Shards of Nightmare

Chapters

Just another Day Just another Disaster part 2
Knight of Apology
End of Spring
Big Night
Explores
History Lesson
Wrong Doing
Scootaloo's Wings
The Enemies of Old
Desperate Battles and Daring Rescues
Rebulding
Burning Hearts
The Rematch
Training Camp
Spike Gets A Room
Daring Doo and the Shard of Betrayal
All Hail the Queen
Broken Peace
Just another Day Just another Disaster
Vacation
The Duel

Just another Day Just another Disaster part 2

Just another Day
Just another Disaster
Part 2

The night came and went like it would on any other. the mares slept close together around the fire. Big Macintosh stayed close to the cart, he had been given quite the tongue lashing before and after dinner. Winchester meanwhile slept near the unforgiving bush. As the morning sun rose overhead everypony was awaken by a gruff, almost angry voice. Twilight opened her eyes to see Winchester stomping out the fire saying, "You need to wake up and eat fast. We need to get moving." before the stallion looked up at the sky through the trees.
Twilight yawned as she rubbed her eyes. She wished she could have her morning tea perhaps even have a honey bun with it, but unfortunately Spike had not come along to make a real breakfast. For someone so young he did tend to wake up fairly early only to eat and return to bed. The lavender mare was the one who had the drive to actually open the library. she hoped he had done so on time today without her.
The young librarian looked around as her belly rumbled. Pinkie Pie was hopping in place happily watching as Big Mackintosh and Applejack retrieved honey hay cakes out of the cart for breakfast. Rarity tried to sneak by Applejack to get some of the beauty supplies she had hidden in the cart, the white unicorn failed and Applejack wasn’t too happy she had brought something so frivolous. Fluttershy was trying to wake Rainbow Dash up, but the stunt flier mumbled “Five more minutes.” tiredly as she pulled the small cloud she had brought down the night before to use as a pillow over her head.
Twilight Sparkle yawned again and stretched her back she looked over at Winchester as he trotted by still staring up at the sky through the trees. “Um, what are you looking for?” the mare asked.
“Scouts.” Winchester replied.
“What?” Twilight asked confused.
“Scouts!” Winchester snapped angrily, Twilight backed away startled.
“What bit your butt?” Applejack asked with a smirk. “Oh yeah.... some Apple Family apple whiskey.” Winchester didn’t even respond... “Well, that’s rude.” Twilight nodded agreeing with her friend. Rarity meanwhile helped Fluttershy with waking up a certain somepony, they eventually succeed with enough pestering.
“Damn it why are we getting up so early the suns barely up.” Rainbow Dash groaned as she stretched her back, "Anyway, I'm going to go stretch my wings." with a flap of her wings the sky blue pegasus was airborne. A few more wing beats later and she was heading for an opening in the tree limbs, only to be halted and pulled back to the ground rather roughly. "Hey! What's going on?" Rainbow dash said looking behind her for the culprit, it was none other then Winchester standing there with his horn still glowing.
"Dumb filly, what do you think your doing?" The pained stallion said looming over her with grimace.
"I said I was going to go stretch my wings." Rainbow Dash said jumped to her hooves with an angry growl, she was ready to buck Winchester right in the face.
"That’s not a good idea. Just eat so we can get going." The writer said staring down the blue pegasus like so many authority figures had before.
"Now see here..." Rarity began as she stepped in front of him, she was tired of the stallion's antics. "Why should we listen to you? All you've done is annoy us, argue every decision that the group had agreed on and-."
“Look, I’m a k-” Winchester cut in he was fed up with the situation but so was Rarity.
"I’ll tell you what you are. You are such a pain that even my patience is running thin." Winchester glared at her for a moment, then looked at the ground as he dug at it with his hoof. "Look at me when I’m talking to you..." The irritated white unicorn paused when the blue stallion regained eye contact now holding up a hoof full of dirt a worm wiggled its way free of the dirt ball. Before Rarity could say anything more Winchester stuffed the mess into the large curl at the end the of the mare's mane, then pulled his hoof out to the side, absolutely ruining the curl of her hair.
The stallion turned away after that, his actions fueled by more then just a hangover. He was about to speak, until Rarity interrupted him yelling. "HOW DARE YOU! YOU, YOU!..." Her words where lost in a primal yet somehow elegant snarl as she used her magic to rip a thin dead pine out of the ground with a loud creak, and swung it at Winchester. He reflexively ducked under and jumped over each of the wild swings. Everypony else was just too stunned to react for a few moments. the writer finally leaped onto the dead tree midair and used his own magic to break Rarity's magical hold before he kicked it out of the white mare's reach.
The stallion deftly landed on his hooves and shook his head, as the other mares tried to talk some sense into Rarity and hold her back. Applejack said something that he didn’t catch, before she pulled the worm out of the unicorn's mane. Big Macintosh stepped beside Winchester and asked. "What ya go and do that fer."
"I’m not sure anymore." Winchester finally admitted with an exasperated sigh. Big Mac could feel that there was something bothering the other stallion, but decided he didn't care what it was.
It took a good fifteen minutes to get Rarity calm, and another ten before she would even think about continuing on the road. After Rarity had cooled down and her friends stopped staring daggers at the blue unicorn, Winchester finally approached them and began to say. “I must apologize for my actions. I...”
“Look. We really don’t care.” Twilight cut uncharacteristically cold much to everypony’s surprise, even herself. still she continued. “Let's just get this over with so none of us have to see you again. Okay?”
Winchester stood straighter as if he were soldier taking orders. “Understood.”
Not long after that the group was on it's way again, and Winchester walked in front of the group now. It took about an hour for the mood had lightened again thanks to Pinkie. A little before lunch time they had made it out of the forest and were back on the main road to the mountain again. Rainbow Dash was happy to be able to fly around again, which she did to her heart's content till they decided to eat. Winchester didn’t say a word the whole time, even if it seem like he had something to say. there was something going on inside of his head that none of them could fathom nor cared to find out about.
When they sat down for a meal, Winchester sat apart from the group, barely eating with his eyes trained to the sky. About halfway through lunch he jumped to his hooves abruptly “Oh Celestia, no...” The blue unicorn nearly whispered his words through clinched teeth.
Rarity looked up from her daisy sandwich and rolled her eyes, she still couldn’t stand the stallion. Fluttershy never looked away from Big Mac as she shyly tried to start a conversion with him, Applejack joined in on the chat hoping to get her brother to open up to somepony other then herself. Dense old Big Macintosh just thought that Fluttershy was just being polite, his own shy personalty having something to do with that.
Winchester eyes were locked on the sky, he had not noticed the cute hyperactive mare beside him. Pinkie Pie hopped up and down saying. “OOOHHHH what is it? Wait.....It sounds bad.” She looked at her friends, immediately drawing their attention from what they were doing. “I hope it's not bad.”
Rainbow Dash looked up from preening her wings and replied nonchalantly. “It's just a couple of pegasi. What's the big deal?”
Winchester looked at the sky blue mare, and asked. “...And where are they coming from?”
“Uhh...”
“The castle.” Twilight answered for her friend, finally acknowledging the stallion's presence again.
The writer nodded. “We have to stop them before they tell their comrades.” He looked up from the mares to the cart behind them, but decided against whatever idea he had been planning.
“Why?” Pinkie pie asked with an impossibly cute inquisitive look on her face.
“Because.” Winchester said as he watched the two dots turn into ponies wearing black robes that ruffled in the wind. “Those poorly dressed foals will warn their leader and then we'll have to deal with prepared defenders rather then just a few guards.” The two distant scouts stopped a few miles away in the air, the keen eyes of the ominous cult ponies locked on the Element Bearers and their escorts.
“Well...” Winchester said plainly as he looked over towards Twilight, “What do you want to do?” the blue stallion asked as he stood at attention once more.
“Um...I don’t think there’s really anything I can do, I can't hit them with my magic from this far away.” The lavender unicorn said recalling the few offensive spells she knew that could take down a pegasus, although the thought of hurting them made her stomach feel like it was being twisted in knots.
“Looks like I’ll have to take these boys down.” Rainbow dash said with a flutter of her wings, adding. “Those two can’t match my speed.” The sky blue pony flapped her wings to rise off the ground, but found herself held down by Fluttershy.
“Rainbow Dash don’t.” The shy pony pleaded meekly. “You could get hurt.”
Winchester cursed as the dark clad pegasi turned and swept back around the way they came. Rainbow Dash shook out her yellow friends grasp saying, “I could have taken them!” however, deep inside she did actually agreed with Fluttershy a tiny bit.
“I'm sorry...” The yellow mare whispered reluctantly, while the two distant figures flew out of sight. Rainbow Dash took the apology in her usual rough manner, to hide her own doubts.
A few minutes later, they were on the move again. Twilight and her friends now realized that Winchester was right about the Cult ponies looking out of them. The cooling breeze that had followed them yesterday had long since left them, making this day hot and uncomfortable. They would be fine so long as they had some water, but Rarity was very vocal about her dislike of the situation. The trek to the mountain was long, only made worst by the heat and sweat. It was late afternoon when the group at last made it to the base of the mountain.
"Well that was easy peasy!” Pinkie Pie said hopping alongside Rarity and Applejack, her ever present smile across her face.
“NOOO!” Rainbow Dash yelled pouncing on the pink pony from above, covering the pink mare's mouth “You really shouldn’t have said that!” Winchester looked back at them mirroring the sky blue Pegasus’s horror.
“Why?” Twilight and Fluttershy both asked together. Pinkie climbed to her hooves worried that she may have upset her friend.
“Because every time somepony says something like that something really bad happens...” Rainbow Dash replied hoovering above the group again, hopping to see the danger before it came. “It happens all the time to Daring Do.” The pegasus said not realizing how that sounded.
“Darling.” Rarity said with a slight smirk. “That’s just a book. There’s no such thing as a jinx or-” the white unicorn was cut off by the sound of rocks rolling across the ground and grinding together.
Fluttershy squeaked. “What was that?...” Looking around before she jumped behind the cart Big Mac was pulling.
“See?...” Rainbow dash said as a few previously inconspicuous boulders freed themselves from the mountain side and formed into a huge creature, like the golem that attacked Ponyville the day before.
The stone golem stood tall with a roar. It looked around for a moment before it spotted the ponies, it went into a frenzy despite Pinkie's friendly greeting. Winchester jumped out of the way of one of the golem's wild swings, and picked up Pinkie Pie with his magic as he ran past her. The writer sprinted back to the cart with Pinkie giggling on his back, and the unicorn dropped her next to Fluttershy. Who was trembling so badly that she shook the whole cart.
The two apple siblings on the other hoof charged under the beast's arms as they swept wide, smashing through the few trees near by. Applejack and Big Macintosh bucked both of the golem's legs hard enough to dislodge a few of the boulders that made up the beast's limbs, at that same moment Rainbow Dash slammed her hooves into the golem's face, knocking it over. The two earth ponies would have been crushed if Rarity and Twilight had not pulled them out from under the falling golem. The beast colossal weight caused a small tremor as it crashed to the ground.
The beast slowly started to stand as Winchester sprung onto the thing's chest, and his horn glowed as he reached inside of the golem with his magic to grab a hold of something. The golem made a sound akin to a roaring rock slide as it struggled trying to grasp the pony on it's chest. however a powerful high speed kick from Rainbow Dash knocked it's left arm off, while Twilight held it's right arm with her own magic. Winchester let out a loud growl as he ripped a hoof sized red stone out of the golem's chest. It's bellow echoed around them as it's right arm came off in Twilight's hold, and with a flick of the blue stallion's neck he sliced the red stone in half with his horn.
The golem roared and shook for a moment before becoming nothing more than a pile of rocks, dropping and rolling until they all found a resting place among each other. The unicorn writer rode out the shifting stones before he jumped off to join the rest of the group, and something in his eyes told mares that he thought differently of most of them now not that they cared. After everypony had settled down, they moved on, if a little more wary of boulders on the way.
“There are such things as jinxes.” Winchester stated as they continued along the path around the mountain. Luckily the rocks hadn’t blocked much of the road.
“It was still easy to get here.” Pinkie said in her ever cheerful voice.
“You know she has a point.” Rainbow Dash added shaking her throbbing hooves, she thought of worse scenarios that could have happened few as they may be.
“But you should never say it out loud. It's bad enough to just think it.” Winchester said in a good mood for the moment. Rainbow Dash nodded agreeing with him.
Meanwhile, as the others lead on, Big Macintosh carried Fluttershy on his back as he pulled the cart up the mountain, the golem's roar had caused her to faint. After about half an hour the unconscious yellow mare awoke with a start, she started to blush when she realized who it was that was carrying her.
the trip up the mountain was rough and Rarity of course let the others know it. However her friends ignored her, they all knew she was venting her frustration. The sun was making it's way down to the horizon when the road they were on leveled out. It was easier but no less nerve racking with a precarious drop to the left and the jagged mountain side to their right. They had a good view of most of Equstira at least, the beautiful sight was not enough to forget the danger around them.
Then with hardly any warning other than a sudden whisk of shadow, out of thin air a large black unicorn stallion appeared, long black wings bearing his impressive muscular form aloft as he laughed. “You foals! Celestia's dogs cannot hope to stop me!” The upstart dime-god fired a swath of dark magic into the mountainside above the group, causing massive cracks to form through most of the mountain side. A fissure formed in the path as part of the mountainside fell away. The stallion vanished as suddenly as he had appeared, his maniacal laughter echoing through the coming avalanche.
Things happened quickly as the ponies tried to escape. Pinkie Pie easily avoided the falling rocks her Pinkie sense guided her to safety. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy easily flew out of reach of the falling rocks, and watched almost to afraid to act. Applejack, Big Macintosh and Rarity turned around and hurried after Pinkie. Twilight jumped and dodged the rocks, but the panicked unicorn tripped as she ran back to the safety of the firmer road.
Winchester saw her, and paused just long enough to toss the lavender pony out of the way of the rock slide. The blue stallion cursed as the path collapsed under him. Twilight grunted as she landed hard on what seemed like stable ground, but as she put her hooves underneath her the ground gave way as well.
Twilight screamed as she slipped off the edge, but Applejack caught her tail just in time. The earth pony dug her hooves into the dirt as the unicorn's weight drug her closer towards the cliff. The orange mare's eyes went wide as her front hooves slipped over the edge. Twilight saw her life flash before her eyes as Applejack too began to fall. Luckily Big Macintosh caught hold of his sister's tail, and his weight held both of the mares firmly in place. Rarity stood behind him and the used her magic to deflect stray rocks. She lacked the knowledge to conjure a magical shield, but she was an expert with telekinesis. Pinkie tried to help by cheering, and warned Rarity of unexpected rocks.
Rainbow Dash looked between Twilight and Winchester. “Fluttershy, help Twilight.” The sky blue pegasus ordered before diving hard toward Winchester. Rainbow Dash didn’t want a death on her hooves, and Fluttershy could easily save Twilight.
“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...” Fluttershy stammered meekly as she flew toward Twilight. The unicorn's tail started to slip from Applejack’s mouth. The yellow pegasus got about a pony length away before a hoof sizes rock slammed into the top of her head. She flipped end over end unconscious before she started to fall, and she was saved only by Pinkie telling Rarity to grab Fluttershy before it happened, Rarity just wasn’t fast enough to stop the rock.
Rainbow Dash skillfully dodged the falling boulders as she neared Winchester yelling. “I’m coming!”
Winchester was barely able to keep from getting crushed by the boulders as he jumped across them as they rolled down the cliff. He looked up as Rainbow Dash neared him. The unicorn's horn glowed. and the sky blue pegasus lurched out of the way of a large rock, he yelled. “Your Friends need you more!”
Rainbow Dash lost Winchester in the rocks before she looked up to see Twilight Sparkle desperately trying to climb backwards up the steep cliff face while Applejack had at best a tentative grasp on her tail. Big mac had the strength to pull the mares up, but every step he took caused Twilight to slip dangerously closer to falling. The sky blue mare sounded like a jet as she flew straight up and grabbed Twilight by hooking both of their forelegs together. Big Macintosh pulled Applejack up as she spit out a few purple hairs with a relieved look, only to gasp when she saw Fluttershy laying on the ground next to her. Neither Rarity or Pinkie Pie knew how to react.
Twilight's heart pounded in her chest and she panted as she tried to calm down, but the moment she realized Fluttershy was hurt she forgot her own near death experience and rushed over to her friend. The growing red stain in the yellow pegasus's pink mane sent a nervous shiver down Twilight's spine. the lavender unicorn was glad she had studied up on healing spells during the day before. After a few deep breaths, she felt steady enough to cast one.
Her coat began to shimmer with traces of magical energy as she whispered the mantra of the mending spell, before touching her glowing horn to Fluttershy's head. Light encircled the top of Fluttershy's head for a few then faded before she awoke, and looked up at her friends with her mouth shut tight in pain.
“Are you okay?” Twilight asked, her breathing somewhat ragged after all that had happened. Fluttershy mumbled something too quiet to hear she winced in pain and closed her mouth tight. “Um, could you repeat that?” Twilight was used to not being able to hear the shy pony, but something was different this time.
“I pit my pungoe.” Fluttershy managed to say, her voice distorted by the bloody and painful bite mark on her tongue.
“Okay, stick it out.” Twilight said her horn glowing again, she shimmered with magic as she waited for Fluttershy to do as told. The wounded pegasus winced as she opened her mouth, and was thoroughly embarrassed as Twilight touched her horn on her bloody tongue. The Pegasus was glad when Twilight withdrew her horn so she could close her mouth. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash giggled as light shown through her cheeks and lips.
Fluttershy appeared very uncomfortable as she spoke. “Twilight...Your magic tastes like pop rocks.” She hated the copper taste in her mouth almost as much as the odd popping sensation on her tongue, luckily both faded as it healed.
Twilight was about to reply to explain why, but Pinkie jumped over to her friends saying, “Really?! Pop rocks are my 24th favorite candy!” and without another word or thought she started to lick Twilight's dimly glowing horn vigorously.
“Ah! Pinkie, stop!” Twilight gasped as she pushed the overly excitable pink pony away, as a tingle ran down her spine and to lower parts of her body. Twilight blushed bright red as she stepped away shyly.
“Pinkie dear, you should never do something like that to a unicorn's horn.” Rarity said, moving in between Pinkie and her fellow unicorn. Twilight ignored her friends as she tried to shake the blush off her cheeks.
“Why?” Pinkie asked as innocent as can be.
“Yeah? What's the big deal?....Other then well, that you should never lick a friend.” Rainbow Dash asked looking Twilight over, much to the lavender pony's embarrassment.
“Um.” Rarity thought of a right way to put it. “It's kind of like...When your wings get stiff? The lady pony blushed as she let her eyes explain the rest.
It took Rainbow Dash a second to figure it out what Rarity was getting at, “Oh.” she giggled as Fluttershy blushed and Applejack hid her amusement with her foreleg. Big Macintosh tried to be a gentlecolt by ignoring what he was hearing and the thoughts it provoked.
“I don’t get it.” Pinkie said slightly confused, till Applejack whispered into the pink pony's ear. She just smiled, quickly apologizing. “Oh, oopsy! I’m sorry Twilight.”
“It's okay Pinkie...” Twilight said her blush now gone. With a glance she took a head count. “Wait, I think we lost somepony.”
Rainbow Dash had almost forgotten. “Oh shit.” She said, the lighthearted mood suddenly darkened as she looked over edge of the broken path. “Winchester...He kind of...” 'Sacrificed himself to save you Twilight.' she left the last words unspoken, they stared down into the ravine below with a sense of dread and regret.
The other mares and Big Mac looked over the cliff as well. He wasn’t a friend and had been awfully annoying sometimes, but nopony ever deserved such a fate. After a short prayer to Celestia and Luna, they moved on, they had a job to do and tried not to dwell on the subject. Twilight cast a simple spell so the flightless ponies could cross over the large gap in the path to continue on. But no matter what they did after that, there was a morbid feeling that had lingered over them as the actual possibility of death felt more real than ever.
A chill settled around the group as they stopped for a quick dinner after the sun had set. There was an unnerving silence now where once was small talk, even as Twilight took the time to pass out the elements of harmony. Big Macintosh stood guard, he had a feeling that they were being followed or watched. After dinner, the group continued along their dreary way, not even Pinkie could lighten the mood.
Twilight lead the way along the road. The lavender unicorn tried not to show her nervousness, although with each beat of her heart her body sparked with power. She was on the verge of losing control. As she rounded a sharp corner of the cliff, Twilight stopped and allowed her friends to gather around her. Their destination was within sight, before them stood the ominous castle the moon rising being it.
The castle was an overgrown ruin, reminding them of a certain other castle within the Everfree Forest. It's high walls were still mostly intact, however one of the battlements on the cliff side had long ago collapsed along with much of the main keep. A few lights flickered inside the windows of the few buildings that still stood, trying to keep the darkness at bay. In the still of the moment Twilight heard something, like the twang of a tight string. She was barely able to cast a shield spell before several arrows ricocheted off of the solidified air around herself and her friends. One would have hit Twilight right in the face, and her heart skipped several beats as she realized it.
“Well, they know we're here.” Rainbow Dash said as Fluttershy shivered behind her. The stunt flier flinched as another volley of arrows bounced off the shield, some were inches from the pegasus.
“Eeyep...” Applejack agreed as more arrows hit Twilight's shield, some arrows also lodged in the ground surrounding them. “So, what we going ta do?”
“Get in there, and kick some butt.” The sky blue pegasus stated, pushing Fluttershy off her back warily as the shy winged mare still trembled hopelessly.
“Let's just get in there. Stay close to me.” Twilight told them, before she charged forward. The other mares and Big Mac stayed close to the lavender unicorn. A few arrows stuck into cart as they rushed through the broken gate. They truly had no plan, they assumed there would be one single villain to hit with the elements of harmony to end the cult for good. They were dead wrong.
Inside the Nightmare moon look-a-like was nowhere to be seen, but ponies dressed in wicked black robes brandishing an assortment of frightening weapons. Rarity eeped as a vicious unicorn jumped from a nearby staircase at her with a chipped sword floating over his head, Big Macintosh bucked the attacker in the side of his chest before he could swing his weapon. The darkly robed unicorn was sent flying, he crumpled to the ground about ten feet away. Rarity sparked her horn alight with magical energy, she lifted a slab of the ruin's architecture to prevent a few stray arrows from hitting the big red stallion.
“Rarity! Bring Tom this way!” Pinkie Pie said aiming the unicorn's head at another pony with a small crossbow attached to his foreleg, pointed directly at them.
“Pinkie!” The white unicorn exclaimed both from surprise of being moved by the pink pony and that she brought up one of her most embarrassing memories. She did as told and raised the structural piece to deflect more deadly projectiles.
From atop an alcove up high, a muscled pegasus stallion studied the invaders before dove at the group from above. intending to create a diversion for the archers that were positioning to fire on them. But in an instant Rainbow Dash took to the air to intercept him. She hit the stallion square in the jaw, knocking a twin bladed knife out of his mouth. The weapon fell to the stone pathway below. It landed with a clatter inches from Fluttershy as she cowered behind Applejack, the farm mare bucked a pony in black over a rock.
Rainbow Dash had been in a fair share of scuffles in her life, but this was something else entirely. This stallion was really trying to kill her. Locked together, they flew around cursing, biting, kicking, and scratching one at another. As they struggled to crash each other into whatever objects was closest, the pegasus cursed Celestia as he bit the sky blue mare's neck with an unnatural veracity. He would have tore a chunk out of Rainbow if she hadn't slammed both her hind hooves into the soft part of his belly. He released her as the air was forced from his lungs. Tears of pain filled the stunt flier’s eyes as her wings flapped hard. She made a hard fast loop around and planted both fore hooves into the stallion's broad chest from above as she came down hard, using the same technique she used to bust old barns.
Rainbow Dash gasped as she felt something in his chest pop and shift under the impact. The other pegasus shook, and fell head first into the rubble below. He landed in a bloody heap and didn’t move. She knew what she had just done, but didn’t want to believe it. “I’m not a killer...I...I just knocked him out!” She told herself panic seeping into her voice. A strange warm presence overcame Rainbow Dash and alerted her to a group of pegasi flying toward her. She had no time to think as they dove at her. Fortunately they were not nearly as talented as the previous stallion, he apparently had been their flight leader. She dispatched all of these airborne cult ponies with relative ease, none of them could keep up with her.
Below Applejack used the top of a barrel to block a hooded unicorn's curved sword before she slammed the barrel lid into his face then kicked him into a broken pillar, he slumped to the ground unconscious. The country mare yelled, “Twilight! Ya got ta use yer magic on these guys!” before she was tackled by another cultist.
Twilight took a deep breath to steady herself, her coat shimmered as she began to cast a spell. The mare noticed something was wrong, and before she realized it Twilight was in a magical battle of minds with the combined will of three other unicorns. In her panic, she threw up a somewhat feeble mental defense against her opponents. As a student of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle was easily more powerful than all three of her opponents, but her mentor had never prepared her for things like this. A mind war wasn’t exactly on her normal school curriculum, and any attempt for an amateur to practice with the princess could easily end in a overly messy way for the unfortunate amateur.
That, however, did not mean Twilight had not read about these things. She had done quite a lot of reading, but reading about something and actually doing it were two entirely different things, and The force of the three unicorns was starting to wear on the young mare's defenses. She could feel their will reaching for her like invisible claws ready to tear her mind asunder. A warm familiar presence overcame the young mare, explained how to fortify her defenses and guided her counterattacks. Soon, the one sided ordeal began to turn around. Twilight countered her opponents' attacks, but she was never able to make a decisive blow. her three adversaries worked well together, as they protected one another with a terrifying amount of devotion to each other throughout the mental struggle.
Suddenly a robed pegasus fell onto the unicorn to Twilight's left, distracting the middle one for a moment. That was all the lavender unicorn needed. Guided by the warm presence, she growled as a portion of magic flooded through her horn to strike the distracted unicorn. The force of Twilight’s will smashed though the unicorns mental defense like an invisible train, shattering his mental scape like glass. He immediately fell limp to the ground, not a wound on him but defeated just the same. If he survived would all be up to his broken mind.
The last darkly dressed unicorn was about to take advantage of Twilight's momentary gap in her mental defense, due to her erroneously overstepped attack. the cultist failed to see Applejack, the country mare sent the robed pony flying over her fallen comrades, into a old pile of hay.
“Twilight!” The orange mare yelled to get the lavender unicorn's attention, who could barely hear over the ringing in her ears and the rapid tempo of her hart. Twilight panted as she stared blankly foreword, sweat dripped from her muzzle. Applejack noticed and nudged Twilight desperately. “We need your help!” Twilight finely responded, she slowly turned her head to meet her friend's gaze. She swallowed her fears and took a deep breath to regain her senses.
Twilight took a moment to recuperate before she went on the offense, she released a concussive blast of magic that sent a group of black robed ponies careening into the wall behind them, before they could attempt to flank Big Macintosh he already had his hooves full protecting Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. Following that, she channeled forth an immense wave of purple fire that took off the top of the front wall where a group of archers had been firing upon them. Applejack whistled as she watched Twilight blasted an approaching robed stallion in the chest with a fire ball. “Oh no ya don’t!” The farm mare yelled aloud when she noticed another cultist behind her friend, before Applejack jumped clear over Twilight and tackled the cultist to the ground.
Big Macintosh tossed a cultist into a wall and panted as he looked around, more armed cult members charged out of a small building across the yard. Another robed unicorn lead them, yelling praises to their cult leader as his magic held a longsword aloft, Big Mac decided to charge as well.
When they met, the red workhorse dug his for hooves into the dirt and spun around to slam both of his power back legs into the front stallion's chest. The cult pony flew back into the gathering behind him, but his sword grazed across Big Macintosh's back in mid-swing. Big Mac grunted loudly as the blade cut deeply, before it fell to the ground, it's metal stained bright red. The workhorse felt his life blood seeping from the stinging wound. he gritted his teeth and continued on, he had work to do.
He glanced back briefly to check on Fluttershy and the others. Fluttershy was okay other than being completely scared out of her mind as she hid under the cart. Pinkie Pie pointed out another pony in black to Rarity, who in turn brought her new favorite rock in between them. Big Mac then watched in horror as a cultist flipped on top of the piece of rubble that Rarity was using to defend herself, and prepared to pounce. The farm colt was about to charge the robbed pony, but an warm presence warned him that he had other problems. He pivoted around to face the new threat, and saw what the feeling meant. About half of the cultists he had knocked down a moment ago were on their hooves again. With a deep breath Macintosh Apple was ready to fight for his life once more, and with the assurances of the holy presence he vowed to keep on fighting.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie stared as the agile cultist stallion dropped down from the rock, and grinned wickedly as he whipped back his hood reveling his handsome face and arrogant eyes. His thin sword waved menacingly as he spoke, “Your false god has no power here. I am your king now. You'll bow to me.” then he swung the sword at Rarity. He deliberately missed, he simply wanted to scare the mares now that he was too close for the white unicorn to rely on her rock for protection.
The lady pony jumped back with a shriek. Both Rarity and Pinkie Pie's hearts pounded in their chests. The cultist moved in demanding that they bow to him again, and renounce their princess. A warm presence washed over Rarity and gave her the courage to fight back. Listening to it, her horn ignited with magic as she used her telekinesis to hold his rapier at bay.
Pinkie Pie eeped seeing her friend attempt to wrestle the sword away from the evil stallion. The pink mare was on the verge of panic when like her friends she felt the presence of holy warmth calm her. She knew it was more then just something in her head, but like the presence told her she didn’t have time to think about the it, Rarity needed help. The next thing Pinkie did was the last thing anypony would expect of her, she kicked the cultist in the face.
The cult pony shook his head and spat out a tooth, his eyes burned with rage as he turned to the pink mare. Rarity blinked as she watched Pinkie sheepishly apologize, merely earning an eye twitch from the vain pony, till the white unicorn realized she had the sword. Pinkie Pie backed into the cart as she closed her eyes while the large stallion reared up, expecting to be pummeled. When the expected beating didn't come the pink pony opened her eyes she saw the stallion laying on the ground with the sword pierced through his back. Rarity now looked absolutely horrified, even more than when he was attacking them.
Applejack wiped the blood from her nose after giving a cultist a bloody nose for his own, causing him to stagger backward and fall to the ground. the country mare panted, as one last dark robed pony jumped on her back. “Ahh! What the hay?!” Applejack cried out as another robed earth pony used his powerful forelegs to lift Applejack up and slam her to the ground. He pinned the farm pony down with one hoof as he raised the other smash her head. She growled at him as lightning bolt struck the stallion in the chest, he was thrown to the ground twitched for a few moments as static coursed over his body before he laid on the ground without moving.
Applejack stood up, her fur and hair all standing on end, “Dang Twilight, that magic stuff got some kick!” she said and she shook herself to get her hair to lay down. She looked around at the aftermath of the fight, Twilight had blown several ponies into unconsciousness or worse and brought down several of the stone buildings around them. Her brother had fought a score of cultists and won, while Applejack herself had taken on her fair share as well.
Magic still emanated from Twilight's coat with each labored breath she took. “Yeah...” She paused, and panted as she admitted. “I've...never cast so m-many spells at one time.”
“Really?...” Rainbow Dash asked huskily as she landed next to the cart with a wince, the gash in her neck was bleeding pretty bad. Fluttershy gasped as she crawled out from under the cart, and blood dripped onto the grass in front of her from her wounded friend. Rainbow Dash was starting to look faint, but was determined to not pass out. “Hope you got enough left to patch me up...”
“sweet Celestia, that looks bad.” Applejack remarked with out thinking. Rainbow Dash did well to hide the shiver that ran down her spine, although Applejack hadn’t made it through the fight unhurt either as she spit some blood on the ground.
Twilight was probably the only pony that hadn’t been hurt. She was a little more tactful as she spoke, “Yeah...I have enough m-magic to patch you up along with everypony else.” her horn glowing a soft purple as she recited the spell under her breath. Rainbow Dash was first, the torn and bruised flesh of her neck glowed, then it sealed and smoothed over as if the bite had never happened aside from the red stain that ran down her body.
As Pinkie watched Twilight heal Big Macintosh, she lowered her head and said sadly. “This adventure isn't fun any more.”
“That’s because this 'adventure' was never meant to be fun darling.” Rarity answered, her voice was shaky but she held her head high. “This is a mission to defend Equstira.” The mare's voice caught in her throat for a moment, “And that means we must do everything in our power to do complete it.” Rarity glanced back at the cart, and saw the darkly robed pony she had slain behind it. “...Even if it's something we never wanted to ever do.” Pinkie listened intently, and nodded as her mood felt somewhat alleviated after Rarity's speech. The pink pony looked around and saw how everypony else kind of felt the same way. At least she wasn't alone, and friendship would help them get through, like it always did.
As Twilight was inspecting the rest of the group for injuries a loud boom echoed around them. Fluttershy eeped and cowered under the cart again, most of the others readied themselves for another fight taking up defensive stances around the cart, including Rarity as she lifted a reliable rock shield for battle. Except Pinkie she pointed out a cloud of dust on the other side of a fallen section of the fortress.
“Maybe Twilight's magic broke something over there.” Applejack suggested.
“Or one of the pegasi. Who I totally out flew by the way, crashed over there and knocked something down.” Rainbow added.
“No, I felt a burst of magic so I think it was somepony else.” Twilight explained a little worried. She looked to her friends and they all decided to move into the castle hoping to avoid who ever it was.
The cart squeaked as Big Mac and the mares entered the partially fallen fortress. Just inside was a hub of rubble filled hallways, with a balcony that overlooked the main floor. Most of the railings had long ago deteriorated beyond usefulness, and some of the second floor had collapsed as well.
“So, which way do we go?” Applejack asked Twilight, her voice resonating through the halls surrounding them.
The lavender unicorn was about to reply a deep voice cut her off. “You can go to oblivion!” A few ponies in black cloaks sprang from hiding spots, and fired at them with their hoof bows. Rarity eeped as she hastily pulled up a large section of fallen balcony flooring to block several arrows as the white unicorn prayed none of the shots would hit her friends before she could attempt to defend them.
Two more black robed ponies armed with spears lunged from their hiding spots among the rubble, Applejack and Rainbow Dash jumped out of their way. As the cultist turned to follow their targets they tripped over shaking yellow and pink ball. In the next instant, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were on them, which after a few scrapes and bashes, they knocked the two spear wielding ponies out. After that the two mares helped Big Mac fight two more of the cultists on the other side of the cart.
Meanwhile Pinkie noticed that her ears flopped involuntarily, followed by a flutter of her eyes and a couple of twitches of her knees. Her Pinkie senses were going haywire, and she didn't even know how to explain how dangerous the coming danger was going to be! Amidst the frantic ambush, she tried not to get in the way, as she hid behind the elegant mare once again.
A beam of purple light shot from Twilight’s glowing horn sending one of the archers on the second floor into the wall behind him. She reflexively cast another barrier spell to stave off the hail of arrows, Rarity joined her in warding off the arrows of their enemies. With the guidance of the warm presence none of the deadly projectiles got though to them.
with no warning, a door on the second floor was engulfed in a blue aura and was ripped off it's hinges. The flying door hit one of the archers, propelling the robed pony over the side of the walkway and into the rubble below. A mysterious unicorn wearing a dark red cloak came out of the door less room, his horn glowing the same shade of blue as the aura encasing the door had. Multiple archers shot at the newcomer, he used the door to block the deadly projectiles and leap down into the hall using the door as an improvised floating platform for him.
The archers were trying to reload their bows when Rarity threw a large section for floor at them, the black robed ponies jumped into the room behind. The rock Decimated a portion of the balcony in the process and trapped them in their hiding place.
Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Big Macintosh had successfully knocked out the few ponies that had attempted to charge the group, or at least they had hoped so as they made their way back to the others with Fluttershy trailing close behind. The cloaked figure jumped down from the door as he dropped it in the rubble and addressed the element bearers with a voice they didn’t expect to hear again. “Hello again fair bearers of harmony.” Winchester grinned as he approached. He looked a little worst for wear than when they last saw him.
The mares gawked at him in disbelief, but before anypony could say anything a tall black mare, the spitting image of Nightmare moon herself with a flowing ethereal mane but no wings, materialized just behind Winchester. She laughed just like the evil deity as she conjured a gout of flame from her horn, and without a second thought the Blue stallion threw himself in front of the mares. The magical fire exploded on contact with Winchester, and sent him flying over the group. He landed on Big Macintosh with a audible thud.
“You foals!” She laughed deeply and mockingly as she cast another spell to encircle the mares in a ring of fire. Rainbow Dash escaped the ensnaring flames and flew straight at the false Nightmare moon. The black mare simply cackled as Rainbow Dash noticed something strange about the air around her target, it seemed denser than it should have been. The sky blue pegasus tried to pull up, but it was too late she slammed face first into the hard air of an invisible magical shield. Rainbow Dash was lucky that she only busted her lip and nose from the collision. she fell to the cold stone floor in a daze.
The Nightmare looked down at Rainbow Dash, then to the other element bearers, as her horn shone she grinned having no need to speak the words of a spell. Twilight's horn was glowing brightly now as well, the young librarian thought she could maybe match a fake incarnation of an alicorn deity in power. She just hoped that she was fast enough to keep up with it.
Twilight gravely underestimated the Nightmare Moon look-a-like. With little effort, the being unleashed a beam of dark malefic energies that sizzled across the main hall before Twilight even could properly form a spell. It was too fast react to, too large to avoid, and too late to make a barrier.
But, just before the beam of swirling black magic struck, Winchester darted in front of the group with a massive sword. The stallion stabbed the weapon into the floor, the feather shaped slab of pure white metal reflected the death ray. After the beam's remnants flickered away, Pinkie pointed out that Winchester's red cloak was on fire. To which the stallion gasped and tore the garment off, revealing a heavy chest plate and a coat of fine scale mail hidden underneath. Twilight gasped recognizing the craftsmanship of the enchanted relic, only those of the highest rank in the Equestrian military got anything so fine. However there was no general in the army with enough favor to be blessed with armor capable of turning the the full force of a demigod.
through hazy eyes, Rainbow Dash watched everything happen with her friends in danger she forgot her pain. She shook the stars from her eyes and sprung upright in the blink of an eye, and relentlessly pounded her hind hooves against the dark mare's shield as hard as she could. The repeated impacts broke the larger pony's concentration, as she glared at the stunt flier’s assault. Winchester hopped to the side, allowing Twilight to cast a potent charged spell, she released a lightning arc that crackled over the false Knightmare moon's magical shield. Rainbow Dash jumped backwards to avoid being shocked, and the rubble Rarity was throwing.
The tall black mare reared up in anger as a stone slab was broken over her shield, and visible cracks began to form in it. Her horn glowed as she prepared another spell, but something large and white caught her attention. Near the roof Winchester's large blade flipped end over end with the blue unicorn right behind it. “What?” was all the false Nightmare moon could say before he kicked the sword down at her. The point of the weapon bit into her shield and seem to stick there for a moment. The armored stallion then landed on the handle a second later and drove the blade through, shattering the barrier spell.
Twilight and her friends along with Big Macintosh watched as Winchester stood on his sword's handle, his nose inches from the false Nightmare Moon's face while her mind caught up with her body. The sword had impaled the villain, all the way through her chest, body, and pierced into the floor below her. Winchester's horn glowed as he lifted the helmet from her head, revealing the pretender to be an ordinary earth pony mare as her guise dissipated, and she slowly reverted to a dark orange color and shrank to a normal size.
Winchester stepped off the weapon and used his magic too pull it form the ground, then flung the remains of the earth pony through a battered wall off to the side. The stallion turned around as the walkway above him collapsed from the prolonged battle. He paid little heed to the falling rocks as his feather shaped sword spun above him to deflect the debris, and with a final flick the white blade was rid it of it's red stain.
Still without a word The blue unicorn pulled a pouch from his mane, and a feeling of hate seeped through the strange purple fabric. With a flick of his horn he shattered his vanquished foe's helmet, he let the shards drop to the ground leaving a long sliver of black metal that made up the core of the false horn. Winchester quickly placed the sliver inside the pouch and closed it, the hatred was barely contained within.
“These things are hard to resist, even with my resolve.” Winchester finally said, as he looked back to the mares. He slowly turned and walked toward them. On his chest plate was as a crest, half was of the night sky and the other half of the morning sun, with a white winged unicorn and a black winged unicorn flying in a eternal dance of balance. The crest of Equstira's Knights.
“My apologizes fair bearers of Harmony for my earlier actions, they were not wholly my own.” Winchester said with the accent of Canterlot. “I pray that we may start anew with those transgressions forgotten, and most importantly stricken from the record that our Princess will most likely receive from her student.” The armored stallion said with a hopeful gaze at Twilight Sparkle, who, along with some of her friends did not grasp how cruelly he had disposed of the villain’s corpse. Applejack and Rarity however were completely aware of the complete disregard for pony life, although she was also about to do the same to all of them.
“Uhhh...Hold on a second.” Twilight said as she and friends huddled together to discuss what they were going to do. Words like pervert and annoying were heard in hushed whispers, while Rainbow Dash did say the move he used on the fake Nightmare moon was cool. Winchester watched the mares talk with a smirk till Big Macintosh cleared his throat. The two stallions had a silent exchange with their eyes about how Winchester shouldn't ogle, and the blue stallion retorted with the fact Big Mac wanted to do it too. After a roll of his own green eyes the work horse agreed, and stole a brief glance of both Fluttershy's and Twilight's rears. The two stallions grinned at each other before they returned to neutral faces when the six mares turned to address the blue unicorn.
“Okay, we'll start over if you’ll explain why you were acting like you were yesterday.” Twilight said, none of them really expected to like his explanation, especially after all the trauma they had been put through recently. Except for Pinkie Pie who really didn’t care one way or another, as she bounced up and down happy once again.
“Very well.” Winchester said with a bow, as a sheath for his sword, along with shin guards, shoulder plates, and hip plates that floated over to him and strapped themselves to their appropriate places on his body. “I am Sir Winchester the Writer, a knight of the court of Celestia...and Luna.” He looked at the mares, and added. “My actions were fueled by jealousy that was not wholly my own.”
“You were jealous of us?” Twilight asked confused, Rarity and Rainbow Dash both nodded having their own reasons to think he would be envious of them.
“All of the armed forces of Equestria are jealous of the bearers of harmony.” Winchester replied, his voice losing its Canterlot accent over time. “The Knights like myself most of all.” The mares looked at each other confusedly, knowing that the knights of Equestria were living legends, a single one capable of slaying a dragon as though it were a bug.
“It is Celestia's will for peace to be maintained, but it is of our strength that this is so.” Winchester continued, his voice grew grim as he looked away from the mares. “We bleed for this country and it's pony folk. As do the royal guard, they are the shield that holds the line, while we are the sword that breaks the back of our enemies. We fight and die thankless battles without the public knowing.” Fluttershy eeped and hid behind her mane as the blue stallion’s eyes glowed slightly with anger, then he looked to the bearers once again. “But our Princess gives the most powerful weapon at our despoil to six little mares that have never felt the pain of service.” He now almost growled his words. “It's as if she took the years of our service we have given her and slapped us in the face with all of it.” The mares recoiled slightly, unsure what he was going to do next.
After a deep breath Winchester returned to his original calm, his eyes filled with an odd form of grief, relief, and acceptance. “However, with a clear mind I now realize why none of the knights would ever be able to wield a certain element. Which without one, the others would never work.” The bearers looked at each other wondering whose it would be till they noticed where Winchester's eyes fell, Fluttershy hid behind her mane even more. “Kindness or mercy is beaten out of us before we ever become a knight.” He stated, with a low bow.
Twilight Sparkle would have never thought that this stallion was a knight. Among Equestria's protectors they were supposed to be some of the most chivalrous and noble of anypony, not somepony like Winchester. However, she didn’t have time to think about it, they had to stop the Cult leader. If one shard could make an earth pony more powerful than her, then what would two shards do to a unicorn? The very thought chilled her to the bone, and made her that much more aware of how much the real Nightmare Moon had been toying with them all.
Applejack and the lavender unicorn then tried to convince Big Macintosh to stay behind with the cart while they confronted the leader. The quite stallion refused though, saying it wouldn’t be right for them to put themselves in danger while he stayed safe. Fluttershy listened while her mane hid her expression, as she admired his bravery yet again.
Meanwhile Rainbow Dash was talking very fast in a high pitched voice about how the move Winchester had used to take down the false Nightmare Moon was 'so cool', along with how he didn’t even look when the upstairs walk way collapsed over him. Rarity examined his armor before pointing out that he did kill that mare, and that point deflated the sky blue Pegasus’s mood. Winchester hadn’t understood a word of Rainbow Dash's fast talking. Pinkie Pie was entertaining her self by making funny faces in his polished armor.
Soon their hooves reverberated through the stone halls as they pushed onward. Winchester led the way with his sword drawn to protect the front while Big Mac brought up the rear. Fluttershy tried to stay close to Big Macintosh, the Red workhorse thought she kept trying to say something but he couldn’t for the life of him think of why she would try to strike up conversation now, even Pinkie was being as serious as she could be.
Twilight had cast a spell to track a substantial source of power, assuming that it must have been the cult leader. After many turns and a few dead ends they finally made it to the chamber the cult leader was in. The door to the room stood little chance against the knight's massive sword. the enchanted weapon cleaved clean through it in a single swipe.
Inside the destroyed war room was lit by the dim light of the moon. In the center stood the cult leader with his black wings held out as he laughed aloud, “So, Celestia's dogs, you've made it pass the falling rocks and my little pony puppets.” before Twilight could reply or question why he was just standing there like that, Winchester was on the attack. His massive sword cut through the air where the cult leader had been. The black alicorn hoovered in the air and stared down at Winchester, both of the stallion's eyes filled were with rage and hate.
The blue unicorn didn’t let the false alicorn go far, his massive white blade wrought gashes through the floor as he swung at his opponent. In an instant the cult leader conjured a sword to defend himself, the dark magical blade barely held against the attacks of the knight. Currents of electricity sparked violently from the two swords as they clashed. Winchester relentlessly pressed the attack, his sword seemed to weigh nothing as he swung it, and its momentum would pull him out of the way of the leaders attacks. They didn’t noticed the growing hum of magic as Winchester flipped end over end holding his sword out, he looked like a circular saw he cut into the conjured blade. The Nightmare moon look-a-like stepped back as his magical blade shattered like glass and faded from existence.
Winchester landed on his hooves with his sword clenched in his teeth ready to cut the cult leader in half, until the false alicorn sent the knight flying across the room trailing magical fire. It would take more then that to injure Winchester in his armor, which was said to be kissed by a goddess. The blue unicorn slammed into the wall hooves first and fell down onto a statue of a pony, Winchester coughed as he tried to catch his breath. The blue unicorn glared at the false god as a bolt of lightning streaked toward him casting dancing shadows on the walls, aware that his armor would not protect him from the shock to his organs he had to get out of the way.
Winchester jumped out of the way as the magical lightning hit the wall and scorched it as the knight’s massive sword stuck into the wall for him to land on. The unicorn leaped again as the lightning followed him cutting a jagged line into the stone surface. Winchester pulled his sword out and jumped higher, he stabbed the sword into the wall again to land on. Certain death was on his heels as he jumped from his sword again.
Soon the lightning had chased the unicorn to the roof. Luck was on Winchester's side however, the self-proclaimed deity couldn’t hold his spell any longer, his horn had heated to an unbearable degree. The knight dove for the cult leader, magic coursed over both of them as they prepared for their respective spells. The cult leader was the faster and fired a magical blast at the comet that was Winchester, his massive white blade caught the blast and flipped over sending the blue unicorn to the ground faster. The knight struck the ground, discharging his power in a shock wave that tossed stones into the air, and shook the entire room.
Blood and feathers fell from the injured cult leader, but it wasn’t enough, he was still ready to fight. Winchester looked up, still seething with rage as his body recovered from expelling his meager store of magic. His sword would not heed his call as it was stabbed into the ground a few feet away, he could stand, but it would be few moments before he would be able to fight. He made a mistake, he should have used a different spell, but he only knew a few. Winchester cursed himself and the cult leader as he searched for a way to escape.
“WINCHESTER MOVE!” Big Macintosh bellowed, and the blue unicorn rolled out of the way. Twilight's eyes flashed open with an otherworldly white light, as the elements surrounded their bearers and levitated them off of the ground. The power of the Elements of Harmony shot upward in a dual spiral, then merged into a light made of every color of the rainbow as it flew over in a bending arc and washed over the false god like a tidal wave. His angry curses were quickly drowned out by the loud ringing of the cleansing magic of Harmony.
Seconds passed as the elements of Harmony powered down, and the cult leader sat up slowly from the smoking crater the elements' magic had made around him. His helmet was now in pieces, his wings were gone, his coat a dark gray, and his normal unicorn horn sparked gently as he looked around.
The stallion looked at the mares he had never seen before, as his memory slowly returned the cult pony asked. “Wha-what have I done?” He grew horrified as every evil act he had done flooded his mind.
Winchester stepped beside the scared unicorn and picked up two more slivers of Nightmare's armor, his face turned grim as the shard pouch returned to it's hiding spot in his mane. “You have committed grave crimes against the crown. As a knight of Celestia and Luna's court, I hereby execute you in their names.” His sword floated above the ex-cult leader's head like a gallows blade. “May you find peace in death were you found no honor in life.” The knight closed his eyes and tipped his head down, and the mares gasped.
Seconds passed with no sound. Winchester opened his eyes and looked to see the trembling pony staring up at him. The blue stallion then looked up to his sword still in the air. Fluttershy had all four legs wrapped around the handle of the sword as tightly as possible, her wings trying desperately to hold her and the sword aloft. Winchester seethed with anger as he shook the yellow pegasus from his weapon. She landed on her rump with a eep.
Winchester glared at her his jaw clenched as he turned to tower over her, rage etched into his handsome face. Fluttershy stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes as fear froze her in place. Before anything that anyone would regret happened, the mares and even Big Mac were by their friend's side, and pushed the angry knight away. They all glared at him as they tried to comfort Fluttershy. she sobbed uncontrollably into Applejack's chest. Winchester's face turned from enraged to horrified as he realized what he had almost allowed to happen, and in the dark, no one noticed that his coat had started to darken. “I’m...... I......But...” The knight stammered over his words. “S-sorry...I’ll, uh, meet you at the gate.” He turned and hurried out of the fortress, stumbling as his sword took it's place in it's sheath on his back.
Fluttershy finally calmed down after a few minutes of crying. Twilight turned to the confused and frightened ex-cult leader. “If your truly sorry for what you did, you’ll gather your ponies and lead them to Canterlot so the Princess can judge you.” She paused for a moment to think. “If you go, I’m sure she will be merciful to all of you if you got. but if you run, you won't get far.” Twilight felt a shiver in her spine as she spoke coldly to the scared unicorn.
He only nodded solemnly in reply, his mind seeming miles away at the time. Twilight and the other bearers of harmony trotted out of the ancient war room. Big Mac lead the way just in case there were still more cultists, but anypony they saw were as confused as the leader was. As if they had been released from some sort of enchantment.
The group made it's way outside, and retrieved the wagon on the way. Outside they saw Winchester standing atop of a pile of rumble, as the moon illuminated him. he pulled his sword from the ground and slide it in it's sheath on his back. He joined the element bearers, but couldn’t bare to look them in the eyes as he spoke. “You will never know the depth of my regret, and I hope you never have to feel how something like these blasted things can cause the seeds of envy to grow so fast and what it can do to your thoughts. It's not like any spell. I....” Twilight could have sworn she saw something twinkle as it fell from his cheek as he turned to Fluttershy. “I am so sorry for scaring you kind Fluttershy.”
“It's okay.” Fluttershy lied meekly.
Winchester sighed. “We shouldn’t camp here.” Everypony agreed for many reasons and they moved out of the fortress. They made camp in a large cave up the road from the ruins. Most of the group went to sleep, albeit some not as soundly as they would have liked. However, in the light of her horn Twilight Sparkle penned a letter to her mentor.
[

i] Dear Princess Celestia,

We have completed the task you appointed us. We had help from a knight named Winchester who is transporting the shards we recovered here along with a few he had already collected. He will give his own report on the encounter when he returns to Canterlot. I will include my report on the adventure with this letter on what I have learned.
I learned a great deal, mostly just how naive I have been about the way the world works and what is done to keep this country at peace. I even learned that not everypony in Equestria is happy with my friends and I being the bearers of harmony, and that some are even unhappy with your rule although I have no idea why. However, the most important lesson I have learned is about friendship.
Not eveypony can make a good first impression. It can be as simple as the pony is just too shy around new ponies to make a good impression, or they may have something going on in their lives that causing them to be grumpy or snap at others for no visible reason, or drive them away, or just be a plain old jerk. Fluttershy for example was so nervous when I first met her she could barely tell me her name. Winchester the writer on the other had made a bad first impression when he broke into the library in the early morning to use the books to help him write. I know, I've done that too. Traveling with him didn’t help my impression of him ether. However he was not only fighting off the influence of the shards, but also the jealousy they fueled.
So in conclusion, even though a first impression is very important and you should always try to make a good one. If somepony should make a bad one you should always think about what may be causing somepony to be leaving such a bad impression and give them a second chance. Like I will when I meet Winchester again.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle

PS - I sent the cult leader and his followers to you, hopefully he's a stallion of his word so that they will show up soon. I think he was truly sorry for what he has done and that you will help him find his way back onto the road of harmony.
When Celestia read the letter the next day, a tear fell from her eye as she looked up at the gallows that were being prepared in the back courtyards and said to herself quietly. “I wish it were that simple Twilight...”

Author's Note

big thanks to Legacy0117 for becomeing my editor your awsome dude

Knight of Apology

The dawning sun had but barely begun to rise over Equestria, and it was the third day after the Element bearers returned to Ponyville from the cliff side fortress. The Apple family was already up and preparing for their chores while most of the Ponyvile was still asleep. In the town library that was mostly true, Twilight Sparkle and her number one dragon assistant Spike would have slept for a couple more hours before they would have even considered getting up for the day. That was until a knocking at the door woke them both up.
Twilight sat up as the knocking paused for a moment, then continued again. “What the?...” She looked at a clock on her nightstand. “Who could want a book at this hour?” Twilight slipped out of her bed, while Spike simply groaned as he rolled over and went back to sleep with his blanket pulled over his head. The lavender mare yawned as she walked downstairs to answer the door.
The knocking continued till the librarian opened the door. “Do you know what time it is?” She questioned. Behind the door was a familiar blue unicorn standing.
“Good morning fair Twilight, bearer of Magic.” Winchester greeted with a polite smile and a quick bow. “I come bearing gifts.”
“At four in the morning.” Twilight replied dryly, allowing him inside somewhat reluctantly.
Winchester looked around curiously about the library tree home as he trotted in, and nodded. “Yeah, sorry about that...Inspiration and having the weight I carried lifted is well....” He grinned and decided that an example would be better. “I think this is what Pinkie Pie feels like most of the time.”
Twilight just stared at him, unsure what to make of the exceptionally happier Equestrian knight. The blue unicorn suggested, “Maybe these will brighten your opinion of my intrusion?” he smiled nervously as he levitated several old looking books into view and guided them to Twilight.
The lavender unicorn mare glared sleepily at Winchester, before she inspected the aged literature and gasped aloud as she read the first title. “THIS IS ONE OF THE LOST TOMES OF STAR SWIRL THE BEARDED!” She unfastened the ancient text with glee, it's restoration would bring Twilight many hours of enjoyment.
“I really don’t know why they call it that. I’ve had it in my collection for years.” Winchester admitted. “I've been meaning to restore it this whole time, but, well...never really had the time.”
With profound expertise Twilight scanned through the tattered parchment pages to examine the tome's condition, she shifted her gaze toward the other two books floating around her head. She looked excitedly at the second, sleep now the farthest thing from her mind. “A second addition of the History of Equestria. Do you know how rare this is?” Winchester didn't need to answer that. The last book was large and old, but not as old as the lost tome of Star Swirl. “What is this?” She pried it open and silently read one of the entries sealed within.
“It's something that I thought would be much more useful to you and the Element bearers than to me as a writer.” The knight replied with a smile in a sagely manner. Twilight was a slightly confused by the answer given, and looked at Winchester briefly as she tried to decipher it. “Huh?”
Hearing the confusion in her voice Winchester decided to explain “It's a collection of every myth, rare monster, and legend known to, well, most thinking creatures.”
“Really?” Twilight asked, now with even greater interest as she turned towards the center table of the library. Candles lit themselves as the lavender unicorn laid the three worn books onto it, and moved closer to delve further into the thick book. A lengthy description and beautiful illustration of Nightmare Moon caught her eye as she flipped through it's contents, she noticed that the details were more in depth than most that particular on the topic.
“Yes.” Winchester answered as he looked for a few books he would need. “I believe it was started a short time after princess Celestia took the throne.” he joined her after locating the proper tomes. Twilight however wasn’t even paying attention to him any longer now, she was sitting on her haunches and intently reading about another one of Equestria's mythological beings. The blue unicorn stallion let himself go as well, drawn into the books he had gathered for himself searching for the right information on settings, monsters, and anything else he may have sought to make use of in his own writing.
Hours passed and the sun started to climb well over the horizon. Winchester eventually determined that he had made enough notes for his work later. He looked over at Twilight and smiled at what he saw, sleep had caught up with the younger pony as she had read passages from the three gifts he had brought her. The stallion stood and carefully slid the tome of Star Swirl out from underneath her head, and replaced it with a throw pillow from one of the reading chairs.
For the most part, Winchester left the library in much better shape than he had last time, although there was a rather sizable stack of books on the table. Twilight would need some of the books for her work with her newest acquisition. Winchester found her a small blanket on the couch and draped it over her shoulders and back. He yawned and smiled looking over the cute mare one last time she look adorable snuggled up to the table surround by books. So not to wake her he tip hoofed out the door and closed it ever so slowly.
From there, the stallion trotted through the mostly empty streets of earlier morning Ponyville. He saw a few ponies jogging in the crisp morning air, but most of the town was still fast asleep. Winchester made his way to one of the many orchards that dotted the landscapes outside of town. Steadily, the smell of apples filled his nose as he went over his internal check list. His goal was to apologize to each of the Element bearers; For some he got gifts, and others he would have to be more creative. Winchester stopped at the front gates of Sweet Apple Acres and looked around until he saw who he was searching for. A orange mare and her large red brother, they were just finishing up loading a cart with long planks of wood and some posts.
The knight stood at the gate and called to the siblings. “Hello there fair tenders of the earth!”
The two country ponies looked up from the cart to the new comer and greeted him warmly. As Winchester opened the gate Applejack asked, “Well, what brings ya around these parts Mister Knight?”
“Well, honest Applejack.” Winchester said as he joined the pair, he bowed to Applejack as he spoke then gave Big Macintosh a polite nod. “After reporting to the princess she gave me a vacation. Which I thought I would put to good use in trying to mend the bridges I burned on our last meeting.”
“Oh.” Applejack responded, she could see where he was going with that logic. “Ah guess your thinkin' that a few hours of work on the farm and we'll think higher of ya?” The unicorn stallion nodded in reply. Applejack could tell that he meant well. “Well, ah guess it's a start. Mac and I were going to fix the fence on our road, but ah think the two of you can do the work together.”
“I’m pretty sure that I could do the work myself.” Winchester offered as his horn glowed light blue, very certain that he could handle the task alone.
“It ain’t punishment if it's easy.” Applejack smirked as she corrected him. “Besides, since ah found out that Big Mac's been ogling mah friends.” She glared at her brother as she continued. “He's been well....let's just say 'in the dog house'.” The orange mare didn’t notice as Winchester silently mouthed 'sorry' to her brother for ratting him out, something one stallion should never do to another stallion.
“So, you and Mac are going to fix that fence without magic.” Applejack repeated again to drive the point home. Applejack smiled. “Ah've got some of mah own chores to take care of. Y'all don't need me supervising ya, so get to work.” She trotted off leaving the stallions to their work. Winchester couldn’t help but wounder why Applejack, the younger of the siblings, seemed to be in charge.
The two stallions finished loading the cart, hitched it to Big Mac, and trotted over to the broken fence. Winchester checked the first old fence post thinking about how to get it out of the ground without magic. Big Macintosh however already knew how having done so countless times before...The red workhorse walked past the fence and with a single swift kick the post flew out of the ground, and clear over the barn. Winchester reared up and stepped back having seen that, “Did I mention how sorry I was?” he smiled apologetically as he looked over to the other stallion.
“Eeyup.” Big mac said as Applejack yelled about how they just scared the hay out of her, the stallions weren’t really paying attention.
Winchester pulled the weakened boards out of the next fence post and stated. “Bet I can hit that big hay bale over their in the barn.” The unicorn stallion knew he couldn’t match the large earth pony in strength, but strength wasn’t everything. The knight gave the weather beaten post a strong kick, followed by another, and on the third the stallion sent the post flying into the barn and hit his mark. Before the pair could continue to challenge each other, Applejack trotted nearby and said. “That’s mighty impressive and all, but Granny Smith would tan all our hides if y’all break a window.” Winchester nodded, he had heard of the legendary disciplinary actions of the elders of farming families. “Anyway, ah'm heading into town and to set up the cart for the day.”
Big Macintosh acknowledged his sister with a nod, as he readied a rope to pull the next post out of the ground, while Winchester separated the reusable and unusable boards. Applejack told the stallions that she would see them later, as she pulled the apple cart down the road to town. Winchester and Big Macintosh soon found a rhythm in their work as they removed the boards and posts, in about an hour the damaged section of the fence was down.
Replacing the fence was a little harder. Getting the posts into place was easy, since Big Mac could easily stomp the earth back into place with just one large hooves. The knight was starting to think that even in his armor the work horse could at least crack a few of his ribs, if not outright kill him. Winchester thought he just may have put that to the test one day
he almost found out how he would fare without his armor as the frustration of replacing the boards got to the point of a rather heated argument, one that ended only because Applebloom would have witnessed it. Big Macintosh didn’t want his baby sister to see or hear some of the things that both the adult stallions were sure to do and say. the stallions relented, and slowly, with a little help from the filly, they apologized to each other and got back to work. Applebloom smiled and trotted off saying something about getting a cutie mark in negotiations.
As lunch time rolled around and the work was nearing completion, Winchester caught sight of Fluttershy sadly flying back the same way she had come. He assumed she had come to have lunch with Applejack only to find that her friend wasn’t there, or worse, that his mere presence was enough to scare her away before she even looked for her friend. Winchester took a mental note of that, it would be especially difficult to earn her forgiveness.
A little later, Big Macintosh finally spoke, "All done." as he tossed his hammer into his tool box.
Winchester smiled in agreement as he remarked. “Yes it is, and not a bad job if I do say so myself.” Big Macintosh smiled back, knowing that he would have it all painted by tomorrow. Winchester offered to help, but the big red earth pony politely declined repeating his sister words 'punishment shouldn’t be easy.' After cleaning up a little and saying his goodbyes, Big Macintosh went inside the large farm house to eat while Winchester decided on his next course of action.
The blue stallion walked down the road back to Ponyville. The apples in the expanse of trees along the road were far from being ripe enough for harvest, the writer thought that it might be good research to help harvest the fruit if the Apples would have him. Winchester didn’t think that helping repair a fence was much of a way to make up how he had acted before on their first meeting, like Applejack said 'it was a start'. He felt a pang of gilt over how his jealousy had made him act.
After a short stop at his hotel room and a military shower the writer was on his way again. This time with saddlebags hanging over his flanks, a few more gifts packed inside them.
It was already lunch time as he trotted up to Sugar Cube corner. A gray pegasus mare stepped out of the bakery with a small box on her head, making her short straw colored mane stick out in more directions than her eyes looked. The crossed eyed mare blinked away her double vision and waved at a similarly colored unicorn filly in a group of school foals following their teacher as she told them about town hall. Three fillies in the back of the group talked about becoming Cutie Mark Crusader Mayors. Winchester chuckled thinking they would make better leaders than some of the ponies he had met on his travels.
Winchester smiled as he entered the pastry shop, the sweet aroma of the many treats that the pleasantly plump blue mare and her lanky husband set in the displays filled the air. A few other patrons observed the new offerings with hungry eyes as Winchester's stomach rumbled just as hungrily. Off to the other side of the room, but not out of sight, a pair of foals played in a play pin. The pegasus colt was hitting two blocks together while his unicorn sister happily watched chewing on a teething ring. The knight continued to look around the room till he saw the pony he was searching for. The pink curly maned mare sat behind the counter next to the register checking out the last of a line of customers that bought some of the treats on sale.
“Why hello fair Pinkie Pie, mistress of Laughs.” Winchester said as he approached the easily amused mare.
“Hello! Didn’t expect to see you so soon!” Pinkie Pie replied with a big smile, she had never really harbored any hard feelings towards the stallion, some would say she was incapable of doing so. She tried to tell her friends that boys will be boys.
Winchester was about to reply in the long winded manner of a noble, but decided it would be best not to. “Yeah, I got a vacation from the princess so I thought that I should make up for what I did the other day.” He paused to let Pinkie say he didn’t have to do that before he continued. “still I would like to buy some treats for Fluttershy. She seems like the type to like hot tea.”
“Oh yes! She really likes her tea, and she really likes these!” Pinkie said showing him a selection of tea cakes and cookies. “She likes to share with her animals so she's really picky with what goes into them. Did you know chocolate can be poisonous to some animals? That’s a really sad thought but anyway!” The pink pony's explanations increased in speed as she gathered more treats that Fluttershy liked seemingly out of nowhere.
Winchester caught most of what she said and smiled as he replied. “Good. I’ll take it all.”
“All of them?” Pinkie asked in disbelief looking at the large stack of treats on the counter. “That’s a lot you know!” The party pony was doing the math in her head, she wasn’t that good at math but she still had it pretty close.
“I do, and this should be more than enough to cover it.” The blue unicorn stallion said as he toss several bags of bits on the counter, each stamped with a label marked as 50 bits on them. Again, doing the math in her head Pinkie knew that he had tossed down at least double what he would need to pay. “You can keep the change as payment.” He smiled and bowed as he continued. “So that you may accompany me to Fluttershy's home. I fear she may still be afraid of me. Plussssss...I'm not exactly sure where she lives.” He chuckled lightly.
“Okie dokie!” Pinkie replied as she gathered the stallion's many items and told Mr and Mrs Cakes about what she was going to do. They smiled and told her to tell Fluttershy hello for them. Pumpkin and Pound Cake waved at their surrogate sister as she left.
Winchester and Pinkie Pie split the load between them as they walked through the streets. Pinkie talked about just about every single thing on her mind while the stallion nodded and listened. He smiled and whenever he got a chance to add his own relevant stories. He enjoyed being around mares like her or anypony so happy with their lives...Even if her boundless energy and excitable personalty could loose it's charm in some situations, luckily this wasn’t one of those times.

* * *

On the other side of town just outside of the Everfree forest was Fluttershy's modest little cottage. The front door opened, and a pastel yellow pegasus stepped outside. She paused and smiled as she looked out into the beautiful countryside. Happy despite her lonely lunch. The shy pegasus gave a short sweet whistle. Many of the animals she cared for turned their heads to the yellow pony, although they all knew who she was calling.
Quickly a white bunny hopped out of the bushes and hurried to her side. “Angel did you have a fun play time?” The bunny nodded and Fluttershy smiled contently. “That’s good.”
Angel smirked as he winked at a few female rabbits in the bushes and gave them a double thumbs up when his caretaker wasn’t looking. Fluttershy knew what his play time was this time of the year. The thought of such things just made her too nervous. She hoped that one day she would get a certain strong stallion to help her get over that phobia.
Fluttershy looked from a busy little bee flying around her flowerbed up to one of the many bird houses around her home. Her face changed from happy to horrified as a baby bird far to young to fly hopped out of the opening and onto the perch on the front of it's bird house. For a brief moment the baby bird stood there before it slipped off. Fluttershy gasped and jumped to try catch the bird in her hooves.
She landed on the ground with a soft grunt trembling seeing no bird in her hooves. She almost cried as she climbed to her hooves and looked down to the ground dreading to see what had become of the little bird.
“Nice catch Winchester!” Fluttershy heard Pinkie's unmistakeable voice chime in as she and the blue stallion walked up the path towards her. Winchester's horn was glowing as he lifted the frightened bird back into it's home.
“That was close.” Winchester said before bowing to Fluttershy. “Greetings kind Fluttershy.”
“H-hi...” The yellow pegasus replied meekly. She recoiled noticeably as the blue stallion approached her. To most he looked like any of the strong males in Ponyville all Fluttershy saw was the rage filled eyes from the night that haunted her nightmares. That was an other reason she wish she had the courage to bring a certain strong stallion into her home, so he could chase away the things that a bunny couldn’t.
Angel hopped over to the visitors and sniffed their saddle bags as best he could, the bunny loved sweets and could smell plenty in the bags. Winchester smiled as he spoke. “I heard that you like tea. If it would please you, I could make some of the brew I brought from Canterlot.” His horn glowed, magically lifting a very expensive box of tea bags to show the shy pegasus. “I also bought some treats that Pinkie said you liked.”
Pinkie Giggled. “Yeah he bought a lot!” She smiled. “Throws his money around like the big shots Rarity's always talking about.” Winchester nodded. It was true that he had been cut from that same cloth as those stuffed shirts, but he tried to be less self-important despite making some rather stupid choices every now and again but to err is to live.
“Oh, um t-thank you...” Fluttershy said nervously, as one of her forehooves lightly scratched at the ground. “But....I-I can’t...I can make the t-tea.... I co-couldn't have a guest do it....... I-it wouldn’t be p-polite.” Her voice quivered and nearly failed her several times as she spoke, she couldn’t bear to make eye contact with the stallion.
Winchester hid his disappointment, he could see that Fluttershy was still frightened of him and even a short tea break with her would do more harm then good right now. “Oh, it's alright.” He smiled and waved a hoof dismissively on the matter. “I was just dropping the tea and treats off with a friend of yours so you two could enjoy each others' company. I didn’t mean to partake in any of these gifts.” He was lying through his teeth, but the mares couldn’t tell.
“Oh....thank you.” Fluttershy timidly replied, and worriedly added, not use to getting such lavish expensive gifts. “But, you must have spent an awfully lot of bits for all this..."
“Yeah he did.” Pinkie added with a giggle.
“I-I simply couldn’t take so much...”
“It's nothing but a drop in the bucket.” Winchester stated, this time only bending the truth a little, he was loaded but by the end of the day he would be set back a bit. “I am an Equestrian knight and a world class writer.” Both the mares nodded remembering his professions. “I insist.” He levitated the rest of the gifts he bought Fluttershy over to a nearby table. He bowed again. “I hope you enjoy my gifts and this wonderful day.” The knight then took his leave, much to Fluttershy's hidden relief.

* * *

Not far down the road from Fluttershy's cottage, Rainbow Dash stared up at the sun as she reclined on a fluffy cloud with her pet tortoise Tank flying around her. The magical contraption Twilight made him sputtered and squeaked as he circled his mistress. Rainbow Dash silently thanked Celestia that today was her day off, she hadn’t been sleeping well for the past three days and the puffy bags under her eyes were starting to show. The sky blue pegasus caught the concerned tortoise and held him to her chest. “Don’t give me that look.” Rainbow Dash said looking into her little shelled pet's worried eyes. “I told you. I’m okay.” She had hoped some stunt practice would have made her feel better, unfortunately she was wrong.
“Hey!” Rainbow heard a stallion's voice call up to her. The sky blue mare sat up and let Tank hover on the cloud next to her as she looked over the side of the cloud to see who it was. “Ah, so it is you Rainbow Dash, mistress of speed.” Winchester greeted her.
“Hey dude. What's up?” The pegasus ended with a loud yawn trying to look like she was just woke up.
“Nothing. Just thought you would like this.” The blue unicorn said as he pulled a package from his saddle bag and tossed it up to her.
Rainbow Dash caught the package between her forehooves with ease. She smiled as she tore the paper off, Rainbow always liked getting presents and maybe this would distract her from her troubles at least for a little while. In seconds the present was unwrapped and laying in her lap. It was a book, however Rainbow Dash's eyes still lit up. In her lap laid the newest book in the Darning Do book series.
“Fresh off the presses and signed.” Winchester said with a smirk. “We have the same publisher.”
Rainbow Dash smiled wide and opened the book on the inside of the cover was a hoof written note. To my fastest fan, Rainbow Dash. Under that was the mare's signature, like many ponies it was barely readable. Rainbow Dash's smile brightened as she read the next part of the note. PS - The sonic rainboom you did was awesome. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh she knows me!” Rainbow Dash hugged the book to her chest and giggled happily.
Her mood suddenly sank when she looked at the cover again, it was an illustration of Daring Do flying between two Pegasi in black robes that had been chasing her. The tan mare's confident smile graced her face much like Rainbow's would have...Images of the fight in the air above the fortress flashed through her mind. Rainbow Dash shook away her tears. Her eyes moved from the book to her hooves and chest, despite taking about six baths in the past few days she swore she could see a dark stain on her coat. The sky blue pegasus sighed and flapped her wings to push her down through the cloud, it broke into several small puffs as the rainbow maned mare flipped over. She called to Winchester as she glided over to him, he had barely heard her with the book her in mouth. Tank followed his owner without hesitation.
The blue stallion stopped and watched the mare land, he noted her eyes right away. “Yes?” He asked, offering a polite smile.
Rainbow Dash set the book down already losing her nerve, she hated feeling vulnerable. “Hey...Remember the night when we stopped that cult?” Winchester nodded. “I uh........., how did you get out of that rock slide you were in?...” Rainbow asked a different question than she originally intended.
“Teleported.”
“Oh. Well, Twilight told me it that it takes a lot of concentration to teleport or some junk like that.”
“It does, but I’ve been doing it in situations like that for a long time now. So it's not that difficult for me.” Winchester said with a knowing smile. “I was thrown off target because a certain somepony needing to be tossed out of the way of some rocks though.” He hoped some good natured ribbing would get the mare out of her funk.
“Hehe, those rocks couldn’t touch me.” Rainbow Dash replied, her normally sharp wit dulled by lack of sleep.
Winchester chuckled and smiled, then looked at the young mare with sympathetic eyes. “Something is troubling you isn’t there?”
Rainbow Dash glared at him. “What makes you say that?” She hated feeling vulnerable, and hated when somepony knew she was.
“It's written on your face as clearly to me as the words in any book.” Rainbow Dash was stunned. “Let me guess.” Winchester added as he put the clues together in his head. “You are experiencing nightmares about the night you did battle with the Herd of the Night. Only this time you mess up, and you and your friends are either killed or captured.”
“No!” Rainbow Dash denied aloud, stepping back surprised about how close to the truth he got.“I can't lose, even in my nightmares.” Winchester raised an eyebrow. The mare sighed and decided to fess up to it. “Since that night I haven’t slept well. I've been having these nightmares about this one pony who I...I...” She didn’t want to admit to being a killer, and just let her head hang in shame.
Winchester knew all too well what she was going through, he sighed and said. “Rainbow, there’s blood on your hooves.” The sky blue pegasus opened her eyes and the dark stain on her hooves had suddenly became a splatter of red blood; She gasped and plopped on her rear as she tried to desperately wipe off the crimson liquid. Winchester was unfazed by her reaction, and the mare slowly realized that it was all in her head. “Your not the only one. Twilight and Applejack took their fair share of lives, and Big Macintosh probably matches the pair on his own. I believe even Rarity took the life of a cultist.” He paused as realization washed over the troubled stunt flier. “But it is nothing compared to what I have done. I am drenched in the blood of others.” Rainbow Dash almost jumped away as she looked up to him, for a second the blue unicorn appeared to be covered entirely in a ghastly red stain, but it faded in an instant. “But this isn’t about me. It's perfectly okay for you to react the way you are.”
Rainbow's face twisted up in anger. “How is it okay for me to wake up in the middle of the night crying like some little filly that needs her mommy?...” The sky blue mare huffed and stood to leave. However, she paused to ask. “...Hey...Could you do me a favor, and not tell anypony about this?” She sighed and mumbled something about the Wonderbolts before she looked back at Winchester expecting to see a smile on his face. There was not, instead there was only a distant look of sympathy.
“You're not a little filly that needs her mother.” Winchester replied his voice was calm and soothing. “You are a strong pony that regrets that she took the life of another. Something that should never be easy. I wish I still felt that way sometimes.” Rainbow Dash immediately turned around and stood face to face with him again, as he continued. “You didn’t want to do it, but if you didn’t, the cultists may have succeeded and they would have killed you and your friends or worse.” Rainbow tired not to think about what a bunch of crazy ponies like that would have done with six mares like them. “The tears that come to your eyes in the night are not a sign of weakness. They show that you care for the lives of others no matter who they are, but your actions show that you are willing to do anything to insure the safety of your friends and country. I'm sure your friends are having similar dreams.”
Rainbow Dash oddly felt a little better, at least about the crying. “Oh.” Tank rubbed on his owner's leg to show that he would be there to help in anyway he could.
Winchester smiled and asked. “Why didn’t you talk to your friends about this?”
Rainbow Dash smiled rather weakly. “Didn’t want to seem weak..." She chuckled under her breath for a moment, adding. "And Twilight would have just made a speech with a lot of big words that I wouldn’t get.”
Winchester nodded. “Yeah.” He was pretty sure that was true. The unicorn's horn glowed and he lifted the Daring Do book from the ground and said. “Here, go enjoy your book and hopefully my words have helped.”
“I don’t know. I think...I feel a little better.” Rainbow Dash said with a sad sort of smile. She took her book and with a single wing beat she was in the air heading home, with Tank floating behind her happily. Winchester smiled as he watched the pegasus leave, then continued on his way to town. His stomach growled again, so he snacked on some grass on his way to help with his hunger. He was being neglectful perhaps, but there was one last place for him to visit...
The blue unicorn trotted back into Ponyville. The late afternoon sun glinted off the glass windows of the town, many of the stalls on the street were either empty or being cleaned up for the day. Winchester hoped he wasn’t too late as he neared Carousel Boutique. It was an odd building with the festive carnival look of a carousel, but maintained the elegance of it's owner. The same was true inside, bright and refined, but not overpoweringly so.
As he entered the establishment a tiny bell chimed. Winchester looked around, he was glad to see among the many well made dresses was a small selections of suits for stallions. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique where-” Rarity ceased her sewing and greeting upon seeing who it was, and she wasn’t overly enthusiastic about his arrival by the look on her face. The gorgeous white purple maned mare had never liked him, or more precisely, she had always been wary of him.
“Hello fair Rarity, bearer of Generosity.” He smiled and bowed low to her like he would any member of royalty, the white unicorn tried not to smile. Winchester stood and asked. “I am in need of a new suit.” He knew that Rarity would never accept any gift he bought no matter how nice, and a bribe of pure bits would only insult her more. However business was neither a bribe nor a gift, and gratuities should be expected.
“What is the occasion you would like a suit for?” Rarity replied looking her client over.
“The gala.” Winchester answered. "Knights are required to attend unless otherwise engaged and I would like a suit from the finest garment maker in all the land. I have already suggested to the other knights to do the same, I hope that’s okay.” Rarity blinked, she was utterly flattered. If the knights of Equestria all wore her designs she was sure it would be beneficial for her business.
“Dresses are my specialty, but I shall make you a suit so dashing that it would put every other stallion to shame.” Rarity explained in her elegant voice. The mare walked around Winchester, he was now a blank canvas for her mind.
“I see.” Winchester replied looking at the suits on display, seeing how they were simple yet expertly crafted. "I know that a suit doesn’t give you as much room to stretch your imagination like a dress would, but I’m sure you will find some way to add your personal style to whatever you make me...Those dresses you made your friends for the Gala were magnificent by the way. Anyway, this should be enough, correct?” He produced a number of bags filled with golden bits from his saddle bags and placed them next to Rarity's register.
Rarity was speechless for a moment, at a glance she guessed that he was paying her almost twice as much as she normally charged for a custom suit. The white unicorn was about to refute such overpayment, however the look on the stallion's face told her that she would be keeping the change. She regained her composure and said, motioning a hoof for Winchester to stand on the fitting platform so she could get his measurements. “Very well, right this way.” Winchester obliged and removed his empty saddle bags and set them to the side.
As Rarity started with measuring Winchester's wrist she asked, “You were at the Gala when we were there.” there was a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
“Yes.” Winchester answered. “I helped sing that surprisingly contagious song you girls sang.” Rarity blinked remembering the number she and her friends sang at the gates of Canterlot. “As fun as that was, I do believe the best part of the night was you telling off that pompous fool Blue Blood.”
“He was a jerk.” Rarity said on impulse she continued her measuring. Winchester held his tongue on the subject as Rarity started to hum 'At the Gala', the same song that he just had mentioned.
As Rarity measured Winchester's chest she noticed two distinct differences between him and most of other stallions she had been this close too. Like Big Macintosh his muscles were toned and rock hard, the other was the many odd lines and holes in his coat where his fine blue fur didn't line up like it should have. Normally imperfections would have absolutely bothered Rarity to no end, however there was something odd about them. The white unicorn traced the ones on his chest to the many on his sides, on his back, and even on his legs. She didn’t know if there was any on his face, but they didn’t seem natural so there was no telling.
“Sorry about all the battle scars.” Winchester said looking over his shoulder. Rarity epped realizing that she was staring. “But there would be more if I had not met some of the friends I have known in my years of service.” His voice calm yet reserved.
“Oh, sorry.” She glanced away nervously for a second. “I didn’t mean to stare.”
“I’m sure you have never seen anything like them.” Winchester said facing forward again. “A life like mine is rare in our country.”
“I guess that is true.” Rarity said as she resumed her task. “Are you still in touch with these friends of yours?”
“No.” Winchester replied sorrow seeping into his voice. “Not by choice mind you.”
It took a moment for Rarity to put two and two together and spoke, shaking her head as she wrapped a tape measure around his chest. “I’m so sorry...I cannot fathom how that must feel.”
Winchester sighed. “As I told all of you before, it is by blood that our great country maintains it's peace.” Winchester gazed at her with a faint smile, but retained that same sadness in his eyes. “Do not mourn them, they gave their lives so that others didn't have to.” Rarity nodded, but couldn’t stop a sniffle before she continued to get her measurements. Her thoughts drifted, haunting memories came back that caused a shiver to run down her spine. She was glad for ponies like Winchester, the white mare didn’t have the heart for battle.
Rarity finished her measurements and stood straighter. “Your custom suit will be ready by tomorrow afternoon.” the white unicorn smiled as she walked over to her counter.
“You don't have to do that. I can wait.” The tall blue unicorn replied thoughtfully. “I'm on vacation.”
“Oh no no no no...” Rarity chided playfully with her usual theatrics, as she felt her lips form into an amused grin. “A knight must be dressed for battle, whether it's with hideous monsters or the farrr more frightening Canterlot elite.”
Winchester bowed one last time, while saying. “You are far too kind, fair Rarity..." He chortled this had gone far better to him, and added on his way out of the Carousel Boutique. "Or should I say, generous?” Rarity smiled softly, as she finally forgave him.
With that he left the fashion minded mare to her work, and walked through the streets with a pleasant smile. The ponies of Ponyville happily went about their peaceful lives. Colts and fillies played throughout the town without a worry in their hearts nor a care in the world. Their parents began to call them home for dinner. “The princess is right.” Winchester said as he reached the top of a hill overlooking most of the town, his quill scribbling notes on the scene before him. “This town...is what we fight for, this peace.” His mind was made, his questing days were over. Adventure would find him here. “Besides, from what I hear, the bearers find plenty of adventures on their own.”

Author's Note

big thanks to Legacy0117 for becomeing my editor your awsome dude

End of Spring

End of Spring

It was another peaceful slow spring day in Ponyville, as most days of the temperate season tended to be. the seasons were beginning to shift toward the heat of summer, thus ponies were out and about enjoying themselves. Twilight Sparkle and her friends were doing just that, as they sat outside of a busy cafe around a circular table and finished an afternoon lunch together. Rarity took her time sipping her cappuccino, to enjoy the mildly sweet and refreshing scent of her drink. Across the table, Pinkie happily licked the whipped cream from her hot coco as the other mares talked idly. Applejack perked up a little as she realized what time of the year it was. "Oh hey! It's gettin' close to time for the Spring Festival!"
"Oh yes." Rarity spoke with a delicate smile, "I have an absolutely fabulous design picked out for the festival." a dramatic flair coming to her voice as she told of her most recent masterpiece.
"I hope they hire the same band as last year..." Fluttershy said softly as she sipped her green tea. "I really enjoyed their music."
"Yeah!" Pinkie replied with a little spot of whipped cream on the tip of her nose. "I could really move to that beat!" She giggled and licked the cream from her muzzle.
Twilight smiled warmly and nodded. "I think that can be arranged."
"Yeah..." Rainbow Dash smirked as she sat, and folded her forelegs. "The Spring Festival is a really good night to hook up but...” The sky blue pegasus sighed a little, as she rested her chin against one of her forehooves. “I don't think we're going to get to enjoy much of it.”
"Why?" Twilight asked her friend curiously and in slight concern, as she lowered her cup of hot tea.
“Well, don’t you girls remember Nightmare Night?” Rainbow Dash replied with a question, the mention of the holiday bringing up fond memories among the six friends. Although perhaps to a lesser extent for Fluttershy.
“Yep! I got lots of candy!” Pinkie Pie answered happily.
“Pinkie, you got to enjoy all the fun for the foals.” Rainbow Dash continued. “Don’t get me wrong, I like party games as much as the next pony but that night all of us missed out on...Um...” Pinkie blinked as the stunt flier searched for the right words. “Uh, twilight, what am I trying to say?” the rainbow maned pegasus asked the living dictionary.
“...More age appropriate?” Twilight said dryly still trying to figure out what her friend was getting at.
“Yeah! More age appropriate fun.” Rainbow Dash replied with a triumphant smile and a flutter of her wings.
“I had fun!” Pinkie stated perplexed, clearly missing what Rainbow Dash was suggesting.
“I know, but girl I heard some of those Nightmare Night parties got pretty wild...” Rainbow Dash grinned widely and was a little starry eyed for a moment. But, she quit shortly after realizing how awkward she was coming across as. “...Anyway, weren’t you suppose to watch the foals?” Pinkie nodded, and the winged sky blue pony continued on. “And Applejack didn’t you spend the whole night running like half the games?”
“Yeah, but that’s just because Twilight asked me if ah would.” The orange country mare said as she adjusted her hat.
“And, didn’t you have a job that night?” Rainbow continued to ask, turning to the lavender mare.
“Well, I did organize the majority of the events, and I suppose I did use a little magic to help provide a creepy atmosphere...” Twilight Sparkle replied, starting to get the stunt flier's point.
After that, Rainbow Dash turned turned to Rarity with a raised eyebrow. “And I didn’t even see you on Nightmare Night.”
The white unicorn drank in the last of her cappuccino and sighed woefully. “I had a fantastic costume planned, but with all of the other orders I didn't have time to make it.” Rarity then looked at Rainbow Dash with suspicious eyes, as she inquired. “What about you? I heard you just floated around on a dark cloud scaring ponies with lightning of all things.” The other element bearers agreed, recalling the antics of the darkly costumed pegasus.
“Well, yeah!” The stunt flier replied matter-o-factly. “My job was to keep the night sky spooky, and well, that gets boring really quick. I had to do something to keep from going crazy!” Rainbow Dash smiled her usual cocky grin as she added, confident as ever. “But like I always say, I’ll never let Ponyville down. So when somepony asks, and I know somepony will, I’ll keep the sky clear for the festival too.”
“What, even after all that?” Rarity asked voicing all of the mares' confusion.
“Yep!” Rainbow Dash said as if they should know why already, “Ditzy Doo's daughter is finally old enough to go to the festival and she's really excited to take her this year. Plus most of my crew will be working full shifts for the next few months so I couldn’t ask them to pull extra hours, you know.” Rainbow Dash smiled and jumped to her hooves with her wings held high and proud, saying. “Besides, when you look as good as I do you really don’t need some town dance to get a stallion.” The other five mares giggled at that.
Rainbow Dash sat down seeing the Mayor approach the element bearers. Mayor Mare smiled as she greeted the girls in the same way she always did, when she needed them to do something. “Girls, I’m sure that you all are aware that Spring festival is approaching.” She paused to allow the six younger mares to nod. Pinkie Pie stifled a giggle as she noticed a single pink hair in the mayor's gray mane. The mayor ignored the pink pony and continued. “I would like to ask if you all would being willing to help out with the festival.”
Twilight and her friends paused for a few seconds. Rainbow Dash was right, but if they were the best ponies for the job then they should do it, so all six of them offered to help. Twilight then added, “What do you need us to do?” being the unspoken leader of the friendly bunch in these kinds of situations.
“Very good.” The Mayor thanked them with an appreciative smile, and she began to assign tasks to the six mares in which they were typically most efficient in. “Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie I would like you to organize, decorate, and host the festival.” Naturally the three agreed, Pinkie loved to be a hostess, Twilight was an organizational queen, and Rarity enjoyed creating art. The older mare then turned to the other three, to ask. “Applejack, I’m sure that Sweet Apple Acres will be willing to help provide stalls for refreshments and treats?” Applejack nodded. “Fluttershy, I was hoping if it would be alright with the organizers that you could get your bird chorus to do the opening music?” Fluttershy nodded with a deep blush. “...And of course, Rainbow Dash. Will you work with your friends to find a suitable pegasus to keep the sky clear?”
“I'll do it myself!” Rainbow Dash said aloud, beaming with pride.
“Excellent, well I have to get back to the town hall. Have a nice day girls.” Mayor Mare smiled one last time before she hurried back to her office to get some other work done. The element bearers said their goodbyes to the mayor and decided it was time to get back to their own jobs. Rainbow was gone in a multicolored blur remembering that she was almost late for her shift on the weather team. Rarity hurried off as well having a suit to finish. Pinkie Pie hopped away saying something about making ponies smile. Leaving Applejack and Fluttershy to walk Twilight Sparkle home.
“Hey Twi. Why didn’t Spike come to lunch?” Applejack asked as the Golden Oaks library came into view. The cafe was only a few minutes away from Twilight's home and workplace.
“Not sure, when I left he was just checking out Cheerilee's class. He should have made it.” Twilight answered.
“Well, tell em we missed him at lunch today." Applejack said, then added her farewells. "Later Twilight. Later Fluttershy.” The orange earth pony turned away, as she started down the road toward Sweet Apple Acres.
As Applejack left, Fluttershy soon took her leave as well to follow after the farm pony, saying timidly. “Goodbye Twilight...I hope Spike isn’t mad at us or anything...”
Twilight smiled at her friends as they went along their own path. The unicorn trotted up to the massive oak, she looked up at the beautiful sky before entering inside. Spike sat on a stool behind the checkout desk by the entrance with his head resting on his claws looking bored, grumpy, and most likely hungry. The lavender pony looked at the green and purple little dragon curiously. “Hey Spike, why didn’t you come to lunch?”
“Cause you said never leave the library unattended when it has a customer.” Spike droned out, looking up at Twilight with more annoyed at something else rather than the rule he had recited.
Twilight looked around the empty library after hearing that. Nothing seemed to indicate that there were any recent visitors. She then pointed out the obvious. “There’s no pony here.”
“That wind guy is in the Ponyville archive.” Spike said with a humph, none too happy about starving and missing a meal. “He said he was only going to be a minute."
'Wind guy?' Twilight thought, now noticing that the door to the archive was open. “Oh, you mean Winchester. Wonder what he could need in there?” The unicorn's curiosity had to wait when she heard the unmistakable growl of a dragon stomach. Twilight smiled as she looked back at Spike, and levitated a small pouch of bits over to the young dragon and said. “Here, go get yourself something for lunch.”
“Really?” Spike blinked in surprise, looking at his equine care taker as if he were being given an extra allowance out of nowhere. A break from the arduous task of maintaining the library was nice too.
“Yes, my treat.” Twilight said with a warm smile. Spike garbed the coin purse and ran out the door laughing like a school colt. “Just be sure to get some real food!” The lavender pony called after him in a motherly tone. She then sighed and closed the door. “He's going to come home with a belly full of ice cream.”
Twilight Sparkle trotted into the Ponyville archive. It wasn’t hard to find the blue stallion as he compared old town records with each other, for what reasons Twilight didn't know. The mare was about to say something when the knight cut her off with his own greeting, “Hello fair keeper of the written word.” he smiled at her from behind a pair of reading glasses.
“Hi Winchester. I didn’t think you used town archives for your stories.” The lavender mare replied, as she checked that he wasn’t getting into something he shouldn't, even if there wasn’t much a knight wasn’t allowed to look at.
“I don’t.” Winchester said sighing, lowering his glasses and rubbing his eyes with his hooves. “I’ve always hated reading this stuff.” He set the records he had been reading back where they belonged. “I’m trying to find the right pony to help me find a house.”
“A house? Here?” Twilight asked in surprise, not quite expecting him to be searching for something as mundane as a house in Ponyville. Unless he was looking for specific place, but soon he began to explain why.
“Yep.” Winchester replied. “This town is just about perfect.” He smiled and stood to look out a window. “I’ve been questing for too long now...” He looked back at her with a weary, yet gentle smile. “I sound like an old horse don’t I?” Twilight nodded without thinking, and Winchester just chuckled at that. “Anyway, now I’m going to finally have my own home, and have time to write and read all the books I’ve missed out on.” The tall blue unicorn stallion had completely changed moods as he then said, “Like this one!” and held up a book in his mouth.
Twilight read the book's title, “Pony Predestination, a study of names and cutie marks?” the lavender pony stared at the blue stallion with a baffled expression...Not sure exactly why such a topic would intrigue the knight as much it seemed to.
Winchester set the book down on a desk next to him and smiled. “It's a fascinating book”
“Really?” Twilight tilted her head a little, apparently it was a book she had missed the chance to read. There were many books in the Golden Oak library, it stood to reason that she may have overlooked one or two.
The tall blue unicorn then explained to her the subject matter and research of the text. "It's a study about how names, cutie marks, and ponies' special talents seem to match up.” it was a topic that was long debated throughout generations of pony culture that anypony was familiar with.
Twilight raised a hoof to tap her chin, as she reflected back on her time in Celestia's school for Gifted Unicorns. Old questions were reawakened in her analytical mind...What could create something as elaborate as a cutie mark? On a metaphysical level, what causes one to appear? Why do cutie marks bestow one with an unnatural talent in a narrowly defined role? How does a name given at birth match the image representing a cutie mark, even though a pony could change in personality as time passes?...However, she cut off that train of thought and commented simply, as not to derail the conversation with an assortment of advanced scientific theories and algorithmic magical equations that would undoubtedly require a chalkboard to properly contain. “Yes, that is the title after all.”
“Well, let's take you for example.” Winchester began. “Your name is Twilight Sparkle, and what is your cutie mark?”
“Hmmm...” Twilight glanced at her flank, thinking as she tentatively answered. “A star?”
“With sparkles,” Winchester added. “and it represents Magic as your special talent.” The lavender pony nodded in agreement. “But, if you were an earth pony or had a different name...Would it still be the same?”
“Well...Maybe?” Twilight tried to answer, unsure of exactly what the unicorn stallion was trying to prove or disprove.
"Or for example, your friend Applejack.” Winchester continued. “Would her talent for farming still be displayed by apples if she say, worked on a cabbage farm? What about her name for that matter. How about Fluttershy? On the day she was born, how could her parents pick a name that fits her personality so well and sounds so much like the butterflies that adorn her flanks?” Twilight watched Winchester as he walked around her. “The same is true for Rainbow Dash. Her name comes from more than just her mane. What about Rarity, perfect jewels like those on her flanks are rare indeed.” he smiled as he stopped circling Twilight.
Twilight however noticed that one of her friends had been skipped over, and questioned it. “Wait, what about Pinkie Pie? That's just her nickname, and her real name has nothing to do with making ponies smile or parties.”
“Yes.” Winchester answered in an unfazed manner. Attempting to apply logic to the pink mare's multitude of absurd abilities was an impossibility, he had concluded up to this point that she was akin to some random force of nature. “She's an exception that proves the rule.”
Twilight accepted that, then asked as she looked at him intently. “What about you? Does your name have anything to do with your cutie mark?”
“I was named after my great aunt Wind Chaser, on my father's side.” Winchester replied, and added after a brief pause. “She was a pegasus and a weapon maker, or to be exact, a smith.” Twilight nodded, and the tall blue unicorn continued with an explanation of his lineage and how it connected. “My name represents my talent for war, and my cutie mark represents my passion for writing and creating stories. Yet, while I may not be a smith of weapons, one could say that I am a word smith. You see?”
Twilight listened and wrapped her mind around those words as she paused to ponder on it. It reminded her immediately of her parents, Velvet Crescent and Night Light, and discovered that similar consistencies and traits were prevalent within her own family and those of others. Eventually, the unicorn mare sighed as she brushed a few loose strands from her streaked dark violet mane and turned to leave as she said. “I shouldn’t let you talk.”
“Why?”
“Because every time you do, you shake the foundations of my world.” Twilight Sparkle answered, before she looked back at him and chuckled a little as she headed for the door that lead back into the library's main area.
Winchester laughed and called to her, “I’m in the same boat as you! That’s why I told you.” and the two unicorns smiled at each other for a moment. After that, Twilight exited the archives, and Winchester continued his rummaging of dusty old folders and records.
*****
Rarity, ever patient in her detailed hoof made stitch work, was putting on the final touches on the custom suit that Winchester purchased the day before. She had decided that simplicity was key. It was in a style that allowed the elegant fabric of the suit and the pony's toned body speak for themselves rather than the additions to the formal attire. She hummed an old favorite tune of her's as she threaded the Equestrian crest into the collar, one of the few extras she had assumed her customer would enjoy.
The door to the Carousal Boutique opened with a chime. Rarity removed her red framed sewing glasses and set them to the side with her magic. She raised her gaze from her task, and sweetly greeted. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is sleek, chic, and magnifik!” She smiled at the dark gray stallion with a sliver mane and tail that entered. Rarity recognized him as Thunderlane, the thunder cloud shooting a lighting bolt on his flank confirmed it.
Thunderlane smiled at Rarity as he greeted her, after a few pleasantries the stallion finally asked what he came there to ask. “I was just wondering if you had a date to the Festival in a few weeks?”
Rarity was taken back. Most stallions couldn’t build up the nerve to ask her out, and those that did would normally stutter and stammer over their words. “Why no, I do not.” Rarity replied as she eyed the athletic Pegasus. The white unicorn mare remembered that he had come down with a rather bad case of the feather flue last rainy season, and he almost didn’t pull through. However when he did, the once lazy pegasus had a new found fearless out look on life. His dare devilry was lately starting to even rival Rainbow Dash's.
Thunderlane's confident smile grew a little as he asked, lifting a hoof in a sort of shrug. “I was thinking that maybe we could go to the Spring Festival together. Perhaps then we'll see were it goes from there?”
Rarity thought about it for a moment, she didn’t have a date to the festival, and she was pretty sure she wouldn’t get one if she didn’t go looking nor did she have the time to do that. So, she decided that she should at least give the stallion chance. “If you are to escort me to the Festival, you will have to wear a suit. Nothing too extravagant, it is a dance after all.”
“Well, I don’t have much in the way of clothes.” Thunderlane said as his mood deflated somewhat. Like most pegasi, he didn’t care much for clothing as it restricted their wings' movement. “But I could head to Cloudsdale after work and pick something up.”
“Oh no no no, you won't have to do that! I, of course, could lend you something.” Rarity said with a pleasant smile, she always liked dressing up other ponies. She looked Thunderlane over for a bit, thinking about what would go well with the dark gray stallion's style. What was his style for that matter? She needed to know a little bit more about him to know for sure. “Would you like to stay and chat? It would help me to get to know you a little better.” She asked with a chipper voice, and added. “It's always nice to have someone to talk to while I work.”
“Umm...” Thunderlane looked at a clock hanging off of a nearby wall. “Sure. I don’t have to pick up Rumble from school for a while, so I have time.”
“You have a little brother?” Rarity asked as she returned to the suit for Winchester resting on her sewing table.
“Yep.” Thunderlane replied. “He's a good little squirt. I walk him home from school just about everyday. It's cool, though I like to have him around most of the time. We kind of keep each other in line.”
“That must be nice.” Rarity replied as she put the final stitches the suit. “Sweetie Bell and I clash more often than I care to admit.” She moved the suit to the side and moved another order into it's place, this one was a dress for a mare in town.
The two adults talked for a long time together starting with what they had most in common having younger siblings, knowing Rainbow Dash, before moving to their own interests, and some of their beliefs. Although they didn’t like many of the same things, they didn’t seem to mind as they just enjoyed talking to one another. Rarity smiled as Thunderlane even tried to help her with her work while they talked. Thunderlane was able to keep from being bored and inactive by hovering over the dress's form and holding fabric for Rarity.
As their conversations got more personal, Rarity learned that Thunderlane held family in as high regard as Applejack and that he enjoyed playing drums because they sounded like the thunder in a storm. He was even in a band with a few of his friends. Rarity revealed that she was indeed more then just a fashion minded mare. She enjoy many things like cooking and dancing, and that she always strived for perfection no matter what she was doing.
The time seemed to fly by and Thunderlane realized he was almost late to pick up his brother Rumble from school. Rarity decided to join him and walk Sweetie Bell home as well.
Thunderlane and Rarity made their way through Ponyville. They caught the tail end of another one of Pinkie Pie's over-the-top songs, which they didn’t have time to investigate. Rarity and Thunderlane soon arrived at the humble schoolhouse, and they joined a group of other ponies that were waiting for their foals just as the school bell rang. The colts and fillies hurried out the front door. Some just ran over to the play ground, while others trotted into town normally with a member of their family. Sweetie bell soon appeared in the doorway with her two friends, Applebloom and Scootaloo. They stopped when a young light gray pegasus colt flew over the three, Scootaloo glared at him enviously as he trotted towards Thunderlane. The orange filly then saw Rarity and pointed her out to Sweetie bell.
"Rarity!" The unicorn filly called out as she rushed over to her older sister. Sweetie Bell noticed something odd in Rarity's eyes as she told Thunderlane that they should meet for lunch tomorrow.
Rarity smiled at her sister, as she greeted. “Hello Sweetie Bell. Did you have a good day at school?”
“Yes.” The filly replied, although a tad confused by her being there for her. “What are you doing here?”
“What? I can't walk my one and only sister home once in awhile?” Rarity answered, slightly offended.
“No!” Scootaloo cut in.
“Yeah...” Applebloom said dryly, “Who are you and what have you done with Rarity?” unfamiliar with the unusual behavior Sweetie Bell's older sister was exhibiting. Rarity was always either too busy for them, or preoccupied with fainting dramatically on couches.
Rarity was at a lost for words. “I, uh, it's just...” Unable to find an answer, she sighed and looked at the filly sternly. “Well sometimes I just feel like changing up my routine now and again!” The white unicorn could tell they didn’t believe her. She sighed again, and decided to tell the truth. “...Rumble's older bother Thunderlane asked me to accompany him to the Spring Festival and well-”
“What?!” The three fillies yelled together startling many ponies nearby.
“Like a date?” Scootaloo asked, as she zipped next to Rarity in a blink of an eye.
“A real date?” Applebloom added, as she too zipped beside Scootaloo.
“A really real date?” Sweetie Bell asked aloud as her voice cracked and joined the other two. Rarity nodded, the fillies' enthusiasm had struck her speechless. Soon the three fillies we're dancing around her singing 'Rarity and Thunderlane siting in a tree', a classic to be sure.
It took no time for the white unicorn to grow very annoyed at their song and shushed them. “Now girls...This is not a matter to take lightly, and it's not something to discuss out in public with other young fillies around.” She added, seeing how some of the mares that were walking their foals home looked at them. “Now let's get you all home.”
*****
The next day well after lunch time, Twilight Sparkle sat at the Golden Oak library’s large central table. Her eyes kept creeping from the partly restored tome of Star swirl to Pinkie Pie who bounced around the room as they waited for Rarity.
“Wonder what's taking her so long.” Twilight said concerned, as she sat up. “She was suppose to meet us right after lunch. Now we're way behind schedule.”
“Well, maybe she's caught up with all her work at the store. She did have a lot of orders after all!” Pinkie Pie replied as she stopped her hopping, the pink pony could only sit still for so long and was soon hopping around the room again.
“Yes, but Rainbow Dash said she saw Rarity heading to the cafe.” Twilight replied with a sigh.
“well maybe she was meeting a big wig about a big dress to go with their wig.” Pinkie said giggling as she lost her train of thought.
"But that was almost two hours ago.” Twilight replied with another exasperated sigh. “I guess we should start the planning with out her.” Spike was a little disappointed hearing that, he finished checking his scales for the eighteenth time just as the tea he was brewing started to whistle.
“Okay!” Pinkie said plopping down next to her lavender friend.
Just before they got down to the business of organizing the Spring festival, the library door opened and Rarity walked in saying. “Sorry girls, I got caught up-” She stopped as she looked herself over realizing she had forgotten something. “Oh my, where is my head today? I forgot my design notes! I’ll hurry home and get them.”
“No no, allow me!” Spike said running past his crush and out the door with out waiting for the mare's reply.
“Thank you Spike.” Rarity said to the air. “Hello girls!” The white unicorn added as she trotted over to the table. Both Twilight and Pinkie Pie greeted their friend.
“So, what was it that got in the way of our planing?” Twilight said still upset that her day's schedule was ruined.
“Oh yes.” Rarity smiled and giggled. “Well, I have a date to the festival.” She giggled some more before regaining her composure. “Thunderlane asked me to accompany him to the dance, and well, I had no idea he was...Oh, I just cannot find the right words...”
“Congratulations!” Pinkie said bouncing around the room again.
“That’s so nice.” Twilight said smiling. “I don’t think any pony is even interested in asking me.” She lowered her head before perking up with a confused expression. “But wait, what does that have to do with being late?”
“Oh well, we had lunch before he had a 'Jam Session' with his band and I just had to see him play.” The mare's eyes sparkled as she thought of what she had just seen.
Pinkie Pie and Twilight watched Rarity, one with a smile but the other began to scowl. The lavender unicorn cleared her throat and asked. “Um, Rarity, what about Spike?”
Rarity snapped out of her thoughts of the new stallion in her life. “Oh Spike, he's just like my little brother.” Rarity had almost forgotten about the baby dragon's crush. “I mean he's not much older then Sweetie bell. Darling, there’s more of an age difference between you and I then those two.”
“I just don’t want you to break his heart.” Twilight said with concern, quite aware of how sensitive the little dragon could be at times.
“yeah he may be a kid but he's still pretty grown up.” Pinkie Pie warned in her serous voice.
“Girls, girls...It's alright.” Rarity said to silence them. “I barely know Thunderlane. We may not even make it a week as a couple.”
“Says the mare who swoons just thinking about him.” Twilight incredulously replied with an eye brow raise.
“Well I never!” Rarity dramatically exclaimed, then pouted. “This isn’t about my love life.”
“We're not talking about your love life. We're talking about Spike.” Twilight said, as her tone became more maternal then worried.
“What about me?” Spike said panting in the door way holding Rarity’s note book.
“Oh nothing, nothing.” Rarity quickly said as Spike walked over to her and placed her note book on the table. Rarity smiled and thanked him by wrapping him in a affectionate hug and kissing him on the cheek. “Oh Spikey whikey, you know you are a really good friend right?” Spike was frozen with a red face, but was able to mumble a feeble yes. “...and that I really care for you right?” Again the dragon mumble his reply. “Good.” Rarity said releasing the baby dragon. Spike stumbled up the stairs and to the bed room trying hid his red face. Rarity’s smile slowly disappeared, she looked at Twilight noting the glare the lavender unicorn was giving her. Pinkie stayed quiet knowing that this was between her two friends. Rarity sighed and looked away. “If this thing with Thunderlane goes anywhere, it's going to kill him.”
“That’s why I want you to tell him now before it's too late.” Twilight agreed, worried on many levels.
“I will.” Rarity replied while siting down so they could get to work. “Well, let's get to work.”
“Oh oh oh!” Pinkie pie smiled, happy that she could talk after being silent for so long. “I have some great ideas for some new party games that I think you girls will love!”
“And I have several designs to show you girls, they are quite impressive if I do say so my self.” Rarity opened her note book and showed the two mares a few of her designs.
Twilight Sparkle wasn’t having as much fun preparing for the festival as she thought she would. She was angry with Rarity, but she had to admit that the white unicorn had a great design for the main street. The strings of lights and canopies that would line the festival grounds gave off a lively feel in appearance, like one of her imaginative party dresses.
After Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle finished admiring Rarity’s designs, Pinkie hopped around the table talking quickly about some of the ideas she had for the games. The most important of which were the prizes for the many games and raffles. Twilight nodded, but she didn’t know if the mayor would allow most of the prizes. Pinkie may spare no expanse for her parties and gifts, however the mayor was a little more frugal, and to confound the problem further was that Rarity’s decorations would cost a lot in the first place. Twilight couldn’t forget the wages of builders and ponies to run the booths and pay Sweet Apple Acres and other farms for their produce. The lavender unicorn had her work cut out for her when it came to getting everything organized and on budget.
Over the next week, Twilight and her friends had a few more planning sessions. Applejack and Fluttershy joined them a few times to get an idea of what they needed to do. Rarity was late to most of the get togethers, and was completely absent for the last. Twilight Sparkle was starting to get very upset even as the white unicorn normally explained that she was working, although with a little prodding she did reveal that Thunderlane was around.
Finally, with less then a week before the festival, Twilight was ready to show the mayor their plans. The unicorn was worried, despite all her number crunching and cost saving ideas the whole festival was 350 bits over budget. Pinkie Pie bounced alongside of Twilight Sparkle with her usual happy smile. Rarity was suppose to join them, however she was once again late.
As the pair neared the town hall they stopped as they heard Rarity call to them. Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie turned around and saw Rarity hurry to join the two. “Sorry girls!"
"Thunderlane's fitting took a little longer then I thought. Pegasus wings are hard to work around.” The white unicorn skidded to a halt seeing the glare on Twilight’s face. “Don’t give me that look Twilight. He was just there for his fitting.”
“That’s not why.”
“I know...” Rarity said a little ashamed, as she looked away for a moment.
“Hey, come on! Let's go!” Pinkie Pie said not wanting to let bad conversion start.
“Yeah, let's go.” Twilight Sparkle said as she lead the way into the town hall.
The presentation went well, Pinkie Pie and Rarity played their parts well, yet as the mayor looked over the papers Twilight had given her...The young mares could tell the Mayer wasn’t happy as she looked at the budget. “Everything sounds great and the decor is beautiful...” She looked up at the three mares and sighed. “Unfortunately, it's just too expensive.” Twilight and her friends were disheartened. “You have to cut something.”
“BUT,-” Pinkie Pie replied with an impossibly cute pout.
“-the estimated profit won't cove the cost of the festival it self.” Mayor Mare cut in, not in the least fazed by pink party pony's pout as she repeated. “You have to cut something.”
Pinkie Pie and Rarity looked distraught, neither wanted to compromise. Twilight Sparkle had to think of something. “Maybe another raffle.”
“But prizes for that will cost even more.” The Mayor dead panned.
“Not if its something that’s free.” Twilight Sparkle said thinking quickly. “Umm something like..... a dance with, oh, a famous pony.”
“That would cost even more then.”
“Not if they volunteer.” Twilight cut the mayor off, “We're famous and I’m pretty sure any stallion would give his left leg to get the chance to dance with one of us.”
“...That could work.” The older mare said, looking over to Rarity as did the other young mares. She raised a forehoof to her chin as she pondered the idea.
Rarity noticed their eyes on her. “Well I can't do it. I’ve got a date.”
Before anypony else could say anything Pinkie pie chimed in happily. “I’ll do it, it sounds like fun!”
“That will work.” Twilight Sparkle said with a smile.
“It should.” The Mayor agree eying the pink pony knowing how young stallions think and with the wild reputation Pinkie Pie had, this idea could work. “What about for the mares? Do you have any stallion in mind?”
Twilight Sparkle was again at a lost, “Uh...” she said, as she thought about the stallions she could ask. “Big Mac will be running the Cider stand so he'll be busy...Might as well ask Winchester, he is a knight after all.” It was going to feel weird to ask the stallion something like this.
Hearing this offer, the Mayor finally agreed with a nod. “If he will agree to it, then I approve.”
The three mares celebrated with a high hoof and giggled as the Mayor excused them with a smile. The three trotted out of town hall. Rarity told Pinkie pie that a dress would be ready before the festival. The pink pony knew better then to turn down a gift from her dressmaking friend.
Twilight Sparkle meanwhile had to hurry off to ask Winchester if he would help with the dance raffle. The lavender unicorn made her way to the stallion's new home, it was a modestly large house on the edge of town. She knew where he lived from a chance meeting while out the other day...Winchester had just bought it and had been spending much of his time moving in. Twilight Sparkle trotted up to the door and gave it a good knock. She found the role reversal a little funny as Winchester answered the door.
“Oh, greetings Twilight.” Winchester said the accent of Canterlot thick in his throat.
“Hi Winchester.”
A loud chime came from inside the house drawing Winchester attention. “Oh, hey, my baked potato is ready.” He looked back at Twilight Sparkle and smiled. “Oh do come in, I was just about to have a late lunch. I could make you something real quick if you like.” Winchester said nodding for her to enter as he turned inside and hurried to the kitchen.
“Well I wasn’t going to stay long I just had something to ask you.” Twilight replied.
“That’s okay, I just need to get my lunch ready before it burns.” The hungry knight replied. “Come in and look around. I should just be a minute.” Winchester really didn’t give Twilight the time to say no, so she just walked in and closed the door. The Writer's home was filled with expansive furniture however it was nothing Twilight hadn’t seen, she spent so much life with the princess after all. In the living room she noticed that the armor that Winchester wore to battle was on display with his sword hung on the wall above it.
The lavender mare looked around the room, she noticed many stuffed beasts. She had seen many in her books and all of them were dangerous. Ranging from a large lion head on the wall to a conman Timber wolf, although this example of the wooden beast was far larger then the ones around Ponyville. There was even a few mythical beasts mounted to the wall like a cockatrice and a claw from a manticore. Judging from the other items around the room Twilight correctly guessed that they were all trophies from Winchester's adventures. 'Fluttershy should never come here.' She thought with a slight grin.
Twilight Sparkle turned to Winchester's fire place she expected there to be a dragon's head hung over it. She was wrong, there was simply a selection of pictures siting on shelf above the fireplace. She passed a large reading chair to get a closer look. The first on the far left was of a stallion that looked a lot like Winchester with a shorter mane and a dark orange coat, who was alongside of a mare that must have been his wife judging from the wedding jewelry hanging from their ears who was sky blue with blond mane. 'Must be his parents.' Twilight thought. The next picture were of the same stallion with Winchester. He must have been no older then Applebloom and her friends perhaps even younger, and she noted that the mare was not with them.
The next pictures came from many different sources, from photo cameras to clipped from news paper. Each was of a young and proud Winchester clad in armor and armed with a sword neither of which were the ones he had displayed on the other side of the room. As Twilight continued to move from one picture to the next, Winchester grew older and he was accompanied by other Ponies. Twilight started to recognize the more stand out individuals, like the large and tall zebra whose the top of his head was normally cut off by the frame. Another was a mare that always seemed to be close to Winchester as well as a few more. By the time the picture showed Winchester being around Twilight’s age the group that was with the stallion numbered nearly fifteen ponies, she also noticed the absence of the zebra and a few other ponies from earlier pictures.
Yet, a few pictures later, one that was most definitely taken from a newspaper showed Winchester's group returning to a small town most likely from a hard fought battle judging from the state they were in. The mare that had always been so close to Winchester was gone as were four more of the group. As Twilight neared the end of the shelf there were no longer new faces joining Winchester and his group. Finally the last photo was of Winchester clad in the armor displayed in the back of his room and his large sword on his back, however he was alone again and he looked confused, like he was veary proud of what he had become but it made him want to cry.
Twilight lingered on the picture for a short time till she heard Winchester say, “That's both the proudest and saddest day of my life.” and the knight set down his potato that was covered in butter and cheese. “The day I was knighted.” He looked at each of the pictures and added. “Each of those pictures has a story with it, victory and sacrifice, for peace and life.” He looked at Twilight and smiled. “But you are not here to hear about the difference between my facts and the fiction it made. So what was it you wanted to ask me?”
“Oh yes.” Twilight said drawn form her thoughts of the stallion's past. “well you may know that the spring festival is soon and...-”
“Wait let me guess.” Winchester said looking at Twilight with a playful smirk, Twilight blushed as she tried to stop the coming misunderstanding. The stallion however continued his guess. “You want me too...help out with the festival you and your friends planed in some official capacity?”
Twilight sighed, before she replied. “Why yes, the festival is over budget and the first solution I could come up with is a dance with a celebrity pony. Pinkie Pie agree to it already...” Winchester nodded, and Twilight stumbled over words. “...and well...”
“You want to raffle me off like some shiny trophy to be won?” Winchester said having trouble hiding his smile.
“Huh? Well uh...” Twilight Sparkle was caught of guard by the stallion's joke.
“I’m just messing with you, it sounds like fun.” The Stallion said with a smile as he watched Twilight’s face change from confused to a half annoyed smirk. “Plus maybe fate will intervene and I’ll run into my soul mate.” Winchester said half jokingly.
“Yeah.” Twilight said with a dreamy sigh. The lavender mare quickly shook her head and regained her composure. She ignored Winchester's chuckle as she said. “Anyway, that’s great to hear.”
“No problem. It will give me a chance to try out the suit Rarity made me.” Winchester said settling on eat his potato.
“Cool.” Twilight replied with a smile. “Well see you around.”
“Probably in the library.” Winchester retorted with a grin.
“Hopefully not at four in the morning.” Twilight said making light of the stallion's most annoying habit as she trotted out the front door.
Winchester watched her leave with a slightly lecherous smile as he said. “I make no promises.”
With in just a few days Mane street was hustling and bustling with workers. Booths were built, tables were set in perfect rolls with enough space for the coming hoof traffic. Everything was perfectly planned out by Twilight Sparkle. Pinkie Pie helped as much as she unfortunately got in the way. Whenever she broke something she did her best to fix it, and she always just looked too cute in the end for anypony to really stay mad at her.
Rarity was of course was in charge of setting up the decorations. Even though a certain dark gray helper was quite the draw of her attention, she kept her wondering eyes in check...She was a professorial after all and she would settle for nothing less then perfection. Thunderlane to did his best to keep their relationship out of the workplace, besides, they hadn’t even kissed yet despite his best efforts to woo her. She was a lady, and he would be a perfect gentlecolt even if it killed him.
Rainbow Dash was busy clearing the sky. The job was a little harder than usual with the numerous clouds that were being blown into town from the Everfree forest. She had the sky cleared in about fifteen seconds only to have more heading her way. She sighed angrily and went on about her work. She hoped that this wasn’t an omen for the night of the dance.
Applejack and Big Macintosh were setting up their booth. Which was the largest of all of the farms in attendance. Mainly this was because of Sweet Apple Acres being one of the oldest and largest farm in Ponyville, as well as one of the only farms with a liquor licenses. Big Mac worked hard to maintain the quality of their liquor and spirits just like his father had. The apple family was not just selling several types of hard cinder but also some stronger drinks and refreshments for all ages as well as snacks and even full meals. Soon everything was ready for the festival.

Author's Note

big thanks to Legacy0117 for becoming my editor your awesome dude

Big Night

Ponyville's Spring festival was ready to start as the sun slowly started to rise. Twilight was already up and doing some last minute checks as the ponies that ran the stalls made their way to the festival grounds. daring the day there would be all kinds of games, clowns, street magicians and other foal friendly fun. However at night fall the festival changed gears and had music for young couples hoping the seeds that had been sown in their harts would grow into something much more magical.
Fluttershy opened the Festival mid morning with her chorus of birds. She didn’t mind preforming so early. Twilight Sparkle had set up a amplifier system so that all of the festival grounds as well as most of the town could hear her birds as well as the bands later that night. She was also nervous enough as is with just a forth of Ponyville watching. This evenings performance would be terrifying.
After many flowing spring medleys from Fluttershy's bird chores the shy pony turned to the gathered ponies she almost lost her nerve when she looked out over the crowd. Just as she started to tremble and shrink back behind her mane Pinkie pie appeared beside her and called out to the crowd to show Fluttershy how much they enjoyed her birds. Every pony stomped their hooves and cheered, several foals jumped up on their parents backs and started to chant Fluttershy's name. The Yellow pegasus blushed as she smiled and bowed to the crowd. the birds quickly flew away soon followed by their conductor.
Pinkie Pie smiled as her friend left then welcomed all of the guest to the festival and announced when a few of the days events would take place. The Pink hostess smile grew as she saw all the happy faces looking back at her, she couldn’t contain a song about having fun in the spring sun. She sang as she jumped form the stage to do her job and make sure that every pony had a good time. Most ponies only heard parts of the song as she'd help them find something they were looking for or meet up with friends. A couple of times used some of her own money to buy some foals a treat or chance to play a game, she even gave out prizes that hadn’t been won, all while still in song.
Twilight Sparkle mean while was around to make sure that everything was running smoothly, even if Pinkie Pie was some how inadvertently trying to ruin her perfect plan. The overly organized Lavender unicorn stopped at every stall and booth to ask the workers if they had everything they needed. Twilight Sparkle smiled as she made her way to the game run by Spike. The baby dragon was great at getting ponies attention and keeping the patrons playing even though the game was intentionally hard but not unfairly so.
The lavender unicorn stopped and waited for the dragon finish giving a gray pegasus mare and her similarly colored unicorn daughter a free chance to toss a stuffed bee into a flower. The young filly wanted to try because her mother had missed three times already, with those eyes of her it was no wonder. The young mother smiled and set the bee in her daughters hoof. The unicorn filly brushed her straw colored hair out of her face before she stuck her tongue out to the side and concentrated hard on her target. With a cute little grunt she threw the toy bee as hard as she could. The stuffed bee flew through the air and rolled around the flower target in the middle everything seemed to be in slow motion as it slipped into the flower. the filly unicorn and her pegasus mother jump up and down excited. Being the first of the day to get the bulls eye the filly didn't only get her choice of all the prizes in the booth but a good sizes bag of bits. Spike congratulated the pair and smiled as they went on their way. Everything was going according to plan Twilight thought.

Rarity’s plans had been ruined before they could even get started. Mid-moreing her parents came by with Sweetie Belle saying that Rarity should join them at the festival. The two loving but oblivious parents ignored their adult daughters protest about having plans she needed to be ready for that night.
“we haven’t had any family time lately and Sweetie Belle really wants you to come to the festival with us.” Said Rarity's mother.
“but.” Rarity whined with a pout.
“now now sweetheart its going to be great.” Said her father through his mustache.
Sweetie Belle just smiled as Rarity gave up and sighed “okay.” the white unicorn mare walked to the festival grounds for a day of “fun” with Sweetie Belle and their parents. The filly wanted to try her hoof at all the games and even convinced their parents to buy into some of the raffles. Rarity had to admit her younger sisters enthusiasm was hard not to smile at.
Through out the day Rarity saw Thunderlane out with his little brother and mother. he seemed to be having having a lot of fun with his little brother, much more then Rarity with her little sister. Not that Rarity wasn’t having fun, this sort of thing just wasn’t her thing. At least Thunderlane would understand if she was late that evening.
The day went by too fast for Sweetie Belle, but wasn’t fast enough for her older sister. By the time the sun was starting to the fall Sweetie Belle was so tired that she had to ride on her fathers back as they walked home. Rarity said her quick goodbyes to her family and hurried to her home, she panted as she kicked open the door and ran up the stares to her room. She had a lot to do and even less time to do it then she had planed.
The sunset was in full swing and looking beautiful as Thunderlane trotted up to Rarity’s boutique. He wore a simple but well made tuxedo that complemented his colors wonderfully as Rarity put it. he was still surprised that it was so comfortable around his wings, it felt good even while he was flying here. However his attire was not what he had on his mind as he stopped at the back door of the boutique. after a deep breath to calm his nerves the stallion knocked on the door but he swore his hart was beating loud enough that Rarity should have heard him anyway. He smiled despite his nerves as he hared Rarity’s elegant almost sing song reply “just a minute.”.
Thunderlane stood and waited, his tail and wings twitched nervously as he thought about this night. It was Thunderlane's and Rarity's first real date, they did have lunch once or twice before and they did spend quite a bit of time together just hanging out while she worked or when they both were preparing mane street for the Spring Festival, but this was a date and a dance no less.
Soon the door opened and revealed Rarity. The unicorn mare smiled as she looked at the handsome stallion in the suit she made him herself. She too wore something of her own design, a small sky blue party that hugged her classic curves down to her skirt that looked like the pedals of a spring flower several similar flowers hung from her tail and one much larger flower adorned her mane. The elegant mare had added a little bit of blush to complement her eye shadow and just a touch of lipstick. As well as a dash of a sweet flowery perfume that Thunderlane just couldn’t name, but liked all the same.
Thunderlane was barely able to keep himself from stuttering as he said “evening, Rarity your looking gorgeous.”
“but of course darling.” the unicorn said as she walk beside him “and you look simply dashing.”
“it's all your doing.” Thunderlane said as he turned to walk beside his elegant date.
“oh darling you give me too much credit.” she smiled and flutter her eyelashes at Thunderlane “but do go on.” she giggled as Thunderlane added a few more complements to his earlier ones, the pair had a brief laugh as they made their way to the festival grounds.
Along the way they bumped into Twilight, she wore her gala dress that Rarity had repaired a few months back, the dress maker had tried to make Twilight another dress however the younger unicorn had politely turned down the offer not wanting her friend to work over time on her behalf that didn’t mean Rarity hadn’t made a few miner changes here and there.
After a short greeting the three joined the large gathering of ponies to watch Fluttershy's birds sing to the quickly coming night, Thunderlane could tell there was some tension between the friends but he couldn’t fathom what it could be. Fluttershy also wore her gala dress, its design was fitting for the festival. It too was repaired and modified a little by its creator.
Fluttershy wasn’t even nervous this time, she was too focused on conducting her birds in a driving powerful song to even noticed the thousands of eyes on her. In her mind they were all on her birds she wasn't even there, just her birds singing their little harts out. the shy pegasus had found many large birds with more bass voices just for this song and it had proved worth it. The crowd was awestruck.
When the song ended Fluttershy stood panting drops of sweat beaded on her forehead she had put her whole bean into conducting. After a few seconds the crowd started to stomp and cheer for her, she blushed and almost didn't have the courage to turn around. She wasn’t preforming for foals and their parents, this crowd was made up of other ponies her age, a thought that made Fluttershy start to hyperventilate. However after Pinkie Pie appeared to give Fluttershy a big hug, which got a few cheers on its own. Fluttershy turned to the crowd with her friend by her side and bowed smiling cheerfully.
Pinkie Pie giggled as she got the crowd to keep showing their “love” for Fluttershy and her birds which just made Fluttershy blush more. Pinkie Pie like most of the mares in attendance wore a dress. The pink fabric hugged the curves of the earth pony's “drop dead hips” as Rarity had put it while she was sizing the dress for her friend. The Unicorn mare had accidentally let slip that if Pinkie Pie wasn’t such a good friend she would “not” have been able to “not” spread a rumor or two about how a pony's whose diet that consisted mostly of candy and sugar could keep such an attractive figure. The oblivious Pinkie pie had thanked Rarity any way.
“thank you Fluttershy.” Pinkie Pie Said as the crowd's cheers died down, the yellow pegasus flew away and her birds happy followed. Pinkie Pie did her duty as hostess just like she had that morning by making a few announcements about that nights events. She ended by saying “oh and Boys don’t forget to buy tickets for the chance to win a Dance with meeee.” she smiled and winked at the crowd flirtatiously, however she couldn’t keep the sensual look for long before it was lost to her ever present foalish smile and a hearty laugh.
“you mares out there aren’t left out.” Pinkie Pie giggled “one of you lucky girls could win a dance with Ponyville's newest resident, Winchester.” she motioned to her right as the stallion walked out onto the lit stage. He wore the suit Rarity had made him, he was bushed and groom to perfection like a military stallion should be. However his smile and eyes were just as flirtatious as any of the young stallions in the the crowd. He smiled and winked at a few of the mares near the stage, his grin grew a little more at the jealous eyes of the stallions with them.
“oh my he dose 'clean up good' as Applejack would say.” Rarity said her eyes sparkling as she watched relieved that her hard work on his suit would not go to waist on a slob, like she thought he was. Thunderlane couldn’t help but be jealous, his date and her friend were making no attempt to hide their reaction to the knight on stage.
Pinkie Pie smile as Winchester joined her at center stage. “yep just a couple of bits and ladies you could have this fine knight of Equestria to dance with to your harts content.” the crowd was surprised to have such a pony living in their town most just thought that he was some rich colt from Canterlot. Twilight Sparkle smiled seeing the crowds reaction to Winchester and Pinkie Pie, the raffle would do its job easily.
Pinkie Pie explained what the crowd need to know about the dance raffle in her normal round about way. The ponies of Ponyville we're used to the overly excitable way Pinkie talked, so every pony got most of the information they needed. The pink pony ended by introducing the first band of the evening.
While the band got ready and greeted the crowd, Twilight turned to Rarity tension filled the air between friends. Thunderlane was worried, he opened his mouth to hopefully say something to calm them down but Twilight beat him to the punch. “have a nice night Rarity.” the librarian said, with no small amount of spite hidden in her voice as she turned around and trotted away.
Rarity nodded “you too Twilight.” both the mares were glade they had parted ways before one of them said something they may regret.
Twilight started her rounds for the night. She was still angry with Rarity, she made no attempt to hide it. However she didn’t want to ruin the night for Rarity and Thunderlane ether. She just hoped that everything would turn out alright for every pony involved.

“Darling.” Rarity said to Thunderlane as a jaunty fiddle tune filled the air. “shall we dance?”
the pegasus stallion looked nervous for a second before he said “sure but how about a drink first?” he asked nodding to the Sweet Apple Acres refreshment booth.
Rarity eyed him suspiciously before agreeing “well some fresh cinder would be nice.”
Thunderlane trotted over to the large stand and ordered his date and himself a drink. Applejack also brought him a shot of 'liquid courage'. she didn't say what it was, all she said was that he should breath. Luckily he listened, because what ever it was took his breath away. He waited for the fire in his throat to go out before he rejoined Rarity.
The pegasus wasn’t nervous about dancing as Rarity thought, he been to several school dances when he was younger. he was nervous about dancing with Rarity and he wasn’t sure why, he could talk to her just fine what made dancing so scarey. he would never know. After a second round of drinks for the pair and a couple more shots of liquid courage, the stallion was just impaired enough to ask Rarity to dance. She gladly excepted and the couple made their way into the dancing crowd and let the music of the third band of the night take them. Thunderlane's worry was for not, he was one of the better dancers out there that night, easily impressing Rarity who was as graceful as any mare dancing that night.

Mean while Twilight was making her rounds for the forth time of the night. Some of the worker ponies were starting to get annoyed with her near consent hovering, even Spike patients was running thin and he was used to it. However the lavender unicorn had reason to worry the celebrity dance raffle wasn’t going as planed. The stallions had taken the bate so to speak and were buying tickles at a fairly steady pace. However as far as Twilight could tell not a single mare had bought a tickle. 'What could be wrong.' She thought as she trotted over to the raffle table run by Winchester. The stallion tried not to look bored as the crowds passed by. a few mares stood across the lane form the booth talking, all seemed a little nervous.
“hey Winchester.” Twilight greeted as she got close enough to have a normal conversation.
“hello Twilight.” Winchester replied glade to have someone to talk to other then the Stallions that wanted to buy a tickle to dance with Pinkie Pie (some of which had revealed some of their hopes for the night) or the odd angry or jealous colt friend. He hadn’t decided which of the two were the more annoying.
“so hows the sells going.” Twilight asked skipping the pleasantry despite the fact she could tell from size of the ticket reals.
“um I guess you could say their going okay.” the stallion replied “Pinkies quite the draw for the bachelors. Already sold almost a hundred tickles.” he forced a smile.
“what about the mares? they buy any chances to dance with you?” Twilight prodded.
Winchester sighed and shook his head “nope most seem......scared.”
“what are you doing?” Twilight asked anger creeping into her voice she knew he must have been responsible.
“smiling at them.” the stallion replied matter-o-factly. “they approach, I smile and bow.” he smiled and bowed his head slightly to demonstrate. “and well most react like you are but they tend to blush and turn tail before even stammering out a response.” he was kind of upset by the nights events, this was why he hardly ever did anything more then a simple brushing. There's a inherent primal magic to beauty, It could be both a blessing and a curse.
Twilight shook away the redness in her cheeks and regained control of her breathing, she couldn’t really do anything about the sudden heat wave that had washed over her other then hide it. “your not that handsome.” lied Twilight, Winchester merely smirked most fun he all night. The primal reaction in Twilight was quickly replaced by anger, she just wanted to remove that smile from his face. The Lavender mare used her magic to pull her purse from her pocket. Winchester raised an eyebrow as she slapped some bits on the table with her hoof and said “one tickle please.”
“of course my lady.” Winchester said with a bow. He quickly pulled a tickle from the wheel then split the ticket like he should, he levitated half to Twilight and placed the other in a small raffle ball which he dropped in a basket.
Twilight slid the tickle stub in her pocket with her bit purse and said “just to show every pony your not that scary.”
“but of course fare barer of harmony.” Winchester said letting his Canerlot accent seep into his voice. He smiled at Twilight letting his eyes say more then his mouth. “like you said I’m not that pretty.” the stallion held back a laughed as Twilight Sparkle's cheek turned just as red as they had earlier. Twilight quickly regained her composer she glared at the stallion then turned to leave. His eyes followed her like many other stallion's did.

Fluttershy sat at a table alone simply tapping her hoof to the beat of the music. She sighed and sipped her drink, the burn in her throat and stomach made her cough and cringe. She never really cared for alcohol but Rainbow Dash had convects her to get some hard cider, saying tonight was all about fun and she should cut loose. However the stunt flier had been unable to get Fluttershy to even consider dancing. The shy pegasus wished that her friend was still there so she could ask Rainbow Dash to finish the hard cider for her, Knowing the rainbow maned mare she probably would. But alas she had to go stop a small rainstorm from covering the town.
Applejack frowned seeing her friends siting alone no more then a couple yards away from her in the Sweat Apple Acres refreshment booth. The country mare looked from her friend to her older bother. Big Macintosh was busy mixing a cocktail for another stallion, he was pretty good at making mixed drinks nothing too showy just good drinks. Like their uncle had told them many times, just because you can drink something straight doesn’t mean you have too.
However drinks were the last thing on Applejack’s mind as she slid over to her brother. Applejack was a perceptive pony she could normally tell when somepony was hiding something and she was sure that Fluttershy had a crush on her brother. Now she knew it wasn't her place to tell him or anything but that didn’t mean she couldn’t play cupid and push both of the shy ponies together, plus her bother can be dense on the subject matter.
“hey big Mac.” Applejack said after the stallion had finished the order he had been preparing “why don’t you take this to Fluttershy.” Applejack slide a glass of fresh cool apple juice over to her brother with her nose. “and while your at it why don’t you two go have a dance or something. y’all both need to have some fun at this festival.” Applejack smiled in the way that family dose when its more then just a suggestion.
Rather then argue Big Macintosh just nodded with his customary “eeyup” and slid the drink onto a tray and left his sister to fix a drink for a mare that just didn’t know what she wanted.
Just as Fluttershy had decided she was going to leave a glass of apple juice slide in front of her. “Applejack said its on the house.” Big Mac said with a smile. The shy stallion didn’t really know what to say to such a cute mare, all he could do was hope he didn’t say anything stupid.
Fluttershy blushed as she replied “oh um thank you.” her hart was pounding and she could barely speak above a whisper.
Big mac shifted nervously for a moment before asking “so um would you like to dance.” Fluttershy gasped and her eyes went wide “just for fun of course.” Big mac added faster then the mare had ever heard him talk.
Fluttershy could barely breath but the half a glass of hard cider helped her say “yes.” her voice just above a whisper, Big Macintosh barely heard her answer. “that would be nice.” Fluttershy took a quick sip of the juice to help cool her down before she and Big Macintosh trotted over to the dance floor to find a spot to join in on the dance.
the two nervous ponies were a little awkward at first. Big Macintosh was almost to big to really dance and the only thing keeping Fluttershy from running away was the alcohol. Even if it was just a square dance being this close to her crush filled the nervous mare with both joy and terror. They were just starting to find their rhythm when the song ended and the singer smiled out at the crowd and said “lets get theses lights turned down a little. this ones for all the couples out there.”
Big Macintosh and Fluttershy both blushed as all the lights deemed and a slow song about a moon lit love started to drift around them. Fluttershy's hart was racing as she saw the moon behind the stallion of her dreams. Big mac was glad he had red fur as he said “hey its just for fun right.” his hart was in his throat.
“r-right.” Fluttershy replied as the two started to dance a little closer like the couples around them. “just for fun.” she whispered, it would take a lot more alcohol to give her the courage to say anything else.

Back stage Pinkie Pie could barely contain her excitement as she and Winchester prepared the raffle machines. Any second now the latest band would be cleared off the stage. the next band was already set up back stage so the curtain could be drawn back and they could start. Winchester sighed as Pinkie Pie spoke so fast that the stallion couldn’t understand her. Finally one of the stage ponies poked her head in and said “their ready.”
“YAY!” Pinkie Pie yelled with glee as she tore through the curtain like a rocket. Winchester sighed and followed pushing his raffle machine with his magic. Pinkie Pie had wasted no time in turning on the motor that turned the spherical cage that contained the balls that held the ticket stubs each a possible winner. Winchester tried to smile as he activated his machine, where Pinkie Pie's was full of hundreds of balls only one ball tumbled around in his machine.
“add the winner is.” Pinkie pie said as a ball finally found the opening of the cage and rolled down shoot to land on a pillow so that Pinkie Pie could read it. Suddenly with out warning the pink earth pony wheeled around and kicked the raffle machine with both her hind legs and yelled. “EVERY ONE.” she giggled and laughed happily as she said “if you bought a ticket you win.” she laughed some more as she jumped into the crowd, which easy caught her and set the excited mare down between several of the winners. A couple of which wore crooked smiles that suggested that they wanted more then to just dance with Pinkie, it was any ponies guess if she knew this or not.
Winchester stood up, he had too duck under the flying raffle machine or loose his head. The writer looked out at the crowd unable to hide how much he didn’t want to be there any more. He called out the number in the ball with out having to read it as the curtain behind him was drawn back revealing the latest band and they started to play. The knight trotted off stage with the raffle machine behind him. Twilight's plan it seems had back fired, she had thought that if she bought a ticket the other mares would have the courage to buy one if they wanted to. However it seems that all the mares had spread the word that it takes the courage of the bearer of harmony, somepony who had faced down dark gods and evil queens to talk to Winchester. He sighed as he heard a few more scoffed remarks from some other stallions, he was already tired of them. If only insulting a knight was a crime.

Rarity and Thunderlane walked through Ponyville park, they could still hear the music coming from the stage. They didn’t talk much as they walked, both were worn out from all the dancing. Yet Rarity had somehow managed to only have a few hairs out of place in her mane. This was just another perfect part of what was turning out to be a perfect first date. The couple made their way up a hill with a perfect view of the moon. They sat with out a word and just enjoyed being close to one another, Rarity leaned on Thunderlane's shoulder and rubbed her horn on his chine making them both blush. The pegasus was able to keep his wings tucked firmly to his sides although Rarity's cheeks were flush with warmth.
After a few minutes the two ponies looked into each others eyes. Thunderlane smirked as he leaned towards Rarity’s lips. The unicorn mare closed her eyes as their lips met, lightening ran down Rarity’s spine. their first kiss became two then three. the passion grew as quickly as Thunderlane's control on his body shrank, his wings extended to their full span but the unicorn didn’t care as she throw her front hooves around him.
While Rarity ran a hoof their her colt friend’s short sliver mane she couldn't help but feel like she was being watched. The mare opened one eye too see who would so rudely interrupt this perfect moment. Rarity gasped and pulled away from Thunderlane when she saw the culprit. Standing their with the saddest most hart broken eyes she had ever seen, still wearing the hat and coat she had made him just a week ago holding a few flowers in his little claw. “Spike!” his name had barely left Rarity's lips before he turned and ran away failing at his attempts to not cry. “Spike wait.” the mare stood and called him again, she looked back at Thunderlane she didn’t know what to do. The stallion was confused but he nodded for her to go.

It didn’t take Winchester long to find Twilight Sparkle. The two ponies stood by the 'dance floor' well within ear shot of Pinkie Pie's gleeful laughter. Winchester and Twilight thought fate had somehow intervened to bring them together like this. After an awkward greeting their eyes met. Each expected cupid's arrow to hit like lightning and they would see the other in a new light, but as the moment grew even more awkward they both came to realize that the only new feeling was a strong physical attraction that came with seeing somepony 'dressed to impress' like they both were. But she was still just Twilight Sparkle him and he was still just Winchester to her. They were just a mare and a stallion that had some common interests and could enjoy each others company nothing too unusual, they were just friends.
“hey.” Winchester said finally breaking the silents and tension between the two. “you want to just skip the dance go back to normal.”
“sure.” Twilight replied with a revealed sigh.
“first rounds on me.” the stallion offered.
“deal.” Twilight said her mood returning to normal “I’ll have some apple peach cider if they have any left.”
“cool.” Winchester called back to her as he turned to get their drinks. The stallion wasn’t gone too long before he return with their drinks. Twilight thanked him, she was parched. As the unicorn mare sipped her drink Twilight noticed a very worried Rarity trying to work her way through a large group of ponies.
“Rarity?” Twilight Sparkle called as she hurried to her distraught friend's side. “something wrong? did Thunderlane-”
“have you seen Spike.” Rarity cut in worry tearing through her normal velvet smooth voice.
“why.” Twilight asked growing nervous.
“whats going on?” Winchester asked joining the two mares he could tell something was wrong.
“somethings wrong with Spike.” Twilight explained quickly.
“I’ll get my sword.” Winchester replied, the knight only knew one way to deal with a dragon.
“NOO!” the mares yelled drawing more then just the stallion's attention.
“sorry, what was I thinking.” Winchester apologized.
“what happened Rarity?” Twilight asked. Winchester listened concerned but still sipped his drink.
Rarity blushed and couldn’t look Twilight in the eyes. She didn’t want to admit that the younger mare had been right, and a lady never kisses and tells. “well my date with Thunderlane was going perfectly and well...... Spike saw it going perfectly in the park and he ran away before I could talk to him.” Rarity was on the verge of tears from the memory of Spike's face and the thought of how hurt he must be.
Winchester bit his tongue and shook his smirk off his face as Twilight glared at him before she turned to Rarity and said “Come on I think I know where he would run off too.” Twilight turned and galloped off toward her library, Rarity and Winchester followed.
Twilight Sparkle panted as she tried to open the front door to the library only to find it locked. Rarity’s hart fell as she and Winchester waited behind Twilight. Winchester noticed some burnt fabric on the ground outside one of the lower windows. He showed it to Rarity while Twilight looked for her keys in her purse.
“that’s the hat I made Spike.” Rarity said lifting some of the burn fabric. “and the coat and shirt even the tie”
“how do you know?” Winchester asked looking closer at the burn remains. He could only tell it was the remains of some clothing but it would take him some investigating just to figure out what they use to be.
“i know my work.”
“um okay.” Winchester replied.
A flash of green light drew their attention to the window just as it opened and Spike threw some more burning things out into the grass. Winchester he stomped out the green flames before they set the grass on fire. Rarity called “SPIKE!” the baby dragon stopped and stared at her for a moment, many emotions passed over his face fear, anger and disgust. Before Rarity could say anything the little dragon slammed the window shut hard enough to shake the glass.
“Spike wait.” Rarity said stepping to the window and place a hoof on the glass. “Spike, please cant we talk.” tears appeared in her eyes as she spoke “i should have told you sooner, I shouldn’t have lead you on like I did. I should have thought about you and not just what I could get from you.” she lowered her head as tears streamed down her face and she began to sob. “how am I the element of generosity when I’m such a horrible pony.” she spoke more to her self then anyone else.
Twilight Sparkle finally found her keys only to have the door open and Spike stepped out his cheek wet with tears. “Spike are you okay?” Twilight asked.
Spike nodded slowly before he looked at Rarity. The white unicorn took a deep breath as she tried to regain her composure. After a moment she was ready to make this right “Twilight can Spike and I have a moment?” Rarity asked trying to wipe away her running make up.
“um okay?” Twilight Sparkle replied. Rarity took another deep breath and gently prodded Spike with her nose to get him to go inside, the little dragon complied. Rarity used her magic to close and lock the door. Winchester joined Twilight with out a word, he just wanted to be there for his friend if she need it, all though he was sure that he was no where near Twilight's first chose. He was right. They stood quietly for several minutes while Rarity talked to Spike. Winchester started to pull small gems from the hoof he stomped out the fire with, he could only guess where they came from “What is the lesson here?” Twilight Sparkle asked breaking the silents.
Winchester spit out a gem then thought for a moment before he said “there may not be one here.” the lavender unicorn looked at him suspiciously “but I really don’t know all the details after all so I wouldn’t know.” he removed the last stuck gem and added “but I could always brain storm with you.”
“maybe it's about how you should tell somepony how you feel about them and make your intentions clear before its too late and their feelings get hurt.” Twilight replied.
Winchester nodded “be honest from the start?”
“Exactly.” Rarity said from the door way with a small almost forced smile.
“And that’s what we sent to the princess.” Spike added he was sure how to feel.
“Spike, Rarity.” Twilight said looking at them “is everything okay?”
Rarity looked at Spike a little worried. The dragon shrugged “i guess so.” Rarity kissed the dragon on the cheek, the dragon hissed and wiped his cheek not unlike an embarrassed little brother would. Rarity and Twilight both wrapped their forelegs around Spike. The young dragon try to wiggle his way out of the group hug.

Explores

life in Ponyville had returned to normal in the two weeks scents the Festival. Spike had stopped following Rarity around like a lost puppy. he appeared to have gotten over his hart break quickly and was now infatuated with a new girl in town, although he hadn’t told Twilight or any of their friends who it was yet. They all hoped that she was closer to his age this time. Things Between Twilight Sparkle and Rarity had taken time to smooth over but they had, mostly.
Twilight Sparkle and Spike were in the library humming a tune together as they busied themselves with cleaning up after another crazy night of study and an early visit form Cheerilee's class. Not to mention the Cutie Mark Crusader Librarian Assistants. The whole place was a mess. Spike oddly wasn’t complaining about the cleaning up after the three.
An hour before lunch time the front door opened and in walked Winchester with some books neatly slid in one of his saddle bag and a map was placed in the other.
Twilight didn’t have to look up to know who it was. “hey Winchester.” the mare greeted.
“hello Twilight.” the Stallion said and after a noticeable pause he greet Spike with a simple nod.
“so what's up.” Twilight said making conversation as she placed a book on the top shelf.
“just comparing my map to the ones in the library.” Winchester replied as he placed the books he brought on the check in stack.
“why?”
“there’s some Alicorn ruins near Fogy Bottom Bog, I want to find the best path to them.” the Stallion answered as he brought out his map and the map Ponyville had in it's archive. “which reminds me.” Winchester perked up and turned to Twilight Sparkle who had forgotten her task. “what do you know about alicorn architecture and language?”
Twilight Sparkle raised an eye brow as she turned to him “um well I took a year of alicorn history which covered both language and architecture, and Princess Celestia would give me listens on Alicorns as well. Why dose that matter?” Twilight was confused and curious.
“well your going to help me explore the ruins.” Winchester said as he looked at his map “I’ll pay you for your time of course.”
“um okay why?” Twilight replied now very curious.
“well first.” Winchester replied as he looked up at her “you are far more knowledgeable on Alicorns then I.” he smiled “plus you owe me.”
Twilight Sparkle glared at the Winchester “how do I owe you.”
he simply chuckled “that Star Swirl the Breaded portal spell.”
“ohhh yeeeaaahhh.” Twilight replied remaindering back to last week when she asked the knight to be the test subject for an experimental spell she found in the Lost tome of Star Swirl the Knight had disappeared for half a day as he traveled through dozens of what could only be described as other dimensions. “you still haven’t told me what you saw.”
Winchester looked past Twilight Sparkle and through the wall of the library with eyes as wide as plates. “they will haunt me to my dieing days.”
“oh you'll forget about it by next week.” Twilight said with a roll of her eyes and a smile.
“probably.” Winchester replied returning to his normal self.
The lavender mare sighed and said “well I guess scents I owe you and your paying I got to do it.” Twilight Sparkle wasn’t in need of money but exploring ruins could be fun “but could I ask my friends to come along?”
“i don’t see why not. I could probably even come up with some jobs for them too.” Winchester said thinking that this little expedition had just become very expensive. He just wanted to do some research for his newest book.
“it would only be fair.”
Winchester thought for a moment “Pinkie Pie and Applejack can cater the adventure. Rarity can help me describe things or look at the environment in a new way.” he chuckled when he thought about the white unicorn in dusty dank ruins “um Fluttershy could help identify the little animals that live there. As for Rainbow Dash ummm.” the stallion was out of ideas now “um she can uh carry my sword I don’t know.” he said shaking his head with a smile.
“what about me?” Spike asked believing he was invited.
Winchester looked at the young dragon with a flash of contempt in his eyes before he grinned and said “umm you can test the traps.”
“WHAT!?” Spike yelled.
“well that will work.” Twilight said playing along, Spike just stared at the two with his mouth agape. “so when are we leaving?” Twilight asked giving Spike a quick nuzzle to tell him she was joking.
“well tomorrow if that’s cool?” Winchester said with a grin “got to let all your friends get ready and well I have to plan.” he looked at the map. “I’ll leave getting your friends to come along to you.”
“well okay.” Twilight said shaking her head with a sly smile thinking he was just being lazy. She left Spike behind to finish cleaning up the library.
Finding her friends was easy, as was getting Applejack and Pinkie Pie on bored. Rainbow Dash was also easy to convince to join. The pegasus mare thought exploring ancient ruins would be “so awesome”, although she denied that she thought so because of certain book series. Fluttershy on the other hoof was hard to convince to come along. But after the reminder that she could always use the extra income, the yellow mare gave in and agreed to come only because her friends were all going.
After a quick hug Twilight hurried on her way. Twilight Sparkle's belly rumbled as she walked down the street to Rarity’s boutique, she was getting hungry. The lavender unicorn hoped her over dramatic friend would be easy to convince.
Twilight opened the front door to her friends work place. She expected to hear Rarity's normal work greeting however all she heard was the over dramatic mare's cry of “oh this is the worst possible thing.” Rarity summoned her favorite red couch and flopped down on her back with her hoof over her face.
Twilight sighed and asked “lost your studded ribbon again?” the lavender mare rolled her eyes.
Rarity rolled over on the couch to look at her friend “oh Twilight its much worst then that.”
“what is it?” Twilight asked worried that it may actuality be a real problem.
Rarity rolled over and looked at her friend worry covering her face “oh Twilight its just so horrible.” Twilight nodded hoping Rarity would get to the point. “i have lost my muse.”
“your what?”
“my creative spark darling.” Rarity replied throwing her hooves in the air “i used to look at a few gems and a dress would just form around them.” she gestured dramatically as she spoke “Fabrics would speck to me, telling me what thread to use or another fabric to pair with it. Now......nothing.” she fell on her back with a hoof over her hart and the other over her face.
Twilight saw her chance to convince the fashionable mare to come along “well Rarity I think I have an idea to help.”
“really.” the white mare asked siting up with sparkling eyes.
“of course.” Twilight answered with a smile. The lavender unicorn explained Winchester's plans for tomorrow, about the pay and that every pony else would be coming along as well. All the while Rarity looked down her nose at Twilight, the librarian could almost guess Rarity's answer. 'Darling a lady such as myself would never be caught dead in a some dusty old ruins.'
however Rarity just looked at Twilight for a good long while before completely surprising her “That's an absolutely wonderful idea Darling.” she smiled and hopped down from her couch and added “I’ve been taking my inspiration from same sources all my life, and the same things just cant do the job all the time.” she trotted around the very confused Twilight “Alicorn's have such exquisite style. I mean just look at the princesses.” Rarity said stopping in front of Twilight who simple nodded. Rarity turned away in thought as she continued almost to herself “but of course ruins are quite dirty and even more so when they're in the middle of a nasty swamp.” she shook at the thought then jumped as a light clicked on in her mind, she sang “IDEA!” and hugged the even more confused Twilight “oh thank you thank you thank you darling even the thought of such a trek has started to pull me out of my artistic block.”
“uhh okay any time.” Twilight Sparkle replied hugging her friend back before the white unicorn pulled away and hurried about gathering her designing supplies. “well I guess you wouldn’t like to join me for lunch?”
“oh I would darling but I already had lunch with Thunderlane. Sorry.” she said looking almost hurt that she had to turn her friend down “i could make something for you if you like?”
“oh its alright.” Twilight answered with a smile “I wouldn’t want you to loose your inspiration.” Twilight took her leave while Rarity went to work making whatever it was she was working on.
* * *
the next morning Twilight stood out side her library with her friends waiting for one more to show up. “where is Rainbow Dash she said she would be here.” Twilight asked.
“aahh dang it Rainbow don't wake up early enough to do nothing on time.” Applejack said shifting in her harness for her cart full of supplies.
Winchester swallowed his mouth full of apple and said “if she doesn’t show up whose going to carry my sword.”
“why would I carry your sword.” Rainbow Dash called down from above.
The six ponies and one dragon looked up at the rainbow maned mare that slowly fluttered down to land amongst her friends. Their eyes were drawn up to the green and tan hat on her head.
“oh come on Rainbow Dash Darling, you can't be serous.” Rarity said. Spike and Pinkie Pie were having their own conversation about Rainbow Dash's hat.
“What it helps keep the sun out of my eyes.” Rainbow Dash replied flapping her wings to hover high enough to hide the official Daring Doo symbol on the brim.
“I think its cute.” Winchester said as he finished his apple and slipped his sword harness from his back using his magic to levitate it over to Rainbow Dash. “any way now that we're all here we can get going.”
Before Rainbow Dash could protest the unicorn stallion released his hold on the sword, the strap dropped around the blue mares neck and slammed her to the ground. Rainbow Dash groaned as her Daring Doo hat rolled away. The pegasus shook out of the belt and stood up and said “WHAT THE BUCKING HELL DUDE!”
“what.” Winchester said with a knowing grin. “its just Featherweight.” the mares all stared at him.
“that thing weights more then Big Mac carrying a load of apples.” Applejack said. “hows Rainbow Dash going to carry it.”
“i can carry it like its nothing.”
Twilight sighed “um Winchester.”
the stallion merely smiled “that sword is a gift made by Princess Celestia herself. all knights carry a gift from her or Luna into battle.” before the mares could question him “they are not all swords we each get something that is suits us.”
“that allows me to 'fly on the wings of my Princess'.” Winchester continued “and it weights no more then one of these.” the stallions horn glowed as his magic gently pulled Rainbow Dash's right wing out straight and flick though her feathers. Winchester released her wing and placed her hat back on her head and added “as long as you believe it dose.”
“what are you talking about?” Rainbow dash asked confused.
“magic.” Winchester and Twilight said together.
“oh.” the stunt flier replied as she looked at the appositely massive sword laying in the dirt before her, noting the feather motifs etched into the thick materiel of the sheath. Rainbow Dash leaned down and picked up strap in her mouth and tossed it up over her head. The mare adjusted her hat before she flapped her wings till she was hovering in the air with the strap tight. The mare thought to herself 'its just a feather.' she repeated as she flapped her wings enough to rise higher. The massive sword swung beneath her just like the stallion had said it felt like it weighted nothing.
“see.” Winchester said with a smile. The pegasus shrugged to hide that she was impressed.
The group set out soon after that. Winchester lead the way to allow the mares and the baby dragon to talk with out worrying about navigation, the mares also remembered what he did on their last adventurer. Twilight was next in line with her nose in a book of Alicorn language. Spike sat on his mistress’s back watching as Rainbow Dash hovered next to the lavender unicorn looking over the mares shoulder to read the book for a few minute before dropping back to join Fluttershy and Rarity as they chatted about the boots Rarity had made last night just for the swamp. Applejack and Pinkie Pie brought up the rear both pulling carts with supplies for the planed picnic, Applejack's cart was noticeable larger then the Pinkie's.
As Celestia's sun slowly marched its way across the sky the group trotted on. The day was pleasantly warm for the time of the year, but as the ground around them grew softer and dotted with pools of stagnate water the air grew muggy and thick. Rarity stopped the group so she could put her fancy new swamp boots on.
Winchester tried to pick paths through the swamp that wouldn't be too hard on the mares and the wagons. Although Applejack swore she wouldn’t get stuck in the muck. Pinkie Pie however enjoyed hopping from puddle to puddle. She ignored her friends warnings about how she should look before she leaped. Their warnings came true in one comical incident when the pink mare and her wagon disappeared down one such puddle. Before her friends could react appropriately the pink mare appeared standing in another puddle dry as a bone save for her hooves and the wheels on the wagon. Winchester asked Pinkie Pie how she did that to which the mare replied with a giggled “do what?” the other mares only answer when questioned was “its just Pinkie Pie.”
Around lunch time the group found their destination. What had once been an impressive stone path way that lead to an impressive entrance way, but now it was mostly over taken by the swamp. half a dozen weather worn pillars laid broken on the ground, many of which were covered in moss or vines of some sort. Before the group was large stone structure, it too was covered in vines and moss except for the circular door. age had worn the runes and motifs that covered the door almost beyond the point of recognition. There was no nob or handle or any way visible to open the door.
Spike laid out a blanket for their picnic in front of the door. Twilight Sparkle sat down in front of the door with an apple and a book, she wanted to figure out how to open the door now. Applejack set out food for every pony with Spike's help. Pinkie Pie thought they could use some music but Fluttershy stopped her from starting the record playing. The yellow pegasus explained it would scare the little critters that lived in the swamp. Rarity mean while was trying to find a proper place to sit and eat, she sighed and found a dry patch of grass that wasn’t as dry as she hoped. Rainbow Dash propped Featherweight up against a near by fallen pillar. She jumped as a large frog hoped onto the pillar and then climbed up the swords handle much to Winchester's displeasure. Fluttershy smiled as she fluttered over to the frog and talked to it as if it was an old friend.
As they all ate, Winchester started to tell a them about the last time he visited some Alicorn ruins. “it had was the first time Princess Celestia gave me a mission as a knight.” the stallion had to chose his next words carefully with Spike and Fluttershy listening “She ordered me to.......relocate a Dragon that was dif.......living in some alicorn ruins.” he smiled as he thought back the sight of the ruins “oh they were beautiful it was the first time I had seen ruins like them but it never really gets old.” he sighed “i sadly didn’t really get a chance to explore them though.”
“What stopped you?” Rarity asked.
“the dragon.”
“Why?” Spike asked.
Winchester looked at Spike hiding what he truly wanted to say, and continued as he had done before. “the dragon was disagreeable and when it-he finally left he took the ruins with it-him.”
“well that stinks.” Applejack said. Spike didn’t understand how a dragon could take building with him as he flew away.
Twilight jumped to her hooves and Yelled “I’ve got it!”
“well its about time.” Rainbow Dash said flying up in the air the stunt flier had grow tired of waiting she wanted to see this place already. After a brief pause the pegasus asked “what you get?”
“its a magic door.” Twilight Sparkle said looking at her friends. “its locked like the vault Princess Celestia used to keep the elements in.”
“cool.” Winchester said as he, Spike and the other mares gathered around Twilight Sparkle.
“yep.” Twilight said looking at the stallion “so open it.”
“wait what?” Winchester said confused.
“you know more about breaking into ancient ruins then me and your tall enough to reach the hole.” the lavender mare said pointing to the hole in the center of the door.
Winchester sighed as he looked to where her hoof was pointing and mumbled something.
“what?” Twilight asked leaning closer to him her ears perked up high. Only to have him mumble something again. “excuse me?”
“my horn.” Winchester's voice shifted into a mumble.
“come on boy be a stallion and speak up.” Applejack said frustrated.
“i have a small horn.” the stallion said ashamed to admit it. “Its one of the reason I brought Twilight.”
Rainbow Dash flopped down on her back laughing as she said “so that’s why the princess gave you such a big sword.”
“Rainbow Dash its not the size of the horn its how one uses it.” Rarity scolded.
Rainbow Dash stood up and said “sure if you say so.” she nudged Applejack's with her elbow, the two mares smiled. Fluttershy blushed the whole time.
Pinkie Pie hopped over to Winchester and threw her hooves around his neck saying “its okay Winchester we still like you even if your horn is itty bitty.” Spike was mean while checking the size of his spikes as compared to his body.
the stallion was unsure of how to react so he just smiled and said “thanks.”
With a boost from Applejack, Twilight was able to reached the hole in the center of the door. The lavender mare checked her book on unlocking magic doors one more time before she angled her horn to slide it into the hole.
“you go Twilight show that door whose the pony.” Rainbow Dash couched lewdly. Winchester and Applejack grinned while Fluttershy blushed even more then before. Pinkie Pie and Spike were just confused. Rarity wouldn't dignify such a statement with a responses. Twilight blushed as she glared at Rainbow Dash before she returned to her work with the door, she slid her horn into the door all the way in up to her scalp. the mare realized that she was just big enough to do the job.
“Darling do be careful.” Rarity called up to her friend “you don’t want to mess up your mane or scratch your horn.” the other mares rolled their eyes, the pegasi and earth ponies didn’t realize how serous a damaged horn really was. Twilight just shushed her friends.
With the peanut gallery silenced Twilight could finally concentrate. The librarian’s coat shimmered as she allowed her magic flow through the door and in turn let the doors magic flow through her. The young unicorn felt a strange familiarity with the mystical energy with in the door and the locking mechanism. She couldn’t explain the familiar warmth she felt as she gently found the metaphorical key to open the door.
With a bright flash of purple light Twilight pulled her horn free of the door. The unicorn and her friends watched amazed as the purple glow slowly worked its way outward along the symbols and motifs in the stone door. Seconds passed in silents till a sudden deep rumble reverberated through the ground scaring some ducks from the near by bog, Fluttershy nearly followed them as the rumble was joined by the sounds stone grinding against stone. Twilight fell off of Applejack's shoulders as the country mare backed away, the unicorn quickly righted her self and back away from the door with her friend just encase there was some sort of trap set up. Winchester moved in front of the the mares with Featherweight ready for anything.
Slowly the stone door rolled to the side, grinding and cracking with age and disuse. The ponies waited for the echos of cracking stone to subside before as a group they approached the dark tunnel to the under ground ruins. Winchester stopped the mares and stepped forward telling them that it may not be safe. Twilight picked up Spike and placed him on her back to keep him out of danger. Winchester's horn glowed a soft blue that formed into a ball of light at the tip. Winchester gently tossed the ball of light down the dark hallway highlighting the walls as it flew down into the darkness.
“hmm no traps.” the Stallion said “odd.”
“why?” Twilight asked Spike leaned in to hear what he would say, Fluttershy however epped afraid that it would be more dangerous then she thought.
“huh oh.” the stallion said a little embarrassed “sorry just thinking out loud.”
Fluttershy was confused but decided to drop it not wanting to be rude. The unicorn's ignited their horns with a simple light spell and they began the descend into the darkness of the entrance hall.
The mares and the young dragon looked around at the stone walls. the once beautiful murals were now covered in dust and vines and other unsavory muck. however their attention was soon drawn to one of their number.
“the stagnate air filled the delicate lungs of the six maidens as their fine horse shoes clicked off the cracked stone floor in delicate contrast to the heavy steel clad stomps of their protector.” Winchester said staring straight ahead, the mares just looked at writer slightly confused. “deeper they descended into the darkness of the ancient tomb, their lights barely held the blackness at bay. The maidens could not know the dangers the shadows could hold.” Fluttershy epped as a flicker of Rarity's light allowed a shadow to jump at her. “Artax knew what the......darkness.....held.” the stallion snorted as he drew his sword.
“Winchester.” Twilight said trying to get his attention.
Featherweight floated beside the stallion as he continued “the darkness at the end of the entrance hall loomed over them all like the jaws …...like a maw of a great beast. The steel clad warrior could smell-”
“WINCHESTER!” Twilight yelled to get him to stop feeling Spike beginning to shake on her back.
“What.” the stallion said blinking.
“stop it.” Twilight scolded she had been woken up by the stallion loosing himself while writing aloud a few times before so she was fairly use to it.
“sorry, got kind of carried away writing.” the unicorns' light reveled his blush and his notepad and quill.
“W-Winchester?” Fluttershy asked timidly.
“yes?” the stallion replied looking at the frightened pegasus with genuine concern.
“d-do you really t-think tha-at its d-dangerous here.” Fluttershy asked trembling. Applejack moved closer to Fluttershy to remind her that she was there for her.
“Well I never said it would be Safe.” Winchester replied matter-o-factly much to the yellow Pegasus’s horror “but by my honor and my life no harm will come to any of you.” the knight looked at each of the mares with the most serious face they had ever seen however it, was quickly replaced with his normal grin and cheerful eyes. “any way I doubt there’s anything scarier in here other then the odd spider.” Fluttershy and oddly enough Rainbow Dash looked very relieved to hear that. Rarity on the other hoof wasn’t very happy about hearing about spiders, her complaints were mostly ignored by the others. Spike even pointed out a spider on the wall near the white unicorn just to hear Rarity epped, she glared at the baby dragon who laughed like a younger brother would when teasing his older sister.
The seven ponies soon emerged from the entrance hall into the main chamber of the complex, unlike how Winchester described the darkness quickly receded from the lights of the unicorns' horns, however they just didn’t give off enough light to see more then about a few feet away.
Winchester's horn went dark as he lower his head. He mumbled a short pray then his head shot up as he called out “the princess of the sun is my light in all darkness.” suddenly the room was filled with a soft warm light. In the center of the room near the roof was the shining image of Celestia's cutie mark. Winchester smiled “just one of the perks of being a knight.”
In the warm light of the false sun the group could begin to explore the huge round room, the walls gently sloped up to form a dome above them. The floor walls and ceiling were covered with tiles each with a different symbol, being so far under the ground kept the muck of the swamp at bay for the most part. The were a few spots where swamp water was dripping through creaks in the ceiling. The door on the far side of the room looked to be growing some sort of underground plant. two other doors where to the far right and far left of the room. In the center of the room was a altar, a familiar winged unicorn statue over looked the altar. the statue on the other side of the alter laid broken on the ground.
Winchester looked around and started to wright down notes of the everything. Twilight Applejack and Fluttershy made their way over to the alter, Spike set Twilight's book on alicorn architecture on the alter. While Applejack looked up at the stature and said “hey that thing looks like the statue in the Canterlot ball room.”
“yeah.” Fluttershy agreed feeling a strange need to pray.
“the one that you girls broke?” Spike asked, the mares glares was all the answer he needed.
Pinkie pie happily hopped around the room and playing with the echos in each doorway. Rainbow Dash flew around the room hopping to find some sort of secret passage or some hidden treasure.
Rarity mean while was looking at the many symbols on the walls. Finding one she liked, the unicorn pulled a sheet of paper from her saddle bag and began to rub some chock on it so she could have the image for later. “these look kind of like cutie marks.” Rarity commented.
“well that makes sense.” Twilight answered looking up from her book “these are the graves of this Alicorn family.” a sudden chill ran down most of the ponies spines. Fluttershy epped and bowed her head giving into the need to pray. Rarity stopped making her rubbing realizing what it was.
“oh now I get it.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew down her to lavender friend “i was always confused why some pony with wings would live under ground.”
“yes apparently this is the wedding chamber, the birthing room, and the grave site.” Twilight said as the mare looked up at her friends “just about every major event in an Alicorn's life took place here.”
“well getting hitched in a church makes sense but hell even I was born in a hospital despite what some ponies think.” Applejack said turning to Rarity who simply turned her nose up at the acquisition. Pinkie Pie's giggles echoed around them while Spike was just mystified by the thought of being surround by hundreds or maybe even thousands of graves.
“well they wanted their ancestors to bear witness to their lives.” Winchester said looking around the room “from the day they enter this world, to when they bring another pony into their family through marriage, when the fruits of love enter this world” the stallion paused as he looked at mares at the alter “and the day they are laid to rest beside them.”
“That sounds mighty deep.” Applejack said looking around before she joined Fluttershy in a short pray.
“you pulled that out of your flank didn’t you.” Rainbow Dash said with a smirk.
“Maybe.” Winchester replied with his goofy smile, Twilight and Rainbow Dash roll their eyes.
The lavender mare turned back her to book “that door to the left is the storage area kitchen and preparation rooms.” Pinkie Pie giggled and called “echo.” into the hallway to add effusive to Twilight Sparkle's explanation. The unicorn pointed to the door to her right as Pinkie Pie hurried to the door and repeated the process of yelling “echo.” as Twilight explained “that there leads to the treasure chamber.”
“Treasure.” Rarity said with sparkling eyes. Rainbow Dash floated behind the white mare with the same look on her face.
“yes.” Twilight said again rolling her eyes. Winchester chuckled as he made notes of the mares faces. “and that way.” Twilight said moving on. “that door in front us should be the living chambers for monks and priest.”
Again Pinkie Pie was at the hall way, she was just about to yell echo into the darkness but what came out was a epped “ow.” her friends called to her concerned “my knee just got all pinchy.” the pink mare's eyes widened but her explanation of her Pinkie sense was cut off by a stone shacking roar.
Before the earth pony could respond to her friends orders to get over to them a large yellow snake like head shot out of the crumbling hall way and grabbed Pinkie by her tail. The head was soon followed by three others and the beast round body shattering the stone hallway as it freed its self from its hiding place. Pinkie's screams for help were soon cut off by the hydra tossing her up in the air and catching her in its gaping maw. The mares' gasp and their their harts almost stopped when they heard the wet gulp of the hydra swallowing Pinkie.
As the bulge moved down the hydra’s throat Featherweight stabbed into the beast neck just below the bulge. before the hydra realized what happened Winchester slammed into the beast's neck and used his magic to rip his sword around severing the hydra's head. With a concussive blast of magic he sent the dead head bouncing across the floor to stop in front of the mares. Twilight and her remaining friends watched wide eyed as the neck moved for a moment then a very slimy Pinkie Pie popped out of the end.
Pinkie Pie wiggled free and both her and Rarity said “eeeewwwww gross.”
While Applejack and Twilight Sparkle inquired if Pinkie Pie was okay. the sounds of steel against bone and several roars of pain from the hydra echoed around them all. The mares and the baby dragon looked to see Winchester floating mid air with one of the hydras head missing is lower jaw trying to retreat, a second head reeled from a sword strike that had remove its left eye and gave the beast a massive bloody cut. The last head raced up at Winchester from below, the mares gasped thinking that the knight was doomed Spike was cheering on the knight. The stallion flipped foreword his hooves warped around his sword handle just before the hydra caught him in its maw, the beast didn't expect to come snout to edge with the razor sharp blade of Featherweight. Winchester spun like a circular saw slicing their the hydras head and neck like a knife through butter.
Winchester landed in front of the monster and looked up just in time to see the head and neck peal apart like a banana. The hydra kicked the stallion across the room. The one eyed head growled, it wanted to pursue but when its feet didn’t respond it looked over to the jawless head. The jawless head gargled fearfullyit wanted to retreat back into the hole. The one eyed head roared at it. The stallion's hooves sparked on the stone floor as he slid across the room. He looked up as the one eyed head bit the jawless head's neck several times then turned and lumbered foreword.
the hydra lowered its head to the ground hissing like a massive angry snake as it charged. Winchester smiled this was what he lived for. he loved to read and writing was his special talent but this was so much better, no fine food or pleasure of the flesh brought more joy to the knight then slaying the beast that dared to defile Equestra with their very existent.
The Hydra neared it's eye burning with rage as it opened his jaws ready to rip the pony into pieces. Winchester simply snorted as he nodded his head a little and Featherweight shot forward. The hydra stopped mid stride just a few paces away from Winchester. it's eye crossed as it looked at the sword handle that stuck from its forehead. With in seconds the hydra's eye faded and its neck went limp the dead head held aloft by the sword in its head. Finally with full control over its body the jawless head began to drag its dead heads away and back into the shattered hall way.
Featherweight slid free from the hydras head as it retreated. Winchester grinned as he started to fallow the hydra to finish it off but remembering what happened to Pinkie Pie the stallion hurried over to the mares. “Pinkie are you okay?” Winchester asked worried.
For the first time ever Pinkie Pie actually looked miserable, her mane stuck to her face and neck. She trembled from the now cold slime that covered her. She looked at Winchester with sad eyes that pained the stallion's hart she said “yeah I’m fine but I feel all icky.”
“I’ll say.” Rarity said some how more disgusted then Pinkie “Darling we should wash that out before it ruins your mane.”
“not just your mane.” Twilight Sparkle said the book learned mare started to describe the many ways the saliva could be dissolving Pinkies flesh.
Pinkie Pie's eyes widened in terror as did many of her friends, Winchester was worried but wrought down everything Twilight said despite knowing he should be doing something, he was just getting carried away. The pink mare trotted in place in a panic chanting “get it off get it off.”
“clam down Pinkie.” Applejack said taking charge and with some help from Spike and the others Pinkie was able to hold still. some conjured water and a rain-blow dry later Pinkie Pie was mostly clean and back to her normal cheerful self.
Pinkie Pie hoped in place and giggled, her mane and tail didn’t have the normal bounce they normally did but that was to be expected what wasn’t was her mood swing. Just minutes before she had looked as miserable as a drowned rat now she was as normal as can be, normal for Pinkie Pie at least. “okay how do you do that Pinkie?” Winchester asked as curious as the other ponies.
“do what?” Pinkie asked confused.
“how are you so happy?” Winchester answered his patients running thin with not understanding the pink mare.
“why wouldn’t I be?” Pinkie replied with a giggle. Winchester groaned and gave up.
“uh sugar cube you were just eaten by a hydra.” Applejack said, she was starting to suspect something wasn’t quite right with her pink friend.
“yeah, but I'm better now.” Pinkie Pie answered as if that it was normal “and now I also know what a cupcake see when I eat it.”
“Pinkie you are so random.” Rainbow Dash said with a shake of her head. The stunt flier went on to boast about how she would have beaten up the hydra till Applejack put her in her place with a good natured reminder of how Rainbow Dash was hiding behind the farm mare the whole time. Spike joined in the game of poke the bear to hide his own fear.
With the incident with the hydra behind them the group decided to descend into the treasure chamber. Spike and Fluttershy both protested, the pair's small amount of courage had been shaken. They were simply told by the others that they should make Pinkie's near death experience worth it. Applejack however did give a short silent prayer to the alicorn's asking that they didn’t get too mad about them all raiding their treasure.
As the group of ponies moved toward the door that led to the treasure chamber. Winchester stopped them so that he could cast his trap reveling spell again, Twilight asked him to teach her the spell later. The Stallion heartily agreed. The spell revealed the stairs were safe.
at the base of the stairs the hallway made a hard right into a long tunnel leading to a large magic door much like the main entrance. Several beams of light shined through holes in the ceiling, it was easy to tell that the lights were not nature. Again Winchester stopped the group and cast his reveal trap spell. However this time most of the tiles in the floor lit up blue as well as many small wholes in the wall.
“well that sucks.” Winchester said taking note of all the possible traps hidden with in the walls.
“but with all these traps the treasure is most certainly going to be worth it.” Rarity said smiling hopefully.
“but that’s a lot of traps to get through.” Spike pointed out.
“dose this mean we can go now?” Fluttershy asked barley above a whisper, Spike agreed making a jiggling sound as he shook his head.
“we might be able to get around them if we tip hoof.” Pinkie Pie said with a giggle.
“Well this may be the lever to turn off all them dang traps.” Applejack said pointing to a lever on the wall, she neglected to note that the leaver was glowing blue as well.
“hey Spike pull it.” Winchester said with a grin.
“WHY.” the young dragon ask from Twilight's back.
“well if theirs a fire trap your the least likely to burn to death.” Winchester said slightly sarcastic. “if its electrified again your scales will-”
“Winchester, stop.” Twilight said feeling Spike trembling.
Winchester sighed and said “I was just playing.”
“well its not funny.”
“i think I see another lever by the door.” Applejack cut Twilight off.
“bet you a cupcake that the levers have to be pull together.” Pinkie pie said bouncing up and down.
“seems logical.” Winchester said forgetting about his game with Spike, Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes and decided to continue to scold him later.
“then I’ll just fly over there and we can pull the levers together.” Rainbow Dash said as she hovered above the group then zoomed off down the hall.
“WAIT!” Winchester called but it was too late the rainbow maned mare passed through the first beam of light, “TWILIGHT!” the stallion ordered hoping she would understand as he threw his sword. Darts shot out of the holes in the wall as spears burst through tiles in the floor. Rainbow did what she did best, fly faster.
Darts just missed the stunt flier, rusty spears shot up just behind Rainbow Dash as she neared the door. She prayed to Celestia that their would be a space at the door to safely stand as large blades sliced through the air behind her. Rainbow Dash slammed into the door hooves first with her eyes closed, panting hard.
Seconds passed the hall was filled with the whoosh of darts and the crank of gears. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and saw some hair fall from her mane. she looked back to see her hat bouncing around as hundreds of darts hit it from both sides till a spear threw into the path of one of the large blades that sliced it in two, Rainbow's face paled slightly. She looked to her right to see Featherweight stabbed into the stone floor darts pinged off the massive blade, she checked her left to see a purple sheet of energy blocking more darts both shielded her form certaint death.
“RAINBOW DASH ARE YOU ALLRIGHT?” Applejack called. Pinkie Pie had actually stopped bouncing so she could watch. Fluttershy looked like she was about to have a hart attack. Twilight was concentrating on holding the magical shield in place.
“YEAH WHY?” Rainbow Dash answered having to yell over the sound of the traps.
“WELL DARLING YOUR TAIL HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY RUINED.” Rarity explained fanning herself worry was painted on her face.
Rainbow Dash looked down at her tail, about half a hoof of hair was missing. As she checked her tail a dart skipped off the floor and struck her in the flank right in the middle of her cutie mark. “OWW.” she looked at the dart with wide eyes “oh Celestia no.” she panted.
“WHAT.” the others called.
“SO UM DO YOU THINK THESE DARTS ARE POISONED?” Rainbow Dash asked trying to not panic.
Winchester with out missing a beat answered “THEY PROBABLY ARE, WHY.”
“OH NOTING I JUST MAY BE DIEING, SO UH LETS HURRY UP AND TURN OFF THESE TRAPS.” Rainbow Dash explained on the edge of loosing it.
“OKAY.” Winchester replied the only one remaining calm as he moved over to the lever, Rainbow Dash did the same. “ON THREE.” Winchester said placing his hoof of the lever. “ONE......TWO......THREE!” he yelled. Both the ponies attempted to push the levers down, however they simple clicked and sent electricity through the pair. age had luckily damaged the trap to mere announces causing some pain and making every hair on end.
“WHAT THE HELL DUDE!” Rainbow dash yelled.
“HEY I GOT SHOCKED TOO.” Winchester said examining the lever and testing how it moved. “TRY PUSHING IT UP.” again the stallion counted and they both pushed it up at the same time nothing happen.
“STILL NOT WORKING.” Rainbow yelled has her rump started to go numb.
“I'M WORKING ON IT!” Winchester said adding “bitch.” under his breath.
Rainbow Dash groaned “asshole.” not caring if she was heard or not.
“ON THREE PUSH IT DOWN!” Winchester yelled. “ONE.....TWO.......THREE!” Rainbow did as told half expecting to be blown up however everything went silent as the darts stopped, the swinging blades gave one final swing and disappeared into the walls and the spears returned to the floor. The once panicked mares hurried to their friend ignoring the protest of the knight however his worry was for not as nothing happened.
“Rainbow Dash are you okay.” Twilight sparkle said looking at the dart in the Pegasus’s flank.
“let me look at it.” Applejack said hopping she could help with her experience with snake bites.
Rainbow Dash ignored the embarrassment of having three other ponies so close to her rump, Fluttershy looked closely as well, she also knew a little about poisons. “so am I gong to be okay?” the stunt flier asked barely hiding her fear as the feeling in her butt was fully lost.
“have no fear Dashie nurse Pinkie Pie is here.” the pink pony yelled as she jumped to tackle the pegasus intending to suck out the poison.
Twilight caught Pinkie out of the air saying “now there'll be none of that.” Pinkie looked at her friend sheepishly. Spike hid his grin at the thought.
“as much as I would like to see that.” Winchester said tasting a dart “there’s no need the poisons so old that the most she'll get is some numbness.” everybody including Spike sighed with relief none more so then Rainbow Dash.
Applejack plucked the dart from her friends rump carefully not to pull any of the Pegasus’s sparking fur then spit the dart on the floor “well hell girl your ain’t as fast as you thought.” she said slapping her friend on her numb posterior.
Rainbow Dash jumped more from the surprise then feeling the smack. “hey I could fly through this junk like it was nothing. Stoppings what gets me in trouble.” Applejack just smirked.
Twilight Sparkle set Pinkie Pie down and started to examine the door Winchester and Rarity added their lights to the lavender mare's own light to help in the inspection. The stallion also placed his sword in the sheath on his back. Spike jumped as Pinkie Pie rear up with two darts held with her teeth, hooves over her head ready to grab the baby dragon as she said “bleh I want to suck your blood bleh bleh.”
“hey sugar cube you sure that’s a good idea?” Applejack asked Pinkie.
“yeah, i can't feel my butt anymore, what would you do if you stuck your tongue.” Rainbow Dash said hoovering above them.
“i don’t kn-” Pinkie Pie stopped mid-sentence feeling a prick on her tongue and another on her lower lip. She quickly spit the two darts out and looked at her friends for a moment before saying “oops.” she was already developing a slight lisp, Applejack and Rainbow Dash simple gave the pink mare the 'we told you so' look.
the door to the treasure chamber was much the same as the main entrance. Twilight Sparkle jumped up on Winchester's back to get to the lock. Spike wasn't paying attention and fell too the ground. Luckily his thick scale protected him against the darts sharp points. “oops, sorry Spike.” Twilight apologized.
“it's okay.” the dragon replied as he stood.
“see we could have just tossed him down the hall and he would have been fine.” Winchester teased.
Twilight bonked the stallion on the head to get him to stop. After he apologized she turned her attention to the door, the spell with in this door was the same as the one out side and quickly fell to the lavender unicorn and was just as strangely familiar. The door rolled to the side revealing a large room that seemed to glow with its own soft golden light. The group entered the room that seemed to rise all the way up to the sky.
The mares were greatly impressed oohing and aahing about what they saw, Winchester made many notes on the room. But as the simple majesty of the room that seem bigger then the space underground should allow wore off Rarity noticed something “there’s nothing here?”
“yeah.” Rainbow Dash said disappointed as she looked around the empty room
Twilight examined the many symbols and words on the walls. “these look like stories.”
Winchester joined her and agreed as he compared the symbols with the ones in Twilight's book. “yeah history maybe.” the librarian nodded both her and writer feeling some sort of pride that the treasure chamber would be a library.
“our history was always our greatest treasure. One that my family only showed to family.” came a voice from the door way behind everypony. A voice that sent a shiver down Their spines, a voice that nearly stopped Twilight's hart on the spot and sent Winchester into rigid attention. They all turned to see Princess Celestia with Princess Luna beside her standing in the door way.

History Lesson

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stood in the door way too their family’s treasure chamber. Their faces were hard to read, some where between anger that their ancestral home had been broken into by their most valued subjects no less, and nostalgia of being home again.
“We're Sorry Princess Celestia if we had known this was your home we would have never broke in.” Twilight Sparkle said her hart trying to beat its way out of her chest. Winchester stood next to Twilight staring at his princesses like he was staring at his own doom.
“Yes very sorry.” Rarity said fearing for her social standing as much as her own fate “please don’t throw us in the dungeons.”
Rainbow Dash hovered just off her white coated friend's shoulder, the Pegasus’s rump still had no feeling. “please don’t banish us ether.”
Fluttershy felt like her hart was about to burst as she squeaked “please don’t banish us then throw us in a dungeon in the place you banished us too.”
“OR EXECUTE US.” Applejack blurted out shaking so violently that her hat was about to fall off. The look on Winchester's face was making the normally calm pony nearly as nervous as Fluttershy.
Pinkie Pie bounced up and down as she mumbled incomprehensibly her lips and tongue completely numb. The Princesses and the pink mare's friends all stared at her completely confused. Pinkie sighed and looked at Spike with her big blue puppy dog eyes, the nervous dragon sighed and said “She said please don’t banish us, then throw us in a dungeon then have us execute in the place we were banished too.”
Princess Celestia was almost dumbstruck by her subjects fears. She looked to her sister, Luna was equally confused. The princess sighed and said something to Luna in a language only she understood. She looked back her subjects with a gentle smile. “girls I’m not going to banish you or throw you in the dungeons, and I’m certainly not going to execute any of you. I can't blame you for your curiosity.” the ponies all looked greatly relieved, although Winchester was still standing at attention.
“knowing Twilight it would have only been a matter of time before she came here.” Luna added looking at the young unicorn, Twilight blushed.
“indeed.” Celestia said looking at her student with pride. Twilight smiled but her joy disappeared when her teachers face turned from prideful to very disappointed “however there is the Fact that one of my knights put my most valuable subjects into danger. That is something that I’m very upset about.”
Winchester stood even more rigid then before “the hydra was an unforeseen danger that I dealt with as swiftly as possible.”
“indeed.” Celestia said looking from the Knight to Pinkie who averted her eyes nervously “however.” the Princess said turning back to Winchester “there were dangers you were aware of and still brought the bearers of harmony here.” she looked at Rainbow Dash.
Winchester swallowed “you are right my princess. I willing excepted any punishment you deem necessary for my actions.”
before the princess spoke Rainbow Dash spoke up “um your highness.”
“yes Rainbow Dash?” Princess Celestia replied her voice more like a mother then a ruler. Luna mean while was looking at some of the history of the walls.
“i-um.” the stunt flier was fairly nervous but she felt she had to say something. “its not all Winchester's fault. I kind of jump in with out thinking and well yeah hehe so he cant be blamed for me rushing through all the traps and stuff cause I did it before he could stop me.” she guessed the goddess ruler of all pony kind some how already knew some of what happened. the other mares added their own thoughts to why they thought the stallion did his best to make it safe. Spike blurted out that Winchester wanted to use him to test the traps.
Celestia took it all in and contemplated everything. “very well, Winchester your punishment will be this.” she looked down at the stallion who tried to stand straighter. “you will play no part in the slaying of the hydra and your involvement with it will here by be wiped from your records.”
the six mares and the baby dragon were more confused now then they had been in a while. How could that be any type of punishment they thought, however Winchester looked like the princess had just stabbed him in the hart.
“As for the rest of you.” Celestia joined her sister in examining the walls. “you all shall be punished as well, nothing too bad. a history lesson is all.” white alicorn sighed “Yes Winchester you may join us. ” now it was Rainbow Dash's to look like she had been stabbed. Pinkie Pie wasn’t too trilled about a having to take a quiz, school work had always been something that the pink pony had never really enjoyed. Fluttershy and Applejack were confused to why a History lesson was punishment. Rarity was indifferent. While Twilight Sparkle and Winchester were thrilled.
“Dear sister how is a lesson punishment for your most faithful student.” Luna asked trying hard not to smile.
“well.” Celestia replied hiding her own smile by facing away from her subjects “well, at the end of the lesson there will be a quiz and she'll fail it.”
Twilight's hart all but stopped at the word fail. Luna hid her smile with her wing as she came to the defense of her young subject and friend “dear sister do you not think that is far too curl.”
Celestia looked back to her student, the lavender unicorn was on the verge of a panic attack. “perhaps maybe she will just have to get the second highest score.”
the princess looked at the symbols on the wall and motioned for her subjects to join her at one in particular, when Twilight had finally stopped hyperventilating she joined the others at Celestia's side.
Luna stood next to Celestia as the large white alicorn cleared her throat and spoke “Have you ever wondered why my sister and I are called princesses?” she smiled at her 'students' as they murmured about never really thinking about.
“because Queen Celestia simple dose not roll of the tongue as well Princess Celestia dose?” Rarity answered louder then the others. Drawing nothing but raised eye brows. The princesses both nodded nether of them had ever thought about it like that. Both the princess's looked at their knight wanting his answer.
“you are goddesses my princess you may have us call you what ever you want.” Winchester answered like a good knight should.
Luna glared at the knight while Celestia said “Winchester the Writer you are far more inquisitive then that.”
the knight sighed “i often wonder it. you are the holy monarch of our kingdom after all, but I never felt it my place to ask.”
the princess nodded then looked to her best student “Twilight do you have an answer?”
Twilight blushed “i never really thought about it.” she looked up at her mentor “maybe you didn’t want to sound like the queens from before Equestria.”
“those tyrants were horrible I hear.” Celestia said “and all are good guesses. However the answer is much simpler and yet more complicated than that.” she turned to the wall and the one of the symbols began to glow. colors swirled in the air in front of everypony for a few seconds then became a stain glass style image of white alicorn with a rose red mane and tail, she wore a gold crown a top her head. “our mother was queen of the alicorns and by all rights one of us should have been crowned queen after her passing but something about it would have never felt right.” Luna nodded.
the mortal ponies looked at the picture in awe. “that said I was never suppose to be a leader, Luna was the one destined for the throne.” Celestia smiled at the reaction of their subjects.
“it is true.” Luna said with a nod, she couldn’t hid how amusing her subjects were “as soon as I was changed back into, well my self my dear loving sister dropped most of the day to day runings of Equestria onto me once again.” Luna looked up at her older sister with a smile.
“well politics were your specialty dear little sister.” Celestia smiled back then turned to her students “mine was teaching. When I was younger I was always on the path to becoming a..... teacher, I believe is the closest translation.” the princess of the sun looked at the princess of the moon for help.
“i believe you are correct, although it seems that priestess is also close as well.” Luna replied.
Celestia nodded “yes and dose anyone have a guess to what my specialty was going to be?” being the subject of one of her own lessons felt very strange.
“magic.” Twilight said raising her hoof with a big smile on her face.
Rainbow Dash hovered next to Applejack and whispered “teacher's pet.” both the mares giggled drawing a glare and a shush from Twilight.
Celestia giggled before she said with a big smile “very good Twilight.” the unicorn beamed at the praise. The Princess smiled and continued “a couple of thousand of years ago.”
“two thousand five hundred and eighty three to be more precise.” Luna clarified.
“yes thank you.” Celestia looked at her younger sister with a smile she guessed Luna wanted to help teach. “it was a time before great city’s or massive castles, record players and even indoor plumbing. Most ponies were lucky if they lived in a straw hut. Although the odd rich unicorn would build a monument to their egos or a pegasus warlord would make a fortress of clouds.”
“we Alicorn's lived among the trees.” Luna cut in, Celestia allowed her sister to set the mood. “the only buildings we built were our temples. We built ours under ground so not to damage our forest.”
“yes.”
“this swamp was once a beautiful forest with the tastiest berries and the tenderest leaves. We slept on the soft grass under stares and moon.” Luna said looking up at the impossibly high roof.
“you do love the moon.” Celestia said smiling, however Luna ignored her.
“living the way we did is why the true story of harts warming eve isn’t as hart warming as the story suggests.”
“yes but.” Celestia said wanting to get back on track.
“so much death.” Luna said starring blankly into the distances remembering the stories her father told them.
“Luna!” Celestia raised her voice to get her sisters attention.
Luna blushed “sorry you remember how vivid father like to tell his war stories.”
“yes they were not appropriate for bed time.” Celestia shivered at the memory.
Winchester made a mental note not to tell his war stories to his foals, if he ever had any. Celestia shook her head to clear her thoughts. “now where was I? Oh yes it was in this time, I was about your age Twilight in my last year of school, and in fact I was already teaching some of the foals classes.” the Alicorn thought back to her first students and tear formed in her eye but it soon disappeared.
“school was done for the day and I had decided to take a walk through the woods.” Celestia continued “it was a beautiful spring day, the afternoon sun was shining through the trees just so perfectly romantic that if I had met a single young stallion I would have.......started courtship with him right there.” Celestia rolled her eyes seeing the look on Luna’s face.
“sadly that is not what I met among the trees.” Celestia said as she moved to a symbol a few paces down. The symbols glowed revealing a familiar picture of the mismatched master of chaos. “the dark god Discord.” the princess's students gasped. “he stepped out from behind a tree far too small for him to hide behind. He tempted me with flowers and nice words. He said he could show me the world in a whole new way.”
“what did you do.” Twilight Sparkle asked the others nodded, Pinkie's numb tongue flapped around wildly. Winchester quill dances over his note pad.
Celestia sighed and looked at the image of Discord “i didn't give in to the demon's temptations. i ran back to our family and told them of the danger.” she looked to Luna to see if she had anything to add. Luna had decided to bow out of telling the story for now. “father searched forest, but the demon was gone.”
“but alas that was not the last we saw of Discord.” Celestia moved to the next image. “i told you before what Discord did with the little ponies. How his fun was torture for them.” Twilight and her friends nodded reminding what they had been told. “My father as high king wouldn’t stand for it. It was bad enough that the demon was ruining the lands of the other ponies, but we alicorns were not exempt from Discords games. So my father gathered all the alicorn warriors in land and marched on Discord.” Celestia stepped to the side allowing the strain glass like image to unfold into rows and rows of alicorn's standing in formation some wore ancient armor and others carried weapons. At the front of the formation was the white and red Alicorn that the group reconsigned as Celestia and Luna’s mother. Beside her stood a large blue Alicorn with a black mane and tail. Celestia stared at the image before her, she was starting to regret this lesson.
“what happened?” Rainbow Dash asked anxious for the rest of the story.
“Discord showed no mercy.” Luna said taking the darker part of the story for her sister. “those that were lucky enough he simply took their horns or wings or both. While others became the demons and beast that we later imprisoned in Tartarus. some just cease to exist.” the princess sighed “But that was not the last of Discords punishment for our kind.” Luna stopped and looked at her sister.
“What did he do?” Rarity asked just as eager to know as the others.
“he broke the world.” Celestia said in a a dark tone. She looked at her subjects “i am starting to regret this lesson, likely it has a happy ending.”
“sort of.” Luna said.
“that was just one dirty chapter of this story and it has been wiped away.” Celestia replied with a slight smile before she sighed.
“it is more like a scar on my hart that will never fade.” Luna spoke more to herself then anypony as she stared at the sword on Winchester's back. Twilight Felt that the princess of the moon was talking about more then just becoming Nightmare Moon.
Celestia gave Luna a loving nuzzle before she continued “Alicorns are superior to the other pony kinds in many ways.” she looked at her subjects, trying not to belittle them. “we are as strong as earth ponies, can fly like the pegasi and are as magical as any unicorn.” the sun princess explained.
“however we can't adapt to the changing world like your kind.” Celestia moved to the next image that showed Discord laughing as he stood over the world, he clawed at the ground turning the green grass black. “the dark god Discord brought forth drouth and famine, rainforest became deserts. Our lush forest became this dank muggy poisonous swamp.” Celestia looked to the next image that showed her mother with eyes closed and wings around an earth pony, a Pegasus and a unicorn “for twenty years we watched our mother try and hold civilization together, she lead even on her death bed. Whiles Others banded under a together under the banners of other lords, holy ones and clan leaders of all types and races. My mother ruled with love and compassion where the others were more curl and harsh. Forcing those under them to fight for their place.”
“thank your holy manes they were lost too history.” Winchester blurted out the mares quickly piled on him so their princess could continue.
“when our mother finally succumb to disease, Luna and I decided we had to find a way to stop Discord instead of trying to just survive under him. Ten years we searched for a way to defeat a god like Discord, sickness nearly took me twice. I almost lost Luna three times” Celestia looked at her students “we discovered the elements of harmony but we had no way too find the chosen too weld them.”
“that was very discouraging.” Luna added.
“yes.” Celestia agreed “but we didn’t give up. Even as our race dwindled down till Luna and I were the last of the alicorns.”
“but what about Cadance?” Twilight asked.
“a genetic fluke brought about by relationships of the past.” Luna explained.
“oh.” Twilight Sparkle replied.
The sun goddess cleared her throat and continued “through ancient teachings we learned to beat a god we had to become gods. scrolls older then our ancestral home spoke of the celestial bodies of our solar system granting their controllers god hood. But to control them we would have too rip them from Discord's grasp.” Princess Celestia's voice was becoming more intense as she held out her wings “in the midst of a fever dream we did just that. We heard the demon's angry yell all the way here. As the power of the sun ran through me I felt strength return to my sickly muscles my mind cleared with the knowledge of the universe. I was filled with an indescribable power. I have no doubt in my mind that the same thing happened to Luna, because for the first time in months she had the strength to stand.” the younger sister nodded. “but in the time it took for use to ascend Discord found us. The scares of our battle can still be found across the land.”
“wow.” Rainbow Dash said with wide eyes “a fight between gods would be awesome to watch.” Applejack and Winchester agreed.
“it was not enjoyable to be apart of.” Celestia insisted, Luna agreed whole heartily. “we inherited some skill in battle from our father but none of his enjoyment of it.” she sighed as she added “the witnesses did say that it was impressive how we drove him off.”
“why didn’t you press your advantage and take the demons head.” Winchester asked without thinking. Twilight's hart skipped a beat she had never spoke or heard any one speck to the princess like that.
Celestia was unfazed by Winchester's question “because Winchester the writer there were more important matters to attend too.” Celestia answered.
“of course my princess your wisdom is infallible.” Winchester replied with a bow.
The sun goddess continued with her wings held out wide “we breathed life back into the land like the all mother did under the watchful eye of the creator many eons ago. We ended the droughts and storms that ravaged the lands, But alas we could never truly fix all of what Discord had broken.”
“there are still places in the world that show the signs of Discords influence.” Luna Explained “in places like the ever free forest.”
“so that’s why the plants grow with out being tended to.” Applejack said.
“and the weather is so random.” Rainbow Dash added.
“don’t forget the animals.” Fluttershy exclaimed, she epped and hid behind her mane when the every ponies attention fell on her. “they um they take care of themselves.”
“its unnatural.” Twilight finished.
“yes.” the Princess of the sun agreed “which is why when we had to fixed what we could before we could use the elements of harmony to defeat the demon.”
“the arrogant fool believed we could not defeat him, so you know what he did.” Luna said upset by the memory “the bastard began to sing.”
“so that’s why he looked like that when I saw him in the garden.” Fluttershy commented.
Celestia nodded “after that we set about helping restore the civilized world to order, of course the ponies were our priority. We decided the best action was to rule together as the princesses of the sun and moon.”
“for a time Celestia and I were the only defense Equestria had.” Luna continued allowing her sister to catch her breath. “but with the near constant threat of the centaurs we needed an army and thus we created the guard to help us in defending our subjects and lands. Tartaus was built soon after that to hold the monstrosity that Discord had created as well as a few dark gods of old that we defeated.” the moon princess's tone grew bitter as she continued. “but as Equestria grew so did the threats that’s rose up against it. Celestia and I had to be in more places then just where we happen to be. So we sot out the best and bravest warriors the guard had to offer and made them knights gave them gifts, graced them with power.” there was something that made it hard for her to talk about this.
Winchester looked at Luna worried as he asked “do you not approve of us my princess?”
“no no its not that.” she sighed “its just-”
“a story for another time.” Celestia cut in hoping to avoid the darkest part of the story. the princess of the sun smiled at her subjects. “it is time for the quiz.” Twilight Sparkle smiled from ear to ear with quills and papers floating around her. Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy stared at their excited friend until Rarity reminded her that she wasn’t going to get a perfect score. Winchester made notes on Twilight's face when her excitement deflated like a balloon. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked less then pleased to have to take a test.
Spike started to sneak away only to have Celestia call “Spike where do you think your going?”
“oh um uh I thought.” was the only sound that the baby dragon could make.
“take your seat.” Celestia said with a smile, Spike sighed and found a seat with the other giggling students.

Wrong Doing

Sugar Cube Corner was strangely light on customers for the lunch time rush. The Cakes we're actually thankful for the unusually calm lunch because the morning shipment of ingredients had been a little light on some of the ingredients they needed for the day. Pinkie Pie had volunteered to go buy the ingredients they needed, her employers couldn’t say no to those big blue eyes of hers even if the last time didn’t go so well.
“now Pinkie remember this is the stores money and you have to wright down what ever you spend, we have to keep the records straight.” Mister Cake said as he trotted back and forth nervously in front of Pinkie Pie.
The mare stood at attention trying to be serious, but being Pinkie she couldn’t help but look goofy. She saluted and said “Yes sir Mister Cake sir.”
“oh deary me.” Mrs Cake said as she walked out of the kitchen. She trotted around the store front looking under tables and in some of the cabinets “where could it be?”
“where could what by honey bun?” Mr Cake asked concerned for his wife.
“oh sugar plum I cant find the cook book.” Mrs Cake replied.
“you think we would know all our recipes by hart by now.” Mr Cake dead paned.
“you think.” the blue mare replied staring off into the distances before continuing to search for her cook book. The twins watched from their play pin.
“I’ll help you look powdered doughnut.” Mr Cake said walking over to his wife.
“I’ll help too.” Pinkie Pie said.
“no that’s okay Pinkie.” Mr Cake said “we need you to go buy those ingredients.”
“yes sir, Mister Cake sir.” Pinkie Pie said with a salute. She hurried out the front door the twins waved at her as she left.
As Pinkie Pie happily trotted down the street, she passed a gathering of ponies waiting for a new shop to open. “hmm wonder if that place is opening today.” Pinkie said as she walked toward the shop only to stop in her tracks “the Cakes gave me a job. I'm responsible for getting the ingredients on this list.” she said holding the list up, a sudden gust of wind blew the sheet of paper away. “oh no.” she cried as she charged after the paper blowing in the wind knocking several ponies to the ground. Luckily for Pinkie Pie, her 'Pinkie sense' made it easy to catch the list.
“now back to work.” Pinkie said to her self as the ponies she knocked down stood up. Pinkie hurried on her way then appeared back where she had started and said “I’m sorry I knocked you all down.” she pouted very much sorry for what she did and then almost forgetting about it. The ponies of Ponyville are used to Pinkie's odd behavior so they simply took her apology. The smile she gave them was so infectious that it took hours for the victims to regain full control of their faces.
Pinkie Pie happily trotted through the market street. She smiled and looked around thinking about where to start, “okay now the first thing I need to get is......OH hi Pip.” she said seeing the tiny colt running towards her, he looked terrified. “oh oh are you playing tag I want to play.” the oblivious mare said as the cream and brown colt hid behind her leg mumbling about cooties as gray filly with a straw colored mane rounded the corner.
The party pony shook her head “no no I have to get to work. I'm responsible and a good employ I have to buy.” she looked at the list only to find it to be a fast food wrapper. “oh fiddlesticks.” Pinkie said as she zipped off back the way she came leaving Pipsqueak with out any place to hid from his the filly pursing him.
Luckily for Pinkie her lost list was snagged on a bush. With a revealed sigh the mare snatched up the list and looked at it to make sure that it was the right thing. satisfied that she had what she needed the pink pony started on her way back to the market.
Skipping along the way the hyper active pony noticed a certain white unicorn siting alone at a cafe table sipping from a glass as she looked up at the sky. “oohh is Rarity wonder if sh-.” Pinkie stop herself mid thought as Thunderlane landed at the table making his elegant date smile. The pegasus stallion smiled and said something apparently charming from the white mare's reaction. “best leave them be.” Pinkie said as Rarity kissed Thunderlane's cheek. “plus I got to get to buying stuff.” Pinkie hurried on her way missing the beginning of a long string of kisses between the young couple.
Once again arriving at the market street Pinkie Pie checked her list and nodded “okay the first thing I got to.” she stopped seeing a very bored looking blue pegasus land just down the street “HEY Rainbow Dash.” she called and waved.
the stunt flier turned her magenta eyes light up. “hey Pinkie what you doing here, thought you were working today?”
“i am.” Pinkie replied as she trotted up to her friend. “the Cake's sent me to buy some stuff we need. I thought you were on weather portal today.”
“i am, just taking my lunch break to buy some grocery dang fridge is empty.” Rainbow Dash answered. “its going to be sooooo boooorrrreing. I bucking hate shopping.” the stunt flier insured to censer herself do to the large number of foals around.
“i don’t mind shopping.”
“that’s cause you enjoy just about everything Pinkie.”
“exactly.”
Rainbow Dash blinked as she stared at her friend, then with a shrug she said “any way maybe we could go shopping together, wont being as boring with you around.”
“sounds great.” Pinkie said as the pair trotted off.
Much to Rainbow Dash's relief she was right about shopping with Pinkie Pie. Having her friend with her kept Rainbow from being bored Pinkie's way of bartering was very entertain. Pinkie was just so happy to be joined by a friend that she bought them both some flowers to much on, she had luckily remembered to use her own money rather then the Cake's. But alas all good things must come to an end with in the hour they had bought all they needed and went their separate ways Pinkie Pie promised Rainbow Dash she would go grocery shopping with her again next time.
Pinkie happily trotted back to Sugar Cube Corner. Her saddle bags full of special ingredients. As she rounded the to corner of Mane street she heard the familiar sound of music. Her curiosity perked Pinkie made her way over to the new store she passed earlier. The curious mare gasped as she saw the singers. A pair of pale yellow unicorn stallions with red manes and tails, one had a mustache and both wore blue and white striped shirts. They sang about the merits of some machine. The tricks the pair did with their hats were impressive, but all Pinkie could think about was why were their cutie marks different. they used to have an apple and an apple slice. But now Flim had a cake missing a slice while Flam had the missing slice.
Before Pinkie could really start listening to the remainder of their song it ended. Flam slipped inside while Flim announced to the crowd “Now that you’ve heard of the of the Quickie Bake 5, why don’t you come in and see this wondrous machine.” the crowd cheered. Pinkie smiled and got in line with the rest of the crowd.
Inside of the shop most of the down stairs was an open dinning area, except for a back room behind the counter and the stairs in the middle of the room. Pillars held up the ceiling with dozens of table filling the dining area. the smell of flour, sugar and a odd hint of fresh paint filled the ponies' noses. Flam stood behind the counter on the far wall behind him was a large contraption that puffed and sputtered as it waited to do what ever it was designed to do.
“Now folks this is the Quickie Bake 5.” Flim said gesturing to the sputtering machine. “with but a small burst of magic the Quickie Bake 5 can do in moments what other bakers take hours to do.”
“can't be as good.” Pinkie thought allowing others to make the comments for her.
“well I know what your thinking.” Flim said.
“we're more then thinking.” a Stallion in the back said above the crowd, getting a few laughs.
Flim cleared his throat, he knew when he was loosing a crowd. lucky for him, he and his brother already had a plan. “hey now.” Flim said with his sells pony smile “how about a demonstration?” the crowd murmured about seeing it in action. Flim motioned for the crowd to form a line.
Pinkie some how found herself about 12th in line. She watched as Ditzy Doo the part time mail mare and weather team pegasus stepped up to the counter. Her daughter hid between her forelegs. “now what would you like my lady?” Flam asked with a bow. Ditzy thought for a moment before ordering a banana nut muffin. “good choice a personal favorite of mine. Now everypony watch closely.” the stallion grinned as his horn glowed green “now with just a touch of magic in the right spots.” he tossed his head, and shot several bolts of magic into various places on the machine in a very showy fashion to entertain the crowd. They were quite amused.
The machine sputter and clanked louder for a moment before it started to whistle, then finally a ding rang out and a perfectly cooked muffin slid out of one of the many windows. “see no time flat.” Flim said as he joined his bother behind the counter “and we are experimenting with storing magic so that we could have button controls for an express lane.” he slid the muffin onto a plate and served it too Ditzy. “but for now my brother and I will be happy serve you. By the way we are hiring.” Flim smiled as Ditzy Doo a well know Muffin connoisseur sniffed her muffin. “but that’s for later why don’t you try it.”
Ditzy's crossed eyes crawled over the muffin while her mouth started to water. “it smells so good.” she said before she took a bite the mare looked like she was in heaven as she savored the culinary treat “this is the best muffin I’ve ever had.” she stated after she swallowed.
“that’s what she says ever time she has one of the Cake's muffins.” Pinkie Pie thought to her self as a almost to familiar smell floated to her nose starting gears turning in the earth pony's head. nothing good ever happened when these gears turned. The gears of suspicion.
Ditzy Doo's daughter mumbled something, the mare looked down with a warm smiled “of course Dinky you can have one just tell the nice Unicorn what you want.”
Flim leaned forward too hear the young foals order. “chocolate chip muffin coming right up.” in much the same way both Flim and the machine produced a perfect Chocolate chip muffin. to the delight of the crowd but no more then Dinky Doo. She was actually able to say “thank you” loud enough for everypony to hear her cute voice.
With the crowd hooked both Flim and Flam started to take orders. The machine showed no sign of slowing while pony after pony ordered different kind of pastries and treats from cookies to cakes. Each was somehow too familiar to Pinkie for comfort. They smelt and looked too similar to ones she had made herself. Finally when it was her turn the pink mare stepped up to the unicorns, no scorn in her eyes only the slightest hint of suspicion. “hey you two no hard feelings from last time right?” she asked as she looked over the menu.
“nope.” Flam replied slightly annoyed to be face to face with one of those responsible for the failure of their last endeavor. “business is business and all.”
“sooooo.” Pinkie said batting her eye lashes and smiling just like Rarity had taught her. “one baker to another, want to swap some recipes share some special techniques?”
Flam stared at Pinkie with half lidded eyes and said “no”
“Aw okay I just thought it could be fun.” Pinkie said disappointed, now she was even more suspicious. “well then I’ll have a strawberry cupcake.”
Flam's demeanor changed as soon as she ordered “coming right up.” the unicorn again put on a little show just for Pinkie. The normally easily amused pony was not amused, suspicion still clogged her mind. Seconds later a predominantly pink cupcake popped out of one of the windows and was quickly served to Pinkie. her nose wiggled as the smell reached her was way too familiar.
“thank you.” Pinkie said as she took the cupcake from Flam and trotted over to a nearby table. The earth pony set the plate down and stared at the treat while the other patrons enjoyed their samples. “strawberry marshmallow icing with chunks of strawberries in the batter.” Pinkie glared at the cupcake “just likes the Cake's.” her glare turned to the stallions behind the counter. “just have to make sure.” Pinkie's tongue shot out of her mouth and warped around the cupcake and pulled it back to her mouth like a frog. A few ponies were quite disgusted by Pinkies actions. The element of laughter slowly chewed the cupcake and Flim and Flam's fates were sealed.
Pinkie leaped up onto the table and pointed at the bothers yelling with her mouth full of cupcake, crumbs flying from her mouth with each impossible to understand word.
Flim and Flam blinked as they stared at the pink mare standing on a table in the middle of their restaurant yelling at them with a mouth full of food. “um what?” Flam asked just plain confused.
“please do not stand on table miss.” Flim added.
Pinkie glared and swallowed her mouth full cupcake “i said you two stole the Cake's cook book.”
“What?” Flam said flabbergasted confused and offended.
“Miss would you please calm down and keep your wild accusations to your self. Your causing a scene.” Flim said stepping out from behind the counter.
“I’m not causing a scene your causing a scene.” Pinkie yelled refusing to move. “now I demand that you return the Cake's cook book now.”
“we have never stolen anything in our lives.” Flim said having none of it.
“other then the odd hart of a mare or two.” Flam joked.
“don’t joke I’m serious you stole the Cake's cook book and I want it back.” Pinkie said with a stomp of her hoof trying to be intimidating, her adorably face and cute curves made that nearly impossible.
“miss we are going to have to ask you to leave our establishment.” Flim said standing his ground, Flam joined his brother.
“I’m not going any-” Pinkie's protest was cut short when a green aura surrounded her and lifted her form the table. The brothers sent the mare outside and deposited her less then gently on the ground.
The mare laid there with her rump in the air while Flim stood in the door way saying “young lady if your going to make wild accusations please make them else where.” he turned and addressed the crowd using his charm to smooth over the situation.
Pinkie laid on the ground more properly as she thought 'they defiantly stole the Cake's cook book.' the image of the Cakes baking with out the book started to flow through her mind. The image of Mr Cake frantically throwing random ingredients into a cake pan, unpoped popcorn, dirt, lemon juice, Scootaloo and a hunk of cheese then throwing it in the oven before bursting into tears as he attempted to figure out how to turn on the oven. That was followed by the site of Mrs Cake's perfect recreation of the baked bads Applejack had helped Pinkie make a while back. This time they caused so much more mayhem that even Celestia and Luna would be brought to their knees by the shear badness of the baked bads. Pinkie jumped to hooves saying “I have to stop that.”
“Stop what.” Sweetie Bell asked while Applebloom and Scootaloo stood beside her all staring at the mare with raised eyebrows and concern.
Pinkie smiled as she put her hooves on Scootaloo's shoulders and said “have no fear Scootaloo I wont let you be an ingredient for a cake.”
“thank...........you.” the young Pegasus said with a nervous flutter of her wings.
“now I just need to get my investigator hat. Oohhh or maybe my sneaking suit.” Pinkie said as she turned and headed towards Sugar Cube Corner.
“Pinkie Pie is so random.” Scootaloo said shaking off the feeling of the encounter. Applebloom and Sweetie Bell nodded before the three went about the rest of their day.
* * *
Pinkie barged in through the front door of Sugar Cube Corner. She hurried to the kitchen and dropped off her saddle bags in front of Mr Cakes saying “got everything on the list.” she started to head up the stairs. “now I need to get Gummy and-”
“Pinkie your day off is tomorrow.” Mr cake called stopping Pinkie in her tracks.
“but.”
“sorry Pinkie but we need you to run the register.” he said sternly.
“but Mr cake I need to get your cook book back.”
“Pinkie I’m happy that you want to help us find our cook book but I've been backing scents I were barely old enough to talk and so has Cup Cake. We can go for a day or two with out it.”
“okay mister Cake.” Pinkie said before slowly making her way out front.
The rest of the work day went by mostly normal, although with a severe lack of the normal crowd. Pinkie knew where most of their customers were. Like most ponies, the ponies of Ponyville, have little to no fear of new things or new faces, they embrace both with open hooves. A habit gained from living in a utopian society for generations.
The Cakes decided to close shop early that night. With the lack of a crowd, other their the regulars who had been coming to the store for so many years change was impossible. the Cakes didn’t see any point in staying open any later after the last of them left. Pinkie thought it was because of the lack of their specials for the night thanks to them not having their cookbook. After the normal nightly routine of, feeding the twins washing the counter tops, counting the days profit and eating their own dinner. The last on the list was unusually large that day, the Cakes and Pinkie's dinner were normally the left overs from that days stock.
While Mr and Mrs Cake where putting the twins to bed Pinkie went to her room. “GUMMY.” the pink mare called out to her pet. The little alligator stepped out form under Pinkie's bed and blinked each eye separately, smacked his gums and waged his tail once. “There you are.” Pinkie said trotting over to him, Gummy immediately leaped into the air and latched onto Pinkie's curly locks. The mare giggled as she pulled him off her mane and said “now there’s no time for that now Gummy your mission if you choose to except it is to help me find and retrieve the Cake's cook book.” gummy slowly blinked each eye separately. “i knew I could count on you.” she hugged the alligator. “now we need to get everything ready.”
* * *
several hours later near midnight Pinkie Pie was hoping across roof tops wearing a skin tight black sneaking suit, she had a rope slung over her shoulder. Gummy bounced on her back wearing the same thing. Despite trying to be stealthy Pinkie was making so much noise that more then a few ponies in the homes the mare had ran across were awake, Hooves on shingles make lots of noise no matter what one dose.
Finally Pinkie found the building she was looking for Flim and Flam's Sweet shop. The pink mare giggled as she set Gummy down “now remember Gummy when I lower you down inside you need to use your super sniffer to find the Cake's cook book.” the alligator blinked his eyes together. “good.” Pinkie replied to his perceived answer. The mare quickly tied the rope around the alligator. After about a minute or two of prying the sky light opened and Pinkie Pie began to lower Gummy down on the rope into the back room of the shop.
Once Gummy was on the floor the alligator shook free of the rope. “good.” Pinkie whispered “everything going according to plan.” she watched as gummy slowly looked around the room, twitched his tail, blinked a few times then finally walked around the room then disappeared into the darkness. Pinkie pie waited, when Gummy found the cook book he was suppose to come back and slip back into the loop in the rope and she would pull him back up. The pink mare didn’t see the flaws in her plan. Regardless everything was still going to plan, till she heard a door open. Her hart skipped a beat “oh crap I hope they don’t find Gummy.” she started to nervously chew of her hoof. “i got to save him.” the mare said before she garbed the rope in her mouth and jumped down through the sky light, she unfortunately forgot that she had never tied the other end of the rope to anything. The mare landed loudly on the counter knocking all kinds cooking utensils every where.
Pinkie groaned as she rolled to the floor making ever more noise. The mares pink ears perked up as she heard voices from up stairs. “oh crap oh crap.” Pinkie said as she looked around, she heard hooves on stairs they defiantly knew somepony was there. Thinking quickly Pinkie hid under an overturned box.
Flim and Flam trotted into Kitchen where Pinkie was hiding, they wore blue and white striped night caps and a pajamas. “see Flim there’s nothing here now can we go back to bed.” Flam said through a yawn.
'do they sleep together like a pair of foals.' Pinkie thought with a smile.
“well dear brother, no.” Flim said lifting Pinkies discarded rope for his brother to see “we have an intruder.”
“damn.” Flam cursed as he looked around checking that the cabinet with the designs for their machine was still locked.
“Flam get the police I’ll detain this intruder.” Flim said with a spark of green magic from his horn. Flam hurried out the front door.
Pinkie pie bite her lip so she didn’t make a sound. She was really going to get in trouble.
The cider yellow stallion slowly walked through the kitchen shining the light of his horn into the shadows. While his back was turned Pinkie slowly stood with the box still over her. Looking through a small whole in the box Pinkie kept an eye on Flim as she slowly crept toward the door. However she was too slow, Flim turned and looked at the box as it stopped and fell to the ground in the door way.
“what the hell.” Flim said as he walked over to the box his green aura taking hold of the box and he lifted it up revealing Pinkie. The mare jumped in her normal comical way, before she tried to gallop out the door only to be picked up by Flim's magic.
“hi.” she said with a big smile as she tried to be look innocent “what you doing here?” she asked. The stallion just glared at her.
* * *
Twilight rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she waited for the bailiff to bring her friend out front. The Ponyville police station was small. The floor was clean white tiles and the walls were white and mostly clean while the front desk was a contrasting oak brown. In a town so small and peaceful the small police force of Ponyville didn’t have much to do, other then deal with the few disorderly drunks and the odd domestic dispute.
Pinkie walked out still wearing her sneaking suit in tow of a rather large officer. “oh thank you Twilight your the bestest best friend ever.” the pink mare said while she signed some papers about her court hearing.
“I'm normally bailing Rainbow Dash out of here. I had to bail Applejack out once. But you.” Twilight said realizing she promised not to tell anypony about Applejack's arrest. “what the hay were you doing breaking into somepony's house. I used my entire mouths allowance to bail you out.”
“I'm sorry Twilight.” Pinkie said as she hoped over to her friend. “but the Flim Flam brothers are back and their trying to put Mr and Mrs Cake out of business.”
“what.” Twilight replied sleep forced from her mind as the thought of Cakes out of business ran through her head. “okay, why didn’t you tell the police.” Pinkie just stared at Twilight for a moment, the Lavender mare rolled her eyes “oh yeah.”
“You know Twilight for a smartypants you don’t really think things through some times.” Pinkie Pie said with a smile.
“shut up, come on I have an idea.” Twilight said as she lead the way out of the Police station Pinkie hopped along after her.
the rest of the night and the next day the two mares spent planing and prepping. Twilight did most of the planing while Pinkie just helped. Twilight spent most of the night and morning searching for the right spells and gathering the proper equipment. Late in the next afternoon Twilight was ready to start testing, so she had Pinkie go get an example of the Cake's work. The pink mare brought an old blueberry muffin. That night long after Pinkie had gone home Twilight continued to work, fueled by caffeine and curiosity she learned how to break down the very structure of the muffin. After finding the right spells the different ingredients were like an open book. Figuring out the recipe after that was the easy part.
The next day, one really couldn’t call it morning because it was nearly noon when Twilight got out of bed to prepare for her mission. Spike didn’t mind sleeping in late at all. After a quick bath and triple checking her check list of everything she needed Twilight was ready for her corporate espionage mission. She knew that Pinkie would be working that day so the lavender unicorn was on her own. She left Spike in charge of the library the young dragon didn’t care one way or another. Twilight hadn’t told him what she had been planing for.
Twilight trotted down the street, her saddle bags shook and clanked with all of her supplies. She stiffed a giggle as she started up the steps to her mark. In side the store was bustling with customers. Many of which were watching a song and dance number by the brothers. A good sign, Twilight wouldn’t have to deal with them if she was quick. As she looked around she noticed a picture on the wall by the counter, probably the only picture in existence of Pinkie where she wasn’t smiling. Behind the counter was a blond maned unicorn mare with white coat, she used her magic to activate the machine. orders where brought to her by two other mares about Twilight age. One was a off white Pegasus mare with light brown mane and tail, she was busy with customers on the other side of the room from Twilight.
The other waitress was cream colored mare with a short dark brown mane and tail like the others she wore a blue and while striped shirt with a small blue skirt. She smiled at Twilight Sparkle and said “hello I'm Mindy Who I'll be your server today.”
“thank you I’ll have a blue berry Muffin.” Twilight said barely holding in her excitement.
Mindy Who blinked “okay would you like a table?”
“oh yes please.” Twilight said with a nervous giggle. Mindy Who lead Twilight to a table, Twilight's luck held her small table was as far from Flim and Flam's show as it could be. Mindy Who bowed and told Twilight that she would be right back. Twilight sat at her small table her excitement mounting as her horn glowed and all the beakers books and tools she would need floated out of her saddle bags. She set every thing in its proper place.
“here’s your muf-fin” Mindy who said confused by all the stuff on Twilight's table
“thank you.” Twilight said her eyes sparkled with excitement. She smiled as she took the muffin and set it in front of her so she could do what she came here to do. She cut off a slice of the muffin and crumpled it up into a beaker then added a few chemicals and the reactions began. Something was wrong though, a sound that didn’t happen last night, a voice. Twilight looked up at to see Mindy Who staring at her even more confused then before.
“Um what are you doing?” the waitress asked.
Twilight stared at her for a few seconds, the excited mare had forgotten the first rule of espionage. Get out quickly. “um nothing.” Twilight answered nervous.
“um I think I'm going to have tell the bosses.” Mindy said quickly turning and hurrying to Flim and Flam.
“NO NO WAIT.” Twilight called but it was too late. The waitress was telling the brothers. “Crap crap crap.” Twilight said as she started to clean up her supplies, the unicorn was kicking her self for not getting the muffin to go. her book glowed green and was pulled off the table Twilight slammed her hoof on the table trying to catch it “oh no.” she looked up to see Flim and Flam looking at the book nether of them happy, Mindy Who and the Pegasus waitress stood behind them watching as were over half of the customers in the shop.
“what do we have here.” Flim said knowingly.
“um nothing just doing some research.” Twilight replied blushing “could I have the book back?”
“unfortunately no.” Flam answered.
“why.”
“well the night before last one of your little gang broke into our store after making some wild accusation about my brother and I stealing some cook book of some two bit bakers.” Flam said. Twilight was dumb struck by the two bit baker remark.
“and by the looks of it she convinced you of it as well.” Flim said closing the book “now we must ask you to leave.” he nodded for the Pegasus mare to take a picture. The freckle face waitress did so fairly happily. Twilight blinked away the stares in her eyes as her saddle bags were removed. “your are also bared from dining here.”
“your items will be turned over to police.” Flam chimed in.
“but hey those belong to the library.” Twilight replied.
“please miss think more then your friend did and don’t cause a scene.” Flim ordered his horn glowed.
“yes sirs.” Twilight said with her head and ears low as she slowly trotted out. She was thoroughly embarrassed and she could feel everypony's eyes on her as she left.
* * *
“And that’s when they kicked me out.” Twilight finished telling Pinkie what happened in the fairly empty dining room of Sugar Cube Corner.
Pinkie put her hoof to Twilight's forehead and then felt her own. “are you okay Twilight you normally think a lot more then this.”
Twilight pushed Pinkie's hoof away saying “hey any pony can have an off day.”
“yeah.” Pinkie said looking around the empty room “what are we going to do.”
“i don’t know.” Twilight replied as Spike barged in the door.
“Twilight what did you do?” he asked panting.
“nothing.” the lavender mare replied with shifting eyes.
“well that nothing had the police come to the library with this.” he held up a note for Twilight to read.
“what is it Twilight?” Pinkie asked trying to read the paper over her friends shoulder.
“well I can't get my stuff back till next week.” Twilight said “after a court hearing.....great.” she deadpanned.
“what's going on?” Spike asked only to be ignored.
“Twilight there’s got to be another way.” Pinkie said with a sad whine “the Cake's can't go out of business, what about the twins and Gummy.”
Twilight smiled “well maybe we should just ask the brothers for the cook book back.” a plan had formed in her head.
“um Twilight what are you talking about.” Spike asked again being ignored.
Pinkie put a hoof too the unicorns head again “i tried that, don’t you remember.”
Twilight rolled her eyes and pushed away the pink hoof “not us. Whose the most persuasive pony you know. one that no stallion could say no too.”
Pinkie blinked “Rarity?”
“yep.”
“what about Rarity?” Spike asked angry.
“lets go Pinkie.” Twilight said galloping out the door. Spike looked around confused “come on Spike I’ll explain along the way.”
“your damn right you will.” Spike said hurrying after her.
“SPIKE!” Twilight yelled.
* * *
Rarity stared at Pinkie her expression somewhere between confused and unamused, the pink mare was talking so fast that none of her audience could understand what she was saying. “okay. darling what did she just say?” Rarity asked Twilight.
Twilight turned around from where she had Spike standing with his nose in a corner. “oh the Flim Flam brothers are back, Pinkie and I think they stole the Cake's cook book.”
“how dreadful.” Rarity gasped “have you told the proper authorities.”
“Pinkie did and you know how much they listen to her.” Twilight said while Pinkie nodded.
“true true.” Rarity said nodding “any who what dose that have to do with me.”
“well.” Twilight said with a slight smile. “we need you to.....well.” the book worm didn’t really know the words to use luckily Rarity caught her drift sadly the lady didn’t seem to like it.
“you want me to bat my eye lashes and shake my flank for those two scoundrels like some street walker to-”
“they want you to do what for who?” Thunderlane said as he walked in the front door.
“Oh ThunderLane dear they want me to seduce two horrible stallions to get the Cake's cook book back.”
“with out it the Cake's will go out of business.” Pinkie said on the verge of a panic attack.
“its not like were asking her to sleep with them.” Twilight added very disappointed in her friend.
“um.” Thunderlane looked from Rarity's pleading eyes to the other pleading mares “it sounds important maybe you should think about it little more.” he wasn’t sure how he felt about his marefriend shaking what her mother gave her for some other stallions, especially if they were of a less savory nature.
“there is no need to think about it more.” Rarity said holding her head high “of course I shall do it.” even Spike turned around to stare at Rarity dumbfounded. The white unicorn rolled her eyes and trotted over to her vanity “you all know I can't help but play up my dislike for something and it was fun to see the looks on all of your faces.” she giggled as she applied some additional blush and eye liner.
“besides.” Rarity said turning to look at her friends with all seriousness. “if its something that you girls truly need me to do I will do anything for you. Even dye my coat black with a hot pink mane and tail.” while the others imagined that image Rarity continued to apply her make up.
“um baby.” Thunderlane asked. “would you do something like that for me?”
“but of course Darling.” Rarity answered with a smile. Her lips now had a touch of red lipstick. “and as a reword for being such a good boy I give you permission to ogle me while I leave.” she giggled and kissed his cheek before turning around and walking to the door putting much more sway into her hips then necessary.
Thunderlane watch Rarity’s flank sway form side to side. Twilight rolled her eyes while Pinkie giggled. As Rarity opened the door the pegasus stallion snapped out of his trance and asked “um babe what about lunch?”
“oh yes I almost forgot.” Rarity said turning to look at her coltfriend then Pinkie and Twilight “could you girls take Thunderlane to Sugar Cube Corner and get him lunch, you can put everything on my tab. I'll meet you all there with the Cake's cook book.” she giggled and trotted out the door. Thunderlane, Twilight and Pinkie trotted out the door. Leaving Spike alone in the corner.
* * *
Twilight sat with Thunderlane chatting about nothing in particular. Pinkie trotted around the dining room of Sugar Cube Corner looking more then a little worried, Although when one of the few customers needed her the pink mare quickly became her cheerful helpful self.
Rarity walked in the front door less then composed, she looked around the room her eyes gleaming with anger. The unicorn trotted over to Twilight and Thunderlane, Pinkie quickly joined them. “how did it go?” Twilight asked although she could guess the answer.
“That little brown maned slut with the easy access tail. Oh their probably pressing her face into the head bored as we speck.” she almost growled though clinched teeth.
“what?” Pinkie asked confused.
“hope she looses a tooth.”
“babe.” Thunderlane said having never seeing his marefriend this angry, he stood and almost timidly nuzzled her. The white mare softened and cleared her throat. She smiled nervously as she tried to regain her composure.
“i guess it didn’t go well.” Twilight said disappointed.
“oh they were putty in my hooves Twilight.” Rarity said in her normal over dramatic manner “they were about to show me everything. The secrets of the machine and even their recipes.”
“so what happened?” Twilight asked.
“well.” Rarity said with a heavy sigh “they were getting a little too forward with their hooves, but it was for the Cake's so I let their touches linger.” Thunderlane looked a little angry that his marefriend had been groped. “they tried to herd me up to the bedroom but I talked them into taking me into the back first, although looking back I guess they thought I wanted to unladylike things back there.” Thunderlane was now clearly angry. “that’s when that little slut, pardon my language please, she reminded Flim and Flam that I was a friend of Pinkie Pie. They saw through my ploys, and I refuse to go as far as she did to convince them.”
“okay what makes you think she was sleeping with them after you left.” Twilight asked.
“a lady dose repeat such things darling.” Rarity replied “nor dose she partake in the acts of such depravity with multiple partners and their employe.”
“oh.” Twilight blushed realizing what Rarity meant. Pinkie looked confused but she in fact knew all too well what her white friend said it just took her a few moments to process the way she said it.
Thunderlane nuzzled Rarity saying “nor should a lady be force to do anything of that sort with her chosen partner.”
Rarity smiled and kissed Thunderlane's cheek “this is true love. I like to take my time and let the anticipation-”
“well be having none of that talk here.” Twilight interrupted pushing the couple apart just as the pegasus's wings extended to their full stiff span. “anyway we have to brain storm.”
“i would love to stay and help but I have to get back to work.” Thunderlane said realizing what time it was. “but give me a call if you girls decided to just pound those two into the dirt.” he closed his wings and stood up.
Rarity rolled her eyes and said “love do come by after work.” she gave him a long kiss that he happily returned. “plan on spending the night.”
“really.” the stallion raising an eye brow as his wings popped open again with an audible 'pomf'. “i guess mom and Rumble can go a night or two with out me at home.” he smiled and kissed Rarity before he trotted out side and flew away.
“Thunderlane still lives with his mother?” Twilight asked with a raised eye brow.
“yes.” Rarity replied tilting her head up “don’t look at me like some cradle robber. Hes older then you darling. His father left them not long after Rumble was born so Thunderlane's been the stallion of the house for most of his life.”
“like Applejack's family.” Pinkie stated.
“yes but not as tragically.” Rarity agreed.
“any way lets brain storm.” Twilight said a note pad floating by her side.
“yes lets.” Rarity said in a chipper tone.
“YAY!” Pinkie yelled jumping on the table.
“Pinkie get off the table.” Mister Cake called sternly from the behind the display case “and we don’t mind if you talk to your friends as long as you take care of customers.”
Pinkie Pie hoped down from the table and said “yes mister cake.”
“okay so we've tried persuasion and stealing the recipe from under their noses lets try sneaking.” Twilight explained.
“hey I tried to sneak in.”
“no I’m mean some even sneakier then you, Pinkie.” Twilight said with a grin.
* * *
Fluttershy nervously sat at a table early in the morning. Even at this hour the Flim and Flam Sweet shop was full. Fluttershy's wings fluttered nervously each time somepony walked by. The young Pegasus waitress named Shutter Bug approach and asked in a cheerful but quiet voice “miss are you ready to order yet?” Fluttershy epped and nearly jumped out of her skin. The waitress lowered her large ears and bowed her head “I’m sorry miss did I startle you.
“oh.” Fluttershy whispered “I’m sorry I’m just waiting for a-” she glanced at her hoof to try and read the smudged ink. “a bind date.”
“a what?”
“blind date.” Fluttershy said quickly her wings popped open. She blinked and closed her wings “oh sorry I’m just nevus.” she recoiled behind her mane.
“its okay.” the waitress said her voice cracked with glee for some unknown reason “can I get you a drink to hold you over till your date arrives.”
“oh um some orange juice please.” Fluttershy said just above a whisper hoping the juice would help her fell better.
“coming right up.” the waitress replied before hurrying away.
“shes a nice filly.” Fluttershy said as the young mare left she felt bad for tricking her. The yellow Pegasus looked around and took a deep breath “okay Angel the coast is clear.” the white bunny's head popped out of his owners tail. His ears were held down by a bandana with black paint on his cheeks. He jumped out of the hair of her tail and ran under the next table. “be careful.” she whisper to him.
Angel jumped from table leg to table leg as he made his way across the room. He looked back to check on Fluttershy, the Pegasus waitress had returned and she seem to have recognized his owner form her modeling days and wanted her autograph. Angel smirked he couldn’t help it, he loved his owner like any pet but sometimes the timid mare was just entertaining when she got stuck in a situation like this.
Back to the task at hand Angel turned and wait for the other waitress to push a cart by, the bunny jumped on to the bottom of the cart with ease. Angel sat down and waited for the food cart to be pushed to the back of the store. Once in the back the bunny poked his nose out to check if the mare was gone. She wasn’t, with his hart pounding he ducked back behind a tea pot. Mindy Who hummed as she removed the dirty dishes from the cart. One by one the humming mare used her magic to pluck the dishes off the bottom shelf. Angel jumped to the floor as the Mindy Who picked up the pot. The bunny watched her go about her work, she had this familiar sway in her hips that the bunny just couldn’t place. Finally she finished her work and trotted back out to the front.
Angel slipped out from under the cart. He knew his mission, find the Cake's cook book. Twilight Sparkle had repeated it like a dozen times. That one annoyed Angel more then when Fluttershy didn’t get him what he wanted. The bunny looked around till he saw something promising, a bookshelf on the near by workbench. The bunny couldn’t read the books from where he was but he was sure that was a good place to start. However getting to the books was the hard part.
The rabbit ran over to the cabinet planing on shimmying up the door. As Angel tried to pushed the door open till something moved with in the cabinet. Angel jumped back as what ever it was hit the door. Unlike most bunnies Angel wasn’t afraid, he put up his paws ready for a fight thinking it was a rat or some other pest. a large metal gear rolled out pushing the door open. Angel squeaked as the metal gear rolled toward him he dove out of the way. The rabbit looked over his shoulder and to his horror the metal gear turned and rolled toward him again. He tried to roll to the side but no matter which way the bunny tried to get out of the way the gear seem to follow him. Although Angel had a plan if the gear wanted a chase he'd give it one. He turned tail and ran, the metal gear fallowed. Angel hurried to the corner of the room he turned around panting as the metal gear rolled closer and closer. At the last possible second the bunny jumped to the side. The metal gear hit the wall with a loud clank, then fell to the floor with even louder clank.
Angel took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He was ready to continue his mission. He hoped over to the now open cabinet door, but before he could start his climb a scream shook the bunny's bones. He turned to see the thin blond unicorn jump up on the wobbly food cart screaming “RAT!”
'how dare she call me a rat.' Angel thought to himself, looked around he need a place to escape too. he was about to run for the cover of some boxes when Flim and Flam came around the corner.
“there it is.” Flam said.
“indeed brother.” Flim said his horn lifting a hammer.
“get it out.” the scared mare said “i hate rats.”
“hes not a rat.” Fluttershy said zipping around the corner and scooping up her pet in her forelegs “he's a bunny rabbit.”
“its still a vermin and should not be in our store.” Flam said.
“w-why a-are you t-touching the r-at.” the white mare screeched, Flim looked at her very annoyed.
“hes a rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus.” Fluttershy said in defense of her pet.
“it still doesn’t mean that he can be here.” Flim said he looked closer. “why is he dressed like that.”
“oh um.” Fluttershy was at a loss for words.
“um boss.” Mindy Who said leaning around the corner with a certain twinkle in her eyes. “that’s one of Pinkie's friends.”
“oh she is, is she.” Flim said now ignoring the shaking mare on the food cart. “SHUTER BUG!” he called to the main room.
The Pegasus waitress hurried in with her camera all too eager take Fluttershy's picture. The photo of a startled Fluttershy and an angry Angel soon joined photos of Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and strangely Rainbow Dash on the wall.
* * *
“I’m sorry girls.” Fluttershy said with her head down.
“its okay Fluttershy.” Twilight replied “both you and Angel did your best.”
“yeah.” Pinkie said hopping around the cafe table where the group had waited for Fluttershy across street from Flim and Flam's Sweet Shop “its those mean old brothers fault.”
Rarity sipped some of the tea she brought for the wait “and that little slut.”
“what little slut did what?” Rainbow dash said as she fluttered down to join the group. The stunt flier was already up to speed on what was going on, and she had apparently already tried to do something about it. “yeah when Thunderlane told me, I had to give the brothers a piece of my mind and well.”
“you got banned form their store too?” Twilight finished for her.
“yep.” Rainbow Dash said with a proud smile. Her friends just stared at her.
“any way girls we have to come up with a plan.” Pinkie Pie said her worry showing on her face.
“yes lets.” Rarity chimed in.
“well maybe we could get the squirts to sneak in the back door.” Rainbow Dash suggested.
“i really don’t want to be arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” Twilight Sparkle replied with a roll of her eyes.
“whats that mean?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“jail time.” Rarity answered with out looking up from her tea.
“oh.” Pinkie Pie sighed, Rainbow Dash mean while contemplated what a arrest of that sort would do to her chances to get into the Wonderbolts “hey is that Applejack.” Pinkie said pointing over her friends.
The ponies looked the way she pointed. Indeed it was Applejack pulling a cart of apples to Flim and Flam's shop. She stopped at one of the windows and waved to some one inside. Seconds later Flim poked his head out the door, he must have told Applejack to go around back because after a nod she pulled her cart around and into the alley.
“what is she doing?” Rarity asked.
“it looks like-” Twilight was cut off by a pink hoof to her mouth.
“i don’t want to hear it.” Pinkie said almost angrily.
“lets go see.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew over to the corner of the alley way. By the time the others caught up, Applejack was watching Flim counting out bits while Flam was unloading the cart.
Soon the deal was done and Applejack hitched herself to the cart. She skillfully turned the cart around to leave, Flim watched her till he was pulled inside inside by a cream colored hoof.
Applejack trotted out of the alley way and came face to face with her friends. “Howdy Girls.” she said with a smile but it soon disappeared by the looks on their faces, especially Pinkie's there was no trace of a smile on her face. “Something wrong?”
“YEAH SOMETHINGS WROUNG.” Pinkie Pie yelled.
“your selling apples to the Flim Flam brothers.” Twilight said as Fluttershy of all ponies tried to calm Pinkie down.
“didn’t those pricks try to like kick you out of town and steal your farm?” Rainbow Dash asked with a snap of her tail.
“well girls I hate the say it but that’s really just business.” Applejack said matter-o-factly “and well now they aren't competition with Sweet Apple Acres. Besides girls they paid us almost double what we charge because of last time, I think.”
Pinkie Pie almost exploded as she tried to explain what was going on, however anger wasn’t something that Pinkie's mind was use too making her words more or less just animal noises. Everypony looked at Fluttershy. The yellow mare epped and said “I’m sorry but I don’t want to use some of the language shes using.”
“Pinkie dare calm down.” Rarity said patting the pink mare on the back “your loosing your composure.” Pinkie sigh and took a deep breath.
Applejack just looked at her friends confused but she knew something was wrong. “okay whats ta problem?” after a much more controlled explanation Applejack looked very angry about her new customers. “well those no good varmints. ah'm going to go give them a piece of ma mind. And maybe ma hooves too.”
“yay.” Pinkie Pie said “just don’t hurt them, we need the cook book back.”
Applejack trotted inside the store she looked around she couldn’t find Flim only Flam and two of the waitress. Applejack trotted over to the stallion and said “Flam ah need to have a word with you and your brother.”
Flam looked at her with a disarming smile “okay.” he hoped it wasn’t something that would hamper their new business deal. “but my brother is a little predisposed right now.” he looked up at the ceiling.
“well un-dispose of him, ah need to talk ta both of y’all.” Applejack said calmly but her southern drawl added a threatening undertone.
Flam didn’t look happy about having to interrupt what was going on upstairs. “I’ll go get him.” the stallion walked up stairs slowly. A few minutes later the Flim and Flam trotted down the stairs. Flim's hair was fairy messy and he was very sweaty.
“yes miss Applejack is there a problem.” Flim said catching his breath.
“in fact there is.” Applejack said with a sigh, she really didn’t know how to say what she meant. After another sigh and a hurry up look from Flim the mare continued “look boys its been brought to ma attention that you may have wronged some other business partners of mine.” Applejack blinked and tilted her head to the side. “although my source is prone to jumping to odd ball conclusions.” the earth pony mare shook her head and continued “but regardless Sweet Apple Acres cant be seen doing business with any pony that could possibly be involved in less then legal actives.” it was times like this that Applejack was glad to have spent those months with her Aunt and Uncle Orange.
Flim and Flam just stared at the mare for a moment before Flam asked “would your source happen to be your friend Pinkie Pie?” Applejack's face was all the answer he need, the brothers looked at each other and nodded.
“I’m sorry that we wont be able to continue doing business with ether other.” Flim added while his brother got Shutterbug to get her camera “i also hope you understand that we cant risk your overly excitable friend some how convincing you to doing some sort of half thought out ploy like the others of your group.” a flash from a camera distracted Applejack for a moment “now we must ask you too leave.”
Applejack was angry but she turned and left with out a scene, she trotted angrily up to her friends and said “Okay their defiantly hiding something.”
“well duh the Cake's cook book.” Pinkie replied her mane and tail staring to loose its curl “now what are we going to do?”
“if they stole somethin why having you told the police?” Applejack asked.
“i did.”
“and they of course didn’t believe her.” Twilight added.
“what about ta rest of y’all.” Applejack asked.
“well no I didn’t.” Rarity answered looking at her friends. The others shook their heads.
“so lets go if all of us tell em that’s probably enough to git them off their flanks and checking out those two varmints.” Applejack said turning to lead the way.
* * *
“Sorry girls.” Deputy Services said much to their disappointment “but there’s just not enough evidences to get a warrant to search their work place.”
“but but the Cake's, their cooks book.” Pinkie said on the verge of tears her mane and tail nearly completely straight.
The police pony had to look away or his hart would melt. He rubbed his white face with his black hoof “look girls, y’all should really just leave the Flim Flam brothers be.” the mares looked at each other. “any way y’all are already in enough trouble as is.” Deputy Service said looking at Pinkie Pie again then moved to Twilight and Rainbow Dash “and I really don’t want to see that.”
“your probably right.” Twilight said sadly. “come on girls we should just go.” the six mares slowly walked out of the police station.
As they made their way back to Sugar Cube Corner Pinkie sniffled “girls there has to be something more we can do.”
Rarity sighed “Darling you heard Deputy Service, your already in hot water so to speak.” Pinkie looked at Rarity with her huge puppy dog eyes. “please Darling don’t give me those eyes. none of us want the Cake's to loose their shop or you to loose your job and home but none of us can afford to be arrested.”
“yeah pinks we cant break the law.” Rainbow Dash added although she was forming a plan for that night.
“what if we get somepony who can break the law, somepony who is above the police.” Twilight suggested to the group. “somepony who is the law no matter where they go.”
“Twilight your not going to bother the Princesses with this are ya” Applejack asked, although she was starting to wonder if it was a good idea.
“well of course not but we do know a pony that has that kind of power.” Twilight explained.
“who?” the ponies asked together.
“Winchester.”
“oh no.” Fluttershy said under her breath.
“hasn’t he been out of town for a week?” Applejack asked.
“oh yeah.” Twilight Sparkle said with a sigh.
“i saw him earlier today.” Rainbow Dash said jumping into the air.
“he's probably really tried from his trip so we shouldn’t bother him.” Fluttershy said only to be ignored by her friends as they ran off to get the help of the Knight. “Oh dear.” the nervous mare said before hurrying to catch up.”
* * *
Winchester's home was mostly dark. the only light came from the window above the stallion's work desk in the study the other windows were shut tight. Winchester sat with his head laying on the desk fast asleep on top of some report he had been writing. Next to him was a large half full bottle of a amber liquid with a picture of a red pony standing with a hoof on a barrel.
Winchester's snores suddenly stopped as he became aware he was being watched. He lifted his head and slowly turned to look at the five sets of eyes staring at him, Fluttershy was hiding her face behind her mane. “why are you in my house, watching me sleep.” he asked as a shiver ran down his spine.
“aw quite, you do it Twilight all the time.” Applejack said with a smile.
“when I do enter the library after hours it is to use the books and nothing more.” Winchester said as he examined some discolored water at the bottle of a small crystal cup, dissatisfied with it he sent the cup floating to his sink. Twilight Sparkle was about to argue with his point but Winchester cut her off “the only time I entered Twilight's bedroom is when I needed a book she had on her night stand, That One Time.” Twilight rolled her eyes she had already made the knight regret doing it.
“enough of that.” Pinkie Pie almost yelled in the stallions ear. “weneedyourhelptheFlimFla-” Winchester yelped and dropped the crystal glass in the other room and whipped his glowing horn to the side pulling a zipper across Pinkie's mouth.
“how did you do that.” Rarity asked while the others stared in disbelief.
“its Pinkie Pie.” Winchester said while the pink mare sat down to the try and pull the zipper open. The stallion sighed as he turned around, and leaned his back on his work desk. He crossed his legs in the proper manner as he hooked his hoof through the loop in the bottle on his desk. once comfortable he throw back his head and drank several large swallows of the warm liqueur. After another sigh the stallion smiled at the mares with half open eyes and said “now, what do the bearer of harmony want of this knight?” he gestured with his hoof.
“well.” Twilight began. “have you heard of the Flim Flam Brothers?”
“Pair of con-ponies.” Winchester answered closing his eyes to think. “known to use song and dance routines to lull the masses into buying their goods which are normally the products of some sort of mechanical device.” Winchester looked at the girls again “yes I know of them but they have yet to do anything to draw Celestia's wrath.”
“oh.” Twilight Sparkle replied “good.”
“what of them?” the stallion asked.
“their here in town.” Rainbow Dash said inpatients getting the best of her.
“yes and Pinkie suspects they might have stolen the Cake's Cook Book in an attempt to get rid of them as competition.” Rarity explained.
“even if they didn’t their still acting rather suspicious.” Applejack added, “thinking that I might go snooping around their place.”
“the cops wont help us because they say there’s not enough evidences get a warrant or something like that.” Rainbow Dash explained.
“so we want you to go investigate the Flim Flam Brothers and their shop?” Twilight finally asked, the mares hopes disappeared as they looked at Winchester's face.
Rarity chimed in hoping to help “Um We'll buy you dinner for helping.”
Winchester almost glared at them all before he took a swallow from his bottle, after a revealed sigh the knight looked at them again. “let me get this straight. You want me a pony who has saved Equestria si-.” he paused and looked back at the papers “seven times now, five of which were at the behest of Celestia herself. However I do admit the foes you have stopped I would be no match for. That said I still routinely slay the monsters that haunt the dreams of foals and adults alike. Not to mention that I have lost count of the lives I have taken in defense of those who can not fight.” the stallion sounded greatly insulted. “and you all ask me to use the authority and rights that our princess intrust to me to investigate the possible wrong doing of a pair of BAKERS that may or may Not be using some sort of unfair business practices to put their competition of out business, said competition dose employ and house one of the bearers of harmony.”
Winchester took one last swallow from his bottle before recorking it “you ask the right pony for help.” he smiled at them all before he set the bottle behind him.
“thank you.” Pinkie said after the zipper disappeared her hair regained its curl instantly with a loud pop.
“what was all that about?” Rarity asked glaring at the stallion as he walked over to his armor.
“that’s just what he dose when somepony asks him to do something.” Twilight explained with a roll of her eyes.” When I asked him to let me use him as the test subject for a spell he gave me a speech about how the knights embody the laws of Equestria and some stuff like that.”
“oh.” Rarity replied, although she felt that this was more then just some odd quirk of the knight.
“why are you putting all that stuff on.” Rainbow dash asked as Winchester shook himself to insure that his armor was comfortable. “you expecting a fight?”
“nope.” the stallion said as he tightened his sword belt over his chest “but if I’m on official business for the court I must look the part.” his Canterlot accent as thick as Applejack's southern drawl.
“okay.” Rainbow Dash replied looking to her orange friend, Applejack just shrugged in reply.
“can we go now.” Fluttershy finally blurted out.
* * *
Flim and Flam made their way through their store making sure that their customers were happy. Flam noticed a new group of customers enter the dinning room, he turned to greet them but stopped and glare at them. After getting his brothers attention the pair approached Pinkie Pie and her friends saying “ladies we thought we told you that you were not welcome here.” Flam said trying to be polite.
“now we must ask you to leave.” Flim added “and please don’t make a scene.”
“oh we'll make a scene all right.” Pinkie said with a smile.
“please don’t.” Flam pleaded “we would prefer to not call the police.”
“now why would you have to call the police.” Winchester said joining the mares.
“Who are you.” Flam said looking at the armored stallion with suspicion and fear.
“he's a knight.” Rainbow Dash said reading from a piece of paper Winchester was holding up for her with his magic. “the will of our princess given form, the law of our land in-in car nat, incarnate.”
“thank you.” Winchester said with a smile.
“any time.” Rainbow Dash replied with a false smile, “dork,” the mare added under her breath.
“oh so your a knight.” Flim said with a whistle.
Flam nodded and asked “so a cop?”
“when the need arises sometimes.” Winchester replied.
“well we have restraining order on these mares so could you please remove them.” Flim explained, Winchester raised an eye brow.
“he's not going to do that. he's-”
“let me see the papers.” Winchester cut Twilight off.
“yes of course.” Flim said before ordering Mindy Who to get the papers.
“what are you doing?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
Mindy Who hurried back with the restraining order for Winchester to look over. “my job.” The stallion said speed reading through each of the papers. “you girls have been harassing them.” Winchester looked at them with a raised eye brow. “to the point that you girls are not to come with in 30 paces of their shop.” he paused and looked at one of the papers again “Rainbow Dash isn’t suppose to come within 30 paces of the brothers or any of their employes.” the knight said looking at them. “you girls have to leave.”
“what the hey are ya doing, ya suppose to be on our side.” Applejack said stomping her hoof.
“i may be able to bend the rules as I see fit, but I must uphold the law regardless.” Winchester said looking at them knowing what he said made little sense “i well search this establishment from top to bottom. every record, design and investment will be shown to me.” he looked at Flim and Flam with eyes that chilled their harts “you will hid nothing form me, there is no choice in the matter. Is that clear.” Flim and Flam nodded sweat running down their necks.
Winchester back to his friends his eyes soft once again “wait for me at Sugar Cub Corner.” the Twilight and her friends looked at each other then turned to leave. They were all worried or angry or some combination of the two but they had to abide by the law and trust in the knight. Mindy Who and Shutterbug meanwhile looked at their bosses afraid as the Flim Flam Brother lead the knight to the back room.
* * *
the girls sat around a table at sugar cube corner. Pinkie Pie giggled as she played with Pound and Pumpkin cake while she and her friends talked. They all were still worried about what Winchester was going to do, but as Twilight had put it if Celestia trusted him they should trust him as well.
Mrs cake trotted down the stairs carrying a book. Pinkie Pie watched as Pound Cake flew over to his mother. Noticing the book Pinkie asked “what you got there Mrs Cake?”
“ooh its my Cook Book.” The blue mare answered to the confused the younger mares “it seems that twins took a liking to it and hid it in their toy box.”
“so it wasn’t stolen by the Flim Flam Brothers.” Twilight said a chill running down her spin.
“So that’s why Gummy was scratching at their toy box.” Pinkie said with wide eyes while Pumpkin ran over to her mother as well. Pinkies friends all stared at her they now realized that the Flim Flam Brothers had in fact done nothing wrong. Other then maybe being jerks. however before they could discuss what they had all just learned Pinkie notice Winchester enter the room. “hey Winchester's back.” although she didn’t look it Pinkie was as worried as her friends.
Winchester quickly spotted the girls and trotted over to them “the deed is done.” he said with a smile.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?” Twilight asked panic prevalent in her voice.
Winchester blinked confused “um my job.”
“you didn’t lynch them did you?” Applejack asked.
“of course not.” Winchester replied much to the relief of the mares till the stallion sat down at the table and add “i just closed their store and ran them out of town.”
“But Flim and Flam didn't steal the Cake's Cook Book.” Pinkie Pie yelled.
“yeah I know.” Winchester replied.
“then why'd you close their store.” Rainbow Dash asked with a raised eye brow.
“well.” Winchester explained. “it most definitely wasn’t because they stole any thing and it wasn’t because their machine hadn't passed any heath inspections. I didn’t care about the numerous noise or pollution violations. It wasn’t because of zoning violations ether.” the stallion said with a smile.
“wow.” Pinkie pie said astonished “you know a lot of laws and things.”
Winchester looked at the pink mare, “well I have to-”
“will you tell us the reason why you ran them out of town now please,” Rarity said on the verge of loosing her composure.
“oh its cause they were a threat to Pinkie's employment.” Winchester answered, the mares all just stared at him. The stallion sighed “i probably shouldn’t tell you buuuuutt you girls are nobles of the highest importance.” the mares were still confused and after another sigh he continued “you girls out rank Princess Cadance.”
“wait you mean we're basically princesses?” Rarity asked her eyes sparkling. Fluttershy however was worried that her life may end up like it did when she was a model.
“no.” Winchester answered disappointing Rarity. “but you girls wield a weapon that could slay Celestia herself.” there was a hint of jealousy in his voice “you are the bearers of the elements of harmony the greatest weapon at our countries disposal.”
“cool.” Rainbow Dash said having never thought about the Elements that way.
Winchester thought about explaining how their bond was the source of the elements power and that anything that threaten to upset their statues quo was a threat to national security, which meant that its the job of the knights to deal with, but he decided to change the subject “Now.” he said clapping his hooves together “whose buying me dinner first.”

Scootaloo's Wings

Winchester laid under his favorite tree with his legs neatly tucked underneath him. His quill danced across the page painting pictures with words, a note pad floated near by suspended in a blue glow. every so often he would stop to read aloud what he just wrought to test the wording or to speck a line of dialog. After shooing away a very confused local who thought Winchester was recruiting him for a battle to save Equestria and some looks and comments from the less confused, the writer was starting to think writing the final draft of his book in the park was not a good idea.
The feeling of being watched wasn’t helping him ether. Finally Winchester lowered his book to see who it was and froze upon seeing Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell, Applebloom and Spike standing in front of him. The three fillies wore their crusaders capes and had a toy sword strapped to their hips. Spike stood behind them holding the lid of a pot like a shield in one claw and a toy sword in the other, he wore a helmet with curled horns on his head too. Before the stallion could ask 'can I help you.' the crusaders yelled “CUTIE MARK CURSADER SQUIRES are go!”
Winchester peeled his book from his face as the three fillies took turns to explain they were now his squires. They got the idea from a book Spike found that explained what a squire dose. They of course thought it would help them get their cutie marks. Spike wasn’t fast enough to help with any of the explaining so he finally just gave up and nodded.
“Yeah we can help ya like... save Equsrtia.” Applebloom said as she and the other fillies skip around 'their' knight.
“or save damsels.” Sweetie Bell added with a high pitch squeal.
“and slay monsters.” Scootaloo yelled as she buzzed her wings trying to hoover in front of him.
“Yeah.” Spike agreed. The four started to list the beast they could help Winchester kill. Ranging from the common timber wolf to the fierce manticore, and comically a field mouse. Everypony stared at Applebloom, the filly simply shrugged and explained Applejack hates them.
Winchester rubbed his eyes with a hoof as the crusaders talked, he mumbled “dragon” under his breath after they finished. The stallion's eyes fell on the fillies' reptilian friend, he sighed and quickly forgot his idea of attempting to turn the fillies against the baby dragon in favor of simple distraction. “hey girls I really don’t need any squires right now so-”
“but but how we going to crusade for our cutie marks?” Sweetie Bell pleaded with him tears in her eyes. She looked so cute that Winchester's hart almost melted. Only his years of training and hardship kept him on course, but this was one of his hardest challengeschanlges.
“yeah if your going to go on a crusade its best to go with a knight.” Scootaloo said. Winchester couldn’t deny that logic.
“well in that case as my squires I would like you to help that guy.” Winchester said pointing to a tan stallion with a short brown mane and tail, a hourglass cutie mark on his flank and a blissful smirk on his face.
“who is he?” Applebloom asked.
“just a doctor.” Winchester said thinking on his hooves.
“oooohhhh a doctor a could defiantly help us get our cutie mark.” Sweetie Bell said jumping up and down with a smile.
“dang it?” Scootaloo swore hanging her head.
“What?” her three friends asked.
“i just remembered I have a doctors appointment.” Scootaloo replied, she groaned and turned to leave “i hate going to the doctor.”
“your not sick are you?” Sweetie Bell asked, Applebloom covered her mouth.
“no its just a check up.” Scootaloo waved her goodbyes as she yelled “I'll meet you all at the club house later.”
Sweetie Bell, Spike and Applebloom sighed as they turned back to Winchester only to find him gone. “now where did he go.” Spike said.
“oh no the doctor guy is getting away too.” Sweetie Bell yelled pointing to the brown stallion as he trotted away, The crusaders gave chase. Upon realizing that the crusaders were after him the brown stallion ran for all he was worth. He like all the citizens of Ponyville knew what kind of trouble those three little fillies could cause, and now they had the baby dragon who new what kind of trouble they could cause now.
The brown stallion lead the crusaders on a rather long and comical chase. None of the stallion's tricks caught the crusaders off guard, disguises, hiding places and diversion none of them worked on his three relentless pursuers. He finally escaped by barricading himself in a small blue shed. The crusaders gave up after besieging the shed for a few minutes, they had only limited access to siege weapons and even less knowledge on how to make or use them.
Sweetie Belle, Spike and Applebloom returned to the club house to wait for Scootaloo. They occupied their time with games and brain storming ideas for cutie marks. Slowly the Celestia's sun moved toward the horizon and Scootaloo never showed up. It was getting late and Sweetie Belle had to be home for dinner, Spike decided to walk her home. Applebloom said her goodbyes to the two and walked to her own home for dinner.
* * *
The next morning Applebloom happily skipped down the street on her way to school, she got to have her favorite breakfast this morning Granny Smith's Apple Cinnamon pancakes. Her skipping soon brought her by Sweetie Belle's home. The white filly trotted out to join her happy friend. Sweetie Belle was equally as happy because she got to help her mother cook breakfast, and she didn’t set anything on fire.
The pair only had one more stop to make before they got to school, Scootaloo's street. The pair stopped at the their normal meeting spot but the pegasus wasn’t there. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were starting to worry as they waited for a few minutes and there was no sign of the Scootaloo. They discussed going to see if she was okay but the sound of the first school bell signaled they only had a few minutes left to get to school before it started. They had to gallop to be on time.
Miss Cheerilee sat at her desk happily finished her days perpetration. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle hurried inside and tossed their saddle bags in their respective cubby holes. The pair took their seats and just as the last bell rang. Sweetie Bell looked around for Scootaloo but again she was nowhere to be found.
“Where could she be?” Applebloom said as Ms Cheerilee began roll call. The teacher called Applebloom's names first, the filly quickly responded. Before Cheerilee could continue with roll call a mare with an orange coat and red mane poked her head in the door way, She asked to speck to Cheerilee. The sad eyes of the mare made the teacher worried.
Cheerilee left the class to speck to the mare. Many whispered conversions began through out the room. Sweetie Belle leaned over to Applebloom too ask “hey wasn’t that Scootaloo's mother?”
“ah think so, hope its nothing bad.” Applebloom whispered back.
While Cheerilee was talking to the mare Scootaloo slowly walked in with her head and tail low. She didn’t even look up as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom greeted her. Soon Cheerilee returned to her desk and wiped her eyes with her hoof before continuing with the roll call.
Scootaloo plopped down in her seat and just stared at her desk. Her eyes were red and puffy like she had been crying for a long time.
Sweetie leaned over to Scootaloo and ask “are you okay Scootaloo?”
“I’m fine.” the pegasus filly replied looking away.
“ya sure nothings wrong ya look sad.” Applebloom asked.
“i don’t want to talk about.”
“you sure, it could-”
“just leave me alone!” Scootaloo cut Sweetie Bell off with a harsh whisper. The pegasus looked away and sniffled. Sweetie Bell and Applebloom looked at each other worried.
Cheerilee stood before the class and cleared her throat. She had shaken away her sadness as she addressed the class and began the morning lesson. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom couldn’t help but notice how Scootaloo wasn’t paying attention to Ms Cheerilee.
As usual it felt like an eternity before recess started. As the bell rang the foals scrambled out the door. Scootaloo slid from her seat and she slowly walked toward the door. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom joined her. The pegasus growled under her breath as her friends commented on the day so far, her only response was “leave me alone.” before she ran away.
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were startled by Scootaloo's out burst. They were about to follow when Miss Cheerilee called the pair over.
“girls.” the concerned teacher said “i think you maybe should leave Scootaloo alone for a little while.”
“why?” Applebloom asked worry dripping from her drawl.
“she seems really sad and its really worrying me.” Sweetie Belle added.
Cheerilee debated with her self on whether or not to tell the pair “i really shouldn’t tell you but you are her best friends.” she looked at the pair and sighed, the tears in their eyes and their adorable pouts were too much. They had to know, they would help. “girls Scootaloo is sick but not like a cold or other sickness.” the fillies went from frightened to terrified for their friend. “its not something you can catch from her and shes not going die from it.” the teacher regretted her choice of words.
“whats wrong with her.” Sweetie Belle asked on the verged of panic. Cheerilee quickly calmed the pair down and explained what Scootaloo's mother had told her, Scootaloo had wing dwarfism and she would probably never beadle to fly.
“but she's able to hover a little bit.” Sweetie said tears in her eyes.
“lately she can’t even get off the ground.” Applebloom comment
Cheerilee nodded and added “don’t tell anypony else but as her best friends I expect you to help her through this hard time.”
“OFCORSE.” the two fillies said together before running off. Cheerilee hoped it was the right thing to do to tell the two.
On the farthest side of the play ground from the other foals Scootaloo sat under a tree, tears streaming down her cheeks. She mumbled “its all his fault.”
“Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle's voice startled the pegasus filly. She jumped before looking over to her friend anger in her sad eyes. “its okay Scootaloo we know you cant fly.”
“what.” Scootaloo shrieked “not so loud.”
“sorry.” Sweetie Belle said lowering her head. “but we just wanted to tell you its okay.”
“how is it okay!?” Scootaloo growled.
“well we cant fly ether.” Applebloom said.
“SO!” Scootaloo yelled “you two aren’t suppose to fly.” the orange filly jumped to her hooves her tiny wings held out wide. “its more like what if you couldn’t do what ever it is you earth ponies do.” she stepped closer to Applebloom then turned to Sweetie Belle “or what if Sweetie couldn’t do magic.”
“i cant do magic.” Sweetie Belle lowered her head. “at least not vary well.”
“yeah you can already levitate stuff and make pretty lights and sparks.” Scootaloo said tears again rolling down her cheeks. “and you can get better by practicing but no matter how hard I practice I’ll never be able to fly.”
“grow stuff.” Applebloom blurted out. Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at their friend. “earth ponies grow stuff and build things really well.”
“oh.” Scootaloo said while Sweetie nodded.
“but you gave me an idea.” Applebloom said with a grin, Scootaloo glared at her. “magic is the answer. Why don’t we ask Twilight to use some sort of spell on you to fix it.”
Scootaloo sighed “my dad already asked the doctor that and he said that he didn’t know of any spells to fix my problem.”
Sweetie jumped up and said “but was your doctor a unicorn.”
“no.”
“and is he as smart as Twilight.”
“i don’t know.”
“well Twilight knows A LOT of spells.” Sweetie Belle said with a gleeful squeak “she'll definitely know one that can help. She gave my sister wings once.”
“didn’t they burn up.” Applebloom commented with a dead pan grin.
“yeah.” Scootaloo said with a growing smile “and Rainbow Dash saved her.” her wings twitched excitedly “and if she can give a unicorn wings she can defiantly fix my real wings.”
“YEAH!” Sweetie Belle and Applebloom yelled together.
“what are you blank flanks yelling about over here.” Sliver Spoon said looking over her fancy glasses.
“probably some silly and dangerous idea for some lame cutie mark.” Diamond Tiara said with a sinister giggle. “I’m surprised you three haven’t been run out of town by now.”
The crusaders glared at their tormentors. “we don’t have time for you two right now.” Applebloom said with a stomp “we have ta-”
“we're the ones wasting our time with you.” Diamond Tiara replied stepping closer to the country filly. Scootaloo was not in the mood to deal with the snobby bully and was about to whip around and buck her for all shes worth when the bell rang signifying the end of recess and it was time to return to class.
The three fillies could barely sit in their seats as class continued. They even tried to answer their teachers questions hopping that she would just tell them the right answers, in a strange turn of events in their attempts to speed class along they were actually paying attention more then they normally did. Cheerilee was delighted, not only had Scootaloo's mood done a complete turn around but all three fillies were participating more then ever.
Soon lunch came and went and school would end soon, but not soon enough for Sweetie belle, Applebloom and especial for Scootaloo. Finally the last bell rang and Cheerilee told her students goodbye, after giving them home work of course. The crusaders burst from their seats tossed their saddle bags on their backs and were out the door before most of the foals were out of their seats.
The crusaders hurried out of the school and right past Thunderlane and Rarity, the couple was there to walk their respective siblings home. Knowing the trio's track record for causing chaos the couple quickly collected Rumble and gave chase. By the time they caught up with fillies they already had cornered Twilight in the library. The three fillies talked over each other so fast no pony knew what they were trying to say.
As Twilight Sparkle attempted stop the three rambling fillies Rumble asked “big bro do you know whats going on?” Thunderlane shook his head.
Twilight greeted Rarity and Thunderlane before she looked to the fillies again “okay girls I didn’t get much of that but I think it was about Scootaloo.” she looked at the little pegasus filly. “sweetie could you tell me whats wrong.”
Scootaloo suddenly felt self-consignus her tiny wings slapped to her side. She lowered head “i-i uh don’t want Rumble to hear.”
“what why?” the colt said “maybe I can help.” Scootaloo gave Twilight a look that almost brought tears to her eyes. She looked at Thunderlane and silently ask him to take his brother some where.
“come on buddy lets go to the arcade I’ll pay.” Thunderlane said much to the delight of the colt. Thunderlane gave Rarity a quick kiss and asked if she would be joining him and rumble.
Rarity looked over at Scootaloo and asked “would you like me to leave too darling?”
Scootaloo shook her head “your Sweetie Belle's sister so its okay, I guess.”
Rarity shook her head before giving Thunderlane a goodbye kiss and discussed having dinner with Thunderlane's family that night. Rumble pretended to gag as the adults kissed above him then he looked over at Scootaloo and wished her well before pulling his brother out of the library by his hoof.
Rarity sat beside Twilight as the little pegasus told them all what happen at the doctor yesterday, about her wing dwarfism. Tears formed in everyponies eyes as Scootaloo said “all I've ever wanted to do is fly.” she looked up at Twilight.
Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hoof and said “I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry Scootaloo.”
Tears ran down Rarity cheeks leaving dark streaks of make up. She pulled Scootaloo to her chest saying “i can not fathom how it must feel to be told that something so natural to so many is impossible for you.” she sniffed as she hugged the little pegasus tighter.
Scootaloo sniffed before she wiggled away and said “but Twilight can can fix me.”
“Maybe”
“you gave Rarity wings once, so why can’t you fix wings somepony already has.” Scootaloo said stepping closer to Twilight, the other crusaders agreed whole hartly.
Rarity blushed as she said “the experience was not enjoyable on my part.”
“that’s not what I heard.” Applebloom said with a smile.
“i prefer not to talk about it.” Rarity said looking away.
“Any way, can you do it Twilight can you do it?” Scootaloo asked.
Twilight Sparkle thought about it for a short time. “well maybe.” she looked at the pleading eyes of the crusaders. “SPIKE!.” Twilight called. The Baby dragon wiped his eyes as he responded. “I need Pony anatomy number three. The one on pegasi as will as The Things That Make Us Be, a study on pony genes.” Twilight stood and continued to rattled off the titles of more books all of them having to do with genetics or anatomy. Spike gathered a stack of books and set them on the table. “oh did the police ever bring back my notes and equipment for breaking down the structure of a muffin?”
“Yes, why?” the baby dragon asked as he carried another stack of books to the table.
“i think I can use it to help.”
“is there anything we can do to help Darling?” Rarity asked with the crusaders beside her.
“no no I got this.” Twilight replied as books floated around her. “magic is my special talent after all, and no offense but I’m pretty sure this will be over your heads.”
“oh of course darling we wanted to know if you like some tea or something to snack on?” Rarity replied with a smile the crusades all nodded
“oh.” Twilight said blushing “yes some tea would be nice.”
“coming right up.” Rarity replied “come on girls I’ll show you how to make the perfect cup of tea.” Sweetie Belle was delighted to learn form her sister while Applebloom and Scootaloo simply wanted to help Twilight.
The lavender mare had a dozen books floating around her bouncing slightly, as she read one then moved on to another. Sweetie Belle must have noticed a rhythm to the book's movements because she started to hum in time with them. Twilight wrought down notes and compared her new ideas to her old notes on how breakdown the structure of an organism. Hypothesis formed in the mare's head, but she needed test subjects or something experiment on. Luckily Rainbow Dash decided to drop by.
As night started to fall Applejack came by to collect Applebloom. Sweetie Belle left with Rarity, with Spike's help Rarity scent a letter to her parents telling them that Sweetie was going to dinner with her at Thunderlane's home. The white mare just hoped that Thunderlane's mother wasn't mad about her bringing her sister. Scootaloo was still at the library as dinner time grew close, she laid on the couch reading a book about scooters, skateboards ramps and stunts. a knock at the door drew the fillies attention. “why would somepony knock on the door its a public library right?” Scootaloo asked as she hoped up.
“well the library’s closed so now its just my home.” Twilight Sparkle replied never looking up from her notes other then to check on her newest preliminary test on Rainbow Dash's blood sample. So far so good.
“oh makes sense.” Scootaloo giggled as she opened the door. Her smile vanished as she saw the stallion at the door and she quickly closed it. “gash why did he have to come get me.” the Pegasus filly walked back to the couch and angrily started to read her book again.
Twilight blinked confused and got up to answer the door again “why would she do that” the lavender mare thought. Behind the door was a pegasus stallion about her size. He was maroon with a dark brown mane and tail. Twilight had seen him working in the mayors office. He looked sad as he said “hello, my name is Scribe, Scootaloo's father. I should have known it was you helping my daughter.” Twilight gasped she should have asked the fillies parents if it was okay to use possible dangerous magic on her. “Please.” the Stallion pleaded “help my daughter, I’ll do what ever I can to help you.”
Twilight stepped back “um okay.”
“and I mean anything.” Scribe said almost frantic. “i have to help fix this.”
Twilight blinked as the pieces fell into place “oh.” she glanced at the stallion's wings they were small for his size. Flight was passable with them but probably hard. The unicorn was sure this was the reason for Scootaloo's family living in Ponyville.
“i can pay you.”
“oh that’s okay I’m-”
“pull with the mayor?”
“no no that's all right, I've got plenty of pull with the government.” Twilight replied. “but if you want to help I could use a few samples.” the stallion nodded and she brought the stallion to the table in the center of the room. Scootaloo never looked up from her book.
“do you need a temporary medical license?” Scribe asked.
“no,” Twilight answered as she levitated an assortment of medical devices and beakers over to her. “as Celestia's personnel student I have all the licenses I need to practice any science I choose.”
the Stallion blinked “thought you were a magic student?”
“Magic is a science.” Twilight said as she selected the corrected feather from his wing.
“umm.”
“oh sorry I never asked if it was okay to use you from my samples. I already got my control sample from Rainbow Dash so I um need a sample of.” Twilight Sparkle said lowering her ears.
“oh okay, go right ahead anything to help.” Scribe answered.
“good, I hope your better then Rainbow was.” Twilight giggled “we had to make Scootaloo and the other fillies leave the room.” she plucked a feather from his wing he winced from the pain, Twilight had pull the feather out by the root. Scribe's wing twitched as he felt a trickle of blood roll down his remaining feathers till Twilight stopped it with a cotton swob.
“Why?” the stallion asked worried his daughter may have heard something she shouldn't have.
“because she didn’t want the fillies to see her crying like a foal.” Twilight replied as she began cleaning a spot on Scribes foreleg. “she hates needles and I mean hates them.”
“so dose Scootaloo.” Scribe replied as he felt the pinch of the needle.
Twilight called for Spike to bring her some more of the magical orange juice she made earlier. “yeah I know.” she checked the blood flow, it was going as expected. “she started to shake when I got this equipment out for Rainbow Dash.” Scribe looked over at his daughter sadly, she hid behind her book.
Soon the vial was full and the stallion wobbled a little as Twilight removed the needle. “okay that’s all I need.” the mare said with a gentle smile.
“that’s good.” the stallion said wobbling back and forth. “i don’t think I can give much more.”
Twilight giggled and levitated the orange juice over to him “drink this it will make you feel better.” the stallion took the cup and started to drink his eyes opened wide at the copper taste of the the juice. “i know it taste funny but its just the spells I cast on it, it works too.”
“i hope it dose that stuff taste terrible.” Scribe said with full body shake. He was still woozy.
“give it a few seconds.” Twilight said as she continued her work. Scribe's wing twitched and he noticed strange sensation in it. He inspected his wing and watched in amazement as a feather slowly grew in place of the one that Twilight had plucked. He also felt much steadier now.
“so is that everything you need?” Scribe asked, as he stood up.
“yep.” Twilight answered with a warm smile.
“well Scootaloo its time to head home for dinner.” Scribe said, the only response she gave him was a grunt as she dropped the book and hoped up.
Scootaloo said goodbye to Twilight and Spike then fallowed her father out the door. The filly slowly walked behind her father as they walked down the street in silents. About a block form their home Scribe stopped and turned around to look at his daughter. “Scootaloo?” the filly stopped but didn’t looked up at him “Scootaloo look at me please.” he said Scootaloo looked up at him angry “honey I just wanted you to know that I didn’t want anything like this to happen, and I’m so sorry you got my bad genes.”
“i know.” Scootaloo said sadly looking away. “i don’t know why I was so mad at you I I-”
“you just needed someone to blame.” he smiled and nuzzled his daughter “i was just the unlucky one.” the filly looked away “but its okay sometimes you just have to let out the anger or it will eat you up inside.” he nuzzled her again to reassure her “any who hopeful Ms Twilight will be able to fix us both.”
Scootaloo looked up at him with a smile “yeah then Rainbow Dash could teach us both how to really fly.”
“yeah.” Scribe said with a smile “lets get home I’m hungry.” Scootaloo agreed with a flutter of her wings.
The pair soon returned home, Scootaloo's mother was happy to see her daughter smiling. However she did have a discussion with her husband that it was bad enough that Scootaloo idealized that crazy blue mare but now he was letting that Twilight Sparkle from Canterlot experiment on their daughter. Luckily the argument didn’t last long enough to effect dinner. Which was a nice helping of candied carrots and sweet potatoes.
After dinner Scootaloo finished the home work she and her friends hadn’t finished in the library and burnt off her remaining energy attempting to beat Rainbow Dash's ball bouncing record, she never got close. Finally she slipped into bed with a yawn, she looked at her Wonderbolt poster on her wall next to the news paper clippings of Rainbow Dash wining the best young flier competition. She smiled before drifting off to dreams about racing around a track on a jet powered scooter.
Mean while Twilight was finishing her own dinner, a toasted pastry filled with cheese and broccoli. Twilight had moved her experiments to her underground lab, all the equipment she needed was down there. Dozens of different mechanics sparked and bubbled around her as they went through there processes. Every so often Twilight would re-energizes one of the devices so that it would continue. Spike had already gone to bed, but Owlowiscious was happily helping the mare with her work.
Twilight didn’t sleep all night, she learned things about Rainbow Dash and Scribe that they probably didn't knew about themselves. But as she discovered things such as the Scribe was allergic to pistachios or that Rainbow Dash had an unnatural affinity for fudge, but she never learned how to effect anything about them. She had extensive text on genes, anatomy, and healing spells but nothing on effecting change on the body adding to the body yes, but that was with external soruses and metreails. But She noticed that many of her older books referenced ones that the Ponyville library didn’t have.
As night turned to dawn Twilight went up stairs for some hot tea, she was getting frustrated by all the dead ends. As she filled the tea pot Winchester opened the front door, he blinked confused she was never up when he made his early morning stop at the library “oh your up.” the knight could easily see the younger mare's frustration “something wrong?”
Twilight sighed and said “no.... well sort of.” she levitated the tea pot over to the fire. Twilight Sparkle explained what she was attempting to do and the problems she was having.
Winchester nodded “I’m not as adept at magic as you so I wont be a help there. But maybe I have a book or two in my collection that will help. I have a bunch of weird stuff.”
“really? cool but where would you get a spell book on bio magic?” Twilight asked.
“um most actually come from evil spell slingers I defeated in the name of our holy princess.” Winchester said in his normal “epic” manner. The mare just rolled her eyes. After the tea was brewed they hurried off to Winchester's home.
Twilight had never perused Winchester's collection she knew he had a lot of books but she never knew he had so many rare spell books. “wow Winchester.” Twilight said looking through a book that was probably older then she was. “if I need to really learn to fight I'll come to you first.”
“yeah.” Winchester said with his nose in a book “I’ve never read half of these things let alone cast any of these spells.”
“really why?”
“didn’t like being on the receiving end of them.”
“oh.”
After about an hour or so of searching both the ponies soon noticed the same thing and upon returning to the library they confirmed it. Many of the books that touched on the subject they were looking for referenced books in series that the library or Winchester didn’t have. Luckily they were in the Liberian’s Book order index, strangely they were only in the oldest one. So Twilight did something she loved to do, order new books. She didn’t want to wait for Spike to wake up, so she used her own magic to send probably her smallest book order every to Canterlot. A mere five books.
Twilight went down to her lab to finish the experiments that had to be done that night, and cast a few stasis spells on the long term test. Twilight made her way to her bedroom she yawned and stumbled from fatigue. At the base of the stairs the mare heard a knock at the door. She looked over at Winchester to see if he was going to get it, the stallion was completely engrossed in writing.
Twilight sighed and trotted over to the door, she opened the door with a load yawn. The lavender mare blushed deep red as she looked to see who was at the door. Scootaloo stood in the door way, an excited smile graced her face. Her eyes sparkled as she asked “did you find a way to fix my wings?”
Twilight and shook her head but gave the disappointed filly a warm smile “I've learned a lot and I think I know how to help you.” Scootaloo's wings buzzed till she realized there was a but coming “but I don’t have the right books here so I order them from Canterlot. So they should be here by tomorrow night.”
“you mean tonight.” Winchester said with out looking up. “you still think its Tuesday don’t you?”
“i thought you were too busy to be paying attention?”
“nope.” Winchester smirked.
Twilight rolled her eyes and said “I guess he's right.”
“Then you can fix me?!” Scootaloo asked excitedly her wings buzzing.
“yep.” Twilight said with a big smile her coat shimmered excitedly. “oh hey you forgot something yesterday.” the mare added as she turned around with a yawn. She levitated a book over to Scootaloo. It was the book about skateboards scooters and ramps the filly had been reading yesterday. “i hope this will keep you occupied while I finish my work.”
Scootaloo looked at the book “Thanks i cant wait.” she placed it in her saddle bag and said her goodbyes too Twilight and hurried on her way to join her friends before school. It was still almost an hour before school started. The filly was pretty sure that her friends were still eating breakfast so she decided not to bug them. Sooctaloo sat on a bench on Mane Street, she knew Applebloom passed by here on her way to school so she wouldn’t miss school even if she dosed off while reading her book.
Scootaloo's mind quickly turned to thoughts of how cool it would be to use some of the ramps in the book or do just about any of the stunts. By the time Applebloom was trotting down the street Scootaloo had used scraps of paper to mark over a dozen pages in the book.
“Hey Scootaloo what you doing here so early?” the farm filly asked when she saw her friend.
“oh I couldn’t wait to see if Twilight had a way to fix my wings, so I woke up early and stopped by the library.” Scootaloo replied a little sadly.
“And?”
“not yet.” the Pegasus answered with a sigh “but she got some books in the mail to help so soon.”
“I’m sorry.”
“yeah.” the filly said sadly “but hey after school why don’t you me and Sweetie Belle try out some of the stuff in here.” she held up her book.
“uhh.” Applebloom hesitated as she looked at some of the stunt diagrams. “uhh Scoots these all look pretty dangerous.”
“ahh come on Applebloom it'll be fun.” Scootaloo whined “plus it will make me feel better.” she smiled slightly.
Applebloom sighed “okay if it makes you feel better.” the pair continued to discus their after school plans as they made their way to Sweetie Belle's home and then to school.
School was as boring as it always was. Although thoughts of never being able to fly crept into Scootaloo's mind, She tried to ignore them just like she did when Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon bullied her. Just like with them it only worked for so long. However when Sweetie Belle reminder her of the scooter stunt book and their plans for after school the pegasus filly forgot all about flying.
Scootaloo couldn’t wait for school to end, and when it finally did she was the first one out. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were almost as excited as their Pegasus friend. Thankfully Cheerilee didn't give them much home work so they had all after noon to play. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom hurried to Sweet Apple Acres with the book to try and set up a ramp or two while Scootaloo ran home to get her scooter.
Scootaloo's mind was filled with thoughts of the kinds of stunts she wanted to try as she ran home. It was right where she left it. With her scooter the filly speed down the street. She let nothing slow her, she dodged around ponies walking down the street, jumped over tables and slide under stalls. She laughed at the adults warnings and scoffed at their threats of punishment. She covered the distance from her home to her friends farm in a time that she was sure Rainbow Dash would be impressed with. For a land locked filly it was rather impressive.
Even with the time Scootaloo made Applebloom had still set up too sturdy ramps and a gently sloped wall by the time Scootaloo had arrived. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were dragging a metal railing over to the wall. “wow girls you two work fast.” Scootaloo said barely winded from her ride across Ponyville.
“yeah.” Applebloom said setting down the bar “we would have had this here 'grinding bar' up if Sweetie Belle didn’t drop it every ten hooves.” she was a little frustrated with Sweetie Belle but not really mad.
“its heavy.” Sweetie Belle Whined.
“its not that heavy.” Applebloom said.
“but's too heavy for a couple of fillies.” Big Mac said trotting by the group. He stopped to look at what hes baby sister had built “this here is mighty impressive.” he gave the construction a testing kick, the ramp set up shook a little but was very sturdy and flexed appropriately. “you built this Applebloom.” the filly beamed with pride. “but whats the railing for?” Applebloom jumped into the explaining what she had learned in the books about ramp building. The massive stallion nodded he had no idea what grinding was or why somepony would do it, but he knew that if his sister wanted to built something he would help.
After hearing everything Applebloom had to say Big Mac nodded and said his trademark eeyep before agreeing to help finish the ramps. With her big brothers help Applebloom quickly attached the bar to the top corner of the too ramps, to both suspended the railing above the ground and to hold the ramps together. Big Mac headed back to work while Scootaloo tried the ramps for the first time.
Simple jumps soon bored Scootaloo and she started to do more complicated tricks. Kick flips, 360's, fancy spins and hoof stands. She wanted to try and do a back flip but as she discussed it with her friends Applejack happened to be passing by and over heard them. The adult mare forbid them form trying such a dangerous trick. So of course they obeyed, her while she was still in sight. Scootaloo's first attempt wasn’t very successful and nether was her second or third, each came with a wipe out. The last crash looked fairly painful. Thankfully her safety equipment did its job and she was learning.
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom ran over to her worried. Scootaloo stumbled a little as she stood up, despite the best efforts of her helmet and knee pads the filly was still scraped up. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle asked if the pegasus was okay. Scootaloo grinned through her tears.
“I’m fine I’m fine.” Scootaloo said as she shook her self “if you fall you got to get back, and if it hurts its just natures way of telling you your doing it wrong.” both the others fillies wondered where she learned that but their questions were soon answered.
“you learned that from me huh squirt?” Rainbow Dash said as she floated down to join them. The crusaders tensed up thinking they may be in trouble “hey don’t stop you got to keep trying while its fresh.” the blue mare urged nudging Scootaloo with her nose.
“but Applejack told her not to do such a dangerous trick!” Applebloom exclaimed.
“that didn’t seem to stop you before.”
“well we uh.” Applebloom lowered her head she had hoped to some how avoid punishment but it didn’t seem necessary now.
“now go for Scootaloo!” Rainbow Dash ordered with a grin.
“On it.” Scootaloo replied as her wings buzzed. The filly reversed to get same more room to build up speed for her next attempt. Rainbow Dash and the other two fillies gathered to the side to watch.
A single drop of sweat rolled down Scootaloo's forehead and between her eyes, what if she messed up so bad that Rainbow Dash didn’t want to help her, or she wreaked so bad that she really hurt herself or broke her scooter. The filly shook her head to clear her mind. She kicked the ground and flapped her little wings as hard as she could. The wind stung the fillies scraps, her wheels kicked up dirt and grass as she rocketed toward the ramp. Scootaloo crouched as she hit the ramp, she gulped this was it she had to do it. At the end of the ramp Scootaloo jumped and leaned back pulling her scooter over top her. The upside down world seem to be in slow motion out of the corner of her eye she saw Sweetie Belle cheering for her, Applebloom looked on in aw and Rainbow Dash nodded in approval with her normal smirk.
A moment later Scootaloo's wheels slammed into the other ramp, the filly wobble but didn’t topple over. She threw herself into a skid and stopped to the cheers of her best friends and the praise of her hero.
Rainbow Dash was was so proud of Scootaloo she could burst but she had to stay cool and clam. She had an image to keep up after all. The blue mare trotted over to the orange filly and said “hey kid that was pretty good.” she bit her tongue on saying something about flying, she like many others had their suspensions on what Scootaloo's special talent was, and this was the first step on the filly realizing it.
The ponies calibrated for a few minutes before Scootaloo decided to try again. She accomplish the trick several more times before taking a short break. giving her friends a chance try to do some jumps. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle had a little trouble getting up speed they only had their hooves to propel them, but they succeeded in clearing the jump. On Applebloom's second jump she threw her for hooves over her head and yelled “ye haw.” before landing and nearly toppling over. Sweetie Belle didn’t have the courage to do anything more then just do the jump.
Rainbow Dash even tried her hoof at doing a scooter jump. She barely fit on the scooter, but her wings propelled far faster then any of the fillies. The stunt flying was launched high far over the second ramp, so not to damage Scootaloo's precious scooter when she landed Rainbow Dash simply opened her wings and took flight. Scootaloo cheered seeing her mentor take off so fast and looped around. Rainbow Dash landed with the scooter and her normal grin. “okay squirt this thing is pretty cool.” she offered it back to the orange filly.
“yeah, it is I cant wait to do stuff like that.” Scootaloo replied taking the offered scooter.
“yeah and I’ll teach you most of what I know.” Rainbow Dash said with a grin, Scootaloo's face lite up and she dropped her scooter. “if you show me how to do some tricks with a scooter.”
“really?” Scootaloo gasped. Rainbow Dash nodded the filly exploded with excitement. She jumped around her hero promising that she would show Rainbow Dash everything she knew. The stunt flier smiled but the orange filly was starting to make her dizzy. The group continued to do jumps and other tricks on the ramps for a few more hours till dinner time rolled around. Applebloom headed for her home first, Rainbow Dash realized that she had to get back to work for some paper work she had neglected earlier that day. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo headed home together.
As they walked down Mane Street Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo split up. Sweetie Belle said good bye and walked off toward her home. Scootaloo turned toward the library.
The little orange filly slid her scooter to a stop and excitedly ran to the entrance. She slammed her hooves on the door. A moment later Spike answered the door saying “sorry but the libar-oh hey Scootaloo.”
“Did she get them?”
“oh umm.” Spike was lost for a moment “I'll get Twilight.” the baby dragon hurried inside, he hadn’t paid attention to Twilight when she was talking about the situation.
Scootaloo nodded and waited at the door her little wings buzzing as she danced in place. Twilight soon came to the door “hello Scootaloo. I think I know why your here.” she smiled as Scootaloo nodded, then the mare continued “And the answer is no. I got some weird letter from the Canterlot library about how the books I asked for don’t exist but that cant be right.”
“you got t-” Scootaloo began but Twilight cleared her throat. The filly stopped and lowered her ears.
“Scootaloo I'm not giving up, I made a promise to you and your father to fix your wings and the wings off all ponies in your predicament.” Twilight said lowering herself to look the filly in the face “I’m going to try Princess Celestia next.”
“y-you can do that?” Scootaloo asked with eyes as wides as dinner plates. She knew that Twilight was close to the princess but she didn’t think they where that close.
“well of course. I am Princess Celestia's student and a good friend of princess Luna as well.” Twilight answered trying not to sound smug.
“wow your really special.” Scootaloo said astonished.
“no no I’m just a normal pony like you.” Twilight said blushing, the mare could tell that Scootaloo still thought she was something more and nothing she said would change that. The librarian sent the filly on her way with more promises of fixing her wings. The mare turned back to the letter she was writing.
Twilight had gone as far as she could with the information she had. All the spells she had used in her many attempts to effect the destinies held with in Scribes DNA had failed, a few were impressive and messy displays of biological magic gone wrong. On one scarey accusation she was glad she had brushed up on her arcane destruction magic the week before.
Twilight quickly went about wrighting a letter to Princess Celestia about how she was helping Scootaloo with her wing dwarfism, what she intended to do. She finished by informing the princess what the library of Canterlot had told her. With that done she had Spike send the letter to Princess Celestia.
Finally Twilight Sparkle and her Baby dragon assistant sat down for a pasta dinner, Spike had recently become interested in cooking and this pasta with tomato sauce was the latest thing he attempted to learn too cook. Twilight thought he had done a good job but the look on the little dragon's face made it seem like he couldn’t keep it down. Before the mare could ask if Spike was okay he burped fire and a letter sealed with Celestia's mark fell next to Twilight’s plate.
The mare was concerned that Celestia would reply’s so quickly. Spike wished aloud that the princess wouldn’t send letters at dinner time. Twilight dropped her fork and opened the letter. It was simple and short and made the mare's hart skip a beat.

Bring Scootaloo to the library,
I shall arrive there within the hour.
We have something to discus.

“oh no.” Twilight exclaimed worried she my have done something wrong. she bolted from the table and out the door.
Spike blinked and shrugged “i used too much garlic, but don’t think its that bad.”
* * *
Scootaloo sat at her kitchen table eating a bowl of ice cream. Her mother and Father were humming together as they cleaned up after the family meal. Everything was perfect till there was a frantic knocking at the door. Scribe trotted to the door a little worried as the knocking continued. Scootaloo leaned around the corner to watch as her father opened the door revealing a flustered Twilight. Scootaloo had a flash back to the time Twilight had some sort of the mental break down.
“oh hi miss Sparkle is there some progress in curing my daughter.” Scribe asked.
“um sort of but um I need Scootaloo to come to the library?” Twilight said unsure how to say what she needed to say. She didn’t want to admit that she may have done something wrong in the eyes of their princess, specially with the way Scootaloo's mother was looking at her.
“your going to fix my wings aren’t you.” Scootaloo said jumping all the way to the door. Her wings buzzed and she hoped in front of Twilight. “i knew it.”
“umm.” Twilight could foresee the hart break in Scootaloo's if she said other wise. So Twilight said “well the Princess would like to see you at the library.”
“Really?”
“yes.”
“Can I go dad?” Scootaloo asked hoping around both the adult ponies.
“umm.” he looked back at his wife who wasn’t happy but when he looked at Twilight he could tell that he didn’t actually have a choice. the princess wanted to see his daughter how could he deny the wish of his holy monarch. “yes you can go.” he hoped it was good news for his daughter.
* * *
the walk from Scootaloo's home was awkward. The filly's mood had deflated by the time they had made it to the library. Twilight didn’t say much as she opened the door. Spike was in the kitchen cleaning up. He looked up from the dishes but didn’t say anything. Not a good sign
The two ponies looked around but the princess wasn’t there. But before Twilight could even ask the door to her underground lab opened and the princess emerged. Her massive frame barely fit through the hidden door way.
She approached Twilight and Scootaloo. The princess didn’t look upset or happy or even disappointed she just seemed sad. Twilight bowed to her holy mentor while Scootaloo was aw struck, the filly had been close to the princess at that wedding last year but this was much different. The Princess was here for her.
The princess sighed and looked at the two ponies before her, they were dwarfed by her holy size. Her mane gently blew in the solar winds that only she could feel. Finally she spoke to them “what I am about to say is going to be hard for the two of you to hear but you must listen.” she paused to allow her subjects to nod. Twilight had a bad feeling while Scootaloo didn’t know what to think. After a heavy sigh Celestia continued “You must stop this research Twilight.”
“WHAT!?” Scootaloo exclaimed “but but but hows s-she going fix my wings.” Twilight remained silent.
Celestia's eyes fell on the distraught filly as she began to plead for Celestia to change her mind. The large alicorn slowly lowered herself to the ground in an attempt to look the filly eye to eye, it didn’t work out too well she was still eye level with Twilight “i wish I could but the study of biological magic is outlawed for a reason.” tears started to stream down Scootaloo's cheeks as she begged the princess to reconsider. A tear rolled down Celestia's own cheek as she gently nuzzled the crying filly.
“Princess Celestia may I ask why?” Twilight asked, she could feel her hart breaking.
The sun princess sighed sadly as Scootaloo's tears soak into her white coat “the possibility for miss use is very high but the number of ponies it would help my self included far out way that danger.” she looked to the little filly crying into her chest “but every attempt has ended in failure. The greatest minds of the past two thousands years have tried to unlock the secrets of DNA with magic.” she looked over at Twilight “none of them even with my help could do it.”
Twilight Sparkle blinked in disbelief “they had to have some sort of success, its impossible to not have any even the smallest amount.”
Scootaloo's crying had subsided to soft whimpers as she listened to why she would never fly. Celestia looked up at Twilight before answering “there are over two hundred factors that directly effect the out come of a biological spell. Right down to split second of your breathing and the cadence of your words. You have seen what happens if you make a mistake with just a drop of blood, just imagine what could happen to Scootaloo if you made the same mistake.”
Twilight Sparkle nodded she saw the abomination she had made, its remains still stained the wall of her lab. “yes princess but you could heal her right? Your magic is greater then that of a hundred unicorns.”
“yes Twilight, but this subject is one of the few that escapes even my vast knowledge.” Celestia said if a sigh “even if I could heal Scootaloo after a failed attempt she would have gone through such a horrible experience that flying wouldn’t be worth it. I have brought back the freshly slain before the strain it puts on the ponies mind and soul is so great that the lucky prey for the hellish nightmares of veterans.” she gently shook her head and looked away “it is always so hard to tell somepony that I can not allow this kind of life changing magic to be researched but I have seen too many hopeful pony die in the most horrible ways that I cant stand it any more.” tears rolled down her cheeks and her voice cracked slightly as she spoke “and knowing that I’m in a similar situation makes it all the harder but how can I sacrifice their lives so that I may bare life, is that fare?”
Now both Scootaloo and Twilight were confused “what do you mean princess?” Twilight asked.
The princess of the sun looked to her most faithful student and began to explain “back in the days of Discord's rule over the world I was ravaged with disease. I am completely healthy now but some of them still haunt me even to these days.” she paused. Scootaloo mean while watched as the pony that was revered as a god, bared her darkest secret to her and Twilight “because of it I take a student and treat them like a son or daughter.” she looked at Twilight tears running down her cheeks. “because I can never have one of my own.”
“I’m so sorry princess I I didn’t know I.” Twilight words were forgotten when Celestia used her magic to pull her into a hug with Scootaloo in the middle.
“its okay dear.” Celestia whispered before releasing her “Equestria has been saved dozens of time because of my many students.” Twilight nodded knowing this to be true. “so maybe fate has something great in store for you Scootaloo.” she said looking down at the filly with a small smile.
The orange filly wiped her nose with the back of her hoof and answered “maybe.”
Celestia smiled as she brought a tissue over and wiped the filly’s nose clean, “i know it hurts, trust me I do. I still have tears over my affliction two thousand years later. However you must focus on the good, what makes you special that thing you do better then any pony else. Scoot-aloo.”
“I’ll try.” Scootaloo replied, 'why'd she say my name like that.' she thought as the princess stood up again. The filly shivered suddenly feeling cold with the warmth of the sun princess gone.
“now Twilight.” Celestia said looking at her Serengetiaughter “lets get this young filly home.” Twilight nodded.
The walk to Scootaloo's home was short Celestia explained to Twilight that she had disposed of all of the mare's notes along the way. The lavender mare was disappointed but the princess said it had to be done. Scribe answered the door when Twilight knocked, he almost jumped out of his skin when he saw the princess and bowed to her so fast her smacked his chin on the ground. His wife did just about the same when the holy monarch enter their home to explain the situation. It was hard for all three of the pegasus to take, the fillies tears returned again and her parents quickly decided to take her up stares for bed. She slept in her parents bed for the night, their loving embrace held the tears back. For the most part.
Twilight and Celestia took their leave and said their own good byes. Celestia crouched and unfolded her wings before having second thoughts. The princess of the sun began walking to the train station in a sort of penitence of the bad news she gave Scootaloo. Twilight herself returned home to cold pasta and a fitful sleep.
* * *
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle happily trotted down the street together. Soon they would join up with Scootaloo and head to school. They half expected to see Scootaloo flying around looking for them but as they got to their winged friends street they realized that wasn’t going to happen. Scootaloo slowly walked down the street dragging her hooves through the hard packed dirt with her head hanging low, her nose almost in the dust.
Sweetie Bell and Applebloom looked at each other worried before they hurried too their friend's side, hopefully to find out why she was so sad. Scootaloo heard her friend's hooves and stopped but barely lifted her head to look at them. Her face showed little emotion she looked like she had just giving up on everything. another night of tears and shattered dreams had taken its toll on the little filly’s emotions.
“Scootaloo is everything okay?” Applebloom asked.
“no.”
“why, what happened when you went to see Twilight last night.” Sweetie belle asked her voice cracking with worry
“nothing.” Scootaloo answered and looked away “nothing ever will happen.”
“what you on about Scootaloo.” Applebloom asked confused.
“i don’t want to talk about it.” the filly replied with a sniffle.
“if you don’t talk to us we cant help you.” Applebloom said repeating something she heard her sister say once.
“lets just get to school I really don’t want to talk about it right now.” Scootaloo said pushing past her friends, she bit her lip as her tears attempted to return. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle fallowed her unsure if they should push the issue.
The three fillies made their way to school. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were fairly distracted for most of the morning but Scootaloo just didn’t seem to even care. The Pegasus barely even reacted when she was scolded by Miss Cheerilee.
Recess rolled around for Cheerilee's class. Scootaloo walked out side and made her way to the far side of the play ground like she did a few days before. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom joined her, no pony really said anything. They just weren’t sure what to say.
The sound of jingling of jewelry drew the attention of the three fillies. They turned to see Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon approaching them, both wore some new fancy jewelry. “well what do we have here.” Sliver Spoon said with a malicious smile.
Diamond Tiara grin was down right evil as she said “looks like a blank flank pity party to me.” the pair laughed. Scootaloo and Applebloom jumped to their hooves ready to attack but a soft thud behind the bullies halted the coming fight. “finally give up trying to get a cutie mark and.”
“i think it's time for you two to shut up.” Rainbow Dash said from behind Diamond Tiara and Sliver Spoon.
The two bullies turned around astonished that someone would talk to them like that. “you cant talk to us like that.” they looked up at the angry mare.
“what ever, buzz off you two I didn’t come here to talk to you little brats.” Rainbow Dash said, she wanted to smack both the fillies for what she over heard but she didn’t have time to deal with these two.
“I’m going to tell my Daddy you talked to me like that.” Diamond Tiara replied.
“do it and see if I care.” the pegasus stepped closer and in the most adult manor possible Rainbow Dash continued “now leave us alone.” the two bullies turned and hurried away. Rainbow Dash glared at them as they left. “you just got to show the bullies you aren’t scared of them.”
“that really works?” Sweetie Belle asked.
Rainbow Dash nodded before saying “anyway, Scootaloo. Me, you, your friends Twilight and Pinkie are going to be going out for a party picnic after school.”
“I’m not really in the mood for a party.” Scootaloo said siting back down.
“pinkie's idea.” Rainbow Dash said “you don’t really have a choice you don’t come, the party will find you. See you later Squirt.”
“true.” Scootaloo said watching her idle crouch down ready to fly away. “wait you told PINKIE!”
“well not really.” Rainbow Dash said now hoovering above the fillies. “i checked in with Twilight and well Pinkie came by to get something and when she walked in she looked at us and started crying.” the fillies looked at the mare confused “when we finally got her to stop bawling she declared she was throwing you a party.”
“but how did she know?” Scootaloo asked.
“its Pinkie.” the three fillies nodded. “any way I'll see you all later.” in a flash the blue Pegasus was gone.
Scootaloo watched her leave then looked at her friends and said “i guess you cant really stay sad in a town with Pinkie in it huh.” her friends nodded. The school bell rang with another sigh Scootaloo and her friends trotted back inside.
Miss Cheerilee was busy going over a letter, with an odd stack of books on her desk with a ribbon around it with a C seal on it. After her students had taken their seats Cheerilee cleared her throat and said “well everypony we've had a little change in lesson plans but I think it will be fun.” she smiled that strained smile a teacher gets when plans get changed.
The new lesson was about a pegasus named Snowdrop who lived in the time of Formation, when the Princesses and the royal guard were in consent battle to bring all the ponies under their rule. Scootaloo wasn’t really in the mood to pay attention to a history lesson till she heard that Snowdrop was blind. However despite this she still had a great impact on the world by teaching everypony the blessings of winter and calming the snows to the state they are today. After lessining to the lesson Scootaloo thought she knew where the change in Cheerilee's plan came from and that it was just for her.
School ended without incident. Scootaloo felt a little better but she still wasn’t in a good mood as they walked down the street. Sweetie Belle skipped along leading the way to Sugar Cube Corner. Applebloom wasn’t sure how to feel, parties with her friends were fun but was there really something to celebrated. The three filly trotted into the treat shop and looked around. Pinkie was easy to find, specially when she bounced right over to the filly’s with a massive smile. Twilight Stood by the counter lifting a saddle bag over her back. Rainbow Dash was getting a drink from a small glass, for some reason Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed heavily.
After a quick hyper active greeting from Pinkie Pie and a normal greeting from Twilight and Rainbow Dash the small group trotted out the door talking about where to have a nice picnic. Rainbow Dash suggested they should head over to Sweet Apple Acres so they could use those ramps from yesterday. Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle agreed almost too quickly.
The fillies fallowed the mares over to the farm. The group easily found their way to the ramps. Pinkie Pie quickly set out the picnic blanket and a recorded player while Twilight inspected the ramps with Rainbow Dash and the fillies. Twilight nodded and said “wow these are really well built.” she was genially impressed.
“Sturdy too.” Rainbow Dash said with a grin “i used them my self. hit'em pretty hard too, didn’t move an inch.” Twilight whistled and nodded.
“aww shucks girls the books did the hard work, I just followed their instructions.” Applebloom said blushing. “Sweetie Belle helped.”
“still, a really good job.” Twilight said looking from the blushing filly to Rainbow Dash. The mares nodded at each other.
Rainbow Dash grinned and looked at Scootaloo “why don’t you show us some of those sweet moves you were pulling off yesterday.”
the pegasus filly look sadly at her hero and said “I..uhh. don’t have my scooter here so uh I cant really do any tricks on it.”
“no problem.” Pinkie Pie said with a laugh as she bounced over to the group, the record player playing a happy tune behind her. With out another word the pink pony reached into a curl in her tail and retrieved Scootaloo's scooter. Nopony questioned it, they knew they wouldn’t get an answer.
Scootaloo sighed and let her head hang low. “sorry I’m just not in the mood right now.”
“okie dokie lokie.” Pinkie said in time with the music. “lets have a little fun to lift that sprite of yours.”
the six ponies sat around the blanket and enjoyed some of the treats they had brought with them. The fillies told the older mares what they learned in school that day, Twilight faked surprise about the lesson change. Pinkie Pie put on a few records of Equestria’s favorite music style, sing-a-longs. They all happily along they even got Sweetie Bell to sing solo once. Despite her normal squeaky voice that creak every so often, her singing voice was still as beautiful as ever.
Scootaloo laughed and was enjoying herself but she still didn’t feel up to riding her scooter till Rainbow Dash proposed her a deal. “I'll take you flying then you show us your moves.”
Scootaloo's eyes lite up, a chance to fly with Rainbow Dash. “okay.” Scootaloo said thinking that the next best thing to flying her self was letting her hero do it for her.
Rainbow Dash laid down flat on the ground grinning, this is going to be fun she thought to herself as the filly climbed on her back. “hold on tight.” the blue mare said as she extended her wings. Twilight sighed and ignited her horn holding down their food and picnic blanket, her coat shimmered as she preyed for their plan to work.
Rainbow Dash jumped into the air, her wings propelling her and her passenger faster and higher. Scootaloo epped and held on tighter the sudden acceleration threatened to pull her off of the mare's back. Thankfully Rainbow Dash felt the filly slipping and made the correct adjustments. “what you think?” Rainbow Dash Asked over the wosh of air.
Scootaloo looked down in amazement, in just a few seconds the had flown so high that the ponies below looked like ants. “WOW this is awesome.”
“if you think this is awesome just wait.” Rainbow Dash smirked as she banked into a steep dive, the normal thrill she felt as she did tricks was lost as Scootaloo griped her neck so tight it was hard to breath. The stunt flier spun up into level flight again and the filly relaxed. “did I scare ya.” Rainbow Dash asked with a grin.
“na I don’t scare that easily.” the filly fibbed.
“well better hold on again going for a loop.” the mare didn’t give the filly time to respond. With a beat of her wings and a simple adjustment of her tail, the horizon fell away from view leave only sky soon the ground filled their view and finally they were righted again. Again the excitement was lost as the filly almost slipped from the mares back, she stayed attachment only through the tentative grip of her four little hooves. The filly again lied when asked if she was okay, her little hart beat so hard in her chest Rainbow Dash could feel it through her back.
This wasn’t working she was supposed to lift Scootaloo spirit not scare her to death, but how could she when every little trick she tried just left the filly clinging to her for dear life plus this just wasn’t any fun. Then she had an idea. “hey squirt how about I put on a real show just for you. You’ll get your own private cloud and everything.” Rainbow Dash asked looking over her shoulder.
“Sure.” Scootaloo panted, she didn’t want to get off of Rainbow Dash's back but at the same time the thought of staying on terrified the filly. “where you going to get the cloud.” she looked around and saw nothing but a few wisps of fluff.
“hey you doubting me?”
“no”
“good.” Rainbow Dash grinned as she gathered up some of the wisps and condensed them down into a rather wimpy cloud. “see.” she said as Scootaloo hoped off her back and onto the cloud. Her hooves kicked up puffs of cloud as they sank in deeper then they should have. “now I’m going to show you some moves then your going to do same on the ramps.” Rainbow Dash said hovering above the filly.
“yeah.” Scootaloo said with a smile, one of the few for that day. An awesome stunt show just for her was just what she needed, Right?
“okay watch closely, cause if you loose me then you’ll miss something.” the mare laughed as she slapped her wings close to her side and let gravity do its thing. Scootaloo hurried to the edge of the cloud to watch Rainbow Dash fall a few hundred feet before she snap rolled into level flight, in the blink of an eye the mare was a rainbow streak across the sky.
This was what Rainbow Dash loved more then anything, flying free with nothing stopping her. She turned hard rolled over and dove toward the ground so hard the blood threaten to rush away from her head, something she was very used too but she was in complete control. As she tied knots in the rainbow streak behind her Rainbow Dash caught sight of Scootaloo cheering for her and jumping up and down in excitement. Good the plan seemed to have worked.
About five minutes past as Rainbow Dash put on a really impressive display of skill, she thought it was time for the finale. She knew just what to do. A fly by rainboom, not close enough to blow the cloud away but close enough Scootaloo would later say she could have reached out and touched the blue mare.
Rainbow Dash turned and hoovered in the air a moment to pick the perfect trajectory. Scootaloo was still cheering and hoping up down on her poor little cloud. Rainbow Dash laughed as she started off accelerating faster and faster, the air pulled at her face as it attempted to hold her back. She refused to let it as the world became a blur. With a sudden creak boom she broke through. Blazing a vivid rainbow streak across the sky.
Scootaloo watched in amazement as Rainbow Dash flew faster then any pony she had ever seen. She cheered as it looked like the mare exploded in a blast of color and rocketed past what felt like feet away, but was in truth about a mile in and a half. The shock wave hit a moment later. Washing over the filly, ruffling her mane and tail and tearing large pieces of the rapidly shrinking cloud away. Scootaloo jumped up in the air buzzing her wings. Her joy disappeared as she landed and her left hind hoof went straight through the cloud. Confused she looked back and tried to pull it out only to push too cloud in half with her front hooves. She clung to the cloud under her belly but it soon slipped away, and she fell towards the ground several hundred feet bellow.
Rainbow was in ecstasy but something nagged at her, some strange need to look back. The mare slowed down enough so that the wind wouldn’t break her neck and looked over her shoulder just in time to see a small orange dot miles away fall from a broken cloud.
“oh shit.” Rainbow said as she whipped her self around and broke the sound barrier again accelerating toward the falling filly. She made small adjustments to stay on target. She would only get one chance she had to make it count. The orange dot turned into a tumbling Scootaloo as she desperately flapped her tiny wings attempting to save herself. A second boom erupted behind Rainbow Dash as she doubled the speed of sound unexpectedly. The mare's hart almost stopped as she over shot her target by inches.
“i missed.” echoed in Rainbow Dash's head. How could she show her face in Ponyville or any where again. A tear for her biggest fan formed in her eye. The depression took only a second to pass and be replaced with determination. Rainbow Dash threw her self into the hardest turn of her life. Feathers and fur tore from her wings and tail, every tendon in her body screamed at her. The mare banished the pain from her mind, she had to make this turn. She only had a mere moment to find her target make the corrections and catch her. Rainbow Dash swore she would ether catch the filly for die trying.
Scootaloo's world was nothing but blurs and terror as she fell toward the earth below. Her short life flashed before her eyes as the ground rapidly grew closer. Just before she hit a blue shape caught her. Rainbow Dash was upside down inches from the ground when she caught the little filly. The mare wrapped herself around Scootaloo to protect her as the filly's wight drove them both into the ground. Everything went black for both of them.
Scootaloo awoke in a crater laying on Rainbow Dash’s chest. The filly looked around and stood up she was too stunned to say anything. Rainbow Dash groaned and moved her head to the side to coughed. “Scootaloo come here.” the filly looked up to see Twilight standing on the edge of the crater. The mares horn glowed and Scootaloo was lifted out of the hole in the ground and set down next to her friends. “I’ll be right back,” Twilight said looking at the three “stay with Pinkie Right Here.” the lavender mare slide into the crater her coat shimmering and her horn glowing bright.
About a minute later Twilight and Rainbow Dash climbed out of the crater. Rainbow Dash had a red smear on her cheek that Twilight quickly wiped away with a napkin. The stunt flier wanted to stop the other mare but didn’t for some reason the fillies couldn’t figure out. “Scootaloo you okay?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“yeah are you?” the filly asked looking at her dirty hero. Scootaloo was a little dirty but other wise unhurt.
Rainbow Dash grinned and chuckled “I’ve hit the ground twice as hard and walked away from it.” she was lying but the fillies didn't need to know that. “now a promise is a promise. So why don’t you go grab your scooter and do some tricks. I’ll caught up in a second.”
“okay.” Scootaloo said hurrying toward the ramps on the other side of some trees. Pinkie looked back at Rainbow Dash and Twilight worried but both nodded for her to go. The pink mare walked after the fillies.
Once the fillies were on the other side of the trees Rainbow Dash slumped to the ground and groaned tears forming in her eyes “i don’t think I’ve been in more pain in my life.”
“your going to the hospital.” Twilight said glaring at her friend.
Rainbow Dash stood up and said “on second thought I think I'm okay.” like nothing was wrong with her.

The Enemies of Old

The Enemies of Old

The morning light lazily shined through the Golden Oak Library's windows as Twilight Sparkle went about her duties as it's librarian. She hummed happily as she organized the dozens of bookshelves that lined the main room. She paused when she came across the recently returned scooter and skateboard stunt book, it reminded her of recent events. Scootaloo was no longer depressed thankfully, but like her friends the young pegasus still hadn't gotten the hint that their elders were all but pounding into their heads. The three fillies were still trying nearly everything to get their cutie marks, and sometimes even Spike was getting caught up in their crazy ideas. Such was the life of the Cutie Mark Crusaders of Ponyville. Right now however the little dragon had his nose stuck in a cook book Pinkie Pie had bought for him the other day. He sat on the top step of stairway leading up to the observatory area. Twilight didn’t mind doing the work alone for a change, there wasn’t anything particularly pressing at the moment.
The librarian's horn glowed as she continued her work levitating books to their proper places. Her coat would shimmer even now and then as magic built up inside of her and needed to escape. She was happy on this peaceful morning, birds were chirping outside and everything was going so well.
Twilight's ear twitched as she heard the front door open, she leaned around a bookcase to see who it was. Immediately she recognized the blue unicorn, "Hello there!" the lavender mare greeted the knight as he walked inside.
Winchester smiled brightly as he greeted her in return. “Why hello, dear keeper of the written word.”
Twilight giggled and rolled her eyes as she trotted over to the checkout counter near the entrance. Behind the counter was a small, neatly maintained space that housed the library's records, all of which were perfectly categorized on a shelf beside the lavender mare. “How may I be of assistance to you Sir Knight of the holy light and peaceful night?”
“You're getting better.” Winchester commented, the two ponies chuckled a little at the exchange.
"So, what's up?" Twilight asked with more than a hint of curiosity, as she leaned on the wooden counter ever so slightly.
“I just need to turn in these books.” Winchester said pointing a hoof at his saddle bags, which were crammed to the brim in literature.
“Okay.” Twilight said smiling warmly, and brought out the checkout log. As she went about checking in the dozen or so books Winchester brought she asked, “So where are you going this time?” Twilight knew that he only did this when he was going out of town.
“I'm heading up to Canterlot.” Winchester replied. “Finished my latest novel.”
Twilight's eyes lit up. “Really? That’s good!”
“Yep.” Winchester confirmed with a grin, his horn glowed as he levitated a large stack of paper out of his saddle bag onto the counter. It was held together with large metal rings. On the first page, the title 'Artex and the Princesses of Harmony' was written in big decorative letters.
“Hmmm...I wonder where you got the idea for this?...” Twilight said with a grin of her own she eagerly look through the pages, barely hiding what she was implying.
“You’d be surprised.” The unicorn stallion replied, smiling equally as wide. “I actually started writing about the Princesses of Harmony before I met you and your friends.” He repressed a laugh, before he added. “Although I did have to rewrite about half the book after I did.”
“Suuure you did.” Twilight said with a bit of sarcasm as she finished her work with the borrowed books, and the blue unicorn took back the stack of papers. “But I am glad that you finished it. I know you worked really hard on it.” She giggled again. “Guess you won't be making any more early morning stops by the library huh?”
“That’s what you think.” Winchester said with a wily smirk. “I never stop writing.” He paused, and looked at a small pendulum clock on the countertop. Winchester frowned, reminded of his tight schedule. “Dang it. I would love to stay and chat, but I have to get home and finish packing before the train gets here. Later Twilight.”
“Bye Winchester.” Twilight said as the stallion trotted out the door. The astute lavender mare smiled as she shut the door and went back to work. Spike hadn’t moved other than to turn the pages of the cook book, being far too preoccupied by the recipes he thought of creating, most of which involved gemstones. As Twilight got back to work she noticed a strange, almost worrisome scratching sound. “What is that?...”
The librarian listened more closely, and could have sworn she heard yelling outside. Before she could investigate further, several of the library's windows shattered, forcing her to shield her face from a shower of broken glass. About a dozen bat-like creatures screeched as they swooped into the room, Twilight gasped as she evaded one of the black and red apparitions. Up close she got to see the flying monsters, their round bodies were dominated by a large mouth with large dripping fangs. even more terrifying was that a second smaller mouth sprang from their maws as they attempted to bite Twilight, barely missing as she dove out of the way.
The flying beast swarmed around the room, Spike jumped down to the lower floor with the book over his head, as he yelled aloud in panic. “What's going on?!” all the while more of the apparitions poured in through the broken windows. Twilight’s heart pounded in her ears as she rushed to protect the baby dragon, jumping over and ducking under the swooping beasts as she made her way to Spike. Owlicious flew in from another room, hooting as he came to the aid of his owner. His beak and talons left little more than scratches on the apparition, they just seemed to ignore the owl.
Fear gripped Twilight's mind as she did her best to keep herself and Spike out of the beasts' multiple sets of jaws. Unexpectedly, several bangs rang throughout the room and some of the beasts were hit with blue bolts of energy, the apparitions popped like balloons and became black red puffs of smoke. “TWILIGHT OVER HERE!” The lavender mare heard a booming voice order from behind her. Twilight looked to see Winchester standing boldly in the library's doorway.
Without thinking, she scrambled over to the unicorn stallion. Winchester's horn glowed a light blue as he shot more of the bat-like beings out of the air, all of which burst into that black red colored smoke like the other ones had. In seconds all the flying beasts were killed, allowing Owlicious to land on his perch and wipe his forehead with his wing.
Twilight panted as she stood next to Winchester, and Spike shivered on her back. Before either could speak the knight shoved the mare to the side as a large hand tried to grab her. Twilight tripped on her hooves and fell, Spike's claws digging painfully into her back as he clung to her. In a daze, the lavender mare looked up at first she thought it was a black colored pony, but where it's head would have been was a muscularly minotaur-like upper body. The strange creature stepped forward, crushing broken glass beneath it's heavy hooves. In one hand, it held the shaft of a spear made of iron, and it's other hand was reaching for her. The creature's flat face would possibly have passed for handsome among it's kind, but it was devoid of any signs of emotion. Most disturbing of all were it's eyes, both so empty, so cold, and so unforgiving.
...Those dull, accusing eyes would haunt Twilight for a long time.
On reflex Winchester slammed his shoulder into the side of the unaware beast. The weight of the blue pony threw his opponent into the checkout desk inside the tree library, knocking it over. The knight garbed a hold of the spear's shaft in his teeth and ripped it free of the hybrid creature's hand. With grace earned from years of practice, he back flipped away from the monster then jammed the spear deep into it's chest. A few long moments passed as the brutal creature clutched onto the weapon in vain. Like the bat apparitions before it, the being turned into that same black red smoke.
Twilight laid on the ground with her hoof to her chest, hyperventilating. Suddenly being attacked by monsters in her own home had been too much. “Twilight, breathe.” The bookish mare heard the blue stallion order. She looked up at him and again he ordered. “Breathe.” Winchester then shifted his gaze from her to something down the road out of the doorway, and he smiled grimly as he said... “Everything is going to be fine.” Twilight turned to see what he was looking at as she laid there still panting, trying to make sense of what was going on.
All over the town ponies ran about in terror as more of the bizarre creatures tore houses open, the bat-like things flew about screeching and snapping at ponies. Down the road from her and Winchester were three more of the emotionless beasts, each armed with deadly looking weapons. Twilight trembled as she laid on the floor, but suddenly all three of the beasts were sliced in two and burst into colored smoke. A white shape flew through the smoke as it spun toward them. Winchester caught his weapon in his magical grip with ease and said off-hoofedly. “See?” He looked back down at her and gently used his nose to help her hooves as his sword floated beside them “Breathe Twilight. I need your head in the game.”
The lavender pony faltered and coughed as she stood up, but Twilight soon controlled her breathing. Her mind cleared somewhat, she asked the knight as she looked out across the town square... “What's...going on?”
Winchester growled, he couldn’t hide his anger any longer. “Ponyville's under attack by Centaurs.” He looked back at Twilight. “I need to get you and your friends out of town.”
“What about everypony else?”
“Others will come for them.” Winchester answered as he wrote in his notepad and then pulled it free. “Dragon, I need you to mail this to captain Shining Armor.” He rolled the paper up tight and put a small W seal on it.
Twilight looked over her shoulder at Spike, who still clung to her back. His face was buried in her mane, shaking all over. “Spike!” The lavender mare pleaded, gently nuzzling him, hoping to get him to respond. “Spike we need your help!”
Winchester's eyes were locked onto a gathering of centaurs heading toward them. “We don’t have much time!” The unicorn stallion said as his enchanted weapon floated closer.
“Can't we get out of here?!” Spike asked, peeking out fearfully before blowing a small jet of fire on the hovering note. The piece of paper caught fire and turned into a curling green flame as it vanished into thin air. Spike quickly buried his face in Twilight's mane again, attempting to hide from the danger around him.
“Not without the other bearers of Harmony.” Winchester replied with a stern edge of finality in his voice. He looked at Twilight, as he added. “I’ll need you to watch my back Twilight.”
Twilight took a deep breath and nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
“Hit those guys with a couple of fireballs, and I’ll finish them off.” Winchester said before he charged down the street at the hybrid beasts. He got about half way to his foe when several swirling fireballs flew by the stallion's head. his ear twitching from the heat. The Centaurs barely slid to a stop before half of them were enveloped in an fiery explosion. Winchester then moved in to slay the remaining scorched foes, they all burst into that same black colored smoke. The knight looked back and smirked, as he spoke to himself. “...This is going to be fun after all.”
Twilight trotted up to the knight, she picked her steps carefully so not to get burnt by the fires left behind by her spell. She snuffed out the larger flames with her magic, it wouldn't bode well if she set the whole town ablaze. “What next?” She was still terrified, but she had her head about her.
“To Mane Street.” Winchester said, nodding toward the central hub of Ponyville. “We have to find Pinkie and Rarity, then we'll head to the farm.” He flipped his sword around in his magical grip and started galloping toward Mane Street.
Twilight nodded and followed, avoiding the huge cloud of black red smoke they left in their wake. “What about Rainbow Dash and even more importantly Fluttershy?”
“We'll probably run into Rainbow Dash along the way. We'll grab Fluttershy as we run to the forest.”
“What if they're not where you think they are?”
Winchester never broke his deliberate pace as he replied. “Have faith, the princesses will guide us all together.”
“Is that your way of saying you're just winging it?” Twilight said a little worried as they rounded the corner to the overrun Mane Street. Groups of Centaurs milled about the street looking under stalls and kicking in doors as they searched. A scream erupted from the down the street. Many Centaurs looked up from what they were doing, most locked eyes with Winchester.
Twilight gasped, shaken by the shrill shrieks. “That sounded like Pinkie Pie!”
“Yeah.” Winchester replied while looking at the creatures that moved to stop them, “We'll have to fight our way there.”
Twilight gulped audibly before she spoke. “Okay, lead the way.”
The pair charged down the street, one far more frightened then the other. The unarmored centaurs were no match for the razor edge of Featherweight and Twilight's phenomenal magical prowess. In the midst of battle with Winchester's guidance and coaching, she learned to better control her combat spell casting. Bolts of lightning tore through the beast, flames cleansed the town of the apparitions and waves of magical force swept the centaurs completely off of their hooves. The centaurs were thinned out quickly, the difference number had little impact.
Soon, the street was filled with clouds of black red smoke, discarded weaponry, and pieces of armor. While Winchester was busy finishing off the last of the centaurs in the street, Twilight walked up the steps of Sugar Cube Corner. As she neared the entrance, the lavender mare recoiled backwards when two more centaurs unexpectedly emerged from the pastry shop, one of them having a thrashing sack over it's shoulder while the other wielded a wicked serrated sword and a shield.
“Oh buck!” Twilight gasped and jumped back as the ruggedly armored centaur took a swipe at her with it's jagged sword. She readied a spell but hesitated, not wanting to harm whoever was in the sack held by the centaur behind it. Winchester and Featherweight came hurtling over Twilight’s shoulder and the armed centaur brought up it's shield in defense of his comrade. It managed to block Featherweight the enchanted sword cut a deep groove into the surface of the steel shield. As the blue unicorn landed on his hooves the armed centaur nodded to his companion, who nodded in return and fled with the bag.
“Damn beast!” Winchester growled pushing on his sword with his hooves. In response, the savage creature brought down it's weapon to end the knight. Winchester caught the saw toothed sword with his left forehoof. He regretted it instantly however, as the sword dug deep into his hoof all the way to the root before it stopped. The beast was quite a bit stronger than the blue unicorn anticipated and started to push Winchester back...Till a flash of magical lightning from outside fried the centaur into a puff of smoke, causing the knight to fall forward into Sugar Cube Corner, the centaur’s jagged sword clattered across the wooden floor. He looked around as he stood up in pain, and held his injured forehoof from the floor blood oozing from the wound. Cup Cake sat in the corner holding her two crying foals, while Mr Cake looked like he was having a heart attack. All of them were frightened but unharmed.
“They t-took Pinkie...” The panicking stallion managed to say as he slumped to the floor next to his wife and foals.
“Should have guessed.” Winchester groaned as he limped back to the street. his horn lit up sending dance sparks over his body. the blue unicorn stood firm, the blood seeping from her wounded hoof slowed, but the injury hindered him no longer. He told Twilight that the centaur had kidnapped Pinkie Pie, and that there was no telling where it went..
“I thought so...” The lavender mare replied, Twilight was getting angry at herself. One of her best friends had already been taken, and who knew what happened to the others...But worst of all was that the more of the Centaurs they defeated, the more that seemed to be around the next corner. “We have to get to the others before it's too late!” Her voice cracked, as her anger turned to fear.
Winchester growled as he looked around, he was not enjoying the situation one bit. “Let's go to Rarity’s shop.”
“We have to save her!” Spike added with a brief moment of bravery, as his face popped out from hiding in Twilight's mane. “The fillies are in school right?”
“Yes, and sounds like a plan.” Twilight said. She followed close to Winchester as he showed no mercy to nearly a dozen more centaurs that wandered the streets. Twilight used her magic to slay any centaur that survived the knight's wrath. However now, despite the stallion’s skill, how powerful Twilight's magic was, and how well they were working together...The unarmored knight was starting to show the wear and tear of battle, but he fought on heedless of any pain or injure. He paused only long enough to cast a spell he called 'Feel No Pain'. However it could only keep him going for so long. each time he cast it the lightning that danced over his body was less lively.
As the pair approached Carousel Boutique another group of centaurs barred their path, they wore wooden armor over their chests and each carried a spear and shield. As Twilight Sparkle and Winchester stopped and stared down their new adversaries, another centaur burst through one of the far windows of the shop with Rarity thrown over it's shoulder. The white mare was yelling at the top of her lungs and flailed her legs as she kicked at the beast and pelted her foalnapper with whatever heavy objects she could find close by. The emotionless creature grabbed one of the ponykins that was hitting it in the head and used it to bat the rest of the improvised weapons away, before it galloped down the road.
Twilight yelled to her friend that everything would be okay as the six other centaurs surrounded her and Winchester. The knight glared at the beasts around them as he studied their strategy; They were spaced out just so that if he attacked, it would only open himself up for a counterattack. Without armor, he wouldn't last long against such a tactic. “Twilight, make me an opening.”
“I have an idea!” Twilight replied, before her coat shimmered and a sparking aura expanded from her horn as she reared up chanting in an arcane tongue. Winchester knew the spell that she was invoking, and used Featherweight to jump high in the air. The lavender unicorn then slammed her front hooves down, unleashing a quake that shattered nearby glass windows and toppled over a nearby stall while decimating the whole street as the centaurs were thrown to the ground. Winchester then landed upright on his hind legs holding his sword like a javelin. With a growl, the unicorn hurled his sword, praying that his aim was true.
Rarity epped as she saw the huge white blade flying toward her, she did her best to move to the side as the weapon pierced the her foalnapper's back. But the white unicorn gasped as edge of the weapon cut into her flank. The centaur then popped becoming nothing but black red smoke, Rarity grunted when she hit the dirt.
“Rarity get over here!” Winchester yelled out as he willed his sword back to him, killing one of the spear wielding centaurs in the process. He then kicked a centaur back to the ground as he bashed his sword against the shield of another. Off to the side, Twilight panted and sweat dripped from her face as her body recovered from the taxing spell she had cast, yet she forced herself to move despite the magical exhaustion her body was going through. She had to get to Rarity but there were still centaurs in the way.
Meanwhile a fair distance away from the fray, tears formed in Rarity's eyes as she attempted to stand. But unfortunately her right hind leg gave way, as the white unicorn mare lacked a high tolerance for pain. She took a deep breath and tried to stand again, this time she put as little weight on her injured leg as she could. She limped towards Twilight as blood poured down her leg.
Winchester called to Rarity again as he cut down a third centaur, while Twilight blasted the last spear carrying centaur before it could impale the blue unicorn through the back. Winchester checked himself quickly before the two ponies rushed toward Rarity. They both cursed and Spike looked up to watch in horror as Rarity was suddenly snatched up by an immense bird monster. It was that same black red color as the other apparitions with a long feathered tail and neck that split down the side making the beast's mouth much larger than one might have expected. Other than the beast's beak, it had no other facial features, making it even more morbid looking than it already did.
Twilight let out a heart wrenching wail as she cried aloud, "Rarityyyyyyy!!” while Spike just fainted and fell off her back as they watched the beast take flight with Rarity in one of it's talons. Winchester on the other hoof roared the mantra for a lightness spell before propelling him and Featherweight at the giant winged beast.
Rarity had been knocked unconscious when the beast grabbed her, she hung from the beasts talons limply as it dodged to the side when Winchester and Featherweight flew past. The massive bird-like creature screeched and held Rarity away from the knight as he used the weight of his sword to change his direction back towards it. Winchester cursed the bird as it dodged him again. The bird apparition snapped at Winchester, which the unicorn stallion narrowly evaded, and saw that the beast's elongated mouth was full of razor sharp teeth.
Winchester and the hideous beast dueled in the air for roughly a minute or two, but Rarity was always just out of Winchester's reach. Nothing more than glancing blows where exchanged until Winchester found an opening as the beast attempted to flee with it's catch. The Knight contorted his body to stop, and flung his sword to the side with his magic before he grabbed the weapon with his teeth to pull himself in front of the bird and ready to slay it. The knight froze however as he saw Twilight being surrounded by a group of centaurs on ground level behind the bird. She was too occupied with keeping the unconscious Spike out of harm's way to fight back as more centaurs moved in around her. “Damn it this could hurt!” Winchester cursed loudly as he threw Featherweight over the bird's back, and the evil creature collided with him in mid-air.
Back down on the ground, Twilight eeped as a centaur swung a long curved blade at her. She jumped back just in time to keep from losing her head, but still received a cut across her cheek that quickly began to bleed. In desperation, she quickly used her magic to drag Spike out from under the centaur's legs and backed out of reach of a second sword swipe. Twilight then plopped the helpless baby dragon on her back as she turned around to run, only to stop in her tracks as yet another centaur slammed a spiked metal club in into the ground in front of her. Her mind raced as the gathering centaurs stomped closer, obviously knowing that she wouldn't abandon Spike. In a last ditch effort, Twilight attempted to focus on a fireball spell as a huge white feather shaped blade stabbed through the club wielding centaur. Winchester appeared amongst the black red smoke and roared. “TWILIGHT, HEAD DOWN!”
The lavender mare didn’t say anything, by now she had learned to just do as the knight said. She dropped to the dirt as Winchester swung the enchanted sword clenched in his teeth and cut through three more centaurs in a single swing. His horn's magic ignited as he took hold of the blade, and cleaved into a fourth centaur as the weapon lodged into it's clavicle before the creature faded into black and red vapor. Only two of the hybrid creatures remained after that onslaught, but still the pair relentlessly charged in. The knight locked swords with one of them, while the other was blown to smithereens by a fireball. The remaining adversary was no match for Winchester's skill. He redirected the last centaur's own curved blade into it's own chest, causing smoke to gush from the wound before the beast was no more.
Twilight stood up as Winchester looked back to the sky expecting to see the bird gone. To his surprise it was not, a lone Pegasus had barred it's escape, the dark gray pony was putting up a good fight till it was grabbed around the neck. “We have to help him!” Twilight urged. Winchester nodded and took off to the sky once again, ascending rapidly to his target.
He slowed down mid-air as he neared the distracted monster with Featherweight a mere foot away from the beast's head. The knight slashed through the evil creature's neck, freeing both Rarity and her coltfriend as black red smoke erupted from the bird-like monster as they all fell. Thunderlane opened his wings and swiftly caught his love in his forehooves. Still under the effects of his lightness spell, Winchester floated like a feather in the wind next to Thunderlane and asked. “How is she?”
Thunderlane checked the unicorn mare in his arms. “I think she-” The Pegasus stallion was cut off by a crack of thunder, and Winchester turned just in time to see that Twilight had missed another bird monster that had appeared. The beast slammed into both of the stallions and sent them hurtling to the earth below. It caught Rarity in it's talon without stopping, and flew away holding a net containing a sky blue pony that struggled within, her distinctive rainbow colored mane and tail was easy to recognize.
Twilight Sparkle galloped over to where Winchester had crashed into a bush. The knight was intact, having used his sword and magic to suppress the impact enough to save himself. “Sorry-y...I m-missed!” Twilight sobbed, tears trailed across her cheeks. Now two more of her friends were taken to the creator knows where, and it was her fault.
“It happens...” Winchester coughed as he freed himself from the bush, favoring his left side as he stood. He watched as more centaurs poured out of almost every alley and street around them. “By Celestia's holy mane they don’t end...”
“H...How can we f-fight them all?...” Twilight whimpered as she looked around and began to lose hope in their survival. She started to have flashbacks of when the changelings had invaded Canterlot.
Winchester sighed and stepped closer to Twilight, saying. “WE don’t.” Twilight blinked in confusion, not quite catching the implication made. “You're going to cover yourself with the strongest shield you can possibly muster and don’t let it down until the Royal Guard locate you.”
“What about you?” Twilight asked, her violet eyes darting between the unicorn stallion and the centaurs that marched toward the two ponies. “You know I can cover you with a shield too.”
“Don’t waste your magic on me.” Winchester said angrily as his horn glowed faintly, and raised his massive enchanted white sword high. “I'll distract them for as long as I can.”
“No! I’ve got plenty of magic to spare!” Twilight yelled, she didn’t want to loose anypony else today.
As the pair began to argue and the centaurs slowly closed in, a swarm of small comets suddenly landed amongst the invaders. Explosions peppered the street, hitting a good portion of the centaurs and turning them into black red vapor. Twilight wondered what new threat had arrived, but Winchester looked relieved as a united battle cry echoed across all of Ponyville.
“For Equestriaaaa!”
ponies wearing polished white armor broke through the centaurs to form a defensive wall around Twilight and Winchester. More soldiers of the royal guard appeared in flashes of magical light and ran into the fray. Many of the charging ponies swung swords, halberds, or axes with either magic or their mouths. Pegasi and earth ponies dove into the melee, while magic users supported the assault. The Centaur forces were helpless before the armored ponies' combined might and sudden appearance. A smokey haze soon covered everything, regardless, the battle raged on.
Winchester pushed the stunned Twilight with his nose and lead her to a pony in heavy purple armor with gold trim that was issuing commands. The masterfully crafted armor covered his entire body, save for his blue tail and mane. “Captain Shining Armor.” Winchester addressed the individual as they approached.
“Shining Armor?...” Twilight asked staring at the figure, she didn’t believe the armored figure was her brother.
“Sir Winchester, what are your orders?” Shining Armor said, his voice magically amplified had a metallic distortion to it.
Winchester growled as he yelled over the sounds of combat. “I want the schoolhouse secured now! The foals don’t need to see this.” Shining Armor nodded, then told a lightly armored pegasus mare something and she nodded and waited for further orders. The captain looked back at the knight, and Winchester responded to him saying. “One of the big fliers flew south with two of the bearers of Harmony.” Shining Armor turned to the same winged mare, and told her to contact the air cavalry to hunt down that threat.
“Keep an eye on the ground, o-one of the Centaurs has Pinkie Pie...” Twilight managed to add, still finding it difficult to overcome the harsh reality of their situation.
“She's right. Relay that too.” Winchester agreed, as the rigid pegasus mare saluted and after an approving nod from Shining Armor, she was gone in a flash to send her messages. The knight continued to order Shining Armor to secure Sweet Apple Acres and to send a group to Fluttershy's home. The Captain informed the Knight he had already assigned forces to do so. Twilight in the meantime had noticed Winchester's numerous injures, and she touched each with her horn as she caste a mending spell, visibly sealing cuts and alleviating his pain. The knight paused and looked at the mare, he smiled and thanked her.
“You seem to be getting slow in your old age, my friend.” Shining Armor quipped, his voice was still distorted by his helmet.
Winchester was not in a joking mood as he glared at the captain, they both knew they were the same age. The knight turned to a pair of guard ponies in purple armor and said, almost visibly fuming. “You two, bring me my armor.”
“Shining.” Twilight said trying to get her brother's attention. The captain of the Royal Guard was busy taking reports of the battle, it seemed to be going well. She called to her brother again...It finally took the lavender mare tapping her brother on the shoulder to get his attention, making a slight clink noise against his armor. “Yes Twily?” Shining Armor replied, as he raised his helmet visor so she could see his face.
Twilight got closer to asked, hoping to learn something more. “What's happening?” She racked her mind trying to make sense of the ideas and questions that flowed through it. A certain thick book and the illustration portraying a hybrid creature that was part horse immediately came to mind. The book was so thorough on many subjects, yet surprisingly lacked detail on this one.
“Oh, umm...” Shining Armor didn’t know how much to tell his little sister. She was a bearer of Harmony after all. “Centaurs have invaded Equestria.”
“I know...But, according the Compendium of Mythological Creatures and Legends, centaurs went extinct centuries ago.” Twilight replied thoughtfully as she tried to ponder the possibility. She was glad that the sounds of battle were moving away from them.
“Yes, I know, they just seem to have appeared out of nowhere.” Shining Armor explained, anger suddenly creeping into his normally calm voice. “Before we deployed here there were reports coming in from all over, about every city is under attack...Manehatten. Baltimare. Trottingham. Hoofington. Stalliongrad. Las Pegasus. Roam...” Hearing this tragic news, Twilight looked like she was about to cry again. “Everything will be okay Twily. We'll get your friends back and you can use the elements on the bad guys.” The white unicorn stallion sighed and looked to the mountain side capital. “Thank the all mother the elements are safe back in Canterlot.”
Twilight's teary eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. “They're not.”
“What?...” Shinning Armor replied slowly. Winchester froze as he paced around them.
“I...I never returned them to Celestia since the last time we used them!” Twilight replied in a frightened tone. “They're hidden in the library!”
Winchester slowly turned to look at the lavender mare. He was dumb founded by their awful luck. The pair of guard ponies returned with Winchester's armor just then, the knight tossed Featherweight off his back and magically pulled his equipment away from the soldiers so hard they were thrown off of their hooves. Winchester reared up and guided each piece of the blessed armor to their proper place on his body. He shook himself once he was on all four hooves again, his sword landed in it's sheath as he ordered loudly. "To the library!"
Twilight, Winchester and Shinning Armor ran toward the library with a few guard ponies in tow. What they found made Twilight's heart sink. The library had been ransacked, every book had been tossed to the floor and most had been trampled. They had ripped out the kitchen sink, bookcases were smashed to pieces, the pantry was emptied, and even her laboratory had been broken into...Spike, who Twilight had carried with her, was awake now and was dumbstruck by the barbaric sight. What was worse for the mare was her bedroom. Her bed was overturned, every drawer was pulled out and emptied on the floor, and every article of clothing was tossed around the room. Twilight was beside herself, sitting on the floor of her room with Spike's face buried in her shoulder.
Shining Armor poked his head in the room as one of the guard ponies reported that they hadn't found anything ether, apparently the elements had been taken. The captain ordered them to stay alert before approaching his sister, he opened his helmet again and said. “We'll get them back for this.”
Twilight turned to look at him as she spoke, in low, almost hateful voice. “We will. We'll get my friends back and we'll stop whoever or whatever is responsible for all this.” Shining Armor nodded, he had never known his sister to be vengeful, but he had also never seen her in this kind of situation either.
A voice from downstairs informed them that the chariots had arrived. Shining Armor nuzzled his sister a little, as he told her. “Come on Twilight, we need to talk to Princess Celestia.”
Twilight stood and told Spike it was time to go, at first, the little purple dragon complied and followed her downstairs...But, after seeing their home in shambles again, he wisely decided against it. Instead, the baby dragon sat on one of the lower steps in the main lobby. "Ya know...I think this dragon's had enough action for one day. Plus, somepony's gotta clean up this mess, and things won't be the same without you girls around...Have to keep up the morale and all." Spike smiled wearily, and proudly put a thumb to his chest. In response Twilight hugged Spike tightly and kissed his cheek.
"Please, stay safe..." Twilight said quietly, on the verge of weeping again as she hugged him. Spike simply patted her on the back to reassure her. "I will, and the same goes for you. Now get out there and save the world like you always do."
Twilight nodded and sadly broke away from Spike. She turned to follow Shining Armor and Winchester, the latter having not said anything since he found his saddle bags. The three of them exited through the front door that had been partially ripped off of it's hinges and climbed aboard a golden chariot that waited outside. The Armored pegasi pulled the winged chariot into the air and was soon joined by hundreds more, as Shining Armor's company pulled out of Ponyville.
It only took an hour for Shining Armor's Royal Guard company, known as the Shield Bearers, to retake and secure Ponyville. A medical unit and a smaller company was deployed to Ponyville to bring in relief and healing to the survivors, Fortunately it seemed the centaurs largely ignored ponies in general as long as they stayed out of the way. Big Mac had taken a rather nasty blow to the head when he attempted to stop the capture of his sister. Luckily he was expected to make a full recovery. When soldiers arrived at Fluttershy's cottage all they had found was a multitude of little critters and a large bear in shock. A plate armored mare took the time to reassure them all that their beloved caretaker would be returned to them safe and sound. This earned her the biggest hug of her life from all of the critters. Angel bunny even gave her a kiss for luck.
The flight from Ponyville to Canterlot took a little over an hour and a half. As they landed and disembarked from the chariot, Twilight noticed that the capital didn't looked anything like she remembered. Where normally the richly dressed ponies of wealth would be going about their leisurely lives, there were Royal Guard troops marching in formation or helping hurry the civilians back to their homes. Machines of war long hidden now lined the walls, spires, and courtyards of the majestic city. Twilight in the meantime overheard Winchester, Shining Armor, and the captain of another company converse about how there had still been no sign of movement toward Canterlot, but that several other Royal Guard companies had moved to engage formations of centaurs and other similar apparitions moving toward other cities.
Shining Armor lead Twilight and Winchester through half a dozen checkpoints. Most took a simple glance at Winchester's armor and the crest on his chest plate to let them pass, but once they were at the castle all three of them had to pass a magical inspection and know the passwords during states of emergency. Twilight was surprised that she still knew them, they were always something that only she would have known. Like what ice cream Princess Celestia had on the third Tuesday of each month.
Finally the group made it to the Court of the Alicorn Princesses. Again, it was different than Twilight was used to, there were guards lining the walls of both inside and outside the court room, all in heavy golden armor. Celestia and Luna stood before their thrones talking to a high ranking officer of the Equestrian military. When Celestia saw Twilight however, she quickly trotted over to the young mare, and gave her an affectionate nuzzle as she said, relief filled her voice. “Twilight, I am so glad that you are safe...”
“Yes.” Luna added as she approached the three unicorns after dismissing the officer, her ethereal starry mane flowing upon in the unseen winds just like her older sibling's. “News of thy safety is glad tidings in this most dire hour.”
“I must apologize for my inability to protect Ponyville.” Winchester cut in, standing at full attention, he couldn’t bear to look at his princesses. “I should have been more vigilant in my patrols or cast more sentry spells...I-”
“Winchester.” Luna interrupted him softly with a knowing frown on her face, aware that if possible...She and her sister too would be on the front lines fighting for her subjects, they had no love for battle, but would do anything to protect their ponies. “Do not blame thyself, Sir Knight. Thou hast done the best that one could ever hope for.”
Winchester looked down, “My best was not enough.” he said sorrowfully. His head shot up as his fiery determination returned. “I will not let this slight against my honor stand!”
All too familiar with the brash nature of knights, Celestia scolded the blue unicorn. “Winchester. Control your temper.”
“Of course, my Princess." Winchester bowed his head in reverence as he spoke, curbing his anger.
“What's going on?” Twilight asked the question once more, looking to her mentor for her everlasting wisdom.
“Tirek, the God King of the centaurs has broken out of the Tartarus and he has chosen his moment perfectly.” Celestia explained. “The time of the eclipse draws near.”
“But couldn’t you just push it back?” Twilight asked. “I remember you doing that a few years ago.”
“Sadly no, not this year my dear student. The-” Celestia began.
“Sister, we do not have time to explain the intricacies of celestial mechanics and quantum physical theories.” Luna stated bluntly as she raised a hoof to emphasize her point, her voice strained, the stress of the situation getting to her.
“Of course.” Celestia replied, “Ever the teacher I guess.” she smiled down at Twilight before turning to Winchester. “I trust you have a plan?”
“Yes.” The blue unicorn answered Celestia simply, before his eyes narrowed in white-hot fury as he vowed fervently. “I will slay this demon king-”
“Neigh Winchester, I have lost far too many good knights to such thinking.” Celestia glared down at Winchester, even his impressive stature paling in comparison to the alicorn's exceptional height. “Tirek is no mere Centaur. When Discord ruled the world, the ancient centaur King used long forgotten rituals to become immortal to protect his people for all eternity. We lived in peace for centuries, but for some reason he changed, eventually wanting more than the lands he controlled. While my sister and I were uniting all ponies under our rule, he marched on our lands and those of many of the neighboring countries, destroying all that stood in his path, and only the Griffon Empire survived those years unscathed. Thousands upon thousands died by his hands alone...We warred for hundreds of years...”
Luna bowed her head low as she interjected solemnly. “Many Knights believed they could defeat him, only to become another trophy for his throne.”
“...And now he has at least two shards of Nightmare.” Celestia continued. “We can feel him from here. You have seen what a single shard can do to a normal pony.” Celestia sighed. “And how many of your fellows have fallen to those who had attained more than one?”
Winchester nodded in understanding. “I have faced one myself.”
“It took a very powerful and gifted Knight to hold him off, while we, the Royal Guard, and our allies vanquished his never ending army.” Luna spoke, although almost seemed resentful of this memory for some unknown reason, and withheld mentioning any more.
“Yes, and in this battle we will not be able to empower you. The Elements of Harmony may be our one last true hope against Tirek.” Celestia added, her voice grave.
Winchester blinked as he looked up to the two majestic alicorn princesses. “So...I will be truly alone?” Twilight could see fear hidden behind the stallion's eyes, as the princesses nodded. “I will do what needs to be done...” The knight then said in resignation, knowing what it could mean for him.
“Good.” Celestia replied, and turned to the purple armored stallion next to him. “Captain Shining Armor, I trust you will give my Knight your full support?”
“Sister...It is time.” Luna said, nudging her sister.
Celestia nodded before looking at Twilight “i wish I didn't have to place this burden on you and your friends again.” the Princess of the sun fought back tears “do not underestimate the dangers you face, swords and spears are just as deadly as fire and lightning spells.” Twilight nodded her breath taken away, not a pony in the room made a sound as their holy monarch leaned down and hugged her student good bye whispering “please by grace of the all mother and creator be safe.”
With a nod the two Princesses gave their subjects a few words of encouragement before turning and seemingly walked into nothingness. At the same time the moon slid in front of the sun, bathing the world in a blood red light. The effect it had was instantaneous, the populace of Equestria would remember this day of crimson for many years to come.
Winchester visibly shuddered before turning to Shining Armor, and said with an urgency unlike any other. “We need to find out where the centaur stronghold is.”
“Already done, my lord.” A gruff voice came from behind Twilight. The knight and captain turned as an older, light gray Pegasus that walked up behind them wearing a long hooded coat. Winchester and Shining Armor named the newcomer as scout captain Crosswind. The winged stallion informed them that his scouts had located the centaur fortress. Twilight felt out of place as the three stallions discussed military logistics and placement together. Around her other soldiers whispered about the possibilities, and nopony felt comfortable, Twilight especially. That eerie red glow of the eclipse wasn’t helping.
“...And I’ve already sent out some forward observers and a few skirmishers to protect them.” Captain Crosswind finally finished his tactical assessment and review of the possible location for their drop zones on an unfurled map he had placed on the ground. Crosswind rolled up the map with his feathered wing tips and slid it into a cylinder on his side before offering it to the knight and his fellow captain.
“That sounds good to me.” Shining Armor replied pointedly as his horn glowed to take the map. “Probably best if they stay out of the fight.”
Winchester took a deep breath and summarized what was most immediately important, knowing if there was a trap being set. “We have only one shot at this, and we can’t risk getting wiped out by something they have lying in wait for us.” The knight shuddered again as he looked at the scout captain with sad eyes.
Captain Crosswind nodded. “I know my duty my lord, and by our princesses good graces we will fulfill it.”
“I ask for no more than your willing to give.” Winchester truthfully stated.
“For you, we give nothing.” Crosswind answered and grinned slyly, he kept his hood back and wore his scars like badges of honor...A sign of a true veteran. He continued his poetic exchange with Winchester. “But everything, for our rulers.”
“As it should be.” Winchester agreed.
Crosswind saluted the pair and turned to leave, he kept the map to make notes on defenses the centaurs had. “I will personally get you the information.” He took flight gracefully, barely making a sound as he left.
“That never feels right...” Winchester said with a deep sigh.
"But it is something we have to do.” Shining Armor said solemnly. “At least you don’t know those you send to their deaths.” Twilight stared at the two stallions, she could almost see their shoulders straining to bear the weight of their responsibility.
“Somehow, that only makes it worse.” Winchester said in a low voice. “But we can't dwell on this, you need to get your troops ready.” Shinning Armor nodded. “We move out in four hours. Tell them to spend what time they have with their loved ones but they have to be ready for battle by then.”
Shinning Armor saluted and responded. “Yes sir.”
Winchester shook his head and looked to Twilight, she still felt confused and lost. “I want you to read this book.” The knight brought out his note pad and wrote in it, then tore the note from the pad and levitated it over to Twilight. On it was written 'Mixed Unit Tactics' and a few notations with page numbers. “Focus on the sections about magic users.” The blue stallion told her. “You did good this morning, but we don’t need you as a burden in this battle. We'll have enough as is.”
Twilight Sparkle didn’t like it that he was alluding to her and her friends being burdens, but none of them were soldiers or really knew all that much about fighting. They usually relied on luck or the subconscious help from princess Celestia, but they wouldn’t have her aid this time. The lavender mare nodded. “Okay, so what are you going to do?”
Winchester blinked. “Well, I have a book to turn in to my editor and some friends I need to visit.” He looked away and mumbled aloud, “May be my last visit to their final resting place before I join them.”
“...Oh.” A shiver ran down Twilight's spine at the thought, she knew what he was referring to.
The knight bowed to her before turning to leave. Shining Armor stepped closer to his sister and said, “Well, let's get going.” He had no idea how to rid her of the gloomy feeling plaguing her.
“Yeah...” Twilight replied, as the siblings turned to leave the court room. She looked up at the artistic stained glass displaying important Equestrian events lining the walls on the way, and those of her and her friends' victories every so often...She sighed and asked. “So...How are things going big brother?”
Shining Armor smiled, glad to be finally able to be at ease with his younger sibling. “Good, Cadence and I moved into a bigger house. She's also got a part time job at an interior design firm and is doing some wedding planing on the side.” The unicorn stallion looked away embarrassed and added sheepishly. “...And she's pregnant.”
“Really? Oh that’s wonderful!” Twilight said happy to be distracted even if for a short time. “How long have you known?”
“Bout four months now...” Shining admitted, shying away from his sister's gaze. Even with all the bulky purple and gold trimmed armor he wore, he seemed downright harmless under his sister's now withering glare.
“Really?...” Twilight questioned with a raised eye brow, upset that her brother had kept her out of the loop per-say. She turned away from Shining Armor in a huff, and hurried along the way. “And when were you going to tell me? Huh? Were you just going to show up to visit one day with my new niece or nephew? Is it so much to ask that my brother tell me about every aspect of his life?”
“H-hey I was writing you a letter today! To tell you!” Sinning Armor said trotting faster to catch up. “I’ll admit it was also inviting you and your friends to the foal shower, but it's no reason to be mad!”
Twilight stopped, and turned slowly to face him, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she pouted. “I'm not...I"m scared.”
Shining Armor wrapped his sister in a hug, the armor made it less comforting than Twilight would have hoped. “I know it's overwhelming, but we have to be strong for Equestria and everyone in it.”
“I know.” Twilight sniffled as she pulled away reluctantly, “It's just...I'm worried about my friends.”

* * *

Applejack looked around for the five hundredth time. Nothing had changed, she and Rainbow Dash were locked in what were best described as pony sized bird cages suspended over a deep pit covered with spikes and water at the bottom and there was no way to tell how deep it was. Other than the large castle and the stone walls towering around them there wasn’t much more for her to see.
Rainbow Dash was still bucking the bars of her cage, every so often she would stop to catch her breath or yell insults at the centaurs that patrolled the walls or the courtyard below. The centaurs showed no sign that they heard her.
“Rainbow Dash....Just give it up.” The country mare said as she watched the rainbow maned mare through the bars of her own cage.
“Damn it AJ, how could you have given up already?! Our friends are in danger!” Rainbow Dash shot back fluttering around her cage like an angry bird.
“Ah didn’t give up, Ah'm just being realistic! If AH can't buck my way out of here then you sure as hell can't!” Applejack yelled, before she shifted on her back hooves. The dense metal bars had taken their toll on the orange mare's hooves. She had already thrown a shoe and would need a good filing just so she could stand right again.
“Like Hell I can't!” The sky blue pegasus growled as she slammed into the cage floor and began bucking the bars even harder. Achieving nothing but an annoying ringing in her ears.
Applejack turned away and looked to the sky, saying. “Use your head RD. If you break out you're just going to end up like those soldiers earlier. They had armor, and they were st...still-” She stopped and tipped her trusty stetson down with a forehoof, not wanting to relive what she had seen or reveal the tears the memory brought. She remembered fighting the cult ponies awhile back, but they were nothing compared to what these minotaur horse things were capable of.
The thought was enough to distract the angry blue mare, causing her hoof to skip off the bar and smack her ankle and calf along it. She cursed and limped around her cage before hovering again. “It's not! They couldn’t-” She stopped in mid-thought as blood mixed with her fur on her ankle, a simple reminder that she was mortal. She shivered all over and sat down to look at her injured back hoof. The bleeding was only from a small scrape, and her horseshoe was now only half way on. It was excruciating and made it hard to stand much less walk. She attempted to pull the horseshoe off, but it hurt enough to make her want to scream. “our friends need us!” She painfully yelled in protest.
Applejack felt the same way, but she knew that they couldn’t do anything right now. “Ah didn’t see Twilight when we were brought here. So there’s hope.”
The sky blue Pegasus sat with her back against the cage bars, being extra careful her aching hoof. “Twilight’s not the one I'm worried about.” She looked over her shoulder at Applejack, her normally cocky expression melted away to one of anxiety and fear. “It's Fluttershy. She's probably having a heart attack by now. I've had to play big sister for her since we were in grade school. I should be there for her.”
Being an older sister herself, Applejack knew the feeling. “Ah know Sugarcube...” She looked back at her sky blue friend, it was worrying seeing her so afraid. “We'll figure something out.”

* * *

Fluttershy trembled as she hid under the cot in an underground prison cell. A torch fire flickered on the other side of the bars, the sole light in the encroaching darkness. Fluttershy had no idea where she was, but she didn’t seem to be alone. In the middle of the cell was large sack that would move and groan every so often. The pale yellow mare took a few shuttered breaths as she slowly crawled out of from under the cot. Maybe one of her friends was in the sack, she hoped. She trembled as she reached out a hoof and touched the sack. Suddenly something pink tore it's way out of the bag. Fluttershy screeched and shot back under the cot so fast that she rattled the chains hanging from the walls.
Pinkie Pie stood on the tatters of the bag on one back hoof, her other hoof ready to kick, while her forelimbs where held out wide for balance. She was making silly kung-fu noises as she looked around. “Pinkie!” Fluttershy said as she tackled her friend.
“Fluttershy.” Pinkie replied as the frightened pegasus mare wrapped her in a big hug. Pinkie returned the hug as Fluttershy began to sob and repeated that she was so scared. Pinkie Pie looked around and soon realized how alone they were.
As Fluttershy's tears soaked into Pinkie's coat it hit her, Pinkie had to be the strength of their little pair. She couldn’t keep the mood light and leave Rainbow Dash or Applejack to hold the group together. Pinkie Pie forced a smile and rubbed the back of Fluttershy's head. “Everything’s going to be okay.” This was going to be the hardest thing she ever did in her life.
“B-but our friends are missing.” Fluttershy whimpered. “W-we're trapped in a h-hole and there’s no way out. W-we're going t-to d-die down here.” She whined. “Our friends ar-”
“Stop that.” Pinkie scolded, putting her hoof over Fluttershy's mouth. “Our friends our fine, I mean really Fluttershy do you think Applejack and Rainbow Dash would let these meanies push them around?” Fluttershy blinked and shook her head behind Pinkie's hoof. “Twilight's probably blowing them up with big super powerful magic spells.” She jumped back and mimed an explosion, someone being shot and falling to the ground dead.
Fluttershy smiled a little, but it soon faltered. “What about Rarity?”
Pinkie sat up with a smile. “Ha! Rarity's got them all wrapped around her hoof by now. their probably making her new line of fancy dresses.”
Fluttershy giggled and sat up straight. “Okay.”
Pinkie giggled as she sat next to her. “Yeah...So now we just have to get out of here.” She tapped her forehead in thought while Fluttershy just stared at her for a few minutes. Pinkie Pie blinked and looked over at the pale yellow mare and asked, “What?” feeling a little uncomfortable being stared at.
“Oh sorry.” Fluttershy said looking away while hiding her face with her pink mane. “I was just waiting for you to do one of those Pinkie things you do.”
“Oh.” Pinkie patted her friend's back. “It's okay. I don’t really control those things, it's hard to explain.” She giggled nervously.
Fluttershy nodded, and accepted the answer. “Oh.” The shy pegasus paused and looked away, as she took in the unsettling scenery of the dark prison. “So, you sure everypony is okay?”
“Yep.”

* * *

Rarity lay on the dirty floor in the cell she had been thrown in. The walls of the cell glowed in a faint blue light, it's gentle illumination allowed the captive to see her prison. There was a dingy cot in the corner, and a bucket of water against the wall to her left. The white unicorn looked at her forehooves, which were stained red with her own blood. It had taken time to get the slice across her flank to stop bleeding, she had attempted to cast a healing spell but it fizzled out with no effect. She still felt a little woozy from the blood loss.
Rarity trembled as the memory of the morning replayed in her mind. Her front door was kicked in moments before one of the hybrid monsters grabbed her. She remembered Twilight and Winchester fighting to save her. She didn’t remember being caught by the giant bird, only awaking in its talons as it flew towards this dreaded castle. She had panicked when the beast dropped her in the arms of more hybrid beasts, she remembered Rainbow Dash and Applejack had put up much more of a fight than she had even hoped too.
Her thoughts shifted from events to reasons and possibility. 'Why did they bring us all here?' Her mind screamed. 'What were they planing?' She started to hyperventilate, 'Is it for ransom?', 'Would these monsters ever release them?', 'Were her friends alright?', and worst of all. 'Would the monsters defile them before they were rescued, released or killed?' Her panic only grew as she thought about the fact that they all appeared to be male.
Rarity shot up to a sitting position and resolved herself. “No! I can't allow myself to panic! I've got to keep my head about me!” She winced in pain. Her heart was still pounding in her chest as she struggled to stand, she could feel fresh blood running down her leg. She stumbled a little, her balance was off and she felt light headed. “First, I have to clean up.” She spoke to no one in particular. The demure mare cursed under her breath hoping that she wouldn’t have a scar or stained fur.
The first thing she would need to do is clean her injury and bandage it. Rarity looked over at the cot, it was little more than a couple of sheets of cloth sown together and stuffed with straw. The fabric seemed clean enough, she could make a bandage from that. Rarity stood unsteadily and limped over to it. She attempted to use her magic to tear some stripes of fabric from the cot, but nothing happened, almost causing the mare to panic all over again. After forcing herself to calm down, she grabbed a corner of the cot in her teeth and gave it a good tug. It didn’t take her long to rip some large strips of fabric into something she could use as bandages and a rag or two. She then slowly made her way over to the bucket. It was only a few steps away but the pain from her wounded flank almost made it too much to bear.
Rarity took a few deep breaths as she looked at the water with the her makeshift bandages and rags in her mouth. The water smelled clean, so it would do. The mare dropped one of the rags in the water before she carefully sat down. She pulled the rag out and began to wash the blood from her flank. It hurt almost as bad as walking on it but beauty was painful sometimes, she just couldn’t let the blood stain her pure white coat. It took several minutes and a few more tears but soon she was clean, though bleeding again. She quickly pressed another of her makeshift bandages to her large cut then wrapped another bandage around herself to hold it in place. Without the use of her magic it was awkward but she managed well enough.
She sat next to the bucket and took a few relaxing breaths with her eyes closed. She could feel the dried make up around her eyes and across her cheeks. “Now that simply won't do.” She retrieved another rag and dipped it into the water to wash her face. The simple act of vanity would seem pointless to some given her situation, however as Rarity rinsed off the dirt and make up, it did more than that. It cleansed her mind of the worry for her love ones, or the fear about her looks being ruined. These were impurities for her mind as the smeared makeup was an impurity for her face. She loved her friends and would gladly give her life to save them, but she couldn’t help them trapped in here.
Rarity sighed and tossed the rag to the side. The beautiful white mare shook the water from her face, and her mind finally clear enough to think. She leaned down and took a quick drink, she felt it was undignified to lap at the water like a common animal. She sighed and wiped her mouth ready to devise a plan of escape. With no magic she only had a few options and these monsters were nothing like the diamond dogs that had captured her before, her methods from that time would not work here. She also doubted she could play these disciplined soldiers like lovestruck colts, or Spike. If she could seduce them or not she wasn’t sure, and she didn’t want to have to find out.
Rarity stared at the bucket of water. “One of them threw me in here. So...Maybe if I call to them, only one will come.” She whispered to herself and looked to the cell door, “I can tell him I need something and then I’ll hit him over the head with something. I just need something to hit him with.” she sighed as she looked around the bland stone room again. It was still as empty as before, She then looked back at the bucket. “Perhaps...” She smiled mischievously and said, “Oops.” as she kicked over the bucket spilling it everywhere. “Oh darn, clumsy me!” She picked up the bucket and walked to the cell entrance. She set the bucket down and reached her hoof through to bars and waved calling. “Yoohoo!~”
* * *
Twilight Sparkle stood on a stage with several other ponies. It had been about four hours since her last meeting with the princesses, and even now the red sky was still unnerving. She shifted uncomfortably in the steel chest plate she wore. It was a little big on her, so the armor smith had stuffed some padding into the armor so it wouldn’t shake and bounce around on her. The problem was that it was really itchy, and further complicating the problem was that she was now in front of over 300 ponies. She shook a little to try and make the itching stop, It didn’t help.
To distract herself from the itching she looked at the older unicorn stallion in front of her. He wore black and white armor with gold inlay, the entire surface of the ornate relic was etched with exquisite depictions of the princesses and their victories. He was Chaplain Brim Stone, he had introduced himself to Twilight when she first arrived. She still didn’t know how to react when a pony almost old enough to be her grandfather bowed to her so low that his chest plate had touched the ground and saying that he was honored to be in her presence. Now, he lead the Shield Bearers company in a prayer to the princesses. Twilight Sparkle had met many ponies that worshiped the Princesses as more than their rulers, but this pony's passion was truly something to behold.
Chaplain Brim Stone presided over a sea of white armored ponies all standing at attention. Their armor varied from the near impenetrable heavy vanguard armor for the front line fighters to the light chest pieces of scouts. From where Twilight Sparkle stood, she couldn’t see much more detail, other then they where a diverse bunch in breed. She felt a well of feminine pride seeing a good ratio of mares to stallions in the mix.
To her left stood about two dozen ponies in royal purple colored vanguard armor, from what she remembered from the book she read they must have been Shining Armor's honor guard. Their armor showed signs of heavy use, some sections looked to have been replaced while others had some dents and scratches. Twilight correctly guessed that her brother was the type to lead from the front, relying on his sergeants and lieutenants to keep his company on track.
At the front of the honor guard was a large stallion with a flag attached to his back, he was the standard bearer and it was his job to carry the color's of the company. The flag of the Shield Bearers company was a white flag with royal blue border. In the lower center was the symbol of Equestria, on both sides and underneath it were purple crescent shapes. Above was a depiction of Shining Armor's Cutie Mark, it was very common for companies to use their captain's or a great leader from the past's cutie mark as it's symbol.
Beside the standard bearer was a pony whose purple armor stood out amongst the others, it had bright gold trim and covered with trophies and honors. He wore no helmet revealing his scarred green face. He must have been the company champion. A pony elected for his skill in battle too be at the captains side and protect him at all costs. The only job in the company that was more dangerous was that of the indigo colored pegasus mare that stood next to him. She was the company messenger or the voice of the captain. She took the orders her captain gave to whoever they were for, and reported back to him what he needed to know. Any that knew the tactics of the Royal Guard would be looking for her. Her chest plate had many tally marks etched into the surface of it, probably a sign of how many battles she had seen. Twilight had seen her earlier that morning doing her job.
Twilight never thought that the Royal Guard was so active. Then again both Shining Armor and Winchester had mentioned before that no pony really knows how many battles and skirmishes the Royal Guard are involved in. The Royal Guard marches to the aid of their allies often, to put down rebels, or slay monsters and demons almost on a weekly basis, however the true intentions of the troops movement were generally hidden form public. As appealing as the idea of Equestria's alliances were, the itching was too bad for her to think about politics right now though.
Twilight Sparkle looked to her right were six ponies stood in a row. They were all unicorns, some wore robes, a few wore armor or a combination of both. These were the companies battlemages, these ponies did battle with their minds not their might. Twilight would be acting as one of them today. They were preparing for battle like their schools of magic taught them, either meditating silently or chanting incantations or the like. The red pony closest to Twilight wore a matching red robe with a brass colored chest plate finished his chanting and looked up. He felt Twilight’s eyes on him and he looked back at her and said, “We are stretching our magical muscles so to speak.” assuming she was curious about what they were doing.
Twilight nodded. “I see.” She wasn't in a chatty mood and just felt like observing.
“As the student of Princess Celestia I'm sure you were taught to do the same before casting a number of spells.” The red robed pony said.
“Oh yes.” Twilight replied feeling embarrassed, she should have thought about doing that. The red pony looked unimpressed as this mare seemed almost in a daze, she closed her eyes and began breath in though her nose and out through her mouth. He sighed silently, only foals use that technique to clear their mind. He guessed that Twilight wasn’t as great as she was thought to be.
Twilight continued her breathing exercisers she let her mind clear, pushed the thought of itching from her mind. then on an inhale like any other all the unicorns in the vicinity felt a firm tug on their horns towards her. Her exhale sent waves of magic over her coat and the unicorns had to set their hooves or be thrown to the ground. As she took in the next breath the other unicorns felt like something had garbed their horns and pulled them toward Twilight till she released her breath and they were all thrown to the ground.
The clatter of armored ponies drew Twilight out from her exercises. She looked around blushing and confused by what she saw, unaware of what had transpired outside of her meditation. Before anypony said anything, Winchester trotted onto the stage in front of Twilight announcing. “Fear not loyal soldiers of Equestria! Though our princesses have physically left us for the day, they have blessed us greatly! They have sent their beloved student to aid us!” The knight turned to look at the battlemages as his voice echoed around them all. “She has more power then any demon I have faced.” He looked back at the soldiers. “And alongside her friends, they wield a power ten times greater than us all.” Winchester paused to allow the fallen unicorns to stand and find their places in the formation. He then announced that their captain would be giving them their briefing.
Shining Armor took center stage and began telling his troops about the plan of attack, a map was magically projected behind him large enough for the assembled company to see. Twilight recognized the map as the one that scout captain Crosswind had shown them but it now had other marks. As Shining Armor spoke words like comet strike, ballista, rally points, and the like flew over Twilight's head. However, the mare's mind was elsewhere. She had to ask Winchester, who now stood beside her, if he meant what he said. “Winchester, why did you say that?”
The Knight didn’t turn his head to look at her as he admitted. “Even my knees quake at the thought of going into battle without the eyes of my princesses upon me. These soldiers need hope, and as a knight I must give it too them.” He looked at her with his normal one sided grin, “It's always easier when I can use the truth to do that. Just listen to your brother and everything will be okay.”
Twilight blinked. “Are you sure?”
“Do you doubt your brother?”
“No.”
“Do you doubt me?”
“No.”
“Do you doubt our princesses?”
“Of course not.” Twilight said, a bit confused by the sudden barrage of questions the tall unicorn was asking.
Winchester then turned and looked at her, his grin was gone as he said. “Then stop acting like you do.” She met his eyes, “...and don’t doubt yourself ether.” he poked her in the chest. “You are as great as anypony here.” Twilight took a deep breath and nodded.
Shining Armor bellowed. “Any Questions?!” Knowing what harm it could cause Twilight didn't ask any, and nether did anypony else. “Good.” The captain said slowly as looked at all of his troops, before shouting out. “WE ARE THE SHIELD OF EQUESTRIA!”
The entire company responded in unison. “WE MAY SPLINTER BUT WE WILL NEVER BREAK!” The captain repeated the motto of his company, and his company replied in turn. Winchester joined in this time. Twilight blinked when the company repeated the call a third time, and she joined in. She felt funny but the smile her brother and Winchester gave her was oddly comforting.
After getting his troops pumped, Shining Armor began to march them out of Canterlot. Twilight's mind was full of nightmarish thoughts about war, but this was it, she was going into battle. Yet, despite her fear, the lavender mare was determined to save her friends. She was one of the defenders of Equestria, the bearer of the Element of Magic. She couldn’t expect that her life would always be safe and simple.

Author's Note

big thanks to Legacy0117 for becoming my editor your awesome dude

Desperate Battles and Daring Rescues

Rarity had lost track of how long she had been trying to get the attention of the guards. she was about to give up hope when one of the hybrid beast trotted down the hall holding a torch. He stopped in front of her and waved his hand at her to get her to talk. “oh umm.” her nerve faltered as the emotionless beast stared down at her. “hello sir... could I uh please have some water.”
the centaur shifted his unfeeling gaze to the large puddle of water in the corner and pointed with out a sound. Rarity looked behind her and stated simply “um sir that’s.... been spilled.” she looked back at the centaur who simply shrugged.
Rarity pouted as she asked “could I have some food then.” the centaur’s answer was as simple as before, he just pointed at the straw in the cot. “i cant eat that.” she shivered at the thought.
The centaur turned to leave and Rarity cursed under her breath she was missing her chance. The mare quickly reach for the beast saying “WAIT!” the creature turned and looked at her again its face still impossible to read “cant you see its you I want.” still it made no response, thinking on her hooves the mare “i did a report on your kind when I was in school and I’ve been fascinated with you ever since. I’m sure hands can do so much more then hooves to a lady.” she was lying, she just hoped she was doing good. the centaur gave no sign of its opinion.
“RAIRTY!” echoed down the hall.
The white mare's heart fluttered as it reached her ears. “Thunderlane!”
the gray stallion shot passed the centaur, the beast dropped his torch garbed its throat. The beast made a gargling sound for a moment before it vanished, a belt with a ring of keys fell to the ground. The Pegasus trotted over to the keys and dropped centaur dagger in his mouth. “Darling you have no idea how happy I am to see you.” Rarity said her eyes sparkling brightly.
the stallion smiled, he fumbled with the kings before he unlocked the cell. the couple embraced as soon as the barrier was removed. “I'm so happy your safe.” Thunderlane said as they kissed briefly before the stallion hurried out of the cell saying “come on babe lets get out of here.” Rarity nodded and limped out of the cell her flank was still sore, she whined with each step. “Rarity your hurt.”
“yes.” she stated ruffly. She took a pained breath and looked at her coltfriend, he was very worried. Once outside Rarity's horn sparked and it started to tingle. She looked up at it and focus, the normal magical aura surround it. “i think I may be able to fix that now darling.” Rarity knew a few spells, luckily one of them was a minor healing spell.
Thunderlane blinked as his love mumbled something he didn’t understand. The mare glowed for a short moment before fading to her normal radiance. “i hope I did that correct.” she tested her injured leg and nodded “i guess I have.” she removed the bandages. Thunderlane gasped seeing his marefriend's cutie mark completely covered in blood. Rarity refused to look at her self. “we must hurry love.”
“yeah.” Thunderlane replied “i think I know the fastest way out.”
“good keep it in mind for when we find my friends.” Rarity said looking around hopping they were close.
“its too dangerous we should just leave." Thunderlane said his voice growing more and more stressed. Rarity turned to look at him disappoint covering her face. "Please Rarity...I know how much you care about your friends, but we can't stay here. It's too dangerous." Thunderlane pleaded.
Rarity blinked as she stared at her lover “i would never abandon my friends.” she looked down her nose at him like she did when she disapproved of somepony or something. It almost hurt Thunderlane said “Thunderlane if you are too afraid, then you may leave. I am truly grateful for you rescuing me, but I'm not leaving here without my friends” she turned and started to trot off trying to hide that her knees were shaking.
Thunderlane turned her around so they were face to face. “babe if you staying I'm staying. No matter the danger.” he would not let loose her again. “I'm not afraid for my self I-” he stopped as a centaur came around the corner, Thunderlane didn’t hesitate and pounced. He drove the small dagger into the beast belly. The centaur made a soft grunt sound as the pony slammed into it. The centaur looked down at the pony as it raised its black sword, ready to stab it though the pegasus’s back.
“go Rarity run!” Thunderlane screamed. Rarity stared at the centaur with big eyes her heart pounding chest, she had just a moment to act and almost missed it. As the black red apparition brought down its blade Rarity's horn ignited. her magical aura stole the weapon from its hand. The creature blinked as he looked up just in time to see his blade shoot forward into its face.
Thunderlane barely caught himself as the centaur burst. He stumbled and turned around to look at Rarity, the black sword hovering next to her. She took several deep breaths before saying “we should keep moving.” she looked at the black sword, she was unsure how to feel about it..
“yeah.” the Pegasus stallion smiled “you know you look kind of hot with the sword.”
“this is not the time.”
“Sorry.” Thunderlane replied picking up his dropped knife swearing to himself he wouldn’t leave.
Rarity turned and lead the way saying “i look sexy no matter what I am doing Dear.” she held the black sword close, she had only seen ponies use one before so she didn’t think having it would help much. If the two of them got into a real fight they were doomed.

* * *

Rainbow Dash sat in her cage feeling sorry for herself, the fire in her belly had been put out by despair. She slowly turned to look at Applejack. The country mare was curled up in the bottom of her cage. Her hat laid beside her. Rainbow Dash thought she heard her friend sobbing. they were both loosing hope. The red sky and having no clue where their friends were was starting to get to the two of them. It made Rainbow Dash even more depressed knowing that she and one of her best friends, the toughest pony she knew, were beaten by being thrown into a cage.
The country mare stood, her tear stained face filled with rage. She yelled aloud. “If you've hurt mah friends ah'll fucking kill ta lot of ya!” The orange earth pony spun on her fore hooves and kicked the bars of her cage hard enough to bend them, the ringing echoed around them. Applejack toppled over as her cage shook and rattled the chains that suspended it.
“Whoa.” Rainbow Dash said standing up her wings unusually stiff as she looked over her friend concerned. “You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah...” Applejack replied looking up to the sky blue pegasus while she laid on the cold metal surface of her cage floor, she grit her teeth feeling her back hooves throbbed. Despite the pain, she stubbornly tried to stand again, but found that her right hind leg hurt to bad to put wait on. The country mare should of guessed that, she had already thrown that shoe. A soft "Damn." escaped her lips in a harsh whisper. The only response too her outburst was a centaurs couple checked the chain to make sure they hadn’t loosened. They showed nothing of what they thought of what they saw.
"If you say so..." Rainbow Dash said as she watched with a deepening frown. She saw the shape of Applejack's hoof prints in the bars. She looked out at their bleak surroundings then to the lock on her cage. She fiddled with the heavy lock and door to her own cage to see if Applejack could have had better chance at breaking those, like the other fifty times she had. it was just as strong. It was times like this she wished she were an escape artist like her favorite adventurous pith helmeted hero, Daring Do.
Applejack spoke up. "Rainbow? Did you find somethin'?" just like the last 50 times.
Rainbow Dash pressed her forehead against the bars of her prison, knowing she was grabbing at straws. "No. these damn things are like brand new no rust no nicks no nothing." She paused to try and hold back her sorrow. "I D-don't think we're going t-to get out of here."
“It's alright sugar cube." Applejack breathed out suppressing her anger in a attempt to control herself, she was an emotional time bomb just waiting to go off again. "They'll get what's comin' to em. As an Apple, ah swear it..." the farmer hated seeing her friend like this, much less herself.
Rainbow Dash sighed and slumped to the floor of her cage. She laid there for a moment before her ears twitched, there was a strange whistling sound in the air. “do you hear that?” she asked looking around listening to the sound get louder and louder.
“yeah.” Applejack replied looking up to the red sky “that’s got be the biggest darn bottle rocket Ah've ever seen.” Rainbow Dash and most of the centaurs looked up to the red sky.
Hurtling through the air was a sparking comet covered in a light pink smoke. The captured mares looked at each other confused as the missile slammed into the court yard kicking up a huge cloud of dust and shook violently shook their cages.
This got the centaurs attention, several on the walls ran inside to get others while the centaurs manning the eight ballistas turned the war machines to the cloud and fired. Dozens of centaurs took to the walls and fired volleys of arrows into the dust. The centaurs fired two volleys of arrows before they stopped to allow about a twenty centaurs armed with swords and shields inspect the dust. Something shot straight up out of the cloud. It flipped end over end as it flew up toward the red sky. The mares in the cage soon realized what it as the form stopped with the aid of its massive weapon.
Winchester slowly fell towards the earth below, he used Featherweight to block another valley of arrows as he found his target. Three of the ballista teams had reloaded their weapons at fired at the pony, but the knight was already gone by the time the massive arrows got to where he was.
The centaurs assumed defensive positions around their ballistas. Winchester appeared on one of the weapons to Applejack's left, he stood on the arms of the massive crossbow and brought his sword down on the siege weapon. The wooden construct was no match for the magical steel of Featherweight. The crew of the weapon met a similar fate.
“one.”
Winchester jumped off the destroyed ballista and looked down to the court yard ignoring the arrows that clattered off the wall around him. The beasts in the yard were running up the toward him, just as planed. he telaported again just as the two ballistas on the wall with him fired. The massive arrows dung into the stone work where he had just stood.
The sword wielding centaurs got to the top of the wall just in time to see Winchester appear and cut through another ballista and its crew in a single swipe of Featherweight. “two” With their shields up the warriors charged the knight. Winchester grinned and timed his march so that the ballista bolts hit the wall behind him. He paid no mind to the valleys of arrows fired at him other then putting his sword up to keep them away from his face. No arrow find a bite in his armor this time.
It looked like a simple matter for the knight to parry the centaurs attacks and cut them down. The hybrid beasts burst into black red smoke, despite how it burned his lungs and eyes the knight was glade for it. It made it harder for ballista crew to get a shot on him, a hard feat anyway with the knight's hooves being off the ground as much as they were on it. Best of all was that their bodies didn’t pile up in front of him and block his path to his true target.
In took only a few moments for Winchester to get through the soldiers. He charge forward but this time the ballista crew had prepared for him. They had lite a of the large pot of oil on fire. two centaurs threw the burning oil at the knight. Winchester didn’t stop, he just laughed and use a blast of magic to throw the burning oil back on the centaurs and their weapon. As their death smoke mingled with the think smoke of the burning oil the knight slid around the ballista and kicked it. The burning weapon spun till he stopped it will his right arm. arrows stuck into the wooden weapon around him as the knight insured that the ballista bolt would hit its mark.
Winchester grunted when an arrow found the smallest of gaps in the armor on his rear. The knight cursed as he slammed the firing mechanism. The arms of the ballista shoot forward, the stressed burning wood exploded, but the burning bolt on its way. Winchester cursed louder as he was showered with burning splinters. “three.”
the Stallion pulled the arrow from his rump. his face burned but luckily he hadn’t been set on fire. He grinned when he heard the same kind of wooden explosion from the ballista he had shot. “four”

* * *

Twilight stood among the plate armored troopers of The Shield Bearers Company she panted fear tearing at her mind, her imagination was running wild. She saw horrors she could never put to words. A shiver ran down her spin she wanted to run but she felt a strong hoof on her shoulder. The mare looked at her brother as he steadied her “breath.” the stallion said. Twilight remembered Winchester telling the same thing and attempted to control her breathing like then. “the waits the worst part.” Shinning Armor continued as he surveyed his troops “i wish you didn’t have to be here, but you are one of use.” Twilight couldn’t see his face through his helmet, but she could still imagine his soft blue eyes. “just stay with your body guards and follow orders and everything will be okay.”
“okay.” Twilight nodded her panting a little more controlled.
“and try not to over exert your self.”
“okay.”
“and remember to breath.”
“okay!” twilight said starting to get annoyed.
Shining Armor chuckled, “there you go.” Twilight rolled her eyes. The captain looked around and called “Sit Rep!”
“three minutes have elapsed Captain.” lieutenant Steady Hoof replied.
“two minutes till the dead line.” Shining Armor said with a nod.
“whats that?” Twilight said pointing to what looked like a star shooting up into the sky.
Steady Hoof called out “the signal.” the company stuttered. “be ready for the captains orders.”
“oh.” Twilight exclaimed before her heart jumping into her throat, this was it.
Shining Armor turned to his company messenger Windtalker and said “send the fliers.” the scarred indigo mare nodded and flew off. Twilight watched as too unicorns climbed up on platforms, they weren’t the company battlemages but the Lavender mare could tell they had some power to them. The two mages chanted a spell together, their horns burned with magical fire as a ring of flames appeared in the red sky.
Almost ninety armored pegasi flew toward the ring, as each pony passed through it they shot forward with a strike of fire behind them. Twilight blinked they were moving faster then Rainbow Dash could ever hope to.
“Twilight swallow” Shining Armor ordered.
“What?” was all Twilight got to say before she felt her self pulled up from the inside and into the air. She had never experienced this form of teleportation, normally it would be instantaneous and only over short distance no more then about a mile. she heard roaring winds, and had the distinct feeling of movement. Twilight attempted to look around she could see trees and hills streaking by a hundred feet or so below her. Shining Armor and his troops were around her, but they were blurry colored shapes flying in the same direction as she was. Seconds passed until a large keep suddenly appeared in front the formation of comets. Pinkish smoke enveloped the group of ponies as the courtyard below raced up to meet them.
Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle and the Honor guard magically manifested on the ground with in the walls of the keep with a loud thump. A deafening ringing lingered as Twilight nearly collapsed, her head was spinning and her stomach was turning. Shining Armor steadied her with a hoof on her shoulder. As Twilight gathered herself, Shining Armor yelled orders to his troops as they appeared around them. Twilight didn’t have time to really look around but she saw Winchester on top of the wall, nearly three dozen centaurs attempted to gang up on the knight. Behind him another group of centaurs readied to jump on over a large gap in the wall the pony must have recently cut. In the few seconds she had to look around she saw something that gave her hope, Rainbow Dash and Applejack in large bird cages hanging over a pit. The lavender mare wanted to get them out of there but centaurs began to pour into the court yard.
“show no fear boys!” Shining Armor called his horn glowed as he drew his broad sword, it floated above him as a solid image of his cutie mark appeared in front of him “FOR THE PRINCESSES! FOR EQUSTIRAAAAA!” Shining Armor and his honor guard lead the charge against the centaurs before they could from proper ranks. Spells from the unicorn warriors were a deadly prelude to the clashing of steel and bone. At the forefront of the charge was Shining Armor, the magical shield he had conjured deflected a centaurs heavy war hammer to the side. The Captain’s expression was hidden by his helm as he cut off his opponents head. Shinning continued on his way, his broadsword glowed brightly as he cleaved through his next foe as if it wasn’t there. He swatted aside a third as a fourth centaur's sword bounced off his armor. The fearless pony stabbed his shield into the fourth centaurs face and his horn into the other. As the smoke of the centaurs faded the honor guard formed around their captain slaying any threats with steel or magic. Shining Armor's stander bearer was by his side holding the colors high.
Twilight didn’t know what to do till the company champion one of the two honor guard assigned to protect her said “stay here milady we'll protect you while you support the assault.” Twilight nodded, even though she wasn’t sure what that meant. She looked up at Winchester to see if he needed help.
The Knight cut down three centaur as another jumped across the gap at his back, he kicked that beast away. It fell over the wall to the fields outside. The armored pony was getting pushed back and running out of room. Winchester called down a streak of lightning from the red sky, the blast turned several into smoke and tossed a few more into their comrades behind them. The pony leap into the air as it was filled with bat apparitions. Knowing the pegasi would at least a few more minutes, he use Featherweight to fly as best as he could. The little beast poped as magic and the holy blade tore them apart. The knight made a dent in the bats numbers but more appeared and attempted to disrupt the pony formation.
Lightning, fire and other magics filled the air above Twilight. She ducked and dodged as the little beast attacked her. She saw one lightly armored pony completely covered in the beast fell to the ground as the bats ripped him apart.
Twilight’s unicorn honor guard let loose a long string of lightning bolts, his aim was true and each bolt blasted an apparition into nothingness but still their were more. Company champion Green Fields bellowed “milady hit the ones on the wall.” he pointed to the group Winchester had been fighting.
“with what?” the scared mare said.
“what ever will make them stop living.” Green Fields ordered.
“okay.” Twilight said as she drew magic from her ocean of power. She was too afraid to hold back, her coat flash bright white in red light of the eclipse. A large purple ray shot from her horn, the beam impacted the wall, the cluster of centaurs and large portion of the stone wall vanished in a white ball of light.
“try no to over exert your self milady.” the unicorn honor guard said before turning on his hooves to face something to Twilight’s right.
Before the mare could look to see then new danger Champion Green Field's “Lady Twilight cover the engineers on the wall.” he point to the wall “we'll handle these beast.”
on the wall Twilight saw some ponies in light armor with tools in some saddle bags pinned down by another group of archers. The mare looked to Green Fields and the other honor guard as they stood their ground against three armored centaurs charging them. “what about.”
“we have them cover the engineers.”
“Okay.” Twilight replied turning back just in time to see a volley of arrows shower the engineers. A few arrows found their marks and one of the six engineers fell another yelled as an arrow pierced his flank. The Centaurs drew back their bows fire again. “oh no you don’t.” Twilight said as conjured two spells at once. The first was a barrier to stop the next valley of arrows from hitting the engineers, the second was a death ray to slice the centaurs on the wall in half.
With the Centaurs slain and the magical shield to defend them the remaining engineers moved up to the gate controls. As they got to work something heavy bumped into Twilight. She almost jumped out of her skin when she realized it was one of her body guards pined to the ground by a spear through his chest. She could see the light left the ponies eyes, it was frighting to behold. The mare looked up at the centaur. His helmet and several spots in his armor were smoldering from the last attacks of Twilight’s slain body guard. The frightened mare glanced behind the beast hopping for some help, Green fields was busy dealing with two other centaurs. However even as he slayed one of his foes with a well timed dodged and sword swipe the other centaur moved in on Twilight Fields would not get to her in time. Twilight growled as she let loose a bolt of lightening so strong it burnt through the centaurs armored chest. The steel armor crumpled to the ground leaking smoke from every joint.
The gates opened allowing the remainder of the Shield Bearer ground forces lead by Chaplain Brimstone in, he shouted praise to Princess Celestia as he charge and roared about the wrath of Princess Luna as he smashed the head off a centaur. With the reinforcements the battle was only getting more intense. The air was soon filled with pops as pegasi trailing fire slowed to a normal speed. Several pulled away and flew up towards the clouds while the rest dove into swarm of bat creatures. pegasus teams pulled down clouds and began raining lighting down on the Centaurs. With some real fliers there Winchester landed on the ground to bring the fight to the centaurs. The Shield Bearers had been pushing back the centaurs before but with the knight at their side and their pegasi support in the air it became a true rout.
As the battle in the courtyard drew to a close two Centaurs jumped onto the cages containing Rainbow Dash and Applejack. They barley fit on top of the cages and had to hold on to the chain so not to fall off. The mares tumbled around in their swinging cages. The centaurs brandished spears intent on ending the reason why the ponies were there.
A fire ball engulfed the beast on Rainbow Dash's cage while the other on Applejack's was cut in two by Featherweight severing the chain at the same time. Rainbow Dash screamed her friends name, Applejack's cage fell from view. The pegasus couldn't say anything the red hot chain holding her cage snapped with a loud ping. She yelled as she fell expecting to join Applejack at the bottom of the pit. Luckily she did not. Some pony had cast a shield over the pit. Rainbow Dash bounced around inside her cage as it crashed into the magical dome, it rolled down and came to rest next to Applejack's.
Rainbow Dash heard Applejack saying something about being dizzy, but the pegasus was too dizzy to understand. Hundreds of armored ponies surrounded the two. As soon as a unicorn had tore the lock off the cage Rainbow Dash burst through the door. She hovered above the battle for a brief moment before a unicorn pulled her down to the ground. She squirmed and yelled “what the hell are you doing.” as the medic looked over Rainbow. He was being very thorough. Her face turned red as he got a better look then most at a certain area. She kick that trooper square in the face saying “JUST WHAT THE FUCK IS WROUNG WITH YOU DUDE.” judging from the scene Applejack was making, something similar had happen to her.
the medic shook off the blow to his face and called out “minor injures and a thrown shoe, she fine. Get her armor.”
“Asshole I’m talking to you.” the medic ignored Rainbow Dash as a chest plate was slammed onto her. Rainbow Dash was fuming, she was almost as mad as Applejack. The country mare had got a few good hits on the stallion that had checked her injury before being pulled away and a chest plate was slapped on her as well. The angry and feeling of being violated vanished as the two mare's heard Twilight calling their names. the three reunited friends embraced onced the soldiers where push aside.
Winchester and Shining Armor approached as the mares fought back tears, Winchester cleared his throat a few times to get their attention. Twilight snapped to attention like a soldier would. Much to the confusion of her friends and even the knight and brother. Winchester nodded and continued “Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash. You need to reunite with your friends get the elements of harmony and use them on Tirek”
“okay.” the three mares said together.
Winchester turned to Shining Armor and added “you are to insure that they do so.”
“of course my Friend.” Shining Armor said with a nod. Twilight was confused wouldn’t Winchester be there, the thought of not having him there was frightening. she saw him as a safety net if anything went wrong he would be there to save them, like the princesses would be.
The knight took the time to look around at everyone around him “and please.....do it before I get eviscerate.” he crouched and used his sword to send himself flying up into the air. The three mares gasped as they watch the stallion swore higher and higher till his sword threw him into one of the windows at the top of the tall keep.
Inside Winchester skid to a stop as his sword slide into it's sheath on his back. The knight looked up fire banisters lined the walls filling the room with heat and light. banners hung over from several stone pillars, he remember them from a history books he had read once. They were from kingdoms of old, but they looked new. Winchester guessed Tirek was trying to relive the glory of past conquests.
“Who Are Thou.” the massive Centaur bellowed as he stood up from his large throne of twisted iron and stone. The throne was backed with dozens of spikes, a small dragon skull hung from one. If the king wasn’t stopped here many more skull would adorn the spikes. Tirek himself was huge, in his armor he dwarfed even Celestia and Luna. Its massive plates scraped as he moved. He picked up his opened face helmet by its large horns and put it on, a steel arrow shape fit perfectly over his flat nose. His black bread was braided in locks and accented with steel studs and bones. But most intimidating were his eyes, they burned with unnatural light and hatred.
Winchester bowed “I'm Winchester the Wrighter, I’ll be your entertainment for the evening.”
Tirek was not amused “your skull will be the second trophy for my new throne.” he pulled two axes from from his back and held them out wide, they made sputtering noises and had many large curved teeth making up its blade.
“Are those Chain saw axes?” Winchester asked. Tirek’s only response was to rev the weapons spinning the teeth around the head of the ax. Winchester's eyes widened as he commented “that's so cool.” he drew Featherweight before launched himself at his foe.

* * *

Twilight Sparkle was staring up at the sky with wide eyes. The mare looked at her brother “what is he doing.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash weren’t sure what was going on.
the mares couldn’t see Shining Armor's face under his heavy helm as he said “distracting Tirek. It would only be a matter of time before he would grow tired of his servants failures and come himself. My troops would be no match for him, I don’t know if I could stand against him ether.”
“but he could die!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash winced as their friend yelled.
Shining Armor nodded “yes, yes he could and he knows it, but that’s what the knights do.”
“WHAT!?” Twilight asked angry at her brother's nonchalant attitude about the death of their friend.
“they do what others can’t.” Shining Armor's eyes bore into Twilight and her friends “If Winchester was here, he would probably say something epic but I don’t have his give with words and we don’t have the time.” he turned to his troops and barked some orders. He called for Windtalker who quickly appeared beside him. Shining Armor began to give her instructions.
Suddenly the pegasus pushed her captain out of the way yelling “look out.” lightning streaked through the air. The pegasus fell to the ground smoking. Applejack and Rainbow Dash stared at her, as over half the company in the courtyard let loose a barrage of spells on a centaur that walked out onto the wall. It had a necklace of teeth and claws and at least one unicorn horn. The Air around it the beast paled as it held up a staff with glowing rams head on top.
Despite the shear amount of power impacting his mystical shield, it didn’t falter. He continued to trot along the wall till Twilight Sparkle and three of the other battle mages attacked in a different way. The mare could feel the beast closed mind shatter much like his staff did as they reached out with their wills, but she was too angry to care as what remained of the centaur's soul was distorted.
“I'm really starting to get tired of this.” Twilight said aloud.
Shining Armor checked on his fallen messenger and shook his head “we're taking too long. we have to get going.” Shining Armor said using his magic to close Windtalker's eyes. He stood and quickly gave out orders. Minutes later the Shield Bearers were storming through the halls of the keep.

* * *

Deep in the dark dungeon a game of Eye-spy just barely kept Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy entertained as they waited for rescue. “i spy with my little eye something gray.” Pinkie Pie said with a giggle.
“is it the left wall.” Fluttershy asked pointing to the gray stones.
“nope.”
“is it the cell door?” she pointed to the gray bars.
“nope.” Pinkie Pie said with a giggle. “do you give up?”
Fluttershy was determined to win a round, especial after Pinkie won by spying Fluttershy's tail. However the pegasus was stumped so she simply nodded and said “yes I give up.”
“a rat.” the pink mare held up a rat with kinked and bent whiskers, he looked at Fluttershy with big brown eyes. The rat was quite confused, nether mare reacted like ponies normally do. Most mare's run and scream when they see him, or at least jump on a table.
Fluttershy gasped and smiled saying “oh hello there.” she scooped up the rat in a gentle hug “your a little cutie aren’t you.” the Pegasus rubbed the rats belly making him squeak happily.
Pinkie Pie laughed then an idea came to her. “hey Fluttershy you think you could ask this guy to help us escape.”
Fluttershy looked at Pinkie Pie disappointed “Pinkie Pie just because you don’t understand him doesn’t mean he doesn’t understand you.” Fluttershy sighed before looking to rat and saying “isn’t she right some ponies can be so rub cant they.” the rat squeaked and nodded as it straightened his kinked whisker. They sprang back kinked up again with a cute ping sound.
“oh I'm sorry.” Pinkie Pie replied with a pout “i didn’t mean to be rude.”
the rat squeaked and Fluttershy giggled as she translated “he said your forgiven.” he squeaked a few more times and the Pegasus continued “he says he'll help however he can.”
the pink pony giggled “YAY!” she hugged her friends. “any way, little guy do you think you can-” she zipped over to the cell door. “pick the lock?”
Fluttershy held up the rat and squeaked “he'll have a look.”
“you can do it.” Pinkie Pie cheered as Fluttershy reached through the cell door. The large rodent sniffed the lock. He squeaked a few times before squeezing his head and upper body into the keyhole. The mares could hear some chewing, tapping and metal scraping sound for a minutes till a loud metal snap rang out in the darkness. Fluttershy gasped as the rat went limp on her hoof.
“oh no.” she trembled.
“what?”
“i think-” Fluttershy stopped as the rat pulled himself free of the lock and the door slide open. His whiskers sprang out straight before they kinked up again. “your okay.” Fluttershy said hugging their little savior. The rat just looked proud as the two mares thanked him for his help. The Pegasus gave the rat a kiss on the cheek. He blushed and scampered away embarrassed. the mare's waved goodbye to him.
The two mares pushed the cell door open and bolted down the hall. They ran around a corner and Pinkie slide to a stop. “Wait Fluttershy we need to be really Quite.” the mare yelled to her friend. Fluttershy looked down at Pinkie as the earth pony continued. “we should tip hoof our way out of here.” Fluttershy blinked as she hoovered next to her friend. “oh hehe that works too.”
Pinkie Pie scurried down the hall on the tips of her hooves. Fluttershy hooves beside her pink friend, the chattering of her teeth made almost as much noise as Pinkie's hooves. The failure of the pairs attempted to be silent was lost on them as they approach a door way.
Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy trembled as they poked their heads around the corner to see into the lit room. The ponies blinked as their eyes adjusted to the light. In the torch lit room over thirty armed centaurs were in formation staring at the large wooden doors on the far side of the room. Before the pair could speculate what was going on the door burst open. Fluttershy eeped and jumped back pulling Pinkie away from the action.
The sound of clashing steel and battle cries praising The princesses filled the hall as the battle in dinning hall grew in intensity. The mares looked at each other wondering if they should run away, before they could decide a centaur was forced through the door way where the pair hid. The beast's ax put a large dent in the earth pony's helmet as he forced him back. The centaur didn’t get a chance to finish off his foe a orange Pegasus slammed into the beast shield. His blue mane fell in his face as he jumped into air, he held a spear in his mouth waiting for the moment to use it. The earth pony then stabbed the centaur in the flank before the pegasus skewed the beast with his spear.
The orange pegasus landed and hoof bumped the brown earth pony before they noticed they were being watched. The two soldiers looked at the mares huddled by the door way. The pegasus turned to the dinning hall and yelled “i think we found them.”
Pinkie Pie looked at Fluttershy with a big smile and said “they came to rescue us.”
Fluttershy nodded “yeah.” she was hoping to be rescued by a different stallion. More soldiers poured into the hallway and split into two groups, they created pike walls to defend medics that followed them. Pinkie Pie giggled as magic coursed over her body while the medics checked both her a Fluttershy for injure. The pink mares giggles became more unsure as the exam drew to a close and more personal areas were briefly checked. The medic called out that she was okay and a chest play was slapped on her and snapped tight. She giggled again and plopped down next to Fluttershy, the pegasus mares face was hidden by her mane. Pinkie Pie didn’t say anything about what just happened.
“incoming.” a voice rang out to the right.
A large black colored stallion barked orders with a half smoked cigar in his mouth. Troops moved around as the where told. The leader, a lieutenant name Brick Wall, turned to the orange pegasus and yelled “Flash you guard those too.”
“Sir.” the orange stallion went from rubbing his small well trimmed blue patch of bread on his chin to saluting in the blink of an eye.
“and keep you your hooves off them Corporal.”
“i make no promises.” Flash replied with a grin and a wink at the mares. Pinkie giggled and winked back while Fluttershy stared in horror as a tide of Centaurs and bats slammed into the pony formation. A few bats got through but were quickly slain by Flash as they dove for the mares.
Pinkie Pie trembled as she watched the battle. she gulped down her need to run away. If she did so would Fluttershy, and that just wouldn't be good. “Fl-fluttershy don’t worr-” as the mare tried to assure her friend a pony broke from the formation and fell to the ground in front of the pair. Blood squirted from him neck with each beat of his heart. Pinkie Pie froze she was sure this would send Fluttershy to the hills. However ever seeing the injured soldiers sent the normally timid mare into action.
Fluttershy jumped on the stallion yelling “get the doctor.” she did her best to use her hooves to stop the bleeding. The authority in her voice was all Flash needed, he hurried over to the closest medic as she healed another wounded pony. Her medical training dictated that Fluttershy's patient needed her. She got to Fluttershy's side just time, under the light of the medics horn the stallions neck mended. His gargled gasped became rhythmic and natural.
The medic looked at Fluttershy “thank you Milady, he wouldn't have made it with out you.”
“i-um it wasn’t anything.”
“you go Fluttershy.” Pinkie Pie cheered.
The clash of steel distracted the medic, she looked at Fluttershy with worried eyes “milady do you think you could help with the others?”
“um yes” Fluttershy's reply was barely above a whisper.
The battle in the hall way went on for about twenty minutes. Fluttershy and medic helped with the injured. Flash did what he could to help, mostly just keeping the flying apparition from interfering with the healers work. Pinkie Pie felt that her cheering was more annoying then helpful, but it was all she could do in this situation. Fluttershy had medical experience, her veterinary classes covered these type of things. With their path clear the remaining soldiers protected mares as they moved toward the “rally point” as the officer pony with the cigar called it.

* * *

Rarity and Thunderlane slowly made their way down the gray stone hallway. They looked around confused and more then a little scared. Rarity still had the black sword from earlier, while her coltfreind held his little knife at the ready. They were prepared to put up a fight, but Rarity was still sure that it would be futile. Even though they haven’t seen any centaurs in a long time.
“darling I don’t want to jinx us but we haven’t seen any of the brutes in a long time.” Rarity said with a gulp.
“yeah.” Thunderlane said around his knife. “when I was sneaking in here there was a shit ton of them.”
“THUNDERLANE!” Rarity scolded “just because we are in a life or death situation doesn’t mean you should use such uncouth language.”
“sorry babe.”
“its okay love.” the white mare replied with a sigh “how did you get inside?”
“well there’s an advantage to my coloring.” the stallion chuckled.
“true true.” the white mare said nodded. Both the ponies stopped as a sound caught their ears. “what is that ruckus?” Rarity asked as the muffled sound grew louder. Thunderlane pressed his ear to the wall “oh darling do be careful.” the white mare said looking down the wall.
“whats dangerous about listening to a wall babe.” Thunderlane said waving a hoof dismissively. Suddenly a mere foot down the hall a fire ball blew through the wall. The pegasus jumped back cussing.
“RUN!” Rarity said dropping the black sword. Thunderlane was right on her heels as they sprinted down the hall, only to skid to a stop as lightening burst through the wall in front of them. The Pegasus pounced on his marefriend to shield her from danger. He grunted as he was pelted with sharp rocks, and his right wing was burnt by the sparks.
A voice boomed over the sound of combat. “show these curs your might fed by Celestia's sun, prove your resolve tempered under Luna’s watchful moon. You are the instrument of these beast destruction.” strangely as the booming voices words washed over Rarity and Thunderlane, they felt themselves filled with a burning fury, their fear was banished and courage welled up inside of them. Thunderlane stepped back looking at the closest hole in the wall, his right wing twitched and beat the air trying to cool off.
Rarity sat up one hoof on Thunderlane's chest, the Pegasus back and wing quickly caught her attention. “Darling! Your hurt!”
“I'm fine.” the stallion said looking to the other hole then back to the first. Shadows moved in front of both, there was defiantly Centaurs frighting ponies in the other room.
Rarity shook her head “oh no no no here let me fix that.” she closed her eyes as she tried to remember the mantra to the healing spell.
A Centaur stumbled into the hall way. Thunderlane growled as he picked up his knife. the armored centaur brought his handed two handed mace down on the head of the pony he was fighting. The earth pony crumpled to the ground blood splattered everywhere. Thunderlane launched himself at the monster with out a second thought. Rarity rolled to her hooves.
The pegasus ducked under another swing of armored centaurs mace then dove between the beast legs. He jabbed the knife into the unarmored belly of his foe several times, he jumped out from underneath his foe, afraid the centaur would fall of him. Thunderlane stood his ground as the beast teetered a moment then faced him. The two charge one another. The centaur just missed smashing Thunderlane's head, the Pegasus knife shattered on the centaurs armor.
The Pegasus didn’t know what to do but the centaur did. He spun around as he brought the mace down to smash Thunderlane. The stallion stumbled back just as the black sword intercepted the mace. “thunderlane take it.” Rarity yelled. The Pegasus didn’t need to be told twice. His strong hind legs launched himself at the centaur, he grabbed the sword with his fore hooves and he drove the black blade through the chest plate of the centaur. Smoke spewed from every gap in the armor like steam from a kettle engulfing Thunderlane.
Rarity couldn’t see her coltfreind as the battle raged on in the other room. A moment later Thunderlane trotted out of the smoke holding the black sword in his mouth. The white unicorn trotted up to him, her horn glowed as she levitated the sword away from him so they could kiss. She paused to finally cast a minor healing spell on him.
The light from the spell drew the attention of a lightly armored soldier. He looked through the whole then yelled at his commander “sarg, I think I found one of them.”
another pony with a large feather in his helm looked and yelled some orders. In seconds almost twenty lightly armored ponies moved around Rarity and Thunderlane, the two civilian ponies looked around them as they were herded into the other room. Inside the royal guard was pushing the centaurs out. A unicorn in black and white armor was at the front of the group preaching about the princesses as he smashed their foes with a mace. His preaching was interrupted by a great sword strike to the shoulder. The blow spun the chaplain around.
Blood poured down the Chaplain’s leg as he bellowed “i have fought in over two hundred battles all across the world, I have never given in, and by the manes Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I never will.” the chaplain slammed his mace on the centaurs head. The ponies around him surged forward into the whole made by their zealot of a leader. The unicorn limped to the back of the formation, where he learned they had found something. The old stallion used his magic to heal himself before he went to find her.
A medic and his aid quickly came over to Rarity and Thunderlane. The pair were quickly separated, much to their dismay. Thunderlane was slammed to the wall and questioned while Rarity was looked over by the medic. Her exam was far too personal for a lady like her, as soon as she could the mare wiped around and slapped the medical stallion right across the face. “how dear you sir! An exam such as this

Should

be done in the most private of places!”
“what the hell are you doing.” Thunderlane said as he flew out of the grip of the royal guard troopers. He hurried to Rarity's side only to be tackled to the ground buy to earth ponies in heavy vanguard armor.
“GET OFF HIM!” Rarity ordered as she ran to her lover, Before she could take even a few steps a chest plate was slapped on her and she was pulled away from him.
“What is going on here?” Bellowed Chaplain Brimstone over the renewed battle cry of the ponies holding the door way. The troops reported to their chaplain that they had found a bearer of harmony and an unknown pony. The large angry unicorn looked at Rarity “i was asking the bearer of holy harmony.” the glare he gave the ponies around Rarity was all they need to see for them to back away. The chaplain bowed to Rarity like he would to the princesses themselves. “i am honored to be in your presence, honored bearer of harmony.” the stallion spoke like he was in aw of the confused white mare.
Rarity cleared her throat and said “I order that you release my coltfriend at once.” Brimstone rose and nodded to the soldiers pining Thunderlane down.
They hoped back and Thunderlane shook his head as he stood before being pulled over to the chaplain by his magic. “colt look me in the eyes.”
“Sir what-” Rarity stopped with the old stallion held up a hoof.
Despite being very confused and more then a little scared Thunderlane looked into the chaplains burning brown eyes “your bravery is a beautiful thing, I pray that it last the day.” the chaplain allowed Thunderlane to join Rarity.
Rarity looked at herself taking note of her new chest plate then Thunderlane “thank you, sir do you think you have some armor for Thunderlane?”
“I'm sorry milady.” Brimstone replied “my soldiers need their armor and we only have some in your friends size.
“oh.”
the chaplain yelled to his troops saying they were moving out only to have one of the sergeant under his command report that centaur reinforcements had cut off the way they had planed to go. Brimstone made his way over to the door large room. With out fear the old unicorn looked around the corner, 40 years of experience told him that with his troops only numbering about 50 now they could not break through the centaur lines. They had sustained some casualties since they had been pushed here.
He turned and ordered “pick up the wounded, the dead will be guided to paradise by the grim mare. We'll take the passage in the back.” Rarity and Thrunderlane were herded back out hole they had entered through as the Shield Bearers fell back. “Drop the roof when we're clear.” the whole keep seem to shack as the room and some of the hall behind them trapping them on the dark path they had chosen. Before they move on Rarity found the black sword and kept it close.

* * *

the main force of the Shield Bearers was deep in fortress's tower section. Almost a third of the force was here holding an intersection of three hallways and a massive door. It had been some time sense centaurs had assaulted their positions in the dark center of Tirek’s keep. Despite the lack of enemy opposition the engineers were working as fast as they could to cut the chains that held the large door closed. Twilight Sparkle suspected this was where the Elements were being held so the Shield Bearers were determined to get in.
Shining Armor stood in a circle of his warrior's, he listened to the rambled report of one of his of robed mare. With the death of Windtalker Shining Armor had ordered Azure Arcania, one of his younger battle mages to take up her responsibilities. The young mare was doing her best, but astral project puts a great strain of on a ponies mind. The captain was glad she was able to discern between her dreams and what was really happening.
Twilight and her friends were close by. Rainbow Dash trotted in place, her fear had manifested as impatient like normal. She wanted to fly but the weight of the chest plate the guard was forcing her to wear made it tiring to even glide much lest hoover. Applejack was much more composed, she stood with her head held high. Some how she thought it may help.
“why are we just standing here shouldn’t we find the others?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“my troops are seeing to their recovery.” Shining Armor said with out looking away from the doors, Azure Arcania reports ever in his ear. “Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie have already been found. Their guards are fighting their way to the rally point as we speck.”
“shouldn’t we like go reinforce them or something.” Rainbow Dash asked.
“no.” Shining Armor said “they wont let your friends get hurt.”
“but.”
“Trust in the captain.” champion Green Fields bellowed “as we all do with our lives.” Rainbow Dash stared at the green earth pony with a raised eye brow, he couldn’t be serous with that act.
Applejack looked at Twilight “What do you think?”
Twilight took a deep breath “we have to trust them, we can not doubt them.” she Repeated more to her self then her friends before she asked “what about Rarity?”
Shining Armor looked to Azure Arcania the mare's horn glowed brighter as she searched the keep. “the stings intertwined, the chaplain his troops and bearer and protector lover.” the mare spoke quick and breathlessly.
“what?” Rainbow Dash said confused.
“protector lover?” Twilight Sparkle blinked and looked her brother as the mage continued.
“death blood, rocks and stone.” her words frightened the civilian mares even more. “lost must find, close. The strings intertwined through rock and bone.” her unfocused eyes trembled as blood tickled from her nose. “must find the knots follow the strings.” her whole body trembled as the blood from her nose became thick.
Shining Armor rushed to his battle mage and said “that’s enough! Azure Arcania your done!” he sat down and held her as he whispered a spell in her ear, the mares eyes refocused and she finally blinked. She pulled away from her captain taking a few deep breaths. Shining Armor chuckled as he said “you really got to stop doing that.”
Azure blushed and wiped her nose “sorry sir, I'll only try to die in battle from now on.” she joked grimly.
“good, now get to the medics.” Shining Armor ordered. He shook his head, the young mage had a habit of being reckless with her magic.
“Did she say Rarity is missing?” Applejack asked.
“sounded like it.” the captain answered.
“WELL SHOULDN'T WE GO FIND THEM.” Applejack yelled. Her outburst made several of the younger troopers jump.
“we've already had this conversation.” Shining Armors steel helm covered his expression and his eyes, but the cold stare of the armored pony cowed the mares anger. “my company is spread thin enough as is, I only have so many troops and have lost many already. I cant risk their lives on a whim.” the captain had been upset scents the lost of messenger Windtalker, lieutenant Steady Hoof and several other of his trust subordinates. Luckily as a veteran captain his anger wasn’t clouding his judgment.
the sound of stone against stone drew there attention. A section of the wall was slowly being pushed out of the wall in the hallway to the right of the large door. Shining Armor ordered a two squads forward to surround the slowly opening door, a few of the younger troops trembled as they held their spears at the ready. More troops move around ahead to cordon off more of the hallway, just encase of a charge from an enemy.
The section of wall slide all the way out and slide to the side revealing ponies. The troops behind the door were ready for a fight as well. A fight that never came. They were all relieved to be joined be allies. As the fifty or so Shield Bearers trotted out of the new passage Chaplain Brimstone, Rarity and Thunderlane walked down the center of the line.
Applejack burst through the line of soldiers with Twilight on her heels. Rainbow Dash landed with them as they rushed to their friend asking if she was okay. For a moment Rarity was chiseled marble her head held high before her lips trembled tears poured from her eyes. She collapsed into her friends arms, her emotions strained to the breaking point. Applejack and Twilight caught their white friend, Rainbow Dash joined in the embrace. Thunderlane was left out but placed his hoof on his lovers back.
It only took a few moments for Rarity to release her emotion, even more suddenly then she had began the white mare rose and wiped her makeupless face. She took a deep stuttered breath and said “I'm sorry I let my emotions over take me.” she looked to Thunderlane then over her shoulder and asked “lieutenant will a scabbard be retrieved for my sword?”
A middle age stallion snapped to attention “of course milady.” the officer hurried off do as order. The white mare looked around and said “oh this just wont do, Royalty needs a parade persuasion to calibrate their reunion.” Rarity’s friends were very confused by her actions.
The troops looked around at each other then to their leaders. Chaplain Brimstone chuckled “well Captain should we give the lady what she wants?” Shining Armor nodded his steel clad head before he barked orders. The surprised guard ponies scrambled around confused for a moment, a moment later the troops around the bearers of harmony formed two lines the one towards the open hallway far thicker with troops looking around for possible assaults.
Rarity trotted down the line once again a image of beauty carved from marble. Twilight looked at there friend and asked “Rarity what was all of that.” Applejack agreed wanting to know what was up with the normally demure mare.
Rarity didn’t move her head to look at her friends as she sighed and said “we are these soldiers vision of the Princesses.” the soldiers formed in behind the bearers of harmony, Thunderlane walked close to Rarity's side and watched the perfect timing of the troops behind them. “these troops look to their officers for leadership, and their chaplain and champion for example.” she looked at her friends her face and voice more serious then thought possible for the over dramatic mare. “when can they look the knights for courage as they do to us now, we are not fighters like Winchester. We can not weather the slings and arrows of whole armies and strike them down with a single blow.” she looked forward again and continued “but if we show no fear in the face of frighting foes why should these great soldiers.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash nodded solemnly, they understood now. The four bearers of harmony stood with Shining Armor and Brimstone.
Sparks jumped and danced as the engineers got back to cutting through the chains with links about as big as a foal. They had already finished cutting two of the four chains holding the door shut. It wouldn’t be long now, but it felt like forever to Rainbow Dash. The impatient mare looked to her friends, Applejack was talking to Shining Armor about something. The farm mare was kicking the ground like she did when she was apologizing to somepony. Twilight was chanting a simple spell to allow magic to flow through her. Rarity discussed with a Thunderlane what she planed to do with the scabbard one of the one of the soldiers had brought her. Of course she wanted to something gem stones, 'damn jewels' the blue mare thought to herself. She sighed just wanting to fly away.
The lead engineer called back “Captain we're almost through.”
Shining Armor nodded and told his troops to be ready for anything. With a loud ping the last chain snapped as the door blew open. Twenty heavily armored Centaurs charged through the door. Their halberds killed any too slow to get out of their path. One unfortunate engineer took the an ax blade of the weapon to the back. The centaur didn’t notice the poor pony was stuck to his blade as he brought his weapon up to end the life of another trooper, the first pony's last act in life was saving his comrade with his own body.
Without hesitation Shining Armor ordered his honor guard to charge. He was at the head, he summoned his cutie mark kite shield once again. Chaplain Brimstone and Champion Green Fields were at the captains back. Shining Armor was the first to met their foes in battle, he swatted aside the lead centaur's thrust with his shield. The captains glowing sword cleaved through the centaur's right foreleg, Shining thought nothing more of his foe as it fell leaving it to his guards behind him. The next centaur lost its arms to a mighty swipe of the captain's sword as he waded into the midst of the enemy.
Chaplain Brimstone bellowed a litany of battle as he brought his mace down on the head of his foe. He burst through the death smoke of the centaur into the next beast in line. His words filled the ponies in the room with visions of their princesses and the courage stand against fear. Rarity drew the black sword and held it height adding her voice to the war cry of the honor guard, Thunderlane stood protectively in front of his lover the Bearers of Harmon still stood were they had. The rest of the force prepared for more possible attacks.
Twilight found herself wishing that Winchester was there to tell her how to help. She hesitated as her brother charged. She wanted to support them but she didn’t know what spell to use, but now it was too late and Champion Green Fields paid the price. He was too good at what he dose, to be more then inconvenient by the spear blow to his chest. His momentum forced the halberd from the centaurs hand, Field’s jammed his blade through its chest. He pulled the spear from himself and continued on into the fight.
It only took a few minutes before Shining Armor and his Honor Guard stood atop the empty armor of the centaurs. Shining looked around his Honor Guard had not taken any real casualty, and the troopers that did would survive with the medics help. However his engineers now only numbered four. His army was taking more casualty then it had ever taken, but despite their loss and grief they had to keep going.
His troops moved into the treasure chamber, they searched every corner of the large room. There were thankfully no traps, but plenty of treasure. The elements of harmony were easy to find they were just haphazardly tossed on top of a pile of gold. Three ponies of the shield bearers were given the honor of presenting the bearers of harmony, Thunderlane of course got to give Rarity hers. he bowed before his lover and held up golden necklace with a glowing blue diamond set in the center.
Rarity held her head high and lifted the back of her mane with her magic. the troops around them watched as Thunderlane ever so gently place the necklace around her neck and snapped the lock. Once Rarity felt the wait of the element around her neck she did something that made ever male insight jealous, she gave him a long luscious kiss that he eagerly returned.

* * *

Fluttershy sat next to a dieing soldier his hoof in hers as she eases his passing with a bed time prey. She ignored the blood he coughed onto her cheek, she didn’t even pause to wipe it away just continued to prey aloud. It wouldn’t have matter if she did The blood of those she had help was speckled all across her. The soldier apologize for the cough. “its alright.” Fluttershy replied before she continued to prey with the troop for a few seconds longer till he took his final breath. Even though the hall she was in was full of the clashing of steel and bone and spells being slung from both sides, she heard the troopers last breath loud and clear. She solemnly closed his eyes then looked up at Pinkie Pie and Flash.
Pinkie sniffled then smiled at her friend “that was beautiful.” Flash nodded.
The Shield Bearer's escorting Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie was locked with a formation of centaurs. The medics had their work cut out for them. The centaur mage had devastated the ponies front lines before the pony mage could counter it.
Fluttershy sighed and sat against the wall, her timid soul was crushed under the weight of death she had seen. She needed a much needed break, a luxury the other medics weren’t offered. The yellow mares chest heaved an even bigger sigh then before. She wanted to weep but she fought them back, not from bravery or sense of purpose. There just didn’t seem to be a point to it, her tears would do nothing for anypony. Not like her actions would, she just needed a moment to ease her mind and body before she got to the task at hand. She slumped against the wall, just needing a moment longer. Suddenly the stone behind her head slid into the wall a little and a five foot section of the wall fell away and was replaced with the floor she sat on flipped up to replace it.
“oh shit.” Flash said hurrying over to where Fluttershy had just been.
“hey where'd Fluttershy go?” Pinkie asked. She had been doing her best to cheer on the troops as they fought, it seemed to help a little.
“through the wall.” Flash answered as pushed on the wall.
“like a ghost.” Pinkie said excited “how? did she get ghost powers?” she joined the corporeal in pushing on the wall.
Flash stopped and looked at Pinkie with wide eyes and mouth agape “Do you know how cool that would be?”
“Yeah.” the mare said as she pushed on a brink in the wall and it slid in a little bit. The world spun for both ponies as they were thrown into the new passage and slammed face first into the the ground. “owy.” Pinkie said rubbing her nose.
In front of the two Fluttershy was up against the wall confused and upside down but otherwise unharmed. “Where are we.”
Pinkie hoped up and wiggled her hooves in the air. “we're ghosts.” Flash decided to join her and the two wiggled in time with each other making ghost noises.
Fluttershy giggled as she rolled over before she suddenly jumped to her hooves “we're Ghost? We-we died?” her chest heaving with fright.
“of course not silly.” Pinkie giggled.
“we just got thrown through a secret passage.” Flash added “now that we've had are fun lets get back through.” Pinkie giggled in a agreement as the two ponies began their search for the button again.
As Fluttershy walked over to help them search her hoof came down on a stone that slide into the floor. In a flurry motion everything was suddenly upside down for the three. “hey now were bats.” Pinkie said before the three plummeted toward a large labyrinth below the castle. Fluttershy acting on instinct alone righted herself and stopped her fall.
Flash unfolded his wings and slipped his spear on his back in the same motion as he dove for Pinkie Pie. The flightless mare screamed as she fell and continued to scream even after Flash caught her. “don’t worry baby I caught you.” the stallion said with grin.
Pinkie Pie giggled as she stopped kicking and screaming to say “i know but its fun to scream sometimes.” she giggled and gazed into Flash's light blue eyes as he looked into her's. She wrapped her forelegs around the back of his neck as the stallion gently slowly fluttered his way down to the high walls of the labyrinth below.
Fluttershy watched in aw thinking that it was a very romantic scene till Pinkie giggled and said “you have a boogie in your nose.”
Flashed looked away and wiggled his nose saying “Thanks.” he thought that was going another way too.
Pinkie giggled before she put a hoof on his cheek and pulled herself up a little high and gave Flash a kiss on the other cheek that lingered it needed too. She whispered “thanks for saving me.” the pink mare sad, she kind of liked being cradled in his arms.
It didn’t take very long for the pegasi to land on the walls of the maze. Flash set Pinkie down before the three of them looked around. It was very dark, almost to the point where the ponies couldn’t see, the only source of light in the underground labyrinth was at the center of the maze. It was fairly far away but Flash thought he saw a stairway back up to the castle.
“well I guess we have to got through the maze to get out.” Pinkie said as she prepared to dive from the ten foot tall wall.
“we could just fly over it.” Fluttershy said as she hoovered a little higher off the ground.
“Aawww.” Pinkie said turning on her puppy dog eyes. “but it will be fun.”
Flash stepped forward “it dose sound fun but I don’t think we have time for that.”
Pinkie Pie sighed “your probably right.” she giggled before she jumped into Flashes arms.
The stallion barley caught her in time. Flash laughed and lifted off as she held on. Fluttershy stayed close to the armed stallion. The trip over the labyrinth took mere minutes. From time to time Pinkie would look to the maze below with disappointed eyes.
The air grew hot as they got close to the center of the maze a large bonfire had been lit there. The heat was soon joined by a strange smell that reminded Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy of Zacroa's hut. Flash's military training was kicking in, alarms were going off in his mind as the sound of a goat chanting something in its native tongue. He looked at Fluttershy over his shoulder and said “hey land on the next wall.”
Fluttershy was confused but didn’t want to be rude, so she fallowed the stallion down to the last wall before the center of the maze. “what are we doing?” Pinkie Asked as Flash set her on her hooves.
“i just got a feeling we should check it out before we go in.” Flash answered. He reached back and retrieved his spear from his back. He spun the weapon around his hoof before holding it with both hooves. As quietly as they could the three ponies made their way over to the ledge of the wall. The the strange smell was thick in the air and the sound of the chanting goat clear to hear. Around the bonfire was what looked like a primitive lab, there indeed was a goat down there. Its gray coat was covered in black and red paint in strange patterns and words, it wore several large golden hoop ear rings and gold bracelets. It chanted as he threw something in a smoking caldron.
“hey Fluttershy what's he saying?” Pinkie asked looking to her yellow friend.
Fluttershy listen for a moment before she sighed and looked sad “i don’t know?”
“well I guess we should avoid him.” the corporeal said as he held his spear at the ready. “Fluttershy can you carry her?”
“i normally don’t carry anything bigger then a bunny but I can try.”
Pinkie grinned, she remembered Fluttershy making that same excuse a couple years ago. Flash nodded as he lifted off, Fluttershy did the same then hooked her fore hooves under Pinkie's shoulders as she head up to the top of the serial stairway. Flash held his spear pointed at the noise, he kept himself between the mares as the possible threatening goat.
The three ponies landed about two turns away from the top. Flash watched the goat below as the reddish black smoke bellowed unnaturally below. Pinkie and Fluttershy nervously tried to open the door at the top. Fluttershy felt her hart sink when it turned out to be locked. “W-what ar-are we g-going to d-do?”
“Maybe you can convince the goat to help us.” Pinkie said Fluttershy nodded. Flash didn’t share his plans, being a soldier he was sure the civilians probably wouldn’t like them.
Pinkie happily hoped all the way down the stair, some how still able to have a smile on her face. Fluttershy looked around nervously she wasn’t sure what the goat was saying but it didn’t sound nice. Flash kept his spear ready as they slipped down the stairs, his armored hooves made less noise then the horse shoes of the two mares.
The goat was too occupied with what it was doing to notice the three intruders that approached him. He held his hooves to sky as his chanting reached its highest, the smoke from the caldron grew taller. The smoke began to take a loose shape as Fluttershy politely said “excuse me.” the smoke before the goat suddenly took the shape of the biggest centaur any of the ponies had ever seen. It stood staring expressionlessly at the wall.
“excuse me mister goat.” Fluttershy said “do you think you can help us, we're lost. If you don’t mind that is.”
the goat stared at the ponies and pointed at them and said “BAAH!”
the centaur behind the goat final move to look at them. Flash looked up at the beast and said simply “Run.” as he set his spear against his back hoof ready for the beast. Pinkie screamed as she ran into the maze, though nopony could tell that if she was scared or having fun. The large centaur charged right past Flash and after the pink mare. “damn it all.” the corporeal cursed as he flew after them both.
The goat laughed as he turned to prepare for his next creation. “that wasn’t very nice.” Fluttershy said “in fact it was very rude.” the goat looked at the yellow Pegasus and scoffed, before returning to his work. “look at me when I'm talking to you.” the goat froze as her words hit him. he could feel her gaze boring into him, there was a power in it though he knew not what it was. The goat shaman slowly turned around, he regretted it immediately.
Fluttershy stood as sternly as she could her, her knees shook despite her determination to not back down. But her stare was more powerful then it ever was, her eyes were the eyes that every mother gave their children when they were disappointed in them but it was so much more. The Goat felt as if he was looking at the living embodiment of the all mother herself. The only thing that kept him from falling to his knees in aw was that he now fallowed a new god.
“i don’t know why your doing all this stuff.” Fluttershy said guessing the goat was the one creating the centaurs. “many ponies have die today. Families are missing members. Foals are missing their fathers and mothers.” Tears formed in corners of her eyes as she spoke. “so much lost, so many are all alone and scared. Doesn’t that make you feel bad.”
The goat said “Baah.” dismissively as it look away.
Fluttershy gasped “how could you say that.”
“BAAH!” the goat said angrily.
Tears rolled from Fluttershy's eyes as she said “then you should show that your the better creature and forgive them. The princesses have so many to worry about.”
“BAAH!” the goat growled.
“I'm not saying you home was less import but with a country as large as Equstira to run some times things get lost in the mix.” Fluttershy's tears flowed freely as she continued “I'm sure they regret what happened.”
“Baah.”
“I'm not telling you to fallow them but Tirek is not a good guy he just wants to destroy. Look at what he's made you do.”
the shaman was beaten by the pleas of the mare, her tears were bad enough. The goat fell to his knees and cried out to the roof and the sky above for forgiveness. Fluttershy walked over to him and place a hoof on his back and said “I'm sure she forgives you. She is the mother of all of us, and mothers always forgive their children when they misbehave.” the goat looked up at her and her gentle smile.
“now can you help us get out of here?” Fluttershy jumped as the sounds of crashing rocks echo throughout the maze. “OH NO.”

* * *

Flash was far faster then the centaur. It only took a few seconds for the pegasus to fly up and then dive at his foe, but the Centaur was ready for him and stepped to the side at the last second. Flash had barely a moment to pull up so that he didn’t slam into the floor. He kicked off the ground trying to bring his spear to bear against his foe, but again the centaur was ready his hind legs shot out hitting the pegasus square in the chest sending him hurtling into the far wall. Flash slumped the the floor gasping for breath his chest plate caved in.
“FLASH!” Pinkie Pie yelled as she leaned around a corner a short way down the path. The centaur turned and charged toward her still no emotion of its face. Pinkie eeped as she slipped out of sight.
The massive Centaur was at the corner a moment later. It slide to a stop seeing that this path way was a dead end with no turns but his target wasn’t there. He slowly looked to his right while unbeknownst to him Pinkie silently slipped to his left. The beast quickly looked to his left, and just in time Pinkie slipped behind his right hoof. With out warning the massive creature reared up and looked below him self. Luckily Pinkie was one step ahead of him and was squeezing herself behind one his hind legs. She wiped her forehead relieved as the centaur set himself down on all fours again.
The centaur spun around to look for his target, Pinkie had once again slipped underneath the giant beast. She wasn’t happy with her position but she smiled wide as the centaur started to trot away. The pink mare turned to head for Flash silently slipping between the centaur's back legs however the beast leg kicked back sending Pinkie bouncing across the floor trailing streamers and confetti.
Luckily for Pinkie Pie the fine steel chest plate she wore didn’t falter against the powerful blow, and she had hit the ground much harder while pranking ponies with Rainbow Dash. She shook her head as the emotionless beast approached. The scared mare scrambled to her hooves looking for a way to escape.
The centaur jerked forward as the tip of a spear poked through its shoulder. Flash's head appeared over the same shoulder blood running down around his eye from a cut on his forehead. He growled into the centaur's ear “why don’t you pick on somepony who fights back.” the creature's only response was to reach up and pull the spear all the way through his shoulder. Flash blinked confused just before the beast smacked him in the face with the shaft of his own spear. The dazed Pegasus slipped form the back of the centaur holding his bleeding nose. The centaur turned the point of the spear aimed for Flash now unarmored hart, Pinkie saw her chance and ran.
The pink mare dance through the centaur’s hooves too scoop up Flash in her arms. she ran on two legs cradling the injured stallion. The corporeal looked up at her and she smiled back “don’t worry I got you.” she giggled. Pinkie didn’t look back as she ran despite her smile she was triffid, but at least she got to run the maze.
Around one corner Pinkie's hooves slipped on the stone. Before she fell Flash's wings opened and he caught her in his hooves. he flew up over the walls hoping to loose the Centaur for a little bit. “i got you again.” Flash said grinning at Pinkie, before the mare could reply they hear the sound of their power foe smashing through the wall they had just cleared. “WOE! SHIT!” Flash cursed as he dodged out of the way of the large bricks that were being thrown at them.
Pinkie's hart was pounding as she felt her ears flop, followed by a flutter of her eyes, and finally her knee twitched several times. “ooh my Pinkie sense.” the mare said looking around as Flash dove and dodged out of the way of more bricks. The creature barely paused as it smashed through each wall. Finally a wall just like any other caught her eye. “Flash there.” she printed.
“What?” the Stallion asked his evasive skills being put to the test.
“there we can fix this dirty cheater.”
“okay.” the stallion didn’t know what she was talking about but she was a Bearer of Harmony and they are akin to royalty, so he dove straight for it narrowly avoiding another rock. Pinkie jumped form the Pegasus’s arms and inspected every random stone in the wall. “What are you doing.”
“watch out for opening doors.” Pinkie Replied cryptically as she found one she liked “AH HA got you.” she looked at Flash and said “okay when he burst through the wall bring him over here.” she pointed to the wall in front of her.
Flash nodded and waited looking at the wall behind him. The centaur burst through the stones. Even though Flash was waiting for it he was still scared out of his skin. The orange pegasus jumped out of the way of bricks and mortar. Pinkie stood stoically as rubble slide toward her just at her hooves. Flash panted as he yelled at the beast. The Centaur looked at him and reached for him. Flash jumped back and monster fallowed into position. “NOW OR NEVER”
Pinkie pushed the stone she found into the wall, a large section of wall flipped around right behind Flash. The stallion turned to look at the now empty space where Pinkie used to be. “damn it.” Flash jumped and took flight trying to get out of the reach of the centaur. Suddenly the wall flipped around again slapping Flash across the room, his pursuer was not as lucky. The Beast massive frame was caught in the closing door, for a brief moment his body held before he was cut in half and burst into large plums of smoke.
Pinkie hurried to Flash's side saying “I’m sorry I'm so sorry.”
The soldier stood up blood dripping from his nose and forehead, he tried no to put wight on his right foreleg “its fine I've taken harder knocks then this.” he smiled.
Pinkie looked sad as she gave him a gently nuzzle. “I’m still sorry.” she stepped back and looked at his wounds “when the twins get the a booboo I make it feel better with a kiss but I don’t think that will work with these.” Flash liked that idea.
“are you all right?” Fluttershy asked as she landed close by with the goat who now had a belt of pouches around his midsection.
“we're okay I guess.” Pinkie replied happily, before turning to the stallion and asking concerned “are you sure?”
Flash nodded “I'm fine.” he wasn't happy they had been interrupted, but now was not the time for that kind of thing. “why'd you bring the goat?”
“i convinced him to help us.” Fluttershy said with a smile.
The goat simply said “baah.”
“oh dear flash your hurt.” Fluttershy gasped looking at the trooper he just wave away the accusation.
The goat hurried over to him and grabbed the stallion's tuft of blue hair on his chin and pulled him down to his leave. “what the hell are you doing?” the Stallion growled as the goat examined his injures.
“baah.”
“he's going to help you.” Fluttershy answered.
The stallion stared daggers at the goat as he reached into one of his pouch and retrieved a jar of foul smelling goo. Flash was not happy as the goat rub the horrid jell on the his forehead. The pony gagged as the shaman rubbed the goo in his nose.
“by the thirty levels of Taratarus.” Flash yelled as he fell on his back holding his nose. The goat was on him in a second and held the troopers hooves out.
The goat told Fluttershy something and the mare translated. “just let the healing sav do its work.”
“IT SMELLS LIKE ROTTING GARBAGE.” Flash said his hind legs twitching with anxiety his wings slapped the ground for the same reason.
“yeah.” Pinkie commented, with a cloths pin on her nose.
The goat said “Baah.” to Fluttershy and she wiped off the goo with a rag, she tired her best to get most of it. “now Flash don’t blow your nose for another hour.”
the stallion looked a little miserable as he stood up, “what ever.” he looked at Pinkie and she just smiled “how about that kiss?”
Pinkie Giggled “maybe later.” she turned to Fluttershy and said “well lets get out of here.” Flash sighed but he was ready to go. While the goat was explaining how to get out Pinkie appeared next to Flash and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled as his wings popped out straight.

* * *

Shinning Armor had his helmet open as he eyed lieutenant Brick Wall. The captain was not happy in the slightest as the pony explained that the Bearers of Laughter and Kindness had gone missing. There friends stood around the captain, they were as unhappy as Shining Armor was if not more. “captain my troops looked everywhere for the bearers and found no sign of them.” the stone face officer's words sent shivers down Twilight's spine. “we should just count them among the dead an-”
Rarity cut the officer off with a slap across the face. “We are NOT counting any pony dead.” she said through cliched teeth. Rainbow Dash was shocked silent by the thought of Fluttershy being dead. Applejack pulled her hat over her face to hide her tears. They really didn’t know what to do.
Captain Shining Armor stared at the very confused lieutenant. “Even with us at his back Sir Winchester can not defeat a god.”
“isn’t that his job?” Brick Wall asked.
“no.” Twilight said “that’s what the elements of harmony are for.” even though she was shorter then the lieutenant, she somehow felt bigger then him. It must been the crown thing on her head. “no knight has even defeated a god. They fight demons and dragons and armies. HE CAN NOT FIGHT A GOD.”
“especial with the Princesses doing their holy work in the realms beyond our comprehension.” Chaplain Brimstone bellowed.
“Enough!” Shining Armor was done with the arguing, he turned ordered a majority of his troops to stay behind while his honor guard accompanied him in a search for the other bearers of harmony. “lieutenant take us to the last place you saw them.” with a twitch on his head the face plate of his helmet snapped shut.
“Yes captain.” lieutenant brick wall said with a salute.
“um Captain.”
Shining armor turned to his Champion and said “yes what is it Green?”
“the missing bearers of harmony coming this way.” the green earth pony said pointing down the hall “and they have a goat.” he raised an eye brow.
As Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Flash trotted toward the pony lines, four ponies pushed through the lines to met them. The friends embraced and shared tears. Fluttershy wept openly as Rainbow Dash almost crushed her with a hug, Pinkie cried as well. Though she always had a smile on her face, although she did ask if it was almost over, Applejack agreed with that hope. Flash and Thunderlane just stayed out of the way.
One spear wielding soldier pointed to little gray goat and asked “whats with the goat.”
“this little guy made all the centaur ghost things.” Pinkie Pie immediately regretted her words as every trooper in ear shot surround the goat their spears to his throat. To the shaman's credit he didn’t wet himself. He simple said “Baah.” while Pinkie yelled “HE'S ON OWR SIDE NOW.” Repeatedly.
Chaplain Brimstone approached as Shining armor watched his with his sword drawn. Brimstone growled “and why should we believe him.”
“because he was tricked by Tirek into thinking that he was his new god.” Fluttershy yelled.
chaplain Brimstone's maul hovered high over his head as he bellowed “only a fool follows any god other then the Princesses of the moon and sun.” many of the troops shifted unconformable.
Fluttershy moved next to the goat despite her friends protest. “we follow the All Mother.” the yellow Pegasus said in a stern voice.
Brimstone lowered his maul and stared into Fluttershy's eyes, it took literally ever ounce of willpower for her to stay on her hooves. Even when she looked away she felt his eyes staring into her soul. “i wont hold it against you.” Brimstone said relenting his piercing gaze. “you are after all are an instrument of their will.”
Fluttershy shrank back into the embrace of her friends “we are instruments of her will as she is of the creator.” the yellow mare was recited a verse of a holy book she read once.
Brimstone grinned “you speck truly young one.”
“Enough of this.” Shining Armor ordered. “time is short, arm the bearers.”
two Stallions hurried over to carrying the last two elements. as one presented Fluttershy her element Brimstone held up his hoof to stop the other with Pinkie's. The trooper looked confused at the chaplain who nodded toward Flash. The young stallion looked from his fellow soldier then back to the chaplain barring his path. He sighed very disappointed and trotted over to Flash and pushed it too him angrily before trotting off to sulk. Flash quickly realized what he was supposed to do.
Pinkie Pie giggled as Flash bowed to her and held up the golden necklace with the balloon shaped jewel. Rarity Cleared her throat to get the pink mare's attention, then motioned for her lift up her mane. Pinkie was confused but copied her friends actions. She smiled as Flash clasped the necklace around her neck then stepped back to bow to her.
With the formalities done Shining Armor bellowed orders and the troops scurried around to do as told. Only the honor guard would be going to escort the Bearers of Harmony up the stairs. Pinkie almost timidly asked if Flash could come, the Captain nodded.
Before they moved out the goat informed them it should be clear he only made one of the super centaurs that would have been Tirek's Honor guard. The goat shaman was right. The twenty ponies meet no resistances as they ascended the stairs. Although they were soon met with the echos of the clashing of steel and the strange sound of a screaming motor, as well as Winchester's and Tirek’s taunts and banter as they fought. Although judging from the sounds coming down from above, Winchester was losing. Twilight found herself preying to Celestia and Luna that he was going to be okay.
At the top of the stairs Shining Armor nodded for Twilight to lead her friends the last ten feet to massive red door that stood before them. The door was open a little and the bearers the shadows of the combatants as they closer. Twilight looked through the opening, at first she saw nothing but wall then suddenly Winchester slide into view like he had just been kicked there.
Twilight and her friends gasped seeing the shape he was in. he was covered in blood and his right eye was swollen with a hoof shaped bruised around it. The scale mail he wore on his flanks was tore in many places, the plates of his armor were dented and a few plates looked like they had been sawed through. His right foreleg was missing its shin guard revealing a nasty gash.
A handful of sparks danced over his body and the knight stood. As a deep aged voice as full of pride as it was rage said, “why do you stand pony, you know that only pain awaits you.” Tirek was battered but in far better shape then his foe. He held his chin bladed ax his motor screamed as its teeth spun around it against his shoulder. His other ax lay broken on the ground against the wall near a toppled over burning banister.
“i stand because my Princesses ask it of me.” the stallion spat, he glanced out the door without moving his head. His eye locked with Twilight and they both knew what needed be done.
Tirek laughed They have as much love for you as they do me.” the Centaur king stared at him “you are a blight to their kingdom in their eyes.”
Winchester glared at the god king of the centaurs his sword floating beside him as he yelled back “you are right.” the stallion stood tall “i am a horrid excuse for a pony, my soul is black as coal.” he spun his sword as he readied for another round combat. “but even with all my faults and the evil acts I have done they still see fit to have me protect that which they find most precious.” he charged “there subjects.”
Tirek lifted his ax the chain blade roaring like a monster. “you will die protecting the doomed peasant of a dead kingdom.”
Winchester grinned as he swung his sword, Tirek bough his ax down to intercept the attack. The clash of steel never came. Tirek screaming ax chewed through stones of the floor. Tirek looked up at the door growling. Winchester laughed as he said “meet my princesses most valuable subjects.” the stallion pulled the door open just as Twilight's eyes opened with the like of creation glowing brightly within them.
“NO!” Tirek yelled as he charged. It was all in vain as the room was filled with a bright light, the massive Centaur’s battle cry was drawn out by the ring of magic. He never got close to his targets as the rainbow of light slammed into him. He was lost in the multicolored ray of the elements of harmony.
Seconds pasted and the elements powered down, Twilight and her friends were set down on their hooves. They panted feeling drained, strangely angry and unhappy however theses were the usual feelings after using the elements. The feelings of disinterest and selfishness soon passed as they girls realized they had won. Tirek laid on the ground, he was no bigger then Winchester now. His armor was shattered and blown aside like dust, leaving only too long black shards that emanated hate and anguish.
With his foe beaten at least for the moment Winchester slumped to the floor exhausted. Shining Armor and his Honor guard enter the room, several of them slipped around the bearers weapons at the ready to defend them. “secure the shards and Tirek for transport.” the Knight tried to stand only to slip back down to the floor again.
Champion Green Fields stepped forward saying “i shall retrieve the shards.” the proud green earth pony trotted toward the fallen god. the centaur suddenly grabbed his ax and gave it a mighty two handed swing as he climbed to his hooves, its roaring chain saw teeth cut through the champions neck before her could even scream. The spinning teeth sprayed gore on the walls as the sky out side turned from red to dark blue.
“your heads well be trophies for my thorn.” Tirek roared as he held his screaming ax, the elements had striped him of the power of Nightmare Moon not his own immortal status. “i shall drink your blood like a fine wine with my dinner.” Shining Armor and his honor guard were shock the best warrior in their mist was just slain in a single blow before he could even react, what could they do. Twilight Sparkle attempted to cast a spell but she just couldn't manifest a spell. Rainbow Dash wanted to take flight but she wasn’t sure what she would. Rarity had drawn her sword but she was sure it was in vain. Thunderlane stood in front of his love, much like Flash did for Pinkie. Fluttershy wished aloud that Big Macintosh was there. Applejack stood ready for a fight.
Winchester stood next to a window. The last light of day glinted off what remained of his polished armor, he was framed by the rising moon. The air was filled with power as he said “I am the servant of the Goddess's of the Sun and Moon.”
“NO.” Tirek bellowed as he charged the chanting knight.
“their power is my strength.” Winchester didn’t miss a word as he blocked and parried the Centaur's wild swings. “I AM THEIR WILL GIVEN FORM!” the force of Winchester's words push the god king to the far wall and knocked many of the other ponies off their hooves.
Winchester glowed as he roared “THEIR HOLY BLOOD RUNS THROUGH MY VAINS SO THAT WHERE EVER I MAY BE THEY MAY BE ALSO!!!!” the knight erupted in a flash of holy magic that reviled the light of the elements.
The Knight stood where he had glowing with power, however at the same moment he was a burning image of Celestia her mane and tail raging infernos. Her eyes were white hot like the flames of a forge. Embers danced from her out stretched wings, but so too was he an image of Luna or better yet Nightmare Moon as she should be. Her mane and tail wiping clouds of stars. Her eyes were like black voids so dark even the light of a soul could not escape. Featherweight flowed close by bathed in flames and black as night all a once.
“So we meet again.” the three images said as one.
Tirek pushed himself from the wall and hefted his ax in both hands and said “you once again send this blasted thing in your place to face me.”
“our servant is a part of us as we are a part of him.” Celestia's, Luna’s and Winchesters voices said as one.
“I'll parade this servants head through your court.” Tirek replied with a snare. “before I paint it red with your blood.” he charge his ax screaming a battle cry for him.
In one fluid motion and a flap of their wings. The three beans made one struck, in a flash of light Featherweight cut through the Tirek's neck. His body dropped the sputtering ax to the floor as his head rolled across the floor coming to rest in front of the Shield Bearer’s honor guard. Although they were not looking at the decapitated god they staring at their knight as she enjoyed in the light of the moon. Their wasn’t a scrap or a bruise on his body, the remains of his armor gleamed like they had just being polished despite still being torn and dented.
Winchester smiled and looked at the confused soldiers “you should count yourselves lucky to have witnessed the true power of the knights of Celestia and Luna.” he looked to the moon “we can call on them to be come the avatar of their burning rage and cold fury.” he smiled as he looked at the ponies before him again, his eyes fell on Twilight and her friends. He began to walk towards them giving a nod to Chaplain Brimstone. Along the way he picked of the Tirek's chain ax.
The White Unicorn finished his spell, and yelled out his voice projected to all of the troops within the keep “be proud and rejoice for you have won the day in the name of your princesses.” he laughed heartily as he continued “you have shown that you will not break in the face of any foe.” Shining Armor sent a couple of troops into the room to collect the shards and Tireks head.
Winchester smiled and said “you six made this victory possible.” he bowed to them as cheers erupted all over from ever pony solider in the keep. The bearers of harmony looked at each other as troops did what they needed to do or simply cheered. Rainbow Dash jumped up in the air and began chanting what ever victory cadence the honor guard was doing, Applejack soon joined their chanting. The country mare threw her hat in the air and it was soon returned to her. Fluttershy was excited but she was too shy to do anything. Rarity threw her hooves around Thunderlane and the pair kissed romantic as cheers continued around them.
Shining Armor smiled at his sister as he approached her and Winchester, “showed up just in time for you huh.” he shoulder bumped the knight playfully.
Winchester laughed “you cut it pretty close but yeah that was perfect for dramatic effect.” he smiled.
“your welcome.” Twilight giggled she wasn’t very talkative, her mind and body had been drained.
Winchester smiled wider and gave a great call “Lets get out of here and get to the victory party.”
the knight suddenly found himself face to face with the business end of a cannon as Pinkie Pie yelled over the crowd “PARTY!” Winchester was soon flying across the room surround by confetti and streamers.

Rebulding

Rebuilding

Twilight trotted down the streets of Ponyville with a smile on her face, it was hard to believe that just a few days ago the town had been attacked by centaurs and that she was fighting to defend all Equestria from the beasts. like all ponies Twilight Sparkle was quick to recover from trauma, just like the town she lived in. in just those few days the damage done by the centaurs was all but completely repaired. The mare assumed that was how it was all over Equestria.
The mare continued on her way to Market Street, she needed to pick up a few things for dinner. She also promised Spike she would buy beat burgers and shakes for lunch. As she walked pass the mayors office she noticed something new. A train of large empty carts, but they were not what interested her, but the small cart at the end of the train was. To anypony else it was just a normal two wheeled wagon that had seen better days, however Twilight could see something mystical about it.
Twilight Sparkle walked over to the wagon and cast a detection spell, it was so heavily enchanted that it covered her horn in static. she continued to inspect the cart as its owner trotted out of the mayors office holding a envelop. Curiosity over come Twilight, she climbed into the cart with out thinking and started pulled on one of the drawers. Her horn crackled more as the enchanted drawer refused to open.
The owner of the cart arrived and looked up at the lavender mare. His solid gold eyes belied his ability to see. “um excuse me lass.” he blinked he could swear that he had seen this mare some where before. The morning sun glinted off the stallion's cutie mark a set of three, four pointed stars with a ribbon in a shape of a heart between them.
Twilight looked up at the tall teal earth pony, he wore a brown vest with a few chest pockets. His forelegs were covered in thick steel grieves. The mare blushed realizing she had just climbed into this strangers cart and was trying to go through his things. “oh sorry sir.” she jumped out of his cart, the stallion was still trying to figure out where he knew her from. Twilight wasn’t sure what to say, so she just apologize again.
despite the blatant invasion of privacy, the teal earth pony simply smiled faintly as he spoke in a thick Fetlock accent. "My sister Soulful Eyes is quite skilled when it comes to enchanting. Each piece of it was separately crafted and enchanted by my own sister. the enchantments are ingrained into the metal and wood itself and 'as multiple inlaid runes that are hidden inside to nullify attempts to dispel the enchantments." He smiled at her, she had to have been a student of magic. His sisters work was always something to behold.
Twilight blinked as she listened to the new comer, “oh..your sister is very skill enchanter I haven’t seen any this good in a long time.” she smiled and giggled “guess I got carried away.” she shook the static off her horn and continued “oh where are my manors. I'm Twilight Sparkle and you are?” she held out her hoof to shake his.
The teal earth pony relaxed and smiled a bit more as the purple mare commented upon his sister's work. He gently shook her offered hoof as she introduced herself. Her name nagged the back of his mind, like he ought to know this pony... "Gilded Legacy of Hoofington. Well met miss Sparkle. I'm sure she would appreciate your compliments." Gilded paused and taped his chin with a plate armored hoof, he was sure he had heard this mare's name before.
Something to do with the Bearers of Harmony maybe, who had grown to something of a nigh mythological renown at this point after all the absurd incidents that occurred in past couple of years. He voiced his curiosity, "Excuse me Twilight...I swear that I have 'eard your name before, or am I mistaken?"
Twilight blinked and looked at him confused “well, I'm Princess Celestia's personal student, and the bearer of the element of magic.”
“and one of the most powerful magic users in the world.” Winchester said as he approached “capable of laying low entire armies with but a bat of her eyelash.” the writer continued as he nodded to Gilded “a feat even I can’t mach.”
Gilded was awestruck, to the point of he almost forgetting to breath. This was Celestia's Protege and the bearer of Magic. He stared at the mare with wide eyes and mouth a gap as Twilight turned to look at Winchester and said “i don’t think I’m that powerful. You defeated Triek.”
Winchester waved his hoof dismissively “i merely held him to his throne room, you tore his godly powers from him and made him mortal so that I may slay him with the power of our princesses. I said it that day the victory was all yours.”
Twilight rolled her eyes “then why did you want to be called Winchester the god slayer from now on.”
“Causes it sounds cool.”
Gilded looked at the shaggy maned knight “W...Winchester...It is good to see you again, old friend.” the timid teal pony said weakly with a faint smile. Gilded had worked with Winchester and a few other knights before and for one of them to speck so highly Twilight then it must mean the stories were true. Even his sister's most innovative masterpieces would be nothing but an arts and crafts project in comparison to what the lavender mare could create with her magic.
Winchester smiled at the teal pony “its good to see you too my friend.”
Twilight looked back and forth between the the two stallion's “so you too know each other.” the mare was surprised but it made scene Winchester did do a lot of adventuring before he settled in Ponyville.
Winchester nodded and smiled “yeah Gilded is an old friend. Got me through some hard times and has been instrumental in several victories.” he trotted over to his friend and hugged him. “its been too long.”
Gilded smiled and nodded in agreement, and although he hadn't expected the embrace of his old friend, he didn't mind the sentiment. After all that had happened over the years, it was a welcome gesture. "Aye, it 'as Winchester. I am glad that you are still alive after all this time. Everyday I fear I may read in the papers you have joined the rest of your friends." it took a moment for Twilight to understand what he meant.
“that day should be a long way off.” Winchester laughed.
Gilded stepped back and looked at Twilight, he bowed low and closed his eye. "And I must say, thank you Twilight Sparkle, for all that you and your friends 'ave done. If you ever require my assistance, you need but ask. My strength is yours to command."
Twilight blinked and said “Thank you.” she wasn’t use to how this pony was reacting to her. Gilded rose with a smile that the mare returned before looking between the two friends “i guess you two want to caught up?”
“i would love to but I'm very busy. I have to gather supplies and donations to help rebuild a little town that was heavily damaged by centaurs.” he sighed “although I don’t know where any of these places are.” he checked his the list the mayor had given him, he looked to the bearer of harmony and asked “i don’t wish to impose.” he chuckled “but could you tell me where the bank is miss Twilight?”
“of course.” Twilight replied with a smile “i can even show you all around town?”
“I’ll help too.” Winchester said fanning insult “not like I haven’t been helping you for years.”
“I'll help too.” Pinkie said suddenly appearing next to Twilight, Gilded jumped straight up and clung to a street light panting in fear.
A few minutes and a couple of introductions later the four ponies made their way to the bank. “so what are you doing here Gilded?” Pinkie asked while balancing a letter on her nose.
“well miss Pinkie.” Gilded said solemnly “I’m gather supplies to help the relief and rebuilding efforts for the small town of Bridle View.”
“dose their ill luck still hold?” Winchester asked
“indeed it dose.”
“damn.” Winchester sighed.
“what happened?” Pinkie asked.
“well not every town is as lucky as Ponyville.” Gilded answered.
“what do you mean?” Twilight asked as Pinkie flipped the letter over on her nose as she listen.
“Ponyville sits in the shadow of Canterlot.” Winchester explained “Five whole companies are garrisoned there. That's Over 2000 troops to defend only three towns. Most of the keeps that defend the small towns of Equestria are at best two companies defending five towns.” the knight sighed.
“large towns have their own guards.” Gilded continued “but those are only the biggest cities. Luckily that set up is normally enough to defend us, With some help from the knights of course.”
Winchester chuckled “we do what we can to protect the peace.” he smiled.
“indeed.” Gilded replied, Equestria's roads were safe for the most part but Gilded had met his fare share thieves.
“oh.” Twilight exclaimed. “how bad was the town damaged?” she asked hopping to get back on topic.
“pretty bad.” Gilded answered “Bridle Views defenses are comprised just few town Guard troopers and a Griffin and his daughter.” Winchester snorted at the mention of the griffins.
“that sounds bad.” Pinkie commented as the group came to the bank, she split off to trot over to long distance mail box.
“Whose the letter for Pinkie?” Twilight ask distracted from her thoughts.
“oh a friend in Canterlot.” She giggled as she slide the letter in the box with rosy cheeks.
The mares hurried inside the bank. They watched as Winchester helped Gilded bypassed most of the papers he would have to sign. “so guys is there any way we can help?” Twilight Sparkle asked. Pinkie nodded the gears in her head starting to turn formulating plans on how to help, all of them involving parties.
Gilded looked at her and bowed “i could not ask you to give any more then you already have.”
“although if some of the Bearers of Harmony show up that will give Bridle View hope.” Winchester said as the teller returned with several large bags of bits.
“true” Gilded said as he looked at Twilight and Pinkie, while Winchester picked up the bits the teller brought to them “the mayor did give me almost double the bits I ask for. I was kind of hopping to hire extra workers but-”
“i never said we wanted to get paid.” Twilight said almost offended that he thought she wanted bits. “we just want to help.” the group was making their way back to Gilded's wagon train.
“umm Twilight?” Pinkie interjected, the lavender mare look at her pink friend disappointed. The pink earth pony lower her head and ears. “i want to help I really do but the Cakes need me too.” she pouted.
“that’s very adult of you Pinkie.” Twilight said nodding.
“i might have an idea.” Winchester said drawing the mares attention. “we could do some free advertising for them, if they provide some food for Bridle View”
Gilded nodded “and the food would be very appreciated. The towns crops were all be completely destroyed.” he jumped into the back of his cart. The teal earth pony used a hoof to open one of the drawers by simply touching it.
“oohh that's definitely bad.” Pinkie said jumping in the air. “I’ll go talk to the cakes right now.” with out another word she was gone.
Gilded blinked “shes fast.” the stallion said before started to look through the drawer.
“yeah.” Winchester and Twilight answered together.
Twilight shrugged and looked back at Gilded “what you looking for?”
“A key”
“for what?”
“you’ll see.” Gilded said as he found said key and hoped out of the cart. “ponies are trust worthy folk but you still cant leave money bag like these just laying about.” he trotted up to the front of his personal cart, the tall stallion slide under it and used the key to unlock something. He popped back out and a section of the under side of the cart slide down. He grinned as he opened the hidden drawer. The whole time Twilight was trying to find where the hidden compartment came from.
Gilded smiled as he looked in the new draw and said “oh that’s where you are.” he pulled a hammer out of the space and tossed it in the cart saying “find a place for you later.” he nodded to Winchester.
the knight was still impressed with hidden drawer as he stuffed three of the bags in the drawer. “you think you can get your sister to do something like that for my armor?” he raised an eye brow as Twilight pushed pass him to get a better look at the drawer
“Amazing.” the lavender mare said as she cast about half a dozen detection spells on the drawer. Her who body was covered in magical static.
Gilded chuckled “after what happen last time you too met I don’t think so.” he shook his head.
“I'M BACK!” Pinkie pie yelled suddenly appearing behind Gilded, who jumped up and clung to a street light that bent under his weight. The pink mare laughed “sorry!” Winchester was on his back laughing. Twilight hadn't even noticed she was too busy looking at the cart with a magnifying glass.
After Gilded had climbed down from the light and closed the hidden drawer, under Twilight's close examination. She commented that the enchantments on the cart were the best she had even seen, other then the ones done by Celestia herself which were in a league of their own. Pinkie explained that the Cake's had completely agreed and had put all other orders on hold to make bread and cakes for the town of Bridle View
“well now that, that’s out of the way we should gather your team and head too.” Twilight pause to let Gilded fill in the blank.
“Hammer'n Nails lumber and supply.” Gilded said as he hitched himself to the leads of the train.
Twilight blinked and was about to say something when Winchester cut her off “its this way buddy.” he trotted down the street and Gilded followed pulling the heavy train as easily as a team of ponies would.
“Wow hes as strong as Big Mac.” Pinkie yelled from the middle cart.

* * *

It was late afternoon as Gilded pulled the wagon train down the road between Cabbage Radish Fields to Sweet Apple Acres. Most of the carts were full, two with wood and other building supplies while the rest were full with fruits and vegetables. Pinkie rode on the back of one of the vegetable filled carts making up a song about turnips as she and Twilight listened to Gilded talk about his family. It took all day to get the shy pony open up.
“Hey, I think I've met your sister.” Twilight mentioned. “It was before I discovered how empty my life was without friends.”
“Ah, I am sure that you and Soulful Eyes would be good friends.” Gilded said with a soft smile. he shifted his gaze toward the lavender mare beside him and continued. “her thirst for knowledge is quite impressive.”
Before Twilight could reply Rainbow Dash dove down out of no where and yelled “BOO.” in Gilded's face, the thin stallion jumped out of the harness and into the cart behind him disappearing under the produce. Rainbow Dash and Winchester fell on their backs laughing while Pinkie giggled from the cart as Gilded peeked out from under a barrel.
“that wasn’t very nice.” Twilight said hiding her amusement with a fore-hoof.
“Sorry.” Pinkie said as her giggles died down “but its all in good fun.” she helped Gilded out of his hiding place with a warm smile.
Winchester stood laughing “by Celestia's mane I never get tired of how jumpy you are.”
Rainbow Dash laughed as she flew up to Gilded and held out a hoof to help him down “no hard feelings, it was Pinkie's idea.”
“Nuh uh, it was Winchester's.” Pinkie said with an cheery grin as she passed the blame.
Gilded chuckled nervously weary that they may possibly try to scare him again “its quite all right your smiles are enough to make it worth it.”
after introducing Rainbow Dash the group continued on its way. Sweet Apple Acres wasn’t that far away. Big Macintosh was trotting along hitched to a cart load of freshly bucked apples. The quite stallion stopped and stared with his mouth slightly agape as he watched a single skinny stallion pull a seven cart train in front of his farm house. “Howdy Y'all.” Big Mac greeted as the new arrivals waved at him. The big red stallion unhitched himself from his own cart.
“so what brings y’all around here.” Big Mac said as he joined the group.
“Gilded here has an order for Bridle View” Twilight said for Gilded as he unhitched himself.
Big Mac rubbed his forehead as he thought. “oh yeah.” he said “Applejack's got yer order in the barn, but if Ah were you Ah'd wait a little bit. Betsy’s in thur birth'n a calf.”
“ohhh a calf, I've never seen one being born before.” Pinkie Pie said with a laugh as she bolted off toward the barn.
“Pinkie! Wait you...may....not.” Twilight trailed off as Pinkie turn the corner and ran into the barn. The lavender mare looked to Rainbow Dash as she walked up beside her. “think we should just let her learn of her own?”
“yeah.” Rainbow Dash replied with a huge grin.
Meanwhile Big Mac looked at Winchester who was grinning ear to ear, the red stallion raised an eye brow and asked “Whats so funny.” Gilded knew that look on knight's face, he never liked it.
“oh nothing.” Winchester said trying not to laugh “its just that your face is as green as the apples on your butt.”
“ah'm not jealous Chester.” Big Mac replied knowing that name annoyed the knight something awful.
“watch it there buddy you may get you jealous butt kicked twice today.” Winchester replied.
“ah haven’t seen it happen once today.”
“uh guys we don’t need to-” Gilded was cut off by Winchester.
“50 bits you cant pull this train to down the road and back.”
“oh...ah thought you were going to make it interesting.” Big Mac said in his normal slow but confident manner.
“I'll throw in a lunch.”
“for mah family.”
“Done.” Winchester said shaking Big Mac hoof after spiting on it. Gilded jumped out of the way pair as the made their way to the harness.
Twilight sighed as she gently rubbed Pinkies back. the pink mare was hunched over a bucket, heaving up just about everything she had eaten that day. “i tried to warn you.” Twilight said while Pinkie sobbed about how gross birth was.
Rainbow Dash nodded agreeing with her “and some ponies say its a beautiful thing.”
“i don’t think they mean the actual act.” Twilight said a little queasy herself.
“me ether.” Fluttershy meekly agreed as she flew out of the barn drying her hooves on a wash cloth. “but the calf is out and Applejack is cleaning him up, so he'll be cute soon.” she smiled. the pegasus had come to help with the birth.
“Good.” Pinkie said suddenly standing up hearing the new good. Twilight shook her head as, Applejack trotted up to the group not quite as clean as Fluttershy.
“Calf's up.” the hat wearing mare said “Betsy's thinking about naming him Billy.”
“Cows have weird names.” Rainbow Dash commented, Fluttershy nodded as she flew back inside saying she need to give the calf a check up.
“Howdy girls.” Applejack greeted her friends, “Now Ah'm pretty sure that y’all didn't come over just to see a newborn calf, so what brings my best friends around here today?”
“We're helping a charity.” Pinkie Pie answered with a big smile.
“I believe you have an order for Bridle View.” Twilight added as she lead Applejack and the others over to Winchester and Gilded. The writer was smacking his head on the post of the Apple family porch, the teal pony watched concerned. He didn’t know how or if he should comfort his friend.
Applejack smiled at Gilded, and said “Howdy sir, if ya got the bits Ah got your order.”
hearing her Gilided decide to momentarily ignore Winchester's attempts to facially merge with the wooden post. Graciously, yet timidly, the dark teal earth pony smiled and said "Aye. Allow me to fetch the bits miss. Their.....just....in...mah cart" Gilded turned to the empty space next to him and sighed.
“Heeey.” Pinkie said slowly as she looked around, before asking. “Where's the train?”
“And Big Mac?” Rainbow Dash added. Twilight turned around as she scanned the Apple farm and indeed both the train and Big Macintosh had vanished.
“Winning a bet.” Winchester answered simply, apparently bored of using his head as an impromptu hammer.
A few minutes later, the big red stallion returned trotting up with the whole seven cart train in tow. Big Mac meandered over to where other ponies were by the porch after parking the carts in front of the barn, prompting the blue stallion to reluctantly fork over the bits owed to him, followed by a "Eeyup." Everypony else couldn't help but laugh a little at the amusing exchange.
Applejack waved Gilded into the weathered barn. Twilight, Winchester, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash began loading the order into the carts, under Big Mac's humble supervision. the enthusiastic pink mare started to sing her catchy turnip song, the other four soon joined her.
Inside the barn The two earth ponies walked past some sheets strung up to provide privacy for the mother cow and her calf, the pair found a small workbench to place the rustling bag of bits on and set to work on counting it all. Applejack did the math in her head and made a guess of how much he needed to pay. Gilded started to count of the bits as Applejack checked her math with a calculator and told him the correct amount, she had been pretty close in the first place.
As Gilded counted out bits a question that had been nagging Applejack scene she got the order came to mind. Why did a Town need so much food? Surely they had their own farms or other places closer that could lend them some. Eventually, she asked. "Hey, uh, Gilded...Ah've been meaning to ask...Why does Bridle View need so much food? I know it's charity an' all, but why didn't they buy from a closer town? Somethin' bads happened hasn't it."
The dark teal earth pony averted his golden eyes from the orange mare, not wanting to reveal how awfully bothered he was by the facts as he answered in a somber tone "You would be right Miss Applejack, it is bad. Villages, farms, and small towns like Bridle View that were unfortunate enough to be in the centaur’s warpath were often razed and burned to the ground. Governmental aid is strained and spread thin enough as is, and from what I have heard, some families 're even 'aving to share houses."
Applejack frowned as she listened, and felt her stomach churn as she thought of how terrible that had to be, especially for the farming families. She couldn't imagine her entire crop being burned and completely unrecoverable. It would destroy her family. The orange earth pony stepped closer to him with sympathetic eyes and said. "...Ah...had no idea. You should have told me sooner...Ah couldn't ask you to pay for all that. It wouldn't sit right with me at all knowing things like that are goin' on."
Gilded looked at Applejack completely bewildered. He never expected anypony to offer 60 bushels of apples for free. "N-no, I couldn't possibly accept so much for free Miss Applejack! Please allow me to give fair compensation!"
Applejack's mind however was stubbornly set on the matter. she turned to leave the barn, forgetting the bits altogether. "No way, no how. those bits would better used helpin' those folks."
The teal pony looked back at the gold bits spilled out on the workbench, before he followed her out. "But, Miss, it's too much!"
Applejack stopped to watch the speckled that had become of loading the cart, her only critique would be they were singing about turnips rather then apples but then again seeing the big bad knight singing, she would take what she could get. Gilded was only distracted by the show for a moment before he said “miss Applejack I really don’t feel right about just taking your apples, their your lively ho-”
the stubborn mare quieted the stallion with a hoof to his lips “you sir haven’t met any of us Apples before have you.” she smiled at him from under her hat “once we make up our minds about something there’s next to nothing that can change it.” the singing died down so the others could listen “now your going to take what you ordered as a Donation.” she turned and walk to the garage behind the house where the family kept their carts. “and I'm going to hitch myself up to a cart load it with some more apples and seeds. Then I'm going to go with y’all to Bridle View, and I'm going to help them rebuild their house, resow their crows, and once their back on their hooves THEN I’ll worry about my lively hood. We've had some good sells this year so Ah think we can manage.” She stood firm and Gilded bowed, Big Mac raised an eye brow from where he stood he could see that the bits where still on the table.
“I see I can not sway you Honest Applejack.”
“What are you talking about?” Rainbow Dash asked, she looked at Winchester and Twilight then flew over to Gilded “is it really that bad?” the shy stallion nodded. “i bet they could use all the help they can get?” Gilded nodded again “well I'm coming too.”
“Me too.” Fluttershy's meek voice came from the barn door “I'm not a doctor but I'm sure I can help.”
“it seems that all of the Bearers of Harmony are going to aid Bridle View” Gilded said to which all of the mares cheered. “well then I guess all of you need to pack so I’ll meet you at the south end of town.” Gilded's new traveling companions all agreed and left to do just that.
Big Mac trot up to the tall teal pony and held out half a bag of bits and said “don’t tell mah sister.” he then headed out to continued to work the fields. Gilded check the bag and it had a little over half what it should have been. Which was about what he originally owed the Apples with a discount.

* * *

Twilight appeared in a flash at her front door startling Ditzy Doo as she made the last rounds of the day. After a sheepish apology the lavender mare made her way inside. “SPIKE pack your things we're going on a road trip.” She yelled.
Spike was standing by the check out desk with his arms crossed and a Raised eye brow. “you Forget something?” the dragon said taping his foot.
“oh crap. be right back.” Twilight said before bolting out the door, she completely forgot she was suppose to get beat burgers for lunch and it was almost dinner time.

* * *

it was past dinner time as Twilight, her friends and Gilded waited for Winchester to join them. Pinkie had her own cart of baked good hitched too her, while Applejack had a large cart of apples. Fluttershy was double checking her saddle bags. Rainbow Dash trotted in place already bored.
“where is he?” Twilight asked with Spike on her back and a couple of saddle bags over her flanks. She hoped she had packed everything. She didn’t have time to triple check her list.
“just what do you think your doing.” The group heard Rarity yell, as a pony in a padded white outfit with a fine mesh face shield covering her features, but the purple tail confirmed who it was.
“We're going out of town,” Twilight said as Rarity remove her helmet and shook the bun out in her mane. Winchester trot up beside the mare holding a bag of potato chips.
“And you were going to do this with out me?” Rarity asked offended “i know where your going.”
“we didn’t think you would want to go on a road trip with a bunch of camping and all.” Applejack said worried they may have hurt their friends feelings.
Rarity held her head high as she said “well I never.” she sighed but kept her stance, Winchester watched the whole exchange while eating potato chips. “no I don’t like camping but if there are ponies in need I want to help them. Now I know my specialty is beautification but I can be quite useful. Besides if it got that the element of Generosity didn’t go to help a town when the others have. Well do you know what that could do to my reputation or business.” she looked at her friends for a moment “but the REAL point is that there are ponies in need of help and WE are ALL going to help them.” her friends averted their eyes and kicked at the ground a little sad “good. We'll leave first thing in the morning.”
“well I do have a sc-”
Rarity cut the teal stallion short. “i need time to pack and I’m pretty sure my friends have cut some corners while packing so quickly.” her friends all agreed, and they hurried back to their homes to really pack for a trip. Gilded glared at Winchester as the knight finished his small bag of chips, this wasn’t the first time Winchester had done something like this. The knight just gave him a dismissive smile and showed Gilded to a good hotel.
The next morning right on time the group came back together and headed out of town in a much more organized manor. They sang and laughed, Pinkie Pie even brought her record player. She had asked her friends to bring some of their own records for the trip. The first few days of the trip were full of fun. Although Twilight noticed the closer they got to Bridle View the more distance Winchester seemed. Jokes still made him laugh and singing made him smile, but there just seemed to be something bothering him. Twilight asked Gilded if he knew what was wrong with him. The shy stallion said that if he wanted them to know he would tell them.
It wasn’t till the fourth night out Twilight Sparkle got the real answer. It was very late at night, it could almost be considered morning. Twilight awoke with a dry mouth, she guess she was sleeping with her mouth open. The mare sat up with half close eyes as she looked around. Applejack and Fluttershy were by her side, they were each happily tuck in their sleeping bags. Rainbow Dash was fast asleep on her little cloud near by. Pinkie Pie was close by covered with a blanket the same color as her mane, the hyper active mare couldn’t even be still in her sleep. She gently kicked her legs like a dreaming puppy. The overly complicated tent to Twilight's right concealed Rarity. Gilded was asleep too, the teal stallion didn’t seem to sleep all that much. He said something about dreams that made it hard to do so. The workers they had hired were also asleep in their own little camp not too far away.
Twilight Sparkle slipped from her own sleeping bag. Despite how comfortable it was she wasn’t sure how she felt about the lavender bag with her Cutie Mark displayed on the outside of it. She hoped the money made from her and her friends likeness was being put to good use.
“surprised it took you that long to wake up.” Winchester said as the lavender mare searched for her canteen.
“huh.” Twilight replied as she drank her fill.
Winchester chuckled as he poked at the fire with a stick “you looked like you were trying to catch bugs.” he looked up at her with a sad smile. “though for sure you would've woken up when you swallowed that wasp.”
“WHAT.” Twilight almost yelled. She covered her mouth hoping she didn’t wake her friends. The only response she got was Spike rolling over in his own sleeping bag.
The knight chuckled without mirth. “I’m kidding”
Twilight Sparkle shook her head and rolled her eyes before she asked “So why are you still up?”
the stallion sighed “its Bridle View.”
“oh.” the mare said as she sat down next to him. “well we're all worried about it, but that’s why we're going there to help it.”
Winchester smiled at the younger mare “its not that.” he sighed and let his head fall.
“maybe talking about it will help you feel better.”
“it was a long time ago and just one of the many sad stories in my life.” Winchester replied looking into the fire. “i normally just drink the memory away.”
“that’s not good for you.” Twilight smiled. “i can help.”
“okay you asked for it.” Winchester said before he took a deep breath. “i was 17, I had been adventuring for about a year when I heard that Bridle View was being raided by rouge griffins.” the stallion stared at the fire. “the guard were dealing with others things that I cant remember any more. So I headed to the town, bent on proving my worth as a warrior and I arrived just in time.”
“it wasn’t the first time I fought beside guards but it was the first time my skills completely out shined them.” Winchester continued “with the town burning around us we drove the beast from it.” Twilight could almost see swords clashing with claws reflected in the stallion's eyes. “afterwords I helped to search for wounded and that’s when I met her. ” Winchester smiled sadly thinking back too the time “the mayors daughter Southern Belle, she was every bit as elegant as Rarity and as hard working and strong as Applejack.” he looked at Twilight and chuckled “Cupid didn’t miss his mark that day, and arrow only worked itself deeper over then next few days.”
Twilight giggled and was about to say something but the sad look in Winchester's eyes stop her words in her throat. “on the forth day I marched out of town with her colors around my neck intent on avenging the town and bringing the beasts to justices.” the knight smiled as he looked up at the sky “i found their lair in the mountains soon enough. I brought the wrath of Bridle View down on them......none of them stood a chance.”
Twilight bite her lip she was sure the sad part of the story was coming. “i took the leader as my prisoner.” Winchester slumped down almost as if the weight of his action was still on his shoulders “i thought it was so I could bring him to Justice but it was really just my pride. I dragged him back to Bridle View to feed my growing ego. I feasted with the mayor and his daughter. That night was another first.” he looked at Twilight letting his face finish that part.
“oh.” Twilight mouthed realizing he meant it was his first time with a mare.
“as I returned to my hotel room late in the night I heard the fire alarms.” Winchester was coming to the end of his story. “i grabbed my sword and that’s about it and ran to where the fire was. The police station was already half burned down by the time I made it there, apparently a few of the griffins had escaped their retribution.” the knight stared into the embers in front of them as he thought of the flames in his past. “by the time the fire was out the mayors house was ablaze as well........i ran as fast as I could to get there.” his whispers became more intense “the griffin burst from the front door like a demon of tartarus with Belle in his claws. He stood little chance ageist my rage but I was too late.” he looked at Twilight with his sad eyes. “Griffin claws are as unyielding as steel.”
Twilight covered her mouth with a hoof as a few tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry.” she wrapped her hooves around the armored pony, the mares tears flowing freely.
With only Twilight there the stallion felt safe enough too allow the emotions he thought he dealt with long ago to surface and be let go. A few tears rolled down his cheeks. “feel better?” Twilight Sparkle asked as her tears slowed.
“yeah.” Winchester nodded with a sniffle “although that was just the first time fate broke my hart.”
Twilight held up her hoof to Winchester's lips and said “i think I've had enough for one night.” she giggle feeling very drained and tired. “you should get some sleep.” she smiled at him, the stallion couldn’t help but smile back.
“you too.” Winchester replied with a long yawn. Twilight giggled as she snuggled back up into her sleeping bag while Winchester just curled up were he sat. he drifted off to much better dreams then he had as of late, although Twilight’s sleep wasn’t as restful as she would have liked.
The next few days were much like the first even Winchester was having tons of fun, Twilight was glad that a night of bad dreams was worth helping a friend. Although he did develop a loosing strikes of bets with the gang. Namely with Rainbow Dash and Applejack, dash was faster on two hooves then he was on all four even without his armor. And Although the stallion was about as strong as Applejack, she was more adept at bucking fruit from trees. The only bet he won was a starring contest with Pinkie but that was only for the last honey cake one morning.
On the last day of the trip the group found itself on a mountain road, although it was better described as a cliff side road. Bridle View was on the other side of the mountain range. Gilded lead the way, Twilight was beside him to keep him company. They were talking about nothing in particular as they came across a crude gate baring their path. Before they could question what it was for, three diamond dogs ran out from behind a rock. Two were large and gray with short snouts and large teeth, their poorly fitting helmets hug over their eyes. The rest of their armor didn’t fit much better and was covered in rust and dents. The dog on the left had large arms and held a rusted iron shield and a large spiked mace. The other had a crossbow, he aimed it at the ponies.
The third dog was shorter and wore nicer armor and a short sword was belted at his waist. He was black and brown, he had a long snout with razor sharp teeth. He shook a little as he said “you in land of the mountain king, Yes. Pay mountain toll. Yes.” he rubbed his paws together, his jagged claws on display.
“Toll?” Twilight said confused that wasn’t right there shouldn't be any toll roads in Equestria run by diamond dogs.
“A toll.” Gilded looked around “i was unaware there was a toll.”
“yyyeeesss.” the black dog chuckled still rubbing his hands together sinisterly.
“well how much is it, I think there's room in the budget.” Gilded said as he unhitched himself he was moving deliberately slow, like he was waiting for something.
“all, yessss.” the diamond dog hissed.
“All.” Twilight replied suspicious.
“yeesss all the mountain king demands all.” the black dog laughed “all your shinnies, all your gems yess all of yo-”
In a flash of lightning Winchester appeared between the ponies and the dogs. the startled dog fired his cross bow, the stone bolt shatter ageist the knight chest plate. If looks could kill the glare Winchester gave him would have rendered all three dogs desiccated corpses. “What is going on here.” the knight demanded.
“nothing.” the black dog said his tail between his legs “yes nothing.” he chuckled.
“their demanding a toll.” Twilight said glaring at the diamond dogs as she stepped beside the knight.
“A toll? by whose right?”
“mountain king.” the dog replied falling to his knees. “mountain king idea yess not our idea yess, hisss.” the two larger dogs were trembling so bad it threaten to shake their armor loose.
Winchester growled as he drew his massive blade “by the order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna goddess rulers of these lands, it is punishable by death to lay claim to any land without the proper authorization.” the dogs yelped and threw their weapons down before bolting around the rock and into the small patch of trees.
Twilight giggled as Winchester watched the dust settle on the small path the dogs and fled up. “how nice of you.” she said.
“their judgment will come.” he smiled as he tore the gate down and tossed it into the canyon. Gilded frowned while Twilight shook her head. The Knight stood guard on top of the rock the diamond dogs had used as shelter while the caravan move along. It wouldn’t belong now before they arrived in Bridle View.
As the caravan got farther away from the mountain the road became covered in soot, much to Rarity's dislike. With their destination in sight the group trudged through the gray barren landscape. they saw what had once been prosperous fields and orchards, that were now just ash choked earth and burnt husks. they saw a few broken families digging through the chard remains of what had once been their homes, searching for lost possessions or for supplies, while others were loading up carts. some had given up, and planned on moving onto new towns hoping for a new beginning. While the others toiled away ceaselessly, trying to start over where they stood.
As depressing it was, Twilight and her friends' determination to help was only strengthened. They were here to make a difference, and the dark teal pony could see that spark within their spirits as he looked at them with a teary eyed smile. The seven cart train filled with breads, fruits, vegetables, seeds, tools, lumber, and other construction material hadn't gone unnoticed. The scattered families approached eager to see if the caravan was real. Their curiosity was turned to joy by Pinkie Pie throwing some of the Cake's donations to them, all the while yelling “these all came from Sugar Cube Corner.” like she was told to.
Gilded Legacy lead the caravan into the town center, which had been fortified during the course of the centaur invasion. It was covered top to bottom in dented sheet metal and anything else of comparable durability. not a window wasn’t boarded up, and every building was charred or covered in ash. Even though the battle was long scents been won, it still felt like a war zone.
After parking the train and unhitching himself from the harness, the dark teal earth pony told a few of the Foremare's to inspect the damaged builds. Fluttershy felt her heart breaking as she saw family's looking out the broken windows of their homes. Twilight, Rarity and Applejack really didn’t know how to react, it didn’t seem real. Pinkie Pie wanted to go to each and every one of those ponies and give them a hug. Both Gilded and Winchester were strangely accustom to seeing the area burnt and the ponies acting like this.
Rainbow Dash had been taken by surprise by the whole scene as she hovered above the area, but a shadow caught her eye. She looked up to the clouds and noticed the black silhouette of a griffon flying above them. She pointed up at the creature with a forehoof and asked. "Hey, who's that?"
In a graceful dive, the newcomer swept down and landed with a light thud near the entrance of town hall, and it shook a little, trying to free it's feathers of soot. The thin curves revealed it to be female, her beautiful sapphire eyes stood out ageist her black fur and feathers. She smiled softly, as if seeing old friends again.
“Gilded... Winchester” She spoke as she stepped forward, her gaze focused on the two stallions. "I've missed you both. Thank you for coming, I knew you'd come through" as she drew closer, it was obvious that she had fresh scars all over her body, she wore them proudly. They were badges of honor earned in the fight for her home, as were the notches in the hook sword on her hip.
Twilight felt a little panicked as she saw the griffin. she remembered Winchester story, but as she watched the less than happy knight, he simple said. “Samantha.” He noticed how Twilight was looking at him as he said. “Meet Samantha Sa'rasha, one the only griffins whose presence I can tolerate.” The rest of the bearers of Harmony gave the knight a few sideways glances.
“Oh hey, lucky day. I've been upgraded to 'tolerated'...” Samantha teased Winchester, a smile at the edge of her sharp beak, and greeted the lavender mare "Hello, nice to meet you." she offered a talon to shake.
“hello I'm Twilight Sparkle.” The lavender mare replied shaking the offered claw.
Gilded rather 'subtly' fawned over the black griffiness as he approached. Brushing a few burnished golden locks away from his face, "Samantha, why didn't you tell me you were hurt?" the dark teal earth pony asked with a sad pout. He shifted closer to Samantha, to inspect each of her new scars as if they hurt him as much as the wound did her. Pinkie was confused as her teeth started to chatter.
Samantha awkwardly slid away from the teal pony and tried to hid her embarrassed. "Because it would have only made you worry more Gilded, and you have a habit of...well..." She paused, to think of a way to put it as nicely as possible. "Overreacting."
Gilded got the hint, and stepped back blushing. He looked downcast for a moment, and rubbed a forehoof over his other. "Ah, I suppose that is true..." He smiled faintly knowing she was right.
“hey Don’t forget about us.” Pinkie said with a giggle and a wave as the rest of Twilight's Friends gathered around her.
“Oh hi.” Samantha said. “you can call me Sammie.” she was glade to be distracted form the awkward stallion.
Pinkie Giggled as she bounced over to the griffiness and hugged her “hi Sammie I’m Pinkie Pie.” she noticed a twinkle in Gilded eyes as he looked at the griffiness.
“Names Rainbow Dash probably heard of me.” the blue mare greeted as she hoof bumped Sammie’s clawed fist.
“i am Rarity.” Rarity said with an elegant bow.
“pleasure to meet you.” Samantha replied with her own bow.
“pleasures all mine.”
“Howdy, I’m Applejack.” the country mare said with a tip of her hat.
“hi.” Fluttershy said quietly from behind her mane, Sammie was barely able to hear the mare's introduce herself.
“and this is Spike.” the lavender mare introduce the young dragon on her back, He waved.
Samantha taped her beak “you know I swear heard your names somewhere before.”
“that’s because those are the bearers of harmony.” an elderly southern voice called.
“WHAT.” the griffiness exclaimed, she didn’t really know what to do. So she just hit the ground bowing and asking to be forgiven.
“its okay.” Twilight said confused as were the rest of her friends
An older brown stallion with white mane and tail trotted up to the gathering. he wore a white vest with a black bow tie. He was flanked by a large griffon with orange eyes. He was black as the night other then a white patch of feathers on his chest that poke out over his chain male armor. On his back was a pair of matching hook shaped swords.
“Girls may I introduce you to Kentucky Colonel the mayor of Bridle View.” Winchester said holding out his hoof toward the stallion.
“and Q'uel Sa'rasha Samantha's father.” Gilded added knowing that Winchester would ignore the griffin.
Kentucky Colonel trotted up to the group and bowed “you honor us with your presents.”
“you need help so we aim to give it.” Applejack said proudly.
“your arrival will bring my town spirits up.” the mayor said looking at the large Griffon beside him “i believe a feast is in order.” the stallion looked up taping his chin “Ah think ah'll fry up some okra and green tomatoes....and cant forget the mash potatoes.” Winchester started to drool at the thought of the Colonel's cooking.
“sir are you sure that’s a good idea.” Q'uel asked looking at the pony.
“why yes with the bounty these god sends have brought, we'll have all we need.” the mayor answered.
“if you say so.” the large griffin said before he turned to his daughter “in the mean time Samantha how did your petrol go.” for the first time Winchester looked at the large male griffon.
“as well as it could have gone.” she replied “the diamond dogs haven’t moved any closer to the town, but their crawling all over the mountains.”
“they're raiding caravans.” Winchester added.
“thought so.” Q'uel said “we would have attempted to run the dogs out of the mountain but there are just a few of us.”
“very well.” Winchester sighed “i will destroy the mongrels.”
“Winchester we could probably use your help around here.”
“yes, Twilight” the knight said looking to the mare. “but you saw what those dogs were doing, what would happen if they got the courage to attack this town.”
Twilight blinked and nodded “i see what you mean.”
“besides sending me would be best. I am the only reliable way to insure that these beast are brought before their maker.” Q'uel snorted as Winchester spoke. The knight turned to Samantha and asked “do you know where they sleep?”
“the same place all the bad guys seem to go.”
the blue pony chuckled “do they not know the wrath of Bridle View will come down upon them their all the more swiftly.” Winchester said as he turned and started to trot off before looking to Q'uel and saying “if anything comes while I’m gone.....I’m relying on you to protect them.”
the mayor, Gilded, Samantha and especially Q'uel were very surprised that he would say something like that. Winchester stood staring at the griffon waiting for a responds. Q'uel nodded and said “by my life or death I shall protect your charges, sir knight of the gods.” Winchester nodded and galloped off into the sunset.
“well.” Kentucky Colonel said clapping his hooves together “lets get the food cooking and tell the town.”
Twilight smiled, she turned to her friends. “Well girls, I think we know the first thing we can do for the town.” After saying that, the lavender unicorn watched as her friends stood together in a line, waiting for her to tell them what to do. “Pinkie, Rarity, you two get the area ready for the festivities.”
“got'ya!” Pinkie Pie said with a silly salute before she zipped off in a blur.
Rarity bowed in her refined manner, and promised “I will insure that we will have the most fabulous decorations possible.”
“Nothing too fancy.” Twilight corrected the white mare. Rarity nodded, before she trotted off.
The bookish mare then faced the stetson wearing earth pony, she gestured toward Kentucky Colonel and said. “Applejack, you help the mayor cook.”
“Ah'm on it.” the Country mare replied.
The old bearded stallion nodded, and said “Ah say, Ah hope ya know yer way around a frier young lady.” in his charming down-to-earth dialect.
Applejack was quick to proudly and happily respond, “Ah'm an Apple sir, we can fry with tha' best of em. Ever had homemade Apple fries? Best little darn things you'd ever taste Ah tell ya, with that kinda crispy an' crunchy outside that leaves yer taste buds always wantin' more...-" the pair walked away discussing what they were going to cook.
Twilight continued on down the line to her next friend. “Rainbow Dash, you and Fluttershy go spread the word.”
“sure thing!” Rainbow Dash jumped into the air, adding. “Come on Fluttershy.” Without waiting to hear a reply, she flew off over the town. Fluttershy took a deep breath and flew the other way.
A few drawn out seconds went by as the dark teal earth pony and black griffiness waited, until Gilded finally asked. “um...Miss Twilight, is there anything perchance that we could do to help? ”
Twilight Sparkle smiled as she turned away from visualizing the layout of the coming outdoor gathering to face them. “Of course, Spike and I could use a hoof setting up tables.” she answered politely.
“TWILIGHT I HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION!” Pinkie Pie yelled suddenly appearing next to the lavender mare, once again startling Gilded and causing him to cling onto the nearest object. Which happened to be the griffiness beside him, and to Samantha's credit she did hold back her laughter, but not her smile.
“Yes Pinkie?” Twilight asked as Spike walked off to find some tables.
“Can we sing while we work?”
“Well, I don't see why not.”
“YAY!” The pink mare cheered as she hurried over to the record player.
“Just don't take too long picking a song.”
Luna's moon rose over the horizon as festival tables were set out so the town could eat together. All of the tables were placed in perfectly straight rows in front of a large but war torn stage. Twilight's obsessive need for every little thing to be symmetrical was starting to get on everyponies' nerves, specially the easily aggravated Griffiness. Eventually, an hour or so later, Kentucky Colonel, Applejack, and a few workers set out fresh and prepared foods, the fried delicacies smelled especially tantalizing. As the towns ponies filed into the fortified town square, their broken spirits slowly mended as they saw the simplistic yet colorful festival decorations Rarity and Pinkie Pie had set up for the event. For the first time in weeks, parents saw their foals smile.
The light of joy and laughter emanated from Pinkie Pie as she greeted each pony, offering a cup cake and a caring smile. they saw her and the effort she put into making them smile and the world no longer seemed as bleak as it had become...Yes, it was a solemn occasion for many, but the way she carried herself suggested her sympathy on so many different levels. More than a few foals found themselves hugging and clinging onto the pink mare as if she were a life preserver in a vast ocean, most only able to manage sob out their thank yous before being lead away. already infected by Pinkie's smile, the grin became an epidermic.
Rainbow Dash flew around and encouraged everypony to the enjoy festivities in her typical gunge-ho attitude. Some ponies were starting to recognize some of the bearers for who they were, most didn’t believe they were the real thing. Fate hadn’t been so kind so far why would it change now. Others were encouraged none the less even if they weren’t they were here to help.
After a worker was done sweeping the newly repaired stage the elderly mayor Kentucky Colonel stepped out in an old Equestrian Royal Guard uniform. he stood and waited for a microphone as ponies with slowly rising sprites milled about, found their seats or made their way through the meal lines.
"Welcome everypony.” the mayor began with his finely aged southern drawl. “Ah would like ta' first start off by humbly thankin' our kind guests for makin' this whole thang possible, none other then the bearers of harmony, and Bridle View’s two adopted sons Winchester and Gilded Legacy. Before they showed up in Bridle View this evening, Ah thought for sure it would become a ghost town in no time...Hardly nothin' was left, and other towns around us didn't fair much better."
Kentucky paused, then smiled wide. "Then they showed up, proud an' strong, pullin' carts full of a heap of help to our little town when nopony else could pony up...And they're even stayin' awhile to fix our town up! So, why not offer some good ole' hospitality? They've certainly earned it in mah book!"
Much of the audience clapped their hooves together in agreement, and quieted down as he started to speak again. This time, he was less energetic, but no less bold than before. "We also have ta' thank the folk that stood up when the centaurs were banging down doors and setting fire ta' everythang. Our peacekeepin' heroes that didn't back down when tha' chips were low and all seemed said an' done. Ah'd like y’all to stand, an' the rest of ya to give em a round of applause. We'll never be able thank ya enough for saving all our lives."
Samantha, her father Q'uel, a scarred pegasus stallion, a unicorn stallion with a eye patch, and about seven other ponies stood. A great cheer filled the air, and thrum of hooves stomping followed. They sat back down, and Kentucky finished his speech. Pinkie noticed a tinkle in Gilded eyes as he clapped for Samantha a little too long. The pink mare's Teeth started to chatter as she watched the two. “hhhheeeeyyyy my Pinkie Sense.” the mare said to the confusion of the a pony next to her, she didn’t have time to explain she had to get some help.
Rainbow Dash started off happily and humbly greeting the ponies that were now only trickling in, but after the mayor had revealed that the bearers of harmony had come, it wasn’t hard to figure out that the one with the rainbow mane was Rainbow Dash. When asked to confirm it the mare proudly proclaimed not only her name but more then a few of her accomplishments, on a whim she asked anypony wanted her autograph. A famous ponies autograph would help them right, at least they acted like it would. Rainbow Dash happily signed what ever was pushed in front of her, this included more then a few young mare flanks. Rainbow Dash's wings weren’t the only ones stiff as she scribbled her name over a pretty mare's cutie mark. More then a few fantasies played out in the minds of the single stallions, maybe if they played their cards right they would get to live some of them out. Nothing like a few 'bed room actives' to make you forget your woes.
All was going well till Applejack pushed her way through the line, the conservative mare snorted seeing Rainbow Dash's signing yet another mare's flank. “Rainbow we're here to help, not feed our egos.”
“Hey I’m helping.” Rainbow Dash countered, she looked around at her 'Fans' their smiles were genuine, right.
“oh come on, Even Rarity's being serous.” Applejack said pointing to their white friend, Rarity was smiling as she served soup. The mare didn’t even scream as a foal split tomato soup on her.
“I’m helping.” Rainbow Dash said to herself, now unsure. Applejack sighed and trotted away as another of Rainbow Dash's 'fans' begged for a picture with her.
While the townsponies were enjoying the feast Twilight Sparkle was hard at work. She was doing what she did best, organizing and planing. Who would go where, what supplies went where. Even with the feast tonight the town should have plenty of food to last till their crops start growing as long as the second caravan showed up tomorrow as scheduled, even if it didn’t if they stuck to her rationing everypony should be okay if not a few pounds lighter hopefully she hadn’t really done the math yet.
Her belly rumbled but before Twilight could stand to get some food Fluttershy set down a plate of fruit. Twilight thanked her yellow friend as she sat down. Fluttershy didn’t want to disturb her friend so she happily just sat with her and nibbled on an orange.
Twilight had barely taken a bite from her apple when Pinkie Pie appeared next to her yelling “Twilight my teeth are chattering.” loud enough to make Twilight jump and sending a small bit of apple down the wrong pipe in her throat. Fluttershy and Pinkie both pat her back as she coughed it back up. After a short lecture on why Pinkie Pie shouldn’t startle a pony whose eating, Pinkie apologized then explained what she was talking about.
“you probably just got a chill.” Twilight replied turning back to her plans.
“no no its my Pinkie Sense.”
“oh dear.” Fluttershy said as she hid behind her mane.
“and it happens every time I look at them” Pinkie said pointing at Gilded and Samantha as they talked about nothing in particular, and the pink mares teeth started to chatter.
“do you know what-” Twilight started to ask but cut herself off “I’m sorry Pinkie but I don’t really have time for this tonight.”
“how about tomorrow?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“maybe.” Twilight answered as she got back to the easy work, the real work began in the morning.

* * *

the next morning started early, with the plans she had made last night Twilight knew just where to send everypony “how can I help.” Spike asked as the mare sent workers and most of her friends off in just about every detection.
“um oh.” Twilight smiled and thought quickly. She needed a reason to not let Spike out of her sight. The night before the little dragon's enthusiasm and clumsiness had caused a few minor problems, she was luckily there to stop them form getting worst. She didn’t want to risk it today. “your my assistant so your going to assist me.”
“with-”
Spike was cut off by Pinkie Pie appearing again to yell “Twilight can you help me now?”
unfortunately Twilight had just taken a bite of her breakfast. After she had stopped choking and finished another short lecture, Twilight sighed and answered “and no Pinkie I cant help you with your Pinkie sense yet.” much to Pinkie's disappointment. The pink mare trotted off with her head low to find somepony else to help her.

* * *

Ash choked Applejack's lungs. She had done her fair share of tilling back on her own farm, but as back breaking as it was this was different. The earth of Sweet Apple Acres was fertile but it made you work for it. A days work of tilling and a few months of tending produced some of the best crops in all of Equestria, but she didn’t know if this land would grow anything and she wouldn’t be here to see if it did.
Applejack was strong easily as strong as any of the stallions tilling the fields around her, but she had only tilled about two and a half lines. She had been at it scents sunrise. She stopped to wipe her brow with a cool damp rag. A puff of ash floated over her, causing her to hack and cough. When she was done she wiped her nose with her rag, she regretted using her only means to cool herself off to wipe up the black snot. It was a scarey thought to know that stuff was inside of her.
She looked over at the section of the field next to hers, one of the workers coughed and wheezed till he fell to the ground only making it harder for him to breath. Applejack hurried to the stallion who was ironically named Ash. The soot covered orange mare hefted the suffocating pony on her back and hurried to the farm house. It was almost like Celestia had forsaken this land and was trying to burn it off the face of Equestria, and would smite anypony who tried to stop it.
“what happened?” the yellow mare who actual lived on the farm asked her name was Lemon Zest.
“choking on ash.” Applejack said she gently laid the stallion on her back in front of the mare.
“oh dear. That’s the third one this morning.” the mare rubbed the back of the stallion's neck, now that he was away from the ash the pony could actually start to breath again after he coughed up a small back cloud. “this happened to my son yesterday.”
“ah'm sorry ma'am hope it wasn’t too bad.” Applejack said with a tip of her hat.
“hes too stubborn to let something like that stop him.” she looked up Applejack “I’m very thankful that all of you have come to help but you don’t have to kill y’all selves on our regard.”
Applejack looked out over the fields, she could hear the faint sound of coughing and whizzing. “well ma'am I don’t plan on it but I have an idea how to make work a little easier.”

* * *

this felt so wrong, but so right. Rainbow Dash had gotten up early in the morning, as early as Applejack did. Not only that but she got up to do hard work. Someponies thought that the well known lay about pegasus was allergic to hard work because she normally avoided it like the plague.
Not today, even though there were no thrills in building a new what ever this building was, she was going to do it. Even if she didn’t know what it was she didn’t care as long as the town needed it. That said the stunt flier wasn’t exactly a skilled builder, sure she could hammer a nail just fine but even a foal could do that. Anything more complicated then that was almost beyond her, and after an incident where the wall she had been assigned to build fell on her and brought down both the walls connected to it, she was regulated to just fetching supplies for the other workers.
Rainbow Dash wanted to do more then just retrieving tools and supplies for others. After some pestering and begging the blue mare convected the foremare to let her help lift the walls into place. With out a mechanical crane, pegasi were next best thing.
Doing the job for a little over an hour was almost too much for the thin pegasus but she felt the need to prove she could do it as long as any of the stallions around her. Even as her wing muscles begin to burn with pain the mare continued to work. Dovetail a light pink and white earth pony mare was guiding the wall that Rainbow Dash was lifting into place when Applejack trotted up and called. “hey RD I need you to give me a hoof.”
“little busy at the moment.” the Blue mare replied trying not to show how hard she was straining to keep the piece aloft.
Dovetail soon called “okay hold it right there.” several other workers moved in and secured the wall in place. “okay we got it from here.”
Rainbow Dash released the ropes and dove down to Applejack, the country mare smiled at her knowingly. “what you need AJ?”
“well there’s this ash all over the fields”

* * *

“so explain to me again why I’m not just making a tornado that sucks up all the ash?” Rainbow Dash asked as she and Applejack stood just outside the black fields with the rest of the ash covered workers..
“well ah suppose that could work but ah heard that ash if mixed into the soil right helps it hold water for the plants.” Applejack replied “plus I'm pretty sure that a tornado would make an even bigger mess.”
“but I’m good at tornadoes.” Rainbow Dash countered.
“are you good at them when your wings about ta fall off?” Applejack teased, the apple farmer could read her blue friend like a book.
“they ain’t fixing to fall off I just loosened up a whole lot.” she smiled but it faded as Applejack just smirked at her “shut up, what kind of rain ya want?”
“well a nice even sprinkle everywhere to make sure everything nice and moist but not muddy.”
“want me to make you a cup of coffee too?” Rainbow Dash asked as she lifted off the ground.
“well now that you mention it.” the two mares laughed as the pegasus flew up to the cloud layer to gather some. It took only a minute or two for Rainbow Dash to get enough. Now it was time to make a rain cloud, the blue mare folded the cloud in half then again and again. With each fold the cloud got darker and darker.
“okay where do you want me to start?” Rainbow Dash asked as she brought the angry cloud down. The sound of softly rolling thunder emanated from the cloud. A few of the farm workers stepped back.
“here is fine?” Applejack said then trotted over to the corner of the field.
“okay stand back.” Rainbow Dash said as she pushed the cloud over then gave it a good kick with one hoof. A bolt of lightning burst from the cloud as it released its water on the ash covered ground. The blue mare laughed as she noticed that Applejack's mane tail and fur stuck out like metal spikes “told you to stand back.”
now it was Applejack's turn to say “shut up.” she shook herself to try and get her sparking mane and coat down again. It didn't help.
With the silliness out of the way Rainbow Dash got to work. In little over an hour Rainbow Dash had soak the whole of Lemon Lime Fields southwest quarter. After a few test plowing the problem had been fixed. Their was almost no ash being kicked up as the workers got back to work.
Applejack suggested that Rainbow Dash head over to the other farms and see if their having the same problems. As the pegasus flew away Pinkie Pie Appeared and yelling “WAIT RAINBOW DASH.”
“what is it Pinkie?” Applejack asked worried that something had happened. Rainbow Dash zipped back to hover beside her friends.
“i need your help with something really important.” Pinkie said dancing in place like she did when she was in a hurry. “my teeth were chattering.”
Rainbow Dash and Applejack were both confused “so?”
“its my Pinkie Sense.” Pinkie said “and I need-”
“Oh that.” Applejack said holding up her hoof “Twilight mention something about that but we don’t have time to play with you Sugar Cub.”
“but but it could be really important.” Pinkie said disappointed.

* * *

Fluttershy smiled as she finished adjusting the cast on the leg of the little pink and blue pegasus filly name Cotton Candy. The mare smiled and kissed the filly’s cast. “see doesn’t hurt anymore.” the filly giggled as the loving mare tickled her belly before gently setting her into a wheel chair. The yellow mare bowed to the filly’s thankful parents as they collected their daughter and her wheel chair.
The shy pegasus was beaming she preferred this kind of work to triage, or giving ponies bad news of their loved ones. Unfortunately for Fluttershy it looked like she may have to do that again from the way Mazey Recovery was frantically waving her over. Mazey was a middle aged unicorn mare with a cream coat and a vanilla mane, she was the school nurse and the only pony in Bridle View with medical training. Her husband a doctor in the guard had his hooves full helping with his fellow soldiers at the remains of the keep that over looked this area.
A little green colt near by whined “mama is waiting for me!”
Mazey waved Fluttershy closer so she could whisper to her. “whats the problem?” the yellow pegasus ask in a worried whisper.
“Fluttershy I need you to stay with Soar Patch here.” Mazey whispered back “his mother was caught in their farm house when the monsters burnt it down.” the mare bit her lip.
“oh dear you were able to heal her right?”
Mazey shook her head “i can only do so much, and the infection spread too quickly. She passed this morning and I just haven’t had a chance to go get her sister, Lemon Zest, from their farm.” Mazey Whispered as Sour Patch asked to see his mother again. The mare was angry at herself.
“oh dear.” Fluttershy whispered back as tears form in her eyes. “okay I’ll watch him.” Mazey thanked her before hurrying out.
“miss can I see my mama now?” the colt asked as Fluttershy lead the colt to an empty room.
“um not yet, lets wait till your aunty gets here first” Fluttershy answered with a few tears rolling down her cheeks.
“but aunty Zest is busy and I want to see mama now.” Sour Patch whined tears in his eyes, he felt something was wrong.
“just wait please.” Fluttershy choked out, her heart was broken “your mommy is sleeping sweetie.” she didn’t think she would beadle to keep the truth from him much longer.
“then wake her up, I want my mama.”
Fluttershy sighed this was it, she pulled the colt close to her chest and said “she cant wake up little one, this sleep will be for forever. Shes in heaven with the all mother now.” her chest heaved as the colt started to weep with her.
“shes in heaven, is she with dad now?” the colt asked between sobs.
“yes and their happy there’s no pain no sadness there’s nothing bad there with the All Mother.” Fluttershy continued.
“can I go to heaven too?”
“not yet but if you live a good life you will” the mare smiled sadly. “and they will watch over you.”
A few minutes later Mazey returned with the colt's only living family, Lemon Zest. It was a tearful meeting and departure. Mazey and Fluttershy needed break after that and a bite of lunch which they were getting when Pinkie Pie burst in and yelled “FLUTTERSHY I NEED YOUR HELP!”
“oh dear it must be important.” Fluttershy said as she set down her daffodil sandwich. Mazey sipped her milk shake as she listened.
“i still don't know why my teeth are chattering.”
“oh.” Fluttershy said almost dismissively.
“if you have a cold I can help with that.” Mazey Recovery said looking to what supplies she had, she smiled as she picked up a cold remedy. One of the few medicines they weren’t low on for now.
“its not a cold its my Pinkie Sense.” the excited mare clarified.
“what?”
“random things that happen to my body to tell me something.” Pinkie explained quickly “and I’ve never had my teeth chatter before.” Mazey was confused and she didn’t like to be confused.
“last night she said that her teeth chattered when she looks at Samantha and Gilded.” Fluttershy added.
Mazey looked at them both “those two.” the mare was suspicious “i don’t know about any Pinkie sense but with-” she turned away a little embarrassed to reveal her age “over 20 years of teaching experience I know the difference between puppy love and when Cupid really hits his mark.” she smiled “Samantha’s one of my best friends, I've known her scents she was a chick and I’ve only known one male that makes that girl's knees weak.” she sat down again to sip her milk shake “and that is none other then the most nervous pony I've ever met.” she giggled thinking of Gilded. “those two have it bad for each other but don’t know it.”
“oh.” Pinkie Pie said nodding, “Fluttershy you want to help me hook those two up.”
“oh I’m sorry but no.” Fluttershy said “i think I’d be more of a help here.”
“as much as I love Samantha getting her a coltfriend is pretty low on my list of priority too.” Mazey added as she drank the last of her milk shake, much to her disappointment.
“well its high on mine.” Pinkie said with a smile before hoping out the door. Leaving the two medical mares to discuss the pink mare's antics as they got back to work.
Pinkie hopped down the street her new frond information on her mind. She noticed Rarity going door to door offering blankets. The white unicorn had spent the most of last night kiting warm blankets for those who had lost everything. It may have be summer now but fall and winter were just around the corner.
Rarity trotted on to the next house when Pinkie Pie stopped her saying “hey Rarity want to help me get Samantha and Gilded together?”
“what?” the white mare replied confused.
“my teeth chattered last night when I looked at those two together and it turns out that when my teeth chatter like that it means they need help hooking up.” Pinkie said with a smile.
Rarity looked down her nose at Pinkie “I’m oh so busy right now dear.” she checked that she had enough blankets. Satisfied with her current stock Rarity trotted away “I'll see you later darling. But good luck.”
“ahhh is nopony going to help me.” Pinkie Pie said to no one in particular, she sighed and continued on her way. “don’t they know that a little giggle can become a giant avalanche of joy.” she jumped up in the air and said “maybe I need to tell Twilight that. I’m sure she'll understand.

* * *

Twilight barely listened to Pinkie as she explained why she thought Gilded and Samantha should get together. The lavender mare growled “Damn it.” as she tossed her calculator aside.
“I’m sorry.” Pinkie Pie said lowering her head and ears. “i thought it was a good idea.”
“oh sorry Pinkie.” Twilight apologized realizing that she frightened her friend. she rubbed her eyes as she explained why she was frustrated “its just that the caravan scheduled to arrive today hasn’t shown up yet and with out it the town wont have enough supplies to make it through winter.”
“oh.”
“and I’m just frustrated with the situation. I thought I could make a ration plan but I don’t think so.” Twilight continued as she retrieved her calculator “i hate to say it Pinkie but I’m still too busy to help you with what ever it is your wanting to do.”
“but.” Pinkie begin to say but decided that her friend was right. “okay Twilight I'll find somepony else.”
Spike sat up from where he laid on the ground “I’ll help, Twilight didn’t want me to do anything anyway.” he crossed his arms, Twilight was still too engrossed in her numbers to hear them.
“Well hop on.” Pinkie said with a toss of her head. Spike obliged and grabbed a claw full of her mane to help him climb on her back. Pinkie Pie giggled and hoped along her way to find the two lost love birds, as she put it in the song she sang. The baby dragon joined her in both the good deeds she spread and to sing about how love can be like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, and he wasn’t the only one. About three dozen other ponies joined the pair to sing about the merits of love till finely Pinkie and Spike came across Gilded working on a house.
The teal stallions armored hooves were as good as any hammer, as he and four other workers rebuilt the damaged section of wall. Pinkie Pie giggled as she called “hey Gilded come on down today’s your lucky day.”
“what?” the Stallion said as he slide down the ladder and trotted over to the pink mare, he was just glade she had announced her approach in song rather then scarring him half to death in front of other ponies.
“we're here to help you get lucky.” Spike yelled unsure why the worker ponies were laughing at what he said.
“what?”
Pinkie grin grew as she said “that’s part of it but not right now.” the mare laughed as she grabbed Gilded before he could flee. Gilded blushed as she held him to her chest and continued to say “fear not. we're here to help give you the courage to tell your true feelings to very special somepony or griffin in this case.” the mare laughed even louder “and together your love will shine though out this town giving everypony hope and joy.” she gestured to town around them.
the nervous teal stallion attempted to wiggle his way out of Pinkie's iron grip. He nervously mumbled “Miss Pinkie, whatever do you mean?” he didn’t have a good feeling about this turn of events.
Pinkie released the stallion and stood on all fours again, Spike retook his place on her back as she explained “we're going to help you get tell Samantha how you feel.”
“WHAT!” the nervous stallion said trembling all over. “oh no I couldn’t.” various fears playing out in the stallion's mind.
“oh yes you can.” Pinkie Pie giggled as she trotted around the stallion. she pushed on his rump trying to get him to move, when he didn’t she pushed harder. It was like trying to push a wall, her hooves dug deep grooves into the dirt as Pinkie finally got him moving. “trust me it will be good for you.”
Gilded's hooves scraped across the ground as he looked back at the pink mare was pushing him along. eventually the teal earth pony started walking, he was stiff with fright as he spouted his worries. "B-But what if she refuses? What if it doesn't work? What will her family think of me? How will I be there for her when I travel so much? How can I ever put into words to describe how my feelings about her?"
“those are just details.” Pinkie said smiling at him “you just got to let the words flow.” the mare stepped around him to look him in the face “sometimes you just got to put your heart on the line and hope everything goes okay.”
“what if you get hurt.” Gilded asked in a hushed whisper as they continued to walk.
“that's the risk you have to take to find true happiness.” Pinkie replied with a smile.
Spike stared at the back of Pinkie's head confused he had never heard her talk like this before, but even with the pink mare sage like words the teal stallion wasn’t convinced so Spike decided to chime in with his own experience. “heart break sucks.” the little dragon said, both the ponies looked at him. Gilded was frightened while Pinkie was disappointed how was this going to help. Spike explained how his long time crush on Rarity came to a end. “but well, Rarity was right though, she's like 10 years older then me. at least” he smiled “now I found an other mare my age, just as pretty but twice as sweet.” he still hadn’t told anypony who he liked yet.
Gilded was still unsure he stumbled over many replies and excuses before he simple asked “what would I say.”
Pinkie giggled “what ever comes from your heart.” the mare gestured with her hoof to reveal they had walked all the way to the outskirts of town. Before them Samantha was talking to a couple of farmers about something they may have seen flying over the mountain. The teal earth pony stallion shyly looked away from the sleek black griffoness as she chatted with the local farmers, and he scraped a forehoof across the ground. He was still unable to find the courage to talk about the feelings he had about her.
Samantha thanked the Farmers for their help, before she turned around to find Gilded and Pinkie there waiting. A smile formed around the edges of her ebony beak. Seeing the pink mare with Gilded peeked her curiosity, she decided telling her father could wait a few minutes. She smiled and asked "Is there something you two needed?"
The teal earth pony rubbed one of his forelegs with the other, and looked up to meet her sapphire gaze with a weak smile. "Not quite..." He answered her evasively as his heart started to pound hard in his chest.
Samantha could tell that Gilded was hiding something. She rubbed her chine with her claw. "Oh, then what, pray tell, would have brought you all the way out here? Something interesting I hope"
Gilded Legacy this was it he couldn’t back out of it now. He gulped before he answered, he lightly tapped the tips of his forehooves together. "Well, you see, it is not something, but someone that I seek..." Not somepony, a detail that Samantha felt warm and bothered by in a pleasant way by.
The black avian hybrid stepped closer to ask "And what would you tell this someone?” with a teasing purr. She assumed Pinkie had some part in helping Gilded come out of his shell about the matter. at least she hoped it was what she thought it was, the butterflies that had somehow found themselves in her belly agreed.
Gilded blushed deep crimson, as he fiddled awkwardly with his forehooves and looked down at the ground till he finally built up the courage to answer her "That I love her, and would never stop loving her even if she rejected me...Tell her that she is brave and strong. Tell her that she means everything to me. Tell her that I would never quit being affectionate...And tell her that even when this life has long since come and gone, that I will always love her, and would never depart from her side."
Samantha's eyes started to fill with tears. She hugged the timid teal earth pony, and said "She is a very special someone then..." she smiled
“y-yes, y-you are.” Gilded shuddered, Several farmers that had been watching whistled and cheered for the pair. A mare on the porch on the near by farm house leaned over to her friend and said something about it being 'about time'
Gilded and Samantha looked into each others eyes, Pinkie giggled as she saw a star flash in the distant. “did you see it Spike a new star is born from their love.” she giggled.
“when did you get so poetic.” Spike asked looking at the pink mare.
“singing and poetry are about the same thing.”
Spike really didn’t know what to say about that, nor did he have time as an earth shaking thunder clap startled most everypony in the fields. A shadow fell over Gilded and Samantha, before they could figure out what it was they heard Pinkie shriek and bolted into town along with most of the other farmers.
hot air washed over Samantha and Gilded, they turn to see that it came large dragon. Each of his it's scales looked like the tip of a brown sword edged in gold. It was a terrifyingly magnificent sight. The Dragon's red eyes and evil smile showed what it wanted, blood. Like a striking snake the dragons head shot toward the pair. Gilded tackled Samantha out of the way just in time. The stallion landed on his belly while the griffiness rolled back onto her paws, her hook sword in her claw.
“Damned beast.” the ebony griffin growled as she struck the dragon in the side of the head. The razor sharp sword skipped off the dragon's steel hard scales with nothing more then a loud clang and made her claw go painfully numb. Samantha stepped back her face a mask of fear as her sword slipped from her grip. She held her claw as Gilded stood beside her.
The evil dragon's growl was like distance thunder, “you creatures are so pathetic, how can you call yourselves the masters of the land.” flames licked as his lips as he sucked in a big lung full of air.
“not just the land.” Rainbow Dash yelled as a rainbow streak bounced off the side of the dragons head. The beast growled and turned to snapped at the speeding pegasus only to feel a kick to the gut that would have killed a lesser bean.
The dragon sat up and looked under him as Applejack bucked him where no male wants to be hit. He roared fire leaping out of his mouth, the orange mare jumped out of the way of the small fireball. The dragons eyes locked on hers and the horn on his nose glowed along with the two large horns on the back of his head he was casting a spell over her. As strong and determined as Applejack was she was no match for the dragon's magic, her body was frozen with fear not her own.
Rainbow Dash yelled for Applejack to get out of there as the dragon took in a big breath so he could douse the earth pony with fire. Before the pegasus could do something a black shape dove out of the sun two hook swords in its claws. The griffon's blades known as Kopesh where deadly when used at high speed. The weapons hook shape made slashes and passes easy and deadly, but the weapon was meant for fighting opponents of similar size to its welder.
One of Q'uel blade caught hold the dragon's shoulder joint and was ripped painfully from the griffin’s claws. He slammed into the ground and scooped up Applejack. The hybrid flew so low his wings touched the ground with each flap. He could feel the flames licking at his tail as he flew towards town. The griffin was flying too low too fast to dodge around a lone fence post fate seem to have put there just for him.
Over a thousand pounds of griffin, pony and armor slammed into the deep rooted post. Q'uel felt his shoulder pop out of joint before he crashed into the hard dirt. Applejack slid away from the tumbling griffin somehow her hat still in place. She had no time to move before the fire struck.
Applejack's mane frayed from the heat, her skin blistered under her fur but she didn’t burn. The orange mare had to squint her eyes to look around but she was alive. She was saved by a translucent purple field. The earth pony stood as Twilight trotted down the street her horn glowing.
The dragon relented it's fire and looked at the unicorn as she proclaimed “I Am Twilight Sparkle. Personal Student of Princess Celestia and the Bearer of the Element of Magic, I Order you to Leave this town at once!”
the dragon stared at her its eyes full of malice “your titles are meaningless.” the dragon's fire had no chance of penetrating the magical dome Twilight conjured, but the heat was a different story.
Sweat dripped form the mare's face as her protection became an oven. Drawing more magic from her deep well of power was easy, as was pushing back the torrent of flames. However there was something wrong, her mind hurt. It was already too late, Twilight couldn't put up a mental shield to protect herself from the dragon's mental talons as they dug into her brain. You cant defend ageist an attack that had already connected.
Just in time Rainbow Dash stopped the dragons attacks by slamming into the dragons snout, the beast mouth snapped shut forcing fire through his nose. The blue pegasus jumped off of the dragon's snout. The giant lizard was too slow to catch the winged pony, all his massive jaws caught was the multicolored contrail. His tail was a little quicker, it clipped the tip of Rainbow Dash's wing just enough to send her out of control. The stunt flier was skilled but still needed time to pull out of a spiral, time she didn’t have. She regained enough control to not die when she slammed into the ground. Everything hurt but she could feel it all, that was a good thing.
The dragon knew that the grounded pegasus was not as much of a threat as the recovering unicorn, he knew he had only done superficial damage to Twilight's mind scape. The worst she would have is minor memory loss. A burst of fire breath would be enough, her shield was down. The dragon was so focused on the unicorn mare he never noticed the flash of white to his left. The sound of galloping armored hooves was the only hint to what was to come.
The dragon never saw Winchester as he struck true, Featherweight slipped between the plates of the dragon's neck. The beast roared and jump back as the knight passed by. A thick amber liquid mixed with blood oozed from the wound, flames danced over the gel when it contacted the air. Winchester slid to a stop and spun around. Burning red eyes of hate met brown eyes full of contempt, claws met holy steel. Immeasurable strength was matched with a decade of skill.
Winchester stepped inside of the dragon's wide swipe, Featherweight slipped in between the dragon's scales and bone cutting the great lizard's hand off at the wrist. The beast roar of pain was cut off by a blast of purple energy with enough force to slam the dragon on its back. Pink smoke wafted away from where its head should have been. The knight growled at the corpse and walked away.
Twilight panted sweat dripping off her face as Applejack trotted up to her and asked "you okay?"
"yeah." the lavender mare replied after a deep breath. “how about you?”
“little over cooked but I’m fine.”
Rainbow Dash landed next to her friends and said “that dragon didn’t stand a chance.” the wing the dragon had hit twitched painfully. Her friends ignored it to persevere their friends ego.
Winchester stomped by and Twilight said "Thank you." she knew without the knight the dragon would have burnt her to a crisp before she would have been able to recover from it's mental attack.
"there is no need to thank me." the Stallion said his voice dripping with anger, Twilight stepped back unsure why the stallion was so upset. "i take no pride in this battle."
"what got up your butt?" Applejack asked, normally the knight liked to kill monsters.
"he's just pissed cause Twilight blew the dragon's head off.” Rainbow Dash taunted, they won and nopony was hurt why should the knight be upset.
“i would take no trophies from this beast.” the stallion turned and stared at the dead dragon as Spike scurried up to see if every pony was okay. “i cant stand their stench alive or dead.” the knight spun around startling the already confused group and stared down at Spike cutting off what ever he was about to say “i would not speck if I were you Dragon!” he spoke as if what Spike was, was an insult.
Twilight stood over Spike like a defensive mother saying “whats your problem, Spike hasn't done anything.” while Rainbow Dash and Applejack pushed the knight back, they had seen him like this before.
“why do you come to his defense.” Winchester growled “you've seen the monster that he will become.”
“no he wont.” Twilight shot back her horn ignited on instinct.
Winchester growled till he thought about who he was threatening. He saw Spike trembling behind Twilight's leg the knight remembered why he fought, to keep young ones from feeling that same fear he was causing the young dragon right now. Winchester felt sick, not an illness sick but so angry that it made his stomach churn because of his own actions. The knight stepped back and bowed “I’m sorry.” he apologize “I let my emotions and my hate control me.” he sighed and glanced up at the mares to see how they were reacting. They waited to hear him out. “its become too easy for me to paint a species with a broad brush.”
“what happened?” Twilight asked what could cause somepony like him this much trauma. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were a little less forgiving, Spike was still triffid.
“i found the lair of the diamond dogs with ease.” Winchester began “those mongrels that didn’t fall to my blade I scattered to the wind. I found lots of Equestrian coins and supplies, so I thought nothing of the cart train just like the one we came to town with. The pony sized cages gave me pause, but I didn’t know what they were for till I found the Mountain King's chamber.” the knight shivered at the thought “ and the bones that littered the ground, still fresh still wet still young.” the knight stared at the mares with a dark expression.
“what do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked hoping he didn’t say what she thought he would.
“the diamond dog's slated their masters hunger for flesh with our kind.” Winchester answered drawing a gasp from the mares.
“dragons don’t eat ponies.” Spike said panicked. Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at the little dragon and stepped back terror on their faces.
“there are reports of the Dragons eating sheep and cows.” Twilight said looking at Spike as she stepped beside him, the look in her eyes made Spike feel truly alone. For a brief moment the lavender mare was frightened of the dragon she had raised from an egg. Till her maternal instinct kicked in and she pulled the dragon into a deep hug saying “Spikes not like that, Spikes better then that.” like any good mother she would be by his side till the end of her days.
Many replies ran through Winchester's head but in the end none of them were fitting, so the knight simple took his leave as Twilight stood. He was thankful for the lack of tears. About half an hour later Winchester sat at the only bar in town with his head on the counter staring at an empty cup. The bartender walked by his only patron, most ponies prefer to drown their sorrows with friends rather then alcohol. The bartender knew this stallion was different and refilled his glass. “on the house.”
“that’s the fourth one the house has bought me,” Winchester said surprisingly without slurring. “why it so generous today.”
“there are many heroes of Bridle View but there is only one so troubled.” the bar keep replied.
“i thought I had dealt with these troubles.” Winchester replied as he sipped his sugar based spirit.
“sometimes things we have dealt with come back to remind us that we are flawed creatures.” the bar keep said as he walked away.
The door to the bar opened with a chime, and somepony trotted over to Winchester. The knight looked over to see Twilight lean ageist the bar and stare at him. “is he alright?” Winchester asked.
Twilight was surprised she knew the knight didn’t really care for Spike, but at least he was trying “hes alright, he's helping finish up some work around town.”
“good.” Winchester said with a sigh “i really must apologize.”
“yes, you should, and you did.”
Winchester looked over at Twilight as she smiled a little and chuckled “you know that’s something I respect most about you.” the mare raised an eye brow “you can forgive so easily.”
“wouldn’t some of your friends say that’s a bad thing.”
“maybe, but I have yet to see you forgive without reason.” he said with a smile. “i find it hard to forgive myself sometimes. I hate seeing anything young hurt or frighten, I went out of my way to make sure the diamond dog pups never saw me and that the den mothers would be their for them. Then I come back and scare your baby dragon half to death.”
Twilight pat the stallion on the head “your a good stallion, Winchester. Like you said you let your emotions get away from you.” the door opened again Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie trotted inside. They happily joined their friend at the bar, Winchester and Twilight's conversation ended as the mares began talking about their days. Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy joined them soon after. Winchester retired to the corner of the bar to drink. He smiled as he watched mares. He was an outsider, and always would be. Just like any others that joined them as friends or lovers. He was jealous, even he and his lost companions weren’t as close.

Burning Hearts

A week and a half passed and Bridle View was getting close to being done. During this time the town had the honor of a visit form the princesses. The holy sisters presided over a ceremony for the dead, the townsponies were moved by not only their rulers words but the genuine tears they shed. Afterword Celestia and Luna walked the fields together. Their subjects watched from a far, unsure what was going on. Even Twilight didn't know but was about to happen.
The goddesses felt the soil beneath their fine shoes. they closed their eyes as one, they breathed in time with each other as they called upon knowledge they hadn't used in over 2000 years. The alicorns' eyes and horn glowed as they looked out over the fields, they threw open their wings. The sun shined brighter on all the fields of Bridle View. In a matter of seconds the crops grew from barely spouts to full grown plants almost ready to harvest. The ponies praised their rulers as they trotted out of the fields breathing heavily.
The visit from the princesses had to come to an end, Celestia and Luna had other towns too visit and only had short time to do it, before many dignitary and ambassadors would be arriving in Canterlot. The political climate was charges to say the lest but before they left they smiled upon Gilded and Samantha, and granted the Sa'rasha family full citizenship. Something near unheard of for none ponies, especially run away's from the Griffin Empire.
Bridle View wasn’t finished but the bearers of harmony had to return home like their holy rulers. Applejack and Rainbow Dash wanted to stay till the job was done but nether could afford to loose any more work. The seven Ponyville bound ponies had a couple extra companions. Gilded was heading in the same detection so there was no reason not to travel together, and Q'eul had also decided that it was time for Samantha to leave the nest. So it was obvious that she would travel with Gilded. The pair's relationship had done its work in Bridle View, Pinkie was right. Knowing that something beautiful could come from all the destruction, then they had hope for the future.
It was adorable watching Gilded and Samantha's relationship bloom, she was almost as nervous as the ultra shy pony. They almost missed when they kissed for the first time. In the dead of night when the dark dreams that haunted the teal pony returned, the giffiness would curl around him and chase them away. It made Fluttershy so jealous, Gilded was easily as shy as she was but he was able to gain the courage to start a relationship with Samantha, a griffon. Most conservative ponies still saw something like that as taboo. While Fluttershy herself was afraid to start a relationship that was as nature as breathing. It was almost as common for a pegasus to date and marry a earth pony or unicorn as it was for them to date and marry another pegasus.
These were the thoughts that ran through Fluttershy's mind as she went about her work feeding the animals. She sighed, even at her age she still hadn’t even told a stallion she liked him much less went on a date, that dance at the last spring festival was the closest she'd ever gotten to one. There had to be something wrong with her, when she and her friends were out dancing or just out on the town. Stallions would flirt with them, buy them drinks, even ask them to dance. However they would never give her more then a nervous smile.
“What's wrong with me?” asked herself as she laid out some nuts for some squirrels. Fluttershy was sadly staring at the nuts when Angel scampered up to her holding a scroll. The pegasus was glad to be distracted from her self loathing, at least till the bunny turned scroll around to reveal it was sealed with a large C. “oh no.” she scooped up the bunny and the scroll, it must be important. Angel sat on Fluttershy's head as she opened the scroll.

Dear Fluttershy
Worry not, the fate of Equastria dose not hang in the balance, only my dear pet, Philomena's, trust in me. For years I have promised Philomena that I would take her to the Phoenix breeding grounds. Sadly every year something comes up that I cant postpone. This year seems to be no different, the Politics of these times leaves me little time to wright this letter much less take my beloved pet too find a mate. I would send her alone or with some of my guards but as friendly a bird as Philomena is, like many phoenixes in captivity, they need somepony they trust around for them to have the confidence to find a mate. So I would like to ask, if you would escort her to her ancestral breeding grounds.

The remainder of the letter simply explained how to reply to the letter. Fluttershy looked up at Angel as he hung over her face and said “what a honor.” she thought it was enough of an honor to be aloud to visit the fire bird when she was in Canterlot, but this was different Fluttershy was in a way helping pick out another pet for princess Celestia.
However first thing Fluttershy had to do was find out where she was going. The mare hurried over to her collection of maps, a bucket full of scrolls but she quickly found the one marked rare birds. The mare trotted over to her desk with the rolled map tucked under wing. A few mice help Fluttershy spread out the map. With a little help form the same little critters the pegasus found what she was looking for. The Burning Bog, it was the largest and one of, if not the only untouched breeding ground of the fire birds left and as luck would have it, it wasn’t more then a day's journey from Ponyville. However like many of the places in the world where Phoenixes like to gather it could be dangerous unless the proper equipment was brought. With the knowledge that the trip wasn’t too much of an under taking Fluttershy grabbed some paper and a quill, one made from her own feather. Waist not want not after all.

Dear Princess Celestia.

It would be an honor to escort Philemona to the Burning Bog breeding grounds. I have helped many of my animals through the process of courtship and breeding, so I’m sure I can help her through this time. I will also gladly offer you my services to help with the eggs and chicks that will come.

Fluttershy smiled as she rolled up her letter and then wrapped Celestia's seal and ribbon around it. She checked the first letter again to make sure she was doing it right. “okay, so I just tap the seal three times.” she counted out loud as she touched the little metal coin, on the third tap the ribbon burst into flames that quickly consumed the scroll. The timid mare jumped back as the ball of fire bounced across her desk with out scorching the wood, before it flew out the open window.
“oh my.” Fluttershy she took a deep breath. she hoovered into her kitchen for a cool drink of water. After garbing a little pink cup with blue. She opened her refrigerator and set the cup under a cloud, she gave the cloud a firm squeeze quickly filling the cup with cool water. She took a sip of water as an other ball of fire bounced in through the window and uncurled into another scroll with a red ribbon and a C seal. “Already that was fast.” Fluttershy commented as she unrolled the scroll to read it.

Dear Fluttershy

I am very grateful that you are willing to take time out of caring for your own animals to help me with mine. I will of course compensate you for your time, this is a personal favor not work for the crown.
the Burning Bog can be dangerous so I will send a letter to Winchester asking him to accompany you for your protection. Philomena will arrive the day after tomorrow. Thank you again Fluttershy and have fun.

“oh dear.” Fluttershy exclaimed, she looked at Angel. “alone in the woods with a stallion. Oh no I cant do that. Not with Winchester. Oh dear.” she blushed as Angel rolled his eyes “what should I do?” the bunny shrugged his shoulders “maybe I should ask my friends to come along.” she looked at her hooves “oh they probably wouldn’t want to go any way.” Angel thumped her hoof with his foot and crossed his forelegs with a raised eye brow. The timid mare took a deep breath and nodded “your right Angel I need to be more confident. I'll never know if my friends want to go if I never ask them.” the Bunny smiled and nodded. “but not Pinkie or Rarity.”
Angel looked at his owner with angry eyes. “oh.” Fluttershy said hiding behind her mane “i love Pinkie, she's one of my best friends but she might disturb the phoenixes.” Angel nodded but continued to look at his own with a raised eye brow “and well Rarity hates camping so I don’t want to bother her with a question shes going to say no to any way.” the bunny nodded accepting those answers “oh and Applejack is really busy with apple bucking.” Angel squeaked as he threw his paws over his head then hoped away.

* * *

Fluttershy landed on the landing pad of weather patrol building and trotted inside. She had been to the sky blue building many times, she knew her way around well enough. The supervisors office was in the back pass the locker room and showers, that’s where Rainbow Dash should be. The place was empty as far as Fluttershy could tell, other then a stallion who was singing badly in the shower. The mare giggled a little as she timidly knocked on the door to the office, Rainbow Dash simply said “come in.” she sounded bored.
Like that rest of the building the office walls were covered with sky blue wall paper with little white puffy clouds. The trim was a darker blue. It added a delightfully childish feeling to the cluttered work space. Filing cabinets lined most of the walls and half covered the only window in the room. Rainbow Dash sat at her desk diligently working on her paper work.
The blue pegasus was still behind on her paper work scents from her impromptu near month long vacation, and it showed her desk was covered in papers. Luckily most of what she was late on was just work approvals, something her team leads were able to start without her she just had to sign for it. The problem is that over the years the Weather Patrol had taken on more responsibility then just controlling the weather. Before Ponyville was formed a town its size would only need maybe four pegasi to control its weather most of the year, but now with the advent of many modern conveniences the weather patrol did a lot. Refrigerators, ovens and many devices require resource gathered, processed and distributed by the Weather Patrol. That combined with the government mandated breaks and three days off a week meant the nineteen ponies under Rainbow Dash's supervision always had a lot to do, and she had a lot of paper work.
Rainbow Dash looked up from her work as Fluttershy walked in. the blue mare's dull magenta eyes light up upon seeing her friend. She spit out her pen and said “hey Fluttershy, good to see somepony not bringing me more work.” she giggled.
“hi Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy greeted with her beautiful smile.
“whats up.” Rainbow Dash said as she pushed away from her desk, she stretched her back and wings many of her joints were stiff and popped as she did so. Sometimes she regretted taking this job. Fluttershy explained what the princess had asked her to do before asking if Rainbow Dash would like to join her. The yellow mare's bright blue eyes sparkled as waited for her oldest friends reply.
Rainbow Dash sighed making the yellow mares face fall. “helping a phoenix find a mate sounds cool and all, way cooler then watching butterflies migrating or counting bouncing baby bunnies but I cant take any time off for a while. I’m still behind on my work for last month and getting behind on this mouths.” the bored mare laughed a little as she stared at her stack of papers knowing that in her desk their was a stack three times as big. “so sorry, but I can go to lunch with ya if you want?” Rainbow Dash offered.
Fluttershy nodded disappointed “sure.”

* * *

the Golden Oaks Library was abuzz with energy as Fluttershy trotted inside. Twilight and Spike were running around carrying books and lab equipment almost frantic. Fluttershy hoped that something bad hadn’t happened while she was at the cafe with Rainbow Dash. “is everything okay?” the nervous mare asked.
“sort of.” Spike said as he ran by with a stack of books.
“oh,” Fluttershy replied confused. She looked to Twilight Sparkle for clarification.
The lavender mare quickly answered the unspoken question “I have three chemistry labs that are late, two of which I cant do till I finish the first which takes over twelve hours to complete. I haven’t even looked at how long the other two take.” Twilight never stopped gathering what she needed. “not to mention my term paper on advanced magical theory. Oh my gosh I hope I bought enough Coffee.” she cringed as she thought of relying on the stuff.
“oh.” Fluttershy replied nodding her head, this time Twilight was panicking about something worth while.
“any way did you need something?” Twilight asked genuinely concerned even as she levitating about three dozen books and several lab instruments down to her laboratory.
“oh no no its not important.” Fluttershy said replied waving her hoof dismissively.
“you sure?” Twilight asked thinking her friend was just being shy.
“yes, your busy so I don’t want to bother you.” Fluttershy smiled. She was sad that her friend wouldn’t be joining her but Twilight had something more important to do then help Fluttershy not be nervous. The Pegasus left Twilight to her work and returned home to a scolding from Angel, but Fluttershy was adamant she didn’t back down.

* * *

The next day came without incident Fluttershy spent most of it doing her normal routine of feeding her animals. She did take some time to pay a neighbor too feed the animals while she was gone, and to pack for the trip. The Burning Bog was a strange and dangerous place with all of the flame geysers, kindle bushes and ember trees. So Fluttershy bought a fire proof blanket and some boots while she was in town that day.
The next morning Fluttershy nervously trotted around her living room as she waited for Winchester and Philomena to arrive. The mare mumbled too herself “its going to be okay. He's not scarey.” the pegasus no longer had nightmares about the knight but Winchester still frightened her. “hes not a bad guy.” she said trying to convince herself of it. She stopped in front of her mirror and looked at herself, she had to voice the counter argument “but he has killed so many other creatures and even killed ponies.” she shuddered.
the mare sighed “Twilight done so too but they were fighting for others.” again she shuddered as she thought about the dragon from a few weeks ago. “but dose that give them the right kill they could have stopped them an other way.” Fluttershy looked at her hooves “but they were trying to save lives, sometimes theirs no choice......but dose that really give them the right to take a life no matter how vile.” she looked at her reflection, it gave her not answer.
the ring of her door bell drew Fluttershy from her thoughts. The pegasus mare guessed that ether Winchester or the ponies delivering Philomena had arrived, she hoped it was the later. Sadly the pony at the door was Winchester, he wore his deep red traveling cloak over his chest plate. His shin-guards and boots were in his saddle bags and of course Featherweight sat in it's sheath on his back. He smiled genuinely as he bowed his head “good morning Fluttershy.”
“Good morning.” Fluttershy greeted the knight meekly, strangely with his freshly wash mane hanging in his face and that happy grin of his. the knight didn’t seem frightening. After about a minute Fluttershy felt that the two of them just standing in her door way was getting awkward so she invited him in saying “oh um, do come in Philomena hasn’t arrived yet.”
the Knight smiled as the mare stepped to the side, the stallion was so accustom to his massive sword on his back that he never came close to bumping anything as he walked inside. Winchester set a large bag of traveling supplies next to the door as he looked around the quaint little cottage, the little bird houses, cat walks and rodent runs took up more space then the furniture but it all seemed right. “you have a nice place here.”
“thank you.” Fluttershy replied as Winchester looked at the many little critters running around the rodent runs and platforms around the room. Some paused to look at him before continuing on their way, however a disturbing number of them stopped and glared at him. It made the knights fur stand on end but he gave no outward sign of his discomfort. Not wanting to be rude the mare shooed the critters away then asked “would you like some tea?”
“i wouldn’t want to imposed.” the knight replied with a smile.
“oh I already had some brewing so it wouldn’t be a problem.” Fluttershy smiled.
“in that case sure.” the knight replied with a grin. Fluttershy walked into her kitchen where a pot of tea was just about to start squealing. she felt at ease Winchester wasn’t scary, at least when he was just occupying himself by petting a cat. The mare happily trotted back into the living room carrying a tray with two tea cups and all the things ponies put in tea.
Fluttershy smiled as she watched the knight gently rub a plump feline under its chine. “i miss having a cat.” Winchester said, as Fluttershy offered the tea he smiled and took the cup and added some sugar. He sipped the tea and nodded approvingly.
“oh, well she going to be having kittens soon if you want to adopt one, you can.” Fluttershy offered as she made her own cup of tea.
“really. Cool. I just might.” Winchester replied as he sipped his tea “haven’t had a cat since I gave my last one to my butler when I left home.”
that seemed odd to Fluttershy she hoped he didn’t think she was rude when she asked “oh why didn’t you leave your kitty with your parents?” the mare epped as the knight raised his eye brow. “sorry don’t want to intrude.”
“no no its quite all right.” The Knight replied he wasn’t sure how the squeamish mare would take it “there were complications when I was born and well my mother didn’t make it.”
Fluttershy's face fell “I’m sorry I didn’t know. did your father take it well?” she was worried that the knight had a bad foalhood.”
“well as best as somepony could take it.” the knight answered “my mother always wanted a family and dad wanted what ever she wanted. He raised me right, as a rich business stallion he had a lot of money but he refused to let me be a pompous play colt. He wasn’t cold far from it in fact but he made me earn my opportunities.” the Knight sighed “the circumstances of his death are what sent me on the path of being a knight.” the stallion looked up at a few mice with an odd look in his eyes.
As Fluttershy realized what the knight meant there was a knock at the door, the mare was glade for the distraction. She felt a scarey or sad story was coming up and there was no polite way to avoid it. “oh that must be Philomena.” the mare quickly said, before hurrying to the door.
Behind the door was not the phoenix or any Guard ponies escorting her but in fact Pinkie Pie smiling with a basket of invitations on her head. “HI FLUTTERSHY!” Pinkie said with a smile.
“hello Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy greeted her friend, curious about the unexpected visit.
“What's up Pinkie.” Winchester called as he leaned around the corner.
“hey Winchester what you doing here.” Pinkie asked surprised to see the writer in Fluttershy's house, doubly so that he was there armed and armored.
“oh well Fluttershy and I are going to escort Philomena, Princess Celestia pet phoenix to the phoenix breeding grounds.”
“I'm sorry I didn’t invite you.” Fluttershy admitted, preying that she hadn't hurt her friends feelings.
Pinkie blinked in surprise and smiled “its okay, I have a big party to plan.” she giggled for a moment before she jumped in the air gasping. “IF YOU TWO ARE GOING OUT OF TOWN YOUR GOING TO MISS MY PARTY.”
“when is it?” Fluttershy asked hoping to calm her friend down.
“Monday” Pinkie said with a sniffle.
Fluttershy thought for a moment “well we should be back by Sunday.” she looked to Winchester for confirmation. The stallion nodded.
“OH goody.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed once again happy.
“yes” Fluttershy said meekly before asking “what's the party for?”
“oh.” Pinkie Pie blushed, something rare for the mare “well, Flash is coming to town, And its his birth day.” she giggled, almost shyly. “we'll have all kinds of fun and games, and Everypony will get to meet my hero.” the mare was lost to her giggles as she hug herself and looked away.
“that sounds nice.” Fluttershy replied with a smile to hid that she was jealous. Winchester meanwhile smiled as Pinkie Pie tossed her head throwing two Invitations in the air, easily catching them with her hooves and held them out to her friends.
“here you go.” the pink earth pony said with a smile. Fluttershy took hers and thanked her friend while Winchester nodded his horn glowing as he levitated the envelope into his pack. “you two have fun on your adventure.” she waved and hoped away. Fluttershy noticed three Royal guard ponies trotting up the pathway to her house. She set the invention on the the table next to her door and wiped some glitter from her lips before going out to greet them.
The three soldiers stopped and saluted as Winchester and Fluttershy stepped out to greet them. Winchester rolled his eyes as he said “at ease.” the three low ranking soldiers relaxed till they realized that the beautiful timid mare that was greeting them was one of the bearers of harmony. Her beauty would dance through their dreams for days to come. She smiled and shyly slipped past troopers to the covered cage one was pulling in a cart.
“hello Philomena.” the mare said as she pulled off the blanket, the phoenix blinked as the morning like hit her face. She chirped a happy greeting when she saw Fluttershy. The mare smiled as she unlatch the cage door and nose it open, Philomena flew from the cage. Her long wings shining as the sun caught the new gold feathers in her plumage. Her normal fiery reds and yellows were now complemented by purples and blues, natures way of showing others of her kind her fertility.
Fluttershy and the four stallions watch the fire bird fly around for a moment to stretch her wings before turning around and diving back to land on Fluttershy's offered hod. “Philomena you look gorgeous.” the Phoenix warbled shyly and covered her face with her wing. “oh don’t be shy.” the mare smiled the irony of her statement was lost on her. Philomena chirped her thanks and nuzzle the pegasus, making her giggle.
“well I guess we should grab our packs and go?” Winchester asked with a smile. He dismissed the soldiers. Fluttershy asked them to take the cart with them, she thought it would be best to let Philomena fly with them. They obeyed and pulled the empty cart back the way they came.
Fluttershy smiled as she let Philomena fly around again some other birds decided to flock behind the fire bird, they dodged around the magical embers that trailed behind her. Fluttershy nodded too Winchester and the two ponies trotted inside to get their supplies for the road. When the pair trotted outside again Philomena was siting on a branch being serenaded by a dozen other birds. The phoenix seemed unsure, their songs just seemed off to her.
“aw they like you.” Fluttershy said as the birds sang and flew around the phoenix. The mare giggled when Philomena flew down and landed on her back. The fire bird cawed at the other birds who happily chirped in return. With that Fluttershy, Winchester and Philomena set off, with in the hour the trio had left Ponyville behind.
Most of the trip was spent in silents. Winchester and Fluttershy had little in common and were almost polar opposite philosophically. However they both had a deep love and appreciation for peace, so both felt it was best to not disturb the last summer days with even the possibility of an argument. Luckily the beauty of the day made up for it. the warm summer day was complimented by a cool fall breeze. The seasons were preparing to change, but the land of Equstria was still hues of green.
Lunch came and went with the silents being broken by Philomena and Fluttershy singing together. Winchester described it as “angels singing to the souls of the lost. Leading them to the bosom of the all mother.” Both the mare and fire bird shyly looked away. Fluttershy thank him with barely a whisper.
The day continued but not in silence, Both Philomena and Fluttershy sang together, after the knight encouraged them to do so again. The mare was embarrassed till the stallion joined in, judging by the blush on his face the stallion he wasn't use to sing in front of others. It was fun and after first few minutes of it being awkward it felt natural.
Fluttershy was glade to have found something that she and Winchester could enjoy together. They were going to be at the breeding grounds for about three days and it would drive them both nuts if they didn’t have any thing to do.
After about a hour of singing and walking the two ponies decided to take a break form the former, Winchester was having trouble holding notes without coughing. He wasn’t use to singing and Fluttershy didn’t want him to hurt himself. Even if he denied something so simple could injure him. At about the same time the pair enter a dense woods, so not to loose the ponies as they picked their way through the trees Philomena decided to land on Fluttershy's back.
The group was at least half a mile into the woods when a fiery Aria drifted through the trees to meet them, it was like Emotion put into bird song. The burst of fire geyser like a drum beat to the deep masculine chorus that ebbed into a high feminine verse before giving into a duet. Winchester pointed out a light could be seen through the trees, it was about a mile off but was bright enough to be seen though the lines of trees. In the distance Ember Trees and burning bush could be seen as they ignited like the light show of a concert, changing color to fit the mood. It was beautiful even at this distance.
The ponies took a moment to put on protection from the fires they were walking into. Winchester simply added the remainder of his armor. The holly steel was easily as protective if not more so then the rubber like stockings Fluttershy was rolling up her legs. The whole time Philomena was like a statue listening to the song, she opened her beak to join but shyly snapped it shut a few time. “go on.” Fluttershy said out of the blue drawing the fire bird's attention. “you just have to try, and you'll probably find what ever your afraid of isn’t scarey after all.”
“very true.” Winchester added giving the mare a side long glace, wondering how many times she heard that before.
the phoenix looked to the mare, Fluttershy's genuine smile gave Philomena courage. she turned to the light again and listened. Just as the ponies were starting off again the song became high and light, Philomena added her voice the dozens of phoenix singing. The ember trees around her responded, sparks ran up through the cracks in the tree's bark and the leaves burst with a soft magical fire. As the fire bird flew towards the hart of the Burning Bog each tree around her ignited with life as did the fire birds markings. The ponies hurried after her, they were awestruck by the beauty that unfolded before them. Philomena seem to dance with the song as she flew, even as a fire geysers shot the bird up into the tree branches she didn’t stop singing as she wrapped her wings around herself and spun as she fell back towards the earth. She opened her wings and flew level again where there were few branches.
Fluttershy and Winchester were hot on Philomena's tail as she danced and sang through the trees. They were nearing a round clearing with a single large tree in the center. At least thirty phoenix circled the large tree singing with the ones siting in the trees. Suddenly as the ponies approached the song shifted to a low rumbling chant.
Winchester and Fluttershy slid to a stop just outside of the clearing as the knight said “it sounds like a war chant.”
“oh no.” Fluttershy said looking around, the mare had spent the last night reading about the mating rituals of phoenixes and she knew what was coming. “Winchester be nice.”
“huh?” the knight said confused, the answer to Winchesters unspoken question came in the form of a large phoenix swooping past the stallion its glowing claws mere inches from his nose. Philomena watched as the same large phoenix landed in front of the two ponies, it was taller then Fluttershy. The orange and red bird was the very definition of a raptor, strong muscles, razor sharp beak and talons. like all the other phoenix’s the bird was covered in markings although this one's looked more like war tattoos then something to attract a mate. Philomena eyes were locked on this bird, its muscular body was nearly perfect but most impressive were his intelligent orange eyes.
The knight stared down the imposing fire bird. Fluttershy stepped foreword and said “we're sorry mister phoenix we're just here with Philomena.” the mare gestured to the bird they had brought, even as the chanting continued. “but we'll just wait out here for her.” she bowed “we will not disturb your rituals.” Winchester watched as the large phoenix cawed then flew back up into the top of the large tree.
the other phoenix's began to sing again, louder this time like they were calling to the fire bird that was fallowing the ponies as they looked for a safe place to camp. “so what was up with that phoenix?” Winchester ask as he set out the flame proof blanket for the mare to lay down on.
“he's the protector.” Fluttershy said as Philomena hoped onto the blanket next to the mare and nuzzled her. The pony giggled before continuing “the largest phoenix normally a mal-” the mare was cut off by a loud rumble. Winchester spun around and drew his sword his eyes scanning the forest for threats, the fire birds song became the low war chant once again. The large phoenix swooped through the trees searching for what was causing the noise.
About ten feet behind Fluttershy a fire geyser bust and bubbled startling the mare, she turned around hugging Philomena. Winchester teleported in front of them when the ground around the hole started to burn as a three fingered hand of molten rock reached out and garbed the dirt. The molten arm flex as it began to pull the rest of the beast out, the ember trees near by began to glow brighter. The burning ground crumbled as the molten beast freed it self from its hiding place. The towering molten monsters body cooled in places till it looked as if it was wearing armor. The creature looked over its shoulder at the phoenix breeding ground, its featureless face gave no hint of what it thought. The large phoenix circle the beast but remained quite. With a shake of its head the lava beast reached down into the hole and pulled a large sword made of lava that dwarfed even Featherweight out.
Winchester readied for a fight, his face was somewhere between an amused grin and a mask of fear. he loved too 'test his metal' against all of the beast that defiled the lands of his princesses, but lava melts most metals. The large phoenix was ready to defend his charges but the lava beast simple rested its sword on its shoulder and started to walk away. The ember trees light up as he past them and they faded a few seconds later.
Fluttershy panted for a moment still hugging Philomena close, the bird looked up and chirped at her concerned before giving her an affectionate nuzzle. The yellow mare smiled down at the bird. Winchester looked over at them and asked “you okay?”
Fluttershy looked up “yeah.” she took a breath to steady herself, only to realize she was already pretty steady.
the large phoenix flew by and back up too his look out, Winchester watched it the whole time. “so you were telling me about that guy there.” he was hoping to distract her from her fear, however it didn't seem to be needed.
“oh um.” Fluttershy thought about where she left off. “oh yes. The biggest strongest male phoenix will protect the breeding grounds.” she continued as she set Philomena down next to her.
“so I guess he gets best picks of the girls then?” Winchester said trotting around making notes.
Fluttershy blushed and as she answered “actually no.” Winchester looked at her with a raised eye brow “since he spends most of his time on guard he doesn’t sing and female phoenix's are normally attracted to singing.” Philomena chirped, and Fluttershy smiled. “oh did you know their songs are magical?”
Winchester looked around as the fires around them, the trees light brighten and darkened, even changed a dozen different colors, all in time with the music “you don’t say.”
“yes, it also makes their markings glow.” Fluttershy added, looking closer at some of the phoenix pairs in the trees the knight saw she was right. Fluttershy giggled as she nosed Philomena toward the clearing “but if he doesn’t sing too you, you got to make him.” the fire bird looked back at her and squawked. “there’s no need to be afraid your beautiful. you just got to be confident.” she smiled. Winchester raised an eye brow hearing the irony of the shy mares words. “you don’t want somepony to come along and snatch him up before you can even try.” the mare's words faulted as she thought about her own situation.
Winchester could see that something was bothering the mare as he added a few encouraging words. Philomena gave a call and took flight. In seconds she was among her kind their song around her, flowing through her. Their glowing markings caught her eye, many alluring songs form the single males filled her ears. Instinct was at war with Philomena's mind.
Everytime a phoenix regenerates its intelligence and magical power multiple, and after nearly a hundred regenerations Philomena's brain power would out match most species of dogs. Finally after a few minutes of battle her mind finally won out, and in time with the song she rolled out of swirling flock of birds and shot up toward the large Phoenix that sat in the tallest part of the tree in the center of the clearing.
The large male Phoenix sat on his perch content as can be, he couldn't see any threats. All was normal till that pretty female phoenix that came with the ponies landed on his branch. He squawked worried she was telling him there was a threat, But then as he looked around a sound reached his ears. He turned back too Philomena, she was singing to him. The male phoenix watched Philomena confused as the song reached a new height.
Philomena was frightened the big phoenix wasn’t singing back like he should, maybe Fluttershy was wrong. Doubt entered her simple mind. However just as she was about to give up instinct kicked in and the male Phoenix’s began to sing to her. His bass voice joined Philomena's in a duet.
It was perfect Philomena looked into her handsome perspective mates eyes. Were her mind capable of it she would have love how the moon rose behind him and how the light of the fires around them was reflected in his eyes. The male phoenix stepped closer still singing to Philomena, like her, he was more intelligent then most animals but he was running on instinct. He never noticed or would fully appreciate how Philomena was framed by the Ember tree's leaves as she shifted closer to him.
The two fire birds inched closer and closer to each other, their voices joined together in the harmony the creator intended. The tips of their beaks touched, Philomena expected the male to wrap his wings around her as their song became a harmonious hum. Normally signaling the end of courtship and the pair having chosen each other most likely for life. Which for a Phoenix is a very very long time. However the male did not.
The large Phoenix stepped back his eyes locked on something behind his mate to be. He cawed his warning and all the phoenix began their war chant, Philomena included but as he dove for the danger she was right behind him.
In some dark bushes below a chimera slowly, half silently staked its prey. For once the three heads weren’t bickering, it wouldn’t help here. They were sure they were camouflaged even with all the light, they were correct but they did fail to notice that their back hooves were not quiet like their tiger paws. The snake head slithered up between their shoulder blades to whisper in too the ears of its other head “why did the song change?”
the answer came from the large Phoenix swooping down raking its talons across the chimera’s back. The three heads shrieked in pain, all three heads looked in different directions to find its attacker. The goat head was the first to see him, but it was too slow to do anything to stop the flaming bird from slamming into their side with the force of a fireball, magical fire singed the beast fur. the great bird hoovered above the chimera as it slide to a stop.
“that hurt.” the tiger head growled as it rolled their three headed body on to its feet. The snake and goat head let their feline counterpart take the lead. Like lightening the beast struck, its razor sharp claws dug into the birds chest as he flew back. The phoenix squawked in pain.
Philomena chirped concerned for him as blood poured down the large phoenix's chest from three large cuts, it dripped from him like burning ash that fizzled out on the ground. The large male Phoenix ignored his injury as he flew up high again.
“you let it go.” the snake tail hissed mere seconds before the male phoenix blazed passed his wings likes blades of fire. The phoenix made a few quick passes the chimera evaded each. The chimera growled as it felt it's fur getting burnt off.
A buck from the goat hooves caught the phoenix off guard and set him bouncing off a near by tree. Philomena flew around to check on him, she was worried but it was for not as she found the object of her affection flying through a tree, the force sent the trunk hurtling towards the chimera. The agile beast jumped out of the way with ease.
The combatants charged one another till a meek timid voice rang out through the phoenix chant. “Please stop.” the plea stopped the chimera in it's tracks. The male phoenix pulled up into tight loop and hoovered in front of the chimera, both the combatants looked over as Fluttershy stood her ground with sad eyes. Winchester stood a few paces back waiting for the beast to even hint a threat toward his charge.
The tiger growled as she looked over at the ponies, the goat kept one eye on the Phoenix as they listened to the other head say “now why would I do that?” the snake head however froze seeing the stallion standing behind the mare.
Fluttershy was taken back, but she quickly remembered what she was dealing with and said “because your interrupting their breeding rituals.” she paused for a moment to catch her breath. “how would you like it if something did that to you mister?”
“I'm a girl.” the Chimera growled.
Fluttershy epped, her lack of knowledge on Chimeras was showing, and how did she miss the goats large gold ear rings she would never know. “oh sorry your the first chimera I met.” she blushed “b-but, you really don’t want to get hurt do y-you.”
“whose going to hurt me? You?”the tigress head said with a laugh.
“sis maybe we should have a side of pony with our Phoenix.” the goat said, both the goat and tiger ignored the snake head protested.
Fluttershy stood her ground as she said “t-that's n-not a good idea.” she shivered as Winchester stepped up beside her his sword drawn, the Chimera stopped in its tracks “NO!” the yellow mare said stepping in front of Winchester “she's just doing what she dose naturally.”
Winchester looked at her nodded, a chimera wouldn’t be much of a fight so he just said “if you say so.” he stepped back and stood behind the mare looking intimidating.
Fluttershy turned around and said “he's going to really hurt you if you don’t leave.” the chimera was staring at Winchester when it just decided to turn and run away.
The large male phoenix landed on a branch and watched the chimera’s retreat as Philomena landed next to him she side stepped closer and nuzzled him with a cute chirp. She paused and then taped his wing with her beak and he complied by opening his wing. She looked him over paying close attention to his injuries. Once she was satisfied he was starting to healing right she chirped and nuzzled his cheek. Fluttershy watched the pair as they finished their earlier embrace.
Once the Chimera was out of sight Winchester smiled and looked at the yellow mare beside him and said “hey your getting pretty brave.”
“yeah.” Fluttershy replied, she never looked away from the two phoenixes as they flew back up too their high perch. It almost looked like she was jealous.
“something bothering you?” the stallion asked, he wasn’t sure what it was but he had an idea.
“oh.” Fluttershy realized that she was being obvious. “its- its nothing.” she quickly realized she had made it worse, she basically just told Winchester that there was something wrong. Then she made an even worse decision, she turned around and walk away without another word. She trotted back over to the blanket the phoenix love song filled her ears reminding her of that empty place in her life.
Winchester sighed and fallowed her, he was pretty sure what was bothering her now. He wondered if he was enough of a friend to help. The knight found her where he thought she would be, laying on the fireproof blanket. The mare politely left enough space for him to lay down, after a incident where a flame gyros burnt his quill to ash and almost distorted his trusty note book not to mention most of the hair in his nose stallion had decided to stay on the blanket.
Fluttershy tired to avoid eye contact with Winchester as he joined her, after a few seconds of awkward silents the mare realized how bad she was at hiding her emotions right now. “you sure nothing wrong?” the stallion asked finally breaking the silents.
“yes.”
“you sure? I'm a good listener.” Winchester smiled as he added “i promise not to wright any notes on it.” the knight hoped his joke worked, it didn’t.
“please stop.” Fluttershy trembled a little.
“I’m sorry, i just wanted to help.” Winchester said with a frown. “but I respect your wishes.” he bowed his head and started to occupy himself with some brain storming.
Fluttershy felt bad, Winchester did want to help her. She knew despite being a rather violent pony he would do anything for those he considered friends. She sighed, her friends always tried to help but well none of her female friends never really gave her a straight answer or so she thought. The mare timidly looked over at the stallion. He was looking up at the sky taping his lip with a pencil. She took a deep breath and asked “am I pretty?” she blushed and looked away.
Winchester looked at her, he was somewhere between astonished and confused. He grinned unsure and asked “weren’t you a model?”
the mare trembled “well...yes...but...uh.” She wasn’t sure how to answer that. She decided an example would help “when my friends and I go out....the stallion's always ask my friends to dance or buy them drinks.”
“and they seem to ignore you.” Winchester stated putting the final pieces in place.
“yes.” the mare sniffled, the stallion hit the nail on the head so to speck.
“well.” Winchester thought about how to explain it “are you pretty?.... if you mean like your friends.....no.” Fluttershy felt like she was about to cry “but your friends aren’t pretty like each other ether.” the yellow mare looked up at him confused as he continued “your not suppose to judge a book by its cover but you can have a glimpses of whats inside by looking at the out side.”
“what do you mean.”
Winchester smiled “take Rarity, shes a classically beautiful bombshell. who holds herself self to very high standards, both morally and physically.” Fluttershy nodded “Applejack on the other hoof has the girl next door look going for her. The type you want to take home to mother and after they get dinner started, she'll come out and play ball with you and your brothers.”
Fluttershy was blushing and really hoped he had a point to all this. “then you have Rainbow Dash who doesn’t act like the mare you would take home to mother, she's a wild girl who takes what she wants.” Fluttershy knew he was right but is that how ponies that don’t know Rainbow Dash thought of her. “however watching how she is with her friends or her work you know that she may be a free bird you cant cage, if a one night stand becomes something more you know it will be forever.”
“i guess.” Fluttershy commented, she never looked at her friends for anything other then who they were.
“Pinkie Pie......she's....” Winchester didn’t know how to stay foal safe “she's got that crazy party girl air too her, which most stallions think means she's got a wild naughty streak.” he chuckled “although talking to her for two minutes you figure out that stuffs the last thing on her mind.
“she's not the only one.” Fluttershy whispered.
Winchester barely caught what she said and asked “what was that?” he hoped he wasn’t bothering her.
Fluttershy jumped a little not use to her comments being heard and said “what about Twilight.”
“Twilight.” Winchester smiled at the thought of the lavender mare “She's got the perfect cute librarian look going for her.” he looked up at the stars through the trees “but as beautiful as her body is, its her mind that’s truly a wonder to behold. You could just sit and pick it for hours, such a vast knowledge of just about everything...even I'm at a lost for word to really describe it.”
Fluttershy blinked and looked at him, “um sounds like your relay attracted to her.” she felt very awkward about that.
The stallion looked around for a moment then nodded, he had never actually thought about it. “you know you may be right.” Winchester looked at Fluttershy with a smile “but you know what you got.” the mare blushed realizing she was about to hear the truth about herself. “you are so cute its almost scarey.” Fluttershy was confused and scared “stallions are so afraid to make you cry or to frighten you they shy away from you to your more approachable friends. Even if most are still intimidated by some of your more refined friends.”
“oh.”
“that time I made you cry still haunts my dreams.” he smiled and Fluttershy giggled a little. “all you have to do is be a little confident and show the stallion you like, that you like him and I’m sure that he will be head over hooves for you.”
“well,” Fluttershy sigh and looked her hooves “everything I’ve tried doesn’t work. My friends advise hasn’t worked, specially the stuff Cloud Kicker said to do.”
Winchester snorted “any stallion that her advise would work on, you probably wouldn’t want. Maybe when they mature a little bit but that’s besides the point. All you got to do is fallow all the same advise you just gave Philomena, your friends probably gave it too you before any way.”
the yellow mare was about to speck but the knight cut her off “i know its easier said then done.” he smiled at her “but whats the most important thing you told Philomena?”
“be confident?”
“yes.” Winchester smiled, he could tell that she wasn’t quite convinced. Why should she, he was barely an acquaintance “hey, how about we make a deal.”

The Rematch

Princess Celestia was curled up on her large pillow in the private chambers of Canterlot castle the sun was slowly sliding down towards the horizon. She was reading through some financial reports of various cities as she less then happily ate a carrot, despite the many things on her mind the princess's eyes drifted over to the large slice of chocolate cake on the end table near by. She had lately decided she should only have one slice of cake a day, she insisted it had nothing to do with a certain article that had been written a while back or the pictures associated with it.
A sudden flash drew the princess of the sun from her waiting treat. she looked over to where her sister now stood surrounded by Twilight and her friends. “what happen?” Celestia asked as she jumped to her hooves, the princess knew her sister had left but not why she had done so.
Luna looked to her sister and with only a glance Celestia knew something was wrong before Luna even opened her mouth. When the princess of the moon did finally speck she used the language of the alicorns, not a good sign. Luna stepped out of the ring of smaller ponies to talk with her sister, even if they couldn’t understand her the mortals could tell their princess was distraught.
Most of the ponies didn’t know what to do they were in the private chambers of their monarch, a place few ponies ever see. They looked around not sure what to do but wait. Twilight and Fluttershy in the mean time were still trying to get Winchester to sit down and relax, blood was still dripping form the joints and small gaps in his armor. The stallion refused even though he was wavering back and forth on his hooves, he looked around and weakly asked “where's my sword?” his eyes were unfocused.
Before Twilight could tell Winchester that his weapon didn’t matter Pinkie popped up beside him the massive sword held over her head saying “here it is.” with out thinking she dropped it on Winchester's back. The stallion was crushed under the weight of the sword. Twilight yelled the pink mare’s name as she pulled the sword off him. “I’m so sorry, I forgot please believe me.” Pinkie pleaded.
Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash stared at Pinkie with disapproving eyes, Spike was trying not to snicker. While they told Pinkie to be more careful Applejack and Big Mac leaned down and tried to help Winchester sit up but he barely moved. “uh Twilight you may need to heal him again.” the Country mare said, Twilight's heart skipped a beat when she saw that the stallion was barely conscious.
Twilight checked his pulse, it was very weak “oh crap! he lost a lot more blood then I thought.” the lavender mare exclaimed as she looked around for something “he needs something to eat.”
“didn’t you heal him?” Applejack asked, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Thunderlane asked something to the same effect.
Fluttershy continued to check the injured stallions vitals as Twilight searched for something to feed him, “yes but.” the lavender mare sighed as she saw Celestia's cake “there’s no time explain.” she hurried over to the small table and took hold of the treat, she would have preferred something more nutritious but it would do for now. The princess of the sun noticed her students actions. she was about to speck but it was already too late, Twilight was feeding it to Winchester.
Celestia sighed and looked back too her sister and said “you go tell them, I’ll go speak with him.”
“very well.” Luna replied sadly. The midnight blue alicorn turned around and looked at the group of nine ponies and the baby dragon, she briefly thought about sending Big Mac and Thunderlane away. Peasants really shouldn't have the knowledge she was going to impart on them. However that kind of thinking was nearly 400 years old, there were technically no such thing as peasants any more. The princess lead the little ponies out of her private chambers. None of the guards in the hall questioned why the princess was suddenly walking around with a group of ponies that none of them saw come in.
Luna lead the group through the castle, Rainbow Dash made a nervous joke about how they must look like a group of school foals on a field trip. Luna looked at the blue pegasus when none of her friends laughed, the princess gave her a small smile and happy giggle. With the tension broken the other ponies laughed a little. The princess continued leading them deeper into the castle past the throne room, the great dinning hall and the ball room. They past through a chamber adore with winter motifs and a single large urn that held the snowflakes used to start winter. Rainbow Dash was honored, she didn’t know much history but Snowdrop was her home town hero and she knew that much.
In the hallway past the chilly winter chamber, Luna stopped at a section of wall near the end of the corridor. At first it seem to be like the rest of the structure inside the castle, but there was a slight relief bearing the symbol of the Equestrian knights. With a single word from Luna the wall slid away revealing a stone doorway adorned with the painted symbol of the knights. “Is this the Vault?” Winchester asked, realizing what this could be.
“It is.” Luna replied as she slid her horn into the hole in the center of the door. Her dark blue magic aura flowed through it, and the energy filled the door with a bright glow as streams of magic circulated through numerous crevices that branched out from the center. A few seconds passed as the magic faded, then Luna withdrew her horn and the passage opened.
“What's the Vault?” Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane, and Applejack asked together as the door split down the middle and opened, revealing a stairway that spiraled downward. All of the ponies were curious to what this place was.
“It is were the Knights' gifts are held till there is a Knight that suits them.” Winchester answered.
“...and their final resting place.” Twilight added less confidently as they began the descent.
“More or less.” Luna explained as she lead the group down the stairs, “Though their bodies never return here, the gifts do and here the knights can be seen for all time.” the stairs spiraled deep down into the foundations of the castle. As they descended, it quickly became very dark as the light was left behind. Fluttershy was getting a little nervous about the darkness that was only held at bay by the three unicorn horns that lit the way. The stairway was deafeningly silent other then the sound of their hoof steps.
After what seemed like forever, the spiraling staircase finally ended and opened into a long, dimly illuminated hallway that lead to a massive chamber. All of the ponies, aside from Luna, were take back by the sight.
The chamber was filled with hundreds of engraved marble pedestals above each were a weapon or artifact suspended in a white glow. Most of them however were in fact magical images but many of them were real and waiting of their next wielder. The ponies guessed these were the gifts. Four pillars supported the ceiling they were carved to look like ponies holding up a globe, two were Stallions with rippling muscles, two were mares with pretty faces but were by no means weak.
The many banners and tapestries that hung from the ceiling were made of weaved silk and other fine linens. They showed artistic representations of Celestia and Luna encircling the symbol of the Equestrian knights, the sun and the moon, or the land of Equstria itself. Etched into the walls and roof was the great story Equstira. It was unlike the stained glass of the court room that showed the moments of victory, these carvings showed the conflicts. Ponies charging their foes like a wave the princesses or their knights at the lead. They showed the battles in gruesome detail. They were hard to look at for the faint of heart.
A Seven headed Dragon loomed as the center price of the ceiling. A dozen shooting stars converged on the monstrosity they were lead by two large stars, one Black one White. Around the two large stars were six colored gemstones, each the color of the elements of harmony. It was a depiction of the defeat of the dragon king, when Luna and Celestia along with the first Bearers of Harmony and 12 brave warriors ended the threat of mighty beast. The 12 were the paladins, the first knights of Equstria.
Winchester was feeling much better physically, but seeing all the glories of the knights past he almost felt sick. He had failed to defeat a foe, he shouldn't have been allowed in this place. Twilight and her friends were confused, horned, astonished and disgusted by they sights they saw, whereas Thunderlane and Big Mac weren't familiar with being given great honors like the rest of the ponies. They weren't even sure what to do.
Luna looked at a pedestal with an image of necklace with a fine gold chain and a sparkling clear jewel. “These are the gifts of Celestia and myself they are the sign of our favor to our knights. Here you can see all who have carried them in our names.”
“How?” Rainbow Dash asked only to be shushed by Twilight. The pegasus's curiosity was getting to her, and all the walking was just too slow for her.
Luna looked at Twilight as she scolded the impatient pegasus, “it is alright Twilight.” the alicorn turned back to the pedestal before her and spoke in a commanding voice. “Legacy!” The light from the pedestal glowed a little brighter and the image of the necklace changed to an almost life-like image of an attractive orange pegasus mare with a long, fiery yellow mane. She had a joyful smile and determined eyes. Rainbow Dash thought she looked kind of familiar, like she was related to somepony she knew.
As the image of the pegasus mare switched to a unicorn stallion Luna continued to speck “each of these ponies carried the Celestial Tear into battle.” the ponies watched as more knights were shown to them, all had the same necklace on them. “Although I have only seen one of them do so.” Luna commented, she looked to her subjects as Rarity and Pinkie asked why. “because it is said that it is made from the tear my sister wept when she banished me.” the princess found it amusing how a hush fell over her little ponies “the emotions of a goddess are a powerful thing.” she looked back to the pedestal “The Celestial Tear allows it's wielder to create illusions by controlling the light around them, they can even use light it self to attack their foes. even if they are a Pegasus or an Earth Pony.”
Luna lead the ponies through the vault past dozens of gifts and even a few trophies to a pedestal displaying Featherweight. The princess looked at it then to the real t

hing “Featherweight was a special gift.” her face was sad “it was made by my sister for the knight I was going to marry.” the ponies gasped, to say they were shocked would be an understatement. Twilight was about to ask a question when the princess said “legacy” to the pedestal. Winchester and Twilight looked at each other they were both having the same thought.
The image of Featherweight changed to one of Winchester proud with his head held high his armor bright and polished, nothing like he was at this moment. Soon the image changed to that of another unicorn stallion, none knew his name nor his deeds it had been a hundred years since he had lived, even more time for the mare that fallowed. Most of the of Featherweight’s twelve wielders were unicorns a few were earth ponies and pegasus one was even a bat pony. However it was the first wielder that was answer to so many questions, even if Twilight and Winchester saw it coming. A black pony with vibrant green eyes, he looked proud and determined. It was Sombra the only difference was that his horn was normal not the red crystalline horn he had now.
“you were going to marry that brute.” Rarity blurted out, Thunderlane agreed.
Pinkie jumped about five feet in the air as she exclaimed “Sombi the meany is that old.”
“uh Girls you may want to watch what you say.” Applejack said looking up at Luna who was trying to hid how upset she was. Big Mac decided to keep his mouth shut like he did most of the time, however it seemed to be far more appropriate right now.
Twilight almost fainted when she headed her friends, even though she had worst things to say about him and she would never tell Luna now. Luna regained her neutral face as she listened to them once they were done she continued “he was a proud noble soul back then, you could say he was full of himself but he could back up every word with skill, talent, and determination. He caught my eye with his courage, and he stole my heart with it too. He would stand against a hundred Centaurs to save a single pony life.” Luna look at Winchester “like you he face Tirek in battle, but he didn’t have Featherweight by his side at the time. he had no gift then, some thought he didn’t need one.”
“wow.” Winchester said as a shiver ran down his spin “what happened.”
Luna sighed “after the defeat of Tirek's army we were to be wed. however duty called before the ceremony.” Luna looked off to the shadows “my sister and I had negotiated a meeting with the leaders of the Crystal Empire.”
“the only pony kingdom to have not join Equstria.” Twilight explained for her less history loving friends.
“Yes.” Luna continued “Sombra over heard our scholars worrying about a possible trap.”
“A trap?” Applejack interrupted to ask “how could a trap be a problem for you?”
“yeah.” Pinkie added “you and Princess Celestia are like super doper powerful.”
“their goddess's Pinkie.” Rarity corrected “you should be more respectful.” Pinkie lowered her ears at the light scolding. Fluttershy had something to say about that but she remained respectfully quiet.
“The Crystal Empire had a weapon, or we believed it was a weapon.” Luna continued as she motioned for the group to follow her out of the vault. “it was called the Crystal Heart. We are still not where it came from, some believed it was created on the frist Hearts Warming Eve, but we haven’t found it to study it yet. So there is no way to know for sure. All we do know is that it was similar to the Elements of Harmony. The empire worshiped this powerful artifact because it turned the frozen waists into fertile lands of warmth and it protected them.” before Winchester could attempt to praise his goddess she continued “the Crystal Heart nearly whipped out the Windigos in a matter of moments, it also drove away Tirek and his army as well as my sister and her forces. She was sure that if it was put too it the powers of the Crystal heart could lay us low.” a hush fell over the group of ponies. Luna led them up the dark stairway with one last thing to say “he went in our place but..... something happened. we think he did something to the Crystal heart for its power.” she heaved a deep sigh. “the next time I saw him.....” she trailed off.
“he was a demon?” Winchester filled in for her “a beast of crystal and shadow.” he was one of the knights that had helped drive the monster back to the depths in the frozen waists.
“nothing like he was before.” Luna said her voice barely holding together. “i was heart broken.” her voice shuttered as she added “and the emotions of a goddess are powerful.” her voices was low as she stopped on the stairway staring at the darkness above. “Six mouths later Nightmare Moon was born.” another hush fell over the group.

* * *

Celestia watched her sister lead the group of ponies away. The goddess of the sun sighed it always seem that there was something lately, peace was hard to get but it was harder too maintain. The white alicorn looked from the now empty hall way too the plate on the floor next to some smeared blood. She sighed, it appears she wouldn’t get her cake today. Celestia decided too call for a maid. A few seconds later a pure white mare with a curly blond mane stepped into the door way wearing her frilly maid uniform. “yes Princess Celestia, how may I help.”
Celestia motioned to the plate on the floor “would you be so kind as to clean up the plate and-”
“OH DEAR PRINCESS! ARE YOU HURT!?” the maid said seeing the blood and looking to her ruler with wide worried eyes.
“no no Spic-n-Span it's not mine.” Celestia said waving her hoof dismissively “but could you make sure the halls are clean as well, don’t need any pony else thinking the same.” she smiled weakly “but I must be off, I'll shall return with in the hour.”
“of course Princess Celestia.” Spic-n-Span said with a relieved smile. She picked up the plate and trotted out the door heading to the near by dumbwaiter. Celestia meanwhile stepped out onto the balcony and looked out to the sun, she was so accustomed to moving it she do so while doing just about anything. The large alicorn spread her wings and leapt into the air. She quickly found an air current to her liking and used it to fly higher. Equestria was spread out before her. She called to the suns warm rays to guide her to the pony she was looking for, it opened her mind to the prayers of her subjects. she heard dozens upon dozens of voices in her mind. Most were ponies asking for wealth or success or some other superficial assistance, those she would help how she could later. right now she had other matters to attend too.
One voice came to her on the wind. A voice she hadn’t heard in a long time it was the voice she was listening for. Celestia took a deep breath and closed her eyes, a second later her hooves touched grass. The goddess of the sun walked a few paces through the Everfree Forest. Before her was the kneeling pony that called her here. Sombra's nose was to the ground as he prayed. “i would have never expected to hear you praying for me like that Sombra.”
Sombra's ear twitched hearing his holy rulers words. “i did not expect thee to come so readily my princess, I did not think I was worthy of thine grace.” he didn’t turn, not as a sign of disrespect but because he was ashamed of himself.
“what do you believe you are worthy of?” Celestia asked stepping closer, she could feel the sorrow wafting off the once great knight.
“death.” Sombra replied “for the crimes I have commented, it is all I deserve.”
“i have not pass judgment on you Sombra. Only I can say if your crime are worthy of death.” Celestia corrected she stood a few feet behind him “tell me what happen.”
Sombra lifted his head “thou knows the story.” he stared intently at the roots of the tree before him “thou passed judgment on me then.”
“i passed judgmental on the monster you had become.”
“art they not one and the same.” Sombra said in a low voice.
“neigh.” Celestia said sternly. “now tell me what happened. I want to hear it from you in your voice.”
“very well.” Sombra replied he slowly looked behind him, he only caught a glimpse of Celestia's hooves before he averted his gaze.
“Sombra the undefeated.” Celestia bellowed in the royal Canterlot voice “face your princess and speck your story.”
Hearing the command Sombra jumped to his hooves and faced his princess. This was the only time Celestia could remember the stallion looking scared, but she remained neutral faced. Sombra took a deep breath to regain his stoic stature, it took a few minutes before he finally spoke “i traveled to the Crystal Empire in your place as I promised.” he closed his eyes to think, but Celestia had to cleared her throat to get him open them again “i met with the fools in your stead, the Crystal Council said they would open the borders to us for trade but nothing more. Told them how we could better their lives, they said their lives were good enough with out having to pay the taxes they thought we would enforce. I told them the power of Equestria armies, the knights and of course your power and how it would all protect them. They mocked you by saying their Heart would keep them safe from every evil in this world.” he laughed unhappily “i gave them time to think about joining or the Equstira army would march through the streets.” he paused and looked at Celestia “not those exact words.”
The Princess nodded and motioned for him to continue but she still showed no sign of her opinion. The former knight did as told “I decided to look around their city. I felt something calling to me, I followed it curiosity overtaking me. It led me to a shrine under the tower. I saw there blasphemous heart there and it was calling to me. It showed me things.....” the stallion gritted his teeth and looked away.
“what did it show you?” Celestia was concerned what could that thing have showed Sombra to drive him mad.
The stallion took a deep breath “it showed me what would become of my power, my skills and......my ambitions. It showed me that I would never lose to any foe but time. It showed me how it would beat me.....” Celestia raised a hoof as the stallion start to growl his words “it showed me I would become a burden on my lady love. IT SHOWED ME HER SAD FACE AS SHE WAS FORCED TO ATTEND TO ME AND NOT THE COUNTRY WE FOUGHT FOR!” the stallion unintentionally yelled.
Celestia's concerned was plan on her face “it would have been her choice, you know. she would have done it out of her love for you and would have done it gladly.” she wanted to mention them having foals but it may have not helped.
Sombra lowed his head and agreed “yes, yes, I believe thine holy words, but it was still hard for me to see. I struck the crystal heart....with my horn.” he rubbed his crystalline horn with a hoof his eyes closed tightly “I was a wash in the power that cursed thing.” he said through clinched teeth.
“you remember what happened after that?” Celestia asked as the stallion was lost in painful memories.
“yes.”
Celestia stepped closer looming over the smaller knight her long horn glowing softly “were you in control?”
Sombra took a deep breath and said “I'm not really sure my Princess.” he noticed her horn she was ready to punish him if she saw fit. “i have always sought power, to raise higher, gain greater glory, to defeat ever stronger opponents.....” he shook his head “I have no true answer. I just know I regret every action of those dark days.”
“very well.” Celestia said as the glow of her horn stopped. “you did great evil....but have also done great good. However through your actions you have cost the honor of not only yourself but another knight.”
Sombra let his head fall “i apologize my princess I will do what ever it takes to make up this failing on my part.”
“Good.” Celestia replied with a soft sad smile. “i would expect no less form one of my knights.” it felt strangely relieving to Sombra to be called a knight again.

* * *

Twilight and her friends were following Luna back to the princess' private chambers when a flash stopped them in their tracks. After the ponies had blinked away the stars they saw Celestia standing there with an almost nervous Sombra trying to hide behind her. Winchester saw him and tensed up, his horn glowed as he grasped the handle of his weapon weakly. “relax.” Twilight said putting a hoof on his shoulder.
“Sister, I trust you have informed them on the situation.” Celestia said.
“yes.” Luna replied simply, her eyes locked on the hiding stallion.
Celestia looked back at Sombra, she could feel him trying to teleport away but Luna was stopping him. “i have passed judgment on him.” the sun goddess said, Luna looked at her sister waiting “i have deemed him not responsible for the Crystal empire.”
“WHAT!” Luna replied flaring her wings “but he... the whole city.”
“yes I know.” Celestia held up a hoof motioning for her sister to calm down “he was not in control of himself at the time, nor when he arose those mouths back. But he is in control of himself now, and he regrets his actions and will accept his punishment.”
Luna looked from Celestia to Sombra, the White Alicorn step to the side giving the black pony no place to hide. He stood straighter as he starred straight ahead. Luna's face was as confused as her emotions, she fought back her tears. She wasn’t sure if she was happy or sad that Sombra was back. All she knew for sure she was angry at this moment. “then it must be a time of joy, shall we have a feast prepared.” Luna growled through clinched. Sombra didn’t know what to say.
“not yet.” Celestia cut in Luna's angry glare fell on her as she spoke. “right now how ever there is the matter punishment.” the sun princess looked at Winchester then too Sombra, each knight stood straighter in her gaze.
“what is it my Princess?” both Winchester and Sombra asked at the same time.
Celestia gestured for the two of them to stand in front of her, the stallions complied both nervous. “the two of you have disgraced yourselves.” Twilight wanted to interrupt but decided against it, her friends just watched not sure what to do. Luna's eyes narrowed as watched Celestia looked down at Sombra and continued “you Sir Sombra, I have found you not responsible for your actions at the Crystal Empire, But I have found you guilty of passing judgment on a knight and deeming them worthy of the punishment of death. Even if that Knight is yourself you can not do so with out consent of your princesses.” Sombra nodded and agreed. “you are also guilty of the lesser offense of challenging a fellow knight to a duel with out permission”
“um Princess.” Twilight said to get Celestia's attention, the princess turned to her with a small smile. “Winchester didn’t know Sombra was a knight so he cant be punished for dueling him.” Winchester glanced over at Twilight, he was glade she would stand up for him. Sadly he knew she had just made it worst.
Celestia nodded now taking that into account “this is indeed true.”
“so.... what is he in trouble for?” Twilight asked, her friends were as curious as she was.
Celestia's face changed from a caring teacher to that of a stern leader as she looked back too the blue knight “he lost.” the simple answer hit the stallion like a swift kick to the chest.
“oh.” Twilight replied as she lowered her ears.
“i know loosing sucks but is him loosing a fight that bad?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Applejack shoulder bumped the blue pegasus to remind her where she was and whispered “he almost died because of it.” Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy looked sad thinking about it, Rarity forced herself not to feel faint at the thought. Thunderlane and Big Mac stayed in the back out of the way with Spike.
Celestia sighed and smiled sadly at the bearers of harmony “these days are so peaceful, but you know the dangers that lives in every shadow, but the Knights work in those dark shadows. I know its hard to believe but ponies still live and die by the deeds of the knights.” her smile vanished as she looked back at Winchester and Sombra. “i need a knight that will not loose.” Winchester and Sombra nodded “in three days time you will duel again, in the proper manner.”
Sombra lifted his chine little “like in the days I know?” he asked. Winchester nodded kind of liking the idea.
“yes.” Celestia answered “your skills will be judged by your fellows as well as your Princesses, the subjects you protect will see your power too.” Celestia looked to Twilight and her friends “i trust that all of you will attend as well.”
“Yes.” Twilight answered quickly her worry seeping into her voice, Winchester had already lost once she hopped she didn’t see it again.
“the winner will be a knight once again.” Celestia continued “then it will be a time for a feast.” Pinkie Pie shook a little, she wanted to call it a party but it didn’t seem right time.
“what about the looser?” Twilight asked.
“death is preferable to defeat.” Sombra said sending a shiver down everypony's spines, even the princesses though they didn’t show it. That’s what they wanted but they still hated hearing it.
Winchester was the only pony not disturbed by Sombra's words “indeed.”
“Sister do you have anything to add.” Celestia asked her angry sister.
Luna tried not to glare at her older sister, they were supposed to make these decisions together. “no.” the blue alicorn replied not sure who she was more upset with, her sister or Sombra. Celestia nodded, now her sister was mad at her. That is okay she had her reasons for doing what she did.
The goddess of the sun looked too the knights “you two are dismissed.” Winchester and Sombra turned and marched out. Luna watched Sombra leave with sad eyes. The white princess looked at the clock then too the group of ponies behind them “would all of you like to join us for dinner. We can even invite your bother and Sister in law if you like Twilight.” the lavender mare was watching the knights leave too as she nodded. “ if there's any pony in Canterlot any of you would like to invite just let us know.” she smiled warmly at her guest “but if you could just wait in the study for a little bit, I need to talk with my sister for a moment.”
the mortal ponies started to file into study, however Pinkie nervously approached Celestia and Luna with her ears and head low. “um Princess Celestia can I ask you something?”
“Pinkie you don’t have be nervous to ask us anything, of course you can.” Celestia smiled as she looked at the shorter pony, Luna took a little longer to smile weakly.
It took a few seconds for Pinkie to smile but soon she did “sorry I’ve just never asked you for anything before.” she giggled a little nervously till Celestia joined the pink mare with a laugh. “well.” Pinkie continued “we kind of left Flash back in Ponyville and he only has one day of leave left and well.” it was hard too see the red blush on the pink cheeks of the mare.
“you want him to be brought here?” Celestia finished for the embarrassed mare. Pinkie nodded making cute sounds. The princess couldn’t help but think that Pinkie was absolutely adorable when she was acting shy. “It shall be done, he'll be in your hooves before dinner.” Celestia almost laughed out loud as Pinkie's face vanished behind a curtain of red blush. “Hop along Pinkie I’m just teasing.” Celestia giggled as she did just that.
Twilight and her friends sat silently in the study for a little while, till Pinkie broke the silents by saying “how cool was that show?”
“yes, it was.” Rarity agreed.
Thrunderlane nodded “yes it was divine wasn’t it.” the stallion attempted to mimic his marefriend's accent. The group laughed, Spike even stopped stuffing his face with gemstones to join in.
Pinkie giggled as she continued “yeah they were like Vroom, and then whoosh and it was so cool when they went by so fast it sounded like they exploded.”
“it was a little scarey.” Fluttershy said softly before adding “but it was quite exciting.”
Twilight couldn’t help but smile as Rainbow Dash thrilled their friends with explaining how the Wonderbolts pulled off the Tornado Buster trick. Celestia and Luna joined the group soon enough, Luna was smiling but she did dab her eyes with a tissue to dry them. Their talk appeared to have been successful.
Celestia and Luna enjoyed the company. The sun princess wished she could have more times like this with many of her subjects, but especially Twilight. It seemed now a days the only time she got to see her student was when lives were on the line, that was rarely an enjoyable time to get together. So this would have to do.
Luna's mood was slowly lifting, social contact was good for her. since she returned she really only got to talk to her sister and the ponies that served them in the castle. The moon princess made appearances at parties or other Social gatherings of the elite, it was enough to keep her healthy but she had only a few ponies she would call friends. Twilight was one of them and the others were growing on her, the princess was hoping they would say the same for her.
The group was soon joined by Shining Armor and Cadence. The mares gasped with surprise seeing the pink alicorn, Twilight had told her friends that Cadence was pregnant but they weren’t ready for what they saw. Her mid section was so swollen it was hard to believe she could walk with her thine legs. The couple was happily welcomed by every pony after the initial shock.
“well hay girl you look like your about to pop.” Applejack exclaimed with a whistle.
Cadence blushed and smiled “sometimes it feels like it.”
“how far along are you?” Rarity asked as she and Thunderlane vacated their large soft pillow and offered it to the other couple.
“about 5 mouths now.” Candace replied. She and Shining Armor graciously accepted the pillow.
Shining smiled as he help Cadence lay down “its been a little tough on her but we've been managing.” the stallion curled up with his wife and she was quite happy to use both the pillow and her husband to get comfortable, something that was getting harder and harder for her as the mouths went on.
“how do you fly like that?” Rainbow Dash asked hoovering around the alicorn.
“you don’t.” Cadence replied smiling up at her as Shining armor used his magic to gently push the blue mare out of their personal bubble. He looked down as Pinkie Pie scooted across the floor and reached up to try and feel Cadence's pregnant belly, he was about to shoo her away but his wife said “Shining its alright.” she smiled at Pinkie.
“really?” Pinkie asked excited.
“of course.” the pink alicorn answered then she remembered who she was talking to “just be gentle.”
Pinkie giggled and nodded as she gingerly reached out a hoof and felt the mares round belly. “its so warm.” Shining Armor and Cadence agreed as Pinkie felt a little movement under her hoof. Her eyes widen as she gasped “Something moved.”
“he likes you.” Cadence said with a giggled. “hes getting really active in their.” the mother to be glanced around the room reading the faces of her sister in laws friends.
Shining Armor smiled “I’m telling you its a girl she just loves the attention.”
“Shining not right now.” Cadenced giggled “i think they would like to feel him.” she waved the others over “just don’t crowd.”
Without hesitation Twilight and the remainder of her friends joined Pinkie. Pinkie Pie did want to be a hog, so stepped to the side and watched as her friends felt the unborn foal's 'kicking'. The look in the Rarity’s eyes frightened Thunderlane slightly, she was thinking about foals. Although He did had to admit feeling the foal made him think it may not be so bad. Applejack and Rainbow Dash tried not to sound like girly mares, but Cadence's baby just melted their hearts and they gushed with famine giggles. Fluttershy giggled and mentioned it never gets old to feel young creatures kick, Cadence joked about how its different from this side. Twilight felt her sister in law's belly and smiled she leaned down and whispered “cant wait to met you.” she giggled as Shining Armor and Cadence agreed.
A shadow fell over Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor drawing their attention to she who cast it. Celestia smiled as she asked “may I?” the smaller alicorn of course didn’t deny her ruler. Twilight stepped to the side giving her mentor some room, she knew the reason for the for the sadness behind the smile. The massive white princess was as gentle as can be as she felt the pink mares belly. “Shining I think Cadence is right.” Celestia said before returning to her sit.
Luna also took a turn and giggled as Shining Armor ask “really? you can tell.” thinking that their goddess was using her holy powers to bestow upon them the truth of their offspring future.
“But of course.” Celestia replied with a smile “he's showing off for all these pretty girls.” she motioned to the gathering, they all had a laugh to their rulers simple joke.
A few minutes later the cook said that dinner would be served soon. Even as the lighthearted discussion continued Pinkie grew a little worried, Flash was still not there. Then everything went dark for her and she heard a voice say “guess who.” Pinkie giggled as she called the orange stallion's name and pulled him over her shoulder to pin him down. her long curly pink locks hid the long kiss with just enough tongue to make the stallion's wings slap the floor hard. Just before it became obvious what she was doing Pinkie hoped up blushing and pulled Flash onto the cushion next to her. She laughed nervously as she thanked Celestia and Luna for getting Flash here. The Princesses smile and said it was all right.
After the wild flurry of movement the orange stallion was a little dazed and confused, he should have expected something like this to happen. He shook his head and realized that Shining Armor was starring right at him. When the corporal made eye contact with his captain, Shining Armor mouthed one order. “be good.” Flash nodded and smiled.

* * *

Winchester had a few things he needed to do this night. First of which was getting his armor repaired. The annoying thing was that Sombra had the same idea at the same time. Although the black stallion seemed distracted, Winchester had a guess to why not that he really cared. The two stallions trotted out of the castle and headed to the main barracks. The armory was just behind it, like had always been even before Sombra's time.
Head smith Hammer Forge was throwing some wood in the forge to keep it warm over night. He was a massive brown and black earth pony with a very short mane, his cutie mark was an anvil with a hammer pounding a glowing piece of metal. He turned from his glowing forge as he heard the two knights approach. He greeted them a little grumpy, although the old smith was known to always be like that. “so me lords what can I do for you?” he asked wanting to skip most of the pleasantry.
“well my good blacksmith.” Sombra replied unsure what to call him “i am in need of an upgrade to my armor.”
“okay.” Hammer Forge nodded and motioned to the unicorn stallion to move his cloak. Sombra obliged him, the smith inspected the ancient armor and whistled. the black stallion's armor covered his chest, rump and shines but he had no boots or shoulder or hip pads. It was made before scale mail or even chain mail was invented, Sombra was lucky it was even made from steel. Although the crude forging techniques back then made the metal black in color. He had shin guards on his forelegs but none on his mid section or his legs. Their were many gaps in the armor revealing Sombra's soft black coat underneath, the thick cloak made up for some of the faults of the design but it was only kind of good for arrows. It was a warriors skill that truly protected him. “this thing should be in a museum, you sure you want me to mess with it?” Hammer Forge said.
“yes.” Sombra Answered “Princess Celestia wishes me to duel with Sir Winchester.” Sombra looked over at Winchester and his armor “i do not doubt thine skills good blacksmith, but I doubt thou would be able to craft a suit of armor on par with his in three days time.” Winchester snorted, armor got far more protective then his. He had a thick protective plate over his chest, but his belly was protected by bands of relatively thin metal that slide over each other to allow high mobility and scale mail over his back and flanks. It was a design based on the scales of a dragon, but it had its faults.
Hammer Forge nodded, then he looked at Winchester “you can vouch?” the blue stallion nodded as the large brown earth pony saw the damage to the armor he had made the knight “what the hell did you do to my armor son.”
Winchester looked at his side “that's his hoof work.” he nodded to Sombra “its why I’m here.”
Hammer Forge nodded his eyes wide “this is going to be a good fight.” the big earth pony called for his apprentices too help the knights out of their armor. Four young ponies with similar cutie marks to their master trotted out of the back area of the armory. They asked the knights to follow them over to the fitting rooms and helped them get out of their armor. The Sliver mare gasped and dropped Winchester's chest plate as she unlatched it and blood spilled out. The little black and gray colt jump back looking sick to his stomach.
Winchester apologized and explained he was alright. the two apprentice blacksmiths continued to remove the knight's armor, albeit more carefully fearing they would hurt an injured warrior. The writer watched as the two young ponies removed the rest of his armor. He sighed seeing half his body covered in splotchy crimson stains. As the colt rolled Winchester's armor away in a cart, the mare stayed to take a few measurements. While she was filling out the rest of the paper work, Winchester reached back and touched the spot where Sombra had sliced him open. it wasn’t even sore and there was no sign of a scar. “shes good.” the stallion commented.
“Excuse me sir?” the silver mare asked confused, thinking Winchester was talking to her.
“oh sorry.” Winchester said looking over at her “i was just thinking out loud.” the mare bowed and told him where the shower was. The blue stallion trotted out of the fitting room, he noticed Sombra was looking at a couple of boxing and wrestling posters. Some were of classic tittle bouts others were big name matches that were coming soon.
“wonder if it has become custom for the duels of knights to be touted in such a way.” Sombra commented before looking at Winchester.
The blue stallion stopped and tried not to glare at Sombra “well the time of town criers is long since passed.”
Sombra rolled his shoulders and stretched under his red cloak, it had been a very long time since he had been out of his armor. “thou art correct.” he chuckled a little awkwardly. Winchester just glared at the black stallion. Sombra noticed and sighed “I’m sure thou hates me.”
Winchester's expression softened “hate is a little strong. You are a knight just as I am, I know the things we face.” Sombra nodded “that said, no I do not count you among my friends.”
“i would not expect thou too?” Sombra replied his head low “i don’t know if it helps, but I do consider what I did high on my list of failings.”
Winchester smiled as he looked back at him self “well losing too you is also high on mine.”
“good.” Sombra replied before taking his leave.
The writers mood slowly sank as he walked toward the shower. Once in he stood with his head against the wall watching the pink water wash down the drain. the soft scent of his cologne mix with the stench on his own blood and sweat slowly vanished down the dark void along with all the plans he had for the day. Fun at the fair, a romantic dinner after and finally the joy of the first kiss at her door everything ruined because of his failure, because he couldn’t beat Sombra. He wanted it all back a second chance, not to face Sombra again, but at that whole day. he not only failed his princesses but Twilight, he ruined her day and her chance at all that fun. She probably didn’t want to go out with him any more.
Winchester's mind was filled with these juvenile thoughts as he trotted out of the armory still wet from head to tail with Featherweight on his back. He made his way to the graveyard the blue stallion noticed somepony by the fountain up ahead. He wasn’t in the mood for social contact but as he turned to find another route he was astonished to see Luna appear out of a soft flash of star light. The blue pony's curiosity quickly drew him with in ear shot.
Sombra turned around to see Luna standing behind him, he froze the instant he saw her. Luna however had control of her emotions for now as she said “Sir Sombra.” the black stallion didn’t know how to respond “Address you princess properly sir knight.” the princess said a little anger growing in her voice.
“i am sorry My princess.” Sombra replied with a bow. “i just did not expect to meet you here this night.”
“indeed.” Luna said her voice softened “but I am not surprised to find you here.” the princess looked at the fountain with the statue of herself and Celestia standing over the world calling up a spray of water to flow over it “knowing what it means..........for the two of us.”
Sombra nodded “this is where I first laid eyes on ye when I was a colt.” he could almost see the scene playing out in front of him. He and his friends were playing in the street as the Princesses and their soldiers returned victoriously from a battle he could not remember. “seeing thou as the immortal goddess of victory then at that moment, I knew I wanted to be a warrior. To fallow thou where ever you went. To enforce thine will through out the lands.”
Luna smiled “yes, I first noticed you in a similar way, years later, when you were returning Victorious in battle against the centaurs in the Grey Desert.”
“With the most beautiful Princess to return too how could I not be.”
the alicorn's smile grew and she blushed slightly as she sat down and looked into the water, the moon glinted off the many bits on the bottom of the fountain “i believe you said something to that effect too.”
“only because I thought Princess Celestia wasn’t there.” Sombra added as he sat next to his princess. The old feelings resurfacing in both of them.
“oh the look on your face was priceless.” Luna giggled covering her smile just like she had done on the day.
“I’m surprised I was knighted after that.”
Luna looked to the statue of her sister “i had something to do with that.” Sombra smiled as the dark blue mare sighed “this is also where you asked me marry you.”
Sombra tensed up he had a bad feeling of where this conversation was going “yes. I almost lost my nerve.” he looked up at the moon then to its princess again, she was facing him with tears streaming down her face. He didn’t know what to say now.
“you broke my heart.” Luna cried. Sombra knew she wasn’t talking about when he proposed.
It took every once of will power Sombra had to not brake down or run away. “i-i'm sorry my-.”
Luna cut him off “sorry, you think sorry is enough to make up for what you did!” she stood up and towered over him.
Sombra fell with his face in the dirt. “I’m sorry my princess my actions are inexcusable.”
“TALK TO ME LIKE A PONY NOT A DAMN GOD!” Luna yelled.
The stallion looked up as a single tear rolled down his face, Luna took a step back this was something she was sure she would never see. “Luna, I’m soo sorry.” Sombra sobbed hard he didn’t care how it looked he had emotions too, even a Knight needs to let them out sometimes. “I’ve done a great many ill deeds in my life, I have made too many mistakes too count, I regret so many actions. Things I could have done. lives if could have saved. But there is nothing I have done in this worthless life of mine more then what I did that day.” he got control of himself again and stood up straight trying to shake the wetness from his face. He gave up as more tears flowed from his eyes and just continued “it is no excuse that I was lost to the power I had somehow obtained. I could have tried harder I could have done something.” he looked away “i know thou cant forgive me-”
Luna stopped Sombra from talking by putting a hoof to his lips “ssh, you don’t know what I can or can not do.” the stallion looked up at her family holding in his tears. She took her hoof away and looked to the moon. “i should be going.” the princess of the moon turned and vanished in a flash of star light. Leaving Sombra alone in the moonlight, with little idea of what was on Luna's mind.
Sombra stared at where she stood just seconds ago, only the sound of approaching hoof steps drew the black stallion's attention away from it. He tried to hid his surprise and embarrassment but most of all his tear streaks at seeing Winchester approaching. “i do apologize for the intrusion.” the blue knight said.
“it is only fare.” Sombra replied.
The writer looked sad and nodded but didn’t say anything. Then his horn glowed as he slide Featherweight out of the sheath on his back. Sombra stepped back concerned, the massive blade floated over Winchester for a moment then floated it down handle towards Sombra. “I believe this belongs to you.”
Sombra looked at his wedding gift then looked up at his opponent too be “wait is thou forfeiting?”
“i never said that.” Winchester grinned slightly as Sombra's dark gray glow replaced the blue one around the sword. The black stallion looked at the blade as Winchester added “I'll be getting that back in three days.”
Sombra chuckled as he slide the weapon into the sheath on his back and said “thou can think what ever thou wants.” he grinned at the blue stallion “i shall show you the true power of the knights of old.”
“and I’ll show you the power of the Knights of this age.” Winchester replied. The two took their leave of each other, they both had places to go. Hammer Forge was right it was going to be a good fight. Nether stallion would settle for less then victory, Both stallions were fighting for the love of a mare and their own self respect.

* * *

After returning home from their day trip to Conterlot the bearers of harmony and company went about the next three days like normal. Twilight tried to not think about the up coming duel, most of her friends were of the same mind. Pinkie Pie could be considered excited to go back to Canterlot, only because there was a chance she was going to get to see Flash again. Although Rarity found the event deplorable, she was making dresses for it. Nothing too extravagant but in her words “Would show the other elite they belong where they sat. as sort a of status symbol.”
Twilight wasn’t sure how to feel about the whole thing. First the situation between Sombra and Luna was hard understand, it gave her a headache to try and figure it out. Why were advanced magical theories easier to understand then ponies emotion and love lives. Second was that she knew Winchester would gladly give his life to protect others, but was his honor also worth dieing for. She was starting to wonder about her attraction towards him. It only got worse when posters for the duel appeared around Ponyville, there were also adds in the paper for it, and worst of all ponies around the town were talking about it. This was the worst start to a relationship ever.
Thankfully her friends knew just what to do too keep Twilight in a good mood. She was even smiling as they all rode the train in a private car the Princesses sent for them, though it was slightly annoying that the waiters and waitresses were constantly asking if they needed anything. Spike did however like that he was the one being served for once.
As the train pulled into Canterlot the attendants on bored informed Twilight and her friends they should get ready. The bearers of harmony knew they were right, and got dressed. like always Rarity had created just about perfection. For Twilight, she had made a strapless blue and purple dress with sprinkling of stars just like the dangling gold shooting star ear rings and necklace Twilight had on. Her blue high heals had straps that went up to her knees. Fluttershy wore a grass green dress with grass like sequins and little white daisies on the spaghetti straps. She also had a few flowers in her mane and tail and a string of purls around her neck, a couple of white beads hug from her white sandals. Rainbow Dash wore a midnight blue dress with cloud lace trim and no sleeves, her back was expose with some more cloud lace. Not one for jewelry she had a couple of ruby studs in her ears and a golden choker with a couple of ruby lightening bolts in it as well. Applejack's dress was Rarity's attempt to combine the attire of a south belle, and a farm worker with a sleek party dress. As far as most ponies were concerned she had, although Rarity herself was never really happy with how the denim skirt came out although the gold apple studs were still as pretty as ever. Pinkie Pies dress looked like a waves of sparkling icing of light blue, purple and pink, her chest was dominated by a light blue bow. She was having trouble not playing with the loose bead strains on her head band, just like the white unicorn feared. Rarity made a sleek velvet red dress with black trim for herself, the V shaped neck line was adorn with little purple diamonds as was her necklace and dangely ear rings. she had a black sash tied around her waist. Her skirt was split up the side giving a glance of her black garter she wore when she walked. Her smooth red high heels complimented her own refined figure and grace, she just wished Thunderlane could have gotten the day off to complete the ensemble.
The red carpet had been rolled out for them at the station, and a contingent of the royal guard was waiting along it to escort them to the stadium. The mares recognized their markings as troops of the Shield Bearers company, soldiers under Twilight's brother command. Shining Armor was even there to greet them, Pinkie Pie almost exploded with excitement seeing that Flash was among the troops lining the carpet. Before Pinkie could run out of the train and hug him Rarity stopped her and whispered in her ear what the earth pony should do.
The Six mares trotted out of the train car followed by Spike in a nice white shirt, green vest and fancy black jacket with jade cufflinks. Pinkie was trying to look as refined as the white unicorn beside her. Her head held high, steps deliberate but gentle, Pinkie tried her best not to stumble in the blue heals she was wearing. They all trotted along till Pinkie passed Flash, the mare stop and tried to look like a noble lady as she pulled her handkerchief out of it's hiding place in her sleeve. She offered it to Flash till Rarity cleared her throat and motioned for Pinkie to drop it and continue on her way. Pinkie frowned as she did so, it felt strange why cant she just hug him. She glanced back to see that Flash had picked up the handkerchief and slipped it into the collar of his ceremonial armor. He didn’t understand the custom ether, but he liked having the token with him.
Shining Armor led the royal escort wearing a fine red jacket with his sword on his hip, in his dress uniform. The stallion's chest was covered in campaign ribbons and a dozen medals for valor and leadership. He sighed as they passed some stalls selling merchandise for the duel “luckily that stuff pays salary's and the like.” the stallion said.
“the dolls are cute at least.” Fluttershy said looking at the stalls.
Twilight looked at the large poster of Winchester and Sombra facing off hanging over the entrance to the stadium as her brother lead them in side, she was still unsure how to feel like there was something she should have done. Parade horns blew as they entered the stadium other then Rarity none of the bearers of harmony really knew how to feel or act. Shining Armor lead the six bearers of harmony and the dragon down the steps to the box seats field side. Celestia and Luna were there in nothing more then their normal royal garb. Luna did have some sparkling lip gloss on.
Celestia welcomed the girls with a smile. Luna was talking to Cadence, but both the alicorns happily greeted the new comers as they found their seats. Shining Armor snuck a kiss from his wife as he sat down beside her. As the group waited Rarity mention to her friends how the Canterlot elite were staring at them. Fancy Pants agreed with her from his seat behind Cadence. Rainbow Dash was openly curious about what was going to happen, Applejack was less vocal about it but wanted to know as well. The princesses were all too happy to explain it all, leaving out the more gruesome details. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity talked to Cadence about Foal stuff. Twilight quickly gave up trying to find Winchester and joined her sister in law and friends in conversation, she wowed them with baby stories about Spike. The little dragon was busy making a ludicrously large order of gems to eat.
Refreshments were served as a few soldiers jousted for the crowds entertainment. finally Celestia moved the sun to its highest point of the day then she and Luna arouse, they cast a minor spell too amplify their voices throughout the stadium and Luna started “Ladies and Gentle Colts here today, you will bear witness to an event that has not been seen in many many years.”
“indeed.” Celestia added “for today you will bear witness to a duel between Knights for the right to their title.”
“Sir Sombra the Undefeated. Sir Winchester the writer, please present yourselves to your princesses.” Luna called motioning to the tunnels to her left and right.
the two stallions trotted out the halls where the hoof ball teams normally made their big entrance from. They held their heads high with their polished armor shining in the sun, though most of Sombra's was covered by his red cloak but his new boots shined bright. They soon stood before their Alicorn monarchs and waited for them to speck. Twilight and here friends noticed that Sombra had Featherweight on his back while Winchester was currently unarmed.
Celestia inspected the two of them, then said “you two will duel to the best of your abilities. Do not hold back, here today you will be judged by not only your fellows but your princesses. Our subjects are to see that the knights are still powerful.” Celestia looked too Luna who was staring right into Sombra's eyes now. “we do not ask for blood.” the sun princess continued “we ask only for the strongest. That is all we want, fight to your own end.” she waited for a moment to see if the knights had anything to say, Satisfied they didn’t she finished. “You may begin.”
The princess of the sun sat down but Luna stood looking into Sombra's eyes. The stadium was silent as the alicorn pulled a blue handkerchief from her royal garb with her magic. She held it out before Sombra and dropped it. The stallion caught it in aw as the crowd gasped. He never broke eye contact with his lady as he discarded his red cloak revealing fine sliver mail connecting the large black steel plates together. Sombra eagerly tied his lady's colors around his neck, he fought back tears as he smiled at her. Luna was doing to the same as she sat down.
Winchester looked to Celestia expectantly however she shook her head. “that is not the tradition sir Winchester.” her voice was not magnified now. “My sister did that of her own accord, for her own reasons. I place no bets on this duel.”
the blue stallion shook a little feeling abandoned as he and Sombra turned to head to center field. Twilight stared at her mentor at a lost for words. “Winchester!” the lavender mare called. The blue stallion turned around and was pulled close to the wall by a purple aura. Twilight hooked her hid legs on the wall as she leaned over and cupped Winchester's chin with her hoof and planted a deep kiss on his lips that he happily returned. With her other hoof she stuffed her own handkerchief in Winchester's collar to the roar of crowd.
As Twilight sat back down trying to fix her lipstick with a hoof Celestia smiled at her. “that’s not tradition ether.” the lavender mare blushed as her friends made a few giggled comments. All of them in favor of what she had done, Rarity called it “a marvelously romantic moment.”
Winchester was walking on cloud nine as he trotted beside Sombra. Both of the stallions were smiling wide. “thou has little chance of victory.” Sombra said with a grin. “i am favored by a princess.”
“yes you are.” Winchester replied before he cast the same minor spell to amplify his voice the princesses used earlier “i am favored by the bearer of magic the highest example of what a pony can be.” his smile matched his opponents
“she is no god.” Sombra said after copying the spell, this banter apparently needed to be heard.
“true.” Winchester replied as he stopped and turned to face Sombra. “but with her in my heart and at my side, how could I lose.”
The black stallion snorted with a smile, at center field he stopped and drew his weapon “Sir Winchester thou art unarmed, art we to duel with but a single weapon between us?”
“no.” Winchester replied as he motioned towards the hall he had come from. A soldier pony trotted out of the hall carrying a large object wrapped with a thick cloth “i thought you deserved to wield Featherweight one last time before you become Sombra the Once Beaten, besides I know you have no weapon worthy too face it.”
“And you do?” Sombra said watching as a unicorn of the Royal Guard levitated the large object over to Winchester then walk away.
“in truth.... no.” Winchester said “but, I do think that this here is appropriate for the given situation.” he lifted what ever it was and smiled “i believe you felt the bite of this weapon before.” the stadium was filled with the roar of a mighty motor as the whirling teeth of Tirek's Ax tore through the cloth wrapping and tossed the tatters across the field. Winchester grinned he cherished Featherweight but this ax was just too cool.
“impressive.” Sombra said with a nodded “i heard of thou's hoof in the final defeat of Tirek. However I'm a horse of a different color.” the stallion readied for the fight.
“as am I.” Winchester replied as readied himself for the fight, Sombra was right. Winchester normally won his battles by overwhelming his foes with a flurry of powerful blows before his foe knew what hit them. He always tried to stay mobile hoping to avoid any counter attack, his armor was comparatively light to compliment that strategy. Even if Featherweight didn’t cut trough it he would feel every blow, and they would hurt. He would have to keep moving and push his advantage of speed and agility.
However Sombra fought in a similar way to Winchester and had at least ten more years experience doing it. In their last fight Sombra proved he could deal with Winchester's speed and agility plus he now had to deal with a much heavier and slower weapon. However Tirek's ax had one advantage, it could tare through armor and both stallions knew it.
The stadium was silent other then the rumble of the ax, then on a single heart beat the stallions charged and the crowd exploded. the warriors blew past each other their weapons sparking as they collided. Winchester dug his fore-hooves into the grassy field and swung his tail end around trying to out pace his foe. Sombra knew that Winchester was faster then him but he knew he had better control of the actual battle field, the cheering crowd gasped as black crystals burst out of the ground and formed a curved sloped wall allowing the stallion to continued at full speed and invert his direction.
The knights' armored hooves thundered loud their weapons were even louder, but nothing compered to the crowd. The advertisements had guaranteed that this would be a fight like none of the jousting, boxing or wrestling enthusiasts had ever seen. Magic, sword, ax, mind, body and strangely crystal were put to use in ways few of the crowd had seen. The few knights hidden among the civilian ponies were watching the ebb and flow of battle intently, they had to keep themselves in check. They wanted to join in to test themselves. Celestia and Luna were impressed they had not seen their knights fight in a long time. The crowd cheered the knights on, while the more refined of the audience were unmoved by the savage display. Rainbow Dash was one of the more vocal of the crowd cheering and telling Winchester to show Sombra a thing or two, She ignored the disapproving eyes of the noble ponies around her one of which was Rarity even. Applejack was getting into the excitement too.
Twilight was having trouble watching the whole thing. She was nervous, flinching at every blow Winchester took. Her coat would shimmer on occasion as her nervous energy built up and needed release. She wasn’t the only mare acting this way. Even though Princess Luna had fought in battle beside Sombra, she was very nervous but was doing her best to hid it.
Sombra had thought to push his advantage of Winchester's unfamiliarity with the ax, that idea quickly proved fruitless. Winchester had trained with the weapon over the last three days. The teeth of Tirek's ax had made short work of his new chain mail if given the chance and it did the one chance it got. So the black stallion summoned dozens of crystal spikes form the ground and fell back to heal, Winchester knew this trick. The blue knight expected it in fact but still didn’t really have a good way around it. He jumped over or smashed the crystal with the ax, the whirling teeth made short work of the spears. It just not quick enough Sombra was getting away.
Winchester gave a war cray as he ran up one of the crystal spikes and jumped over some the rest of in front of him. He charged Sombra his raging ax held high, the black stallion seem like this is what he wanted. With but a thought the warrior from another age summoned more spikes from the ground in a ring around himself. Winchester cursed as he slid to a stop, the crystals broke against his chest plate. Before he could bring the ax down on Sombra he heard a the last words of black knight's spell, he knew he had barely a moment before lightning stuck.
The writer was fast but not faster then lightening. The blue stallion jumped just as the bolt struck the crystal around him and blew them apart. Twilight gasped as the blast tossed the blue pony end over end. He landed painfully on his stomach gasping for breath, the ax head dug into the ground right in front of him. Sombra came at him with a powerful over head strike. Winchester garbed the ax strap dangling in his face with his teeth and revved the motor. The writer was pulled out of the way just in time and gave Sombra of good kick in the face.
Luna gasped as Sombra stumbled back dazed for the momet and Winchester took full advantage of it. He dug his hooves into the dirt and brought the roaring head of the ax around slamming it into his foe's chest sending bloody sparks through the air. The force of the blow sent Sombra bouncing across the grassy field. The black knight rolled to his hooves just in time to see Winchester was on him already. Sombra vanished as the mighty chainsaw ax tore into the dirt where he had been. The unarmed knight appeared behind Winchester planing on tackling him, the younger warrior was ready with Featherweight. Sombra ducked under the swipe of the blade. As Winchester spun around to face him, Sombra shot a fire ball at his foe who simply blocked it with his ax and held Featherweight over head. The black pony jumped to the side and ran past, he was unarmed now but was still determined to win. He just needed a moment to arm himself.
The crowd cheered as Winchester reared up kicking his forelegs and turned around with both his weapons held out wide. he saw Sombra putting distance between him them. 'Probably going to use those crystal powers of his again.' The writer thought. The blue knight had his own idea, with a flash of his horn he slammed his hooves into the dirt kicking up a good portion of the field creating a thick dust cloud.
It was hard to see what happened with in the dust cloud but judging form the sound it wasn’t pretty. When the dust started to settled the crowd saw Winchester struggling to hold back six unicorns made of black crystal with sword like horns. Winchester's own horn almost glowed white as he tried to push the crystal ponies away from him with his weapons. Sombra charged Winchester from the front with a massive crystal sword. The blue knight growled as he jumped back hoping the crystal ponies would trip up Sombra, however he just seem to past through them as if they weren’t there.
Even though he was out numbered Winchester was not on the run, after falling back to get some room to swing his two weapons then he was on the attack. Featherweight and Tirek's ax made short work of the crystal ponies, as well as the spikes Sombra was creating. The Crystal sword fared a little better, but the combination of the two heavy weapons distorted it too. Winchester panted controlling two large weapons was difficult he needed to catch his breath, but he had disarmed Sombra again and the black pony was off balance he needed to strike now. Winchester swung Featherweight noticeably slower then before, Sombra counter with a large thick shaft of crystal he summoned from the earth. The white blade dug in but Winchester's magical strength was waning he couldn’t get Featherweight to cut all the way through it. Before Winchester could bring the ax around one of the crystal minions charged him from the side.
Twilight was chewing on her for hoof through her shoe as she watched one of the crystal pony stabbed Winchester in the flank. It's horn broke before it got very deep, the whirling teeth of the ax tore the false pony apart. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take of this, her heart was pounding.
Sombra jumped and grabbed Featherweight by its handle with his teeth, the weapon was firmly lodged in the crystal. Winchester didn’t want to give Sombra the time to free it, and sent the roaring ax at the black stallion. As the knight of old hung from the stuck sword he caught the large handle of the ax with his hooves. Winchester was right behind his weapon knocking the black stallion from where he hung.
The two Stallion's rolled around on the ground struggling for control of the ax. some how in the scuffle Winchester got on top. He growled as he started to press the shaft of the ax down on Sombra's throat. Before he could demand the black stallion to yield the dirt beneath them suddenly became a flat floor of crystal and Sombra melded into it. “what the hell!?” Winchester growled as he looked around.
Behind him the crystal spear with Featherweight disappeared into the ground. Winchester spun around the roar of his ax screamed over his cursing. Suddenly a dozen black crystal obelisks burst from the ground around the blue knight. He growled as Sombra's laughing face appeared in one of the mirror flats facings then vanish only to appear in another. His forced laugh echoed all around the stadium.
Winchester quickly became annoyed at being laughed at by a foe who was hiding from him. He started to growl the words to a arcane blast spell. The blue unicorn balanced the ax on his back as he followed Sombra's face, it seemed to appear at random in the circle of obelisks. So Winchester shot the first one he could when his spell was ready. The crystal shattered from the force of the blast. However Sombra was waiting for that and shot out of the crystal behind the armored writer racking Featherweight across his back before disappearing into another crystal mirror, then shot out of another to strike Winchester again.
Sombra was a blur of motion as he stuck Winchester from ever direction over a dozen times. The blue stallion never had time to react other then to put up a feeble shield to keep from loosing his head. Twilight was holding her breath without knowing it as Sombra shot out of the crystal floor with Winchester on his sword. They flew about twenty feet in the air before he slid off the massive white blade, but Sombra wasn’t about to let the writer off that easily. Sombra spun in the air and brought Featherweight down on the blue pony's chest. The black stallion road the weapon down and slammed his foe into the crystal floor so hard it shatter. Fluttershy almost jumped out of her seat startled by the sound, she had closed her eyes early in the fight. Pinkie Pie fell out of her seat as a silents fell out the stadium.
Applejack placed her hoof on Twilight's as she stared at Winchester laying on the shattered crystal not moving. Rarity and Rainbow Dash looked at each other then over at their lavender friend unsure if she was okay. Shining Armor was dumbstruck while Cadence was more worried about Twilight.
Sombra drug himself off of the fallen stallion, he pulled Featherweight out of the massive dent in in the blue ponies chest plate. The black stallion looked to his princesses. Luna was glad that he was still standing but Celestia shook her head. The fight wasn’t over. A coughed and the sound of grinding metal confirmed it.
Winchester rolled to his hooves it was hard to breath even after he loosened the straps on his chest plate, and he could taste copper. His ears were ringing, eyes burnt from the blood in them. Just about everything hurt, but mostly breathing. The world was in slow motion to the injured stallion as he watched Sombra turn around and tighten his grip on Featherweight. Winchester pulled the ax over to him as he stood up ready to go again. The crowed started to cheer as the two warrior's locked eyes with each others, However Winchester's went from his foe to the mares behind him. Particularly the lavender mare on her hooves, he wasn’t the only one starting at her. Twilight was yelling at princess Celestia who was taking it in stride. Winchester couldn’t hear her words only the thundering of his own heart. judging from the look on her face, her gestures and the few word Winchester could read on her lips he knew what she wanted. Twilight Sparkle wanted the fight stopped now. The writer knew that nether him or Sombra could go much longer but he knew how bad he felt.
Twilight was about to scream or cry she wasn’t sure which when the sound of the angry motor vanished. The lavender mare looked and watched surprised as Winchester dropped his weapon and bowed his head to Sombra. The cheering crowd exploded and Luna jumped to her hooves and flared her wings smiling ear to ear. Sombra won, Winchester had yielded.
Celestia cast the amplification spell again then called Sombra and Winchester over to her. “Congratulations Sir Sombra you are still undefeated.” she looked too her sister and Luna just blushed “your lady would like to congratulate you as well.” Luna gasped surprised. Celestia silently encouraged her kiss to him. the crowd cheered louder as they watched Luna leaned over the wall and gave Sombra a deep passionate kiss. he thought it was the improper place for it but would never turn down a kiss form his lady.
Winchester removed his dented chest plate and looked up at Twilight. She was watching him and their eyes met, with out a word Twilight knew he had done it for her. “Winchester.” the stallion tore his gaze from the lavender mare as Celestia called his name. It was hard for the bloodied stallion make his way over to her. “you are relinquished of your service.” the Sun princess explained “However all the honors and trophies you have earned are yours to keep. Hold your head high for the rest of your days Winchester you are one of the greatest warriors to have graced this field.”
Winchester nodded he was out of words, the stallion bowed to the princesses and thanked them. He looked at Sombra and said “that was a good fight.”
“one of the best of my life.” Sombra replied as he held out a hoof. Winchester looked at it then gladly shook the black knight's hoof. The blue stallion wasn’t sure how to feel the thing that had been his life for the pass five years was no more but later when he met up with Twilight and her friends for the big dinner he was thinking it would be okay. As long as he had her.

Training Camp

(warning some sexual content)

Training Camp

the rising sun was burning off the morning chill as Rainbow Dash raced through the clouds. Her smile still hadn't shown any sign of fading. Today was the day, today she would join the Wonderbolts. at least their training camp but after she aced that she would be the real thing. A real Wonderbolt. There was nothing that would stop her now, she was one of the best fliers in the world there was no way she would flunk out.
That self confidence never faltered as the large cloud airfield the Wonderbolt's were using as the training grounds grew closer. It was as flat on top as a cloud could be with only one structure, a large barracks with room for beds, a mess hall and even a class room. Rainbow Dash could see at least thirty pegasi flying around the cloud or exercising on the field. She landed and tossed her freshly washed mane out of her face. The sky blue mare set down her saddle bags and looked around. She could tell that these ponies were some serious fliers, nothing like the jokers she was use to flying with.
A sonic boom followed by an other drew the attention of most of the ponies on the airfield to the air above. Rainbow Dash expected to see the Wonderbolts flying overhead. She quickly recognized the streaks of color were not any of the Wonderbolts, one was pink edged in blue fire, the other was light blue with a bolt of lightning along the center. Rainbow smirked and her wings buzzed excitedly, those two were racing. Her competitive side took over, without a second thought she crouched and leapt into the air. The blue mares powerful wings sent her rocketing into the air.
The air tried to hold Rainbow Dash back as she pulled in line with the other two, it was hard to see them smiling as the new challenger broke through the sound barrier to keep pace with them. The three pegasi rocketed through the air as they dipped, dove, and raced through the clouds in the sky. It was all their personal play ground. No rules, no boundaries, no fear just three pegasi doing what they love too do, pushing their limits.
The three were having a great time, but Rainbow Dash eventually decided it was time to show these two they couldn’t keep up. The blue mare flapped her wings all the harder pushing herself faster, a second sonic cone started to form around her for-hooves and face. The strange thing was that she wasn’t really pulling ahead of the other two, even as she burst through air barrier and the air was filled with the sound and color of a Sonic Rainboom two more booms joined it. The pegasi on the airfield below were impressed, it was hard enough to break the sound bearer but to do it twice was truly spectacular.
Rainbow Dash and her two opponents were in peek condition but they could only maintain this speed for so long. The air snapped around them as they slowed down aiming for the air field. At the right moment the three pegasus flared their wings and touched down on the fluffy cloud. “oh yeah.” Rainbow Dash hollered as she caught her breath.
“that..was..awesome.” a blue mare with a slick back blond mane said between heavy breaths, her lighting bolt cutie mark showed she was responsible for the blue trail with the lightning bolt. She froze realizing that it was indeed Rainbow Dash they had joined the race.
The other mare from the race was pink with a blue mane, she stomped her hoof her chest heaving from the exertion. “damn, you two are some of the fastest mares I’ve ever raced.” her thick Manehattan accent made her sound upset but her smile showed she most definitely not.
Before the three mares could say anything more the air was shattered by about a dozen overlapping sonic booms. Many of the ponies covered their ears as they looked up. With astonishing ease the four Wonderbolts flipped over rolled back upright as they slowed down to a safe landing speed just before they touched down in front of recruits. Spitfire, Soarin, Fleetfoot and Dafter looked over the potential Wonderbolts in front of them. They were trying to hide their smiles, they had too earn their place after all. Most if not all of these young ponies will have their hearts broken in the next mouth or two.
“OKAY!” Spitfire barked at the pegasi not in a Wonderbolts suit “i know all of you think your hot stuff.” she looked at the scattered faces as they nodded. “Well you ain’t nothing till we tell you, you are something.”
the leader of the Wonderbolts was cut off by a pony slamming into cloud followed by at least two sharp snaps. This new comer must have been traveling at supersonic speeds. The fiery yellow mare tossed her head to get her long orange mane out of her face. She smiled as bright as the little crystal necklace she wore. Her eyes burned with a passion that marched her cutie mark, a burning star.
Spitfire was about to speck but the new comer spoke up “Names Star, Ma'am. And I just have to say I’m your biggest fan.” she smiled and bowed to the obviously confused leader of the Wonderbolts. The other three Wonberbolts looked too Spitfire wondering what was going on.
It took Spitfire a moment to recover “okay recruits thanks to this little lady here you all going to do wing ups till I'm tired of watching you do them.” she wasn’t going to enjoy the training camp this year “NOW LINE UP!” the pegasi scrambled to do as told, many ran in circles and into each other, a few stood confused in place, most of them yelled incoherently. Rainbow Dash and the two mares she had raced were some of the few that didn’t panic, they lined up and stood at attention waiting for the rest of the trainees to do the same.
The four Wonderbolts looked at each other and rolled there eyes. Civilian ponies do get confused easily especially when yelled at. Once Spitfire grew tired of waiting for the ponies to get into line she turned to Drafter, the newest member of the team, and nodded to the scrambling ponies. He saluted and jumped into the fray and started to herd the recruits into perfect lines, it took a little longer then he had hoped. The young Wonberbolt then instructed the group through about 50 wing ups, yelling at any who he felt needed it.
Rainbow Dash pushed herself up using only her wings with her for-hooves crossed behind her head, just like she had done countless times. This was easy. As sweat started to roll down her face the pink mare to Rainbow Dash's left the same one she raced earlier whispered “hey, names Firefly.” Rainbow introduced herself but Firefly smiled and replied “already knew that.”
“Lightning Dust.” the lighter blue mare on the other side of Rainbow Dash added.
However before the three could talk more Drafter was on them like any good drill instructor “do you have something to say recruit!” he yelled at Firefly.
“no.” Firefly replied as she held herself up with her wings.
“did I tell you to stop.”
“no.” Firefly growled, she hated being yelled at. She gritted her teeth as she got back into pace with the other Wonderbolt recruits.
Rainbow Dash made the unfortunate mistake of watching the whole thing, and Drafter noticed it. He took a few steps over and stared down at her “What are you looking at recruit.” the blue mare then made an even worse mistake by not replying immediately “I’m talking to you recruit.”
“nothing.” Rainbow Dash yelled as she pushed herself up again, her wings like many others were starting to burn.
“I'll let that slide this time.” Drafter said as he stood straighter “better not let me catch you again. Eyes front!” he trotted away forcing himself to not smile, this was kind of fun.
Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust made eye contact thinking Drafter wasn’t looking the blond maned mare mouthed “Damn” but Rainbow Dash eyes jumped straight ahead. “shit” Lightning Dust mouthed as she slowly turned to come eye to eye with Drafter. She braced herself for a sever tongue lashing but Soarin saved her by yelling for them to all stop. Drafter turned his attention from Lightning Dust to Spitfire, she motioned for him join them at the front. He didn’t need to be told twice and her fluttered over to his leader.
Spitfire looked at the pegasi before her “So you all want to fly with the Wonderbolts.” she chuckled “you ain’t ready.” she locked eyes with a few of the ponies she knew, Rainbow Dash was one of them. “most of you have shown you're pretty good flying on your own, but flying in a team is different. When you're flying alone you and you mess up you just hurt yourself, but if you mess up in a team you get your Team hurt.” she affixed many more ponies with her fiery gaze. “so over the next few weeks we're not only going to teach you how to fly, and not just how to fly in a group, but how to truly fly as a team.” she looked around at them all and smiled “I'll be your head instructor and I'll have the final say if you flunk out, keep in mind every things a test. Most of you will fail, so keep in mind your not a Wonderbolt yet. The Wonderbolts are the best and you got to prove your the best.” she smiled “Are you ready to prove your the best?!” the leader bellowed, she waited a moment and yelled for the recruits too respond. This time the recruits responded with a resounding yes. Spitfire explained a few points that the recruits would need to know, things like meal times, bunk time, how she and the other drill instructors expected them to behave, and the fact that they would not get any free time. It was all her attempt to drive home to the ponies they were in boot camp.
Soarin, FleetFoot and Drafter split up the perspective Wonderbolts into three groups and lead them to the barracks to pick their bunks and put their luggage till that night. Rainbow Dash was glad she was in the same group as Firefly and Lightning Dust for all the good it did. The three never really got a chance to talk as every pony put their bags on a bunk Soarin immediately took the near dozen ponies he was training for a short jog then a longer flight. The other instructors were putting their own groups through similar exercises.
Everything was done under the watchful eyes of Spitfire. She took notes just like her predecessors had done before her. Although the ponies changed with the times the traditions and rules don’t. Any weakness of any sort would not be tolerate in the ranks of the Wonderbolts, even if their main job was to entertain they were still a unit of the royal guard. an elite one in fact and the Wonderbolts would take nothing less then perfection. They worked hard to be perfect and they played hard to recover from it.
The first day of training was filled with exercises. Jogging, flying, sit ups, push ups, flying, wing ups, jumping jacks, more flying and just about any cardio exercises the Wonderbolts and their research personnel had determined were essential to training. There was only one pony kicked out this day, a mare tripped during one of her groups jogs causing the ponies behind her all collided as they tried not to trample her. Fleetfoot yanked her out of the line explained that if something like that happens in a show she could really hurt somepony. Spitfire flew over and dismissed the fallen mare. As tears welled up in her eyes Fleetfoot wished the mare luck for the next time with a whisper, before leaving her behind and leading the remainder of her troop through another lap of the airfield on hoof before they took flight for a dozen more laps.
Around noon the recruits were given their lunch break, and then measures for leotards followed by a lesson on formation flying. After the lesson the three groups split up for more exercises. Soarin had his group do some sit ups for the second time today. He trotted through the rows of his recruits, the stallion would occasionally stop and tell a trainee how they should be doing their sit ups. he stopped at one familiar blue mare with a multicolored mane. Soarin tried to hide his grin as he looked at her, Rainbow Dash met his eyes in the brief moments of rest between sit ups. The mare was a little too preoccupied to think much of it. Lightning Dust, however noticed it as Spitfire called Soarin's name. The stallion lowered his ears as he tried to avoid a scolding, luckily all he got was a stern look.
The day ended with the trainees settling into their bunks after a nice hearty dinner. The barracks were a large open area with enough bunks to sleep about forty ponies. By the foot of each bunk were a couple of floor chests for the ponies to put their personal possessions in. the Wonderbolts themselves weren’t going to stay at the camp, they had other things to do at night other then to watch their over worked recruits sleep. They were celebrities after all. The job of watching over the recruits was for a couple of security guards. a cook, a doctor and a couple of workers all had their own rooms in the building if they decided to spend the night instead of flying home.
Rainbow Dash was glade to have only brought a picture of tank, a picture of her friends, a mane brush, and a few personal hygiene produce, so she could climb into her bunk that much quicker. She had chosen the top while Lightning Dust claimed the bunk under her, Firefly took the top bunk next to Rainbow Dash's. None of the recruits had been this tired in a long time. As Rainbow Dash was about to drift off to sleep, Lightning Dust's slick blond mane slowly rose over the edge of her bed. The pale blue pegasus was smiling from ear to ear. “What?” Rainbow Dash asked feeling unconformable, maybe she didn’t want to be friends with this mare.
“Soarin likes you.” Lightning Dust said with a tired giggle. The mare's legs were so tired they could barely hold her up.
“what?” Rainbow Dash said pushing herself up from her new pillow a little.
“yeah girl, he was totally checking you out early.” Lightning Dust replied swaying her tail back and forth “girl, he wants you.”
“no he wasn’t.” Rainbow Dash giggled and blushed “well.” she looked down at her sore body and and spread her wings, they made a sound akin to creaking wood.
Rainbow Dash was about to contradict her when Firefly called “Hey.” from under the covers of her bunk “if you don’t want him I'll take him.” the Manehattan mare poked her face out from under her blanket with a smile across it.
“who said he'd even look your way when I'm around.” Lightning Dust interjected shaking her flank a little to emphasize her point.
“ha ha.” Firefly sarcastic mocked finally moving out from under the blankets. “when I go to the clubs. I loose track of the number of stallions trying to ask me out.” Rainbow Dash and lightning Dust giggled as the pink mare added “and hell I get more then a fare share of mares asking me out, too bad for them I don’t swing that way.”
Rainbow Dash giggled and looked at the two, maybe they would be friends after all. “well you too don’t stand a chance with him any way.” she smiled slightly “he and I already danced together at Captain Shining Armor and Princess Cadence’s wedding.”
lightning Dust gasped with wide eyes as plates while Firefly exclaimed “Bitch please, your lying.”
“nope.” the rainbow maned mare replied seeing that the pink mare from Manehattan was not mad as she sounded, it was just her way of talking.
“hey!” a voice called form the other side of the room. Rainbow Dash, Firefly and Lightning Dust looked over to see that it was that mare Star siting up in her bed glaring at them “you three are so slow you could only attract dust, and so loud nopony can sleep.”
an angry shiver ran down the three mares spines as they glared at the orange mane antagonist. “no pony can sleep because your yelling across the room bitch.” Firefly shot back. She as already wanting a fight.
“Firefly leave it.” Rainbow Dash said “well show her tomorrow, Soarin said we'd be doing time trials.”
“yeah.” lightning Dust said dropped to all four her again her wings shaking a little as she held them out wide.
“Rainbow Dash is right.” Firefly said laying back down into her bunk. “well show that slut tomorrow.” she reached out a hoof and Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust slammed theirs into hers making a loud clop. Lightning Dust stuck her tongue out at Star before she slipped into her bunk. Star yawned a taunt before laying down and dozing off like the rest of the trainees.
The next day after a morning jog, a short flight, some stretches, and a nice hearty breakfast the Wonderbolts recruits were lined up at the edge of the cloud. The three Wonderbolt instructor were standing at attention in front of their charges. Spitfire hoovered in front of them with a clip board under her foreleg and a stop watch around her neck, like always she was wearing her brown flight jacket.
“Today's we're going to have some fun.” Spitfire yelled with a smile “your instructor should have told you that today is the first set of time trials. Now I'm not going to go over all the fine details but I will mention the most important things again.” she affixed all her potential team mates with fiery eyes. “if your too slow you will fail. If hit you hit too many clouds you will fail. If you don’t hit the bulls eye you fail. If you fail, well that’s it, better luck next time.” she smiled and looked around again at all the worried faces, “if you have a question. ask it now, this is one of the few times you wont get kicked out for asking.” she was kidding about getting kicked out for asking questions, but that was the fun of it.
one stallion in the middle of Fleetfoot group raised a hoof. Spitfire nodded and told him to ask his question “what time do we have to meet to pass.” all of the pegasus recruits waited anxiously to hear the answer.
The leader of the Wonberbolts smirked, she suppressed most of her sarcastic response. “well I did say it was going to be fun.” she smiled and nodded slowly “a Wonderbolt would know the answer.” that was the only hint they needed, most guessed correctly that meant at least the slowest of them would be kicked out.
The course was meant to test not only the trainees top speed but how hard and fast they could corner. It started with a half mile sprint out to a series of about a dozen numbered cloud rings before diving down to a second set of rings another quarter mile below. The last set of rings was high above the air field after those final twelve rings the trainee would dive down and land on a target set up on the center of the airfield.
Fleetfoot's group started off the trials, the first few pegasi did the course with out incident and each posted respectable times around two and a half minutes. Then there was a sting of heartbreak, first a yellow Stallion missed the bulls eye at the end with two hooves even his time of two minutes nineteen seconds, the fastest so far, didn't save him. Another Stallion's wing cut through one of the cloud rings sending him out of control into another, he recovered in time for Spitfire to call out that he had failed. A third pony failed by getting a time of two minuets and fifty seven seconds, the mare tried not to cry as she galloped to the barracks. To her credit she wasn’t loud as she left. Finally a stallion clipped a cloud ring with his for hooves and flipped end over end and hit another ring, he didn’t even wait to hear his judgment, he just flew away bawling.
The rest of Fleetfoot's group went and only two more were lost, but the point was driven home. The threat of expulsion was very real, the Wonderbolts tried their best to be stone faced. Right now wasn’t the time for encouragement or teaching, this was the time for testing, for timing the fat so to speck. They all went through training a couple of times, only Spitfire hadn't gone through the training more then once.
Soon it was Soarin's groups turn, the Stallion was very cross with first pony to go. He had been boasting that he had the best picks of the ponies, only for the first pony of his group to not only be too slow but missed the target area by full pony length. Of course none of the recruits had heard any of their instructor boasts but they heard every word of his anger, he told them if anypony else failed they wouldn’t be coming back. He was lying but the trainees didn’t know that, plus it motivated them to do better. The next few recruits posted very good times, all around two twenty five.
Finally Rainbow Dash's turn came around, her heart was beating hard and fast. She was nervous but doing her best to hid it. Her wings buzzed as she took her place on the starting line. She took a deep breath as Soarin whispered “show them your boom.” the mare glanced at her instructor he was trying not to smile as he found his place beside the starting line. A smile graced Rainbow's face, her nerves were under control now.
Spitfire called “go.” and Rainbow was off. Within seconds she felt the air trying to hold her back, but she refused to let it and broke through surpassing the speed of sound like always it was accompanied by a spectacular flash of color. In the blink of an eye she had traveled the whole half mile distance the first ring. The air snapped around her as she slowed down for the hard right to the next ring. The blood rushed away from her head as she pulled up and over the second ring and accelerated through the third ring. A snap roll and another hard turn right through the center of the third ring.
Rainbow Dash didn’t miss a ring, each wing beat was perfect. She knew she had to do everything right, but she felt herself slowing down with each turn. She tried to keep up her speed but the turns were just too tight, she had to make up for the time on the straights. She did just that as she past through the 12th ring, she kicked her rear up and dove as hard as she could. The air was shattered twice with her distinctive rainbow shock way, a few pegasi workers hurried over to keep the rings in place. The air snapped around her as Rainbow Dash slowed for the turns. Again she was having trouble maintaining her trade mark speed in tight turns. She almost lost it twice in the second set of rings, but it didn’t slow her down or even shake her confidence.
The air shattered twice more as she shot up toward the final set of rings, an impressive feet to break the sound barrier while climbing but astonishing to do it twice. She passed through the first ring but wasn't able too slow down in time for the second ring, the air snapped as she stop and reorientated herself. She was determined too make up the time. The air popped as she accelerated through the remainder of the rings. She broke through the sound barrier again as she exited the last ring aimed for the target on the airfield. The massive cloud construction shook as Rainbow Dash slammed into the target at supersonic speed. It was a perfect bull eyes.
The Wonderbolts leader nodded as she looked from Rainbow Dash to the stop watch. “Damn so close to a new first time record.” Spitfire said trying to hold back her sad smile. She wished she didn’t know what she knew “although you hit the airfield a little too hard.” Rainbow Dash's heart skipped a beat and her ears hanging low, Spitfire always told the ponies that failed what they did wrong before failing them “but we don't fail you for that.” the blue mare's face lite up as Spitfire called out “two minutes on the dot.” the blue Pegasus jumped in the air yelling with glee. The other trainees cheered for her, some felt lucky just to have seen that. The institutors let the merriment last for a moment longer before getting them back under control.
Firefly was up next, her heart was in her throat. After such a display she had her work cut out for her to match it. On go the pink mare form Manehattan was off like a bullet. The air shattered as she broke the sound barrier. She tried to do it again before she had to slow down, that was a mistake that almost cost her. She over shot the turn for the second ring, she stopped before hitting the sixth ring in front of her. Her pink wings flapped as hard and fast as she could to get herself back on track. She zipped through the rest of the clouds rings she had to make up time. She doubled the speed sound in her dive to the second set of rings, again she missed her moment to slow down. She lost precious seconds getting back in the grove for this set of rings. She was determined to make up time in the climb and the next set of rings, but again she made the same mistake and didn't slow down for the turns. Fortunately she was skilled, or lucky, enough to beadle to compensate for the mistake. Firefly made it through the rest of the rings growling the whole time. Moments later she hit the bulls-eye cursing loudly, she thought she had failed. Spitfire however simply called out her time of two minutes ten seconds the second best time of the day.
Rainbow Dash wanted to give Firefly a hoof bump but a display like that would just earn them the wrath of their instructor. Lightning Dust was up next she looked confident but it was a front, she felt like throwing up. She took a deep breath at the starting line, this was it she had to show her stuff. Just like the two before her, she was off like flash of lightning, although her shaky confidences kept her from going much beyond the first sound barrier. She slowed enough to make the turns but with each turn her confidence grew and with her confidence so did her speed. However she never dared to break the sound barrier twice till the final straight, the speed did throw off her aim a bit she didn’t hit bull eyes perfectly. One hoof wasn’t on target but that wasn’t enough to fail. She posted the second fastest time of the day, Two minutes and seven seconds.
Those three didn’t know it but they were the favorites to make it through the training. Three more ponies failed for veracious reasons after them but Soarin wasn’t as angry now. Finally it was Drafters group's turn, the leader of the Wonderbolts knew that their was a surprise in store for everypony. Eventually after about five pegasi, the orange mare Star trotted over to the starting line with her wings and head held high, she snapped her tail as she crouched. all signs of her true confidence.
On go Star's body flashed with light for a moment and she was a full pony length in the air and accelerating. The air burst several times and snapped again as she darted through the cloud rings flashing each time, she seemed to gain speed with each turn. The orange mare made short work of the first set of rings. She was going so fast even her sonic shock waves weren’t keeping up with her. She made short work of the second and third sets of rings. The mare landed dead center of the target to the complete astonishment of the on lookers, she was going so fast that the world couldn't keep up, several seconds later the cloud reacted to her impacted. Spitfire stared at Star for a little bit before saying “new first time record, one minute and fifty eight seconds.” she didn’t seem happy about that, probably because her record of one fifty nine just fell. Star trotted back to her place in line with her head, wings and tail held high. She made no attempt to look like she didn’t think she was better then anypony there, it was very off putting. Sadly two more ponies failed the course before the end, if they were really that unskilled or if they were just thrown off by the acts they had to follow would remain to be seen.
Spitfire looked at the much smaller group of hopeful pegasi. “take a break get something to drink. We're going for a long flight before lunch.” she smiled “you’ll have to keep up with me this time.” a couple of the ponies gulped down their fear, Spitfire was known to run even the real Wonderbolts ragged when she took them flying. The trainees split up, heading to their bunks or the mess hall, a few made their way to the restrooms.
Rainbow Dash, Firefly and Lightning Dust trotted over to a vending machine to get some cold, fruit flavored, sports drinks. The three new friends happily and excitedly talked about their times in the course and offered advice to each other for improving them, although the way Lightning Dust put her constructive criticism was a little grating. However their mirth cut short by Star trotting up to machine to get her own drink and the fact she just couldn’t keep her mouth shut “see, I told you couldn’t keep up with me.” she smiled smugly.
Rainbow Dash felt her wings flare and the angry shiver roll up her spine. She saw the same in Firefly but to an even worse degree, the pink, Manehattan mare was about to pummel their antagonist. Rainbow put a hoof on Firefly's shoulder, a fight would get them kicked out. Lightning Dust however had words, hoping to defuse the situation, “hey the four of us posted the fastest times of the day. we all have something to be proud of.”
Star laughed obnoxiously covering her mouth with a hoof “oh my, your proud to be third.” she smiled at at Firefly “although I guess its better then fourth.” the Manehattan mare tried to jump at Star but Rainbow held her back telling her it was okay “oh come on Rainbow, I didn’t think you would be okay with Second Place and Second Best.” every word from Star's mouth stung Rainbow Dash like a scorpion sting.
“I’m not.” Dash growled, she wanted to pound the orange mare now. She had to keep telling herself it wouldn’t do anything good, a Fight would just get her kicked out, a bad enough one would get her arrested.
“well good.” Star smiled stepping closer to Rainbow Dash “it wouldn’t be fun if I didn’t get the chance to prove you wrong.” the blue Pegasus could feel Star's breath on her nose.
“is there a problem here?” Spitfire said eying the orange mare.
“no.” Star said with a smile “just the top four fliers having a friendly discussion.”
Spitfire wasn’t convinced as she looked at Rainbow Dash and Firefly “that true?”
“yeah.” the two angry mares answered. They and Lightning Dust were determined to prove they were better then Star, more then ever.
The next few days were filled with test and trails, but only a few lessons. Firefly, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust continually made top times and scores but somehow Star topped them each time. The four barely noticed as the number of hopeful pegasi dwindled down to twelve. Spitfire seemed pleased with the number, it was time for training and teaching. Those that took too it would stay, those that didn’t would be sent home.
By now most of the dozen remaining ponies were feeling homesick, Rainbow Dash was no exception. Luckily for the recruits that Friday was mail call. Almost everypony got a letter from home, tears were shed as they thought about the ponies that were waiting for them to return triumphantly wearing the colors of the Wonderbolts. It felt good to hear from their friends and family. Rainbow Dash was sure that Pinkie Pie had something to do with plump pink envelop that was delivered to her. The element of loyalty was right, as soon as she started to tare the flap it burst open with the sound of a party kazoo and noise makers as it showered Rainbow Dash with streamers and glitter.
Rainbow Dash smiled as she shook the sparkling stuff from her mane and pulled the letter from from the envelop. The mare's smile grew as read the letter, all of her friends had a hoof in writing it. The multiple colors hinted at who wrought it. Each of her friends expressed their love and encouragement in their own way, they all mentioned they were proud of her and no matter what happened they would still be proud of her and love her. Twilight added a PS telling her not to get distracted by being so close to Soarin.
Rainbow Dash blushed as she mumbled “i don’t have a crush on Soarin.” Lightning Dust giggled as she slowly stood up to smile at the rainbow maned mare, she had already finished reading her letter from her parents, and had wiped away the tears. Rainbow Dash smiled and giggled as she pushed Lightning Dust down saying “damn it, girl you are so creepy.”
Lightning Dust giggled “i heard you saying something about Soarin, sooo I just had to see.”
“See what?”
“you turning redder then that lighting bolt on your butt.” Lightning Dust giggled before daftly dodging a playful swipe from Rainbow Dash, RD was still blushing.
Star was strangely silent so far this day, she just seemed to watch the sky outside the window near her bunk. Suddenly Firefly and a couple of Wonderbolt recruits burst in through the front door. The pink mare slid across the tile to stop next to Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash. “hey girls this is awesome?”
“what?” both her friends asked.
“you know how they said yesterday we're all going to be divided into teams of three from now on?” her friends nodded happily hoping she was about to say what they thought she was getting at. “we're on the same team.” all three mare's released excited sequels. “and and even better Spitfire is our instructor.”
“you know Spitfire is going to be the toughest on you.” Star called from across the room “she probably chose you lot, cause your such sloppy fliers. She hopping she can just fail you and have sometime off.”
“you know, Star, with all this trash talk you keep throwing at us. some would think your worried we're better then you.” Rainbow Dash said, as she hoped out of her bed to stand her ground against Star's insults.
“you know, RD, you may be right.” Firefly said nodding.
“yeah.” Lightning Dust added.
Star started to laugh as she rolled out of her own bed and trotted over to the three “that be a good thought if I hadn't proved time and again I'm better then all three of ya, Combined, but you know what? I’ll just let the numbers do the talking.” she smiled and turned away planing on heading out checking on whose team she was on.
“it seems to me you let your mouth do a lot of talking.” Firefly scoffed.
Rainbow smiled slyly “and that’s coming from a Manehattan mare, talking's one of the things they do best.”
“they differently talk better then they fly.” Star shot back as she left.
“Damn it.” Rainbow Dash cursed realizing Star just got the last word. Firefly glared at her friend, annoyed that she had set her up so good. Lightning Dust just bucked the air wishing they could just once get the upper hoof on Star in something.
Even though Rainbow Dash and her two new friends were confident in their abilities and that Star was lying, it sure felt like Spitfire was trying to break them. They didn’t know she was in fact and that all three of them were overcoming every challenge she gave them. It was getting harder and harder to stomach what she had to do knowing that she could loose all three of these great fliers because of it. The other instructors were following Spitfire's lead and working their groups hard. The number of recruits dwindled down to nearly half in just a couple of days. Soarin started to make less appearances around the camp once all his trainees had failed, Rainbow Dash was a little disappointed by it. Although she would never admit it.
After a week of training, and lessons it was time for another big test. Spitfire stared at her three trainees as she explained what she expected from them. “tomorrow you three are going to preform together in an airshow. Myself, Soarin, Fleetfoot and Drafter will be your judges.” Spitfire turned and began pacing in front of them. “you've shown you can the fly better then the best, but now you got to put on a show AS a team and you only got a day to plan and for practice it.” she stopped and looked at each of the three mares. “i want to know that you’ll be able to add to the group, not only by being good fliers, but with your creativity.” she started pacing again looked up at the sky “now you three need to work together better then you have ever done before.” Spitfire turned and trotted away “now get to work!”
Rainbow Dash, Firefly and Lightning Dust decided too make their plans in the shade of the barracks. Firefly balanced a pencil on her nose and asked “so you two got any ideas?”
“well we got to be fast, precise and uhh.” Lightning Dust lost her train of thought as Soarin trotted by. Rainbow Dash's tail twitched as she looked over at him and waved awkwardly. The light blue stallion winked at the three mares and gave RD a small wing wave in return. he continued about his business, and after a few jokes Rainbow Dash's expense the mares got back to their own.
“any way where were we.” Rainbow Dash said trying to shake the blush from her cheeks.
“um trying to come up with ideas for a show?” Firefly said dropping the pencil she had on her nose, she idly replaced it.
“yeah.” Lightning Dust added with a nod, but she still didn’t have anything.
“how about we start out with a supersonic cross entry.” Rainbow Dash suggested, “where we come flying at each other and cross paths over head of the judges, with the colors of our contrails it would make a pretty cool design.”
Firefly flipped the pencil into her teeth and wrought down the idea “yeah and we should time it so we break the sound barrier at the same time. It would sound really cool.” Firefly added.
“well that could be a problem with how much slower you are, Firefly, then Dash and me.” Lightning Dust said looking at the pink mare.
“WHAT!?” Firefly growled “what the hell do you mean by that?”
“well.” Lightning Dust replied looking away “don’t you remember all the test you always on the edge of screwing up.”
before Rainbow Dash could say anything Firefly growled “watch it you feather brained, sorry, excuse for a show pony the only edge I’m about to go over is the one where I pound your bitch face in.”
the tension had been building between the two friends for a while now, Lightning Dust had a habit of saying things the wrong way. however Firefly did have a big chip on her shoulder at times, even if somepony was trying to give her constructive criticism she took it as a personal insult. Today Lightning Dust for some reason just decided to make the situation worse by saying “its only the truth girl.”
“the only truth is that I’m tired of you, bitch.” Firefly shot back her wings spread wide. maybe it was the tension between them maybe it was the stress of the training maybe it was something else entirely but Lightning Dust stepped forward, her wings spread. The air seemed to be thick with static and emotion.
Rainbow Dash jumped to action she put herself between the two and pushed them apart saying “will you two relax.” she stood between them her wings held high “whats gotten into you two.” she shook her head “wait I don’t care cause we're dropping it right here. Lightning Dust you need to watch what you say, hell didn’t we talk about this already? remember when you made Curly Cloud cry while trying to make him feel better?” Lightning Dust nodded looking away. Rainbow turned around and looked at the fuming Firefly to say “AND YOU, you got to stop jumping down every ponies throat when they tells you what you did wrong. Most of the time were trying to help.” Firefly looked away and snorted, she glanced back at Rainbow Dash with sad eyes. “we all good now?” the others tried to not look at each other as they nodded. “hey you two perk up.” Rainbow Dash smiled as she held out her hoof. “we're not only going to blow the horseshoes off the judges, but we're going make Star and her team look like a bunch low class amateurs. then that dream we all had since we were fillies will be ours.” her smile was infectious and Firefly and Lightning Dust beamed as they put their hooves together with Rainbow's. Together as one the three of them called out “lets do this.”

* * *

Spitfire, Drafter, Soarin and Fleet Foot sat in some cloud chairs, all had note pads and pens. They were waiting for Rainbow Dash, Firefly and Lightning Dust too start their show. The three just needed to set some clouds up for it. Rainbow Dash was right about it only taking 'ten seconds flat.'
The first hint the Wonderbolts got that the trainees had started was a distant dull roar, a few seconds passed and three streaks crossed over head. A vibrant rainbow trail cut through the air and crossed with a bright pink trail ablaze with blue flames and a blue streak with lightning coursing through it. A few seconds later they were followed by the ear drum shattering sound of three near perfectly synced sonic booms and the dazzling display of the spectrum of light being broken. A moment later another set of booms hit the four Wonderbolts. They hide their smiles in case the recruits were watching, this was looking pretty good so far.
Rainbow Dash counted to ten before she pulled up hard. The tendons in her wings almost screamed in pain, just like every time a pegasus makes a hard maneuver at high speed. She gave a quick prayer about timing to any deity that would listen. Her heart sank a little when a she realized that she had counted one beat too slowly. Luckily thought she could get back in time. Rainbow increased her air speed a bit and she should be back in time. Hopefully she would be able to slow down enough to make trough the rest of the maneuvers.
Firefly growled aloud as she rolled into a corkscrew. Lightning dust did the same as she approached her partner. Their unique trails created a impressive phenomenon in the sky when Rainbow Dash tied a bow around the whole thing with her multicolored contrail.
The three slowed down to subsonic speed with near perfect timing and allowed the air to lose their colors. They joined together above the center field and flew straight up with their for-hooves together. Once they were in position above where they had place the clouds they gently pushed away from each other aiming for the first of the clouds. The three mares let gravity propel them down towards the airfield below, their wings flat against their sides.
On the same beat of their hearts the three recruits hit the first set of the clouds, and jumped off. They hooked their hooves as they met in the air the momentum spun them around and flung themselves at the next clouds in the stack. The three stunt fliers used the cloud as springboards to launch themselves at a cloud about a 15 feet behind the first. The three pegasi hit the cloud and jumped down to another cloud and in the same fluid motion they jump back to the open air aiming for each other. Their timing was almost perfect, their aim was just about perfect too.
The sound of their horse shoes echoed around the airfield as Rainbow Dash, Firefly and Lightning Dust floated in the air for a moment their wings still flat against their sides. Their smiles almost touched before they pushed off and fell towards their next target, another set of clouds. They aimed for the last lone cloud just above the airstrip. The Wonderbolts watched their expressions hidden as the three hopefuls slammed into the last cloud their weight and momentum crushed it. The cloud turned dark as it was compressed too a third of the size, it rumbled for the few seconds before the three jumped off throwing their wings open. Lightning trailed form their hooves and struck the airfield and shot into he sky as the mares were shot off at high speed.
Spitfire did her best to keep the other Wonderbolts in check as Rainbow Dash, Firefly and Lightning Dust landed in front of them. “that was impressive.” Spitfire said “you three go take a break.” the three recruits saluted before turning and trotting away.
Once out of ear shot Lightning Dust almost exploded with excitement. “OH MY GOD GIRLS!” she bounced in front of her teammates. “we are so in, they were so impressed.”
“hell yeah.” Firefly replied as she looked from Lightning Dust to Rainbow Dash.
“i couldn’t have said it better.” Rainbow Dash laughed, like her friends her wings were stiff with excitement.
“holy crap I’m so excited I could just kiss you two.” Lightning Dust said while skipping around her friends.
“Save that for a party girl.” Firefly laughed as she tossed a bit in a drink machine.
Rainbow Dash looked between the two of them. “nice.” she giggled “too bad we aren’t allowed to go to any right now.”
“yeah.” Lightning Dust and Firefly agreed.
“ha.” Star's unmistakeable voice hit them, almost killing their mood. “you only get in trouble if you get caught.” the annoying mare was flanked by her three team mates, Fleet Foot had flunked most of her team by now so Drafter and Spitfire had played rock, paper, horseshoes to see who would take the extra recruit, then Spitfire pulled rank and made Drafter take him. “tonight my team and I were going to sneak out and hit up the clubs.”
“that’s against the rules.” Rainbow Dash replied, she felt dork saying that.
“yeah, if you get caught you'll be in lots of trouble.” Lightning Dust added.
Firefly trotted around to the other side of Rainbow Dash so she could see Star as she she added, “might even get kicked out.”
Star snorted and smiled “that’s why we're not getting caught.” her three team mates didn’t seem into taunting the other team so they headed toward the airfield, Star noticed and followed “but any way if you three are too chicken to join us its alright. Didn’t want a triplet of virgins ruining the night any way.”
“Chickens.” Lightning Dust growled.
“Virgins.” Firefly shook as she spat the word.
“Virgin chickens.” Rainbow Dash jumped in the air her wings buzzing.
Star stopped with a smile on her face and turned to face the three mares, it's like she was hopping for this. “well...you are.” she giggled covering her mouth “at least I haven’t seen anything to the contrary.”
Rainbow Dash landed with her nose inches from Star's, Firefly was at her friends side Lightning Dust was just behind them trying to figure out how to stop the coming fight, “we are not Chickens!” Rainbow Dash said as calmly as she could, “the other thing, I can’t speak for my team on, but I know I ain’t.”
“prove it.” Star taunted, as her team watched and waited ready to back her up if need.
Rainbow Dash blushed before shaking the dirty thought from her head and answering “we'll sneak out with ya and party harder then you ever hope too.”
“sure you will.” Star replied as her team hurried her along.
Rainbow Dash and her team returned to barracks. “what the hell were you thinking?” Lightning Dust asked as the three sat down. “we are going to get in so much trouble, if we get caught.”
“you don’t have to come.” Firefly said as she drank her sports drink “as long as you don’t rat us out.” Rainbow Dash nodded eying their team mate.
“i would never tell on you two.” Lightning Dust replied taken back “and I’m going with ya.” she smiled “somepony needs to keep an eye on you two.” she smiled and nudged Firefly with her elbow.
Rainbow Dash giggled “a light weight like you keep an eye on us? That's cute,” she grinned and poked Lightning Dust in the ribs “but we'll hold your mane when your praying to the porcelain throne.”
Lightning Dust gasped in sarcastically over exaggerated appreciation “oh will you, really?” she giggled and the rest of her team joined her. The three mares kept an eye out for anypony else as they talk excitedly about going out this night. They all expected that the parties they would once they were Wonderbolts would be ten times better.
About 20 minutes later Star and her team returned to the barracks panting but triumphant, they had apparently impressed the Wonderbolts as well. Spitfire decided to reword the recruits. First by giving them ice cream sandwich at lunch that day. The second was a long flight, however ether the recruits were getting stronger or Spitfire was going easy on them cause it didn’t feel as hard as it usually did, nor did the ground exercises afterwords. When the training was done for the day the recruits were ready for more, just not the kind of stuff their teachers expected or maybe they did.
Celestia had lowered the sun about an hour before when the Wonderbolt trainees slipped out of their beds. Star looked out the window to see if there was anypony patrolling the field, she smiled like she knew their wouldn’t be. Rainbow Dash and Firefly fluttered into the short hallway that led outside, they quietly checked the room where the workers slept. The three in their seemed to be fast asleep. The coast was clear, the trainees could sneak out unnoticed, and as long as they didn’t get back too late they wouldn't be found out.
Rainbow Dash and Firefly closed the door and giggled as the rest of the ponies joined them. None of them were really ponies that dressed up to go out, even if they were nopony brought anything too wear. Deodorant and a brushing would have to do. Firefly had a folding brush tucked away for later, as did Lightning Dust and one of the stallion's. Whispers started about what they were going to do as they took flight. The group decided to go to a club Star suggested known as Trotting Tones in Cloudsdale.
The seven ponies flew off into the cool night air. It was an hour long normal flight to Cloudsdale, the trainees made it in twenty minutes. The Wonberbolt recruits landed on one of the many crowded bridges that held the cloud city of Cloudsdale. It wasn’t like they had expected, the ponies didn’t part ways and fall over themselves trying just get a glimpses of the new Wonderbolts. If any of pedestrians reconsigned the trainees it was little more curiosity unworthy of investigating. Even Rainbow Dash only got a casual wave from a pegasus she knew from Ponyville that happened to be in the city.
It was a little disappointing but they weren’t Wonderbolts yet after all. Rainbow Dash found it a little odd, then again the only place she was received like a celebrity was in Bridle View. The blue mare shook the mood ruining thoughts from her head, to night was a night to party.
It was about three blocks to what the locals called, “Party Street.” The whole cloud block was filled with the rumble of many base lines and beats from nearly a dozen night clubs, ponies in various states of dress and impairment walked, stumbled or fluttered from club to club or off into the city. The club the Wonderbolt trainees were headed too was at the other end of the street. Like many of the night clubs Trotting Tones had a line outside. Rainbow Dash and the other trainees sighed and headed for the end of the line, Star however trotted straight for the large tan colored pegasus with a black shirt with the word 'security' printed across the front. The massive stallion looked down at the lithe orange pegasus mare that approached him with flirtatious eyes and pouting lips. Firefly had seen mare's do this before back home she smiled and called to the other trainees and nodded to the door.
It took only seconds to convect the bouncer to let the group of trainees in. many ponies in the line yelled and complained but Star told her fellow Wonderbolt recruits to ignore them. The night club was dark inside, lit only by a few multicolored neon lights. What could be seen was a sea of ponies moving to the music, dancing far to close to each other to be proper. Being pegasi the dance floor was of little use, with ponies moving to the music while fluttering in the air. The DJ worked his trade at the turn tables, he was good at what he did and the crowd seemed to liked it. The air was thick with many things to hear, feel and even smell.
The energy in the place was great. A couple of the stallion trainees were quickly drawn into the dance floor to swim among the sea of mares. Firefly fluttered over to the bar and muscled her way in like any good Manehattan born mare would. Lightning Dust pulled Rainbow Dash into the air saying “come on lets go hunting.”
lastly Star was asked by the last of her team if she wanted to join him for a dance, Star smiled and with a giggle she pulled him into the crowd saying “bout time.” two weeks of flirting just may play off tonight.
Rainbow Dash wasn’t a prude she was known to go home with a stallion from a party, but that only happened once in a blue moon. She had as many lovers as she had limbs but only half that number were true one night stands, most of her relationships didn’t last for more the a couple mouths. Although it wasn’t uncommon for her still hook up with the single ones from time to time.
Like Lightning Dust, Rainbow Dash wasn’t looking for anything long term tonight, or so she thought. They were just looking some masculine company for the night, all though nether would be that picky, meaning it didn’t have to be somepony of the opposite sex to catch their eye. Firefly soon joined them with some rum and cokes. Those drinks didn’t last long as the three mars bounced from dance partner to dance partner, Coming together from time to time to enjoy their team mates midair dancing. After a short time Lightning Dust took her turn to buy the three friends drinks. A couple whiskey sours each and the girls were well on their ways to buzzed.
It didn’t take long for Firefly to find a good looking stallion to dance with, being the pickiest of the three it remained to the seen if he would get anything more then a little close dancing and some kisses. Lightning Dust on the other hoof was currently dancing with three stallions and was thinking about sneaking off with one already, if not all three. Rainbow Dash, however hadn’t seen anypony that interested her. There had been this one mare that had peeked her interest but she was a little too promiscuous for her tastes, second she didn’t think it would be a good idea to sleep with her teammate.
Soon enough Rainbow Dash decided to get herself a hard apple cider, she hoped they had some from Sweet Apple Acres. The blue mare had to squeeze her way between a couple of ponies to get to the bar. Much to the mare's annoyance the two bartenders were busy with what seemed like everypony else. “ugh what the hell do I have to do to buy a damn drink.”
“i was wondering the same thing.” the pale blue stallion next to Rainbow Dash commented.
“Yea-woo.” the crowd surged from some commotion at the other side of the bar and pushed Rainbow in to the pony next to her. The blue mare cursed as she lost her footing as she tried to push the drunk crowd off. A moment later somepony lifted the pony on her off enough that she could slip out of the pile of ponies, as they slowly, drunkenly untangled themselves.
“you okay?” the pale blue pony asked as he help Rainbow Dash up. “Dash what are you doing here?”
the rainbow maned mare finally looked at him only to realize the pony that had come to her aid was none other then Soarin. “oh shit.” she said having a mini panic attack, she was so busted she thought.
Soarin however just chuckled knowing what she was thinking “don’t worry the recruits sneak out all the time.” he smiled the two returned to the bar to order some drinks. “my group did it almost every week, hell Spitfire says she did it every night.” he smiled at her as he retrieved his beer from the bar, he motioned for the bar tender to get Rainbow something.
“oh really.” Rainbow Dash replied as she asked for a hard apple cider, with Soarin acting so cool she was able to relax “so we're not going to get into trouble?”
“as long as you don’t make head lines.” Soarin answered with a smile. He looked around as Rainbow Dash got her cider. The stallion sighed as the DJ started to scratch the record and mix in other sounds and tunes, why did he agree to come out to a place like this. His friends should have known he wasn’t a fan of this kind of music, it wasn’t like those ticket for free drinks did much for him. He didn't really need help buying anything anyway and the overworked bartenders here didn't know him like his normal hangouts. He had still taken advantage of the free drinks most of the night so far, but he was bored. Maybe it was time for a change of scenery and company.
He looked over at Rainbow Dash again as she enjoyed her Sweet Apple Acres Cider. Her sleek curves and her adorable face combined with her attitude and how she was trying to hid her almost foal like enjoyment of her drink, it all was just irresistible. It was no secret that Soarin was attracted to Rainbow Dash, so despite the rules Soarin asked “hey, Dash, want to get out of this lame place?” the stallion threw on his winning smile “i know this awesome bar a few blocks from here. live music every night, I know the owner, so get in with no wait.” he grinned.
Rainbow Dash looked at Soarin her mouth hanging open with surprise. “you mean, you, and me?” this couldn’t be real, she didn’t believe it till Soarin nodded. “oh my gosh, oh my gosh this is awesome.” she squeaked. Her wings buzzed with excitement, but she had to act cool. Fan girls aren’t fun to hang out with. She took a deep breath and then a long drink of her Cinder trying to look sexy as she did. A shiver ran down her spin before she said “sure, this place is lame anyway.”
The two ponies finished their drinks and left together. Star smiled as she watched Soarin and Rainbow Dash trot out the door, everything was going to plan. Outside Rainbow Dash and Soarin talked and flirted as they walked down the street. With as often the two were at the same events they never had any time to actually get to know each other, this was a welcome change. the two shared stories of their exploits, Soarin told of his time in the guard and some things the Wonderbolts have done off the field. Rainbow Dash on the other hoof regaled the stallion with both stories of the bearers of harmony and her own adventures. They both enjoyed the whole walk, Soarin became more normal as they talked, her nerves disappeared. Though to the stallion Rainbow Dash became all the more perfect.
Before too long the two came across bar Soarin had mentioned and his eyes lite up as he saw a sign out front “holy cow, Metal Claw, is playing tonight. how did I not know.”
“Guess we lucked out.” Rainbow Dash replied. she had a couple of the griffin band's records they were supposed to be intense live, even when they were at a small venue like a local bar. The two pegasi smiled as the thunder of a double base drum and a bass guitarist hit them, along with the wail of a couple of guitars.
Soarin, was a nice guy but he did take advantage of his celebrity statues from time to time and walked to the front of the line, Rainbow Dash walked with him. This time the calls from the short line were excited, asking if that really was Soarin and a few said that Rainbow Dash was a lucky mare. A few said Soarin was lucky to have such a pretty mare with him. The bouncer knew Soarin and let him in with a friendly greeting, the Wonderbolt greeted the other pegasus by name.
In side the dark bar was lite by only a few lights for a few key areas, the bar, the stage and the bathrooms. To say the music was loud was an understatement, Rainbow Dash and Soarin had to yell just to hear one an other. However nether cared the vibe in the place was just so full of energy that it permeated even the ponies outside of the mosh pit.
On Stage were four griffon's, the singer was currently yelling obscenities to rile the pit into a greater fervor. He held his flying V guitar against his side with a wing. His back side was from a tiger and the front of some sort of hawk, each of the feathers on his head had the tip died reddish orange to matched his fur. Behind the large drum set was a lanky griffon with a brown falcon head and a thin wild cat body his long eye brows and Mohawk shook as he bounced his head with the beat. Most of the bassist's owl face was hidden by long black feathers that hung over it. His bass was like rumbling thunder or the racing heart beat of the ponies in the 'pit'. His dark front half was in contrast to his leopard yellow hind end. The lead guitarist in front of the drum set was a brown eagle with the lion back end and a large mane to match. His claws danced across the strings of his guitar to make it roar and wail as he broke into a solo.
Soarin and Dash smiled as they got a couple more drinks and watched the pit twist an turn with the music. However soon the music took control and the after a second drink the pair joined the fur ball. Griffin music was vastly different from pony music. Pony songs were about peace and joy, while griffin songs were about power and struggle. Where they were intense and driving ponies were light and bubbly. Rainbow Dash liked both styles but when the alcohol has been flowing any excise to get close to and bounce off of somepony your attracted too was a good one. Rainbow Dash and Soarin did their best to stay close to one another, but a mass of bodies like this one could bounce and pull you where you didn’t want to go.
As the night went on and Metal Claw rocked the house, but when they slowed down for a love song is when something magical happened. As the white headed griffon singer caressed the mic and sang about about a warrior laying eyes on his love again after searching long and hard for her, Rainbow Dash and Soarin's eyes meet in the glow of the stage lights. The bass seemed to thump in time with their hearts as the hum of the guitars pushed them closer, the world around them didn’t matter it didn’t effect them right now. During a song like this the pit stops bouncing off one another too just sway together with the rhythm, the perfect place for a kiss. A second and a third soon fallowed, with stiff wings Rainbow Dash and Soarin silently agreed to leave together.
The cool night air felt down right cold to the pairs heated bodies as they trotted outside. They care who was watching as they jumped into the night sky. Rainbow Dash followed Soarin through the sky ways of Cloudsdale. It only took a few minutes to get to Soarin's home, as one would expect Soarin apartment was in one of the big, high class, residential sky scrapers. It was easily as big as Rainbow Dash's home back in Ponyville, if not bigger, But Rainbow Dash didn’t care about its size or the furnishings with in. the full bar and plush sofa didn’t catch her eye. Even the rare movie projector or the surround sound system meant nothing to her right now, All she wanted was the stallion with her, and he didn’t care about any of those possessions ether, Soarin would have given it all up just to be with her this night.
Passion and skill combined to become pleasure as their bodies intertwined in the most primitive of rituals. They didn’t finish with one another till well into the morning. Sadly they couldn’t bask in the afterglow forever. Rainbow Dash slipped away from Soarin's embrace. He smiled at her “you know you don’t have to go. I make some damn good pancakes.”
Rainbow Dash smiled over her shoulder and chuckled “those sound good, but I don’t want to get us in trouble.” she flicked her tail playfully before she trotted into the bathroom. After a quick shower the blue mare was surprised to find that Soarin was still awake. Like a gentlecolt he walked her to the door.
At the door the two stunt fliers kissed one last time for the night. Before he let her go Soarin said “hey after your a real Thunderbolt I'll take you out to dinner to celebrate.”
Rainbow Dash blush and smiled almost shyly as she said “if its nothing too fancy, then sure.”
the stallion chuckled and nodded “only the best for us Wonderbolts, you know.” they said their goodbyes, and Soarin watched her leave before returning to bed. When Rainbow Dash got back to her bed in the barracks the rest of the trainees were there all fast asleep. The blue mare slipped into her bunk as gently as she could. She didn’t want to disturb Lightning Dust. Although as Rainbow Dash drifted off to sleep she wondered if anypony else just had the best night of their life.
the next morning the trainees awake too the morning bugle just like they had every day. They hadn’t felt this tired in the morning since the start of the training camp. however it only took few seconds before the recruits realized something was very different. All eyes turned to the pony standing in the door way.
Spitfire glared at them all before saying “showers now!” the trainees did as told and scrambled from their beds and into the showers. Spitfire yelled at them to make it quick and that she didn’t want them to smell like booze, vomit or certain body parts from the other side of the privacy wall.
In the showers most eyes looked over at Star who returned their worried looks through the cold streams of water. Rainbow Dash took a moment as she rinsed her mane to ask Firefly “did anypony make the front page?”
“no.” the pink mare replied as she scrubbed under her wings. “least I don’t think so.” how would she know what was in the paper this morning.
Lightning Dust rinsed her tail and whispered over the sound of the water “yeah I didn’t see any fights or anything. we just had some fun.” that was all they would get to talk about last night, even if they all really wanted to.
Spitfire continued to glare at the trainees as they fluttered out of the showers manes and tails still damp, most were still rubbing their coats with a towel. The Wonderbolt team lead growled “follow me.” not a trainee spoke but a few eyes wondered over to Star or at Rainbow Dash thinking maybe she did something.
The recruits followed their leader all way off the airfield and to the Wonderbolts headquarters. It was a old cloud building with pilloried walls with many cloud statues of pegasi carved into it. Inside the floor was white with blue and yellow carpets on the high traffic areas. The walls were painted light blue and portraits of every Wonderbolt, to have served on the team hung from them. the receptionist desk was currently empty it would be an hour before they showed up. As the trainees looked up longingly at the pictures, they wanting to wear the same uniforms those fliers had so bad they could taste it. Spitfire's office was just a few hallways in and up a flight of stairs. A very nervous looking Soarin was waiting in the hall out side of his team lead's office door. Spitfire stopped and looked back at the line of ponies behind her “you all wait in the hall.” she trotted up to Soarin and motioned for him to follow her inside.
Rainbow Dash and the other trainees lined up along the wall. They could hear Spitfire muffled yells through the door, Soarin tried to defend himself but the orange mare just yelled over him. A few minutes later a thoroughly defeated Soarin trotted out of the office, he glanced at Rainbow Dash. The look in his eyes was like he was worried for her. Spitfire appeared in the doorway behind him and said “okay trainees get in here.” she stepped to the side to let the six ponies file in. the orange mare held out her hoof in front of Star “not you.” Spitfire looked from Star to Rainbow Dash and said “you and trainee Rainbow Dash wait outside.” the team lead had little emotion on her face at the moment.
It was terrifying for Rainbow Dash waiting outside of Spitfire's office. The blue mare felt all alone even with Star leaning on the wall a few feet away, all the worst case scenarios played out in her head. Rainbow Dash was starting to hyperventilate when Star did something the blue mare would not have expected, Star tried to encourage her by saying “hey relax, everything happens for a reason. Even if we don’t understand it.” Rainbow Dash looked over at her, the mare that had antagonized her for the last few weeks had a genuine, comforting smile on her face. “just remember that the pain will pass.”
the blue mare took a breath and was about to ask what she thought their punishment would be but the office door opened and the trainees trotted out heads and tails low. “the cooks will be expecting you at the barracks by three o'clock.” Spitfire said “those soldier boys and girls going to need a lot of potatoes.”
Spitfire looked at Rainbow Dash, the blue mare could see that Spitfire didn’t want to do what she was about to. After a quick breath Spitfire call Rainbow Dash in. the blue mare looked worried at her friends. Lightning Dust and Firefly gave her a silent good luck.
Inside, the office was simple white floor and blue walls big window behind Star's desk. The curtains were drawn making the dark. The right wall had the pictures of the leaders of the Wonderbolts hung from it, there were a few filing cabinets along the other wall. Spitfire sat behind her desk and sighed as she looked at Rainbow Dash who stood at attention across from her. With another sigh Spitfire finally spoke “Rainbow Dash there are times when being a leader is hard.” Spitfire was having trouble with finding the right words “I’ve always had trouble with the politics of the job, and you put me in a very difficult political situation.”
Rainbow Dash gulped and opened her mouth to speck but Spitfire cut her off. “relationships between Wonderbolts are not unheard of, nor are they forbidden or encouraged.” Rainbow Dash still wanted to the say something but the Wonderbolts team leader didn’t let her. “however, it is highly inappropriate for a Trainee to have a relationship with their trainer, it is even worse for it all to be caught by the paparazzi having that relationship.”
“what do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked finally having a moment to speck.
“you know the ponies that do nothing but follow celebrity ponies around a take pictures of them, especially embarrassing or otherwise unwanted ones.” Spitfire explained “they caught you and Soarin making out at that bar and the two of you leaving together, hell they even got you two heading into his apartment building....its not hard to figure out what you did.” Rainbow Dash blushed as her team lead stared at her. “i had to call in a few favors from my bosses to keep it out of the paper.......” Spitfire looked away like what she was about to say hurt. “it looks like your sleeping with him to get into the Wonderbolts.”
“that was the first time.” Rainbow Dash tried to explain. “we were just hanging out and one thing lead to an other.”
“that may be true... but the higher ups have spoken Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire explained “i...your out.”
“no no.” Rainbow Dash was heartbroken, she shook her head trying not to cry. Her wings and tail drooped so low they almost touched the floor.
“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash.” the Wonberbolts team leader looked away, she wanted to say something to make the blue mare feel better but anything she said would have been a lie. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth and fought back tears, her dream was so close she could have tasted it. Only to be ripped away from her. It hurt so much.
Outside Firefly paced back and forth, her heavy hoofsteps left imprints in the cloud. Lightning Dust meanwhile sat in the shadow of the building next to none other then Soarin. He sat with his back to the wall and eyes on the door, he was already suspended with out pay for six weeks so there wasn’t much more the bosses would do to him. The pony they were waiting for soon trotted out trying to hold her head high, but the weight of sadness was dragging her down.
Firefly and Lightning Dust hurried over to their depressed teammate, Soarin was right behind them. All three asked if she was okay. Rainbow Dash looked at the three of them and took a deep breath before looking at Soarin and asking “are those pancakes still available.” the way her voice creaked told them all they needed to know.

* * *

Back in Spitfire's office the Wonderbolts team leader sat by herself after she dismissed Rainbow Dash. The orange mare hated letting ponies go, specially ones as good as Rainbow Dash. However when an order comes from royalty and a knight is sent to insure that it is executed then there isn’t really anything she could have done. As Spitfire sat in her pool of self loathing her eyes wondered to the bottom drawer to her left, where a few choice bottles of liquor were stored. They were normally for toasting the completion of a difficult mission or the signing of a new flier, but today they looked pretty good for drowning the memory of loosing one.
Soon Spitfire's eyes were drawn to the door as Star opened it. The orange mare trotted inside under the watchful of the other orange mare. Star leaned on Spitfire's desk and open the bottom right drawer. The long haired mare flipped through the files till she found the one labeled Starfire. She pulled it out and opened it on an empty space on the desk. Star silently asked if she could use a pen and Spitfire nodded.
Spitfire turned away and looked at an old family photo on her desk. Her father had that confident smile most of the children had, and her mother were she got her looks. They were holding up their new born daughter, Spitfire's baby sister who was in college now. Next too her father stood Spitfire's oldest brother, bless that troopers soul. In front of the parents stood Spitfire's younger siblings two colts and a filly, all grown with families now. Then next to their mother stood the Twins Spitfire and Starfire. Spitfire sighed and let her head fall “you've changed a lot Starfire.” Star looked up hearing her full name, she wiggled the pen in her mouth as she thought. Without a word she nodded. Spitfire sighed again she knew Starfire didn’t like talking about what happen, she took the lost of their brother the hardest. She still hadn’t told anyone about what happened during those six years she vanished, or how when she returned she was a full fledged knight of Equestria. So the Wonderbolts team lead changed the subject “how do you deal with breaking someone's heart like that?”
Starfire smirked behind the pen and said “i just tell myself you did it.”
“thanks.” Spitfire rolled her eyes, being an adult sucked somethings.
“any time.” Starfire replied “ and well, as a knight I have some connections that can help the healing.”

Spike Gets A Room

Twilight Sparkle looked over her shoulder as she timidly sifted through the lingerie section of Carousel Boutique. She was glad the area was walled off to allow for some privacy. She was looking for something special to make up for last night with Winchester. As her mind wondered back to how she ruined their romantic encounter she pushed a set of white stockings to the side she was startled by Rarity's smiling face behind it. Twilight jumped back she exclaiming. “ahh, Rarity, what are you doing?”
“oh nothing,” the white mare said smiling ear to ear as she came around the clothing rack, “i was just going to ask if you needed help finding anything.” Twilight didn’t like the way the Rarity was looking at her.
“no no I was just I uh.”
“oh.” Rarity chimed in. “want to make it special.” she smiled specking low just encase there was somepony else in the store.
Twilight’s face turned red “it was ….uh.” she shook her head and changed her words “no I uh. I was just curious is all.”
A giggle escaped Rarity as she pranced around Twilight smiling slyly “of course darling, I’ll leave you be.” she turned to return to the front of her shop. She paused long enough to say “oh Twilight, you should go with the black lace stocking garter belt set or the red velvet negligee, blue lace simpley just blends in too much.” she trotted away with out waiting for a response.
Twilight was left speechless. She sighed and looked into her saddle bag and pulled out a blue corset and stockings. After checking what her friend suggested, she decided to get both the red and black sets instead then slid them into her bag.
Rarity happily waited by the register. She smiled as her lavender friend approached, “if you don’t mind me asking, What's the occasion?” Twilight blushed and looked away, “i only want to know, so I can make a suggestion or two.”
Twilight sighed as she turned to let Rarity open her saddlebag to see what she was buying. “well I... need to make up for the last night we're together. I kind of kicked Winchester out during......” she blushed and looked around before leaning in so she could whisper, “coitus.”
“well that could be a problem.” Rarity kept her composure as spoke, she paused to checked the rest of the Twilight’s bag out of habit. “even the best stallion can get more then a little upset when they are denied......such actives.” the white mare spoke all the while taping the keys on her cash register.
“well yeah I.....” Twilight looked really embarrassed now “i kind of threw him out the window.”
Hearing that Rarity snorted as she tried to not laugh. The white unicorn used her magic to work the keys as she stepped back covering her mouth and said “Twilight you couldn’t have been that nervous.”
the lavender unicorn gave her friend a slight glare. “it wasn’t nerves, nor our first time.” Twilihgt clarified, she sighed and leaned on the counter looking out one of the far windows “normally we....fool around.... at his place but last night we were just hanging out reading together and one thing lead to another.” Twilight blushed a deep crimson thankfully Rarity interrupted to tell her the total, like always they had a quick discussion about Twilight not wanting a discount but Rarity insisting on it, the white mare finally won with 'its my store my rules' like she always did. Once that was settled Twilight continued as she counted out her bits “any way we were in my room and I thought I heard Spike waking up and I didn’t want him to see anything and I....” she couldn’t think of the right way to say it.
Thankfully Rarity got the idea as she finished for her friend, “and you bucked him out the window?” she asked trying to not to laugh, but she had to cover her smile with a hoof once again.
“yeah.” Twilight covered her head with her for-hooves as she spoke “ugh I’m sure he's furious with me.”
“Well Darling, to avoid some like this again.” Rarity said with a caring smile and a gentle hoof on her friend's shoulder. “maybe its time for Spike to have a room of his own.” Twilight looked up at her. “most foals his age don’t even have a nightlight any more.”
the lavender mare nodded in thought as she said, “but I don’t want him to think I don’t love him any more.”
Rarity blinked and smiled as she said, “Twilight you sound like his mother right now.” seeing the look on Twilight's face Rarity decided to not push that angle, “any way, it wont just be for him its for yourself and your relationship. If you don’t compromise a little you’ll end it.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at her friend. “are you going to tell me how its like apple pie now?”
“no.” Rarity shook her head, “i don’t need to. You also don’t need too change everything for Winchester or even change yourself at all, just modify yourself a little. I myself have gone to several Rock concert with Thunderlane, and as uncouth as those events are I did my best to enjoy them for my coltfriend's sake. And for me, Thunderlane has gone to several beauty pageants, Even Ones that didn’t feature my dresses.” Rarity smiled as she added “and I think we both found things we could enjoy at those events.”
“that’s a little different then forcing Spike to get his own room.” Twilight replied as she stood straight again.
“yes.” Rarity replied with a nod, “But Twilight it could be good for Spike too, let him grow up little.” the White mare smiled “what are you going to do when he's bring his marefriend home.”
Twilight covered her ears with her hooves “i don’t even want to think about that.” after a moment she sighed then smiled. “he's not going to be a baby dragon forever. Just little. My little Dragon.” the unicorns giggled. “looks like I may need to learn how to make a tree grow a new room.”
“And I need to plan a party.” Pinkie Pie said as she jumped in through the door, it was like she was summoned by possibility of a party. “it could be a Spike grows up party, or a Spike gets a room party.” the pink mare taped her chin happily before her ears drooped and she dropped her hoof and head “too bad Rainbow Dash wont be here for it.”
“Darling, she's only been gone a couple of days.” Rarity said, it seemed like Pinkie Pie brought up Rainbow Dash being off at the Wonderbolt's training camp just about every chance she got.
“yeah but I miss her.” Pinkie replied with a cute puppy dog pout.
“we all need to get together and wright her a letter.” Twilight added, she smiled as she made up her mind about her earlier discussion “any way Rarity your right.” the white unicorn nodded almost smugly “looks like Spike and I got shopping to do. Pinkie are you really going to throw him a party?” the pink mare nodded her jiggly head. “well I'm sure you got the invitations covered.”
“yep.” Pinkie replied.
“okay.” Twilight replied before saying her goodbye's and left. Pinkie and Rarity happily talked about plans.
Winchester was trotting home form Fluttershy's cottage. He had bought a little orange and white kitten just like he had planed, that now it was on his head and chewing on his horn. The stallion gave a stern “no.” as he sparked his horn. The kitten meowed and hid in the stallion's mane for a moment. The angry kitten growled as she shot forward and put one paw on his snot while she held onto his horn with her tiny claws for stability. She meowed cutely into his face. Winchester smirked as his new pet attempted to tell him to not do that. He started to laugh and the young cat made a sound not unlike a giggle.
As luck would have it Twilight noticed her coltfriend happily trotting by. She calling out to him as she caught up. She smiled shyly as he stopped and greeted her with his normal grin. He didn’t seem mad at her. After a short kiss, Twilight noticed the kitten hiding behind her coltfriend’s horn and asked “oh, who is that?”
“this?” Winchester said looking up with out moving his head “oh this.” he smiled and pick up his kitten with his magic and placed her on his hoof to show her off. “is Butterscotch.” the kitten meowed and looked at Twilight disapprovingly for a moment before turning around jumping onto her owners shoulder and hiding in his mane.
“i remember you saying you were getting cat.” Twilight commented with a smile “she seems to like you a lot all ready.”
“yep.” he replied with a grin. “saw her just about every day since she opened her eyes.” Butterscotch poked her head out of Winchester's mane.
“that’s nice.” Twilight replied as she reached up too see if the kitten would let her pet her, Winchester lowered his head to allow it. The kitten didn’t recoil at Twilight’s hoof, “so about last night.”
“its quite alright my dear.” Winchester replied smiling up her “you didn’t want your little dragon to see, and you forgot just how strong you are.”
Twilight blushed as she said “yeah about that.”
“oh its alright my dear.” Winchester repeated with a smile, he may have been upset at the time but he got over it with the belief, stuff happens.
“well I still went ahead and bought a little something to make it up to you.” Twilight said shaking her flanks to make her saddlebags rattle.
Winchester smiled “oh let me see.” he purred as he playfully tugged her saddle bag close with his hoof and magic, although his hoof intentionally slipped from the bag to rub her flank.
“woe there big boy.” Twilight smiled as she smacked his hoof with her flank, her face a slight shade of red, “that’s for later.” she turned so they where face to face again. “i have more good news.....I'm getting Spike his own room.”
Winchester's eyes lite up “really.” he smiled.
“yeah.” Twilight said with a smiled. “in fact I was going to take Spike shopping for furniture. want to come along?”
“sure.” the stallion replied “I’ll help you buy for furniture for your lizard.” he regretted the slip before Twilight even processed what he said.
Twilight glared at him “don’t call him that.”
“Sorry,” the stallion's head and ears low.
Twilight smiled a little as she said “if you can behave you can still come along.”
Winchester stood straighter and stated “I’ll do my best.” he smiled at his marefriend as the kitten on his head meowed.
The stallion stole a kiss of Twilight’s cheek that made her giggle as they made there way to the Golden Oak's Library. It didn’t take them long, the library was just a block away. As the lavender mare trotted inside she dropped her saddle bag by the door and called “Spike.” Winchester on the other hoof had no intention of waiting to see what Twilight got to make up for bucking him out the window. Sadly for him, before he could open the bags, Twilight snapped them up saying “hey, no peaking.” she giggled and put the saddle bags back on. She looked around as Spike still hadn’t shown up, “where is he?” she asked.
A loud laugh and cheer from upstairs drew the ponies attention. It wasn’t hard for the pair to recognize Spike and the crusaders' voices, probably in the bedroom. Winchester followed Twilight up stairs to her room. The mare gasped as she opened door and looked in. the floor was covered in paper, most were crayon drawings of three ponies doing something, each titled with some sort of Cutie Mark Crusader Operation. The walls were covered in posters, for country and rock bands, a ballet troupe, the Wonderbolts and even Rainbow Dash.
Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Spike were siting in the floor staring wide eyed up at Twilight Sparkle as a soda bottle spun in the center of the circle they made. Spike snapped up the bottle and hid it behind his back as the four young friends nervously greeted their elders.
Twilight had to look away or she may have screamed. Her deliberately organized room was ruined, by none other then the one who helped her organize it all in the first place. “okay girls, Spike. Why are all of you here?” she said as calmly as she could, it only made the Crusaders more nervous.
“the Club house got all messed up.” Applebloom answered, “arh plan to get cutie marks in cart washing ended before it started.”
“So many bubbles.” Scootaloo said shell shocked.
“yeah.” Sweetie Belle squeaked “and the floor still slippery.”
“mah sister slide right out the window.” Applebloom said with a grin.
Sweetie Belle mimed scrubbing the floor as she said “we tried to scrub it out.... but the soap just foamed up again.” Scootaloo shuttered at the thought.
“i tried to help but it was too much.” Spike added “so I thought we could use our room while the club house drys out.” the little dragon tried to smile but the shadow over Twilight’s face soon erased it.
Winchester looked worried as he took a few timid steps back. Twilight took a slow breath before she said “I'm sorry, girls but you cant use My room for your club house.” she looked up at them all with a forced smile “bbuutt, Spike, you can use your own room as a club house till your real one is safe again.”
Spike raised an eye brow and said “Twilight I don’t have my own room.”
Applebloom leaned over to Scootaloo and whispered to her, “i think we broke Twilight” the young pegasus nodded and added “again.”
“well.... I've been thinking, and I believe your old enough to have your own room.” Twilight's voice wavered a little as she spoke. “And Pinkie's even going to throw you a party to celebrate you getting you own room.” she giggled as she watched the dragon's eyes widen with excitement and fear. “the crusaders are invited too, as long they clean the mess that all of you made.” her smile became a glare for a moment then returned to the happy smile.
“do you want me to help them clean up?” Spike asked.
Twilight looked back at Winchester to silently ask what he thought. The stallion nodded, however Twilight generally did the opposite of what he thought when it came to what to do with Spike, “no Spike, your going to come with Winchester and I to buy furniture for your new room.” Winchester rolled his eyes wondering why she even asked him. He was hoping for some alone time with Twilight, but a nip from Butterscotch reminded him, he wouldn’t have gotten it anyway.
“okay.” Spike replied unsure. Twilight encouraged the dragon to say goodbye to the crusaders so they could get to work. “Bye Sweetie Belle.” Spike said, she happily gave him a hug before he waved at the other two fillies saying “later Applebloom, later Scootaloo.” Applebloom and Scootaloo said their goodbyes as the pegasus climbed onto the earth pony's back so she could reach a poster of Rainbow Dash.
It didn’t take long for Twilight and Winchester to trot all the way to the department store. Along the way they learn that Butterscotch really didn’t like it when Spike tried to touch her, and Twilight continued to prove she didn’t like too many displays of affection with Spike on her back.
“okay.” Twilight said as they walked into the store. “well we need to get you a bed and some shelves..... a dresser and an end table or two.” the purple unicorn looked around the store “maybe a desk and a chair? Anything you want Spike?”
the little dragon taped his lip in thought “um comic books, maybe a cool lamp?” Spike's eyes lit up as something came to him, “how about one of those new movie projectors?”
“i don’t think so, Spike, besides the library already has a movie projector.” Twilight Sparkle replied with a smile. The mare trotted over to the bed section of the store, not realizing Winchester had wondered off. He was hypnotically drawn to a lava lamp display.
Spike pouted as he slipped off Twilight’s back “but you never let me use it and we only have educational films.”
Twilight giggled as she looked over at him “what else would you watch on it.” she giggled at the full body sigh the dragon gave, “but how about I buy you a nice radio.” the dragon liked that idea. Twilight just hoped her friends didn’t get him one. She was sure they were going to get him presents, it is the pony way after all.
Spike was bouncing on the third bed he and Twilight had looked at, and the mare was getting a little frustrated, “Spike you need to pick the bed you thinks going to be the most comfortable, not the bounceyest.” she said with a sigh.
“but Twilight bounceyness its the dragon way of picking a bed.” Spike responded as he bounced off the bed “that ones not bouncy enough.”
“ugh, really Spike.” Twilight whined, unlike some mares she did not enjoy shopping that much.
“Hey Twilight” the mare heard Winchester call, she turned and greeted her coltfriend wondering what he wanted. The smile on his face told her he found something funny.
“What did you find?”
“ohhhhhhh just the best lava lamp ever.” Winchester presented a mostly white box, it was covered with blurbs saying how it was the best new lamp since sliced bread. What that actually mean Twilight may never know.
However it got worst when Twilight noticed her name written on the box in several areas, “oh Celestia no” Twilight half smiled as the stallion turned the box so she could see the picture of the lava lamp. The liquid inside was dark purple like her mane and the jell was a rich lavender like her coat. The base was a three dimensional representation of her cutie mark, she sighed and let her head fall “what makes you think that I want that one.”
“oh....this one is mine.” Winchester chuckle, “but this one I thought you would want.” he produced another box, this one had sun and moon motifs on its base. The black and white gel was ether magically or chemically separated from the looks of it. Twilight giggled thinking it seemed fair the princess had their own merchandise like this, long ago just the idea of something like this could get a pony severely punished. “and I even got something for the dragon.” Winchester added.
Twilight’s surprise that Winchester had done something nice for Spike was quickly turned to disappointment, when the Stallion produced a two hoof long rock with a sticker on it that read 'Atrium Heating Rock for Reptiles' the lavender mare narrowed her eyes as she looked up Winchester, “Really.” she said her anger growing.
“what? He likes it.” Winchester replied as Spike plopped down on the rock with a smile, the little dragon commented on the warmth. Winchester smiled at Twilight but it quickly faded seeing her glare, “sorry.” He lowered his ears and head. “I’ll put it back.” his horn lite up and he pulled the rock out from under Spike. Winchester was on his best coltfriend behavior for the rest of the time in the furniture store. Twilight eventually forgave him, she knew what he had seen dragons do so his animosity was understandable. The lavender unicorn really wished he just wouldn’t take it out on Spike.
The couple and their young dragon companion eventually picked out everything Spike needed for his new room. Twilight never once looked at a price tag, there was no chance it would be a problem. While the three were waiting in line to purchase their order Winchester said “hey Twilight, I'm going to run next door and pick up some kitten food.”
“okay.” Twilight replied as she stepped up to the counter to pay. She paused to kiss Winchester before he slipped pass to head for the door.
“Hey I'll come too.” Spike said hopping off the lavender mares back, he needed some advice from a stallion.
Winchester looked from the dragon up to Twilight Sparkle, with out a word she told the stallion to let Spike come along and to be good. The mare giggled as both Winchester and Butterscotch made the same exaggerated face. “very well.” the stallion said, he looked down at Spike and nodded his head to the door, “lets go.” he groaned.
It wasn’t a long walk to the pet store, it was only three stores down, but too Winchester it felt like forever. To Spike on the other hand it wasn’t long enough, he couldn’t build up the courage or find the words to ask the question that was plaguing him. The one time he had found the words, he lost them when he turned to the stallion with his mouth open and saw the kitten on Winchester's head glaring at him. Why did that little beast not like him.
Spike followed the blue writer into the pet store. The little dragon always hated the smell of the place, and the saw dust tickled his nose something awful. Winchester didn’t say anything as he made his way to the cat food aisle but Spike did, “um hey, Winchester, how do you make a mare like you?”
the stallion stop mid stride a hundred things passing through his mind before he turned to face him, “huh?”
Spike looked at the floor as he shyly crossed his arms behind his back and kicked at the ground and said “well there’s this one filly and I wanted her to like me. I started to learn to cook so I can help her learn, and I gave her a gem or two I found but she didn’t really like those.” he glanced up at the stallion as he said “and well I heard spin the bottle can be a good way too hook up but that didn’t work ether.”
Winchester scoffed “nothing good comes from spin the bottle.” he thought about the only game he was involved in, it didn’t turn out well. Although maybe he should catch up with his friends from school, not like he had much to do now that he was retired and all. Maybe a trip with Twilight to Canterlot would be fun, she doesn’t get to visit her home town enough anyway. The stallion shook his head to clear his mind, he had made it a habit of letting his mind wonder when Spike was talking to him. He glanced at the cat food aisle then back at Spike with a mischievous grin, “you know if you can go grab me a bag of kitten food I’ll tell you the secret.”
“okay.” Spike said as he hurried in to the aisle.
The stallion move over to where it looked like he was looking at cat treats and whispered “watch this.” too his kitten, Butterscotch was looking all around till the stallion pointed with his ear. Spike examined several bags of kitten food till he heard Winchester call “no, the big one.” the dragon nodded as he hurried over to the bulk 20 pound bag of kitten food on a wooden pallet. He confirmed that it was the one Winchester wanted then got up on the tip of his claws to grab one of the bags on top, till the stallion said “no no the one on the bottom, their newer.”
Spike glanced at Winchester then back at the pallet of kitten food. “uh okay.” the dragon stepped back and inspected the stack of bags as one would inspect a puzzle. The young dragon tugged on a few bags to see if they would come loose till he found one that might. Winchester watched with baited breath as Spike pulled the bag he had picked out till it stopped. the little dragon growled in frustration, it was so close almost half the bag was free but now it was stuck.
Winchester's smile grew as the dragon spit on his claws and rubbed them together then grabbed the bag again. With a cute, prolonged, grunt Spike yanked on the bag trying to not rip it but still get it free. Winchester felt evil as he watched his hastily thought out plan came together. The bag ripped in two spraying kitten food every and tossing the dragon on its back. Spike sat up just in time to watch the rest of the stack of kitten food to wobble and topple over on him.
The Dragon sat up again and shook a bag of cat food off his head. Spike looked around as he heard Winchester laughing. The stallion stopped as an employee approached him about the mess. Still chuckling to himself he agreed to clean it up and pay for the damaged bag, Even though he would have still paid for the damage, Winchester miss being able to get out of trouble by flashing his knight's crest.
Spike glared at Winchester as his magical glowed started too pick up the bags. Without paying the dragon any mind, the stallion restacked the intact bags on the pallet. Spike tried to stand up but slipped in the crushed kibble beneath him and flopped on to his rump. He looked over at the six tore bags that were set down beside him. “its not about gifts, or showing off.” the stallion said without looking at the dragon, despite not being a knight Winchester still had his honor to maintain and that meant keeping his word, even to a beast, “the secret is too just be yourself, If she likes you and I mean IF, she'll see you as more then a friend. The only trick could be to try to get her alone, so just the two of you can talk.” Winchester picked up the bag he was going to buy in his jaw as an employee walked up with a broom and dust pan.
Spike was about to ask a long string of questions but stopped as Winchester nodded for the gray pet store worker to give the dust pan and broom to Spike. He knew what he was being told to do without a word, the dragon simply sighed and got to work.
Twilight Sparkle trotted into the pet store. It was easy to find Winchester waiting inline with a large bag of kitten food on his back. The mare giggled when she noticed Butterscotch was trying to dig into the bag, but her little claws just weren’t strong enough to get through the outside of the bag. Winchester smiled and kissed his marefriend as she joined him.
“Where's Spike?” Twilight asked looking around, she hoped her assistant was just playing with some of the pets.
Winchester hid his grin as he looked around “i don’t know, he's around here some where.” he said as he stepped up to the counter to pay, the clerk knew what had happened and was already ringing up the six bags the writer had destroyed plus the one he was buying.
Twilight shrugged, if something bad had happened to Spike she was sure that the place wouldn’t be so calm. The mare idly leaned her shoulder on Winchester's as the clerk told the writer how much he owed. “that cant be right?” Twilight commented as she looked at the one 20 bit bag of kitten food on her coltfriend’s back then at the 140 bit total, she only grew confused when Winchester didn’t argue the price. That couldn’t be right he was paying attention, and he could do math. Then she noticed Spike walking by with a massive pile of dry cat food in a bin, Something did happen. “Winchester what did you do?”
“well.... the dragon made a mess trying to help me.” Winchester said with a disarming smile. “and well he had to clean it up, and I got to pay for it.”
“Really.” the lavender mare said as she eyed the stallion, he had to have something to do with it. If Spike had done something that cost the dragon hating stallion money she would have heard his anger down the street, and she would have had to pay for it, but if Winchester had something to do with it, he would pay for it himself. “what did you do?” Twilight asked again as Spike made his way over them.
“nothing really.” Winchester said as he counted out the bits in his head “he asked me a question and well his payment was my entertainment.”
“i thought you just wanted the fresh kitten food on the bottom of the pile.” Spike added not sure what was going on.
“was embarrassing himself worth it?” Twilight asked angrily.
“well.” Winchester should have known he was going to get in trouble for this. “at the time it did but not really any more.”
As Spike said, “i didn't mean to make the such a mess, its not my fault that the stack fell on me.” the stallion realized there was no way for him to defuse the situation, he was already kicking himself.
Twilight looked up from her little dragon to Winchester, she was furious but didn’t want to cause a scene. “what if he gotten hurt?” she spoke through clinched teeth.
the stallion lowered his ears as he said “those things are pretty tough so you don’t have to worry about that” as soon as the words left his mouth he realized that he should have chosen his words better.
“Spike is not a thing.” Twilight growled startling both Winchester and the dragon. The mare took a deep breath and said “we have to talk about this.” remembering that they were going to celibate Spike's new room tonight she added,“tomorrow. this really important Winchester.”
the stallion nodded “well talk over dinner.”
“before.”
“of course.” Winchester replied, he knew he had screwed up.
Twilight Sparkle shook a little as she walked away with Spike by her side. “um Twilight is everything okay?” the little dragon asked.
Twilight sighed “yes!” she force a smile before she looked at him “everything’s fine!” she lead the way home, her emotions were in check for the most part but almost as soon as Twilight walk in the door her shoulders and head fell. “I’m going to go lay down for a bit.” the mare hurried up to her room and locked the door after sliding the Cutie Mark Crusaders out. The three fillies were confused, they wanted to get their stuff but decided to not disturb her.
“your not okay.” Spike said to the air where she should have been.
Spike sighed as the crusaders walked down the stairs too join the dragon. “what happen?” Scootaloo asked confused.
“Twilight and Winchester got into a fight.” Spike said as he ideally rocked back and forth on his heels.
“ooohhh,” Applebloom made a hurt face as she spoke “was a big fight?”
“yeah.”
“uh oh, when my sister Rarity gets into a big fight with her coltfriends she gets really sad after.” Sweetie Belle explained, “Thunderlane and her don’t fight that much but when they do it can get bad.”
Spike looked heart broken as he said “i think the fight was about me.”
the three fillies didn’t know what to say, but Sweetie Belle had an idea of how to maybe make the dragon feel better. With out hesitation the little white unicorn threw her for-hooves around Spike and hugged him whispering “its not your fault.”
with the reassurances from Sweetie Belle, Spike smile brightly. “maybe there’s something we can do.” the little dragon said still holding onto the little white filly, she blushed but didn’t push him away. It was kind of nice.
“we could ask Twilight if their was anything we can do to help?” Scootaloo suggested with a buzz of her wings. She looked up at the door to the bed room where the adult mare in question was 'studying' a spell.
“no.” Sweetie Belle said finally slipping away from Spike, both a little red faced. “Rarity said its not the mares fault when a couple fights.”
“that just don't seem fare.” Applebloom comment, Spike nodded.
“that’s what I said.” Sweetie replied “but she and Thunderlane seem really really happy together so maybe its true.”
“only one way to find out.”
“yeah, Applebloom.” Scootaloo agreed before looking very confused, “how is that again, just want to make sure Sweetie Belle and Spike know.”
the dragon and little unicorn eyed their friend as Applebloom said “we got to go talk to Winchester.”
“okay.” Spike, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said together. Just as the four were about to declare the the Cutie Mark Crusader Relationship Savers were go, the door bell rang. Spike answered the door, confused to why it was locked.
“we have a furniture delivery for a Miss Sparkle?” the large gray brown earth pony said, a name tag on his light gray shirt read Flat Bed.
“oh just a sec I'll get her.” Spike replied before he hurried up stairs. The little dragon knocked on the bedroom door and called “hey Twilight the delivery is here.”
“oh.” the mare inside replied, she sounded a little hoarse “could you take care of that I'm uh busy.” inside Twilight had settled down, her tears were gone as was her anger. All that was left was the confusion to why relationships had to be so hard some times, she was still torn between her feelings for her coltfriend and the little dragon that was as close to her child as he could be. Though if forced to chose she knew who it would be.
“okay.” Spike said with a sigh. The little dragon walked down stairs and back to the door where Flat Bed ideally taped his hooves to the beat of the song in his head. “she's a little busy so I’ll sign.”
“okay, not a problem.” the delivery stallion nodded, he pulled a clip bored out of his saddle bags. The purple dragon grabbed a quill and signed. He looked at the Crusaders and said “hey uh I don’t think I can go with you girls.”
“that's okay Spike” Sweetie Belle said with a giggle “we'll take care of everything.” she winked at him before giggling again. Applebloom lead the fillies out the door with a mighty cute Ye-haw.
Spike watched as Flat bed and half a dozen other ponies brought in the larges boxes full of the furniture for his room. They were confused when the dragon said that the room had not been built yet and to just put it all the boxes in a seldom used corner of the library’s main room.
For the next half hour the little dragon tried to not think about what was going on. He had seen Twilight get heart broken before, and he would hate to be the cause of it. Luckily he had some stuff to clean up and put away, mostly dishes, before the others came of over for the party. He was excited to have his own room and his own stuff, but he was still worried about his greed taking over and well the same fears most young ponies have with their parents think their too old for a night light. Monster under the bed and all, but he had seen worst so those weren’t really that scarey.
Soon enough their was a knock at the door, it was after library hours so Spike knew who it could be. he called for who ever it was to come in as he finished drying a the last few plates. Pinkie had spread the word to all of Spike friends, First to arrived was Fluttershy. On the yellow's mares back was a strange colored flower that gave off a smell that just made Spike feel at ease. “Hi Fluttershy,” the dragon greeted.
“Hello Spike.” the pegasus replied in turn as the dragon joined her in the main room, she easily noticed his eyes locked on the flower “its a Dragon's Peace, it has no smell to a pony but they say a dragon will always be happy when they smell it.” she explained “I'm sorry I didn’t wrap it, I didn’t know till about a hour ago.”
“its alright.” Spike said with a smile across his face “its all good.”
“oh dear.” Fluttershy said stepped back a few paces, she was afraid it may have been too strong, this year was the first time it had bloomed.
Not too long after Applejack and Big Mac came to the door, the stallion had a nice warm quilt draped over his back. “good for those cold winter nights.” Applejack told Spike as Big Mac gave it too him, again he heard an apology about it not being wrapped. Spike didn’t mind, gifts were gifts wrapped or not. He did make a point to mentally tell himself he would be happy even without getting stuff. Twilight Sparkle walked down stares happy to see her friends, she levitated the bright green book of plant magic with her.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie showed up together. Rarity had an expertly wrapped gift in a basket she held in her purely white teeth, even if this was a party for Spike she couldn't help but show off something new. The Teeth whiten kit she bought had worked great, not that her teeth weren't already pretty white. “oh it appears I haven’t over dressed for once.” the white mare said after their hellos “but it dose appears that my gift is over dressed.”
“well its better then me I sent so much time packing my Party in a box that I didn’t have time to go out and get anything.” Pinkie Pie said with a pout. She was taking careful consideration where she put the large pink box she had brought.
“its okay girls.” Spike said with a smile “you didn’t need to get me anything at all but thank you so much.” although he couldn't hid his curiosity for what was inside both the boxes.
“well that’s good to hear.” Twilight said glad that Spike was keeping that greedy side of him in check, she winked at him to insure he knew it was a joke. The little dragon smiled showing he knew.
“Well Spiky Wikey.” Rarity said setting the basket and present down on the table next to the other presents “you wont have to wait long to open it, Pinkie and I saw the crusaders heading this way.”
“good.” Pinkie said before Spike could reply “everything will be set up before they get here.” as her friends began ask how, the pink mare pulled the string on her pink box. The lid exploded off filling the room with confetti and streamers obscuring everypony's vision, seconds later the room looked like Pinkie had spent all day decorating it for the party. Balloons, streamers and other decorations filled the libarey hanging from the stair railing and shelves with expert placement. A banner hung from the second floor railing read “Congratulation On The New Room Spike” games likes pin the tail on the pony, a sticky dart game and even a pinata were all set up ready for the party goers to enjoy. “OH NO.” Pinkie exclaimed “the cake did make through.”
“What?” Scootaloo said as she and her two friends walked through the door just in time for the five layer cake in question to fall over on top of the three fillies. Applebloom was silent and stoic, befitting of an apple. Scootaloo was confused to the point of freezing up. Sweetie Belle cried out in fright, she was upset by being covered in sticky icing. However after tasting the confection that covered her Sweetie Belle giggled saying it wasn’t so bad.
“you three should hurry up and hop in the bath.” Applejack said nodded to the up stairs bathroom. “better hurry up before everypony else shows up.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled as she held Spike back before he could say he would help. “well I think this is everypony.” she looked to Rarity and asked “is Thunderlane coming over?”
“no.” Rarity replied in between explaining to the girls what the sugary frosting may be doing to the filly's coats and manes, they barely cared. “he's having a family night. Rumble has been Begging for him to spend some time with them. Is Winchester coming?”
The lavender unicorn force a smile as she answered “NO, i thought it would be best if it was only SPIKE'S friends here.” Rarity frowned realizing something was wrong. “so anyway Pinkie.” Twilight said still forcing a smile “i think you know what you need to do.”
“YAY!” Pinkie yelled as she kicked her recorder player getting the party into full gear. The tense moment was soon forgotten. How could it not be with Pinkie hosting the party. Even Twilight was having fun and everything got better when the three fillies rejoined them.
Games were played, snacks were munched, Punch was guzzled and the Pinata was smashed by Applebloom, showing her earth pony strength, showering the other fillies and Spike in hoof made rock candy. The earth pony was the only one luckily enough to break the pinata when she hit it, Spike didn’t even get close when it was his turn. Sweetie Belle didn’t hit hard enough to break anything and Scootaloo only creaked it a little. Afterward Spike sat down to open the only wrapped gift he had been given, though he did take the time to loveingly tell each and every pony he was happy just to have them there.
The little dragon's claws made short work of the wrapping paper around the fine wooden box on short little legs. The dark reddish brown wood was polished to a near mirror finish the lid was held on by a pair of fine brass hinges and a brass hook clasp. “WOW......what is it?” Spike asked curiously, as the crusaders moved in to look at it filled with the enthusiastic curiosity of youth.
Rarity smiled from where she laid on a pillow with a mischievous smile, “oh darling you have to open it to find out.” she said with a wave of her hoof.
“well okay then.” Spike replied as the crusaders chanted for him to open the box. The older ponies leaned in to see what it was as well. With the hook unclasped Spike opened the lid filling the room with the building music all of the pony recognized as the song Flight of Valkyries, as soon as famous horns started in full force tiny model pegasi started to “fly” over the painted green fields held up on little brass rods. “WOW this is pretty cool.”
As the party started up again, Rarity caught Twilight alone. “everything okay between you and Winchester?” the white mare spoke low so only Twilight could hear her.
Twilight narrowed her eyes as she looked at her friend, why did she have to bring that up. Twilight was having fun and had all but forgotten about that problem, however the concern on Rarity's face eased her anger and the lavender mare answered simply. “I’ll know tomorrow.” she turned and walked away hoping somepony would distract her as Rarity apologize. The white mare felt bad she just wished to help, but she knew sometimes the best thing to do in this situation is to just let things play out.
While Pinkie Pie had ran out to get another cake, Spike joined the crusaders to ask them what they found out.
“oh oh.” Sweetie said “you need to pick something to cook tomorrow.”
“what.”
“oh got a head of my self.” Sweetie replied blushing under her white hoof, she quickly explained they were going to cook a nice dinner for Twilight and Winchester. Scootaloo tugged on a blue bag of bits hidden in Applebloom's bow to show they had all the money they would need.
Finally Twilight turned off the music with a smile “okay every pony.” she giggled as Fluttershy blew a nose making, the yellow mare blushed as she noticed the music was off. She hid behind her mane and Big Macintosh chuckled as he pulled her into a loving hug, “its time for the main event.” Twilight announced as she trotted up stairs with her book on plant magic.
the lavender mare was about to head up stairs when Rarity cleared her throat and called “oh Twilight?”
“Yes?”
“is this spell going to be the type where you just magic it up real quick?” Rarity asked “or is it going to be more dramatic type?”
Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure what too say, or why she would need too know. After a drawn out “uh” she finally cheeked her book. After a few page turns the unicorn finally replied “looks like the second one....Why?”
“oh good.” Rarity replied with a smiled, Twilight was a little annoyed that her big presentation was being interrupted, “Spike don’t you think this is a good time to put your new music box to use.” it took a moment for the little dragon understand what Rarity meant. He quickly reached under the box and turned the key, tightening the internal springs and priming the complicated mechanizes inside of the music box for its purpose.
Twilight nodded with a smile, it seemed fitting. It added a bit of majesty to the whole thing. As the 'horns' started the lavender mare leaned her forehead on wall twenty hooves from her door. If the mare's calculations were correct she would miss her room and give Spike the proper thickness of a wall for both of their privacy. Almost as if she was timing it with the music, energy pulse over her coat as Twilight spoke to the energy's within the living wood.
The sound of music was soon joined by the sound of creaking wood. The ponies looked around as light purple energy coursed though the wood making the whole tree building shutter and shake. Deep under the dirt the roots of the oak tree began too pulse and groan as they absorbed as much water and nutrients they could. The tree would need a lot for this process, but there was plenty in the unused soil of the city square. The wood of the tree shifted and grew, expanding as Twilight willed it.
It took nearly fifteen minutes for Twilight to deem the room finished. The mare panted as a few sweat drops rolled down her forehead, she looked to her finds and asked “Applejack could you and Big Mac give me a hoof?”
“of course sugar cube.” the county mare answered with a smile, she nodded to her brother and both trotted up the stairs. The siblings noticed that the wall had the out line of a door in it. “what'cah need us to do sugar?” Twilight happily explained that she left some of the wall for a door, but that she was a little too tired to buck the section of the wall out. The apple siblings were all too happy to put their tremendous combined strength to work taping the door to be out of the wall. It landed with a loud thud. Big Macintosh easily stepped over the fallen hunk of door shaped wood and lifted it up and out of the way.
The ponies hurried up stairs to check out the new empty room. Spike was as astonished as his friends were. This was his own room, even if it wasn’t much of nothing right now. It was his, but it was a responsibility too he had to make sure it was clean and tidy and most of all he had to not fall into the trap of greed, now that he had a lair per say.
Pinkie Pie started to hum, using the ponies hoof steps as a drum beat. As all of the pink mare's companions looked at her with a smile, knowing what was to come, Pinkie started sing. Her song was about moving in to new places and moving up in the world, and how growing up was just something you have to do.
As if they all heard the same music the group joined in, Rarity sang a verse about making the new place a home like the one your used too and even better then before. Her example was about how the left outside wall needed more light and a window would do. Twilight jumped at the chance and sang to the wood, it quickly morphed into just what was call for. A round four pane widow although the tree could not produce glass so they would have to go buy some tomorrow.
Everypony helped bring the new furniture in. What would normally be annoying work done only because it had to be done, became fun when put with the song. The door was built and mounted, the bed was assembled, the mattress and box spring where put in place. Fluttershy sang about how a new home could be scarey but not to worry when friends were near as she tossed the sheets on the bed and they landed perfectly made, the older apple siblings pulled the quilt over the bed as Applebloom hoped over it and made sure that it was all tuck in ready for use later that night.
Even though the party ended with everypony working, they all left with a smile on their face after a happy good bye hug to Spike. Before Sweetie Belle released her embrace she whispered. “meet us at the fountain an hour after lunch.” Spike nodded.
Pinkie Pie was the last to leave, she wasn’t the type of pony to make a mess at somepony else's home and not help clean it up. When the cleaning was done Spike was having trouble keeping his eyes open, although the way Pinkie said he looked 'cute being so sleepy' woke him up long enough to say that he was a fierce fire breathing dragon. Once Pinkie was gone Twilight tucked Spike into his new bed. The little dragon had a few immature question like what if somepony comes in through the window, or if he has a bad dream could he come sleep in his old basket in her room. A few of the later question made the mare blush, Spicily when he asked if he could sleep in her bed if he had a really scarey dream. The mare reminded him that he hasn’t needed to do that since he sucked his claw.
“well I still do that.” Spike said as he stuck his thumb in his mouth and made overly exaggerated sucking sounds, revealing he had just been teasing her.
“SPIKE!” Twilight called out with a smile “you little rascal.” she hugged him and told him good night before she trotted over to her room. Twilight hopped into her bed and tried to fall asleep. Unfortunately in the quite of the night her mind wonder back to her problems and what's worse was that the thoughts left no room for sleep. After about an hour of tossing or turning she grabbed a book on Advance Magical Quantum theory, however it quickly became apparent this book wouldn’t do. She set it aside and picked another book, this one the latest Daring Doo book, but it didn’t do the job ether.
The sun wasn’t even close to rising when Spike awoke with a shiver. He looked around till his eyes landed on the window. He sighed it didn’t have any glass yet so there was no way to close it in the cold fall morning. The quilt the apples had given him was warm, but the summer sheets under it was working against it. he slipped out of bed he was sure that Twilight would under stand if he join her for warmth.
Even the rug under his bed was cold, but the hard wood floor was colder. He quickly made his way to his brand new door and opened it. He didn’t bother trying to be that quite he was about to wake up Twilight anyway. The rest of the dark library was much more bearable, thanks to the magic air conditioning Twilight had installed. His open window just rendered it ineffective in his room.
By the time Spike had made it the few pony lengths over to Twilight’s door he had stopped shivering. Spike opened the door to Twilight’s room and stepped in. to his surprise she wasn’t in bed. Twilight Sparkle was instead cradled belly up in the curve of her window, a book laid open on her chest. her mane and tail cascading over the edge of the wood. Spike shrugged not sure why she had slept there, maybe needed to catch up on some studying and just fell asleep. His eyes glowed a little in the dark a sign of his night vision revealing every detail he would have seen in day time. The Pink and Blue book on the mare's chest was call Relationships for Dummies, the ins and outs of Love, Dating, and How to Make Breaking Up Easier. Spike didn’t like that. As he reached out to wake her he noticed something that stopped him in his tracks. Twilight's eyelashes were all clumped together and their were dried tear tracks on her face. That was it his mind was made up, he was going to do his best to fix the problem even if it wasn’t his fault.
“Twilight” Spike said softly so not to startle her. “Hey Twilight wake up.” the mare groaned a little as the little dragon gently shook her.
Twilight Sparkle cooed as Spike called her name once again with a more vigorous shake of her shoulder. “huh wha?” the mare said groggily, she was still mostly asleep.
“Twilight your asleep in the window.”
“oh.” the lavender mare looked around barely aware of who she was talking too, let alone where she was. “I'm sorry.”
“come on lets get you in bed.” Spike said as he helped her climb down from the window. As she moved the book on her chest slipped to the window seat below her. The little dragon realized why she was crying, she was reading the section of the book about breaking up.
Spike had some difficulties getting the groggy, uncoordinated mare into bed, Twilight was completely asleep before her head even touched the pillow. As the dragon pulled the covers over his friend he thought about how he had never seen her broken up like this about anything. Specially when it came to other pony's, although in the last two years Twilight's prioritizes had change. However now it seems those changes were hurting her. The little dragon stepped back his face determined, he had a way to help ease this pain she had. Once he was back in his own chilly room Spike garbed his cook book and a lantern. Using his fire breath he made the little hut of his bed sheets and quilt warm as he flipped through the cook book.
The next morning seemed like any other. Twilight and Spike ate breakfast together. Spike avoided talking about his plans for the day. Luckily Twilight didn’t really want to talk about anything other then what he needed for his room, namely a window. After breakfast and some library work Twilight and Spike set out too install some window panes. First Twilight supervised Spike measuring each and every section of the window, Three times.
With the measurements in hand, Spike rode on Twilight's back humming the tune to the song they sang the night before. The dragon hoped this would be quick, the measuring took way too long like always. Now it was past lunch time, he had already seen the crusaders that day. They were waiting for him to go shopping for the plan, what was worst the dish he had picked would take sometime to cook let alone prepare it.
At the glass shop it almost seem like Twilight didn’t want the exchange to go smoothly, her obsession with perfection seem to be in over drive today. She spent fifteen minutes to going over the measurements with Sky Light the window cuter. Spike slapped his claw over his face when Twilight wanted to inspect his equipment, which took another ten minutes. However finally he got to work after he succumb to Twilight’s insistence on letting her watch. The dragon was sure that the white earth pony was going to throttle her when Twilight made him start over for the third time. Thankfully the ordeal ended without a physical confrontation.
Some how Spike and Twilight installed the panes in about five minutes. As soon as they were done Spike garbed his cook book and ran out saying something about letting her have time to get ready and that he was going to Dinner with Sweetie Belle tonight. The lavender mare opened her mouth to speak but the dragon was already closing the front door. Twilight cursed aloud in frustration, there was nothing in the way now. In little over two hours Twilight Sparkle might have to break her coltfriend's heart, which would braek hers. She trotted into the bath room hopping a nice warm bath would help ease her anxiety.
Spike ran as fast as his short little legs would carry him. Last place he saw the crusaders was the fountain on mane street where they agreed to meet, finally his luck changed the three fillies were still waiting for him. Applebloom was walking back and forth obviously bored. Scootaloo was on the edge of the fountain balanced on one forehoof and the bag of bits siting on her nose, she was about to fall by the looks of her wiggling limbs. Sweetie Belle looked adorable with her legs curled up underneath her, she kind of looked like a egg with a head and tail but Spike didn't care.
“sorry, I'm late girls.” the dragon called too them. Sweetie Belle giggled and hoped up to waved. Applebloom looked back as Scootaloo yelled, before anypony could help her she lost her balance and fell in the fountain. Luckily the bag of bits landed on the edge.
After they pulled the water logged Pegasus out of the fountain the four set out to go shopping. On the way Spike told the fillies about why he was late.
“wow and I thought Rarity was demanding.” Sweetie Belle commented when Spike was done venting.
“Well, she's just upset.” Spike replied as he remembered seeing her the night before, it renewed his determination. “really upset.” he added in a low voice.
“yeah.” Sweetie Belle agreed as she hopped in front of her friends “but that’s why we're the.” she held out her hoof and Spike quickly put his claw on hers, Applebloom and Scootaloo put their hooves in as well. Sweetie led the group in calling out “ Cutie Mark Crusader Relationship Savers!” and they were off galloping down the street, Spike some how able to keep up.
Once at Market Street, Spike put something he learned from Twilight too good use. He Divided up the money and the list of ingredients between two groups, he had more then one plan going right now. Another skill he picked up from Twilight. He sent Scootaloo and Applebloom with one half of the list and bits, while he blushed and headed off to get the more important ingredients with Sweetie Belle. When your buying produce you have to know what your doing.
The dragon chuckled nervously as he walked side by side with Sweetie Belle through the market. This was it he had to think of something to say, something to start a conversation. “something wrong?” Sweetie Belle asked with a sweet concerned smile.
“oh uhh.” Spike didn’t know what to say but Sweetie Belle did.
“your just worried about Twilight. aren’t you?”
the dragon was surprised, she was right but that wasn’t the reason why he was nervous. “yeah you can say that.” at least they were talking.
Sweetie giggled as she hugged him “its sweet how much you care about her.” she slipped away and the pair started to walk again “shes like your sister or something right?”
“you could say that.” Spike replied with a smile “she did kind of raise me, but I take care of her as much as she dose me.” he chuckled as he started to tell her some funny stories from his past. Like the time when he was little and Twilight was much younger and the pair of them tried to bake a cake for Princess Celestia, and how it didn’t go as plan at all. Sweetie Belle giggled happily enjoying the story, she told him about how she tried to cook Rarity breakfast in bed once and how she burnt everything including the orange juice, the only difference was that it was only about a year ago.
It was surprisingly fun for the two young citizens of Ponyville to shop for food. Squash, Peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and about a dozen types of cheese. Sweetie Belle was impressed how much Spike knew about buying vegetables, he would check the sound, smell and feel of each of them. “Wow you know a lot about this stuff don’t you?”
“yeah.” Spike said with a smile “been doing the shopping since I was old enough to read.”
“Really?”
“Yep.” Spike answered as Applebloom run up behind him and yelling his name casueing him to squish the squash allover his face. He wiped as much of the pulverized vegetable from his face as he could “what is it.” Spike asked as Sweetie Belle passed him a tissue.
“we need more money.” Applebloom said a little embarrassed.
“what why?” Spike replied, did he do the math wrong.
“well Scootaloo and Ah tried Pinkie's way of buying stuff but it kind of back fired.” the earth pony answered kicking the dirt.
“Really?” Sweetie Belle commented “but the Cutie Mark Negotiators failed weeks ago.”
“yeah.” Applebloom replied looking off in the distance.
Spike sighed as he got the money out that Applebloom said she needed, he thanked him and ran off. he and Sweetie continued to shop together happily, although Spike was disappointed that now they probably didn’t have enough bits to buy some burgers later. Well maybe two, but the only way that would work is if it was just Sweetie Belle and himself.
Twilight Sparkle stared at herself in the mirror. For the past hour she had argued with herself over how dressed up to get. If the discussion didn’t go well then she would have just wasted a bunch of time for nothing. She finally decided that she should dress up because she had to believe She and Winchester would work out. Some sparkly red lipstick, that lavender, rose perfume Winchester liked and some diamond studs for her ears. She had just finished curling her eye lashes when she heard the door close and Winchester call her name. “just a minute.” she replied politely. It didn’t take her long to apply some just a touch of blush and eye shadow.
With one last sigh and a last check that all her make up was finished Twilight wished her self luck and headed out the door. Something smelled delicious as the mare trotted down the stairs. “hello Twilight.”
“hi Winchester.” she replied, the mare noticed a large casserole dish on the table. Steam rose from the color full layers of vegetables and cheese. Twilight walked over to it to get a better look at the colorful meal “What is this? It smells Delicious.” she said as she smelt it, she didn’t think Winchester was this good of a cook
“i don’t know.” Winchester replied with a smile, “something Spike and the Crusaders made. I can tell you it was hard not to eat it on the way here.”
“really your tell-” Twilight stopped mid thought as she realized what Winchester had just said “you called him Spike.” her mouth hung slightly open as she looked at the stallion.
“yeah.” the writer replied “its always been the elephant in the room.” he took her hoof in his as he spoke spoke. his deep brown eyes met her rich purple orbs. “no matter what he was going to be around, and all my stupid jokes, my teasing, all of it hurt you and well Twilight.” Twilight plopped down on her rump as she cover her mouth, her eyes teared up. “he's part of the package and I'll be Damned if I don’t love the whole thing.”
a tear rolled down Twilight’s cheek, not one of sadness like had for the last day, but one of relieved joy. “Winchester.” was all she could say before he pulled her into a kiss that she returned with out a fight.
The couple held each other close as the stallion whispered “i cant change how I feel about the species as a whole, but for you I'll change how I feel about him.”
“That’s more then I could have asked for.” Twilight replied in a horse whispered. She added three little words that made the stallion's heart skip a hoof full of beats and he forget to breath. A moment of silent passed and Winchester held Twilight much tighter and confessed those same the same three words to her.
With wide smiles the pair released their embrace Winchester said “I've been wanted to eat this thing since the dra- Spike finished.” he lowered his ears as he pulled the dish over them.
Twilight smiled and kissed his cheek “Baby Steps.”

Daring Doo and the Shard of Betrayal

This was possibly the only thing that could make Rainbow Dash feel better since getting kicked out of the Wonderbolts and getting fired for poor performance at work, her friends had tried but had failed. But this, this was something special, none other then the world famous writer of Daring Doo, A.K. Yearling, had come to Ponyville just to meet Rainbow Dash. On top of that she had shared her secret with Rainbow Dash. The rumor that Daring Doo is real was true, and A.K. Yearling was her, and the books were her recounting of the events. Rainbow Dash felt like she was going to explode at any moment when she was showing the mare around town even if A.K. Yearling was trying to remain incognito by wearing a flowered light blue cloak with matching bonnet and a pair of dark sunglasses that covered most of her face. It was kind of hard with Rainbow Dash calling her Daring Doo all the time, that was something that only her friends called her.
Rainbow Dash wasn't the only mare that was excited about the time they got spend together. Daring Doo was a big fan of amateur stunt fliers, Rainbow Dash herself being one of her favorites. The two mare's became fast friends, despite Rainbow Dash's “Fan-gasms” as Daring Doo put it.
After showing the gold colored mare around town Rainbow Dash had planed on meeting with Daring Doo's second biggest fan for lunch. “Twilight lives in the town library.” Rainbow Dash said as they walked down the street.
Daring Doo smiled “wow. Must really like books.”
“Yeah she's a real egg head.” Rainbow Dash replied with a buzz of her wings before she even realized what she said.
The blue pegasus looked over at the writer fearing she had offended her, but Daring Doo just chuckled “yeah, you just got to get out there and learn from the real world sometimes.”
With a flourish Rainbow Dash presented the Golden Oaks Library to her hero. Daring Doo giggled as the blue pegasus opened the door for her. The pegasus writer always enjoyed the library even if she preferred fieldwork. However as the older pegasus walked in her joy vanished as she looked upon the blue stallion at the table in the middle of the main room. Winchester was too busy writing to care that anypony had entered the library. Spike was behind the desk with Twilight doing some paper work she was expecting Daring Doo, although she hadn't told her coltfriend thinking it didn’t matter.
Rainbow Dash happily introduced everypony, “that there is Twilight Sparkle, Ponyville's resident egghead and your second biggest fan, beside her is Spike. He's cool.” Daring Doo wasn't paying attention to anything her tour guide said, she was just staring at the stallion, her face slightly amused but it was hiding what she truly was feeling. “oh and that’s Winchester he's a writer too, I think you met before or something.” the blue mare added as Daring Doo approached him.
“oh we've met.” Daring replied, Winchester's ears twitched when he heard her voice. he looked up at her as she said. “Oh Winchester its been too long.”
the Stallion smiled glad she was being civil “it has, hasn't Daring.”
“why haven’t you written?” Daring Doo asked plainly.
Rainbow Dash was confused while, Twilight's mouth fell open. Spike rolled his eyes and went back to work. Winchester sighed guessing she wasn’t going to be civil after, well it wasn’t the best brake up after all. “I didn’t want too hurt you anymore.”
Daring Doo Scoffed “like you could hurt me.” Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash looked at each other guessing the two had more history then they were told.
Winchester stiffened, 'every time.' he thought as he responded with “says the mare who I had to save every other Damn Day.”
“you save me?” Daring Doo Scoffed again, she wasn’t sure why seeing her ex again made her so mad she couldn’t control herself, and for a controlled pony like her that means something. “Half the time I got hurt was because of your help.”
the stallion sighed and stood up grumbling “I seem to remember you needed an ice pack after every night with me.” he didn’t mean to heard but he was.
Daring Doo blushed and turned away as she said “not my fault your big.” Twilight blushed hard as she covered Spike's ears, both her and Rainbow Dash wanted to look away but couldn’t bring themselves too.
“thank you but we both know I'm not that big.” Winchester was growing tired of the arguing, and could tell that the others were getting uncomfortable. That happens with couples fight, specially if they have broken up, Love and Hate are to sides of the same coin even for a pony. Daring Doo was about to speck but Winchester cut her off to say “and you know what I don’t want to do this any more.” he closed the book he had been writing in, as his magical aura enveloped all the notes and other books he used for various things.
The gold pegasus glared at Winchester as he took the long way around to the check out desk. The mare sighed, Daring Doo didn’t know why they made each other so angry by just being near each other, her head fell as she realized she in fact did. Meanwhile Winchester checked out the books he needed. Twilight wanted to asked him about what just happened but decided a kiss would do for now. The stallion however shook his head and mouthed 'not right now' as he nodded at Daring. Twilight understood and smiled, best not too rub salt in their wounds. The thought crossed her mind to leave with him but, how often dose somepony get the chance to meet a famous writer. The irony of the fact she was dating one was lost of her.
Winchester polity said good bye to everypony before making his exit, he whispered “have fun, Love you.” to his marefriend. He knew Twilight was smart enough to not listen to anything Daring had to say, he doubted that Daring was vindictive enough to say anything anyway.
The tension in the air seemed to get thicker after the stallion left, Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash hoping she knew how to break the ice. The blue mare was looking at her for the same thing, the unicorn started to regret not leaving now. Thankfully Daring Doo apparently knew what to say “you think it would be a match made in heaven.” she looked out the window “two writers who Actually live their stories.” she sighed as she looked at the two younger mares and their very confused dragon. “Who knew Discord worked part time in heaven.” the older mare saw that she was killing the mood, and Daring Doo is not a buzz kill “anyway lets not dwell on that crap.” she smiled and looked at her two fans “lets go have a nice lunch.” the two younger mare nodded. As they walked out Daring Doo asked “what Place has good drinks this time of the day.” and at that moment Twilight ordered Spike to watch the library.
It didn’t take long for the mood too lightened and soon enough the three mares had all but forgotten the fight in the library and the food they ordered. They sat outside of a local bar and grill under an awning. half a platter of fried potato skins cooled in front of Rainbow Dash, Twilight’s strawberry salad had wilted ages ago. Only Daring Doo cared for her order, but that’s because all she got was some plum wine. Currently she was doing something she rarely did with fans, spoiling the next book.
“and then I swooped in grabbed the tablet of Gato De Rock and blasted through the far door.” Daring Doo said using her hoof to mimic the arching flight path she had used, accidentally bumping her half empty wine glass as she did so. The golden pegasus took a moment to steady the glass then look at the half gone bottle thinking she should have eating something before drinking so much. She decided to fix that as she took her sunglasses off and asked Rainbow Dash if she could have a potato skin or two.
“yeah.” the blue pegasus replied as she pushed the whole platter over. “but how'd you get out?” Rainbow Dash's wings were sticking straight back, it was a little hard for the waiter to serve the table behind her.
“wasn't the temple collapsing already.” Twilight added.
“oh yeah,” Daring Doo said covering her mouth with a hoof as she chewed the mouthful of cheese covered potato.
Before Daring Doo could continued telling the story a voice cut in saying “yes Daring how did you escape that deadly place.” the speaker was a handsome brown stallion with trouble making smirk. His black hair was too perfect to be good. He sat down and his eyes locked with Daring Doo's, behind the new comer stood two large earth ponies with muted coats. Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle recognized the first pony as the mercenary leader Jackal, that wasn’t his real name but Daring Doo was nice enough to no use the real one.
“Ahh good.” Daring said with a sly smile “Jack you made it, I was worried I was going to have to wait for Ahuizotl to find a new lacky for me to punk all the time.”
Jackal didn’t look all that pleased by what she said “Daring dear, do you really want to do this, in a place like this. You know with all these little ponies around, I’m sure you don’t want you friends getting hurt.”
Daring frowned for a moment before forcing a smile. Rainbow Dash popped her neck to show she was ready for a fight, while Twilight just leaned back on her cushion with her for hooves crossed over her chest and a smirk on her face. “but Jacky boy if its just you and a couple of goons you know your just going to get your butt whooped.” the mare was stalling till she found an advantage to win before the fright even started.
Jackal smirked more, “oh we're just here to talk to you dear, the rest of my boys are looking for the tablet I’m-”
“what are you boys doing here.” the voice sent a visible shiver down Jackal's spine as he slowly turned to see Winchester hanging on his two frightened bodyguard’s shoulders like he was an old friend. “its been too long Buster.” the blue stallion said to one “hows that ribs dose it still hurt you when it gets cold?” the writer looked at the other goon and said “you new? I don’t remember you, its been a few years since I hung out with you guys....” Winchester paused too look over the stallion in question a little more, he gasped and covered the earth pony's left eye with a hoof “oh its you, sorry I didn’t recognize you without a hoof mark over your eye.” the blue stallion smiled.
Jackal took a deep breath before saying “I thought the two of you broke up?”
“yeah but I’m not here for her.” Winchester replied as he nodded across the table to Daring Doo. “you can have her, but the Unicorn on the hoof.” he smiled almost evilly as he whispered “you threaten her you deal with me. Not that she needs me to defend her, she could kill you where you sit”
Jackal looked at Twilight Sparkle as she sparked her horn, the earth pony finally realized who she was and that Rainbow Dash was also probably who she was. With that Jackal stood up from the cushion he had sat on and walked away, Winchester allowed the two bodyguards to leave as well before joining the mares at the table.
“we didn’t need your help.” Daring Doo said as Winchester claimed the fried potato skins. “Rainbow Dash and I could have taken them.”
“what about me?” Twilight said as her coltfriend scooted over to sit close beside her.
Rainbow Dash cut in for her favorite writer with a laugh “Twi, they were thugs, your more for blowing up big monster things.” Twilight smiled bashfully as Winchester nuzzled her whispering that Rainbow Dash was right.
Daring Doo was about to say something but cut herself off as she came to a sudden realization “shit” she growled looking out to the street. Her three companions asked her what was wrong, one intentionally through a mouthful of potatoes, “their raiding my room.”
“well that sucks for you.” Winchester said only to be ignored, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash jumped to their hooves saying they should go stop them.
The three mares jumped into the street leaving Winchester with a mouthful of cold fried potato skins and the bill. He wasn’t happy about ether.
Rainbow Dash, Daring Doo, and Twilight Sparkle got too the hotel where the golden pegasus was staying in just under three minutes but it wasn’t fast enough. The thugs had come and gone. The three mares pushed passed some curious towns ponies to get to the broken door. After shooing away on lookers, the three mares surveyed the damage. Daring Doo sighed, she had seen it so many times she was all but numb to the sight of all of her stuff being tossed around the room without care, the bed kicked over, suit cases smashed it was her third set this year. “where did you hide the tablet?” Twilight asked bring Daring Doo back to the real problem.
“it was in my back pack.” Daring Doo replied as she looked around for the tan pack. “the lamp, why always the lamp, don’t they know I got to pay for that.” she lightly kicked a piece of the shattered glass.
“Found your hat.” Rainbow Dash proclaimed proudly as she held up the pith helmet. She giggled almost like she was filly as she gave the hat to Daring Doo.
The golden pegasus thanked her fan and put the helmet on “I’m going to need this if I'm going to get back that tablet.”
“And were going to help.” Twilight said with a smile “as long as that’s okay.”
“I wouldn’t count on it.” Winchester called as he trotted up “oh and you owe me thirty bits Daring.”
“don’t listen to him.” Daring Doo said ignoring the stallions complaints about money “i would love to have the two of you along. Be fun to have competent ponies along for once.” the mare motioned toward Winchester with her head. The stallion snorted as Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash almost explode with excitement, “and hey you two may end up in the new book.” after another round of squeals and excited unintelligible statements from the two young mares Daring Doo continued, “now go get packed you two.” she felt like a school teacher talking to her class as they galloped out giggling with excitement, it made her smile.
“you shouldn't get their hopes up.” Winchester said as he leaned on the wall.
“your the one who told me not to wright about you.” Daring Doo replied without looking at him. She was busy looking for her close and some intact luggage.
“you don’t need a reminder of those you loose.”
“i could have always written you out.” Daring replied as Winchester left.
“it doesn't help.” Winchester called from down the hall.
“Stop protecting me.” the angry mare shot back. She sighed and continued to pick up her belongings. “Daring Doo does not need to be protected,” she mumbled to herself, “specially not by some stallion that has no sense of self preservation."

* * *

“this is so exciting.” Twilight said barely controlling her voice as she and Rainbow Dash followed Daring Doo out of Ponyville.
“YES!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she fluttered through the air beside her friend and her hero.
“don’t you two do stuff like this all the time too?” Daring Doo asked with a laugh. She had discarded her frumpy dress and bonnet in favor or her Pith helmet and favorite green shirt, her lucky pack was perched on her back between her wings. Like the other two mares she was pulling a suit case, however her's was held together with duct tape.
“well sort of.” Twilight answered “but well...” she trialed off not sure how to say what she wanted to say . “we normally have the fate of Equestria in our hooves so its, not fun.”
“Pinkie makes it fun.” Rainbow Dash added, Twilight agreed with a big smile.
Before the conversation could continued Daring Doo shushed her companions. “girls we got trouble.” having traveled for most of her adult life, normally alone, the writer/ adventurer always knew what was going on around her, as long as she was sober. The mare's rosy eyes where locked on the form of an armored pony leaning on the far side of a tree, normally she would just avoid the possible threat by flying over it. That wouldn’t work now, Twilight couldn’t fly. She silently pointed to the pony with her nose as she quickly formulated a plan.
“is it one of Jackal's thugs?” Twilight asked in a hushed voice that wasn’t as quite as she thought, she was too excited to control her volume.
“maybe.” Daring Doo replied as she started to fan out to the right side of the road.
“want me to tackle him?” Rainbow Dash asked as she went to the left trying to get around to the other side of the tree without being seen. Twilight stayed in the road, as a decoy so to speck. Although she was probably the safest of them all.
Daring Doo snorted when she saw who it was. “yeah go ahead.” she said smirking thinking it was going to be funny. Rainbow Dash took off like a shot, she rocketed around the tree, but her target stepped to the side just in time sending her slamming face first into the dirt.
“Rainbow Dash?” Winchester said helping up his fallen friend “what'd you do that for?”
“Daring Doo thought you were a thug.” the stunt flier replied after spiting out a mouth full of dirt.
“Well I wasn’t far off.” Daring Doo said as she and Twilight hurried over to their fallen friend. Rainbow Dash blew her nose freeing it of dirt, grass and a couple of pebbles. From the looks of the stallion's armor the golden mare was right. He wore a miss-match suit of plate mail nothing like his old knights barding. However there was a chaotic balance to the writers armor, the stallion had collected the pieces of the suit over the many years before he had been knighted, he used pieces he found while exploring like the iron chest plate he wore with dozens of ruins carved into it. Some were trophies taking from notable foes Winchester had bested, like his left shoulder pad that looked like a the back plates of a cragodile. Some pieces he simply bought like the chain mail over his back, he had plans of upgrading it to scale before he had been knight and the point had become moot afterwards.
“why were you hiding behind the tree.” Twilight asked after checking that Rainbow Dash was unharmed. A quick healing spell fixed her bleeding nose.
“it was the shady side.” the stallion answered simply. He shifted in his older suit of armor letting the dozen or so knives settle in their sheaths, he used his magic to adjust the well used sword that hung from his mid section and tighten the belt for the holder of Tirek's ax.
“oh.” Twilight nodded, she giggled as Winchester stole a kiss when the others weren’t looking, although they were busted when the lavender unicorn pulled him in to a longer one.
“hey you two, get a room.” Rainbow Dash giggled and elbowed Daring Doo.
“knowing Winchester he'd want us to watch.” the golden mare laughed, as Twilight’s face vanished behind a veil of blush. Winchester intentionally made it worse by acting like he was thinking about it, the lavender unicorn hurried on down the path. “any way why are you wearing that tin suit and not the shiny one.” Daring Doo asked as they hurried to catch up with Twilight.
“I cant rightly go adventuring dressed as a knight when I'm but a simple mercenary now.” Winchester replied with a laugh. Rainbow Dash just stared at him not quite understanding what he meant while Daring Doo sighed with a smile it was kind of like old times, when they were good. “now I have a Question for you.” Winchester added with a smile, Daring Doo nodded “Where are we going?”
“what do you mean We?” Daring Doo retorted, she knew Winchester was going to show up sooner or later.
“hey if my marefriend is going I’m going.”
“oh you don’t think Twilight can take handle herself, huh, huh.” Rainbow Dash teased.
“yeah.” the older pegasus taunted.
Twilight gave the stallion a knowing smirk now over her embarrassment, she knew how he really felt but he still needed a good explanation. “oh she can take care of herself, a whole hell better then the two of you, I just want to see her blow stuff up.” he chuckled and Twilight blushed, not a day had gone by since they started dating that he didn't mention her power. Specially now that she was studying more offensive magic now then ever.
“ssssuuurrrreee.” Daring Doo replied sarcastically “I’m the one who doesn’t know how to take care of my self.”
Winchester glanced at her, he couldn’t tell if she was intentionally trying to start a fight or not but he wasn’t going to take the bait. “still haven't told me where we're going and how you know where to go.”
Daring left it to Rainbow Dash and Twilight to explain it, the three were discussing it shortly before they bumped into the stallion “well.” Rainbow Dash started “Jackal’s goons took the tablet of Gato De Rock. That’s the name right?” she checked with the others, they nodded and she continued, “so, with luck, they will have taken it back to their base in Manehattan.”
“that most likely the cast since Ahuizotl hides out their sometimes.” Twilight added, “and if they didn’t take it there, we can probably find some info about where it is or what Ahuizotl needs it for.”
“And before you ask no, I haven’t had time to study the tablet yet.” Daring Doo answered Winchester's unasked question, “oh and yes, Jacques is taking us there.” both Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were lost to their excited giggles again.
“shit.” Winchester growled letting his head fall. Even before Rainbow Dash excitedly pointed out an approaching airship.
Jacques was a classic royal griffon, with a bald eagle head and the lion back side. However the old flier’s feathers were a soft gray, and there were signs he was truly bald under the helmet and goggles he wore, his once soft tan coat was now a harsh gray as well. Despite his age and a bum wing he still moved with a grace only befitting of a true apex predator.
The griffon was a the captain of a freelance airship called The Sparrow. It was a small decommissioned griffon warship ran by a very diverse crew. At the helm was a brown minotaur, he was missing his left horn, ear and eye. Above in riggings of the patchwork ship buzzed two bat ponies, they tightened ropes and loosens others as they prepared for landing. A sputtering smoking steam engine screeched loud and back fired. All three of the crew members called so someone named Barb, while their Captain waved to his favorite passenger, he had the up most confidences in his crew.
With in seconds of the problem being detected a door opened in the deck of the ship and a pink monkey in with a blue and white striped bandana on her head and a belt of tools around her waist climbed out. The monkey hooted as she leapt onto steam engine a wrench in one hand a screw driver in the other and a hammer in her tail.
Jacques smiled and lowered the ramp to the ground as the hull touched down. The ship was about twenty pony lengths long and maybe eight wide, it once had a graceful curved front and elegant round bottom but years of dangerous jobs and daring escapes had turned the ship into a patchwork creation of repairs. If any of the original ship still remained was anyone’s guess. It was exactly as Daring Doo had described it in her books right down to the ever changing figure head, which was currently a well carved and painted griffoness with a roaring eagle head and spear and shield clutched in her talons. The name Sparrow was painted across the front.
“aw Winchester it is nice to see you and Daring together again.” Jacques said as the passengers climbed adored his ship.
“I'm with her Jack.” the stallion said nodding to Twilight as she saluted and asked for permission to come aboard.
The griffon granted the unicorn permission as he asked “And who might you be my lovely little filly?” Rainbow Dash was already up among the rigging of the balloon talking to the bat pony pair, the laid back twins could barely keep up with what she was saying.
“I'm Twilight Sparkle.” the lavender unicorn said barely controlling her excitement, she had always wanted to meet Jacques. The books always made him out to be a honorable retired soldier with hundreds of stories to tell. “and that’s Rainbow Dash.” Twilight added.
The Griffon rubbed his beak and looked between his two new passengers then too Daring Doo, “they who I think they are.” the golden mare nodded as she greeted the rest of the crew. The old griffon smiled and called “Well Boys.” Barb the monkey was quick to point out that half his crew was girls but she was ignored. “we got Royalty on bored, so we better break out the good wine.”
“You drank all the good whine sir.” the Bat pony mare called down with a smile, Rainbow Dash giggle. This was just like in the books.
“oh well.” Jacques cleared his throat “how about the good brandy.” Twilight smiled and tried to tell him that it was okay.
“drank that too.” the mare said as she decided to hang upside down from some of the rigging, the other bat pony sat next to her while Rainbow Dash took a seat on the other side of him. He was cuter then the books described him, Too bad she and Soarin kind of had a unofficial thing going.
“the Good rum?” Winchester perked up when the griffon mention rum.
“gone.”
the griffon was noticeably angry “Well hell, Night Runner, what do we have?” he growled a little with each word. Again Twilight tried to tell him it was okay this time a little worried.
“Whiskey sir.” Night Runner answered unafraid of her captain’s anger, she just ideally played with her vest.
“is it good?”
“no but its hard.”
“then it will do.” Jacques proclaimed, “okay boys lets get going, Miss Doo needs to get after some villains for her book.” the crew of the Sparrow jumped to their jobs to get the ship to lift off.
“hey guys you got any Cider?” Rainbow Dash asked as she joined Daring and Twilight on the deck, Daring Doo snickered knowingly.
“oh uh. I wasn’t aware with were going to have a school filly on board.” Jacques replied with a smile. “I’m sure we can stop and pick up a case of juice boxes on our way to Manehatten.”
“Hey I’m no School Filly.” Rainbow Dash said trying to defend her broken ego “I'm a Amateur Pro Stunt Flier.”
“that doesn’t make sense.” Night Runner said as she looked at her crew mates “how can you be an Amateur Professional.”
“you can't” the minotaur at the wheel said as he steered ship into the clouds.
Rainbow Dash grumbled “what the hell guys.” as she more or less retreated back to her friends.
“what did you expect from a bunch of pirates.” Winchester said as he watched the pirates go about their work. Daring was happily talking to Jacques on the far side of the ship.
“huh? What do you mean Pirates, aren’t they like retired soldiers?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Rainbow Dash” Twilight sighed she had figured it out a little while ago. “most Pirates are actually ex soldiers.” she laid down on the deck next to Winchester, nether unicorn had the so called sea legs needed to stand comfortably on a shifting ship.
“Really?” the light blue pegasus questioned confused as she looked at the crew, After the Wonderbolts and Daring Doo the crew of the Sparrow were some of the ponies Rainbow Dash wanted to meet more then anything, and they were being really mean to her.
“yeah.” both the Unicorns said together.
“you know, I hate it when you two talk like your one pony.”
“yeah, well, just relax. trying to show off is just going to make it worse.” Twilight said as Rainbow Dash set her saddle bags down next to unicorn pair. “what are you doing?” the lavender mare asked as her friend hoped up on the outer railing.
“haven’t done any flying today. so I guess now is as good a time as any.” Rainbow Dash replied as she reared up on her hind hooves and gently allowed herself to fall over the side.
“She didn’t listen to a word I said.” Twilight commented, Winchester nodded before he nuzzled his snout into her mane and swiftly dozed off. Twilight giggled and rolled her eyes as she watched the happenings about the ship.
“you know Daring I thought you hated having your fans follow you around?” Jacques asked as he looked over at Twilight then to Rainbow Dash as she flew gracefully around a cloud making it spin gently.
“i do.” Daring Doo said after she finished their customer sip of hundred year old Griffon wine “but these girls are different.” the golden mare noticed the griffon's smile “not like that you old Coot.” she turned a trotted away.
“A griffon can dream.”
Daring Doo joined Twilight Sparkle for a pleasant chat. It was nice for both of the mares to talk to someone close to their level of intelligence. Twilight had Winchester most of the time but he was in all actual fact a well read high school dropout. Daring Doo was about the same age as him, but Daring Doo had two collage degrees and spoke three none equine languages. Twilight would have more degrees then Daring when she was her age but that was doable in little over six years. Daring Doo didn’t seem to want to discus academics or the tablet they were after or even the fact that Jackal's thugs stole the rough draft of the story she had been writing. She just wanted to talk about Twilight’s friends, namely the other bearers of harmony.
Twilight quickly realized why, Daring Doo didn't wright completely factual representations of the events that happened on her adventures. They were mostly true, and her escapes were sometimes toned down to make them believable. Truth is stranger then fiction after all. She also made it a habit to make the less savory characters she worked with from time to time seem better. Accentuating the good parts of them and hiding the bad, sometimes even giving them completely new personality or giving them traits from somepony else. Daring Doo apparently did that a lot when Winchester was with her. He never appeared in her books, in any way.
The sun was setting and dinner would be served on the Sparrow soon. The smell of the stew the monkey, Barb, was cooking was everywhere on board. It smelt funny to Twilight but she didn’t say anything. Rainbow Dash joined her friend on the deck of the ship after buzzing it at supersonic speed, the shock wave knocked the bat ponies from the rigging. They easily caught the air with their leathery wings and flew back to place without much trouble. The twins would have some words for her later.
It wasn’t long after Rainbow Dash landed that Barb the monkey rang the dinner bell, she had many jobs on the ship, head engineer, cook, main weapons operator and so forth. The table was in the middle hold of the ship. It was round and could seat about ten ponies, Barb set down a large pot of boiling stew in the center of it so everyone could reach it. She carried enough bowls for everyone on board with her tail “what is this?” Twilight asked as she sat around the table with the rest of the crew. Barb was quick to make everyone's first bowl and set it in their place.
“oh this is Barb's Famous everything Stew.” Night Glider said as his twin Night Runner took a moment to carry a bowl of the stew up too the helms man, the minotaur would steer the ship for a few more hours before taking a break to sleep.
“oh really” Twilight said as she took a large spoonful, Rainbow Dash was all ready half way through her bowl. Winchester paused as he realized he should have told the two something but couldn’t remember what it was.
“yes, its got a little bit of everything.” Barb replied as she sat down too eat, “wheat grass, oats, carrots, pork sausage, broccoli and corn. I normally use make it a little spicier but we're low on spices. We'll need to pick some up in Manehattan.”
Twilight nodded till she realized what the monkey had said “did you say pork as in Pig?” the monkey nodded as if it should have been obvious, Rainbow Dash froze as she heard her friend speck. Both Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle looked at each other then to their bowls finally they looked up in time to see Daring Doo pick out the last of the meat in her bowl and added it to Jacques's bowl. “by Celestia.” Twilight said as she tripped over herself trying to galloped up the stairs, Rainbow Dash was right behind her cursing far worse.
Winchester and Daring Doo looked at each other as the pirates began to laugh. They had both become so accustomed to things like this they seemed normal. While the pirates continued to laugh at the Bearers of Harmony expense, the blue unicorn trotted up stairs to make sure his marefriend was okay. Twilight was leaning on the railing, while Rainbow Dash was still hanging over the side of the boat evicting everything she just ate. Twilight looked up as a blue light shined on her, Winchester was casting a minor spell that eased sickness. “how do you eat that stuff?” She mumbled weakly.
“I’ve eaten worse.” Winchester replied with a loving smile and gently nuzzle of her neck, before turning his light onto Rainbow Dash to make her feel better too.
“i don’t want to know.” Twilight mumbled as she stood on shaky legs, she swallowed then gagged at the taste. After the two mares felt better they returned to the dinner table, and only a small amount of joking. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were able to get some dry oats and broccoli too eat. Though the lavender unicorn couldn’t for the life of her understand the logic of the pirates when they said “Why would you drink coke with out Whiskey in it.” Twilight wasn’t a drinker, and when she did it was just a glass of wine or two maybe a bright and tasty cocktail or some spiked punch that was mostly fruit juice anyway, so a half of glass of whiskey and coke that was mostly whiskey had her waving about in her seat more then the shaking ship should have made her.
The next morning Twilight awoke in what had become her favorite place, Winchester's embrace. Normally the beat of his heart was pleasant but this morning when it was combined with her own heart beat it was a cacophony of thunderous explosions. Thankfully when you have a day that starts like that it can really only get better from there. After a normal breakfast of fired eggs and toast Twilight was feeling better and a quick stop for supply’s ensured the rest of the trip would be far more bearable.
The trip to Manehattan was nearly three days by fast train, and Jackal just so happen to own one. Luckily the Sparrow was easily as fast as one. However once they arrived in Manehattan it took the better part of the day to get clearance to make port, meaning everypony had to stay on board till then. That was the most maddening thing to Rainbow Dash. The sun was setting behind the skyscrapers by the time the Sparrow touched down in the river. The ship drifted toward the dock as the purple sky peeked out between the building cutting large holes in the buildings shadows.
“about time” Rainbow Dash groaned. She watched dock workers toss ropes to the two bat ponies on board.
“Damn Right.” the griffon captain said before barking orders to his crew as they prepared to dock.
“you expecting trouble?” Twilight asked as Winchester checked his mismatched armor's belts fasteners and latches.
“always.” Winchester replied a with a smile Twilight knew that all too well. “its why my eyes are always on you.” Twilight giggled as she felt his magic pull her close just as she expected, the mare closed her eyes and readied for the coming kiss but it didn’t come she just heard Winchester say “do you mind?”
“nope.” Daring Doo said with a smile “and I think you got cheesier in the past three years.”
Twilight was a little upset Daring was doing this. “Hey I like his cheesiness.” she smiled and kissed her coltfriend. Winchester smile smugly at Daring Doo as she lead the four ponies off the ship. The crew of the Sparrow would wait for them on the ship. Daring didn't have the current funds to buy their lives, As Winchester put it.
“we're going to have a hard time making it over to Jackal's base.” Daring Doo said looking around the dock. Workers scurrying about as they loaded and unloaded ships, Captain Jacques was talking to a working about something that the golden writer didn’t care about to figure out. She was too busy looking for possible Jackal mercenaries, then again it was possible that half the random ponies on the docks were on Jackal's payroll. “there's definitely no way we're going to make it to the rail yard with you dressed like that.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, she had grown bored of Daring Doo and Winchester's snide comments on the second day.
Winchester snorted “says the world famous mare walking around in her most famous look.”
“you both have a point.” Twilight added drawing a look from her companions. “Daring Doo lives here so she wont stand out as much to the locals, But Jackal's goons are probably looking for her, so she should cover up anyway.” a certain smile came over the mare's face, “But that Doesn’t stop them or the police and even normal ponies from noticing Winchester in full armor.”
“oooohhhh No, I know that look.” Winchester said stepping away from his marefriend. Rainbow Dash flared her wings and stepped back as well, she had witnessed the magical experiments Twilight would try from time to time.
“bbuutt, Winchester, you said you'd always be my guinea pig.” Twilight whined playfully. Winchester opened his mouth to speak before vanishing in a blue, flash of magic. The lavender mare pouted while Daring Doo laughed. “Coward.” The unicorn mare yelled to the air.
In a flash the armored pony returned “damn it.” he smiled “what you going to do me?”
“well Winchester.” Twilight began as Daring returned to the ship to throw on something, “i just so happened-”
“Hey, Twi, we actually got cool stuff too do so can you skip the explanation of the spell and a biography on who made it and, just cast it?” Rainbow Dash said while patting her friend on the shoulder.
Twilight gave a disappointed sigh and said “its called ghost walk, just give me a second.” the unicorn shimmer with magical energy as she mumbled some words. Winchester stood stoic as Twilight touched his chest with her horn, he couldn’t help but look a little nervous as he watched himself slowly fad away till he was completely invisible. Twilight smiled proud as she said “don’t you want to know more about the spell now?”
“Nope.” Both Rainbow Dash and Daring Doo dead paned, the later of the two having just rejoined them wearing a loose fitting maroon outfit, with her adventuring outfit hidden under neath. Twilight sighed at the pegasi lack of interest in the powerful spell she just cast.
“you know, Twilight, I always knew you'd make me a ghost someday.” Winchester chuckled from no where. The lavender mare smiled, at least some one appreciated the spell.
“okay lets go.” Daring said as she put on a pair of sunglasses that looked like she had just came from the eye doctor.
Twilight felt a chill in her chest and heard Winchester laughing “what?” she asked.
“i touched your heart.” the invisible stallion replied with a laugh.
“stop, lets go.” Twilight scolded despite her smile.
It took the better part of dusk to get across the docks and to find the right compound in the train yard. Luna's moon was hidden by clouds this night, making the train yard nothing but shadows and darkness. Good for infiltrating a mercenary compound, both Winchester and Daring Doo said after the mare had discarded her disguise. The group circled the fairly nondescriptly compound. If it wasn’t for the sign that read 'Jackal Inc' hanging from the chain link fence, the group would have past it by with out a second look. The only indication that it was anything more then a shipping company was the guards. They wore padded shirts with steel rings embedded in them and ether carried short swords or knives. Most were ponies there were a few Griffon’s and even a monkey with a strange weapon that looked like a horn of some type.
Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Daring Doo and Winchester crawled under a train car to watch front of the compound, trying to figure out how to sneak in. As they did, one of the garage doors opened and Jackal walked out. Winchester suggested that Twilight drop a massive fire ball on the place, the other unicorn was hesitant about it. Luckily for Twilight, Daring shushed them as a long black coach pulled by four large earth ponies stopped at the front gate of the compound. One of the mercenaries opened the stage couch door and a tiger jumped out followed by a black panther, a cheetah, then a bob cat and finally a little white cat carrying a glowing bag. The ponies hidden under the train car held their breath as a large blue unicorn with a dark blue mane and tail stepped out.
“Ahuizotl.” Daring Doo muttered.
“i thought he was a big dog monster thing.” Rainbow Dash said confused, did her hero make up what he looked like.
“he is, just watch.” the golden mare replied. Even from their position they could hear the sicking crack of bones and snap of sinew as the blue pony grew to about four times the size of a pony, his hooves exploded like balloons revealing ape like hands, in a snap his tail became long and thin with another hand at the end. His eyes shifted down to just above his nostrils as his skull elongated, his smile stretched nearly all the way back to his ears. The transformation only took a couple of minutes. “see.” Daring Doo said as the black panther and cheetah slide a red and brass tribal neck and arm bands on him, the bobcat placed a band on his masters tail. Ahuizotl added the matching ear ring.
“she doesn’t put that in the book for reasons of self preservation.” Winchester said with smirk allowing his Canterlot accent out, “if she reveals it his company may sue for slander.”
“but.” both Twilight and Rainbow Dash began together only to be shushed by Daring.
“we got better things to do then talk about that right now.” the golden pegasus slipped out from under the train as Jackal and Ahuizotl walked inside with most of the guards. “besides I do enough good, that the one bad thing I let slide is okay.”
the other ponies followed her while Winchester explained “he runs a legitimate business and employs nearly three hundred ponies. This is just a hobby of his.” the stallion smirked as he tried his best to be quite in his noisy armor.
“So how we going to do this?” Rainbow Dash whispered as the three mares jumped from shadow to shadow, they didn’t even have saddle bags to encumber them so they were outpacing the armored stallion while he tried to be quiet.
“we'll hop the fence wait for the office to be clear and slip inside.” Daring Doo answered.
“that's where the stuff we need is, right?” the blue pegasus asked excitement filling her voice.
“maybe we should distract them so that we know the office is going to be clear?” Twilight suggested.
“how?”
the lavender mare nodded to Winchester as he walked up beside them. “Twilight’s right.” the stallion whispered “how often do you get caught doing this?”
“about half the time.” Daring replied with a nod “probably be best if we didn’t get caught this time.” she looked at Rainbow Dash and added “don’t know what he would do if he got his paws on two bearers of harmony.” Twilight agreed with a nod, while Rainbow Dash scoffed at the idea of being caught.
Before Winchester slipped away Twilight pulled him close and said “be careful.”
“i don’t know the meaning of careful.” Winchester replied with a sly smirk, he leaned in close and gave his love a soft kiss, “but I will return too you all the same.” Rainbow Dash acted like she was gagging while Daring Doo look very upset. The stallion slipped away his armor making scraping and jiggling sounds. “get one of the guards to come this way.”
“you know he's going to go kill a bunch of ponies right?” Daring Doo dead paned.
“don’t remind me.” Twilight replied. The three mares snuck off into the night. Their hooves crunched in the gravel on the ground. The pegasus took flight to clear the fence, Twilight snorted as the pegasus landed as silently on the other side of the barrier behind several piles of wood pallets. Daring Doo tip hoofed her way to the edges of the pallets and looked around the corner, she searched the ground for something throw able to attract a guard.
Rainbow Dash smiled from ear to ear “this is so awesome.” the blue pegasus wanted to dance but a this wasn’t the time. She froze as a snap crack signaled Twilight teleporting through the fence. Daring jumped back cursing under her breath while Rainbow Dash growled “you want us to get caught?”
“i know what I’m doing.” Twilit replied quietly.
Daring Doo shushed them again “just wait for his signal.” she guessed that what Twilight did would do for the plan.
“What signal?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“We'll know.” Both the other mare's said together.
Near the door one of the guards that had stayed out side heard something in the still of the night, he walked around the corner intent on investigating it. He walked down the gravel path with heavy hoof falls sure it was just a couple of high school colts trying to be brave or something like that. The sound of his approach would be enough to scare them off. For anything else the earth pony drew his short sword from his back. However he noticed too late that his hoof steps had stopped making noise when the flat of a large ax slammed into the top of his head. He silently crumpled to ground, Winchester saw no reason to end this pony so he simple tossed the pony too the side between the stack of pallet and shipping crate where he had been hiding. He sighed as some of the moving gravel suddenly started to make noise again. Winchester's spell had failed, it didn’t last very long.
Up front the other door guard a orange unicorn grunted as he looked over too where his partner should have been when he heard the crunch of gravel. “Rock Crusher what yo-” his question was cut off by the flat of an massive ax to his nose, breaking it and sending him to the ground out like a light. Winchester slipped around the corner with several throwing daggers floating around him ready to be launched at any other threats, when he saw none they returned them to their sheaths.
In side the warehouse Ahuizotl nodded after he had inspected the last of the mercenary fighters that would be accompanying him and Jackal on the expedition the next day as well as the equipment namely maps and a few rudimentary translations of the tablet. “they will be fully armed and armored as per your request.” Jackal said proudly. Mercenary was an strange job for a pony to take, but still there were plenty of ponies that took up the call in name of fortune and adventure. They were simply the modern day equivalent of a fighter's guild, any that would put their marshal skills to use for any one with the coin to pay. The work could range from the honorable and difficult to the mundane and simple or even degrading and dishonest. They were not murders, doing such jobs would cost the company its reputation and possibly get it fined or maybe even the wrath of a knight upon them. To them fighting was just a way of life.
“good.” the large blue and black creature said as he looked down at Jackal “hopefully they will do their job this time.” he recognized many from their last expedition. Ahuizotl thought many times about finding a new mercenary company, but that would leave more ponies out there with his secret and he was sure that Jackal would sell it for a good price. So he was stuck, but really he couldn't truly blame them for their failure, Daring Doo had bested even him.
“oh yes sir th-” Jackal was cut off by the sound of a seaming motor and screeching metal. Sparks danced across the floor as large whole was cut in the garage door. The edges of the new opening glowed slightly as it fell to the ground revealing Winchester behind it. He stepped through and after a simple greeting the fight was on.
All three of the mares out back heard Winchester cut through the door. “There's his signal.” Daring Doo said before she jumped up on to the fire escape three stories up. After a quick backwards loop Rainbow Dash picked up Twilight and joined the other pony on the fire escape. The sounds of fighting grew louder after Daring Doo picked the lock on the door and opening it.
The three mare's slipped inside and looked around the dark, cluttered, office. There was only one desk, but a multitude of tables and shelves most had maps on them, there were a couple of filling cabinets as well. There were windows to the out and inside of the room all with the shades closed. “okay, I'll see if I can crack the safe.” Daring whispered as she fluttered over to the large floor safe, she pressed her ear to the door as her wings deftly worked at cracking the combination on the complicated lock.
“okay I'll check these files here.” Twilight replied in the same tone as she pulled open a file cabinet. “Rainbow you check that one there.”
“cool.” the blue mare said as she noticed a stack of papers.
“hey keep your eyes and ears out for anypony coming up this way.” Daring called out quietly.
“yeah.” Rainbow Dash replied completely distracted by the stack of papers she had stumbled upon. It was the first draft of Daring's new book. Now it was all she cared about, the pegasus read every little note in the margins as she slowly and tenderly turned the pages. So enthralled was she with the papers she missed the sound of a pony crumpling to the stairs out side
When the fight had started Winchester had dominated it. A griffon and two pony mercenaries had fallen quickly to the whirling teeth of the writers ax, he couldn’t pull his punches like he did outside. these were trained fighters, and some of them were pretty good. As some mercenaries retreated to arm themselves others charged to distracted the powerful fighter, then fell back to let the better prepared to engage. To compound the problems of their numbers and skill they had advance weapons from far off lands.
The scariest of these weapons was that thing the monkey had. It launched tiny balls of metal in fire and smoke with such speed of power Winchester could not dodge them and the magical defensive aegis of his armor could barely hold it back ether. The runes in the iron chest plate glowed bright form an earlier glaceing blow. Winchester jump behind some crates, the monkey's weapon turned one end into splinters as the pony hid behind the other.
“call the police.” Ahuizotl ordered with a knowing smile. His cats and many of the mercenaries had formed a defensive perimeter around their leader and client.
“Why?” Jackal asked as they moved to the back of the warehouse, it was safe there and they could escape out the back door if they had to.
“this is a legitimate business transaction and his attack is not.” Ahuizotl answered as he slowly shifted back into his pony form.
“oh.” the mercenary leader replied, he turned to another pony and ordered him to get on the telegraph mounted to the wall.
“and send somepony to the office I’m sure we have a guest.”
“ah of course Ahuizotl.” Jackal said his smile matching the false pony's. He turned to a pony next to him and nodded to the office above him, the mercenary nodded and followed his bosses orders.
Winchester noticed the pony hurrying up the stairs to the office. The writer knew the girls were probably in there, luckily an accurate dagger throw served to end the threat but left him open for but a moment. An opportunity the monkey with the strange horn weapon didn’t miss he aimed at the pony midsection and fired. The runes on the stallions chest plate flared bright white as the smoke and fire washed over Winchester, the defensive aegis was over taxed and failed for a moment. He felt searing pain as his side was peppered of the shot. Blood pooled in his armor. “bastard.” he roared as lightning danced over his body, he knew he only had a few moments before the monkey had prepared his weapon to fire again.
The stallion wiped around the other side of the crate and charged with The Screaming Ax, the name Winchester had giving it, held high. However a powerful blow from a tan minotaurs large hammer turned the pony aside with a large dent in his prized shoulder plate. The monkey had to wait. Winchester growled, he should have none that they would tag team him like this. The steel haft of the hammer turned side the saw teeth of the ax a few times before it snapped leaving the minotaur nothing to defend himself with.
In the upstairs office Daring Doo smiled as she heard the last of the tumblers fell into place “about time.” she said as she turned the handle then pulled the safe opened. Twilight looked over Daring shoulder, the unicorn had quickly searched through the filing cabinets and found nothing, now she divided her attention between watching Daring and watching Winchester one was more interesting and worrisome then the other. Inside the safe there was at least 60 large bags of bits and half that number of sacks full of gems, somepony also decided to store a stack of chocolate bars in the safe too. Daring didn’t care about any of it, all she was interested in was the large stone tablet on the bottom shelf. “okay whats going on out there?”
“uh.” Twilight replied not wasn't sure what to say as she watched Daring Do slide the tablet into her pack, “I think he's wining.” the lavender mare looked back out the window and cringed as Winchester splattered the minotaur's insides across the floor, the stallion turned to that monkey with strange horn that spit smoke and fire. It was a stand off between the two nether wanting to make the first move as the garage door opened revealing three police officers with flashing red and blue lights attracted to their shoulders. Twilight could hear the muffled shouts of the police as she turned to Daring Doo “uh the police are here, now what do we do?”
“get out of here.” the golden pegasus replied.
“okay.” Twilight replied as the pair scurried for the exit. Twilight quickly noticed that Rainbow Dash wasn’t following them. It took a few times calling her name to finally get the distracted pegasus to come along, although she wouldn’t leave without the rough draft. Daring didn’t mind, it was a lot of work in the first place. The three mare's vanished into the night but not before witnessing something that made Rainbow Dash and Daring Doo almost die laughing. Winchester his mane sparking from being tazed with hooves chained waiting for the patty wagon. Twilight sighed “good thing I know what I’m doing.”

* * *

A Manehattan police officer stared at Twilight with a neutral face as the bearer of magic explained that Winchester was working as an royal agent, and should be released at once. Each time the pony behind the desk opened his mouth to say something, Twilight would cut him off with her knowledge of law and the fact that if somepony is working as an agent of the crown they can not be detained for breaking the law during that work.
Rainbow Dash sat on a bench behind her lavender friend, the pegasus snickered to herself about the whole situation. Daring Doo leaned on the door frame as she wined “come on girls lets go we don’t have time for this.” she looked away and mumbled that they didn’t need 'him' anyway.
“nah, Daring Doo, we can’t leave the stallion hanging.” Rainbow Dash said barely holding back her laughter. “besides just think about how funny is going to be to see Winchester in jail.” the golden mare nodded with a smirk admitting it would be humorous, “oh hey it looks like Twilight’s heading back, we got to check this out.” Rainbow Dash pointed out as she jumped up.
Rainbow Dash and Daring Doo were right behind Twilight as she followed the officer down a hallway. Their hoof steps echoed around the mostly empty cells, none of the few other pony in jail were in for anything worst then a bar fight or petty theft. They finally came too a cell that glowed a soft blue color. Inside Winchester laid on a cot staring at the ceiling with bandages covering his wounds, which there were many.
“okay Chester apparently your story checked out.” the office said as he searched for the right key. Rainbow Dash and Daring Doo snickered as they watch the stallion jump up from the cot and hurry over to Twilight
“your lucky.” The lavender mare said as the couple kissed through the bars, Twilight’s horn crackled as it came within a few inch's of the glowing metal. Like most jails, it had at least one with an anti magic field to put unicorns in.
“y-yes.” Winchester said, he seemed nervous. Both Daring Doo and Twilight noticed it, there was something about how didn’t want to touch the bars, the way his tail twitched, even his posture, it was all off.
“you okay?” Twilight asked as the cop unlocked the door.
Winchester trotted in place as he waited for the door to be open “huh, yeah yeah.”
the stallion hurried out form behind the bars as Twilight asked “you sure?”
“yeah.” the stallion replied seemingly relieved as he stepped out of the cell. “the field was suppressing my healing magic, so, I was just hurting.” he smirked hiding his lie well with a dismissive wave of his hoof, but Twilight and her friends knew that he wouldn’t show pain like that.
As Twilight saved the stallion's hurt pride, Rainbow Dash turned to Daring Doo to ask “so what's next.”
“I'm sure that Ahuizotl will be heading to the Ruins of Gato De Rock.” Daring Doo said looking over her shoulder at the yellow stone tablet that was stuffed into her pack. “cant let him get there before us, specially if he figures out what to do without the tablet.”
“okay.” Rainbow Dash said turning away from the two unicorns as they did what marefriends and coltfriends do. “so do you mean we got to hit the books or something?”
“yep, its time for research.” Daring Doo replied.
“Research?” Twilight asked suddenly appearing in the conversation leaving Winchester nibbling on the air at Twilight’s ear level.
“yep.” Daring Doo answered.
“YAY!” Twilight squealed, she had been waiting for the moment to show Daring her skills with a book. After thanking the police for their work and getting Winchester's equipment the small group of adventures hurried out into the night. The docks of Manehattan were mostly empty and quiet this time of night, other then the pirate ship that was waiting for them. The crew of the Sparrow were a wild bunch, specially after getting brand new stock of alcohol.
The air ship took off soon after the four pony were back on bored, even though it was near midnight. Keen Eye the minotaur helmsmen informed Daring Doo that it looked like some of the Jackal mercenaries were watching the ship earlier in the night. Jackal had a small head start but the train tracks didn’t go all the way to the ruins, however they still had to be careful there’s no telling what tricks Ahuizotl or the resourceful mercenaries had up their sleeves.
The four day long journey was plenty of time to research the tablet. Daring Doo was impressed with how easy the research seemed with Twilight's help. Rainbow Dash was decent assistant but she only really knew the information that was in Daring's books. Twilight Sparkle however knew nearly as much as Daring did, and that was before the unicorn read the books Daring Doo brought, all on the first night too. Winchester was intentionally no help to anyone but Twilight, because her intellect was what turned him on the most about her. Luckily what little uncontrolled lust the stallion had was slated with some deep, passionate kissing under some blankets in the crowded hold of the ship.
A day out from their destination they finally figured out what the tablet did. It was a key to a garage of sorts that stored the ancient stone war machines of the Gato Recqua an extinct race of cats with culture and intelligence comparable to other countries of the day. They were decimated by the disasters Discord created, and were finally wiped out in the turmoil after the lord of chaos’s fall. However despite their lack of iron the relics the Gato Recqua left behind were dangerous and powerful.
The Sparrow arrived at the ruins late in the after noon. Daring Doo ask Jacques to fly over them so they could have a quick look before landing. As far as they could tell the forest had claimed most of the city, only the large segmented pyramid wasn’t covered in trees and brush. Meaning landing in the city would be dangerous specially with the fall wind blowing through the trees, even the fairly clear hill was be tricky to attempt “Hey Daring.” Winchester said finally going to ask a question that had been bugging him, Twilight leaned on his shoulder with a smile on her face as she looked from the sun to her colt friend.
“what?” Daring replied a little harsher then she really intended to.
“if we have the key why are we here?” the stallion asked as he used his tail to play with Twilight's tail, the mare hesitated before playing responding. “the garage has been secure for this long.”
“cause it was secure before dynamite was invented.” Daring Doo answered simply.
“true.”
“We'll set her down in the river over there.” Jacques called out interrupting the conversation. He roared a few orders and his crew jump to their tasks. “hey Daring don’t get killed before you can pay for us the next time okay.” he joked as he walked over to her and add in a more serious tone “you know we know, your good for it right? we'll go with ya if you want.”
“i know but I don’t expect much trouble.” Daring replied, “we should be done before the other guys show up.” the griffon nodded, Daring Doo was the only client of his that his affection for wasn't based on the amount of coin in her pocket at any one moment.
Once the air ship landed in the large river a gang plank was set down and the four pony's set out. Only Winchester was armed but none of them were defenseless. Rainbow Dash was told to act as a scout for the group. The blue pegasus was eager to help research had been so boring, she dart between trees like a hummingbird bird too found the fastest paths to take. Twilight estimated that she cut their travel time in half if not more so. The blue mare could barely hold still when they all finally entered the over grown city. “so what building we looking for?” Winchester asked as he scanned city before him.
“um I believe the hanger is under ground so were just looking for the entrance.” Twilight said.
“from my experience its going to look kind of like a doughnut that somepony stuck in the ground.” Daring Doo explained.
“leave it to me.” Rainbow Dash proclaimed before zipping off into the dead city. The sun dropped low in the sky casting long shadows into the few clearings below, but Rainbow Dash could see every little detail. She circled the small city, by her estimation it was about the size of Ponyville. Although there were what looked like crumbled huts and cabins among the trees, she and her friends had seen them up close just before they entered the main city. After the third time the winged mare circled the city she realized there wasn’t any structure that looked like what she was looking for. Before Rainbow Dash gave up she flew up high above the center of the city and scanned the surrounding area more thoroughly. Over to the east under Celestia's setting sun Rainbow Dash spied that cleared hill they had seen earlier.
The pegasus rode the wind over to the new area. On the far side of the hill was the stone doughnut she was looking for. As far as she could tell from the air, it was intact. Rainbow Dash smiled as she found her friends again, she proudly proclaimed she had found the thing. The blue pegasus was a little disappointed when all she got was a simple good job, but she didn’t press the issue as she led the way.
“So Daring Doo what are we going to do when we get inside?” Twilight asked as Winchester cut them a path through the underbrush like he did before.
“if what the tablet says is true and the giant rock war machines are there, and we're going to blow them up.” Daring replied, she was starting to think she and Rainbow Dash should have just flown over the trees and get started on opening the door.
Twilight wondered why they were going to destroy such artifacts however before she could ask, Winchester inquired “how did creatures with out horns cast magic?”
“the Gato Recqua practice rune magic.” Twilight explained quickly as she stumbled through the underbrush, “like your chest plate.”
“oh.” Winchester said looking at the slightly glowing markings of his chest armor. “infusing the item with magic, I can understand that, but again how did they do it without horns.”
“through sacrifices.” Twilight answered “They used their own life force to power their creations rather then magical energy. flesh blood was needed to active their properties, the bigger the device more blood needed, something like the things we're looking for would probably need gallons.” Before Winchester or Rainbow Dash could comment the lavender mare asked a new question that had just came to her mind “do you really think Ahuizotl would use them for something if he has....too......kill........somepony.” she trailed off not sure if she was asking something obvious or not.
“if its cost effective he might.” Daring Doo said, only half answering the question.
“so we don’t want these big things falling in the wrong hooves?” Rainbow Dash said. “well, hands in this case right?” with one mighty swipe Winchester cut a hole in the underbrush that let them into the clearing with the hill.
“i don’t want them in anypony's hooves.” Daring Doo said coldly before hurrying the crew along. The golden mare's companion's were confused as they followed her around to the other side of the hill, Rainbow Dash pointed out the large moss cover stone door.
“why? If something can be used for good why not use it.” Twilight said as Daring Doo looked at the door they found, searching for the place to put the tablet. Winchester was about to say something but stopped as he felt a sting in his neck. when he touched the spot with his hoof his eyes widened with fear as a small plastic dart fell to the ground. He wanted to say something but his tongue had already gone numb. He could only hope that it wasn’t a deadly poison.
“because when power is in the right hooves the owner of those hooves begins to think their responsibility are more important then themselves.” Daring Doo explained as she used her wings to clear off the dirt and vines from the door. “many ponies believe that kind of self sacrifice is beautiful but what about their love ones. Why is the postmare to coming by your home the worst part of your day.” Daring Doo turned to Twilight the golden mare sounded like she was speaking from experience “why should the scariest thing you can think of be coming home to a note on your table.” she found the slot in the door with her wing. She turned and pushed the tablet into its place as she mimic a stallion's voice. “hey the princess needs me to go kill a demon that eats your soul by looking at you, might not make it back. love ya bye.”
Both Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash looked at each other then back at Winchester. The stallion looked like he was in a daze, the lavender unicorn stepped foreword to see if he was okay only to watch him collapse to the ground his breathing normal but his eyes stared ahead unfocused . “Shit.” was all Daring Doo could say as two Griffon’s flew out of the trees and something stung Twilight in the neck. The griffons were fast, not as fast as Rainbow Dash in flight but the mare was on the ground. In the blink of an eye Daring Doo was pined to the dirt, Rainbow Dash was able to lift off but was slammed into the door before she could get away.
A jovial laugh filled the air around them. Over a dozen more mercenaries trotted out of the trees, most of them were ponies some were griffons and that monkey with the horn weapon was there. They were all wearing heavy armor with sticks and leaves covering it to hide in the underbrush. The lines of armed mercenaries spread apart to allow their leader now armed with a saber and what looked like a smaller version of the monkey's weapon to approach the captives, beside him was Ahuizotl. Both were flanked by the pack of cats that were always with their black and blue master.
“i should have known it was you Ahuizotl.” Daring growled as she tried to struggle out of her captors tight claws.
“ARE THEY GOING TO BE OKAY?” Rainbow Dash yelled as she pushed against the wall as hard as she could, the griffon on her was surprised by her strength but still held her tight so a pony could tie her wings close to her side, another pony did the same to Daring Doo.
Ahuizotl looked at the two unconscious unicorns, “oh yes.” he gave Rainbow Dash a wining smile for what ever creature he was. “I can’t kill one of the bearers of harmony, that would make my home a less safe, as well as drawing the ire of the princesses.” her reached out and rubbed Rainbow Dash on the head “they'll be out for about half an hour or so. Just long enough that I can get the three of you out of the way till my plans are underway.”
“well speaking of your plans, Ahuizotl, what are they?” the golden mare said as she propped her head on one hoof, she smirked ready to form a plan to sabotage those plans. She didn’t care that her wings were being tied to her sides.
Ahuizotl motioned for the griffons too bring the two pegasi along. “well my dear there are a few settlements on land I wish to acquire, not in Equestria so don’t worry about that. I’m not going to waste your time explaining why I want the land, but I believe those machines back there are a very cost effective way to get it done, after, a few upgrades.” Ahuizotl and his cats lead the way into a near by temple in the trees. Daring Doo knew what they were here for.
The group stopped in front of a couple of unicorns with clipboards, they were checking that the contraption they had been assigned to build was finished. With a snap of the fingers on his tail Ahuizotl got the ponies attention, the two ponies informed their boss that the thing was ready. “good! strap her in.” the griffon holding Daring Doo picked her up at his clients chipper command. The pegasus rolled her eyes and didn’t even struggle as she was strapped down to a large stone table. She did glare at a mercenary who had a bad case of wondering eyes.
“Don’t worry Daring Doo I'll get you out of this.” Rainbow Dash said as she tried her best to get out of the griffons sharp claws, she ignored the growled words of the beast holding her still.
Daring Doo just sighed as she looked form Rainbow Dash to the beast in charge. “so whats this one do?” she asked looking up at the multitude of stone gears and pulleys above her.
“well this one its an bit hastier then normal.” Ahuizotl explained with a big smile “i think it's made out of an oat grinding mill or something like that.” he placed his hand on a near by lever “but it should remove the flesh from your ribs well enough as it descends around you.”
“aww no snakes or spiders.” Daring Doo sounded generally disappointed.
“maybe next time.” Ahuizotl smiled as he pushed the lever “if there is one.” the group left to the sound of grinding gears, and Rainbow Dash vowing to save her hero.
It was a short walk back to the open garage where the mercenary had dragged Twilight and Winchester inside. Jackal was yelling at a pair of his troops about how they should treat the two prisoners. He lost interest in them when he saw the beast that paid him approached. He order the two outside to guard something and turned to Ahuizotl and reported “we count six that appear operational.”
“that will do.”
“and we found the thing that should activate them.”
“good.” Ahuizotl motioned for Jackal to lead the way, the earth pony mercenary did so.
Rainbow Dash looked up at the large camber around her. Sections of the aged stone work had collapsed destroying the statues that must have been the things they were here for. However there were still plenty of the stone monsters left. Their big vacant eye holes stared straight ahead with their creepy wide smile filled with large sharpened teeth of obsidian. They had round heads attached to square bodies with rounded corners. All over their bodies were covered with runes that looked like leopard spots. They sat ready for the next time they were called to war. Rainbow Dash gulped seeing that the large obsidian claws were discolored with what could only be blood. Then she remembered something.
“hey dude.” the blue stunt flier looked at the griffon guarding her, he snorted as he looked at her “you uh you know how they turn theses things on right?” the griffon's long eye brow rose, good she had his attention, “they have to drain all the blood from a cat.” she nodded to the one of the stone monsters, the griffon was obviously shaken by the words. “and do you thank Ahuizotl going to give up one of his cats for this?”
“don’t worry Stefan.” Jackal said as he looked back at the griffon and his prisoner, “Ahuizotl's, Got a plan.” Rainbow Dash cursed under her breath, looked like she would have to escape the old fashion way.
“Yes.” the black and blue beast said as he examined the short pedestal before him. It was at the perfect neck height of his pet jaguar. the top was like a funnel to pour something in with a small hole in the center that lead to a complicated series of pipes connected to an to the war machines somehow. “in place of blood I'll use something far more powerful.” he motioned too the little white cat. It present the small black pouch with a meow. “the princesses cant control it but I-” he chuckled as he opened the pouch pulled out a shard of metal that made the air thick with animosity and anger. Ahuizotl just chuckled “believe I can control it as well.”
Rainbow Dash reconsigned the feeling the shard gave her, it was definitely a piece of Nightmare Moon's armor. She could tell it was having an effect on the mercenaries around her, her ears twitched as she heard a few of them started to bicker. She glanced at her guard waiting for the right moment to escape.
Ahuizotl dropped the shard into the funnel, it bounced back and forth as it disappeared down the hole. The room was quite for a moment as the shard made its wait through the stone tubing, pushed along by its own power. With a sudden shutter the eyes of the six intact cat robots flashed with an evil purple light. Ahuizotl laughed as they began to move shaking dust, dirt, mold and other plant matter from themselves.
The mercenaries kept their eyes on the aged machines, a few ran for their lives as one of rock machines jaws broke off shattered on the ground. The closest of the rock machines stepped forward and crouched down to stare at Ahuizotl. He smiled “cats love me.” the black and blue beast looked back at his four ever present companions, all off whom were quite afraid and huddled be hind their master as he reach up and rubbed the rock monster in its 'nose'. He stopped and watched confused as a mane of strange black metal grew from the back of its head.
Rainbow Dash saw her moment to break free. Stefan the griffon guarding her was watching the rock robots stand up in their bays more then the blue mare, she stomped on his talon and slammed her head into his chin. The griffon's head snapped back and everything went black, he collapsed unconscious and Rainbow Dash ran as Ahuizotl yelled for someone to stop her. However the mercenaries and their boss quickly realized that they had a bigger problem then an escaping prisoner. With a robotic roar that sounded like rocks scraping together, the rock cat with a mane smacked Ahuizotl across the garage.
the sound of mercenaries yelling filled the room, some of them tried to fight but there were just too few of them with weapons that could actually damage the beasts. Rainbow Dash pulled at the rope around her midsection as she ran for her two friends near the door, a group of ponies ran to stop her only to skid to a stop and try to scramble out of the way of a massive stone claw.
A vanilla colored unicorn lifted a large crossbow and ordered Rainbow Dash to stop. The blue mare ignored him as she finally got the rope untied. The stunt flier grinned the moment her powerful wings opened tossing the coils of the rope off her. she shot foreword flying with the tips of her wings just inches from touching the ground. With the rope trailing behind her Rainbow Dash's hoof connected with the unicorn's jaw and he dropped like a sack of potatoes. Her horse shoes slide on the stone floor as she tried to stop, she spun on a hoof to watch as the bale fire eyes of one rock beast turned to look at her and her two unconscious friends.
The stone beast moved teasingly slow as Rainbow Dash hurried to tie the rope around Winchester and Twilight's midsection. The beast loomed over them as the pegasus grabbed the middle of the rope. Rainbow Dash was powerful but the combined wight of an armed and armored stallion and a mare who read more then she ran was too much, till one of the rock monstrosity's paw sent all three hurtling through the air. Rainbow recovered quickly and used the momentum to pull her payload toward the exit. Winchester hit the door frame and sent them all into a bone jarring crash.
Rainbow Dash stood up and shook the dirt from her mane, Daring Doo landed a in front of her looking no worse for wear. “whats going on?” the golden Pegasus asked.
“scary robots attacking everything.” Rainbow replied dazed from the crash. She shook her head then asked “hey, how'd you get out there?”
“that’s not good.” Daring Doo said as she checked that Winchester and Twilight Sparkle were okay. “And, you'll just have to read the book for that.” The unicorns were still incapacitated, the best Winchester could do was to flick his ear while all Twilight could do was drool. Jackal and his mercenaries were in full retreat there was only a hoof full now, Ahuizotl and his cats were right behind them as one the rock machine burst through the half open door with a mighty roar.
Daring turned to Rainbow and said “lets go.” the pegasi grabbed the rope and started to fly, their combined thrust was enough to slowly drag Twilight Sparkled and Winchester across the dirt. The stallion's head bounced off a rock as the monster spotted the four slow moving targets. It roared and gave chase only to take a large iron ball in the shoulder then a second in the face, the head and a foreleg broke off and its body fell apart. The Sparrow flew over head its two forward facing cannons still smoked as the airship made a hard turn to land. Jacques called for the pegasi too hurry up and get their friends on ship.
Night Runner and Night Glider joined the two pegasi adding their wings to the effort inching their way to the airship's ramp. two more of the rock cats pushed the destroyed one out of the way. “shit.” the griffon said as he looked to the bow of his ship. Barb the monkey shrugged “boss that was the last of the cannon balls. They don’t sell'em in Equestria.” the Griffon captain growled as Daring Doo and Rainbow Dash pulled the unicorns on bored, Night Runner and Night Glider pulled the gang plank up and stored it. The griffon turned his eyes back to the danger, and watched in horror as the two stone beast absorbed the one the pirates had slain. one gained an extra head and tail along with more stone plates to cover its square body. The other took on a longer body and two additional legs. The captain didn’t need to give his helmsmen the order to lift off. The airship lazily turned as it slowly gaining speed and altitude, the steam engine struggled to spin the twin propeller any faster.
“We cant let them roam free.” Rainbow Dash yelled as she turned to watch the remaining three beast come out of the broken door, one of them with a glowing mane of metal shards. “there's no telling what they could destroy who they could hurt.” she was sure Twilight would agree.
“Girl there's nothing we can do.” Daring Doo replied.
Rainbow Dash fixed her with a glare “Daring Doo, you have said it your self in your books. Some times you got to do the impossible.” the blue pegasus smiled as she climbed up on the railing “besides, all we got to do is keep them together tell she wakes up.” the mare nodded to the lavender unicorn. Daring Doo realized she was right, even though these things were obsolete if they got loose in a town or even a city they would kill hundreds maybe even thousands before they were stopped.
“can she really do it?” Night Runner asked as she pulled some ropes tight to increase their rate of climb just encase the rock machines could jump.
Daring Doo joined Rainbow Dash on the railing as the blue mare smiled and said “yep. And so can I.” the mare fell over the side soon followed by Daring Doo. They opened their wings in unison. Rainbow Dash looked over at her hero, this was one of the proudest moments of her life diving down to fight some, black fire, breathing monsters. The two mare's snapped rolled to the side to avoid a stream of dark fire. “Nopony mentioned these things could do that. SO UH Daring Whats the plan?”
“WHAT!?” Daring Replied as she avoided another blast of fire, none of the writings mentioned that the machines could do anything like this or the power to take on the parts of their destroyed comrades. It must be the Shard of Nightmare doing it. “I thought you had a Plan.” she was starting to think they should have stayed on the boat.
“well Twilight or Applejack normally come up with the plans, I just make them work.” Rainbow Dash replied as she circled around another blast of fire. Her keen eyes noticed that the rock cat with out a lower jaw couldn’t breath fire, it only drip burning black slime from its mouth hole. “uh lets try to break their jaws.”
“Okay.” Daring Doo replied, she pressed her hind legs close together and held her forelegs straight out ahead of her as she rolled into a hard dive. The air rumbled around her as a multicolored streak raced passed her. Rainbow Dash cut through the jaw joint of one of the five stone beast like a rainbow sword through a hard melon, the other rock monsters jumped back and roared while there damaged comrade stepped to the side dripping burning black slime from the remain half of its lower jaw. Daring Doo's attempt to do the same did not go as well, she had targeted the one with the metal mane only to bounce off of a barrier of hard air.
Daring Doo was tough, she had hit things far harder and kept going and this time was no different. The golden mare daftly dodge a swipe of the leaders claws, and a snap of its jaws. It roared and the other war machines reacted, they ignored Rainbow Dash as all of their black fiery eyes locked on the archaeologist. “Shit.” Daring Doo growled as every bit of her evasion skills were put to the test, the were not found wanting.
Rainbow Dash could use the fact that the rock cats were focused on Daring Doo to her advantage. “Daring Keep them on you!” she yelled as the blue mare accelerated into a wide turn to build speed her again.
“i think I can manage that.” Daring muttered to herself, she didn’t have time to yell as her world quickly became nothing but a forest of obsidian claws and stone paws lit by black fire. Daring Doo dove under the belly of one of the beast. She didn’t care which she just wanted a quick breather, she didn’t get it as the burning black slime poured from the beast's jawless face and set the ground below it ablaze. “damn it all.” Daring yelled as she darted out from under the beast. it was engulfed in orange flames but was unharmed.
Twin black flames raced at the golden writer as the two head machine charged at her. The pegasus flew straight up quickly above the reach of the beast as it slammed into its jawless comrade. A moment later the jawless beast was hit with an explosion of color blasting it and the fire onto the one with two heads. Daring Doo chose that moment for some pay back, she dove down hard on the injured monster. The other rock monsters watched as fire engulfed their two ally's the sound of breaking stone accompanied the crackle of fire.
A gray scale streak followed the racing rainbow trail up so they could look down at their victory. Both the mare shook all over from the throbbing pain in their hooves. “Got two of'em.” Rainbow Dash said with a smile “maybe we wont need Twilight.”
the pair watch sad as dark shapes moved with in the blazing inferno below. “i think you spoke too soon Dash.” the golden mare said as the two headed war machine stood the fire raged around it, flames danced in the multitude of creaks and gaps in its body. The teeth in both its head were ether broken or chipped, the black fire of one of its eyes dripped out of its broken eye hole. Worst still the jawless head pulled half it's body out of the fire, the rest of its body was missing from just below its chest.
“okay.” Rainbow Dash said as all their nightmarish glowing eye turned to lock on her and Daring “these things are really tough.”
“that’s the understatement of the year.” Daring Doo replied as she fluttered out of the way of a ball of fire from the machine with a mane of metal. She was about to suggest something when the sound of a screaming motor passed them. The pegasus's keen eyes saw that Winchester was hurtling toward the ground The Screaming Ax held with his hooves as magic corused over his body.
The stallion impacted the jawless head right between its ears, his spell transferred all of the impact into the rock below him, to Winchester it was nothing more then a jump down from a short step ladder. Chunks of stone were sent flying as the unicorn drove the ax into beast forehead. The saw teeth of the weapon met little residence as the blue writer cleaved through his foe's head. The fire in the badly damaged beast eyes quickly went out.
“thataboy.” Rainbow Dash said “we set them up he'll knock them down?” she looked the other pegasus.
“that works.” Daring replied returning the smile as the pair dived down.
Winchester freed his weapon as the light of the black fire surround him. The instant he was about to be enveloped in certain death he was swept up in a rainbow colored wave. “thanks Dash.” the stallion said looking up at her. Before the conversation could continued the stallion pulled free of her grip and used his magic to push her up out of the reach of a massive stone claw that swatted the stallion out of the air. The runes on Winchester's chest plate glowed bright as the defensive aegis with in it attempted to protect him from injury. The stallion rolled to a stop in the dirt as his massive ax dung into the ground beside him. The eight legged machined scurried its way over to him, the stallion was barely able to pull his weapon over to him. He braced the ax in the ground and caught the claws that came down to crush him.
Daring Doo's skin was starting to blister under her fur as the two head beast and the one that hadn't changed shot fire balls up at her. Even worse then the pain was that there wasn’t really a good way to counter attack it all just frustrated her more. The golden pegasus looped over a ball of fire, she growled as the burning pain rushed through her body. She dove down at the beast below her dodging side to side around two more more death balls of fire, the feathers on her wings blackened slightly as they started to burn. Still she dove her keen eyes finally locked on a target, the left foreleg of the unchanged war machine had a crack in its elbow and Daring Doo intend to smash it. Like a large gray scale spear the writer slammed through the joint of her target. It stumbled to the side to allow the two headed beast to ponce on the winged mare before she could get away.
Now Daring knew what a bird felt like when a cat caught it, she struggled to breath as she was held down only her head was free. Her wings and legs couldn’t moved, she could just hope help would come before the cat decided to crush her. Winchester was pinned and using all his magic to keep from getting crushed, So it was up to Rainbow Dash to save her companions and she would never leave her friends hanging. That’s what the fast mare told herself as she dodged the black fire of the maned rock cat that was growing metal fur. She drove down close to the ground her rainbow contrail became a zig-zag as she confused her opponents
the rock cats couldn’t keep up with the blue mare as she circled them in the most erratic pattern she could come up with. Suddenly she made her move and darted in between the legs of the one with half a jaw. the multicolored trail bounced from leg to leg. it was one of the hardest things Rainbow Dash had ever attempted, she had too catch herself and change her direction and launch off the leg all in less then a second. Her hooves were starting to throb and she knew she couldn’t keep this pace up much longer, hopeful the stones would give out before she did. As luck would have it did, as the blue pegasus slammed into its left hind leg and it broke off. The leg fell away and she continued through it.
Rainbow Dash pulled up hard flying nearly straight up, scooping the air with each beat of her wings but it wasn’t enough. The leader of the beast used the its damage comrade to vault high enough to catch it's escaping prey. Rainbow Dash yelped as she was snatched out of the air, only a momentary reverse thrust with her wings kept her from loosing her heads. The massive steel coated beast landed with the blue pony still trapped in its mouth.
“Damn it!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she tried to buck her way through the obsidian teeth. her captor looked at its subordinates its stone grin seem strangely accurate for its mood. Two were working on reattaching limbs with the other two were working on destroying their prey.
Suddenly a blast of purple energy turned the six legged rock machine into rubble. The others didn’t know what happened as the leader looked up at over head air ship, Twilight stood on the railing her horn glowing as she summoned several massive comets from no where to hammer the hard air around the shard enhanced beast. It roared unable to retaliate.
From the dust of the six legged beast Winchester charged. The Screaming Ax cut through the leg hold Daring Doo down. The stallion growled as he hooked his ax around the severed leg and pulled it off enough for Daring to fly away. In a blur Daring Doo was gone she had a guess what was about to happen, Winchester vanished in blue flash a moment before a comet obliterated the two headed machine.
Rainbow Dash watched amazed as sky turned dark purple and the elements turned against the war machines. The earth swallowed the beast with only half a jaw, Lightning carved the one with half a jaw in half. One by one they were destroyed till only the steel furred monster was left with Rainbow Dash trapped in its jaws. Twilight didn’t relent she had magic to spare, however this war machine, like gods and demons, was protected by existence itself. Twilight knew from her studies that the air would attempt to deflect danger from the beast, but the air molecules could only stop so much depending on the power of the being. Daring Doo bounced of that barrier as she attempted to get to Rainbow Dash. Winchester did the same from below, his ax created bright flashes of light with each strike. “good.” Twilight said as she began to charge her next spell allowing the others to fade but the sky did not change.
Daring Doo dodged out of the way of the a swipe of the beast metal furred claws, before returned buck its barrier again trying to get too Rainbow Dash. Winchester moved to the back of the beast avoiding its tail as he stuck the divine shield. He felt the air tingle with a familiar magic, Twilight Sparkle was pulling out the big guns so to speck. “Daring Get out of here! Twilight’s got this!” he yelled a moment before he vanished. After seeing the display just seconds ago the golden mare just needed to barely hear the warning before she pulled off.
The metal covered beast had no idea what was about to hit it. Rainbow Dash didn’t know ether, she just knew that Daring Doo had flown away. The air was cut opened by a white beam of energy, the beast roared as its back exploded, freeing Rainbow Dash. The blue mare was gone before the beast was torn apart by the energy Twilight Sparkle was pumping into it. She didn’t relent until she was sure it was destroy. Soon enough the steel furred beast was nothing more then a pile of rubble.
the sky was returning to its normal color when Winchester appeared next to Twilight Sparkle while she surveyed what she had done. It wasn’t the proudest accomplishment with her magic, she preferred to create rather then destroy, but it was still an impressive feat. The stallion smiled and pulled her into what he thought was a kiss she deserved.
Below the smoldering remains of the beasts cooled, Rainbow Dash landed in what had been the leader. the metal fur it had turned into smoke and drifted away. Daring Doo landed next to her and smile “that was impressive.”
“yeah.” the blue mare looked up at the circling airship “Twilight's one of the coolest unicorns in the world.”
“no, I mean you.”
Rainbow Dash gasped with stiff wings she couldn’t form words that didn’t somehow praise her hero, Classic 'fan-gasm'. Daring Doo shook her head as she felt that strange sensation of anger wash over her. Luckily Daring knew how to deal with it, although a certain stallion would probably get an ear full when she gets back on the ship. The golden mare kicked a few stones out of the way and till she found a shard of metal, she sighed knowing what it was. She was one of the lucky few not in the military to have gotten information on the shards of Nightmare, but it came with the decree that if the shards were not brought directly to Canterlot she would be arrested upon discovery. Knowing that blue asshole of a coltscout up there she'd get found out quick.
The pegasi returned to the Sparrow. With the job done Jacques set course for Canterlot a two and a half day flight. They made a quick stop in Ponyville to let Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle and Winchester off. The girls were a little sad but Winchester wasn’t, he couldn’t wait to get Twilight back home and he wasn’t the only one not that she would ever admit it.
The Sparrow didn’t stop in Canterlot, Daring Doo didn’t need it too and she understood why the pirates didn’t want to stop in the capital, mercenaries like them need special permits to land there and if the air patrol was in a particularly bad mood they would need it just to fly with in twenty miles. Luckily today they met no trouble.
Daring Doo flew straight to the castle, she didn’t disguise herself needing the notoriety to get pass the guards to meet with who she needed too. It took about an hour but eventually she got through. Out side of Celestia and Luna’s court camber the princess' steward Red Tape met Daring Doo. “So you have a shard of Nightmare?” the gray mare asked, she was a little taller then Daring and had her black mane pulled back into a professional bun, a ribbon of red adorned the bureaucrat's flank.
“Yep.” Daring Doo replied as she pulled a small pouch out from under her wing, thanks to Twilight Sparkle the curse was trapped inside.
“Good Job.” Red Tape replied as her horn lit the same sickly green as her eyes when she took the bag form the pegasus “if what the researchers say is true then this should be the last one.”
“well that sounds like a good thing.” Daring Doo lied. “well, I need to get going. writing and such.” she really just wanted to hit up a spa for a message and a grooming, her wings ached and feathers needed to be plucked. She was also thinking about meeting her editor for dinner, it been too long since she had seen her coltfriend.
“Very Well.” Red Tape replied her eyes never left the bag as the golden pegasus turned and left. With no one watching in the green light of her horn the mare smiled a fanged smiled and removed the shard from the pouch “everything is going to according to plan.”

All Hail the Queen

All Hail the Queen

It was Friday night, Date night for ponies all over Equestria. Few couples were exempt of the mundane weekly courtship rituals, not even royalty. Luna had convince Sombra to take her out on a real date for the first time, he was still unsure of it. He was from a different age after all. In Ponyville with the sun about to set Rarity was just about done dolling herself up for her date with Thunderlane, she was only adorned with make up and jewelry while the stallion was wearing a nice light blue shirt. There were no surprises this night, it was hard to hid when your getting ready together in the same room and disusing those very same plans from dinner to what the honey was for. Although the couple wasn’t any less excited for them. Twilight Sparkle and Winchester had plans tonight as well but they weren't going out tonight. they were having a night in with a nice meal and a good book. Spike was going to a sleep over at Pinkie Pie's with the Cutie Mark Crusaders so they wouldn’t have to worry about interruptions.
Twilight Sparkle had planed on being ready by now. However for some reason every other pony in Ponyville needed a book this afternoon. The lavender mare had helped them all but now as sunset grew near there was only one left, and much to Twilight’s annoyance this mare she had never met before seemed like she didn’t want to be helped in the most annoying polite way. Twilight hid her aggravation well as the older copper unicorn with a brown mane done up in an old fashion style. That the librarian found it terribly gaudy, although that may have just been because the mare was looking through the books of the library as slowly as possible. Twilight looked at clock, Winchester would be arriving any minute and she hadn’t even taken a bath for their night in.
The younger lavender unicorn sighed and mentioned that she was planing on closing the library soon, but the older unicorn just said “that’s nice, I'll just be a few more minutes. you have such a wonderful selection.” Twilight was sure she was doing this on purpose, that was the third time she said that. However Twilight Sparkle just couldn’t bring herself to kick the mare out. A couple minutes later Winchester walked into the library with a pleasant greeting for his marefriend. Twilight was pleased to finally see the pony she wanted too. “hello there my BCFF.”
Winchester quickly noticed that Twilight wasn’t wearing any make up and that she wasn’t fresh out of the bath, to be honest he didn’t care. He thought she was beautiful right out of the bed with her mane a mess, not that he didn’t appreciate it when she made herself look good. “what's BCFF mean?” he asked though he had his guesses to what it meant.
Twilight was glad they had simple plans tonight so she didn’t feel under dressed. “it means, Best coltfriend Forever.” she giggled and kissed the stallion on the lips before he could say anything.
The stallion decided actions were better the word so he used his hoof to keep her in the kiss longer, in unison they made the greeting more intimate not caring that was somepony else there. Finally they broke the lip lock to continued their conversation after a full two minutes of kissing. “so my lovely BMFF.” Winchester used her little word play on her. “have you picked the book for tonight?”
“yes.” Twilight replied with a chipper spring in her posture as she pulled a book out from behind the desk, “its a study of the changes in magical theory and the increase in the number of different schools of magic.”
“sounds good.”
“you got Dinner right?” Twilight eyed the stallion a little, she smiled remembering the time he forgot to bring their dinner.
“oh yes.” the stallion replied with a smile “i got a large Pizza with everything on it. Should be here in about two minutes.”
Twilight was about to speck when the copper mare hurried over and said “Sorry to interrupt but I have the books I would like to check out.”
“oh uh okay.” the lavender mare replied looking from her coltfriend to the mare, Twilight noticed that Winchester was looking the mare over. Not quite checking her out but he was staring. The librarian was a little grumpy as she signed the six books the mare wanted out and sent her on her way a little less polite then she normally would. Winchester was still staring at a mare easily twice his age, Twilight cleared her throat to get the stallion's attention.
“What?” he asked confused as the copper mare slipped out, nether of the other ponies noticing the green glow of her horn.
“you were staring.”
“oh sorry.” the stallion lowered his head and ears “its just she looks like my elementary school librarian.”
“maybe it was her.” Twilight replied walking to the door, no longer angry.
“couldn't be, she looks just like she did back then.” Winchester insisted stepping closer and letting his breath wash over Twilight’s rump. She swatted his face with her tail to keep him from doing anything before she locked the door. “besides I got a pizza on the way...And the prettiest mare in the world to share it with.” he used his magic to turn Twilight around and kiss her again. She forgot the troubles from early and they got their night started.

* * *

Twilight Sparkle's lavender fur mingled with Winchester's blue coat as they snuggled on the balcony, half a pizza lay in its box near by. They had eaten dinner while they watched the sun set together. Now they silently read the book Twilight had picked out. she held it in her magical aura while Winchester kept the pages down with a hoof. He would lift his hoof when he was done reading the page and Twilight would turn them. It was a great set up, the two read at about the same rate so they normally finished about the same time.
It went on like that for a good hour till Winchester didn’t lift hoof, for a brief moment Twilight thought he was just taking a little longer to read this page but the kiss on the base of her ear was a sign he was ready for the next part of their night. Twilight smiled and set the book down, she rolled over so they were face to face. The stared into each others eyes before closing them and leaning in to kiss. Their hooves pulled them closer, their curves and contorts matched just right.
However something was keeping the moment form being perfect. there was this odd flashing light, Winchester must have noticed it too cause now the kissing was completely one sided. The mare opened her eyes to find out what was going on. It was easy to see the stallion's horn shooting little spurts of sparks in the darkness of the evening. “that’s not good.” Winchester commented once the mare had released his lips. His eyes never left his horn.
Twilight swallowed her giggles, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings “its okay, it happens to every stallion every once in a while.”
Winchester glared at her for a moment before he said “not to me and that’s not what it is.” he looked back at his horn. “my security spells are being tripped.....I think. Its all fuzzy in my head, do you know it what means?” despite his body burning with passion the stallion pulled away from his lover. He took a deep breath trying to control his primal side as he stood up.
Twilight Sparkle followed suit and stood up on weak knees, she had her guesses but she needed more information, “are the spells leading you some where?” the stallion closed his eyes to concentrate, the sparks from his horn had stopped now leaving the couple in darkness.
“Damn it all.”
“What is it?” Twilight asked growing more worried.
“it was every where and no where. Like I said it was all fuzzy.” Winchester replied cryptically, he looked at Twilight hoping she could clarify what it meant.
“Crap.” Twilight commented, she knew the spell and that kind of reading could mean only a few things. “somepony could be jamming them.” she paced back and forth fanning her self with her tail “Are you still getting the readings?” the stallion shook his head. “okay, yeah, who ever it was jammed your spells and their own spell faltered for a moment.”
“Where do you keep your element?” Winchester asked, the mare knew what he was getting at and nodded for him to follow. Twilight ran inside and down the stairs while Winchester just jumped over the railing and landed with a thud. He tore open the closet under the stairs. Like many couples Winchester and Twilight kept a few things at each others homes in case they needed them. Where Twilight kept a tooth brush and a few other hygiene products at Winchester's home, the stallion kept the Screaming Ax at hers.
The stallion hefted the Ax of the Centaur king with his magic as Twilight hurried past him to the Ponyville archive. He quickly followed her, Twilight was worried but determined to face this problem head on. She stopped at a shelf in the back of the archives that looked just like any other, she scanned through the books and quickly found the one she was looking for. The only hint that the book was something more then it appeared was that it archived flower arrangement for the Ponyville town hall two years before Ponyville was founded.
“it should be in here.” Twilight said as she opened the book, inside was an empty crown shaped hole that could only fit the Element of Magic. “Dammit!” Twilight cursed, Winchester had worse things to say.
“we should go check on the others.” Winchester said as he started the motor of his ax.
“Pinkie's closest so we should head there first.”
“Sounds good to me.” Winchester agreed as the pair hurried out into the night. Sugar Cub Corner wasn’t that far from the library. With nothing in the way the pair made the trip in just a couple of minutes. The down stairs lights were still on so the Cake's must still be up, not that it would have stopped the unicorn pair from nearly kicking the front door off its hinges as they ran inside.
“Whats Going on?!” Carrot Cake cried as he ran in from the kitchen, his eyes wide and heart pounding in his chest. Seeing who it was the easily frightened stallion ran up stairs yelling “honey bun! get the foals, we got to go!” he didn't need to know what was going on but that Ax was enough to send him to the hills, the look on Twilight Sparkle's face only made it worst.
“what?” the plump Mrs. Cake called as she hurried to the top of the stairs to check on the commotion it was a miracle the twins were still asleep. Pinkie Pie soon joined Mrs. Cake at the top of the stairs flanked by the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Upon seeing Pinkie, Twilight called up to her “Where's the element of Laughter?”
Pinkie Pie was as confused as the rest of the residents of Sugar Cube Corner but hearing the seriousness in Twilight Sparkle’s tone the earth pony jumped to a response “hidden under my bed.”
“Show us.” Winchester ordered, earning a swat to the nose from Twilight’s tail. Pinkie motioned for the unicorns to follow. Their hooves thundered on the hard wood floor as the unicorns on a mission raced up the stairs. Pinkie rocket down the hall easily out pacing the couple that followed her. Spik and the crusaders scampered after them, excited and scared.
Pinkie Pie was first to her room, she dove onto her floor and slid halfway under her bed. Her rump bounced as balloons, confetti, bags of glitter and even Gummy the alligator flew out from under the bed. Mr. and Mrs. Cake along with Spike, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom watched from the doorway concerned for what might be going on. Finally Pinkie Pie pulled out a small wooden box. “It should be in here.” she said opening the box. a few balloon animals floated out. “Uh oh.” the mare showed Twilight and Winchester the now empty box.
Winchester bit his tongue trying to not curse in front of the fillies. “this is not good.” Twilight growled. She and her friends had worked so hard to hide them, some more then others, and somepony was stealing them right out from under their noses. “Whose been in here today?” the unicorn asked.
“ummmmm. No pony really comes into my room but me and Gummy.” Pinkie said siting on her tail and taping her chin “but Mrs. Cake was in here a little while ago....picking up my dirty clothes.” all eyes turned to the plump, blue earth pony. “I thought it was weird cause I don’t have any dirty clothes.”
Cup Cake stepped away from the accusing eyes, confused about how this could be happening to her. “It wasn’t- it couldn’t have been me, I-I've been getting the foals ready for bed.” she pleaded, hopping they would believed her.
Twilight looked to Winchester and asked “you know what that could mean right?” he nodded the pair turned and hurried into the hallway, the other ponies quickly made way for the determined pair. “we need to hurry.” the Lavender unicorn said her coat shimmered with nervous energy. Like Winchester, Twilight just wanted the threat to reveal itself so she could deal with it. She was sure no matter what it was she could handle it, she was Twilight Sparkle after all few had the magical energies to match her.
“what does it mean?” Pinkie Pie asked as she hurried to catch up. The Cakes followed worried their family may be in danger, while the Crusaders were eager to hear what was going on. Spike on the other hoof was right on Twilight’s heels waiting to hear how he was needed.
“We think the changelings are stealing the elements of harmony.” Twilight finally answered as she lead the way out of the sweet shop. The mare waited for Winchester to finish ordering Mr. Cake lock the door and to not let Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom out of his sight. He also told Spike to the send a letter to Canterlot about the situation and then to meet them at Sweet Apple Aces.
Pinkie Pie asked “where are we going now?” Winchester joined the pair determined to not let what happened last time Ponyville was invaded happen again.
“Rarity's place.” Twilight replied, she lead the way in a full sprint, Winchester galloped close by with his ax floating over his back, Pinkie hoped along beside them a smile on her face. The Earth pony was sure that what ever was going on they would best it, just like they always did.
It wasn’t a long way to Carousal Boutique but it was long enough for Winchester to be distracted by who he thought was his elementary school librarian again. He dug his fore hooves into the ground and made a quick turn into the ally he saw her walk into. He charged into the alley with the Screaming Ax roaring loud, he was intent on capturing the mare for integration. She could be a changeling after all. However all he accomplished was nearly scarring the pink and blond flower shop mare to death, as she mumbled out questions about what was going on the trash bag she had thrown in the air landed on her head. Winchester chuckled as he check if she was okay. After apologizing and telling the mare to stay inside tonight he checked that the other pony wasn’t there then returned too Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie.
Before Twilight could ask Winchester what that was all about Pinkie Pie pointed to a balcony of a restaurant across the street “hey, there’s Rarity?” indeed the pink mare was right. Rarity and Thunderlane were enjoying each others company on a balcony happily talking about same stuff they talk about all the time, but tonight it wasn't meant to last. A shiver ran down Rarity’s spine as soon as she heard Twilight call her name. Romance would have to be put on hold, something bad must of happened.
“What is it?” Rarity called down to her friends. Thunderlane sighed, his night looked like it wasn’t going to be nearly as enjoyable as he thought, but when duty called he knew Rarity would answer.
“Changelings have stolen Mine and Pinkie's element of harmony.” Twilight answered.
“how dreadful.” Rarity replied as Thunderlane flew her down to ground.
“we need to check on yours.”
Winchester stepped up next to Twilight and asked “has anybody been were you keep yours?”
“i don’t believe so.” Rarity replied before the group hurried off to the white mare's home. The doors were still locked and the key Rarity hid under a rock for her sister was still there too, a good sign. Inside the store took up most of the ground floor and after a quick check it seemed to have everything on its proper displays, not a skirt, shirt, suit or pair of pants was out of place. Another good sign, as was the organized chaos of Rarity’s work area on the second floor, sheets of different colored and different material were draped over tables and poniequins seeming without care but they were held on with pins and tape hinting at some sort of method to the madness. Dress's suits, and other more finished outfits had their own area off to the side waiting for their creator to return. Despite the mess Rarity knew where it all went and what it was, every spool of thread and every needle of various size was right where she wanted it. Of course when Rarity needed something it always took forever to find, but that was the price of inspiration. The group gave the room a quick check then hurried on to the master bed room.
The large rounded room smelled of the same perfume that Rarity was wearing now with a hint of Thunderlane's cologne. The bed was made waiting for the lovers games that were not to be played this night. The lights were off hiding most of the room in the shadows, but the light of the moon reveal a plaque on the wall where a golden necklace with a deep blue diamond hung, “Good, it's still here.” Thunderlane commented pointing a plaque. Winchester and Twilight looked at the white mare a little disappointed. Pinkie Pie bounced in place unsure how to feel.
“maybe not?” Rarity said as she walked into the room, she used her magic to lite a few lanterns banishing the shadows and making the room much more inviting. It also revealed the rose petals waiting to be sprinkled over the bed and the chilled wine and warm chocolate on the night stand waiting to be enjoyed in the most intimate of ways, “that’s a replica.” the white mare said drawing her disappointed friends attention back to the necklace on the wall. Pinkie Pie praise her for the decoy idea while Winchester Nodded approvingly and Twilight wondered why she didn’t think of that. Rarity trotted over to the smallest of her three dressers, the unicorn opened the bottom drawer and moved a few things out of the way trying to get to something in the back. Thunderlane meanwhile took a moment to remove the shirt he was wearing. “this should be the real thing.” Rarity said as she pulled a box out from the back of the drawer, she opened it only to snap it shut again. The mare took a breath scared to look again, it took a moment to build up the courage to open the box again. She curse very unladylike as she looked into the empty box.
The others didn’t have to ask as Rarity sighed and tossed the box to the side. “okay.” Twilight said trying to sound confident “we need to get moving. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, you two head to the farm and warn Applejack, Winchester and I well get Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.”
“Thunderlane go with them.” Winchester ordered.
“don’t have to tell me, dude.” the pegasus replied.
“just a moment, I need to grab Black Lace.”
“Um baby how's that going to help?” Thunderlane asked as Rarity walk behind a dressing blind, none of her companions knew what she was talking about till she reappeared. Now the white mare wore a belt around her waist with a black and chrome scabbard, a few tastefully applied jewels added some color. that very same black sword she acquired months before was held in the tight hold of the sheath.
“it can have its uses.” Rarity answered with a smiled as Thunderlane admired her with the weapon.
Winchester trotted over to Rarity and used his magic to adjust the sword a little higher onto her hip and tightened the belt, the white mare grimaced a little at the sudden pressure on her lower abdomen, she could still breath easily but there would definitely be some marks “keeps it from dragging on the ground and tripping you up.” the white mare thanked him she may not like it but he knew what he was talking about. With that they all hurried out of the dress shop and into the night. Rarity didn’t bother to lock up, there were more important things to worry about as the two groups split up.
Twilight Sparkle and Winchester's hooves pounded the dirt as they charged down the road to Rainbow Dash's home. The cool night air was still and silent around them, the town knew nothing of the threat that was lurking in the night. Lights were being put out all over town as parents put their foals to bed or prepared for bed themselves. Luckily Rainbow Dash appeared to still be up tonight judging from the lights on in all three stories of her house.
Twilight panted lightly as she and her stallion escort slid to a stop below the large cloud building. “hey, Rainbow Dash!” the lavender mare called. There was no response so she yelled again when there was still no response the unicorn mare turned to Winchester and said “we got to get up there.” Winchester was already casting a spell. Twilight realizing what he was doing quickly and cast the cloud walk spell, she tossed her head to cover them both with the effects. The magic sparks had barely settled over them when Winchester's spell went off, the rocks beneath them exploded rocketing the ponies into the air.
Winchester landed on the porch and caught his screaming marefriend. Twilight panted as he let her stand on the cloud, she berated the stallion for not warning her or using a different spell. She would have continued to do so if Rainbow Dash hadn’t come to the door asking who was making such a racket. She looked like she had fallen asleep on the couch or something judging form the number of directions the mare's multicolored mane pointed.
“what you two want?” Rainbow Dash slurred, she may have been drinking too.
“Where's your element?” Twilight asked, quickly changing from telling Winchester off to the real task.
“Wha-why?” the blue pegasus stuttered confused and sleepy.
“Changelings are stealing them.” Twilight replied starting to get aggravated.
“Uh-oh.” Rainbow Dash yawn and blinked her blood shot eyes “it should be in my room, I think.” she turned around and let the unicorns inside, Winchester questioned how she wouldn’t know, but Twilight swatted him with her tail and nodded to a half empty bottle of whiskey on the kitchen counter. He sighed and the three ponies ran up stairs to Rainbow Dash's bed room.
Rainbow Dash was little help with the search, she stumbled around lazily opening drawers sometimes looking in the same drawer three or four times before moving on. Winchester stuck his head under the bed as Twilight check the closet. There weren’t many places to hid the Element of Harmony in Rainbow Dash's rather sparse room and it was starting to look like it wasn’t here. Rainbow Dash suddenly became very awake and starting to panic, she knocked trophies, books and pictures off her dresser and shelf she even ripped her posters off the walls, behind a one of the kind signed Wonderbolts poster was a steal wall safe. “oh I probably put it in there.” Rainbow Dash said sheepishly.
“you think.” Twilight replied fed up with her drunk friend.
“well open it,” Winchester added equally as upset.
“uuuuhhhhh.”
the Screaming Ax roared as Winchester swung it, cleaving through the safe door and part of the wall. The metal remains of the safe nearly fell through the cloud floor. Inside the safe was a bag of Bits, some important papers, and the gold necklace they were looking for, “there now get to Sweet Apple Acres.” the stallion ordered. He turned and ran down the stairs, Twilight watched him leave then turned to a very sheepish Rainbow Dash she told her to do the same but much more polity. Twilight gave the pegasus a few encouraging words before turning and hurrying down stairs.
Twilight met Winchester on the cloud houses porch. They teleported to the ground together and hurried on their way. Fluttershy's house was the next stop, but Twilight had another matter to address. “that was kind of harsh.” she said glaring at her coltfriend as they galloped down the road.
Winchester looked at her and nodded “yeah, sorry, just frustrated.” in the distance they heard the sound of a sonic boom. “plus we don’t have time to deal with that.”
“true, we'll have to help her with that little problem later.” Twilight said as the pair ran past an old windmill, that meant they were nearing Fluttershy's home. It wasn’t long till the cottage on a small hill with hundreds of bird houses around it was in sight. Twilight kicked up a cloud of dirt as she slid to make the turn onto the small wooden bridge over the stream that circled the small hill. Winchester took a more direct rout, his large hooves splashed through the shallow water, his shortcut woke a family of otters that lived under the bridge. The stallion did a complete flip as he jumped over some bushes before landing and pounding on the door waking just about every critter around.
Twilight Sparkle joined the stallion as the door to the cottage opened “DUDE, what do you want, you just scared Fluttershy half to death.” Rainbow Dash growled as she glared at the pair of unicorns on the doorstep, Angel stood between the blue pegasus's front legs his forelegs crossed.
Winchester revved the Screaming Ax as he growled “what are you doing here?!”
“yeah, we told you to head to Sweet Apple Acres?” Twilight said sparking her horn in frustration.
Angel shook his head, this was some sort of pony business and he didn’t care enough to keep watching it. The bunny turned around and hopped back to his spot on the couch. Rainbow Dash wasn't sure how to react but she sure didn’t like being accused of something she knew nothing about. “what are you two talking about? I've been here all Night like I am every Friday. Me and Shy always have dinner together on Friday, cause I cant cook worth a damn, she says it keeps me out of trouble. What the hell is going on!?” Twilight should have known all this cause they have invited all their friends to join them, on many occasions.
“damn it.” Winchester growled as Twilight began to explain that a changeling was just in Rainbow Dash's house.
“WHAT?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, Fluttershy joined the group she was afraid but was determined to help however she could. “I've got to get after it!” the blue pegasus said snapping her multicolored tail as she hovered over the other ponies and out the door.
“yeah, it may be heading to Sweet Apple Acres.” Winchester said “As far as I can tell its never been there.” the air outside of Fluttershy's door exploded with color as the blue pegasus took off.
“so how do we know if that’s the real Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked her heart beating fast, who could they trust.
“we don’t.” Winchester replied as he turned to Fluttershy, “has she been out of your sight tonight?” the timid mare shook her head. “are you sure?” Twilight pushed her coltfriend back and told him to relax.
Twilight Sparkle took a calming breath and turned to Fluttershy with a comforting smile. “are you sure Fluttershy its okay if did, but we're going to have to check on your element.”
the pegasus nodded “okay, and yes, I-I'm pretty sure.” her wings fluttered in a release of nerves, she turned and motioned for the unicorns to follow her “she came over about an hour and a half ago we had tea and then dinner, I was never away from her for more then a couple minutes and we were talking the whole time.”
“okay.” Winchester said as they walk into Fluttershy's bedroom “anypony else been here today?”
the yellow pegasus slipped into her closet, and apologized to a raccoon that was trying to sleep in there before she pulled out a box. “Um, Big Macintosh, came by for a surprise lunch.” Fluttershy explained as she opened the box and gasped “oh my, its gone.” she showed the empty box to her friends.
“was he in your room?” Winchester asked while Twilight curse quietly under her breath.
“yes.” Fluttershy blush deep red trembling a little “he surprised me on my bed.” the trembled became a full body shiver, she had felt something was off when she saw him earlier but thought he was just trying something new.
“Oh my gosh, Fluttershy it wasn’t-?” Twilight couldn’t even finish the question, all three of the ponies were assuming the same thing.
“it was our first kiss.” Fluttershy trembled ashamed and embarrassed.
Twilight didn’t know what to say, she thought something actually bad had happened. Winchester however was as upset by the news as Fluttershy, he just showed it differently “i shall not let this stand.” he bowed to Fluttershy “your purity will be avenged this night, I swear it.” Twilight's hoof met her forehead with a audible smack.

* * *

Applejack sat at the kitchen table in the Apple Family farm house talking with Big Macintosh and Granny Smith about their plans for tomorrow, she smiled when Big Mac said he wanted to take Fluttershy out for dinner. The orange mare was about to say she would finish up his chores if he needed her too when there was a loud knocking at the door. Applejack was closest to the door so she decided to answer it. She was confused and worried about who it could be at this hour. Her thoughts first went to Applebloom. she was slightly revealed to see Rainbow Dash standing behind the door but that only presented new problems. “whats wrong?” the Earth pony asked.
“the elements are being stolen, we need to get yours.” Rainbow Dash replied as Applejack looked around for anypony else.
“What about Twilight and the others, do they know?”
“they're on their way, AJ, come on hurry where's your element.” Rainbow Dash said looking around.
“its in the barn, come on.” the earth pony said hearing the worry in Rainbow Dash's voice. Applejack hurried passed Rainbow Dash heading to the large red building, the blue pegasus right on her heels. The earth pony quickly slapped the heavy latch out of the way and threw open the large door. She didn’t bother to light a lantern as the two mares hurried up a couple of ladders to the highest rafters the windows allowed enough moon light in too see. Rainbow Dash watched as Applejack balanced on a rafter to get to a safe hidden in the roof. The mare quickly input the combination and easily found what she wanted. Applejack closed the safe and locked it before taking the short but precarious journey back.
Rainbow Dash trotted in place as the earth pony hopped down from the rafter with the gold necklace in her jaws, the orange apple jewel glowed ominously. As if it was trying to warn its bearer of what was about to happen. Applejack was about to mention the glow when Rainbow Dash shot foreword and bit her in the neck. An icy chill spread through out Applejack's body. A gasped “What?” escaped her mouth before she collapsed to the ground. Her body numb, her breath coming in short pants. Fear true fear filled her mind, 'this couldn’t be the end could it?' the paralyzed mare asked herself as she started up at who she thought was her friend.
Rainbow Dash stood over the paralyzed mare her eyes burning green, she smiled evilly with fangs dripping blood and venom. A green aura speared over the pegasus's forehead, the same sickly green glow encompassed Applejack's element lifting it from the ground. The earth pony was helpless to stop her foe as the green magic brightened around the necklace, a moment past and the element of honesty vanished.
“don’t worry.” the false Rainbow Dash said with a smile, “my Queen will take good care of it.” she winked and jumped down to the ground. The changeling smiled as she proudly trotted out of the barn only to hear a deep booming voice call out to Rainbow Dash. “whats up?” she asked as Big Mac trotted up to her.
“so whats going on that y’all need the elements for?” The red stallion looked around, “and where'd AJ go?”
“changelings are doing something, I don’t know really.” Rainbow Dash replied, “oh and AJ's just locking the safe up.” the false pony said waving her hoof dismissively.
“Imposter!” a voice that sounded like Rainbow Dash echoed around them, before Big Macintosh could respond a streak of color dove out of the sky and slammed into a sickly green dome of energy that surround Rainbow Dash next to the stallion. Another Rainbow Dash rolled across the ground dazed. The red stallion remembered what changeling magic looked like and spun on the spot and slammed his back hooves into the dome for all he was worth, the energy rippled like water before shattering taking the changeling’s disguise with it. “Shit.” the insectoid pony creature hissed as it jumped into the air hoovering out of the reach of the stallion.
Out of the corner of its multifaceted eye the changeling noticed that Rarity and Pinkie Pie had arrived with Thunderlane. Rainbow Dash was also picking herself up off the ground. The changeling was greatly out number, she could possibly take a couple of them but not this many ponies. Things only got worse when in a flash of magical light Twilight Sparkle appeared with Winchester beside her, his Ax ready for a fight. Fluttershy was hiding behind them. The present danger made the risk of long distance teleportation worth it. The changeling decided it was time to make an exit. Before the ponies could move into capture the changeling it darted out into the orchard.
Twilight growled as the Changeling escaped meanwhile Winchester yelled for Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane to fly over head and call out if they see it. “Fluttershy.” Twilight turned to the yellow mare, Fluttershy took a deep breath then waited for instructions. “find Applejack and make sure she's okay.” the earth pony wasn't there, that could only mean one thing.
“I'll help.” Pinkie added she was afraid, and her friends could tell when all the ponies gathered together.
“Big Mac keep an eye on them.” Winchester ordered redundantly, the big earth pony was already following his marefriend after saying Applejack may be in the barn, Pinkie Pie was right behind him. “Rarity do you think you can really use that sword?” the stallion asked the white mare.
“of course.” Rarity replied less then sure, fencing in a gym was different then battling a real foe.
“okay then you, Twilight and myself are going in there to find it, Call out if you see it try not to engage it alone.” Winchester order. After the the two other unicorns agreed they charged into the rows of apple trees and soon split up.
The normally inviting orchid was like a maze with a nightmare possibly around each tree, or at least that’s what it felt like to Rarity. The white unicorn was regretting not staying back at the farm house, she was no fighter. “you're a joke, my fancy little doll.” Rarity heard a sensual voice hiss. Her polished hooves dug into the dirt as she stopped now face to face with her fencing instructor Allez. She was sure he wasn’t him though, he never called her doll. The tall french unicorn pony wore a beret, his white face contrasted his black mane and sweater in the sickly green light of his horn. The changeling smiled as he created a fencing rapier form thin air and pointed it at Rarity.
Rarity cursed under her breath before couching herself into the proper starting stance, she was afraid and it show as her sword wavered in the air in front of her. The changeling could see the mare's lack of confidence in more then just her posture, it could feel her fear and anxiety washing off her like a dog shaking water from its fur. Rarity announced “En Garde” before remembering something very important “EVERYPONY OVER HERE!” she gasped when the changeling in her teachers face attacked with several quick thrust of his thin sword, the white mare was already on the retreat, her heavier blade barely capable of parrying the attacks.
“your friends wont be here anytime soon.” the changeling's false face was bathed in the green light of its conjured sword. “But when they do all they'll find is you.” a flash of green fire blinded Rarity for a moment and the changeling used that lapse in concentration to slip it's rapier through the mare's defense and gave her a cut across her cheek. Fear griped the blinded unicorn as she jumped back, she blinked the stars out of her teary eyes and gasped when she could see again. “and me.” the Changeling now looked and sounded just like Rarity.
Rarity retreated back a few paces and pressed her hoof to her cheek to stop the bleeding, and that’s when she realized what else the changeling had done. It had cast a spell on Rarity to make her look like one of the insecticidal beast. the false Rarity laughed so perfectly it sent a shiver down the real Rarity’s hidden spine. “Now your cheeks match.” the changeling had meant the cut as more of an insult then to really injure Rarity. “your helpless just except it.”
Suddenly in Rarity's mind she was back in the studio with her fencing instructor Allez and his three other students. The tall teacher asked them what drives them to fence, his was a love of the sport where one matches their skills too your opponent’s in such a pure way. The other students all had similar reasons, it was for sport. Rarity's answer was in front of her at this moment, a life or death situation with the stacks of Equestria on the line, and be able to do something about it. She would never be a Knight or even a warrior of any renowned, but the scare of her flank that only Thunderlane got close enough to see was a continuous reminder that she had to fight for her country. She could not let herself be helpless.
“Rrovcy.” Rarity's voice rang out as she stepped forward into a proper En Garde position this one much more confident and firm then before. A single tear of pain rolled down her face, an impressive feat for a mare that would cry from a simple paper cut. The changeling was slightly impressed, but it decided it was time to end this little game. The false Rarity went on the attack.
With her new found determination Rarity called out “Parry! Riposte!” as she deflected her doppelgangers attack and responded with a powerful strike of her own. The false Rarity was taken back by her foes second wind, and the stomp Rarity made as she growled “Appel.” when her strike didn't connect.
Rarity didn’t have an opening but she knew how to make one. “Beat.” she growled as she struck the conjured rapier. The polished bare metal edge of Black Lace flash in the light of the moon as it cut through the changeling's fake weapon. With the changeling's spell shattered so too was its illusion. now in her proper skin Rarity yelled “Attack!” she thrust her blade into the changeling's chest, “Point!” The blade dug in but the thick exoskeleton held its deadly tip away from insectoid creature's vital organs.
Had Rarity been more behind her strike she could have slain the changeling right there, but its hard for most ponies to take a life even of something so evil. However the changeling survived giving it a chance to spit the last of it's venom into her eyes. “cheating monsters!” the blinded unicorn cried out stepping back and dropping her sword. She shook her head trying to get the stinging goo out of her eyes, to no avail. The venom had already done its job, the white pony would barely be able to see for some time. The changeling was about to finish Rarity off but the sound of approaching hooves sent the insectoid creature back out into the shadows.
Winchester thundered past Rarity he glanced back and saw Twilight galloping through the trees be hind him, she would help Rarity the stallion was sure of it. Up ahead the writer saw a flash of green in a clearing, he would take care of the Changeling. The Screaming Ax roared as Winchester charged into the empty orchid road. The writers slid to a stop and his brown eyes scanned the lines of trees, in the light of the stars and his horn he saw nothing. “shit, lost it.” the stallion snarled.
“Y’all got a dirty mouth now don't ya boy.” a voice came from behind the stallion. Winchester wiped around ax held high but he held his strike, how could he when he was staring at the first mare he had ever loved. Before him stood a deep red earth pony with a cream colored mane, she had graceful curves to her strong body and a beautiful face with rich blue eyes. She smiled at Winchester as she continued “Papa ain't going to invite you over for dinner any more if you talk like that.”
“Get out of my head witch.” Winchester growled stepping back keeping his weapon between him and the changeling.
“why, wouldn’t you like to live out all those dreams you have of me?” the young mare looked just like he remembered, her voice was just as he remembered, how her flank and tail swayed back and forth just right, it was perfect. Too perfect, Winchester swung his roaring weapon.
Southern Belle ducked behind a near by tree, the Screaming Ax cut through the apple tree with ease. Winchester growled as he jumped on top of the stump, in a flash of green a new face appeared to haunt the writer. This one a pegasus mare the color of the sun on the horizon, with a mane the color of the night sky. Her firm pink flank was adorn with a bird that was her name sake, a Nightingale. Again every detail was perfect from that little scare on her chin, too the birth mark on her right knee. The roguish mare only lacked her daggers, hoof bows and armor.
“I wont let you defile their memories.” Winchester threatened with his growling ax, but he couldn't bring himself to strike the false mare in front of him, just yet. Like the first face the changeling had haunted him with, he didn’t want to see it die again.
“oh come on dude, you don’t want to play with me?” Nightingale replied with that cute pout that use to get Winchester to do just about anything. “or you want to play with another girl.” green fire enveloped the pegasus as she stepped closer to the stallion on the stump and she was replaced with another mare, then another, and another each one a pony Winchester had only spent a night or two with, looking for nothing more then a good time. Finally the Changeling stopped in Twilight Sparkle's form. She smiled and said “so many faces you'll never see again.” the Changeling in Twilight’s face taunted. Winchester's eyes widened as he realized what it meant. He turned and ran back the way he came toward a bright light among the trees.

* * *

Twilight Sparkle looked into Rarity's bloodshot eyes. “you sure your okay?” she asked “your eyes are pretty red.”
“Yes yes.” Rarity replied annoyed “i can see just fine, and darling I have some cream for those bags under your eyes.”
“w-what.” Twilight replied as she stepped back and touched her cheek before shaking her head “woe, no time for that. Winchester may need help.”
“Twilight, I do think everything going to be okay.” Rarity said pointed up at Princess Celestia as she floated to the ground in front of them, the warm light of the sun radiated from her. The two unicorns called out their monarchs name as they hurried over to her.
Celestia smiled warmly at Twilight Sparkle, however the mare thought something was off about it. It was too perfect. Then almost in the same moment both Twilight and Rarity saw the unconscious bodies of Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane in the shadows behind the alicorn ruler. But that’s when the attack came. Twilight’s coat rippled like she was hit with hurricane force winds pushing her back a couple of steps, that was nothing like what was going on in her mind. a black wave of destructive washed over her mind scape. Twilight had felt nothing like it before. Each magic user's mental power was different. For most ponies it matched them like their cutie mark did. Her own was like stars, Winchester was like words and books. When she had experienced that dragon's metal attack, it felt like monstrous claws grasping at her. Celestia's magic was like the source of her power, warm and inviting like a summer day, it could get life, it felt like love. This power was nothing like it, cold, hateful, Wanting only to take and devour.
Twilight tried too save her mind, but the metaphorical dams, walls, and ditches only shatter as the black force of will hit them in an unstoppable wave. Every technique she knew did nothing to slow the destruction. Memories, knowledge, skills, likes and dislikes, all broke like glass and were left to float weightless in the vastness of the mare's head. Little was left intact, be it the intention of the attacker, her own efforts or of fate's own intervention that which Twilight, Twilight Sparkle remained and that’s what the mare's soul thankfully clung too. She was lost to the real world, she didn’t even know that her body had dropped to the ground never to awake again under its own power. She would lived trapped in her own mind for a time till she starved, few could fix the damage done and it wouldn't be long before it became irreversible.

Broken Peace

Everything in Twilight Sparkle's mind was in shambles, the vast space of her metaphorical brain space was lit from below by the glowing ocean of magical power. It churned and bubbled uncontrollable threatening to over flow and rend the remains of the mare to cinders. Twilight’s soul was like a purple colored shadow that clung to shattered remains of her basic knowledge of a being a pony, it was luckily the part of her mind keeping her body breathing and her heart beating. If she lost contact with the shard, it would most likely be her end. Twilight felt like she was missing something, she didn't know what she lost just that something was gone, so much was gone. She didn’t even know her name, but she thought the stuff around her had something to do with who she really was.
The broken pieces of Twilight’s memories floated by her like shards of shattered glass, through them she could see the images of the events store with in them. She guessed they were through her own eyes. In one the mare's soul saw the face of a tire purple gray pony smiling at her, the mare had her mane pulled back in a bun and she was huge. Big enough to hold Twilight in her forelegs. It could have been that Twilight was just small at the time, she was sure the white walls and the equipment in the back ground held the clues to what it meant. Clues that she didn’t have the necessary knowledge to understand.
Another memory distracted the fading mare's soul, this one of some sort of celebration. A glowing pink pony, with a mane that seemed just too curly to be real, bounced around making sure everypony was having fun, talking too and dancing with the other ponies. A few others stood out against the other featureless ponies. They glowed like the first with a strange comforting light. One was a graceful white unicorn mare with a perfect mane and tail, another a strong orange earth pony with a brown hat and blond mane, two had wings one yellow with a pink mane and kind eyes and timid nature, the other brash and confident but friendly with a light blue body and a rainbow mane. Who were they, Twilight Sparkle couldn’t remember. She wanted to know, she needed to know.
Another memory passed in front of the celebration. This one was of a little purple creature that stood on two legs, or at least was trying to. He had cute little round cheeks, that turned red when he started to cry about falling again. Watching it any longer would have made Twilight cry too, this little creature was important to her. She knew it, why else would she be apparently teaching him to walk. She could hear the echos of her words to it as she watched it, “don’t Cry Spike, your so close.” was its name Spike, she couldn’t remember.
Twilight looked away, not knowing was just upsetting. Though which ever way she looked her heart broke for the same reason. She saw a scene of a stallion whose name she couldn’t know making love to her, he seemed nice though she could just barely tell with his eyes closed. She didn’t even know if the light tan stallion with a short black mane was her first or last. They could be married with three foals for all she knew. The only clues were the massive hourglass that dominated the center of the room they were in, she could see a castle out the large window behind him and the giant shelves full of books all around them.
Books. She knew books, she love them. Twilight looked around, there so many memories of her reading books and the information with in them. She may even know how to fix this, all the good it was doing her right now. Maybe if she could find the shard she would know more, and may even be able to fix herself.
The shadow that was Twilight Sparkle 'stood up' it only had the vaguest of shape resembling a pony. She barely remembered who she was but she knew that giving up wasn’t something she did easily. The unicorn pony's soul looked around. There were so many shards that she couldn’t count, although Twilight didn't remember any numbers pass thirty seven. The task seemed daunting to the point of impossibility. Before she could decide where to start a bright blinding light pierced the darkness. Twilight’s soul felt drawn to the light, despite its harsh white color she felt at peace. Then everything went black and cold.
What ever Twilight was laying on was cold and hard. She could hear the muffled sounds of pony voices around her. Her eyes fluttered opened, even with blurry vision she recognized Princess Celestia with her horn glowing like the sun, and eyes closed in concentration. her friends were around her. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack all looked worried for their fallen friend and she could hear Luna giving some orders off to her left. Most of what happened flooded back to Twilight just then, she shot up and asked, “what happened. Wh-who attack us?” before anypony could answer she looked to Applejack and asked “AJ are you okay?”
the earth pony nodded “little worse for wear, but it was just a bug bite.” she tossed her head a little too cover the puffy bruised bite mark on her neck with her pony tail, even with magic a changeling bite will take time to heal and they look nasty till they do.
“thank goodness.” Twilight replied. “you had me worried.” she looked around at her friends as they said she had THEM worried and realized a few were missing, “where's Spike and Winchester?”
“their okay.” Rarity answered quickly, she didn’t want to let her injured friend panic it probably wouldn’t help. Celestia still had her eyes closed after all she may not be done.
“blue boys pretty tore up but he was breathing last time we saw him.” Rainbow Dash added before Rarity could continue, earning scolding glances from the others around her, that defiantly wouldn’t help. The blue mare let the lack of concern for herself slide, Twilight probably just couldn’t remember that part yet.
“WHAT HAPPENED!” Twilight yelled jumping to her hooves. Celestia sat back and opened her eyes, sighing in relief. She was finished, even with her power it was hard putting a ponies mind back together. Twilight’s soul was undamaged which was the most important thing.
“your lover was left back in Ponyville. sir Sombra decided too only bring you and the other Bearers of Harmony to Canterlot.” Luna said as she joined the group, Sir Sombra the Undefeated walked beside her.
“yes.” Celestia comment as she stood up to her full height, towering over everypony but her sister. “we have more important things to discus at the moment.” she looked grave as she checked to ensure that only ponies that should know what she was about to say were within ear shot. “Queen Chrysalis has stolen the armor of Nightmare Moon, the guards can provide you with a full report if you wish.” the Six Bearers of Harmony felt strange being told that, they were being treated as if they were a high ranking royal agents, which in fact they were since the defeat of Tirek, “but first we need to know what happened in Ponyville?”
“well, I was playing Scrabble with the Crusaders and I had Zebra on-” Pinkie stopped and lowered her ears and realizing something “oh, iiiiittttss not time for jokes is it?” everypony slowly shook their heads while Sombra rubbed his face grumbling under his breath.
The Bearers of Harmony looked at each other then to Twilight, their de-facto leader. She sighed and looked up at Celestia “I remember.... that a Changeling was stealing the Elements of Harmony. It must have planed for mouths, it was so far ahead of use each step of the way. Even when we thought we had it, we were just falling into it's trap.” Twilight's head fell and her shoulders slumped as she spoke “I'm so sorry princess, we failed you.”
“it's alright Twilight.” the sun princess said, although she wanted to, Princess Celestia couldn’t force a smile. She could sense something dark on the horizon. “it wasn’t any of your faults.” the white alicorn looked each other bearers silently telling each that it was okay, “please, Twilight, go on.”
Twilight nodded unsure, “I don’t really know what happened next.” she shook her head and taped her temple trying to knock the memory into place “i think I remember seeing you?” she was about to apologize again but Princess Celestia put her hoof on the smaller mare's shoulder and told her its okay. Even Celestia couldn't fix what was beyond repair.
The lavender mare looked to Rainbow Dash, the blue pegasus shook her head “sorry. all I remember is flying out over AJ's Orchard, then Rarity waking me up and you out like a light. Must have taken Thunderlane and me by surprise. Conked us over the head or something.”she taped the back of her head with her hoof.
All eyes turned to Rarity, “Thunderlane said something to the same effect as Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said, a shiver ran down her spine just thinking about it, she adjusted the sword belt on her hip, its wight strangely giving her comfort, We chased the Challenging into the Orchard. I confronted the beast and when I was about to beat it, it spit venom in my eyes blinding me. Thankfully Winchester drove it off and Twilight was able to counteract the poison.” she took a deep breath and looked down, “that’s when Chrysalis showed up disguised like you, Princess Celestia. She used some sort of mental attack on Twilight” Rarity took another breath. “I felt the power she used on her, it.....scared me....and...... I just froze. I'm sorry I-”
“Its okay,... None of you are to blame.” Princess Celestia announced looking at the group of ponies before her. “the changelings fooled even my sister and I. Like Twilight said they were probably planing this for months maybe even since their last invasion, and deceiving others is what...They...Do.” the ponies nodded feeling a little better. Celestia then motioned for Rarity to continued.
“well.” Rarity struggled to find her voice even with the princess's words she still felt like a failure, “when... Winchester showed up again I th-thought it was going to be okay.” how she wished it had been, “it looked like it was going to be, he couldn’t get through Chrysalis's force field but he was holding her back.....till his Axe exploded.”
“the Axe of Tirek was a mighty weapon but it's only as mighty as the will of its wielder. Celestia explained knowing most of the Bearers of Harmony were curious why that happened.
“And without a connection to us, Winchester's will is only that of a mortal stallion.” Luna added.
“Chrysalis appealingly knew that too because she dropped her disguise and taunted Winchester before she-” a tremble stole Rarity’s voice for a moment. “i thought she had killed him..... and I thought she was going to kill me.....but she just.... Insulted me and left with the other changeling.” she sighed, “thankfully Winchester survived. he was the one that carried Twilight back to the farm, while I checked on Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash.....Sombra and the guard arrived not long after that took us to a train that brought us here.”
“yes.” Sombra said as he stepped forward to speak, “but Rarity, is there anything else you can tell us about Queen Chrysalis?”
Rarity was a little confused but thought hard, “i believe she may have been wearing the armor, but it looked so different.”
“how so?” the knight asked, the princesses listen intently but kept silent. It was their knights duty to find out what he would need to bring down the Changeling Queen. Luna and Celestia would weigh in if needed, but Sombra like all their knights was good at the job they were given.
Rarity racked her brain to find the right words. She was the only one to see anything so her friends just left her to speck, for once in her life Rarity didn’t like having everypony's attention. “it kind of looked like it was growing.” the white mare lowered her ears and added “i think it may have replaced her wings?” the knight encouraged her to elaborate, “it looked like, like metal bat wings, I guess.”
“that’s not good.” Princess Celestia said looking to her sister. Sombra looked to his rulers, he had his suspicions but only they could confirm them.
Luna looked grave as she glanced at her lover and knight, then looked back to her Sister and said, “yes her power and control over the armor is growing quickly.”
“what does that mean?” Twilight asked.
“nothing good.” Applejack commented, mimicking her gods words.
“Oh Dear.” Fluttershy added from behind her mane “what are we going to do? If she can do what she did to Twilight so easily what chance does anypony have?”
“Better then you think.” Rainbow Dash said slapping her chest with her hoof, she was determined to not let the changeling queen get the better of her again.
Celestia cleared her throat to get her most valuable subjects attention, “there is nothing more that you can do about this matter this night. You six should get some rest.” she turned and call for some servants before saying, “I will send word to my Knights to report to Canterlot at once.”
“But Princess Celestia.” Pinkie Pie said stepping forward, “we got to stop the big meany.”
Celestia smiled as she bent down to the earth pony's level and said, “Dear Pinkie Pie, your determination and dedication is admirable” the princess place a hoof on the mare's shoulder.
“And unexpected.” Rainbow Dash commented under breath.
The white alicorn gave the pegasus a side long glare before smiling at Pinkie again and continued, “But I believe this job may be a little too tough for you right now.” The princess stood and looked around, “you all had a very hard night, so you need your rest. some need more the rest.”
Twilight was sure that her mentor was referring to her. However the lavender unicorn felt like she wouldn’t beadle to sleep for days. Having your mind shattered and put back together can have that effect on a pony. However with the insistence of her friends and the attendant assigned to her, along with the princesses themselves, the mare finally agreed to get in the bed. She was asleep before the servant was out of the room.
Pinkie Pie briefly thought about sneaking out and seeing Flash. However she decided it was time to be serious. Rarity had trouble getting to sleep, its hard to do so when your crying so hard. No one would call her over dramatic for it this night, several near death experiences and the dreaded feeling of failure was a good reason to weep. Her only regret was that she used the pillow to soak up her tears. Thankfully the fancy bed have over half dozen. Fluttershy was strangely at peace, although she didn’t go to sleep till after a short prayer to the all mother.
Applejack was the only mare too not get a room in the castle, is wasn’t from a lack of them. The princesses felt she should be watched by medical personnel. Changeling venom can have strange side effects, those effect were actually caused by the emotions the Changeling has absorbed. So there was no telling what they could be. The apple farmer hated all the fuss the doctors were making over her. Heart monitor, blood test, even some sort of brain activity monitor thing that the earth pony didn’t really understand when it was explained to her, something to do with magic she didn’t know. The only thing she enjoyed was that her nurse was a very attractive earth pony stallion.
Rainbow Dash couldn’t sleep, she tossed and turned in the room giving to her. she finally hoped out of bed, she needed a flight and some alone time to clear her mind. She flew over most of the sleeping capital city, the only ponies up were night guards. After about twenty minutes the sky blue pegasus landed on a spire to rest, and the next think she knew she was asleep.

* * *

the sun started to peek out over the horizon and woke Rainbow Dash, she yawned and sat up. The young mare quickly realized that she wasn’t alone on the tower, four dark colored pegasi sat around her. one was in fact a thick chested bat pony with a tall crest on his helmet. They wore black angler armor with blades attached to their wrist. Rainbow Dash didn’t know it but these were members of the Shadow Guard, a company of the Royal Guard whose sole job it was to protect important ponies in Canterlot. They sat around Rainbow Dash like the gargoyles on an old castle, in a silent vigil over their charge.
Rainbow Dash didn’t feel like dealing with them, and she guessed she didn’t really have too. So the half asleep mare just took off and headed back to her room. The soldiers followed her till she was safely inside, then they returned to their posts around the castle. Rainbow Dash didn’t care she just went back to sleep.
Around the same time not that far form Canterlot Castle in the main barracks of the Shield Bearers company of the Royal Guard, corporeal Flash Sentry trotted toward the exit wearing his morning work out gear, dark purple sweat pants and a gray sweat shirt. His mane was cut short the day before and the little blue patch of hair on his chin was trimmed up too. Despite the written noticed of the company being on call it was a normal morning. He was going out for ground jog before he met up with some of his squad mates at the gym for some wight training.
Everything seemed normal till he walked outside into the morning sun. the first thing he noticed was the puddle of steaming hot coffee he stepped. He cursed as he stepped back, it kind of hurt. He looked around for the source, it was another member of his company. The unicorn stallion stood staring at something the paper cup that held his coffee lay at his hooves. He wasn’t the only pony starring in that direction, there were at least six other stallion's doted around the front steps fixated on something in the same direction. Only a mare was not distracted by what ever it was, she waved her hoof in front of one of her two male companions trying to get him to snap out of it.
It took Flash a moment to find the object of everypony's interested, and when he found it he understood why so many would be distracted by it. Pinkie Pie was in the training yard doing stretches in skin tight light blue spandex framed. They hugged every curve of her body turning her rump into a work of irresistible art. She had fluffy orange leg warmers on her hind legs and a matching loose sweat shirt that hung off her shoulder revealing the white straps of her spandex. She had a white sweat band around her forehead, she had her tail tightly warped with a white ribbon about half way up. It looked like cotton candy on a stick.
Pinkie Pie bent forward almost putting the top of her head on the ground in some sort of unusual stretch, she quickly noticed her coltfriend as she looked between her hind legs. The mare gasped as she leap into the air and rushing over to tackle Flash to the ground. The pegasus stallion could have sworn he heard a sonic boom just before impact. However he was too preoccupied kissing his marefriend to care, unfortunately Pinkie's mane didn’t hide her greeting for her coltfriend. The couple kissed deeply for a moment before the mare hopped back and Flash sat up to ask, “Pinkie what are you doing here.”
“oh uhhhh.” Pinkie's response was lost as she looked around. She did know what she could say. The bearer of laughter finally decided to be vague, “a uh, a bad guy is doing bad things and I'm-uhh, I need to toughen up.” the excited earth pony started to do jumping jacks.
Flash was confused and more then a little distracted by Pinkie's body again, it took a moment for him to pull his eyes from her form and asked, “what do you mean, Baby?”
“well sometimes I'm not much help when there’s bad guys around. so I want you to turn me in to a tough and rough soldier gal.” she smiled at him as she stood on all fours again. “please?” she added with a wider smile.
The stallion felt his heart skip a beat as he said “I'm not sure, Pinkie.” he looked her over, he knew her body very well and it was pretty soft in a good way. She could do with some exercise but she could get hurt if she pushed herself too hard too quick. “i really don’t think it's a good idea.”
The mare's smile vanished and her ears drooped. Then an idea came to her, the normally silly mare stood up straight with her head held high and she ordered, “As the Bearer of Laughter I here by order you to toughen me up.” Pinkie Pie had never sounded more serious about anything to Flash ever, well that first night in her room on his birthday but this was a different kind of serious.
Flash snapped to attention and replied with a firm, “yes Ma'am.” he smiled as Pinkie stole a kiss form him, “hey, Pinkie, your not going to pull something like that every time we disagree right?”
“only when its really really important. Like this.” the pink mare replied. Before too long Flash had Pinkie jogging along his normal route. To her credit she didn’t start really regretting this idea till the third block.
Breakfast was already being served when Twilight rolled out of bed, Princess's orders were to let her sleep but check on her every hour. The lavender librarian’s legs were sore, her head hurt, her back hurt everything just hurt. She felt like she had the worst hang over imaginable, but at least her mouth didn’t feel dry. The mare looked at herself in the mirror and sighed, she looked a lot better then she felt other then the mess of her mane the line of spit down her cheek. She growled at the bed as she rubbed her cheek dry, the comfy mattress had done little to alleviate the pain she had developed. The mare guessed being so close to death does that to somepony's body. Just as she was about to head toward the bathroom for her normal morning routine, there was a knock at the door. It sounded a little more frantic then what she would expect of a servant.
Twilight opened the door and was pleasantly surprised and relived to see Winchester behind it. He wore that mismatched armor of his, there was a noticeable absence of the massive axe, but his still had his blue handled long sword and a dagger on his hip. The stallion told Twilight once that he had dozens of hidden weapons on him, but she had never seen them. He had a bandage on the left side of snout another over his left ear that only covered the worst parts of the massive burn over his face and another bandage on the base of his neck covered a puncture wound. There were more Twilight couldn’t see, but she could see the twinge of pain in his eyes. The couple embraced, their lips met a few times before the mare let the stallion inside.
“are you okay?” Winchester asked circling his marefriend a few times to look her over.
“I'm fine, I'm fine” Twilight Sparkle replied as she used her magic to stop him in front of her. “I'm more worried about you, Rarity said you almost died.” the mare knew he was tough but she was still worried about him.
“Nah, no bug queen can take me down.” he waved his hoof dismissively, he fixed her with his piercing brown eyes that burn over his face only made it more intense, “are you sure your okay.”
“yes, Princess Celestia healed me herself.” the lavender unicorn answered knowing he wasn’t going to back down form his line of question. He was stubborn like that, “although, I'll never know if something is actually missing.” she kissed him on the unburnt cheek, the stallion released a sigh of relief. He knew she was right, he knew the damage that had been done to her the night before. He had felt so useless then.
Twilight turned and took a few steps away from the stallion before saying, “i was just about to take a bath.” she gave him a needing look, “you can join me if you want, I still want to check your injuries.”
Winchester's eyes lite up and he nodded “i could use a bath.” he followed his marefriend quickly removing his armor as he went.
Breakfast was just about over by the time Twilight Sparkle and Winchester trotted down the white stone hallway, their hoof steps muffled by the. Their manes and tails still hung heavy with water, Winchester was in his armor again minus the bandages and face scare, while Twilight wore only her damp fur and a satisfied smile. The bath had been a good one, very intimate but not very clean in a biblical way. “so you left Butterscotch in charge of the library?” Twilight asked confused.
“well she was mad I was leaving, so I had to do something.” Winchester explained with a chuckle. He was still amazed with how good he felt, he didn’t know that it was just that he was with Twilight again or that she was such a powerful healer.
Twilight shook her head and rolled her but smiled still enjoying the game none the less, “what about Spike?”
“he's in charge of check outs and check ins.”
“and I'm guessing Owlowiscious is doing all the book organization and orders?” Twilight asked with a smile, as Winchester chuckled and nodded. The couple paused and waited for two gold armored guards to open the door to the dinning hall. Inside was a large circular table, another smaller table was set in the center of the cut out of the first. The center table was shorter so the guest could see everything on it, it even turned so they wouldn’t miss anything. A young serving mare currently chatting with the stallion in charge of turning the table, both had one ear turn towards the princesses encase they were needed.
Winchester smiling noting that the main table still had thirty two pony sized seats, a seat for each of the active knights. The Princesses were in their seats while the only knight present was Sombra, his seat was closer to Luna's then it needed to be. The princess of the moon had done that, she'll turn him into a modern stallion if it was the last thing she did.
Twilight Sparkle smiled seeing Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash on the far side of the table. The lavender unicorn greeted her friends and the princesses, they were all happy to see her. Smiles and cheerful wishes of a fine morning were given by all, even Sombra greeted her with a genuine smile and she returned it all. Winchester was offered the same pleasantries by his friends and former employers even the black furred knight welcomed him, The guards however did not. The one closest to the armored blue stallion held his spear out blocking Winchester's entry to the dinning hall.
The armored writer almost dismissively looked at the wooden spear shaft across his chest, then up at the guard. The blue pony thought the guard was kidding, Winchester was wrong, “its alright. He's with me.” Twilight said, the guard looked over at the lavender pony as she ordered, “let him pass.” the guard pony pulled his weapon back to his side, “Thank you.” the mare said as she and her coltfriend took a seat at the table.
“your looking well this morning Twilight” Princess Celestia said with a knowing smile, “did you sleep well? No ill effects?” the princesses, Bearers of Harmony and the knight were enjoying some after breakfast coffee and tea.
Twilight blushed slightly as she replied, “yeah I’m fine, little sore. like I slept wrong... on everything.” she laughed a little, she didn’t mention the good soreness she was feeling as well. Winchester meanwhile picked out some food out for the two of them, he was pretty sure what his marefriend liked. Plus it would give her a chance to chat.
“OH.” Rarity chimed in with a happy smile that hid how she really felt, “maybe you should join Fluttershy and I at the spa.”
Fluttershy nodded “oh yes, Princess Celestia just told us about the best spa in town.”
“even had somepony run out to make them an appointment.” Rainbow Dash added with a yawn and a smile.
Twilight Sparkle thought for a moment then shook her head, “I think I'll pass today.” she hoped they weren’t thinking the wrong thing as she picked up her fork to. The food was good, despite it being cold. “I'm probably just going to go back to bed.” Rainbow Dash giggled and nudged Rarity with her elbow, the white mare just rolled her eyes she wasn’t in a joking mood. It was then that Twilight noticed a couple of her friends were missing, Applejack was probably still at the hospital. If something had gone wrong they would have know by now, but where was Pinkie Pie and she inquired just that.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity turned to Fluttershy for the answer, “I checked on her this morning and all I found was a note that said she was going to go 'Toughen up', I don’t know what that means.” Fluttershy answered with a shrug of her shoulders. Princess Celestia sipped her tea, she was sure that the earth pony had taken her words last night a little too seriously. Luna listen quietly, she was a tired from her night of work.
“oh, Strange.” Twilight commented as she started to eat, her friends agreed.
While the mares talked Winchester and Sombra were having their own discussion. “so Winchester?” Sombra had asked when the blue pony had finished making the breakfast selections for himself and marefriend, “how does it feel to not have the fate of the country decided by your actions.”
“it actually doesn’t feel all that different.” the blue stallion answered between mouthfuls of room temperature eggs, “but I will have to admit that the feeling of being able to walk away is liberating. I'm not bond to anything by some sense of honor or duty.” he looked at the weapons and armor he wore, “i only don these too protect her.” he looked at Twilight Sparkle with a loving smile. Celestia and Luna glanced at each other, they both heard him and both noted what he said.
Breakfast ended late with everypony staying to keep Twilight and Winchester company. Eventually Luna decided to retire to her chambers for the day, it was Celestia's time to run the country. Sombra joined his lady, he and the other knights would be heading out that evening so the couple wanted to spend this time together. Twilight went back to her room like she said she would, though not for the reason Rainbow Dash thought. The lavender mare really did go back to sleep, although she was wrapped in Winchester's warm embrace. He fell asleep too, the only rest he had gotten in over a day was being knocked unconscious by Chrysalis the night before.
Rarity and Fluttershy left for their day at the spa. The unicorn hoped it would help with this tension she was feeling. She was worried and afraid, almost jumping at shadows, even the echos of her hoof steps in the castle halls made her heart beat faster. The white mare though this is was how Fluttershy must have felt all the time. Although right now the yellow pegasus seemed unfazed by what was going on. Was she numb to it, was she so used to fear that another thing to worry about was just normal. WHAT WAS HER SECREAT!, Rarity’s mind screamed. She shook her head and gave an exasperated sigh, she hated this feeling.
“Is something wrong, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked looking worried for her friend.
“oh.” Rarity replied realizing her thoughts had manifested in reality. “ooh! It's uh its-it's nothing, just really need a massage and pampering.” Fluttershy nodded expecting that answer and she even agreed with it.
the pairs first stop was the royal hospital. For being as old as it was, one of the first buildings built in Canterlot, it was one of the most modern hospital in the country. It had been expanded countless times, both magically and with normal construction. It was a classical style building built from strong white stone. The same used to build the castle, those inside would be safe even if the city was invaded. A few beautiful statues flanked the short set of stairs up to the guess entrance, they depicted the perfect example of what a doctor should be, determined and intelligent, always looking to a bright future. They watched the sun rise in the morning and wait for the dawn at night.
Rarity daintily ascended the steps while Fluttershy used her wings to easily drift up to the entrance. One of the heavy steel doors opened just as the pair got to the top, the two mares politely stepped to the side to let who ever it was out. Rarity swallowed a momentary spike of fear as she did. An orange earth pony in a stetson stepped out into the morning sun, “Applejack just the mare we were looking for.” Rarity said with a false chipper smile, however hard she tried the white mare couldn’t hide her anxiety form her closest friends.
“what brings y’all around here?” Applejack asked, she felt that same anxiety as her friend but knew it best to not draw attention to it. She was the rock of her friends and was determined to live up to that.
“oh we were just making sure you were still in one piece.” Rarity responded.
“well, I think I am.” the blond pony looked back at herself and shook her tail, “anything missing?” the three mares laughed together, all ignoring the nasty bruise on the earth pony's neck.
“well Applejack, Fluttershy and I were heading to the spa and were wondering if you would like to join us?” Rarity asked, feeling a little better with her strongest and most dependable friend near by, but her eyes and ears still darted around searching for threats. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, nodded always happy to include her friends in things.
“they got those hot mud baths?” the country mare asked.
“Certainly.”
“the Princesses recommended it.” Fluttershy added, “it has everything.” she was in as good a mood as one could expect from somepony in her situation. How was anypony's guess.
“well then lets go, this place sounds great.” the earth pony answered with a smile. The friends headed on to the spa. The streets of Canterlot were beginning to fill with high class ponies just now starting their days, like normal they weren’t in any hurry. none seemed noticed anything amiss even though there were many more then double the troops marching through the streets today. Most of the rich ponies didn’t even noticed them, as if it was beneath them to do so. Something the princesses disliked but really had no control over.
As the three mares waited for a group of soldiers to pass by, Fluttershy noticed a pony jogging along the far side of the street. The light orange stallion with a short blue mane and tail stopped at the corner. He wasn’t waiting for the soldiers to pass but for his companion to catch up. Pinkie Pie just about dragged her hooves as she joined the stallion at the corner, she was panting hard, covered in sweat with eyes unfocused. She looked like she was about too keel over any second.
“Babe, Maybe we should take a little break and get some breakfast? Your going to hurt yourself” the stallion suggested, he was worried and more then a little hungry.
The mare panted trying to catch her breath to speck, “no 'huff' I can 'huff puff' I can keep going.” she sighed and wavered back and forth as she stood, her head almost seemed too heavy to hold up so she could look at the stallion.
“woe Pinkie, what'ra ya doing?” Applejack called as she, Fluttershy and Rarity approached concerned.
“trying 'huff' t-to 'puff' touf-toughen up.” Pinkie replied between heavy breaths.
“Darling you don’t need to kill yourself too 'Toughen Up'.” Rarity said using her hooves to emphasize her words.
“that’s what I said.” Flash added as he looked at his sweating and panting marefriend. “but when ever I try to tell her to take a break or that she should slow down or something and she gets all sad and begs me to keep pushing her.”
“but Pinkie you don’t want to hurt yourself.” Fluttershy said concerned. Pinkie could get enough of a breath to reply.
“and I don’t want to hurt her,..but I did discover this.” Flash said as he leaned in close to the panting pink mare and kissed her gently on the lips. Lightning seemed to run through Pinkie as she jumped in the air, with eyes that looked like a pair of valentine harts and her mane and tail writhe and wiggled like an electrocuted octopus. A moment later she stood before her friends like she had just gotten ready for a days work out. “when ever I kiss her, shes ready for more.” Flash explained with a grin. He was tough and could keep going like any soldier but Flash Sentry was jealous of his marefriend's ability to recover like that.
“Lucky boy.” Applejack commented, earning her a scolding glare form Rarity and a embarrassed eep from Fluttershy. Where's Rainbow Dash when you need her, the country mare thought.
Flash was trying to hid his smile when Pinkie said, “well girls I would love to hang out but I got toughening up to do.” she giggled and nudged her coltfriend, encouraging him to keep going. “See you at dinner tonight.” the mare said. Flash waved and said goodbye to Pinkie's friends before leading the way again.
The three mares as they continued on their way, Rarity's was noticeable forced. Their destination was just on the far end of the street from them but there was still one more surprise for the girls. A certain blue mare was standing outside the spa looking at the fancy but unmarked french style building. Rainbow Dash didn’t know how to feel about it, on one hoof it embodied everything she wasn’t, prissy, demure, refined, and feminine. On the other hoof, she knew how good a massage could feel. She felt pretty stressed right now and a could help that too. She also wanted too check on Rarity, she noticed how jumpy she was all through breakfast and if she could get relaxed in the process all the better.
“Rainbow Dash, I thought you said you weren't going to join us at the spa.” Rarity commented surprised, the more the marry right. Sadly despite the smile the white mare still had a feeling of dread in her heart. She hoped to feel safer with her best friends around, she knew Rainbow Dash and Applejack would die to protect their friends but that thought seemed to make the fear worse.
“yeah.” Rainbow Dash replied nodding her head “but a girl can change her mind right?” she smiled, “plus I don’t got my boy around to keep me occupied, like a certain friend of ours.” Applejack agreed with a laugh.
“Well I never.” Rarity said as she held her head high, the refined unicorn didn’t like to speck of such things in public, specially now it that it gave her a pain of loneliness, “if you can keep that kind of talk to yourself... then I guess you can join us.”
“Okay, Okay, I'll keep the dirty talk to myself.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile, “but you cant tell anypony about me doing all this. Got it.” she eyed her friends till the other mares agreed and all happily trotted inside.
Just like the outside everything inside was refined and beautiful. The walls were rich dark mahogany with a royal blue tile floor and gold colored grout. Beautiful ferns flanked the pair of benches that lined the walls. There were enough paintings hanging from the walls to keep them from feeling overbearing but not cluttered. The front desk had flowering vines that cascaded over the front too blend into the Secret Royal Garden logo on the front. The hostess was a thin pale blue unicorn mare, she wore a simple but elegant short dress.
Rarity and her friends thought it was going to be a simple affair, and it would have been if they had a reservation for four and not two. Thankfully they didn’t have to bargain with the desk attendant, because a certain light pink mare with a long horn, delicate wings, and a flowing elegant walk despite the large round belly she had happened to be leaving just then. Cadence paused long enough to figure out what was going on. She happily vouched for her friends, knowing it wasn’t uncommon for imposters to try and get preferential treatment by saying they were the Bearers of Harmony. Sadly Cadence couldn’t stay, she had some sort of pregnancy class to go to and a final check up with her doctor. The baby was due the week after next so there was a lot to do.
After some thank yous and some goodbyes to the princess she left with a smile. the Bearers of Harmony chitchatted as they waited for the hostess to do some rearranging. They didn’t mind really, it wasn’t like they were in any hurry. It took a couple of minutes but the hostess got it done some snobby rich mare would have to do without the VIP treatment today, but hey the Bearers of Harmony deserve it more right. The hostess apologized to Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash as she summoned their VIP attendants. The girls would have told the hostess it was alright if their jaws didn’t hit the floor when they saw the stallions.
The four Earth pony stallions that trotted out of the back looked like they had been designed in a lab. They had perfectly feathered manes that cascaded down their necks following the curves of their strong, defined muscles. Broad chests and kind eyes, pearly white teeth in a perfect smile. Deep, smooth voices that could melt the heart of just about any mare completed the package. The four friends giggled and all too happily followed them into the actual spa for their day of pampering.
Applejack being the only single mare in the group put some serious thought into hooking up with one of the attendants but she was sure she would hate herself in the morning, unless these boy's bucked apples as good as they looked. Rarity would never break her bond to Thunderlane, willingly. Besides, her attendant handsome face was merely a distraction from the terror in the world, the white mare did her best keep the thought that he could be a changeling out of her mind. she already had enough to worry about. Fluttershy was of course her normal shy self, to her these stallions couldn’t hold a candle to Big Mac. Mean while Rainbow Dash wondered what the limits of her unofficial official thing with Soarin were. The Four Bearers of Harmony were so focused on their escorts that they never notices the rich mare behind them getting the bad news about her appointment time being taken by very, very important ponies.
First on the list of pampering was a magically treated mud bath with seed weed wraps. Only Fluttershy was bothered by her attendant having to use his hooves too help wrap her in the seed weed, he only did the parts that were appropriate for the stallion to touch any way. Applejack was really wondering if her helper could buck apple well enough to take home as she felt his firm but gentle touch as he tied the wrap around her chest and upper belly. the attendant also helped cover the mares front legs and necks. The rest the handsome stallions simple stepped back and instructed the mares on how to do it themselves helping only if asked Which Applejack and Rainbow Dash quickly did. Fluttershy actually had hers turn around, while Rarity just used her magic to do the job.
The mud bath was where the true luxury began. That was saying something with the how lavish the changing rooms were, with their light refreshments of expensive vineyard flowers and grapes, along with mineral water both sparkling and non. The magic with in the perfectly warmed mud healed any inflamed joints the mare's may have had as they sank up to their necks into the thick, earthy liquid. A finely dressed pale cream colored mare played a soothing melody on a harp in the corner of the room, her flute playing companion returned from a break cut short to play for the royal guest. Another employee scurried around the room insuring not a speck of mud marred the white marble floor.
The princesses were right this was one of the best spa's any of the four mares had ever gone too. After the mud bath Rarity and her friends were given a nice warm bath in what the attendants said was a filtered mineral spring water river bath. Rainbow Dash was just about falling asleep in the moving water as it rushed through her fur removing the mud in a most relaxing way, thankfully the gilded lay down tub had a cushioned head rest. It got better when the girls were served fine fruits and sparkling juices. An other attendant offered them a wide selections of wines as well. The girls took full advantage of it all. It was all compliments of the spa, in appreciation of their service.
The massages that followed the baths were complete bliss. Again they were given the royal treatment, the Bearers of Harmony had the choice of nearly two dozen techniques for relaxation and pain relief. All of them approved and enjoyed by the Princesses themselves. Rarity had to of course try all of them, however her friend were a little more conservative, choosing just a couple. Rainbow Dash in particular preferred to just indulge in the fortified wines after her massage.
By the time a light lunch was served Rainbow Dash was so relaxed she didn’t mind getting a hooficure with her friends. When the four Bearers Of Harmony finally left the spa they were thoroughly, physically relaxed. Not a muscle, joint, or knot hadn't been loosened or relieved. The four mares felt so good it was almost hard to walk, or in Rainbow Dash's case hoover. However despite how good she felt on the out side, Rarity was still tense and jumpy on the inside. Her friends could sense it, but they all felt the same thing to some extent, the pampering had done little relieve the feeling of foreboding they all had.
It all came out as the four friends passed a cafe. One of the busboys slipped carrying a tall stack of plates and cups, the fine china came crashing done silencing everything but Rarity's shriek. The unicorn's horn lite up as she armed herself, unfortunately all with in her reach was silver wear.
The white mare's friends looked around as a multitude of knives floated around them all, “its okay Rarity, your safe.” Applejack said stepping in front of her friend blocking her view of the world, hoping that her own calm demeanor would help settle Rarity down. The earth pony had never seen her friend so jumpy or stressed especially after a massage, “there's nothing to worry about.” most of the ponies in the cafe were watching them now.
“yes, there is.” the white unicorn replied with a trembling voice between quick breaths. She glanced at the ponies around them tears forming in her eyes, “you know there is, how can you be so calm.” with a deep breath the white unicorn set the knives down in a pile on a near by table.
Applejack took a deep breath of her own, she paused to watch as a few dark armored soldiers trotted into the outdoor cafe. The patrons didn’t need to be told to ignore four mars as the soldiers stood in front of them. Applejack had her guesses to why the troopers were there, they had been following them all day after all, “We know, Rarity, we are all scared, But dwelling on it wont help.”
“Yeah, AJ's right. Dwelling on it wont help.” Rainbow Dash added, Applejack looked at the pegasus with a raised eye brow. While Fluttershy stood back unsure what to do or say, “Yes.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she continued, “i know, coming from me that seems dumb, me dwelling on the Wonderbolts lost me my job.... but since I moved on I’ve been talking to my boss and may beadle to get my old job back. Cloud Kicker apparently hates it.”
“darling, this is so different. Its not a job, its our lives.” Rarity said starting to get aggravated, it was like they didn’t understand what was going on, “your trying to compare apples to oranges. We could all die and bring Equestria down with us.” her voice trembled as she looked at her friends, their faces told Rarity that she was wrong. They knew that all too well.
It was Fluttershy's turn to act and she knew just what to do now, she shot forward and wrapped Rarity in a hug. The white mare froze as Fluttershy's sweet voice filled her ear. The yellow pegasus was praying just loud enough for all four of them to hear. She prayed to the All Mother the ancient deity who watches over the lives of all of the creators work. Her teachings of loving and caring for others, no matter who they may be, Fluttershy held very dear. Right now the yellow mare was praying for help, for protection and the strength to face the next day, she did it for herself often but right now it was for all of her friends. Rarity wasn’t much of a spiritual mare, but the meaning of Fluttershy words struck home, “even though the future is uncertain we know that you will protect us and guide us, and when the end comes you will except us into paradise with open hooves.”
Rarity looked at Fluttershy then her other friends, “thank you.” she said as she hugged her yellow friend tight. She motioned to the other two mares join the hug, “sometimes the best stress relief is that provided by your friends.” Rarity told her friends, they agreed. The four headed back to the castle ready to face the scarey future, together.

* * *

Twilight Sparkle yawned as she brushed her mane attempting to control her all day bed head. Winchester currently busied himself with replacing the mare's wet pillow. She had the unfortunate habit of drooling when she was very tired. A servant had woke the couple not long ago to tell Twilight that the princesses requested her for a royal function. The unicorn wanted to look presentable, her friends already thought she spent all day in bed having sex or something, so she didn’t want to give them a reason to believe that. Winchester already took a comb to the face for saying that’s what they should have done. Twilight had indeed slept the whole day away but she still felt tired.
Soon enough Twilight Sparkle and her armed coltfriend were ready and heading out to the parade grounds of the castle. The sun had set and lanterns had been lite revealing a gathering of sixteen ponies already outside. Some wore heavy armor others wore next to none, some were armed with only their hooves others were walking arsenals, but all had one thing in common, they all wore a small badge or patch with a white wing unicorn and a black winged unicorn circling around a sunny horizon and a night sky. This diverse group of ponies were some of the knights of Equestria.
Most of the knights were loosely circling two others. One a large brown earth pony who wore the pelts of many beast, the other was Sombra who wore his black and sliver armor under his red cloak. Featherweight was on the black ponies back, a large mace that looked like it was made from a single massive blue jewel leaned against the other pony. The air around the parade grounds was thick with tension. They were locked in a battle of wills, the first to back down would loose, but both were knights and knights don’t back down. It would go on till the princesses called them. Even if no victory would be named every eye was on Sombra and the other pony named Boulder.
As Twilight looked at the group of ponies her friends trotted up behind her to servery the scene as well. They were equally as curious as they were confused. “I thought there was more of them?” Twilight Sparkle asked as she counted the ponies under her breath, she was sure there was suppose to be around thirty of them.
“yeah and they don’t seem to like each other.” Pinkie Pie said she wasn’t bouncing like she normally did, exercising with Flash all day had burnt off most of her normal energy, “we should throw them a party, OOOHHH! Like a Knight Mixer or something.”
“Pinkie, Darling, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Rarity commented, she didn’t like the look of these ponies. They had the bearing of great ponies but at the same time they seemed to be brutish and unsophisticated like a common thug.
Rainbow Dash looked through the assortment of ponies before her, there was this orange and yellow pegasus mare hovering over the group that caught her attention. If she didn’t know any better she would have sworn it was Star from the Wonderbolts Training Camp. The mares steel studded flight suit hid her cutie mark so there was no way to tell.
“i would say this motley crew couldn’t be knights” Applejack commented as she looked at Winchester, “but I’ve met you, so I guess they are.”
the blue stallion was looking at the group of his former comrades, his eyes sparkled with a nostalgic gleam. He sighed and looked at his friends around him, “you all talk too fast I can barely keep up.” he chuckled and looked back to the gathering of warriors. “these are the only knights that can make it to Canterlot in such a short time.” the stallion raised up on the tips of his hooves like he was trying to look over the crowd, “i think their just waiting for one more, the rest will meet up with them along the way.”
Winchester smiled holding back a chuckle “as for them appearing to be ready to tare each other apart.” he looked to the mares around him, “Well the knights are proud ponies, many prone to vainglory and holier then thou attitudes, they like to test their strength and skill against the strongest of foes. And well in Equestria is hard to find a more formidable foe then the other knights. Its why their not allowed to duel unless the princesses say so.”
“Sounds sort of like somepony we know.” Applejack said with a smile.
Twilight giggled, “but who?” she slily eyed her coltfriend.
“you shouldn't talk about Rainbow Dash like that.” Winchester cut in, he laughed with the mares before they turned their attention back to the knights. “fools the lot of them.” he said gesturing with his head towards the other armed ponies.
Before Winchester could continued to speck a large winged pony landed in front of them all. The amber colored stallion was easily three hooves taller then Winchester, almost as tall as Princess Luna, he wore heavy chrome armor with red gold trim. It was strange for a pegasus to wear such bulky armor, but the horn on his head revealed him to be something more. The alicorn tossed his flowing honey colored mare back before he looked at the Bearers of Harmony, his handsome face seemed to approve of what he saw. a smile crossed his face as his eyes fell on Winchester, “you should watch what you say Civilian. Your brash speech could get you punished.” he shifted the long black lance on his back with his wings, the tip of his weapon was shaped by like a five pointed stare.
“that same brash nature got the job done.” Winchester smirked, “you saw it for yourself, you even complimented me on it and approved of it.... and me.....Eventually.” the male alicorn nodded, there was a lot of history between the two, both good and bad. This was the very knight that brought Winchester and his friend’s names to Celestia's ear. He was also the Knight that saw the blue unicorn outlive his companions as they saved Equestria, but alas so few every heard of it, “haah, but I am a simple mercenary now, so this is no place for me.” the blue stallion stole a kiss from Twilight's cheek before he turned and trotted off.
The alicorn knight joined the other knights on the parade grounds. It wasn’t long till Celestia and Luna descended from their tower to the stage in the parade grounds. Twilight suggested that she and her friends should join them. The Bearers of Harmony climbed on stage and stood three on ether side of the princesses. The Bearers of Harmony being present for this was one of the few traditions of the Knights, like all of them they had a meaning. When ever the knights of Equestria were involved with matters of the Elements of Harmony, their bearers would be present to send them off. It was some sort of temporary transfer of duty or burden.
Twilight and her friends looked out at the gathering of knights. The armed ponies had formed into three lines with out being told to. They were more then the Princess's finest soldiers, they were an extension of their will, so the knights didn’t need mundane orders on how to stand. The princesses would give them their task soon but first the white alicorn said, “my Knights.” with a curt nod.
the gathered ponies responded by saying, “my princess.”
Luna then copied her sister by saying, “my Knights.”
“my princess.” was again the assembly's reply. this all may have seemed just a simple greeting, it wasn’t. The words were used to activate a spell that linked the knights to their princesses, The knights that weren’t present would feel compelled to speck those same words in the direction of Canterlot distances didn’t matter. The spell opened the warrior ponies' hearts and minds to their holy monarchs. The mortal fighters could hide nothing from their immortal rulers, no deed, thought, or feeling could escape the Alicorn's inspections. Not that any knight would do so, they would not be sent on this quest and they wouldn’t be able to add the deeds done to his or her history. A history that only the princesses could remember, but that was all that mattered to the mighty warriors.
Satisfied with what they felt in their knights the princesses decided it was time to give them their orders, “Queen Chrysalis has stolen he Elements of harmony.” Celestia started.
“and the armor of Nightmare Moon.” Luna added, “you are to retrieve them.” the knights were always given simple orders.
“the changelings are not your targets.” Celestia answered the question a few of the knights wanted to ask, “but nor are you the let them stand in your way.” the princesses continued to explain everything they believed could help their knights, from the powers the elements of Harmony would grant her, how to possibly combat her so powerful in the battlefield of the mind, and even what the armor growing could mean.
Finally Luna turned to Twilight and said, “Bearer of the Elements of Harmony, please, chose who will carry the Standard.” normally the princesses did this, the pony that carried the banner of the knights was also trusted with keeping them on track, and more or less in line.
Twilight Sparkle looked to her friends, they had been told what to do. First thing they would need is the actual banner. After a quick check of the stage the six mares easily found a large chest about three pony lengths long at the back of the stage. Twilight unlocked the heavy brass latch so Rainbow Dash and Applejack could open the lid. Inside was a long gilded flag pole and a folded banner. As Rarity slowly unfolded the long cloth, Twilight lifted the pole with her magic. Fluttershy picked up the two cross members that the banner hung from, she waited for Rarity too hold up it so she could slide the guild bars though the holes in the cloth and screwed them tight. The banner was a thick purple cloth that had a depiction of the land of Equestria encircled by a black winged Unicorn and a white winged unicorn. Six shooting stars followed the representation of Luna while six comments followed the one of Celestia. A reminder of the twelve paladins, the first knights.
Twilight and her friends turned around to see Pinkie Pie looking out at the knights very intently. The pink mare looked over her shoulder at her friends and said “I think we should give it to that dark guy.” she pointed out the stallion she was talking about. He was an thin athletic earth pony with a charcoal gray coat, and black mane. A tattered, black cowboy hat hid his shaggy mane and tufted ears, he wore a matching weathered duster. He had the knight's crest over his heart like a police badge. On his back was his gift, a shield that looked like to large golden ten pointed star and a white hoof sized jewel was in the center, a glowing feather seemed to be floating with in the jewel.
Twilight Sparkle approached him, she saw no reason to not take Pinkie's suggestion. Something about it seemed right. The lavender mare walked over to the knight and silently held the banner out for him, like she had been told too. He bowed his head to her before he reached over and took the gilded pole in his grasped. The mares turned and returned to the stage. Celestia and Luna announced that “the Unforgiven” would be the standard bearer. The Princesses thought it was fitting for a pony that was so lost he gave up his name was now on point to help save Equestria. With one last look at the knights the Princesses dismissed them. The chosen warriors of Equestria marched out into the dark city. Celestia and the Bearers of Harmony headed to the dinning hall for dinner, Princess Cadence joined them tonight her husband was going to be in a meeting with other captains for most of the night. The young pregnant alicorn was barraged with questions about her unborn foal, she happily answered all the ones she could. However She and Shining Armor had chosen not to learn the sex of foal, although she was given news that she was having twins.
Princess Luna however had other plans, she meet the knights at the city gate, although she was only there for one of them. The Princess had one last tradition to fulfill, but this one had nothing to do with knighthood or being a princess. Sombra stepped out of the group to greet his lady, the other knights just quietly watched. The midnight blue alicorn mare pulled the same color handkerchief from her royal garb and held it for the stallion to take. That was the wrong way to do it but Sombra approached to take the token none the less. Just steps away he was suddenly pulled into a loving embrace and a deep kiss. Sombra was liking this new interpretation of the old tradition.
Sombra had an idea as well, with his normal stoic expression he stepped back from his love and looked at the ground. His red crystalline horn glowed and a small crystal grew from the between the cracks in the street. The thine stick of purple crystals sprouted two little leaves as the end ballooned out till it look like a closed rose bud. Luna smiled as she plucked the crystal flower with her magic. Before the princess's eyes the false rose opened, the perfect facets of the crystal reflected the light of the moon. Luna had received several crystal trinkets from Sombra, but this was the best he had ever made. “when I return, may we be wed?” Sombra's question distracted Luna from the gift, the stallions heart was vulnerable and his face was hopeful. Technically they had been engaged all these years. The stallion felt that it was time to right that wrong, he hoped Luna agreed.
“No.” Was Princess Luna’s heart breaking answer, Sombra was mortified. The knights around them showed their silent sympathies. However mercifully the princess continued, “Dear Sombra,” she lifted his chine to see face, “every time we make plans something bad happens.” she leaned in and kissed his cheek before moving to his lips, “so lets be more spontaneous.”
the black stallion nodded, “i hear spontaneous ponies now a days head over to Las Pegasus to elope.” his pain was quickly replaced by a smile.
“OH! we can be marred by Elvis!” Luna commented with sparkling eyes, the princess had become a fan of the supposed King of Rock and Roll in the past few months. He may have past on but he had plenty of impersonators out there. She giggled playfully, she didn’t care that the other knights were watching.
Sombra laughed and nodded “I like the sound of that.”
Luna's face grew grave, “so please return to me, my love.”
the mirth fade form the knight's black face as well, “too my princess my only vow is that I will enforce her will.” he stepped closer too Luna, “but to the mare I love, I promise I will return to her.” he had to lift himself up and place a hoof on her chest to brace himself so he could kiss her when she was at full height. Luna smiled and bid her lover good luck. The other knights were jealous, not of Sombra having Luna's love but that their own loved ones weren’t there, or that they didn’t have somepony to love like that.
Luna watched as Sombra rejoined the ranks of the knights. she couldn’t be more proud, he was who he was suppose to be again, confident and strong but he had a softer side and she loved that too. Just out of the Canterlot gates the knight's march became a gallop and they vanished into the darkness of the night, with hearts fed by the sun and guided by the moon they wouldn't stop till they reached their destination. The remaining knights would meet them along the way. Soon the might of Equestria, the sword of the Princesses would fall on the challenging queen.
* * *
the next four days were strange, the Six Bearers of Harmony were treated as royalty. Even siting beside one of the princesses as they held court. Although Twilight and her friends normally didn’t have much to add, but they were learning so much about their county and its place in the world. Equestria was more or less the peace keepers of its neighbors, being ruled by the only deities in the material world has that effect.
Celestia had her reasons for keeping the Bearers of Harmony so close, Winchester said its was just so the guards could be massed around the most important ponies in Canterlot. He explained that the Shadow Guard was a small company so it was hard to have group of any real combat strength when you have too guard nearly two dozen ponies other then Twilight and her friends. However Celestia and Luna had the Gold and Black division of Equestria's First company respectively. The First Company was Equestria's finest warriors other then the knights themselves. It had been the First Company's Duty to accompany the Princesses where ever they go since the inception of the guard, so with Twilight and her friends close to them they were afforded that same protection. As well as the power the Princesses wielded.
The six friends had lots of time on their hooves, something that Applejack just didn’t know what to do with. For over 20 years the mare had gotten up early to work, and gone to bed tired almost everyday. Sure there was the Apple Family vacation and holidays, but even then she was still doing things. Now she woke up well after sun up, did next to nothing all day, she didn’t consider siting in on meets with dignitaries and emissaries hard work, and then went to bed feeling like she was supposed to do something. She just didn’t know what she could do, going to plays and the like just didn’t seem important, it had to have some meaning. The apple farmer thought maybe she should start training with Pinkie Pie.
The pink mare's training was started to pay off, she was already starting to thine out a little bit, her muscles were firming up and started to show the kind of definition Applejack's had. However despite the improvement Pinkie was no where near as strong as the farmer. Pinkie Pie was excited by it all, she thought she may even be useful when kicking bad guy butt as she put it. She also couldn’t help but tell her friends how Flash loved to feel her new tone legs, he seemed to enjoy caressing them and even kiss them when they were in bed together. Fluttershy always excused herself when every her friends would speck of intimate things, not just because she was embarrassed by them but that she had no experience in the subject. Not that her friends ever went into any real detail, other then maybe a broad description of their partners skill or the frequency of their encounters, or maybe when they did something new that they liked or disliked.
Rarity on the other hoof was made terribly jealous when ever things of a romantic nature were brought up, her coltfriend couldn’t afford to come be with her and as she put it “she missed Thunderlane so.” Twilight tried to not reminder her that Winchester was with her but it was hard, he could be a bit overly affectionate at times. Not to mention Rainbow Dash didn’t seem to feel the need to hide anything when Soarin showed up in town with the Wonderbolts. She was ready to continued their unofficial official thing, the stallion however was unaware there was anything unofficial about it. When Rainbow Dash heard that she did flips in the hallway.
The fifth day started out normal, or what had become normal in just a few day. Pinkie went for an early morning jog with Flash and his squad. Twilight and Winchester took forever to get out of their shared room, The mare had stopped trying to hide why. Everypony knew, why waste the energy. Rainbow Dash was accompanied on her flight by more then just the Shadow Guard, Soarin was there and happily pushing the sky blue mare hard so she can break her limits. Limits already far beyond his own. Rarity wrote another letter to Thunderlane, she couldn’t wait for his reply that night. Fluttershy was writing a letter too, though hers was more then just to her coltfriend. She had written at least a page for each of her animals, she really hoped that Big Mac wouldn’t mind reading it too them all. The red earth pony had already taken on so many responsibility with just feeding all the animals and she didn’t even ask him too now she wanted him to read almost three dozen pages to her animals. Applejack just didn’t know what she should do, she didn’t even have a significant other to write too. However this simple day wouldn’t last, the Bearers of Harmony learned they and both Princesses would be meeting with a representative from the Griffon emperor. It was a rare thing to have both the princesses meet with someone.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sat in their joint throne a seldom used feature, the Bearers of Harmony sat on the lower level of the steps that led up to the throne on plush pillows that matched their coats. This was going to be different from the other meetings over the pass week. When they met with the representatives from the Antelope league it was just Celestia. The meeting went well, Antelope were peaceful and understanding, but Griffons were aggressive and entitled especially those that speak for their emperor. Twilight and her friends didn’t really look foreword to this, they had seen the bad side of a griffon before. Finally half past twelve the ambassador arrived at the throne room, the meeting was suppose to be at elven o’clock.
To say the purple rob wearing griffon was plump would be an understatement, the bald eagle headed lion rumped ambassador had a large round belly from one too many feast and soft muscles from inactivity. He pranced with his head held high, nose pointed to the rafters. Gold jewelery jiggled with each step, jewels sparkled on each of his painted claws. Everypony got an overwhelming feeling that he thought he was better then everyone around him. He was nothing like the strong deadly predators that guarded him.
The two Griffons in front of the ambassador had orange fur with black strips, sharp claws and beaks meant for tearing flesh like that of a hawk. They were armed with pairs of khopesh blades. The two griffons that brought up the rear were smaller with black spots and yellow fur and falcon heads. They were deadly balls of speed armed with bows and arrows. All four of the guards wore chain mail armor. they locked eyes with each of the pony guards that lined the walls, the ponies returned the gesture. a sign of respect and a silent agreement that they were watching each other.
The griffon ambassador gave the princesses a flourished bow “greeting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna fair rulers of the lands of Equestria.” he said with a flowing voice that hid his true intention, like the vial for an assassins knife. he glanced at the bearers of harmony then added “I thought this was to be a private meeting?”
“you have your guards, we have ours.” Princess Celestia replied neutral faced, she knew the ambassadors name but decided to not use it. Twilight Sparkle and her friends didn’t react, just like they had been told too.
“no, Dear Celestia.” the griffon said motioning to the Bearers of Harmony, “I mean these commoners, they do not belong here.” Rarity's brow twitched, she was no common mare. meanwhile Rainbow Dash shook a little wanting to punch the griffon in the beak. This bastard didn’t even know them. The other mares kept their reactions in check, the insult was just the words of some griffon they didn’t know after all.
Celestia looked at her most trusted subjects and explained “these Commoners, as you call them, are the Bearers of Harmony, and in these changing times I have seen fit to teach them the ways of the court, for it may fall on them to use such knowledge to protect our subjects.”
“oh.” the griffon looked at the six mares again, he made no attempt to hide what he thought as he looked down his beak at the six mares. In his mind they were beneath him as children to a king. He was on equal standing with the princesses or so he believed, “Very well, I have heard of your pension to teach. but have they not lost their elements?”
“Enough with the veiled insults and posturing.” Luna said calmly, the flower Sombra gave her neatly tucked behind her ear, “let us discus what it is you came here for.”
the griffon bowed again, he may of thought little of the pony princesses but angering them would not further the cause of his emperor, “of course princess, I meant no disrespect.” he hid his grin well, “my emperor sends you his regards for any losses you have suffered from the Changeling attacks. As well as offers assistants.” he stood straight again, “the Griffon empire will send a reasonable number of troops to reclaim Equestria's lost artifacts if they will return the favor in kind-”
“the emperors war with the humans is not Equestria's concern. We will send forces to keep the peace but We will not assist in an invasion.” Celestia answered before the ambassador finished, Celestia had been involved in whipping out far to many races and countries for one eternity, “i can only offer the emperor the same advice I gave his predecessors, he should unify his own country before worrying about others.”
“but princess Celestia the hairless apes take all four legged kind as slaves.”
Luna cut the ambassador off with a stomp of her hoof, “that is only a few human kingdoms and they have never taken from our lands-” the sound of shattered glass stopped the princess mid-sentence. The guards of both races had their weapons at the ready. Fluttershy jumped and hid under her seat while, Pinkie's mane and tail looked like she had stuck her hoof in a light socket. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle stood ready to defender themselves. Rarity too readied for a fight drawing her sword Black Lace from it hiding place under her seat. She took her proper fencing stance, she was ready for this dreaded moment and would face it with her head held high.
All eyes were locked on a broken stain glass window, slowly everyone shifted their gaze to the thing that had shattered it. A gilded pole that was now embedded in the center of the room, the tattered and burnt flag of the Equestrian knights half hung from it. Celestia and Luna stood, feeling that something bad was about to happen. They were right, all the windows of the throne room shattered as something was thrown through them forcing all those inside to shield their faces.
When the carnage was done thirty two ponies laid on the floor of the throne room, they were diverse group with no two armed or armored the same. However they all had one thing in common, all had the crest of Equestria some where on them. “LEAVE US!” Princess Celestia ordered the griffons as Luna started to cry a panicked “no!” the moon princess hurried down the steps into the mass of fallen ponies.
the griffons looked around and had to be ordered to leave again before they complied, the ambassador mumbling about the emperor needing to know this. The doors closed behind griffons just as Luna found the thing she dreaded. The blue alicorn slumped to her knees before the pron unmoving form of Sombra, his green eyes were closed tight like his last moments were nothing but pain. The princess weeped “No!” repeatedly as she reached out to touch his cheek, at the very least she wanted ease his pained expression. As soon as her booted hoof touch his cheek, all the bodies popped like bubbles leaving nothing behind.
A laugh echoed though the throne room and most of Canterlot, the voice of Queen Chrysalis taunted the Princesses by saying “They were yours but now their mine, all of them are mine and they will be your doom!”

Just another Day Just another Disaster

Just another Day
Just another Disaster

The sun had just begun to rise over Equestria like Princess Celestia made it every morning while Princess Luna lowered the moon and the stars. The apple family were already up and preparing for their chores while most of Ponyvile was still asleep. In the town library that was mostly true. Twilight Sparkle and her number one dragon assistant Spike would still be sleeping for a couple more hours before they would even consider getting up for the day. That is if there wasn’t someone else in the library. The lavender mare shot up after hearing an unfamiliar stallion's voice exclaim. “Ah ha! I got you!”
The unicorn looked around and asked “Is someone one there?”, she was still too sleepy to be afraid.
The only response was the sound of parchment being torn apart and the same voice sighing, “Damn. I was wrong. There goes that idea.” coming through her open bedroom door.
Twilight shook the sleep from her eyes and walked to the doorway of her second story bedroom. She slipped out the door and look down into the center of the main floor. The mare gasped seeing books and parchment tossed all over the floor seemingly without a care. A blue unicorn sat in the middle of the room with many notes and books floating around him. His long brown mane and tail looked like he had just got out of bed. A pair of reading glasses sat on his snout as he skimmed through a book that floated in front of him and a quill scribbled on a parchment scroll next to him. He sighed, and tossed the closed book onto a pile behind him.
Twilight groaned and thought to her self. “What is this guy doing? I just re-shelved everything.” She sighed as she walked down the stairs too tired to notice that even though the piles of books were unorganized, not a book was opened or a page out of place. However she did noticed the stallion’s cutie mark as she cleared her throat, a book with a quill sticking out of its pages and a sword on its cover.
It took Twilight several loud throat clears to get the stallions attention. He turned and looked at her as if nothing was wrong. “Oh sorry, did I wake you?” He tossed his head to make his reading glasses land on his forehead just under his horn. “must have something very interesting to research.” He smiled warmly, “Fell asleep burning the midnight oil?” The visitor chuckled a little and turned back to the latest book. After comparing it to his notes he nodded. “I’ve done that too many times to count. I made some tea if you want some. Go ahead, I’m sure the librarian won't mind.” He pointed over to the kitchen.
Twilight blinked confused by the new comers fast talking, almost as if she was talking to Pinkie Pie. She looked the way his hoof pointed and cringed at the mess of the speedily made tea. She sighed, while she levitated the tea pot and poured herself a cup, some tea may help clear her head. As she brought the cup closer she remember why she was down here. This guy was in her house with out her permission and making a rather large mess. “Wait a second. Who-”
“That's it. Perfect. It can go like that, then the troll can come from the trees while they're fighting with the chimera.” The blue stallion jumped to his hooves. “I knew the library would bring me the inspiration I would need.” He then suddenly ran out the front door with several books and countless notes floating around him, leaving a very confused Twilight behind.
“What was that all about?” Spike called down from upstairs.
The lavender unicorn shook her head and closed the front door, “I have no idea.” she said as she brought her tea cup to her lips. Before she took a sip of the thick brown liquid she noticed a single slip of paper on the front desk, one of the few papers that wasn’t on the floor. Why she cared she wasn’t sure. She levitated the slip over to herself and read it. On it was a hastily written request for a library card made out to a Winchester and something she couldn’t read. “Well, at least he didn’t steal those books.....hopefully.” Twilight said to herself as she sipped the tea. Every hair on her body stuck straight out and she gagged, the tea Winchester made had so much sugar in it, it was enough to make a pony sick. “Better not let Pinkie have any of this. She would explode.” The now very tired Twilight walked into her kitchen and poured out the tea, as Spike joined her and leaned with his cheek on the cabinet next to her.
“We don’t have to clean all this up now do we?” The baby dragon asked with a hint of tiredness and concern.
Twilight shook her head, saying “Not right now, it can wait.” as the two returned to the bedroom. Twilight looked around as she spoke, “I don’t remember having that much parchment yesterday.” noting that the whole first floor was covered with torn paper. “And where is Owlicious?” She shrugged as she climbed into her bed and pulled the covers up to her cheek and tried to go back to sleep.

* * *

The sun continued to rise over the town of Ponyville. Right on time the sun shown through Twilight Sparkle's window gently waking the sleeping unicorn. She sat up with a yawn thinking the encounter with the rude stallion had been a dream. From the sounds down stairs however, it must have not been. The unicorn climbed out of bed and gave her mane and tail a quick brushing. She giggled as she heard Spike yelling about paper somehow being in the cabinets, although Twilight did frown on the language he started to use as his anger grew. She would have to have a talk with him about that.
With her mane and tail in a manageable but not quite a presentable state the young unicorn made her way down stairs for breakfast. After they ate, she and Spike started to clean up the mess. Twilight put the books on their proper shelves while her number one assistant gathered up the scarps of paper, the dragon had the harder of the two jobs.
Owlicious sat on his perch next to Twilight's writing desk fast asleep. Twilight hummed to herself as she placed a few of the books on the shelves nearby, she accidentally bumped the birds perch with her flank. The brass stand wobbled a little, but it would take much more then a little bump to topple it. The unicorn looked up at her owl and said. “Oh so there you are.” She paused and looked a little closer at him, that bump should have woken up the owl but he barely ruffled his feathers. “Must be tired.” She remarked as she looked from her owl pet to the desk and she noticed that her parchment bin was full. “Huh?” Twilight said, surprised to see that it wasn't empty after all that had happened.
The lavender pony looked at the parchment she had seen it some where before, it took a few seconds before it dawned on her. This was the same brand that Celestia used, high quality paper with gold leaf borders, there was only one store she knew of that sold it and that was in Canterlot. Twilight found the store receipt on the desk and chuckled softly seeing the price 8 bits a scroll, and there was at least 20 scrolls of parchment. “Must be his way of apologizing.” The mare shrugged and went back to cleaning her "Home”. She found more receipts used as book marks or just in between books, all of them were from the Ponyville all night convenience store.
Twilight and Spike finished cleaning up around lunch time. Their progress was hindered by the library actually having customers, two in fact. First Cheerilee came by needing a book for that day's lesson. The book in question was of course at the bottom of one of the unruly stacks of books. The second was the mayor, she needed to review some old town records. Luckily her request was much easier to accommodate, the town records was the only section that hadn’t been touched as of recently.
Finally with the library clean, Twilight had Spike ready a bath for her. He completed her request in no time and hoped on the couch for a nap. As the lavender pony prepared to slide into the bath, the town alarm siren started to blare out side. “Oh no...What could that be?” Twilight immediately hurried herself outside of the library, and looked up expecting to see a dragon or some other type of monster flying over Ponyville. However, the blue sky was filled with nothing but a few clouds.
“Huh?” the unicorn questioned looking around, aware that the sirens were still going so there must be something going on. She heard the screaming and panicking of ponies of all types running away from Mane Street, so that must have been where the danger was. A cart then flew by over head, and crashed to the ground a dozen feet away proving that theory.
Twilight ran as fast as she could to see if she could assist, a fairly hard feat with all the ponies running for their lives the opposite detection of her destination. The unicorn finally saw what it was all about, a massive monster made of rocks was walking down the street smashing carts and buildings alike. The multitude of boulders that made up its body shifted like muscles with its movements. It stopped to try and swat at a few pegasi away with its long arms. Rainbow Dash was among them shouting insults at it to keep its attention on her while the other pegasi kicked it. The ponies' kicks hurt themselves more than the towering monster.
“It's a rock golem!” Twilight yelled to them. “You have to destroy the core!”
“And just what is the core?!” Rainbow yelled back desperation growing in her voice, in a mulch-colored blur the pegasus joined her friend.
“It's what holds the...OH BUCK!” Twilight's explanation was cut off seeing an annoying familiar blue stallion walking across the street with his nose stuck in a book and a note pad floating behind him. “RAINBOW!”
“On it!” The blue pegasus said as she took off toward the stallion.
He may have not noticed that rock golem, but it saw him and raised its arm to smash the pony. The pegasi panicked and tried to get its attention back on them, but to no avail. The unicorn stallion's ear twitched as if counting. Within mere moments before the golem had crushed the unicorn, a rainbow colored streak sped by as the golem's fist slammed into the ground with earth shaking might. The stallion was gone, leaving only the book he had been reading as well as his notes smothered in a shallow crater.
Winchester, the pony that had been rescued looked up at the rainbow maned mare, as she carried him to a safe place on the other side of town. “You fool! Do you know what you've done?” he said seemingly oblivious to the danger he had been in mere seconds before.
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash shot back, “I saved you life and don’t-” she dropped the unkempt stallion on his flanks. “-give me that 'You ruined my work crap'!” The blue pegasus turned around grumbling about stupid eggheads and was gone in flash leaving the angry stallion behind.
Twilight sighed in relief, she didn’t want to see anypony hurt. Her relief soon turned to horror as the golem turned to the building next it and with a single swipe of its long arm the upper structure of the house burst into a dusty shower of debris, revealing a few ponies huddled in the rubble. The golem turned and brought up its other fist ready to destroy the ponies like it had their hiding place.
Twilight's horn glowed as she reached out with her magic to grab the rock golem's arms. Purple energy slowly encased the beast as its fist shot forward Twilight shut her eyes encase she wasn’t fast enough. The mare heard a thud, a masculine grunt, and panicked voices, but no sickening crunch. Twilight opened her eyes to see she had almost been to late. The largest stallion in the group had tossed the others aside just in time, but had taken the brunt of the golem's fist full in the side just as Twilight had forced the beast to stop moving, the stallion would make a full recovery with some magical therapy.
The golem struggled in its magical bonds. “Twilight toss it up here!” the straining unicorn heard Rainbow Dash call from above. Twilight clinched her teeth and growled as she pulled more power from her vast ocean of magic. She had to be careful, her body could only take so much power flowing through it at one time. The rock golem lifted up in the air slowly gaining speed as it rose above the buildings. Sparks jumped from her horn as she forced the rocks higher. The unicorns coat shimmered as her magic flowed through her. Twilight felt as if she were about to be torn apart by her own power.
“Now!” Rainbow Dash yelled to a few pegasi around her, they followed her as she flew around the golem in a fast tight circle. Many ponies watched worried as they hid while half a dozen winged ponies formed a tornado around the golem. Twilight released her hold on the golem and let the pegasi do their part while the she prepared for the next step, the lavender pony's horned started to glow again. A good thing about having as much magic within her as Twilight did was that she never really run out, even if it was always trying to tear her mind and body to pieces.
The golem was now a ball of boulders spinning in the air above Ponyville. Rainbow Dash pulled away from the ball of spinning boulders and called for the others to do the same. The tornado slowly dissipated as gravity took over again pulling the rock golem toward the earth. Before the rocks fell more then ten feet a blast of magic sent them hurtling to the farthest outskirts of town. Twilight panted, controlling that much magic was overwhelmingly tiring. She barely heard the cheers and praise as sweat dripped off her face, while her coat shimmered with residual magic.
Soon recovery began as the wounded were carried off to the hospital, luckily no lives were lost but there were some serious injures and a considerable amount of damage to the town. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and the others that had fought the golem were glad to hear about lack of a death toll. The lavender unicorn slipped away as questions started to come in from reporters, she needed to rest so she left Rainbow to take the praise. Something the light blue pegasus was all to happy to do, however she did make it a point that she couldn’t have done it with out the help of everyone in the group.
Finally back at the library Twilight's heavy eyelids drooped as she entered the main room. Spike was still asleep on the couch. She smiled as she said “Spike could sleep through anything.”, and the unicorn then returned to her now cold bath. Fortunately a simple heat water spell corrected that problem. she slipped into the warm water and relaxed with a relieved sigh. Sadly for Twilight Sparkle relaxing wasn’t on fates agenda for her today. Almost as soon as the lavender pony got comfortable in the tub she heard the tell tale sound of a letter from the princess being delivered through one of Spike's fiery burps.
“Twilight, letter!” Spike called to her.
“I'm in the tub.” the unicorn replied praying to her mentor it was just an invention to the gala or some other special event that was at least more then a day away.
Spike poked his head in the bathroom and said, “Your still in there. Don’t you think you've been in long enough?” as he held out the letter.
“Not as long as you think.” She replied while levitating the scroll over to her. She unrolled it and started to read.

Dear Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student.

I am sure that you remember when you freed my my sister Luna from the grips of the dark persona, Nightmare Moon. That day was a great day indeed, however we, or I should say I made a mistake and left the remains of her armor in the ruins. The armor was so full of hate and jealousy that I thought that no pony would dare to even touch it. I was regrettably mistaken.
Yet, I was able deal with the problem without needing to call on you and your friends. Alas due to a failure of those I sent the armor to, it was lost and broken into many pieces. You need not worry about finding most of them as my Knights are on constant vigil to find them. Sadly as loyal and useful as they are, they are still small in number so I must ask you as my student and bearer of magic along with the other element bearers to retrieve a shard that is located in your area. The scouts that located the shard should be arriving at the mayors office soon with the information you will need.
I have the utmost faith that with the their help, you and your friends will be able to complete this task with little difficulty.

Your princess,
Celestia.

Twilight was confused about why the princess would have kept this a secret from her. However, the lavender pony knew she must have her reasons, Twilight wasn’t her only means to accomplishing a task. The unicorn took a moment to think then decided she should just finish her bath as quickly as she could. About twenty minutes later she was on her way to the mayors office with Spike on her back and wet hair, but at least she was clean and presentable.
The town hall wasn’t that far from the library. The other element bearers were there waiting in the mayors office along with two Pegasus stallions, they were military types with short manes and tails with gruff grim faces. Upon her arrival, the mayor looked towards her and said with a bit of relief. “Oh there she is. Twilight, I didn’t expect you to keep us waiting.”
“Sorry.” The lavender unicorn said blushing, she really did hate to make ponies wait. However since a certain incident that she and her friends don’t really talk about she had made a big effort to not get so worked up over dead lines. Her friends greeted her and they got down to business.
The older of the two pegasus scouts cleared his throat and began. “I believe we all know why we are here.”
Rarity raised a hoof to ask a question. “Excuse me sir, I must ask why are these pieces of armor are so dangerous?”
“Yeah. How's something that's just full of hate and stuff a problem?” Rainbow Dash asked as she leaned on the wall.
“They grant anypony that possess them the same power although at best a small fraction of Nightmare Moon's power.”
“Ah hay that ain’t good.” Applejack stated, but she was confident that she and the others could handle whatever was going to be sent their way. They dealt with the real thing after all.
“So, let me get this straight.” Pinkie pie said from her seat on the floor in front of the scouts, “So if some meanie gets their hooves of one of these thingies they become a really big angry meanie pants with all kinds of powers?” The scouts nodded.
“Oh my...” Fluttershy said hiding behind her long pink mane afraid just thinking about the idea. The scouts looked and each other and shook their heads disapprovingly, the mares had no idea what they were thinking.
“Oh, so this is the mayors office.” a voice came from the doorway. Twilight and the others looked to see a blue unicorn stallion looking into the room with wide eyed approval, it was Winchester again.
The mayor cleared her throat and inquired, “Can we help you?”
“Oh yes.” He said as he stepped into the mayors office. His wavy brown mane and tail looked like it had at least had a brush run through it unlike earlier that day. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy noticed how the scouts had gone rigid as if an officer had walked into the room. “I couldn’t help but overhear what the two soldiers over there were telling you about.” the stallion said walking over to the mayors desk, he looked at the map that was spread out over it with an old abandoned castle marked upon it. “...and I couldn’t help but think somepony like me would be more suited for such a task.”
“What the hay is this guy going on about?...” Rainbow whispered to Applejack. The country mare merely shrugged and watched wanting to see how this newcomer explained himself.
“Well, I don’t know.” The mayor said eying the stallion.
“Oh, if you don’t believe me you should just ask those two.” He said nodding to the scouts.
The mayor looked at the scouts who replied without her word “Yes, well suited.” one said while the other added “Not a better pony for the job.” The newcomer hid his smile.
“Anyway.” the blue stallion continued, “Lets get this started. Your report.” he ordered.
The first scout snapped to attention and spoke. “Three shards are in the possession of a the dooms day cult know as the Herd of the Night.”
“Stupid name.” Winchester commented, Applejack and Rainbow Dash agreed while Twilight just listened, they were all sure that the mayor would send them on this mission. Fluttershy secretly hoped she wouldn’t have to go.
“They are holed up in the old ruins marked on the map.” The scout continued.
“I see.” Winchester said looking at the two stallions “Breeds?”
“Mostly unicorns, but there are a few pegasi and earth ponies.”
“Armament?”
“Normal militia affair. Hoof bows, swords and spears.” The younger of the scouts answered.
Winchester nodded as he thought about it till he asked. “Who is in possession of the shards?”
“The leader of the cult holds two of the shards while his second in command has the third.” The older of the scouts replied.
“Very well. I will have this task completed by tomorrow night.” The unicorn said before turning to the scouts, “You two may report to your captain.” The scouts saluted and hurried out the door. The mayor and the younger mares blinked confused. What gave this new stallion the authority to order the scouts around like that?
Winchester started to pick the map up with his magic only to have the mayor hold it down with her hooves and saying, “Hey now, you may think your the best pony, but I think it would be better if you simply escorted the element bearers to the castle and help them get those shards back from this cult. They were asked by the princess herself after all.” Rainbow Dash and Applejack began to protest the idea of taking the stallion along, but Twilight and Rarity shushed the pair. Twilight had a plan. Pinkie started to bob back and forth having sat still for too long.
“Of course, my intent was to spare these fare mares from having to partake the hardships of the road.” Winchester smiled and bowed, “However my duly elected lordship your orders for me are the same our great princesses.” the mayor was flattered that he bowed to her.
“Very well.” Winchester addressed the none too happy element bearers. “We shall meet on the south road out of town in two hours.” he trotted out the room without waiting for a reply. Nopony saw how disappointed he was.
Twilight sighed and looked at the map. “We may need to take a cart, it's a fairly long way and I’m not sure we can carry enough supplies for everypony.”
“S'pecially the way Rarity packs.” Applejack said, the mares chuckled except for the white unicorn who merely turned her head she would not even bothering to dignify the joke with a response. “Well, if we're taking a cart we don’t want it to get stuck.” The country mare said looking to Twilight for the plans on this adventure.
The lavender pony nodded, “Yes. what do you have in mind?”
“My brother.”
“Yes...” Fluttershy said under her breath.
“Bless you.” Pinkie Pie said thinking that Fluttershy had sneezed.
“Oh, um...Thank you Pinkie.” Fluttershy replied, as she tried to ignore the butterflies in her belly.

* * *

Almost two hours had passed since the girls had gotten their orders from the mayor. Their original plan was to grab Big Macintosh load up the cart and get out on the road without Winchester. Rarity had seen to the near failure of that plan taking nearly an hour to pack her own bags, then spent another half to argue why she needed to take each and everything with her; Only to loose that argument and leave her luggage in the apple family barn.
Luckily they had still achieved their goal and were galloping out of town with out being seen by the bothersome blue unicorn stallion. As they galloped out of town, through the rolling green hills on the outskirts of the south side of town they saw scattered white boulders that had not been there before. The scattered boulders many of which were on the road, slowed them all to a trot or a hop in Pinkie's case. Rainbow Dash and Twilight found the boulders familiar.
“This must be were the rock golem landed...” the lavender unicorn said examining one of the boulders as she trotted by. She thought that traveling at the speed they had been the boulders would have dug much farther into the ground then they did. She couldn’t help but wonder why they were all just laying on the ground like they had rolled there and why there were wholes in the ground on the hill next to the one they were on.
Pinkie pie lead the way through the boulders hopping along with hyperactive glee. She hopped around one boulder and paused to say “Hi!” to a large pony wearing a dark red traveling cloak. The stallion was taking notes on a note pad that floated above his head as he examined two halves of a red hoof sized rock on the ground before him.
Applejack was the next to round the boulder she stomped the ground saying “Ah hay, how'd you get here?”
Winchester looked up with his reading glasses on his nose “Greetings, your right on time.” he said as the rest of the annoyed group rounded the boulder. “Oh good, you brought someone to carry the load.” Seeing Big Macintosh and giving him a nod. Twilight stared at the blue unicorn after she checked the watch in her mane, it was almost exactly two hours after he had left the mayors office. The lavender unicorn didn’t know how to react to what had happened.
Winchester levitated a very large bag with something almost twice as long as him at the bottom onto the cart. Applejack raised an eyebrow “What the hay is all that?”
“oh just books, paper and all the writing utilizes I need if inspiration strikes me.” the blue unicorn said, “Don’t worry. It's not as heavy as you may think.” Big mac tested the cart and nodded it indeed was easy to roll the cart back and forth. “A good writer must always have a means to write, lost inspiration leads to poor stories.”
“You're a writer?” Rainbow Dash asked as the group started again. Winchester joined Big Mac in the back of the group. Fluttershy seemed to be a little sad as she flew slowly beside the bouncing Pinkie Pie.
“Yes I am.” Winchester said nodding politely “And one of some renowned if I do say so myself.”
“Write anything good?” Rainbow Dash asked flying back words to look at him as they talked.
Winchester flinched as if punched by the mare with her words before he said “The Adventures of Artex.”
“Never heard of it.” Rainbow Dash said turning around and flew higher to look around.
“Don’t worry about her. She doesn’t read anything but Darning Do.” Twilight said with a smirk, glad to know why the pony had barged into her library.
“Oh.” Winchester said nodding “I met Daring-I mean, A.K. Yearling the mare who wrights Daring Doo.” the stallion grinned hiding what he knew about the mare.
“REALLY?!” Rainbow Dash questioned suddenly flying in front of him again, her snout no more then an inch from his. Winchester was startled by her sudden appearance and merely nodded. “Did you get her autograph?” Her voice getting higher as she spoke.
Winchester stared at the pegasus confused and said “She's a college of mine. Why would I want her autograph?”
“Duh! She writes Darning Doo only like the best book ever.” the sky blue pony said, with a single hard flap of her wings Rainbow Dash flew up into the air and glided down to join her friends in front of the two stallions.
Winchester sighed wearily, and turned to the imposing pony next to him. “Hey, uh...”
“Big Macintosh.” the red stallion answered without looking at him.
“Big Macintosh.” the blue stallion repeated, “You got anything to drink in the cart.”
“Water.”
“No no I mean...” Winchester let Big Macintosh form his own conclusion.
“Eeyup.” Mac replied. “But it ain’t....” the work horse warning was cut off by the unicorn jumping half-way into the cart, his hind legs walking sideways as he searched through the supplies. “It's the small barrel next to the water jugs.” Macintosh explained hoping to end the awkward situation quickly. Half of the cart's contents floated above it when the writer finally found what he was looking for. The blue unicorn hopped out of the cart and everything he had removed returned to its place, save for a small hoof sized barrel and two glasses. Winchester quickly filled both glasses and levitated one over to Big Macintosh's face before placing the barrel back into the cart. Not one to be rude, Big Mac took the glass from his magical grasp.
“To a more bearable road.” the unicorn said as he downed the glass of apple based spirits. Big mac did the same with grimace, the unicorn didn’t fare as well as the earth pony. “Oh, uh woo...That stuffs got some kick.” he looked at his glass.
“Tried to warn ya.” the county colt said as the glasses floated into the cart.
“Yeah.” Winchester said trying to blink away his case of double vision. The mares giggled hearing that their irksome companion was brought down a peg.
Celestia's sun made its way across the sky and a cooling breeze followed the group as they trotted along the road to the mountain range that was their destination. They was only a few miles away from the forest that ringed the mountain range when they stopped for a late midday meal. Rarity smiled as she looked around and sipped her tea. “Oh isn’t this just so peaceful?” Normally she would have been complaining about having to lay on the ground or being tired from walking for so long, however the beauty of the area was just too much for her to spoil the mood.
“Yeah.” Applejack said “Equestria really is the most peaceful country in the whole world.” the others agreed except for Winchester who stifled a laugh as he sketched the land scape. “What ya find so funny?” Applejack ask.
“Yeah Applejack's right. Equestria has been the most peaceful country in world history.” Twilight added, she grew even more annoyed as the blue stallion tried not to laugh. “for like the past thousedyears.”
That was the final straw. The blue stallion laughed the short laugh of someone who knows more about what's going on then everypony else. Winchester quickly regained his composure and looked at the seven somewhat angry and confused faces that looked back at him. “What you say is true,” He said only confusing them all more, “but that is not why I'm laughing.”
“Then what is it?” Rainbow Dash said laying on a cloud she had brought down close to the ground.
“Oh just that none of you know how our great country maintains it's peace.” Winchester explained. “How much blood is split, how many heads roll, and how many are sent to the darkness of stone dungeons...All at the behest of the princesses of the sun and moon in the name of peace and safety for those they rule.” The blue unicorn seemed to speak favorably toward the horrid things he accused the princesses of.
“Princess Celestia is a fair ruler she would never do such things like have ponies killed.” Twilight's confidence faded as she spoke remembering how many times she and her friends feared banishment for something they had done.
“I never said she did it unfairly.” Winchester replied, “I merely said it happens.” He paused thinking of a better way to explain it. “When you were fillies did your parents spank you or ground you when you did something bad?”
They all nodded thinking far back in their memories “Some more then others.” Applejack said looking up at Rainbow Dash who merely snorted in reply.
“Did you ever think that they hated you when they did it?” the stallion said in a very serious tone, “They loved you just as Celestia does everypony under her rule. And just like a mother she must punish them when they're bad.” The writer sighed before continued. “Sadly, when a pony does something that Celestia must be their judge a paddling wont do, so a noose or the gallows must be used instead to teach the other ponies that what was done was wrong.”
The blue stallion seem to make sense but at the same time the mares and even Big Macintosh were offended as their image of their loving and fair ruler was stained with thoughts of blood. “The same is true for the affairs with other countries such as the Gryphon Empire or the Antelope League. When they do something that can be seen as a threat to our peace we must show them that we will not stand for it and punish them as well. But that is a discussion for an other time.”
The stallion looked at each of them his eyes boring into each of them. “Now I must ask you what will happen when we bring this cult to justice? Do you have the stomach to bring these foolish foals to punishment at the hooves of our Princess of the sun.”
Fluttershy eeped afraid of having to take part in something scary, while Pinkie Pie was just plan confused by the whole thing. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were looking at the ground asking themselves that same question Big Macintosh knew his answer already. Rarity was disgusted at the notion that a lady such as herself would be asked to do something so horrible.
Only Twilight could answer “We.” Her resolve faltered for a moment “We'll just use the elements of harmony on them and everything will be okay.” She stood and looked at her friends. “Come on. Let's get going.” The mares all nodded thinking it would be better to move on rather then dwell on something so dark.
Winchester sighed as he rejoined the red workhorse in the back of the group, mumbling something about power given to those who didn’t know how to use it. The mares didn’t talk as much as they did earlier till Pinkie did what she does best and lightened the mood. Winchester's words were soon all but forgotten.

* * *

The group arrived at the edge of the forest a few hours before sun down. The mares expected to just continue along the road till night then make camp. However of course their new traveling companion was there to ruin this idea by arguing that they should follow a path that none of them could see.
“That’s a bunch of bushes.” Rainbow Dash said crossing her front legs over her chest looking at the bushes that Winchester was pointing at.
“Um.” Fluttershy said meekly before being cut off by Twilight.
“And besides this is the only road that leads to the mountain.” the well-read pony said.
“Exactly.” Winchester said as if she just made his point.
“Uh there-” Fluttershy again started to say but this time was cut off by Applejack.
“Didn’t ya just hear Twilight there’s no other path.”
“Besides, the road here will be easier on Big Macintosh and the cart, not to mention us.” Rarity said not wanting to have to push her way through trees and underbrush that would most likely ruin her fabulous mane and coat.
“It's also easier to watch.” Winchester said, obviously agitated, “Which the Herd of the Night ponies will most certainly be doing. Besides.” Winchester said bending a bush back revealing a beaten down path “This game trail is big enough for the cart.”
“Yes, but wolves hunt on game trails.” Fluttershy said hiding behind her large pink mane, she didn’t expect to be heard.
“Silly, wolves don’t eat ponies!” Pinkie interjected cheerfully while looking at her shy friend.
Both Twilight and Winchester opened their mouths to disagree but decided to just let the younger pony believe what she wanted. “Anyway...” Winchester said almost condescendingly, “Despite this path being a little slower it heads delicately to the mountain, instead of heading a half of a days walk in the wrong detection. The scouts marked it on the map in light green by the way.”
Twilight and her friends glared at the blue stallion as she check the map. Twilight was astonished that he was right. “Well, um, okay.” The lavender unicorn really wasn’t sure what to say as Winchester held the bush to the side allowing the mares to pass with ease. He did however stop Big Macintosh and started to scrounge around in the cart again.
“What the hay are you doing?” the red workhorse said when he was pulled to a stop.
Winchester found what he was looking for and let him pass saying “If I’m going to get these fillies to go home and leave this to me. I have to get a little more..... belligerent.” The hoof sized barrel of apple sprites floated in front of him as he tried to pry off the top.
“Why?” Big Macintosh asked as he picked his way through the rough path.
With a loud creaking pop the top of the barrel came off “Because.” was all Winchester said and started to drink the burning liquor in large gulps. Big Mac stared wide eyed at the act in front of him, he had only seen one pony do that and that was his uncle Cinder.
Once the writer had finished the barrel he tossed it aside and cooled his tongue with a string of colorful curses. Fluttershy blushed badly, while Rainbow Dash chuckled. “He sounds like you when you get into that stuff.” The light blue pegasus said as she playfully nudged Applejack.
“I don’t sound nothin' like that city slicker.” The country mare replied offended at being compared to Winchester. “I’m a hard drinkin' an' hard workin' apple farmer.” The other mares giggled as they continued along their new path.
The alcohol quickly got to Winchester, he started to laugh and slur his words as he tried to tell stories about adventurers he or some pony named Artex had, it wasn’t hard tell that the writer was confusing himself with a character in his book. No pony seemed to care other then Pinkie Pie. He would normally get halfway through a half remembered story before starting another one or getting distracted by something in the trees and leave the trail.
As luna's moon replaced Celestia's sun in the sky the air grew colder. The group found a large clearing that would make a nice campsite. However the Winchester hadn’t returned yet from his last venture off the trail. “Maybe we should go look for him.” Twilight said as she looked around only mildly concerned the stallion was gone.
“Nope.” Rainbow dash said as she watched the drunk stallion jump into the clearing with a goofy smile on his face.
“That works.” Twilight said glad they didn’t have to go wandering around the forest in the dark. She set the map down on the ground and waited for Applejack to finish making a fire before she really tried to examine it. The mares gathered around the map to discuss where they were and what their next move would be, while Big Macintosh started to unload their dinner. Winchester stood watching the mares not too far behind Twilight, his quill writing in his note pad.
Applejack noticed the stallion out of the corner of her eye, it wasn’t hard to follow his eye's to where he was looking. “Uh, Twi.” The country mare said. The unicorn looked up at her friend and then to what her earth pony friend nodded to.
Twilight Sparkle eeped and turned around yelling. “Just what the hay do you think your doing?!”
Winchester blinked and looked at her as if she should already know. “I’m making notes of that fine rear of yours.” The alcohol had long since destroyed his ability to make excuses so he didn’t even try to hide it like stallions tend to do.
Twilight shook as she said “And just what makes you think that’s okay?”
The drunken writer sighed, letting his note pad and quill float back to their places under his cloak. “You know what I’ve never understood.” He said somehow without slurring. “You mares spend so much time primping and preening to look good, then get mad when you see us looking.”
Applejack held Rainbow Dash back from trying to beat up the drunk up “Come on! No one will know.” Rainbow Dash growled, Applejack agreed with her rainbow maned friend and couldn’t really justify why she was stopping her.
“Besides, you caught a drunk drunkenly looking so you really can’t blame me.” He leaned in closer to Twilight who back away both from the smell and not wanting to be close to the pervert. “The one you should get mad at is your big red friend there.” He nodded to Big Macintosh who wasn't even paying attention.
“What?” Twilight replied.
“Why? Mah brother ain’t done nothin'.” Applejack said letting go of Rainbow Dash's tail sending her flying into the tree tops. Big Macintosh froze somehow feeling that something bad was going to happen.
“Well, why do you think he stayed in the back of the group?” Winchester chuckled as the mares slowly turned to look at the work horse then back at the writer. “Generosity sure is generous with the view.” He playfully teased in a sing-song voice, soon laughing again as Rarity blushed bright red. “Now. If you may excuse me I’ll be over there asking that bush for forgiveness.”

Author's Note

big thanks to Legacy0117 for becomeing my editor your awsome dude

Vacation

It was a few hours after midnight the Apple family was fast asleep. That was till Applejack awoke to the sound of something bouncing off her window with a ping just loud enough to wake her up. She sat up her blond hair hung in her face and stuck up in half a dozen direction, she groaned as she slid her stiff limbs out of bed. Again something pinged off of the window, Applejack was just awake enough to see that it was a small rock. “what in tarnation.”
the tired mare stumbled over to the window. She bumped into the her dresser and almost tripped face first into the window. she fumbled with the lock before opening her the window, she half expected to get hit in the head with a rock. Applejack looked down to the yard below to see a young colt looking up at her with wide fearful eyes “your not Applebloom.”
“no ah'm not.” Applejack deadpanned. “shes two windows to my right, but if Ah were you Ah would hurry home before ah got my hide tanned by an angry older sister who was just woken up at 2:30 In ta morning.” there was nothing sweet about the smile Applejack gave terrified colt.
“okay.”
“good boy.” Applejack said nodding approvingly as he scurry away. The orange mare yawned but a flutter of wings and a eep drew her attention to the sky. She just barely caught a glimpse of a pegasus with a long mane and tail silhouetted against the moon. Applejack just shrugged and sighed, out of the corner of her eye she caught movement in her front yard. On closer examination she saw it was a stallion's about her age.
“let me guess. you have some poem about your undieing love for me?” Applejack called down to the third intruder of the night.
“um no.” the Stallion replied, Applejack felt a pang of guilt and disappointment. “just a special delivery.”
“oh well just slip it in the slot.” Applejack ordered “but don’t you think its kind of early for a delivery.”
“got a lot to deliver ma'am.” the annoyed delivery colt replied.
“oh well then I wont keep ya.” Applejack replied as she turned around and slipped back in bed.
The mail stallion debated on weather or not to drop off the letter. He finally shrugged and slip the letter into the mail slot.
* * *
Twilight yawned as she trotted down stairs late that morning, the librarian and her assistant would open the library soon. Said assistant sat at the kitchen table eating a bowl of cereal he wasn’t alone down there, Winchester was siting at the library table reading. he normally made a early morning visit to the library although he normally didn’t stay this late. After greeting the boys Twilight trotted into the kitchen and asked “hey Spike whats for breakfast?”
the dragon swallowed his mouthful of cereal and said “this.” as he held up a cereal box.
Twilight looked at the box and read the name “Elements Of Harmony.” she wasn’t sure if she should have been disgusted or flattered. On the front of the box had a drawing of her and her friends all wearing their respective elements facing some unseen villain.
“its really good.” Spike said with a mouth full. Twilight still didn’t know how to feel.
“i would say at least your not a trading card buuut look at the back of the box.” Winchester said knowing full well how it felt when something like this happened to you, at least he liked his cards effect.
“what?” Twilight took the box from Spike and turned it over. On the back was an advertisement for the new Bearers of Harmony cards for the Mystic trading card game, one of which was free in each box. “okay well that’s weird.” she thought for a moment “well I try a bite.”
Spike smiled and got a spoon full for her. Twilight Sparkle felt strange as she looked at her friends cutie marks in marshmallow form. The mare leaned in closer and opened her mouth. Spike let her take the bite. Just as Twilight had expected the marshmallows were pure sugar and the crunchy oat cereal was glazed with more sugar. In a word delicious.
“see told you it was good.” Spike said with a smile “specially if you add rubies.”
just as Twilight realized what the dragon said she bit down on something hard. The mare glared at her assistant as she swallowed her mouthful of cereal and pulled a small red gem form her mouth. “SPIKE.” she scolded. “you know ponies can't eat gem stone.” she used her tongue to check her teeth “i think I chipped a tooth.”
“sorry but your loss.” Spike replied before his tongue shot out and snatched the ruby out of the air. He crunched the ruby with a satisfied grin.
“SPIKE! GROSS.” Twilight said rearing up and backing away from the dragon. Spike just shrugged. “I lost my appetite.” she turned to the tea kettle, like always now it had a fresh batch of tea. Winchester was making Twilight's morning tea now, Although he did need to be told to do so a couple of times before he started doing so on a regular basis. “dragons are gross.” Twilight said as she poured herself some tea.
“yes.” Winchester replied and floated his empty tea cup over to the mare.
“at least there cute, sometimes.” Twilight said as she poured both herself and Winchester some tea.
“Cute is not the word I would use for any of the ones I’ve met.” Winchester replied as he took his cup back. He ignored Spike's protest.
“if you say so.” Twilight said as she looked to her mail neatly stacked on the desk. The mare sipped her tea as the letters floated by her. Most were miscellaneous work related forms. Twilight smiled seeing a letter from her parents she set that aside to read later. Next was her monthly allowance from Canterlot. She tossed the envelop on in her saddle bag planing on cashing the rather large check while she was out that day.
Most ponies around her age would have been thrilled to have the pay check she just haphazardly tossed aside. Rainbow Dash for example, before becoming the supervisor on Day shift of the weather patrol she would have to go with out food to pay her bills from time to time. However if the Wonderbolts had a show she wanted to go to she may give up a meal or two. Applejack worked her hooves to the bone along side of Big Mac to keep their farm running and most of their money went right back into it, leaving little for them to spend on themselves. Luckily they don’t want much more then to eat out once in a while but normally they just saved up for the family vacation. Most of Fluttershy's savings came from her inheritance from her grandfather. He had also paid for her cottage when the shy pegasus moved to Ponyville. Her normal income however came from pet siting, training and grooming, but that was fairly low income work. Most of Pinkie Pie's pay check the Cake's kept for room and bored. The Cake's themselves didn’t think that family should have to pay to live with family but Pinkie Pie disagreed, she thought the Cake's needed the money more the she did. Rarity was the only other well off pony in the group. But that was from nearly ten years of building her business starting back in middle school.
Twilight Sparkle continued to go through her mail till the last letter in the stack caught her eye for the wrong reasons. She read the front of the envelop aloud “Congratulations citizen of Ponyville.” the mare's voice dripped sarcasm. Twilight turned to Spike and asked “did you enter some silly box top competition?"
“no.” Spike answered “not this time.”
Twilight eyed the baby dragon as she opened the envelop. She slid the letter out and again read “congratulations citizen of Ponyville.” then sarcastically added “you may have already won ten thousands bits.”
“and all you have to do is buy a life time supply of our over priced product.” Winchester said looking up from his book.
Twilight giggled and continued to read the letter “Congratulations citizen of Ponyville you and your town have been invited to the grand opening of the Steamy Stones Hot Springs.”
“interesting.” Winchester said siting down his book to listen.
“a train will arrive on Monday all travel expense paid.” Twilight Sparkle looked up “this could be fun. Wonder if its real.”
“well.” Winchester replied rubbing his eyes “we'll find out at lunch today won't we.” he stood and stretched.
“your joining us at lunch?” Twilight asked looking at him from the brochure it was Friday and Twilight and her friends decided to meet for and big group lunch today.
“yeah.” Winchester said picking up the book he was reading “Applejack still owes me a meal.” he smiled as Twilight remembered the reason why they all had to buy the stallion a meal.
“i cant believe that Rainbow Dash bought you dinner before Applejack.” Spike said as he checked out the book Winchester wanted. Both the ponies nodded.
* * *
lunch that day was surprisingly packed. Only Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had not brought somepony to the meal. Twilight of course brought Spike, the baby dragon was a regular guest daring their meals. Pinkie Pie had been tasked with watching the twins for the day. Rarity arrived with Thunderlane's wing draped over her back. The pegasus stallion walked beside her with his head held high. Poor Applejack however had convinced her older brother to join her and her friends for lunch, she needed help keeping an eye on the cutie mark crusaders. Their latest crusade had got them in trouble with the mayor, again. upon realizing she would not only be paying for Big Mac's big stomach and the three fillies that hadn’t quite gotten a grasp on the concept of money she would also have to pay for the knight who could eat like a army, the mare felt her purse getting very light. Luckily after a short discussion between Big Mac, Applejack and Winchester, they decided that Big Mac would pay for himself and the fillies, Applejack would buy Winchester's and her own meal. Winchester learned the true stubbornness of the Apple clan when he tried to the add his two bits to their discussion.
The rather large group of ponies sat around the largest table in the restaurant. Big Macintosh, Winchester, and Thunderlane talked about masculine things like sports and the newest model of cart. They swapped stories they thought were appropriate for their present company. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom more or less welcomed Spike into their ranks as and honorary member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the baby dragon was very happy to be able to join them on their adventures. Pinkie did her best to keep the twins happy and quite while she talked with her friends. The mares' conversion included many things from the latest fashion trends, attractive celebrity ponies to the new race track opening in Trottingham and the latest books coming, soon their talk moved to the morning delivery.
“did anypony else get an invitation to the grand opening of some hot spring resort this morning.” Twilight asked.
“oh yes.” Rarity replied “i thought it would be a simply perfect idea for our three mouth anniversary, don’t your think dear.” Thunderlane slowly turned to look at his mare friend with an eye brow raised most of her friends were giving her a similar look. Rarity sighed “no I’m not really one of those mares, I just thought it would be fun for Thunderlane and I have a romantic vacation.” Thunderlane nodded now liking the idea.
“well if the Cake's go I'll have to go too.” Pinkie said with a smiled, Pumpkin cake whined as she waited for Pinkie to continued to feed her and her brother. “plus vacations are fun.” everypony rolled their eyes expecting that responds from Pinkie.
Applejack perked up as she said “well the Apple family will be joining y’all there. With the Apple family vacation next week and all.” they nodded remembering it was that time of year again.
“woe woe wait a second, the Apple farming robot is going to take a break.” Rainbow Dash commented with a smile.
“yep.”
“well there’s a first time for ever thing.” Rainbow Dash replied with a sly smile.
“well then maybe you'll do some work some day.” Applejack retorted. The mares giggled. “ah bet your going too?”
“you'd win that bet.” Rainbow Dash replied with out missing a beat. “its all the day shift been talking about this morning. so I guess I’ll check it out, I’m not into that fru fru stuff but hey it may be fun.”
“what about the town?” Thunderlane asked.
“hey I'm fast enough to fly all the way back here clear the sky’s and be back in less then five minutes.” the stunt flier said thumping her blue chest with her hoof.
“sure.” Thunderlane said with a grin. He didn’t believe the stories about how fast she was.
“well if you all are going then I’ll go too.” Fluttershy said barely above a whisper, although her eyes were hidden by her mane they never strayed from Big Mac.
“hey” Twilight Sparkle said as realization washed over her “this will be our first real vacation we all take together, this is going to be so fun.” Twilight smiled as she spoke. Spike didn’t say anything he was too busy stuffing his face as he and the crusaders talked about new ideas for getting cutie marks. The lavender mare turned to the stallions particularly the one in the middle and asked “what about you Winchester?”
Winchester slowly looked up from his sweet tea and said “well as an ever vigilant knight, I checked with the mayor's office about these suspicious invitations aaaannnnnd.” the group leaned in curiosity overwhelming the adult ponies “the offer came through all of the normal channels. so of course I'll heading there to enjoy a relaxing vacation as well. Plus I can do research for my book. Ideas can and do come from anywhere.” he chuckled but Twilight suspected that the knight may more on his mind.
“you ain’t going to be doing research on us when we're all wet are ya?” Applejack asked with a smirk. Rarity turned her nose up at the idea, while Fluttershy blushed.
Winchester stared at the country mare with half lidded eyes and a sly grin, as Big Mac and Thunderlane slowly turned to glare at the writer. Their eyes told everypony what they intended to do if his words were not chosen correctly. Winchester merely smirked as he said “I promise that I will not partake in the site of your beauty any more then the appropriate amount of time allotted to me, do to your relationship status.”
Big Mac blinked and looked at Twilight to ask “do ya have any idea what he just said?”
Twilight smirked as she answered “he said yes.”
“only to Rarity.” Winchester said before he was pelted with french fires and a few other side dishes. Lunch drew to a close soon after, every pony need to get ready for a week long vacation.
* * *
When Monday came an express train branded with Steamy Stones Hot Springs logo pulled into the station, most of Ponyville was waiting for it. Nearly the whole town had decided to take up the offer for a free week long vacation. the few residents that remained were a about a third of the police force and a few ponies that had been paid to care for gardens and pets. The train was packed, so packed in fact that many of the pegasi in the train decided to ether ride on top or fly along side it, Rainbow Dash saw flying along side the train as an endurance challenge and she never turned down a challenge.
Thunderlane however didn’t want to leave Rarity cramped in the private cabin that all of the bearers of harmony and their family’s had bought when they bored, although the stallion didn’t mind that she was basically siting in his lap the entire time. Sweetie Bell, Spike and Applebloom decided to slip away to find Scootaloo so the three could go crusading throughout the train. That lasted all of twenty minutes till they were escorted back to the bearers of harmony private cabin by Winchester, he stayed do the damage done to his own private cabin.
The train ride took all day and into the night, so long in fact that Twilight and her friends ran out of conversions and eye spy can only entertain adult ponies for so long. Luckily enough Big Mac had a deck of cards, the ponies quickly put together a game of poker. Penny pots kept the game friendly. Rarity laid back against Thunderlane's chest content with simply relaxing in her colt friend’s lap and give him advice when she saw fit. She looked from Thunderlane's cards to that of the other players. Pinkie Pie was holding up her card to her face one of which was backwards, Rarity sighed they all knew that Pinkie wasn't that stupid she was just wearing out a bad joke. Fluttershy was nervous, but that was normal for her and it made for quite the poker face. Big Macintosh had folded when he first looked at his cards, must have had nothing. Twilight was trying to hide her excitement, despite her reading up on the game she almost had as bad of a poker face as Applejack the worst liar in the world. Although right now the white unicorn couldn’t tell what her apple farming friend was thinking. Spike was concentrating on his cards very hard, just like he did when he had something. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo were whispering into his ears, the three were working together but still losing all their money. Rarity decided that she would help them after this round. Winchester was the only one that had been giving her problems, he just had the same amuse smirk he had each round “Darling” Rarity said sweetly “go ahead and fold.” Thunderlane did as told Fluttershy and Twilight were both disappointed.
Applebloom was looked over her sisters shoulder and said “hey sis is good that you have all those fancy looking ponies in a row?”
“APPLEBLOOM!” Applejack scold. As soon as the words left the Filly's mouth Fluttershy and Twilight immediately folded.
Winchester eyed Applejack with his same amused grin. “coming from anypony else I would call your ploy, but one of the apple clan. Hmmmmm.” he dropped his cards and said “i fold.”
Spike however grinned “i know a bluff when I see one.”
“no you don’t.” Scootaloo said with a raised eye brow.
“you go Spike.” Sweetie Bell cheered from behind the baby dragon.
Spike slid his rather small pile of coins into the pot and said “all in.”
“are you sure you want to call one of the Apple family a liar, sonny?” Granny Smith called from behind the group. Applejack looked almost sorry as she slid her much larger stack of coins into the pot.
“okay what you got?” Spike said as he threw his cards down and said “I’ve got two pair. tens and aces”
“like my little sister said royal flush.” Applejack skillfully slide her cards onto the table the table already had a ten and an ace in Applejack's hoof there was a King, Queen and jack. Spike was dumb struck, Scootaloo laughed while Sweetie Bell patted the dragon on the back. The adult ponies tried not to laugh, except for Winchester. The game continued although Spike had to beg Twilight for some more pennies to get back into the game sadly anything he won would go right back to Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell it was their money he lost.
About an hour after night fall the train pulled into a lavish train station on the side of a mountain and the passengers began slowly filed out. The station was a short walk away form the Steamy Stone Hot Springs resort. The resort was a huge complex of buildings, it looked more like a small city then a hotel. The population of Ponyville could possibly fill maybe one of the dozen of buildings. The white marble walls of the front hall stood out against the dark oak trees of the mountain side forest. A fountain in the center of the complex released a pair of rainbows that bathed the whole resort in a soft calming light. A red carpet had been rolled out for the first official guest. Hundreds of attendance greeted the citizens of Ponyville. it wasn’t hard to notice that the attendance were an attractive bunch. Ranging from classically beautiful mares to the strong jawed muscular stallions and every type in between. Everypony had some eye candy just for them.
Rarity's eyes almost burst into flames as she watched a very attractive mare all but presented her rump to Thunderlane as she told the stallion about the room options. “Sorry darling but he's with me.” Rarity said with a falsely sweet smile. The white unicorn pulled her coltfriend over to hear the same options from the handsome stallion that had approached her. A shutter ran down Thunderlane's spine, the way Rarity was squeezing his fore leg was starting to scare him.
Winchester quickly lost interests in the tiny blond mare that had approached him in favored of two other ponies. The first was another stallion about his age chatting with one of the mares that worked for the resort. He was a cream colored earth pony with short black mane and tail, he was leaning on his large suit case. He had a dart for a cutie mark, his left flank had a rather ugly scare across it. He was athletic and a little smaller then the advantage earth pony. The mare was pretty and around Winchester age, her long fur and leathery wings revealed her to be one of the “bat Ponies” from northern Equestria. Supposedly they were one of Discord's creations from the dark ages. Like the other attendant she wore a light green and near skin tight outfit that showed off her hips and revealed her cutie mark to be a black crescent moon with bat wings.
Winchester smiled as he trotted over to the pair and said. “long Sight is that you.”
the cream colored stallion turned and smiled “Winchester what brings you here.” the blue stallion nodded to Twilight and the bearers of harmony. “oh.” Long Sight said with a nod “nice.”
both Winchester and the bat pony mare glared at Long Sight and his lecherous grin, Winchester hoped that he didn’t look like that when he looked at mares. The writer turned to the mare but she cut him off before he could speak “I’m Night Shadow Sir. I was just telling your friend about some of the room upgrades if you like I cou-”
“the free one is fine.” Winchester looked to Long Sight he nodded and the blue stallion nodded in return.
“very well sir.” Night Shadow replied writing something down, she told the pair about the nights events the most important of which was the welcoming banquet.
“will your employer be joining us?” Winchester asked.
“Mister Steamy Stones is an eccentric business pony of considerable years.” Night Shadow said with a smile “although he has the vitality of a pony a fourth his age, and he will most likely be joining you at the banquet.”
“good I always like to meet my host.” Long Sight said with a smile.
“he will be delighted to meet you.” Night Shadow replied. She smiled and gave them their room keys and bowed “if you need me I'll be at the front desk tonight.” turned and trotted away.
Winchester looked around and chuckled as he watched a few bus colts struggle with his bags as Long Sight asked “could you send a few letters for me.”
“of course as long as I'm in the loop.”
“my source are yours.” the athletic earth pony answered.
“cool.” Winchester said with a nod “come on I'll introduce you to the girls.” the two stallions turn and made their way over to the bearers of harmony “so what do you have so far?”
“not much, but we cant get into the inner circle of management so there’s no telling what's going, but you know how I work.” Long Sight replied with a grin.
Winchester sighed “oh of course I do and we'll do it your way this time I guess.”
“yeah we don’t need this place burnt down like the last place, special if there’s nothing going on.” Long Sight chuckled. “like last time.” the too knights laughed together as they made their way to the bearers of harmony.
Twilight and her friends were talking about the coming events of the night. They weren't sure how to feel about a dinner show of the great and powerful Trixie. Winchester joined them with a earth pony they didn’t know.
“hey girls this is an associate of mine.” Winchester said gesturing to his fellow Knight. “Long Sight.”
Applejack greeted Long Sight and shook the stallion's hoof with a big smile, Long Sight looked at his throbbing hoof. Twilight giggled as she introduced herself and told him not to worry the numbness would pass. Fluttershy blushed as the knight bowed and kissed her hoof. Rainbow Dash and Long Sight simply asked each other “whats up.” Pinkie Pie threw her hooves around the stallion like she would an old friend. Rarity introduced herself with her normal grace. Long Sight bowed and said “oh moun sharey.” he took her hoof in his and kissed it, Thunderlane tried not to growl from behind them. Rarity gasped impressed and replied in fluent french. Long Sight was dumbfounded and looked around “okay I really don’t speak french.” the mares giggled and Thunderlane grinned.
“with as much flirting as you do you'd think that you'd be better at it.” Winchester said with a grin.
“shut up.” Long Sight replied.
Winchester and the others laughed as they walked away to find their rooms. Which despite being free they were amazing. High thread count sheets, goose down pillows, and plush carpet. Each even had a full bath and a mini kitchen rivaling that of any hotel.
However as nice as the free rooms were they were nothing compared to the upgrade suites. The honeymoon suite that Rarity and Thunderlane bought was amazing it was about the size of a mid size three room apartment. A short hall way connected the three rooms. A Large down stuffed bed with expensive silk sheets was the center piece of the bedroom. The large bathroom was covered in expensive blue tiles and hard wood trim, and even had a jacuzzi. The Kitchen though small everything you could need and was complete with a well stocked mini bar.
The extravagances of the resort didn’t stop at the rooms, the banquet hall was so big it reviled that of the Canterlot ball in size. The entire town of Ponyville fit with in the room enough space for a small stage in the middle, and it didn’t even feel cramped. Trixie was putting on a rather impressive light and magic display. The fillies and colts couldn’t pull their eyes away from her, most of the adults were enthralled as well. Trixie was loving the attention. Winchester and Long Sight never showed anything more then a passing interest in the mare, the two knights were more interested in their host. Twilight Sparkle asked what they found so interesting about the elderly stallion with a dark orange coat and gray mane and tail, the pair just said they couldn’t remember where they had seen him before.
Twilight and her friends didn’t see anything wrong with the old stallion other then his awkward flirting with the mayor as they sat at the table across from them. They just wanted to enjoy the great food before them. Oranges from the far east, Apples that were most likely bought from one of the apple clan, all of the fresh fruits and vegetables were of the highest quality. far better then most of the citizens of Ponyville had ever eaten. The pasties and other delicacy reviled those that Twilight Sparkle grew up eating with the princess. The refreshments were also of the highest quality, from fine wines to fancy sodas. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie both enjoyed the sweat peach wine a little too much, Pinkie Pie especially. It wasn’t long before Pinkie had to be carried back to the Cake's room. The pink pony was a little bit of a light wait when it came to alcohol. The Cake's would have normally lectured Pinkie about drinking to much, but they decided to let it go they were on a vacation after all.
The next morning started well after sun rise with a fine breakfast in bed for everypony. The food really helped with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy's headaches, as did the messages afterwords. Applejack and her family were not use to waking up so late but they enjoyed the food and after a little fussing mostly from Big Macintosh they let the workers serve them. Although nether Big Mac and Applejack understood why soaking in a pool of mud felt so good. Applejack later admitted to Rarity that she would have to join the white unicorn at the spa after this.
Around noon Twilight and her friends were soaking in a nice little spot in the largest hot spring as they waited for lunch. The hot spring was the size of a large public pool, even though it was split in half with a log wall mares on one side with stallions on the other. Twilight Sparkle was happily reading a book with her hair tied back in a bun. Rarity sat next to her lavender friend with her hair safely tied up and wrapped in a towel, she was sipping from her third glass of wine of the day. Beside her Rainbow Dash was asleep with her chine on the edge of the pool, she was so relaxed that the stunt flier hadn’t noticed when Rarity had put her mane up in pig tails. Applejack laid back with her hat over her face and a sprig of wheat in her mouth. She kept a hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder to keep her from floating away. Fluttershy sat on the other side of Twilight giggling as she watched Pinkie prepare to jump in the water, the yellow pegasus was a little tipsy. She got more then a few looks some of the other mares. She would normally never drink alcohol in excise if any at all, but Cloud Kicker had told her the night before that stallion like drunk mare's. Fluttershy suspected the value of the information but Cloud Kicker was a very popular mare, so she could be right.
Pinkie was having a great deal of trouble relaxing now, her boundless energy had been kept in check all morning. Now after watching the foals play in the small pool near by the Pink pony needed release. She jumped high into the air yelling “WWWWEEEEE!”, she landed in the water hard making a big splash that washed over her friends.
Rainbow Dash jumped comply out off the water yelling but she luckily had the presence of mind to bite her tongue as she glared at Pinkie Pie. Rarity, Applejack and Twilight coughed and yelled “PINKIE PIE!”. Fluttershy was laughing as much as was the pink mare.
Pinkie smiled as she popped out of the water laughing. “Pinkie this isn’t that kind of pool.” Rarity said discarding her ruined wine and pouring herself a new glass of wine. she ignored Rainbow Dash screeching her name.
“but but I want to play.” Pinkie said “can't you hear the guys over there, their having so much fun.” she pointed to the log wall and the cacophony of laughter and splashes.
Twilight looked up from her book, thankfully it had been protected by a simple shield spell. “they do sound like their having fun.” the lavender unicorn said listening to sound of the stallions, Applejack nodded. Rainbow Dash was busy removing her unwanted pig tails.
“Pinkie Pie we are not a bunch of roughhousing colts, we are ladies and should hold ourselves with grace.” Rarity scolded before sipping from her wine.
Pinkie Pie just smiled “Rarity haven’t you ever just let loose and had a wild time at a pool party.”
“i don’t let loose or have a wild time.” Rarity replied.
“well your missing out.” Pinkie Pie said as she began to sing.
“Pinkie don’t.” Rarity said worried, but she couldn’t stop her friend from singing about the merits of a big pool party. Rarity's dead pan “no” was juxtapose to the stallions deep chores. Twilight Sparkle was one of the few that wasn’t helping Pinkie sing, she just continued reading her book as the water got more lively around her. Soon with Pinkies musical couching the stallions and a few of the more athletic mares began breaking down the wall that separated them and the song reached its climax. With in moments the pool was a cacophony of laughter, splashing and joy.
As the stallions and mares began to really have fun a voice called over the crowd “what's going on out here! Whose responsible for this?!” Pinkie froze realizing she may be in trouble. she slowly turned to look at the bat pony worker looking at them all.
Before anypony else could respond Long Sight yelled “Don’t worry baby me and my buddy here will take care of it all.” he gestured to Winchester as the unicorn finished laying the last of the logs in a neat pile.
“your grammar is atrocious.” the blue stallion said with out looking up from his work.
Knight Shadow was dumb struck as Long Sight splashed his way over to her. She shielded her face with her wings as the stallion stopped in front of her with a huge smile. Knight Shadow glared at the earth pony “we- I'M supposed to be working.”
“well, why don’t you take a break.” Long Sight said before he jumped up at pulled the surprised bat pony into the water.
Night Shadow burst out of the water gasping for breath as Long Sight surfaced laughing. The bat pony looked dreadful as she jumped out of the water hacking and coughing, her shaggy coat hung from her body in a most unbecoming way, the professional bun of her mane now hug limply on her neck. The mare stared daggers at the cream colored stallion causing a hush settled over the pool. Till a laugh echoed around them, a genuine laugh from Night Shadow. She shook her self loosening up her coat and releasing her mane. “i guess its break time.” she quickly pulled her wet uniform off, she smiled as a few cat calls came her way. Then with out warning Night Shadow pounced Long Sight.
“its not break time its party time.” Pinkie said with a laugh. She happily jumped in the water splashing a few other ponies.
Soon with some help from Night Shadow the large mineral springs was turned into a true party pool, a make shift bar was set up and so that more then just wine was being served, most of the older ponies decided to take their foals to other actives. Not long after that a turn table appeared with the famous DJ Vinyl Scratch, it was as if she was summoned by a party. She knew just the music to play to get the crowd going.
Rarity sat next to Twilight Sparkle nether of them thought this kind of fun was their thing. Rarity watched a few of the more attractive stallions with only passing interest before she finally found Thunderlane as he trotted over to her. The couples lips met for a brief moment before the stallion leapt into the air over his lover. Rarity closed her eyes and covered her wineglass with her hoof. A few seconds passed with no splash, the white unicorn realized that Thunderlane was using his wings to slowly enter the water so not to splash her. Rarity smiled and when the stallion asked her to join him she quickly drained her wine glass and tossed her head to remove the towel, her damp mane fell around her face just right. Thunderlane found her irresistible as she licked the dark red stain from her lips. she leaned over to kiss Thunderlane again, but a small wave splashed over the couple. The pair glared at the culprits, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Spike and Scootaloo laughed and splashed the two again. The three fillies and baby dragon were no match for the couple's splashy retaliation.
Laughter and joy surrounded Twilight Sparkle, but she was happy to just relax and read in the now fairly turbulent water. That is until she heard somepony calling her name. Twilight looked up to see Rainbow Dash siting on the back of a stallion the lavender mare wasn’t familiar with. “Come on Twilight we need a sixth.” Rainbow Dash yelled. Twilight blinked and looked to her other friends all of them were on the shoulders of stallion's. Applejack sat on Poky Pierce’s shoulders, he would later regretfully refer to her as Ampleflank. Rarity of course sat on Thunderlane’s shoulders like a queen, the pegasus's wings were at full attention. Fluttershy sat happily on Big Macintosh’s wide shoulders, although her mane hid her face it was pretty clear that she was drunk. She would normally never be brave enough to do that. Pinkie was happily siting on Ace's shoulders, the overly muscled Pegasus had his normally over enthusiastic grin.
“um I think I'm good.” Twilight replied a little nervous. As her friends encouraged her to join them a blue shape shot towards her under the water. Twilight's book snapped shut and floated away in a blue glow. “woe hey.” Twilight said as she was lifted up by the same glow and sat on the shapes back. Winchester stood up and looked over his shoulder at her with a big warm smile. “what are you doing.” Twilight asked with her hooves on the back of his neck to help stabilize herself.
“just helping you along.” Winchester replied.
“okay um.” Twilight said less then certainty. “so, what we playing?”
“Volleyball.” Pinkie answered in a gleeful squeal.
Twilight blinked, everypony knew she wasn’t much of a sports fan. However she did like to try new things. She watched as a makeshift net made of towels and sea weed wraps was erected, the lavender mare was tempted to ask how exactly one plays volleyball but she guessed she would pick it up as she played.
Twilight was a little nervous as she watched Pinkie Pie make the first serve, Blossom Forth returned the ball with easy. Rainbow Dash was there just in time to smack the ball high into the air, she and her stallion partner both called out to Twilight and Winchester. The stallion responded quickly but Twilight wasn’t nearly as quick, the ball went right between her hooves and slammed into her face. Twilight was knocked off of Winchester's back. The crowd gasped as did Twilight's friends, Winchester wiped around worried that he may have gotten one of the bearers of harmony hurt. Twilight soon surfaced with her hair hanging over her face. Many asked if she was okay, Winchester leaned closer to the to see if she was injured but she suddenly flashed purple and disappeared.
“Well, now I feel bad.” Winchester said as his mane and fur stood up from the energy discharge. He dunked his head under the water so he wasn’t all frizzy. He stood up before anypony could question what happen Twilight reappeared on Winchester's back her nose in a book and steam wafting from her frizzy mane and tail. Winchester looked over his shoulder his hair was once again standing on end. He asked “you okay?” her friends ask the same. Twilight Sparkle held up her hoof to silence the questions her eyes darted back and forth as she read her book as fast as she could.
While everypony waited Winchester read the title of the book, “One Hundred And One Pool Games.” About a minute passed and Twilight finally said “okay.” the book snapped shut and vanished. “if I’m getting dragged into this game we're, going to win it.” the crowd cheered.
“yes let's show theses hussies how real ladies play.” Rarity replied smiling at the other six mares, Night Shadow snorted and got ready to serve the ball. Cloud Kicker had a delightfully dirty response for Rarity. The game soon became very heated as everypony got into the game. Trash talk was exchanged between sides by both the mares and their mounts, they got more then a few nasty looks from the few remaining parent's of foals. drunk Fluttershy even had a few slurred words for her opponents although she always apologizes afterword. The crowd cheer and alcohol flowed and the few remaining fillies and colts got a good lesson or two on the excessive consumption of alcohol.
Rainbow Dash's competitive nature really came out, becoming the impromptu team captain. She barked orders and encouragement when needed, and making the appropriate heroic sacrifice for the team. when Fluttershy knocked the ball the wrong way. Rainbow didn’t miss a beat and dove onto stone pathway and return the ball. The flew clear over the net, Lily was more concerned with Rainbow Dash's well being then the ball that went right between her hooves and right into her colt friend Note Worthy's face, the blue stallion reared up and threw the pink and blond mare from from his back. She landed safely in the water but Note Worthy still felt bad for his instinctual action. Rainbow Dash on the other hoof took a moment to stand up. After checking that her wings were okay and downing half a beer, the stunt flier was ready to rejoin the game.
However Blossom Forth on the other team argued that the ball was out of bounds and her team backed her up. Applejack was adamant that the move was legal and that Lily had missed the ball giving the barrers of harmony the point. Before the loud discussion became a party ruining argument Twilight chimed in agreeing with he other team, to end it there. Winchester dunked Twilight saying “you always agree with your team even if their wrong.”
Twilight just rolled her eyes as she got back on his shoulder prepared to prove them wrong. Once Colgate served the ball Twilight spurred on Winchester to get to the ball before Pinkie and Ace. The knight was quick to respond, easily getting to the ball and bucking Twilight up high enough to spike the ball right in front of lily, again causing Note Worthy to rear up and throw his marefriend again. The lavender mare smiled proudly as she reseated herself high on Winchester back. The knight and the more competitive members of the bearers of harmony nodded in approval.
Sadly the game couldn’t go on forever, eventually Night Shadow had to return to work. Rarity also decided she had enough of the game and that she would like to retire to her room with Thunderlane. Rainbow Dash only agreed to let them leave because the bearers of Harmony were wining. As the couple trotted to their room Rarity whispered something to the stallion that made his wing pop straight up so hard it must of hurt.
Pinkie Pie hopped off Aces back and joined several other ponies in front of Vinyl Scratch and her turn tables. The pink mare laughed as she began dancing with several stallions. One lucky stallion got a kiss form the mare after buying her a drink, she hadn’t notice she had been so thirsty.
Having just proven her athletic ability Twilight Sparkle thought it was time to relax again. She quickly found her book, the protective spell she had cast on it had turn it into a trip hazard. She smiled as she noticed Spike still playing with the crusaders, after giving them a warning not to run around the pool which she found which she found sounded a little too much like her mother she decided a drink was in order.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack still had some competitive energy to burn off so on a whim they decided to see who could do the most shots of Whiskey. five shots in and Applejack's head was buzzing pretty good but Rainbow Dash had to place her head on the table to steady herself.
“you ready to give up?” Applejack said with a laugh.
“Hell no.” Rainbow Dash slurred. Fluttershy whispered to her friend that they should go lay down and relax by the pool, the yellow mare wasn’t feeling good ether.
“well okay then.” Applejack replied with a grin. She ordered another round and the small crowd cheered.
Twilight sipped her strawberry lemonade as she watched her friends act like a couple of stallions. The librarian just hoped her friends didn’t do something they would regret. She was so focused on her friends that Twilight jumped when Bon Bon taped her on the shoulder. The cream colored mare looked worried as she asked “Have you seen Lyra?”
“no sorry?” Twilight replied shaking her head “why?”
“she went to the little fillies room and hasn’t come back.” the worried mare answered “and that was like almost an hour ago.”
“well this place is pretty big so maybe she got lost.” Twilight Sparkle said siting her drink down.
“maybe.”
“well we'll help look for her.” the Liberian said. she turned to Applejack and quickly explained the problem.
Applejack sighed and downed her last shot “Hey Rainbow.”
“what?” the blue mare slurred from under the table. Fluttershy nudged her friend with her nose to check on her.
“we have to put this little contest on hold and help find one of the filly-foolers.” the country mare answered. Bon Bon looked greatly insulted by the use of the derogatory term.
Rainbow Dash moaned and lifted her head. The world was spinning and she had to take a moment to steady herself, before she could agree to help Scootaloo led the the other crusaders in yelling “Cutie mark crusader search party is a go.” the four of them high hooves and ran into the resort.
“Don’t go too far y’all.” Applejack yelled but it was too late the three fillies and baby dragon were gone. “ah dang it! Pinkie stay with them.” Applejack yelled she would have gone herself but the buzzing in her head was a little hard to ignore.
Pinkie had barely been paying attention, she was more occupied with helping Ditzy Doo teacher her daughter Dinky to swim, but without hesitation Pinkie was off after the wayward young ones. Dinky giggled and waved to the pink blur. Twilight and the others spread out through out the resort.
About twenty minutes later Fluttershy Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted back out to the pool area, the later two were leaning fairly heavily on the first. Fluttershy was embarrassed because Rainbow Dash's wings were standing straight up, and not to mention she had to be the stability for the three of them and she was still pretty drunk herself. They joined the still very worried Bon Bon. “did you find her?” the three mares slowly shook their heads tears formed in Bon Bon's ice blue eyes as she said “where could she be.”
“whats going on?” Winchester asked seemingly appearing out of no where a dark amber drink floated close by.
“Lyra’s missing.” Fluttershy explained.
“oh?”
“yeah we split up to find the darned filly-fooler but there ain't no sign of her.” Applejack added causing Bon Bon to snort.
Winchester raised an eye brow but before he say anything Big Macintosh and Long Sight joined them saying “the bartender doesn’t know when the DJ's going to be back.”
“Oh dear.” Fluttershy said having a bad feeling.
“What about Lyra?” Bon Bon asked teary eyed.
“there’s no worry girl I’m here to help.” Rainbow Dash said still dizzy, even though she had prayed to the porcelain throne while she was searching for the light green unicorn she still felt bad.
Thunderlane trotted out to the pool area and looked around for a moment before he joined the circle and asked “have y’all seen Rarity?”
“No, we thought she was with you.” Applejack replied fighting back a burp.
“well she was. We where in our room and she decided to powder her nose before we really got started.” Thunderlane said trying to skirt around what they were actually doing. “and well. she was in there for a really long time. I got worried and went to check on her and she wasn’t there.”
“Aw don’t worry there boy, Rarity probably just got cold hooves about being unladylike in front of her stallion.” Applejack said with a smile.
Thunderlane stared at the farm mare with half lidded eyes then decided to ignore her “it didn’t even take this long our first time.”
“wait a sec your.” Long sight let his eyes brows finish his sentence. Thunderlane was upset by the other stallion's immature behavior but he nodded to get it out of the way. “nice, tell me tell me. Is she really velvet and lace or is whips and chains like I think she is?”
Thunderlane paused for a moment to comprehend what the earth pony was saying. “a gentlemen dose not speck of his ladies bedroom actives.” Thunderlane said through clinched teeth. Long Sight grind mischievously.
Winchester was about to add his thoughts when he heard Pinkie Pie, Scootaloo, Spike and Applebloom calling for Sweetie Bell. Realization washed over the knight as he looked back at the empty turn tables. Then to Ditzy Doo as she looked around panic slowly seeped into her voice as she called for her daughter.
Winchester looked around the group and asked “Where's Twilight?” everypony looked around not sure none of them had seen her in a while. “Shit.” Winchester growled before he he tore off toward his rooms dropping his drink. Long Sight cursed as well realizing what Winchester had figured out and fallowed. Confused Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash hurried after the knights. Thunderlane and Big Macintosh were right on their heels.
“hey wheres every pony going?” Pinkie asked.
“Stay here with the crusaders.” Applejack ordered from the door way.
“what the hell is going on here?” Rainbow Dash asked trying hard not to throw up again as she galloped behind Long Sight.
The cream colored stallion stopped at his door while Winchester hurried past to his own room down the hall. “Damn it why didn’t we see this coming.”
“excuse me?” Rainbow dash asked before having to hold her mouth shut with her hoof. Fluttershy pushed a trash can over to her friend, Rainbow quickly took advantaged of the bin.
Long Sight sighed as he fiddled with his room key “we had some suspicions about this place. But with no hard evidence I didn’t take them seriously.....and I don’t like to cause a panic if I don’t have to.”
“well that didn’t work.” Thunderlane said angrily.
Long Sight glared at the pegasus and said “yeah I know.” as he unlocked his door and hurried inside. The others fallowed him in, Big Macintosh was nice enough to give Rainbow Dash a cup of water while the rest watched Long Sight. the knight quickly retrieved two suit cases from under his bed, he set the long gilded case on the bed and opened the nondescript one and tossed some clothing aside.
“okay so will you actually tell us whats going on now?” Applejack asked, she was so focused on the well being of others that she didn’t notice how the world was spinning around her.
Long Sight slipped a double hoof bow onto his left foreleg and tightened it. “we're not sure yet.” the stallion replied as he pulled a light steel chest plate out of the cast. A loud boom and crash from down the hall drew every pony's attention. “no.” the knight ran to the hall past the other ponies “that came from Winchester's room.”
“that’s bad.” Fluttershy epped instinctively moving closer to the largest stallion close by, not that she minded getting closer to Big Macintosh.
Cursing Long Sight bolted down the hall too Winchester's door, confused and worried Applejack and the rest fallowed. Long Sight pushed the door open, Winchester hadn’t taken the time to unlock it he had just shouldered it open. The room was in shambles several holes had been smashed in the walls the night stand had been over turned. Winchester's armor was tossed about and Featherweight laid on the bed, but the knight himself was no where to be found.
“they got him?” Long Sight said as he sniffed around for clues.
“How did they get him.” Rainbow Dash said her voice cracking more then it should “we've seen that guy shred a hydra.”
Long Sight looked up at blue mare and sighed “I'm sure that he would have shredded anypony that was stupid enough to fight him face to face, but if you ambush him he's just a normal pony.” the knight notice a few drops of greenish red blood on the floor. He leaned down and tasted it but quickly spat and growled “how dose he do that.”
“what?” everypony asked.
“taste blood and know where it came from.” Long Sight replied “makes me sick.” he pushed past them and headed back to his room. “Winchester seems to like it.” he mumbled as he returned to his room and finished putting on his armor. He wore no where near as much as Winchester, just a light chest plate and some shin guards.
Finally Long Sight moved to the long gilded case. He opened it after a few holy words and retrieved a long gold bow, its string glowed like a morning rainbow. He slipped the string over his head so that it hung across his chest.
“you kids can go back to the pool or get some messages, I’ll have your friends free with in the hour.” he move to push past the civilians, but Thunderlane refused to move. “stand aside citizen.” the knight stared into the gray pegasus's eyes, who refused to back down.
“no!” Thunderlane growled. “Who every is taking ponies has taken my marefriend and I'll be Damned if I’m not going to save her.”
Long Sight glared at the pegasus as Applejack added “and don’t count us out in a fight.” the country mare stomped her hoof. The knight looked at them all their determination evident on their faces, even Fluttershy looked like she would stand up for herself.
“Very well.” Long Sight relented “just keep up.” he slipped pass Thunderlane and stopped in the hall to look both ways.
“how you going to find the bad guy?” Rainbow Dash asked taking a deep breath to help steady herself as she hovered next to Big Mac.
Long Sight lowered his head and mumbled a prey before lifting his head and saying “the sun provides and the moon guides.” his brown eyes were now ice blue eyes and glowed with an ethereal light. He looked at the civilian ponies “if your going to come then you got to keep up.” he bolted down the hall, Rainbow Dash left her trademark multicolored trail behind as she followed. Big Mac, Thunderlane and Applejack dodged around the blinding rainbow in the hall. Fluttershy epped as she galloped down the hall after them.
When Fluttershy caught up with the group half a dozen turns, two buildings and three flights of stairs later, two mare attendants had stopped Long Sight saying “sorry sir this area is off limits.”
“I am on official business of the court.” Long Sight replied holding up the seal of the Knights. “now in the name of our princesses stand aside.”
“I'm very sorry sir but you cant go back here.” one of the mares replied.
Long Sight aimed his hoof bow at the mares and ordered “stand aside this is your last warning.”
“sir we are very sorry but-” with a twitch of his wrist Long Sight fired two arrow hitting the mares just under their chins, the two ponies dropped like sacks of potatoes.
“oh dear.” Fluttershy epped as she reared up and galloped away.
Applejack and the remaining three starred on in disbelief. After a few seconds green smoke began to drift from the slain ponies as their light pink and orange coats turned black and hard like the skin of a insect.
“changelings.” Big Macintosh exclaimed.
“How'd ya know they were Changelings?” Applejack asked swallowing her fear.
Long Sight finished reloading his hoof bow and answered simply “i didn’t.”
Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously “ha ha very funny you've known a long time now right.”
Long Sight turned around and shook his head “like I said before we had suspicions but they were just in my way.”
“harsh.” Thunderlane commented.
Long Sight raised and eye brow “Winchester wouldn’t have given them as much time as I did before he cut them in half.” the civilian ponies didn’t know how to feel about that.
Long Sight led on down the hall till a magical pop resonated around him and the knight stopped next to a large black door. “what is it?” Thunderlane asked wanting to find Rarity soon.
Long Sight looked back at the ponies following him, his eyes brown again. “we're here.” he slipped the long gold bow off his chest and attached it to his left hoof with a gold strap. He reared up and leaned on the wall next to the door too steady himself he touched his right hoof to the sting. Sparks ran the length of the sting as he some how pulled it with out any sort of attachment.
He counted for the civilian behind him on three he wiped around the corner and kicked the door open. The room was large and open mist covered the floor. The only lights in the room came from the hundreds of pony sized tubes stacked two high. They looked like a insect’s cocoon with a glass hatch, cables ran from the chambers into the darkness. Each of the tubes had one of the missing unicorns floating inside, a few wires were attached to their horns. Long Sight stood on his hind legs using his bow to balance himself as his eyes swept the room for threats, he noted one of the occupants. Thunderlane hoovered over the knights shoulder looking around for any sign of Rarity. Applejack and a slowly sobering Rainbow Dash soon followed, Big Macintosh brought of the rear.
The group looked around until they heard laughter, they had been expecting it some how. The elderly pony Steamy Stones trotted out from the shadow of the tanks. “so you have discovered my plans.” Long Sight noticed he had a cable running from the darkness to a device on the back of his head.
“yeah, now skip the stupid evil speech and tell me where my marefriend is.” Thunderlane ordered. Rainbow Dash gave their foe a few select gestures.
“HOW DEAR YOU SPEAK TOO ME LIKE THAT!” the older pony exploded with anger. the elderly form of Steamy Stone was bloom away in green flames revealing a large muscular changeling with a long sharp horn. “do you know who I am.” he snarled venom dripping form his long fangs.
“no.” the civilians ponies replied in a intentionally dismissive manner.
“he's a Changeling Duke.” Long Sight explained. “like their female counter parts they lead small hives, or hunting party’s and the like.” Long Sight smiled and added “or just as egg factories.”
the Duke growled “I’m more then a play thing for the whore queen.”
“see.” Long Sight chuckled.
The Duke growled “Teach these bastards to respect me.” a dozen Changeling dropped down from the ceiling hissing at the ponies. With out missing a beat Long Sight pulled back the string of his bow and a arrow of curling fire form. The knight shot lead changeling in the chest, it and the four closest to it were completely consumed in fire. Three others were killed by the concussion of the blast. The remaining stunned changelings were quickly dispatched by Thunderlane, Big Mac, Applejack and Rainbow Dash with ease.
Before the Duke could respond to the defeat of his hive's best, Long Sight drew back his bow again and shot another fire arrow at the Duke. Flames obscured the view of the Duke as the arrow exploded on impact, Long Sight smirk thinking he had killed the duke. a moment later the smoke cleared and the Duke just laughed as the whole blown in his magical shield reformed in front of him. Long Sight looked worried “a changeling shouldn’t have that much power.”
the Duke laughed “like I said I am more then a mere duke. I AM A KING, but not just King of the changelings. with the power I gain from these little ponies I will over throw your goddess CELESTIA!”
Long Sight took great offense and growled “your queen is no mach for Celestia, What makes you think you’d last more then second against her.”
“i have my ways.” the Duke chuckled till another fire arrow blew a whole the translucent green wall and a second exploded around the Duke.
“take that you bastard.” Long Sight said as he stood on all fours again. “none can survive the Wrath of Celestia.”
the Duke's laughter echoed around them again. “none but me.” smoke clear revealing the changeling unharmed his large horn glowed pale green and the air shimmered the same color around him. “why do you not understand it yet. you cant defeat me.”
Long Sight growled as he reared up on his hind legs again. “I wield Solar Flare, Celestia's wrath burns with in this bow as bright as her sun.”
“you knights and your love for your princess's toys.” the duke said with a laugh that was soon drowned out by the impact of more fire arrows. Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash hit the green field in a vain attempt to fly through it, they hovered in the air and slammed their hooves against it in frustration. Applejack and Big Macintosh bucked the wall hard enough crack it, but doing so almost cracked them. The Duke quickly grew tired of the noise as arrows exploded against the bubble around him. “ENOUGH!” the changeling roared, the force of his order blew away the cloud of smoke and sent the earth ponies sliding across the floor. the pegasi tumbling out of the air and landed next to the knight. Before the hole in the field sealed shut Long Sight fired a bolt from his hoof bow, the arrow skipped off the Duke's shield and hit something important on one of the tubes. The devices lights flickered and went out.
The Duke blinked “what the hell was that supposed to do?”
Rainbow Dash looked at Long Sight and said “yeah dude that was pointless.” the other ponies nodded till a loud thump reverberated through the room.
Long Sight smiled “i thought it would ether kill him or release him.”
another thump drew the Dukes attention to the right “what did you do.” he looked to the deactivated tube and inside he saw the burning brown eyes of Winchester as he slammed his glowing horn into the glass cover again. “oh.” the next hit shattered the glass. The stallion leapt out of the tube his horn glowed brighter as he took hold of the larger pieces of glass. Winchester grinned as he whipped the glass around like dozens of razor sharp knives. the changeling Duke hiss as glass scraped across his shield. The glass found no bite aginst the Duke's magic, but each piece of glass that broke only added to the Knights multitude of blades.
Winchester was surrounded by a whirlwind of glass as more arrows impacted the changeling's shield. The duke hissed, if he lowered his shield to counter attack he would be blown away or cut to shreds. He had to get the blue stallion away from him. However he had an idea and began to draw power from the unicorns. The force of the duke's will explode out as he bellowed “get back”
the knight spun around as he hoped his thick hide turned away most of the glass, but a few shards did stick painfully in his back. Before the changeling could charge Featherweight burst through the wall just missing some of the occupied tubes. In one fluid motion Winchester caught the missive’s blade's handle spun around and brought the sword down on the duke's shield with such force the energy field creaked like a dropped snow globe.
The Duke growled as his horn glowed brighter in an attempted to hold back the deadly weapon. Long Sight shot the changeling's shield the combined force of two gifts of Celestia was more then the Changeling's shield could take, Featherweight tore through the field just missing taking off the duke's head. Winchester launched forward and put his horn to it's most primitive use, stabbing it into the changeling's chest. The horn went deep but wasn’t long enough to hit anything import.
The duke panted as he pushed off the stallion and flew above the knight. Winchester spun out of the way of the changeling's electrical counter attack. The unicorn reared up and wrapped his hooves around Featherweight's handle intent on cutting his foe in half shield or no.
As Long Sight watched he noticed something that made his hart skip a beat he bellowed “Winchester Stop” the blue stallion stopped mid-stride. He laid his sword on his shoulder while the tip of the blade touched the ground, his eyes never left the Duke as the changeling began to laugh.
“So you observant friend noticed.” the changeling Duke chuckled as Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane hoovered around the room waiting for a moment to pounce on their opponent. The apple siblings were meanwhile looking around trying to figure out what the changeling meant, suddenly it dawned on them. All the unicorns in the tubes were twitching and convulsing in pain.
The Duke's chest wound healed in seconds. “they are my shield as much my sword.” he looked over his shoulder at Thunderlane “any injury you inflict on me merely drains Their life force.” he looked back at Winchester “and some have so little to give.” Winchester snorted angrily “my kind's want to be monarch is no match for me now and your loving princesses wouldn’t dare harm their precious little ponies.”
the Knights laughed at the Duke, they each knew what the other would do. A plan was quickly and silently formed. Long Sight glared at the duke as he said “your right, my princesses will hesitate if their actions endanger their subjects, but only to consider all possibility. Regardless of Their decision it will be flawless.” while Long Sight spoke Winchester slowly side stepped his way to behind the changeling intent on cutting the cable. He figured if the duke was disconnected from the other unicorns, they could slay it with out worry.
“when Princess Celestia and Chrysalis fought, my princess would have not only vaporized your damned queen but every pony else in the room” long Sight continued, allowing Winchester so get into position. “so she fell back on the Bearers of Harmony and captain Shining Armor AND Princess Candace.”
the duke glared at the knight till Winchester spoke up behind him saying. “if you are a true threat she would sacrifice everypony in this room with but a moments pause.” Winchester almost snarled as he continued “even if you held up her most faithful student before her, she would hesitate just a moment before she would turn you both into smears on the ground.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash felt their harts skip a beat at the thought. Thunderlane trembled wanting to pound the Changeling into paste, but he knew he would merely be hurting Rarity if he could get to the beast. Big Macintosh stared at duke silently preying for the Unicorns he was holding hostage.
Winchester sighed as he looked at his free hoof the other still wrapped around Featherweight's handle as it held him up right “however she would morn, through long days and cold nights she would morn. Forgoing food and drink and maybe even the companionship of her servants, only her knights and Sister allowed to see our grieving goddess.” Winchester had allowed the words to flow to give Long Sight time to take the most careful aim but it was time to act. The blue stallion looked up at the duke and said “but if I can save her from such pain, I will give my life to do so.” Winchester kick Featherweight behind him as he pulled the handle to his chest. The changeling had a mere moment to react. His horn glowed and sparks flew from the shield the Duke summoned over the cable then jumped to the right as a fire arrow flew past, close enough to boil the exoskeleton off his leg.
Winchester was not as lucky, his feeble shield only stop the arrow from penetrating his chest but the explosion sent him flying into the darkness behind him. The Duke growled as the burn healed causing the captured unicorns a great deal of pain. “you see even Celestia's champions are no match for me.” Winchester's battle cry cut the duke off as the injured knight charged from the darkness Featherweight griped in his teeth. The Changeling jumped over Winchester, the knights true target was pulled out of the way by the changelings magic.
The blue stallion spun around his eyes burning with rage and blood from a large cut on his forehead. The Duke's horn flashed as he hit Winchester with bolts magic and sent the knight tumbled across the floor, smearing blood along his path. The knight slide to a stop just in front of his comrades. Applejack leaned down to check the knight as blood pooled around him, however sparks danced over his body and he stood as if he was unharmed despite his multitude of injuries.
The duke laughed at them all, Thunderlane was shaking with rage as he stared at the beast. Rainbow Dash felt her hart pounding in her throat and ears. Applejack and Big Macintosh were holding in their anger, it was the Apple way. The knights glared as the Changeling said “so do you get it now? you can not win.”
Winchester looked around “none of us have fallen.”
“For we are the servants of the goddesses of the Sun and Moon.” Both Long Sight and Winchester began in unison. the air was filled with a strange energy that made everypony's fur stand on end.
But before the pair could continue what every they were planing on doing a black shape landed on the changelings back. Thunderlane's hart almost stopped as he saw the the twin bladed knife in the ponies mouth. The world seemed to be at a near stand still as the pegasus stallion took everything in, he saw the dark mares leathery wings slowly folded to her side. The bat pony mare wore a thick sweater with metal studs and the crest of Equestrianaver her hart. “NO!” the Pegasus stallion yelled as the mare drove her weapon into the back of the changeling neck.
The mare tore the device that connect the Duke to his prisoner from his neck, she tossed the weapon and the cable across the room. The angry duke wiped around and sank his fangs into his attackers neck. The bat pony mare winced in pain as the changeling lifted her up and slammed her to the ground. The enraged changeling pounce the mare but she just rolled to the side, she tossed her long black scarf around herself and vanished. The changeling blinked but he had no time to think as Featherweight sliced through the ground inches away from him, the duke wasn't fast enough to completely dodged the weapon. he lost his right front hoof and a large portion of his right wing.
Fear filled the changeling's mind as he stumbled on his bloody stump. A second later a flaming arrow impacted the Duke in the side turning his wing to ash and boiled away a substantial part of his carapace. The Changeling bounced across the floor till he was caught by Rainbow Dash. She drug his face across the ground before throwing him up in the air to meet the angry hooves of Thunderlane.
The Duke saw his plans crumbling before him as he rocketed to the floor once again, just before he crumpled against the hard stone the duke caught a glimpse Applejack's apple adorned flanks as she bucked him across the room. He slammed into something that must have been a wall. The Changeling duke slumped to the floor only to realize it was not a wall he had hit but in fact Big Macintosh. The large stallion reared up and brought his for hooves down on the changeling. he quickly regretted doing so, he thought this must be how Rarity must feel when she walked through the mud.
With the changeling dispatched Thunderlane flew into the rows of tubes looking for Rarity. Rainbow Dash and Applejack began to looked for ways to open the tubes. Long Sight told Winchester he would do the report for this incident. Winchester mean while mumbled the words for a healing spell. Night Shadow reappeared next to her fellow knights saying “well that was interesting.” she jumped when Winchester touched his glowing horn to her neck to cast the spell on her wound. She blushed and thanked him.
It took some time but the captives were released. Luckily most were asleep when they were returned to their rooms, though most did later complain about stiffness and fatigue. Luckily it was nothing that a message and a real nap couldn’t fix.
Twilight and Rarity were the only ones told what really happen the pair being bearers of harmony meant they were privy to the truth about the dangers of their world, although they had to wait till the later of the two finished declaring Thunderlane as her hero.
The vacation went on like normal afterwords but the the fate of the resort after its first guest left was in question, till the knights decided to offer ownership of the resort to Lotus and Aloe. The sisters graciously excepted, with their leadership and talents the resort prospered, although Aloe never neglected the spa they started in Ponyvile. They never learned of the dark secrets of their new acquisition. If any changeling still remained at the resort no pony ever knew. Although rumors spread through the Royal Guard detachment assigned to guard the resort about vivid dreams of their very special somepony coming for a romantic rendezvous in the night.

The Duel

Steel Will shivered as an evening arctic wind blew through crystal ruins. The gray earth pony sighed and pulled his fur cloak tighter around his shoulders. Just six months ago before he transferred to the Frost Giants from the Stalliongrad Stallion Guard, he would have been disgusted or even horrified by the idea of wearing the pelt of an other animal like most ponies. However now like most of the small elite company of the frozen north Steel Will wouldn’t leave his quarters with out it over his armor. Not just because it kept him warm but it was a sign he had been tested against the dangers of the frozen waists.
“hey!” Jaded Slate said to get Steel Will's attention, the green earth pony nodded toward a makeshift look out post “looks like the old horse wants to tell us something.”
“maybe he saw some more ghosts.” Steel Will replied. Nether of the young soldiers had seen the supposed 'ghost of the winds' but it was easy to see why somepony would think they saw something among the crystal ruins, specially with the constant sight of the blasphemous tower. It may have been broken by a long forgotten battle but it was still chilling.
The look out post was a small half collapsed crystal building, the archeologist said it may have been a post office. the Frost Giants engineers rebuilt the collapsed section of the post office with wood and canvas. However one cant really nail boards to crystal walls and screws present there own problems, making the repairs more of a shield against the wind and then the cold. Even though the crystal ruins were the base of operations for The Frost Giants this little watch tower was low on the list of priorities to upgrade.
Inside the post office two pony soldiers huddled around a fire, their fur cloaks pulled tightly around them their empty bowls of soup stacked beside them. A third returned to his now frozen bowl, his female comrades had a good laugh at his expense.
Steel Will and Jaded Slate were not concerned with the post just the older pony on the top. The shaggy coated pegasus fluttered down to the ground on leathery wings. His tufted ears dropped with the weight of snow stuck to them. “did you see something Snow Drift.” Jaded Slate asked.
“well of course think I'd bother the both of you if I didn’t?”
“not more ghost I hope.” Steel Will sarcasticly added.
“not this night trooper.” the old bat pony replied, despite being retiring age the sergeant's eyes were still the best in the whole company. Able to spot a baby bird in a nest a hundred paces away at a full gallop. “there’s some sort of strange disturbance at the old library you two should check it out.”
“on it.” Steel Will said with a nod too Jaded Slate. The two young troopers were on their way. The library was just a couple blocks away from the post office. The fur of the back of the ponies neck stood straighter the closer they got. rumors started to bounce around in their minds, not the ones about the ghost in the wind. Rumors about a demon of shadow that arose a few mouths ago and had to be put down by the knights, and as rumor had it the demon took a few knights with it. Those rumors seem more viable the closer they got to the libation, the damage to the ruins seemed fresh. Cuts from blades of various size, from the normal to the ludicrous. Crystal walls were smashed by spells or other means, some were even melted.
The once majestic library was now little more then shattered walls filled with piles of snow. However the strange black glow gave the two soldiers pause. The pair glanced at each other and nodded. The ponies reached back and grasped their spears in their jaws and pulled it off their backs, with practice ease the ponies slid their weapons into the holders on their side under their cloaks. With a simple roll of their left shoulders they move their shields into position for a fight. After checking that the partner was ready they made their way to a opening in the wall.
Jaded Slate looks around the corner and gasped “by Celestia's holy mane.”
“what?” Steel Will said as he looked, in the middle of the ruined library surrounded by collapsed bookshelves was a shadowy fire. The two stallions slowly made their way inside. The pairs spiked horse shoes dug into the snow ice and crystal alike. The black flames started to die down as the ponies approached revealing a red cloak covering a large pony, snow was already starting to stick to black and white spotted fur collar. The soldiers stopped and Steel Will asked “you okay sir?” he hoped they could help this pony.
The black stallion stood the green glow of his black eyes faded as the wind caught his cloak revealing his armored body. the ancient armor was covered in black crystal spikes giving him a very intimidating appearance. Steel Will and Jaded Slate glanced at each other as they readied for a fight. The crystal on the new ponies armor creaked and fell to the ground as he swayed back and forth, the black crystal crown on his head broke and hung from his red crystalline horn for a brief moment. The sound of it shattering on the ground broke some semblance of consciousness to the black pony.
He blinked and his black pupils faded to a pale green, he looked around in a daze like a drunk would. To his eyes he saw dozens of enemy soldiers closing in around him. “I am Sir Sombra.” he addressed the group “and by divine right I ordered thee to stand down.”
Steel Will rolled his eyes and looked at Jaded Slate. “we cant do that sir.” the emerald green pony said.
Before Jaded could tell the black pony to calm down “thine numbers are nothing to my might.” Sombra growled “you are servants of false gods.” his red crystalline horn glowed and the air over his right shoulder popped as he grasped at nothing. Steel Will and Jaded Slate gritted their teeth and readied for a fight.
Sombra stared over his shoulder in confused horror “What have thou done with my blade.”
“nothing. Now calm down sir, your coming with use.” Steel Will said as he approached the black stallion. the black pony was staring at the snow slowly collecting in the feather symbols on his large sheath.
Sombra's mind was a wash in a sea of information, both false and real. He didn’t know where he was all he knew, or thought he knew was that he was unarmed and surrounded by enemies. He Roared “get back!” as the dozen enemy soldier ponies approached spikes of black crystal burst from the ground killing one of them while the rest used their Shields or jumped out of the way.
Steel Will was barely able to bring his shield up in time to defend himself, the end of black crystal broke off and put a rather large dent in the metal shield. Jaded Slate ducked under the spikes, he stared rather comically at the spikes before he scampered back. “how fortunate.” Sombra said as surprised as the two soldiers “even though thou blasphemers have stolen thine holy weapon. my gods have given me control over your lands natural power.” he laughed for a moment before he summoned a massive chunk of black crystal from the ground “there for I shall use this to arm myself.” his pale green eyes flashed black as energy cut through the large crystal and it shattered leaving only a massive crystal sword. Sombra garbed the swords handle in his jaw and broke it from the uncut hunk of crystal, the massive heavy sword fell. He could barely hold it up.
Steel Will kicked some of the crystal spikes out of his way and said “things to big for him. Lets get him.”
“wait!” Jaded Slate yelled as he pushed a few of the black spikes out of his way. The soldiers watched as Sombra growled a spell his eyes glowing black with flowing green energy, the crystal sword glowed the same color. A few seconds passed and then the green glow burst leaving behind ethereal white feathers that faded as they fell. Sombra then lifted the massive sword as if it were nothing at all.
Sombra looked up at the ten or so soldiers around him “have at ye!” he roared as he jumped up using the wight of his sword to sore six pony lengths above the other ponies. The black pony came down like a bladed comet upon his foes, he cut down four of his enemies in but a few swipes of his new blade.
“what the?” Steel Will said as he watched the black pony fight nothing. Then suddenly Sombra's sights were set on him. The gun metal gray pony barely got his shield up in time, for all the good it did. The massive black sword cut through the steel coated wood with relative ease. The think armor on Steel Will's shoulder barely held back the massive blade, it gave in a little and the flesh and bone underneath paid the price. when the gray pony slammed to the ground he realized his shoulder blade had creaked and the muscle was already starting to bruise.
“STEEL!” Jaded Slate yelled as he charged Sombra. The black pony ducked under the spear and jumped up around the shaft and over the light green pony. The Frost giant soldier dug his spiked shoes into the ice surprised by Sombra's agility. The earth pony watched as the momentum of the massive sword pulled Sombra higher above him.
With the textured grip of crystal sword in his mouth Sombra twisted and brought the blade down and with a twist of his hindquarters the pony come down on Jaded Slate like a circular saw. The blade of the crystal sword cut through the tough ice wolf cloak and the spear shaft like they weren’t there. Before Jaded could move the blade had cut through his armor with a loud screech of metal.
Blood splattered on the snow as Sombra landed on his hooves the massive crystal sword floated over his head. Jaded slate gasped feeling the frigid air on his hot insides. As he collapsed to the snow his thoughts went to his wife and their young filly.
“Sweat Celestia no” Steel Will said as he forced himself to his hooves but he could barely move. As soon as the name of the deity hit Sombra's ears he stopped and stared in horror at what he had done. He looked at the blood splattered across the black crystal sword. His pale eyes now a bright emerald green.
“i know what I have done, not just now but In the forgotten past.” Sombra said as he quickly knelt and cast a healing spell on Jaded Slate. A few seconds past and prone stallion too a deep breath his shredded side healed “but there is no redemption for me in this place” he turned toward where he thought Canterlot was “nor can I bare to face them for my punishment, he who has my gift will have to do.” a large black crystal burst out of the ground behind Sombra, he walked inside and vanished.
“what the hell just happened?” Jaded Slate coughed as he tried to stand.
“i have no idea.” Steel Will replied as he hobbled over to his partner and helped him up. “lets get you to the medics before we start worrying about that.”

* * *

it was well after midnight as Flash's birth day party was winding down. What a part it was. Flash showed that despite being a soldier he really just wanted everypony to have a good time. He did the best he could to be a good host, him and Pinkie made a good team. Although when nopony was looking the pairs attention was on each other. The night got even more intense once the foals had gone home cause that’s when Berry Punch broke out her “special party punch” which many ponies partake far too much.
Daring the party Winchester asked Twilight out, the lavender mare was tippys but she happily said yes. Fluttershy knew she had to make good the deal and tell the stallion she like her feelings. The knight and Twilight watched the yellow mare trot over to Big Macintosh. The big red stallion almost did a back flip at the news, through the rest of the party the stallion was walking on clouds. Although they were not ones to be rude, so they continued to enjoy the party like normal. However Big Macintosh did walk Fluttershy home that night.
Winchester had also decided to walk Twilight home to discus when they would actually go out, however the mare seemed to have other ideas. Twilight Sparkle blushed partly from embarrassment and partly from alcohol as she said “um Winchester. Would you think less of me if I asked if I could spend the night with you.”
Winchester stumbled a little as the mare asked her question. He smiled softly as he replied “well there’s nothing that would make me not think the world of you but what would you do with me at my place this night?”
Twilight felt a little embarrassed, the alcohol had only settled the butterfly she had somehow swallowed a little. “well I’m not the type of mare that goes home with a Stallion form a party normally but I wanted to try something new.”
Winchester grinned as he leaned in a little closer to her to say “well I’ll do everything I can to make sure you enjoy this night, and everyday onwards. if it helps you can think all those times we ended up staying up all night together doing research or testing those spells of yours as dates.”
Twilight smiled feeling a little more at ease, she leaned into him their shoulders touching as they walked “well knowing us that may happen a lot.” the mare looked up meeting the gentle gaze of the stallion, she slowly closed her and leaned up to kiss him he was quick to move to return it. Then Twilight got an idea.
Just as their lips were about to meet Winchester heard a giggle and felt a tail brush across his nose. The stallion opened his eyes and found that Twilight had skipped down the street a little bit, she looked back at him with a smiled and flicked her tail. she had decided to make him earn the kiss a little bit more. “oh you little tease” he grinned “i like this.” he gave chase with a laugh, the mare giggled as she galloped away.
The game of drunken lovers tag was great fun. Winchester followed Twilight as she slipped through bushes and pretended to hid behind light post always staying just out of the stallions reach. However Winchester felt that if he tried just a little harder he would caught her. Twilight decided to give him the chance as she hopped on to the edge of the fountain, she turned around and winked at stallion. She watched him prowl around her like some sort of predator, it gave her good kind of chills. Winchester hoped up on the fountain with her. He walked closer to her grinning, both panted lightly as they looked into each others eyes.
“your so beautiful.” the stallion said his drunk mind couldn’t think of anything better to say as he leaned in to kiss Twilight, the mare seem to be ready to give him his reword for such a fun chase. However just as they were about to meet Twilight splashed the blue pony with a laugh. Winchester smiled with his brown mane hanging in his face before Twilight could escape he grabbed her and tossed them both in the water.
The two ponies laughed as they shook their wet manes out of their faces. The cool water felt good on their warm bodies. Twilight smiled as she looked into Winchester's eyes. the stallion placed his hoof gently on hers even though the world spun around them nether notice. She scooted a little closers to him and he did the same moving his hoof to hers shoulder. Finally the moment felt perfect and the two adult ponies leaned in for their first kiss.
“is thou the knight that wields the sword Featherweight.” a gruff voice said startling both ponies. Twilight quickly jumped to her hooves while Winchester just looked over his shoulder at where he thought the voice had come from. A black unicorn stallion in a red clock stood at the edge of fountain. Both the ponies noticed that he was well armed and armored, Winchester noticed that his armor was of a very old design. Twilight was more embarrassed then frightened as she scurried out of the fountain blushing so bad it threatened to erase her face. She climbed out of water and shook off giving the rather frighting new comer a wide berth she paused and waited for her date.
Winchester took his time to respond as he climbed out of the fountain. “Yes I am.” he finally said before shaking the water off close to black stallion to show his displeasure “if you need my assistance come back tomorrow around noon, I have more import matters to attend too.” The blue stallion trotted away smiling as he rejoined his date. The pair trotted down the road leaving Sombra standing stunned at the side of the fountain water dripping form his face, he had never been dismissed so readily in his life.
A few playful bumps, some teasing rubs and the encounter at the fountain was drunkenly forgotten and the mood returned to its previous romantic feel. It only took a couple minutes to walk from Mane Street to Winchester's home. Twilight giggled as she leaned on the door frame as sensual as she could on two unsteady hooves. Her damp mane hung over her eyes Winchester found her irresistible as he gave up on unlocking his door. He reared up and leaned on the wall with a hoof on ether side of the mares shoulder trapping her there, not that she planed on going anywhere.
“knights have indeed fallen far.” the same gruff voice rang out behind them, Winchester looked over his shoulder while Twilight glared over the other as Sombra continued “for thou to believe that time with a harlot is more important then that of thine fellows.”
Winchester growled as he pushed off the wall and turned to face the black stallion. However he never got a chance speck as Twilight pushed past him to stand on the edge of the small porch. “Excuse me, but I am no harlot.” embarrassment had turned to anger with the help of the alcohol, although she was a little unsteady on her hooves as she continued. “i am Twilight Sparkle the bearer of the element of magic and Princess Celestia's personal student.” she hiccuped and blushed now even angrier that her attempt to be intimidating had been undermined by her own body. Winchester grinned as he watched her.
Sombra was once again dumbstruck, he didn’t even know what year it was let alone who any pony was. He could only feel the power of the goddesses of the moon and sun radiating from Canterlot. The stallion lowered his head his long mane fell in his face as he said “how much more can I tarnish my honor, I have so little left.” he threw his head up and yelled “so face me Knight so that I may have a honorable end.” with out thinking Sombra drew his massive crystal sword and launched himself through the air.
Twilight yelped as she cast a shield spell. The translucent pink dome wobbled like a bubble as the blade hit, but it didn’t give out. However the mare was not the target of the wild attack, he had stepped to the side and kicked open the door. Featherweight rocketed out of the hall and impacted Sombra right in his armored chest, Winchester grabbed the sword's handle pulling him into the street with Sombra. The blue stallion took two quick swipes with Featherweight, the black stallion was quick to respond even though he was off balance. Sombra smiled this was what he wanted the blue knight's attacks came in a flurry of rapid powerful strikes even as skilled as he was he couldn’t defend against them forever. the white blade cut through the night air, as Winchester twisted and jumped over his foe spinning like a circular saw. Sombra slipped in the dirt and his magical grip on his blade wavered.
Winchester landed about to bring his sword down on Sombra but the world was spinning faster and faster, his stomach churned. “oh shit.” the stallion said as his belly convulsed. He knew what would happen next, his body thought he had ingested poison and it wanted it out. Featherweight fell beside him as he throw up in the middle of the street.
Sombra stood and took a few steps back disgusted shielding his nose with a hoof from the stench of half digested alcohol and cake. “thou art no knight, thou art nothing but a drunkard.”
Winchester spite and gasped for breath before saying “it was a party, what did you expect.”
“for thou to not partake in the fruit of the vine.” Sombra growled, how could he be punished by one so undisciplined. Winchester just glared as he struggle to stand again his body didn’t want to respond he could barely control his magic enough to lift Featherweight. “thou are in no shape to face me this night.” Sombra sheathed his crystal sword “i will return I prey thou aren’t ready then.” he vanished in a flash of magic.
Winchester slumped against his sword and sighed as Twilight approached hoping he was okay. The stallion looked at her tired as he said “well that killed the mood.”
Twilight nodded trying to ignore the memory of the knight puking or she may do so as well “yeah.” she guessed he was okay if he was trying to joke around.
“so what was that about?”
the knight sighed and stood up a little unsteady “well, when a warrior feels he has dishonored himself or failed in someway he will seek out a warrior of great skill to duel with to regain their lost honor.” the stallion shrugged “its nothing to worry about.” he grinned weakly “how about a rain check for tonight?”
“sure.” Twilight returned the smile making his smile grow. “till when?”
“how about I take you to the Wonderbolt's show tomorrow?”
“that will work but, all my friends are going too so its not going to be all that special.”
“well I’m not taking your friends to dinner afterwords.” Winchester smiled and laid Featherweight on his back using to magic to hold it in placed.
“better.” Twilight giggled before she added “its a date.”
“it is, a real one.” Winchester sighed he wanted to kiss her good night but after what just happened he doubted he would get it, so he simple bowed and said “I’m going to take my leave before my body betrays me for the second time tonight.”
“okay.” Twilight replied before she asked “you sure your okay.”
the stallion nodded and smiled “yeah just got to maintain what little pride I have left you know.” he chuckled “would you like an escort home?”
“no no its okay.” she giggled “you need to get to bed and so do i.” she blushed before saying good night and trotting away.
“good night dear daughter of dusk.” Winchester said with a smile feeling much better, Twilight giggled at the name and blew him a kiss before she rounded the corner. The blue stallion trotted inside his home, placed Featherweight back on its rack. He brushed his teeth before passing out on his bed.
Twilight Sparkle was happy as she returned home despite the upset stomach and pounding head she started to hum a love song. She always liked this part of the few relationships she had, even if this night didn't go well. This would be her fourth, she hoped that unlike the others this one wouldn’t perter out and that they wouldn't drift apart. She smiled Winchester could be a little grating at times but was charming when he wanted to be. everypony has their faults she herself was a perfectionist to the point it annoyed herself at times, she could only guess what other ponies thought about it. On the plus side they both loved reading and learning things so that could be fun, and as of late Winchester was the only one who would help her test spells. The possibilities and naughty thoughts were making her giddy and her humming became the true song as she opened the door and kicking it shut in time with the song, the alcohol made her forget that Spike was asleep.
the drunk mare continued to slur her song as she made her way up the stairs. Spike stepped out the bed room and said “i guess you had fun.” he had never seen Twilight like this.
The mare blushed and stopped singing mid word as she looked at the baby dragon. “i guess you can say that.” she hadn’t told Spike what she was going to do when he had gone home with the younger party goers, she didn’t even know at that time.
“what ever, why did you have to come home singing.” he said as he turned back to his bed. Twilight didn’t respond she hadn’t noticed the room was spinning till now and her stomach didn’t like it. she rushed off toward the bathroom. “hey you okay?” Spike yelled suddenly worried about the sounds of Twilight throwing up half of what she ate that night. It wasn’t long before Twilight could reply telling him she was, after brushing her teeth she slipped into bed and was soon asleep as was the dragon.

* * *

the sun shined bright in the cloudless sky the next morning, birds were chirping ponies were happily going about their time getting ready for the Wonderbolts show and the fair that accompanied it. However Twilight Sparkle had never wish harder for the sun to have been hidden by clouds and all the birds in the world to loose their voices. She sat up and moaned, the mare rubbed her forehead with a hoof before seeing herself in the mirror. She looked as bad as she felt, bags under eyes mane sticking up in just about every direction.
Her head was throbbing and her stomach was churning and grumbling. However after getting her mane and tail under control Twilight decided it was a perfect time to try some of the hangover remedies in the super natural cure alls book, after a gross raw egg concoction she felt even sicker and yet a lot better too. Luckily breakfast and a hot soak in the tub was just what she needed to fix all that.
The rest of the morning Twilight and Spike spent working the library like normal, the Wonderbolts show wasn’t till late this afternoon. There was lots of free time today like most days. Her mind wondered to the events of last night, she briefly wondered about the black stallion. He worried her but if Winchester wasn’t worried about him then she didn’t see a point in worrying about him ether, he did only seem interested in fighting Winchester. The thing that she was more worried about was if Winchester remembered that he was going to take Twilight to dinner tonight. Alcohol induced amnesia would be a mark against him. Not that she was keeping score, just a list of pros and cons.
About two hours after lunch Twilight and Spike decided to get ready to go out, the little dragon was happily taking a bath while Twilight did her make up. Even if Winchester had forgotten she was going to look good for the night, she just hoped he would be decent when she went and got him. Never one to over dress even for a date Twilhgt decided to do just a good brushing with some mane and tail product to add a little bounce and shine. Her make up was just some lip gloss with a little glitter, a touch of blush and eye shadow.
Twilight was very carefully curling her eyelashes when there was a knock at the door, the mare glanced at her open bedroom door then back at the mirror. She had only finished one eye and was about half done with the other. The mare was unsure if she should finish her eyelashes or answer the door, politeness and OCD competed for control of her mind. It took only a few seconds for Twilight to realize that who ever was at the door would appreciate her having a properly balanced appearance.
The knock at the door repeated a twice more before Twilight could get down the stairs to say she was coming. She briefly wondered who it was as she opened the door. The mare was pleasantly surprised to see Winchester at the door. He must have remembered his idea from last night. His mane was thoroughly brushed showing off its natural waviness and body. “i was worried I was too late their but I guess I may be too early.” the stallion said with a smile.
The mare panicked for a brief moment, before she realized there was no reason to panic. Winchester had seen her in much worst states then this. A sleigh smile graced her face as she said “well we were just getting ready, but you can come in and wait if you like.”
“i would love too.” Winchester replied with a smile, Twilight stepped to the side and the blue stallion stepped inside wafting the scent of his honey and coco cologne with him.
After closing the door, Twilight headed up stairs saying “Spikes still in the bath so I'll just finish my make up.”
“you already sparkle like the radiant stars of the night one would think you were done all ready.” Winchester said with a smile.
The mare giggled and blushed “thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself sir knight.” she smiled as she returned to her mirror, she had an idea. Her horn glowed as she levitated her jewelry box over and opened it. She used her hoof and magic to search through the well organized jewelry till she found what she wanted. Her set of about a dozen star ear rings and clips. With practiced ease Twilight put on the gold star ear studs into the two piercings she had in each ear, and used the star clips she made a design kind of like the little dipper in each of her ears.
After testing to insure that she could still move her ears and nothing would slip out of place, Twilight sprayed herself with some lavender rose perfume. She checked herself to make sure everything was right. Once satisfied, the mare trotted out of her room and looked down into the main area. Winchester stood at the base of the stairs at relaxed attention his eyes light up upon seeing her.
As Twilight trotted down the steps she smiled and said “this is what it must be like to be picked up for prom.” the mare had never gone to her school prom or any school dances for that matter, the only one she planed on going to was a collage dance that she missed when she got caught up in some research at the library. That lead to the end of her first relationship.
“well I wouldn’t know, never went to one myself.” Winchester replied smiling, he didn’t want to think about that time of his life right now. It wasn’t happy and now was a time for happy thoughts. Twilight raised an eyebrow at the comment but didn’t press the issue she knew snippets of his past and they were seldom good. “however I do know that tradition dictates I give you a flower.”
“you really brought me a flower?” Twilight replied with a shy giggle as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
“yes.” the knight answered in a soft voice. “two in fact.” he produced two royal blue roses from no where, they smelt sweet and looked almost perfect. As the stallion's blue glow gave way to Twilight’s purple aura. She pulled a petal off the flower, it had a delicate flavor and just about melted in her mouth. This was as close to heaven a flower could get her. She ate the rest of the flower as lady like as she could, the delicate flavor of the peddles was joined by the earthy stem and light bitterness of the pollen and finally a burst of sweet nectar. She was wrong this was as close to heaven a flower could get her.
The mare blushed as she looked up remembering she wasn’t alone. She blushed and smiled at Winchester “so whats the second one for?”
the stallion smiled he had happily waited as the mare enjoyed the flower he bought her “well this one is to wear.” he answered as he slid the thornless stem behind her ear. Twilight was a little disappointed she didn’t get to eat that one but she couldn’t spoil her dinner then again food wasn’t on the mares mind for long with Winchester's hoof on her chine. he lifted her head so their eyes could meet. The moment seemed perfect again and the two ponies leaned in to kiss.
Just as they were about to make contact Rainbow Dash burst in through the front door yelling about how they were going to be late causing both the unicorns to jump. The blue pegasus was soon fallowed by Applejack “dang it Rainbow, We got more then an hour befo-” the country mare stop mid-sentence seeing Twilight and Winchester. It wasn’t hard to guess what the two had been doing. The country mare smirked knowingly “Ah'm sorry are we interrupting something?”
“n-no not really.” Twilight replied with a nervous smile and rosy cheeks, all the interruptions were starting to get on her nerves. Winchester was disappointed as well but smiled the wait was just making him want it and her more.
Rainbow Dash hovered over Applejack's shoulder and said “good.” she fluttered down to the ground “i don’t want to miss the try outs.”
“try outs?” Applejack, Twilight and Winchester asked together.
“didn’t you hear? the Wonderbolts are holding try outs to go to their training camp, I could become a real Wonderbolt.” Rainbow Dash asked as Fluttershy trotted inside with a spring in her step and a smile on her face, Big mac had to work the fair but she didn’t mind they had plenty of time to be together and plans for later this week.
“what about your job.” Winchester asked seeming to have something on his mind.
“i already talked to my manager about it and if I find somepony to take my place when I’m gone he said I could go.”
“Who are you planing on picking?” Thunderlane asked as he and Rarity joined the group. The white mare was about to say something but stopped as Flash walked in front of her sniffing the ground like a dog. Everypony watched the Orange stallion sniff around the room.
“he's playing hid and got seek with Pinkie.” Fluttershy explained, the group of ponies nodded and expressed how that made sense.
“any way-” Thunderlane was cut off by Rainbow Dash saying “there’s no pay raise.”
“i don’t want it.” the gray stallion quickly announced making Rarity giggle and roll her eyes.
“any way girls were over looking something very important.” Applejack said with a grin, her friends looked at her thinking they knew what she was getting at. “Don’t y’all think that these two look a little too fancy to be going to the fair, their even Fancier then Rarity.” Twilight blushed while Winchester looked unamused.
“yes.” Rarity agreed looking over Twilight. “you must have plans for this day you haven’t shared with the rest of us.” she smiled.
Twilight blushed as she admitted “we're just going to dinner.” Winchester nodded in agreement, he wasn’t shy but there were somethings you just don’t discuses like this. He wanted something real with Twilight not to just add another notch to his head board.
“Wait a second.” Rainbow Dash called finally paying attention “didn’t you too leave together last night?”
“yes but nothing happened.” Twilight said blushing harder looking around for a way to get out of this conversion and Spike coming out the bath room wrapped in a towel wasn't it. Winchester was doing the same while Fluttershy was blushing and trying to ignore what was going on, despite being a “lady” Rarity was very interested in the love life of her friends.
“THERE YOU ARE!” Flash yelled as he jumped in the air and flew at Spike. Everypony watched as the orange Pegasus dove at the confused dragon. Spike ducked revealing Pinkie Pie grinning behind him, the pink mare laughed and tried to scurry away. However the pegasus was quicker and playfully tackled her to the ground, they both laughed as they rolled to a stop. Pinkie laid on her back her curly mane was spread out around her as she looked up into Flash's smiling face. “i got you.” he said with a laugh his wings sticking straight up in the air.
“Yeah you did.” Pinkie answer with a giggle as she warped her forelegs around the back of his neck. The memories of last night filled her mind making her blush, but she liked it. She pulled Flash down closer to herself.
“uh Pinkie Darling do remember you are not alone.” Rarity said with a gentle smile.
“opps” the mare giggled as she slip out from under the stallion blushing even harder, Flash coughed and stumbled over a couple of nervous, relies and apologizes. The others laughed, but none were more relieved then Twilight for the distraction. she hoped to keep the conversion away from the subject of that nature. she suggested they get going quick, Twilight's friends agreed. the dragon easily finished getting ready to go by pulling off the towel and throwing it on a hook in the bathroom. The group made their way out of the library and while no one was looking Pinkie stole a kissed from Flash, his wings shot up stiff again. The few vacation days he had, had been put to great use he just hope Pinkie thought the same thing. She didn't seem to have regretted anything they'd done so far.
The Fair was just out of the town limits set up in the no ponies lands between Sweet Apple Acres and Cabbage Radish Fields. It wasn’t a long trot to get there by any means, but it was enough time for most of Twilight’s friends to steer the conversation back to that of the librarian’s and Winchester's plans and what they had done the night before. Twilight assured them that nothing happened but still they pressed her thinking she was hiding something. Spike guessed all this wired talk was why Twilight come home like she did last night.
Winchester was not happy but luckily for him Fluttershy wasn’t interested in talking about the night before. Big Mac was a perfect gentalcolt when he walked her home and left her with a fluttering heart and promises of a great Friday night, but that was all for her to know and nopony else. To distract herself and Winchester she informed him the tabby cat had her litter of kittens. The stallion was delighted and the pair discussed when he could have his pick.
The fair was busy but wasn’t overly crowded. The group didn’t have to wait long to buy their tickets in, but it was too long for Rainbow Dash. She was dancing in place more and more as she got closer to the end of the line. The mare jumped in the air with her ticket yelling “oh yeah.” like she had accomplished some great task. Her friends laughed and rolled their eyes. However Winchester gave her no mind, because he felt eyes on him. Somepony was watching him. He knew who it was, and it irk that bastard so if he ignored him.
The fair circled a large stage and sets of bleachers, currently Sapphire Soars was doing a sound check for her half time show. The stalls and booths on ether side of the main path were mostly run by out of towners. Many were even branded with the Wonderbolts' colors and symbolize.
Rainbow Dash groan aloud every time her friends stopped to look at a stall or buy a treat. when Pinkie wanted to play a Wonderbolts themed game where you throw a stuffed Wonderbolt doll at a tower of bottles Rainbow Dash just about exploded. The pink mare thought she had done something wrong. Flash glared at the blue mare as he comforted Pinkie, she really didn’t need it she was a big girl but she liked the attention.
“what's your problem girl.” Applejack exclaimed with a stomp of her powerful hoof.
Rainbow Dash jumped, she lowered her ears before answering “I’m sorry I just really want to get to the try outs.”
“then go.” Flash said before Pinkie pat him on the head telling him to just watch.
“it is your dream Rainbow Dash don’t let us hold you back.” Twilight added.
Rainbow Dash nodded her ears lifting up slightly as she said “it has always been my dream to fly with the Wonderbolts, but whats the point in a dream if you have no pony to share it with.” she gave her friends a smirk to hide her nerves.
A smile spread over Applejack's face as she looked around at their friends “well hay, girl why didn’t you say so.” Rainbow Dash's ears perked up as the country mare yelled “come on y’all lets get this little dreamer to her dream!”
“Yeah!” the ponies cheered for their friend as they hurried down the path way. One among their number was worried but he showed no sign of it.
It took just a couple of minutes to cross the fair, even with the distractions of the stalls and having to wade through the crowd. Rainbow Dash was first to the desk with a Wonberbolts flag draped over it. It was ran by a very bored looking pony, Dash reconsigned as Drafter a pegasus that joined the Wonderbolts a few years back. “this is the Tryout obstacle course right?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“yeah.” the pegasus replied without looking up, he had been beaten down by the pathetic attempts of the amateurs today. He slid a waver form over the desk and said “just sign this and we can get it over with.” Rainbow Dash smirked as she grabbed a pen in her teeth, Pinkie cheered Rainbow Dash on as the blue mare signed her name. Drafter's ears perked up at the name and he finally looked up at the mare before him and his bored expression vanished. he asked “are you the Rainbow Dash?”
“none other.” the blue mare proclaim proudly tossing her multicolored mane out of her face.
Drifter nodded his head and grabbed a stamp from a ink pad and slammed it on the paper. “approved.”
Rainbow Dash's mouth dropped open “but I didn’t even do the coarse?”
“girl I've seen you fly, your in.” Drifter answered. “I’m surprise we haven’t invited you already.”
“oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!” Rainbow Dash repeated her wings buzzing excitedly. “I could kiss you.” Drifter smiled at the idea but his hopes were dashed as the blue mare was picked up by her friends and tossed her in the air as they cheered.
Winchester's cheers were enthusiastic but with an underlying sadness. Twilight noticed it but she assumed it was from the unwanted guest. “hey.” the mare said to get the stallion's attention, Winchester smiled at her as he replied with a simple yes. “how long has he been following us.” Twilight asked.
“oh him.” Winchester said as he looked over his shoulder with a grin. Sombra was standing in the shadows of a stall avoiding the commoners. Winchester smiled back at Twilight “he's not going to try anything, it wouldn’t help.”
“oh?” Twilight said as Sombra started to make his way through the crowd toward them. “i hope your right.” Twilight said as her friends took notice of the two unicorns private talk. Curiosity got the better of them as they asked what it was about.
The answer came from a large black stallion pushing through the crowd to stand and stare at Winchester and Twilight seeing that he was armed Flash stepped in front Pinkie and Fluttershy, Thunderlane did the same for Rarity. “everything okay.” Flash called over to the knight. Winchester glanced at Flash and waved his hoof dismissively. Rainbow Dash and Applejack had their eyes on the situation they weren’t sure what to do, yet. Spike pulled out his quill and paper thinking it may be needed.
“your not going to cause any trouble are you?” Twilight asked.
Sombra shook his head, and turned his full attention to the bearer of magic “first I must apologize to thou bearer of harmony, for my intersession on thine intimate time last night.” the armored stallion bowed to Twilight despite his politeness the lavender mare could sense his anger and sadness. Winchester grinned angrily he didn’t like taking his own medicine.
“you are forgiven.” The mare replied, she was trying to imitate the way the princess talked. “but what are you doing here today?”
“i said I would return to duel Sir Drunkard.” Sombra looked around “when I first saw this merriment I thought it is for the duel.” Twilight's friends weren’t sure how to react.
“no just some entrepreneurs hoping to fill their purses with hard earned coin.” Winchester said his eyes locked on Sombra. The black stallion didn’t bother looking at him.
“this isn’t the time for a fight there's too many ponies around.” Twilight said hoping to stop a public fight and possible collateral damage.
Sombra looked around “thou speaks truly.” he looked back at Winchester “shall we take our duel out to the hills?” finally acknowledged him.
Winchester grinned “do not take my rejection as cowardice, for I am simply already engaged.” he smiled at Twilight with genuine joy, she returned the look shyly before both returned to their more neutral serious faces. “but after dinner tonight we may cross blades for real.” the stallion's locked eyes again.
“as long as thou dost not indulge in too much wine.” Sombra replied, he was visible disappointed. The black pony didn’t want to wait for his punishment any longer but he had to listen to Royalty.
Winchester chuckled “rum is my poison of choice but I will refrain from it, this night.” despite his apparent mirth he didn’t like Sombra. he found him rude, though it might have been because he was reminded of himself.
“good.” Sombra turned to leave. “i shall wait for you upon the hills.”
“hey you cant go.” Pinkie called as she bounced over her friends, she ignored their attempts to stop her as she hopped right up to Sombra and hugged him “Mister you can’t go.”
“release me w-” he stopped mid sentence as Pinkie continued to explain that he should join them for a good time, Sombra however putting a few things together he assumed this mare was a bearer of harmony. He looked to Winchester for the answer.
The blue stallion smiled and said “bearer of laughter.” Sombra sighed and allowed the excited pink pony to lead him away.
“hey Twi you sure its a good idea to keep this guy around?” Applejack asked as the group started to fallow Pinkie Pie and Sombra. Flash stayed very close.
Twilight’s eyes never left Sombra “well you know Pinkie, maybe it will help him.” Applejack nodded “so lets just relax and have a good time.”
Awkward was the only way to describe the feeling in the air. Most ponies were confused by the armed and armored black stallion and put off by his odd gruff manner of speech. The group tried their best to have a good time, they played some games, won some prizes and bought some treats. The couples flirted a little, although Flash never got a chance with Pinkie's attention on cheering up the flustered black stallion. However Flash couldn’t help but smile about her enthusiasm in helping this pony fit in.
Pinkie could sense a deep sadness with in the black pony, specially after and odd encounter with the minotaur Iron Will as he attempted to sell his new weight loss and work out routines. In her heart she knew she had to rid him of this depression, and she had an idea how. Sombra's eyes widened as Pinkie's forelegs wrapped around him tighter as she was pulled into hug. Her sugary scent filled his nose, he could feel the curves of her body and the beat of her heart, it was improper the only mare he had ever been this close to was his lady love. He didn’t know what she would say but he knew what Pinkie was saying now. “its okay Sombie I'll get you out of this slump, all you need is a hug and a laugh with friends.” she giggled as she weaved her words into a song.
The mare's song was light and joyful, she was quickly joined by others including her friends and their dates as they sang about how a hurt in the heart or a sorry soul can be healed with a hug and some love from friends. They made it a point that their were new friends here ready to do just that. A few ponies including Winchester, Fluttershy, Twilight and even Iron Will got a verse on how friendship and hugs got them through hard times.
The song slowed and Sombra sang in a low deep bass voice, he expressed his gratitude to the bearers of harmony. The black pony's words were sad as he explained in song that there are hurts of the heart that come from regrettable actions that hugs and friends aren’t enough to fix. You must find forgiveness some how, and he only knew one way for him to be forgiven but he didn’t put it into words.
Hearing the underlying sadness, Pinkie countered with the final chorus and insisting it never hurts to try. Twilight realized that there was a way they could help and she was standing in the way of it. The lavender mare pull Winchester aside and said “i want you to go duel him.”
Winchester looked from Sombra where he was trying to talk Pinkie out of buying him a deep fried candy bar to Twilight and replied “Really?” the blue stallion had to admit he wanted to duel Sombra, however he also wanted to be with Twilight.
“yes.” Twilight said with a sigh “but I’m only giving you a rain check for the show.” she smiled and stepped a little closer “i still want to go to dinner.” they both smiled happily.
the stallion nodded “i like the sound of that, even if we duel till one yields it shouldn’t take too long.” the stallion was confidant he would be victorious and Sombra would feel he had regained his honor.
Sombra was beside himself he had never had fried food before. The fried chocolate bar almost made him forget about his woes as he devoured it. Pinkie laughed and bought him another as well as one for Flash and herself to share, the orange stallion was quite happy to do so. Spike slid up next to Applejack too try and to conceive her to buy him a treat.
Winchester approached as Sombra was enjoying the second fried chocolate bar. The black pony composed himself as he looked at his counter part. “what is it, sir Winchester?”
“i believe it is time.” Winchester answered while Applejack and Rainbow Dash watched, Twilight joined them giving Spike a disapproving look as he tried to hid his treat. Applejack and Rainbow Dash knew Twilight had to do with this. Sombra's reply was a silent nod as the blue stallion continued “we'll go duel in the fields but I have been told to not miss dinner.”
“if thine skills are true thou just may make it to thy lady love in time.” Sombra replied “i shall fallow thee.” he held his half eaten fried candy bar close by “the culinary delicacies of theses days are quite deletable.”
“oooookkkaayyy.” Winchester said confused giving Sombra a sidelong glance.
Twilight watched Winchester leave, despite her confident in the knight's skills she had a sudden bad feeling. She didn’t know what it meant but she was bothered. Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn’t notice their friends concern while they bought some fresh made lemonade. However Fluttershy did notice and gave up her search for Macintosh’s booth to step close to her well dressed friend and asked in a tiny voice “are you okay Twilight?”
“huh oh yeah.” the lavender mare smiled “just wanted, to well.” she blushed hoping Fluttershy caught what she was trying to say. The yellow mare paused for a moment then nodded seemingly catching on. “any way lets go have some fun.”
“FUN!” Pinkie and Flash said as they suddenly jumped in on the conversation. The sudden distraction and silly nature of her friends made Twilight forget her bad feeling. She laughed as the whole group ran off to find some fun games. The knight stuff, as Rainbow Dash put it was soon forgotten in favor of the taunts of the dunking booth pony. However Twilight’s mind was never truly settled, just distracted.
It wasn’t long before most of the fair emptied into the center field, and filed into the bleachers. Twilight and her friends found some good seats. They talked as they waited for the show to start. Seeing how Rarity was snuggled up to Thunderlane and the look on Fluttershy's face when Big Macintosh trotted up and sat next to her for the show, made Twilight's mind wonder to her date. She was starting to think she made the wrong dissension with sending Winchester off to fight, she knew she had when she saw Pinkie and Flash playing around and his reaction when the pink mare kissed him when she thought nopony was looking.
Luckily before Twilight's thoughts could get her in a bad mood the driving powerful music of the Wonderbolts came through the speakers, it started with a low jungle beat from the drums. The Gryphon guitars soon joined the drums with a building roar, the guitars screamed just as the six Wonderbolts soared over head trailing multicolored smoke.
The crowed went wild as the stunt fliers banked and dove in formation before spiting apart and flying what felt like mere feet above the crowed. The Wonderbolts twisted and turned in the air making complicated designs with their smoke putting their timing and coordinator to the test, the music was little help they couldn’t hear it most of the time.
Rainbow Dash was amazed without looking away from her heroes the blue mare yelled about how she tried this and that, or that when you do this one move all the blood rushes away from her your head and can knock you out. Pinkie mean while giggled and got Flash's attention. The pink mare mouthed “watch this.” she reached out and pushed down on Rainbow Dash's wing. It sprang back up like a door stopper would, the vibration of that single wing reverberated through the rest of the mares body.
Rainbow Dash blushed as she shook much to the entertainment of her friends near by, none more so then Pinkie and Flash. The pair rolled on the bleachers laughing. Rainbow Dash was about to let them have it when a gasped from the crowd drew her attention to the sky. “NO WAY their doing it this early.” the blue mare guessed what trick it was the Wonderbolts were about to do.
High above Fleet Foot and Spitfire flew straight at each other. The world was in slow motion for the two mares, they could almost see how the air pop around them as they broke the sound barrier. Their timing had to be perfect or this would be their last act. The pair could see their reflections in the goggles of the other as they closed, at the last moment they rolled slightly hooves ready to catch each others. Every fiber and tendon in their beans set themselves properly nothing could be out of place.
They caught each others hoof, with a shift of their weight the mares began spinning around feet above the stage lights. A moment after their high speed spin started a small tornado formed around them their smoke trails colored it blue with some streaks of yellow. The two Wonderbolt fliers gritted their teeth as the counted, the flight suits they wore did the best they could to keep the blood in their heads.
The sky above responded to the tornado, dark clouds formed and began to swirl. On the count of 15 the mares released their hooves, they shot out of the wild tornado. The low music was all building drums for a few seconds as the crowd grew afraid, the storm above would soon be out of control. The music hit a high note with cymbals, then The bass drum kicked at the same moment the four other Wonderbolts cut through the tornado in the four cardinal directions. The confused spinning air burst into rising steam and falling snow.
The crowd exploded with cheers. The six fliers landed on the stage panting. The chanting of their fans was what they lived for. Sapphire Shores trotted up beside them telling the crowd show the Wonderbolts their love. The stunt fliers trotted off to rest and get some magic healing, Fleet Foot was trying her best to hide her limp.
Sapphire Shores was soon joined by her back up dancers and singers all of them in lavish costumes but none out shined the pony of pop herself. Rarity proudly proclaimed to her friends that she made all of them, her friends already knew she had excitedly told them the news when she gotten the order. Sapphire Soars put on quite the half time show. She fed off the energy of the crowd and intern got them even more fired up then before.
Applejack and Big Macintosh weren't the biggest fans of pop music, but with all the enjoyment around them they couldn’t be sticks in the mud and joined the fun. Fluttershy was shy like normal but she moved with the music with a big smile. Twilight was into it but she liked anything she could let loose and move too, normally alone in her room with the door lock and shutters shut. Rarity was a lady but she was here to have a good time with her coltfriend and dancing with the music with him was the right thing to do. Rainbow Dash wanted the Wonderbolts back but she had to admit that Sapphire Shores put on a good show.
The half time show went on for about ten minutes. Sapphire Shores trotted to the front on the stage in her forth costume of the show, Rarity commented on the difficulties of making each outfit. The Pony of Pop smiled as she stood before the crowd and called to them “let me feel your love!” the crowd cheered making her smile some more “now that’s all for me, but how about you let those Wonderbolts feel your love.” the crowd cheered and the mare just laughed “Ha I know you can do better then that. MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE WONDERBOLTS!” the crowd got louder “now that’s more like it!” she looked over her shoulders as the pegasi flew over the fair grounds smoke trailing behind them.
As the Wonderbolts performance music started up again, Sapphire Shores whooped and reared up kicking her forelegs as she led the crowds cheer. High above the fair grounds Soaring stopped flapping his wings and let gravity and his momentum battle it out, he knew that the other fliers were doing the same. He smiled he loved the feeling of weightlessness, it was in these moments that Soaring felt closest to the creator. Then his military training kicked in, he broke formation on instant. He knew he was going to caught hell for it but as some sort of magical comet hurtled past where he had just been he thought made the right choice.
Some of the crowd noticed the smoking form hurtling toward the stage, they couldn’t tell if it was part of the show or not. As the comet got closer to the stage it became apparent it wasn’t. Sapphire Shores was too stunned to move as the sparkling cloud impacted the stage. A few seconds past before a large wight blade fanned away the lingering smoke revealing Winchester, his gleaming armor marred by couple of dents and scuffs but he was other wise unharmed. The wooden stage under his hooves was splintered and one bored had even snapped.
Twilight jumped to her hooves and looked to her friends, they didn’t know what to do but were ready to help how ever they could. Meanwhile Winchester breathed in and out slowly as he recovered from being launched by his opponents magical attack. Sombra was a stronger opponent then he thought. the black stallion may even be better then him, but Winchester refused to yield.
Sombra stepped out of a crystal portal on the other end of the stage as Winchester turned around to face him. He made sure he was on a sturdier part of the stage. Sapphire Shores found herself standing between two heavily armored ponies with massive swords. Winchester smiled as he said “i think we should take our duel else where? These ponies don’t need to see this” he realized the mics next to him were still working and all of the stunned crowd just heard him.
“dose thou fear defeat in front of those thou protects?” Sombra taunted his voice amplified by the working mics near him. He flipped his crystal blade around in his magical grip, it was creaked and chipped. Featherweight was proving to be the sturdier weapon. Sombra was happy in a strange way, his punishment was soon to come. He just needed to push Winchester to the point of killing him, and the only honorable way to do that was to not hold back on the less skilled warrior. Hopefully he would be leaving Equsitra in stronger hooves.
The Wonderbolts landed around the stage asking if everything was okay. Sombra only gave them a cursory glance before he said “yes yes this is beyond your show pony stature.” none of the six Wonderbolts took the insult well but stayed back he was armed and they were not.
Winchester rolled his eyes “yes everything is okay. Just the business of warriors.” he paused and said “and warriors business is no show for the normal ponies.” the look he gave the Wonderbolts was all they need too see to know they weren’t part of this business, even if they didn’t like it.
“in the past the disputes of warriors were settled publicly.” Sombra replied “in a setting much like this.” the black pony motioned to the stands and stage. the Wonderbolts helped Sapphire Shores off the stage. The crowd wasn’t sure how to react some ponies thought it was part of the show others looked around for a pony of authority to tell. However the closest pony to tell was the knight who was on stage right now. Twilight was worried, she didn’t want anypony to get hurt specially somepony in the crowd. The lavender mare was kicking herself now.
“hey Twilight.” Applejack said to get her friends attention “what should we do?”
Twilight took a deep breath “we need to get everypony out of here.” the bearers of harmony agreed. The group started to call out that everypony needed to calmly making their way out. A shiver ran through the crowd as they slowly responded to the Bearers of Harmony, if the ponies of Ponyville had learned anything in the last few years is that when Twilight and her friends say to do something you do it.
Winchester smiled as he glanced over at Twilight, that’s what he hoped she would do. Sombra sighed and said “well I guess thine wish has been granted.” he spun his sword around in his grip and charged. Winchester was never one too fight defensively so he charges as well.
The clashing swords rang so loud it shook the teeth of everypony in ear shot. Sombra jumped and flipped end over end with the crystal blade. Winchester easily blocked the three consecutive blows before swatting aside the black pony and jumping to the side ready to counter attack. Sombra called forth a crystal spike from the ground to distract the blue stallion and interrupt his strike. With a grimace Winchester the writer sliced through the crystal spire and it crumbled to dust as he pursued Sombra.
The two warriors parried and dodged each others mighty strikes. Their strength was a match, Winchester was faster and more agile but Sombra was more ruthless and skilled then Winchester. Sombra locked his sword with Featherweight in the air above, in response Winchester stepped forward and crossed horns with him too stop any spell casting. “fool!” Sombra growled as he disengaged swiping his crystalline horn across the blue stallion's face cutting him.
Even as Winchester lost his magical grip on Featherweight he spun around the same way and slammed his armored flank into the side of Sombra's head. The writer jumped away his left eye burned from the blood that ran down his forehead he caught Featherweight with his teeth and jumped. Sombra rolled to his hooves and pulled the crystal sword too him with his magic and swung his blade hard to turn away Winchester powerful downward chop. The Blue stallion kept on his target and dung his sword into the wood to vault himself forward and slammed his hooves into a thin flat crystal wall that Sombra summoned just in time.
Winchester kicked off the crystal wall as Sombra cut through the cracked wall to chase him. The two stallion's continued to clash, Sombra never let Winchester push any advantage he gained. Winchester was getting angry and that’s not the way to fight a foe like this and he knew it. it was then the blue stallion noticed that Featherweight was starting to really cut into Sombra's crystal sword. So Winchester changed up his strategy, he started to attack the sword rather then its wielder.
Sombra saw this new trick and smiled, it was clever and judging form the state of his crystal blade it would work. The black stallion would not give Winchester an easy victory, there would be no honor in it.
Suddenly spears of crystal burst out of the stage. Winchester cursed as one of the spears shattered on his chest, he jumped and bounced off another one. He cut through two more as he landed on his hooves. Sombra bellowed a battle cry as he jumped off a large spike he rode. Winchester wasn’t facing him but Featherweight was there to block the sword, Unfortunately this was when Winchester's plan worked. The abused crystal blade could take no more and Featherweight's magical edge through it. half of the blade bounced harmless off the blue stallion's back, sadly Sombra held the handle firmly in his teeth which still had half the blade of the crystal sword. The black warrior's aim was true, right at the weak point where the scale mail that cover Winchester's flanks was attached to his chest plate.
Twilight was ushering the last of the civilian ponies out the exit when the sound of tearing metal and a gargled grunt reached her ear. The lavender mare turned around to look at the stage. She gasped as she saw Featherweight fall to the wooden stage and Winchester staggering away from Sombra with a massive gash in his side. Blood poured from the wound, too much blood. The blue stallion gargled as he tripped over his dropped weapon. “that didn’t just happen.” Twilight said her mind couldn’t quite process what she had seen. It took a few seconds and the reaction of her friends to confirm what it was, Winchester had been probably killed.
A tear formed in Twilight's eyes as she realized what Sombra had done, despite the horrified look on his face she growled “how could you!” the mares coat flashed white as she drew magic from within herself.
Winchester felt cold not the normal cold that made your hooves numb and creaked your lips, it wasn’t the cold that a warm blanket and some hot soup could chase away. This was the cold grip of death. He dully heard a deep voice saying “no no what have I done” but Winchester couldn’t really hear it. He had cheated death so many times, but this time he couldn’t trick the grim mare into letting him go. Not like when he was a colt.
Sombra stood over the fallen stallion cursing his luck and skill, he didn’t want this it should be him lying on the ground bleeding out. He had to act fast, maybe he could save him. However before he could move a flash of light drew his attention. The stallion looked to see a beam of energy shoot from Twilight’s horn. He couldn’t move fast enough he would be punished after all just not by the pony he thought it would be.
A brief moment before Twilight's magical attack erased Sombra from the face of the planet Princess Luna suddenly appeared in front of him. She slapped the beam out of the air with her wing. The feed back almost knocked Twilight off her hooves. Now Twilight was very confused, but the lavender mare didn’t have time to think about it she had only seconds to spare. She ran and leaped onto the stage. She slid to a stop as Rainbow Dash and Flash landed behind her eyes on Sombra. Twilight yelled the words to a healing spell as she touched her horn to Winchester's side.
A heart beat later Winchester cough up a mouthful of blood. He gasped for breath like he had just about drowned. Spike walked over to the edged of the stage watching as Luna just stared at Sombra holding back tears, while the stallion looked up at her with wide eyes. Tears rolled down the princess's cheeks. Sombra couldn’t take it he was too ashamed and in a flash of magic he vanished before Luna could speck.
Twilight’s heart pounded in her chest as she rubbed Winchester's back to help encourage him clear out his lungs, he was breathing easier now he even smiled at her before coughing again. She looked around for her friends. Fluttershy had recovered from the shock and flew over to check on the once injured knight. She almost faint when she saw the pool of blood. Flash said something about being on watch and flew off while Rainbow Dash asked what was going on. Rarity, Applejack, Thunderlane, and Pinkie Pie hurried around the corner of the stage to see what was going on.
Princess Luna stood motionless staring at the spot where Sombra had been. She realized tears were rolling down her cheeks and that her subjects shouldn’t see her cry. She hid her sadness with her wing as she attempted to compose herself.
It only took little over a minute for the princess to get a hold of herself, she finally looked at Twilight as she told Winchester to sit down. Fluttershy was trying to help make the knight relax. The others were looking around trying to figure what too do. all of them looked too Luna for detections. “gather around everypony, all will be explained.” she finally said.
the smaller ponies circled around their princess of the night. Pinkie never broke eye contact with her so not to see the puddle of blood, it didn’t work every well. Winchester stood at attention despite being very unsteady on his hooves, Twilight looked at him very upset before she pushed his rump down with both hooves. He lowered his ears and looked at her asking for sympathy, all he got was knowing smile.
The mortal ponies looked up at Luna waiting for answers, she just closed her eyes and lowered her head. Her words were not an answer, they were too an ancient spell that not even Twilight knew. Beneath Luna lines of ethereal magic spread from her hooves, the blue lines wrought words in the oldest of the arcane tongue. The runes spread out till they surrounded everypony. Then in a flash all ten ponies had vanished. Flash landed on stage again, he looked around confused “where'd everypony go?”