dealt with. "And I will personally punch you in the face if we meet up again," she said as more Diamond Dogs rushed to their position. "Better make a decision fast, I can't deal with them for much longer!"
"The dogs will be gone," said Tex. "There is no way that we could have gotten in and out without getting rid of them."
Gem sighed. "You're right. They aren't chasing so hard right now because they are going to be waiting at the exit for you all in ambush. But, if you do this, you could get hurt... or killed."
"But you and the others will be safe, and that's all I want."
Gem nodded and frowned. She levitated her bow closer to her and hung her head. "Open the cage and get inside."
"Everyone in the cage!" said Star, using her magic to unlock the cage and swing the door open. "MABOO! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Willow sighed and got into the cage with Star, but the rest of them hesitated.
"Are we going to see more 'real' unicorn magic?" asked Evening with big eyes.
"Please just get inside, Evening," said Willow. "And Tex, if we survive this... there will be words."
Valhalla stared at them in the cage and shook his head. "What happened to the zebra's plan? Why can't everypony just listen and follow along? But no, it's always 'gotta kill this, gotta kill that, gotta complicate all these other things'. What do I do with this smoke bomb? We can either use it now and try to escape, and just hope Maboo is keeping the dogs off us, or whatever it is you're planning. I don't know the complications of what that might be though."
"And what happened to my original plan, anyway?" asked Star. "It was Sky Runner plus one other pony gets Gem out, while the rest of us distract the dogs. But no! It's all 'Hey, let's go get a bow!' and 'Hey, let's leave Sky Runner outside!'"
Meanwhile, down some other tunnel.
"Hey guys!" said Maboo, staring nervously at a large pack of changelings. "Yeah, I thought only diamond dogs lived here too. Woof?"
Back with the group.
"I did think about your plan, but they wouldn't have let us out!" said Tex. "The smoke bomb would have just told them to prepare for the ambush!"
"Wait, you have a smoke bomb?" asked Gem curiously. "We could use that to lessen the damage Tex would take. But, first we should get everypony inside the cage. Zebra, I'm going to need your help with timing."
Valhalla continued to shake his head. "I still have no clue what exactly your plan is or why it involves getting inside that cage. I feel a better chance of escaping out here. We could have somepony use their camo ring to sneak out and distract them while the rest of us get away even. I'd do it if I have to."
"The cell is for your protection, you don't have to close it, I just don't want you to get hurt," said Tex.
Valhalla grunted. "Fine." He and Swift entered the cage with the others.
"Everypony safe?" asked Gem.
"I'm fine," said Star. "Swift?"
Swift nodded. "I'm good."
Tex looked around the cave. "Where is Maboo? I don't want her to get caught in the fire."
"Maboo! Come here!" said Gem. She turned to Valhalla. "Zebra, are you ready? Once this 'Maboo' passes Tex, throw the bomb into his mouth." She used her magic and pulled back her bow, creating an arrow of fire on the string and aiming it towards Tex.
Maboo finally came bouncing back inside the cave with a group of changelings following behind her. She smiled as she saw the rest of the group. "Hey guys! What's going on? Who is that and why is she pointing an arrow at Tex? Oh, I want you guys to meet my new friends. Say hi!"
One of the changelings looked at the group and snorted. "Graghk."
"I found these little guys while running from some Diamond Dogs. I was a little afraid at first, but when the dogs caught up with me the changelings ran in front of me and scared off the dogs. It turns out that these changelings feed off of fear rather than love! They've been spooking the dogs for a while now."
"Maboo... how did you become friends with a bunch of changelings?" asked Valhalla.
"That was easy! These guys haven't ever seen a pony before it seems, and they said I look a lot like one other changeling that was taken away from them a long time ago. I guess they like me."
"Maah, ershkaer krekili antu," said one of the changelings to Maboo.
"Uh oh, more diamond dogs are coming."
"Hurry up!" said Tex.
"Nice to meet you Maboo," said Gem. "All those that want to live should take cover. Zebra, call the shot."
"Maboo, are you coming or not?" asked Valhalla.
Maboo looked back and forth between her friends and the changelings. "No... me and the changelings are going to find another way out. I don't like the look of this, and neither do they. Good luck you guys, I'll see you surface-side."
As Maboo and the changelings ran down one tunnel, groups of Diamond Dogs could be heard barking and approaching the group's position.
Valhalla lit the smoke bomb. "Fire in the hole!" He tossed it at Tex.
In the next few seconds, Tex let out a short burp of fire, consuming both the smoke bomb and the fire arrow. He held his breath for Valhalla and Gem to tuck away safely inside the cage. An army of Diamond Dogs came running down the tunnels towards Tex. When he opened his mouth again, it let out a roar of fire, igniting the air and flooding every tunnel with flames for five minutes. Tex was knocked backwards, unconscious. As the flames subsided, all was left were charred pieces of rock.