Where the High Road Ends

Chapters

A Gathering of Friends
The King's High Road
Chapter 3: Our Own Devices

A Gathering of Friends

An MLP: FIM Fanfiction

by Immolation_of_Senses

Chapter 1: A Collection of Friends

“I don’t get it Twilight, the princess has taken longer than this to reply before, why are you freaking out now?” The small dragon sat at the kitchen table watching his boss pace back and forth through the doorway.

“I know Spike, but her last letter said she had something important to tell me!” The unicorn froze, a scared expression creeping over her face. “Oh no, you don’t think something bad’s happened, do you Spike?”

“Twilight, relax, the princess knows how to take care of herself.” Spike had learned long ago how worked up she could get. He had found the best thing to do was roll with the punches, and do his best to assuage her fears.

Princess Celestia’s last letter had arrived without warning, and seemed hastily written. It lacked her usual formalities and flow; the short letter had been headed simply, ‘Twilight Sparkle’.

“Augh!”

Spike was brought back to the kitchen by Twilight’s exclamation. “I just wish I knew what I was supposed to do! The letter said she needed me to do something important, but what?!”

Her body tensed as her panic rose. “Omigosh, what if I was supposed to go straight to Canterlot? What if I’m too late now because I waited?” Spike sighed loudly.

“Twilight, the princess told you to stay here, remember? At the bottom of the letter.”

At his words the purple unicorn nodded and took a few breaths to calm herself enough to maintain some composure.

“You’re right Spike. I just need to calm down and wait for her to reply.”

Spike sighed again and smiled as he got down from his chair and walked to the sink.

“Sounds good Twi. Hey, why don’t you get out of here for a little while? I mean, I don’t think Celestia will send anything this late, and what could you do tonight even if she did?”

Twilight frowned and shook her head.

“Thanks Spike, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. if it’s as urgent as she made it sound I should really be here when it shows up.” Despite her words Twilight had to admit she would like to see her friends. Her doubt must have shown because Spike began pushing her towards the door.

“Look Twilight, you’re going to drive yourself crazy just waiting here; you haven’t even read anything all night!”

Twilight resisted, but not with much enthusiasm, and actually walked herself across the threshold and into the gathering dusk. Spike closed the door behind her and moved to an open window to speak.

“I’ll see you in a little while, okay?”

“Okay Spike, I guess I’ll try at Rarity’s, if it does come I want you to come find me immediately, understand?”

Spike nodded happily as he shut the window and headed upstairs for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

***

As Twilight trotted through the Ponyville square in the gathering dusk, she fretted over her teacher’s cryptic note. It had stated simply that Princess Celestia, the Goddess of the sun, and Twilight’s personal teacher had a special task for her and that she would write again in the next few days with more details.

The unicorn was so lost in thought she didn’t notice a rainbow blur speeding towards her until it was too late. The next thing she knew she was on her back, some distance from where she last stood. Twilight groaned and righted herself, hearing an answering grunt she looked around; a few hooves to her left a multi-colored pegasus sat shaking her head.

“Hey, wouldya watch where you’re--Oh, hi Twilight! Sorry I didn’t see you there, had somewhere to be and was running late, you know how it goes.” Rainbow Dash stood, smiling, as Twilight gingerly flexed her limbs, testing them for damage.

“What? Oh, hey Rainbow Dash, yeah I get it.” She shook herself. “Where are you going?”

“Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie said something about a batter emergency and asked if I could help. Actually, I should probably get going again. See ya later Twilight!” With that, Rainbow Dash leaped into the air, starting back on her way to help her party loving friend.

“Wait, Rainbow Dash!”

Dash stopped, hovering in mid air and turned to face her friend.

“Does Pinkie need any extra help? I was going to Rarity’s but she’s not expecting me.”

Rainbow Dash shifted awkwardly and scratched her head.

“Nah, it’s no big deal. Between me and Pinkie, it’ll be sorted out in no time!”

“Well, ok Rainbow, I’ll see you around then. Good luck with the batter.” As she turned and flew away, Rainbow Dash heaved a deep sigh of relief before speeding on to her destination.

When Twilight arrived at the Carousel Boutique, Celestia’s sun had gone beyond the horizon and Luna’s moon started its long journey across the night sky. The storefront was dark, but light spilled from the second floor windows. She brought one hoof up and rapped against a metal plate set on the door, careful to avoid any wanton damage to the finish. Her knock was answered by a voice somewhere within.

“Just a minute! Ah! Sweetie Belle please! Just wait there a moment, won’t you?”

A few moments later the top half of the door opened to reveal a white unicorn with a well-groomed purple mane.

“Oh why hello dear! I wasn’t expecting you. Please, do come in!” Rarity’s head disappeared for a moment before the bottom half of the door followed its counterpart. Rarity closed the door as her friend walked into the closed boutique. “Just through here dear. I was helping Sweetie Belle finish an outfit for some cutie mark adventure her and her friends are going on tomorrow... What was it you’re doing again Sweetie Belle?”

“Cutie Mark Crusader street performers!” The smaller unicorn replied with a wide grin. Rarity cringed slightly at the thought, but maintained a serene smile of encouragement.

“Yes, of course; I don’t know how it ever slipped my mind. Now, just let me finish this seam and I think you’re ready.” She snipped a final thread and stepped back to examine her works. “Oh it’s absolutely perfect! Why don’t you come over here and show Twilight?” Sweetie Belle bounced off of the podium she had been standing on and walked towards Twilight Sparkle.

“What do you think, huh?” She spun and posed to show off the metallic looking cape and leg covers.

“It’s very nice, Sweetie Belle. Uhh, what’s it for exactly?”

“I’m gonna be a living statue!” The filly exclaimed, excitement almost bursting the seams of her new outfit.

“Oh, that’s… nice?” Twilight made what she hoped was an encouraging smile, but knew it likely came off as confused as she felt. The filly was undaunted.

“Alright Sweetie, run upstairs and get ready for bed, I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you in.” Rarity turned to face her friend. “Now, what can I do for you Twilight?”

“Nothing really. I just wanted to get out of the library for a bit. I’m waiting for a letter from the Princess and, well, I guess the waiting was starting to wear on me.” She sighed as the admission left her.

“I completely understand dear. Would you like me to make a pot of tea?”

Twilight nodded enthusiastically.

“That would be great Rarity; if it’s not too much trouble that is.”

“No trouble at all Twilight; I’ll just put the kettle on and go put Sweetie Belle to bed, yes?” Twilight nodded again and watched her friend ready the teapot and head upstairs. When Rarity had passed from sight, Twilight felt the anxiety that had been pushed away by her friends’ company well up in the back of her mind. She took several deep breaths and waited. It wasn’t long before the tea began to whistle and steam, summoning Rarity back down the stairs. She lifted the pot from the stove and poured the hot water into two waiting porcelain cups. Rarity turned and began sorting through a cabinet filled with various varieties of tea.

She pulled away from the cabinet, holding a pink tin aloft in front of her.

“Well I think I have just the thing. Rose hip is always a good choice, don’t you agree?”

Twilight smiled and nodded amicably as the cup was placed in front of her.

“Thank you Rarity, that sounds perfect.”

“So, was there anything in particular you wanted to talk about? nything new at the library?”

The purple mare shook her head.

“Not really, just, felt like getting out a bit.” She smiled at her little lie, not wanting to admit she had almost literally been pushed out the door.

“Well I certainly understand that feeling. Some days when all my dress orders feel like they’re starting to get the better of me, I get the notion to just pack my things and run away, start anew under a different name! In a different place!” She brought her hoof to her head in an overly dramatic gesture; the sight made Twilight giggle. Her friend was known for her melodramatic personality, and the thought of Rarity abandoning her home on a whim was almost too much. The fashionista lowered her hoof and sipped her tea thoughtfully.

“So what’s this about waiting for a message from the princess? Isn’t it usually you doing the letter writing?”

“Oh, yes, but I do usually get letters back from her, especially when it’s important. She sent me a letter a few days ago out of the blue saying she had some urgent task for me, but she didn’t say what!” Twilight almost shouted the last words. She gave a loud huff and slumped onto the table, worry and fatigue beginning to take their toll.

“I can see how that must be frustrating dear, but really, I think she would have told you if it wasn’t something that could wait. Maybe she’s trying to find the best way to explain it to you?” Twilight admitted she had thought of this herself, but the idea that there was something the princess was having trouble putting in to words sent a chill down her spine.

“I’m sure you’re right,” She took a sip of the tea and was relieved to find Rarity had told the truth about its calming effect. “but I just can’t shake the feeling something’s off.”

The two talked for a time until, half an hour later Twilight headed back out of the darkened store space. With a tone approaching cheerful, she bid her friend goodbye as she walked towards her library home.

***

Light seeped unbidden through her closed eyelids as the purple unicorn groaned herself awake. It had to be at least a few hours later than she intended to wake, but anxiety had apparently taken more out of her than she thought. She hoped, without much conviction, that Spike had woken up before her for once and opened the library in her absence.

A loud clatter from downstairs cleared whatever holdout pockets of sleep still clung to her mind as she raced to investigate. To her surprise, Spike was indeed awake and working the library, or had been until very recently. He was on the ground next to an overturned stepping stool, surrounded by fallen books.

“Spike, are you alright, what happened?”

He rubbed his head and gestured towards a scroll lying half-crushed by one of the wayward books. Twilight dashed forward to retrieve the scroll. Her horn glowed as she haphazardly stacked the books into a pile and brought the scroll to hover in front of her face.

To my most faithful student Twilight Sparkle,

It was in some excitement that I last wrote you; I apologize for the abrupt nature of my last letter as well as the somewhat delayed follow up and any undue concern I may have caused. You no doubt wonder what task I wrote of in my last message and, after some deliberation between my sister and myself, I have decided it would be better for you to hear the details straight from the pony’s mouth as it were. My sister, Princess Luna should be arriving within a few minutes of this letter reaching you to explain the situation in full.

Your caring teacher,
Princess Celestia of Equestria

Twilight’s embarrassment at her teacher’s apology was quickly overshadowed by frantic worry. What was it that warranted a personal visit from a princess to explain? Why Princess Luna and not Celestia? A few minutes? But that would mean… her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the front door. Twilight jumped at the sound and spun on the spot, rushing to the door. It opened before she could reach it, in the open frame stood a pair of stone faced, armor clad pegasus, they spoke in unison as Twilight screeched to a halt inches from their snouts.

“Announcing Princess Luna, mistress of the night skies and co-ruler of Equestria.”

Twilight gaped, mouth wide as the guards stood aside to allow the princess of Equestria entrance.

“Thank you sirs, that will be all.” Her tone was firm, but held the same serene benevolence of her sister as she spoke. “Oh, please Miss Sparkle, there’s no need for any formalities from you of all ponies.”

Twilight had regained some composure and was bowing at the hoof of the princess. At Luna’s words she rose with a blush and nodded. They stood for a moment before a small cough from Luna brought the smaller unicorn to attention.

“Oh, yes, please come in; welcome to the Ponyville Public Library your majesty.” She mentally chided herself for her words; of course the princess knew where she was. “The Princess’s, er- Celestia’s letter, said you were coming to tell me more about the task you have for me, right?” Luna nodded, smiling softly. She was smaller than her sister, but in some ways her movements carried a weight that her sister lacked.

“That is right, Twilight Sparkle, though I wonder if it could wait for us gather your friends, as I wish to request their aid as well as yours.”

“Oh, yes, of course Princess. Did you want to wait here, or come with me? It won’t take long if you want to wait.”

The princess smiled and gestured with a hoof for Twilight to lead the way out the door. The unicorn’s cheeks flushed at the idea of leading royalty, well, anywhere, but trotted forward all the same. She called back through the door for Spike to keep working and, as Luna closed the door behind them Twilight could feel her tension ease somewhat.

The errand was a short one for the most part. They found both Rarity and Pinkie Pie at the Carousel Boutique; the former had been working on a costume for a giveaway Pinkie was throwing at her work. Rarity, who had not seen the princess since the defeat of Nightmare Moon, was perhaps a little more than willing to show her reverence, but Luna took the fussing in stride, politely refusing the offer for a brand new dress and instead asking that he two accompany them on the core at hand. Both ponies were more than willing to drop their work to join the princess and Twilight.

After a brief stop at the bakery where Pinkie Pie worked the group moved on down the road to their next destination, a sprawling apple farm on the edge of the town.

Upon reaching the farmhouse, Twilight called out a greeting to an orange pony with a straw colored mane, wearing a weather beaten cowpony hat.

“Howdy Twilight, everypony, what brings y’all out here?” She bowed politely to the Princess, who smiled and spoke, her tone friendly.

"Hello again, Applejack, if you have a moment, would you mind accompanying us?”

“Of course princess, if yer happy with waiting another minute or two, Rainbow Dash oughta be back soon too. Ah asked her to pick up some extra nails a while ago; actually thought she’d be back by now to tell ya the truth.” As soon as the words left her mouth Rainbow Dash was among them. Setting down a bucket of nails, she turned to greet her friends, giving a cursory bow upon noticing the princess in their midst.

“Hey everyone, what’s up? why’s she here?” The pegasus emphasized her words by jabbing a hoof at the alicorn, only barely hiding the accusation in her voice.

“Rainbow Dash, be nice! The Princess is here to discuss some special mission she and Celestia would like us to do.” Rarity shook her head slightly as she spoke.

“How special? Y’know, last time she was here, it caused a whole lot trouble for everypony.” Twilight sighed at her friend’s coarse words, and looking up imagined she saw a look of hurt cross the stony face of the Princess. It was gone as quickly as it had come and the group moved on down the road to make their last stop.

Fluttershy’s home radiated comfort as the ponies approached. Twilight Sparkle, still heading the group moved forward and rapped her hoof against the hardwood knocking plate secured to the door. When no answer came she motioned for the other to wait as she moved around the outside of the house to check for the timid pegasus in her backyard garden.

As Twilight rounded the hill she could see her yellow friend resting in the shade of a tall, leafy tree.

Twilight quietly announced her arrival to Fluttershy, who in turn jumped, letting out a squeak of surprise as she turned to bring the new arrival into view.

“Sorry Fluttershy, we knocked on the door but I guess you couldn’t hear it back here. Anyway, are you busy? Everyone’s waiting for us.”

Fluttershy who, in her surprise, had mostly hidden herself in her mane, slowly drew forward again.

“Oh, hello Twilight, what brings you here, and um, why is everyone else here too?”

Twilight explained the situation for the third time that day. A few minutes later the two began to head back to the front of the house, only to be met by the rest of the group coming to meet them.

“We figured you were takin’ so long you must have found her, so we just decided to come on back ourselves.” Applejack announced as they drew up to where the two were standing. Fluttershy made a meeping sound upon seeing the princess, she scrambled, and seemed to be trying to bow as low as she could while simultaneously hiding herself as much as possible behind her tree.

“Oh, Princess Luna, it’s an honor.”

Luna smiled softly and gestured for Fluttershy to rise.

“Well, now that we’re all here, I suppose you’d all like to know why.” The princess gazed at the assembled ponies.

“Finally!” Exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

Twilight nudged Rainbow Dash in the side to quiet her.

“Yes well,” Luna continued. “first things first, I’d appreciate it very much if you’d all stop bowing to me. I find it slightly embarrassing to be shown reverence by one’s saviors.” She chuckled. “If you’d all like to sit, I think this is as fine a place as any to discuss the matter at hoof.” She sat back on her haunches beside the tree, the others quickly following suit. “Now then, before we get into the task before us, you all will need some back story I suppose.” She paused, and not for the first time, Twilight Sparkle noticed that there was a stilted feeling to the goddess’s formal wording, unlike her sister who seemed naturally eloquent; Luna’s tone seemed forced at best.

“Long ago, before my jealousy and hate had fully poisoned my mind, when I was still somewhere between worlds, I conceived the idea of a city of night. I intended it to be a place of wonder that would teach our subjects of the joys of night time; a beautiful place that the day never touched, where ponies would live happily and willingly in beautiful darkness. In secret I began its construction, slowly and painstakingly building the city into the very core of a great mountain far to the East. Tirelessly I worked, sinking deeper into my personal madness with every stone I shaped, until the skeleton was built, the city all but finished. I looked upon my creation with pride for a brief time. But with the haze of anger swirling before my thoughts I deemed the metropolis too grand to give to the ungrateful inhabitants of Equestria. I began to build again, but now it was not structures I raised but creatures, made from clay, and water, and the bitterness in my heart. I built my monstrosities to populate the city, beings that flopped and writhed wildly in the darkness and would never want for the light of day.” The Princess paused and Twilight felt a chill slither down her spine, the pleasant summer day all but forgotten to the group as the story unraveled before them. When the Princess spoke again, everyone listened with strained ears and rapt attention.

“I had created my world, and filled it with my monsters, but still it was not enough, my jealousy only enhanced by the feeling that I had somehow been trapped in my city, I wanted the darkness to expand, I wanted the world to know my love and would do anything to spread it. It was then that I refused to lower the moon to make way for the sun.” She paused, breathing hard, then continued. “The rest of this story is familiar to you I believe, I faced my sister, nearly defeating her before she summoned the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned me in the moon for those cold thousand years.”

Silence weighed heavy upon the circle, and a collectively held breath was released.

“Well, so what? There was a city of monsters a thousand years ago, big deal! What’s that got to do with us now?”

Rainbow received a few reproachful glances but nothing more, she had asked what the rest were thinking as they turned again to face the storyteller. When Luna began to speak again, there was some strain beneath her stoic persona.

“Sometime after my banishment, Celestia discovered my abomination and sealed the entrance, but she did not know the depths of my madness, or the depths of the city. True, she closed the largest entrance, but it was also the one farthest from the actual construction. She did not look inside, and she did not know the extent of the underground passages and plazas dug deep into Equestria.

“While I was present I held dominion over the city and controlled it’s inhabitants, keeping them docile and young. Once banished however, my control broke, releasing them of control and leaving them to crawl, rot, and reproduce for millennia, descending into such depravity that even as Nightmare Moon I would have been repulsed. Over time the city grew dormant and still, its horrid inhabitants sleeping and decaying from within, but with Nightmare Moon’s brief return I believe the necropolis to have been revived. I am afraid I cannot speak with certainty, for nearly all of her terrible knowledge has been locked away from me, deep in the darkness of my soul by some fail-safe I set in my insanity. Almost all of my knowledge of the city comes from logs kept by me during the time.” She finished with a deep sigh as silence fell over the hillside like a thick fog. There was a long time when no one spoke. It was Twilight who found her voice first.

“So, what you’re saying is that this city has been made active after a thousand years, and you have no control over it anymore?” The goddess nodded, her head hung slightly in shame. “Do you at least know where it is?” Luna shook her head.

“As I said, almost all of my knowledge of the place comes from my own notes from a thousand years ago, I don’t remember where it is nor did I ever write down any more than what I have told you already. It is in a great mountain to the far East, I do not believe it even had a name yet when I was banished.”

The ponies’ thoughts were almost audible in the quiet of the moment; even the wind seemed hesitant to interrupt their pondering.

“So just what is it yer asking of us princess, if you don’t mind saying.” The farm pony asked, though it was clear she feared the answer. The alicorn sighed and paused a moment before responding.

“I would ask you all to join me in seeking out, and destroying this city, I make no demands, and any of you are free to refuse, I’ll give you some time to think on it but please decide quickly as I will be departing first thing tomorrow morning. Time is of the essence I fear.” With those words Luna stood and turned to face Twilight. “I hate to impose upon you any further but would you have a spare bed for me to sleep in tonight? I don’t want to cause any undue fuss staying at the inn.”

Twilight Sparkle nodded dumbly, still working over the princess’s words in her mind. She already knew that she had to go, if not for Equestria’s sake, then for her teacher, who had trusted her enough to give this task. She looked around and saw that all of her friends had similarly dumbfounded expressions and dully wondered what they were each thinking. When she looked back to where Luna had stood she saw that the alicorn was already on her way back around the hill to the road leading into town. Recovering her wits, she quickly followed after the goddess.

When she came around to the front of the house, Twilight found Luna waiting by the front door as if expecting to be let in. The Princess watched quietly as Twilight approached.

“I expected you to follow. Celestia always says you are a pony for asking questions.” There was a tone of amusement underlying her words. Twilight blushed and looked away at the words she wasn’t sure were a compliment or a critique. When she looked back there was a hint of a smile at the edge of the alicorn’s mouth.

“Why us Princess? What good are we going to be against whatever it is we have to face?”

“You and your friends have more power to you than you know Twilight Sparkle; you especially. Besides,” The Princess allowed a tint of pride to enter her voice. “I may have been gone a thousand years but I still don’t think there are many dangers in Equestria that I cannot handle. No, the main reason I request your company is that, as the living embodiments of the Elements of Harmony, you are the best suited to combat the dark things made by a lonely, bitter soul.”

The last words were nearly lost to Twilight as Luna’s voice became quiet and sad with memory both remembered and not. When she spoke again, it was with the carefully formal tone that Twilight knew would sound almost silly under different circumstances.

“Now then, I do not wishto keep you from your friends and what I am sure is, by now a lively discussion, but would it be any trouble to ask you show me where exactly I will be staying?”

Twilight felt a tinge of embarrassment. The Library did indeed have a spare room for guests, but at the moment in was almost entirely filled with books, even the bed had been stripped of its mattress and moved to one side to make room. She shook herself and decided to address that problem when she came to it, Twilight gave the Princess what she hoped was a warm smile and started again down the road to town.

“Of course, Princess. it would be my pleasure, and it will be good to let the others talk among themselves a bit and decide what they’re going to do.” Twilight saw Luna raise an eyebrow out of the corner of her vision.

“You speak as if you had already made up your mind Twilight Sparkle, are you so eager to abandon your home for places unknown?” Luna’s smirk was betrayed by a hollowness in her voice. Twilight thought for a time before responding.

“No, of course I don’t want to leave, but if my friends are going it won’t be so bad, right? Besides, you and Princess Celestia asked me to do this, and it’s my duty to accept.”

The princess bowed her head but said nothing as the pair reached the front door of the library. Inside, the library looked as it had when they left, books neatly placed on shelves and organized appropriately, Twilight gave her home a happy smile and began to lead the way upstairs. “I don’t actually have a spare room, or, I do but right now it’s more of a storage space, so you’re welcome to stay in my room, and I can sleep downstairs, if that’s ok with you I mean.” The alicorn considered for a moment before nodding.

“Thank you Twilight Sparkle, I’ll do my best to keep it clean for you. You had better go find your friends now and see what they’re thinking. I’ll take a short rest here.” With that she entered the purple unicorn’s bedroom and closed the door behind her.

***

Sometime later the six friends sat around a table at Sugarcube Corner discussing what it was they intended to do.

“I’m telling ya it’s trouble! It was trouble last time she showed up too, remember?”

“Oh, hush Rainbow, and remember last time was partly yer fault.” Applejack tugged at her pegasus friend’s leg, pulling her back to the ground. Rainbow Dash landed with a huff, she was the only pony in the group who had outright refused to go, Applejack and Rarity had voiced concerns, but for the most part had been convinced. Applejack didn’t have too many responsibilities at Sweet Apple Acres; applebuck season was still three months away and the only thing happening at the farm was the chore of seasonal repairs that she swore Big Mac could handle on his own. Fluttershy, on the other hand had no pony to take over her responsibilities in caring for the local wildlife, but after some persuading she was convinced that, between Angel and Spike, the animals would be well looked after.

Pinkie Pie turned out to be more than ready to drop everything and head off with them, saying that the Cakes had been offering her vacation time for weeks that she just hadn’t seen any reason to use. After some discussion it was decided that Rarity would ask Scootaloo’s family to care for Sweetie Belle and simply close up shop for the time being, hopefully increasing demand for when she got back. Twilight knew that Spike was fully capable of taking care of himself, but just to err on the side of caution she intended to ask Derpy Hooves, the town mailmare to stop in and check on Spike when she had the chance.

With all the others in agreement, Rainbow Dash was still a holdout; the group had spent the better part of the afternoon convincing the multi-chromatic pony who stubbornly refused to join because of some personal distrust of the princess that none of the gathered ponies could understand.

“There’s just something fishy about it ok?” Rainbow glowered and crossed her arms. “First Princess Celestia sends Twilight a letter without actually telling her anything, and then when she finally gets around to it, she sends Luna here to drag us off the edge of Equestria!” Her words hung in the air as everyone quietly acknowledged the somewhat bizarre circumstance they were in. No one spoke for a long time, it was again Rainbow Dash who broke the silence. “So you all are really gonna do this, huh?”

Twilight and the rest nodded and Rainbow Dash Sighed heavily. “Well then I guess I better come along too. Somepony has to keep you all out of trouble.” That was all it took to break the tension, Pinkie Pie, who had been sitting across the table, seemed to instantaneously rearrange herself around Rainbow Dash, hugging her friend tight.

“Oh you guys know what this means right? We gotta have an adventure party tonight! It’ll be sooo great, we can make a cake that looks like a mountain and sing songs and play hide-and-go-seek, which is kinda like a mini adventure in itself if you think about it and we can all make adventure necklaces! Oh it’s gonna be so much fun you guys!”

As the rest of the ponies made noises indicating various levels of agreement Twilight Sparkle stood up and began to make her way to the door.

“I’ll be right back guys. I’m going to let the princess know that we’re all on board. And remember, we also need to pack tonight and make sure we get plenty of rest, so don’t get too wild while I’m gone.”

***

Twilight smiled the entire way back to her tree, glad that her friends were all coming and that she had good news to relay back to the Princess. The library was quite when she entered; she called for Spike, who quickly emerged from the kitchen holding a half washed dish.

“Oh hey Twilight, I thought you were up in your room, what’s going on?”

“Hi Spike, actually I was down at Sugarcube Corner; Princess Luna is taking a nap up in my room I think. Anyway I’ve got some things I need to do, and I’ll need you to take care of the library for me while I’m gone, ok?” Twilight quickly told Spike about the princess, relaying as much of their quest to him as she felt comfortable, leaving out the implied danger and grim specifics of what she thought they would be facing. When she was done, the young dragon gave her a skeptical look before rolling his eyes and shrugging.

“Do what you gotta do I guess. I’ll just be here, as usual.”

“I’m sorry Spike but this just isn’t the kind of thing I should be taking a baby dragon with me for, it might be dangerous.” She gave him a reassuring squeeze.“I’m going to ask Derpy to drop in on you from time to time and make sure everything’s going alright.” She patted the dragon reassuringly and started up the stairs to her room.

She had reached the door to her room and had almost brought her hoof forward to knock, but stopped just short as thoughts on etiquette rushed to the surface of her mind. Was it rude to wake royalty? Should she just wait downstairs for her to wake up? What if she wasn’t going to wake up until it was time to leave? The unicorn had turned back down the stairs with the intention of heading back to meet her friends when a noise came from the other side of the closed door that made formalities seem trivial, Twilight froze stiff, her ears raised to attention, listening for seconds that passed like hours before turning around once more and bursting into the room. She was sure she had heard a cry from beyond the wooden barrier, but once she had entered the room the only sight to greet her was a wide-eyed Luna, who Twilight saw had likely just been startled awake by her brash entrance. The Two locked eyes for a moment before Twilight blushed and hung her head.

“Um, sorry Princess, I thought I heard something and I didn’t think really, so I just barged in here and…I’m going to be quiet now.”

It took Luna another moment to compose herself, when she spoke it was with particularly strained formality, her words falling back into old habit.

“It is no trouble Twilight Sparkle, we had only intended to rest for a brief time and it would seem that our sleep has been anything but ‘brief.’ But tell us, what is it that you heard that would make you strain the hinges of your own doors?”

Twilight grimaced, there was a coldness in the words that had not been there earlier. It made her afraid to tell the truth, but she had never been a good liar, and felt sure the princess would have little trouble seeing through any deception she tried.

“Well, your highness, I mean it wasn’t really anything I’m sure but I er- I thought I heard somepony in pain.”

The princess eyed her with such intensity that Twilight felt sure Luna could see her soul. Her next words were very deliberate, and Twilight winced as they were spoken.

“Twilight Sparkle, we want you to make no mistake about what you heard, or thought you heard. It was nothing, a bird outside the window maybe, but we promise you nothing in this room made any noise whatsoever.” Her expression softened as she looked down upon the startled unicorn. “Now, I assume you have news, have your friends made their decisions?”

Twilight nodded, relieved that the princess had returned to a modern dialect.

“They all agreed to come, they’re throwing a party right now actually, I’m um, sure that you’d be welcome to join us if you want, you are going to be our leader after all.”

Luna sighed, thinking for a long moment.

“I suppose that it would be best for moral purposes if I were to join you. Besides, royal life is somewhat lacking in fun. Lead the way Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight nodded sheepishly as she began the descent to the main floor of the library, the moon goddess quietly collected herself and followed suit.

The King's High Road

Where the High Road Ends

An MLP:FIM Fanfiction

by Immolation_of_Senses

Chapter 2: The King’s High Road

The day was already well on it’s way by the time all of the necessary arrangements had been made and the group of ponies was ready to head out. The party the night before had lasted longer than Twilight had thought genuinely wise, but she made no complaints. Through the course of the evening, Luna had loosened up some, conversing more freely with the unicorn’s friends. The result was that, even though the alicorn had resumed the stoic persona of the day before; the rest of her friends had grown more comfortable with the princess. By the end of the evening even Rainbow Dash was excited for the trip, kicking at imaginary foes as she boasted of her undoubted triumph.

===============

Twilight and Luna waited outside the library with Applejack and Fluttershy. Rarity had dragged Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie off to her boutique the moment she saw their saddlebags, loudly declaring them a crime against fashion and functionality.

So Twilight stood outside the library waiting, she cast frequent sidelong glances towards the alicorn from the corner of her eye. The words and tone of the night before when she had barged into her room still clung to the walls of her mind like taffy. Whatever the princess claimed, Twilight knew she had definitely heard something come from inside that room while the princess slept. She chanced another shifty look in Luna’s direction and had to stifle a surprised yelp when she found the goddess matching her gaze eye-to-eye. Thankfully neither Applejack, nor Fluttershy seemed to notice as they gazed off in the direction of the Carousel Boutique impatiently looking for signs of their friends’ return.

“You are not the most subtle pony, Twilight Sparkle. All these sideways looks make me think you’re up to something.” Twilight’s blush deepened as the princess laughed quietly. It seemed clear that the princess intended to pretend her harsh words the night before had never been spoken, Twilight thought briefly of raising the issue right there, but the smile on Luna’s face swept away any indignant feelings she held; the happy expression seemed so natural compared to the face she wore in company. Twilight sighed her resignation, and smiled back at the princess. Still, she felt some relief when the larger pony turned to look the same direction Applejack faced. When Twilight followed suit, she could see the last of her friends returning. Pinkie Pie bounded happily alongside a disgruntled Rainbow Dash, both of whom sported brand new saddlebags made from thick canvas material and lined with a fine fleece and trimmed with what Twilight guessed was silk. As they approached, Rarity called out to the waiting ponies.

“Sorry about that everyone, I just could not let these two go out adventuring with those terrible rags they claimed were traveling bags. They’d have fallen apart within days, and looked just awful to boot. I couldn’t let it happen.” Rainbow Dash grumbled something about wasting time, but her complaint went unheeded as the group finalized preparations for the second time that morning.

===============

Within minutes the group had managed to collect themselves and were trotting towards the outskirts of Ponyville at a decent clip. Luna had outlined the route they were to take as far as the map they had allowed; they would follow a small path with no name that skirted the Everfree forest for a few days, before joining a forgotten trade road that Luna called the King’s High Road.

“But, Princess, Equestria has never had a king, right? Why is it called that?” Twilight blurted, unable to contain her curiosity.

“Long ago, more than two thousand years I think, there was a rebellion against the crown that lasted for two years, and during that time, the leader of the rebellion, a stallion named Rock Tooth declared himself king of the new state he sought to create. They captured a swath of land on the edge of the Everfree Forest and made the high road. For a time it was the only safe passage for traders through the area and, when the rebellion finally ended the traders kept the name and extended the road far to the East, building towns and grand cities along the way.” Luna paused, her expression darkened. “I have no idea how many have managed to withstand the passage of time, or the ravages I have heard the East has endured these long years since.” They walked in silence for a time, the Princess lagging at the rear of the group. After a short while the friends resumed their cheerful attitudes, Rarity and Applejack chatting amicably about the saddlebags Rarity had given their friends. Rainbow Dash flew above them, occasionally zooming off into the clouds to flex her wings and show off. Fluttershy did her best to keep up with Pinkie’s enthusiasm, but was clearly having some difficulty. The only ponies whose spirits had not brightened by the time they made camp that evening were Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna.

They made camp sometime before nightfall on a cleared off circular patch near the side of the road. By the time the tents were pitched and the fire started, Celestia’s sun was making its last appearance on the horizon before bowing out of sight to make way for the night and Luna’s moon. Twilight looked up from the fire she had been staring into just in time to catch the last wisps of the princess’s tail whip around the edge of a large tree and out of sight. She felt compelled to follow, whether by some ill-advised curiosity, or some concern she felt for the alicorn’s daylong silence she wasn’t sure. The purple unicorn stood slowly, trying not to draw attention to her actions, and quickly followed where the princess led. Twilight rounded the tree and stopped, Luna had only gone some thirty steps from where Twilight stood, and the scene laid out before her made her less than enthusiastic to let her presence be known. The moon goddess sat on her haunches looking up at the sky, eyes closed. For a few minutes, her expression was strained and her body showed signs of extreme exertion. Luna stopped and drew a few deep breaths before resuming her efforts, this time with visible results as the moon slowly rose into view. When the orbital globe had fully breached the horizon Luna released her breath again and panted for a few minutes. Without turning or diverting her eyes from the sky she spoke.

“Would you mind fetching me some water Twilight? I’m not entirely sure I could walk back to camp right now.” Twilight yelped in surprise of being found out, but quickly regained her composure and nodded, not sure if the princess could see her before she turned and headed back to camp. She returned a few minutes later, with a canteen held aloft by magic, which she silently set beside the princess. Luna gave her a small smile of gratitude before lifting the canteen to her lips and drinking deeply. When she finished, the Princess was still panting lightly but looked considerably better.

“I told you, you are not the most subtle of ponies, but thank you for that Twilight Sparkle. I am not yet re-accustomed to my duties, and I fear it will still be some time before I can perform them with the ease of a thousand years ago.” Twilight balked at the tired alicorn.

“Princess, I don’t mean to intrude, but it’s been almost a year since you came back. How long will it take for you to be fully recovered?” At Twilight’s words, Luna chuckled darkly and thought a moment before responding.

“Do not think of me as unwell Twilight Sparkle, merely obstructed.” Twilight’s expression reflected her confusion. “Imagine Twilight, that you cut a path all the way through the Everfree forest, a path so wide and well kept that three ponies could walk abreast in the middle of the night and never stumble or waver.” Luna glanced at Twilight, pleased to find a look of rapt attention spread across the mare’s face. “Now imagine that at some point you are forced to take a long vacation, say, a hundred years pass and you return to your path to find that another had been made through the forest and yours was left to a hundred years of overgrowth and neglect. Celestia meant well when she took over the duties of the night, but...” Luna thought for a moment, looking for the right words. “She is accustomed to controlling the sun, which is unruly to control and burns away everything in it’s path. The moon on the other hoof is cooperative to guidance but cannot easily clear obstructions in its path and so must follow the same route across the sky each night. Celestia did not know of the differences between our creations and for a thousand years has been dragging the moon across the night sky like a plow through a field of rocks, while my carefully maintained path has filled with stars and little known planets.” The princess looked tired once more and sagged gracefully to the ground. It struck Twilight how very old and terrible the pony in front of her really was. She suddenly felt like one of the stars Luna had to brush away every night to make way for the moon.

“So you have to re-clear this path a little bit more every night? No wonder that took so much out of you.” Talk of Luna’s effort made Twilight acutely aware of her own fatigue, she had walked farther today than she ever had before. Even the Running of the Leaves, though a marathon, felt incredibly short compared to the hours they had spent walking. She lay down some hoofs away from the princess and blinked heavily a few times, fighting sleep, before darkness took her and thought no more.

Twilight awoke the next morning to a sharp prodding in her side, she opened her bleary eyes to find her vision almost entirely obscured by a vivid pink.

“Ow…” She groaned at her earth pony friend.

“Oh sorry Twilight, I didn’t mean to hurt you, it’s just that you are such a heavy sleeper it was the only thing I could think of! I even sang a song to wake you up and nopony can sleep through a Pinkie Pie song. Well, nopony except you I guess!” Twilight groaned again and dumbly wondered how Pinkie Pie could possibly have this much energy this early. She looked around to find herself back in her own tent by the now burned out fire. She groaned again, her face flush at the realization that Luna must have had to bring her back after she fell asleep the night before. Doing her best to keep her reddened face from the rest of the group, Twilight rose and set about taking down her tent.

They had a quick breakfast of oatmeal, during which Luna told them them that if her memory served, there should be a town down the way they could stop at that night. A quick consultation of the map confirmed her memory and the group packed the last of their camp, setting off down the road at a brisk pace. In contrast to the day before, Luna walked solidly at the front of the herd, just ahead of Twilight. As with the day previous, the ponies quickly built up a cheery attitude, which made the travel go easier as the lands around them slowly turned from gentle hills to vast, dull, flatlands. Since the party in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash had been increasingly more civil towards the princess, but maintained an attitude that was, at most, lukewarm. She flew low to the ground for the most part, moving through the group, joining in with or starting whatever conversation was to be had. She had just finished a rather brief discussion with Twilight Sparkle about the importance of properly re-binding historic tomes, and had moved back to walk alongside Applejack who spoke to her in a hushed tone Twilight could just barely make out.

“Ah gotta ask Rainbow, what exactly is it you have against the princess? Ah mean, ah’ve my own reservations about this whole thing, but you were there, ya know the princess is fine now. So why the chip on yer flank?” Rainbow Dash responded in the same hushed tone as the earth pony.

“Look, it isn’t so much the Princess I got a problem with, she seems fine, I guess. But like I said, last time she showed up it was big trouble for everypony, and this time she just pops in and expects us to head off to Celestia knows where! I just think she’s trouble whether she likes it or not!” The last sentence hung heavily in the air over the group as if it had been screamed. Twilight Sparkle had stopped dead, and a similarly stunned Fluttershy quickly dodged to one side to avoid colliding with the unicorn.

Twilight snapped back to her senses and looked to where Luna walked. The alicorn still held her head high, but it seemed to Twilight, not quite so much as it had been. She cast Rainbow Dash a dark look that was met with rolled eyes before trotting to catch up with the indigo pony. When she drew level with the Princess, Twilight tried to apologize for her friend, but appropriate words seemed to elude her. After a few false starts, she opted to simply walk beside the larger pony, hoping that she would understand Twilight’s meaning. After a time the other ponies perked up and Pinkie Pie led an impromptu sing-a-long forcing them all to join in.

When they reached the town they had seen on the map it was still light out, but they all agreed that stopping for the night was in everyone’s best interest. The town was almost ghostly in its emptiness, in stark contrast to the green fields and deep forest on either side; out of the twenty or so buildings it appeared that maybe five were actively inhabited. Of these buildings, one was an inn and tavern. The sign out front was faded and worn by time; the chains it hung from creaked maliciously as the board they held aloft swayed lazily in a wind no one felt. Looking closely, Twilight identified the inn as the Horse’s Jig. She thought gloomily that there was very little about the place to give the impression that anypony had ever danced in the entire town.

Inside, the building was much more welcoming, the main room was small and clean, with four long, roughly hewn dining tables in rows down the length of the sparsely populated room. The bar itself was cut from the same wood as the tables, with what looked like a much larger store room behind it filled with assorted barrels and casks. Luna led the troupe to the bar and called out to catch the attention of the barmare, who was preoccupied with scrubbing a stain, left by some spill or another. The unicorn barkeep scrambled to stand and turned to face the new arrivals.

“Good evening friends...Princess.” She gave a small bow but continued undaunted. “Welcome to the Horse’s Jig. My name’s Dandelion Spring. What can I do for you?”

“We’d like rooms if you have them, and I think some dinner as well.” The Princess replied before anyone else could.

“Well that’s all fine, we don’t have too many travelers through town, so most all of our rooms are empty. Rooms are thirty bits a night each, dinner’s fifty for the lot.” The mare’s speech was somewhat curt but the sincerity in her voice exhumed warmth. Luna nodded and placed the appropriate amount of currency on the bar. Dandelion smiled and levitated the keys to their rooms onto the bar as well.

“First three when you get to the top. Number one jams a bit, but put your shoulder into it and it’ll open fine. Dinner will be ready in half an hour or so. Listen for the bell.”

The ponies took their keys and headed up the stairs. Finding the rooms where they had been told, the group found that they had been furnished with whatever Dandelion Spring had been able to gather easily. A mish-mash of single pony beds were arranged in each room, three in room one, and two each of both rooms two and three. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack claimed the first, quickly followed suit by Rarity and Fluttershy in the second, the former of which gave Twilight an apologetic look before disappearing inside and closing the door. A bewildered Twilight Sparkle was left standing beside the Princess outside the third room. Luna continued her daylong silence as she walked into the room, casting Twilight a backwards look that prompted the unicorn to follow.

Once inside, Luna shed the small saddlebags she carried, Twilight followed suit and flinched at the heavy thump they made on the hardwood floor. She had only packed the most essential books on survival and travel, as well as her atlas and history books regarding all of the regions that she thought they might pass through. After catching a questioning look from the alicorn though, Twilight began to wonder if she might still have packed too much. She laughed nervously and pushed the bags under her bed with a stray hoof before flopping onto the mattress. As she stared at the ceiling she could hear the alicorn moving through the room, adjusting things in what Twilight discerned was likely a form of nervous tick. She was quiet for a time, studying the ceiling and listening. She felt that she ought to say something by way of apology for Rainbow’s words, but all the words that came to her seemed empty. Still, Twilight thought it best to try.

“I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, Rainbow I mean, she’s just…I don’t know, but I’m sure she’s sorry.” She groaned, thinking of how silly she must sound.

“I don’t take any offense Twilight. your friends are not here for me. The ones who aren’t here out of a sense of duty to their home have come because you did. I make no mistakes about that.” Twilight turned to face the Princess, who had stopped her redecoration and now sat calmly near the edge of her bed. Luna was not facing Twilight but the unicorn could hear the disappointment in her voice. She made to argue the point, but as Twilight opened her mouth a bell rang out from somewhere below. Luna stood, and quickly walked to the door, Twilight scrambled to follow.

Due in part to Luna’s speedy exit, the Princess and unicorn made it to the main floor first, the conversation they had held moments before forgotten as Twilight’s stomach reminded her how long it had been since the brief lunch they had earlier that day. The two were just getting situated at one of the tables nearest a wall when the rest of the ponies made their way down the stairs.

“Howdy Twilight, Princess. How’s yer room treating you?” Applejack greeted the early arrivals as she found herself a seat across the table.

“It will do nicely I think, right Twilight Sparkle?”

Twilight nodded at the words, but didn’t speak. She was busy keeping watch on the kitchen door. Luna turned back to the farm pony. “How are your rooms? Enough space?”

There was a collective nod before Applejack spoke again.

“Everything’s fine on our end yer highness but, while ah do appreciate the gesture; Ah’d like to at least pay you back fer the meal tonight. It don’t feel right just takin’ yer money like this.”

When the Alicorn replied, it was with the same strained formality she used the first day in Fluttershy’s back yard.

“I am sorry if I have offended you Applejack, but I’m afraid I cannot accept your offer.” She fixed the orange earth pony with a steady eye as she spoke. “I have taken you and your friends away from your homes and lives, with no guarantee of safe return. The very least I can do is pay for some comfort and food when I can.” The façade of formality slipped once more and her words rang through the group like a particularly deep gong. Applejack, not expecting this response, stammered to find a reply but eventually just sputtered a thick thank you. The food arrived shortly after and she tore into it with the abandon of someone seeking to avoid further conversation.

The meal passed slowly, with Rarity occasionally making efforts at polite conversation that quickly petered out into occasional grunts and nods. Applejack was first to finish, followed shortly by Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. Twilight, who had felt ravenous at the start of the meal now looked glumly into her half finished salad and sighed before pushing it aside and leaving the table, she could see it was still light out, but decided to try and get to bed early to avoid any more prodding from Pinkie’s hoof when morning came. All that was left for a time was Luna and Fluttershy, both eating so slowly it almost seemed they were in competition. Eventually, Fluttershy finished her meal and headed back to the waiting bed, leaving the lunar goddess alone to brood over the last leafs in her bowl before going outside to raise the moon.

===============

Twilight was asleep when the princess returned to their shared room. She walked lightly across the space between the door and her bed. Once she was as comfortable as she could be, the alicorn gazed through the single window in the room and watched the night.

“I don’t seem to be endearing them to me, do I Twilight Sparkle?” She spoke quietly; her regal formalities forgotten, and her voice soft, her words falling on sleeping ears.

“Don’t worry Princess, they’ll come around, I like you anyway.” The princess jumped, almost turning over the bedside table the two shared. A bleary eyed Twilight Sparkle looked back at her with uninterested eyes, she blinked a few times and yawned.

“Well, that’s, that’s good to know, thank you Twilight.” Luna’s words caught in her throat even as she realized the unicorn was already more than halfway asleep, and had likely not been any more alert when she had spoken. The alicorn slowly re-situated herself, eyes still wide as she watched the unicorn yawn once more, cuddle close to her pillow, and fall back asleep. The moon was well on it’s way to the next horizon when the alicorn finally let sleep take her.

===============

The next morning Twilight awoke well rested. Looking around she was Pleased to see she had not needed any prodding or songs to do so. Happy with her small victory, she set about readying herself for the day. She returned from the hallway restroom to find Luna awake and packed, looking somewhat more chipper than the night before.

“Morning Miss Sunshine.” Twilight smiled at her little joke and, pleased to see her smile returned, set about making sure nothing would be forgotten.

“Oh, the washroom is empty if you need it, er, I mean…” Old habits die hard, and Twilight suddenly found herself quietly fretting over whether it was considered proper to even mention restrooms to royalty. Thankfully, her thoughts were cut short as Luna spoke.

“I do not think that will be necessary Twilight Sparkle, for you see, I only bathe myself with the darkest patches of the night sky.” The Princess proceeded to do her best impression of the mocking laughter of Nightmare Moon, stopping only when she saw the confused look spread across Twilight’s face. “I’m joking Twilight.” The unicorn’s look of confusion deepened, Luna sighed and started for the door. “Forget about it, I’ll be back soon.”

It was only after the door had been closed for a full minute that what had happened fully struck Twilight. The princess had told a joke, not a very good joke, true, but the fact that she had tried filled Twilight with, she wasn’t sure what emotion exactly, but it was positive. When Luna returned she was greeted by a warm smile and a push back out the door.

“You took too long. If we want food we have to go downstairs, right now.”

===============

The next few days passed without incident. The group did not pass another town, and made camp each night in one of the many copses of willow trees that began to appear beside the road. Luna continued to keep her words mostly to herself, but as the days passed, her answers became more candid when questioned.

In the late afternoon of the fourth day, the path the caravan had been following merged with what had at one time been a grand road. Though where once it was maintained by scores of travelers walking it’s beaten earth, it was now overgrown with weeds. Grass had long since begun reclamation of large swatches of the path. Luna, who had been leading the line, stopped as she reached the point where their small path joined the larger river of dirt.

“The King’s High Road. Not so grand as it once was, but I think you get the right impression. We won’t stop here, I don’t know how safe the way is anymore and would rather not be accosted this evening. There should be a town just a little way down the road that will do nicely I think.” The Princesses words were met with nods and gestures of agreement as the ponies merged onto the wide road and continued on their way.

The town they came to as sunset neared was larger than the last, and at first glance it was just as unpopulated. Once past the outer limits of the city however, the buildings grew closer together and life became more evident. The town was indeed severely depopulated, but only the far reaches were actually deserted. The city center was busy with shops and businesses. As the new arrivals wove through traffic it was almost possible to forget the apocalyptic suburbs they had just passed. After a short search the ponies found a suitable hotel and wasted no time in procuring rooms, one triple and two twin.

They quickly shed their travel gear in one room, and made for the nearest restaurant. Upon their return to the hotel, the group split of into separate quarters, with Rarity and Fluttershy taking one of the twin rooms, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, agreeing again to share the triple. Twilight was once more left with the Princess, though she was far less nervous now and smiled amicably at her roommate who returned it in miniature.

“Twilight, could I ask something of you?” The princess sounded unsure of her words and concern rose within the smaller mare’s mind. “Would you accompany me while I raise the moon? It has not become much easier than the night you witnessed at the outset of our journey and it is much easier to forget my fatigue when I’m not alone.” Twilight didn’t say anything but nodded and, smiling, trotted to the bags and withdrew a water canteen before returning to the princess. Luna smiled again and led the way out into the hallway.

The pair walked all the way out of the city, continuing until the skeletal husks that haunted the city’s outskirts were far behind them and they stood in open field.

“I know my sister generally performed these duties from her balcony, but I’ve found the task much more comforting out in the open.” Luna’s voice was calm, her awkward formality forgotten. She took several deep breaths, pulling the quiet night air into her lungs. When she moved again it was only to sit back and look at the sky, she closed her eyes, focusing intensely for minutes on end without visible result. As sweat began to collect on the alicorn’s brow Twilight set herself beside the princess and wordlessly offered the water to her companion. The liquid sloshed lazily as it was raised. The noise was enough to alert the Princess, who opened her eyes slowly and looked from the water to the unicorn seated next to her and nodded a quiet thank you, putting her mouth to the brim of the canteen. Twilight was surprised that Luna had not simply taken the canteen with her magic, but it was a dull surprise that didn’t give her pause as she tilted the container to allow the pony drink. When she was finished, Luna voiced a small thank you before returning her attention to the night sky.

As with the last time Twilight witnessed the summoning of the moon, Luna’s second attempt was far more successful. It still took a fair amount of time before the moon breached the horizon, and as the unicorn watched she could almost imagine the debris being carefully moved aside as Luna’s creation moved slowly along it’s path. Again Twilight felt eclipsed by the power and age of her companion, but there was a comfort now as well that, for all her vocabulary she could not name.

Chapter 3: Our Own Devices

Where the High Road Ends
An MLP:FIM Fanfiction
By: Immolation_of_Senses

Chapter 3: Our Own Devices

Night had given way to day and the party of adventurers rose to find Luna awake and waiting for them. She quietly informed the sleepy mares that she would be leaving for a few days, saying there was something that required her investigation in the mountains to the North. When questioned however, she gave only vague summaries of her errand, sidestepping any real description. She had left them with the map, and instructions for where they ought to head next, so the troop carried on without her.

They had been walking for almost half of the day, and for the most part it had been a pleasant one. At the start, the entire group had been somewhat nervous at losing their guide; even with Luna’s explicit directions there was a sense of security that was missing. Rainbow Dash loudly voiced her concerns at the loss of the alicorn, though they were carefully worded to hide her worry.

“Why does she bother coming along in the first place if she’s just gonna ditch us all the time?”

Rainbow had been repeating variations of the sentiment all morning, and it was beginning to wear on Twilight’s nerves. The night before, After Luna regained enough strength to walk, the two had strolled along the edge of the city for a time, speaking little and enjoying the warm summer night before walking back to the hotel. As a result, however, Twilight was still asleep when Luna had taken her leave that morning. It stung her that Luna had not thought to so much as leave a note for her. She admitted though, that she did not know what the note would have said; other than what was told to her friends and subsequently relayed to her. Twilight shook the thoughts from her mind, set her jaw, and trotted stiffly to the front of the group where the pegasus’s words would not be so easily heard.

“Please Rainbow, we know you’re concerned, we all are, but she gave us a… sufficient reason for leaving and I don’t think she has any intention of making a habit of disappearing.” Rarity chided, showing the annoyance she felt at Rainbow Dash’s complaining, but also leaking her own concerns.

“Hey! I am not concerned! You all might be worried about wandering around without your security blanket, but I’m not. I just think it’s rude, that’s all.” Rainbow huffed and crossed her arms as she floated alongside the rest of her friends. Pinkie Pie giggled

“Oh Dashie, it’s going to be ok. I’m sure she’s not going to leave us again; she even promised remember? I mean, it wasn’t a Pinkie Pie swear, but I think that a royal promise is almost as good!” She laughed and trotted over to where Rainbow hovered. The pegasus sighed, unable to stand up to Pinkie’s unrelenting good cheer. She smiled at her energetic friend before landing beside her as they walked.

“Fine, since you guys want to gang up on me like this, she gets a pass this time, but if she does go wandering off again she’s gonna have me to deal with!”

Pinkie laughed again and affectionately pressed herself against the pegasus who, in turn, blushed and took once more to the air.

The mood was set and the group carried on happily for some time until, during a break in the general conversation Fluttershy nervously made her way forward to walk beside Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn smiled pleasantly as her friend drew level with her.

“Hi Fluttershy, what’s up?”

“Oh, well, it’s nothing really, it’s just that I wanted to tell you I’m sure Luna wanted to say goodbye to you. She likes spending time with you, she feels more comfortable around you than the rest of us, I can tell.” Fluttershy gave Twilight a small smile as she finished.

Twilight looked curiously at her friend, who blushed and drew herself back into her mane.
“That is, I mean, I think I can tell, maybe not. Anyway I’m sure she just didn’t want to wake you.” Fluttershy’s last sentence was nothing but a rushed whisper.

Twilight’s expression was a blank canvas, unable to keep up with the thoughts racing through her mind as she realized Fluttershy’s implications.

“Well, I am the only one who’s spent any real time with her. I’m sure that if you all got to know her a little better she’d love to be friends with all of you.” Twilight rushed to find an acceptable response to Fluttershy’s words. She knew her argument sounded a little naïve, but she needed something to stand on, no matter how flimsy.

“Well I, um, yes I’m sure she would Twilight…” The pegasus conceded, deciding it would be better not to press the issue any further, and changed the subject. “So, does the map say if we’re going to reach a town tonight? Not that I mind sleeping outside, I think it’s rather nice actually.”

Twilight furrowed a moment, thinking as she drew out the map and examining the route they were on.
“It looks like if we keep up a good pace there’s a small settlement not too far away. I think we can reach it by nightfall.”
Fluttershy smiled and nodded as they continued on down the road.

***

It was dusk when they found the town. The settlement marked on the map was indeed there, but only as a ghostly reminder of what had been. Twilight thought for the first time that it was good the princess had left. The sight of the empty buildings, with their crumbling roofs and rotted beams would only serve to remind her of the time she had missed in Equestria.

After a quiet argument and a quick vote, it was decided that the ponies would spend the night in the shell of one of the buildings rather than make camp outside of town. They found a suitable building just off of the town square that looked to be in somewhat better repair than those surrounding it. As the quintet passed through the broken doorway they found what had likely been some sort of shop. There was a counter next to some stairs in the room they first entered and behind that, an empty storage room. A thick, even layer of dust covered every surface, giving all the colors in the room a dull grey tint. After a cursory look around the room, Rarity moved first, heading towards the staircase.

“Whoa there missy, just where do you think you’re going?” Applejack stepped between Rarity and her way to the upper floor.

“Upstairs of course, I expect that whoever owned this shop lived above it, so there are probably bedrooms up there.” Rarity huffed.

“Look, Ahm sure yer right about that, but this here’s a mighty old building and ah doubt the upstairs is safe. Especially for six full grown ponies to be traipsing around on.”

To illustrate her point Applejack put her weight on one of the lower steps, jumping back as it split underhoof.
“Oh, I see. Well then I take it you suggest that back room then?” Rarity waved a hoof behind the counter. Applejack nodded and started around the counter to the storeroom.

The room was larger than it looked from the front, with plenty of room to house the travelers. There were some blankets thrown down in one corner of the room.”

“Dibs!” Rainbow trotted forward to claim the sparse padding, pausing when her hooves made an empty thumping as she trod on the blanket. “Hey guys, I think it’s hollow under here, like another room or something.”

They spared little time in sweeping away the coverings to reveal what was unmistakably a trap door.

“Well, underground storage isn’t unheard of, even if it does seem a bit excessive with this much space already. Maybe we should check it out?” Twilight tentatively stepped towards the door. There was a moment when no one moved, none particularly eager to explore the hidden room.

“Oh all right, ah’ll go take a look.” Applejack stepped forward and took the iron door rung in her mouth. With a moment of effort, the old hinges squealed and gave way and the door fell open with a loud clatter. Without another word Applejack started down the stairs into the darkness of the basement room. A few seconds later, a call came from below.
“Well, ah don’t think there’s nothin’ down here, but can’t say for sure seeing as ah can’t see two hooves in front of my face.”

Twilight clapped a hoof to her forehead and stepped forward to follow her friend.
Once she had descended the old wooden stairs she found that the room had been dug into the ground and had no proper floor. Twilight supposed to herself that it was likely a later addition to the structure. She steadied herself and allowed her magic to flow into her horn, illuminating the room before them. What she saw drew a simultaneous gasp from both ponies. Lining the walls of the small earthen room were piles of decayed wooden cartons filled with clear glass bottles, in the far corner stood a series of tubes and rust eaten containers.

“What is this stuff?” Twilight lifted one of the bottles and brought it closer for inspection peering suspiciously through the thick layer of dust at the clear liquid within. “Is this just water in here?”

“No ma’am! This here’s a moonshiner’s set up if ah ever saw one, though from the looks of it ain’t nopony done any distillin’ in here for a good while.” Applejack pulled the stopper out of a bottle and gave the contents a cautious taste. “Wooo-eee! That’ll knock ya on yer flank! C’mon and give me a hand getting some of this stuff back upstairs, we’re gonna have fun tonight missy.” She grabbed hold of one of the larger bottles with her teeth and began walking back towards the stairs.

“Applejack, are you sure this stuff is safe? I mean it was just left here, everything else is gone.” Twilight had opened the top of the bottle she held and gave it a curious sniff. She let out an exclamation and jerked her head away from the bottle.

Applejack set her bottle down as Rarity’s voice drifted down to them from above.
“Applejack? Twilight? Is everything alright down there?”

“Everything’s fine, Twilight’s just a lightweight. We’ll be up in two shakes.” Applejack left the ponies above to wonder what she was talking about and turned to Twilight. “Look Twi, if I didn’t think this stuff was safe I wouldn’t be suggesting we drink it, you just gotta be careful not to overdo it, see? And as fer why it’s here when everything else is gone, I’d guess it’s because the shiner’s moved in after the town had already been deserted. Somethin’ probably happened to them, like they got arrested, so they couldn’t come and get their stash, alright?”

Applejack picked her bottle up again and headed up the stairs. Twilight followed her friend, carrying her own container aloft. She wondered absentmindedly about why it was applejack seemed to know so much about moonshining, but her questions were quieted by a voice in her head that asked if she really wanted to know.

When they emerged, the two found their friends in a crowded jumble at the top of the stairs, each trying their best to see into the gloom. Applejack appeared first, proudly presenting the bottle clutched between her teeth. Twilight followed, still apprehensive about the idea of consuming the contents of her bottle.

“Ooh, what’s that?” Pinkie Pie quickly gained the high ground, literally, climbing on top of her less excited friends to get a better look. Applejack smiled and set her jug on the ground, where it was quickly joined by Twilight’s.

“This here’s some good ole’ fashioned genuine moonshine, Looks like this was a den at some point. Not no more though.” She spoke the last words in response to some concerned looks cast about the group at her news.

“Now then, ah think that after all the walking and camping and such we’ve been doin’ we deserve a bit of a treat, don’t y’all?” Applejack gave the group a sly smirk.

***

“Alright, how ‘bout this, never have ah ever, kissed a mare what wasn’t family.” Applejack smirked across the circle as Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Rarity all took drinks from their respective cups. The miniature celebration had lasted long into the night, eventually degenerating into a round table of drinking games and conversation. Rainbow gave Rarity a surprised look.

“I didn’t know you were into that sort of thing Rare.”

“Well some experimentation is to be expected of anypony, isn’t it?” The unicorn blushed and averted her eyes, gazing into her cup. “Besides, what about you Rainbow? I always thought you were more of a ‘straight shooter’ as it were.”

“I am! I mean, most of the time but—“ Her words were cut short by a sharp cry from outside the building.

“Would you keep it down y’idiot? You’re gon’ ruin the element of surprise!” There was a quiet thump and the first voice yelped again, then seemed to resign itself to quiet whimpering.

“That’s better. If you wake ‘em up, they’re likely to run ain’t they? Do you want to go chasin’ ponies to the moon and back tonight?”

Silence greeted the admonishment as the travelers listened. Twilight dimly realized that the voices were probably talking about her and her friends. After quickly dimming her horn, she indicated to Rarity to follow suit.

“Hey, you, you don’t think they’re talkin’ about us, do ya Twilight?” Rainbow Dash whispered in the darkness. Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a small grunt. Rainbow took the sound as confirmation and leapt to her hooves, only to wobble for a moment and slump back to the ground.

“Ok, new plan?” She groaned.

“Ah think that, given our collective state of inhebriashen, we’d do better tah try an’ make ourselves scarce, right Sugarcube?” Applejack looked to Twilight, who nodded.

“What say we just mosey on down to that cellar yonder, and keep ourselves real quite like?” The earth pony’s suggestion was met with general agreement and, one by one, the ponies stood and walked slowly to, and down the stairs to the cellar as the voices outside grew closer.

Once safely closed inside the shiner’s den with the blankets again pulled over the door, a quick head count revealed they were one pony short.

“Uh, guys, where’s Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash said as she finished counting for a second time.

“Aw, horsheapples! She fell ‘sleep, didn’t she?” Applejack cursed and turned back to the stairs. “Y’all just hold tight, ah’ll, ah’ll be back in a jiff.” With that, she set about going up the stairs.

She made it halfway up before the steps shuddered and broke. There was a resounding crash as one half of the stairs gave way and Applejack fell to the ground.

“Applejack!” Four Voices rang out in unison, their stealth forgotten as they rushed to help their friend. They found her lying on her side. By appearance she was fine, luckily, the stairs had not been made with and particularly heavy parts.
“Ahm… Ahm alright y’all, just a little bit surprised is all.” Applejack tried to stand, but when she put weight on her front hoof she cried out and fell again to the floor. “Ok, maybe ahm not so alright as I thought… Still, don’t think it’s broken, just sprained. Now what about Fluttershy?”

The other ponies snapped back into the reality of their situation and began examining the collapsed stairs. Their thoughts were interrupted, however, by a sound from above them caused all of the ponies to freeze. The door had been opened, and the sound of a two sets of hoofs rang through the silence. They walked slowly, each step a hammer strike as they came into the back room where Fluttershy slept.

“Well, wouldya lookit that? Precious the way she’s just snoozin’ there. Tie her up an’ get her outside, I’ll look for the others.”

There was a shuffling sound and a small yelp as what Twilight assumed to be the pony who cried out earlier gagged and bound the pegasus. At the sound, Rainbow Dash again jumped to her feet, this time getting so far as to flap her wings a few times before they gave out and she fell back to earth with a soft thump that Twilight hoped couldn’t be heard above them. Twilight herself tried to summon some way to help her friend; attempting to levitate a board she stood on. Thinking maybe if she could just raise herself enough to get to the door she might be able to help. She closed her eyes and tried to focus, but it was so hard, her thoughts floated to and fro across the front of her mind, making even something so strenuous as lifting a pony an insurmountable feat. She panted and opened her eyes to see Rarity in a similar position. They exchanged a fearful look as the five of them waited in silent terror, unable to help their friend above.

There came another shuffling, Twilight assumed the second assailant had dragged Fluttershy out the door. The ponies huddled together underneath the door, flattening themselves against the wall in their attempt to hide. The seconds passed as days while they waited, listening closely to the steps of the intruder above as they searched the room.
Once or twice the steps came dangerously close to falling on the hollow space where they hid and betraying their location, but luckily they never came quite close enough. After a few minutes of searching, the voice called out again.

“Get yer sorry flank back in here and help me carry this stuff.”

A second set of hooves entered the room.

“Did you find any of them Rose?” The second voice spoke for the first time.

“No I didn’t find any of em’, don’t ya think they’d be here If I did? And I told you not to call me that, m’names Thorn and you best remember it.”

There was a whimper and the second voice said nothing more.

“By my guess, they heard us comin’ and ran off, leavin’ that yellow one behind. They left their packs though so help me get these things onto the cart and we’ll go searchin’ for the others.”

“Ro… Thorn, why don’t we jus’ let them go this time? Ah mean, we got the yella one, and all their stuff, we got what we need don’t we?”

A dull thump sounded from above, accompanied by a sharp yelp.

“Don’t you go tellin’ me nothin’ about what we need! Now pick this stuff up an get going!”

There was more scraping and some grunts of exertion as the two moved about collecting the equipment before leaving. When they were gone, the hiding ponies exhaled a collectively held breath.
“Well, what do we do now?” Twilight bit her lip as she fretted over their next move.

“Ah think the only thing to be done right now is to wait a bit and sober up. Then we go after them rascals and get our Fluttershy back.” Applejack’s tone was very matter of fact.

The rest of the group reluctantly agreed, Rainbow Dash made one more go at reaching the door but once more fell to the ground.

“I don’t think you’d do much good on your own anyway Dash, even if you could make it out.” Twilight sighed and thought that the only pony she knew who could have done anything had likely reached Canterlot by then.
The group huddled together and set into waiting. Despite their worry, sleep slowly took Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, leaving only Twilight and Applejack awake with their thoughts.

***

The sun shone through the cracks in the floorboards above them when Twilight and Applejack decided to wake the others. Once all of them had been roused it was a relatively simple, if time-consuming, task to exit the cellar. With Fluttershy gone, Rainbow Dash had to fly each of her friends out of the cellar one by one. When they were all standing above the ground again they set about planning.

“So, does anypony have any bright ideas about how we go find Fluttershy? They could be anywhere out there, and unless somepony knows how to track, it might take days to find their camp.” Rainbow Dash looked around the group.

“Well, whoever took her, they were looking for all of us. So I think it isn’t too unlikely that they’ll have an ambush set up along the road out of here. All we have to do is prepare ourselves and go along as if we were just going to leave.” Twilight didn’t sound exceedingly confident about her plan, but felt it was best to put it on the table.

“Well, yeah, that might work I guess, but what if you’re wrong? What if they expect us to try a sneakier way out since we know they’re here?” Rainbow countered.

“Well, if we go too far without any trouble then we could just turn around and start searching, right?” Twilight’s words were met with doubtful looks.

“Okay y’all, we don’t loose anything but time if we go with Twilight’s idea, and while time is important, just trying to find em’ straight out could take a lot longer.” She paused, thinking. “But I think that, before we go, we gotta work some things out. Who are these ponies? Bandits maybe, but if that’s true, why do they want us, and not just our stuff?”

“Well… Isn’t it obvious?”

All heads turned to face Rarity.

“They’re slavers, that’s why they want us, that’s why they took Fluttershy first then our supplies, they were just a bonus.” After she had spoken there was an almost expectant silence, all eyes still on Rarity. “What? Just because I am a lady, that does not mean I am ignorant to some of the less… Pleasant, facets of this world.”

There was another short silence, then Pinkie Pie spoke.

“Well of course it doesn’t! We were just surprised that’s all!” She beamed at her friend and the rest of the group relaxed a bit.

“Alright, so we know there’s at least two of them, they probably don’t want any of us dead, and they could conceivably be anywhere within a few hours travel. I think that’s all we’re going to figure out by sitting around here, so lets get out there and rescue our friend!” Twilight stood resolute, eyes hard and focused she looked at her friends who all nodded in solemn agreement.

The makeshift battalion strode confidently towards the edge of town, leaving the store and it’s cellar behind. Once they passed the last of the abandoned buildings the ground began to rise on either side of the ponies, the trees populated the small hills growing more and more dense as they walked on. Doubt began to creep into Twilight’s mind. If she was right, and they did get ambushed, then they were willingly walking into a trap with no real plan and no combat experience between them. On the other hoof, if she was wrong then they were leaving Fluttershy at the mercy of her captors for even longer. Doubt turned to worry, turned to concern, turned to a panic that she could barely suppress as they walked down the road.

“Maybe we should like, make some noise, y’know, announce our location or something.” Rainbow dash suggested quietly.

A few uncertain glances were exchanged before they all nodded. Applejack spoke first, in an exaggerated voice that reminded Twilight of the few times she had heard Applejack try to tell a lie.

“Wow! It sure is a nice day out! Don’t you agree Rarity?”

The unicorn blinked a few times before responding in a similarly phony voice.

“Why, it is indeed Applejack, I do so hope the weather holds out a few more days!” She gave Applejack a nervous grin while Rainbow Dash brought a hoof to her face.

“Y’know what? Nevermind, you two sound completely ridiculous! I mean I wasn’t expecting world class act-- What the hey… Woah!” Her words were cut short as a rope wrapped itself around her midriff and snapped taught, dragging her off to the side of the road.

“Alright boys! Have at em’!” A voice rang out from the trees, Twilight quickly identified it as the lead voice from the night before as three, ragged earth ponies leaped from their cover and began advancing on the group. Twilight looked towards Rainbow Dash who was doing her best to fight the rope that was dragging her along. She dug her hind hooves into he dirt and clawed helplessly at the ground with her front.

“Rainbow, you have wings!” Twilight yelled in panicked exasperation. The pegasus stopped fighting for a moment and stared at the unicorn before the words fully registered.

“Oh, right.”

With that she was airborne, dragging a fourth pony out of the bush and into the air by his teeth. Twilight sighed and turned to face the encroaching danger.

The slavers paused and two groups stood glaring at each other, deciding their next move. The attackers had clearly not anticipating Rainbow Dash’s wing strength and were now looking at the four ponies before them with a new sense of apprehension. There was a yell, followed by a thump and a sickening crunch. Twilight glanced towards the sound to find Rainbow Dash hovering about forty hooves in the air above a pile of fur that had, until very recently been a pony.
Twilight steadied herself as her stomach threatened to betray its contents. She tried to push the image from her mind and faced the largest pony, who was clearly the leader. He was a good head taller than any of them, with a physique similar to Big Mac, but he was thinner, emaciated. She swore she could count his ribs through his wine red coat.

“Stupid foal shoulda let go when he had the chance” His words were cold and distant, as if the death of his compatriot were no more interesting than the morning weather report.

“Where’s Fluttershy?” Twilight put every ounce of her building shock, horror, and rage into those two words, somewhat comforted to see that they had an effect. The back two ponies weren’t made of the same bedrock as their leader, and already looked half ready to just give in before she spoke. At her words they flinched, throwing sad, scared looks to their fallen friend and each other before hanging their heads and stepping to the side. All of this occurred in the span of a few seconds, escapimg the attention of their boss, but not the five facing them.

“Oh, you’ll find out soon ‘nuff miss. Ah guarantee ya that.” The large pony lowered his head and stepped forward. Applejack was there in a flash, spinning around, she delivering a thunderous blow to his jaw with her hind legs. Twilight thought she wouldn’t be surprised if the entire bone had been reduced to dust.

The stallion fell back while blood spurted from his nose and mouth. Applejack cried out and fell to the ground, her injured leg taking its revenge for being forgotten. The two behind him rushed foreward and began tugging at him as he tried to lunge forward.

“Rose, it ain’t worth it! There’s five of them and Road, Road’s dead Rose! Lets just give em’ their friend back.” The pony who spoke stood to Rose’s side, a pale blue stallion with muddy orange hair. The one they called Rose lashed out, catching him in the nose.

“Ah thold yeuh mah nameth Thorn!” He growled before renewing his attack. Something in Twilight broke. This was the first time she’d witnessed real violence, and it was having an effect. Her legs shook and threatened to betray her, but she was determined not let anyone else be hurt. A rage built in her for the Charging Stallion. How could anyone watch their friend die and still want to cause pain?

In a burst of adrenaline-fueled panic she dashed forward, past Applejack, and stood to face the charging stallion. Her horn glowed fiercely with a pre-emptive charge and she braced for impact, but that impact never came.

She opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. Her friends’ faces were blank, the remaining slavers however, looked horrified. There was a trail of blood on the ground that led from the two terrified colts and covered half the distance between them and Twilight before it simply, ended.

“What… What did yew do with Rose?!” The blue stallion shouted in a quavering voice. Twilight stared at him, what had she done with him? She had only prepared for combat, she hadn’t actually done anything, had she? She looked to her friends worried faces and spoke.

“Did I cast a spell?”

Rarity’s expression shifted to extreme concern as she and the others nodded dumbly.

“It sure looked like it Sugarcube, ah knew you could do that transporter thing with yerself, figured maybe take somepony with you if you tried hard enough, but ah didn’t know you could just do it to other ponies.” Applejack’s voice was quiet and she spoke slowly.

“I, I didn’t know I could either… But, I didn’t want that. I didn’t even try to do anything!” She gave the two would-be attackers a pleading look as she spoke.

“Well anyway, back to finding Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash seized control of the situation and flew close to the two cowering ponies. “Where. Is. Our. Friend.”

Her every word carried the treat of death as she spoke, Twilight almost retched, and the raiders withered under their weight.

“Jus’ over the hill there, we got a shack she’s in there. We didn’t hurt her none I swear.” He pointed to the left of the path and in a second Rainbow Dash was gone looking for the missing pegasus. The blue stallion crawled forward, throwing himself at Twilights hooves.

“Please miss, we didn’t mean no harm, we was jus’ tryin’ to make a livin’. Yo’re getting’ your friend back, can’t you give us Rose back too?” His shaky voice dissolved into sobs. Twilight backed away, trying to think of what to do.
“I want to, I really do, but I don’t know how I did it in the first place, I didn’t even know I cast a spell!” She stammered, words running together in her panic as she continued to retreat.

“Twilight! Look out!”

Twilight looked to see who had spoken but as she did she stumbled and fell over something in the road. When she looked to see what it had been she was met by the vacant stare of that poor soul who hadn’t had the sense to let go of his rope as soon as he left the ground. At last it was too much for her, Twilight let out a small shriek and fell back to the ground in a dead faint.