Courage Knows no Weakness

Twilight gulped as the group reached the edge of the Everfree Forest. She heard Fluttershy’s quiet whimper as the pegasus took a cautious step backwards, debating whether or not to flee. She could tell Rainbow Dash had landed behind the shy mare and was keeping her from turning and running. Rarity stood to her right a few paces behind her, Applejack on her left. Pinkie was right in front of Fluttershy, her mane still as flat as before.

If I hadn’t seen her disappear in here, I wouldn’t believe she was here at all. thought Twilight, her horn starting to glow against the darkness. She turned to look at her friends. Each one was watching her expectantly, waiting for what they were supposed to do. She took a deep breath and stretched out her wings.

“Rainbow, you and I are in the sky. Rarity, you’re going to lead PInkie, Fluttershy and Applejack on the ground. Keep your eyes peeled for any sign of Comet or Spike. And be careful, the timberwolves should be awake by now so we need to keep our guard up.”

“You got it, sugarcube. Those timberwolves don’t stand a chance against us, though.” said Applejack.

“Let’s head to Zecora’s first. With any luck she stumbled upon Comet and will at least know where she’s headed.” said Twilight, jumping into the air and catching herself with her outstretched wings.

“Of course, darling. We’ll meet you and Rainbow there. Come on, girls.”

Fluttershy gulped and walked forward slowly with her head held low, mane dragging along the ground and wings folded tightly to her sides. Pinkie Pie bounced slowly in front of her halfheartedly. Applejack moved ahead with her head held high, just barely behind Rarity as she lit the way.

“Come on, Rainbow. We better get going.”

Twilight flapped her wings hurriedly and flew between the trees without so much as a second glance to make sure Rainbow was following her. Moments later, the blue pegasus caught up to her with a flash of color. “Are you alright, Twilight?”

The alicorn looked over at her friend. “I guess. Why?”

“You don’t seem like it. Normally, you wouldn’t be this... disoriented.”

“I’m fine, Rainbow. Comet on the other hoof, might not be.” Twilight looked ahead just in time to avoid running into a tree.

“I know you, Twilight. You’re not okay.” Rainbow stopped flying and just hovered in the air. “It’s not easy taking care of someone with a handicap. Remember Scootaloo?”

Twilight stopped and turned back to look at Rainbow.”Of course I remember Scootaloo. Who could forget that adorable little filly you took under your wings? I also remember how much you cared for her.”

“She’s only about a decade older than Comet. Ten years ago, I was still treating her like a filly. But I learned that by treating her like a filly she never got to grow up and be her own pony. Sometimes you have to earn to let them go, Twilight.”

Twilight stared at the blue pegasus before her, her horn glowing raspberry so they could see each other. She saw concern in her friends rose-colored eyes and sighed. “I guess you’re right. But that doesn’t mean I care any less about her. We still have to find her, and I’m going whether you’re coming with me or not.”

Twilight glanced at her friend as she flew away, dodging branches as she raced towards Zecora's hut. She was so concerned with getting to the zebra’s hut that she didn’t even notice when she flew over a faint red glow in the trees.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Comet looked up as she heard the flapping of her mother’s wings. The larger wings moved more air and caused a slightly louder sound than that of a normal pegasus. She ceased the glow of her horn and listened as the wingbeats grew faint. She must not have seen me. Comet thought with a sigh of relief. Nevertheless, she pulled her hood over her horn even more just to be safe. She continued her echolocation spell and cautiously moved through the forest once more, turning to the right to head deeper into the trees.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Rainbow Dash landed outside Zecora’s hut out of breath. She had flown as fast as she could to try and reach Twilight, but the alicorn had seemingly vanished in mid air. She turned as she heard a group of voices behind her. Rarity’s sapphire-colored magic surrounded her horn as she led the others through the undergrowth into the small clearing.

“Does anypony know where Twilight is?” she asked.

The approaching mares looked at one another before turning back to look at Rainbow. “No idea, Dashie.” said Pinkie Pie.

“I’m right here, girls.”

Rainbow turned to see Twilight coming out of Zecora’s hut with a nervous-looking Spike on her back. “Where’s Comet? I thought Spike was with her.”

The purple dragon looked up at the gathered ponies. “She left. She looked into Zecora’s brew and then she just... left. I- I have no idea where she went or if she’s even coming back.”

Spike looked away from the staring ponies and wiped away his tears before he remembered the small item that had been sewn inside Comet’s cloak. “R-Rarity, I saw something sewn into Comet’s cloak. What was it?”

“Whatever do you mean, Spike? I didn’t add anything to Comet’s cloak when I was making it. I made it exactly as Twilight asked me to.” Rarity said, flipping her mane. “Why, what did you see?”

“I- I’m not sure. I thought maybe it was a small gem.”

“On the inside? Spike, that doesn’t sound like Rarity.” said Twilight. “We can’t worry about it right now anyways. We have to find Comet.”

“I’ll say. Twilight, she used the counterspell on her bracelet. If she doesn’t reactivate the magic soon, she may never be able to use the gem again.”