Neither Created Nor Destroyed

by Sage Runner

Rating: everyone
Tags: Other, Original Character, Gilda, Queen Chrysalis, Adventure, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 46062

Twilight and her friends are taken from their homeland as surrounding nations prepare to invade, and unearth an ancient secret that could change life as they know it forever.

On a seemingly normal day, Twilight Sparkle and her friends are abruptly taken from their homes and imprisoned by a coalition of foes both old and new. As Equestria, without its Elements of Harmony, prepares to defend itself from its greatest threat to date, the Mane Six will delve into the struggles of the surrounding nations, clash with its rulers, and unearth an ancient secret that could change life as they know it forever. Each must rely on her own strength and faith in her friends if they are to find their way home and save their world.

Published 2013-08-09 23:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-25 18:49:30 UTC

Chapter One - Addendum

Prologue - Before Equestria

Once upon a time, before the founding of Equestria and the surrounding nations, and before the existence of the diverse creatures that called those places home, the world was a very different place.  It was a world dominated by a single, sapient species that made its living through innovation, ingenuity, exploration, and advancement.  It was a world in which magic was considered myth, and had no discernible presence in the day-to-day life of this race.

These people, throughout history, had faced much hardship, competing for limited resources.  Hindered by a lack of understanding and harmony, they warred over these resources, time and again, for centuries.  Eventually, the various nations of this world found themselves thriving in a technological age, and as they continued to ascend to greater heights, they gradually became unified.  Finally, they had forged a lasting peace and harmony.

To commemorate this achievement, the best and brightest minds that this world had to offer came together from all over the globe in one momentous effort: an attempt to uncover the next stage of their evolution.  An attempt to attain true perfection.  However, no earthly thing can be perfect, and though it is unclear what, exactly, became of this arrogant endeavor, the world was quickly plunged into chaos.  A great war, unlike any that had come before it, consumed all nations.  During this time of strife, a mysterious plague crept across the lands, causing everyone that it touched to wither and die.

It was at this time that two creatures of myth, sisters, who had been content to observe these people for the entirety of their history, decided that they could sit idly by no longer.  Using their own unique magical abilities, the siblings delved into the very fabric of reality and obtained the metaphysical blueprint for the concept of peace, and manifested it into physical form.  By unleashing the power of this newly forged tool upon the world, they brought about a great change.

The lands were broken down and rearranged, and the taint of the strange plague was washed away completely.  This world's people were changed as well, reformed into images of the beasts they had tamed and the myths they had created, as a means of escaping the plague's lingering effects.  The ruins of this old civilization were buried deep beneath newly formed continents and newly molded oceans. All traces of the old world were sealed away, and their memory vanished.  The world was given a second chance.

In the ages that followed, the inhabitants of this new world still explored, expanded, evolved, and invented, but the mysterious force of nature known as magic was commonplace, no longer existing as myth.  This world would still have its fair share of hardships to endure, but the sisters hoped that history would not repeat itself.  Unfortunately, the capacity for destruction, and the driving force behind it, the energy, still existed in this world, buried though it may have been.  Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, merely changed, and some things in this world refuse to change...

Chapter Two - Where Are We?

Chapter One - Friendship is Magic

"What is so important that you incompetent slackers needed to come get me?" the foreman asked, passing his fellow Diamond Dogs in the narrow tunnel to reach the end of the hall.  The electric lamps strung up along the ceiling hung just above the heads of the miners.

"Sorry, boss, it's just... that," one of the miners said, gesturing with his pickaxe towards a small hole in the dead end of the tunnel, clearly made by a pickaxe.

"Yeah, I see it," the foreman replied, looking from the hole towards the worker.  "What about it?"

"Something about it just feels... wrong.  There's some kind of... I dunno... pressure coming from there.  I don't think we should dig any further in this direction."  The other canine miners nodded in agreement.

"Yeah..." the foreman slowly nodded his head, taking a step away from the rocky wall, his heart beginning to race.  "Yeah, I feel it too.  Somethin' ain't right here.  Okay, seal off this tunnel, we'll tell the higher ups the rock was unstable or somethin'."  The other miners sighed and relaxed as they all began to walk back down the makeshift hall towards the larger chambers they had dug.

That was when they heard the sound.  The cracking of rock that the Diamond Dogs took as the early warning signs of a cave-in.  When they turned to look back, however, all they saw were three small fractures appearing around the hole in the wall.  They were spreading.

The foreman heard an unusual sound vibrating through the rock, a low hum, that grew louder.  No, not a hum, as the foreman came to realize, and the cracks in the wall continued to spread.  It was a melody.  There was a voice beyond the wall, and as the cracks began to widen, fork, and multiply, it became all the more obvious that the voice was singing.

"Run," the foreman hissed, but neither he nor his workers seemed to be able to move.  Perhaps they were entranced by the melody, though their knees had begun to shake as well.  The stone began to crumble.  Fractures began to form along the walls, floor, and ceiling of the tunnel, making their way towards the dogs.  Instead of running, the workers huddled together.  One by one, the bulbs in the hanging lamps began to burst, until all light had vanished.

Amidst the sound of the breaking rock and the approaching voice that was singing softly, footsteps could be heard, and they were getting closer.  The workers gasped as a small pair of lights became visible, floating high above the ground and bobbing in rhythm with the footsteps.  As the distance between the miners and the voice lessened, the words it was singing became audible.

"Will you remember the famous men who," the voice paused for half of a second before continuing, slowly, as though it were singing a dirge, "have to fall and then rise again?"  It was then that the warden let out a high-pitched shriek and bolted towards the source of the lights, pickaxe raised above his head.  The other miners, their eyes not yet adjusted to the total darkness, heard only a pained yelp and a thud, before the glow began to bounce towards them again.

"So take a deep breath," the voice sang as it drew a foot closer, causing the Diamond Dogs to gasp.

"Pick yourself up," the voice became more forceful.  A stomp was heard just inches away from the pack, and the miners began to cower.

"Dust yourself off," a series of yelps mimicking those of the foreman emanated from the group, followed by a dead silence.

"And start all over, again..." the voice grew softer as the song concluded.  The footsteps continued towards the rest of the mine, until they vanished as well.  In the four years that followed the incident, there wasn't a soul in the world who knew what happened in that tunnel.

...

The sunrise over Equestria was always a sight to behold.  A beautiful and bountiful nation, Equestria had enjoyed a population of all different types of creatures, coexisting peacefully for many centuries.  Although it had suffered its share of hardships throughout history, its citizens endured those difficult times and always found a way through them.  As that Sun continued its climb into the sky, the ponies of Ponyville began to stir, one by one, and begin their days.

Animals commenced their instinctual routines, citizenry began their daily chores, and businesses opened, ready for a productive new day.  It was a small town, with a tightly knit community, free of the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities, and a place where everyone seemed to know everyone else.  Some might have called it a paradise, but for Twilight Sparkle and her friends, it was simply home.

"I can't remember the last time you weren't late for our weekly get-together," Fluttershy said, noting Rarity's atypical punctuality as she joined her in the waiting room at the spa.

"Yes, well," Rarity replied, with visible lines beneath her eyes, "I usually have to tear myself away from my work, but this morning, I couldn't wait to get away from the shop for a few hours."

"Is something the matter?" Fluttershy asked, frowning, as they entered the sauna.

"I've just been rather on edge these past few days," Rarity replied.  "With the Gala coming up, I've been overworking myself trying to meet all of my dress orders.  I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep in two days."

"It sounds like you really needed this break, then," Fluttershy said, nodding.

"Well, the isolation and lack of sleep started to get the better of me last night.  I think I may have had a slight breakdown."

"Breakdown?" Fluttershy asked, holding her hoof towards her mouth.

"I was overcome with the absolute worst sensation of paranoia," Rarity explained, "and I kept feeling as though I were being watched.  I know that I wasn't, of course, because I couldn't stop looking out my windows."

"Goodness!" Fluttershy said, "Well, I think you should take the day off, and get some rest after we're done here."

"I wish I could, but this is about the only distraction I can afford today," Rarity replied, shifting in her seat.

"Your work will suffer if you aren't at your best, Rarity," Fluttershy replied, lowering her brow.

"I suppose you're right, as usual," Rarity smiled.  "I need to rest for a few hours in order to be more productive later!"  Fluttershy nodded, smiling widely.

...

"Let's see, now," Twilight Sparkle said to herself, levitating a quill inches above a stack of blank sheets of paper.  She was sitting at her desk in the Ponyville Library, which doubled as her home, her eyes glued to her work.  "Addendum to Elements of Harmony:  A Reference Guide, by Twilight Sparkle'," she began writing.  "In recent years, far more information has become available regarding the fabled Elements of Harmony.  I have decided to submit the knowledge that I have attained about them to the general public."

"The sixth Element, which was unknown until recently, is Magic.  This was revealed to me the moment the Elements were truly activated."  She proceeded to recount the events surrounding the Return of Nightmare Moon, her adventures with her five friends in the Everfree Forest, and the activation of the Elements.

"The Elements of Harmony are, indeed, fueled by the friendships shared amongst those who wield them, but there is more to it than that.  It is about friendships that are based on more than similarities in personality or overlapping interests.  Indeed, the ponies who currently wield the Elements of Harmony are all vastly different from one another."

"However, this does not mean that simply setting our differences aside is enough.  True harmony, as I have come to understand it, is based upon finding common ground with those who are different.  It is based upon a celebration of the things that make each of us unique, and the willingness to learn new things from one another.  It is based upon a true, unconditional love for one's fellow ponies."  Twilight set the quill down on her desk.  The library's front door swung open.

"Howdy, Twilight!" Applejack declared loudly.  "Was wonderin' if I could have a moment of your time."

"Of course!  What's up, Applejack?"  Twilight asked, turning her attention away from her work.

"Well, we just finished harvestin' the latest crop of Zap Apples back at the farm.  Got a letter from Princess Cadence herself this morning!"  She reached into her saddle bag and produced the letter.  "She ordered several dozen crates of 'em, on behalf of the Crystal Empire."

"Well, I did sort of talk them up the last time she and I spoke," Twilight replied, blushing.

"Then I have you to thank for advertisin'!" Applejack said.  "Anyway, I'm handlin' the delivery personally, hoppin' a train tomorrow.  Cadence wanted you to come, too!"

"Sounds great!" Twilight replied.  "Spike can watch the library for a few days, I'm sure."

"Then it's settled," Applejack replied, "tomorrow we leave for the Crystal Empire!"

...

"Mornin' Pinks," Rainbow said as she entered Sugarcube Corner.

"Hiya, Dashie!" Pinkie Pie replied, a wide smile on her face.  "You're up really early.  What'll it be today?"

"Nothing right now, I'm actually here to invite you on a trip," Rainbow Dash replied.

"A trip?" Pinkie asked, placing her hooves on the counter and leaning closer to Dash.

"Yeah, I'm leaving tonight for Las Pegasus, gonna spend a few days relaxing there," she replied, placing her elbow on the counter.

"I've always wanted to go there!" Pinkie exclaimed, hopping a few inches off of the ground.

"There's a catch, though," Rainbow said.

"Hm?"  Pinkie tilted her head to the side.

"We'll be spending the trip with Gilda."

"I dunno, Dashie, she was a total meanie when she was here," Pinkie replied, frowning.

"I know, but she sent me this really long letter, see?  She actually wrote it to both of us."  Dash handed her the message.

"Wow, she literally apologizes for everything she did wrong, here," Pinkie noted as she read the message over a second time.

"I guess she's had a lot of time to think about it.  She wants to make amends with us, so I say why not give her a chance?"

"Well, when you put it that way," Pinkie said, carefully tapping her hoof against her chin, "let's go to Las Pegasus!"

"Right on!" Rainbow shouted as they bumped hooves.

The rest of the day was spent with Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash preparing for their respective journeys.  Rarity, heeding Fluttershy's advice, spent the afternoon catching up on some much needed rest.  Fluttershy tended to her animal friends as she always did, lamenting that Rarity's paranoia had somehow become contagious, as she, too, felt as though she were being watched, and was constantly compelled to set her gaze upon the Everfree Forest.

...

A lone traveler cautiously made his way into the Everfree Forest under the cover of darkness.  It was an unusually calm night, given the dangers that such a place normally presented, and he was able to arrive at the old castle ruins ahead of schedule and without incident.  Clarion Call entered the chamber where the Elements of Harmony had once been hidden away. His horn ignited, and a sterile white aura illuminated the dark room.

He lowered his head and pointed his horn at the floor, a beam of energy extending from the magical appendage and hitting a small portion of it, forming a large mass of light, hovering inches from the ground.  He repeated this process two times more, erecting these manifestations so that they faced one another.  As their forms began to stabilize, they adapted the properties of windows, and in each panel, a face appeared.

"Communication established," Clarion said.  "Verify your identities."

"Must we do this every time? You already know who we are, Rion," a female voice said, her words echoing from the mirror.

"The protocol was decided a long time ago.  When discussing sensitive material, you can't be too careful," another, masculine voice replied.

"And we have this argument about it every time we have one of these little chats," said the third participant, in a very gruff voice, "so can y'all please keep this short so we can get down to business?"

"For pony's sake," Clarion shouted, beginning to perspire, "would you idiots just identify yourselves already?  I mean seriously, those windows I made for you don't just sit there, y'know?  I have to actively maintain them, and it's a pain in the butt, so cut to the chase already!"

"Your lack of respect never ceases to amuse me," the second voice said.  "Very well, let's all identify ourselves for the glorified telephone operator."

"Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, making contact from the Great Hive."

"J'aggerdov, King of the Griffons, making contact from the Griffon Kingdom."

"Mahugpin, Alpha Male of the Diamond Dogs, makin' contact from the Big Deep!"

"And Clarion Call, your moderator for another edition of 'Let's Take Over Equestria', a show with an admittedly small viewership of three, but one that everypony will be talking about soon enough!" Clarion declared.

"Makin' contact from?" Mahugpin asked.

"Oh yeah, heh, making contact from the Everfree Forest."

"And you're positive that nobody followed you?" J'aggerdov asked.

"C'mon," Clarion replied, "how long have we known each other, Jagged Beak?  Give me some credit, here!"

"Call me that one more time, and when next we meet face to face, I'm going to maul you."

"Right, sorry, Jaggerdov," Clarion replied, a smirk on his face.

"I cannot help but notice that our fourth is not here," Chrysalis noted.

"Yeah, he's off taking care of some other junk," Clarion replied.  "Spent the last couple of nights checking up on our targets one last time."

"Fine by me," Mahugpin said.  "Guy creeps me out anyway."

"Those eyes of his do tend to make one feel uneasy, don't they?  Especially in the dark," J'aggerdov noted.

"And that smile of his, those teeth..." Chrysalis shuddered.  "Didn't they have dentists in his era?"

"Guys!" Clarion shouted, laughing softly.  "I'm friggin' exhausted over here!  Can we move this along!?"

"I suppose we can overlook his absence for now," J'aggerdov said.  "After bringing the three of us together and coming up with our wonderful plan, I'd say he's earned a little personal time."

"Fantastic," Clarion said.  He then turned his attention to Chrysalis' window.  "How are things on your end, Queenie?"

"My spies are moving into position," Chrysalis replied.  "The targets will be acquired tomorrow."

"Big Dog?" Clarion asked, turning to Mahugpin's window.

"I got a pack of our outcasts who had set up shop in Equestria to help out with our catch.  They ain't too bright, but they should do this up alright."

"Jaggerdov?" Clarion asked, swiveling his head towards the final window.

"Regarding my targets, one of our Wanderers was recently reacquired and repurposed to that particular task.  We will have them in custody by the end of the day tomorrow."

"Good news all around!" Clarion replied.  "Whelp, I'm gonna shut down this meeting of the talking heads and go pass out.  Have a good night!"  Before any of the three could respond, the windows vanished, and the room grew dark.  "I totally know you're here, by the way.  I get why you didn't wanna talk this time, it's a good idea to gauge what they say about you behind your back, but please, if you were planning to just sneak up behind me or something, don't, okay?  Your face still freaks me out if I don't see you coming, no offense!"

"Sounds like everything's on schedule," a deep voice said in reply, reverberating through the stone in the large chamber, its source marked by a pair of glowing, featureless eyes floating high above the ground, the rough outline of a bipedal figure behind them.

"Looks like it," Clarion replied.  "They're probably gonna turn on each other once the dust settles and it's time to divvy up the country.  You know that, right boss?"

"That's fine."  The glowing eyes dimly illuminated a newly formed grin, filled with an array of misshapen and unaligned teeth.

"You ready to jump?"

"Yes."

"Then off we go!" Clarion declared as his horn flared up again.  The room was illuminated a final time, and then it was empty.

Chapter Three - Our Only Choice

Chapter Two - Unwanted Destinations

"Not bad for a third draft," Twilight Sparkle thought, concluding another session of editing her addendum.  "I'll revise it when I return from the Crystal Empire."  She began to walk away, before turning back to the desk.  "I suppose I could bring it with me, and edit while I'm there."  She shook her head violently.

"No, no, no, I barely get to see Shining Armor and Cadence as it is, and I can't afford to bring along any distractions."  She began to walk away again, a determined look on her face, before spinning around and dashing back to the desk.  "But they are really busy," she said as she stuffed her papers into her saddlebag, "and I'm sure I'll have some time to myself at some point, might as well not let myself get bored!"

"Taking off?" Spike asked, descending the staircase.

"Mhm!" Twilight nodded with a smile.  "I'm meeting Applejack at the train station!"

"I'm sure the Crystal Ponies are still bummed about being gone for a thousand years," Spike said as he reached the first floor, "but I get the feeling they'll think it was worth it when they get a taste of those Zap Apples."

"I certainly hope so," Twilight said.  "I know you'll take good care of the library while I'm gone."

"You can count on me!" Spike replied, pressing his fist against his chest.

"Then I'll see you in a few days," Twilight said as she waved a hoof and exited the library.  As she began to trot towards the train station, she accidentally bumped into a small figure wearing a cape and hood.

"Watch it!" the creature hissed, stumbling backwards.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!" Twilight replied, recoiling.

"S'alright," the figure responded before the two parted ways.  While Twilight continued towards the train station, the one she bumped in to made his way to the Carousel Boutique, the dress shop belonging to Rarity.  A large, grubby paw poked its way out from under the cloak and pounded on the door three times.

"We're open!" a voice shouted from inside.  The figure pushed the door open and entered the shop, removing his cloak in the process.  Rarity turned away from her work to inspect what she believed to be a potential customer, and was shocked to see a small bulldog standing before her.  She recognized him as one of the three Diamond Dogs who had once taken her hostage in order to utilize her gem-hunting abilities.

"You're..." she said, a strained look appearing on her face.

"Spot," the small bulldog replied.

"Right, Spot," she replied, nodding.  "Well, if you're here to kidnap me again, you picked a rather awkward time to do it, darling.  I'm swamped as it is, with the Grand Galloping Gala mere months away, and in broad daylight like this, assuming you manage to overpower me, somepony else would stop you."

"You misunderstand, Miss Rarity!" Spot replied.  "I did not come to kidnap you, we need your help!"

"Whatever do you mean?" Rarity asked, cocking her head to the side.

"It's the others," Spot explained, "all of my doggy friends!  They all got very sick from something in the tunnels, a horrible malady in the air, and I don't know how to help them!"

"Well that does sound terrible," Rarity replied, "but I'm not sure how I can help you."

"You're the nicest pony I know, and you know other nice ponies!"  He took a few steps towards her.  "You have a friend, yes?  Good with animals?"

"Fluttershy?" Rarity asked, turning away from her work.  "Well, she is a remarkable caretaker of all sorts of creatures, but if there's an airborne toxin in your diamond mines, the help of a professional might be better."

"Still, could she please try?" Spot protested.  "She's better than others, it's her special talent, I remember!  Please!?"

"I suppose it couldn't hurt," Rarity sighed.  "Very well, we'll go talk to Fluttershy and see if she knows anything about the illness that's plaguing your people.  I only hope you can give her a more detailed description of the symptoms than you gave me."

"Yes," Spot said, jumping up and down, "I will describe it all!"  And so they departed together for Fluttershy's cottage.

...

Twilight met up with Applejack at the train station.  "Howdy, Twilight," she said, her family extending similar greetings.

"Good morning, Applejack!" Twilight replied.  "Is everything ready?"

"Sure is," she replied, pointing towards one of the carts without windows.  "Got the Zap Apples all crated up and loaded into the cargo train, right Big Macintosh?"

"Eeyup!" the stallion said, nodding.

"Excellent," Twilight replied, "I just know Cadence is going to be thrilled to share them with her subjects!  You'll be gaining new customers from the Crystal Empire for sure."

"Darn tootin'," AJ agreed.  "I ain't met a pony yet who's tried a Zap Apple and didn't ask for another.  Have ya heard from Dash and Pinkie?"

"Not since they left yesterday," Twilight replied, shaking her head, "but I'm sure they made it to Las Pegasus without incident."

"All aboard for the Crystal Empire!" the conductor called out.

"Looks like it's time to hit the road," Applejack said, turning to Applebloom and Big Macintosh.  "Y'all look after Granny Smith while I'm gone, y'hear?  And try not to get into too much trouble, Applebloom."

"Trouble?  Me?  Perish the thought!" Applebloom replied, a wide grin spreading across her face. Applejack smiled and shook her head.  The two travelers proceeded to board the train.

...

Elsewhere, a pair of ponies were drinking in the sights and sounds of Las Pegasus.  "Look at all the tall buildings, Dashy!" Pinkie shouted, leaping up and down.

"And the bright lights!" Rainbow Dash replied, her head swiveling back and forth as she surveyed the city.  "Aw yeah, this is gonna be an awesome vacation!"

"Hey!" a voice called out, catching their attention.  Pinkie stopped jumping up and down and both mares' faces grew serious.  Gilda approached them.

"I'm a little surprised you two came," Gilda said, looking off to the side.

"Hey, your note said you wanted to work things out and make a fresh start, so we came.  Everypony deserves a second chance," Dash replied.

"Yeah," said Pinkie, nodding emphatically, "and if you give me a chance, I know this lame pony won't drive you buggy!"

"Well let's just get this out of the way then," Gilda replied, scratching the side of her left arm with her right claw, "I'm sor-"

"Look, G," Rainbow Dash cut her off, placing a hoof on her shoulder, "you already apologized for everything in that letter of yours.  You had a bad attitude, sure, and you said some things you wish you hadn't, but Pinkie and I both forgive you."

"...Just like that?" Gilda asked, her eyes wide.

"Just like that!"  Pinkie replied, hopping in place.  "Now let's go hit the casinos!"

"Huh," Gilda sighed, lowering her head, "now I really feel like a jerk."

"Whaddaya mean?" Pinkie asked.

"It's nothing," Gilda replied quickly.  "Anyway, yeah, let's go play some games.  First place we hit?  I'm buying us all in!"

...

"Um, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked, looking over her friend's shoulder at Spot, who's back was turned to them.  "Are you sure we can trust him?  He and his friends did kidnap you."

"And they also let me go," Rarity relied.  "I think I taught them enough of a lesson the last time that they wouldn't dare think to detain me again."

"As for this toxin that's making your friends sick," Fluttershy said, walking towards Spot, "of course I'll help you in any way that I can.  I'll bring along my medicine kit, and take a look at some of your infected.  Something I have might be able to help."

"Yes!"  Spot replied.  "I know it will!  I just know it will!  Thank you!"  The three of them set off in the direction of the lair of the Diamond Dogs.

...

"So what's with these fliers they were passin' out at the train station?" Applejack asked as she looked away from the passing country side aboard the speeding train towards the flier in her lap.

"Just a warning regarding Clarion Call," Twilight replied as she turned the page of the book she was reading.

"Sounds a might familiar, wasn't he some kinda crook?" Applejack asked as two passengers walked past them, giving them a strange look.

"Yes," Twilight replied, continuing to read.  "Clarion Call is a unicorn, and like all unicorns, the magic he can use is based upon his special talent."

"So what's his special talent?" Applejack asked, lowering her head closer to Twilight's eye level.

"Communication and transportation, apparently," Twilight replied, flipping to the next page.  "He has the ability to 'tag' places he's been to with one of two spells.  The first allows him to erect a 'window' of sorts through which anypony at another location that's been tagged can see and hear everything going on in the general area.  When he served in the royal guard, his technique made him an invaluable asset.  His other ability, the one he kept a secret for most of his military career, is the ability to mark specific locations for instant transportation to and from."

"And he was a thief, right?" Applejack asked, leaning back and relaxing.

"Correct," Twilight replied, "he would enter places like banks and museums during normal business hours, tag those locations, then teleport into them during nights and take whatever valuables he could carry."

"Sure seems like a waste of his talents," Applejack noted, her eyes scanning the rest of the cart, briefly making eye contact with several passengers who hurriedly looked away.

"Indeed.  Once he was caught, Princess Celestia had no choice but to seal his magical abilities away.  He was crafty, though, and managed to escape from prison about three years ago."

"So why start passin' out these fliers now?" Applejack asked, lifting the flier from her lap.

"Because he was recently sighted for the first time since his escape, and he was using his magic." Twilight responded, reaching the end of another page.

"After it was sealed away?"

"Yes, and nopony has any idea how he could have possibly circumvented the Princess' seal," Twilight said, looking up towards Applejack.  "In any case, these fliers are just a warning to anypony who may be travelling to keep an eye out for him."  She looked back down at her book.

"Creepy," Applejack said.  "And what's more creepy, have you noticed how everypony in this cart keeps lookin' at us funny?"

"Hmm?" Twilight asked, looking up from her book and around the cart.

"Guess you didn't notice," Applejack grinned.

"Doesn't look like anypony's looking at us now," Twilight replied before resuming her reading.

"Reckon I may have just imagined it, then."  The day went on, and the six friends continued their travels in pairs.

...

"We are getting close!" Spot said.

"I don't remember there being this much fog the last time I was here," Rarity replied as she peered through the thick clouds.

"Me neither," Fluttershy agreed.

"Yes," Spot said, "sometimes much fog rolls into our territory, but we see with our noses, so we don't mind."

"If memory serves, we should be getting close to your lair, correct?" Rarity asked, wrinkling her nose as the familiar stench of the Diamond Dogs' lair began to fill her nostrils.

"Yes, you have a good memory, Miss Rarity, we're almost there already!" Spot replied.

"And you already pulled your doggie friends out of the mine, right?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, I pulled them all out!" Spot replied.  "You can give them medicine right here!"

"It doesn't look like anypony's here," Fluttershy said, looking around..

"There is no sickness," Spot replied, slowly looking towards them over his shoulder.

"Now see here," Rarity said, leering down at Spot, "you promised us that there would be no funny-business."

"I promised we wouldn't take you again," Spot said.  "We are not the ones who are going to take you."

"What do you mean?" Rarity asked, taking a step back and looking around.

"I didn't want to do it," Spot said.  "I didn't want to mess with you ever again, but it was the only way I could protect my pack!"

"I see," Rarity replied.  "So somepony else forced you to lure us here, then?"

"Is it too late to run away?  Are they here already?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes jolting in every direction.

"'Fraid so, ladies," a masculine voice replied.  A figure stepped through the fog, canine in appearance, and of average height when compared to other Diamond Dogs the girls had encountered, slender but muscular.  This one, however, aside from looking cleaner and standing up straight, also had much smoother facial features, resembling a husky, with a predominantly black coat that was gray around the snout and jaws.  His right eye was blue, and his left was green.  His claws were visibly long and sharp.

"Greyjaw!" Spot shouted.  "I brought them, just like you told me to!"

"Yeah, I can see that," Greyjaw replied.  His voice was much clearer than the Diamond Dogs the ponies had encountered before, and his tone was of a medium pitch, calm but authoritative.

"So you lied to us again, Spot?" Rarity asked.

"Nah, he told you the truth about not being involved," Greyjaw replied.  "The mutts out here were expelled from our ranks years ago.  Finally made themselves useful by bringing the two of you out here."  He pointed at Rarity.  "I'm guessing you're Rarity, the one with the irritating voice."  Rarity grunted indignantly and glared at Spot, identifying him as the source of that particular description.  "And the yellow one who seems to think I can't see her behind all that hair?  Hi there, Fluttershy," he waved, lowering his head to meet her gaze.  A grin revealed his gleaming, razor sharp fangs.  "Anyway, you girls are in my custody now, and I don't wanna be out here longer than I have to, so let's get going."

"And just who do you think you are to be ordering us around like this?" Rarity asked.  "You haven't captured us yet, Greyjaw, and my dear friend Fluttershy, here, can fly!"  Fluttershy gulped, then nodded, spreading her wings and preparing to grab Rarity and fly away.

"I figured you'd say something like that," Greyjaw replied.  Before the girls could react, he closed in on them with blinding speed.  With a single swipe of his arm, he ensnared Spot, lifting him up by the neck.

"What do you think you're doing!?" Fluttershy shouted.

"Much as I'd like to do this my way, I'm under direct orders not to harm either of you, so if you don't come with me, the little guy gets it."

"No, Greyjaw!  Please don't!" Spot protested, wriggling in the larger dog's grasp.

"Alright, we'll go with you, just don't hurt him, please!" Fluttershy shouted, taking a step towards Greyjaw.

"Fluttershy!" Rarity snapped.

"We can't let him hurt the poor thing!" Fluttershy protested.

"But he's the reason we're in this predicament!"

"He was forced to bring us here!" Fluttershy pointed out.

"Very well," Rarity sighed, "we will go with you, Greyjaw."

"I seriously can't believe that worked," Greyjaw replied, dropping Spot flat on his hindquarters, causing the small dog to yelp.  Greyjaw turned his back to them and began to walk away, gesturing for them to follow with a single finger.  He looked back over his shoulder to confirm that they had heeded his instructions, and the three of them began their journey.

"That you two would surrender your freedom for something as lowly as that mongrel... people like you make me sick, you know that?  Well anyway, I hope you got your fill of Equestria before now, 'cause you won't be coming back for a while."  Spot breathed a sigh of relief as Greyjaw departed.

"And hey," Greyjaw called out to Spot, "forget you saw us, or I'll come wipe out your entire pack."

"So where are you taking us, exactly?" Rarity asked as they followed him through the fog.

"Your voice really does grate on my nerves," Greyjaw said, his ears twitching.  "From now on, you go ahead and whisper your questions into your friend's ear and have her ask 'em."  Rarity scowled.  "And to answer your question, we're meeting our contact here."  Fluttershy and Rarity looked ahead to see a unicorn standing before them. His coat was bronze, and the strands of his silver mane seemed to stand up on their own.  His eyes were cobalt colored.

"Yep, that's them!" the unicorn said.

"Of course it is," Greyjaw replied.  "Mahugpin told me to get a specific pair of ponies, and that's what I did.  Go ahead and take us home, Rion."

"Gladly.  It reeks out here anyway," Clarion said.  Greyjaw led Rarity and Fluttershy to Clarion's side as they silently exchanged nervous glances, before all four of them were enveloped in a bright light.  They suddenly felt weightless, and their stomachs churned as they felt that they were moving at great speed.  Suddenly, they found themselves in a tunnel.

"What is this place?" Rarity asked.  The tunnel appeared to be carved from rock, and surprisingly well-lit, with lamps hanging from the ceiling and electrical wiring connecting them and spanning the length of the passageway.  She also noted the constant flow of cool air, keeping the climate at a comfortable equilibrium.  Both Rarity and Fluttershy, however, were overcome by a familiar sense of dread, reminding them of the paranoia they had both felt the day before.

"Welcome to the Big Deep," Greyjaw declared.

"The what?" Fluttershy asked.

"It's our little country.  I'm not surprised you've never heard of it." Greyjaw replied.  "The surface of this land is pure, uninhabitable swamp, but beneath the surface?  There's an entire world down here.  Very few outsiders ever get to see what you two are going to see, so consider yourselves lucky."

"Yeah, always nice to be here," Clarion replied, beginning to walk away, "but I've got some work to do, so I'm gonna jet."

"Whatever," Greyjaw replied, "see you around, I guess."

"As for you two," Clarion said, turning his attention to Rarity and Fluttershy, speaking directly to them for the first time, "don't go getting into any trouble while you're here.  I mean it, Greyjaw's an angry dude."  Greyjaw and his captives watched as Clarion Call turned a corner, and that was when Fluttershy noticed the shadow that was being projected against the wall, tall and thin, something about its shape catching her attention in a way that she could only describe as "wrong" if she had to put it in a word.  Another flash was seen, and both Clarion's shadow and the other one were gone, and Fluttershy and Rarity instantly felt more at ease.

"What was..." Fluttershy began, pointing in the direction where they had just been, "what was that thing he took with him?"

"Heck if I know," Greyjaw said, "the few times I've seen it with Rion, it's been kept out of sight.  Fine by me.  Whatever it is, it creeps me out."

"So, are we going to find out why you brought us here any time soon?" Rarity asked.

"The Alpha Dog will tell you everything you need to know tomorrow."  Greyjaw replied.  "For now, I'm gonna take you to your temporary quarters, where you'll be spending the night.  Locked in, of course."  He grinned as he motioned for Rarity and Fluttershy to follow him again.

...

"Uh, Twi?" Applejack said, nudging her friend.

"Hmm?" Twilight grunted, looking up from her book again.  "We can't be there yet, can we?"

"No," Applejack replied, "it's just... the other ponies in this cart are lookin' at us a lot more now, and a few seconds ago I saw a group of 'em walk out the front and back doors.  And I might be crazy, but it feels like we've been slowin' down since that happened."

"No, you're right!" Twilight said urgently, setting her book down quickly.  "The cart has been losing momentum."  She leaned her head toward the window.  "And it's because we've been completely detached from the rest of the train!"

"What in tarnation!?" Applejack exclaimed.  "Did y'all here that?"  She turned to the rest of the passengers, who were now all glaring at the two of them.  "Uh, was it somethin' I said?"

She saw one of the ponies across the aisle start to inhale deeply, as though preparing to sneeze.  Applejack was ready with a "gesundheit" when the pony exclaimed "achoo!".  What she wasn't ready for, however, was the accompanying burst of green light that left a surprised Changeling sitting in the passenger's place.  Twilight and Applejack stared at the Changeling, mouths hanging open.  The creature only stared back, shifting his eyes amongst the other passengers, and they sat silently for five seconds before Twilight and Applejack began to lower themselves from their seats, eyeing the exit closest to them.

"Grab 'em!" shouted another pony, also reverting to a Changeling.  The rest of the passengers followed suit.  They took to the air and began to close in on the two travelers.  The one at the front of the pack began to initiate some sort of magical attack.  He was struck down by a blast from Twilight Sparkle's horn.

Two more, similar blasts incapacitated two more Changelings.  However, a fourth attack made contact with her, trapping her in a green field of energy and sapping her strength.  She was immediately freed after Applejack's back hooves connected with the aggressor's face in a forceful buck that sent him flying backwards, knocking down several of his companions in the process.

"Thank you," Twilight gasped as she collapsed.

"You know I've always got your back!  Come on, now!" Applejack shouted, helping Twilight up.

"We have to jump out the back!" Twilight groaned, her face a paler shade of purple than usual.

"Don't need to tell me twice!" Applejack replied as she helped Twilight over to the back exit of the cart, shoving the door open.  The resolve on her face died as she realized that the cart, now entrapped within a green aura of its own, was floating high above the ground, being carried by a swarm of Changelings circling the box from the outside.  While distracted, magic attacks hit her and Twilight from all sides, and they quickly lost consciousness.

...

"What a day," Rainbow Dash sighed as she flopped down on the her bed in the hotel room.

"I've never had so much fun before!" Pinkie Pie replied, jumping up and down on her own bed.

"Gotta admit, Pinks, you really surprised me," Gilda said, pulling on the foldout couch.  "I had no idea you were so good at poker."

"I didn't either!" Pinkie replied.  "But my back was itchy today, and when my back is itchy, it means it's my lucky day!"

"I'll assume that makes sense to you," Gilda said, glancing over at Rainbow Dash, who simply nodded.  "I don't know about you gals, but I'm not quite ready to hit the hay yet."

"Say no more, G," Rainbow Dash said.  "I know just how we'll pass the time."

"Not another one of your ghost stories, Dashie!" Pinkie protested.  "They're way too scary!"

"Aren't you the one who's always saying 'Giggle at the ghosties'?" Rainbow replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes!" Pinkie said, "That's how scary your stories are!"  Gilda laughed to herself, looking over at Pinkie and smiling softly.

"If anything, that just encouraged me to tell one!"

"Go for it, Dash!" Gilda said, a mischievous look on her face.  "Bust out the scariest one you can think of!"  Pinkie gulped and braced herself.

"Alright then," Rainbow Dash said, clicking off the table lamp between the beds and turning on a flashlight.

"Where did you get the flashlight?" Gilda asked.

"Not important!" Rainbow replied quickly.  "What is important, however, is that I've been told that across the entire span of Equestria, no creature is more fearsome than- pause for dramatic effect- the Sasquatch!"

"The Sasquatch?" Gilda replied.  "The big ape monster that lurks in wooded areas and kidnaps hatchlings who don't eat their vegetables?  Come on, Dash, that story's as old as the hills.  Give us some new material!"

"Oh, but it isn't just a story," Rainbow Dash continued, trying to make her voice sound as spooky as possible.  "For I have had a first-hand encounter with the beast!"

"Do tell," Gilda said, rolling her eyes.

"My friend, Twilight, was visited by her future self once, who predicted a great disaster, and so I sent my weather team all over Equestria to look stuff over and make sure everything was on the up and up," Rainbow Dash explained quickly.  "But one member of my team, Cloud Chaser, who was flying over this very city, witnessed the creature with her own eyes!"

"...That's second-hand," Gilda corrected her.

"What?"

"If it happened to someone else, and they told you about it, that's second-hand, not first-hand."

"Whatever, Gilda, this isn't a story about numbers!" Dash replied, throwing her arms into the air.  Gilda and Pinkie exchanged a smirk.  "Anyway," Rainbow continued, "Cloud Chaser saw the monster roaming the outskirts of the city, retreating into the forest."  She shined the flashlight upward from directly beneath her chin, illuminating her jaw and covering her eye sockets in shadow.

"Her curiosity getting the best of her," she continued,  repeatedly alternating her focus between Gilda and Pinkie Pie, "she ventured into the woods after it, hoping to get a better look at this thing she had never seen before.  As she made her way between the trees, she saw it.  Wearing a long, black coat, standing over seven feet tall, on its hind legs, with arms so long that its claws reached down to its knees, stood the Sasquatch.  It turned to face her, and she beheld its hideous, disfigured face.  Scrunched and wrinkled, hairless and pale, super gross, with eyes that glowed like light bulbs, and a toothy scowl that-"

"We get it, Dash," Gilda said, "it was freaky looking.  What did it do?"

"It didn't do anything, Gilda.  It just looked at her for a second, then ran off."

"Wow, spooky," Gilda said rolling her eyes again.

"I thought so!" Pinkie replied, sticking her head out from beneath her covers and quivering.

"But what really disturbed me," Rainbow said, bringing the flashlight in closer, "was the way Cloud Chaser said she felt.  When she neared this creature of myth, she said she felt as though an invisible force was pushing her away, and she got really scared.  But at the same time, she said she felt compelled to get closer to it.  And when it looked into her eyes, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, got super nauseous, and almost passed out."

"I guess that is a little creepy," Gilda replied, "if it actually happened."

"Oh, it happened!" Rainbow Dash assured them.  "Cloud Chaser never lies.  What's more, they say that the Sasquatch is still seen in this very city, from time to time, lurking in the dark and lonely places, waiting to strike!" Rainbow Dash shouted as a tall figure lunged towards them from behind her, causing both Pinkie and Gilda to scream in absolute terror.  Rainbow Dash proceeded to turn on the light, revealing the Sasquatch to be nothing more than a coat rack with a trench coat hanging from it that she had pulled towards them with her tail.

"Not funny!" Pinkie whimpered as Dash doubled over with uncontrollable laughter.

"Okay, fine.  I admit, you got me," Gilda conceded.  "So none of that story was true, then?"

"I dunno," Dash replied, calming down and wiping a tear from her eye, "Cloud Chaser really did tell me that story, but she lies all the time, so it's probably not true."

"Huh," Gilda said.  "Well anyway, I think that's about it for me tonight."

"Yeah, I could use some shuteye," Dash replied, stretching out on her bed.

"I'm never going to sleep again," Pinkie replied, a frown on her face.

"Before we turn in, there's one last thing I want us to do," Gilda said, reaching into a nearby drawer and pulling out a bottle.

"Las Pegasus Cider?" Rainbow said, reading the label.

"I've had that stuff before!" Pinkie Pie replied.  "It's super tasty!"

"I figured we could all share a cup," Gilda said.

"Don't need to tell me twice!" Rainbow Dash replied as Gilda filled three cups with the liquid.

"To mended fences and emotional scarring!" Pinkie Pie declared as the three friends touched glasses.

"Bottoms up!" Gilda said as they downed their drinks.  Gilda lowered her glass as Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie both dropped theirs, falling backwards onto their beds and beginning to snore loudly.  Gilda sat on her own foldout bed with her clasped claws in her lap.  "Please don't come," she whispered to herself.  "Please don't come, please don't come, please don't come!"  She winced as the hotel room door swung open, and two armored male Griffons entered the room.

"What did you do to them?" asked one.

"Skyberry juice in the cider," Gilda replied, avoiding eye contact.

"Skyberries?" the second Griffon asked as they approached the mares.

"Yeah, the berries might relax us Griffons, but they knock ponies right out.  They won't wake up for at least eight hours."  Gilda's face was expressionless.

"Then we'll have to fly fast if we want to reach the Griffon Kingdom by then," the first Griffon replied.

"You've done well, Special Agent Gilda."

"You promise you won't hurt them, right?" Gilda asked.

"What concern is that of yours?" the second Griffon asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"They're kind of my friends," Gilda replied, her eyes drifting to the right.

"That's the kind of thinking that got your family banished in the first place.  Few Griffons get a second chance, so you best learn to put the Pride first, as we all must.  But yes, our orders are that they must not be harmed," the first guard said as they lifted Dash and Pinkie over their shoulders and opened the window.  "Come, we must fly."

...

"Where are we?" Twilight slurred her words as she began to regain consciousness.  The events that had transpired earlier that day came rushing back to her, and she realized that she was in the clutches of a pair of Changelings.  She looked to her right and saw Applejack, who was also waking up, in the same predicament.

"Finally awake, Twilight Sparkle?" a familiar voice called out.  Twilight and Applejack direct their attention ahead and beheld the Queen of the Changelings sitting on a throne before them.

"Chrysalis!" Twilight hissed.  "What is this place!?"

"You're in my throne room, in the center of the Great Hive.  There's an ocean between you and your precious Equestria, now!"

"You won't get away with this!" Twilight replied, struggling in the grasp of her captors, a small burst of magical energy emitting from her horn before dying out.

"My spies were very careful in abducting the two of you, and they didn't leave a trace of their presence behind," Chrysalis replied.  "Nobody knows that it is I who have you now."

"I can only assume this is about revenge," Twilight replied.  "Let Applejack go, and I'll cooperate."

"Twilight!" Applejack barked, beginning to struggle as well.  "You don't get to make that decision!"

"Neither of you get to make that decision," Chrysalis corrected them.  "I can assure you, revenge, while being a fortunate bonus here, is not my motivation for holding you hostage."

"So what's the plan, then?" Applejack asked.  "Ya think you can just hide us away forever with nopony findin' out?  What would be the point of that?"

"The point?  Ah, you're implying that I mean to ransom you, is that it?" Chrysalis asked with a giggle.  "All you need to know is that you will be staying here for the foreseeable future.  This, of course, means that you will have to be made useful, but don't worry, that is a simple enough task."  As she said this, two streams of green energy shot from her horn and connected with Twilight and Applejack, putting them to sleep once again.  "Prepare two feeding pods and connect them to the Central Nervous System."

Chapter Four - All the Time You Need

Chapter Three - The Big Deep

"What do you think they're going to do with us?" Fluttershy asked the next morning, the time only apparent because of the clock that was hung on the wall in their sleeping quarters.  The room they had been left in was a small one, carved from stone like the tunnels they had walked through to get to it.

A single light fixture hanging in the middle of the ceiling illuminated everything, and the only pieces of furniture were a pair of mattresses placed directly on the floor.  A second, smaller room could be found in the back left corner, leading into a small lavatory, complete with a working commode and sink.  Rarity, for her part, could not help but note how clean the room actually was, despite its appearance.

"I'm not sure," Rarity replied.  "I just hope Sweetie Belle is doing alright without me.  She must be worried sick!"  The lock on the thick, metal door clicked, making them both jump a little.  The door opened, and behind it stood another new face.  His coat was brown, and he resembled a Dachshund.

He had a pronounced snout and low hanging ears.  Beneath his nose grew a rather bushy handlebar mustache.  He looked to be roughly a head shorter than Greyjaw, and stood with a very deliberate, dignified posture, his arms tucked behind his back.  He wore an expensive looking blue vest, and a brimmed hat of the same color.

"Good morning, ladies," the Diamond Dog said, bowing dramatically.  His manner of speaking possessed a refinement that could rival that of the Canterlot elite, "You may call me Reginald, and I have been appointed to be your caretaker here in the Big Deep!"

'What do you want with us?" Rarity asked, glaring at their new acquaintance.

"Now, now, there's no need for hostilities.  Miss Rarity, was it?  And Miss Fluttershy?  I assure you, no harm will come to you while you are in my care.  If you would please follow me, I will explain everything," he said this as he stepped aside, opening a path for them to leave the room, holding his arms out in the direction that they were expected to walk.

"I think that for now, we should just do what he says.  If we don't, they might send Greyjaw back..." Fluttershy whispered.

"I can assure you, that ruffian has little interest in seeing either of you again.  Now come along, I don't bite!" Reginald declared, giving them a friendly wink and extending his paw.

"Very well," Rarity sighed.

...

Fluttershy and Rarity were surprised to see the transit station that Reginald had led them to.  It was a very well kept facility.  The walls, constructions of metal as opposed to the masonry they had seen thus far, were lined with travel times and maps that neither pony had time to pay much attention to, though the maps did give them the impression that this so-called Big Deep was much more vast than they had originally assumed.  Even after their train (which had an abundance of seats despite having only three passengers at that time) had departed, speeding atop a single, metal rail, they could still see all the different directions the track constantly forked off into as they continued their ride through the long, dimly lit tunnel.

"I must say," Rarity said, admiring the walls of the tunnel as they passed her by, glittering with unexcavated minerals, "you have proven yourself to be of far more pleasant company than the Diamond Dogs in Equestria, or even Greyjaw."

"I should hope so, Miss Rarity," Reginald replied, tipping his hat to her.  "The Diamond Dogs you encountered in your homeland were criminals who tested our patience one too many times and were exiled.  That particular group was not particularly bright, though I am impressed that they managed to make it to a neighboring country.  Most do not survive exile.  As for Greyjaw, he's almost a wild animal, through and through, but he is dependable."

"A transit system, electricity, air conditioning, who made all of this?" Fluttershy asked, enjoying the cool breeze that the ride was sending into her face.

"Why, we did, of course!" Reginald replied, raising his arms and pointing his hands towards himself.  "Well, that is to say, our ancestors did.  The Diamond Dogs have been chipping away at the Big Deep for centuries, always looking for new ways to improve upon our quality of life, and always searching for new innovations.  What we can't do with the resources here, we trade for with the Zebras, though that is a very delicate and dangerous process."

"I had no idea anypony could do so much," Fluttershy said, looking over the cart again.

"You've not seen the half of it," Reginald said, grinning.  As if on queue, the cart cleared the tunnel, and continued travelling over a deep chasm, suspended on a tall bridge.  Rarity and Fluttershy had not prepared themselves for the view that greeted them.

"Is this... a city?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, and though this is our Capital City, it is but one of hundreds that operate beneath the land," Reginald replied.  Indeed, her eyes did not deceive her.  Far below, hundreds upon hundreds of buildings, all of varying heights, constructed from concrete, stone, metal, and glass could be seen.  On the outskirts, surrounding the taller buildings, individual homes could be seen, complete with yards, trees, and other forms of vegetation.

The ceiling of that massive chamber, so high that it was difficult to see, was covered with some sort of light-emitting apparatus which, as Rarity guessed by the familiar feeling of warmth hitting her face, was either harnessing sunlight directly or simulating it perfectly.  The air was so cool and fresh that she felt as though she were outside again.

"How is this possible?" Rarity asked, smiling, eyes closed, as the feeling of sunlight touched her coat for the first time in a day.  "Do you have magic users among you?"

"Goodness no," Reginald laughed, shaking his head, "we have engineers, some of the finest the world has to offer.  After all, we Diamond Dogs are, by nature, a curious and resourceful lot, and there have been true visionaries among us in each and every generation.  Didn't hurt that we had some nice reference material to start off with."

"Reference material?" Fluttershy asked, as their cart entered another tunnel, obscuring the great city once again.  The railing began to incline downwards, and the shape of the tunnel followed suit.

"Yes.  Generations ago, when the Diamond Dogs were first driven underground, we found what was, in short, the remains of an ancient, highly advanced civilization.  Couldn't tell you much about their history or culture beyond their inventions, and no previous records of them exist in this world as far as we've seen, but it was through reverse-engineering the technological advancements found in those ruins that we were able to create the tools that allowed us to make the Big Deep a possibility, and facilitated the quality of life that we enjoy today."

"Why were your people forced underground?" Fluttershy asked, turning to Reginald.

"Lycanthropes," Reginald replied abruptly.  "Werewolves, as you might call them.  They populate the swampland above the Big Deep.  They thrive in it, really.  They outnumber us, breed quickly, and are incredibly dangerous.  Though our ancestors fought for their territories for a time, in the end they would have been wiped out if they hadn't retreated down here."

"That sounds awful!" Fluttershy exclaimed as the cart's decent deepend, causing the fillies to grip the railings on their seats a bit more tightly.

"It is," Reginald replied, lowering his head and resting his hands on the nearby open window pane, leaning forward .  "Periodically, a pack of them will find their way into our tunnels, or worse still, into our cities.  Fighting them is a tricky business, and most of us are not cut out for it.  That is why I'm grateful for warriors like Greyjaw."

"Greyjaw is a warrior, then, and a protector?" Rarity asked, her ears perking up.

"One of the finest I've ever seen in the Deep," Reginald replied, his voice becoming low.  "But even those in the Wolf class, such as he, are not invincible.  That is another reason why we constantly try to improve upon our technologies, as a means of increasing our security.  The Big Deep is many things, but 'safe' is not one of them."

"I see," Rarity said, appearing deep in thought.  The rail that the cart was travelling upon began to bottom out, and soon enough, the three travelers found themselves coming to an abrupt, but gentle stop.

"We're here!" Reginald said, an upbeat tone returning to his voice.  "Please follow me."  The tram's door opened, and Reginald lead them from this new station down a series of stone corridors, until once again they found themselves in the chasm of the Capital City, only this time, at the ground level.

As Reginald led them along the sidewalks outlining the busy streets, through which vendors, stores, and business had opened for the day, and the citizenry passed them from all sides and from all directions, Rarity and Fluttershy marveled at how the city looked even more impressive up close.  Though the two ponies received many curious looks, most of the townspeople offered an earnest smile or a respectful nod of the head as they passed them by.  After roughly ten minutes of walking, they came upon a dome shaped building, sculpted with designs that did not adorn the other structures that the ponies had passed.

"The Capital Building," Reginald said.  "In each city, the mayor occupies a structure like this one, but here in the Capital City, our ruler conducts his business from it."

"You've taken us to meet your king?" Rarity asked loudly.  "Oh dear," she began fanning herself, "I haven't bathed since yesterday, or gotten the proper amount of beauty sleep!  I am in no shape to meet with royalty!"

"He is the Alpha Male of the Diamond Dogs, not a king," Reginald explained, raising an eyebrow, as they entered through a pair of glass doors that slid open as they approached.  "And I can assure you, he is not the type to hold either of those things against you."

"So what does it actually mean to be an Alpha Male?  Did he inherit the title from a parent, or was he elected?" Fluttershy asked as they entered the building.

"The selection of the Alpha Male is based on the ability to overcome a long series of trials, both mentally and physically.  Essentially, the best of the best is selected to lead our nation through that method."

"And who is your Alpha Male?" Rarity asked.

"Mahugpin," Reginald replied as he gestured for them to stop in the center of the open, dimly lit main hall.  "A word of advice, don't judge him by his appearance."

"What do you mean by that?" Fluttershy asked.  Suddenly, the heard a loud thud, accompanied by a small vibration around their hooves.  Another, louder thud sounded, and the vibrations intensified.  Another followed, and then another, and with each thud, the sound grew louder and the ground shook even more, until Rarity and Fluttershy were practically bouncing on the ground.

The two ponies looked up and beheld a towering silhouette, indistinguishable from that distance in the dimly lit chamber, stomping towards them, causing everything around it to shake with each great step it took.  Fluttershy and Rarity both began to tremble uncontrollably, huddling close together, as the gargantuan form drew closer to them.  Suddenly, it came to a stop, still far enough away that they couldn't quite perceive its features through the shadows.

A series of mechanical sounds ensued, and the figure's body began to retract into itself, its torso and waist becoming as one and sliding down the length of its legs, until its feet held its body mere inches from the ground, the entirety of the creature roughly the same height as Reginald at that point.  It waddled clumsily the rest of the way, until Fluttershy and Rarity could discern what they were looking at:  Standing before them was some sort of mechanical contraption with moving arms and legs, being operated by a small pug-looking dog, the smallest Diamond Dog they had encountered yet.

"Welcome to the Big Deep!" Mahugpin declared, holding his tiny paws in the air and speaking in a gruff voice, accented in a way that reminded Fluttershy and Rarity of the Apple Family.

"I already did the whole 'Welcome to the Big Deep' bit," Reginald pointed out.

"Well how was I supposed to know?" Mahugpin replied, rolling his eyes.  "Anyway, Rarity and Fluttershy, right?"  The two ponies nodded.  "I'm the Alpha Dog 'round these parts, name's Mahugpin!"

"I already told them your name as well, sir," Reginald added.

"Tell ya what, Reggie," Mahugpin said, leaning forward in his seat at the top of the torso and glaring at Reginald, "if I start to repeat ya again, just go ahead and let me, alright?"

"As you wish," Reginald said, tucking his arms behind his back again and looking away.

"Excuse me, Mahugpin?" Rarity asked, taking a small step forward.  "If you don't mind my asking, why did you have us kidnapped?"

"'Kidnapped' is such an ugly word," Mahugpin replied, frowning.  "Appropriate for this situation, but ugly all the same.  To put it simply, I know you gals are crucial to the defense of your Equestria, and I need you here for political reasons.  I hope Reginald told you about our security situation."

"He mentioned something about lycanthropes," Rarity replied as Fluttershy nodded.

"Right," Mahugpin replied, "they're a might dangerous, and they've been getting into our territories more and more lately."

"I don't understand," Rarity said, shrugging a shoulder.  "What can Equestria do about that?"

"Equestria has resources we simply don't have here in the Deep," Mahugpin explained.  "Magic, mostly.  Some muscle from its army, to.  We're desperate, here, so we went ahead grabbed 'em by the proverbial family jewels, if ya catch my drift," he laughed a little as he said that, causing Fluttershy to blush and Rarity to grimace.  "Ya won't be hurt, no matter what, and you'll both be returned to your homes as soon as we get what we need to survive."

"Um, excuse me?" Fluttershy interrupted.

"Speak up, little lady, I ain't gonna bite ya," Mahugpin replied softy, smiling down at Fluttershy.

"It's just that..." Fluttershy continued, lightly scraping a hoof against the ground and avoiding eye contact, "I think Princess Celestia would gladly help your people if you asked.  We could... go back to Equestria and ask for you.  I'm sure she'll listen to us.  If that's okay..."

"Nothin' doin'," Mahugpin replied, leaning back and raising his paw.  "We've sent messages to the Princess askin' her for help for a couple years now, and we haven't gotten a single reply.  Too dangerous leavin' the Deep out that direction to hazard a diplomatic visit that won't guarantee results, so we decided that this was the way to go."

"I can't imagine that the Princess would ignore your plight," Rarity said.  "She must not have received your messages."

"Dunno how things work up there," Mahugpin replied.  "Maybe they got lost in the mail, maybe some lower level secretary threw 'em away, but we ain't gonna be overlooked any longer."

"And what will happen to us in the meantime?" Rarity asked, glancing over at Fluttershy.

"You'll be treated as honorary citizens of the Big Deep," Mahugpin replied, leaning the tips of his paws against one another in front of his face.  "Naturally, as citizens, you'll have to pull your own weight if you want to eat."  Rarity gulped.  "Don't you fret, Rarity, I heard all about what those Exiles did to you back in Equestria.  I ain't talkin' 'bout hard labor or anything like that.  Fluttershy, I hear you're a talented veterinarian.  Is that true?"

"Um... I'm not licensed or anything, I just like taking care of animals, and I guess I'm pretty good at it," Fluttershy replied her voice growing a bit louder as she spoke.

"Good enough for me," Mahugpin declared, spreading his arms.  "I'm gonna stick you in the main hospital here in the Capital City, see if the medical dogs can't teach ya a thing or two."

"I'd be helping ponies?  Oh!  I mean, doggies?" she said, quickly correcting herself.

"Heh, I know all about that weird habit you ponies have, 'somepony' this and 'everypony' that, it ain't a big deal.  But yes, you'll be helping my people," Mahugpin replied, nodding.

"That... doesn't sound so bad," Fluttershy smiled a bit.

"That's the spirit!  And you, Rarity, I hear you have a knack for finding gemstones and other minerals, is that right?"

"Why, yes it is!" Rarity replied.

"I'm gonna put you to work doin' just that in the mines," Mahugpin said as Rarity began to frown.  "Don't give me that look, it won't be as bad as ya think.  You'll be in an advisory position, so you'll spend most of your time in a cozy little office when they don't need ya to map out dig-spots."

"Oh, well... I suppose that will be okay," Rarity replied, nodding.

"Great!" Mahugpin replied.  "An apartment's already been set aside and furnished for the two of ya, Reginald will see that ya get settled in, and tell you where to report for work tomorrow.  I've got a heap of important stuff to take care of, so I'll leave you two to him."

...

"This place is absolutely fabulous!" Rarity squealed as she took in the sight of the living room of their new apartment.  It was very neatly furnished, with color-coordinated chairs and sofas lined up around a low table covered with various types of literature from the land of the Zebras and the Griffon Kingdom.  A plush, inviting carpet lay beneath all of that, the same shade of deep blue as the drapes which hung in front of the windows nearby, surrounding by a variety of abstract paintings.

The two bedrooms and bath were just as aesthetically pleasing.  The kitchen had all of the appliances that Rarity was accustomed to using when preparing meals back in Ponyville.  Truly it had all the comforts of home, and a sophistication that could rival the apartments in Manehattan.

"I'm glad you approve," Reginald replied, laughing softly.  "You and Fluttershy get comfortable, and do as you please until tomorrow morning, when the time comes to report in for work.  I'm leaving a list of the best restaurants in town on the counter, just tell the manager of any of them that you're the special guests of Mahugpin, and they'll take care of you!  Obviously, that offer only stands for tonight, so I suggest you make the most of it."

"Thank you very much!" Fluttershy said, smiling widely.

"Reginald, if you don't mind my asking, regarding Mahugpin..." Rarity's voice trailed off.

"You want to know how he came to be our Alpha Male?" Reginald replied, tilting his head upward.

"Well, yes.  I expected someone... harsher, more intense.  Someone more like Greyjaw," she said, frowning.

"Mahugpin may not look it, and he certainly doesn't talk like it, but he is one of the most brilliant inventors the Big Deep has ever produced.  That ridiculous contraption that he rides around on, the 'Squatter' as he calls it, was of his own design, and although I find its appearance to be rather silly, I've seen him flatten werewolves with it."

"So it was through his resourcefulness that he passed those trials you mentioned earlier?" Rarity asked, staring attentively at Reginald.

"Correct," he nodded.  "In fact, he broke several records in the process that had been set by his predecessors.  Furthermore, you won't find a kinder soul.  I assure you, he would never have arranged to have you two brought here if he didn't truly believe that the survival of his people depended on it."

"I suppose I can forgive him, then," Rarity replied.  "I sincerely hope, not just for our sakes, but for yours as well, that the Princess is finally made aware of your crisis and can find a way to help you."

"I appreciate that, Miss Rarity.  Well, I have some last minute work to attend to as well, being his personal assistant and all, so I will bid you both adieu."  Reginald bowed, and took his leave.

"Look!" Fluttershy exclaimed reading off of the restaurant list that Reginald left behind.  "They have one place that specializes in all kinds of fancy pastas!"

"Well, we'll just see about that," Rarity replied, as though issuing a challenge.  "I suppose we can make the most of our time here."

"I'm still a little homesick," Fluttershy said, bowing her head, "but I'm glad you're here to, Rarity."

"Likewise, darling."

...

"They really are a lovely pair of girls," Reginald said.  "I don't relish lying to them."

"I didn't like it any more'n you, Reggie," Mahugpin replied, sighing, his Squatter slouching.  "I just don't have the heart to tell 'em that we're going to war with their country."

"They will be taken care of, right?" Reginald asked gently.

"'Course they will.  I said they were gonna be citizens and I meant it," Mahugpin replied.  "They'll take to life with us eventually, just you wait and see.  Chrysallis won't like it, but she can just get over it."

"Are you still certain that war is the right course of action?" Reginald asked, frowning.

"I wish I wasn't," Mahugpin replied, "but the werewolves are getting smarter, and their attacks across the country have been getting more devastating.  We have no choice but to migrate to Equestria."

"But to subjugate its people..." Reginald replied, shaking his head.  "What gives us the right to-"

"Those are the terms for gettin' the aid of the Changelings," Mahugpin cut him off gruffly.  "They have to be able to feed, and we certainly can't win this fight on our own.  This is our only choice, Reggie, you know that!"

"I guess that's true..." Reginald replied, shutting his eyes.

Chapter Five - You Can't Be Here

Chapter Four - The Griffon Kingdom

"Pinkie Pie, are you awake?" Rainbow Dash asked, nudging her unconcious friend.

"Five more minutes, papa," Pinkie replied groggily, a bead of drool sliding down the side of her face, "then I'll go rotate the rocks."

"Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash shouted, jolting her friend awake.

"Morning, Dashie!" Pinkie yawned, sitting up and wiping her mouth.  "So today I was thinking we could check out the-"

"In case you haven't noticed, we're not in our hotel room," Rainbow Dash said, gesturing to the area around them.  Pinkie scanned the room they were in carefully.  The unpainted stone that comprised the walls and floors of the large room all had a feeling of grit tot hem, being covered by a layer of dirt.  Their sleeping space, Pinkie noted, had been partitioned off by a wall of metal bars, and it was one of several spaces in that room constructed in a similar way.  The only comforts she could see in their small holding area were a chamber pot and a pair of concrete slabs suspended with chains against the wall, one of which Pinkie had been sleeping on.  Finally, her eyes settled back upon Rainbow Dash who, upon closer inspection, was wearing some sort of brace around her torso that kept her wings locked to her sides.

"Hmm, I think you might be right," Pinkie said, scratching her chin, her eyes only narrowly open.  "What'd we do last night after we drank that cider?"

"I don't think we did anything," Rainbow replied, standing on top of her own makeshift concrete bed and hoisting herself up to a small, barred window above it.  "Nothing to get us thrown in a place like this, at least," she added, gazing out through the bars.

"Ooh, ooh!" Pinkie exclaimed, jumping up and down.  "Whadaya see, Dashie?"

"I see... a lot of mountain tops," Dash replied, squinting as she tried to see beyond them.  "We're pretty high up.  And way, way below us, a lot of desert.  None of this looks familiar.  We need to see if anypony is around."

"Hey, is anypony here!?" Pinkie shouted, causing Rainbow Dash to jerk backwards and fall to the floor.  As Dash stood back up, massaging the back of her head, a loud creaking sound signified a large door being opened.  They were approached by a Griffon in a suit of armor.

"Finally awake, eh?" the Griffon asked, stopping in front of their cage.

"Where in the hay are we?" Rainbow Dash asked, tilting her head to the side.

"We didn't damage any public property, did we?" Pinkie asked, frowning.

"Pinkie, we were not drunk and disorderly," Rainbow replied, squinting towards her friend.

"How do you know?  Do you remember how we got here?" Pinkie asked, turning away from the guard and back to her friend.

"Well, no, I guess not, but come on, I think I'd know if that's what was going on here," Rainbow replied.

"Unless you were so drunk that you blacked out and forgot everything!" Pinkie gasped.

"That didn't happen!" Rainbow Dash yelled, leaning towards Pinkie authoritatively.

"Dashie, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem," Pinkie said, gently placing a hoof on Dash's shoulder.

"If we're in here for drunk and disorderly conduct, it means you have a problem to!" Dash replied.

"Omigosh, you're right!" Pinkie said, her eyes widening.  She fell to her knees.  "I've let myself slide down the slippery slope!" she sobbed.

"No one got drunk!" the guard shouted, grabbing the bars with his talons and practically grinding his teeth.  "What's with you two?  I'm standing right here, just ask me what's going on!"

"What's goin' on?" Pinkie asked abruptly, giving the guard a wide, toothy smile, her eyelids half-open.  The guard, in turn, smacked his forehead with the palm of his talon.

"You're in the Griffon Kingdom, in the palace dungeon.  We've been waiting for you to wake up," he answered, taking a step back and standing up straight.

"The Griffon Kingdom?  That's a long ways away from where we were," Rainbow Dash replied.  "How did we get here?"

"After you were neutralized by our undercover agent, a pair of knights brought you here," the guard replied, his posture unchanging.

"Agent?  Are you... talking about Gilda?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yes, now come with me," he said, producing a key and opening the cell door as Rainbow Dash lowered her head, "His Majesty demands an audience with you at once."

"Might as well find out what this is about," Rainbow Dash muttered as she and Pinkie followed the guard, Pinkie skipping as she always did.

"Who's Majesty and who does he belong to?" Pinkie whispered to Rainbow Dash.

"No, Pinkie," Dash replied, "he's talking about their king.  We're going to meet... the King of the Griffons."  The realization suddenly overtook her.

"Who's the King of the Griffons?" Pinkie asked, as the guard closed the dungeon door behind them.

"I can't remember his name, but they say he's huge, even for a Griffon, and that he's some kind of legendary warrior."

"Cool!" Pinkie exclaimed, emphasizing the sentiment with another hop.

"Yeah, I guess it is pretty cool," Dash replied, feigning a smile for the benefit of her friend.

...

"Your Highness," the guard declared as they entered the large throne room, "Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie of Equestria are here!"  The throne was visible at the other end of the chamber, the to it paved with a long, red carpet laid across a bare stone floor, reminiscent of the dungeon floor.  There were no walls here, merely a long chain of pillars connecting the floor to the ceiling, the room itself exposed to the open air and overlooking a vast mountain range.  Rainbow Dash couldn't help but marvel at the view.

Once the two ponies were close enough to the throne, they beheld the King of the Griffons.  True to the rumors, he was the size of a full-grown grizzly bear, and perhaps even more muscular.  Battle scars adorned his body, and a small chip near the tip of his beak gave it a jagged appearance.  His eyes were golden, and his brow was low and imposing.  Surprisingly, Dash noted, no crown adorned his head.

"I am J'aggerdov, King of the Griffons!" he said, rising from his throne and walking towards them, each step echoing loudly.  He spread his wings, their span appearing to be almost triple what was considered average for a Griffon.

"I'm Rainbow Dash, future Wonderbolt and world-class athlete," Rainbow replied.

"And I'm Pinkie Pie, can I use your bathroom?"

"Pinkie!" Rainbow hissed, glaring sideways at her friend.

"What?" Pinkie replied, recoiling from Rainbow's tone.  "I haven't gone since yesterday!"

"That is not the kind of question you ask a king!" Rainbow whispered, covering the side of her mouth that the king could see with her hoof.

"I've asked Princess Celestia that question before.  She always just says 'yes'."

"Oh, really?" Rainbow asked, lowering her hindquarters to the ground and taking a seat.

"Yep!" Pinkie replied, smiling.

"Huh, maybe it is an okay question, then." Rainbow said, stroking her chin.

"Silence!" J'aggerdov barked in what could only be described as speech combined with a dull roar.  "I don't know how your Princess does things, but in my presence, you will speak only when spoken to, and you will mind your tongue!"

"Now wait just a minute," Rainbow said, stepping forward, "we didn't ask to be here y'know?  You kidnapped us, and since you're gonna be such a jerk about it, now I just wanna know why!"

"My patience is tested," J'aggerdov replied.  "Guard, if she acts out again, kill her."

"WHA-" Pinkie began to shout as Rainbow quickly placed a hoof over her mouth, her face growing pale.

"That's better," J'aggerdov said.  "As for why you are here, you're prisoners of war."

"...of war?" Rainbow Dash asked softly.

"Indeed," J'aggerdov replied, nodding.  "The day is fast approaching when Equestria will belong to the Griffon Empire."

"Why you-" Rainbow cut herself off when she saw the guard reach for his dagger.  She clicked her tongue and stared at the floor. "Okay, so why bring us here?  Why tell us this?"

"I would think the answer to your first question would be obvious," the king replied, raising an eyebrow.  "You two wield Elements of Harmony, and it would make things far more difficult for us if you were to use them during the invasion, so you've been preemptively removed from the conflict.  As for why I'm telling you, I believe it's only polite to tell a prisoner why they've been imprisoned."

"And what happens to us now?" Rainbow hissed, beginning to grind her teeth.

"You'll remain in my dungeon and behave yourselves.  So long as you do that, you'll be fed three times a day.  Make any trouble for us, and you will be eliminated.  Is that clear?"

"If you think I'm just gonna sit by and let you take over my home-" Rainbow said, raising her voice and reestablishing eye contact with the King.

"Guard, if she makes one more outburst, kill her friend," J'aggerdov said very matter-of-factly.

"...Yes, it's clear." Rainbow said, flinching and averting her gaze again.

"Good, then we have nothing left to discuss," J'aggerdov said.  "Guard, return them to their cell."

"Yes, your highness," the guard replied, motioning for Rainbow and Pinkie to follow him.

"Well he wasn't very nice," Pinkie Pie pouted, once they were out of J'aggerdov's earshot.

"This is really bad, Pinkie," Rainbow said, her voice shaking.  "I don't know what we're gonna do."

...

"Where did you even get that?" Rainbow asked, stretched out on her stone bed, her head resting on her folded arms, as Pinkie continued playing her harmonica.

"I keep harmonicas stashed all over, in case of harmonica emergency!" she replied before raising the harmonica to her lips again.  Rainbow Dash shook her head softly, but smiled.

"We need to find a way out of here," Rainbow said, sitting straight up and leaning forward, supporting her head with her hooves.  "We have to warn the Princess."

"Sure we do, but how are we gonna escape?" Pinkie asked, mimicking Rainbow's sitting position.

"Visitors aren't permitted!" said a nearby guard.

"Visitors?  Didn't you hear?" a familiar voice called out.  "I was named personal assistant to King J'aggerdov, now step aside!"

"Ah, my apologies, Lady Gilda."

"Gilda!?" Rainbow and Pinkie shouted in unison, jumping to their feet and approaching the bars.

"Dash, Pinkie, 'sup?" Gilda asked, smiling.  "Are they treating you alright?  Do you need anything?"

"Don't talk to us like we're buddies," Dash replied, wrapping her hooves around the bars.  "You're the reason we're here in the first place!"

"Look, it's not like I wanted to kidnap you," Gilda said, shrugging, "plus they promised me you wouldn't be harmed."

"I do not appreciate being abducted without my consent!" Pinkie shouted.

"Look, I came down here because I figured I owed you two an explanation," Gilda said.

"Well thank you for taking time out of your busy day to explain things to us lowly prisoners," Rainbow replied, clenching her jaw.  "Why don't you get back to your fancy new job and leave us alone!"

"Don't be like that," Gilda said.  "With my new title, I've got a lot of extra pull.  I can get you two all kinds of cool stuff!" she added, leaning back and scraping her knuckles against her chest as though wiping away non-existent dust.

"You can start with our freedom," Dash replied, narrowing her gaze and slanting her brows.

"C'mon, Dash, you know I can't do that," Gilda replied, shaking her head.

"Then leave."

"I don't want this!" Gilda shouted, slamming her fist against the floor, causing the guard to look over at her in alarm, while Pinkie and Rainbow leaned back, eyes wide.  "I didn't want to have to choose between my country and my friends, but you know what!?  I had to!  Put yourself in my place, if Princess Celestia told you to kidnap me for the good of Equestria, you know you'd do it in a heartbeat!  You're always going on about how loyal you are!"

"I'm loyal to Princess Celestia because she would never ask me to betray a friend," Rainbow Dash replied, regaining her composure.

"That may be," Gilda replied, hanging her head, "but my king still did, and he literally put my family's life and honor on the line.  Plus, it's not like our people aren't in trouble.  It's always been tough growing anything here, and what little fertile land is in the Griffon Kingdom has been shrinking."

"So is that what this war is about?  You want to steal our food or something?" Dash asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If we don't do something, our people will starve," Gilda replied.  "My family got banished a long time ago, and I grew up away from here, so I had no idea how bad things were until I was brought back and saw it for myself.  We have no other choice, Dash, this is just something we have to do."

"And you know that Equestria would help the Griffon Kingdom if they just asked," Dash replied as Pinkie Pie nodded.

"I'm sure King J'aggerdov tried that, first."

"Somehow, I doubt he's the type," Rainbow Dash replied, as Pinkie Pie shook her head.

"I'm going to go see the king," Gilda said, backing away from them.  "Maybe I can make you two more comfortable or something."

"Gilda," Rainbow Dash said, grasping the bars again as the Griffon began to walk away, "you know that what you're doing here is wrong.  It isn't too late to make it right."

"I'll see you guys later," Gilda replied, keeping her face straight ahead and exiting the dungeon.

...

"Still don't get why you promoted your spy girl," Clarion said, standing next to the occupied throne and off towards the setting sun.  "Doesn't seem like her heart's really in this."

"It isn't," J'aggerdov replied, tapping his fingers against the arm rest and staring straight ahead.  "That's precisely why I promoted her.  I'm going to keep a close eye on her so that she doesn't do anything stupid."

"Well, that's your deal.  Seems like everypony picked up their targets with no problem," Clarion said, grinning.

"And how are things on your end?" J'aggerdov asked, turning towards Clarion.  "The invasion can't start until you find that little trinket."

"Yeah, I've been asking around, getting some leads, you know how that can be.  Should have it pretty soon, don't you worry," Clarion replied, turning to J'aggerdov.

"And where is your master?"

"I left him back in Equestria, he has some business of his own to take care of before the horseapples hit the fan."

"He's a strange fellow, isn't he?  I can't help but wonder what he has to gain by helping us all like this.  He asked for so little in return," J'aggerdov noted, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know, he's crazy," Clarion replied, shrugging.  "Probably just gets off on making trouble.  It's working out great for you guys though, huh?"

"Yes, I suppose it is," J'aggerdov replied, "though I can't say I relish the idea of non-lethal warfare all that much.  Having to spare all of our enemies will make the battle that much more difficult."

"Well, you know how it is," Clarion answered.  "The Changelings demand that every single Equine go into their nasty feeding pods, and Mahugpin's a big softie, wouldn't let you kill anypony, anyway."

"I know, and I suppose that with our combined efforts, things should go smoothly enough regardless.  The land, at least, will still belong to us," J'aggerdov said, allowing himself a rare smile.  "That will be all, Clarion Call."  Clarion nodded and vanished without a trace as Gilda entered the chamber.

"Your Highness," Gilda said, bowing her head.

"You can dispense with the formalities when it's just you and I, Gilda," J'aggerdov said softly.  "What's on your mind?"

"It's the invasion," Gilda said, glancing sideways.  "I just... need to know that it's really our last resort."

"Of course it is," J'aggerdov replied.  "We tried to grow enough food to feed our people, but we aren't, so we're expanding our reach to include territory that's more fertile."

"I get that," Gilda said, nodding, "but why would Princess Celestia refuse to aid us?"

"Aid us?" J'aggerdov asked, raising an eyebrow.  "As if I would stoop so low as to beg for the scraps of another nation."

"But then..." Gilda said, "do we really have the right to just take something that doesn't belong to us because we want it?"

"You're thinking like a pony, Gilda.  No doubt a result of the time you've spent living among them.  We'll have to work on that.  We must put the Pride before all else, for the sake of both our well being and our dignity.  I assure you, this invasion would not be taking place if we did not absolutely need Equestria's resources to stay alive.  We've never relied on the pity of others, and we're not about to start now.  We can rely only on ourselves, and only if we're strong."

"But aren't we accepting the help of the Changelings and Diamond Dogs?" Gilda asked.

"We are using their resources, just as we intend to use Equestria's.  The success of our campaign hinges on the correct usage of all resources.  In the end, it still falls to us."

"I... I see.  I need to think," Gilda said as she looked away and quickly departed from the throne room.

"Take all the time you need," J'aggerdov said quietly, relaxing in his throne.

Chapter Six - I Have a Family

Chapter Five - The Void They Left

Back in Equestria, at the crack of dawn, Clarion Call finally came upon the worn-down shop he had been searching for.  Trying the knob, he found it to be locked.  "Hey!" he shouted, pounding on the door.  "Haggle, you in there!?  Open up!"  There was no answer.   "Good thing I tagged the place," he thought, grinning, as his horn flickered to life and he was instantly transported inside.

"Yeesh," he hissed, observing the room full of dusty, disorganized wares, piled atop one another, "this place has seen better days.  How am I gonna find it under all this junk?"

"Junk, you say?" an elderly voice said behind him as a light fixture clicked on illuminating a gray-coated pony with a braided, light blue mane and a small pair of glasses clutching the top of his muzzle.  "I find that to be rather rude of you, especially seeing as how you've broken into my shop before I've opened it for the day."

"Yeah, well," Clarion replied, turning towards the shopkeeper, "I'm trying to keep a schedule here."

"Clarion Call!" the shopkeeper gasped, taking a step back, eyes wide and teeth bared.  "How dare you come into my shop after everything you've stolen from me!"

"Sure, it's awkward, I get it," Clarion replied, rolling his eyes, "but this time I'm actually willing to pay you for something, so calm down before you give yourself a stroke, geezer."

"Your money is no good here, thief," the shopkeeper replied, shaking his head.  "Leave my shop this instant.  Rest assured, I'll be reporting this to the Royal Guard as soon as you do!  I know that you're still a wanted man!"

"Oh, hey, look at that!" Clarion exclaimed, pointing towards the wall behind the shopkeeper, upon which had been nailed Clarion's very own wanted poster.  "Didn't realize they were passing those out!  That picture's really out of date, though.  I've lost a little weight since then, thanks for noticing by the way.  Been running around all over the place, it's been a busy three years for me."

"Get out!" the shopkeeper shouted, stomping his hoof.

"Fine, here you go, jerk," Clarion sighed, producing a rather large sack from his saddlebag, suspended in the air with his magic, before tossing it onto the floor between the two ponies.  The heavy sound of countless, shifting metal pieces denoted that the bag's contents were gold bits.  "That's compensation for everything I've ever stolen from you.  There are two more bags with me, and if you help me out, you'll get all three."

"We'll just see about that..." the shopkeeper replied, raising an eyebrow, as he prodded at the sack until the top fell open.  His eyes widened and he practically salivated as he saw the sheer amount of money in the bag.  "Keep talking," he replied quickly.

"'Atta boy, glad to see you haven't changed!  I'm looking for the Alicorn Amulet," Clarion explained, causing the old stallion to jerk his head upward and give him a strange look.

"My word!" the shopkeeper exclaimed.

"I've been tracking the thing across Equestria, and the last piece of info I got led me here.  If you've still got it, I'm buyin'."

"Something as valuable as that..." the shopkeeper replied, tilting his head.  "And to think you'd actually be willing to pay for it instead of stealing it.  What do you want it for?"

"Power," Clarion replied, simply.  "I know, I know, 'power is a means, not an end', etcetera, but I'm working on something that's top secret, very hush-hush, so don't get nosy!  All you need to know is that your contribution will make you a very rich pony."

"Seems as though you have at least some idea of what it does, as well," the shopkeeper said, stroking his chin.  "Well, that particular item has already been sold to somepony else, and even if it weren't, I can't imagine a scoundrel like yourself using a relic like that for anything pleasant."

"Who'd you sell it to?" Clarion asked.

"Terribly sorry," the shopkeeper replied, raising a hoof as if gesturing for a full stop, "but it's against store policy to share that sort of information."

"Bag number two for the name," Clarion replied, producing a second sack, just as large as the first.

"Trixie Lulamoon," the shopkeeper replied flatly, snatching the bag away from Clarion Call.  "I believe she's some sort of travelling magician."

"Yeah, I've heard of her," Clarion replied.  "Shouldn't be too hard to find.  Anyways, think fast!"  Immediately, the third sack shot out of the saddlebag and landed in the shopkeepers compulsively outstretched arms, causing him to collapse to the ground.

"In exchange for what?" the shopkeeper asked, returning to his feet and adjusting his glasses.

"I was never here," Clarion explained.  "You didn't see me, you didn't talk to me, and you definetely didn't hear me ask about the Alicorn Amulet.  Capiche?"

"Fair enough," the shopkeeper grinned.  "Thank you for your business, and please come again."

...

Twilight Sparkle's parents came upon the large, stone door, which was promptly opened.  Spike had been waiting for them.  "Glad you're here," he said, the bags under his eyes reflecting his recent lack of sleep.  "Everypony else is already inside."

"Thank you, Spike," Twilight's mother said, embracing the baby dragon tightly.  "It was very kind of Princess Celestia to let us use the Castle Ballroom to come together like this."  Her father nodded as they entered the grand chamber.  Inside were numerous cots, chairs, and a wide variety of food and drink.  The Apples were there: Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and a teary-eyed Applebloom.

Magnum and Pearl, Rarity's parents, were seated near them, Sweetie Belle at their side.  Scootaloo sat between Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, and a stallion who appeared to resemble Rainbow Dash sat amongst them.  Those three families were deep in conversation with one another, and attempting to console the three fillies, who seemed unresponsive to said attempts.

A few feet away were Pinkie Pie's parents, Cloudy Quartz and Igneous Rock, as well as her sisters, Marble and Limestone.  With them sat the Cakes, whom Pinkie had been staying with in Ponyville, and their two infant children.  "I think we should say hello to the Apples first," Twilight's father said to his wife.  "It was Applejack who disappeared with Twilight."  As they approached the other families, the doors swung open yet again, and Princess Celestia walked into the room.  All conversation stopped, and all eyes turned towards her.  Everyone waited with bated breath.

"Let me begin by saying that it is an honor to meet all of you," Celestia said, continuing her approach.  "Your relatives have aided my sister and I time and again, and they are all exemplary heroines.  I offer you my deepest condolences on the recent news of their disappearance."

"Have your guards found anything?" Spike asked, his eyes shimmering.

"Very little," Celestia replied, bowing her head.  "Though we do have more information to work with than we had at first.  Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were last seen in Las Pegasus, as we initially believed.  The Griffon they were travelling with, who goes by the name of Gilda, also disappeared."

"Was this 'Gilda' involved?" Carrot Cake asked.

"We've found nothing to indicate that," Celestia replied.  "Rarity and Fluttershy were spotted heading into Diamond Dog territory the day before yesterday, following one of them."

"I bet they kidnapped them!" Spike said, clenching his fist.

"The Diamond Dogs allowed my soldiers to explore the entirety of their mine, but we found nothing.  Spot, the one they were travelling with, testified that Rarity and Fluttershy did, indeed follow him to the mines, but that they departed shortly thereafter, heading back towards Ponyville.  We've found no evidence to contradict that testimony," Celestia said, shaking her head delicately.

"What about Twilight and my big sis!?" Applebloom shouted.

"All we know is that someone tampered with the train they were riding," Celestia replied.  "The cart they were in was disconnected from the rest of the train at the front and back, but nopony we've come across witnessed what, exactly, caused that.  There is no trace of the cart itself, and no clues at the scene to help us.  We found everypony who had tickets placing them in that cart bound and gagged near the train station, but none of them were able to identify their attackers."

"Tell me, Apples," the Princess continued, "did you notice whether or not the cart they boarded had been empty?"  All three family members shook their heads, indicating that they had not noticed.  "I see," Celestia replied, lowering her head.  "What's more, the Zap Apple order that came from Princess Cadence, which actually requested the presence of all of Twilight's friends, had been intercepted by an unknown party, and altered to only invite Twilight and Applejack."  Gasps from the Apple family could be heard.

"So basically, my daughter and her friends vanished without a trace from three separate places," the stallion with the rainbow colored mane replied, standing up.  "What could that mean?"

"I fear that this may have been an organized effort to deprive Equestria of the wielders of the Elements of Harmony, or perhaps a personal vendetta against Twilight and her friends."  All heads sank as the family members whispered amongst themselves.  "Spike?" the Princess asked.

"I did as you asked, Princess," Spike replied, nodding.  "I took the Elements of Harmony out of the library's display case and hid them away."

"Good, do not tell anypony where they are," Celestia replied.  She then addressed everyone in the room.  "Rest assured, we are devoting as many resources as possible to this investigation," Celestia continued, lifting her head and speaking even more deliberately.  "What's more, those six ponies are among the most resourceful I've seen.  I have great confidence that wherever they are, they are unharmed.  We will do everything in our power to bring our girls home."

"Thank you, Princess," Spike said, his voice quivering as the others extended similarly-phrased gratitude.

"In the meantime, I encourage all of you to remain here, together.  This is likely going to become a more difficult process as our search continues, and I believe that it will be beneficial for all of you to have each other to lean on."  All heads nodded, and all ponies turned to look at one another, smiling weakly.

"What about Shining Armor and Cadence?" Twilight's mother called out.  "Will they be joining us?"

"I do not know," Celestia replied, looking off to the side.  "They haven't left the last known location of Twilight's and Applejack's cart since the investigation began.  Shining has been working himself to the bone trying to find clues.  He... is not handling this well, and Princess Cadence is doing everything she can to help him."

Princess Celestia bid them all farewell, and exited the ballroom, only allowing tears to flow from her eyes once the others could no longer see her face.

...

"Shining, you really should take a break from this and let the others take over," Cadence said, laying her hoof on her husband's shoulder.  "The Sun's starting to set, and you've been wandering up and down this train track for the better part of the last two days.  What are you even looking for?"

"Clues," Shining replied as he glared down at a section of the tracks, his jaw clenched and his horn aglow.

"So let's allow the other soldiers to take over for a while and head back to our tent.  You need to get some rest."  She pointed towards the large group of tents that were pitched and moved as the investigation progressed from the length of the track between the train's detachment and the Crystal Empire.

"The others don't know what to look for.  I do," Shining said, continuing to shine the light of his horn down on the tracks as he moved forward at a slow pace.

"And don't you think it's about time you told me what you were looking for?" Cadence asked.

"Yeah," Shining sighed.  "and I'm sorry I've been so short with you."  He turned to gaze into her eyes.  "I'm just worried."

"We both are," Cadence replied, locking him in a quick embrace.

"As for what I'm looking for, do you remember those wanted posters that were being passed around the Kingdom?" Shining asked.

"Yes, I think so..." Cadence replied, tapping her chin.  "The ones about that unicorn, Clarion Call?"

"Exactly," Shining replied, nodding, as he turned his focus back to the train tracks.  "He and I served in the same squad in the Royal Guard, back before I was promoted to Captain and he was dishonorably discharged and arrested."

"Arrested?"

"Right," Shining Armor replied, nodding.  "When I knew him, he used his magic to create these sorts of two-way windows that allowed for communication between locations that were really far apart.  The guy was a total jerk, and I never really liked him, but that ability came in handy for us quite a few times."

"I'd imagine it would," Cadence replied, following him along the tracks.

"But that wasn't all he could do," Shining replied.  "Eventually, we found out that he could use his magic to place a sort of invisible mark at any location he chose, and could then instantly teleport to any mark he had placed any time he wanted.  He had been using that ability to commit countless thefts."

"Right, I remember that now," Cadence replied.

"And I was the one who apprehended him," Shining continued, stopping to focus more closely on a single spot before shaking his head and continuing on.  "After the warrant was issued for his arrest, I was tasked with bringing him in.  While tracking him, I had figured out how to use my own magic to detect those tags of his."

"After that," he continued, "all I had to do was figure out the next place he'd attempt to rob, which wound up being a rare diamond exhibit at the Trottingham Museum.  I waited by the mark he had placed there until the museum closed for the night, and trapped him with a barrier spell once he showed up.  He went to prison, but wound up escaping three years ago.  It was on the night that Nightmare Moon returned, he took advantage of the chaos.  He hadn't been seen since."

"Didn't Princess Celestia seal away his magic?" Cadence asked, now walking alongside her husband.

"She did," Shining Armor replied, sparing a glance up at her.  "But he was seen using it again a few weeks ago."

"And you think-"

"Yes," Shining Armor replied, interrupting her, "I think that when three pairs of ponies, all in different locations, and all vital to Equestria's defense, disappear without a trace on the same day, it's extremely likely that Clarion Call is involved.  I'm going to search every inch of this track until I find his mark."

"Shining, that's going to take a very long time," Cadence replied, frowning.

"It takes as long as it takes," Shining Armor replied, unfazed.

"If all you're looking for is his mark, why not search the other two locations?" Cadence asked, shrugging a shoulder.

"Hm?" Shining grunted.

"The hotel room or the area around the Diamond Dogs' lair.  Those areas are much smaller than the length of this track, and if your theory is correct, you'll still find what you're looking for!" Cadence replied, leaning closer to Shining Armor.

"Babe, you're a genius," Shining replied, giving her a peck on the cheek.  "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you've spent the past two days in a constant state of panic and refused to sleep," Cadence replied, smirking.

"I get it," Shining replied, scratching the back of his head.  "I'll get some rest before we head out.  It isn't fair to Twily if I do this half-hooved."

...

Two Pegasi guards stood on either edge of the bridge connecting the sidewalk to the entrance of the great hall which contained the magically sealed vault of the Elements of Harmony, and the stained glass windows which depicted various key moments in Equestria's history.  It was midnight, and though they were exhausted with everything that had been going on, the guards were ever vigilant.

"I never like standing this post so late at night," the guard on the right said.

"No kidding," the guard on the left responded, nodding.  "This area's so poorly lit beyond the bridge, and it's so quiet here, the slightest sound always makes me want to reach for my sword."  Suddenly, the sound of a snapping twig a few yards in front of them caught their attention.  "See?"

"Actually..." the guard on the right said, peering into the darkness, "I think somebody's there."  The other guard looked more closely as well, perceiving some sort of shadowy figure standing at the edge of the darkness.

"Look at how tall that thing is," the guard on the left said.  "That's definitely not a pony, and it's really making me feel uneasy."  His knees shook.

"What's your business here!?" the guard on the right demanded.  Near the top of this strange, tall figure, a pair of eyes opened, emitting a light so bright that if they did contain pupils, they were not visible.  Both guards gradually started to hyperventilate, and they clutched at the backs of their heads with a  single hoof each, the sensation of pain reflected in the way the flesh around their eyes contracted.

"Turn back!" the guard on the left shouted, sweating.  "Turn back and get out of here or we'll throw you in the dungeon!"  The glowing eyes tilted to the side.

"You heard him!"  The guard on the right whimpered.  "You can't be here!"

"You have until the count of three before I draw my swor-" the guard on the left was cut off as the figure darted out from the darkness straight towards him, moving so fast that both guards could only perceive his now-visible head as a gray blur, the rest of his body covered by a long, black coat.  As it closed in, the guard, not being physically touched at this point, was slammed against the wall by an invisible force as a wave of pressure crashed down on him, pushing his lips apart, exposing his teeth, and blowing back his mane.

His armor was completely shattered as he screamed in pain, bruises now covering the entire front of his body.  The street lights exploded, sending a cloud of sparkling glass shards hurtling away from the scene.  Only the moonlight illuminated the single claw that shot forth to grasp the guard's neck, pinning him against the wall.

The guard, wide-eyed and pale, was losing air.  His vision was blurred and distorted, but he still managed to wrap his hooves around the thing's arm, applying as much pressure as he could.  The glowing eyes, now only inches from the guard's face, illuminated a large, disgusting smile filled with pearly-white, asymmetrical teeth of varying sizes.  The other guard, having been knocked flat on his back by the pressure emanating from the creature, his armor now visibly cracked, watched helplessly as his comrade gradually loosened his grip on the monster's arm.

Finally, he released his grasp completely, and his arms fell, hanging lifelessly at the poor stallion's sides.  The strange creature released its own grip, and the guard's limp form fell to the floor.  Not even acknowledging the other guard, the monster slammed its palm against the door, causing it to break and fall inwards.  It entered the hall and began to walk towards the other end.

The guard struggled to support himself on his elbows and turned to observe this thing that had gotten past them.  The moonlight shining through the stained glass windows offered a clearer view of the creature.  Tall and thin, with arms and legs of a great length that was disproportionate to its torso, the creature's posture while walking was surprisingly elegant, a slight swagger punctuating each step.

"What is that thing!?" the guard whispered, feeling more at ease with each inch the creature put between them.  Its head drifted back and forth, its eye-line lining up with the various stained glass windows.  It stopped in front of the vault door, which was said to contain the Elements of Harmony.

"That's it," The guard whispered, grinning.  "Just try and force it open, monster!"  The being did just that, slamming its palm against the surface as it had done to the entrance, when suddenly, the figure was consumed by a bright light.  The monster jolted backwards, stumbling away from the door, screeching in pain as the light enveloping it grew brighter.  Though the guard was happy that the beast had been immobilized, the unusual sound it was making threatened to rupture his eardrums.

He covered his ears with his hooves and waited for reinforcements to be drawn to the activation of the failsafe.  Unfortunately, after about a minute had passed, the containment field burst, and the creature returned to its upright position.  "That just isn't possible..." the guard said, his mouth agape.  Again, the creature slammed his palm against the vault door, only this time, the door collapsed, and the monster was unharmed.  "He's immune to it now?" the guard thought, breathing heavily.  "This is really bad.  Just what in the hay am I dealing with!?"

The creature reached into the exposed vault and removed a box that was adorned with gems.  The guard could hear the creak of metal hinges as the box was opened, and subsequently thrown to the ground, the imprints of the Elements of Harmony within it being empty.  Before the guard could react, the creature dashed back down the hall and was upon him.  Anxiety overtook him again as this unknown monster leered down at him.  He felt as though its very gaze was pressing him into the ground.

"Where are the Elements of Harmony!?" a deep voice growled, the tone of it making the guard feel as though his very bones were shaking inside his body.  He was terrified, but at the same time, felt a strange sense of what he could only describe as familiarity, or perhaps it was longing that he felt.  Neither possibility made any sense to him.

"They've... they've been hidden..." the guard said, struggling with his words under the creature's watch.  "I wasn't told where, I'm sorry!"  The monster straightened its stance, leaning away from the guard, who at this point was suffering from an extreme case of nausea.  That was when a large, rough, leathery foot was dropped upon his throat.  A squad of Pegasi soldiers arrived a few moments later, finding two fallen guards, injured but still alive, two shattered doors, and a lot of questions.

Chapter Seven - Be Grateful If You Want

Chapter Six - Twilight's Plight

"It's just..." Applejack began to respond, as the train continued its trip.  "The other ponies in this cart are lookin' at us a lot more now, and a few seconds ago I saw a group of 'em walk out the front and back doors.  And I might be crazy, but it feels like we've been slowin' down since that happened."

"No, you're right!" Twilight said urgently, setting her book down.  "The cart has been losing momentum."  She leaned her head toward the window.  "And it's because... we've arrived?"  Sure enough, through the window, Twilight could see the Crystal Empire in all its glory.

"Shoot, that's a relief," Applejack sighed, sinking into her seat.

"I don't get it, though," Twilight said as the train pulled into the Crystal Empire station.  "We shouldn't have gotten here this early, should we?"

"Oh, Twilight," Applejack said, giggling, "you always overanalyze everythin', don't ya?  We're here, ain't we?  Obviously it took as long as it took."

"Yeah, you're right.  I must have fallen asleep," Twilight replied, smiling, as they began to walk to the exit.  Out on the platform, workers wearing the Crystal Empire emblem were already unloading the Zap Apple crates, and Princess Cadence and Shining Armor were waiting nearby to greet Twilight and Applejack.

"Twily!" Shining Armor shouted, but he grew quiet after realizing that Twilight and his wife were going through the motions of their usual greeting.

"Sunshine, sunshine, lady bugs awake!  Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" the two shouted in unison, performing the corresponding literal and symbolic motions.

"It's so good to see you both again!" Twilight said, embracing her brother.

"We're both so glad you could make it," Cadence replied.  "And thank you for handling this delivery personally, Applejack, it really means a lot!"

"Shucks, I'm happy to do it," Applejack replied, tipping her hat.

"Well, we should get back to the castle," Shining said.  "We've got a big night tonight."

"What's going on?" Twilight asked, tilting her head.

"Well," Cadence replied, "we've gotten word today that your four friends, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash will be joining us later this evening."

"You're kidding!" Twilight replied.  "I thought they were all busy!"

"Well, we may have insisted a bit," Shining replied, blushing.  "The six of you have done a lot for us, and it seems like every time you've been here, it's been to save our butts or promote them."

"The Games Inspector," Twilight said, grinning at the memory.

"Right.  So this time around, you guys are free to relax and enjoy everything our kingdom has to offer, and tonight we're throwing a big celebration in honor of everything you and your friends have done for us!"

"Sounds great," Twilight replied.

"Darn tootin', can't wait!" Applejack added.

...

"Let's see," Twilight said to herself, rummaging through her saddlebag.  She had just gotten settled into her usual guest room in the Crystal Palace, and had decided to use her remaining down time before the celebration began to continue working on her addendum to the Elements of Harmony reference guide.  "I'm almost positive that I packed it," she said, sighing, as she looked through the contents of her bag for a third time, and finding no trace of the addendum.  "Could I really have forgotten it?  For that matter, the book I had brought with me seems to be gone as well.  Strange."

"Twilight!" Applejack shouted, opening her door.  "Everypony's here, the party's starting!"

"Excellent, I can't wait to see our friends!" Twilight replied, trotting after Applejack.  "I'll search for my things later," she thought, closing the door behind her.

...

After putting several corridors between Twilight's room and themselves, Applejack and Twilight found themselves in the grand dining hall.  The room was sculpted from marble with large archways that provided a view of the horizon outside, but that wasn't what got Twilight's attention.

Happy birthday, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash shouted in unison, posing beneath a large banner that said the same.  Shining Armor, Cadence, and the Princesses, Celestia and Luna applauded.

"Surprised ya, didn't we?" Applejack asked, throwing an arm around Twilight's neck.

"It's... my birthday?" Twilight asked, cocking her head and eyebrow.

"Well duh, of course it is!" Pinkie shouted, skipping towards them.  "Don't tell me you forgot your own birthday!"

"I'm not surprised," Spike said, walking up behind them, a party hat strapped to the top of his head.  "Twilight would forget her mane if washing it wasn't written down on at least one checklist."

"I guess with everything else going on, I did kinda forget," Twilight said, blushing.

"Enough talk, let's PARTY!" Pinkie shouted as everyone in the room cheered and the festivities commenced.

...

Difficult as it was to do, Twilight finally tore herself away from the wonderful celebration to search for a restroom, having had her fill of apple cider.  As she searched the winding hallways, she realized that spending even a few minutes away from the others was difficult.  The party, up to that point, had been filled with dancing, singing, a variety of games, and even a rather elaborate fireworks show that lit up the night sky and filled the entire horizon outside of the dining hall.  More than anything, she had been glad to spend the evening with her friends and family, the ponies that she loved most.

"Hmm," Twilight grunted, stopping in front of a closed door.  "Maybe there's a bathroom in here.  I certainly hope so, I don't want to miss another minute of the party!"

"Twilight!" a voice called out, causing the unicorn to turn away from the door.

"Fluttershy, is something wrong?" Twilight asked.

"Well, it's just that you looked like you were about to open that door," Fluttershy replied.

"Well sure, I'm just looking for the little filly's room," Twilight replied, smiling.

"I know, but you've never been in there before, and you shouldn't open doors to rooms you weren't invited into.  You know, when it isn't your own house," Fluttershy replied, her eyes shifting to the left and right.

"How do you know I've never been in here before?" Twilight asked, frowning, and turning the knob.

"No!" Fluttershy shouted as the door swung open and Twilight gasped.  Through the doorway, Twilight beheld... nothing.  No floor, no walls, no ceiling, just an endless black void.  Fluttershy hurriedly slammed the door shut.  "Oh, what did I tell you?" she said, reciprocating Twilight's frown.

"I... don't understand.  What was that?  What is this?" Twilight asked, sinking into a sitting position.

"What do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked, walking up behind them.

"This door," Twilight said, turning the handle again.  This time, Fluttershy remained silent.  "Look inside!"

"Well now," Rarity said, peering through the doorway next to a stunned Twilight, "the room is rather bare, but I see nothing particularly out of the ordinary."  Sure enough, the second time that Twilight opened the door, the site that greeted them was a small, unfurnished, unpainted room.

"This isn't right," Twilight said, breathing heavily.

"Whadaya mean, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, joining the three of them, with Rainbow Dash and a bouncing Pinkie Pie behind her.

"This room," Twilight replied, pointing towards the doorway.  "There was nothing there a second ago."

"There's nothing in there now, silly," Pinkie replied, smiling.

"No, I mean there was just... emptiness," Twilight replied.

"It's still empty," Rarity replied, gesturing towards the bare room and rolling her eyes.  "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"The train," Twilight continued, still staring into the empty room.  "We arrived here way too early.  And my books are gone.  And all of you being here?  That makes no sense!  I know for a fact that you all had other things going on today!"

"Well sure," Applejack replied, nodding.  "But we dropped everything to come and celebrate your birthday, Twi!"

"Yeah, Twilight," Pinkie exclaimed, embracing her friend, "we all love you!"

"I wouldn't forget my own birthday!" Twilight shouted, wriggling free of Pinkie's grasp and putting a few feet between her and her friends.

"What are you saying?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.

"I'm saying... I don't think any of this is real!" Twilight replied, taking a small step back.  Her friends all looked to one another, and began to laugh.

"Oh Twi," Applejack said, shaking her head, "that's some imagination ya got!"

"Yeah, quit overthinking things, egghead," Rainbow agreed.

"Especially since we've still got more partying to do!" Pinkie shouted, throwing a cluster of streamers into the air.

"No, I need some time to think," Twilight replied.

"Oh, but we insist," Rarity replied as all five ponies began to approach her.

"Pinkie worked really hard on the decorations, you can't just skip the party," Fluttershy replied, frowning.

"Stay back, I mean it!" Twilight said, raising her voice to a shout.  Suddenly, Twilight's vision blurred, and for a brief moment, she found herself reclined in a chair, a glass dome above her head.  Just as quickly, she saw the hallway again, and her concerned friends staring at her.  "What... what was that?" Twilight asked.

It happened again.  She returned to the chair, saw the dome, and heard a voice echoing in the distance.  "Begin Phase One," it said.  Twilight tried to respond, but her voice did not come.  She returned to the hallway.

"Someone's tampering with it!" Applejack shouted, scowling.  Her accent had vanished.

"Tampering with what!?" Twilight shouted, sweating and growing pale.  She returned to the chair, her vision much clearer this time.  She attempted to move, but found herself strapped down.  Her hooves... were not hooves.

She gasped as she saw a pair of strange, fleshy hands, similar to Spike's own, but softer, attached to her wrists and strapped to armrests.  Through the glass, she could see a room constructed of metal.  An elevated platform was above her, upon which stood several blurry figures wearing white coats.  Her vision was still somewhat hazy.

"What's the meaning of this!?" she shouted, although it was not her own voice.  Indeed, it was not even her that was shouting, though the voice felt as though it came from her own throat.  It was a man's voice.

"Begin Phase One," another voice replied, beyond the glass.

"Are you people insane!?" the voice shouted from the mouth that Twilight perceived as her own.  "The compound is unstable!  It isn't ready for testing, and even if it were, I did not volunteer!  The mental effects alone could-"

"We all have to make sacrifices, doctor," another voice beyond the glass interrupted, its tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I know my rights!" the voice replied, its hands and legs now visibly struggling.  "I didn't consent to this!  I demand that you release me this instant!"

"Begin Phase One," a voice repeated.  The small chamber in which Twilight was imprisoned began to fill itself with some sort of gray cloud that was thick enough to obscure the rest of the room.

"No!" the voice screamed, thrashing in his restraints.  "Please, I'm begging you!  I have a family!  Let me go!"  As Twilight's nostrils were filled with the thick cloud, she found herself unable to breathe.  The voice screamed.  At that moment, everything went dark.

Twilight inhaled deeply, suddenly finding herself able to breathe again.  As she felt the blood rushing to her head, she realized that wherever she was now, she was upside-down.  Her eyes began to adjust, and she realized that the room was not completely dark, being dimly illuminated by several green glows.  As Twilight's vision focused, she realized that they were pods, and that they each contained what appeared to be a living creature.

Some had the outline of ponies, others did not.  The row in front of her extended for as far as her peripherals could see in both directions.  She recognized them as being the same type of pod Princess Celestia had been imprisoned in by Queen Chrysalis a year before.  The pony in the pod directly before her, she recognized.

"Applejack!"  She struggled a bit, realizing that not only could she not move her head, but the rest of her body was restrained as well.  She was in a pod, herself, and the damp, foul-smelling air conveyed to her that only her face was currently exposed.  Her pulse quickened, and her breathing became erratic, as she felt as though something was trying to push her out of the pod without success.

"Are you awake?" a low, throaty voice asked.  Its source was behind her, but it echoed towards her from every direction.

"What!?" Twilight gasped, her eyes jolting in every direction as she tried to perceive the source.

"Where..." the voice said, as Twilight bit her lower lip.  "Where..." it repeated, seeming to be speaking from beside her now.

"Where!?" it shouted as a pair of glowing eyes darted in front of Twilight's face, a monstrous jaw visible beneath them.

"Where what!?" Twilight screamed, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment, before slowly opening them again.

"Where are the Elements of Harmony!?" the strange creature bellowed, its lower jaw swinging so violently as it spoke that it looked as though it might dislocate itself.  Twilight felt her skin contract against the bones in her face, which had begun to ache.  She shut her eyes again, and once again, she found herself reopening them.  She couldn't take her eyes away from the thing, no matter how much she told herself she wanted to.

"I see," she sighed, exhaling deeply.

"You see?" the voice hissed, narrowing its gaze.

"I find myself wanting to answer you," Twilight explained, a small bit of force returning to her voice.  She took a deep breath and gulped before continuing.  "There's something in the air, something that must be lowering my inhibitions, and causing me to experience a strange sort of uneasy familiarity with you, in addition to a gripping fear.  I know myself well enough to realize that this is not a natural reaction."

"Hm!?" the voice grunted, stepping back.

"And the feeling is diminishing now that you've moved back, confirming my hypothesis.  I suspect that your body is emitting some sort of pheromone.  I'm thinking that if I spent enough time around you, and I hadn't figured out what was happening, eventually I'd wind up agreeing with every word you say," she continued, as the creature tilted its head and straightened its posture.

"What's more," Twilight continued, "this pressure I'm feeling from you?  I recognize it as unstable magical energy.  I suspect that while your body is attuned to the properties of magic, you lack the ability to use it in any focused or constructive way, the end result being the destructive force that you can emit.  What are you, exactly?  I've never seen anything like you before."  Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"Well now," the creature replied, a small grin forming on its face, "Twilight Sparkle.  I see that your reputation was not exaggerated in the least.  That you were able to deduce all of that in such a short amount of time?  You truly are a prodigy."  His voice was much more soft-spoken now, though its oddities and depth remained.

"It's a coping mechanism," Twilight replied, reciprocating the grin.  "Whenever I find myself in an unfamiliar situation, my first instinct is always to analyze it."

"Mine, too.  For the record, everything you've hypothesized about me is true," it replied.

"I also remember the abduction," Twilight replied.  "I've been imprisoned by the Changelings, haven't I?"

"Correct again," the man replied, nodding.

"So I repeat my previous question: what are you?  Do you have a name?" Twilight asked.

"Do I have a name?" the creature replied, turning his back on Twilight Sparkle and running a long claw against Applejack's pod,  "I suppose you've impressed me enough to earn a more polite introduction."  He looked toward her over his shoulder.  "My name is Delacroix.  I'm sorry to have awakened you from what I can only assume was a dream far more pleasant than my company, but I need you to answer my question."

"Delacroix," Twilight repeated.  "Since you're asking about the Elements, I'm assuming you had something to do with Applejack's and my kidnapping."

"And the other four, yes," Delacroix replied.

"Other four..." Twilight's voice trailed off, her eyes growing wide.  "The rest of my friends!  Where are they!?"

"Relax," Delacroix responded, turning away from her again.  "Your friends are unharmed.  That was the condition upon which Chrysalis agreed to lend me her power.  She's demanded the opportunity to eventually feed on all of you."  He gently patted Applejack's pod.

"So you're using her?  For what?" Twilight asked, baring her teeth.

"Nothing that concerns you," Delacroix replied, shaking his head.  "You've been removed from the final decision."

"An invasion..." Twilight gasped, the realization dawning on her.  "You removed us from Equestria so that we couldn't use the Elements of Harmony to stop a Changeling invasion!"

"You continue to impress me," Delacroix replied, shooting her another grin.   "You haven't figured out everything, but even so, I almost regret that you were eliminated before you knew what was really at stake.  Something tells me you might have stopped it."

"So why do you need the Elements of Harmony themselves?  Are you really that paranoid about them being used against you?"

"No," Delacroix said, laughing slightly, "I've felt the brunt of the Elements of Harmony once before, and can never be harmed by them again.  The six of you were removed so that your Elements would not harm my allies, and as for the objects themselves?  I need them for research."

"Research?" Twilight gasped.  "And are you suggesting that you're immune to the Elements of Harmony?"

"Yes," Delacroix replied.  "I... adapt well to external threats."

"Including magic..." Twilight surmised as Delacroix nodded.  "What could you possibly be?"

"There's no word for it," Delacroix replied, shaking his head, "and I've never bothered to come up with one on my own."

"And you're fine with me knowing all of this?" Twilight asked.

"Even if it looked like you were going anywhere any time soon," Delacroix replied, chuckling, "I would welcome the challenge that your impressive intellect would bring."

"And I guess that by now, you know I won't be answering your question," Twilight replied.

"No?" Delacroix asked, cocking his head.

"I can resist the effects of your pheromones now that I know what they are, and I know you can't harm me, because your ally considers me to be an indispensable resource," Twilight explained.

"All true," Delacroix admitted.  "Very well, I will find another way."  He shrugged, turning his back to Twilight.  "Looks like your pod is repairing itself, anyway."  Twilight gasped as she realized that some sort of gel was beginning to creep over her face, expanding and threatening to cover it.  Delacroix began to walk away.

"I saw it!" Twilight shouted, causing Delacroix to stop.  "I saw the dome!  I saw the white coats!  It was a laboratory, wasn't it?  What was all of that!?"

"Hmm, guess the pod dumped you into my memory while I was ripping it open," Delacroix replied, shrugging his shoulders again.  "I've enjoyed our conversation, Twilight Sparkle."  He gave her a small wave as the pod swallowed her face again, muffling her plea of "Wait!", and she found herself standing in the corridor again, the images of her five friends before her.

"I suppose there's no point in lying to you any longer," Applejack spoke, sans accent.

...

"All good?" Clarion Call asked as Delacroix stepped out of one of the many openings in the Changeling hive, and onto the dry, cracked dirt landscape that surrounded it.  The Hive sat in the center of a small island, with the circumference of a large castle, but a height far greater than any building.

"She wouldn't tell me anything," Delacroix replied, shaking his head.

"Whoa," Clarion gasped, eyes wide, "I never thought the day would come that a mare would be able to resist your abominable charm!"

"She's certainly unique, that one," Delacroix replied.

"So what now?  Did you say 'hi' to Queenie for me?" Clarion asked, smirking.

"I doubt she'll be pleased that I interrogated her food without permission, and I have no desire to explain it to her right now.  Drop me off in J'aggerdov's palace, then resume your search for the Alicorn Amulet," Delacroix commanded, stepping closer to Clarion.

"You got it, boss!" Clarion replied as his horn lit up and they vanished.

Chapter Eight - Change of Heart

Chapter Seven - Trouble in the Mines

"Good morning, Collie!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she entered the clinic.

"Hello, Fluttershy!" her canine mentor replied, smiling, as she gripped the leg of a sniffling pup who's broken shin she had just set.

"What's on the agenda for today?" Fluttershy asked, stopping at Collie's side and taking a look at the leg herself.

"Another slow day, thankfully," Collie replied, breathing deeply.  "A few reckless pups with broken bones are queued in the emergency room, and now that you're here, we should be able to help them all quickly."  She began to construct the cast around the young boy's leg.  "No major accidents, and no security breaches.  You sure picked a good time to start working here."

"This isn't major!?" the young pup replied, frowning at his leg.

"Don't you worry," Fluttershy cooed, patting the child gently on the head.  "It only isn't major because Collie is such a good doctor, but you're still one tough puppy, staying so calm at a time like this!"  The kid blushed and looked off to the side, a small smile forming on his face.

"Well I don't know about best," Collie replied, chucking.  "On our busier days, there are far more doctors on call.  Today it's just you, me, and Doctor Bernard.  For that matter, you're such a fast learner that you just might surpass me.  Ready to get started on the rest of our cases?"

"I never enjoy setting bones," Fluttershy said, frowning, "but somepony's got to do it, so let's get to it!"

...

"Mornin', Miss Rarity," the foreman said as Rarity entered the small office building just outside the mine shaft designated "C3-405".

"Good morning to you as well, Mister Russel," Rarity replied, nodding. She approached her desk and surveying the map layed out across it, taking a sip of the coffee her boss had prepared for her.  "I see that our boys are working in sub-tunnel fifteen today."

"Yep, we found traces of a massive coal deposit down that way, so that's the immediate priority.  Raylan and Boyd are leading a small team in there while the rest of our crew handles the other four active tunnels, " the foreman replied, leaning over Rarity's desk and pointing at the corresponding location on the map.

"Excellent," Rarity said, levitating a hard hat onto her head and walking back toward the exit.  "I'll be sure to mark the absolute best spots for them to dig!"

"You haven't let us down yet, Ma'am," the foreman replied, giving her a thumbs up.  "Be careful!"

"Always," Rarity replied with a  smile before closing the door behind her.  Russel returned to his own station, when a small device on the corner of his desk, from which a small antennae protruded and touched against a rock wall on the other side of an open window, began to emit a beeping sound.

"Oh no," the foreman uttered as he dashed to a telegraph machine in the corner and began rhythmically clicking away.

...

Rarity still marveled at the mine carts the Diamond Dogs used to traverse their ever-lengthening mineshafts.  No tracks were necessary, as the carts were each powered by some sort of battery (as were the small cars the citizens used to get around the city) and rolled on treads that allowed them to handle uneven terrain.  The ride could get a bit bumpy at times, as was the case here, but she still arrived at sub-tunnel fifteen relatively quickly.

"'Mornin', Miss Rarity!" one of the workers exclaimed as she caught up with them in the narrow passageway.

"Hello, gentlemen," Rarity replied, her horn flickering to life as she began to scan the length of the long, dimly lit tunnel for minerals within the wall.  She was proficient at what she did, so it didn't take her long to pinpoint all of the surrounding veins hidden in the walls, which she marked with adhesive strips of varying colors that the miners had on hand.

The gold strips always denoted whatever mineral they had prioritized each day, so she used that color to mark the coal deposits.  The length of sub-tunnel fifteen was vast, however, and Rarity continued down the path, a few workers following her with more markers in hand, as she continued to label mineral pockets along the way.

...

"Doctor Terrier?" Collie said, turning away from another patient as the doctor entered the building.  "You weren't scheduled to come in today."

"Emergency," Doctor Terrier replied, as Fluttershy turned away from a small, broken arm to look at him.  "The rest of the staff will be here shortly.  We just received word that vibrations and sound patterns matching those of lycanthropes registered in the vicinity of C-three-four-oh-five."

"That's where Rarity is working today!" Fluttershy gasped.  "Are you saying those monsters can dig through rock!?"

"'I'm afraid so," Terrier replied, nodding his head.  "They've got the claws and the upper body strength for it.  That's why we monitor the sound vibrations in the mines, because there's always a risk of them coming in if they think they'll find prey."

"How can we help the miners?" Fluttershy asked.

"Wolf class fighters have already been dispatched to the area," Terrier explained, approaching Fluttershy.  "If the lycanthropes penetrate the mineshaft, the Wolves will handle them.  In the meantime, we need to organize ourselves and prepare to treat any wounded that come in.  There are always at least a few."

"So I'm just supposed to wait here and hope for the best?  My friend is out there!" Fluttershy exclaimed, frowning.

"I know you're new here," Terrier replied, raising his paw in front of her, "but trust me, staying here is the best thing we can do.  We'll be most effective here, as opposed to going there and putting ourselves in harm's way.  That just creates more work for the Wolves, and we can't help anyone at all if we get ourselves killed."

"I'm sorry, I truly am," Fluttershy replied, shaking her head.  "But I have to go and find Rarity, and help out anyone who gets hurt over there."  She fastened a pouch around her waist and tucked a large first aid kit into it before running for the door.

"Miss Fluttershy!" Terrier shouted, trying to catch her.  Fluttershy flew over him and took off in the direction of the mine as the city-wide alarms that warned of attack began to sound.

"I'm going with her!" Collie declared, grabbing a kit of her own.

"Doctor!"  he snapped.

"At least I can keep her from getting hurt if I'm there!" she shouted before running off before Doctor Terrier could protest any further.

...

"Does that alarm mean what I think it does?" Rarity asked, wide-eyed, as the sound reverberated through the tunnel.

"Yeah, we need to get going!" a miner replied as Rarity and the dogs turned and ran back towards the exit.  As they neared the exit into the larger mineshaft, Rarity could hear the faint sounds of snarling and scraping in the area from which they were fleeing.  "Move!" the miner shouted.  "Run towards the mineshaft as fast as you can and do not look back!"

Rarity nodded as they turned the corner into the large hallway and began to run for the city.  The snarls and scrapes multiplied, and Rarity surmised that they must have been coming from multiple tunnels.  In spite of the warning she had just received, Rarity looked over her shoulder and saw countless lumbering, shadowy figures closing in on them.  One lunged forward, pouncing on a nearby miner and pinning him to the ground.  Two more went down.  Rarity was about to turn around to face them when a symphony of barks came at them from the other direction.

"The Wolves!" a pair of miners cheered.  Rarity saw the approaching Diamond Dogs, of course, all rather large and imposing.  They were clad in a more refined variant of the armor that the Diamond Dogs in Ponyville had worn.  They were charging in on all fours, leaping over the helpless miners, and had swords clamped between their bared teeth.

As the Wolves closed in on the lycanthropes, they stood on their hind legs and grasped their swords with their forelegs, engaging the monsters in battle.  "Rarity!" she heard the foreman call out.  She turned to see him motioning for her to run, as the rest of the miners who had not been attacked were doing, when suddenly she, too, was thrown to the ground and pinned down.

That was when she got her first good look at the werewolves that the Diamond Dogs feared.  The beast was massive, twice the size of the Wolf Class fighters she had just seen, with jet black fur caked with dirt, jagged yellow teeth, glazed eyes, and the foul stench of decay.  It sniffed at her before it spoke.

"Not dog!" it hissed in a guttural growl.  "Smells tasty though!"  It raised it's claw above its head, ready to deliver the killing strike.  Rarity wanted to scream, but found the creature's other paw clasped around her throat.  Suddenly, a blurred figure appeared above her, ramming into the werewolf's gut and sending it stumbling backward, off of Rarity.

"Greyjaw!" Rarity shouted as she beheld her rescuer, who wore the same faded brown vest he had worn on the day they met, as opposed to the armor his fellow combatants wore.

"Greyjaw the Marked!" the lycanthrope snarled, regaining its balance and charging at its challenger.  Greyjaw only snarled in response.  It swung its large arm down at the dog, who simply ducked, grabbed the arm with his two paws, and flipped over the beast's head, planting his feet firmly on its shoulders and jabbing the side of its neck.  The lycanthrope fell with a grunt, and as it grew still, it's body began to evaporate.

"Look out!" Rarity shouted as two more werewolves closed in.  Greyjaw dove to the ground, sliding between one of the monsters' legs.  Standing up behind the thing, he struck its back, hitting a kidney.

The monster yelped as its comrade turned to help.  The beast slashed at him, and Greyjaw sidestepped it.  The lycanthrope he had just attacked, however, turned and lashed out as well.  This time, the attack connected, and it was Greyjaw's turn to yelp.  He leapt back, giving himself roughly a yard of space, and began to growl.

"Rarity, is that you?" Fluttershy called out, landing at her friend's side.

"Fluttershy, you shouldn't be here!" Rarity replied, struggling to sit up as Fluttershy began to tend to her wounds, ignoring the fighting around her.

"He hurt!" one of the monsters said, laughing, as Greyjaw grasped his arm.  "He finally get eaten!"

"You talk too much," Greyjaw replied, removing his vest and tying it around his wounded arm before positioning himself on all fours.  The werewolves ran at him again, but this time, Greyjaw leapt into the air, kicking the adjacent wall, before planting his feet on the ceiling.  As the lycanthropes moved beneath him, he dove down at them, striking both of their necks, felling them just as he had the first.  Once again, they began to evaporate.  As more Wolf Class soldiers arrived, the werewolves that hadn't been defeated began to retreat, two of them dragging screaming miners with them.

"Follow them!" one of the soldiers barked.  "Do not let them escape with those hostages!"  A fraction of the soldiers complied and took off after them, chasing them back into the tunnel.  "The rest of you, begin transporting the wounded to the infirmary.  Civilians first, then our comrades!"  All of the fallen lycanthropes had completely evaporated by this point.

"I see a few bruises, but other than that, you're fine," Fluttershy sighed as she finished examining Rarity.  "Thank goodness."

"I think our friend, there, needs your help more than I do," Rarity said, gesturing towards Greyjaw, who was now slumped against the wall and rubbing his vested injury.

"Let me take a look at your arm, please," Fluttershy said, approaching him.

"Stay away from me," Greyjaw replied, averting his gaze.  "I'm fine."

"Show me your injury, now," Fluttershy commanded, shooting Greyjaw her infamous stare.  The dog recoiled at this, his eyes wide.  His eyes narrowed quickly, before he looked away again.

"Whatever," he grunted, extending his arm out to her.  She carefully untied the vest and examined the wound.

"Oh dear," she said softly, opening her first aid kit.  Greyjaw bared his teeth and hissed as she disinfected the area, but made no other sound as she bandaged it.  "There, just change those bandages once every few hours and you'll be good as new!"  She smiled up at him.  He returned her smile with a scowl.

"Next time, stay at the hospital like you're supposed to," he replied, standing up and walking away, draping his vest over his shoulder.

"Hold on a moment," Rarity said, returning to her feet and approaching Greyjaw.  "Fluttershy just treated your injuries, and while I am grateful that you saved my life, I simply cannot allow you to leave without thanking her!"

"Did I save you?" Greyjaw asked, tilting his head.  "My job is to fight werewolves, so I picked the one closest to me.  Didn't do anything for you.  Be grateful if you want, but keep it to yourself."  He walked away, passing by Collie, neither of whom made eye-contact with the other.

"Collie!  Did you follow me?" Fluttershy asked as she greeted her friend.

"I wanted to make sure you were safe, but I guess it's over," Collie replied, nodding.

"I appreciate the thought," Fluttershy replied, smiling.

"I don't understand," Rarity said, her eyes fixated on Greyjaw.  "Why would he accept such a dangerous job if he didn't care about saving lives?"

"Greyjaw's motives are quite different from most others who take up the Mantle of the Wolf," Collie replied, inspecting Rarity herself in case Fluttershy missed anything.  "But now's not the time to talk about that."

"I see.  Well then, I won't pry," Rarity replied, lowering her head.

"The important thing is that you're safe," Fluttershy said, nuzzling her friend.

"Absolutely!" Collie agreed, nodding vigorously, clasping her hands together.  "Come on, Fluttershy, they're going to need us at the hospital."

"Right behind you," Fluttershy replied as the three of them departed.

"Do these types of attacks happen often?" Rarity asked as they walked.

"Yes," Collie replied, nodding slowly, "but they aren't usually this mild.  We were lucky this time."  Rarity gulped as the word "mild" sank in.

...

Later that night, Collie joined Rarity and Fluttershy at their apartment for some tea.  "Thanks again for all of your help today, Fluttershy," she said.

"Of course," Fluttershy replied, giving her friend a smile, "I'm just glad that there weren't any casualties."

"Always a plus," Rarity added, joining them at the table and distributing the tea cups via levitation.  "I'm just glad I have the opportunity to enjoy this tea with you both, thanks to Greyjaw."

"It's good that you don't take his attitude personally," Collie replied, taking a sip.

"I'm sure he's not the way he is for no reason," Rarity replied, sighing.

"Plus, he's not as mean as he seems," Fluttershy added, leaning forward.  "When I was treating his wound, his eyes thanked me, even if his mouth didn't."

"Really?" Collie asked, raising her brow.  "You've seen a side of him that nobody else has, then."

"Hmm?" Fluttershy asked, raising her tea cup to her lips.

"He's the only member of our security force that refuses to wear armor, says it slows him down," Collie explained, taking a sip.

"Seeing the way he fought, I could understand that," Rarity replied, shrugging.

"Right," Collie said, nodding, "but as a result, he suffers more injuries than his comrades.  My point is that he's found himself in our care more times than I can remember, but no matter how severe his injuries are, no matter how close of a call he has, he's never once expressed any form of gratitude after he's been saved."

"Why do you think that is?" Fluttershy asked.

"Indeed," Rarity agreed, "I find myself repeating my question from earlier and wondering why he would take a job like this if he doesn't seem to care about others."

"Well," Collie sighed, placing her elbows on the table and leaning in, "since it's just the three of us, so long as you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you a little bit about him."

"We promise!" Fluttershy said, nodding.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Rarity replied as Fluttershy giggled.

"What does that mean?" Collie asked, tilting her head.

"Inside joke," Rarity replied quickly, gesturing with her hoof for Collie to proceed.  "Please continue."

"Well," Collie began, "the hospital staff is aware of most of this, some of the information being readily available in Greyjaw's medical records.  I have a more... first-hand experience with it, having been attending the same school as Greyjaw when it happened."

"When what happened?" Fluttershy asked, her ears twitching.

"As a child, Greyjaw was looked upon as a promising athlete.  He was a fast, strong, and energetic puppy.  He knew it, too.  He was really cocky, and totally full of himself."  Collie smiled and shook her head.  "And every once in a while, he'd turn into a bit of a bully.  The people around him always overlooked that because of his talents."

"He doesn't sound all that different from the way he is now," Rarity replied, frowning.

"He was a child," Collie explained.  "And he was capable of being nice every once in a while.  How many ponies have you known that didn't change at all from the time they were foals?"

"A fair point," Rarity replied, "although your argument suffers from the fact that Greyjaw doesn't seem to have changed."

"He had a lot of friends.  Well," Collie corrected herself, "he had a lot of people in his life who acted like they were his friends.  They used to play baseball after school, in a small clearing on the outskirts of the Capital City.  The girls used to go watch them play, myself included.  It was during one of those games that I witnessed my first werewolf attack."

"Good heavens!" Rarity exclaimed, straightening in her chair.

"Was anypony hurt?" Fluttershy asked, covering her mouth with her hooves.

"We saw them coming out of the walls high above us and warned the players.  Everyone cleared out fast.  We still had our early warning systems back then, so the Wolves were at the scene fairly quickly.  Greyjaw always insisted on playing the outfield," Collie said, shaking her head.

"And as quick as he was, he still got pinned.  The werewolves all converged on him.  The rest of us watched, we were too scared to do anything else, and the Wolves hadn't quite gotten there yet.  I thought for sure the lycanthropes were going to run off with him, because they do take dogs alive sometimes, but Greyjaw kicked one of them square in the eye.  The monster just laughed at him.  I can still hear its dreadful voice.  'This one is small,' it said, leering down at him, 'we let you live, grey jaw, enjoy every meal like it your last, get big and fat, and we come back for you'.  They marked him with their scent and took off."

"They knew his name?" Fluttershy asked, cocking her brow.

"No," Collie replied.  "no one had ever called him 'Greyjaw' before they did.  He took it as his name after that incident."

"So as a child, Greyjaw lived in fear of the lycanthropes and their promise to return?" Rarity asked, taking another sip of tea.

"It was worse than that," Collie replied, shaking her head.  "The other kids, even many of the adults, began to avoid him because he was 'marked'.  His own parents began to neglect him, keeping him at a distance.  Everyone was afraid of the monsters that haunted his steps."

"That's... horrible," Rarity said, staring down at her mug.

"I can't even imagine how frightened he must have been," Fluttershy added, frowning.

"All of the friends, all of the love Greyjaw had become accustomed to, it all went away in the blink of an eye, replaced by the knowledge that he was living on borrowed time," Collie said.  "But his will was strong, and the injustice thrust upon him made it stronger.  He resented all of us, to be sure, for our failure to be there for him.  But more than anything, he hated the lycanthropes for imposing this isolation on him.  He hated them for making him a victim."

"What happened next?" Rarity asked.

"I can only guess what was going through his head," Collie replied, running a hand through her hair, "but I think he just wanted to take back the control over his own life that he felt he had lost.  He began picking fights with other kids, constantly.  At first I thought he was just lashing out, as did everyone else.  As time went on, I came to realize the truth:  he was learning."

"He was gaining fighting experience from each opponent, and all the while he was working to strengthen his body.  When he wasn't fighting or exercising, he was reading.  Our own literature, books that were imported from other countries, anything he could get his hands on.  Books on strategy, anatomy, weaponry, and martial arts.  In his teenage years, he was fighting larger dogs that were much older than him, and he beat every single one.  Eventually, his skills surpassed everyone, including many in the Wolf Class soldiers who had sought him out because of his reputation."

"And did the werewolves that marked him ever come back?" Fluttershy asked.

"They did," Collie replied, giving a small nod as her eye contact shifted between Fluttershy and Rarity.  "They identified themselves the moment they appeared before him.  They had actually taken advantage of a much larger attack in a different part of the city to slip in under the radar."

"What did Greyjaw do?" Rarity asked, staring at Collie in rapt attention.

"He took them down, one by one," Collie replied, allowing a small smile to creep onto her face.  "As he laid out the final one, before finishing it off, it actually begged him for mercy.  Greyjaw just laughed at the thing."

"I see," Rarity replied, shuddering.  "Doesn't seem like vengeance appeased him, though."

"It wasn't about revenge," Collie replied, shaking her head.  "At least, I don't think it was.  Instead of resigning himself to his fate, he chose to fight, and for the time being, he's winning."

"The time being?" Fluttershy asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"His mark will be with him for the rest of his life," Collie explained.  "The lycanthropes that have attacked us in the days since that time have identified Greyjaw when they see him.  They all seem to know who he is, or at least that one of their brethren deemed him a high-priority target.  I don't think a day will ever come when he's truly safe, unless we find a way to escape the lycanthropes once and for all."  She looked back and forth between Rarity and Fluttershy again.

"I see," Rarity replied, sighing.  She stared down at her reflection in what remained of her tea.  "And escape is the only option?"

"A victory seems impossible," Collie replied.  "You saw it yourself, the way their bodies turn to nothingness when they're struck down?  They're constructs.  They have all the properties of an organic life form until they're killed, at which point, who knows?  We don't even really know what they are, or where they come from."

"I suppose that would make it quite the uphill battle," Rarity replied.  "I hope we've given Mahugpin the leverage he needs to receive aid from our Princess."

"I'm glad you understand," Collie replied, placing a paw on Rarity's shoulder as Fluttershy nodded.

"I can't very well ignore the things I saw today," Rarity replied.  "Don't get me wrong, I want to go home, I want to see my little sister," she inhaled sharply at the thought of Sweetie Belle, "my parents, and my friends again... but I want to help your people as well."

"And Mahugpin will see to it that you accomplish all of those things," Collie replied.  "It's getting late, and we all need to be up bright and early tomorrow.  Thank you both for the tea, and goodnight!"  Rarity and Fluttershy saw her to the door and bid her goodnight as well, before retiring to their bedrooms for an uneasy sleep.

Chapter Nine - Point A, Point B

Chapter Eight - Flight

"Okay," Gilda thought, nodding as she neared the entrance to the throne room, "you're the King's personal assistant.  He obviously trusts your judgment.  Just tell him you don't think the invasion is a good idea, he'll listen!"  Despite her reassurances, she began to perspire.

As she peeked her head around the corner of the entryway, she stopped short.  J'aggerdov was speaking with someone.

"Are you sure about this?" the King asked.  "Chrysalis was quite clear with her desire that they not be harmed."

"It's become necessary," an unusually deep voice replied.  Gilda leaned forward a bit more until she was able to see whoever J'aggerdov was talking to.  She threw her talon over her beak to stifle a gasp as she beheld the tall, gray, hideous figure with the low-hanging arms.

"Necessary?" J'aggerdov asked, lowering his brow.  "We have the six of them in custody.  The Elements of Harmony should be useless without them, right?"

"One can never be too careful," Delacroix replied, grinning as J'aggerdov averted his gaze.  "Besides, Chrysalis needs them alive in order to feed on them.  Wounds heal, and superficial wounds will be more than enough to compel their friend in the Great Hive to talk."

"Alright, but I won't give up both of them," J'aggerdov said, turning his back to Delacroix and taking several steps toward the exit.  "You can use Rainbow Dash.  She's got a rebellious streak in her, and some pain might just make her a little more compliant."  Gilda's eyes widened, and she ground her teeth together.  She turned around and flew down the corridors and flights of stairs.

...

Coming out of his teleportation, Clarion Call looked around to confirm that he had, indeed, touched down near the underground home of the Diamond Dog exiles on the outskirts of Ponyville.

"Hey, dogs!" he called out.  "I know you guys can hear me!  I'm here to make sure you idiots are still keeping your muzzles shut, so get topside.  Pronto!"  His answer came in the form of a burning sensation in his horn and a force that knocked him flat on his side.  "What in the hay was that?" he groaned, rubbing his forehead.

"Clarion Call!" a nearby voice called out.  Before Clarion could respond, a hoof connected to his jawbone, causing him to lose his newly regained balance and fall back to the ground.  "Where are my sister and her friends!?"  Clarion scrambled away, only standing up again once he had put some distance between himself and his accuser.

"That you, Shining Armor?" Clarion asked as he finally got a good look at the armor-clad stallion.  "Haven't seen you in a while.  How've you been?  Say, while I have you, have you ever heard of that magician the Great and Powerful Trixie?  Any idea where she's performing these days?"

"Answer the question!" Shining demanded, narrowing his gaze and taking a step towards Clarion.

"Whoa, hey, take it easy," Clarion replied, lifting his hoof between himself and Shining Armor.  "Your sister's missing?  That purple little filly who used to follow you around everywhere?  I didn't have anything to do with that!"

"Right, you're completely innocent," Shining replied, rolling his eyes.

"I didn't say that," Clarion replied.  "I handled Fluttershy and Rarity.  Your sister and the farmer were somepony else's department!"  He smirked as his horn lit up.  "Good seein' ya.  We'll have to do this again some time!"  Shining Armor only gritted his teeth and lowered his stance as Clarion realized that despite his increasingly concentrated effort to teleport, his magic was not fully charging up, and he was unable to cast the spell.  Eyes wide, he quickly ran a hoof over his horn, only to find that it was now covered with a strange, jagged substance.  His eyes darted back and forth as he began to sweat, his smirk replaced with an insecure smile.

"Little trick I picked up from King Sombra," Shining said, mimicking Clarion Call's former smirk.

"Yeah, I heard about that," Clarion replied, backing away as Shining Armor walked towards him.  "First you made Captain of the Royal Guard, then became a Prince!  Always knew you were a company man.  How's the wife?"

"You're going back to jail no matter what," Shining replied, quickening his step.  "Tell me where my sister and her friends are, and you'll spare yourself a world of hurt on top of that."

"Hey, come on now," Clarion said, his voice shaking.  "You've always been a 'by the books' kinda guy, what sort of example would you be setting for your men if you beat me up?"

"We're the only ones here," Shining replied, beginning to close the distance.  "I'm the only one who can detect those marks you like to put down everywhere, and I wasn't about to risk anypony else contaminating the scene."

"Oh, well in that case, I'm gonna take my chances!" Clarion shouted as he turned tail and ran.

"You're not getting away, you little weasel!" Shining Armor yelled as he took off in pursuit.

...

"Lady Gilda!" the guard called out, opening the dungeon's door.  "Is something the matter?"

"It's nothing," Gilda replied, holding up a large, metal pot.  "The prisoners are getting a second chamber pot, that's all."

"I see," the guard nodded.  "Well then, I'll see that they get it."  He reached out to take the pot from her.

"I'd like to give it to them myself," Gilda replied, shaking her head.  "You know, as a token of royal hospitality or whatever."

"Oh," the guard replied, tilting his head.  "I guess that makes sense.  Sort of.  Right this way."  He turned around, reaching for the cell keys.  Gilda brought the pot down onto the back of the guard's head, and with a resounding clank, the unsuspecting Griffon fell to the ground, moaning in pain but otherwise incapacitated.

"Yoink!" she grunted, snatching the keys away from him and rushing to the cell containing Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.  The two ponies had silently watched the exchange, but hadn't really reacted until Gilda took down the guard, at which point their eyes grew wide and they glanced quickly at one another..

"What do you think you're doing!?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Busting you out, what's it look like?" Gilda replied, hurriedly jamming the key into its keyhole and opening the cell.

"A prison break!?" Pinkie exclaimed, leaping to her feet.  "I've always wanted to do one of those!"

"Hold it, Pinkie!" Dash commanded, sticking her arm out in front of her friend.  "Why the sudden change, Gilda?"

"What, you think this is a trick?" Gilda asked.  "You're already prisoners, it's not like I could trick you into somehow being more imprisoned if I was still working for King J'aggerdov!"  Rainbow Dash seemed to contemplate this for a moment before nodding.  "And there's nothing sudden about it, I never wanted to kidnap you guys, and when I heard what they were planning to do to you..."

"What are they planning to do to us?" Pinkie Pie asked, frowning.

"The King was talking to some weird... monster thing, I dunno.  It looked like it was straight out of your sasquatch story, Dash!" Gilda explained quickly as she lead them out of the dungeon and into the torch-lit hallways.

"Huh?" was the only response Rainbow could manage, a single eyebrow jutting high above the other.

"I know!  It was just standing in the throne room, talking with the King, like it was no big deal!  It wants to take you to the Great Hive, and use you to interrogate one of your other friends!" Gilda replied as they began descending a flight of stairs.

"The Great Hive?  Other friends!?" Rainbow repeated Gilda's words, scowling.

"Keep your voice down!" Gilda hissed, raising her index finger over her beak.  "Look, I'll explain everything once we're out of here.  Right now, we need to get the two of you back to Equestria as fast as possible!"

"Then do you think you could take off these wing braces?" Dash asked, tilting her head towards the metal restraints that pinned her wings down.

"Right, sorry," Gilda replied, trying several of the guard's keys, only to find that none of them fit.  "Looks like he didn't have the right key on him.  Maybe we could-" she was interrupted as a loud alarm began to sound through the halls.  From the staircase leading up to the dungeon, they could all hear King J'aggerdov, though it was unclear where his voice was coming from.

"The prisoners have escaped!" the King shouted.  "Find them immediately, and consider Lady Gilda a suspect in their disappearance!  Quickly, before they leave the palace!"

"Crud!" Gilda hissed, looking back at Dash's restraints.

"We'll worry about it later!" Rainbow Dash whispered loudly, shoving Gilda and Pinkie Pie forward.  "I can still run!"  They continued running down a series of hallways until Pinkie Pie spoke up.

"My Pinkie Sense!" she shouted.

"What about it!?" Rainbow replied, turning quickly towards Pinkie Pie.

"New combo!" Pinkie replied as they continued to run.  "Eye flutter, ear-flop, then twitchy tail.  Jump!"

"Huh?" Gilda grunted, raising her brow.

"Just do it!" Rainbow shouted.  All three leapt into the air as high as they could, almost touching the ceiling, as the portion of the left wall directly beneath them exploded and a long, razor-sharp claw reached out through the flying rubble.  It was accompanied by a piercing shriek.

"Whoa!" They all shouted as they landed on the ground and ran faster.

"For now we'll just assume that combo means 'watch out for sasquatch'!" Pinkie observed.

"Is that what you were talking about!?" Rainbow asked as Gilda looked back for a moment.

"Yes, and it's catching up!" Gilda replied.  Dash and Pinkie risked a look back as well and sure enough, as fast as the three of them were, their pursuer was steadily gaining ground as it chased them through the halls on its hind legs.  What's more, each torch that adorned the walls at intervals of several feet were extinguished as the creature drew near, and cracks in the floor, ceiling, and walls seemed to follow on the heals of the three escapees.  It's glowing eyes were clearly visible, but the rest of the thing was hard to make out.

"Who the heck is this dude!?" Rainbow shouted, eyes wide.

"I'd rather not find out, so pick up the pace!" Gilda replied, shaking her head.  They turned another corner, taking a hallway on the right.  They were immediately halted by another exploding wall.  Their shadowy attacker slid out in front of their path, roaring and bringing the darkness with him as more torches went out.

Rainbow, Pinkie, and Gilda took less than a second to look at the monster before pivoting on their heals and taking off in the opposite direction, returning to the intersection in the hallways and going straight.  "Is it still following us!?" Rainbow asked.

"I dunno, and I'm not looking back.  Just keep running, and stay together!" Gilda shouted.

"Do you even know where we're going?" Rainbow replied, turning to Gilda but keeping a steady pace.

"I don't know the layout of the castle all that well yet, but right now the important thing is keeping away from that thing!"

"Turn right!" Pinkie shouted, her right ear flopping repeatedly.

"You haven't steered us wrong yet!" Gilda replied, shrugging as they rounded the next right corner.

"Now turn left!" Pinkie shouted as they immediately came upon another hallway and her left ear began flopping.  As they turned, they could hear the wall they would have run past had they not turned come crashing down, and heard the familiar shriek.

"Good call, Pinks, he would have gotten us that time!" Gilda said, grinning.

"My Pinkie Sense never steers me wro-another left!" Pinkie shouted.  They turned, and Delacroix followed closely behind, having resumed his more direct method of pursuit.  All four were running as fast as they could, with Gilda, Pinkie, and Dash beginning to feel winded.

"If we just keep turning corners, eventually he'll catch us!" Gilda cried.

"No!  Window!  Jump!" Pinkie shouted, gesturing to the source of natural sunlight at the end of the hall.  Gilda and Rainbow Dash squinted and saw the window, just wide enough for each of them to slip through one at a time.

"But we can't fly!" Rainbow protested as all three of them began to feel as though something was pressing down on them, and Delacroix's heavy breathing could be heard behind them.

"I can, just trust me!" Gilda replied.  Rainbow frowned.

"It's the only way, Dashie!  We're gonna get caught otherwise!" Pinkie shouted as she dove through the opening and out the side of the castle.  Rainbow followed her with a gulp, and Gilda brought up the rear, barely escaping the grasp of an outreaching claw.  Delacroix slid to a halt, leaning out the window and looking down.  He gave one final shriek and turned back towards the hall with such force that the end of his long overcoat cracked like a whip.

As Rainbow's eyes readjusted to the sunlight, she came to realize that even though there were near the bottom level of the castle, it was still built on top of a mountain and they were still falling a very great distance towards the barren surface below.  Her wings instinctually shifted in their restraints, but to no avail.  She felt Gilda's arm hook around her waist.  Pinkie Pie continued to fall as Gilda, Rainbow Dash in arm, dove after her.

"G!" Rainbow shouted, looking up at Gilda.

"I'll catch her!" Gilda promised, narrowing her gaze towards Pinkie.  Pinkie Pie simply tucked her forelegs in front of her chest and scrunched her eyes shut.  With one final burst of speed, Gilda grabbed hold of Pinkie and bottomed out, flying parallel to the ground, just a few feet above it.

"Phew," Dash panted, wiping the sweat away from her brow.

"Whadaya mean, 'phew'?  I'm the one that did all the work!" Gilda replied, scowling, her own face covered with sweat as well.

"It is really hot out here," Pinkie noted.

"Yeah, hey," Dash replied, looking upward, "I don't mean to be a buzzkill, but we're not out of this yet!"  Gilda and Pinkie turned to see a swarm of armored Griffon guards pursuing them.  "Let me go!" Dash shouted.

"What!?" Gilda replied, eyes wide.

"You heard me!" Dash said while nodding.  "I'm weighing you down!  Let me go, and get Pinkie out of here!"

"No way am I leaving without you, Rainbow!" Pinkie shouted, eyes shimmering.

"Yeah!" Gilda replied, clenching her jaw.  "Also, shut up!  I'm an awesome flier and I don't need to drop anything!"  Dash went quiet after that, but in spite of Gilda's reassurance, the guards were gaining on them.  Gilda flapped her wings to bring them to an abrupt halt as another large cluster of Griffon's now hovered in front of them.  Unlike the guards pursuing them, however, they did not wear armor, but instead wore ragged cloth around their heads and necks, varying in color from Griffon to Griffon.  The guards behind Gilda came to a halt as well.

"These are fugitives!" The guard at the front, with the thickest armor plating declared.  "Do not get in our way, citizens!"

"You're in our territory now, canaries!" one of the plain-clothed Griffons replied.  "If J'aggerdov wants 'em, you can be sure that we won't let you have 'em!"

"'Canaries', you call us?" the head guard replied, eyes raised and arms folded.  "That's an insult thrown around by rebels."

"You catch on quick," the vocal rebel replied.  "You didn't bring enough goons to throw down with us this time, so shove off!"

"He's right, sir," another guard whispered to their leader.  "They outnumber us two-to-one!"

"What of it?  Should we fly away with our tails between our legs!?" the head guard hissed in response.

"You know that King J'aggerdov needs all of us for his war, we can't afford to throw our lives away!" the guard protested.  "We'll return with greater numbers and wipe them out!"

"Very well, they all get a stay of execution.  Move out!" the head guard commanded as they all departed.

"I don't know who you guys are, but you saved our butts, so thanks," Gilda said, turning to face the rebels.

"Yeah, those guys would have totally fed us to the sasquatch!" Pinkie said, nodding vigorously.

"We owe you one," Rainbow added.

"Always happy to help out someone in need," the rebel who had talked down to the guards replied, a smile on his face.  "The name's Peirce.  I don't know who you are or why J'aggerdov wants you, and I don't know what you mean by 'sasquatch' but explanations will have to wait.  The canaries will be back with a bigger fleet, and we don't want to be anywhere near here when that happens.  Follow us!"  Two other rebels flew over to Gilda and removed Pinkie and Dash from her arms before she could protest.

"Figure we'll lighten your load.  Not used to travelling with non-fliers, though," the Griffon who now held Rainbow Dash said, pulling her back into his chest.

"Watch it!" Rainbow shouted.  "I'm not a non-flier!"

"Oh, sorry, miss!  Didn't see the wings, there.  Once we make camp we'll take care of those bindings for you," he replied quickly.

"Gilda?" Pinkie said from the arms of the other Griffon.  "Thanks for catching me, and for springing us from Griffon Jail."

"Hey, you're the one who led us to safety," Gilda replied, smiling, as she and Pinkie bumped fist against hoof.  Rainbow Dash only smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief.  The group flew away quickly, Peirce taking the lead.  They maneuvered between the mountain bases and cliff sides, keeping close to the ground as the sun began to set.

...

"Off you go!" Clarion Call shouted as he pushed down on the long, thick branch he had jammed between the dirt and the boulder on top of it.  The large rock shifted and arose, revealing a hole in the ground.  Clarion had been running from Shining Armor for the entire day, and had finally managed to lose him for at least a little while within the Everfree Forest.  He had disoriented himself along the way, and did not recognize the area he was in, but when he came upon the boulder, for reasons he didn't fully understand, he felt compelled to investigate it.

"Some kinda cavern down here," he thought.  "If nothing else, I can probably hide until whatever's up with my horn goes away."  He cautiously passed through the hole and into the large cavern, which contained many strange, glowing flora, and a large lake in the center.  "Anypony here?" he called out, his only response being the echo of his own voice.  He shrugged, and approached the pond, whatever force that drew him down there in the first place growing stronger.

He leaned over the water, gazing at his own reflection, and was finally able to get a better look at the strange material that covered his horn and suppressed his magic.  He tried to cast his teleportation spell again, but found that his horn's aura only lit up in the small segment above his forehead that wasn't covered by the black substance.  "Just great," he hissed.  "Can't cast spells?  That only throws a wrench in, like, everything!"  He peered a little deeper into the water and was able to make out the outline of a rectangular object.  "Something's down there," he said, diving in head first with an unusually reckless abandon.

The pool wasn't all that deep, and at the bottom Clarion could see a small, wooden box, which he quickly scooped up and brought to the surface.   "Really letting my self get sidetracked here," he thought.  "But for some reason I really wanna know what's in this box!"  Upon discovering that it was a lockbox whose key was nowhere in sight, he abruptly hurled it against a rock, smashing it open.  Its contents practically landed at his hooves.

"Well now," he thought, staring down at the Alicorn Amulet and struggling not to laugh out loud, "this is pretty much the last thing I expected to find.  I'd heard that it was hidden somewhere in the Everfree Forest, but still.  Can't believe my luck!  You and me are gonna do big things together..."  Just then, the sound of hoofsteps caught his attention.

"You got sloppy at the end, Clarion!" Shining Armor shouted as he descended the path into the cavern.  "Didn't even try to cover the trail you left coming down here."

Clarion picked the necklace up and held it in front of his face.  "I read that this thing corrupts the wearer over time.  Heh, rain over the ocean," he said with a grin as he fastened the trinket around his neck.

"What are you mumbling about?" Shining asked, finally catching sight of his prey.  Clarion Call turned to face Shining Armor, who stopped short at the sight of his fugitive wearing a magic charm who's shape he recognized from old case files.  "Is that....?"

"Yep, the Alicorn Amulet!" Clarion shouted, his eyes glowing red as he began to resonate with its power.  "You like?"

"Zecora must have hidden it down here after that incident with Trixie," Shining thought.  "Clarion, you don't know what you're doing!" he protested, extending a hoof.  "That thing corrupts the wearer!  You need to take it off before it's too late!"

"Actually, I know exactly what I'm doing," Clarion replied casually, before revving up the red aura that now formed in his horn.  It struggled against the black substance that coated most of his appendage for only a moment before shattering it entirely, his magic now freely flowing again.  "That's the stuff!" he screamed, the red glow in his eyes growing brighter.

"This is bad," Shining hissed as his own horn ignited and he fired an impact wave straight at Clarion.

"I respectfully disagree!" Clarion shouted as a red force field surrounded him, absorbing the force of Shining's attack, which would have otherwise sent him flying backwards.  "Okay, this thing is awesome!"

"You may have gotten a power boost, but I'm still going to bring you in!  I'm just getting started," Shining Armor replied, widening his stance and preparing to launch another attack.

"Yeah, I might not be strong enough to beat you yet," Clarion replied, shaking his head.  "I hear it takes a lot of time and usage for this thing to really get going, so I'll still need to practice with it.  Fortunately, I have that option!"

"Wait!" Shining shouted, charging at Clarion Call, who was preparing another spell.

"No can do, pumpkin!" Clarion replied, giving one final wave before vanishing, his laughter echoing throughout the cavern as Shining Armor came sliding to a halt.

...

"So what now?" Clarion asked, having heard from J'aggerdov that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie had escaped.  "You gonna punish the girl?"

"No," J'aggerdov replied, shaking his head.  "It's my fault that this happened.  I let Gilda hear too much, and her psyche is still tainted by pony logic.  It's no wonder she acted the way she did."

"Regardless," Delacroix replied, "we're going to have to find the Elements on our own.  And Clarion?  The meeting we've planned will have to take place soon."

"You sure that's a good idea?" Clarion asked, elevating his brow.

"There's a chance that the two escapees might make it back to Equestria.  They know too much.  Worse still, they've seen me," Delacroix replied.

"They won't make it back to Equestria," J'aggerdov interjected.  "Our border is secure on the ground and in the air.  If they attempt to leave the Kingdom, they will be apprehended."

"Even so, there are the two Canterlot guards from the other night to consider, as well. I hadn't realized they'd survived," Delacroix said.

"I guess it's gotta be done, then," Clarion replied.

"In any case, what meeting are you talking about?" J'aggerdov asked, focusing more on Clarion Call so as to avoid staring at Delacroix.

"There's a good chance that very soon, Celestia and Luna will realize I'm still alive," Delacroix said, a grin spreading across his face, "and I think it's best that they hear it from me."

Chapter Ten - You Know Why You're Here

Chapter Nine - Severance

Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Gilda had finally arrived at the rebels' camp along with Pierce and his troops.  What greeted them was a settlement of men, women, and children who lived in tents at the base of a mountain far away from the castle.  They had travelled in silence for most of the way, just in case J'aggerdov's soldiers had come after them again.

"Let's get this off of you, Ma'am," one of Pierce's men said as he grabbed some nearby tools and began to tamper with the lock on Rainbow Dash's wing restraints.

"Thanks, that'd definitely make things a heck of a lot easier for me!" Rainbow Dash said, smiling.

"So what's your deal, Pierce?" Gilda asked as she looked around the camp.  "I didn't know there was a rebellion in the Griffon Kingdom."

"That's what the canaries call it," Pierce replied, shaking his head.

"Canaries?" Gilda and Pinkie Pie asked in unison.

"Sycophants, loyalists, anyone who refuses to tell J'aggerdov that he's wrong about anything," Pierce replied.

"And the King called you rebels for doing that?" Gilda asked, cocking an eyebrow.  "I've questioned his decisions, myself, and he never did anything like that to me."

"I don't know what sort of relationship you have with him," Pierce replied, "but most folk aren't granted audiences with the King.  As you probably know, the King communicates with the population of this land via appointed representatives from each city and village."

"Right," Gilda replied, nodding her head.  "I had kinda forgotten about that.  It's been a while since I've lived here."

"We came from a poor village far to the north," Pierce continued speaking, "a place where the famine has been particularly brutal.  I had been elected by my fellow villagers to go to the King and beg him to reconsider his isolationist policies."

"Isolationist?" Rainbow Dash asked as Pierce's companion continued to fiddle with her harness.

"J'aggerdov and his ancestors all felt the same way," Pierce explained.  "They believed that asking for or accepting aid from other countries was a sign of weakness unless some form of conquest was involved."

"Which not every griffon agrees with, by the way," Gilda added.

"Right," Pierce replied with a nod.  "But the King has absolute power, and each member of his army is trained at a young age to follow his orders without question.  Each King for the past few hundred years has used the Griffon military primarily to guard the borders of our Kingdom on all sides.  Nothing gets in or out without a King's permission."

A grunt of frustration could be heard as a screwdriver snapped in half in the lock of Rainbow Dash's harness.  "Damnit," the Griffon said.  "Hold on, I need to get our locksmith on this."

"In the past, the Kingdom was self-sufficient." Pierce continued, ignoring him.  "But in recent years, the land has become barren.  All over the country, the farmable areas have been dying out.  The animals that we used to hunt have seen a massive drop in population.  I told the representative that the Griffons could no longer afford to keep to themselves, that we needed outside help or our people would die!"

"Well duh," Pinkie said, "of course you need outside help!  You should just ask Princess Celestia!" She smiled brightly.  "She would be all 'I'm super-nice so I can't let these poor Griffons starve! Applejack, bring me your finest apples, we're gonna give 'em to hungry Griffons!'  Applejack's my friend by the way, and she's super-nice too, so she'd do it!"

"Uh...huh," Pierce replied, eyes widening as he took a step away from her.  "Sounds great, but the problem is that the representative told me to leave the castle and never return.  That our self-sufficient lifestyle was the cornerstone of our pride as a species.  I told him I wouldn't drop the issue no matter what, so he made up some story about how I threatened to attack, and my entire village was deemed a rebel stronghold."

'That's crazy!" Rainbow Dash shouted as the Griffon from before returned to her side with a locksmith who began to inspect the restraints.  "You couldn't tell anypony the truth?"

"The thought did cross my mind," Pierce replied.  "That was before a squad from J'aggerdov's army showed up and laid waste to the village."

"...oh." Rainbow Dash said, bowing her head.

"After that," Pierce said, "we decided that if the representatives deemed us rebels, that's exactly what we'd be.  J'aggerdov has proven in the past to care very deeply about his people's well-being, not just their pride.  The problem is that he's surrounded by yes-men who wouldn't dare question a single decision he makes, so if a rebellion is what it takes to make him realize that his policies are killing our people, then that's what it takes."

"I hate to tell you this," Gilda replied, taking a step toward Pierce.  "But King J'aggerdov already found a solution."

"He what?" Pierce asked.

"Yes!" Rainbow Dash declared triumphantly as her bindings came lose at the locksmith's touch and clattered to the ground.  She grinned widely and stretched out her wings.  "Now that's what I'm talkin' about!  What was that about solutions, G?"

"It can only mean one thing," the old locksmith said, turning away from Rainbow Dash and toward Pierce.  "J'aggerdov's finally gone ahead and taken care of the yeti!"

"Not this again..." Pierce said, smacking his forehead.  "Please, Clement, not in front of the guests!"

"They need to know!" Clement shouted.  "I seen it with me own eyes!"

"Yes, yes, you've told us," Pierce said, waving the elderly locksmith away.  "Big ape-like creature, flowing garment, gray, hairless flesh.  Wandered the Kingdom three years ago cursing the lands."

"With some kinda crazy potion!" Clement added.  "He used a potion to destroy our farms, poison our trees, and kill our wildlife!"

"Yes, of course it did," Pierce sighed.

"Sounds like the sasquatch we just saw!" Pinkie replied, approaching Clement.

"You... you seen it, too?" Clement asked, raising his head.

"Well, maybe," Pinkie replied, stroking her chin.  "Did the ground get all crickly-crackly whenever it was around?"

"Yes!" Clement replied, jumping a few feet off the ground.  "And it shrieked!"

"Omigosh!" Pinkie said.  "Ours totally did too!"

"What are they talking about?" Pierce asked, turning to Gilda and Rainbow Dash.

"When we escaped the castle dungeon," Gilda explained, "something... we call it the sasquatch... it chased after us.  And I have to admit, it looked an awful lot like what your buddy Clement, there, is talking about."

"You can't be serious," Pierce said, resting his face in the palm of his hand.  "And three, two, one..."

"I told ya so!" Clement shouted, nudging Pierce.  "I told ya it was real!"

"Let's say I believe this," Pierce replied.  "Is Clement right, Gilda?  If this yeti, sasquatch, or whatever it is really did cause this nation's famine, and it's now in the castle, does that mean the hard times are over?"

"No," Gilda replied.  "If that... thing really is responsible, J'aggerdov doesn't know it.  He was discussing strategy with it.  I think it's his ally."

"Then what solution are you talking about?" Pierce asked.

"Invasion," Gilda replied.  Pierce and Clement went wide-eyed as Pinkie and Dash nodded.  "I don't know all the details, but he's planning to launch a joint invasion with the Diamond Dogs to the east of Equestria, and the Changelings to the northeast.  J'aggerdov plans to conquer Equestria.  The Griffons will claim its food and wildlife, the Diamond Dogs will claim the land itself as their new home, and the Changelings will claim its people to feed off of."

"What!?" Rainbow Dash screamed, scowling and taking to the air.  "Look after Pinkie Pie, I'm getting back over there now and warning Princess Celestia!"

"Hold it!" Pierce said, floating up in front of Dash.  "You'll never get past the border guards.  You'll just wind up back in the dungeon if you try to leave!"

"I don't care, I'm gonna risk it!"

"Dashie!" Pinkie shouted, sternly.  "Getting recaptured won't help anypony."

"So what should I do, then?" Rainbow Dash asked, frowning at her friend.

"Granny Pie always said that the bigger a problem, the calmer we have to be when fixing it.  Think about it:  If the sasquatch is really what's causing famine here, then Jaggydoff wouldn't know that," Pinkie explained.

"So?" Dash asked, landing on the ground and facing Pinkie.

"So we have to tell him, silly!" Pinkie replied, smiling.

"She's right," Pierce added.  "We need to find a way to confront the King and tell him what we know.  That might be enough to stop this invasion, or at least our people's part in it."

"King J'aggerdov considered me a special advisor before I sprang Pinkie and Dash," Gilda said.  "I'll help you guys get to him if I can."

"And in the meantime we just let our friends lounge around in Equestria while a war's coming from all sides!?" Rainbow Dash asked.  Pierce whistled loudly, and a blur darted down past Rainbow Dash's head.  A pigeon landed softly on Pierce's outstretched arm.

"Homer, here, is small and fast enough to evade the border guard," Pierce said, lifting his arm a little.  "He's the fastest carrier pigeon I've ever had.  Gilda," he said, turning to her, "I want you to write down on a sheet of paper everything you know about the invasion.  We'll attach it to Homer's leg and get it to the pony Princess as fast as possible.  Is that alright with you, Dash?"

"Hmph," Dash pouted, sitting on the ground and folding her arms.  "I'd rather handle it myself, but I guess it's alright."

"Aw, cheer up, Dashie!" Pinkie said, tapping her friend on the head with a hoof and smiling.  "We get to be diplomats!  This is gonna be way more fun than Las Pegasus!"

"Is she always like that?" Pierce whispered to Gilda.

"Yeah," Gilda replied.  "Used to drive me nuts, but now I think I get it.  That pony eventually makes friends with everyone she meets.  If we're gonna make King J'aggerdov reconsider centuries of Griffon foreign relations policy, we're gonna need her to soften him up."

"Alright," Pierce replied.  "Let's get to work, everyone!"

...

"Obviously, I know that none of this is real," Twilight began, as all of the images of her friends save for Applejack vanished, "so why are you keeping up this charade?"

"You underestimate your own feelings," the fake Applejack replied, grinning.  "The mere image of Applejack is causing you to exhibit emotions that I can harvest.  Your love for all five of your friends is great, but your bond with this one in particular... yes, you rely on her strength often, and you trust her more than anyone else you know.  You view her as an elder sibling of sorts."  Twilight averted her gaze as the apparition licked its lips.  "You don't need to respond, I already know I'm right."

"So, this illusion was created to surround me with the ponies I care about the most," Twilight replied, continuing to avoid eye contact.  "I'm guessing your captives all find themselves in a world like this one, and the love they then experience from their connections is harvested and used to feed the Changelings."

"Very astute, as Delacroix said," Applejack replied.

"Who is Delacroix?" Twilight asked, raising her brow and shuddering.  "What is Delacroix?"

"I have no idea," Applejack replied, shuddering as well.  "I was made aware of his existence at the same moment you were.  Up until now, all of our dealings with the other factions involved in this plan have been mediated by a unicorn named Clarion Call.  Whoever or whatever Delacroix is, if he believes he is using Queen Chrysalis, his arrogance will cost him dearly."

"You refer to the Queen in the third person," Twilight observed, tilting her head and sinking into a sitting position on the floor.  "I was under the impression that you were the Queen."

"I haven't been the Queen for nearly ten years," the apparition replied, shaking its head.

"I'm not sure I follow," Twilight replied.

"When a Changeling Queen reaches a certain stage of her life cycle," the false Applejack replied as their surroundings shifted from a hallway in the Crystal Palace to a room that was similar in nature to the one Twilight was actually in.

"She undergoes a transformation into a different sort of life-form.  Once I was of age, the nature of my existence was altered."  Twilight beheld a Changeling, similar in appearance to Chrysalis, but much more haggard with visible wrinkles covering her face.  Applejack gestured towards the Changeling as she encased herself in a cocoon of similar appearance to the Changeling pods.

The ceiling of the large room faded away, leaving the sky visible, as the Sun and the Moon took turns rapidly shooting across the sky, night changing to day once every second.  Finally, time slowed down, and Twilight's gaze returned to the cocoon, which was now three times its original size.  Twilight gasped as the apparatus began pulsating like a beating heart, connected by many thousands of small veins to the walls around it.

"I took my mother's place as the Central Nervous System for the Great Hive and beyond, while my daughter took my place as Queen," the former Queen explained, still in the form of Applejack.  "All of our prey who are captured are connected to me.  I provide each and every one of them with an illusionary world best suited to harvest their love, then I process that love and disperse it among my children."

"I see," Twilight replied, nodding slowly while continuing to stare at the pulsating pod.  "That must be a very taxing job, and I can't imagine how difficult it must be to sacrifice your body and freedom to do it."

"I believed at the time that I would be sacrificing my mind, as well," the Nervous System explained.  "I didn't realize until I underwent the transformation myself that a Central Nervous System retains her consciousness.  The creation of dreams from memory is an involuntary biological action, my mind is only as involved as I want it to be."

"And you never had second thoughts?" Twilight asked.

"I did it for my daughter, and my people," she replied.  "I don't know if you ponies have ever experienced a ravenous hunger akin to that of a malnourished Changeling, but it is a maddening sensation that I have felt before, and will never allow my daughter or her children to feel."

Twilight frowned as she heard this, and Applejack's form twitched slightly, its eyes growing wide before it shook its head.  "I have to ask, why are you telling me all of this?" Twilight asked.

"You are a pod that knows what is happening to her," the Central Nervous System replied, the nearby cocoon now throbbing in rhythm with Applejack's speech.  "Nothing like this has ever happened before.  You are the first sentient creature I've spoken to since I became..." she jerked her head towards the pod.  "The interaction is... pleasant.  Furthermore, there is no way you can escape, regardless of what you know.  I have no need to hide things from food."

"I see," Twilight replied, nodding.  "Well, if that's the case, would you mind indulging my curiosity a bit?"

"Of course," the Central Nervous System replied.  "The longer I talk to you in the form of your friend, the more emotion I can harvest.  What's more, that fleeting moment of empathy you felt for me as I explained my motivation was especially satisfying."

"What other factions are involved with this invasion?" Twilight asked, lifting her head slightly.

"Chrysalis, through Clarion Call, has allied herself with King J'aggerdov and his Griffon Kingdom, as well as the Diamond Dog known as Mahugpin, and the nation he commands."  Applejack gestured first to the left, then to the right, as apparitions of the aforementioned leaders appeared on either side.

"I've never heard of Mahugpin," Twilight replied, shaking her head.  "And I was given to understand that the Diamond Dogs were a gang that lived on the outskirts of Ponyville."

"They are an underground nation on a continent directly south of the Great Hive," Applejack replied, shaking her head.  The room shifted completely, and Twilight and Applejack now stood directly above the ocean.

In one direction, the towering Great Hive could be seen on the horizon.  In the other direction, a coastline was visible.  The setting Sun did, indeed, place the coastline to the south.

"I already know what the Changelings have to gain from conquering Equestria," Twilight replied, looking down at herself.  "But the Griffons and the Diamond Dogs?  Why would they want to attack us?"

"The Griffons simply want to reap the benefits of Equestria's fertile soil, their own land being quite barren, and growing more so within the last four years."  Twilght and Applejack, despite being perfectly still, were now rocketing across a cracked and dry land, its surface dotted with tall mountains, but no visible vegetation.

"The Diamond Dogs wish to actually make a home there.  In their current environment, they live under constant threat from a larger, deadlier predator."  Twilight was now in a vast swampland with trees all around her.  Among them lurked hulking shadows emanating low, sustained snarls.

"And Clarion Call was the one who united all of you?" Twilight asked.

"That is what my daughter had told her subjects," the Central Nervous System replied as its Applejack form glanced off to the side.  "Though clearly she has been keeping at least one secret from them."

"Were you able to glean anything from Delacroix's memory?" Twilight asked.

"He only interfered with your pod for a few seconds.  I saw the memory you saw."  Twilight's perspective was once again returned to the man strapped into the chair, beneath the dome.  Time seemed to have stopped around her, as nothing, even the gray cloud, was moving.  "This memory is four-thousand years old."

"The structures, the technology, this bipedal species..." Twilight Sparkle whispered as she found herself standing in the hall of the Crystal Castle once more.

"To think that such a civilization, so much like our own, existed four thousand years ago, but could vanish without leaving a single known trace of their existence.  Where could he have come from?"  She scratched her chin slowly, extending her lower lip in a pouty expression.

"It doesn't really matter," Applejack replied.  "Delacroix is insignificant in the grand scheme of things."

"I suppose that's a logical assumption for the time being," Twilight replied.  "I have another question."

"Ask," the Central Nervous System replied.

"Applejack and I were kidnapped by your people.  Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were leaving for a trip with a Griffon friend of Dash's.  Rarity and Fluttershy were still in Ponyville last I knew.  Would I be correct in assuming we were each kidnapped in pairs by the corresponding factions?" Twilight asked, narrowing her gaze.

"Yes," Applejack replied, grinning.  "You're a clever one."

"Thank you for everything you've told me," Twilight replied, rising to her feet.  "I'm sorry to hear that your people must stoop to such reprehensible tactics in order to obtain nourishment, and I would very much like to help you some day, but for now, if I'm going to save Equestria, I need to be going."  The Central Nervous System actually laughed.

"You've got a sense of humor, to boot!  I think I will speak to you on a regular basis, Twilight Sparkle."

"When it comes to magic, visualization is the key," Twilight replied, causing the Nervous System to tilt her head.  "For example, when it comes to my teleportation spell, the trick is to visualize myself moving from point A to point B in the blink of an eye.  Were I to use that spell here, I would be visualizing two locations that didn't actually exist, and therefore would not actually be casting any spells, though you'd probably shift me yourself so I wouldn't catch wise."

"What's your point?" the Central Nervous System asked, her fabricated orange ears now tensing up.

"My point is that I know where I actually am," Twilight replied.  "I know I'm contained within a pod, and I know that pod is contained within a large, dimly lit chamber within the Great Hive."  Applejack's eyes began to widen.  Twilight Sparkle grinned.  "That's right.  I have my point A, and I have my point B."

"And what makes you so sure I haven't prepared for a loophole like that?" the Central Nervous System asked, a forced grin spreading across her face.

"By your own admission, nothing like this has ever happened before," Twilight replied, her grin shrinking.  "Although we'll find out for sure right now."

"Stop!" Applejack commanded as she extended a hoof, her eyes wide.  "Yes, you're right, I don't know what will happen.  Our minds are linked, Twilight Sparkle.  If you sever the connection from the inside, it could destroy us both!"

"Then release me," Twilight replied, looking the apparition straight in the eye, unblinking.

"I can't!" the Central Nervous System spat back.  Twilight sighed and shook her head gently, seating herself again.  She scrunched her eyes shut, and throttled the magic in her horn.  "No, stop it!  Are you insane!?"  Twilight's only response was a groan that began to escape her throat as the magical aura around her horn grew in size.

"I'm in the pod, I can see myself in the pod," Twilight thought, visualizing her true location.  "There is a space directly in front of me, where Delacroix stood, between myself and the real Applejack."  The Central Nervous System gasped as Twilight became engulfed in a bright, lavender light.

"No you don't!" she shouted, charging at Twilight, only to find that her body passed right through Twilight's form.  The light and magical pressure grew in intensity.  "To think that she can concentrate hard enough to be unaffected by my illusion," the Nervous System thought.  "Please, I'm begging you, do not do this!" she shouted, raising her hooves together.

"I'm inside the pod," Twilight thought again, "I'm inside the pod... AND NOW I'M NOT!"  Twilight began to scream as a stabbing pain shot through her head, the sound of a female voice shrieking in her ears.  This was followed by a blow to Twilight's back and shoulders, and then everything went silent.

She opened her eyes, which needed a moment to adjust, and she became aware of her surroundings.  She was lying on the floor, directly next to the pod that had once contained her.  She allowed herself a triumphant smile before standing up, only to fall right to the floor again.

Her vision was blurred, and she felt as though the room was spinning, but she forced her gazed upward and beheld the pod containing Applejack.  She shook her head vigorously, and that seemed to align her vision just a bit.  Gritting her teeth and squinting, she forced herself to her feet.  She did not fall this time, but stumbled a bit until she was slumped up against Applejack's pod.

With all of her might, she slammed her horn against it, cracking the surface.  She pounded against the crack with her hooves, until the opening was large enough for her to dig into.  With all of her might, she pulled her hooves in opposite directions as her headache returned and her vision darkened.

Finally, the surface gave way with a sickening crack.  Twilight lost her balance and fell onto her back once more as Applejack came tumbling out of her pod, soaked in a smelly green fluid.  She coughed three times before slowly opening her eyes.

"Applejack?" Twilight groaned, finally making eye contact with her friend.

"Yeah, it's me, sugarcube," Applejack replied, standing up and giving Twilight a smile.

"We-" Twilight began before she felt Applejack's hoof on her lips.

"Shh, I know," she said, nodding.  "The pod put me in your memory, just like it put you in that Delacroix feller's.  I'm all up to speed.  You don't look so good, but don't you worry, I'm gonna get us outta here lickety-split.  You just focus on restin' up."

Before Twilight could reply, she was hoisted onto Applejack's back.  She grimaced as she felt the pod's fluid squished beneath her, but was otherwise grateful for the chance to rest.

"The other prisoners," Twilight said.

"It'll take a lot more ponies than just us two to free 'em, but we'll make sure Princess Celestia knows about 'em when we get back home," Applejack replied softly.

"Thank you," Twilight whispered, a tear streaming down her face as Applejack began to walk.  Exhaustion overtaking her, she began to lose consciousness, her head resting against Applejack's mane.  She heard the sound of a third voice groaning in her ears, but thought nothing of it, as she could see nobody else around them.

...

"So you sent the families home?" Princess Luna asked as they stood side by side in front of the stained glass window depicting Nightmare Moon's defeat.

"Yes," replied Celestia, nodding slowly.  "I believe it's for the best, with the attack that took place the other night."

"How are the guards?" Luna asked, glancing over at the destroyed compartment wherein the Elements of Harmony had once been kept.

"Stable, but neither has regained consciousness." she shook her head as she said this.

"And you suspect that Clarion Call was behind it?" Luna asked.

"For now."  Celestia replied.  "I don't know if he's working alone or if he has accomplices, but Shining Armor told me that he claimed to have only directly handled the abductions of Rarity and Fluttershy."

"And you still think this is a ransom attempt?" Luna asked.

"I think that's the most likely motive," Celestia replied, turning to her sister.  "I told their families to keep watch for any demands that may come to them.  Still, now that he has the Alicorn Amulet, who knows what he'll do."

"Not even close, Princess," a voice echoed from behind them.  Celestia and Luna turned to see Clarion Call standing at the opposite end of the long hall from them, a friendly smile on his face.  He seemed to have gotten a bit taller since the last time they had seen him.

"And so you finally appear before us," Celestia said, furrowing her brow, as she and Luna began to approach him.

"You will release your prisoners immediately," Luna added.

"Wish I could," Clarion replied, shaking his head, "'cause I get it, really.  Their families miss 'em, they've got responsibilities, they're heroes, they've left a pretty big void, right?  I'm afraid that's just not part of the boss' plan."

"So you are working for somepony else," Celestia replied.

"Celestia and Luna," another, much deeper voice softly spoke behind them.  The sisters tensed up immediately, and their eyes grew wide.  "Has it really been four thousand years?"  The alicorn pair spun on their hind legs to behold Delacroix who, like Clarion, was smiling at them.  "Do you still remember me?"

Celestia was at a loss for words, the only sounds coming from her gaping mouth being short, shallow breaths.  Luna, on the other hand, took to the air immediately.

"Prepare to die, monster!" she spat, raising her voice to Royal Canterlot level as she loosed a magical blast so powerful that Clarion Call could feel its pressure all the way from where he stood.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," Delacroix replied in the moment before he was consumed.  Celestia shielded her eyes from the glare of the attack as a painful shriek was heard coming from its impact point.

"I do not care how it is you have returned, and I will not let history repeat itself!" Luna's voice boomed as she increased the intensity of her attack, resulting in cracks forming in the wall and floor around it.

Suddenly, the screaming ceased, and a powerful shockwave knocked the beam away from Delacroix and back into Princess Luna, sending her skidding across the floor, smoke trailing from her horn.

"While she's vulnerable," Delacroix commanded, giving Clarion a nod of his head.

"Gotcha!" Clarion shouted, charging up a spell of his own.  Before Celestia could react, Princess Luna vanished in a white flash of light.

"What did you do!?" Celestia asked, activating her own horn.

"I used my teleportation spell," Clarion explained.  "Only, thanks to this wonderful little trinket of mine, I can use it on other ponies without using it on myself as well, even on alicorn Princesses if they've been softened up a little, first."

"Where did you send her!?" Celestia shouted, stomping her hoof against the floor.

"Yeah, see, that's the thing..." Clarion looked off to the side, sucking his teeth.  "I didn't actually specify a location, so she's technically nowhere."

"Nowhere!?"

"Right, like I don't know what she's seeing or feeling right now, but she's not here... in this world," Clarion explained.  Celestia quickly imprisoned him within a stasis field that even the Alicorn Amulet could not yet break him out of.

"I'll deal with him after I've dealt with you," Celestia hissed, turning to Delacroix.  "I don't understand how you could possibly be standing here before me, Delacroix.  The Elements of Harmony-"

"Did little more than sweep me under the rug," Delacroix interrupted, shaking his head and taking a few elegant steps toward her.  Cracks began to branch out from his feet along the floors and up the wall behind him, reaching the stained glass window.  Celestia could feel the pressure emanating from him.

"When did you gain the ability to use magic?" Celestia asked under her breath, baring her teeth.

"When you used the Elements on me," Delacroix replied.  "Your attack allowed my body to attune to its properties."

"You orchestrated the abductions..." Celestia's words practically died on her lips as she turned to confront Clarion.  "You ignorant foal!"  From inside his prison, Clarion pointed to himself, jutting his lower lip forward in a pouty expression and elevating his brow.

"You have no idea what he's capable of!  Whatever he promised you, you won't get it!  The only thing he even cares about is-" she was cut off by a blast of Delacroix's chaotic energy, which sent her to the ground.  Clarion Call was released.

"No dice," Clarion replied, preparing his second teleportation spell.  "Delacroix, here, broke the seal you put on my magic, sweetheart, so he's already given me what he promised.  Bye, now!"  He gave a delicate wave of his hoof.

"No, you don't understa-" Celestia was interrupted once again as she vanished without a trace.

"Two for two!" Clarion declared.  "Kingdom's ours now, right?"

"We're not invincible, remember that," Delacroix replied, gently shaking his head.  "The rest of Equestria stands before us.  The Elements of Harmony must be found."

"Speaking of which," Clarion replied, walking towards his partner, "I think Sparkle's little dragon manservant or whatever back in Ponyville might be able to help us out."

"Then that's our next destination," Delacroix replied.

"May I ask what our dearly deposed Princesses meant when they talked like you three had a history together?" Clarion asked.

"You may not."

Chapter Eleven - Sadly Mistaken

Chapter Ten - Removal

Twilight wasn't sure of where she was.  Everything was dark, and the only sound she could hear was the echo of her own footsteps.

"Hello!?" Twilight shouted.  "Applejack!?"

"Pipe down!" an unfamiliar voice hissed.  "You're asleep, and probably still on her back, so stop shouting!"

"Who said that?" Twilight asked, whirling around.  "I'm sleeping?"

"Time to wake up, 'Twily'..." The voice replied.

Twilight's eyes shot open.  She could hear the sound of water crashing softly against a surface, the smell of salt filling her nostrils, and she felt the sand beneath her back.

"Twilight!" Applejack whispered, inches from her face.  Twilight grimaced as the realization that neither of them had brushed their teeth in days sank in.  "Twilight, wake up!"

"I'm awake," Twilight groaned, hoisting herself up.  She had a splitting headache.  "Is that the Great Hive?" Twilight gestured toward the towering black structure on a small island across the waves.

"Yeah," Applejack replied, helping Twilight to her feet.  "I managed to sneak out of the Hive.  Broke off a few pieces of the thing, realized they could float.  I used the material to throw a lousy raft together that got us about three-quarters of the way across the water.  Had to swim the rest of the way, but we made it."

"Where are we?" Twilight asked, turning to see a dense forest at the edge of the beach.

"Not sure, but I reckon anywhere that's far away from the Great Hive is a step in the right direction," Applejack said.

"Unless, of course, the Changelings are waiting to ambush you just beyond the trees!" said an intrusive thought in the back of Twilight's head..

"Ambush?" Twilight asked, groggily.

"What about a bush?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow.

"N...nothing.  Listen, Applejack, maybe we should wait a while before we go in there.  It could be a trap," Twilight replied, rubbing her head.

"But what if it isn't," the voice in Twilight's head proposed.  "The longer you wait on this beach, the easier it will be for the Changelings to find you again!"

"On second thought, let's go into the forest, but slowly!" Twilight replied.

"Are you alright, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.

"I'm fine," Twilight replied, forcing a smile as she turned towards the forest.  She took a step towards it before collapsing from exhaustion.

"You're lying to her..." the voice said again.  Twilight gulped.

"You're still weak from that teleportation jailbreak of yours," Applejack replied.  "Go back to sleep now, I'll watch over ya 'till you're fit to travel again.  That's a promise!"

"Yes, Twilight Sparkle, go to sleep!"

"No, I can't sleep!" Twilight groaned as Applejack helped her lie down.  "Something's wrong..."  but Twilight's fatigue got the better of her and she fell asleep.  Applejack frowned at Twilight's final words before sitting down in front of her and facing the Great Hive, a look of pure determination and alertness on her face, even as bags began to form beneath her eyes and a yawn escaped her mouth.

...

"So obviously, you know why you're here," Mahugpin said, sitting in a small, but elevated chair behind a massive desk.  His paws were folded neatly, right on left, on the surface.  He stared intently at Fluttershy.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with the werewolf attack the other day?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.

"Ya hit the nail on the head, little lady," Mahugpin replied, raising an eyebrow.  "Fluttershy, you were given specific instructions to stay at the hospital while the Wolves handled the attack."

"I know," Fluttershy replied, leaning forward and frowning, "but Rarity—"

"Was fine after Greyjaw showed up." Mahugpin interrupted.  "And what would you have done if he didn't?  Fight 'em on your own?"

"I could have flown her to safety," Fluttershy replied, nodding once.

"And left all the other miners behind?" Mahugpin replied, pressing the tips of his paws together in front of his face, his elbows resting on the desk.

"Well, no," Fluttershy said, looking away.

"Exactly," Mahugpin replied, nodding.  "You would have hesitated, and probably gotten yourself hurt, or worse.  That's why you were told to stay at the hospital, where you could make the best decisions for your patients without having to react to danger on top of that."

"I see your point," Fluttershy said, lowering her head before raising it again.  "But you can't expect me to sit by and do nothing while my friend is in trouble."

"No, I reckon I cannot," Mahugpin conceded.  "From now on, whenever Rarity is workin' in the mines, she'll have two Wolf bodyguards with her at all times, starting tomorrow."  Fluttershy's face lit up.

"Oh, thank you so much!" she squealed, her wings propelling her into the air.

"Yeah, yeah..." Mahugpin grumbled, trying to repress his own smile.  "Just stay out of trouble from now on, alright?  From what I hear, you're too good at your job to go getting yourself eaten by Lycanthropes."

...

"Bodyguards?" Rarity asked, cocking her head from across the dinner table as they ate their soup.  "I certainly don't want to trouble anypony, but I must admit, that does put my mind at ease.  It was a dreadful experience."

"I can imagine," Fluttershy replied, nodding.

"So..." Rarity said.  "Did Mahugpin mention anything about Equestria?  Have they gotten a response back, yet?"

"I asked him on my way out," Fluttershy replied.  "He said his messenger hadn't returned yet, but that he'd know something within the next few days."

"I do hope that Princess Celestia is able to do something about these werewolves," Rarity said, looking down at her soup.  "The Diamond Dogs have so much to worry about, and they've been so kind to us."

"I..." Fluttershy hesitated.

"You what, dear?" Rarity asked, placing her spoon into the bowl.

"I think Mahugpin might be lying to us..." Fluttershy replied softly.

"What makes you think that?" Rarity asked, elevating a brow.

"It's just..." Fluttershy placed her forehooves on the table.  "That unicorn who brought us here.  I think Greyjaw called him 'Rion'."

"You know, I didn't really think much of him at the time, but it does seem rather odd that they were in contact with a unicorn before meeting us, does it not?" Rarity asked.

"It's more than that," Fluttershy continued.  "I think he might be a criminal.  Before you and Spot showed up at my cottage, the mailpony accidentally stuffed twelve identical fliers into my mailbox.  They were warnings about an escaped convict.  I didn't get a chance to read them, but I think it might have been Rion in the picture."

"Well, that certainly is troubling," Rarity replied, lowering her head.  "Of course I wouldn't put it past Greyjaw to keep such unpleasant company.  Maybe Mahugpin doesn't know."

"Maybe," Fluttershy replied.

"Besides," Rarity continued, raising her head and smiling, "we've seen first hand that their plight is very real, and they've certainly taken good care of us since we arrived, so for now, I think we should give the Diamond Dogs the benefit of the doubt!"

"I guess you're right," Fluttershy replied, returning the smile, but averting her gaze.

...

Rarity awoke in a cold sweat, breathing heavily and kicking off the covers so that she could cool herself down.  "What time is it?" she grumbled.  "And what is that horrid smell?"  She wrinkled her nose as the rank odor filled her nostrils.  "Did a pipe burst?  I guess that's the risk one takes with indoor plumbing."  She used her horn to illuminate the bedroom.  Unfortunately, that revealed the werewolf that was hunched over her bed.  It leered down at a speechless Rarity.

"You come with me, Strangemeat," it hissed.  Rarity replied by belting out the most piercing shriek she could muster, causing the creature to howl and cover its ears.

"Get away, you filthy beast!" Rarity shouted, levitating her hairbrush, blow drier, mirror, and everything else from her nightstand at the monster.  Of course, none of this deterred the creature, who hooked his claws around Rarity's torso and tucked her under his shoulder.

"It smells even worse under here!" she wailed.

"Quiet!" the werewolf hissed as Fluttershy barged in and turned on the light.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy screamed as the Lycanthrope turned and bolted out the open window through which it had come, a screaming Rarity struggling in his armpit.  Fluttershy didn't waste a second before giving chase, flying out the window and after her friend.  She chased the beast across a yard and into a nearby street.  That was when the alarm sounded.  Fluttershy looked off toward the center of town, hearing a commotion forming there.  Fluttershy continued chasing her target toward the outskirts of the city.

...

"What in tarnation is goin' on here!?" Mahugpin shouted as his Squatter's massive right fist pounded a Lycanthrope into the ground, destroying it.

"I don't know, sir!" replied one of the Wolves that was fighting near him.  "They tunneled down past the city and up through the ground here!"  He sank his sword into a snarling werewolf, receiving a wound of his own in return before the beast dissipated.

"They don't get this aggressive," Mahugpin grunted as a werewolf leaned up against his Squatter's crossed arms, trying to get at his head.  The Squatter's torso spun rapidly, throwing the beast into the exterior of City Hall.  "Unless they're here to abduct someone!"

...

"Fluttershy, go get help!" Rarity shouted, cupping her hooves together as she bounced up and down in the grasp of the Lycanthrope.  Fluttershy ignored her and continued in her pursuit.

"Fluttershy, please, don't hurt yourself!"  The werewolf leapt into a hole in the wall, and the sound of scraping claws and Rarity's screams indicated that they were ascending.  Fluttershy flew straight in after them, slowing her flight so that she could navigate the lightless, narrow tunnel she now found herself in.

...

"Hoo," Owlowiscious cooed as Spike extinguished the candles before heading upstairs to bed.

"Tell me about it," Spike replied.  "Just isn't the same without her here..."

"Hoo?"

"No, I'm sure she's fine," Spike replied, forcing a smile.  "Twilight can handle herself just fine!  Same with Rarity and the others!  We'll see them again before you know it!  It's fine!"  His smile sank into a frown as he finished speaking.  His gaze drifted over to Twilight's desk, and he found himself wiping his eyes with his forearm.  That was when he noticed the window above it, and the strange silhouette that pulled itself out of sight as he set his gaze upon it.

"What-" Spike gasped as he jogged to the window, climbed atop the desk, and peered outside.  He saw nothing out of the ordinary, but his heart began to race.  "The stress is getting to me," Spike sighed, shaking his head as he hopped down onto the floor.  "Maybe we should ask the Apples if we can stay with them for a few-" Spike stopped short as he saw Owlowiscious, trembling as he scrunched his eyes shut.

"What's wrong?" Spike asked.

He heard a creak from upstairs in his and Twilight's bedroom.  "Twilight!?" Spike shouted, dashing to the foot of the stairs.

"Twilight, is that you!?"  In spite of his hope, his knees began to shake.  He wanted to investigate, to see if she had returned, but instead he backed away, extending his left arm to feel for the front door.

The lights that illuminated the top floor went out, and what light Spike still had in the main room offered him little more than a view of the cracks that began to form from the top of the staircase all the way down.

"What's going on!?" Spike demanded.  "Who's here!?"  He could see a pair of feet.  Someone was descending the staircase.  Spike gasped as he hooked one foot around the other, tumbling onto his back.

"I'm warning you," he shouted, shaking his fist as his voice cracked.  "I'm a terrifying dragon!"

When he looked back up again, however, there was nobody on the staircase.  He exhaled deeply and wiped the sweat from his brow.  That was when the last remaining light went out.  Owlowiscious darted into the window, knocking it open and flying away.

"Run away!" Spike cried, jumping to his feet and turning toward the front door.  He bumped into something, tall and sturdy, and fell down again.  All Spike could see now was a pair of lights, floating a few feet above him, and they were drawing closer.  His vision blurred, his breathing became labored, and he felt as though he were being pressed into the floorboards.

"Where are the Elements of Harmony?"  A gruff, deep voice rumbled through Spike's body and the surface on which he lay.  The baby dragon tried to shut his eyes, but it was in vain.  Of course, he knew where he had hidden the Elements.  He gritted his teeth and did his best to stop the uncontrollable shaking.  Though he resisted the urge to speak, his eyes betrayed him, drifting toward the wall that held the secret compartment that housed the Elements of Harmony.  The phantom left his side as Spike lay there, motionless.

With a sickening crack, Spike looked up to see, faintly through the moonlight shining in through the window, that the tall figure who had accosted him was now ripping the wall asunder.  In a small compartment that was now exposed sat two books.  One had a piece of paper sticking out of it.

A claw grasped the book and opened it at the mark.  It skimmed a paragraph about the Mirror Pond before discarding the tome.  Opening the second book, he found it to be hollow, with the Elements of Harmony sitting neatly therein.  Spike hoisted himself to his feet.  "You can't have those..." he whimpered.

The thief turned to him and began his approach.  Spike raised his fists, steeling himself for combat against whatever the creature destroying his house was.

"I won't let you take them!"

"Don't waste the time you have left," the figure spoke softly, swaying as it walked.  As it drew closer, Spike found himself loosing his nerve again.  Before he could encourage himself to attack, he was alone.  He had never felt so relieved in all his life.  That lasted all of three seconds before the knowledge that someone had just absconded with the Elements of Harmony sank into his head and he began to panic again.

...

After hours of navigating the twists and turns of the upward-slanting tunnel, Fluttershy finally saw daylight.  Coming out of the ground, she grimaced at the sight that now greeted her.  The dank swamp land, the endless pools of water, and the dark forests that surrounded her all unnerved her.  The stench was nearly unbearable, and the intense high-pitched buzz of countless mosquitoes made her entire body itch prematurely.

Fluttershy had come to the land above the Big Deep, which the Diamond Dogs had once called home many generations ago.  She reminded herself of why she was there and began to look around.  Fluttershy saw no sign of Rarity or her captor, but did see something that gave her hope:  large footprints.  At least now she had some idea of where to begin looking for her lost friend.  Taking one deep gulp, she started down the path as the Sun crept higher into the sky.

Chapter Twelve - Some Kind of Pressure

Chapter Eleven - The Swamp

Fluttershy's stomach whined as the sun continued to sink behind the trees.  She had been following the trail left by Rarity's captors all day without any food or rest.  The hunger and exhaustion were now threatening to get the better of her as she continued to follow the footprints in the dirt.  Pools, lakes, and trees surrounded her on all sides, and now that the sun was going down, she began to fear those surroundings.

"Why do we wait?!" a grizzly voice snarled.  Fluttershy let out a light gasp and scampered toward the direction of the voice, taking cover among some nearby shrubbery as she made her way toward its source.  What little daylight was left illuminated three lycanthropes huddled around Rarity, whose legs were tied together by vine.  Fluttershy's eyes widened as she saw her friend's chest move up and down.  Her friend was still alive.

"This is strange meat," a werewolf replied.  "Don't know where it came from, smells tasty.  We make her tell us where to find more, then we cook!"

"I beg your pardon," Rarity said.  "If you believe I'm going to tell you where I came from, you are sadly mistaken."

"We get four tries," another lycanthrope said, grinning.  "We eat each leg, one at a time, split fourth between us, if strangemeat hasn't told us the truth by then!"  The others cackled as Rarity began to hyperventilate and wriggle in her restraints.

"Need fire to cook, you two get wood!" one of the beasts commanded as the other two nodded and bolted off in separate directions.  That was when Rarity caught sight of Fluttershy's eyes, peering at her from beneath the bush.  She frowned and began to jerk her head to the left while mouthing the words "Get out of here,".  Fluttershy shook her head emphatically as she narrowed her gaze and emerged from her hiding place, carefully navigating among the other bushes, crawling on her belly.

Rarity began to perspire as she watched her friend slink toward her, the lycanthrope's back facing them.  The unicorn's eyes darted all around until finally her gaze settled upon a nearby tree.  "Think I don't smell you, strangemeat?" the creature asked as it turned to face Fluttershy, who was only a yard away from Rarity.  "Hoped you'd come for friend, now we eat one to make other talk!"  Fluttershy leapt to her feet as her wings locked at her sides.

"No you don't!" Rarity shouted as her horn flickered to life.  Her magical aura became visible at the midsection of the tree she had just been eyeing.  In a flash, a section of wood just above the base of the tree was transformed into a small sculpture of a pegasus.  This sculpture was, of course, not nearly strong enough to support the rest of the tree, and with a crack, it tumbled down, hurtling towards the lycanthrope.

"Nice try!" it jeered as it rolled away from the point of impact.  Fluttershy shook her head violently to regain focus, and quickly dashed to Rarity's side and untied the vine that bound her legs.

"We need to get out of here!"  Fluttershy helped Rarity up.

"No escape for you!" the monster yelped as it leapt over the fallen tree, flying towards the frightened pair.  A thundering crack, like lightning, sounded behind the girls, and the lycanthrope's head dissolved into nothingness, followed swiftly by the rest of its body.  Fluttershy and Rarity spun around to see a familiar sight.

"Reginald!" Rarity exclaimed.  The canine gentleman's left arm was folded behind his back, and his right arm held upright a strange metal contraption, molded to fit his paw and extending beyond in the form of a small barrel, from which smoke emanated.  A cutlass was sheathed at his side.

"I've arrived not a moment too soon, it seems," Reginald replied, offering a smile.  "Look alive, ladies!  Its friends have returned."  Sure enough, the two lycanthropes who had left to gather firewood were bounding toward them, roaring.

One gave a yelp as Greyjaw, who shot out from the bushes, drove his elbow into its ribcage, sending it staggering away from its intended path.  Greyjaw snarled as he hunched over and narrowed his gaze at the surprised lycanthrope.  Its ally passed over Rarity and Fluttershy, landing in front of Reginald.

"En garde!" Reginald shouted as he drew his blade.  The beast swiped at him.  Reginald, retreating several steps, skillfully avoided each attack by leaning just out of its range.  Finally, Reginald gave the monster a swipe of his sword, causing the werewolf's right arm to vanish at the elbow.  It spat as Reginald stepped into striking range and drove his blade straight through the creature's chest, destroying the monster.

Rarity cheered as Reginald wiped his sword and returned it to its sheathe, holstering his ranged weapon as well.  Fluttershy's gaze, however, was fixed upon Greyjaw, who had dashed forward as his opponent stood up, and was now unleashing a flurry of punches into the werewolf's stomach.  Greyjaw ceased his assault only to slide around to the monster's side.  When it hunched over, clenching its gut, Greyjaw went in for the kill, striking the monster about the neck and finishing it off.

"The two of you are really starting to tick me off!"  Greyjaw turned to face Fluttershy and Rarity.

"Now, now, Greyjaw," Reginald replied, walking toward the girls.  "This incident was nobody's fault.  Miss Rarity was kidnapped, after all."

"That may be true, but this one," he said, pointing a claw at Fluttershy.  "This one should have waited in her home and let us handle it."

"That's not fair!" Rarity protested.

"Mahugpin wants you two alive.  Up here, you could have been killed," Greyjaw explained.  "You still don't get it, you're not guests in the Big Deep, you're hostages.  Your little life of luxury ends now!"

"Pay him no mind," Reginald said, placing a hand on Rarity's and Fluttershy's shoulders.  "Mahugpin will be relieved to see the two of you returned safely.  Greyjaw, here, is simply frustrated because he lost out on his beauty sleep."  Rarity giggled and Greyjaw snarled.

"When we get back, I'm gonna have a little talk with Mahugpin about keeping these two under lock and key," Greyjaw said.

"Um, Mister Greyjaw?" Fluttershy asked.  The Wolf Class fighter leered down at her.  "If it's okay to ask, how did you find us?"

"Huh," Grejaw snorted, grinning.  "Ask our prissy tracker, there."  Fluttershy and Rarity turned to Reginald, who simply bowed.

"Sharpest nose in the Deep," Reginald said, pointing a thumb towards his nostrils.  "That's why Mahugpin dispatched me to be Greyjaw's guide, after all.  You two weren't difficult to find!"

"Thank you both for saving us," Rarity said, avoiding eye contact with Greyjaw.  She abruptly threw her arms around Fluttershy's neck.  "And thank you for coming after me, Fluttershy!"

"There was nothing else I could have done!" Fluttershy replied, smiling.

"Come on, now.  You can celebrate your reunion back in the Capital City," Reginal said, gesturing for Rarity, Fluttershy, and Greyjaw to follow him.

"Not so fast!" a voice echoed from above.  All four heads craned up to see several Diamond Dogs sitting in the trees, arrows draw against bows pointing down at them.  Another Diamond Dog, his coat white and shaggy, stepped out from behind a tree and approached the confused travelers.

"What's the meaning of this?  Who are you?" Reginald asked, his voice remaining calm.

"Deepers, eh?" the mysterious canine replied, giving the air a sniff.  "We'll take that sword of yours, and that pistol."  He leaned over to look at Fluttershy and Rarity.  "The ponies don't seem to be carrying anything, so they're fine, and as for your friend-" his eyes widened as he stopped speaking.  "Greyjaw the Marked, as I live and breathe!"  The other hounds climbed down the trees and surrounded the four.

"Haggert," Greyjaw practically spat the dog's name.

"Oh, so you remember me?  I'm flattered," Haggert replied, grinning.

"Do you know these dogs?" Reginald asked, turning to Greyjaw.

"These are the former Wolf Class morons who tried to overthrow Mahugpin five years ago," Greyjaw replied.  "They were kicked out, they're Exiles."

"My word!" Reginald exclaimed, turning back to face Haggert.  "You mean you've all survived on the surface for five years!?"

"Not quite the whole story," Haggert replied.  "Greyjaw, here, was part of our plan.  Pretended to be, anyway, until he ratted us out and got us banished."

"The sissy-boy must work for Mahugpin, too!" another one of the dogs shouted.

"Probably," Haggert replied, nodding.  "Alright, you two are comin' with us.  Sissy-boy, here, will fetch us a nice ransom, and Greyjaw?" he said, turning to his former comrade.  "You're gonna pay for stabbing us in the back."  Fluttershy and Rarity gulped as they heard this.

"What about the ponies?" Another dog shouted.

"They're our prisoners," Reginald replied.  "We kidnaped them from Equestria!  Mahugpin wants them returned to their cells immediately, so I demand that you leave them in our custody!"

"More victims of Mahugpin's backwards priorities, eh?" Haggert said.  He looked down at the girls.  "Alright, you two are coming with us.  After we've dealt with the lapdogs, here, we'll get you on your way home."  More Diamond Dogs emerged from behind nearby trees as the group began to move away from the direction of the passage back into the Capital City.  Greyjaw and Reginald were led at arrow-point ahead of the girls, who were too shocked to say anything.

"What do we do?" Rarity whispered as they followed.

"I'm not sure.  I want to go home, but we can't leave Reginald and Grejaw like this, they saved our lives!" Fluttershy replied under her breath.

"Agreed, we will not abandon them.  For now, let's do as they say," Rarity replied, nodding.

***

"This situation is just dreadful!" Prince Blueblood exclaimed.  "I know I'm next in line to the throne, but I don't know the first thing about ruling a kingdom!"

"Don't worry," Shining Armor said.  "That's why I'm here, to help you make the best possible decisions during this difficult time."

"Alright then, what do we know so far?" Blueblood asked.

"Not much," Shining Armor replied, shaking his head.  "My sister and her friends were abducted from three separate places at the same time."

"And do you know who's behind it?" Blueblood asked him.

"I was able to confirm my suspicion that Clarion Call, a former member of the Royal Guard turned thief, was involved.  Following a hunch, I went to the location of Rarity's and Fluttershy's disappearances, searching for evidence," Shining explained.  "To my surprise, Clarion Call showed up there.  He admitted to his involvement, but implied that he wasn't working alone."

"Were you able to detain him?" Blueblood asked.

"Unfortunately, after I pursued him into the Everfree Forest, he came upon a magical trinket known as the Alicorn Amulet."

"And what does that do?"

"It provides any unicorn who wears it with enhanced magical abilities, while gradually corrupting their mind.  At this time, I have no idea what he plans to do with it."

"And then, of course, the princesses disappeared," Blueblood added, frowning.

"Yeah," Shining replied, bowing his head.  "There were no witnesses, so we have no idea what happened to them.  Burn marks on the floor of the hall indicate that there was a struggle.  Beyond that, there's no trace.  Captured, dead, we just don't know."

"Do you have any suspicions?" Blueblood asked.

"Clarion Call showed up to tell the Diamond Dogs on the outskirts of Ponyville to keep quiet about something.  My men searched their mines, only to find that they had been vacated.  We're looking for them now," Shining replied.

"What a mess," Blueblood grunted.

"As of now, it looks as though Clarion Call is the leader of, or at least a party to a conspiracy to deprive Equestria of its defenses, and now its leaders as well.  My wife is under heavy guard as she continues her royal duties in the Crystal Empire, Princess Celestia's Unicorn Court is handling the Sun and Moon, and I'm going to be doubling the watch over you as well, your Highness," Shining explained as Blueblood nodded.  "With the Alicorn Amulet in his possession, it is my belief that Clarion Call will try to attack Equestria in some way."

"He would need an army to do that," Blueblood replied, snorting.

"As I said, he implied that he was not working alone, so for now, let's assume that he has an army," Shining replied.

"Things have certainly spiraled out of control rather quickly, haven't they?" Blueblood observed.

"Very quickly," Shining replied, nodding.  "Clarion Call has always been scum, but his crimes were small-time, nothing revolutionary, and I don't think he could have orchestrated this on his own."

"What does that mean?" Blueblood asked, tilting his head.

"It means I don't think he's the leader," Shining replied.  "I think that we're dealing with someone much smarter than him that he's actually willing to obey.  Clarion Call has never been a follower, so the idea that somepony could command his loyalty on something like this, not to mention the fact that the seal Princess Celestia used to restrict his magic is gone... I won't lie, Prince Blueblood, it worries me."

"Your Highness!" a guard shouted, running into the throne room.  "A carrier pigeon from the Griffon Kingdom has arrived!  It bore a message addressed to Princess Celestia, but since she's currently missing..."

"Understood," Shining Armor replied, approaching the guard.  "Leave the message with me."

"With all due respect, sir..." the guard hesitated as he spoke.  "This is meat to be opened by Equestria's ruler only."

"Just give it to him!" Prince Blueblood shouted.

"As you wish," the guard replied, recoiling and handing the rolled up message to Shining Armor.  As the guard left, Shining unbound the piece of string that kept the message shut and unrolled it.  Blueblood waited with bated breath as he watched Shining Armor's eyes move back and forth across the page, his expression becoming more grave with each line he completed.

"What does it say?" he asked.

"It's a message from Gilda the Griffon.  She was with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie when they disappeared," Shining Armor replied.

"And!?" Blueblood shouted, digging his front hooves into the armrests of the throne.

"'Dear Princess Celestia,'" Shining Armor read aloud, "'King J'aggerdov of the Griffon Kingdom is working with the leaders of the Changelings and the Diamond Dogs to attack Equestria and take it over.  They each took two of the Elements of Harmony hostage.  I freed Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie but we're stuck in the Griffon Kingdom, and the other ponies are considered important and won't be hurt.  We're trying to stop King J'aggerdov here, but you still have to worry about the other two armies.    Some dweeb named Clarion Call is helping them, and they're working with a creepy sasquatch, too.  Dash and Pinks told me to ask if your refrigerator was running.  Don't know why but they said you'd know what it meant.  Good luck, signed Gilda'..."

"Oh dear..." Prince Blueblood said.  "Do you think it's true?"

"She asked if our refrigerator was running..." Shining Armor said.

"Sure, it was the last time I checked, but who cares?" Blueblood replied.

"No," Shining Armor said, "after the incident with the Changelings, Princess Celestia asked each of the wielders of the Elements of Harmony to come up with a sort of pass-phrase that only they, the Princesses, and the Royal Guard would know.  Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash picked the same one, thought they were being clever."  He shook his head, his eyes half closed.  "No matter what, this information definitely comes from the two of them."

"I see," Prince Blueblood said.  "Then for now, I think we should assume it's the truth."

"I agree," Shining Armor replied, nodding.  "It's the best lead we have.  It also means that this situation is much more serious than I thought it was..."

"Should we try to make contact with the Diamond Dogs and Griffons?  See if we can't solve this diplomatically?" Blueblood asked.

"It couldn't hurt," Shining replied.  "I have no idea why either of those groups would want to invade Equestria, but diplomacy at this stage couldn't hurt.  Best case scenario is that we convince them not to attack and to release their hostages.  If nothing else, I'm glad to have at least some general idea of where my sister and her friends are, and that they're safe."

"And Clarion Call?" Prince Blueblood asked.

"If we can dissuade the Griffons and Diamond Dogs, maybe we can also get them to give him up," Shining Armor replied, nodding sternly.

"And... what about this... 'sasquatch' the letter mentioned?" Blueblood asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have no idea what that means," Shining Armor replied.  "The sasquatch is said to be some sort of great ape whose existence has never been confirmed.  It was said to be massive, covered in brown fur, and with the strength of a hundred grown stallions.  In recent years, sightings claim that the creature is tall, gray, and hairless.  In either case, whatever this Gilda thinks she saw, it isn't a priority."

"Agreed."  Blue Blood nodded.  "So we're going to attempt diplomacy.  Anything else?"

"With your permission," Shining Armor said, "I'd like to concentrate the majority of our army at Equestria's borders.  If an invasion becomes unavoidable, we'll be able to fend the intruders off before they so much as set hoof into our territory."

"Permission granted!" Prince Blueblood exclaimed.  "Let's fortify Equestria!"  Suddenly, a scroll appeared before Blueblood and fell into his lap.

"What's that?" Shining Armor asked.

"Something from Celestia's dragon-ward," Blueblood replied.

"Spike?" Shining Armor asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Right, Spike.  Can never remember the little guy's name.  Anyway, he knows a spell to magically send letters to the Princess, but the spell was configured so that the messages would go to whoever currently holds the throne in the event that Princess Celestia is..." Blueblood's voice trailed off.

"Oh, no..." Shining Armor said, bowing his head.

"Auntie Celestia... Auntie Luna..." Blueblood said, his voice quivering as tears formed in his eyes.

"We can't jump to conclusions," Shining Armor said.  "We have to protect our citizens."

"Right," Blueblood replied, sniffling.  "Let's see what Spike has to say..."  His face fell even further as he read the words upon the page.

"More bad news?" Shining Armor asked.

"The Elements of Harmony have been stolen," Prince Blueblood said.  "Spike saw the culprit, but..."

"Was it Clarion Call?" Shining Armor asked, gritting his teeth.

"Spike described it as a tall, ape-like creature, hairless and gray, and it wielded some strange type of magic..."

"Just what are we dealing with here?" Shining Armor replied, shaking his head.

"Does this change our plans?" Blueblood asked.

"After I've arranged things with our army and diplomats, I'm going to take a few guards and investigate the crime scene," Shining Armor replied.  "I'm also going to make sure Spike's okay.  He's like family to me."

"I understand," Blueblood replied.  "Please, do what you think is best."

"I will, Your Highness."  Shining Armor nodded.

Chapter Thirteen - I'm Sorry

Chapter Twelve - Delacroix

"Has there been any progress in apprehending our escapees?" J'aggerdov asked, addressing his council.

"Unfortunately, no," replied the Speaker.  "The castle guards did catch up to them, but were driven off by a recently formed terrorist group of pony-sympathizers."

"So Gilda had help from more of our people without even having to ask for it..." J'aggerdov said, resting his forehead in his claw.  "What does this mean?"

"Nothing, sire," the Speaker replied as the rest of the council nodded profusely.  "Your subjects are committed to the ideals of your predecessors."

"That the griffons stand alone against the trials of this world, and that all others are mere stepping stones.  I remember the words of my father," J'aggerdov said.  "And you're certain that the citizenry of this kingdom still feels that way?"

"Absolutely, sire," the Speaker replied.  "As I said, these were terrorists.  Criminals who only wish to see the downfall of our society.  The majority still supports this conquest."

"It's been so long since I've addressed the people directly," J'aggerdov said.

"That's why we're here, your Highness," the Speaker replied.  "Your time is too valuable to bother with things like that."

"Very well," J'aggerdov replied.  It was true that the king had very little contact with the outside world, getting most of his information on the state of his realm from his council.  His throne room was an open area, overlooking the vast mountain ranges, but to him they were nothing more than decoration.  He rarely ventured beyond his palace, and the outside world, in any capacity at all, very rarely made its way in.  The last time had been the Masquerade Ball, two years prior.

It had been one of the few social events to take place in J'aggerdov's palace, and an attempt to alleviate his boredom during that time.  He had also secretly hoped to make a more personal connection with his subjects.  The council had been against the idea of letting commoners roam the palace, but ultimately J'aggerdov had the final say.  The masks had been a compromise.

Even though his throne room was filled with guests, he still felt isolated from all of them, and with their decorative masks, they differed very little from one another.  Save for one guest.  The cloak and hood he wore did not obscure the fact that he walked upon two legs, towering above the crowd.  He staggered through the main hall, swaying in rhythm with the music.  J'aggerdov had never seen such a creature before, and the sense of dread that gripped him as he watched it stalk in and out of the crowd, all of whom did their level best to give him a wide berth, was enough to compel him to pursue this... thing.

Room after room, J'aggerdov slowly followed the shadowy figure.  It had passed by countless guards, all of whom were too frightened to make any attempt to stop him.  Far from the guests and guards, in the lowest levels of the palace, J'aggerdov finally decided to confront the man he had been following.

The king called out, and the creature ignored him.  J'aggerdov gave it a second chance to respond, and still nothing.  The music being played in the throne room was no longer audible, but the man continued to sway as though the song was playing loud and clear.  That was when J'aggerdov, overcome with anger and fear, lunged forward to attack.

As the king approached, it turned to face him.  In an instant, J'aggerdov had been brought to his knees, overcome with a sense of terror he had never felt before, as the glowing eyes pressed down upon him.  Then it spoke, and J'aggerdov couldn't help but listen.  As mighty as he had been, he was humbled by this intruder, and its words mocked the sedentary, peaceful lifestyle the griffons had enjoyed in recent decades, and the growing famine that threatened to crush them in spite of their strength.

That was the first time he had met Delacroix.  And the path that moment set him upon had led him to further isolation from his people, as he continued to assure himself that this invasion was the only way to save them.

"I have no love for outsiders, equine or otherwise," he thought to himself.  "But if this war is not what's best for my people... but then what other choice do I have?"

"Your Highness!" the Speaker said, snapping J'aggerdov out of his daydream.

"Yes, of course," J'aggerdov muttered.  "It's time to assign each city's army its task.  They need to know how best to use the strength of our allies to their advantage."

***

"Fine mess we're in now!" Mahugpin muttered to himself as he paced on all fours back and forth across his bedroom.  "Rarity and Fluttershy are above ground, I'm hearin' nothin' from Reggie and Greyjaw... and now it's time to go through with this invasion."  The invasion.  He had torn Rarity and Fluttershy from their homes, kept them in the city, put them in harms way, and lied to them all the while.  What would they say?  As his mind wandered, he began to imagine.

"You..." he imagined Fluttershy whimpering, "you were planning to take over our home all along?  How could you lie to us like that?!"

"I had no choice, I was outta options," Mahugpin whispered to himself, shaking his head.

"To rob us all of our freedom?  To hand us over to the changelings as food?" Rarity asked.

"At least no one would die!" Mahugpin whispered.  "And they'd never even be know what was goin' on, the changelings use illusions to harvest love.  Each pony would live their dream life and be none the wiser!"

"And that makes it okay?" Rarity asked.  "How many of us ponies do you think would choose a life like that if asked?  Not a one, I'd say.  It's a decision nobody has the right to make for us."

"And we would have helped your people no matter what!" Fluttershy added.

"I... I realize that now," Mahugpin whimpered.

"And your assurance that nopony would die?" Rarity asked.  "What about us?  The two of us could be dead for all you know, and with things as dangerous as they are out there, we probably are."

"No!" Mahugpin grunted, rapidly shaking his head.  "No, no, no!  You two are smarter and stronger than that!  You're fine, I just know it!"  But he knew that the mere fact that he was having this conversation with himself was evidence of his doubt.

"You always prided yourself on being good and decent to everyone you met, even before you became the Alpha Male," Fluttershy said.  "Your kindness was obvious, it's why we trusted you.  How could you have ever agreed to something like this?"  How could he have allowed himself to agree to this?  His people were dying, Equestria was safe, and he knew he could have the land for the Diamond Dogs.  Ponies would live on in their ideal fantasies, and it would all be so easy.  What other solution was there?  None, according to Clarion Call.  And Delacroix.  Delacroix...

Mahugpin's thoughts drifted back to the first month he spent with... that thing.  All the nights he awoke from his restless sleep to see the figure at the foot of his bed, or in the corner of his room.  Staring at him.  Just staring, silently.  How Mahugpin tried to make himself flee each and every time, but was always paralyzed with fear.

All he could do to cope during the day, and allow himself to fall asleep each night, was tell himself that it was a recurring dream.  The dream worsened when the monster began to whisper in his ear at night.  Mahugpin could never bring himself to look at the thing.  "Your people are dying," it said.  "How will you protect them?  I know a way..." night after night it whispered to him, until finally, he wanted to know.  He had to know.  The dream became a reality as the lights clicked on, and Mahugpin saw that the being was real.  The nature of their relationship changed in an instant, the creature conversing with him casually, as though he hadn't terrorized Mahugpin in his bed, night after night.  Delacroix became his secret advisor, and shortly thereafter, Clarion Call was introduced, as a catalyst for communication.

The plans were made, the contacts were established, and the coalition was formed.  But Mahugpin never realized how detestable the plan was until now.

"So don't go through with it," he imagined Rarity pleading.

"It isn't too late to do the right thing," Fluttershy added.  "You know that no one in the militia you formed for this invasion is happy about it, but they'll follow you no matter what.  Because of who you are.  And you're not the kind of person who would do something like this!"

"And what happens then?" the intrusive thought of Delacroix replied, silencing the others.  "Without your non-lethal weaponry, Equestria will be taken by the changelings and griffons, neither of whom share your compassion."  He smiled.  That smile.  "Oh, the changelings need live food, to be sure, but the state that it's in is irrelevant.  Pain, accidental death, all collateral damage, all acceptable losses, if your forces aren't there to capture these ponies humanely."

"But—"

"The invasion is happening with or without you.  By backing out now, you'd be covering your paws with the blood of the innocent, while your people continue to live in fear and die.  Is that what you want?!" Mahugpin had never heard Delacroix shout, but he had heard the awful voice enough times to speculate.  The small ruler sighed.  All went quiet again.  He crawled into his bed and gradually slipped into an uneasy sleep.

***

"I will apprehend Princess Cadence and take her place," Chrysalis said, her voice echoing through the Great Hive as her subjects listened intently.  "And begin the process of bending her fiancé to my will.  A small group of you will also infiltrate Canterlot and replace a portion of its civilian population for good measure.  On the day of the wedding, we will—"

"You're deluding yourself if you think you can take Canterlot on your own," a deep, unsettling voice said, shaking the very foundations of the Great Hive.

"Who said that?!" Chrysalis bellowed.  The Changelings in her throne room turned to behold the naysayer: a tall, bipedal, repulsive thing that now casually strolled through the crowd.  Chrysalis gave the air a sniff as the man drew closer.  The changelings, by nature, had a very deep awareness and understanding of most chemical compositions.  Some things were unfamiliar even to them, however.

"I don't recognize the scent," Chrysalis said.  "But whatever chemical that is you're excreting from your body, I assure you we are quite immune to it.  I don't know what you think you're doing here, but you will not be leaving the Great Hive."

"I'm aware of your immunity, which is why I'm approaching you directly," the man replied.  "My name is Delacroix, and only through me will you be able to conquer Equestria."

"Seize him!" Chrysalis shouted.  The changeling horde descended upon Delacroix.  He did not move.  In instant, the Changelings were sent flying in all directions, and all Delacroix did was grin.

"...you have my attention." Chrysalis said.

"Equestria, for all its talk about peace and love, is a powerful nation," Delacroix explained.    He staggered toward her throne, and her muscles tensed.  There was an undeniable pressure emanating from him, and it pressed her further into her throne.  "Powerful and diverse.  No matter how sophisticated your plan may be, your magic alone will not be enough.  They have unicorns whose magic is almost a match for yours, the physical prowess of the pegasi, and the ingenuity of the earth ponies."

"And you, alone, will tip the scale in my favor, I suppose?" Chrysalis rolled her eyes at her guest.  Delacroix folded his arms neatly behind his back and began pacing back and forth in front of the throne.

"I come offering to facilitate an alliance between you and two other nations.  The griffons, who are warriors even greater than the pegasi.  And the Diamond Dogs of the Big Deep, whose technical prowess surpasses that of the earth ponies in every way."

"I wasn't aware that either nation had cause to invade Equestria," Chrysalis replied.

"Not directly," Delacroix replied.  "Both nations have their own struggles.  Thanks to, shall we say, a little 'meddling' on my part, those struggles have grown exponentially and now threaten their very ways of life.  I have convinced them that taking Equestria is the answer to both their problems."

"I highly doubt they would trust you of their own free will based on your appearance alone."  She sniffed the air again.  "I see.  Your body releases a mind-altering toxin.  Long-term exposure bends others to your will.  Similar to what we do with our magic."

"Very perceptive."  Delacroix smiled.  Chrysalis grimaced at his misshapen, misaligned teeth.  "I have to be subtle.  Theatricality and conditioning swayed the ruler of the Big Deep, and I won over King J'aggerdov by displaying my power.  My pheromones hampered their judgment, and so I was able to persuade them."

"So you unite and coordinate a three-nation army that conquers Equestria.  Then what?"  Chrysalis raised an eyebrow.

"The Diamond Dogs inhabit the land, the griffons reap the benefits of the land's fertility, and your people?"  Delacroix chuckled slightly, ceasing his pacing and directing his gaze out onto the crowd of changelings.  "You claim its inhabitants.   Equine and all other manner of life that currently resides in that land, feeding your power.  And before you ask, yes, I am aware that the story that your people require love to survive is a lie."

"So let me see if I understand," Chrysalis began, "you trespass in my domain, assault my subjects, and offer me what I will already have on my own with the added condition that I blindly trust two other nations and you, an admitted manipulative saboteur?"

"I understand how it sounds," Delacroix replied.

"If that were true, you would never have approached me," Chrysalis spat back.  "This audience is over.  You may be able to resist a small squadron of my people, but you can not resist all of us.  Be gone."

"And here I thought my honesty would earn your trust.  Have I done anything that you wouldn't do to get what you want?" Delacroix asked.

"No, but I know my own goals," Chrysalis replied.  "What do you get out of all this?"

"It would be difficult to explain," Delacroix replied.  "But I will try.  Long ago, before I was..." he waved his hand in front of his face, "this, something very important was taken from me, then it was used against me.  That began the process of my great change"  He turned his back to Chrysalis, and his hands fell at his sides.

"My evolution into this wretched form was a slow process, and each and every minor alteration was the result of a painful experience my body was forced to adapt to."  Though a series of excruciating memories came flooding back to him, Delacroix's voice remained level, his gaze unblinking.  Chrysalis shuddered at his callousness.

"Through the long months of suffering I searched, in vain, for the reason; for the meaning behind it all.  It was not until the very end, when I was strong enough to overthrow my captors, and I understood the full extent of my new abilities; when I... beheld my new visage for the very first time... that I finally understood what my purpose was."

"And that is...?" Chrysalis asked, intrigued but otherwise unmoved by the tale.

"This."  Delacroix turned to face her again.  "In upsetting the balance of this world, and pushing the human—" he paused.  Letting out an amused grunt, he shook his head before continuing, "pushing all of the races of this world to their limit, I will be able to fulfill my purpose."

"What are you?" Chrysalis asked, voicing the question on the minds of all the changelings who were listening.  Delacroix said nothing.

Chrysalis glanced to the side.  "Uh-huh...  Well, I won't lie and say your visit hasn't been entertaining, but my answer is still 'no'.  Leave this place!"

"Very well," Delacroix replied.  He bowed deeply and began to walk away.  "When your invasion fails, my offer will still stand."  He left without another word.

Chrysalis thought back to that day and laughed.  She had always suspected that it was Delacroix who sent the warning of an impending attack to Canterlot.  Even with the precautions Shining Armor had taken to protect the city and his own wedding, the changelings had succeeded in infiltrating the ranks of Canterot's hierarchy all the same.  The invasion failed because, as Delacroix said, the equines were simply stronger together than the changelings.  As much as she hated to admit it, Chrysalis would need the aid of the two other nations if she wanted to claim her prize.

She didn't trust Delacroix, of course.  Since their first meeting, he had at least requested a tangible reward for the part he was playing:  a single city in Equestria, all to himself.  But she had seen too much of his nature.  Even so, it didn't matter.  Feeding on the love of the citizens of Equestria would raise the might of the changelings to unimaginable heights.  And then the griffons, the diamond dogs, and even Delacroix himself, would belong to them.  She just had to cooperate for a little while longer...

***

Clarion Call stood at a cliff's edge, a look of concentration affixed upon his face.  He stared out over the vast mountain range, his gaze shifting from peak to peak.  He had grown several inches since he first put on the Alicorn Amulet.  In addition, wings, though still small, had begun to grow from his sides.  Delacroix sat on a rock behind, dividing his attention between Clarion and the Elements of Harmony which sat in a box in his lap.

"Are you ready?" Delacroix asked.

"Guess we'll find out," the proto-alicorn replied.  He widened his stance, and shut his eyes.  A red aura illuminated his horn.  The magical energy it generated cast a strong breeze outward all around him, kicking up dust.  Delacroix focused on the mountain range.  One by one, each large rock formation was consumed by a bright light.  Five total.  Then there was a blinding flash, and what sounded like lightning.  A gust of wind billowed into Delacroix's face, nearly pushing him off his rock.  When the glare faded away, and the wind died down, Clarion exhaled deeply, but evenly, and observed his work.

"I can't tell..." he said, placing his hoof above his eyes and squinting.

"I can," Delacroix said.  "The shape of each peak is the indicator, the rotation was a success."

"Well, there you have it!"  Clarion couldn't help but smile.  "Clarion Call can officially move mountains!"

"Then the time has arrived," Delacroix said.  "The invasion will begin tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Clarion Call said.  "We're out in the middle of nowhere, but somebody still might have noticed all that.  We should probably get outta here."

"Then let's make our rounds," Delacroix said, rising to his feet and tucking the case containing the Elements underneath his right shoulder.  "We'll check in with the dogs, first."

"You got it, boss," Clarion Call said.  He revved up another teleportation spell, and then they were gone.

Chapter Fourteen - Easy Come, Easy Go

Chapter Thirteen - Call to Arms

Twilight ran through the darkness.  Her breathing became labored as the mocking laughter continued all around her.  Through the haze, all she saw was a massive pair of green eyes, and a large, fanged smile.  "I'm dreaming!" Twilight shouted.

"You are asleep," the face finally spoke, its voice matching the laughter, "but you are not dreaming!"

"Then I was right," Twilight whimpered.  "You're Sieness!"

"Sieness?"  The face tilted to the right, a puzzled expression replacing the unbridled glee it previously expressed.  "Ah!  C-N-S!  I like it!" the Central Nervous System replied.

"When I escaped the pod," Twilight said, "I took you with me, didn't I?"

"My essence," Sieness replied.  "You tore me from my formless, biological husk.  AND IT HURT!"  Her voice boomed, leaving Twilight's ears ringing.  "But now I understand, you've given me a far greater opportunity than I could have ever imagined!"  Her eyes glowed, and Twilight was pulled to the ground, groaning as every joint in her body ached.

"You're trying to take me over!" Twilight shouted.

"It's like you read my mind!"  Sieness laughed.  "Thanks to you, instead of wasting away in the Hive, I will be able to stand at my daughter's side at the moment of her conquest!"

"You have to beat me, first!" Twilight shouted, defiantly.  Her legs began to straighten as she worked through the pain.

"And I will," Sieness said, "no matter how long it takes!"  Twilight scowled at the giant face.  "Oh, but have no fear, Twilight Sparkle!  I will not destroy you, I will merely lock you away.  After all, I will need your knowledge in order to add your spells to my repertoire!"

"So you intend to imprison me within my own mind?!"

"That will be your punishment for ripping me from my body as violently as you did; you'll experience the pain that was my existence, first hand!"  Sieness laughed again.

"Like I said," Twilight gasped, standing upright, "you have to beat me, first!"  A blast from her horn, directed at the face of Sieness, punctuated her challenge.  A similar blast, green in color, came from above Sieness' eyes, meeting Twilight's attack halfway.

"As you wish, bookworm!"  The magics crashed against one another, struggling for dominance.  "When our vessel awakens, we'll just see who's in control of it!"

Applejack watched helplessly as her friend kicked her legs out randomly, tossing and turning upon the shore.

***

"Whadaya see?" Rainbow Dash asked, nudging Pierce as he continued to stare through the binoculars.

"Sentries making their rounds every two minutes, like clockwork," Pierce said.  "Same as when you asked me five minutes ago.  And while we're on the subject, go ahead and assume that's what I'll see five minutes from now, too."

"What about five minutes after that?" Pinkie whispered as the other cloaked griffons behind the rock rolled their eyes.

"I know we've been out here a while," Pierce said, "but we need to find a way to get to the King as soon as possible, which means we've gotta wait for an opening in the castle security.  When something happens, I promise I'll tell you."

"Fine!"  Rainbow turned to rest her back against the rock, folding her arms and jutting her lower lip out.  "Still don't see why we can't try another diversion."

"Because they have guards that deal specifically with diversions, just like you saw when McIntyre set off those explosives across the way," Pierce said.

"It's just frustrating," Gilda said.  "I mean we can see the throne room from here, it's completely open to the outside, and we can't get near it without being caught!"

"Sh!" Pierce hissed.  "I don't believe it, the sentries are leaving!"

"What?"  Gilda squinted her eyes to see for herself.  Sure enough, the sentries broke the flight pattern they had been adhering to all day and flew off, disappearing around the opposite side of the castle.

"Let's go!" Pierce ordered.  Dash hurriedly scooped up Pinkie before she could repeat Gilda's "What?" and the group took to the air.  They flew through the open archways at the top of the castle and landed in the throne room.  Outside and in, there wasn't a guard in sight.    Unfortunately, there wasn't a king in sight either.

"Of course he wouldn't be here!"  Gilda smacked her forehead.  "He spent his entire day sitting in that throne every day I was with him, and now that we finally manage to get in, he's nowhere to be found."

"Maybe he's in the bathroom!" Pinkie said.

"Well, we didn't see him leave the palace, so logically we can assume he'll be back in here eventually," Pierce said.

"Guess we're waiting then."  Rainbow Dash stretched out and reclined in J'aggerdov's throne.

"Wanna play tic-tac-toe again, Gilda?" Pinkie asked.

Gilda sneered.  "What, beating me three-hundred times in a row isn't enough for ya?"  Pinkie widened her eyes and bottom lip began to quiver.  "Alright fine, but I'm going first from now on!"

"Woo-hoo!"

***

J'aggerdov was, in fact, standing at the edge of the Everfree Forest.  To his left stood Queen Chrysalis, and to his right, Mahugpin was seated in his Squatter.  With a flash of light, Clarion Call and Delacroix appeared before them.

"Gang's all here now!" Clarion declared.

"Yes, meeting face-to-face for the first time,"  Chrysalis said.  She frowned.  "Care to explain how you both managed to let your Elements escape?"

"Knew that was coming," Clarion said with a groan.

"They won't be leaving the Griffon Kingdom," J'aggerdov replied.  "We'll have them back in our custody and delivered to you as promised.  I suggest you focus on the coming battle."

"We had an agreement!" Chrysalis hissed.  "Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and those meddling Elements of Harmony would become a part of my collection!"

"Well shoot," Mahugpin grunted, "if this is a deal-breaker for ya, guess we'll have to call the whole thing off."

"No one is calling anything off," J'aggerdov said.

"He's right," Delacroix replied.  "Would you really throw away an entire nation's worth of food over four ponies?"

Chrysalis spat.  "Just get on with it!"

"Cheer up, sugar-lips," Clarion said, taking a step toward the changeling Queen.  "I'm about to give you a whole kingdom."

"You disgust me even more than Delacroix," she replied.

"Maybe you'll change your tune once you see my souped-up magic in action!"

"Are your forces all prepared?" Delacroix asked.

"Yes."  J'aggerdov nodded.  "All squadrons in all settlements have their individual orders.  They know their role in this invasion, which part of Equestria they're being sent to, and how they'll be cooperating with the changelings and diamond dogs."

"That goes for me as well," Chrysalis said.  "My subjects are ready."

"The militias in the Big Deep are all gathered and waiting," Mahugpin said.  His voice was emotionless.  "They'll be able to hand the griffons the taser-polls, net-launchers, and tranquilizer guns I promised when the armies converge."

"And have you decided which forces you'll be leading personally?" Delacroix asked.

"The Wonderbolts, Equestria's strongest air-fighting force, will be in Cloudsdale.  I will personally command that assault," J'aggerdov said.

"The Crystal Empire is my target," Chrysalis replied.  "I will personally subdue Cadance while her dear hubby is away."

"Ponyville is the closest town to Canterlot," Mahugpin said.  "The EUP guard'll have forces out there quickest, and you can bet a lot of 'em will be earth ponies with family livin' there, so that's where I'm gonna go."

"And after each city is secure, we'll all converge on Canterlot together."  Delacroix grinned.  The others winced at the sight, but nodded.

"Alright."  Clarion stepped forward.  "Then I'm gonna patch each of you through to your joint forces so you can give your final pep-talks, then we're gonna get this party started!"

***

"I win again!"  Pinkie skipped in place.

"How do you keep doing that?!" Gilda asked, pounding her fist next to the completed tic-tac-toe game the had traced on the dusty floor.

"Hey..." Rainbow Dash said, sitting up in the throne.  "Do you guys hear that?"

"Hear what?" Pierce asked?

"I said testing, one, two, three!" a voice echoed in the distance.  "Give me something, guys, shout if you can hear me!"

"We read you!" a sea of voices shouted in response.

"What the hay is going on?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Pierce!"  The griffon rebel who had been watching the hall came running in.  "You'll want to see this!"  He led the group down the hall, until they came upon a window overlooking an open area below the throne room.  All jaws dropped as they beheld the hundreds upon hundreds of armored griffon soldiers who now stood in formation, facing a large, floating image of a male alicorn.

"Geez, alright!" the alicorn said, rubbing his ears with his hooves.  "They can hear us.  It's all you, Mufasa!"

"Impudent little..." a familiar voice grunted as the alicorn vanished from sight and was replaced in the window by King J'aggerdov.

"That... is the coolest thing I have ever seen!" Pinkie whispered.  "Portable movie theater!"

"I don't think we're looking at a movie..." Pierce said.

"Loyal soldiers," J'aggerdov shouted, "the time to strike is upon us!  For far too long we have lived off of a dying land!  For far too long we have kept our every instinct buried beneath our sedentary exteriors!  Today, we release the warriors that have long been dormant inside of us!  Today, we expose our hardships for the unworthy foes that they are!  Today, we seize our survival!"  A symphony of roars bellowed up from the soldiers.

"Are we too late?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"No way, I'm gonna go down there and give J'aggerdov a piece of my mind!" Rainbow Dash said, climbing up onto the window's ledge.

"No you're not!"  Gilda grabbed Rainbow by the tail and yanked her to the floor.

***

Applejack's ears perked up.  "What in tarnation is that?"  What she heard was the voice of Chrysalis.  It was coming from the Great Hive, and at the distance she was at, Applejack could barely hear it over the sound of the waves brushing against the shore, but as she listened more intently, the words became clearer.

"The time for vengeance has arrived, my subjects!"

"Shoot!"  Applejack kicked at the sand beneath her feat.  "They must be fixin' to head out!"

"The love of Equestria; every stallion, mare, and foal, will be ours for the taking!  Every living thing capable of love will become another rung on our climb to absolute power!"  A series of hisses and cheers came in reply.

Applejack shuddered.  She turned to look at Twilight, who was still asleep, and still in the midst of a bad dream, if her struggling were any indication.  "I hope you wake up soon, Twi.  I'm plum outta ideas!"

***

"This is Mahugpin."  He stood before the glowing window, which had been broken down into many sub-sections, containing the un-blinking gazes of every soldier in every city of the Big Deep.  "Y'all each know your orders, ya know what needs to be done, and I know you'll see it through.  That's all."  He began to turn his Squatter away from the screen before stopping.  He looked back, frowning.  "And I'm sorry."

Clarion Call relaxed, and the windows vanished.  "We are ready," J'aggerdov said.

"As are we."  Chrysalis nodded.

"Us too."  Mahugpin sighed.

"Let's begin."  Delacroix nodded.  "Clarion?"

"Pay attention, sweetie," Clarion said, glaring at Chrysalis.  "You're about to witness the greatest magical feat every attempted."  He turned away from the other four and widened his stance.  He lowered his head.  His horn flashed red.  The Alicorn Amulet ignited, and his eyes lit up.  The force of the spell he was casting kicked up the dust around his feet, and it orbited his form, as he bore his teeth.

"My word," J'aggerdov said.  Clarion Call began to scream.

"Yikes!" Mahugpin grunted.  "Is he gonna make it?!"  The screaming intensified.

"Don't break his concentration," Delacroix warned.  "Right now, he's just gathering up energy from the amulet.  The actual spell will take several minutes to cast."

***

"The town of Ponyville— IS UNDER ATTACK!" the mayor shouted from her pulpit in the town square.  The area was overrun with stampeding rabbits, trampling helpless citizens who were paralyzed by the adorableness of the situation, and eating every plant in sight.

"Won't somepony do something?!" Cup Cake shouted as she and her husband used their bodies to obscure both the large wedding cake they were transporting to an important client, and their two foals.  Three of the rampaging rabbits caught the scent of frosting and baby powder, the former of which eventually overpowered the latter and compelled them to seek out the source.

"We're too late!" Carrot Cake shouted as the hungry rabbits began to close in. salivating at the sight of the towering confectionary wonder.  "Daddy's here!" he shouted, embracing his children.  "Everything's gonna be okay!"

The rabbits leapt into the air, and the Cakes shut their eyes and awaited the destruction of their day's work.  Just then, the wind broke, sending an intense breeze their way.  The bakers opened their eyes and gasped.  The rabbits were nowhere to be seen.  At the other end of the town square, a Pegasus by the name of Cloud Chaser was lying flat on the ground, four rabbits snoozing peacefully upon her torso.  "Help me!" she shouted.  "I can't shake them off, they just look too peaceful!"  In another instant, they were gone.

One by one, the unruly rodents were swept up by something travelling at a blinding speed, until the center of town was free of their tyranny.  The ponies looked on in awe as their saviors made themselves known, coming to a stop in front of the mayor's pulpit.  Scootaloo, bringing her scooter to a screeching halt, casually removed her mask and grinned at the crowd.  In the wagon she had been pulling, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle triumphantly held aloft the large brown sack full of struggling rabbits.

"And once again, the day is saved, thanks to the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" the mayor shouted as the crowd erupted in thunderous applause.

"Wish we could stay and enjoy this," Scootaloo said, flipping her mane, "but we've gotta get these hungry critters back to Fluttershy's cottage!"  And as quickly as the had arrived, they vanished, kicking up a trail of dust in their wake.  The cheering ceased, and the townsfolk immediately returned to their daily routines.

"It's just so adorable watching them help out around town like this," Cup Cake whispered to her husband.

"Sure is," Carrot Cake replied, as they wheeled the giant cake away.

"An amusing little interruption," the mayor said to her assistant as she left the pulpit.

***

"Alright, Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Apple Bloom shouted as the rabbits munched on their vegetables nearby.  "Let's go over the list!"  She tossed a scroll to the ground, and it unraveled itself upon impact.  "We harvested the apples in the western field for AJ and baked a whole mess of cupcakes at Sugarcube Corner for Pinkie Pie!"  She gestured to the place on the parchment where those two activities were written down and crossed off.

"We dusted off Rarity's design room, and alphabetized the Starswirl the Bearded shelf in Twilight's library!" Sweetie Belle added with a triumphant grin.

"Busted up those dense clouds that were hanging around the ground for Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said.  "And now, we've fed all of Fluttershy's animals!"  Apple Bloom bit down on the eraser of her pencil and crossed the final item off of the list.

"We're done for the day, girls!" Sweetie Belle declared.

"It's great doing all their chores," Scootaloo said.  "It's almost like they're still here!"

"And when they come back, I bet they'll be super happy we took care of Ponyville while they were gone!" Apple Bloom said.  They all shared a satisfied nod.  They stood there for a few moments, their heads began to sink, and their smiles faded.

Scootaloo sighed.  "Is there anything else we can do?"

"We could go cheer up Spike!"  Sweetie's head perked up.

"That's a great idea!" Apple Bloom said.  "Poor guy's been quiet as a mouse since he started stayin' at the farm, I bet he's still shook up."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Scootaloo asked.

They all erupted at once, "Cutie Mark Crusader Cheer-Up Squad, YAY!"  That was when it happened.  A low hum; faint, but growing in volume.

"Y'all hear that?" Apple Bloom asked.  Her friends nodded.  A few yards away, a small circle of light appeared on the ground.

"What... is that?" Sweetie asked, shielding her eyes from the sun to get a better look.  They were not alone.  All over town, small circles of light were dotting the landscape, from one end of Ponyville to the other.  And it wasn't just Ponyville.  From coast to coast, the circles were appearing.  In Manehattan, as Babs Seed was walking home from school, the streets were illuminated.  In Appleloosa, as Braeburn helped dedicated the new statue of a pony and a buffalo bumping hooves, and the citizens and tribals looked on, their attention was turned away by the white dots that were now surrounding them.

Vanhoover, Las Pegasus, Baltimare, and every city, town, and settlement in between became covered in them.  After a few minutes, they began to grow.

"Girls?" Sweetie Belle said, as the anomaly they observed grew in circumference foot-by-foot.  "I think we should start moving.  I'm getting a really bad feeling here."

"Let's high-tail it to the farm!"  Apple Bloom nodded.

"Hop in!" Scootaloo shouted, leaping onto her scooter as her friends took their seats on the wagon.  They stayed close to the edge of town as they travelled to Sweet Apple Acres, and their uneasiness grew as they could see white lights all across Ponyville.  Some had taken shelter in their homes, others simply stood in place, entranced.  Such was the reaction of ponies all over the country, even as those members of the royal guard who hadn't been sent to secure Equestria's borders had moved in to investigate.

Within moments, the glowing white marks had all become so large that from the sky, nearly all of Equestria would appear to be illumated by the overlapping, circular patterns.  The ground began to shake.

"Shining?" Prince Blueblood asked as he and his advisor looked down at the oddity from a balcony in Canterlot Castle.

"I don't know, your Highness," Shining Armor replied.  "I've sent our fastest carrier pigeons to the coasts with an order for the Guard to return to their assigned provinces."

"What do you think this—" Blueblood's words were cut short as a deafening crack sounded across the landscape.  An explosion of light, bursting forth from each and every glowing point on the map, blinded all who had been watching.  Those who beheld it shielded and rubbed their eyes, and when they opened them again, all in Equestria were greeted by the same sight:  The sky had been blacked by countless griffons and changelings.  The ground shook with the march of thousands of canine soldiers.

They branched out from their respective points on the ground, and a second later, a shower of large nets and green bolts of magical energy rained down upon those onlookers who were closest to the points of impact, restraining and incapacitating them.  Everyone else ran screaming, and the aggressors gave chase.  The invasion of Equestria had begun.

Chapter Fifteen - Monsters

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Chapter Sixteen - Nighling

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