Dungeons and Ponies

by pchn00

Rating: teen
Tags: Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Original Character, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Adventure
Length: 61746

Twilight Sparkle, apprentice to the great Archmage Celestia's life is thrown into disarray when her master graduates her, gives her an apprentice of her own, and sends her off to some nowhere town all in one day.

A reclusive mage.
A devoted cleric.
A disgraced sell sword.
A beautiful thief.
A timid knight.
A travelling gypsy.

Six mares who've never met, will suddenly be thrown together as an ancient threat returns imperiling their entire world. Now these unlikely heroes must band together, or their entire world is doomed to eternal darkness.

This is a dark fantasy retelling of the series premiere, using Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition rules, spells, and monsters. It was an idea that I've been wanting to write for a good while, and I hope folks enjoy it.

Published 2013-09-29 00:20:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-03 02:43:44 UTC

Prologue 1: The Magical Prodigy

Prologue 1: The Magical Prodigy

Long ago in the great Kingdom of Equestria, there lived two mighty sisters.

Celestia, The Radiant Dawn and Keeper of The Sun was the elder. She awoke each morning to raise the sun and bring light and life to our land.

Luna, Mistress of Shadows and Keeper of The Moon was the younger. ‘Twas her duty to shepherd the moon and the stars across the sky, giving the people time to rest.

The two existed for many a year in perfect balance with one another. Peace, harmony, and prosperity filled the land. Alas, this was not to last.

Over time, Luna grew jealous of Celestia’s increasing popularity. The citizens of Equestria were clamoring for her to take the throne; even The King himself offered his crown to their beloved Keeper of The Sun. Celestia, being a simple and humble mare, naturally declined the offer, her only interest bring the magic she so loved to dabble in.

Not one thought went to the Mistress of Shadows taking the throne, even though she worked just as hard as her sister, if not harder. She strove each night to craft a perfect sky for her fellow ponies, and yet only a select few seemed to care in the slightest. The growing darkness and resentment in Luna’s heart twisted her into a creature of deepest nightmares.

Nightmare Moon.

A great war was fought between the sisters. No unicorn could hope to match either’s power. Nightmare Moon’s supporters were vastly outnumbered, but she used fell magics to twist and change them into creatures of darkness like herself. The war raged for years, seemingly never to end.

When Equestria seemed doomed to destruction, a light appeared amidst the darkness. Celestia had crafted magical artifacts of incredible power. Wielding their might, she banished her evil sister to the depths of Tartarus, never to return.

The young mare tilted her head as she finished the short story. “That’s it? That’s all there is?” The sun shone brightly overhead, warming her pale lavender coat just right as she reclined near her favorite reading place in the courtyard, overshadowed by her Lady’s tower. It was the perfect sort of day to get out of her lab and do a little recreational study. The book in question she’d been reading from came from the furthest shelf possible from the library’s entrance. The only shelf she hadn’t picked clean of anything to read.

Blowing her pink and purple streaked bangs from her face, she huffed in annoyance. “That wasn’t much of a tale at all; more of a short story. Where’s the rest!?” A light orchid aura shimmered into being around the book as the unicorn snapped it shut with a gentle huff. Large violet hued eyes drifted toward the nearby tower, specifically to the highest window atop it. From her position on the ground, she could see the large form of her master moving about in excited haste. No doubt she was in the midst of crafting some great new bit of magic to reveal to the world.

Her horn sparked to life a second time as a matching aura surrounded the well-worn silvery set of robes that lifted from the grass and settled about her body. Shuffling from hoof to hoof, she fastened her saddlebags over her back. She ensured her numerous component pouches were secure about her waist, then set off for her private chambers in the academy.

Lady Celestia’s School of Magical Studies was one of the finest in the entire kingdom. Celestia herself was considered something of an… eccentric by the unicorn nobility, however. She allowed any pony to study in her academy, regardless of tribe. Many scoffed at the notion of a pegasus — or even worse, an earth pony — attempting to cast spells, but she was quite insistent that all had the magic within them. Spellcasting was more a matter of having the proper mindset.

“Twilight Sparkle?”

The mare in question, Twilight blinked up at the sound of her name. A pair of fillies, an earth pony and a unicorn perhaps a few years her junior approached. “Yes, can I help you?”

She couldn’t help but sense their nervousness. “Th— The, um… that is, Professor Morning Glory s— said you could… could maybe… if you weren’t busy… possibly help us with our light cantrips?”

The young wizardess’ mouth set in a firm line. “You’re not going to be casting anything stuttering like that.”

The unicorn’s stammering increased while the earth filly rolled her eyes. “Y’all’ll have t’ forgive m’friend, ma’am. She’s a might skittish on account’a all th’ stories boutcha.”

Twilight’s look of vague irritation switched to outright irritation. “Of course. And what about you?”

The earth pony filly shrugged. “Dunno. Y’seem alright t’me. Sides, Lady Celestia wouldn’ta taken y’on if all the stories were true, right?”

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes narrowed just a tad as she examined the pair more closely. The earth pony had a vivid yellow coat, her bright red mane and tail contrasting sharply. Her robes were a touch on the threadbare side, not surprising given the thickly accented speech. It indicated she was from one of the rural farming villages. It likely cost her family every spare bit they had to send her here.

The unicorn at her side was significantly smaller, not too great a surprise. Her coat was a lighter hue of purple than Twilight’s, while her mane and tail were nearly as yellow as her friend’s fur. She occasionally peeked out from around her bolder friend with bright yellow eyes, though never for long.

Twilight looked again to the earth pony. “Light cantrips? Professor Morning Glory sent you to me for that?”

The filly shrugged. “Said y’all were the best at the fun-da-men-tals when y’were our age.”

Twilight almost cracked a smile at the filly’s slow pronunciation of the word. “I suppose that’s true. What exactly is the problem? Light spells are the easiest for anypony to cast.”

“Well mine’re too bright. Th’ Professor says I’ll go blind if I keep doin’ em like I am. An poor Dinky here can barely get any light at all.”

The elder unicorn looked over to the purple filly, who flinched under her gaze. “A unicorn who can’t even muster a light spell, and an earth pony who conjures too much light? That’s a bit of a switch from the norm.”

To her further surprise the earth filly snorted and stalked closer. “So are ya gonna help us out or just make fun’a us? We c’n go an find somepony else t’ask.”

Twilight actually took a step back. She’d been so used to ponies walking on eggshells around her, more scared to meet her eyes than anything, she’d almost forgotten what it was like to meet one who wasn’t afraid of her. “I… I’ll help, alright? Settle down.” She sighed softly, looking from the bold to the timid filly. “Let’s see what you can do.”

“Thank ya kindly, ma’am! Name’s Apple Bloom by the way! This here’s m’good friend Dinky Doo.”

Dinky offered a hesitant nod of greeting. Twilight’s expression went unchanged. “A pleasure. Now, the spells?”

Even knowing she was a student and not a teacher, both fillies felt precisely like they did when in a teacher’s presence under the formidable young mare’s scrutiny. Apple Bloom took the lead naturally. Closing her eyes and softly intoning the proper incantation, a painfully bright ball of light burst into being before the filly’s muzzle. She and her friend already had their eyes tightly shut in preparation, something Twilight unfortunately did not, and the elder pony found herself thoroughly blinded.

Apple Bloom nervously dispelled the light. “Uh… so th— there ya go, ma’am.”

Twilight’s eyes were watering from the painfully blinding light spell. Closing them, she took a deep breath, counting back from ten. Then counting back from twenty. The second one did the trick. “Right. How often do you cast, Apple Bloom?”

“Uh… not very. Only when one’a m’teacher’s tells me too. Granny says relyin’ on magic t’do stuff we can do with our hooves is lazy!”

Twilight’s vision slowly cleared as she cracked an eye open. “You have too much magic built up. You need to cast more frequently. Once your inner reserves normalize, you won’t have problems anymore.”

“Wow! Thanks Miss Twilight!”

Now the normally dour mare allowed a small smile to appear. “Of course. I’m surprised your teacher couldn’t tell you that. Now let’s see you, Miss Doo.”

Dinky swallowed nervously but stepped closer. Timidly, she mumbled the incantation under her breath. A flickering, faltering sphere of magical light appeared above her head, before it fell apart completely. The poor filly seemed on the verge of tears. “I’ll never do it right!”

Twilight narrowed her eyes, incanting a spell of her own. Both fillies watched warily as a glow suffused her eyes. “Do it again please, Dinky.”

Eyeing the older mare suspiciously, Dinky nonetheless complied. Sweat beading upon her brow, she chanted the short incantation as her horn began to glow, again a ball of faltering light formed over her head for a few seconds before fizzling away. The little filly slumped to the ground, breathing heavily.

Twilight frowned gently. “It’s as I suspected. I’m sorry, Dinky Doo, but your magic isn’t strong enough to cast proper arcane spells.”

Dinky blinked in surprise, while Apple Bloom huffed. “Whaddya mean she can’t cast spells!? She’s a unicorn!”

With surprising patience, Twilight nodded slowly. “Yes, she is. But not all unicorns have the ability to become mages, Apple Bloom. Every unicorn can levitate and learn some small bits of magic that have to do with their cutie marks, but not all of them have the raw power necessary to cast proper spells.”

Apple Bloom and Dinky Doo both recognized the ‘I’m a teacher, listen to me’ tone in Twilight’s voice. “It’s similar to how some pegasus ponies can fly faster than others. The swiftest pegasi have the most magic stored in their bodies. So somepony like Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts can fly much faster than, say, the average weather pony. You see?”

The pair nodded gradually. Apple Bloom tilted her head. “So is that why m’big brother an’ sister’re so much stronger’n me?”

Twilight smiled proudly. “It is! Earth ponies’ physical strength and durability is tied to their own magic reserves. There are several types of magic. Arcane magic, like what we use to cast a spell. Then there’s divine, or faith based magic that the disciples use for their spells. Finally, there’s the magic each pony has inside themselves that’s unique to their tribe. So while you might be stronger than a pegasus or unicorn filly, Apple Bloom, your real strength lies in your arcane magic.”

Dinky’s eyes lit up with excitement suddenly. “Does this mean I don’t have to stay!?”

Now it was Twilight’s turn to look surprised. “Well you don’t have to leave. Nopony’s going to force you, but there’d be little reason to stay. What makes you think you have to stay anyhow?”

Dinky Doo was practically nose to nose with Twilight Sparkle, her fear forgotten in her excitement. “The teachers said since my mama’s spending so many bits to send me here, I just gotta work harder! But if you say I can’t become a mage no matter how hard I try, then I can go back home! I get to be with mama again, and she doesn’t have to keep paying for this expensive school!”

Now Twilight wore a distinctly unpleasant look on her face. It was common practice for the faculty to string young potential mages along in order to keep collecting their tuition. “I’m afraid no matter how hard you try, Dinky, becoming a mage isn’t for you. I’m sure you’ll do wonderful in anything else you choose.”

The older unicorn went rigid as the filly threw her forelegs around her in a tight embrace. “Thank you, Miss Twilight! I’m gonna go pack right now!”

With incredibly awkwardness, Twilight Sparkle patted the filly gently on her back. “N— No problem… good luck to you in the future.”

“Thanks! I’ll see ya later, Apple Bloom, I gotta go pack!” Both ponies watched the elated filly dash off toward the dormitories.

The earth pony filly heaved a sigh. “There goes my only friend in this place.” Glancing at Twilight from the corner of her eye, she heaved a second, louder sigh.

If she was expecting words of comfort from Twilight Sparkle, she was greatly disappointed as the young mare turned and made her way along the path toward the private dormitories. The minor dilemma with the fillies solved, Twilight’s mind was already twisting back around to the fable she’d read earlier, and her desire to learn more.

Her ear flicked gently toward the small temple built into the academy. The Disciples of the Sun venerated Lady Celestia as a Goddess, so naturally they wanted a temple inside their chosen deity’s very own academy. Celestia had agreed, with great reluctance Twilight knew. Her master at times couldn’t stand the adoration heaped upon her by the ponies who didn’t know her better. Anypony who got to spend any length of time in the presence of the Lady Archmage knew she was anything but divine. Goofy was more the word Twilight would use to describe her.

The sound of the morning bells tolling from the temple was wildly off kilter. Normally one serene ‘dong’ of the great bell would toll out for each hour, making it easy for anypony in the academy to track the time. Today it was ringing wildly in an unholy cacophony of sound. The young mage grimaced as she shot a glare toward the temple.

Another sound came to hear ears, tiny hooves clopping along the path behind her. Without turning to look, she glanced out of the corner of her eye, seeing the filly Apple Bloom following her with a curious look on her face. Twilight did what she always did when a curious pony had taken an interest in her, and ignored her. They always gave up after she failed to sprout demonic horns or huge bat-like wings as expected.

Putting the filly from her thoughts, she magically opened the doors to the elder students’ dorms. As she entered, all conversations fell silent, and the ponies within shot her nervous glances as she strolled casually through the open common areas. Ascending the numerous flights of stairs, she came to the highest floor. Her floor. With barely a thought, she dispelled the powerful arcane lock she used to seal her chambers shut. Nopony was brave enough to snoop around her quarters of course, but she magically sealed the doors each time more for practice than anything else.

She paused within to admire the perfect order of her own private space. One wall dominated by her work benches, which contained dozens of half finished enchanted items and objects. Wands, horseshoes, cloaks, there was even a bow she’d been asked to enchant by her master herself. Her writing desk had numerous notebooks closed and aligned in perfect proper order, the quills resting in their holders, ready to transfer Twilight’s thoughts from her mind to the blank pages.

Tall racks filled with numerous spell components, herbs, and powdered gemstone stood next to her alchemical apparatus, always on hoof at a moment’s notice for anything she may need for a potion she may be in the process of brewing. Her bed sat beneath a large window overlooking the courtyard, facing the western horizon. Twilight Sparkle was not an early riser, and didn’t care for the sun shining on her face first thing in the morning.

Next to the bed was her nightstand, upon which sat her most prized position; a gift from Lady Celestia herself. The Ever Spellbook would never fill. If she needed more blank pages, she simply opened the book and they were there. If she wanted to memorize even the most obscure of spells for the day, she merely had to speak aloud the name and the book would open to it. Rumor was that it was crafted by Starswirl the Bearded himself, Twilight Sparkle’s greatest hero.

Her quiet appreciation was interrupted as something small slammed into her from behind, buckling her hindlegs and sending her rump toppling square atop whatever rammed into her. Muffled yelps and squirming came from beneath the mage as she hurriedly lurched forward, freeing the trapped offender. Whipping around, her eyes widened. “Apple Bloom!? What are you doing here? Why did you follow me? This is my room! My private space!”

The filly shrank back from the venom in the older pony’s voice. “I… I was just curious is all! We hear all sortsa’ rumors aboutcha, but after meetin’ ya, I just couldn’t rightly see how anypony can say such mean things!”

Twilight’s ears folded back at the obvious fear in the filly’s voice. With a sigh, she forced herself to calm down. “It’s… alright. I’m just not used to anypony seeing my room.”

Apple Bloom peeked an eye open. “Ya ain’t mad?”

Closing her own eyes, Twilight took another deep breath. “No. I’m not mad. Ain’t is not a word, Apple Bloom. Neither is ‘ya’, for that matter.”

Now it was Apple Bloom’s turn to look upset. “Are y’all makin’ funna th’ way I talk!? Cause I get enough’a that from the other students!”

Turning away from the filly, Twilight levitated her robes onto the hook by the door, gently resting her staff beside them. “No, I’m not making fun of you. I’m trying to educate you. I’m sure that wherever you’re from, everypony talks that way, but you’re studying to be a magus now. We have to carry ourselves a certain way if we want to find proper employment, you know?”

Apple Bloom huffed. “That’s what m’Granny said b’fore she made me come out here.”

“Made you?” Twilight closed her door with her magic, causing the filly to start in surprise at the sudden sound.

“Uh huh. She was a big fancy mage when she was younger, an said that since I got… um… the art, she calls it… I had a responsibility ta Equestria ta learn how ta use it.”

“To learn how to use it.”

Apple Bloom was about to say something more when she caught the look Twilight had focused on her. Swallowing, she sighed. “To learn how to use it.”

Smiling slightly, the mare nodded, going back to the work table before her. “I see. Do you not enjoy your studies?”

“No, ma’am! I mean, when I first started, I hated it! Everypony was pretty mean ta—” She swallowed when Twilight shot her a sharp look. “...to me. But the more I learned, the more fun it got. That feelin’ when yer magic’s comin’ up from inside an ya let it out in a spell! Whoo-ee! Ain’t nothin’ like it!”

Twilight winced every time Apple Bloom butchered a word. Terrible grasp of language notwithstanding, she felt a sort of kinship with the filly. “I felt the same way when I first started. I didn’t like it here either, but you learn to ignore the mean ponies and focus on what’s important.” She paused as she levitated a slim mahogany wand toward a trio of beautiful topazes. When the gems met the wood, there was a flash, revealing the new wand now crackling with magical electricity. “The magic.”

Eyes wide, Apple Bloom approached with a wondering look in her eye. Casting a questioning glance at her elder, and receiving an approving nod, she reached out to take the new wand. “Wow. I never saw anypony make a magic item b’fore.”

“Before.”

“Before.” Delicately, she turned it in her hooves, examining the perfect craftsmanship.

“So what do you plan to focus on, Apple Bloom?”

The filly gently placed the wand up on the table. “That’s easy! I’m gonna be a battle mage! An become a travellin’ sellsword like m’big sister!”

“Hm. I never much cared for combat magics.”

Apple Bloom tilted her head. “How come?”

“What sort of spells do combat mages specialize in?”

Now the filly sat up proudly, knowing the answer. “Attack spells, of course! Magic missiles, fireballs! Lightning Bolts! I saw Professor Fire Flash cast a chain lightning spell once!”

“Mmhm. And what do those spells do?”

Apple Bloom looked confused suddenly. “Well… they, y’know… make things explode!”

“True. And what ‘things’ do you think you’d be casting them at?”

“Uh…” The filly frowned suddenly. “...huh.”

“Mmhm. Sometimes spells like those are necessary to protect something important. There are monsters everywhere, and sometimes violence is the only way to deter them. On the other hoof, sometimes ponies would be your target. The Queen is always fighting the rebels, and we’re servants of the Queen at the end of the day. Would you think a fireball is cool when it’s being used against other ponies?”

Eyes wide, Apple Bloom shook her head. “No, ma’am.”

“I don’t think those kind of spells are very cool either. Ultimately, nearly every mage specializes in one of the seven schools of magic. Have you studied them yet?”

“Uh huh! I know all seven by heart! Abjuration, conjuration, divination, enchantment, evocation, necromancy, and transmutation!”

“Very good.” Twilight carefully set the finished wand in a large holder with nearly a dozen others. “Do you know what they each specialize in?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And which do you think sounds the most interesting?”

Her questions were causing Apple Bloom to think a good deal more than those of her actual teachers. “Well I don’t suppose I gave it much thought b’fore…. Before, ma’am.”

Twilight nodded slowly, as if expecting that answer. “Well I suggest you spend some time studying up on them. Research what sort of spells are available in each school. See which ones really speak to you. That’s the best way to find out what you’ll be best at.”

The filly sat quietly for a time, watching the mare work. “What d’you specialize in?”

“All of them.”

Apple Bloom tilted her head. “Oh! Y’mean y’don’t specialize in any? Y’do a little bit of all of ‘em?”

“The letter ‘Y’ is not a substitute for the word ‘you’, Apple Bloom. And no, I mean I specialize in all of them. I am equally as proficient in every school of magic as any of the specialists in the academy.” Swishing her tail to her right side, she gave the filly a clear view of her left flank. “That’s what my cutie mark is, it’s a mark in magic itself. Not just any one aspect of it.”

“Wow… y’all must be as strong as Lady Celestia!”

Twilight coughed softly and shook her head. “No, of course not. But I am very powerful for a mare my age.” Finishing another wand, she finally turned to give the filly her full attention. “Don’t you have studies of your own to be doing?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “No, ma’am! I finished every assignment m’tea— my teachers gave me for over the weekend already!”

“Hm. Well if you think that’s enough.”

The filly’s eyes narrowed just a bit. “What’s that s’posed t’mean?”

Gently levitating a kettle from her small kitchenette to the sink and filling it, then moving it to her stove, Twilight shrugged. “Well, is your interest in magic only as deep as what the Professors tell you to do?”

Yet another big question the filly wasn’t prepared for. “I… Well…”

“You’ve already told me you enjoyed the feeling of casting a spell, which is good. But if you want to be a great wizardess, Apple Bloom, you have to love magic for the sake of magic. No matter what anypony tells you, no matter what reasons they have for being here, if they don’t love magic just for itself… they’ll never be half as good as somepony who does. All the magical power in the world can’t equal a true zest for knowledge.”

Apple Bloom settled on the floor, forelegs crossed as she contemplated Twilight’s words. She was quiet for quite some time, not moving as the tea kettle began to whistle and Twilight poured two cups. Finally, she looked up as a cup was settled before her hooves. “Know what, Miss Twilight? I think you’re pretty nice.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, sipping from her cup. “Do you?”

“Uh huh. Maybe a little weird, but that’s okay. Granny says weird ponies make the best friends cause they always have somethin’ interestin’ t’say or do.”

Feeling another smile come upon her, Twilight and Apple Bloom both leapt to their hooves as something heavily impacted the window. With a disgusted groan, the elder pony rolled her eyes, magically opening it. “Honestly, Spike! Every day with this!”

A tiny reptile poked his head in the window, shaking it dazedly. Apple Bloom’s eyes widened with wonder as she small creature fully revealed himself. No larger than a house cat, his lizard-like body sported a large pair of wings. His slender tail was tipped in a wickedly sharp barb. His scales were a vivid purple color over most of his body, with the larger ones along his belly being a deep green. “Is that a pseudo dragon!?”

In response to the filly’s excitement, the small dragon puffed his chest, cooing softly in pleasure. “ ... Yes. This is Spike, my familiar.”

Spike waited patiently as the filly approached, looking over him with adoration clear in her eyes. He was clearly basking in the attention. That is until his master firmly cleared her throat, pointedly eyeing the scroll coiled tightly in his tail. “Is that for me, perhaps?”

Blinking his little green eyes, he glanced back at the scroll and offered a sheepish shrug, flicking his tail out and flinging it toward the mare. Twilight absently levitated him a small bit of salted meat from a jar on her desk as she unrolled the scroll.

Apple Bloom was tentatively stroking the little reptile’s chin when a sudden groan from Twilight drew her attention. “Bad news?”

With an exaggerated eye roll she floated the scroll over to the filly, who read it aloud curiously. “My dearest student, I would very much appreciate your presence in my tower immediately. There is a problem of the greatest urgency, which I require you to handle post haste.” A little further along the bottom, Apple Bloom blinked in surprise. “And bring Apple Bloom with you? How th’ heck did she know I was here!?”

Twilight Sparkle tugged her robes back on with an annoyed grunt. “She knows everything.”

Archmage Celestia’s ivory tower was visible from miles away. Everypony approaching the academy could see it like a bright shining beacon leading them to safety. The pristine white color contributed to its great visibility. So too did its ridiculous height.

Naturally, Lady Celestia made her private quarters at the highest point in the tower. A very simple flight or teleportation for her; a grueling climb for anypony else. Twilight’s coat was slick with sweat as she trudged up the stairs, now and again shooting the filly calmly trotting at her side dirty looks. Even an earth pony with little of their tribe’s own magic still had quite a good deal more stamina than a unicorn.

Finally they’d reached the top of the tower. The door to Celestia’s private study stood open. Twilight suppressed a shudder as she did every time she entered her master’s study. Hundreds of books, many likely older than herself were strewn haphazardly over the floor, desk, and even bed. She was fairly certain she noticed a small family of myconid making their home beneath the archmage’s bed. No doubt the fungus-based lifeforms had plenty to live off of beneath there.

The Archmage herself was huddled over, of all things, a rock. Glaring at it in the harshest of focus. Apple Bloom, not knowing any better, was stricken silent at the sight of the mare who raised the sun each morning, and the moon each evening. She certainly cut an impressive figure, what with her gargantuan body, and obnoxiously flowing mane and tail. Twilight was ninety percent sure the Archmage actually enchanted her mane and tail every morning to do that, but she’d yet to unravel the mystery with any certainty. Less than delicately, Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat.

Celestia’s ears swiveled toward the sound and she swung around, beaming ear to ear. “Twilight! You’re just in time! I have recently completed work on the greatest spell of all time!”

Apple Bloom’s eyes — if possible — widened further. Twilight looked unimpressed. “Again?”

Her smile never faltering, Celestia nodded. “Oh yes! Come close; it’s safe, I promise!” Deciding to humor her mentor, Twilight owed her that much at the very least, she approached. The filly at her side did so with considerably more reverence. “Shh, shh… watch close now. I’m about to cast it.”

Twilight sat calmly on the floor, while Apple Bloom leaned in with excitement. The room was bathed in the golden glow of the Archmage’s own powerful magical aura as bands of magic wrapped around the stone, whirling faster and faster and obscuring it from view. The ponies looked away as the light became too much to bear. When it cleared, sitting in the rock’s place was… the most perfect, rich, chocolatey looking… piece of cake.

Celestia’s smile grew, if at all possible, wider than before. Twilights look of exasperation most certainly grew sterner. Apple Bloom blinked and sat back on her haunches, looking to Twilight for some sort of explanation. The mare just shook her head slowly. “Well!? Is it not the greatest of all magics you’ve ever laid eyes on!?”

Plastering an insipid smile on her own face, Twilight nodded. “Oh absolutely, Master. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more impressive spell in all my studies. This was certainly worth dragging myself and this filly up thirty flights of stairs to witness.”

If Celestia caught Twilight’s sarcasm, she didn’t let on. “I know! It will revolutionize meal times! Imagine when the cook tries to force me into eating celery, the second he looks away Pow! Cake.”

Now she had Apple Bloom’s attention. “Don’t s’pose y’all could write that one down for me t’study, couldja ma’am?”

Twilight let out a strangled sort of squeak at Apple Bloom’s latest butchering of the Equestrian language. “Well! I could. I don’t think your master would appreciate it, however. She’s a bit stern.”

Apple Bloom wrinkled her nose. “I’m not apprenticed t’anyone yet, ma’am.”

“Well of course you are. Oh! Silly me. In all the excitement I forgot. Twilight, I’m assigning Apple Bloom to you as your first apprentice.”

Twilight’s mouth fell open. “ ... Ahhhhh... What? What!? Apprentice!? Me!? Noooo no. No, no, no. Master, I have studies of my own! Not to mention you constantly dumping your real work on me while you cook up more of your idiotic cake spells!”

“Oh! Yes. I forgot. As of now, you’re officially a graduate of my academy. My apprentice no longer, you’re not a full fledged Wizardess, capable of acting of her own accord in whatever way you deem appropriate. But you’re still taking Apple Bloom on as your apprentice, I won’t take no for an answer.”

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes were wide with panic as they darted from the confused filly at her side, back to the — in her opinion — very smugly smiling Archmage. The newly graduated mage’s heart sank a little more as the playful spark fanned to a roaring blaze in her suddenly former master’s eye. “That’s not all!”

“Of course it’s not.”

“You’ll be happy to know, that I, as your concerned former master and still very good friend have already found you employment.”

Twilight’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “ ... Oh have you?”

“I have! It would seem that the lovely town of Ponyville has been without it’s own mage for some time now. Ordinarily, this isn’t too great a concern, but Ponyville borders the Everfree forest, and of late has had numerous monster attacks. Having somepony on hoof to lend them some aid will be much appreciated, I believe. In addition…”

“Of course.”

Ignoring Twilight, Celestia continued on. “In addition, you’ll be serving as the librarian for the town as well. They’re not about to pay you to sit around and glare at the forest all day, after all. I thought it might be a position you’d enjoy.”

Twilight closed her eyes. She took a deep breath. Then another. Then a third. She licked her lips… and took another deep breath. “So… to summarize. You’re ending my apprenticeship, assigning me an apprentice, sending me off to some podunk town bordering the Everfree, and forcing me to be the librarian of the town.”

“Yes.”

“Master… I hate you.”

Apple Bloom followed her new master tentatively. “Um… ma’am?”

“Yes?”

“Should… should I go pack m’things, or...?”

Twilight rolled her neck, eliciting a few sharp pops from the stiff joints. Taking a moment to collect herself, she turned to face the filly… her apprentice. “Yes. It would seem that the glorious Archmage has assigned you to me, and me to Ponyville. So we’re going to Ponyville. I’m sorry for all this. I know you can’t be happy about this nonsense either.”

To her surprise, the filly shook her head. “No, ma’am! I wasn’t kiddin’ when I said I liked ya! And we’re goin’ t’Ponyville! That’s m’home town!”

Twilight’s faced twisted unnaturally at Apple Bloom’s speech. “Okay! Okay… if we’re doing this, the first thing is the way you talk. I don’t want to seem insensitive, but… every time you say a sentence, you make me want to deafen myself with a thunderclap spell.”

Apple Bloom’s ears immediately wilted. “I’m sorry, ma’am…”

“It’s fine… it’s fine. I’m just… not used to dealing with other ponies. Except my master of course, who can be a little…”

“Silly?”

“Yes. Exactly. I’ll do my best to be a good teacher, but I have to ask you to be patient with me. Can you do that?”

“I think so, ma’am. I can try m’... my best.”

“In return, I can promise you to give you the best magical education I can. How does that sound?”

Apple Bloom spit on her hoof and held it out, smiling. “Sounds like a good deal t’... to me!”

Twilight stared at the offered hoof for a long moment before she spit in her own and clopped it to the filly’s. “Then let’s get packed.”

Twilight Sparkle
Wizard: 6 Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Strength: 8
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 8
Intelligence: 20
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 9

Special Abilities
Twilight Sparkle prepares spells as an ordinary wizard of her level, however once these spells are expended, she may continue to cast. Each level of spell cast after her prepared spells for the day have been used deals her subdual damage equal to twice the spell’s level. She can render herself unconscious casting in this way.

Favored Spells
Mage Armor, Cat’s Grace, Sleep, Bull’s Strength, Hold Person, Fly, Haste

Special Equipment
Ever Spellbook: Unlike a normal spellbook, there is no limit to the amount of spells it can contain.

Author's Note

Gonna have six prologues, one for each of the girls of course. And the little character sheets at the bottom I thought would be cute.

Prologue 3: The Kind Knight

Prologue 3: The Kind Knight

“I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do with you anymore. Nopony even comes close to your academic scores. Your spellwork is the best I’ve ever seen. And your healing? I think you’d give some of the clerics a run for their money.” The stony faced pegasus mare behind the ancient mahogany desk’s face hardened. “But your blade work is worse than many of the brand new recruits. You really won’t reconsider being reassigned to the temple?”

The target of her ire, if possible shrank back into her flowing pink mane even more. “W--well I…”

The Captain raised a hoof cutting her off. “I know, I know. Your father refuses to let you transfer. He ignores every suggestion I send. Last time he threatened to have ME busted down to squire if I brought it up again.”

The young pegasi lowered her head further, so much so, her long hair touched the floor. “I’m sorry.” The apology was more akin to a squeak.

“Fluttershy… you’re a kind, gentle mare. It’s my opinion that if you grew a little backbone, you’d be the finest paladin ever produced by the knighthood. You don’t like fighting? That’s good! We’re not SUPPOSED to like the fighting. But sometimes it’s unavoidable. Sometimes a threat to the safety of the realm and her people isn’t going to listen to kind words. Sometimes we have to do something we don’t like, for the good of all. I know this isn’t where you want to be, but…”

“You’re wrong!”

The Captain’s eyebrows shot up at the sudden, and vehement protest. “That’s not it at all! I do want to be here! I’m proud to be a member of the order, and even prouder that you’d consider me good enough to be a Wonderbolt one day! I just…” All the strength left her voice, as if somepony had deflated a bellows. “...I just can’t follow through with my swings. I’m great with my sword, really I am! But the thought of hurting something, or even somepony… it twists my stomach in knots.”

Captain Spitfire cut an impressive figure in her sleek, form fitting mithral armor. The lightweight metal allowed her speed and aerial maneuverability to remain completely unimpeded. The Wonderbolts insignia proudly emblazoned upon her chest, only her helm was set aside letting her wind-swept mane free into the air. Many ponies joked about how she was in full armor all the time, but she brushed it aside stating she needed to be ready for trouble at a moments notice.

Spitfire rose from her desk and came around to Fluttershy’s side. “Walk with me, squire.”

Responding immediately, the oft-timid mare rose to her hooves and fell into step with the Captain. “Your father is the head of the order. He absolutely refuses to allow me to remove you from duty, or to transfer you to the temple. That being said, I can’t take the chance of sending you out with your fellow knights, only to have you falter on the battlefield. It’s not just your own life on the line, but your brothers and sisters in arms. They’re depending on you just as much as the ponies we fight to protect. If you can’t fight, you’d only be a hinderance.”

“It occurs to me that some of this might be my fault. I haven’t taken as much of an active role in your development as I should have.” Fluttershy’s heart sank as she realized where Captain Spitfire was leading her. “So I’m going to give you a chance to prove you deserve to be a real knight. That you can handle yourself on the battlefield if backed into a corner.”

“T--technically my sire should be doing this…”

“Technically. But he’s investigating a disturbance in the Everfree and not here right now. And he’s in complete agreement with me over all this. We discussed it at length, we can’t have you jeopardizing your fellows.” Spitfire calmly strolled into the practice arena, drawing many curious looks from the other paladins in squires currently training there. “You and I are going to have a practice bout. If I like what I see, we’ll figure things out from there. If I don’t, I’ll arrange it so you’re doing desk work from now until the day your father retires, at which time you can transfer to the temple. Am I clear?”

Forcing herself not to keel over from all the stress, Fluttershy could only nod.

“I asked you a question, squire.”

“Y--yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Get a suit of practice armor and meet me in the ring.”

The young pegasus mare sighed as the Captain calmly strode to the ring, hefting a wooden sword and shield for herself. Moving to the racks of leather armor, Fluttershy shrugged the breastplate over her chest and fastened it securely. Securing the shield to her left fore leg, she belted the wooden sword around her flanks and climbed into the ring opposite the Captain.

Spitfire smoothly drew her faux sword raising it in a salute. Fluttershy did likewise, crouching into a ready stance. The Captain made the first move of course. Launching herself forward with a powerful thrust, wasting no time in trying to land a telling blow.

Fluttershy, to the Captain’s surprise, didn’t shriek, run, or duck. She smoothly raised her shield to intercept the incoming blade and deflect it, responding with a swift slash of her own and very nearly striking Spitfire in the chest.

The older mare backed away eyeing Fluttershy in a new light. “You didn’t seem very hesitant there.”

“Well they’re just wooden swords. I know I’m not going to really hurt you.”

Spitfire huffed softly and lunged in again. Fluttershy raised her shield to block, but the experienced captain reversed her strike and switched to a lightning fast vertical strike that cracked solidly against the bottom of her opponents muzzle.

Fluttershy staggered back in a daze, her jaw throbbing. “Does that not hurt?”

Now the younger pegasus narrowed her eyes, just a bit. Surprising the Captain a second time, she launched an offensive. Swift jabs that had Spitfire backing away or raising her shield in a constant attempt to block. The ferocity of Fluttershy’s attack had caught Spitfire completely off guard, and one of the strikes slipped through her guard, slamming into her shoulder and sending waves of numbing pain up the leg and through her barrel.

The gathered crowd ooo’d and ahh’d appreciatively. Typically when Fluttershy would practice it was only in private, away from prying eyes. She kept her eyes focused on Spitfire however, using the adrenaline of the fight to tune out the sounds of other ponies watching her. The pair settled into a give and take routine soon. Spitfire would attack, and be blocked by Fluttershy. Then Fluttershy would do the same. It was clear to all watching that the Captain was the superior swordsmare, but the timid young squire was no slouch.

Spitfire stepped back and raised her blade in salute again. Blinking at the abrupt end, Fluttershy did the same. The younger of the pair was sporting more than a few new bruises, but Spitfire had picked up a couple new welts herself. The two stepped out of the ring replacing their practice gear, Fluttershy waiting quietly for the Captain to speak.

Indicating Fluttershy to follow with a nod of her head, the Captain started back the way they’d come. “So, clearly you know how to handle a sword. The problem isn’t physical then, it’s mental.”

Fluttershy sighed softly. “I guess so. I’m sorry.”

Spitfire stopped outside the squires barracks. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to yourself. The only pony you’re letting down right now is you, Fluttershy. You have the potential for greatness in you, I know it. Being good with a sword isn’t what makes a paladin who they are. It’s what they do off the battlefield that’s more important. Even so, there are times when we have to use force. You say you want to be here. If that’s the case, you need to find something you feel is worth fighting for.”

Fluttershy lowered her eyes as she considered the Captain’s words. “Yes, ma’am. I’m-”

“Apologize again and you’ll be doing push ups until dinner. You’re dismissed for the day squire. I suggest you take some time and do some serious thinking.”

With a smart salute to her departing superior, Fluttershy turned and stepped into the room she shared with several of her younger fellows. She was the oldest squire by more than a couple years. By the time a pony had reached her age they’d either become a full paladin, or been dropped from the order.

Wiggling out of her tabard and folding it gently into the footlocker at the end of her bed, she delicately removed her saddle bags, slinging them over her flanks. Almost as an after thought she fastened her proper sword and shield across her back. No sense going into the most dangerous forest in the kingdom unprepared.

Walking through the Citadel of Light, Fluttershy found her fellows paying more attention to her than she preferred. What surprised her most of all however was the respect in many of the eyes she saw looking back at her. Feeling her cheeks burning with embarrassment she quickened her step into a brisk trot, moving to the edge of the floating portion of the fortress she sprang into the air, spreading her wings wide and catching a pleasant thermal to drift toward the ground on.

It was a beautiful day, at least. Saying a quiet word of thanks to the distant Lady Celestia for raising such a lovely sun, she fanned her wings wider giving them a lazy flap to keep herself aloft. The Everfree Forest wasn’t far from the Citadel’s position. After a rather short flight she found herself at the trees leading into the somewhat foreboding forest. Landing gently on the ground she tucked her wings tightly into her sides and started into the trees.

***

“Fluttershy, my dear friend, that is very nearly a perfect mend!”

Fluttershy smiled brightly at her zebra friends praise. “It’s nothing special. I learned it all from you, after all.”

Zecora smiled softly in return, delicately examining the injured blue jay’s wing. With infinite care she lifted the bird and settled him into a nest near the roof of her hut. “Come, come, let us step outside and gather some herbs, on the way we can discuss how to best care for birds.”

Following the strangely attired Zebra out into the grove she made her home in, Fluttershy took a moment to appreciate it’s beauty as she always did. There was something so comforting and inviting to the untamed wilds of the Everfree Forest to the young knight in training. Zecora’s hut was in actuality a hollowed out portion of an ancient elm tree. A picturesque brook babbled gently through the grove, running off into the forest. Wild flowers of every shape, size, and color imaginable covered the ground in a dizzying array of color.

Fluttershy always felt so calm and centered when she visited with the druidess. She’d chanced upon her during a training exercise in the Everfree. A pack of timber wolves had been chasing her through the woods, and an injured wing prevented her from flying away. It was Zecora who’d arrived and chased them away. After that, the two had become fast friends. Whenever she had a free moment, Fluttershy would visit to learn a bit of woodslore or animal care.

Today however, she was finding it hard to focus on Zecora’s litany of advice and information. Her thoughts kept straying back to Captain Spitfire’s words. “Fluttershy you are wearing such a sad frown, tell me… what has you feeling down?”

Ruffling her wings in agitation the pegasus sighed. “It’s something the Captain said to me. She said I have to find something worth fighting for if I want to be a real paladin.”

“Your Captain speaks wise, this is true… finding a reason to lift your sword is necessary, if becoming a knight is the path for you.”

“But how do I know what that reason is? How can I tell if it’s the right time to draw my sword? My sire told me a pony should never draw their blade unless they’re prepared to take a life but I don’t know if I could ever kill anypony…”

Zecora paused in her walk, lifting a hoof to stop Fluttershy, and nodding along the small river. The pegasus followed her gaze and saw a large bear swatting fish from the water and onto the bank to be eaten when she felt she’d accumulated enough. “Death is just as natural a part of the world as life is my young friend, there will come a time when we all must meet our end. Good and evil exist all the world through, we who champion good must at times decide the fate of those that would bring harm to others like you.”

Fluttershy watched the bear swat another fish to the bank, as a pair of cubs came trundling up to enjoy the meal their mother had provided. She was dimly aware of the druidess taking her leave, wrapped up in her own thoughts. Eventually she settled on the ground to watch the family of bears. It wasn’t long before the mother took note of her, casting her a warning glare before settling down with her cubs to eat.

The young knight-to-be watched the family of bears in silence for a time. This was something she could fight to protect. Not necessarily these bears, but a family’s right to live. To do the things everypony deserved to be free to do. She knew there were bad things in the world. Evils that couldn’t be reasoned with. She was even aware that there were ponies out there. So twisted and cruel that no amount of kindness would reach their hearts.

Still… the thought of actually killing one… she sighed and finally rose to her hooves. The sun was starting to set and she had to get back to the Citadel. Looking toward the sky, a flash of color caught her eye. Curiously she spread her wings taking flight. Flying in the Everfree was always a difficult venture. The trees were massively tall, grew close together, and had thick canopies.

Pushing through some branches she found herself in a clear, open space above the trees. Her eyes widened at the creature perched not a foot from her nose. A bird almost as large as she was gazed back at her with intelligent golden hued eyes. It’s plumage was a vivid mixture of reds, oranges, and yellows giving the impression of the birds bodies trailing flames.

“Oh my… um… hello there?”

The gorgeous bird crooned softly, turning its head to gaze at her with its other eye. Fluttershy settled unsteadily on a branch across from the bird. “I’ve never seen a bird like you before.”

The bird cooed softly again, ruffling it’s feathers and puffing its chest out with a touch of pride. Its antics drew a smile from the mare. “You certainly have lovely coloring. I wish I knew what you were.”

The bird spread its wings abruptly and vaulted from the branch, flying a short distance away and alighting in another tree, gazing back at her expectantly.

Confusion clear on her face, Fluttershy took off after the bird. “You want me to follow you?”

In response the bird jumped into the air again, flying further this time. Curiosity mingled with fear. Fluttershy knew the forest was home to many dangerous creatures, but this bird didn’t seem hostile. Deciding to err on the side of caution, Fluttershy reached within herself for one of the many abilities ever paladin possessed. Feeling the magic well up from her core and settle around her eyes, she gazed at the bird once more.

If it were an evil creature, her sight would reveal a crimson aura around the bird. Seeing nothing didn’t necessarily mean it was good aligned, but she knew it wasn’t evil and at worst its intentions were mischievous. Deciding to humor the bird she began to fly more assuredly. Noting the determination on the mare’s face, the bird seemed to nod and set off with a steadier pace.

Fluttershy followed it for a time, weaving around branches and through the trees deeper into the forest. Her trepidation grew as she realized she was deeper than she’d ever been before. She was about to consider turning back when the bird stopped abruptly, not landing in a tree as she expected but dropping to the forest floor.

Folding her wings against her body Fluttershy did likewise. Eyeing the bird curiously she approached, when the sudden sound of metal ringing on stone caught her ears. Perking them to their full height she creeped forward, into the bushes the bird had landed behind.

Just beyond her hiding place was a deep chasm. She could see many ponies chained together by their hind legs, holding picks and shovels. Standing above them, cracking the occasional whip or giving some slow worker a vicious jab with a rusted spear were large, bipedal canine creatures. Fluttershy sucked in her breath. “Diamond dogs…”

“Is this what you wanted to…” She trailed off as she realized the bird had left. She was alone in the forest, overlooking a gem mine being mined by enslaved ponies. Righteous fury flared in the young mare’s heart at the sight of her fellows being treated in such a way. Her detect evil effect was still working, and she could see brilliant crimson auras surrounding each of the canine beasts.

Fluffing her wings nervously she stared down at the mine. She knew the smart thing to do would be go back to the Citadel and get reinforcements, then come down in force. She turned to do just that when a flash of light off metal caught her eye. Turning her attention to the bright glint, her breath caught in her throat.

A brilliant mithral shield lay tossed haphazardly on its side against one of the filthy huts the dogs must use as their living spaces. She recognized the symbol emblazoned proudly across the front as that of her sire’s. Could he have been captured, and even now be held prisoner?

Narrowing her eyes she didn’t see any sort of aura’s around the hut, meaning it was likely unguarded. Taking a deep breath to gather her courage she crept from her hiding place, tucking her wings into her sides and angling downward for a rapid dive toward the back of the hut. Flaring her wings open at the last second halted her descent and she landed as quietly as she could.

Carefully peeking around the edge of the hut, she detected one of the beasts approaching from the right, but it was still a short ways off. Quickly slipping around to the front of the hut she ducked inside and shut the door gently behind herself. Turning she found a well built unicorn stallion chained to the ground, a thick spike rammed clean through one of his hind hooves and actually pinning him to the rocky ground.

His white coat was caked with blood and dirt, while his messy blue streaked mane and tail were equally caked in blood. “Sir Shining Armor!” She hissed softly under her breath.

The stallion stirred, cracking his eyes open. “F--Fluttershy? What’re you doing here? How’d you…” He hissed sharply in pain as the hoof with the spike rammed through it shifted, jarring the metal a bit.

“Oh… oh dear. Just relax m’lord, I’ll get you out of here.”

Shining Armor nodded. “I don’t know or care how you found me. If you can get me loose and patched up we can get back and bring reinforcements. There aren’t too many dogs here, one or two more knights should be able to do it.”

Fluttershy frowned at the sound of paws thudding outside. She shrank back into the corner and held her breath waiting for the diamond dog to pass. Keeping her ears trained toward the door she crept back over to her sire. “Alright sir, this is going to hurt…”

Fluttershy offered him the hilt of her sword to bite down on, which he did gratefully. Taking a deep breath she moved to his injured hoof, and gripped the spike firmly. Already he groaned and bit down harder on the leather hilt. Closing her eyes, she took a second breath and heaved as hard as she could, ripping the spike out of the ground and her fellow paladin’s hoof.

Shining groaned loudly as pain filled shivers wracked his body. Fluttershy hastily laid her hooves over the openly bleeding sore, calling on another of her abilities. Warm healing magic flooded through her hooves into Shining’s, the bleeding stopping almost immediately. “I’m sorry sir… we’ll need to get you to a cleric to properly close the hole.”

A few moments of labored breathing later, Shining Armor spat the sword from his mouth. He waited patiently as Fluttershy wound some bandages from her bag around his hoof. “It’s….nng… alright Fluttershy. You did just fine. Now let’s get out of here.”

Fluttershy set her jaw firmly. “We don’t need to go back to the Citadel for another paladin m’lord.”

He raised his eyebrows. “We don’t?”

She shook her head. “Your reinforcements are right here.”

Warring emotions flared up in the stallions eyes. “Fluttershy I appreciate the sentiment but you… y’know… have your uh… no killing thing.”

Fluttershy frowned. “I don’t like the idea, and I think we should give them a chance to surrender peacefully. But you would have died from the infection in your hoof. And who knows how many ponies they’ve already killed in their mines. They have to be stopped, and they have to be stopped now.”

Shining Armor stared hard at his squire. He’d only been in charge of her for the last year and a half, after her least sire sent her away in disgust. He was getting somewhat frustrated himself, but like Spitfire he could see the enormous potential she had dwelling inside. Finally he nodded. “Alright Fluttershy. First off we need to get my arms back.”

She nodded as if expecting this. “Your shield is right outside the hut. I’m not sure where your sword is, but there are a few less impressive weapons piled outside too.”

“Their leader took it for himself. Thought it was ‘shiny’ enough that it should belong to him. I’ll make do with a loaner until he can be convinced to give mine back. Let’s move squire.”

Drawing her own sword and shield from her back, Fluttershy took the lead, again surprising him. “Yes sir.” Easing outside she looked back and forth, her evil detecting sight showing no foe nearby, she shoved the door open further allowing her sire to exit. Shining Armor walked with only a slight limp on his bad hoof, Fluttershy knew her healing well. Reclaiming his fine shield and choosing one of the long swords for himself he turned to the mare with a resolute nod. “Let’s save some ponies.”

Fluttershy was content to allow him to take the lead now. She followed close behind, eyes constantly scanning for signs of enemies. Tapping him on the flank she nodded a head, tapping the stone three times with a hoof. Three enemies nearby.

Shining nodded and activated his own detect evil magic. Sidling around the corner the elder paladin cleared his throat firmly. “One of two things is going to happen here gentlemen. You’re going to drop those poor excuses for weapons and surrender, or my squire and I are going to sent you howling to the pits of Tartarus. The choice is yours.”

It was almost funny how shocked the dogs looked at the pair of ponies’ sudden appearance. Scrambling to their paws they rapidly drew their own blades. “We beat you once stupid pony! We beat you twice!”

Fluttershy looked confused a moment. “How did they beat you m’lord?”

Shining snorted. “They snuck up behind me and clubbed me in the back of the head. I wouldn’t call that defeating me.” Turning his attention back to the dogs he scowled. “What’ll it be fleabags?”

Snarls of rage were their response as the dogs threw themselves forward. Even armed there were only two ponies after all, and they were much smaller to boot. The first thrust his spear at Shining Armor, the experienced knight barely flinching as he shifted his shield into the way of the thrust. The flimsy spearhead snapped in half, then the shaft followed suit causing the dog to stumble and land prone at Shining’s hooves.

The stallion reversed his grip on his sword and slammed the pommel into the back of the beast’s head, knocking it unconscious. By then the second dog was upon him, wielding a pair of wickedly curved daggers with much greater skill than his fellow. Fluttershy was about to intervene when the third dog charged at her. She released a strangled yelp and skipped backwards as the brute brought down a heavy club on the spot she’d just occupied, cracking the stone.

It was all well and good to SAY she was ready for combat, but suddenly being thrust into a life or death situation was terrifying. The dog seemed to be a flurry of club and claws, something always rushing in to swat or batter at the beleaguered mare. The more he pressed his attack however, the more her confidence grew. In comparison to sparring with Captain Spitfire, or her training with Sir Shining Armor the dog’s clumsy swings were almost too easy to read. She began to block and parry with more ease, soon she was pushing him back.

Shining Armor had already dispatched his second foe, and at first turned to help his squire, only to find it was the dog who needed help. The normally timid pegasus was darting in dealing quick jabs or bashes with her shield, drawing pained yelps from the dog. After blocking his club with her shield and shoving him back hard, his guard was wide open and she lunged in with a powerful thrust. Her blade passed through his chest easily, and she looked nearly as surprised as the rapidly dying diamond dog did.

Fluttershy stepped back quickly, pulling her sword from the dying creature, staring at it in quiet contemplation. She delicately stepped around the spreading pool of blood coming from the dead dog. “...we should keep going sire.”

Shining Armor nodded slowly. “Right. That was some excellent blade work Fluttershy, I’m proud of you.”

“Th-thank you sir… I just… I killed him. It was so easy… effortless almost.” Her voice was quivering a little. “M’lord I… I don’t…”

Shining Armor laid a hoof on her shoulder. “Fluttershy you did what you had to do. Taking a life is never easy… emotionally I mean. Physically that did look pretty easy, yeah.” He cracked a smile, seeing that his squire wasn’t returning it he cleared his throat. “But it should never stop hurting when we have to do that. I know I don’t like it, Captain Spitfire doesn’t like it and I have a sneaking suspicion your father doesn’t like it.”

Fluttershy took a shuddering breath and closed her eyes tightly, suppressing the tears that wanted to flow. “You’re right sir. We… we do this so nopony else has to don’t we?”

He nodded. “We do. We have to be strong for them. For the sake of everypony in Equestria.”

Resolute again Fluttershy stood at his side. “I can be strong sir.”

His smile was warm. “I know Fluttershy, we’ve known that all along. We were just waiting for you to realize it.”

For the first time in her life… Fluttershy felt it too.

***

The chieftain of the diamond dog tribe of the Everfree was a towering monster of a beast. Rumor was he was half ogre, or had an ogre somewhere in his ancestry at the very least. The gleaming blade clutched in one fist looked comically tiny in his huge paw. The sharply barbed whip he held in his other was significantly less ridiculous, at least to the ponies on the receiving end of it.

“Work ponies! No sleep! No lay down! Just work! Work til you die!” Bringing the whip back, he selected a faltering earth pony mare. Snapping his wrist forward he sent the cruel weapon arcing out at the hapless pony. His eyes went wide as saucers as a pegasus mare leapt from above, her sword cleanly slicing the whip in half, sending the front half flopping to the ground.

“What? What is this?! Free pony? Ponies slave! Not have swords! That bad pony!”

He only grew further incensed as a second pony leapt out. The prisoner from the hut no less. “You! You not take knife back! Is mine!”

Shining Armor scowled. “I’ll deal with the leader, you get these ponies free and keep an eye out for more dogs!”

Fluttershy nodded as she set to work following his orders. She tried to tune out the sound of the fight behind her, trusting in Shining Armor to deal with the leader. Rushing to the side of the nearest group of slaves she brought her finely honed sword up, and swung it into the chains binding them. The tempered steel easily sheared through the rusty iron chain, and the first group of ponies were already working to free themselves.

Turning to the second group she drew up short as a pair of dogs rushed her. Chanting a swift prayer to Lady Celestia, she felt magical strength surge through her limbs as her muscle visibly swelled. The dogs’ eyes widened as the little mare suddenly became a significantly less little mare and glared them down. “Drop your weapons and leave now!”

Looking from the furious, and bulky pony before them, then over to their boss who was struggling with a second one… and finally to the group of recently freed slaves behind the mare their choice was simple. Dropping their weapons they fled, howling all the while.

Blowing out the breath she’d been holding Fluttershy moved from group to group, working to free the slaves. Thankfully her magically enhanced muscle deflated soon to her normal, svelte physique. It was great for intimidation but it sure made it harder to get around. Looking about in satisfaction at all the newly freed ponies, she turned her attention back to Shining Armor.

She was alarmed to find the stallion’s sword had broken, and the only reason he was still alive was the brightly shining magical shield enveloping him. Her sire was definitely no wizard, but rumor had it he’d come from a magical pedigree and had developed and mastered a spell all his own. Wizard’s called it “Shining’s Aegis” in honor of the stallion who’d created it. The shield was supposed to be able to withstand nearly any assault, but Shining Armor’s sword was powerfully enhanced as well. Already tiny cracks were showing in the shield.

Snapping her wings open she took to the air. Gaining altitude she glanced down, fear gripping her heart as Shining’s shield finally shattered into glittering pieces. Banking sharply she angled downward and dropped into a reckless dive aiming for the massive diamond dog. “Leave him… alone!” Her blade burst into brilliant white radiance as she channeled her fury into it. The dog looked up with a dim expression of surprise on his face. An expression that would forever be frozen on the abruptly decapitated head as Fluttershy brought her sword cleanly through his neck and out the other side at the end of her dive.

She hit the ground solidly on all fours just as the dog’s body slumped over to the side and boomed into the ground. Breathing heavily the mare hurried to her sire’s side. “Are you alright m’lord?”

Shining Armor beamed with pride. “I am Fluttershy, thanks to you. And so are a lot of other ponies today.”

Already the freed slaves were crowding around the pair, cheering for their saviors. Fluttershy’s natural dislike of crowds was starting to rear its head again and she shuffled uncomfortably under the praise heaped upon her. As the knights lead the ponies from the mine, she couldn’t help but gaze back at the huge monster she’d felled, a look of sadness in her eyes.

***

“It’s with great pride that I name you Dame Fluttershy, a fully realized knight of the realm of Canterlot, and Paladin of the Order of Radiance. May you bring honor to yourself, your lord, and your country so long as you live.”

Fluttershy’s head was bowed in embarrassment at the wild cheering coming from her fellow paladins. Captain Spitfire grinned at the end of her speech leaning in close. “I knew you had it in you kid.”

Shuffling a little in her gleaming plate mail, Fluttershy’s smile grew a little at that. She scanned the crowd looking for one particular face. She wasn’t disappointed.

Sir Bright Wing the Bold was still an imposing stallion, even well into middle age. Standing a good deal taller than many of his fellows, his brilliant golden armor drew plenty of eyes. If any thought his bright pink mane a touch on the feminine side, none were bold enough to comment on it. His eyes were wet with unshed tears of pride as he watched his daughter pass into true knighthood.

Fluttershy stuck around the party long enough to be polite, before excusing herself and following after her father. “H--hello sir.”

His smile was warm and inviting. “Hello Fluttershy. I’m very proud of you. I know it hasn’t been easy for you, and that at times you wished to be somewhere else. I also knew however, that this is where you belonged. And not because it’s what I did. You could have just as easily taken after your mother, and no doubt you’d have been a wonderful priestess.”

Fluttershy settled before her father, content just to be in his presence. “But you have a fire in your heart Fluttershy. Most of the time it’s a tiny ember, but I know that if stoked properly it would become a roaring blaze of righteous strength, powerful enough to protect all of Equestria. I expect to hear many great things about you in the near future my dear.”

Fluttershy sniffled a little and wiped a hoof across her eyes. “Thanks daddy…”

The powerful stallion enfolded the smaller mare in a fierce hug. “No matter what you do Fluttershy, I’ll always be there for you. I’ll always be proud of you.”

Fluttershy returned the embrace happily, not breaking it for some time. Finally her father stepped back and cleared his throat gruffly. “Well! A true paladin such as yourself probably doesn’t want to sit around doing nothing. I have your first assignment.”

The newly minted paladin’s eyes widened. “A--already?!”

Her father nodded slowly. “Yes. It’s an easy one, not to worry. Lady Celestia’s church is opening a new temple in a town called Ponyville. It borders the Everfree Forest, and she has personally requested you by name to be the temple’s official knight protector. It will only have a staff of three priestesses so the job shouldn’t be terribly difficult.”

Doing a little quick thinking the mare realized that she’d heard of the town, even better it was very near Zecora’s grove. Even closer than the Citadel. “Thank you dad. I won’t let you down!”

“You never could Fluttershy. Now go enjoy your party. Spend some time with your friends. You leave in the morning.” He finished with a crisp salute.

Eyes shining with tears again she did likewise. “Yes sir!”

Bright Wind watched his filly rush excitedly from the room, a smile playing upon his face. “They grow up so fast don’t they?”

“Mmm. Some of them do. Some of them never seem to grow up.” He turned a stern eye to the large mare who’d alighted upon his balcony. “Honestly Celestia, rocks to cake? You can’t find a better use of your time?”

The ancient archmage shot a dirty look at the phoenix as she calmly alighted on the stallion’s back. “Philomena! You ratted me out to Bright Wind?”

The archmage’s familiar cawed a mocking laugh, enjoying a small cookie offered by the pegasus stallion. “Why Fluttershy?”

Celestia’s look turned serious. “You always did prefer to get right to the heart of the matter didn’t you?” Sighing softly she turned away, gaze fixed on the rising moon.

“A darkness is stirring Bright Wind my friend. A powerful darkness I fear beyond even our formidable strength. The world needs new heroes, it needs the Elements once again.”

Bright Wind scowled. “Impossible! You know the elements are useless without-”

Celestia cut him off with a sharp nod. “New Elements of Harmony are needed Bright Wind.”

His eyes widened at the implications. “And you think…”

Celestia smiled softly, laughter dancing in her eyes. “I never think Bright Wind. I know. I always know.” The laughter faded as she looked to the moon again.

“...always.”

Fluttershy
Paladin:6 Lawful Good

Strength: 12
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 16

Special Abilities
Aura of Good, Detect Evil at will, Smite Evil 1 per day, Immune to all diseases, lay on hooves, divine grace, aura of courage, turn undead

Favored Spells
Cure Light Wounds, Bless, Bull's Strength

Shining Armor
Paladin: 12 Lawful Good

Strength: 18
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 16
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 17

Special Abilities
Shining's Aegis: Once per day per int mod, creates a shield that can absorb 1d10 damage per level

Favored Spells
Divine Favor, Shield Other, Prayer

Special Gear
Bright Fang: +3 Holy Longsword, Three times per day it may be used to dispel illusions and transmutations in a fifty foot radius.

Author's Note

And here we have Paladinshy! Also added Alignments to the previous two chapters.

Prologue 4: The Generous Thief

Prologue 4: The Generous Thief

It was a party hosting the elite of Canterlot. All the nobility were in attendance, from the lowliest functionary all the way up to Queen Diamond Dust’s son, Prince Blueblood. The enchanted globes of light hanging above the grand ballroom reflected off the vast fortune of gems sewn into the various mare’s gowns so brightly it hurt ones eyes to look too long. It was common practice at the Gemstone Ball to wear tinted lenses over one’s eyes.

Common practice for all but the servants, who were expected to ‘bask’ in the glory of their betters. It wasn’t unusual at all for one of them to be dazzled by a passing pony and wind up crashing into a table or wall. Some of the less scrupulous nobility would take bets on how long it’d take one of their lessers to make a fool of themselves.

Some took it upon themselves to help things along, intentionally shifting their flanks to hit a passing light globe just right and dazzle one of the servers. One such mare was in the sights of the Lady Upper Crust, well known for her cruelty to her own serving staff. She only employed unicorns, and treated them all as poorly as possible. So it came as little surprise to her friends that she’d singled a unicorn out.

The servant in question was a young mare, possibly still a teenager. Her coat was a rich ebon black color, so dark it actually seemed to draw in and dilute the light around her, while her lily white mane and tail were clearly styled haphazardly, and pulled back into a pair of loose ponytails tied off with a bit of green ribbon. She levitated a tray of hors d'oeuvres at her side, offering them to any noble who passed.

Her cutie mark of a serving tray drew some chuckles as well. How sad must it be for a pony’s destiny to be serving their betters. Small amount of pity aside, nopony thought to warn the hapless mare of her impending embarrassment. As Upper Crust maneuvered to catch the light just right, she shifted her haunches to reflect it from the diamonds adorning her dress right into the mare’s eyes.

Of the many assembled ponies at the party, only one noticed the serving girl avert her gaze at the last second. He raised an eyebrow as she acted blinded, and stumbled about helplessly. His confusion turned to amusement as the mare ‘tripped’ sending her tray flying through the air to land directly atop Upper Crust’s head. It was all he could do to avoid applauding her cleverness, no doubt such an act would only get her into more trouble. As it was the incensed Upper Crust was berating her furiously over her fall, and the ruin of her gown.

Eventually the noblemare grew tired of belittling the servant and sent her away with a disgusted sniff. The servant bowed low, almost sticking her nose against the ground as she hastily cleaned up her mess and retreated back toward the kitchen. She yelped in alarm as she backed into one of the party goers. “I’m so sorry sir! Please forgive me.”

The stallion in question regarded her with mild amusement through his monocle. Wearing a finely tailored suit, his blue mane styled expertly, and a slim moustache giving him a rather debonair look. “My fault entirely my dear, accept my apologies.”

Eyes lowered she offered a demure smile. “You’re too kind m’lord.”

She had the lightly accented drawl of a pony living in the lower districts, though to his ear it sounded just a tad forced. He fell into step with her as she entered the kitchens. “M’lord this is for the servants…”

“Well that means I’m certainly allowed back here does it not? This IS my kitchen after all.”

The mare’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh sweet Celestia I’m so sorry m’lord!”

Chuckling warmly he shook his head. “Nothing to apologize for.” Glancing around to ensure they were alone his smile turned playful. “You handled Upper Crust quite well out there, I must say.”

Eyes widening in alarm she looked away hastily. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about m’lord.”

“Ah, of course not.” He took a moment to study her more closely. She was certainly beautiful, if a bit on the unpolished side. Her coat was healthy and glossy, though slightly unkempt here and there. Similar to her mane, the hair shined healthily even if it was in a haphazard ponytail. “Well you seem to be well enough, I should allow you to return to work.”

Bowing her head politely she waited patiently for him to leave. Once he was gone she wove her way through the kitchen, refilling her tray. Did you get it?

Hmph! Of course I did! The vault’s in the basement of course. Normally there’re guards all over it but they’ve all been reassigned for the party. You’re still gonna have to get by one stationed at the stairs though.

The serving mare made her way back out to the party, calmly offering the guests her tray as she continued her mental conversation. Have anything on him?

Mmm, just a sec. Okay I got him. Let’s see… ugh. Earth ponies with big flanks.

One or two guests noted the mare rolling her eyes in disgust with confused looks on their faces. She recovered quickly and smiled politely. “Apologies. One of the cooks was getting a bit fresh.” I can work with that. What else?

Standard trap placement. Looks like we got nets, alarms, and sleeping darts. Nothing fatal if you screw up at least.

Nodding politely to a guest helping himself from her tray, the mare moved along, eyes roaming about the ball room until she spotted a bored looking stallion standing around before a grand staircase outside the room. Your confidence in my abilities is overwhelming. Is that it?

Vault’s got a combination lock. I’ll have it for you before you get there.

Setting her empty tray aside the mare ducked into the coat room. Good enough. Talk to you soon, I have work to do.

Her horn glimmered with a soft, baby blue hue as the ribbon around her mane unwound itself. Once it came free her coal black coat shifted to the snowy hue her mane had been, while her mane and tail became a rich, royal purple color. Finely crafted black leathers covered much of her body, a jeweled rapier shimmering into view on one side, while a matching dagger appeared on the other. Reactivating the enchantment on her Ribbon of Disguise, she shivered as the magic flowed over her body again.

Lacking a mirror she had to eyeball herself manually, but she liked what she saw. A pale pink coat with a thick, curly mane of blonde hair. The ribbon now a small jeweled pin. Unbinding her tail she gave it a sharp flick allowing it to fluff out like her mane. A quick tap at her forehead revealed no horn, and she didn’t need to look to know that her flanks had been generously increased in size. Her armor had been replaced with a flashy, gem studded gown.

Sighing in disgust at all things male, she slipped from the coat room toward the stairs. She caught the guards attention immediately, and it was all she could do not to break into a delighted fit of giggles. “Well hello handsome.”

The young earth pony stallion’s eyes widened as this vision of loveliness addressed him. “Uh… um… h--hi?”

Tittering a little laugh the mare smiled coyly. “What’s a good looking stallion like yourself doing out here… all… alone.” She dropped her tone to a more husky quality at the end.

The hapless guard’s eyes widened further as he tried to stammer a reply. Her smile never fading, she paced passed him, adding some extra sway to her hips as she ran her tail under his chin. “Wouldn’t you rather have some company?”

The meaningful way she said company could only mean ONE thing, and standing around in front of the stairs to the basement was really boring to begin with. Barely giving his post a second glance he followed after the gorgeous mare as she slipped into one of the rooms off the main hall.

If anypony in the party heard the dull thud of an unconscious body hitting the floor, it went unnoticed. The mare casually slipped from the room and glided gracefully down the stairs, her hooves barely making a sound.

You sure have a way with the stallions, Jewel.

The mare, Jewel smiled at the compliment even if her partner couldn't see it. Why thank you darling, but honestly they make it so easy. It’s certainly unfair with you about picking their brains for just the right appearance.

Ha, fair enough. The vault is at the end of the basement hall. Brace yourself, I’m going to give you a picture of the trap layout.

Jewel often found her psionic partner utterly invaluable, but one thing she couldn’t stand were the mysterious stallion’s little psychic ‘share sessions’. Leaning up against the wall for support she was rocked back on her greatly enhanced flanks as the mental image unfolded in her mind. Trying to ignore the dull ache in her brain she focused on the mental picture as much as possible, picking out the various traps that lay in wait for her. I… I have it. Stop!

All at once the link was severed and Jewel was alone in her head once more. Sorry, I know you hate it but it’s the quickest way.

Shaking her head at her partners apology Jewel smiled faintly again. No need to apologize. Your assistance is invaluable as always. Now give me a moment, I need to concentrate.

The psion fell silent as Jewel stepped carefully into the basement corridor. With infinite care she picked her way across the floor, nimbly stepping around the various pressure plates that lay in wait for her. It was almost too easy to cross the floor and make it to the sizeable vault door. Combination?

Sixteen right, eighty three left, forty seven right.

Her unseen horn shimmered as she magically gripped the combination wheel, swiftly spinning it to the proper numbers. The vault opened with a satisfying ‘KA-CHUNK’. Jewel took hold of the door in her magic gently easing it open in case of squeaky hinges. Hearing no telling sounds she swung it open with more force, slipping inside and shutting the door most of the way behind herself. I’m in.

Great! I don’t think anypony’s noticed the missing guard yet, but just in case let’s wrap this up quick. You have the crystal the boss gave you right?

Nodding slowly, Jewel removed her ribbon and tucked it away in a pouch on her armor. Drawing out a small golden stone, she rapped it gently on the floor causing it to burst into bright radiant light, illuminating the vault. A little squeal worked its way through her mouth as she took in the veritable mountains of jewels and golden bits. Oh Sifter, if only you could see it!

Jewel felt a little tingle in her head, then in her eyes. Sweet Celestia! Look at all that loot!

Not commenting on her partners mental intrusion, Jewel pulled a small patch of what appeared to be black fabric from another pouch. Rapidly unfolding it to a much larger size, she tossed the portable hole to the floor and began levitating large heaps of gold and gems into the magical container. Am I looking for anything specific?

Nope! This is just a cash grab so cram whatever you can into that magic hole of yours and let’s get gone.

Rolling her eyes, Jewel resumed her looting. Must you make it sound so… filthy.

Ha! I guess I did. Wasn’t even trying. I’m pretty awesome like that huh?

Eyeing her portable hole and finding it nearly full, while the vault had barely a dent in its massive amount of coin Jewel nodded in satisfaction and began folding the hole up once more. That’s one way of putting it.

Jewel whirled around, eyes wide with alarm as the vault door swung open fully. The lord of the manor himself was standing their eyeing her carefully. “Ah, Miss Rarity. I thought that was you upstairs, but you looked a little more rough and tumble than I recalled.”

Jewel? What is it? What’s happening?!

I’ve been discovered. Get out. I’ll meet you at the rendezvous. Rarity smiled pleasantly, bowing low. “Lord Fancy Pants, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Circumstances aside.”

“Indeed.” The stallion stood firmly blocking the exit. “You’re a criminal now are you?”

Rarity smiled wryly. “I’ve been a criminal for quite some time my lord.”

A look of sadness passed over the noble stallions face. “Yes… I suppose you have, haven’t you?”

He appeared to be unarmed, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t dangerous. It would be more unusual for a unicorn as wealthy as Fancy Pants to not have some sort of magical charms or protections than if he did. “How did you see through my disguise?”

Chuckling softly he levitated his monocle a bit closer. “A true seeing enchantment. Detects magic, lies, and poison as well. Useful for the occasional less than scrupulous business partner. Or serving filly as the case may be. Quite clever though, entering as one of the servants. Ponies so rarely pay attention to them. And I believe that little tickle in the back of my head was a psionic? I trust my guard isn’t too greatly hurt.”

Rarity’s smile never faded as she shook her head. “He’ll have a bit of a headache when he comes to, but no. I’m a thief not a killer.”

“The fact that you’re any sort of criminal breaks my heart. It would break your father’s heart too.”

Rarity’s smile vanished in an instant and her eyes hardened. “Don’t speak to me of what my father would or wouldn’t have felt m’lord. Obviously neither of us knew him as well as we thought or I wouldn’t be in the situation I’m in now.”

“A situation entirely of your own making my dear.”

“Don’t you think I know that?! I know what I’ve done, and I’d do it again a hundred times over! No matter what happens to me, all that matters is she’s kept safe!”

Fancy Pants sighed softly. “It’s such a shame what life has forced you to become. You could have been somepony special my dear. Mares like yourself are few and far between. If you’d been allowed to keep your title the things you could have accomplished…”

Some of the venom left Rarity’s voice. “Yes well… what’s past is past m’lord. I don’t regret my actions for a second.”

After a moment of studying the mare silently, Fancy smoothly stepped aside. Rarity stared at him incredulously for a moment before darting passed him and into the corridor beyond. “I wish there was more I could do for you and her ladyship than just give some coin.”

Rarity paused at his words, casting an eye toward him. “...thank you. I won’t forget this.” And then she was gone.

***

Sifter paced anxiously outside the Hoof and Wing tavern in the Canterlot slums. He’d been waiting nearly an hour for Jewel to show and was starting to think she’d been captured. Slitted yellow eyes darted about nervously as he constantly scanned the surface thoughts of anypony passing by.

“Goodness you look ready to burst out of your skin.”

“Yah!” Large bat-like wings unfurled from his sides at the sudden voice from behind. He scowled as a smirking Rarity appeared from the shadows. “Jewel! You scared me half to death!” He could never stay mad at the gorgeous mare though. Her own slate gray coat was a near mirror to his, though her vivid green eyes and shimmering indigo mane made it hard to stay mad at her. She was the most gorgeous pony he’d ever laid eyes on, even if she was a unicorn and not a fellow night pony.

Laughter danced in her eyes as Rarity settled beside her partner. “I couldn’t resist. You always get so nervous after a job.”

The stallion gave an indignant huff. “How’d you get away?”

“My feminine wiles of course. Even noble lords drop their guard around a beautiful mare. Do you want your cut now, or wait until Shadow’s taken his portion?”

The night pony stallion shifted at the mention of their guild leader. “I’ll wait. I feel better when he gives me my pay himself.”

Rolling her eyes at his timidity Rarity shrugged. “Very well. A pleasure working with you as always Sifter. I’ll see you around I’m sure.”

Turning to go, she stopped as he called out again. “Wait! You uh… you maybe wanna get a drink in the tavern with me. Or… or something?”

Rarity paused and looked back at him, clearly considering. “...another night Sifter. I have somepony waiting for me at home.”

If his face could fall any further it’d hit the cobblestones at his hooves. Suppressing a laugh she smiled warmly. “My little sister. She worries if I’m out too late on a ah… ‘work night’. Ask me again when we’re not on the job. Maybe I’ll say yes then.”

“Maybe?”

Flashing the coy smile she gave all the stallions she stepped into the shadows, melting away into the night. “Maybe.”

***

Rarity made her way through the twisting back alleys of the slums toward the ramshackle hovel that served as home. Situated between several similar shacks, it was neither unique, interesting, or spectacular. Just the way she wanted it.

Grunting as she heaved against the ever stubborn door, Rarity slammed it shut behind herself. “I’m home!”

A tiny ball of filly-shaped energy came charging from the pile of blankets that served as their bed. “Hi Jewel! Didja get lots of good loot?!”

“Hello Sugar Cube. I may have gotten some good ‘loot’. Would you like to see?” Laughter danced in the older unicorn’s eyes as she gazed down at her little sister. At home the little filly was allowed to go without her own coat altering ribbon. She was a slightly more off white than her sister, with a mop of pale lilac and pink curls dancing merrily about her head. No matter how bad their situation got her bright green eyes never lost their zest for life.

Sweetie Belle giggled like she always did when they used their fake names with each other. “Lemme see! Lemme see!”

Rarity delicately unlaced her leathers hanging them by the door, unwinding her ribbon and laying it with them, allowing her true shape to emerge. “Alright… but don’t make too much noise. It’s late and the neighbors might be sleeping.”

Sweetie rolled her eyes toward the wall to the right, where the loud sounds of two ponies ‘enjoying’ one another’s company was clearly heard. “They’re doing something alright.”

Rarity’s eyes widened. “Honestly! Where you pick up such manners!”

Another eye roll was the little filly’s response. “Gee I wonder. It’s almost like we’ve been living in the slums for the last three years.”

Giving her sister a slight cuff on the back of the head Rarity levitated her portable hole out of her armor. “Don’t get smart with me little miss.”

Rubbing the back of her head sullenly, Sweetie Belle pouted most spectacularly. That is until Rarity unfolded the hole, revealing the small fortune in gold and jewels within. “Wooooow… there’s so much! Do you think…”

Rarity frowned. “No Sugar, we can’t leave the slums. It’s too dangerous in the upper districts for us. There are guards everywhere.”

Another little huff was the younger’s response. Her pout was fading quickly as her sister allowed her to clamber in the hole and rummage through their ill gotten gains. “Can we at least have a little fun with some of it?”

“A little fun, Sugar Cube.” Rarity moved to the edge of the whole, starting to levitate her haul out and onto the floor of their home. Sifter might be terrified of their guild master but she was anything but. The rakish stallion had been more than kind to she and her sister, and she owed him more than she’d ever be able to repay. While the life of a criminal wasn’t what she’d planned for herself down the line, she was doing what she had to for the sake of her sister.

“So how much is ours?!”

Rarity raised a brow. “Ours? I didn’t see you sneaking into Lord Fancy Pants’ vault and making off with his riches.”

“You know Light Hooves offered to train me again…”

All amusement fled the older pony’s face. “Absolutely not! You’re not a thief Sweetie Belle! You’re not going to run about like those other ragamuffins and pick pockets.”

Sweetie frowned, her sister only used her real name when she was really upset. “S--sorry Jewel… I just want to help.”

Rarity’s face softened at that. “I know. I know. I just don’t want you getting mixed up in my work is all.”

“But it sounds so fun! Meeting dark mysterious stallions! Charming the bits out of noble ponies! Sneaking into vaults and picking locks and breaking traps!”

“I’m sure to a young pony it sounds all fun and exciting but I assure you, it’s anything but. You do know what will happen to me if I’m caught don’t you?”

Sweetie scoffed. “Nopony’s going to catch you! You’re the best thief in Canterlot!”

Rarity couldn’t hide a proud little smile. “I am aren’t I? Still it’s not just me. Sifter is an excellent partner.”

“Just a partner?”

Rarity’s eyes widened again. “Honestly! What has gotten into you tonight?!”

Sweetie Belle giggled delightedly at her sister’s discomfort, trotting back to their bed and squirming beneath the blankets. “Nothing!”

Shaking her head at the unpredictable little filly’s behavior, Rarity began meticulously counting the coin. She separated the gems from the bits, easily being able to appraise the precious stones by eye. Accounting for Sifter’s cut, and their boss’ take she set fifty bits aside for herself, and one particularly choice ruby for her personal collection. She was handing over an enormous sum of money to the guild, but after operating fees, equipment, and the less than small protection fee she paid for the guild to ensure her anonymity it all evened out in her opinion. Every coin was well spent.

Gently easing a large basin she and Sweetie Belle used for a bath tub to the side, she levitated a piece of tan colored cloth from the floor, the color blended perfectly with the floor of their hovel and was nearly impossible to detect if you didn’t know it was there. Eyes shining at the small trove of gold and gems within her little cubby, Rarity added her take from the evening to the pile. “Things will get better soon Sweetie Belle. I promise.”

***

“Alright Sugar Cube. I need to go see Shadow Stalker this morning. I trust you can keep out of trouble while I’m gone?”

Sweetie Belle beamed innocently up at her sister. “Uh huh!”

“Good. If you do go out, make sure you wear your ribbon.”

The filly rushed to the small sack containing her personal belongings, fishing out the length of red ribbon and tying it in her tail. She smiled toothily as her coat became ebon black, and her mane and tail a brilliant crimson. She blinked up at her sister with blazing golden eyes.

“Very intimidating. Behave yourself today. I shan’t be gone long.”

“Yes, Jewel.”

Rarity smiled and kissed her sister atop the head before slipping out into the pre-dawn Canterlot morning. She opted for her ‘usual’ Jewel look. The gray coat and perfectly straight indigo mane was a look she’d grown rather fond of over the last few years. If she’d been paying more attention to the happenings behind her, she’d have noticed her little sister slipping off down another alley to meet the very group of pickpockets she’d been ordered to keep away from.

Content that all was as right with her world as things could be, the professional thief made her way through the winding alleys of Canterlot’s slums. A familiar sight brought a frown to her face however. A rail thin pegasus colt sitting on a street corner with a badly dented metal cup set before him. Sighing softly she veered from her course toward the colt. “Again, Featherweight?”

The little colt flashed her a wan smile. “Mom an’ pop’ve been gone longer’n usual this time Miss Jewel. They always come back eventually!”

Rarity sighed. “Yes, eventually.” Levitating a hefty sum from the portable hole tucked away in her leathers, she dropped enough coin in the little cup to nearly fill it. “Make it last, you hear me?”

Smiling ear to ear now he nodded rapidly. “Yes ma’am! I will!”

“Good. Off you go. Scoot.” She watched him charge away, no doubt to the sweet shop to buy his own body weight in candy. Shaking her head at the colt’s antics she continued on her way. The guild house was situated almost in the very center of the slums. Everypony knew what it was, and what those who worked within really got up to. And everypony turned a blind eye to it. Shadow Stalker kept Canterlot safe in his own way. Crime wasn’t terribly rampant, and he kept his people under tight control. Even the guard ignored his members coming and going… for the most part.

Rarity felt her hackles rise at the sight of the morning guard. She didn’t like Velvet Touch, and Velvet Touch CERTAINLY didn’t like her. Frankly, Rarity found the purple coated pegasus to be something of a tramp. While Rarity herself wasn’t above using her feminine wiles on a job, Velvet was known to go ‘all the way’ with a mark before robbing them. Turning up her nose she pointedly stalked passed the smirking mare, making her way into the warehouse.

She was well recognized by anypony in the guild, and the secret hatch leading into the proper guildhouse was opened without delay for her. Nodding her thanks to the burly earth pony standing guard inside, she descended to the building beneath the building. Rogues, burglars, pickpockets, and street toughs all practiced their art down here. Shadow’s only rule when pulling a job was no pony dies. Something Rarity found meshed quite well with her already stretched moralities.

A few familiar faces called a greeting or offered a friendly nod, which Rarity returned. Three years ago she’d have never imagined herself rubbing elbows with common criminals. Now however she had a hard time picturing her life without the rakish scoundrels. Sure they were all criminals, but that didn’t make them bad ponies.

She was ushered into her guild master’s office with all haste, the door shut gently behind her as she stepped into the stallions personal chamber. Most pictured a thieves guild as some sort of dark hole in the ground littered with torture devices and mounds of ill gotten gains. The reality was quite the opposite. It was a very comfortable building, Shadow Stalker’s office being no exception. A large fireplace blazed with a magical, smokeless fire providing warmth and illumination.

The stallion himself was seated behind his desk, flipping through some paperwork at his hooves. Atop his head was perched a rather stylish wide brimmed hat, with a sizeable feather situated in the band of red ribbon around the top. His black leather armor was nearly identical to her own, though he complimented it with a long cloak that seemed to oscillate between all the colors of the spectrum when it caught the light just right. Which tribe he actually belonged to was a subject of some debate, as nopony ever saw his head or back unadorned. Upon his face he wore a finely embroidered, jeweled eye patch which had the habit of switching from eye to eye when one looked away. It presently covered his right eye, and the left raised to meet her gaze.

“Jewel my best and brightest operative! Sifter told me things got a little dicey last night. I wasn’t worried for a second however. You haven’t failed me yet.”

Rarity smiled at the praise. “You’re too kind, sir. It was nothing I couldn’t handle. I just had to get a little rough with a gentlecolt.”

“Ha ha! Poor fellow had no idea what he was getting into I’m sure. How’s that sister of yours? Keeping out of trouble?”

Rarity smirked as she retrieved the portable hole given to her by the very stallion she was speaking with. “As if you don’t keep close tabs on her comings and goings.”

“Too true! You know you’re both more than welcome in the guild house. We certainly have the room. It’d be more comfortable than that filthy shack of yours.”

Rarity’s smiled faded as she unfolded the hole. “I’d like nothing more than to accept the offer Shadow, but you know why I can’t. All it would take is one mistake and well… we are worth a considerable amount of bits after all.”

“Alas. I’d like to say our little family of thieves would never betray one of their own, but there’s always somepony who gets just a touch too greedy for their own good.” He rose from his desk coming around to stand before Rarity. “Well let’s see the take.”

Nodding she stepped back, and began to levitate the coin and gems from the magical container. Shadow Stalker gave a low whistle as she cleaned the hole out. “Already taken your cut?”

“I have. Sifter wanted to wait for you to pay him personally of course.”

“Of course. Poor fellow’s so jittery around me. Probably because he can’t peek into my head like he does everypony else.”

“Well! Excellent work as always my dear. In fact I think this deserves a little something extra.”

Rarity frowned gently. “Not at all, sir.”

“Bah!” The stallion waved a hoof imperiously. The door to his office swung open admitting a pair of his underlings who went about gathering the currency and making off with it, either to the vault or to the fence Rarity didn’t know or care. “I reward my operatives who do good work. And you do good work.” Shadow Stalker himself retrieved a long, elegantly heeled pair of black leather boots from somewhere behind his desk. “The matching pair to your armor.”

Rarity suppressed a squeal at the expertly crafted hoof wear. “Shadow, they’re gorgeous.” All reservations tossed aside she hastily kicked off her normal boots and slipped the new pair on, raising an eyebrow at the magical tingle that accompanied the action.

“They match to your armor in all aspects. Just like the armor helps you blend into the shadows a bit better, these will help quiet your step.”

Giving her hind leg an experimental stomp, she smiled approvingly as her hoof barely made a sound. “Well this will certainly make me more effective at my work.”

“Speaking of work, I have a client who’s asked for you personally.”

Rarity frowned at that. “I don’t know if it’s a good thing that I’m getting renowned enough to be known, Shadow Stalker.”

“Ah! Well she’s a bit of a personal friend. We chat regularly and you’ve come up in conversation now and again. I assure you she’s the sort of mare who’d never breathe a word of our goings on to anypony.”

The mare regarded him curiously now. “Well what’s this oh so mysterious job?”

Shadow beckoned for her to sit, which she did. He unrolled a sheaf of paper spreading it across his desk. Rarity leaned forward to clearly see the revealed map better. “You’re going here. It’s a town called Ponyville.”

Now Rarity frowned harder. “That’s more than a short walk from Canterlot, Shadow. I can’t leave my sister.”

“Ah! Well not to worry, I already thought of that.” The dapper stallion rolled the map up. “It just so happens they’re having their annual Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville in three days. Little Sugar Cube can enjoy the festivities while you and Sifter see to the job. It’s the perfect time really, everypony will be so busy with their festival they won’t notice a couple more strangers coming into town just to partake.”

Rarity’s frown didn’t fade. “I don’t know Shadow…”

The guild master nodded slowly. “I understand. The reward is something of particular interest to you however. My friend is quite the accomplished wizardess, and is willing to give you and Sweetie Belle new identities. Magical transmutations that will be completely undetectable by anypony save she herself. She’ll arrange new identities for you, and see to it that you’re settled comfortably any place you like.”

Rarity’s eyes widened at the implications. “What… what am I to steal?”

“That’s the tricky part. Beneath Ponyville lays a series of catacombs. Buried deep within them is a sort of… vault. The door is inlaid with many precious stones. The client wants you to pluck as many of the stones from the door as you can. Any more than one are yours to keep. So obviously I’d prefer you to get a generous amount of them.” He finished with a wink.

Rarity sat silently, considering all she’d been told. “I’ll do it.”

“Splendid! I’ll make the travel arrangements. You just enjoy some quality time with that little scamp of a filly. I’ll work out most of the details with Sifter and he can brief you on the way. Sound good?”

The mare nodded. “It does. Thank you sir, I won’t let you down.”

She didn’t see his look darken as the door closed behind her. “...that’s what I’m afraid of.”

***

Rarity made it through the guild and outside quickly, excitement urging her hooves to speed across the alleys toward home. One more job. One last job and she could have a real life with Sweetie Belle. Give her a proper home, maybe even send her to school or… or anything she wanted really!

A shadow passed overhead and caused her to come to a quick halt, as Velvet Touch landed in front of her. “Another big job?”

Rarity sniffed daintily and moved to go around the mare. “None of your concern.”

Velvet shifted to block her passage. “I suppose not. Though something has been bothering me lately.”

Rarity tilted her head, feigning sympathy. “They make all sorts of wonderful creams and ointments for the sort of bothers you’ve no doubt picked up Velvet.”

The other mare chuckled mirthlessly. “Witty as always Rarity. But no. See I’ve been thinking… you and that sister of yours turned up what? Three years ago? Almost to the day isn’t it?”

Rarity’s look hardened. “...and?”

“Well I’m not the best student of history… but I vaguely recall that Princess Sweetie Belle’s lunatic half sister up and abducted her three years ago, then went into hiding and neither have been heard from since. Not to mention those upper class accents you both have darling.”

“I suggest you drop this line of thinking Velvet. It’s not doing anypony any good.”

Velvet ignored the steel in the other mare’s voice. “You think you’re oh so clever don’t you? Swooping in here and charming your way to the top. Well I’ve got news for you, Rarity. The game’s over. Unless you can come up with a very good reason for me to not report you and collect that huge bounty, your life’s about to get a lot more complicated.”

Rarity met Velvet’s eyes, neither backing down an inch. Finally Rarity smiled and eased back. “I have a very good reason as a matter of fact.”

“Oh? Well this I’d like to-hkk!” Velvet’s voice was cut off as Rarity’s dagger flew from its sheath, embedding itself in her neck. The pegasus’ eyes were wide as she spread her wings, preparing to take flight, only for Rarity, still magically gripping her dagger to wrench the blade free while smoothly stepping out of the way of the sudden spurt of blood.

With nothing to keep her blood from pumping freely onto the street, Velvet Touch quickly lost the strength to even attempt flying, and fell heavily to the ground. She looked up at Rarity pleadingly, only to be met with an icy gaze in return. “You’re dead, darling. There can’t possibly be a better reason than that.”

Calmly stepping over the still mare’s body, Rarity continued on her way. She really was excited to tell Sweetie Belle about the coming festival.

***

“You’re insane, Celestia. Absolutely insane. I want a better explanation than ‘it’s what has to happen’ or I’ll call off this whole nonsense heist.”

Celestia sat in Shadow Stalker’s office, calmly gazing into the fire. “She’s returning one way or the other, my friend. Nothing we can do can prevent that.”

“Maybe so but why in Tartarus would you want to hasten it!”

The towering mare was quiet for a time. “...honestly what sort of name is Shadow Stalker? Did you make a list of the most cliched thief names imaginable? Cobalt suits you much better.”

The stallion blinked, momentarily taken aback at the abrupt shift in conversation. “Oh no! That might work on some of the others but you can’t play your stupid games with me. Tell me what this is all about, I mean it.”

“If Nightmare Moon is allowed to return at her own pace, it will be at full strength. If however, her cell is opened early she certainly won’t ignore the opportunity for freedom. She’ll emerge not quite at her full power.”

Shadow nodded. “And then we’ll strike her down once and for all.”

Celestia frowned gently. “Perhaps. So! It seems you’ve really taken an interest in Rarity and her situation. You’ve been very generous to those two.”

The guildmaster shrugged indifferently. “No more so than any of my other operatives.”

“Hm. I seem to recall you were very close with Queen Crystalline, all the way up until she married the King of course. Then you two mysteriously stopped speaking with one another.”

Shadow’s eyes narrowed. “...and?”

“Well. The rumor is, the Queen was pregnant before she was wed. Could you imagine?”

“Mmm. It would be quite the scandal if that turned out to be true.”

Celestia smiled. “Wouldn’t it just? Be safe my friend. I should be going.”

“Wait! You ah… have you spoken with Golden lately?”

Celestia paused in the midst of her teleportation spell. “We have tea together every week, why do you ask?”

The stallions dark coat did an excellent job hiding his faint blush. “No reason.” He waited until he was sure Celestia was gone before sliding open a drawer and retrieving a small crystal. Contained within was the image of six ponies. Two unicorn mares. One lily white with a bright pink mane, the other a rich deep blue with a bright blue mane to match her sister. A sternly glaring pegasus stallion with a pastel yellow coat and pink mane was shooting a dirty look at the inky coated earth pony stallion beside him. The earth pony mare with the rich green coat and silken white braids sat almost touching flanks with her fellow tribesman, while a pegasus mare with a white coat and golden mane looked on smiling.

Sighing softly he gazed down at the magically captured moment. “Happier times.”

Rarity True Neutral
Aristocrat: 2 Rogue: 4

Strength: 13
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 15
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 18

Special Equipment
Shadowed Leather Armor +2
Boots of Move Silently
Ribbon of Alter Self

Sweetie Belle Neutral Good
Rogue: 1

Strength: 8
Dexterity: 13
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 14
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 16

Author's Note

The Celestia's cake spell scene was my favorite one until stone cold killer Rarity. Now that's my favorite moment so far.

Prologue 5: The Honest Mercenary

Prologue 5: The Honest Mercenary

Spells, arrows, and crossbow bolts whipped by overhead as a pair of earth ponies crouched beneath the dusty rocks in the desert a few miles out from Appleloosa. “It’ll be easy you said! Quick job! In an out! No trouble you said! I distinctly recall a conversation to that effect, Brae!”

The stallion hunkered beside his larger fellow offered a hapless smile. “What can I say? Trouble just has a way of findin’ me.”

A pair of magic missiles slammed into their cover blowing off a large chunk. “You don’t say?” Slinging a massive crossbow from her back, the burly mare fitted a bolt in then locked it into place.

“I do say as a matter of fact!” Easing out from his cover the lankier pony peered around the rocks toward their opponents. “I see the wizard, little on the right.”

“My right, or your right?”

“We’re facing the same direction Cross, it’s the same right for both of us.”

“Oh… right.” With a grunt the large mare whipped her weapon over the rocks, barely poking out of their cover for a second before firing across the way, aiming her weapon slightly to the right. She caught a return shot from a bow in the shoulder but barely flinched as she ducked back down.

“Well? Didja hit him?!”

“Wait for it…” Both ponies perked their ears. A sudden explosion and alarmed screaming signalled the bolt of impact’s detonation. “I got ‘im!”

Braeburn was on his hooves and galloping across the way in a flash. Cross Fire was already reloading her crossbow, sighting down another target as the lanky stallion closed on their foes. A long, dusty leather coat trailed behind him as he ran, zig zagging across the sand and evading shot after shot fired from the rival mercenary company. One bolt pierced his beloved jacket and slammed into his chest, ricocheting harmlessly from the gleaming breastplate he wore beneath. “Now that is surely gonna be a bruise.”

The loud twang of Cross’ bow sounded from behind him, as one of the mares’ huge bolts buried itself in the chest of an enemy archer, flinging him through the air to land in a lifeless heap on the ground some distance away. Springing over the rocks and landing in the midst of the ponies attacking them, Braeburn drew a pair of short swords, each glowing with an eldritch aura. One vermillion green, the other an icy blue. “Gentlecolts I strongly urge y’all to drop those weapons… and I guess whatever bits yer carryin’ too.”

Their response was to draw steel of their own, advancing on him menacingly. Five of them versus one of him were pretty good odds. Odds that shifted as another bolt slammed home, dropping a second stallion lifeless to the sand. “Now I promise you she’s just gonna keep doin’ that. Whether ya stick me or not.”

Already down three of their number, the remaining mercs weren’t liking their odds so much anymore. Even if they managed to bring Braeburn down his sniper would no doubt pick them off one by one in the process. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor they turned and ran for the hills.

As soon as they turned Braeburn lunged, burying his icy blade to the hilt in one of the pony’s backs. The three survivors whirled on him in shock, before another bolt dropped a third. Leaving only two alive. With a casual shrug the stallion withdrew his blade, allowing the dead merc to drop to the sand. “What? Didn’t say I was gonna letcha go. Just that it’d be a whole lot easier on y’all if ya did.”

Fury and desperation spurred the pair to attack the smugly grinning stallion. The expert swordsman easily parried their clumsy attacks, shoving one back and into the path of a bolt from Cross Fire. The final pony swung wildly, screaming in fear all the while. Braeburn casually side stepped his charge and tripped him, sending him crashing headlong into the rocks with a resounding CRACK as his head slammed into the unyielding stone. Moving to deliver a killing blow, the stallion hesitated.

Cross Fire was trotting up casually, the case containing their cargo secure at her side as she stowed his crossbow. “Aint’cha killin’ him?”

Braeburn shook his head. “S’just a colt. Let’s relieve the deceased of their valuables and get back. We’ve got a delivery to make.”

Braeburn personally stripped down the wizard, helping himself to a pair of wands and a set of bracers that in his opinion ‘looked magical’ and that was generally enough to assume it was enchanted. He glanced over at his usual partner on these sorts of jobs.

Cross Fire was a big mare even by earth pony standards. Easily a head taller than Braeburn himself, Cross had a deceptively cheerful lime green coat mixed with a lemony yellow close cropped mane and tail. Sporting a leather coat of her own, though black rather than Braeburn’s brown the expert sniper had sturdy studded leather armor on beneath it. “Anything good over there?!”

Braeburn trotted away from the very deceased wizard to join his partner. “Maybe. Got some stuff for the brothers t’eyeball. Might have somethin’ worth somethin’.”

“Good. These others fellas got squat. Few bits between ‘em.”

The lanky stallion shrugged with an affable grin. “That was a few bits we didn’t have til just now at least right?”

“Ha! Guess that’s true. C’mon let’s get this whatever it is to that client. Still can’t believe they sent out this many idiots to stop us. What in Tartarus d’you think it is?”

Braeburn shrugged again as he set out toward Appleloosa at a brisk trot. “Dunno. We ain’t gettin’ paid to see what’s in the case, so we don’t look in the case. You know how it goes.”

“Hmph. Think the others’re doin’ alright?”

“Are they doin’ alright? You do remember who went with them on this one don’tcha?”

Cross blinked. “Ohhh right, heh. Sucks for whoever they’re up against.”

“That it surely does my friend. That it surely does.”

***

“You know…” The wiry earth pony mare ducked a heavy swing from the minotaur’s massive axe. “...you could help!” Skipping backwards out of the brute’s reach she released a flurry of throwing knives, most ricocheting harmlessly off the brute’s armor but a couple struck home, drawing blood and a pained bellow from the raging creature.

“Now… I could be recollectin’ entirely wrong here. But on th’way up here y’all very clearly stated that I more often than not ‘just got underhoof’ while real fighters did the heavy liftin’. That sound about right d’you reckon Ditz?”

A gray coated pegasus mare giggled at the speaker’s question. “Yup! I remember Fritter saying something JUST like that on the way up here!” Her mismatched eyes widened as one of the small lizard-like beasts fighting beside the minotaur hurled a spear her way. Hoof flying to her chest and the holy symbol there she intoned a sharp word of power, raising a shimmering mystical shield and harmlessly deflecting the missile.

“Hear that Apple Fritter? Ditzy Doo here recollects that too!”

The beleaguered mare growled under her breath, narrowly avoiding another blow from the axe. Ditzy’s soft chanting sounded from behind as Fritter felt the warmth of healing magic flowing through her body, sealing up the worst of the cuts she’d already taken. A couple of the braver kobolds were noticing she was the easier target than the pegasus priestess on the rocks next to the comfortably reclining earth pony mare, and closed in.

“I could really use a hoof down here!”

Smirking slightly, the reclining mare tilted the bridge of her well worn hat back, gazing coolly down at her imperiled cousin. “Say it.”

Another growl escaped the mare, one laced with pain as a kobold spear slipped through her leathers, drawing blood. “Y’all’re th’best fighter this side’a Canterlot an we’re helpless without ya!”

“And don’t you forget it.” Springing from the rocks the well muscled mare landed beside her cousin with a heavy thump. Her sudden entrance into the fray drew a mildly surprised look from the minotaur. The kobolds were more focused on the almost comically huge great sword strapped across her back, contained within an incredibly ornate sheathe. Patchwork plates of armor covered her chest, shoulders, and flanks.

Slowly reaching across her back, the orange coated mare swung the massive sword off, sheathe and all. The kobolds began to snicker and move in once more. Still leaving the blade in its cover, the warrior swung it quicker than the reptilian creatures thought anything could move a weapon so big. She swept the pair in the wake of the leather bound sword, lifting them from their feet and sending them tumbling over the side of the cliff. Their screams had barely begun to fade as the minotaur roared and charged her, axe raised.

Diving to the side the mare thrust her sword sharply at the side of the passing minotaurs knee. With a sickening crunch it bent inwards and he tumbled to the ground howling in pain. The remaining kobolds stared wide-eyed, before flinging their weapons aside and scurrying back to their holes.

“How come nothing ever runs screaming from me?”

Chuckling, the warrior mare swept the massive blade around and secured it to her back again. “Because ya fight with them cute little butter knives instead’a usin’ a real weapon.”

Her fellow tribespony bristled at the insult. “Daggers are a real weapon Applejack! We can’t all be muscle bound behemoths like you!”

The mare in question sent a smirk toward her smaller cousin. “If you say so Fritter. Now I do believe we’re bein’ rude to our guest.”

The smaller, bright green mare blinked in mock surprise. “Why Applejack! You’re right. This isn’t how you show proper Apple family hospitality at all is it?”

The minotaur with the shattered knee groaned in response as the pair of earth ponies stood before him. “Howdy there partner! Name’s Applejack. This here’s m’cousin Apple Fritter.” The smaller mare tipped an imaginary hat at her cousin’s introduction. “Mighty pleased t’meetcha! And who might you be?”

The burly minotaur blinked dimly at the sudden charm in the large mare’s voice. “I… what?”

“Huh. Odd name but I ain’t one t’go makin’ fun’a th’handle some critter’s mama felt the need t’attach to him. So now that we’re all friendly-like I’ve got one real simple question for ya. Where oh where, might those missin’ pegasus fillies be?”

With a vicious growl the minotaur swatted at Applejack, causing her to dance back quickly. “Even if I did know I wouldn’t tell you anything!”

Applejack heaved a sigh removing her hat and holding it over her heart. “Now that is a shame. A real shame. Y’see my cousin here’s a specialist of sorts.”

“Expert, you might say.” Fritter put in.

Applejack nodded toward her cousin. “Right. She specializes in… now what was that big fancy way ya put it Fritter? Information extraction?”

Slowly twirling one of her wickedly sharp knives at the tip of her hoof, Fritter nodded. “That’s it on the nose cuz.”

The larger mare beamed in pride. “See that? Toldja I’d remember eventually. Now I myself just call it torture, but I’m a more simplistic sorta pony y’know what I mean?”

A spark of fear was visible in the bull man’s eyes, but he didn’t look to be breaking anytime soon. “I’m not scared of some pansy ponies!”

“I do appreciate that there a-litter-ation Mister What. Not one for fancy wordplay m’self but I can appreciate it when somepony, or someone else uses it. So what we have ourselves here is a bit of an impasse.”

“I dunno AJ, y’seem t’know your way around words pretty well now and again.”

“Thank you muchly Fritter. Anyhow! The impasse. Y’know what we want, but you don’t seem t’wanna talk. I’m gonna ask my good friend Ditzy Doo up there t’make herself scarce right quick. This sorta business makes her a little queasy y’understand?”

The pegasus in the priestess robes waved cheerfully at being mentioned. “Nice to meet you Mister What!”

“Ditzy’s a right respectable priestess of the great Lady Celestia an all. Torturin’ ain’t no business she needs t’see. Ditzy wouldja mind excusin us for a quick sec? Fritter needs t’have a less than genteel conversation with Mister What here.”

“Oh! Sure thing AJ! You guys have fun!” The gray mare ducked behind the rocks giggling softly to herself.

Applejack and Apple Fritter both turned their full attention back to their captive audience. “There we go. Alone at last.”

“I always preferred to work in private personally.”

Applejack nodded slowly. “Want me t’make myself scarce too?”

“Nah. We’re family after all. Ain’t no such thing as too much time with family.”

“Couldn’t agree more Fritter. So! Mister What. This here’s the last time I’m askin’ nice.” Fritter eased closer brandishing one of her blades for emphasis. “The fillies.”

Gulping heavily, the recently christened Mister What found his eyes glued to the gleaming dagger. “I can’t say! They’ll kill me!”

Some of the confidence left Fritter’s face at the minotaurs continued refusal. Tugging Applejack a short distance away she hissed under her breath. “What do we do now?!”

Applejack shrugged. “I dunno? Torture him?”

Fritter blanched. “I ain’t tortuin’ anypony!”

“Hm.” A faint frown crossed Applejack’s muzzle, before she snatched up Fritter’s dagger in a flash, and before the minotaur had time to react she slammed the blade through the top of his hand pinning it to the stone, drawing a renewed howl of pain. A tattoo covering one side of her face glowed with blue light for a moment, then faded when the weapon left her hoof.

“See. I’m sure an expert could do that a mite more precise-like. Some kinda fancy way of cuttin’ or stabbin’ or slicin’ or whatever y’do when you’re torturin’. I however am not an expert. So we’ll do it this way. I ask, you answer. You don't answer, I stick another one’a these here knives in ya someplace. Eventually y’all’re gonna look like a big pin cushion because trust me, my cousin has more than a few’a these little stickers.”

A frowning Ditzy Doo reappeared, gazing down at the scene with a disapproving look. “Applejack!”

“Now Ditzy I asked politely t’excuse us. It ain’t very polite t’eavesdrop. Don’t think Lady Celestia would approve.”

Ditzy chewed her lip in sudden concern. Head sinking low she miserably slunk back behind the rocks. “So. Mister What. The fillies.”

Sweat was beading out on the minotaurs brow. “I… I can’t!”

Helping herself to another of her cousin’s daggers, Applejack rammed it through his other hand, pinning both to the stone floor. Her tattoo glowed brighter, causing the mare to wince. “How about now? Think ya can now?”

“Y--you don’t know what they’ll do to me!”

“Well that surely is the truth. I do not. I do know what I’ll do to you.” Picking up another dagger, the tattoo branded across her face began to glow hotly, smoke sizzling from the magical brand. She raised it high but the pinned minotaur began to shriek.

“I’ll tell! I’ll tell!”

Tossing the weapon aside her brand cooled instantly. “Well! I’m all ears Mister What.”

“Th… the Hook-beak Brothers took ‘em up the mountain a ways. Th--there’s a cave maybe… maybe a quarter mile into the mountains. Just keep heading in and east… can’t miss it. They’re there!”

“Mister What you’ve been too kind. I surely do appreciate yer honesty. Could say it’s th’one thing I value most in a new friend. Fritter would you kindly retrieve your daggers? My brand’s actin’ up a touch.”

Wrinkling her nose in distaste the smaller mare yanked her daggers free, causing the burly minotaur to whimper louder. “Relax you big baby. Ditzy’ll fix ya up and sendja on your way. Lemme go get her.” Fritter trotted back the way Ditzy disappeared, leaving What and Applejack alone.

Applejack perked an ear, listening for her cousins hooves to fade. “Comin’ up this here mountain I couldn’t help but noticed the occasional deceased pony with what looked t’be wounds made by a sizeable axe. Wouldja happen t’know anything about that Mister What?”

Looking away the minotaur nervously cleared his throat. “Nope. That friend of yours gonna be here soon?”

The mare sighed and swept her hat back atop her head. “Y’might recall I mentioned I find honesty t’be a very important policy. I most surely am a mare of my word y’see. Had me a bit of trouble a while back, y’mighta noticed this here fancy tattoo I’m sportin’. They hand em out t’the occasional pony who does somethin’ not quite in line with what my folks think is respectable.”

“Sorry if I offend your pony moralities.”

“The lyin’ I can overlook. Most everybody does it at some point or another. It’s what yer lyin’ about that sorta gets me riled. Don’t take kindly t’folk like you that prey on folks who can’t defend themselves.”

Cradling his injured hands the minotaur snorted derisively. “You some sorta paladin?”

He barely had time to register Applejack’s buck. She spun in a flash and lined up her hind legs, slamming them into his chest and sending him flying over the lip of the cliff, to plummet to the same death his kobold cohorts had met. “Not anymore partner.”

***

“I still don’t understand Applejack… how’d he slip?”

Apple Fritter shot her cousin a dirty look. “Yeah how exactly did he slip?”

Applejack had many talents. Her sword work was second to none in the crew, she could turn apples into just about any culinary wonderment a pony could imagine, she was even a pretty good dancer if she said so herself. Lying however was not one of them. “He just slipped.”

Ditzy Doo wrinkled her nose. “I guess there was a lot of blood around…”

Seizing on the opportunity Applejack nodded rapidly. “That’s it! Poor fella stood up, slipped in some blood and down he went.”

Ditzy shook her head sadly. “That’s a shame.”

Fritter still gave Applejack a hard look. “Yeah a real shame.”

If the leader of their little team felt any remorse, she was doing an unusually good job with her poker face for once. “S’pose so. Reckon that’s th’cave we’re lookin’ for?”

Fritter squinted ahead. Across a short ravine there was indeed a large cave. “I see some big feathers by the entrance, too big for a pegasus. S’pose that’s the one. Don’t see anything guardin’ it. Prob’ly more kobolds inside though.”

“Prob’ly. Nothin’ we can’t handle. Ditzy wouldja mind gettin’ us across?”

Saluting smartly the pegasus priestess wrapped her fore legs around Applejack’s barrel, pumping her wings hard and lifting the heavy mare into the air. “Oof! You need to lay off the pie Applejack!”

Grunting heavily, the bulky mare kept her thoughts on the matter to herself as Ditzy Doo transported her across the way. Settling back on all fours she started into the cave as Ditzy returned with her cousin.

The trio slowed to a halt as they began to descend into a tunnel network. There were no torches or sunlight, so Ditzy chanted a soft prayer and a globe of bright golden light appeared above her head. None of them were particularly adept at stealth, so they trotted briskly through the tunnels, not caring what might hear their hoof steps.

The came to their first fork after several long minutes of walking. “Which way Ditz?”

Ditzy rested a hoof against her holy symbol, eyes closed as she intoned another prayer. Soft golden light shone around her eyes as she examined both paths. “Mmm, there’re ponies down the right one.”

“Right. Find the fillies first. Worry about th’rest second. Let’s move it ladies.” Applejack again took up the lead, heavy hoof steps and bulky armor raising quite a racket. It came as little surprise that the next chamber they entered sported a half dozen kobolds ready and waiting with weapons drawn.

“Huh. Ditzy wouldja like t’do the honors?”

With a nod to Applejack the cleric began a prayer filled with more power than the last two. The kobolds stepped back warily as a brightly shining runic circle appeared before her. Their nervousness turned to terror as a tremendous roar shook the cavern. Within the circle a massive black furred bear appeared, glowing with a bright golden corona of light. Roaring a second time the huge celestial animal burst into a rapid charge sending the kobolds shrieking down a side passage.

Apple Fritter cast a wary eye down the side passage. “It gonna eat ‘em?”

Ditzy Doo shook her head. “Nah. Celestial animals only eat celestia food. It’ll just maul ‘em to death!”

Both Apple cousins raised an eyebrow at the cheerful tone in Ditzy’s voice as she said that, but at length they shrugged indifferently. “Right. Let’s see if we can’t find them missin’ fillies.”

The other two mares’ nodded at Applejack’s orders and fanned out in the large chamber. Ditzy’s magic light illuminated it well enough they could see most anywhere. Fritter gave a shrill whistle bringing the other two running. “Look here.” She held up a tiny pink feather.

“That surely ain’t no griffon feather. Let’s get a move on.” As one the mares moved with purpose down the passage the feather had lain in. A larger group of kobolds awaited them, surrounding what looked to be a small pit in the center of the room. Easily twice the number of the monsters awaited them as were in the last chamber.

Ditzy frowned. “I can’t summon another bear.”

Applejack and Fritter both shared a wild grin. “Fun way it is!”

The pair leapt forward with nearly identical whoops of excitement. Applejack swinging her massive sword off her back, the sheathed weapon smashing the first kobold she came upon into the ground hard, leaving it unmoving as she charged into the fray.

Apple Fritter held back for the time being, flicking dagger after dagger into the rushing creatures. She felled two of them before three more were upon her, thrusting their crude spears at her. Fritter winced as Ditzy leapt in from behind, bringing her warhammer down atop one of the kobold’s heads hard enough to split it wide open showering the Apple mare with bits of bone and other sorts of things that one tended to want kept in one’s head.

“Ditzy Doo!”

The pegasus shrugged. “Whoops. My bad.”

Applejack was fending off the remaining kobolds with little effort. Each swing of her huge blade crushed another of the little beasts. A powerful thrust caved in the chest of another, sending the corpse flipping down into the pit, drawing an alarmed, high pitched yelp from within. Sweeping her sword back and forth she scattered the surviving monsters, sending them yipping from the room. Peering down into the pit she searched for the source of the voice. “Anypony down there?”

“Yes! Hello!?” A tiny pink coated pegasus filly squirmed out from beneath the dead kobold. “I’m here!”

Smiling kindly, Applejack swept her sword back into place on her back. “Don’t you worry little missy. We’ll have you up right quick.” Looking back to her still disgusted cousin as she tried to clean herself off, the larger Apple mare huffed. “Get your bath when we get back. For now get over here and toss a rope down t’that filly.”

Casting a dirty glance toward the slightly grinning pegasus, Apple Fritter eased toward the hole and lowered her rope in. “Get ahold nice and tight now honey. We’ll haul ya on up.”

The filly nodded rapidly and wrapped the rope around a foreleg, gripping it tightly with both hooves she clung to the rope as the Apple mares hauled her out of the pit. Applejack squinted down at her. “Where’re your sisters?”

The filly’s eyes went wide. “Those griffons took them ma’am! Into their room up ahead!”

Handing the filly over to Ditzy, Applejack nodded back the way they came. “Get her outta here Ditz. We’ll catch up soon.”

The concerned priestess ushered the filly to stand behind her, before chanting a quick prayer and touching Applejack’s flank. The mare’s already considerably muscled bulked up a good deal more, causing her to grunt at the sudden tightness in her armor. A second prayer saw Fritter moving far more lighter on her hooves. “You two be careful! Don’t make me come looking for you!”

Giving her a confident nod, the two cousins slipped deeper into the caves, leaving Ditzy alone to escort the filly out.

***

Applejack and Apple Fritter caught the smell of blood at the same time, and both mare’s folded their ears back. Sharing a knowing look they eased into the chamber at the end of the corridor. The Hook-beak Brothers were a notorious pair of killers with a very hefty bounty on their heads. Worth far more alive than dead, more than one bounty hunter had tried to bring them in and wound up a meal for the carnivorous pony-eating duo.

Twins rumor said birthed from the same egg, they were twice the size of either pony mare even with Applejack’s magically enhanced physique. Their leonine lower halves were heavily muscled, claws sharp enough to dig furrows in the stone beneath them. Their beaks they were named for hooked a good deal more sharply than the average griffons. Beaks currently wet with blood.

“Ah! More guests. You must be the ponies our little lizard friends are all worked up about. Very brave coming in here alone.”

Applejack’s eyes shifted from the bloodied beak of the one speaking to her, to the suspiciously tiny amount of meat at the center of the table. “We’re lookin’ for a couple’a missin’ fillies.”

The other brother slurped up the last of his meal, smiling grandly. “Congratulations! Your search is over. You’ve found them.” He finished by patting his stomach.

“You monsters! They were just fillies!” Fritter looked ready to rush in, but Applejack laid a restraining hoof on her cousin’s back.

“They were! Yes. The young ones just taste so much better than the adults you see. The meat is more tender, very succulent.”

Applejack’s eyes narrowed tightly. “I’ll give you fella’s one chance t’come along peaceable like.”

Both griffons blinked at her sudden offer before bursting into uproarious laughter. “Oh! Oh little pony but you are a funny one! It’s almost a shame to make a meal of you.”

Grunting softly she slung the heavy blade off her back, resting the tip against the ground. “Can’t say I didn’t offer.”

The monstrous pair eyed the sheathed sword in confusion. “You’re not even going to try and defend yourself? How do you plan to fight without drawing your sword little pony?”

An unpleasant smile worked its way across Applejack’s face. “Why don’t you fellas c’mon over here an find out.”

Neither griffon was stupid. Both had lived the decadent life as long as they had by being smarter than those who came looking for them, and being better fighters. They’d developed a twin fighting style that had served them well for many years now. Each bore a wickedly curved and barbed scimitar. The swords, combined with their own natural weapons had made them a nearly invincible fighting duo.

They’d never run afoul of the Apple Family mercenary company before.

Apple Fritter sprang into action first, launching a furious barrage of daggers at the brother on the right. The cagey griffon fighter managed to weave around several, but for each one he dodged another lodged into the soft spaces between his well maintained leather armor.

The second brother made to rush to his siblings defense, only to find Applejack’s sword arcing through the air right toward his head. He snapped his wings open beating them furiously to carry himself back at the last second, as the sheathed blade cleaved through the air biting into the stone floor with a tremendous crash, digging a deep trench as she wrenched her sword free.

Fritter began to back away from her opponent as he abandoned his attempts at dodging her attacks and charged in with a furious screech. Feeling her haunches touch against the back wall of the cavern, she waited until he was almost within striking distance, then heaved forward with her forelimbs, pushing herself off the ground and against the wall. Coiling her hind legs she sprang over the head of the rushing griffon, landing behind him with a soft grunt. Drawing a pair of daggers in her hooves she vaulted onto his back, burying them both up to the hilt at his shoulders. His bird-like forelegs went slack as she severed the tendons there, and he fell heavily to the floor of the cave.

“Brother!” Applejack’s foe spread his wings, intending to take flight and rush to his brothers aid out of reach of the ground bound pony. He never imagined the strength she had contained in her compact little body. Crouching low to the ground, she waited until he was just beginning to pass overhead before she sprang upward at an alarming pace, curling into a tight ball and crashing into his chest. Her heavily armored frame smashed against his leather armor and she heard a loud crunch as her body broke SOME kind of bones in his chest.

The mare casually wondered about the sort of bones you had there. Was it the chest bone? Did your ribs go all the way up into your chest? She might have to ask Ditzy about that later. Putting her musings aside she watched impassively as the griffon wheezed heavily on the ground, working hard to draw breath.

She glanced at her cousin as she cantered to her side. “Well that’s that then. Whadda we do with ‘em?”

Applejack swung her sword back into place on her back. “I reckon I got a couple ideas. Why don’tcha go catch up with Ditzy Doo, Fritter. I’ll be along right quick.”

Apple Fritter winced casting the monstrous griffon’s a sympathetic look. “S--sure thing Applejack. I’ll see ya outside.”

Applejack stood calmly as her cousin beat a hasty retreat to the entrance of the cavern. With casual ease she strode over to one of the brothers dropped sword. “Now, if I recollect right y’all wanted t’see me with a blade drawn?”

The dim cavern was better illuminated by the hotly glowing blue brand on the mare’s cheek. “S’pose th’least I can do is grant you fellas a final request.”

***

Ditzy frowned as Apple Fritter emerged alone. “Applejack?”

Fritter shot a quick glance behind herself. “She’s uh… she’s wrapping things up.”

The rescued filly looked up at the mare anxiously. “Did you find my big sister’s?!”

Apple Fritter’s heart sank at the sight of those huge, hope filled green eyes. “I ah… we did. I’m so sorry sweetie. They’ve gone to the Fields.”

Tears began to form in the tiny ponies eyes. “Like my grandparents?”

Ditzy Doo knelt down to the filly’s level, wrapping a warm wing about her tiny, quivering body. “That’s right sweetie. They’re with your grandma and grandpa now. Don’t worry, you’ll see them again one day.”

“But… but I want to see them now! It isn’t fair!” The poor foal was soon wailing her heart out, while Ditzy tried her best to console her.

Apple Fritter turned to the sound of approaching hooves. Applejack emerged, her brand still burning hotly. Small trails of smoke curled away from her burning flesh, bringing an unpleasant smell to the air. “...let’s get this little one home.”

Neither Ditzy nor Fritter commented on Applejack’s burning tattoo. Nor did they ask what became of the Hook-beak Brothers. Some things, they felt, were better left unknown.”

***

Applejack watched from a short distance as Ditzy and Fritter spoke with the fillies parents. She frowned as the mare broke down and start weeping heavily, cradling her surviving child tightly to her chest. The father ushered them inside before coming back out to speak with her cousin and the cleric.

Her discomfort grew as the stallion approached her. Tugging her hat down a bit self-consciously in a futile attempt to cover her brand, she turned her head away. “I don’t care about that miss. What you did in the past is between you and Lady Celestia. I want to know what happened to those monsters who killed my fillies. Your friend said she left you alone with them.”

Applejack tilted her hat back up, meeting his eyes. “They ain’t gonna be hurtin’ anypony ever again sir.”

His face hardened. “Did they suffer?”

Sweeping her hat from her head, she placed it over her heart. “I’m many things sir, but a liar ain’t one of them. So you can have complete faith in me when I say that they suffered more’n any living thing can likely imagine.”

He nodded firmly. “Thank you for that then miss. I… I know it’s not quite the same as having my daughters back but… that helps. You’ll be paid in full, it’s the least I can do.”

“We surely appreciate that sir. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry we couldn’t get there quicker.”

“Me too miss… me too. If you’ll excuse me… I’d like to be with my family.”

“Of course sir. And if y’all have any needs like this again, I hope you’ll consider hirin’ th’Apple family again.”

With a final nod to Applejack, the stallion turned and made his way back into his home. Fritter and Ditzy moved to Applejack’s side, and the three set out toward the outskirts of Appleloosa. Ditzy was the first to speak. “Applejack if you wanna talk…”

“What might I wanna talk about Ditz?”

The cleric frowned. “Well… some of the others like to talk about you know… I mean I know I’m silly and clumsy all the time, but I AM a cleric. I’m there for confessions.”

Applejack raised her eyebrows. “What exactly would I have t’confess Ditzy Doo? I ain’t never made a secret of what I do.”

Ditzy sighed. “It’s just… you used to be a…”

“Used to be is exactly right. It ain’t what I am anymore, I don’t need you pokin’ yer big nose inta my business. If you gals’ll excuse me I’m in the mood for a hot bath.” Applejack quickened her pace, leaving her cousin and family friend behind.

The three approached their home and conveyance, parked in the desert just outside of town. The huge skyship was one of the few treasures the Apple family still owned, and they put it to good use. It was a holdover from the rebellion, but definitely de-weaponized. The only reason they’d been allowed to keep it at all was the formidable matriarch of the families insistence. The magitek shipped was powered by a rechargeable magic core at the heart of the ship, the mechanical aspect was looked after by the unicorn brothers hired on by the Apple family.

Braeburn was standing outside the ramp leading up into the ship with a white coated unicorn mare. “Howdy cuz! How’d your job go?”

Applejack’s response was to hurl the bag filled with bits at her cousins head with a vehement amount of force. The visiting mare’s golden aura wrapped around the bag arresting its flight, before gently levitating it to Braeburn’s hooves.

The stallion gave the visitor a faltering smile. “Thank ya kindly Miss Sunny. And please excuse my cousins poor manners. She can be a mite ornery from time to time, but no better mare t’have at your back in a scrap!”

The pink maned unicorn smiled warmly. “It’s no trouble at all Captain. I know ponies of your profession can have colorful personalities. It’s what makes meeting you so much fun.”

Braeburn chuckled and nodded politely, collecting his cousins pay. “Well that’s mighty big’a ya ma’am. An here comes a much more friendly branch of the Apple family tree. This here’s Apple Fritter. And our resident preacher mare Ditzy Doo.”

The mare, Sunny turned a smile toward the approaching pair. “A pleasure to meet you both.”

“Pleasure’s mine ma’am. If you’ll excuse me though, reckon I’d like t’get myself a hot bath. Bit of dirty work Brae. I’ll fill ya in later.”

He chuckled. “Better you than Jackie. Go on an rest up.”

Ditzy Doo was staring hard at the visiting Sunny. Both eyes for once aligned in the same direction as she squinted at the increasingly uncomfortable looking mare. Braeburn hastily stepped between them. “Ditzy why don’t you head inside too. You’re making our very wealthy customer uncomfortable.”

Ditzy nodded slowly, enver taking her eyes off Sunny. “Uh huh. Sure thing Braeburn.” She finally broke her stare when she disappered into the ship.

Braeburn turned an uncomfortable smile Sunny’s way. “I apologize ma’am. My crew seems t’be on the insane side t’day.”

“Oh I don’t know. The world would be awfully boring if everypony was sane don’t you think?”

“Ha! I reckon so ma’am. So! I s’pose y’all are eager t’get yer hooves on this here case.”

Sunny’s eyes lit up as Braeburn pulled the small wooden case from within his coat. “Very eager, yes. I have your pay right here.” She lifted a hefty bag of bits from her saddle bag, exchanging them for the case.

“Well! That’s how I like my jobs! No complications!”

Sunny’s smile dimmed a little. “Yes… no complications. I wonder Captain, would you be available for more work? It’s a much easier job I promise.”

Braeburn’s eyes lit up with the promise of more, easier work from the wealthy mare. “Sure as shootin’! Apple’s ain’t happy if we ain’t workin’!”

“Wonderful. I need you to transport some ponies for me. Pick up four mares from Celestia’s Academy, and take them to Ponyville.”

Braeburn’s eyes widened a little. “We ain’t exactly a passenger craft ma’am.”

“Would one hundred thousand bits be enough to make it a passenger craft?”

“...why yes! Yes it would. Would our guests like a cabin with a window?”

***

Applejack leaned her sword against the wall of her sparsely furnished quarters aboard the ship. Dubbed the Harmony by her addle brained cousin, she never really cared for the name but then again, it wasn’t her ship. Flicking the straps of her armor off she rolled her shoulders and sighed, shooting a look to the small portrait on the table by her bed. “Don’t gimme that look. They had it comin’. Every last one’a them no good monsters did.”

The portrait, if it had something to say kept silent. With a huff she turned away from it stepping into the hall, and nearly tripping over the stocky orange filly with the pink bobtail mane and tail. “Babs Seed! What’ve I told ya about hangin’ around outside m’door!”

The filly cringed. “S--sorry Applejack…”

Applejack closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again she smiled. “I’m sorry sugar cube. Just a little worked up is all. Somethin’ I can do for ya?”

Babs shrugged. “Nah. I just finished my chores and was lookin’ for somethin’ t’do. Thought I’d keep ya company.”

Ruffling the filly’s mane, Applejack nodded. “Sure. Keep me company in the bath room then. I’m takin’ a soak.”

“Fight any big monsters on this one?”

Applejack smirked at the filly’s excitement. “I mighta. Coulda been a minotaur, dozen kobolds, couple’a griffons.”

“Yeah? Ditzy get in th’way again?”

“Not t’day! In fact she squished a kobolds head so hard the brains squirted all over Fritter! Shoulda seen her face!”

Babs burst into excited giggles. “No kiddin’?! So when d’ya think I can come on a job?”

Applejack frowned thoughtfully as she pushed her way into the bathroom. A few large tubs, and a couple shower stalls dominated the bulk of the room the crew used to get clean and relax in. Apple Fritter already occupied one of the tubs. She just gave Applejack a greeting nod and went back to the small novel she’d been reading.

The burly mare filled a tub of her own and eased into the magically heated water. “Reckon it won’t be too long. Yer gettin pretty good with that sword’a yours. We can talk to Brae if y’like. See if we can’t getcha comin’ along on a few easy ones here an there.”

Fritter snorted at that. “As if Braeburn ever has any easy jobs.”

Applejack laughed. “True enough. We get some easy ones though. He just has that luck’a his.”

Babs snickered at their comments. “Yeah, all bad.” Babs perked her ears sudeenly. “Hey Applejack, didja hear the news?”

Releasing a heavy sigh the mare eased lower into the tub. “What news is that sugar cube?”

“We’re pickin’ up passengers in a couple’a days! And one’a them’s Apple Bloom!”

Applejack rocketed upright in the tub. “WHAT?!”

***

Celestia reclined comfortably in the very large, well worn rocking chair across from her weekly tea partner. The two shared a pot of a different blend every week. One week Celestia chose, the next the other mare did.

The mare in question was an ancient looking earth pony. Her green coat not in the least dulled with age, her mane and tail the same stark white they’d always been. Granny Smith, head of the Apple family sighed blissfully as she sipped from her cup. “You always pick the best Celly.”

Celestia inclined her head, accepting the compliment. “I don’t know about that. You surprised me with that Flutterpony blend you’d been keeping stashed away. How long were you holding onto that one?”

The old mare tilted her head back as she thought. “Ohhh… I suppose it’s been about fifty, sixty years? A long time that’s for sure!” She broke into near hysteric cackling.

“Well it was a wonderful surprise.”

“Speakin’ of wonderful surprises.” Granny Smith paused to sip from her cup. “It seems we’re about to have a proper reunion.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “You consider her return a wonderful surprise? You’d be the first.”

“Eh. When ya get to be my age you learn to not hold onto old grudges. What happened in the past is the past’s problem. Livin’ back then isn’t doing anypony any good. The now is what I’m worried about.”

“That’s what I’m worried about too my friend.”

The quiver was gone from Granny Smith’s voice, as was the shivering of her old hooves. “You have a plan? Or are we going with the usual ‘throw every spell we know’ at it solution?”

Celestia laughed lightly. “I have a plan. Though we’ll be going with the usual to start.”

Granny Smith nodded firmly. “Good. Been too long since I got to cut loose.”

Celestia’s mirth faded, and she sighed softly. “I fear that you’ll get all the opportunity you like to ‘cut loose’ in the very near future Golden Delicious.”

The elderly mare grinned hearing her old name. “Been a long time since anypony called me that.” She casually shifted her gaze to her tea. “Talked to Cobalt lately?”

Celestia rolled her eyes. “And everypony calls me immature. Would you just like to write him a note for me to deliver? The students at the academy have started a charming trend by asking if somepony ‘likes’ them, then instructing them to circle yes or no at the bottom of the note. I could convey one to Cobalt for you if you like.”

Granny Smith snorted. “As if he’d wanna see a wrinkly old mare like me.”

“You’re only as old as you feel Golden. You’re only as old as you feel.”

Smirking a little, The Apple matriarch allowed a soft chuckle. A few of her wrinkles here and there were certainly less noticeable every time she met with Celestia. “Fair enough Celly, fair enough.”

Applejack True Neutral
Paladin (Fallen): 1 Fighter: 7

Strength: 20
Dexterity: 12
Constitution: 16
Intelligence: 9
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 10

Braeburn True Neutral
Fighter: 9

Strength: 14
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 17
Wisdom: 12
Intelligence: 14
Charisma: 16

Special Gear
+2 Short Sword of Frost
+2 Short Sword of Acid

Cross Fire Chaotic Neutral
Ranger: 9

Strength: 16
Dexterity: 19
Constituion: 16
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 9

Special Abilities
Favored Enemy: Ponies
Animal Companion: Barkley, timber wolf

Ditzy Doo Neutral Good
Cleric: 7

Strength: 14
Dexterity: 7
Constitution: 15
Intelligence: 9
Wisdom: 17
Charisma: 16

Author's Note

Here we go! And longer than the rest! What transpired in Applejack's past to make her the mare she is today? Stay tuned to find out... :o

Prologue 6: The Laughing Gypsy

Prologue 6: The Laughing Gypsy

“I’m just saying…”

“No you’re not!”

This brought the minty green coated unicorn mare up short. She paused in her walking to look over at her companion incredulously. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The earth pony mare at her side sucked in a deep breath, and the unicorn winced. “You’re not just saying! You’re walking too! Oh! And seeing. And breathing! Oh, oh! You’re also living, and thinking! ...I think. You’re not secretly undead are you, Lyra?”

The possibly undead unicorn in question, Lyra just rolled her eyes. “No Pinkie I’m not undead.”

The bright pink coated mare at her side blew out a heavy breath. “Whew! Because boy oh boy if you were undead I’d have to splatter your evil undead brains all over the road and that’d be sad for me because I’ve grown pretty fond of you over the last couple years. Also that’d be pretty gross for any other travellers coming by this way.”

Lyra squinted at Pinkie, searching the other mare’s face for some sort of sign that she was joking. “I never know if I should take you seriously or not.”

Pinkie Pie gave Lyra a wink. “There are three things Pinkamena Diane Pie is serious about my dear Lyra. Her art! Making the crowd happy! And bashing out the brains of any undead monstrosities that are dumb enough to cross her path.”

“Huh. How come this’ never come up before? Why the big hate for zombies and stuff? I mean sure nopony likes them but you seem to uh… especially not like them.”

A brief flash of a frown crossed the normally ever smiling mare’s countenance. It was gone as quickly as it appeared however. “Well I never suspected you might be undead before of course.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

“Oh! Know what else you’re doing? not helping me pull this really heavy wagon! Technically since you’re actively not helping, that’s you doing something in a roundabout sort of way.”

Lyra’s grimace grew stronger. Heaving a sigh she stepped up next to the sturdier earth pony mare and fitted the second harness around her withers, lending her own strength to pulling their home and during a show, their stage. “So you feel that way about ALL undead?”

“Yupperooni!”

Casting a meaningful glance toward the wagon she raised an eyebrow. “Even…”

Pinkie followed her gaze. “What? She doesn’t count silly.”

Lyra wrinkled her nose in confusion. “What? Why not?”

“Because I said so is why not of course! Now what were you saying earlier?” Pinkie turned a bright, toothy smile Lyra’s way.

Lyra blinked in surprise. “Uh…” She frowned. “...I have no idea.”

With a cheerful shrug Pinkie continued down the road without a care in the world. “Must not have been very important then.”

***

“So?”

Lyra frowned, sitting inside the wagon with the third member of their travelling troupe. Vinyl was a pale white mare with an unruly blue mane streaked with bright electric zig zags. Brilliant crimson eyes seemed to reflect the light filtering through the window oddly in the darker corner of the large wagon she occupied. “...she Pinkie’d me.”

“Jeez Lyra, again? You have to stop letting her distract you like that.” Lyra’s fellow unicorn winced as a shaft of bright sunlight penetrated the gloom of her corner, and she hastily tugged down the dark tinted goggles she always wore over her eyes.

Her fellow bardess didn’t look up from tuning her lyre. “If it’s so important Vinyl, you talk to her.”

Vinyl raised her hooves defensively. “No way. Besides she never listens to me. When I try to talk serious with her she just laughs, says ‘Oh Vinyl.’ and ruffles my mane like I’m a filly. We’ve known each other since we were fillies. I’m still just a playmate to her. You’re the one who graduated from the big fancy music school. She listens to what you have to say.”

Now Lyra looked up from her work. “Will you at least be there with me to keep me from falling under her spell?”

Vinyl rolled her eyes. “Yeah you big baby, I’ll come outside.”

Lyra smiled brightly. “Thanks Vinyl! I know you get headaches.”

The other unicorn shrugged and slipped a green-dyed leather vest over her shoulders. “It’s fine, really. Pinkie says if I keep at it I’ll adjust. She’s right too I think, it’s a lot better than it was a few years ago. Before I couldn’t go out at all.”

Lyra offered a sympathetic smile. “Well if I didn’t know, I’d never be able to tell. Neither can anypony else for that matter.”

Vinyl smiled back and took a deep breath, following Lyra out into the, in the goggle-wearing unicorn’s opinion, far too bright sunlight. The colorful canopied wagon was an especially bright eye sore to her sensitive eyes. The flashy colors of the gypsy clan she and Pinkie both hailed from were more of an insult to her sight than anything in the noontime sun.

The pair found their quarry humming cheerfully as she spread a colorful blanket out along the side of the road where they’d parked their wagon. Pinkie Pie was in the middle of setting up an impromptu picnic. “Pinkie… I thought we weren’t stopping until we reached Hoofington?”

Pinkie looked up as her fellow clan mate approached. The pink mare was wearing her favorite silk headband, a billowing green skirt, and numerous jingling bangles around all four legs. “Heya Vinyl! Out and about in the sunshine huh? Good for you!”

“Yeah you know me, I love workin’ on my tan. Why did we stop Pinkie?”

Pinkie’s smile dimmed just the slightest bit. “I was hungry. And tired. I know I’m the only earth pony but hauling you gals around all day can work up a sweat. So I thought I’d take a little break and we could all have some lunch.”

The pair of unicorns flinched at Pinkie’s words. Though she delivered with her trademark cheer, there was a very subtle undercurrent of irritation only a pony who had known her for a long time would pick up on. Vinyl smiled sheepishly. “Sorry Pinkie. I’ll do some pulling. It’ll be good for me to be out in the sun a bit more anyway.”

“Okie dokie lokie! Thanks for the offer! I dug out the last of the good stuff from Trottingham so let’s dig in girls!”

The unicorns settled on the blanket, Lyra eagerly working her way through some of the preserved fruits. Vinyl rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. “Hey uh Pinkie…”

Sympathy welled up in Pinkie’s huge blue eyes. “I have some of the special sauce on yours Vinyl.”

Shame mingled with gratitude as the white coated unicorn levitated the offered meal toward herself. Lyra managed to hide her revulsion at the coppery scent coming from the ‘sauce’. “Th--thanks Pinkie… it’s just been a bit y’know?”

“I know Vinyl. I keep track.” Pinkie said no more on the matter, and neither unicorn was interested in continuing that particular topic of conversation.

Working their way through the food, Vinyl started shooting Lyra meaningful looks, jerking her head toward Pinkie Pie. Her fellow unicorn shuffled uncomfortably on the blanket. “So Pinkie…”

“Hey! Have you girls heard anything about Hoofington? It’s supposed to have the biggest pumpkin in the whole kingdom! We totally have to go see that am I right?”

Lyra’s jaw tightened. “Pinkie.”

“Oh! And new taverns! I love new taverns! They always have something new to eat or drink, or new songs to learn!”

“Pinkie Pie!”

Pinkie blinked at Lyra’s sudden outburst. “Yes, Lyra?”

Lyra stammered at having Pinkie’s sudden, undivided attention. “A--ah well… VInyl and I were talking…”

“That’s nice. I like when my good friends get to be good friends with each other.”

Vinyl placed a supporting hoof on Lyra’s back, and the bardess took a deep breath. “We want you to stop charming money out of the audience!”

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion. “But being charming is a really big part of being a performer!”

Lyra shook her head. “That’s not the kind of charm I mean Pinkie, and you know it.”

Pinkie looked from Lyra, to Vinyl. “You really feel the same?”

Vinyl shrugged. “I mean… it was fine when we were first starting out. Celestia knows I did it too, and I have other ways of using charm magic y’know? But we’ve gotten really good with our music now Pinkie. I kinda… WE kinda…” Vinyl straightened her shoulders. “No. We really want to try making a go of it with just our art Pinkie. We’re better than needing charm magic to pay for our food.”

Now the curly maned mare looked to Lyra. “You too?”

Lyra shrugged a little. “I’ve kinda always had a problem with it. But I’m not a… y’know..”

“Gypsy?”

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that!” Lyra very hastily put in. “Just… just that you uh, well you have a… a reputation.”

Pinkie lowered her eyes, thinking quietly. Both Vinyl and Lyra held their breath as the leader of their troupe contemplated. She snapped up grinning ear to ear once more so suddenly both unicorns recoiled in surprise. “Okie dokie! No more charm magic! We’ll just earn our money the old fashioned way!”

Both unicorns broke into bright grins, until Pinkie continued. “Picking pockets!”

***

A thoroughly miserable Pinkie Pie glared down at the surprisingly strong unicorn pulling their wagon. “This is betraying everything our family taught us you know!”

Vinyl rolled her eyes, not bothering to comment. Lyra sat a little ways from Pinkie in the wagon, and cleared her throat softly. “Pinkie we’re really good. Our music really moves ponies, and they pay what we earn through our art. Don’t you want to make an honest living?”

Pinkie snorted heavily. “But that’s so boring!”

Lyra shrugged. “Maybe a little. But don’t you love how it feels when the crowd watches you dance? The smiles on their faces that your performing brings to them?”

Pinkie nodded vehemently. “Of course I do! It might be my favoritest thing in the whole world. But...but honest living?! That’s betraying everything our family taught us!”

“Uh, Pinkie?” Vinyl called up from the front of the wagon. “I was born into the clan, you were adopted when your folks gave you the boot. We had to steal because nopony would actually pay us willingly. Lyra being here gives us, y’know… credibility. I think at the very least we can just try it her way once. It might be nice to not be run out of town after ponies start to notice things going missing.”

Another snort was the pink mare’s response. “Fine! Fiiiiiiine! We’ll do it your way Lyra. We’ll be… honest.” The last word was spoken as if it held a potent toxin within itself, and the mare wanted it out of her mouth as quickly as possible.

Lyra grabbed her friend in a tight hug. “Thank you Pinkie! You’ll see! This’ll be great! We can start getting our names out there! Become real performers!”

“We are real performers Lyra!”

Lyra wasn’t listening to Pinkie anymore. “We’ll start small, work the little rural towns. Build our reputation up some. Start going to the bigger cities and before you know it…” She sighed. “Canterlot.”

Pinkie’s ears perked. “Canterlot?”

The minty coated mare nodded dreamily. “Canterlot. Cultural hub for the entire world. Only the best and brightest are allowed to play there.”

Vinyl called out from up front again. “Didn’t you say you went to school in Canterlot?”

All at once, the joy and excitement fled Lyra’s face. “...I don’t wanna talk about it.”

Regardless of her numerous faults, Pinkie Pie was not a pony to let a friend stay upset. Scooching closer, she sat flank to flank with Lyra. “Hey cheer up. We’ll do things your fancy bard school way okay? If it goes good and we make as many bits as normal, we’ll stick with it!”

Lyra smiled tentatively. “Really?”

Pinkie drew a hoof across her chest. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”

Knowing that was the most sacred oath the gypsy bardess could make, Lyra smiled and gathered Pinkie in a tight hug. “Thank you Pinkie Pie.”

Happy for her friend’s abrupt shift in mood, Pinkie returned the hug. “Sure thing green bean!” A little shiver ran up the mare’s spine. “Oop! We’re here!”

Lyra blinked. “We are?”

Vinyl suddenly called out. “Hey we’re here!”

Lyra shook her head. “Pinkie how do you always know.”

The mysterious pink mare shot her friend an exaggerated wink. “I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

Lyra sighed. “...I’m a year older than you Pinkie Pie…”

***

Hoofington was a small rural farming village on the northern edge of the Everfree Forest. It produced some of the finest vegetables in all of Equestria, and was populated by simple, down to earth ponies. Primarily a village of earth ponies, the only pegasi were the local weather team. It was rare for the town to receive visitors, and certainly rare for the visitors to be quite as colorful as the trio of mare’s who rolled into town with their brightly painted wagon.

Pinkie Pie trotted proudly ahead of the unicorn pair presently hauling the wagon. “Hello Hoofington! Come one, come all! Ponies of all ages! Fillies and gentlecolts alike! Come see Pinkamena Pie and her fundamentally, fabulous, fantastical, friends as we put on the finest show you’ve ever seen!”

The mare was bellowing at the top of her lungs, and drawing plenty of attention from the townsponies who were already starting to gather around the wagon. Sunlight glinting off the bright golden hoops dangling from the pink mare’s ears, the crowd broke into excited ‘ooos’ and ‘ahhs’ as Pinkie Pie nimbly performed a series of flips, springing backwards from her forehooves to her hind hooves as the wagon swung open revealing a large stage.

The acrobatic mare landed on all fours with a solid clop atop the stage. “My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie! But Pinkie works just fine for my friends both old and new!” She threw her forelegs out wide to indicate the crowd. “With me this very lovely afternoon is my very dear half sister, Vinyl Scratch!”

At the announcement of her name Vinyl stepped out from behind the curtain. Ribbons trailed from her mane ruffling in the light breeze. A billowing skirt to match Pinkie’s ruffled about her flanks as she bowed low. Her crimson eyes hidden beneath the dark tinted goggles.

“And our very good friend, Lyra Heartstrings!”

Taking a deep breath, Lyra stepped out from behind the curtain next. A jeweled headband kept her mane from falling in her eyes as she dipped into a bow. A bright red leather vest stood out in stark contrast with her pale green coat.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, I truly hope you enjoy the show!” Pinkie flipped back behind the curtains, as Lyra retrieved a well worn lute. The crowd looked interested as she held it not with her magic as most unicorn’s would, but gripped it solidly in her hooves, beginning to strum slow, drawn out notes from the instrument. Lyra’s eyes were closed as she focused on her music, tuning out the rest of the world and hearing only the sounds produced by her instrument.

Vinyl was swaying back and forth to the tune of Lyra’s violin. A crimson aura of magic flickered to life around her horn as a small stringed instrument levitated to rest before her. Lifting a small pair of beaters she began to rapidly tap out a rapid harmony in arpeggio . The crowd was soon bobbing their head in time with the rhythm, much to the performers delight.

Rapid hoofsteps drew everypony’s attention to the center of the stage. A collective gasp arose from the crowd as Pinkie reappeared. Balanced perfectly upon her hind legs she leapt out, skirts flaring as she twirled to the center of the stage and began a rapid series of hoof taps in perfect time with the rhythm Vinyl was pounding out.

The crowd was fully enraptured by the performing trio. So much so that nopony at all paid any heed to the tiny orange pegasus filly slipping between the hooves of the dazed crowed. She moved with sure, swift precision darting from patron to patron and helping herself to a bit or two from each of their pouches. Her ear would occasionally flick toward the stage and the entrancing music, but she forced herself to pay attention to the task at hand.

Darting from mark to mark the nimble pick pocket helped herself to quite the little stash of coin. Her breath caught in her throat as a firm hoof clapped down on her back, slamming her flat into the dirt while she was in the midst of a quick snatch. Her hoof caught in the belt pouch and it was tugged firmly from its owners waist, scattering coin all across the ground.

The filly looked up with wide eyes at a sternly glowering stallion. Wearing a finely kept black suit and a slim brimmed hat upon his head. “Filthy little thief! After all I, and the temple have done for you this is how you repay our kindness?!”

The stallion’s bellowing rose above the music, causing the bards atop the stage to falter and the crowd to begin murmuring at first in confusion, then in anger as they noticed the subject of the disturbance.

“Scootaloo…”

“Little thief…”

“Good for nothing waste…”

The stallion ground his hoof firmly between the fillies shoulder blades, drawing a gasp of pain from her. “Lady Celestia show you mercy you little criminal, because I have certainly run out of it!”

The filly, Scootaloo, cried out in pain. “You don’t show us any mercy! You make us work until our hooves crack you wicked old goat!”

Eyes blazing with fury the stern priest reared back preparing to smash his hoof down upon her with more force. A pink blur flashed through the crowd, catching his hoof just before it could strike home. “Hey now, that’s no way to treat a filly. Even a thieving one.”

The priest’s eyes widened further in outrage as he tugged his hoof away. “Unhand me you filthy gypsy! You and your unclean troupe of whores are not welcome in our town!”

The fur was bristling on the back of Pinkie’s neck as the priest switched from beating a filly to insulting herself and her family. Sensing her unpredictable sister about to lose her temper, Vinyl hastily cantered to Pinkie’s side. “C’mon Pinkie, he’s not worth it. This isn’t our business.”

Vinyl realized her mistake a split second too late. The priest’s eyes boggled madly as he sucked in his breath. “Unclean demon spawn! This is no mare! It is a monster masquerading as a pony! Do not be fooled my friends! It comes to spread it’s tainted plague to our good village!”

The crowd switched from focusing on the pickpocket to Vinyl Scratch. The unicorn backed toward the wagon slowly. “Hey now, watch those accusations father.”

Lyra could sense when a situation was going from bad, to catastrophic. This was one of those times. She quickly stowed their instruments and folded the stage back into a proper wagon.

Pinkie watched silently as the priest advanced on Vinyl Scratch. His hoof firmly clasping a symbol of Lady Celestia. “Reveal your true nature monster!” A flash of magic rolled through the crowd at his command, hitting Vinyl scratch and rocking the mare back on her haunches. Her goggles flew from her head to land in the dirt near the front of the wagon. Dazedly she blinked her revealed, beastial red eyes open, long fangs visible in her mouth.

The crowd gasped in shock and fear, before the stallions began to stand in front of their mares and advanced menacingly on Vinyl. The panicking unicorn raised her hooves defensively. “I know it looks bad but I’m not a monster! I don’t feed on other ponies! I swear!”

“Lies! Do not listen to the beast! It will spew all manner of mistruths to protect itself! Strike it down my brothers! We must not suffer it to continue darkening the bright lady’s world!” The raving preacher was whipping his flock into a bloodthirsty mob. Some grabbed improvised weapons. One let fly a heavy stone, sending the projectile unerringly toward the revealed vampiric mare.

For the second time, a pink blur flashed through the crowd as Pinkie vaulted over their heads, taking the rock against her flanks that was meant for her sister’s head. She landed gracefully on her hooves, facing the crowd sternly. “If you want us to leave, we’ll leave. But everypony better calm down before somepony gets hurt.”

“The gypsy protects her pet monster! Strike her down as well!”

Pinkie glanced at Vinyl from the corner of her eye. “You and Lyra get out of here. I’ll take care of this.”

Vinyl hesitated only a moment before nodding and racing to Lyra’s side. Levitating her goggles back into place over her eyes, she and her fellow unicorn broke into a rapid gallop for the road out of town. A number of the ponies in the mob began to give chase.

Pinkie watched with an impassive eye as the crazed ponies broke into a run after her friend and sister. Really she considered both of them her sisters, she just hadn’t told Lyra that yet. Maybe when they got a chance to rest after this. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The crowd at first ready to bash her head in paused in confusion at her odd behavior.

“The sinful mare accepts her fate! Deliver her to Tartarus where she belongs!”

Their holy stallion’s words spurred them forward once more. Pinkie breathed in slowly, taking a deep breath and letting it out in a long exhale. As she breathed out her mane and tail seemed to lose all their buoyancy and lay flat against the side of her face. Her eyes snapped open, the joy filled blue orbs hard and focused.

Faster than the average eye could follow she flipped forward onto a forehoof and spun, her hind legs splayed wide and hooves clipping the muzzles of the closest ponies in one smooth movement. Springing forward she landed on her hind legs and delivered a rapid series of jabs to the largest stallion in the bunch. The huge pony blinked dumbly for a second before toppling heavily onto his side.

Pinkie was already moving as he fell, weaving smoothly in and out of the clumsy attacks by the townsponies. Hind and fore hooves struck out at all angles, smashing muzzles, crunching bone, and toppling a pony every time she struck out. The mob was starting to give her a wide berth, allowing her a clearer view of the one pony she sought out.

Sprinting forward she kicked off the ground going into a spinning leap, somersaulting over the heads of the mob to land before the preacher. The formerly bellowing stallion recoiled in shock at her sudden appearance. Pinkie drew her hoof back, mystical energy swirling around it. “You should have let us finish our song.”

***

“How we looking Lyra?!”

The unicorn in the wagon peered out the back, wincing as Vinyl’s wild galloping caused it to hit a large bump, jostling her inside and causing her to bang her head against the roof. “...we lost them.”

Vinyl slowed to a canter, taking deep breaths as she did. “I’m gonna feel this in the morning.”

Lyra hopped down from the wagon coming around to her friend’s side. “...you okay?”

Vinyl scowled throwing the harness off herself. “No. I’m not okay. I can’t believe how stupid I was! Pinkie could be hurt back there! We just left her!”

Lyra tried to smile comfortingly. “Between the three of us she can definitely take care of herself the best.”

The other mare grimaced, running her tongue over her teeth. “Damn fangs still won’t go back in.”

“Hold on…” Lyra retrieved her lyre and began to pluck a few rapid notes. Golden motes of magic swirled about her instrument, flowing over Vinyl and dispelling the priests magic. The white unicorn sighed in relief as her fangs retracted.

“Thanks Lyra… you’re pretty awesome you know that?”

Lyra smiled thinly. “I know.” She looked back the way they’d come. “She’s never gonna let us perform without the charms again, is she?”

Vinyl leaned against her friends side in a gesture of comfort. “I dunno. I mean… this was a pretty big disaster. Bigger than Trottingham for sure. If they were thralled they wouldn’ta noticed the filly, and Pinkie wouldn’t have stuck her nose in.”

Lyra grunted in annoyance. “Ugh. Ugh. You’re right. She’s right! We can’t be legitimate performers! What was I thinking?!”

“You weren’t thinking silly, you were dreaming! And that’s never a bad thing.”

The two unicorns whipped their heads around at the sound of Pinkie’s voice, their troupe leader trotting out of the trees casually.

“Pinkie!” Both rushed to her side. “You’re okay! I was so worried!” Vinyl threw her fore legs around her adopted sister in a tight hug.

Pinkie’s eyes boggled at Vinyl’s unnatural strength. “...too… tight… can’t… breathe…”

“Oh!” Vinyl stepped back quickly, a few relieved tears leaking from her eyes. “Sorry! Sorry I just… I was worried.”

Lyra smirked. “I wasn’t.”

Pinkie flashed a smile of her own. Her mane and tail back to their normal full bodied poof. “Well c’mon girls! The four of us should get a little more space between us and the town.”

Lyra and Vinyl exchanged equally confused looks. “Four of us?”

As if on cue, a dirty coated orange pegasus filly peeked out of the bushes waving nervously. “Uh… hi.”

Lyra raised an eyebrow. “Pinkie Pie, there’s a filly following you.”

“Yup!”

Vinyl and Lyra shared another look, this one of concern. “Pinkie, why is this filly following you?”

Pinkie rolled her eyes. “Well she’s coming with us of course! She couldn’t stay THERE after all. That mob probably would have gone looking for her once we were long gone you know?”

Vinyl nodded slowly. “Yeah… I guess so. We can take her to the next town I suppose…”

Pinkie snorted. “What? Why do that? We have plenty of room! We’ll give her some training, see if she can learn to play something, it’ll be great! Besides we already know she has some other talents if our whole legit thing doesn’t work out.”

Now Lyra looked if at all possible, more surprised. “What? You mean you’re willing to give it another chance?”

Shrugging cheerfully Pinkie trotted to the front of the wagon. “Sure thing! Can’t let one little setback ruin your big idea. This is your dream after all, right?”

Lyra sniffed loudly, mob attacks and sudden filly appearances forgotten. “Right.”

“So! Girls. This is Scootaloo.”

The filly waved a hoof timidly. “...hullo.”

Pinkie smiled warmly. “Scootaloo this is my sister Vinyl, and our friend Lyra.”

Scootaloo looked between the two unicorns quietly. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too Scootaloo, you’re a very polite young filly.” Lyra smiled kindly.

“Yeah good to meet you kid. Pinkie I’m uh, gonna go get some shut eye if that’s okay? I did a lot of galloping back there.”

“Sure thing Vinyl! Why don’t you show Scoots here around the inside a little bit. Find her a corner to call her own.” Pinkie called back as she fitted the harness over herself.

Vinyl nodded toward the back door of the wagon. “C’mon kid.”

Scootaloo followed her inside, staring rather pointedly at her mouth. “Are you um…”

Vinyl sighed. “A vampire? No. I’m half. My mom was bitten when she was carrying me. When I turned thirteen I uh, changed more than most fillies do when they become mares if you get me. You don’t have to be scared of me, I don’t eat ponies or anything creepy like that.”

The filly gulped. “Do you drink blood?”

Vinyl cleared her throat uncomfortably. “Well! This is home. Just hammocks in here mostly. This one’s me, Pinkie is above me and Lyra’s over there. We can string a new one up for you, not too big a deal. None of us snore so that’s a bonus.”

“So… this is your home?”

Vinyl shrugged. “Be it ever so humble. I know it ain’t much but yeah, this is home.” She was surprised to find the filly’s eyes brimming with tears.

“And… I get to live here now?”

Vinyl’s expression softened into a smile. “...Yeah kid. I guess this is your home too.” She stiffened uncomfortably as the filly threw herself into her fore legs, embracing her tightly. Gradually she returned the gesture, patting her back. “Okay kid… Welcome home.”

***

“Pinkie.. you know she’s not a puppy right? She’s going to need a lot of care. What kind of life is this for a filly?”

Pinkie frowned at Lyra’s question. “A great one. Me and Vinyl lived like this and look at us!”

Lyra’s eyebrow quirked upward. “A borderline lunatic and her half-vampire half-sister. What could be more a picture of a healthy environment?”

“Exactly!”

Lyra sighed in exasperation. “Okay… fine. We’ll worry about the filly later. For now… what are we gonna do about money? You might’ve missed this, but we didn’t get a single bit in town.”

“I saw your performance back there, it was quite moving.” A new voice spoke from the trees off the road.

Pinkie and Lyra jumped in alarm and whirled toward the sound. A white coated unicorn mare trotted toward them, smiling pleasantly. Her bright pink mane and tail the equal of Pinkie’s coat. “Oh dear, I Didn’t frighten you did I?”

Pinkie narrowed her eyes, examining the newcomer. “...a little.” She was never surprised by anypony.

“I’m so sorry. Please accept my apologies.”

As quickly as the frown formed, a smile replaced it. “It’s alright! Always happy to meet a fan!”

Lyra seemed less apt to trust than her friend. “Can we help you with something?”

The mare nodded. “I certainly hope so! I was hoping you’d be available for hire.”

Both mares’ ears perked at that. Lyra’s eyes shining with hope. “We are! Absolutely!”

“Wonderful!” The mare smiled wider. “I’m throwing something of a party in a town a few days from here. It’s called Ponyville, and we’re having our yearly Summer Sun Celebration. I’m something of a… recruiter you could say.”

Pinkie seemed content to let Lyra take the lead on the conversation. “Have you hired many acts?”

The mare shook her head. “Not too many. Just a few important players I really want in town for the Festival. The Festival lasts the weekend, and you’d need to remain in town for the duration. At least on performance every three hours or so. Does two thousand bits sound fair?”

Pinkie let out a low whistle. “You must love performers.”

The mare’s smile was a touch mischievous now. “Miss Pie, for this performance I want only the best.”

Pinkie Pie Chaotic Neutral
Monk: 3 Bard: 5

Strength: 14
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 10 “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a second! A ten? A TEN intelligence?!”

“Well I mean, you’re not exactly known for your deep thinking Pinkie.”

“Uh! And what exactly is THAT supposed to mean?!”

“Well… I just, y’know…”

“May I direct your attention to ‘Griffon The Brush Off’ in which I, Pinkamena Diane Pie debuted the homemade hoof propelled flying machine I designed and created with my own hooves.”

“Huh… I forgot about that. You did make that didn’t you?”

“You betcha! So let’s see that int score bump up a little higher huh?”

“Alright, alright… uh…”
Intelligence: 14 “We’re getting there but c’mon now. I did blueprints, all kinds of crazy complicated math, this was a pretty hefty engineering project here.”
Intelligence: 16 “How’s that?”

“NOW we’re talkin’!”

“So what about wisdom?”

“Duuuuump stat!”

“You know it’s pretty important for a monk right?”

“I got booted for being a pretty crappy monk remember?”

“Good point…”
Wisdom: 9
Charisma: 19 “Ooo I like that 19. How’re you gonna handle my pinkie sense?”

“...ignoring it. It’s too hard to write.”

“Hack.”

Special Abilities
Flurry of Blows, unarmed strike, evasion, still mind
Bardic music, bardic knowledge, countersong, fascinate, inspire courage +1, inspire competence

Favored Spells
Dancing Lights, Know Direction, Hypnotism, Sleep, Invisibility

Vinyl Scratch Chaotic Good
Bard: 2 Fighter: 2 “Ouch! That’s the racial level penalty?”

“Yes. Now hush this is super distracting.”

“My lips are zipped!"

Strength: 15
Dexterity: 22 “Sweet Celestia! A 22?! That’s bigger than anything Twilight ‘power gamer’ Sparkle has!”

“Well half-vampires get +6 to their Dex scores…”

“...is it too late to write mama Pie getting bit by a vampire into my backstory?”

“Yes Pinkie, now be quiet!”
Constitution: 16
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 18

Special Abilities
Natural AC +3, Damage Reduction 5 unless silver or magic, Darkvision, Fast Healing, +4 on saves vs necrotic effects, immunity to poison, disease, sleep, and paralysis, Spider Climb at will, Charm gaze attack

Lyra Heartstrings Neutral Good
Bard: 7

Strength: 10
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 17
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 18

Favored Spells
Dancing Lights, Read Magic, Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Blur, Silence, Dispel Magic

Author's Note

And here we have the last of the prologues! Chapter 1, coming soon to a website near you.

Chapter 1: The Road to Ponyville, Part 1

Chapter 1: The Road to Ponyville Part 1

“T’day’s th’day! T’day’s th’day!”

“Today is the day…” Twilight Sparkle automatically corrected her apprentice as she dragged herself away from the wonderful realm of sleep. The excitable filly was bouncing up and down at the foot of her bed like some sort of maniacal spring loaded automaton.

Apple Bloom’s smile didn’t fade in the least at her master’s tone. “Today’s the day!”

Twilight released an especially spectacular groan as she noted the sun had barely begun to rise outside. “You just had to be a morning pony didnt you? I bet Celestia knew it too.”

“Shucks master, it ain’t that early.” Bloom’s ears suddenly splayed. “Sorry. It isn’t that early.”

Twilights dour countenance brightened slightly at her apprentice’s self correction. “It’s alright, I know you’re excited. When we get to Ponyville we’ll set up some rules about when it is and isn’t appropriate to be waking me up.” The mare rose and shook out her coat, stepping out of bed with a faint grunt. “How’s the packing going?”

Her apprentice brightened at the question. “All set! I’m ready ta--to go.” Apple Bloom looked around the room in confusion. “Aren’t you bringing anything?”

Running a hoof through her mane and loose another incredible, jaw-cracking yawn, Twilight nodded slowly. “I am. I suppose I should do my own packing, hm? The airship is supposed to arrive within the hour.”

Apple Bloom was ready and willing to help her new master pack up her room. It had only been three days since her apprenticeship began, but already she’d learned more about magic under Twilight Sparkle’s personal guidance than she had in the last few years from her old Professors. While Twilight might have a similar tone when she delivered a lecture, her passion for magic shone through in her words, and it was a very infectious passion.

The small filly tilted her head curiously as Twilight levitated a single, small canvas bag to the center of the room. Flipping the flap open her horn glowed brightly as the magenta aura wrapped around dozens of the books lining her shelves, the thick tomes drifting through the air and into the bag. A bag that appeared to only be large enough to hold two, perhaps three of the large books.

Apple Bloom approached the seemingly ordinary bag wide-eyed, poking her nose over the edge. “Woooow! It goes on forever!”

“Not forever, but near enough to suit my purposes. It’s a bag of holding. It can hold about twenty five hundred pounds of materials before it’s full.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened further. “Don’t that make it to heavy t’carry?!”

“Doesn’t… and to carry. And no. It’s magic, it never weights more no matter how full it is.” Twilight meticulously cleared her book shelves, then moved on to her work tables. Her ingredients, components, and various items in the midst of being crafted joined the books in her bag. “Why don’t you get some breakfast and say goodbye to your little friend. She hasn’t left yet has she?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Not yet ma’am. I was sorta hopin’ ta…” The filly swallowed hard as Twilight’s ears swiveled toward her even while the mare’s back was to her. Bloom had spent enough time around her the last three days to know when she had that… disapproving look on her face. “...I was sort of hoping to see if Dinky could come with us. She’s going to the same place after all.”

“And who’s going to pay for her passage, Apple Bloom?”

This brought the filly up short as she faltered a bit at the question. “Uh… w--well you give me an allowance right? So… I will?”

Twilight turned to face her apprentice, packing on hold for a moment. “I give you five bits a week. Passage is two hundred and fifty. You’re going to go a very long time without any pocket money.”

Bloom shrugged, an easy smile on her face. “Shucks that’s alright. Spending a little time with my friend is more important than some money. She’s never been on an airship before either.”

Turning back to her packing, Twilight’s tail twitched once as she resumed her work. “Fine. But if she’s not ready to go when we are, she’s staying behind.” The mare grunted as Apple Bloom grabbed her haunches in a hug.

“Thanks master! I’ll go tell her right now! She’s gonna be so excited!”

Twilight Sparkle couldn’t help but crack a small smile at the filly’s exuberance as Apple Bloom galloped from the room at full speed. Shaking her head with a soft sigh she went back to her packing. Eyeing the door to ensure her apprentice was well on her way down the stairs she flipped the covers away from her bed and gently levitated a small wooden box from beneath the mattress.

Almost reverently she ran a hoof over the lid of the box. “Still holding onto those little mementos?”

Twilight stiffened and rapidly shoved the box in her bag, whirling to the voice. “Master! What are you doing in here?!”

Celestia smiled teasingly as she let herself into her former apprentice’s room. “Just Celestia is fine now, Twilight. You’re not my apprentice anymore.”

Once again, Twilight composed her face into the featureless mask she nearly always wore. “How could I forget?”

The larger mare’s smile dimmed a little. “You’re not too angry with me are you?”

Celestia winced as the fur along Twilight’s neck and back stood on end. “Oh no. Of course I’m not angry. What in the world would I have to be angry about?” She punctuated the last word by violently cramming a few robes into her bag. “You ended my apprenticeship years before necessary. You forced some poor filly on me, knowing full well how I feel about foals in general. And then, to top it all off, as if that weren’t enough… you send me away! A week’s travel away!”

The Archmage stood her ground as the young mare whirled on her, tears forming in her eyes. “What did I do?! I’ve behaved! I’ve done everything you and the others ask of me! I even wear this!” She lifted her hoof to the black leather choker around her neck, it was of fine craftsmanship inlaid with dozens of glittering gemstones. “I never take it off! Never! Is it… is it about the other students? I’ll try harder! I will!” By the time she’d finished the tears had actually begun to flow.

Celestia stepped closer and swept her majestic wings around the gently sobbing mare. “Oh Twilight. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not upset with you… nor could I ever be. Nopony means more to me than you do.”

Sniffling loudly, Twilight ran a hoof across her nose. “...then I don’t understand. Why are you making me go? This is my home…”

Wearing a smile that spoke of infinite patience, Celestia gently dried Twilight’s eyes. “It’s time for you to stand on your own Twilight. And not use me as an excuse to hold yourself back. You’re old enough to strike out on your own, and I think Ponyville will be good for you. It’s a very lovely town, very secluded… they hear very, very little about what goes on outside their town.”

Twilight’s eyes widened at the implication. “...even…?”

“Yes Twilight. Nopony knows who you are, and I dare say they never will unless you choose to tell them. The sister’s from the temple know of course, but they’re good and virtuous mares who will keep the information to themselves. This is your chance Twilight. To have a fresh start, to find your place in the world. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. For you to be happy.”

Twilight was slowly regaining her composure. “...why the filly master? You know I’d be a terrible caretaker.”

Looking away from Twilight now, Celestia began to levitate the various alchemical equipment into her ex-apprentice’s bag. “I think you sell yourself short. Everypony said I’d be a terrible caretaker for a certain unicorn filly I brought home ten years ago. I think I did a pretty good job.”

Twilight chuckled softly. “You tried to get me to eat cake for every meal master, you’re a terrible parent.”

Closing the clasp around the bag, Celestia settled it over Twilight’s flanks. “Maybe I was. But I did my best. All things considered, I think you came out alright” Celestia cupped the young mare’s chin tilting her head up. “Just give it a chance Twilight. A realchance mind you. Meet your neighbors, interact with the townsfolk. If you really do hate it after a few months, you can come back to the academy. I’ll add a wing to my tower just for you. Alright?”

Twilight Sparkle inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she took a moment to just bask in Celestia’s presence. While she didn’t hold the Archmage in the deep reverence many ponies did, this was the mare who’d raised her for most of her life. “...that won’t be necessary. I’ll do fine in Ponyville. Once we’re settled in, maybe you can visit for tea.”

Celestia’s smile was warm. “I’d like that very much Twilight.” The smaller mare blinked in surprise as tears welled in Celestia’s eyes. “Ohh! My little filly’s all grown up!” The Archmage snatched Twilight off her hooves and scooped her into a crushing hug.

Sighing softly Twilight returned the embrace… then stiffened as Apple Bloom reappeared taking in the sight with disbelieving eyes. “...not one word Apple Bloom.”

The filly only giggled softly, and slipped back downstairs to wait with her friend.

***

“I can’t do this. I’m not doing this! You’re crazy! She’s crazy!”

“Rainbow Dash…”

The pegasus dashed about her quarters in the temple in a panic, Revered Mother Morning Glory watching patiently. “Mom I can’t be in charge of a whole temple! I thought you were joking!”

Morning Glory took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure who was more difficult to deal with, Celestia or her adopted daughter. “Rainbow Dash… it’s just you, Flitter, and Cloudchaser then this paladin the Order has sent to be your security. It’s not like you have dozens of clerics to oversee.”

“Right! But I’m in charge so that means I have to do the sermons and… and take confessions and stuff right!?” Dash planted her backside on the floor, sucking in great lungfuls of air.

Settling flank to flank with the mare, Morning Glory slowly ran a hoof down her back. The contact almost instantly calming the stressed out pegasus. “Yes, Rainbow Dash. You’re in charge of tending to your soon-to-be herd. I know you’ll do wonderfully.”

Rainbow Dash groaned miserably and sank to the floor. “I can’t even cast any spells!”

“A good priestess doesn’t need spellcasting, she just needs faith. Eloquence. Charisma. You know the tenets of harmony better than anypony in this temple, and you certainly try to live by all of them harder than they do.” The Revered Mother gently lifted Dash back to her hooves. “Trust in yourself. Trust in your friends. Find what gives you strength, and the spells will come in time.”

Darting her eyes toward the door, and finding nopony lingering outside, Rainbow Dash gave her mother a quick nuzzle. “Thanks mom, you always know what to say. Guess I better finish packing.”

Her mother smiled. “Probably a good idea Dashie.”

Rainbow Dash resumed the work of packing her meager belongings into a large canvas duffle bag. “I met her y’know… the other day?”

Of course Morning Glory knew, she’d received in detail what transpired between Rainbow Dash and Celestia the evening after their encounter. “Oh?”

“Yeah… she’s… not what I expected.” Dash stuffed a few spare robes into the bag haphazardly, drawing a wince from her mother. “I mean yeah she’s wise and gentle and kind and all but she seemed… normal.”

“Hmm.” Morning Glory took the bag and dumped it out, then began gently folding the robes within. “I don’t think there’s any such thing as a ‘normal’ pony. We’re all extraordinary in our own way. From Lady Celestia to the littlest foal, there’s always something that makes us special.”

“Even me?”

Now the older mare rolled her eyes. “A free pony barbarian who refused to kill an innocent creature and was exiled from her tribe, only to be found by the head of Lady Celestia’s faith and raised as a priestess? Who while she may have a few bumps in the road, has turned out to be a kind, gentle, caring mare who wants nothing more than to spread light, love, and harmony to her fellow pony. Nope. Nothing exceptional about that.”

Rainbow Dash huffed. “I’m not all of that…”

“You are Dashie. You’re all that and more. And one day you’ll see it too.” Morning Glory got Dash’s room cleared and bag packed in record time, slinging it over her daughter’s shoulder. “You’ll do brilliantly in Ponyville. I just know it.”

Dash fidgeted with the strap on her bag. “Did you have to send Flitter too?”

“It was her idea. When Cloudchaser was the only one to volunteer to go with you and start this new temple, Flitter was quite insistent on going along as well. I’d think you’d be happy for all the hooves you could get.”

A sour expression flashed across the younger mare’s face as she looked down into the courtyard. Flitter and Cloudchaser were already down there with bags of their own. The former looking pretty imposing in her heavy plate armor. “I guess…”

“You two are a lot alike Rainbow Dash. Both prone to getting angry too quickly, and acting far too rashly. You can’t behave like a foal anymore. The good ponies of Ponyville will be looking to you to set an example.” Glory’s voice was patient, but stern at this point.

Rainbow Dash nodded slowly. “Yeah… I guess they will huh?” Her ear twitched as the temple’s bell began to toll. “I guess I should get goin’ mom.” She turned to her mother, shuffling awkwardly on her hooves.

As ever, The Revered Mother stepped in first and enfolded her daughter in a warm embrace. “Be good. Not just for yourself, but for your herd and friends too. Lead them all into the light my little Rainbow.”

Blushing furiously Dash backed up a step. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sure they’re all pretty in the light already. I’ll write when I get there!” With a running jump she bounded out the window, wings spread wide as she drifted down toward her fellow priestesses.

Morning Glory sighed watching her daughter land near the other two, but just far enough away to keep a safe distance. A small smile formed on her face as Cloudchaser boldly strode right up to Dash and gave her a friendly nuzzle in greeting. Shaking her head in bemusement she looked toward Celestia’s tower. “You always seem to know what you’re doing, don’t you Tia?”

***

Rainbow Dash settled in the grass outside the academy, scanning the skies expectantly. Cloudchaser was sitting right next to her on her right, while a quietly glowering Flitter stood a short ways behind the pair.

“This is my first time in an airship! It’s so exciting! Aren’t you girls excited?!” Cloudchaser gushed, for perhaps the third time.

Rainbow Dash cracked a smile and nodded. “Yeah I guess so. I mean we fly all the time so it’s not the same for us as it is an earth pony or something right?”

The cheery mare tilted her head as she considered this. “I suppose that’s true. But now we get to fly without our wings. At the very least it’ll be a new experience!”

Dash hm’d noncommittally and resumed her silent vigil. Flitter took the opportunity to speak up for the first time since they set out from the temple. “Isn’t somepony else supposed to be joining us? One of the academy students right?”

Cloudchaser shrugged and looked to Rainbow Dash, who frowned at being forced into conversing with the mare she’d savagely beaten three days ago. “Yeah uh… mom… the Revered Mother said Lady Twilight Sparkle and her apprentice.”

Both priestesses went rigid with shock. “Twilight Sparkle? Starfall Twilight?!”

Dash frowned at Cloudchaser. “There’s only one Twilight Sparkle so far as I know, and I don’t think she’d appreciate that nickname. She’s Lady Celestia’s personal apprentice, so show some respect.”

Cloudchaser’s ears splayed at the well deserved chastisement. Flitter moved closer to the group. “She’s her apprentice sure but c’mon, even you can’t be comfortable riding in an airship with her Rainbow Dash.”

Now Rainbow Dash fully turned to face Flitter “Why? She hasn’t dropped any stars on the academy in the ten years I’ve been there. I’m pretty sure she’s not gonna start now just because she’s leaving school. Plus she has her own apprentice with her, and Lady Celestia wouldn’t send her out of the academy if she wasn’t sure it was safe. You’re not doubting Lady Celestia are you?”

For the second time in the past five minutes, Dash’s fellow priestesses looked surprised. “W--well no! Of course not! You’re right Rainbow Dash… we’re um, not being fair to Lady Twilight?”

Dash raised an eyebrow. “Is that a question or an apology?”

Cloudchaser smiled slightly and shrugged. “Both?”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Well I’m not the one you need to apologize to. She is.”

Her fellow pegasi turned to the academy entrance. Making their way toward them was the mare in question, wearing her well worn silvery robes, though now the collar was trimmed in midnight blue indicating her status as a full mage. Bouncing around her in a ball of frenzied energy was a yellow coated earth pony filly wearing the pale pink robes of an apprentice. Bringing up the rear was a unicorn in a simple vest and skirt.

Cloudchaser frowned. “I thought it was just her and her apprentice?”

Flitter shrugged. “Maybe she has two?”

“Hm.” Rainbow Dash studied the little group as they approached. Twilight looked as dour as ever, but the young cleric thought she detected a spark of something more in the lavender mare’s eyes. Amusement maybe? If she didn’t know better she’d swear Twilight Sparkle was in danger of smiling at the yellow filly’s antics. Throwing caution to the wind she started toward the mages, much to the surprise and mild alarm of the other two pegasi. “Hi there!”

Twilight blinked in surprise at the sudden approach of the cleric. Eyes darting back and forth rapidly she shrank back a step. “Ah… hello.”

Taking the initiative the cleric in question smiled toothily. “Name’s Rainbow Dash! This is Flitter, and Cloudchaser I guess we’re all taking the same ship to Ponyville?”

Twilight’s eyes went to the two obviously less comfortable mares, then returned to Rainbow Dash. “Yes, that’s right.”

Dash’s smile faltered a bit. She wasn’t sure what she expected, just coming right up and introducing herself like she had. She’d always thought about talking to Twilight Sparkle in the past, after all everypony tended to avoid the both of them like they were a pair of rabid parasprites. But now that she was actually in the mage’s presence she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. Unbidden, her mind flashed back to the stories she’d heard. “W--well… we’ll just uh, be over there if you wanna chat.”

Twilight Sparkle didn’t respond, she just watched the mare slink back to her companions. “Master ya coulda at least tried bein’ nicer.”

Twilight’s turned to fix Apple Bloom with a hard stare. The filly gulped. “You could have tried being nicer is all I’m saying. She was just being friendly.”

Twilight looked back toward Celestia’s tower, than to the trio of priestesses. Groaning tremendously she straightened her back and trotted over at first confidently, then with more hesitation as the three mare’s conversation stopped and settled into the uncomfortable silence everypony did when she was around. “...hello. I’m sorry for my rudeness a moment ago. It’s very nice to meet you Rainbow Dash. I’m Twilight Sparkle, as I’m sure you all know. This is my apprentice Apple Bloom.”

The bow-bedecked filly waved cheerfully. “Howdy!”

“And her friend Dinky Doo.”

Now the second filly waved timidly. “Hello ma’am’s.”

The three clerics shared a look of surprise. “Dinky Doo? Is she related to Ditzy Doo?”

Dinky’s mood brightened instantly. “That’s my mama!”

Twilight didn’t miss the look that passed between the priestesses. Apparently they knew Dinky’s mother. “Is that a problem?”

The cleric with the bow in her mane waved a hoof rapidly. “N--no! No of course not! We ah… that is, Ditzy is… famous! Yes. She’s famous among the order.”

Twilight got the distinct impression that Ditzy Doo was famous among her fellow priestesses, in the same way that sheWas famous amongst the students of the academy. “I see.”

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the adults, as the foals chattered away happily. Finally Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. “So why are you headed to Ponyville?”

Grateful to the pegasus for breaking the tension Twilight focused on her. “My master graduated me and found me a position in the town. Apparently it’s quiet, secluded, and she assures me nopony has heard of me. Save the three of you. I suspect it goes without saying, but if rumors about me should start circulating, I will be less than pleased.”

The quieter pair of mare’s gulped visibly, only Rainbow Dash looked unconcerned. “No need to worry there, we’re going to start up a temple not a rumor mill. Right girls?”

Rapidly, a bit too rapidly for Twilight’s tastes, the duo nodded. “I appreciate it. I’d like to at least be ostracized for events that are my own fault rather than rumor and happenstance. I’m sure it won’t take me long, still… this is an important opportunity for me. I hope you understand.”

A hint of sympathy welled up in the clerics’ eyes at the earnestness in Twilight’s voice. Rainbow Dash’s smile shrank, but held it’s warmth. “Hey no worries, I’m right there with ya alright? It’s a new start for both of us.”

Twilight Sparkle searched the mare’s face for any signs of deceit or duplicity. Finding none, she nodded once. A simple gesture, but one of respect. “Thank you, Miss… Rainbow Dash was it?”

The mare in question beamed. “That’s me!”

With a nod for the other two as well, Twilight returned to her apprentice’s side, settling down comfortably to await their ride.

Flitter didn’t speak until the mage was out of earshot. “She’s… different than I expected.”

Cloudchaser nodded. “She is! She seemed so, I dunno… sad?”

Rainbow Dash just shook her head. “She’s lonely.”

Flitter eyed Rainbow Dash curiously. “How can you be so sure?”

Dash just sighed and settled in the grass herself. “...I know.”

***

“Now Jackie, yer bein’ just a wee bit unreasonable.”

Braeburn hastily ducked as one of the tables that was normally bolted to the floor was ripped from its moorings and flung at him at high speeds. “I’m reasonable! Yer face ain’t reasonable! Y’all know how I feel about Apple Bloom!”

Apple Fritter and Cross Fire watched in amusement as Braeburn tried futilely to calm his furious cousin. “Now Jackie I’ve had about enough a’this nonsense! If y’all’re that worked up about it then lock yerself in yer room th’whole trip! But that Miss Sunny Skies is payin' us a whole mountain’a bits so we’re takin’ th’job! It ain’t like little Bloom’s joinin’ th’crew! She’ll just be here for th’trip ta Ponyville!”

“No means no, Braeburn! If she’s gettin’ on then I’m gettin’ off!”

Braeburn stormed into the kitchen getting nose to nose with his much larger cousin. “You ain’t gettin’ off nowhere that I don’t okay! Yer fancy paladins putcha in my custody! So it’s sit in yer room like a foal or sit in a cell like a fool! Which is it gonna be Jackie?!”

Both Apple family cousin’s blazing green eyes bored holes into the other as they glared one another down. To both Cross and Fritter’s amazement… it was the mare who relented. Not by much, but her posture did relax. “Brae… c’mon… y’know why I can’t see her.”

Braeburn sighed. “Jackie… I can’t rightly say I agree with ya not tellin’ her what happened. But that’s between you, her, an yer Granny. The trip ain’t that long. Either avoid her, or come up with somethin’ if she asks about him.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Come up with somethin’? Me?”

The stallion wore a thoughtful frown. “Good point. Y’could always tell her the truth Jackie. She’s gonna find out sooner or later.”

Applejack’s eyes widened in horror. “I can’t! I can’t tell her Brae! And don’t any’a you think of tellin’ her one single word or I swear I’ll send’ja flyin’ over th’side’a this tub!”

Apple Fritter and Cross Fire, both skilled warriors in their own right, hastily dashed off tails tucked firmly between their legs. Braeburn wore a disapproving frown. “Applejack this ain’t like you. I know it’s hard but we’re talkin’ about family. Y’know she ain’t gonna be mad.”

The burly mare shook her head. “It ain’t her bein’ mad that’s the problem Brae. What’s she gonna think of me when she learns what happened?”

Braeburn heaved a sigh. “I surely don’t know Applejack. I wish I had answers for ya, I do. But lyin’ t’yer little sister ain’t doin’ you or her any good. It’s killin’ ya inside Jackie. No matter what you’ve done, ya ain’t a liar. An’ yer never gonna be one. Ya gotta come clean Jackie.”

Applejack sighed miserably. “She’s supposed ta be at that school fer another ten years! Why’s she even goin’ back t’Ponyville?!”

Braeburn shrugged. “Dunno exactly. Maybe cause’a the new master of hers? Miss Sunny said we’d be pickin’ up a wizard an her apprentice. Reckon Bloom’s the apprentice in this scenario.”

Applejack snorted. “So this’ all her fault.”

“...that’s some mighty impressive logic ya got there cuz. Don’t you be causin’ any trouble with this here mare y’hear me? She’s a very, very valuable customer. An’ this Sunny Skies seems like she has bits t’burn. We stay on her good side this could be a long, profitable relationship.”

Applejack’s hackles were rising again, but her cousin slammed a hoof down. “I mean it Applejack! Frankly we need this. We’re barely scrapin’ by. Flim an Flam are keepin th’old girl together but eventually they’re gonna run outta spit an’ polish and we’ll need real repairs. And the Doc don’t work cheap.”

His cousin deflated at that. “His wife’s on the crew!”

Braeburn grunted and nodded. “I know, an believe me they fight about it somethin’ fierce when we have t’go t’him hat in hoof. We still owe him from last time y’know?”

The stallion could see his cousins fierce internal conflict. At length she nodded slowly. “Fine… I’ll be nice. But you owe me.”

“Tell ya what. You manage t’play nice the whole way an I’ll treat at the next tavern.”

A dangerous glint flared to life in Applejack’s eye. “You sure?”

Brae removed his hat, holding it to his chest. “On my honor as an Apple.”

Smirking now, Applejack spit in her hoof offering it out, her cousin didn’t hesitate to return the gesture. “Reckon yer gonna be sorry for that.”

Braeburn swept his hat back atop his head, smiling now as his cousin trotted off in higher spirits. “Not that sorry cuz, not that sorry.” Feeling his own spirits lifting at defusing the dangerous situation, he eyed the destroyed table with a sour look. “Applejack! You get back here and fix this table!”

If his cousin heard him, she gave no indicator.

***

“I see it! I see it! There it is!”

Even the sour faced Twilight Sparkle smiled a little at the fillies’ exuberance. The little ponies are bouncing up and down staring in rapt attention at the incoming vessel.

Twilight had to admit, it was an impressive craft. It looked large enough to easily house thirty ponies or more. Held aloft by an alchemically hardened balloon, it was painted rather fancifully with the seven colors of the rainbow going from the tip to the end of the balloon. The lower half that actually housed the crew looked rather similar to an ordinary ship you’d see on the sea. Made of a dark wood, here and there small windows could be seen.

The craft descended slowly, before landing fully on the ground. A hatch opened revealing a smiling earth pony stallion. His yellow coat and brown leather jacket seemed equally dusty, but his vivid green eyes were warm and welcoming beneath the well worn hat atop his head. “Howdy there ladies! It’s my pleasure t’welomce y’all about the Harmony!”

Apple Bloom nearly knocked Twilight on her rear as she charged out from behind her master. “Braeburn!”

The stallion grinned and caught the small filly shaped missile out of the air and pulled her into a hug, before holding her out at legs’ length with a look of confusion on his face. “Hold on there little missy. I was expectin’ my cousin Apple Bloom. Yer way too big t’be her!”

Giggling now, the filly’s grin widened. “It’s me! I promise! It’s just been forever since we saw each other!”

“Hm.” Braeburn set her on her hooves eyeing her skeptically. “I dunno…” He looked to the approaching mares. “This here really Apple Bloom?”

Twilight Sparkle typically had little patience for nonsense… but she was trying to be… ugh, nice. “I can assure you this is my apprentice Apple Bloom. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Braeburn was it?”

“Yes ma’am! Now let’s see how I do. Yer Miss Twilight Sparkle naturally.” He turned to the identically colored pegasi. “Rainbow Dash in the middle. Flitter with the armor and bow, and Cloudchaser with the ponytail?”

The clerics looked suitably impressed. “How’d you know?” Dash looked more curious than her fellows.

Braeburn flashed a grin. “I cheated. My client gave me everypony’s description. C’mon aboard and I uh…” His grin faded. “Thought I was only takin’ on the one filly.”

Dinky shrank back a little at his scrutiny. “This here’s my good friend Dinky Doo!” Apple Bloom helpfully supplied.

Braeburn’s eyes widened. “Dinky Doo? Y’all ain’t related t’Ditzy Doo are ya?”

Dinky tilted her head. “How come everypony keeps asking me that? She’s my mama.”

The stallions eyes widened further. “Would y’all excuse me for just one sec? Fritter! C’mon over an show our passengers t’their rooms wouldja?!”

A confused looking mare trotted over, her deep green mane pulled into a pair of pig tails. She smiled nonetheless for their guests. “Uh… sure? Howdy everypony. I’m Apple Fritter. Just Fritter’s fine with me. If ya wouldn’t mind followin’ me?”

The four mares and two fillies fell into step with their new guide. “Dunno what’s got him so worked up. So the trips gonna take us two days t’get from here t’Ponyville.”

Twilight cleared her throat. “Two days? It was my understanding it was nearly a week’s flight.”

Apple Fritter smirked toward the unicorn. “For a normal ship sure. But this here’s the Harmony. The finest vessel ever crafted. Nothin’s faster in the whole sky. Er, for the most part a'course. She's gettin' on in the years.”

Rainbow Dash’s fellow cleric’s noticed her stiffen a little at the pronouncement. She looked very much like she had something to say on the matter, but stifled herself. Twilight was nodding slowly as she ran an appreciative eye around the craft. “Well it’s certainly well made. I’d love to see the engine’s if at all possible.”

Their guide shrugged. “Don’t see why not. Long as ya keep out of our mechanics’ way there shouldn’t be any trouble. So! These’re the spare rooms. Y’all can help yerself t’whichever y’like.” She turned a fond smile Apple Bloom’s way and ruffled her mane. “Good t’see ya again by the by little cuz.”

Apple Bloom smiled up at the mare. “Hey where’s m’sister?”

The adult’s didn’t notice the mild look of panic in Apple Fritter’s eye. “She’s uh… busy. Doin’ important stuff. She’ll come by soon as she can.”

The answer did little to satisfy Apple Bloom, but she was ushered into one of the rooms by her master. “Let’s leave your cousin alone for now Apple Bloom. Get settled in and we can find your sister later, alright?”

Bloom looked like she wanted to protest, but at length she sighed. “Yes master. C’mon Dinky we can share a room.”

The fillies chose a room for themselves. Rainbow Dash took the second one, while Flitter and Cloudchaser helped themselves to the third. Twilight frowned suddenly. “There are only three?”

Apple Fritter shrugged. “Yup. Least in this part’a the ship. An’ they’re the only rooms we got fixed up for passengers. We were only expectin’ five of ya. Hope it ain’t too much trouble.”

Twilight sighed. Rainbow Dash seemed an alright sort. And it wasn’t like she was planning to spend a lot of time in her room. “It’ll be fine, thank you Miss Fritter.”

“Aw shucks! Just Fritter’s fine miss. Y’all’re our guests after all.”

“Alright then. Fritter, thank you. Is there a way for us to contact the crew… or a specific place and time we should know for meals?”

“Uhhh…” Apple Fritter pondered the questions. “Well only way t’get ahold’a one of us is t’actually get ahold’a one of us. Chow’s pretty much whenever ya get hungry. We don’t have an official cook or nothin’.”

“Thank you, Fritter. I suppose I’ll see you about the ship.”

“Sure will Miss Twilight! Enjoy yer flight!” The smiling earth pony turned and trotted along the corridor and out of sight.

Twilight Sparkle stood before the door Rainbow Dash had entered, hesitating a moment before entering. Chastising herself for acting like a filly she steeled her nerves and stepped inside.

The room was rather spartan, quite a bit how she preferred it. A pair of bunk beds were stacked against one side of the room. A footlocker sat at the end of the bed, then there was something that suspiciously appeared to be a locker pried from a locker room and hastily added to this room to give it more of a ‘homey’ feel. Rainbow Dash had already tossed her bag in the locker at the foot of the bed, so Twilight levitated her own luggage into the one against the wall. Once her bag was inside she placed her usual arcane lock over the door.

“You don’t gotta do that. I’m not gonna go rifling through your stuff.”

Twilight turned to face the other mare in the room. “It’s not you I’m worried about. The Apple family are mercenaries, and while they’ve been friendly so far some members of the crew may be somewhat less scrupulous.”

Rainbow Dash blinked at the revelation. Her eyes drifted to the locker containing her own belongings. “D’you think I could uh…”

Without a word Twilight levitated the pegasus’ bag from the locker and placed it in the magically sealed one next to her own. Dash flashed a grateful smile. “Thanks. You wanna head up on deck? Check out the ship as it takes off?”

“I suppose so. Flying isn’t that new to me. It’s a spell I use frequently but I’ve never been on an airship before.”

A sudden excited voice outside drew the mares’ attention. “Muffin!”

They looked to one another in confusion, until they heard Dinky Doo’s excited squealing. “Mama!”

Rainbow Dash suddenly looked pensive, piquing Twilight’s curiosity. “Why the reaction to Dinky’s mother? If I may ask?”

Dash rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortably. “Ehh, it’s really unfair of me of all ponies to look down on anypony for some quirky behavior. But Ditzy’s a walking disaster. She actually leveled an entire temple one time. She’s a great cleric… spell wise. I’ve heard she can fight pretty good too, but she’s really, really clumsy. There was this one time where-”

The door banged open revealing a furious grey coated pegasus mare. Mismatched yellow eyes roved about the room, until both snapped into focus on Twilight Sparkle. “Did you tell my filly she’d never be a wizard?!”

Twilight’s ears splayed. Suddenly she wondered if perhaps this was the reason the academy faculty tended to string the untalented students along. “Weeeeeell…”

***

Braeburn made his way to the bridge. Cross Fire already present and making the final preparations for take off. “They here?”

He nodded to his second in command. “They surely are. We’re ready t’go.”

The towering mare grunted as she started flipping switches. Eldritch light filtering along the control panels and running along cables leading down into the floor flared to life as the propellers on either side of the ship began to spin. “So whaddya think?”

Braeburn shrugged casually. “Of our passengers? Nothin’ too exciting. Look like quiet sorts t’me.”

Cross Fire grimaced. “What about Starfall?”

Braeburn’s expression hardened. “That’s Miss, or Lady Twilight Sparkle t’you Cross. She seems quieter than the rest. Suits me just fine. Way I figure it, we don’t do nothin’ t’get her riled up, she don’t drop stars on us. See what I’m sayin’?”

The larger pony nodded. “Yeah I gotcha Brae, sorry. S’just… havin’ her aboard don’t sit right with me.”

“I surely ain’t too thrilled myself but for a hundred thousand bits I can’t think’a too many folks I’d turn down.”

Braeburn’s second grinned at that. “Think we can finally get some weapons on this tub.”

The stallion affected a shocked look. “Why Miss Cross Fire! You know that’s illegal. We’re not allowed armaments after we signed that treaty.”

Snickering now, the mare turned her attention back to the controls. “How could I forget? Though if somepony happens to drop some weapons on the ship…”

“Why we’d be remiss if we ignored so genteel a gift. It’d be downright inhospitable even.”

Both silenced instantly as Applejack made her way onto the bridge. “They here?”

Braeburn nodded in the affirmative. “They are. Got ‘em set up in the west corridor.”

The newcomer huffed softly. “We fixin’ t’head up then?”

“Yes ma’am!” Applejack’s cousin lead her from the bridge, nudging the door shut behind them. “They’re probly gonna head up on deck t’watch. You comin?”

Applejack’s sides heaved outward as she sighed. “S’pose I might as well get it over with.”

Braeburn laid a comforting hoof over her back. “Relax. Y’don’t gotta lie t’her just… deflect the questions.”

His cousin nodded slowly. “I can do that.”

“Remember she idolizes you. Y’can probly say just about anything an’ she’ll run with it.”

Snorting softly the mare took the stairs up tot he deck two at a time. “...s’pose that’s true.”

***

Ditzy Doo regarded Twilight Sparkle silently until the mare finished speaking. “...well… there’s no chance she can ever be a wizard?”

Twilight felt a bit of sympathy rise up inside. “I’m afraid not Miss Doo. Keeping her in the academy would only prevent her from finding her real path in life. I know this isn’t good news, but it’s best to learn this now rather than ten years down the line when she’s still struggling to conjure a light spell, and too old to apprentice to a new profession.”

Ditzy sighed softly. “I see. Well she doesn’t seem disappointed.”

Twilight shook her head. “Not at all. Relieved is more the word I’d use. She seemed very excited to be going home.”

Now the pegasus frowned. “The problem is nopony’s at home to look after her. I’m always with the ship here, and her father’s an artificer. So his job has him traveling the world over.”

Excitement lit in the other mare’s eyes. “An artificer? Really?! A true artificer? He can create magitek?!”

Ditzy’s frown reversed into a smile at the change of topic. “Uh huh. We met a long time ago, when I first signed on with the Apple’s. He built the Harmony, and was doing some repairs. It was just after the uh… the war y’know?”

Twilight nodded slowly. “I do. Lady Celestia and the academy remained neutral but we heard plenty of news.”

The grievance entirely forgotten now, Ditzy happily trotted from the room, leading Twilight toward the stairs up. “Well! Turner was so… cool and mysterious with those goggles and all his funny little tools. Applejack finally pushed me into talking to him. We hit it off right away! We got married the next summer.” She proudly displayed a promise bracelet fastened securely around her right foreleg.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. Typically promise bracelets were made of a precious metal, inlaid with gemstones. This one seemed to be a mix of magitek gems and clockwork gears. If she squinted hard enough she could see the tiny pieces of machinery all moving together. “That’s amazing.”

“Mmhm. My Turner’s the best! He’s so good lotsa ponies call him the Magitek Doctor, cause he can fix anything!”

The unicorn nodded slowly as she listened. “So I’m guessing Dinky wasn’t planned?”

Ditzy’s smile turned sheepish. “No. Me and Turner love each other to pieces, but we both have our jobs y’know? We see each other as much as we can. Dinky was born… and we both lead such dangerous lives. His work takes him to some pretty hairy places y’know? And my um… my life isn’t any place for a little filly. I never approved of Babs being here but she’s not mine so it’s not my place to say.”

Twilight assumed this Babs was an Apple family foal. “So you sent her to the Academy?”

“Uh huh! It was Turner’s idea. I guess he knows the mare who runs it.”

Now both of Twilight’s eyebrows shot up. “He knows Celestia?”

Ditzy blinked and looked surprised. “Lady Celestia runs the academy?”

Twilight’s look was one of disbelief. “H--her name is in the title…”

“Huh! Whaddya know? I guess I never noticed.” And just like that the carefree pegasus was trotting across the deck toward her filly. Twilight shook her head in silent bemusement.

“Hm. Where have I heard the name Applejack before…” She quietly mused to herself as she set out to find her apprentice. No doubt the eternally curious Apple Bloom would want to see the ship in action as it took off. She paused to study one of the large propellor mechanisms. There were three along each side that would lift the ship and keep it in the air.

She spotted her apprentice chatting with a mare she guessed was yet another member of the crew. She was one of the more well muscled mare’s Twilight had ever seen, with a rich orange coat and straw-yellow mane and tail. A well worn leather hat perched atop her head. This was probably the sister, Applejack. As the mare turned slightly and Twilight got a good look at her face, recognition lit in the mage’s eyes and she nearly staggered to her knees in shock.

***

Applejack’s smile was considerably less forced than it had been a moment ago, as she ended the tight embrace with her little sister. “Shoot musta been what… five years since Granny sentcha off t’that fancy magic school?”

Apple Bloom’s smile was ear to ear. “Sure was! And it’s great to see you again Applejack! I can’t wait to hear all about what you’ve been up to!”

“Well nothin’d make me happier than t’catch up some Bloom. Just s’long as it don’t get in the way’a my work. I got lotsa important stuff t’do. Maybe you can tell me about your schoolin’ huh? Braeburn says you got yerself a proper master teachin’ ya now?”

“Uh huh! There she is!” Apple Bloom frantically waved to Twilight, beckoning her over. Applejack frowned as the lavender mare’s eyes focused on her brand. “Applejack, this is my master Miss Twilight Sparkle! Master, this here’s my big sister Applejack!”

Twilight nodded slowly. “Apple Bloom can you excuse us for just one minute? I’d like to talk to your sister about something important.”

Apple Bloom’s ears splayed as she looked from one mare to the other. “Is everything alright ma’am?”

Twilight forced herself to smile. “It is. It’s just… grown up stuff. Why don’t you go say hi to Dinky’s mother?”

Casting one last passing glance at her sister, Apple Bloom complied with her master’s wishes. Applejack’s smile was more than a little strained. “Good t’meetcha Miss Twilight. Hope ya plan on takin’ good care’a my sister.”

Twilight didn’t return the mare’s smile. “Does she know?”

Applejack’s expression did a one-eighty. “No. She don’t know, and she don’t need t’know.”

“You and I will have to disagree emphatically on that point. I was with Celestia when she was called in to investigate your case. You may want to keep the truth from her, but I should warn you, if she comes asking me I won’t lie to her.”

Fury blazed in the earth pony’s eyes and she stood nose to nose with Twilight. “You threatenin’ me?”

Twilight didn’t back down a step. “No. I don’t make threats, it’s a waste of time and effort. I simply act. Apple Bloom has been remanded into my care. As her master I’m not only responsible for her magical education, but all facets of her life from here on out. I won’t volunteer what I know but if for some reason she should ask me, I will tell her.”

Without another word, Twilight turned and trotted back below decks. Leaving the fuming earth pony mare to glower after her.

***

Rainbow Dash slipped into her cabin just after the sun had set. “Hey Lady Twilight, see whatcha wanted to see?”

Twilight glanced up from the tome she had open before her hooves. “I saw the engines, yes. Interesting work and something I’d like to study more in depth when time allows.” She paused before going back to her reading. “You can just call me Twilight. We’ll be neighbors after all, yes?”

Rainbow Dash cracked a smile. “I guess that’s true. You know anything about this Ponyville?”

“As a matter of fact I was reading up on it just now. Evidently it’s only made it onto the maps in the last fifty years. It’s generally believed to be just on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, however…” Twilight Sparkle turned the book so Rainbow Dash could see an illustration of a map.

Dash’s eyes widened. “It’s inside the forest?! That’s like… right in the middle of the Everfree! Who’d be crazy enough to start a town in there?!”

“A mare named Golden Delicious apparently. You’ve heard of zap apple jam I’m sure.” At the pegasus’ nod Twilight continued. “Well zap apples only grow inside the Everfree. Evidently the seeds won’t grow anywhere else. So this Golden Delicious just settled inside the forest. Eventually ponies began to migrate toward the apples, she let them live around her home and build and expand until… Ponyville.”

Rainbow Dash sat on the edge of Twilight’s bed with the other mare, causing her to scoot back uncomfortably. “Huh. Kinda cool really. Explains why there hasn’t been a temple or anything right?”

Turning the book back towards herself Twilight closed it gently. “Yes it certainly does.”

Rainbow Dash frowned suddenly. “So the crew seem alirght mostly… but did you notice that Applejack pony had an uh…”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “A mark of justice? Yes. I was present when she received it in fact.”

Dash leaned in excitedly now. “Oh yeah? What’d she do?”

“Murder.”

Rainbow Dash recoiled in shock. “What?! Really?! Are we safe?”

Twilight seemed to consider the question. “Yes, I believe so. From her at least. There were extremely extenuating circumstances surrounding her trial. But she was a member of the Order of Light and for a paladin to kill a helpless pony like she did…” The unicorn shrugged.

Slipping off her roommates bed, Rainbow Dash trotted to her own. “So what all happened? Why were you there?”

“Lady Celestia was called in to investigate the circumstances. Powerful magic was involved and-”

Both mares turned toward the door as it swung open, revealing Apple Bloom and Dinky Doo. “Hey master. Just wanted t’say good night.”

Twilight simply nodded. “Good night Apple Bloom. Rest well. And good night to you as well Dinky Doo.” Abruptly the wizardess frowned and looked toward the wall of their cabin. She sucked in a breath in alarm. “Get away from the door! Get to your own-”

A dull WHOOM shook the ship as a powerful ball of fire slammed into Twilight and Rainbow Dash’s cabin wall from the outside. Wood and glass burst inward in a shower of debris, almost instantly the air began to rip at everything in the room, sucking out anything not bolted down.

Including the four ponies.

Rainbow Dash recovered from the shock quickly, shaking her head to clear the ringing from her ears. She looked around frantically seeing Twilight Sparkle falling in one direction, Dinky Doo and Apple Bloom the other. Momentarily torn, her decision was made as she spotted Twilight frantically gesturing toward the fillies. Nodding firmly she took off after the plummeting foals.

Twilight let out a relieved breath as the cleric sped off in chase of the falling foals. Rainbow Dash was flying fast enough she’d easily be able to pluck them from the air. Tuning out the sound of the wind roaring in her ears, she closed her eyes and began to softly intone the words for her spell. Bands of magic wrapped around her body, as wings of light flared into being around her back for a moment before vanishing. Her flight spell now cast, she arrested her own descent and looked about to get her bearings.

A pair of airships had flanked the Harmony. The pitch black balloons and painted lower halves would make them nearly impossible to detect against the night sky. She doubted she’d have been able to see them even now, if not for the arcane glow of spells being cast illuminating them. She suspected the fireball that destroyed her cabin had been meant for the propeller located just behind it, but the caster seemed to have poor aim.

Eyes narrowing sharply she angled upward and began to slowly drift through the air toward the enemy ship on the right.

***

“Who in Tartarus are they and why are they shootin’ my ship?!” Braeburn ran out on deck, eyes wide and frantic as he looked up at their attackers.

Cross Fire, as usual was at his side. The large mare nudged him in the ribs and pointed toward the ship on the left. She offered him her crossbow, and he hefted it with a grunt looking through the scope. It held plenty of enchantments, the most important at the moment was it allowed the wielder to see through darkness as clear as day. He gulped when he spotted the insignia of a moon surrounded in a black nimbus of light. “Look familiar?”

He handed Cross Fire her weapon back. “It surely does. Apparently these folks are lookin’ for the case we relieved them of back near Appleloosa.”

“Easy job huh?” Cross Fire raced off not giving Braeburn time to answer. The captain of the mercenary company scowled up at the enemy airships. “Why can’t anything ever be easy?”

Pounding hooves on the deck drew his attention. “Captain what’s happening?!”

He sighed seeing two of his passengers. Flitter and Cloudchaser were gasping for breath from the wild gallop to find him. “We’re bein’ attacked. Pirate’s I’d reckon.”

The priestesses exchanged a quick look. “How can we help?” The armored Flitter looked ready to fly up and attack the enemy ships on her own.

Cloudchaser laid a restraining hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Can we outrun them?”

Braeburn shook his head. “Don’t think so. They’re smaller and sleeker, so faster. Either of you gals have any big whammy spells?”

Both shook their heads. “Flitter’s a battle cleric, and I’m focused mostly on healing. If we can get close we can do some damage.”

Braeburn looked to the deck where Cross Fire was futilely shooting at the enemy ships with her bow. “Think you ladies can carry a couple’a us up there?”

Now the clerics grinned. “Absolutely.”

***

Apple Bloom squirmed frantically in Rainbow Dash’s grip as the mare set her on the deck. “What about master?!”

Dash shook her head. “She sent me to get you, I’ll go grab her right now alright?”

Dinky peered over the edge. “Look! Miss Twilight’s flying!”

Now the other two joined her looking out over the deck. Twilight Sparkle was indeed flying, her robes billowing out behind her as she climbed through the air toward the airship on the right. Rainbow Dash squinted. “What’s she doing? Does she have some kind of super killer spell?”

Apple Bloom shook her head with a little frown. “I don’t think so. She said she doesn’t like evocation magic!”

The three ponies watched as Twilight pulled something from her robes. A bright flash lit the dark night sky as a huge bolt of lightning crackled out from the unicorn punching into the balloon holding the airship aloft. Bright arcs of electricity ran along the balloon and down the lines attaching it to the ship. It didn’t rupture, but the crew of the deck began to frantically shift their focus from attacking the Harmony to attacking the enemy wizard.

“She needs help Miss Rainbow Dash!”

Dash nodded at Apple Bloom’s cry. “Right. Get inside girls, let us handle this!” Rainbow spread her wings vaulting into the air once more. She closed in on Twilight, then yelped as a stray crossbow bolt nearly clipped her wing. Dipping into a low dive she flew below the ship, Twilight soon joining her. “What’s the plan?!”

Twilight shook her head. “I had hoped the lightning bolt would rupture their balloon, but the material is stronger than I expected. I could possibly destroy their engines but I’ll be a sitting duck out there!”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “Leave it to me then! I’ll distract them!”

Twilight stashed her wand. “Alright. Let me give you a haste enchantment then.” Twilight started a new incantation, the magic swirling through the air as tiny red motes began to dance around Rainbow Dash. The twinkling sparks of magic drifted into the pegasis’ body as she glowed with a brilliant crimson aura.

Rainbow Dash’s whole body felt like it was super charged. Twilight Sparkle seemed to be moving in slow motion now as she pegasus flitted out from beneath the ship. She’d only intended to fly a short ways from Twilight, but in the blink of an eye she was passed the Harmony and on the other side of the ship, watching as Cloudchaser and Flitter slowly flew Cross Fire and Applejack toward the enemy ship. Without missing a beat she flashed forward, snatching the mare with the massive, sheathed broadsword over her back from Cloudchaser and darting back toward the enemy ship.

Applejack’s scream of surprise seemed to draw out in slow motion to the speeding Rainbow Dash as she deposited the swordsmare on the ship in the midst of the enemy ponies. Another pass toward her fellow clerics and she’d snatched the second pony they were carrying and placed her on the deck a short ways from the battle. Both seasoned warriors recovered from their surprise quickly, and set about their bloody work.

Cloudchaser and Flitter stared mutely as Rainbow Dash raced back passed them, and to the other ship once more. Twilight Sparkle was only just now making her way out from her cover, and Dash wasted no time landing on the deck of the enemy ship. The crew turned in agonizing slowness to regard her, but she was already moving again. Zipping in among the robed ponies she suspected were the enemy wizards, she was a flurry of bucks, stomps, punches, and headbutts rendering most of them senseless in seconds.

She blasted off the deck and back into the air as the warriors closed on her. Laughing in delight she soared high into the sky, higher than she’d ever gone. The temperature was dropping rapidly but she luxuriated in the frigid cold. Gasping with elation she turned and sighted the airship far below. Rearing back she dropped into a fierce dive, tucking her wings in tight against her body as she formed a living missile, angling for the deck. The howling of the wind had oddly died, despite how fast she was flying. Her eyes were watering, and the wind was blowing her mane straight back. She felt it ripping at her robes, and barely spared them a second glance as they were torn away, the tatters flapping into the air behind her.

Gritting her teeth she ignored the growing pain building in her protesting body as she flew harder and faster than she, or likely anypony ever had before. She forced herself onward as an aura of bright light began to flicker around her body, but she ignored it pushing on. She’d intended to stop on the deck and resume pummeling everypony in sight… instead what happened as she hit the deck… and kept going. Blasting through the deck and out the bottom of the ship, causing it to list wildly and veer off course.

Shaking her head in a daze she felt the world snap into proper focus again as Twilight’s haste spell faded. Looking up, she couldn’t help but grin at the huge hole leading through the bottom and out the top of the ship. “Now that’s how you bring the dash.”

***

“Return what was stolen!”

Applejack ignored the shouts of the lunatics attacking her family ship, and swung her massive bludgeon across the deck, sweeping ponies from their hooves, and sending one unfortunate unicorn toppling off the side. Cross Fire kept a steady stream of crossbow bolts trained on the mages, keeping them from casting more spells.

Flitter was proving to be as fierce in a fight as Ditzy Doo, if not quite as destructive. She wielded a heavy mace with expert precision cracking bone and battering her foes aside with quick swipes. Any time one of their opponents did score a lucky hit, Cloudchaser was on hoof to work a bit of healing magic.

The battle was almost over before it’d even begun thanks to Applejack and Cross Fire’s rapid, and sudden appearance taking the crew by surprise. Applejack began backing toward Cross Fire and Cloudchaser, just as her fellow earth pony loosed a new bolt, directly into the balloon overhead. “Get off the ship! Get off!”

Taking her own advice and trusting in one of the clerics to catch her, Applejack leapt over the edge, Cross Fire following suit. A confused Cloudchaser and Flitter did likewise, each snatcing one of the falling ponies from the air. “What’s going on?!”

Applejack was about to answer Flitter’s question, when Cross’s bolt went off. A massive fireball burst from the enchanted bolt, rupturing the balloon and causing a second, larger explosion. The force blew the four from the air, though luckily they had fallen far enough that hitting the ground was painful, but not fatal. Shakily the four climbed to their hooves, Cross Fire grinning ear to ear.

“Nothin’ better than makin’ things explode. Absolutely nothin’ better.”

***

Twilight loosed a third lightning bolt from her wand, destroying the second engine on the ships right side. It began to list wildly and fly in out of control circles, heading for the ground and crashing with a dull boom into the ground.

An exhausted Rainbow Dash made her way to Twilight’s side. “W--well we got ‘em.”

Twilight Sparkle surrounded Rainbow Dash in her levitation aura, taking the exhausted mare’s weight as she flew them both toward the Harmony. “We did. You were spectacular Rainbow Dash.”

“Heh, thanks to your spell. That was some awesome magic Twilight.”

Twilight gently landed on the Harmony, setting Rainbow Dash on her hooves. “I suppose we can both agree that we were equally amazing, hm?”

Rainbow Dash laughed softly. “Sure. Now I uh… think I want some sleep.”

“Yes, that’s an unfortunate side effect of the haste spell. It tends to leave the one hasted in a state of extreme exhaustion. You should be fine in the morning.”

Braeburn made his way over as Rainbow Dash slumped down below deck. “Mighty fine spell slingin’ Miss Twilight! And I surely do appreciate the assist.”

Twilight frowned. “Yes well, their first fireball blew the wall off of my cabin. I, Apple Bloom, Dinky Doo, and Rainbow Dash were blown out into the air.”

The captain’s eyes went wide with alarm. “Is everypony alright?”

Twilight nodded. “Yes. Rainbow Dash rescued the fillies. I’m more interested in who they were.”

Cloudchaser and Flitter made their way back to the deck, their earth pony passengers dropped off as well. “We’d like to know that too.”

Braeburn and Cross Fire shared a quick look, one that Applejack took ntoe of. “Pirates. It happens sometimes, a sad fact of flyin’. They’re rare but they do pop up now an’ again. I’m just glad we had you ladies on hoof t’pitch in.”

Ditzy Doo chose that moment to make her arrival. “Braeburn those couldn’t have been pirates!”

Brae and Cross both paled a bit beneath their coats. “Wh--what makes ya say that Ditz?”

The mare grinned proudly. “Because, we’re nowhere near water. You can be so silly sometimes.”

Braeburn blew out a relieved breath. “...reckon you’re right about that Ditzy Doo.”

***

“How are your studies going boys?”

Two unicorn colts sat in companionable silence, studying from thick tomes. One was a bit on the heavy set side, with a rich green coat and sharply contrasting orange mane and tail. His fellow apprentice was a tall, willowy colt bearing a mustard yellow cot of fur, with a closs cropped green mane. “Great master! I just summoned a big snake!”

Their master smiled at the thicker colt. “Excellent Snips! And Snails? Any breakthroughs?”

Snails lifted his eyes and blinked slowly. It was easy for most ponies to assume him stupid and write him off for his slow manner of speech and how long it took him to decide on anything. His master knew differently however. He was a brilliant pony, he just took a long time to decide on what he wanted to say. “...going well. Cast the mirror image spell earlier. Working on invisibility now.”

Snips sighed. “How is it you’re always so far ahead of me?”

Their master, a young unicorn mare with a powder blue coat and silken smooth silver mane smiled. “This isn’t a race Snips. Some mages develop quicker than others. Snails isn’t necessarily stronger than you, he just learns spells faster.”

Snips eyed his friend dryly. “A little ironic if you ask me, master.”

Snails returned his friends' look with a big smile. “It’s okay Snips. I’ll help ya out if ya want.”

“An excellent idea. Now if you boys will excuse me, I have to meet a friend.”

Both apprentices looked up in concern. “Should we come along?”

Their master shook her head. “No, no. I won’t be gone long either. Don’t stay up much later. We’re leaving early tomorrow morning.”

The colts saluted smartly, and went right back to their reading. The mare couldn’t hide a smile as she stepped out of the wagon and into the crisp evening air. Tugging her star studded cloak a little tighter around her body she set a brisk pace from the wagon that served as her home and lab. It also folded out into a stage when she’d perform the shows that kept she and her apprentices fed and clothed.

They were parked just outside of Hoofington, and she headed into town toward the local tavern. Their arrival was met with mixed results. The townsponies had at first been surprisingly hostile to their presence… some business about a gypsy assaulting their priest. The poor toothless stallion looked far too young to be sporting a mouth free of teeth. A little of her usual charm, both magical and mundane had smoothed things over and they’d been welcome to stay in town.

She checked to ensure her sword was securely fastened to her hip as she pushed her way into the tavern. It was at the hour when everypony was off work and looking to unwind so space was at a premium. She spotted her quarry easily enough. The dark cloaked stallion lurking in the back corner couldn’t be any more conspicuous. With a disgusted groan she trotted over. “I trust things went smoothly?”

His hesitation was answer enough. Her eyes narrowed. “What went wrong?”

“Y--you have to understand it wasn’t our fault! We weren’t given the right information!”

Gripping him by the collar, the mare dragged him outside around the back of the tavern. “What happened?!”

The stallion straightened his cloak. “There wasn’t just the one pegasus. There were four. Two of them were clerics too! And there was a mage! We were told there were no mage’s on the vessel!”

His superior frowned. “There shouldn’t have been. It’s a tiny crew and the only unicorns are the two artificers. Did anypony get a clear look at them? We need to know if they’re new crew or something deeper.”

He nodded, grateful for the chance to prove himself somewhat competent at least. “The clerics all looked the same of course. White coats and golden manes-”

“The wizard! I don’t care about the clerics!”

He gulped. “We did. She was a mare, late teens to early twenties. Lavender coat, indigo mane with a-”

“...a pink and purple stripe?”

“Y--you know her Lady Trixie?”

Trixie’s eyes blazed with sudden fury. Her subordinate took a step back in alarm at the look of purest hated twisting the normally charming and charismatic mare’s countenance. “Twilight Sparkle.”

Trixie Lulamoon Neutral Good
Wizard: 5 Fighter: 1 Arcane Warrior: 3

Strength: 10
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 16

Favored Spells
Mirror Image, Invisibility, Bull’s Strength, Haste, Displacement

Chapter 2: The Road to Ponyville, Part 2

Chapter 2: The Road to Ponyville, Part 2

The cool metal of her gleaming mithril plate against Fluttershy’s coat was a very comforting presence. Ordinarily a walk through the Everfree, while potentially dangerous, was very relaxing for the often high-strung mare. Today, however, there was a pervading sense of wrongness permeating the forest. She was wearing only her breastplate, but was beginning to wish she’d donned her full suit of armor.

She was also starting to very much wish she’d accepted Shining Armor’s offer of serving as an escort for her. Eventually he’d relented after, she assured him many times that Ponyville wasn’t much further than she normally ventured into the Everfree. She sighed softly for perhaps the dozenth time. “Oh Fluttershy. Why do you have to be such a loudmouth?”

Nothing answered the rhetorical question she posed to herself, naturally. More than once she made the arduous flight above the tree line to view the sun, and ensure she was still moving in the right direction. Settling back on the ground she continued on her way, confident she was on course though not at all pleased to note the sun was already beginning its descent. She’d expected to be in Ponyville before nightfall. Now it was looking like she would have to make camp in the forest.

Walking for some time more, she noted the change of light coming from above. The warm glow of the sun had given way to the moon’s pale luminescence. A quick search of her surroundings lead to the discovery of a small clearing in the trees. It wasn’t too far from the road, and there was even some moonlight filtering in through a gap in the trees overhead. Nodding in satisfaction, Fluttershy lowered her heavy pack to the ground and went about gathering fallen wood for a fire. Fishing the flint and tinder from her pack, she soon had a cheerful fire crackling away and warming the clearing. It had been a rather warm day, but suddenly she could see her breath misting in front of her muzzle.

Laying her sword across her forelegs she settled next to her fire, ears perked and alert for trouble. Nearly the second she’d settled down, a rustle in the bushes caused her ears to swivel in that direction, the rest of her body going rigid with fear. Forcing her quivering limbs under control she rose to her hooves to fully regard the offending bush. Gripping her blade firmly, she slid it free of the sheath. “Wh--who…” She swallowed, her voice firming up. “Who’s there?”

The rustling stopped abruptly, and the young paladin narrowed her eyes trying to catch a glimpse of what may be dwelling within the brush. Switching tactics, she lowered her sword. “It’s okay… I don’t want to hurt you. You can come out, it’s safe.”

She tensed again as more rustling came from the brush, than relaxed fully as a small white rabbit poked its head out. The little creature blinked back at her with its beady black eyes, nose twitching furiously. Fluttershy smiled gently and beckoned it closer. “There now. Come on out little guy. Let’s see if I have a treat for you hm?”

Fluttershy moved slowly and deliberately. Nosing open her saddlebags she fished out the salad she’d planned to eat for lunch and tossed a piece of chopped carrot toward the rabbit. Eyes shifting from the mare to the vegetable on the ground, the little bunny snatched it up nibbling furiously. Fluttershy sat, waiting patiently as he finished and raised his eyes up to meet hers expectantly.

Laughing softly, she laid the container of fresh greens out before herself. “Well come on then. We’ll share. I know I don’t want to sit here all alone all night. Why don’t we keep each other company?”

She wasn’t sure if it was the promise of an easy meal or her dulcet tones, but something lulled the rabbit into a calm sense of security and he closed the gap between themselves quickly. Settling back on her stomach, Fluttershy scooped some of the food from the dish onto the ground at the rabbit’s paws.

Casting a wary glance about the dark, oddly foreboding forest once more, she also loosed her sword from its scabbard, laying it close at hoof.

***

“We’re lost.” Lyra sounded less than enthusiastic.

“We’re not lost silly! We’re in the Everfree Forest. Ponyville’s in the Everfree Forest. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before we find it!” Pinkie Pie’s enthusiasm was undimmed, as always.

Vinyl Scratch rolled her eyes at her companions’ antics and turned her attention back to the path, if the narrow, overgrown patch of ground before her could even be called such. If not for her supernatural strength the wagon she was hauling would have been stuck fast several times by now in various root entanglements and potholes. “You know one of you could help me pull?”

Lyra stared at Pinkie Pie expectantly. When the sturdy earth pony made no move to help her sister, she groaned and climbed into the harness next to her fellow unicorn. “Sorry, Vinyl.” They walked on in silence before Lyra finally spoke up again. “Do you know where we’re going?”

Vinyl shrugged. “I know we’re still going southeast, which if the map is right is the right way.” Her goggles rested comfortably atop her head, nestled behind her horn. The dim lighting of the forest allowed her sensitive eyes to go uncovered for once. “It’s starting to get late, though. We’re not gonna make it before the sun sets.”

Her fellow wagon-puller gulped. “Wh--what? Camp out here?! In the Everfree?!”

Another shrug was Vinyl’s response. Pinkie Pie gazed down at her in concern. “Vinyl? What is it?”

It took Vinyl Scratch several long moments to respond. When she finally did her voice was distant, distracted. “...dunno. Something feels off about the forest.”

Lyra and Pinkie shared equally unknowing looks. “What do you mean, it feels off?”

Vinyl shrugged again at Lyra’s question. “...just… off. Like something’s out there… waiting.”

Lyra swallowed heavily, and Pinkie’s eyes darted around the trees quickly. Soon enough she settled back down and grinned. “Well that’s pretty ominous! Hope we don’t get eaten!”

The aquamarine coated mare shivered at Pinkie’s cheery words. “Pinkie Pie! Don’t say things like that!”

Pinkie broke into a wild fit of giggles, flopping back into the wagon and kicking her legs wildly. Vinyl gave Lyra a friendly nudge. “Relax. If there’s anything serious I’ll know first, right?”

That did seem to steady the jittery unicorn’s nerves. “Y--yeah! That’s true, you can sense all sorts of stuff like that, right?”

Vinyl, able to sense absolutely nothing of the sort, smiled confidently. “Absolutely.” While her sense of smell and hearing were more acute than the average pony’s, and her night vision certainly sharper, she’d never before had any sort of supernatural danger sense. Thus making the odd feeling she was getting even stranger.

The white lie seemed to do the trick, as Lyra visibly relaxed. “Right. We’re fine. We’re probably almost there. Any second now.”

Both unicorns couldn’t contain a shriek of fear and alarm as Pinkie very abruptly appeared between them. “There’s something out there.”

Lyra squeaked and started trembling immediately. VInyl just shot her sister a hot glare. “C’mon Pinkie, Lyra’s really scared here. This isn’t the time for one of your pranks.”

Pinkie Pie didn’t speak. She just gently took hold of Vinyl’s chin and tilted it out into the forest. Confused and growing more annoyed by the second, Vinyl was about to admonish the pink mare when she suddenly caught sight of a dim glow through the trees ahead. “...oh. There is something out there.”

That was it for poor Lyra. With a trembling groan she collapsed to the ground in a dead faint. Rolling her eyes now, Vinyl levitated her into the wagon. “It looks like a fire. Maybe somepony else is stuck out here at night?”

Pinkie nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking. I’ll go say hi!”

Vinyl snapped her teeth around Pinkie’s tail, arresting the mare’s forward momentum and causing her to belly flop to the dirt with a grunt. “Pinkie, stop and think for a minute about the kind of ponies who’d be out here in the Everfree at night.”

Pinkie tilted her head. “A disgraced Canterlot musician, an orphan pick pocket, a gorgeous, talented, supremely smart and skilled bardess, and her half-vampire sister?”

Vinyl fixed Pinkie with a deadpan look. “Gypsies, tramps, and thieves?”

This caused the other mare to giggle delightedly. “Oh, Vinyl! What kind of thieves would be stupid enough to be out in the Everfree at night?”

Scootaloo finally peeked out from the wagon, deftly stepping around the unconscious Lyra. “Really dumb ones.”

***

“I can’t believe we’re stupid enough to be out in the Everfree at night.”

Rarity fixed Sifter with an unamused glare. “We were supposed to be in Ponyville by now. You got us lost.”

The night pony’s wings flared in outrage. “I didn’t get us lost! We’re not exactly moving as quickly as we could be is all.” He glanced pointedly to the little filly trotting along obliviously behind them.

Further behind them than Rarity would like. “Sugar Cube! I told you not to leave my side! This forest is filled with all manner of horrid beasts.”

Sweetie Belle sighed dramatically as she quickened her step to match her sister’s. “What could be more dangerous than you guys? You have your blades and Sifter has his… creepy… brain powers.”

Rarity had to stifle a laugh at Sifter’s look of outrage. “I’m a psion! It’s an ancient, well respected tradition.”

The filly raised an eyebrow. “Poking around in ponies’ heads is creepy.”

Rarity nodded in agreement. “She’s right Sifter, it is a little creepy.”

The stallion’s ears drooped. “Hmph. Fine! I’ll scout ahead if I’m creeping you two out so much!” Before either could respond he gave his wings a powerful flap and disappeared into the trees above.

Rarity sighed, watching him go.

“Sorry I made you fight with your coltfriend.”

The mare’s cheeks burned as she whirled on her sister. “He is not my coltfriend! We’re partners!”

Sweetie gave her sister a sly look. “Isn’t that another word for coltfriend?”

The elder sister couldn’t help but gasp sharply. “Where you picked up such poor manners I will never know!”

“The slums, Jewel. I picked them up in the slums.” The fillies eyes settled on her sister’s bags. “So! What’s in the case Sifter brought with him?”

Rarity sighed softly. She knew if she didn’t comply with Sweetie’s questions it would only make the filly more curious and lead her to helping herself to the case. Levitating the case from her bag she gently released the clasp, revealing the object within.

Sweetie Belle wrinkled her nose. “It’s a rock.”

“Hm? Oh!” Rarity flipped the rock over, revealing a strange pattern of lines and squiggles on the other side. “Our client says it’s the key to the vault we need to open to retrieve the stones we’re after.”

The filly’s eyes shone with excitement. “Do I get to come with you? Into the big spooky catacombs under the town?!”

Snapping the case shut, Rarity slid it away once more. “Certainly not! Don’t you want to enjoy the festival some? We don’t get many chances for such things in Canterlot.”

“I’m not a baby anymore, Rarity. You keep trea-mmp!” Rarity clamped a hoof over Sweetie Belle’s mouth, eyes darting back and forth in alarm.

“You have to be more careful! If Sifter had heard-”

The stallion dropped down from above. “If I heard what?”

Rarity was momentarily at a loss, she was saved by her sister. “Jewel likes you!”

Rarity and Sifter both turned beet red simultaneously, looking at one another before swiftly looking away. Recovering quickly, Rarity smiled faintly. “Sugar Cube likes to exaggerate. Of course I like you, we’re partners. We work well together.”

“Oh! Right! Right, no, that uh, that’s what I thought you meant.” The two adults awkwardly avoided looking at each other, leaving the filly to sigh in exasperation.

“So?”

Sifter blinked at her question. “...so what?”

“Weren’t you scouting?”

“...oh! Yes! I was! Aha, yes. I found somepony up ahead. It’s a mare, on her own. I think she’s a paladin. She looks pretty jumpy. She does have a campfire going, however. We could see if she wouldn’t mind the company.” The stallion glanced meaningfully toward Sweetie Belle when Rarity looked at him.

The mare frowned gently. “Perhaps. If we’re to spend the night out here, doing so next to a well-armed and armored knight wouldn’t be the worst way to do so. I just worry she may protest to our… profession.”

Sifter shrugged. “I don’t plan on trotting up to her and saying ‘hey we’re a couple of thieves, can we share your fire?’ We can just say we got turned around on our way to the town. That’s not totally unbelievable. Besides, with Sugar with us she’ll definitely let us share her fire.”

Rarity sighed. It was getting late, and no matter how much she’d protest otherwise, Sweetie Belle was looking tired. “Alright. We’ll see if she doesn’t mind us joining her. But I don’t want to push. The last thing we need is an angry paladin after us.”

Her partner nodded. “How we doing this then? Should we just walk into her camp?”

Ensuring her saddlebags were snapped tightly shut, her weapons loose in their sheaths just in case, Rarity started forward. “I think that would be best, yes. The knightly sorts tend to appreciate forthrightness."

Sweetie Belle kept close to her sister, while Sifter fell into step a short distance behind the two. Assuming the knight ahead was either very skilled, or very stupid to be out here at night alone, Rarity signaled for Sweetie to wait as she approached alone. Not wishing to startle the paladin, she cleared her throat just outside the glade the campfire was burning in. “Ah… excuse me? I’m terribly sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if we could share your fire?”

Rarity’s ears perked at the sound of an armored pony rising. “Wh--who’s there?!”

Eyebrow raised, she looked back at her companions. The voice certainly sounded jittery for a warrior of justice. “We’re just on our way to Ponyville! We got caught out in the dark and would much prefer to share a warm fire with good company. I have a filly with me.”

There was some hesitation before the voice answered back, much of the fear gone. “Come into the light. Slowly.”

Rarity complied. Using her magic to push the thick brush aside to avoid mussing her coat and armor, she stepped slowly toward the fire. She offered as warm a smile she could muster to the mare standing next to the crackling fire. The paladin was a pegasus, probably the same age as Rarity herself, and the unicorn found herself slightly envious of the pegasus’ long, silky, pink mane, but it was her butter-yellow coat that made her gentle, teal eyes stand out all the more. The gleaming mithral plate mail and longsword she had half-drawn from its scabbard belied her apparent gentleness.

Clearing her throat Rarity motioned Sweetie Belle forward. The knightly mare’s demeanor relaxed visibly as the little filly came into view. Before Rarity could stop her, Sweetie Belle charged ahead, eyes alight with excitement. “Wow! Are you really a knight of the Order of Light?!”

Wings flaring in alarm the paladin stepped back quickly. “O--oh well um… yes? Er… yes I am.” She cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders. “I’m Fluttershy. Oh um, Dame Fluttershy of the Order of Light. It’s nice to meet you.” She finished with a little smile.

“I’m Sugar Cube! And this is my sister Jewel! We’re going to Ponyville for the festival!”

Fluttershy looked from the filly to her sister. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. You’re traveling alone through the Everfree?”

Rarity shrugged. “Sugar has always wanted to see Archmage Celestia in person. She’s always at the Summer Sun Celebration after all. My friend Sifter is with us as well. Why don’t you come say hello Sifter?”

Fluttershy stiffened in alarm again as the night pony revealed himself. “Y--you’re a night pony!”

He blinked, eyes wide. “I am?! Jewel! Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Sweetie Belle broke into a fit of giggles, while Rarity simply looked unamused. “Don’t make fun of her Sifter. I reacted much the same when we first met you’ll recall. Your tribe isn’t exactly a common sight.”

Sifter sobered quickly and nodded. “I suppose so. Sorry for poking fun at you, your ladyship, I get that reaction a lot is all.”

He squirmed a little as he felt her activating some sort of magical effect. He was sensitive to just about any extra-normal abilities being used on or around him. More than likely she was determining if he or any of his group were of evil intent. He certainly hoped nothing he or Jewel ever got up to qualified as ‘evil’.

Evidently it did not, judging by the way she relaxed again. “It’s alright, I think I might be a little more on edge than usual.” Just as she was beginning to settle down once more, the little rabbit poked his head out from around her hind legs. Sweetie Belle sighted him right away and squealed in delight charging after the critter. Fluttershy let out a squeal of her own, though hers was of alarm as her wings carried her into the air.

Rarity and Sifter shared another long, silent look. Moving over to the side of the fire opposite the paladin’s bedroll they spread their own bedding out on the ground. Seeing Fluttershy engaged with Sweetie Belle in conversation Rarity dropped her voice to a low whisper. “She’s certainly a jittery knight.”

Sifter shrugged. “Yeah but I can’t blame her. There’s something wrong with this forest Jewel. I dunno what it is, but I can sense something… just out of my range. Every time I poke at it it pulls back a little more. It knows we’re here, and its watching us.”

Rarity frowned. “Well that’s certainly ominous isn’t it? Are we in danger?”

Her frown didn’t fade as he nodded. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure we are. Otherwise I’d never suggest we spend the night with a paladin of all ponies. If we’re attacked though, there’s strength in numbers right?”

Rarity looked over at Sweetie Belle, who was now petting the small rabbit. “Sifter if something attacks us, I want you to get my sister to safety. Fly her above the trees and find Ponyville, or just go back to Canterlot.”

His eyes widened. “What? Jewel I won’t leave you.”

He winced as she grabbed him by his vest and dragged him closer, so they were almost nose to nose. “I’m not asking Sifter, I’m telling. If anything happens to her I’m holding you personally responsible. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

The stallion gulped. He’d seen what happened when ponies crossed Jewel. Especially if they threatened her sister. Eventually he nodded. “Y--yeah I get it. I’ll take care of her.”

She let him go and he sat back smoothing his vest. The knight was regarding them with a faint frown from across the fire. “Is anything the matter?”

Rarity forced her smile back into place. “Not at all lady knight, just a little discussion with my friend. I’m terribly sorry if I was being rude.”

Fluttershy nodded slowly. “It’s alright. I don’t have much to eat I’m afraid. I already shared my supper with this little guy.” She finished by stroking the rabbits ears, causing his hind leg to thump in appreciation.

“Not to worry! We came prepared. Even have some extra to share, it’s the least we can do to thank you for letting us share your fire.” Rarity was already levitating their stock of food from their bags, ignoring Sifter’s look of protest.

Sweetie Belle eagerly rushed to her sister’s side as she broke out their evening meal. The poor filly had been complaining about her hunger for the past hour or so, and was more than ready to satisfy it.

Sifter’s ears suddenly perking upright drew the mares’ attention. “Is something wrong?”

He scanned the trees slowly, not answering Rarity at first. “I’m not sure… I sense something out there. Nearby. I’m gonna try and narrow it down…”

Rarity stepped back as he closed her eyes. Fluttershy started to speak but the unicorn mare lifted a hoof silencing her. She watched with concern as a faint glow suffused Sifter’s eyes, signaling the usage of his psionic abilities. “I… I think I can touch her mind… I…”

Rarity gasped softly as Sifter’s nose started to bleed and his eyes rolled back, the poor psion keeling over in a dead faint. “Sifter! Sifter what happened?! What is it?!”

The poor stallion seemed completely knocked cold by whatever mind he’d touched. The two mares whirled in alarm, weapons bared as a new voice sounded from beyond the trees. “Hellooooooo there! We’re a little turned around and spotted your fire! Our friend’s kind of a fraidy cat and we were hoping to share your camp!”

Fluttershy glanced at the unconscious Sifter, then looked back toward the voices frowning sternly. Rarity noted the paladin’s glowing holy symbol matched the faint light around her eyes. “Um… yes! You can come closer.

Rarity levitated her protesting sister closer to her side of the fire, so she could keep an eye on both Sweetie Belle and the dazed Sifter at the same time. Fluttershy remained on guard as a bright pink earth pony mare bounced through the brush. She didn’t relax at the sight of the ponies garb, her brightly colored silk skirts and large glinting jewelry clearly said ‘gypsy’ to anypony with a little sense.

A second mare appeared, similarly clad. Though this one was a unicorn who oddly enough, wore a pair of dark tinted goggles completely obscuring her eyes from view. She shot an annoyed glance at her companion. “A little help here Pinkie?”

Pinkie sighed, looking torn between dramatically introducing herself, and assisting her friend. Her smile reformed bright as ever as she bounced back the way she came. “Sure thing!”

Keeping one eye trained on the newcomers, Rarity leaned closer to the gradually recovering Sifter. “Sifter what happened?”

The stallion blinked groggily. “I… I touched her mind Jewel. It was… I don’t even know. At first there was like this iron wall of discipline, I’ve never seen anything with such will. Then all at once the wall vanished and it was pure insanity in there.” He was staring fearfully at the pink mare, Pinkie her friend had called her, Jewel recalled.

If she hadn’t been looking right at her, Rarity would have missed the quick wink Pinkie shot Sifter’s way, causing the night pony to squirm uncomfortably. Both of the new mares wore harnesses around their flanks, and were straining heavily to pull something apparently quite cumbersome through the thick brush. All at once a huge wagon burst through the shrubs nearly flattening the ponies pulling it.

Fluttershy felt her panic rising as the situation grew more and more beyond her control. Her little camp had gone from she and her new bunny friend, to two ponies and a filly, now there were four ponies, a filly, and a wagon. Chewing her lower lip she forced herself to calm down. She was a full fledged paladin of the order now, she couldn’t lose her head over every little thing anymore. Forcing a smile she regarded the newcomers. “Well um, I’m Fluttershy. Dame Fluttershy I suppose, but just Fluttershy is fine.”

Pinkie’s grin widened. “Hiya! I’m Pinkie Pie! This is my sister Vinyl and um… well Lyra’s probably still passed out in the wagon. She doesn’t handle excitement quite as well as we do. Oh! I almost forgot! Scootaloo come say hello!”

A tiny orange filly poked her head out of the wagon, gradually making her way down to the ground. Little wings buzzed rapidly as she jumped from the seat to the ground, slowing her fall. “Um, hello.”

The sight of another foal put the group at ease. Rarity stepped forward, allowing Sweetie Belle to do so as well. “A pleasure to meet you all. I’m Jewel, this is my little sister Sugar Cube and our friend Sifter.”

Pleasantries were exchanged all around as the adults settled in pairs around the fire, save Fluttershy who remained alone at her end. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, after the necessary niceties to the adults were made had been allowed to join Lyra in the wagon. The silence around the fire stretched into the realm of uncomfortable. Vinyl was doing her best to keep Pinkie between herself and the holy mare, actions that weren’t going unnoticed by Fluttershy.

Inside the wagon the fillies eyed one another warily. Sweetie Belle glanced around slowly taking the interior in. “So you live out of here?”

Happy that the other filly broke the silence first, Scootaloo nodded. “Yup! I’ve only been traveling with them a couple days, but they’re a lot nicer than the priest at the orphanage was.”

Sympathy welled in Sweetie’s eyes. “You lost your parents too?”

“Mmhm.” Scootaloo feigned indifference, deciding she had to look tough in front of this newcomer. “No big deal. Nothing special y’know? Folks just couldn’t afford me. Dumped me off at the church and hit the road. I’ve been pretty much takin’ care of myself ever since.” She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Sweetie Belle, who had an appropriately impressed look on her face. “What about you?”

Sweetie smiled without hesitation. Rarity had drilled their cover story into her so many times she was pretty sure she dreamed about it. “Pretty much the same! Mom and dad couldn’t afford to keep us around, so they tossed me and Jewel out. We’ve been on our own for a while now.”

The pair fell quiet again, sizing one another up. As one they decided they recognized, and liked something they saw in one another. Deciding to be the more mature of the two, Scootaloo produced something from beneath her vest. A familiar money pouch emblazoned with Sifter’s cutie mark.

Sweetie Belle’s sudden grin matched Scootaloo’s perfectly as she fished out Vinyl’s pouch from her trousers. The two looked at the pilfered coin for a minute, before breaking out into wildly delighted laughter.

***

Rarity kept her eyes glued to the wagon. The sudden peals of foalish laughter ringing out from within brought a small smile to her face. “It’s been sometime since I heard her sound so happy.”

Pinkie flashed a toothy smile at her across the fire, ignoring her sister’s prodding about her missing coin. “That’s what we do! Make ponies smile.”

Switching her focus to Pinkie Pie, Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Is that what gypsy’s do when they arrive in a new town?”

Without missing a beat the earth pony nodded firmly. “Well of course! What else would we do?”

Rarity, Sifter, and Fluttershy all had pretty varying opinions on just what it was that a gypsy got up to in a new town, but all three decided against sharing said opinions. Eyes darting from unicorn to earth pony mare, Fluttershy finally cleared her throat. “So! Um… Pinkie Pie. What brings you and your friends to Ponyville?”

“Well! We got into a little bit of trouble the other day and had to beat a hasty exit from town.” If Pinkie saw the knowing looks exchanged by the other three, she didn’t let on. “On our way out this weird mare stopped us and hired us to come perform at the Summer Sun Celebration. Soooooo… here we are!”

“Well that was…” Fluttershy trailed off, ears perking as she slowly rose to her hooves. Pinkie and Rarity looked on in confusion as Sifter and Vinyl likewise stopped what they were doing and stood, looking about in concern.

Laying a hoof gently against his shoulder Rarity spoke softly. “Sifter? What is it?”

The night pony's eyes darted back and forth, almost wildly. “The thing that’s been watching us? It’s coming.”

As if on cue, an unholy shriek pierced the air. The five ponies instinctively grouped closer together as thunderous steps sounded from the forest nearby. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both poked their heads from the wagon, eyes wide. “What’s going on?!”

Rarity shot a fierce glare toward her sister. “Get in the wagon! Stay low and stay quiet! Right now!”

Complying without another word Sweetie Belle ducked back down, followed swiftly by the other filly. The steps stopped and quiet descended upon the glade once more. Rarity’s blades were bared, rapier in hoof, dagger levitating at the ready. Fluttershy likewise had her shield and sword out.

Pinkie nudged Vinyl and nodded toward the wagon silently. With a nod of her own her sister stepped lightly toward their conveyance. Halfway from the wagon the sound of flapping wings sounded from every direction. “Hurry up Vinyl!”

All pretense of stealth abandoned the unicorn galloped to the wagon and sprang inside. Flipping aside a brightly colored swatch of fabric she retrieved a pair of gleaming axes. Almost as an afterthought she snatched up the wide-eyed fillies and stuffed them in the hideaway. “Keep quiet huh?”

Sweetie and Scootaloo nodded mutely. Vinyl paused to give Lyra a swift kick. “Get up! Monsters are attacking!”

One golden eye cracked open. “I know! It’s why I’m hiding here!”

Vinyl scowled. “Get your sorry flank out there and give us a hoof Lyra!”

Not waiting for her fellow unicorn to respond, Vinyl bounded back out of the wagon and into a scene out of a horror story. Hideously twisted disembodied pony heads swooped in at her companions. Each head was pallid and discolored, their teeth twisted into sharp misshapen fangs with a pair of rapidly flapping batwings sprouting from the sides of their head and keeping them aloft.

Pinkie Pie was flipping, spinning, and twirling through the air with her typical reckless abandon. The earth pony landed on her forehooves and sprang off the ground striking a pair of the monstrous heads with her hind legs, crunching teeth and bone and sending them fluttering weakly to the ground.

Rarity stuck close to Sifter, while the pair edged toward the wagon. Any of the heads that drew too near to the pair wound up skewered on one of the mare’s flashing blades, while the stallion sent out waves of invisible force with his mind, crushing the creatures to nothing with a thought.

Fluttershy was the most in trouble. The heavily armored pegasus was being swarmed from all directions. Vinyl’s first instinct was to keep as far from the holy mare as possible, but she couldn’t just sit by and watch somepony get killed. Gritting her teeth she vaulted off the wagon soaring through the air, twin axes raised. Her powerful leap carried her across the campsite, over Fluttershy’s head. As she passed she swung both blades cleaving a head in twain with each axe.

The lady knight nodded her thanks to the bardess. “Don’t let them bite you! It’s how they spread!”

Vinyl didn’t need her to elaborate on ‘spread’. She had a pretty good idea of what she meant. The two fought back to back, blades slicing through the air in a gleaming dance of death, sending bits of gore in every direction. “You know what these things are?”

Fluttershy slashed another head to pieces. “I do! They’re called vargouilles! They travel in packs but they normally never attack large groups. This is very unusual!”

The ‘why’ of the unusual attack was soon answered as the roaring began anew. As one the vargouilles rose into the air spiralling into a single massive flock. The trees behind Fluttershy and Vinyl splintered apart as a massive creature charged the knight and musician down. It towered taller than the wagon, and just as big around. It’s body was dominated primarily by a massive gaping mouth. Tiny legs that seemed too small to support its bulk tore up the ground as it sped forward with unnatural speed.

Vinyl lunged to the side, slamming into Fluttershy and sending her spiraling out of the path of the beast, only for its jaws to snap down around her and scoop her off the ground. The unicorn howled in pain as ragged fangs bit through her thick leather armor and tore into her hide drawing blood.

Pinkie, Rarity, and Sifter were still busy holding off the massive swarm of undead heads, leaving Fluttershy the only one free to assist Vinyl with the huge beast. Channeling holy might into her sword she lunged forward driving her blade to its hilt in the things side. The monster shrieked and thrashed away to get free of the horridly stinging blade, tearing the gash in its side open wider as it trundled backwards and the paladin wrenched her sword free.

Vinyl tumbled from its mouth and landed heavily on the ground. Fluttershy moved to heal the wounded mare but stopped in her tracks. Vinyl’s goggles had been shaken free revealing blazing ruby colored eyes. Sharp fangs glinted in her mouth as she let out a feral hiss and lunged bare hooved at the beast, biting, bucking, and thrashing like a pony possessed.

Across the camp near the wagon, the two mares and stallion braced themselves, preparing for the oncoming flock. “Can’t you do something useful Sifter?!”

Eye twitching in annoyance at Rarity’s piercing shriek in his ear, Sifter took a deep breath. “Get low, I can try something!”

Pinkie and Rarity obliged, ducking low to the ground as Sifter’s eyes shone with psionic power. A massive wall of crackling flame sprang to life in the air above the three ponies, intercepting the diving undead flock. The bulk of them had too much momentum to stop, and flitted helplessly into the blazing flames, burning to ash in seconds.

Only the vargouilles closest to the rear of the flock survived, and they were swiftly being picked off by Rarity and Pinkie Pie. The three fighters didn’t notice one lone creature darting into the wagon behind them.

Fluttershy backed away as Vinyl’s frenzied assault brought the largest creature to the ground. Even when it stopped moving the monstrous pony continued to hammer it with her hooves, hissing and growling like an animal. The paladin’s eyes widened as Vinyl abruptly stopped and whirled, focusing on her. Red eyes locked with teal as the vampiric mare’s fangs glistened with blood and gore. Raising her blade and preparing to defend herself, she tensed as Vinyl lunged.

The pegasus mare yelped as she was slammed in the side by Pinkie Pie, sending her sprawling to the ground. Pinkie made no move to defend herself as Vinyl clamped her forelegs tightly around the earth pony, and brought her fangs down into Pinkie’s neck. Already the others were bearing down on the duo, but were halted as Pinkie raised a hoof.

“I--it’s alright! She’ll… she’ll be fine in… in a jiffy. Just… just make sure everypony else is okay…”

Neither Rarity, Sifter, or Fluttershy looked particularly pleased at the prospect of leaving Pinkie alone with her sister feeding off her like a giant mosquito. A shrill scream from the wagon made up their minds. Rarity was the first to arrive, nearly ripping the door from the rear as she swung it open with her magic.

The pegasus filly, Scootaloo was standing over one of the monster heads, her small dagger embedded between its eyes still clutched tightly in her hooves. Lyra was fretting over Sweetie Belle, who had broken out into a heavy sweat and was thrashing on the ground. A small bite mark was clearly visible on her foreleg.

Rushing forward Rarity knelt beside her sister. “What’s happening to her?! What’s wrong?!” She gasped as she noticed a thin seam forming around Sweetie’s neck, her head squirming about at an unnatural angle.

Fluttershy bodily shoved Sifter away from the door as she forced her way into the wagon. “Move away from her! I need space to purge the disease!”

Reluctantly Rarity stepped back, allowing the paladin to stand over her sister. Fluttershy gently laid one hoof against her holy symbol, the other against the thrashing filly. Fluttershy’s eyes were closed in deep concentration as everypony in the wagon held their breath. A warm glow filled the wagon as holy magics flowed from Fluttershy and into Sweetie Belle. The filly’s thrashings eased into weak squirming, and finally exhausted rest.

Fluttershy stepped back breathing a sigh of relief. “We made it in time. I’ve purged the disease and she’ll be just fine… with plenty of bed rest. It’s an exhausting ordeal. She’ll likely sleep the day through tomorrow.”

Rarity gingerly levitated Sweetie into one of the hammocks in the wagon, casting Lyra a passing glance. “I take it you don’t mind her using one of these?”

Lyra shook her head rapidly. “N--no! No I uh… I don’t mind. I’m sure Pinkie won’t either.” Shame mixed with sorrow in the bardess’ eyes and she couldn’t hold Rarity’s gaze for long.

Carefully tucking a blanket around the slumbering filly, Rarity then looked to Scootaloo and Fluttershy. “As for you two, I cannot thank you enough. My little sister is my entire world. You saved her life tonight, and I can never repay you for that. If there’s ever anything either of you need that is within my capacity to provide, I will gladly give it.”

Both ponies shuffled looking more than a little embarrassed. Scootaloo spoke first. “It was nothin’. We’re friends after all, I can’t let like… my first friend ever turn into a creepy undead monster head.”

“It was my pleasure to help. Technically it’s my duty too, but really I do what I do to help ponies in need. No thanks is necessary, Jewel. You’d do the same for anypony else I’m sure.”

Now it was Rarity who couldn’t hold Fluttershy’s gaze. “...yes, of course. Well. Now that that’s settled… I believe we have the matter of Miss Pie’s sister gorging herself on her blood.”

Lyra sighed. “It happened again?”

***

Pinkie stood protectively in front of Vinyl before the rest of the group. The intimidation factor was somewhat marred by how pale and wobbly she was on her hooves. Vinyl for her part looked more ashamed than anything.

Fluttershy approached slowly, making it clear her weapon was put away. “Um… thank you for your help against that thing Vinyl.”

Vinyl looked up, her goggles still missing so her blood red eyes were on display for everypony to see. “...that’s it?”

Her smile faltering a little Fluttershy shrank back slightly. “Um… thank you very much for your help?”

Pinkie Pie and Vinyl exchanged equally confused looks. “You guys don’t want to uh, chase us away with torches and pitchforks?”

“Heavens no darling! Nopony is perfect. We all have our… eccentricities.” Rarity offered an encouraging smile. “Some of us more than others, but deep down we’re all good ponies aren’t we?”

Nodding softly Fluttershy gently took Pinkie by the hoof, leading her to the wagon. “I think you should lay down Miss Pie. You lost a lot of blood.”

Pinkie didn’t speak until she and Fluttershy were nearer the wagon. The earth pony’s grip tightened slightly on Fluttershy, and the young knight halted. “...thank you. For… understanding.”

Fluttershy smiled gently. “I can’t claim to understand fully, but she’s your family. We’d do anything for the ponies we love, right?”

Nodding, and looking exhausted Pinkie allowed herself to be helped into a hammock next to the slumbering Sweetie Belle. “Yeah. She normally has it under control, just if she gets really hurt or really angry…”

“I see. Is it safe for her to come into town? My understanding can only go so far. The ponies of Ponyville are going to be under my protection soon and I can’t turn a blind eye to something as dangerous as a vampire, even a half-vampire running loose.”

Pinkie sighed. “I’ll make sure she’s well fed. If she’s full she doesn’t lose control unless her life is really threatened. It’ll be fine, I’ll be by her side the whole time. Alright? Just… please. Please let her go into town. Every time somepony learns the truth about her they treat her like a monster. She’s not… she’s a pony like you or me, she just has different circumstances.”

Fluttershy looked to the pair of fillies sleeping in the hammock nearby. Scootaloo had climbed up to nestle in against her friend. Gazing from the front back at the others, Fluttershy could see them gathered around Vinyl chatting, even laughing. If she hadn’t seen the unicorn’s vampiric side with her own eyes she’d never think something was amiss with her. “Alright Miss Pie. I’m trusting you.”

The weary earth pony smiled as brightly as she could given her exhaustion. “We’re friends now, it’s just Pinkie to my friends.”

Fluttershy moved to the door, looking back she found Pinkie already asleep. “Rest well then Pinkie.”

***

Sweetie Belle blinked groggily as she felt her bed swaying beneath her. Opening her eyes and looking about in confusion she realized she was in the wagon alone. Rolling over she dropped to the floor with a little grunt. Animated chatter and laughter from outside drew her attention, and she climbed up toward the front.

Her sister was walking beside the nice paladin, Fluttershy chatting happily. Sweetie couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Rarity look like she was having fun with anypony like that. Sifter and Vinyl were apparently comparing notes on the best way to keep the sun out of one’s eyes, while Pinkie and Lyra were pulling the wagon. “Um… good morning everypony?”

The group came to an abrupt halt at her words. Sweetie was bowled over as Rarity leapt up and scooped her into a tight embrace. “I was so worried!”

Squirming in her sister’s hooves, noting an amused Scootaloo watching with a big grin, Sweetie turned bright red in embarrassment. “I’m fine Jewel!

Rarity cupped the filly’s cheeks, eyes shining with joy. “I know. I know you are, you’re such a strong filly. Be sure to thank Fluttershy. It was her magic that cured you of that horrid disease.”

Happy to be free of her overbearing sister’s grip, Sweetie jumped to the ground trotting up to Fluttershy. “Thanks for saving me Miss Fluttershy.”

Giving the filly a gentle nuzzle, Fluttershy smiled. “It was my pleasure. I’m just glad you’re going to be okay.”

Scootaloo came charging up not long after. “Hey Sugar Cube! We’re close to the town. Pinkie said I could go on ahead, wanna come with me?”

Sweetie looked up to her sister, and was shocked to find her nodding. “Go on then. But be careful…”

“I will Jewel! I promise!” Laughing together the pair of fillies charged off down the clearly well traveled path.

Rarity sighed watching her go. Part of her wanted to rush after her, but she knew she couldn’t keep Sweetie Belle locked up her whole life. If they were going to start a proper life together, she needed to start giving her sister a little trust.

It turned out, the town was closer than any of them expected. Not ten minutes passed before the trees began to thin out, and the sound of civilization reached their ears. As the group cleared the treeline they got their first view of Ponyville.

Town may be a generous description for the tiny little hamlet. It was more a small collection of homes, with what appeared to be two or three shops. They could see what was likely every building that made up Ponyville from their position just outside the forest. Two dozen homes filled a very large clearing that must have been cut by the settlers themselves. Ponyville was abuzz with activity however. Ponies coming and going hanging various decorations from their humble abodes.

A large, hastily constructed stage stood in the center of the town. A banner reading ‘Welcome Lady Celest” was hung above the stage itself. The sight brought a snicker to most of the arriving travelers. Sifter was doing his best not to break into open laughter. “Didn’t plan that one out did they?”

Rarity huffed. “Oh hush. The poor dears are doing their best. I’m sure just the fact that they’re going to all this trouble for her will make Lady Celestia happy.”

Fluttershy took in the sight of the town with a soft sigh of relief. Such a tiny town couldn’t be that hard to look after. She spotted a building that looked very newly constructed. Made of the pristine white stone all of Celestia’s temple’s were crafted from, the citizens of Ponyville must have gone to great expense to bring it to their humble settlement. “Well everypony, it’s been wonderful getting to know you but I should check in at the temple and let the Mayor know I’ve arrived. I hope to see you all again soon.”

Bidding the paladin a fond farewell, Pinkie looked to Rarity. “So! Where ya stayin’?”

Rarity blinked at the sudden question. “Ah… we planned to find an inn. If none is available I suppose we’ll be camping out. Sugar would enjoy that I’m sure.”

Pinkie scoffed. “You can stick with us then! We’re only gonna be in town for the festival, but as long as we’re here we might as well stick together right? Besides Scoots looks like she’s best friends with your sister already.”

Rarity watched the fillies pointing and gushing over every little thing that caught their eye. “...it is nice to see her happy. I suppose we could share one another’s company for a little longer.”

Smile never faltering, Pinkie started forward. “Oh, but keep your psion out of my head. Next time I might not be so gentle.”

Sifter gulped. It was a warning he most certainly intended to follow.

Author's Note

Boom! Man that was brutal. My muse was being uncooperative so I punched her in the stomach until she vomited this chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 3: The Honest Truth

Chapter 3: The Honest Truth

Babs Seed eyed the bobbing ball of yellow light her cousin had conjured with a somewhat less than impressed expression. “That’s it? Ya summon lights? Ditzy Doo does that too. Thought ya said ya had somethin’ y’know… magic t’show me. Let’s see some wizard magic.”

The other filly scrunched up her muzzle in consideration. “Well… I have been working on my first spell spell.” Apple Bloom looked about the room with a thoughtful frown. “Clear everything out of the middle of the room.”

Her burly cousin set about the task excitedly. Bodily shoving the furniture away from the center of the room. “Izzat enough space?”

Bloom nodded. “Yes, I think so. Now let’s see…” Eyes closed and brow knit in concentration she began to softly intone the words of power. Babs’ eyes widened in excited anticipation as small motes of magic began to appear and dance through the air before an odd squelching sound reached her ears. A large puddle of… slick black grease appeared in the air splatting to the floor wetly.

Babs looked from the puddle to her cousin. “That’s it? Y’make a big mess?”

Apple Bloom sniffed indignantly. “I’ll have you know this is an excellent utility spell! If somepony’s giving you trouble you cast this and they slip and slide right out of the way.”

“Yeah then they get up and come back after ya. Why learn a lame spell like this?”

Bloom’s brows knit together in a frown. “It ain’t lame! Ah don’t see you summonin’ pools’a grease outta thin air with a few funny words, Babs Seed!”

Babs grinned suddenly. “Hey lookit that! Ya do sound like an Apple still.”

Apple Bloom’s mouth snapped shut quickly. “...Master says an aspiring magus has to sound intelligent and cultured.”

“...yer big fancy pants master don’t think we sound smart?”

Bloom shrugged. “I guess not.”

As if speaking of her could summon the mare in question, the door swung open as Twilight Sparkle herself entered, levitating a tray laden with food. “Good morning, Apple Bloom! I brought us breakfa-AAHHH!” Naturally the mare couldn’t see the large pool of grease currently decorating the floor and as soon as her forehooves hit the pool she went skidding across the cabin with a wail of alarm, slamming into the opposite wall with the tray of food splattered most spectacularly across her face and chest.

Both fillies stared at the scene with wide eyes as Twilight slowly picked herself up off the ground. Horn shimmering gently as she removed as much of the breakfast she planned to share with her apprentice as possible, her eyes drifted to the grease. “Did you cast this, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom swallowed heavily. “Um… yes… ma’am?”

Twilight Sparkle stepped carefully around the grease pool, even as the enchanted fluid began to wave and vanish back into the aether it was spawned from. “That was a very well done conjuration. Clearly you’ve been studying diligently. I’m proud of you.”

Her apprentice’s mouth fell open. “Y--ya are?”

“I am. Your first true spell is a great achievement, and you should be proud of yourself too. The conjuration school is one of my favorites too. It has so many uses.”

Sensing the potential for getting in trouble passing, the fillies both began to relax. Until Twilight continued. “In fact… let me show you one of the first conjurations I learned. Celestia’s Snowball Swarm…”

“Ah want her off this ship, Braeburn!”

The Captain of the Harmony sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Applejack…”

“Don’t you ‘Applejack’ me! She threatened me!”

That caught Braeburn’s attention. “Threatened ya how? She slingin’ spells at th’crew?”

His cousin’s ears splayed. “Well no… but she said if Ah don’t tell ‘Bloom ‘bout what happened then she will!”

Braeburn’s eyes hardened. “And?”

“And? And what?! That’s a threat!”

“Applejack, Ah don’t think Ah need t’remind ya that we’re barely keepin’ this here tub t’gether. Now Miss Sunny is payin’ us a whole heap a bits t’get these good folks t’Ponyville. We need this money, Applejack.”

Applejack bristled at his tone. “Either she goes or Ah go!”

The pair locked stares with each other for a seemingly endless few minutes. It was Applejack who looked away first. “Y’know Ah can’t just letcha off anywhere. Yer in m’custody accordin’ t’yer fancy paladins. This ain’t th’first time me an you’ve butted heads. But it’s surely gonna be th’last. When we hit town yer Ponyville’s problem from now on. Not mine. They’ll have some kinda authorities fer me t’turn ya over to.”

Outrage flared in the mare’s eyes. “So that’s it?! Yer takin’ her side over mine? Over family?”

Braeburn’s calm, collected manner only further angered Applejack. “No. Ah’m takin’ th’side that’s best fer th’family an th’crew. More an more th’last few jobs you’ve been gettin’ more an more outta control, Applejack. Elysium knows what y’all went through a few years back was horrible. Ain’t nopony should ever have t’go through all that. Was my hope that gettin’ ya out an about, surroundin’ ya with friends an family would do ya some good. But it ain’t. It’s doin’ th’opposite.”

Applejack struggled to find a proper argument against her cousins even headed words, but as he spoke her shoulders sagged and her head lowered. “Ah’m just… mad… all th’time, Brae.”

“Reckon we’ve all noticed that by now, Jackie. It’s been a long time now. Fella who wronged ya is dead an gone by yer own hooves. If ya still can’t move on after all that, an all this time…” He shrugged helplessly.

Eyes shut tightly, Applejack struggled to quell the raging flame of anger threatening to fan into an uncontrollable blaze. “Ah’ll… talk t’Apple Bloom. She deserves t’hear it from me, not some stranger.”

A sudden squeal of foalish laughter drew their attention to the main deck. Gazing out the windows and down below they could see Apple Bloom and Babs Seed running and shrieking with delight as the Lady Twilight Sparkle chased after them, horn ablaze with eldritch light as she conjured what very much appeared to be snowballs out of thin air, pelting the fillies with numerous projectiles drawing more laughter from them all the while.

“Ain’t sure if Ah’d say she’s a stranger. Least t’Apple Bloom. Might wanna keep that in mind when yer talkin’ to either of em.”

Applejack couldn’t suppress a small chuckle as her sister balled up some of the snow and returned fire on her master. Watching the two play together brought a whole new slew of emotions. Mostly negative. That should be HER down there with Bloom, not some stuffy stuck up unicorn. “...Ah’ll keep that in mind. An… m’sorry Ah’ve been such a hooffull Brae. Y’all here on th’Harmony have been too good t’me. S’pose Ah can understand ya wantin’ t’pass me off.”

Braeburn watched the fillies scooping up snow and hurling it back at the unicorn magus. “Applejack Ah don’t blame ya for whatcha did. If it were me, I’da done exactly th’same. But he’s dead an gone now. Ya gotta let it go.”

Little sister forgotten, the mare rounded on her cousin. “Don’tcha think Ah know that Brae?! Ah’ve been tryin’! Every minute of every day fer th’last five years Ah try. Ah keep thinkin’ Ah’m movin’ on then… then somethin’ like them griffon brothers happens an Ah just go right back t’that dark place again.”

Braeburn didn’t look away from the impromptu snowball fight occurring on the deck of his ship. A fight that was growing more and more as other ponies joined in the fun. “Ah wantcha t’get off at Ponyville. Spend some time with Granny Smith. Getchur head on straight. Some time away from all this might do ya some good, Jackie.”

Applejack sighed. “Reckon ya might be right. Some time t’just… relax. Unwind. S’pose that ain’t th’worst idea. An Granny did say she wanted me t’visit.”

Crisis averted, the stallion finally relaxed. “Good. An Jackie? Talk t’Bloom. She’s gonna hear it from you, her master, or her Granny.”

Applejack returned her attention to the smiling filly on the main deck, finding herself unable to answer her cousin.

Ditzy Doo couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun aboard the Harmony. She certainly didn’t expect it to come from the normally dour and straight laced Twilight Sparkle. She hadn’t served in a proper temple for some time, but she still had friends who kept her informed of various goings on across the land. Twilight ‘Starfall’ Sparkle was a frequent discussion topic.

Seeing the unicorn in person, her sardonic smirk very nearly on the verge of a real smile, Ditzy began to wonder if perhaps the rumors surrounding her were a bit exaggerated. Maybe all she needed was a good friend or two to help loosen her up. Watching the mare scoop up and levitate all the magically conjured snow over the edge of the ship, very effectively cleaning their mess, Ditzy was determined to be one of those friends.

Trotting forward confidently, she wasn’t quite watching where she was going and ended up stepping right in a pile of not-quite cleaned up slush, skidding along the deck and hitting the rail toppling over the side with a yelp. There was a moment of heart stopping terror before she recalled the wings growing from her sides, and snapped them open slowing her descent. The ship was rapidly moving away from her, but she was snagged in a shimmering magenta aura and bodily hauled back over the rail and onto the deck. Right at the hooves of an exasperated looking Twilight Sparkle. “Are you alright?”

Ditzy opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off as Applejack approached. “Normally Ah’d have an earful for ya about safety an what-not, but m’pretty sure Ditzy’s th’only one who’d go flyin’ over th’rail like that.”

Twilight tensed immediately. The last meeting with the confrontational earth pony hadn’t been cordial. “I apologize. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

A sharp retort formed on Applejack’s tongue, but she swallowed it down. “No harm in a little fun now an again. ‘Fraid I gotta borrow m’sister if ya don’t mind, Miss Twilight.”

Feeling the weight of the mare’s words, Twilight shook her head. “Not at all. Apple Bloom, run along with your sister. I’ll finish cleaning the deck.”

Not sure why, but more than happy to allow her master to handle the clean up, Bloom beamed toothily. “Yes ma’am!” Before charging off after her older sister.”

Ditzy Doo got to her hooves, offering Twilight a warm smile. “That was nice of you. Letting them spend some time together I mean.”

Twilight watched the sisters disappear back into the ship. “...no it wasn’t.”

“Wooooooow… so this is your room?” Apple Bloom took in her sister’s cabin. Exactly as she pictured it. Clean, spartan, and utilitarian. Her armor arranged neatly by the door, a huge sword secure in its scabbard leaning up against the armor rack. A foot locker sat at the end of Applejack’s bed. Across from it was a plain desk that didn’t seem to see much use. “It’s uh… clean.”

Nodding once, Applejack moved to her desk sliding open the drawer and retrieving a bottle of her family’s finest whiskey. Taking a quick drink right from the source, she replaced the cap and slid it away. “We need t’talk, sugarcube.”

Hopping up on her big sister’s bed, Bloom nodded eagerly. “Sure! What about?”

Licking her lips Applejack ran through a million different ways to start this conversation in her head. She’d faced down monsters and brigands of all shapes and sizes the last few years. But looking into those huge adoring eyes of her little sister, she’d never felt so afraid. “About Mac.”

The delight in the fillies eyes grew brighter, as Applejack’s heart sunk lower. “Well it’s about time! Ah haven’t heard a peep about Mac in ferever!” A bit of her accent showing through in her excitement.

Applejack slowly lowered herself onto the bed next to her sister. “There’s a reason fer that, Bloom.”

Sensing the heavy tone of the conversation some of the young ponies excitement ebbed. “...what reason?”

“Me an Granny, we talked about it. Thought it best ya not hear til ya got a bit older. Reckon yer older now an it’s time y’heard.”

“Applejack… yer scarin’ me. Just tell me what happened.”

“Mac…” Applejack took a steadying breath. “Mac’s dead, Bloom.”

Apple Bloom tugged away from her sister in shock. “What?”

“Musta been… five years or so ago. Ah wasn’t more’n a year older than yerself. Just hit m’first growth spurt. Legs an ears two sizes too big fer th’rest’a me. Mac teased me somethin’ fierce about it too.”

Apple Bloom didn’t share her sister’s rueful smile. She only stared hard at the older pony. “Ah was his squire. Some’a th’higher ups made a big stink but our brother was somethin’ special y’know? Pony like him don’t come around everyday, an whoever he wanted fer his squire he got.”

“Applejack… what happened?” Bloom’s tone was firm. Demanding.

With a heavy sigh, Applejack began her tale.

Sir Macintosh Apple stood proudly on the walls of Lighthold Keep. Looking out across the lands he was awarded by the crown in recognition for his brilliant service. A faint smile found its way onto his face as he surveyed the ponies not too far off, working to build up their town. What had started as a trading post and road side inn was blossoming into a full blown town all of its own. Nodding in satisfaction he turned away from the scene and very nearly trampled the eager filly who’d somehow made her way to his side without making a sound.

Casting a disapproving glance to his squire, he snorted softly in displeasure. “Told ya to quit sneakin’ up on me Applejack. Especially up here on the wall. It’s dangerous.”

He couldn’t be angry for long. The Order had made a bit of noise about him taking his sister as his squire, they assumed he’d show her bias or some such nonsense. The numerous bruises hidden beneath her finely polished breastplate said otherwise however. Applejack was all legs and too-large ears, definitely in the awkward transition phase from filly to mare. Eager green eyes shined up at her big brother, mix those with her golden yellow hair and Mac had a feeling she’d be attracting attention of the stallion persuasion before too long.

Not a thought he was terribly comfortable with.

The filly huffed. “Aw quit bein’ such a baby Mac. Ain’t my fault yer so jumpy. B’sides Ah’m yer little sister, bein’ a pest is what Ah’m s’posed ta do.”

Some of her bluster faded from the stern look in his eyes. “You’re also my squire Applejack. That means y’show me a little respect, hear me?”

Suppressing another spectacular huff, the younger pony only nodded. “Yes, sir.” A hoof strayed nervously to the symbol of The Order hanging proudly from her neck as she took a steadying breath. “Sorry this’ all just, Ah mean it’s a little overwhelmin’. Here Ah am right where ma an pa used t’be. Kept this keep safe fer how many years?”

Mac looked back out across the landscape again. “Long time. Real long time. Keepin’ that sword of yours polished?”

Applejack nodded eagerly, drawing the gleaming longsword from it’s sheath. It was a deceptively simple blade, and one that had belonged to their mother. Enchanted to cut through nearly any substance effortlessly it had been in the Apple family for at least four generations. The massive broadsword strapped to Mac’s back likewise had family history, passed down from stallion to stallion longer than he could trace back.

“Looks good. Now let’s have fifty push-ups, then ten laps around the keep. See if that don’t get a little respect in you.”

“What?!” Slamming her sword back in its sheath Applejack looked ready to defy the order. But under Macintosh’s wilting gaze she slowly backed down, and got on her hooves starting the exercises.

Nodding in approval Mac turned and resumed his patrol along the wall. Word had reached the keep of some troublemakers on the road. Simple brigands for the most part, but he had the keep’s defenders on alert just in case. There was no telling when somepony would do something foolish.

His frown returned as he made the full circuit, and came upon his sister once again. The filly was standing stock still, staring off into space. Preparing to admonish her for shirking her duties again, he paused when he noted something strange. He could see her breath puffing into the air in front of her… even though it was a warm Spring afternoon. “...Applejack?”

Only years of finely honed warrior’s instinct and reflexes saved his life as her blade flew free of its sheath, narrowly missing his throat as she attacked in a lightning fast slash. “Applejack! What d’ya think you’re doin?!”

Then he saw her eyes. Blank and unseeing, like a corpses eyes. Fixed on him in an ironclad gaze that he was sure nothing would tear her away from. He hopped back as she pressed forward, her sword slashing the air hard and fast enough he could see the faint distortion trail as it passed. His first thought was a prayer to dispel whatever had taken hold of her, but such a prayer required a bit of time and focus and the way she was attacking he knew neither were something he had in abundance.

Saying a silent apology to his departed parents, he waited for Applejack’s next strike. Sweeping his still sheathed sword from his back he winced as both enchanted Apple family blades collided, though his sister’s failed to pierce the sheath of his own sword. As she recoiled he struck with an attack of his own, smashing the sheathed sword into her side bouncing her with bone jarring force off the wall and sending her slumping to the ground.

Nodding in satisfaction he began his prayer, only to have it interrupted by a yowl of pain as a quintet of magical bolts pelted into his side, staggering him back. Whipping around in the direction of the attack he saw a unicorn standing atop the watch tower nearest him on the wall. No sign of the guards who should have been posted within. It was a stallion with a slate gray coat and ebon mane. A curved and brilliantly glowing red horn swept back from his forehead as he glared balefully down at the paladin, lips pulling back into a feral grin exposing wickedly curved incisors.

Already the dark mage was preparing another spell, one that Macintosh had no interest in being on the receiving end of. Charging forward he vaulted into a roll just as the lightning bolt smashed into the wall behind him, spraying stone and dust into the air as the magical attack blasted through the wall and into the ground beyond. Smashing through the door he raced up the stairs without hesitation, barely catching himself before planting his hooves into the grease slick covering the stairs.

Grunting in annoyance Mac dispelled the simple magic trick and finished his climb. The unicorn was waiting patiently, wearing a confident smirk. “Sir Macintosh, this is truly a pleasure. You’ve made quite a name for yourself murdering my fellows.”

Now that he was close enough, Mac could see the small embossed cloak pin fastening the unicorns cloak about his shoulders. A solid black sphere surrounded by thorny vines. “Cult of the Nightmare? Didn’t think any of you’d be dumb enough t’actually come t’me in person. S’pose I should thank you for that at the least.” Mac’s blade came free of it’s sheath with a ringing note of power. Magical runes flared along the length of the blade from hilt to tip as he brandished his formidable weapon.

“Ahhh, the famed Apple family blade. I always did want to see it up close.”

Snorting Mac moved into an aggressive stance. “Well then, I’m happy t’oblige.”

The intruder made no move to dodge as Mac vaulted forward. The paladin felt a moment’s hesitation as the dark mage apparently made no move to defend himself, and switched to the flat of his blade at the last second. Instead of the weighty smack he’d been expecting, his sword passed right through the illusion and he nearly lost his grip as he met none of the expected resistance.

An ear flicked as Mac heard the intruder laughing behind him. Spinning he prepared another charge… before he nearly tripped over the filly who’d snuck up behind him. Almost on instinct he prepared an admonishment for Applejack, until he felt the cold steel of her sword slide smoothly through his breastplate, into his heart, and out his back.

Eyes wide with disbelief with the life already fleeing his eyes Mac toppled heavily to the ground and lay still in a growing pool of blood. Blinking rapidly, Applejack stepped back looking down at her bloodied hooves in confusion. Realization slowly dawned as she looked down at her brother, her sword still buried to the hilt in his chest. “Mac?” She knelt down nosing his cheek. “Mac… c’mon y’gotta get up…”

Tears welled in her eyes as her brother refused to respond. “Mac…” She fell to her knees at his side, ignoring the sound of pounding hooves coming from behind, and the dark laughter being choked off as the intruder was subdued by a number of the keep’s defenders. Applejack was heedless of it all, cradling her brothers head in her hooves and sobbing uncontrollably.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Lady Celestia. The sooner we can clear up exactly what happened the better for all parties involved.”

Celestia nodded once to the senior knight at her side. “Of course Sir Brightwind. No thanks needed naturally, I’m always happy to help an old friend.”

The pegasus stallion nodded, eyeing the purple unicorn filly trotting at Celestia’s side. The foal seemed content to ignore everything around her, levitating a book in front of her nose as she walked. The only unusual feature about her was the choker adorning her neck, one glimmering jewel amid at least twenty shined softly. “We want to be sure Squire Applejack had no hoof in the dark dealings two nights past. The town outside has no resident magi yet, so I hoped you’d send somepony from the Academy. I didn’t expect you to come personally.”

“These are Golden’s grandfoals, Brightwind. Of course I’d come personally.” The trio walked out to the walls, Celestia eyeing the blast sight from the lightning bolt. She was about to speak before she glanced down at her apprentice. Gently she nudged the filly’s book shut. “Twilight, what do you sense about this sight?”

Blinking owlishly the filly looked up at the adult ponies as if seeing them for the first time. She swallowed and looked about the sight slowly. “...three spells, master. An enchantment and two evocations.” She walked slowly around the blast site. “One impacted here, obviously. One...” She walked a few steps to her left. “The other evocation struck here.”

Frowning, Brightwind stepped to her side. “How do you know?”

Looking first to Celestia, at her master’s nod Twilight answered. “I’m very sensitive to magic. I can tell when a spell was cast within perhaps a week of its casting.” She moved a little ways down the wall. “The enchantment was cast here. A powerful one, maybe a domination?”

Celestia allowed a tiny smile. “Very good, Twilight. She’s correct, Brightwind. It seems Squire Applejack was the victim of a mental domination spell. She’s innocent in the murder of Sir Macintosh.”

Brightwind sighed in relief. “Good. I assumed so but in matters such as this, assumptions simply aren’t enough.”

Levitating Twilight’s book back to the eager filly, Celestia turned her attention to her old comrade. “Where is Applejack? She must be terribly distraught.”

With a nod Brightwind began walking again. “I’ll show you to her room. She’s been confined to quarters for the duration of the investigation. I’m sure a few words from you will help. You’ve always had a way with foals.”

Again eyeing the filly walking beside her, Celestia knew that Twilight’s feigned obliviousness was just that. To the casual observer it would seem that she showed no interest in the goings on around her, but the way her ears were perked, and her eyes would occasionally dart from side to side told Celestia that Twilight Sparkle was not only very much aware of her surroundings, but equally uncomfortable. It wasn’t too long ago that she was in a holding cell overseen by The Order of Light.

“I do my best. Speaking of, how’s your own filly? She’s about Twilights age isn’t she?”

Now Celestia noted a hint of pride in Brightwind’s eye. “Fluttershy’s doing well. She was hesitant at first, but she’s shown real interest in joining The Order.”

“Oh? I was so sure she’d be more interested in the healer’s art.”

The pride vanished in an instant, replaced by irritation. “She’s joining The Order, Celestia. I’ll thank you to respect that.”

Not wishing to press the issue, Celestia inclined her head. “Of course, Brightwind.”

Knight and magi entered the keep proper. “Squire Applejack’s rooms are right…” He trailed off as they rounded the corner. The door at the end of the hall smashed off its hinges and an unconscious armored stallion laying in front of it. Brightwind sucked in a breath. “The basement!”

Applejack tossed the heavy serving tray aside as the guard to the cells slumped unconscious to the floor. Trotting with slow, but confident steps she stopped at the cell furthest from the door. “...why’d ya do it? Why’d ya make ME do it?”

Inside was the unicorn. Chained and shackled, a heavy iron collar around his horn and neck suppressing both his innate unicorn magics, and his arcane spellcasting. He lifted his head at her approach, smiling toothily. “Why? A simple question. One I suppose that deserves a simple answer.” He leaned closer to the bars. “Because I could, and because I thought it would be funny.”

Applejack’s eyes widened and her nostrils flared in outrage at the simple admission. “...that’s it? That’s it?! Because ya could! Cause it’d be FUNNY?!”

“Hm hm hm. And you know what?” He chuckled again, deeper. “It was!” Then he began to laugh. Deep, immensely contented guffaws. As if he’d just told the funniest joke imaginable and was sharing a laugh with his fellows in the tavern.

Fur bristling, Applejack threw open the door to his cell and slammed him back into the wall. “Stop laughin’!”

This only seemed to encourage him further. His laughter coming out in louder, almost maniacal bouts now. Eyes wide the young squire slammed a hoof into his jaw. “Ah said stop laughin’!”

Reeling back, the unicorn slumped against the wall. Looking up at the filly breathing heavily… he grinned. Then he spit a tooth and no small amount of blood into her face, and began laughing again.

By the time Brightwind, Celestia, and Twilight arrived there was little left of the unicorn’s head. Only a bloody mess with a bloodied filly still stomping on it with her bare hooves, screaming in incoherent fury. Celestia acted first, a simple sleep charm laid itself over Applejack as she staggered and slumped to her side.

Brightwind took in the sight with a sad look in his eyes. Neither adult paid much attention to Twilight. Book forgotten the filly took in the scene with wide, open eyes.

“Killin’ a helpless prisoner, fer any reason gets ya tossed outta th’order. An Ah got m’self this here fancy tattoo.” Applejack touched the mark of justice against her cheek. “Stops me from pullin’ a blade fer any reason.” She chuckled ruefully. “S’posed to least ways.”

Apple Bloom didn’t seem to share her mirth, staring at her sister in wide-eyed horror. “That… that’s why Mac ain’t here? That’s why ya got a mark a’justice? Not only didja kill Mac than ya killed a helpless pony?!” Her distress was making it impossible to suppress her accent.

“Now hold on! Didn’t ya hear me? It weren’t m’fault! That unicorn made me kill Mac!”

Springing from the bed Bloom moved toward the door. “Spells like that don’t always work! They can be fought off. But ya didn’t fight it! Ya killed him! Ya killed m’brother!”

Growing angry now Applejack stood as well. “You watch yer mouth y’hear me! One more word an Ah’m gonna—”

Bloom didn’t wait to hear what Applejack was going to do. Throwing the door open she bolted from the room as fast as her legs could carry her.

Applejack walked slowly to the doorway, watching her go. “...well that went about as good as expected.”

Twilight Sparkle sat on the deck with Rainbow Dash, watching the ground pass below them. “Whoa. That is seriously messed up.”

Twilight nodded. “It was a tragedy. Even I heard of Sir Macintosh, everypony was sure he was going to be the next head of The Order. And his fiance… I can’t imagine how devastated she was.”

Dash blew a low whistle. “Jeez he was engaged too?”

Another nod. “To a princess no less.”

“Cripes, Twilight. That has to be one of the most depressing stories I’ve ever heard.”

The other mare only nodded slowly. “...one of, certainly.”

Both ponies looked to the stairs leading down into the ship as the sound of small hooves and a wailing filly reached their ears. Already knowing what to expect, Twilight stood and faced the doorway as Apple Bloom charged her way, throwing herself heedlessly into Twilight’s hooves. “She killed m’brother!”

Running a hoof along the filly’s neck and back Twilight murmured soft words of comfort. Allowing her apprentice to cry into her chest. A vague flicker of annoyance worked its way into her head as she realized she would have to clean her favorite robes, but that’s what a pony prepared prestidigitation spells for she supposed. “Shh… shh… she didn’t mean to do that, Apple Bloom.”

“It don’t matter if she meant to! She still did it!”

Twilight frowned gently, sitting on the deck with her apprentice. “Apple Bloom, do you know how I got my nickname?”

The sudden question took the filly by surprise, who could only blink in confusion. “Uh… no? Ah mean Ah heard a little bit but…”

Twilight let the grammar slip go again. “When I was a foal, perhaps a few years younger than you I lived in a tiny village called Shetland. There were a hundred ponies living there at most. I lived there with my parents. My older brother was away training to become a knight of The Order. I wasn’t a very social filly, but I had one friend. My next door neighbor. We were very close and did practically everything together. She was a unicorn as well and we’d often head out of town to practice our magic.”

A rueful smile found its way to the mage’s face. “Tried to practice our magic. Neither of us were very good just yet. Could barely levitated a few stones. That changed the day I earned my nick name. I experienced my first magic surge. For most unicorns this involved levitating the roof from their parents house, blowing out a wall. A few broken bones are the worst and that’s a very rare occasion. My surge was… different. I pulled down a star.”

Apple Bloom had stopped crying openly, though her eyes were still tear filled and she’d sniffle occasionally. “A whole star? All by yerself?”

“Yourself.” It seemed Twilight’s patience had run out. “And yes, all by myself. It landed on Shetland and… well, there were obviously no survivors. Only my friend and I who were outside the town, and my brother who was away at the time. I was in danger of pulling more to the ground before my master found me. She placed this around my neck.” Twilight ran a hoof along her choker. “It reduced my magic to a manageable level. As I master it’s use more of the gems will begin to shine. Once all are lit up, I can remove the choker safely.”

“So, after hearing the story first hoof, do you think ponies are right to be afraid of me?”

Apple Bloom considered the question for a quiet moment. “No. It wasn’t your fault what happened. You didn’t have any control over the magic. You’re wearing your choker now so that nopony gets hurt.”

Nodding patiently Twilight tilted her head toward the doorway leading into the ship. “And did your sister have any control over herself when she killed your brother?”

Bloom’s mouth opened, then snapped shut several times. “...no.”

“Can you imagine, just for a second what that must have been like for her? To realize that not only was her brother dead, but he was dead because of her. Somepony else may have forced her to do so, but it was her blade, her hooves that ended her loved one’s life.”

The filly lowered her eyes in thought. “Master, if it’s alright I think I’d like to go talk to my sister.”

With a gentle nudge toward the doorway Twilight smiled softly. “Of course it’s alright, Apple Bloom.”

As the filly hurried off, Rainbow Dash moved to Twilight’s side. “I’m sorry about your family.”

Nodding her thanks Twilight Sparkle returned her attention to the ground passing below them. “Thank you. It was a long time ago, the wounds have healed more or less.”

Dash settled on the deck beside her. “Still it can’t have been easy having everypony treat you like a monster because of something you had no control over.”

Twilight huffed softly. “No. It wasn’t. Celestia was always kind to me but rumors spread like wildfire. The other students and teachers were terrified of me. I was too young to fully understand why.”

The pegasus nudged the unicorn, offering her a small smile. “I’m not afraid of you. That spell you put on me in the fight last night? I’ve NEVER gone that fast. It was awesome. Wouldn’t say no to doing that again.”

Twilight Sparkle chuckled softly. “We’ll see if it can be arranged.” The two fell into companionable conversation. Talking about life in the academy and the temple and what they thought things would be like in Ponyville. A seemingly simple conversation between two mares, though to the mares in question who’d lived such solitary lives for so very long it was arguably one of the greatest moments of either’s life.

Author's Note

Well here it is! Only like, four months late? Sorry! I'm back in my groove though. I think bi-weekly updates should be expected.

Also wanted to plug a story for a friend! It's called Bloodlines, it's a humanized Pathfinder MLP story. Good stuff though, I'd suggest checking it out!
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/135283/bloodlines

Prologue 2: The Loyal Acolyte

Prologue 2: The Loyal Disciple

The courtyard of the Temple of the Sun had a single occupant in the pre-dawn hours of the day. A young pegasus mare busied herself with scouring it clean with a well worn broom held in her hooves. Now and again she’d softly sigh and pause in her work, casting a longing glance back toward the dormitories shared by her sleeping fellows.

So she might have, maybe, kinda knocked one of the older acolytes out. She was asking for it. Everypony knew you didn’t give Sister Dash a hard time. Even the elder clerics had a tendency to give her a wide berth. Every now and again, one of the more senior acolytes would get it into their head that Dash was a little too full of herself and take it upon themselves to knock her down a peg.

Such encounters usually ended with the other party missing a few teeth.

“Stupid Cloudchaser. I’ll chase her cloud!” The mare frowned suddenly. “Ponyfeathers! I shoulda said that!”

“Rainbow Dash, when I assigned you early morning chores as punishment, it wasn’t with the intent for you to come up with snappy one liners the next time you send one of your fellows to the infirmary.”

Dash’s ears splayed at the voice of the Revered Mother coming from behind her. Peeking over her shoulder, almost praying to the divine mare herself that it was anypony BUT her, of course the formidable pegasus mare who was the head of the entire church was eyeing her with faint amusement dancing in her eyes.

There was absolutely nopony in the world that could make Dash feel like a dumb filly like the Revered Mother. “Sorry, ma’am…”

The Revered Mother was an older mare, well into her sixties by Dash’s reckoning. To the young mare, she’d always seemed as powerful and intimidating as the divine mare, but she was also just as warm and approachable. The amulet she wore magically altered her coat color to a pristine white, while her mane and tail were a golden yellow. Every disciple of the sun’s holy symbol had the same effect, even Rainbow Dash’s. She couldn’t actually remember the last time she’d seen her natural colors.

“How have the meditation exercises been going?” Despite the older mare’s casual tone, Dash knew she was looking for a specific answer.

She could only sigh softly. “Lousy. I try! Really, I do! But there’s always something, you know…”

“Distracting you?”

Rainbow Dash lowered her head, sighing softly. “Yes, ma’am.”

The mare who’d raised Rainbow Dash the last ten years settled herself comfortably on the ground, smoothing her fine pastel rainbow hued robes out beneath herself. “Would you like to talk about it?” Noting Rainbow Dash beginning to relax she quickly added, “While you finish your penance?”

Snorting softly Dash went back to her sweeping. “It’s the same thing as always. I just feel cooped up. Stuck in the temple all the time doing chores or preparing meals for the egg-” She halted at the Revered Mother’s sharp look. “...students in the academy. I want to get out! I want to be a warrior cleric, Mom!”

The Revered Mother’s gaze softened at Dash’s familiar tone. “I know, Dashie. But we’ve talked about this. I’m just not sure if it’s a good idea for you to be putting yourself in situations where violence is going to come up frequently.”

“I get into fights all the time here though!”

“Rainbow Dash. The tenets.” The elder mare sighed reproachfully.

Dash’s ears splayed and she lowered her head. “Honesty is the first step along the path of harmony. When we’re honest with others and ourselves, they will be honest with us. Loyalty is the second step along the path of harmony. We must strive to be loyal to the divine lady, and to our fellow pony.”

The Revered Mother smiled just a touch seeing much of the tenseness ease from Rainbow Dash’s frame. “Generosity is the third step along the path of harmony. Always be generous with all we can give, and life will be generous to us in turn. Kindness is the fourth step in the path of harmony. Be ever kind to others, and they will be kind to you.”

The head of the temple smiled with no small amount of pride at the growing conviction in the young mare’s voice. “Laughter is the fifth step along the path of harmony. Hold laughter in your heart and the world will be filled with joy. Magic is the final step along the path of harmony. It’s the force that binds every pony together.”

As Dash finished she sighed softly, and a small smile played upon her muzzle. “Thanks, Mom.”

“In the future, Rainbow Dash, when you get upset just close your eyes and try to tune out the offending voices. Recite the tenets in your mind. Speaking them aloud always relaxes you. In fact, just chant them aloud to yourself if it might help.”
Looking much more at ease now, Rainbow Dash nodded. “Yes, Revered Mother, thank you.”

“Anytime, Rainbow Dash, anytime.” The elder of the pair turned to leave, her adopted daughter walking at her side. “...get back to your sweeping, Rainbow Dash.”

Dash’s wings slumped. “Ponyfeathers.”

***

Rainbow Dash clustered in with the other acolytes for the sun raising ceremony after morning meal. Her fellow brothers and sisters of the sun chatted animatedly with one another, typically avoiding the incredibly volatile young mare. She preferred it this way however, when nopony was around her nopony was provoking her anger.

The Revered Mother herself intoned the morning prayers, giving thanks to the divine lady for bringing forth the sun and wishing her a fine and happy day. Dash chanted the prayer along with her fellows, some of them less enthusiastically. To Rainbow Dash, prayer wasn’t just another chore she needed to get through like so many of her fellows thought of it as. It was an important time of the day for her, the only time she actually got to ask her goddess for what she wanted most.

Head lowered and eyes closed tightly she spoke softly under her breath, the same impassioned entreaty she delivered up every morning for the last ten years since coming into the care of the Revered Mother, and the temple in general. Finally the Revered Mother declared the time for prayer over, and sent the acolytes to receive their daily chores.

Dash trotted a bit behind her fellows to the large board indicating everypony’s duties for the day. Her heart sank as she saw where her name was. The belltower. Heaving an exaggerated groan she gave her powerful wings one quick flap and took off out the door and into the open air. If she was going to be cooped up in that musty tower all day, she was damn sure gonna fly out to it.

Bell duty was by far her least favorite assignment. She had a sneaking suspicion the priestess who drew up the daily chores was well aware of this, and assigned it to her more often than not on purpose. With a grimace she landed inside the tower and settled next to the bell pull, glaring daggers at it. Glancing up at the sun she gripped the pull in her fore hooves and pulled back, swinging it into the bell. A long tolling note rang out across the courtyard of Celestia’s Academy, signalling the beginning of morning classes. Six more tolls were sounded before she flopped to her stomach with a hefty groan.

She gazed down at the young mages in training with no small amount of envy. They were free to come and go as they pleased. Sure they had to go to class and do homework and stuff, but many of them got to study what they wanted. They got to practice the sort of things that interested them. Lazily eyeing the courtyard now and shrugging off the urge to nap she spotted a familiar sight.

Twilight Sparkle, or Lady Twilight Sparkle as the clergy were supposed to refer to her as, what with her being their divine lady’s personal protege and all, was making her way across the courtyard with her usual ‘I have something sour in my mouth’ look on her face. Dash smirked as she watched the other magic students scramble to give the young mare a wide berth.

Twilight had visited the temple now and again, usually speaking with the Revered Mother of all ponies. Dash had asked her adopted mother what they talked about, and the only response she ever got was ‘magic’. She’d thought about approaching the intimidating mage on more than one occasion. They certainly had something in common the way everypony avoided them. Rainbow Dash was insightful enough to realize they were avoided for different reasons however.

Ponies feared Twilight. Some had respect mixed in with the fear, but for the most part it was fear. Dash had heard a little of the story but never the whole thing, and her mom wasn’t volunteering any of it either. Something about a big magical accident in her home town.

Rainbow Dash on the other hand, was avoided because ponies looked down on her. She was a brute, a thug, a barbarian. A lesser, uncivilized pony who had no business in the cities, let alone in a temple to the divine mare.

Heaving another of her famous sighs she looked away from the courtyard and slumped down in the tower beside the bell. She knew she could head down inside the bell tower and be more comfortable. There were books and furniture and such on the ground floor, but the only good part of this chore was getting to be up high with the wind in her face and on her feathers. It’s not like she wasn’t allowed to fly or anything, but a sister had to be calm and at peace. Flying was rarely a peaceful time for her.

Running a hoof through her golden blonde mane she gazed down at the holy symbol around her neck. Fidgeting her hooves for a moment she lifted one to rest against the symbol. Closing her eyes she softly intoned the prayer for a light spell, one of the more basic prayers. She could feel SOMEthing… just at the edge her mind, a little flutter of something trying to come through… but like always it was whisked away before she could fully grasp the magic.

With a growl of frustration she kicked out with a hind leg, clanging against the bell and setting it to ringing erratically. Eyes wide she whipped around and steadied it with her fore legs, letting out a heavy breath. “Stupid bell. Stupid spells.”

“Stupid Rainbow Dash?”

The fur on the back of Dash’s neck stood on end at the voice. Flitter, Cloudchasers best friend was hovering in the air behind her with a smirk. “Still can’t get that light spell huh? You know, I think one of the filly neophytes could show you how to do it.”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “What do you want, Flitter?”

“Nothing really. I just heard the noise and came to see what was wrong. Not surprised to see you up here though. I know the Revered Mother lets you stay out of pity, but why does she let you keep pretending to be a real priestess? Everypony knows you’re just a barbarian playing dress up.”

Dash felt a little shiver run through her body as the other pegasus bad mouthed her. Gritting her teeth she turned away and began mentally reciting the tenets.

“Where do you get off thinking it’s okay to beat up somepony you don’t agree with huh? Wait! Lemme guess. She tried giving you advice, you took it the wrong way and punched her. Right? Isn’t that how this story always goes. Oh! Unless somepony asks YOU what happened, then they were provoking you.” The mare landed next to Rainbow Dash, scorn in her eyes. “You don’t belong here, Rainbow Dash.”

Dash was through the third tenet and onto the fourth. Her breath was coming quicker and quicker. her head beginning to pound. The fourth… what… what was the fourth tenet… Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall it.

Flitter was a battle cleric. She’d been on several skirmishes outside the temple with the training combat mages. Unlike many of Rainbow Dash’s fellows she knew how to handle herself in a fight. She brazenly marched up to her fellow pegasus and shoved her hard. “Are you listening to me?! Cloudchaser’s my best friend, you thug! She’s the kindest mare in the temple and you knocked one of her teeth out because she told you you were putting too much salt in the soup?!”

Rainbow Dash staggered back from the shove, wobbling and falling on her haunches. Head lowered as her breathing abruptly evened out. Flitter glared harder. “I didn’t push you that hard you-”

Then Dash was vaulting forward faster than the other mare believed possible. She was sitting prone one second and on her hooves lunging the next. Eyes wide, pupils dilated to pinpricks, she was even frothing at the mouth a bit. Flitter leapt back in alarm as Rainbow Dash ferally growled, thrusting her forehooves in quick, rapid jabs. Flitter’s eyes grew wider as one of the punches hit the solid masonry of the tower, sending cracks splintering throughout the stone.

It was all the mare could do to bob and weave around the berserk pony. “Rainbow Dash! Get ahold of yourself!”

Dash’s only response was a bestial growl as she vaulted forward, crashing her hooves into the spot Flitter occupied seconds ago. Flitter knew she couldn’t outrun Dash, her hoof flew to the symbol around her neck as she began to intone a prayer to her goddess. The symbol warmed beneath her hoof as the magic welled up and lanced out, wrapping around Dash’s mind. “Fall!”

She’d expected the command spell to force Dash prone to the floor. Her blood turned to ice in her veins as the raging mare shrugged the magic off as if it weren’t cast at all. Rainbow Dash was upon her before she could cast a second spell. The first hoof thrown connected solidly with the side of her muzzle. Flitter heard a sickening crack as white hot pain lanced from her face and spread throughout the rest of her head and neck.

Wobbling drunkenly on her hooves from just one punch, Flitter unsteadily wavered toward the edge of the tower, hoping to take flight and get help. Rainbow Dash’s impossibly strong fore hooves clamped around her haunches, hauling her into the air and slamming her into the bell with bone jarring force. Flitter slumped to the ground helplessly as Dash stood over her, breathing heavy, eyes wide and unseeing.

The berserker gripped Flitter by the back of her mane, hauling her upright and drawing weak mewls of pain from the mare. Dash pulled her foes head back and slammed it into the bell, drawing another jarring toll. A second, third, and fourth time she hammered Flitter’s head into the bell, stopping only when she felt hot, sticky fluid on her hooves.

Her eyes snapped back into focus and she looked down at the badly bleeding mare at her hooves. Flitters forehead was split open and bleeding badly. her muzzle broken. The only sign she still lived was the faint rise and fall of her chest. Rainbow Dash looked from the carnage she’d wrought, then out at the open sky. It’d be easy to just… leave. Run away and forget about the temple. Her mom, her duties, her constant failures. All the other idiot ponies at the temple.

Glancing down again at the badly beaten mare, Rainbow Dash sighed.

***

The doors to the infirmary banged open as Dash rushed inside, Flitter secure over her back. “I need help!”

Flitter was levitated from her back by one of the healers. “Goddess! What happened to her?”

Dash frowned and looked away. “I uh… I did.”

The unicorn mare gazed hard at her. “Sit down, and don’t even think about going anywhere. I’ll send for the Revered Mother. She insists on keeping you around, so you’re her problem.”

“Is… is Flitter gonna alright?” Rainbow Dash moved to follow but was halted by the healer’s firm magical grip on her tail.

“She should be, yes. Sit. I don’t want you any further in the infirmary than necessary. Half of the ponies in here were put here by you.”

Dash slunk to one of the seats miserably settling in to wait for the Revered Mother. Time seemed to pass in a crawl as she stared out the window at the sun drifting lazily across the sky.

“Rainbow Dash?”

Dash’s ears perked as she peered back at the voice. It was Cloudchaser, all her teeth back in place again. “O--oh… hey…”

The other mare smiled awkwardly. “Hey. Can I sit?”

Rainbow Dash suppressed a groan. “I dunno if that’s such a good idea, Cloudchaser. I’m sorry for hitting you alright? Now’s just not a good time for more criticism or insults.”

Her fellow acolyte’s smile turned a little sad. “I wanted to apologize. I was having a really rotten day yesterday and I can’t stand salty food. I sort of flew off the handle when I came back to the kitchen.”

Dash felt herself thrown for a loop. The mare she’d attacked yesterday came to apologize to her. “Flitter I… no. No you didn’t do anything wrong. I punched you because you said my food was too salty! What the hay is wrong with me?!”

Cloudchaser frowned as tears began to well in Rainbow Dash’s eyes. Tentatively she laid a hoof across the sobbing mare’s back. “I… I dunno, Rainbow Dash. I don’t know a lot about the free pony tribes. Could this be some kind of coming of age thing?”

Rainbow Dash didn’t miss that Cloudchaser used the polite term for the barbarian tribes. “I dunno. I don’t think so.” She sniffed loudly wiping her tears away. “The anger is. I just dunno how to control it! Sometimes I get so mad I just… just…”

Cloudchaser’s frown turned thoughtful. “Have you tried a calm emotions charm?”

Dash’s ears twitched. “Mom gave me something like that a long time ago. When I wear it though everything feels… muted I guess. I don’t like it.”

“Well, how about I poke around in the archives and see what I can dig up, huh? I have some friends in the academy too, I’ll ask around. See what they can turn up for you alright?”

Rainbow Dash stared at Cloudchaser in silent astonishment. “Why… why are you doing this for me?”

The other mare tilted her head, smiling softly. “You’re a little rough around the edges, Rainbow Dash, but I can tell you’re a good mare at heart. You just need somepony to be your friend. I’d like that pony to be me, if you don’t mind.”

“I…” Dash’s ears splayed as she stared at Cloudchaser. Tears were welling in her eyes as they darted back and forth. Somepony wanted to be friends. With her. Nopony wanted to be friends with her. All she could see when she looked at Cloudchaser was the sobbing mare holding her hooves over her bleeding mouth.

Shaking her head vigorously Dash bolted from the infirmary, ignoring the mare’s calls. She ran outside, nearly knocking the Revered Mother on her flank as she did. Ignoring her as well Rainbow Dash kept running. Ignoring the shouts of alarm or anger coming from anypony she nearly bowled over, she didn’t stop running until her coat was slick with sweat and her breath was coming in ragged gasps.

She found herself in the courtyard behind the temple. Rarely used by anypony, the gardens surrounding the beautiful statue of Lady Celestia were tended more out of habit than anything. Rainbow Dash gazed up at the statue smiling serenely down at her. “Why don’t you ever answer me?!”

She glared harder, feeling her anger rise again. “I pray to you every morning! Every morning! The same stupid prayer to the same stupid goddess who never answers!” Wrapping a fore hoof around her holy symbol, Dash tore it from her neck and flung it at the statue. She barely took note of the magic fading, revealing her cyan blue coat and many hued mane.

“I do all the chores they ask me to! I read all the scripts, I memorized the tenets! Nothing I do is ever good enough for any of them! I guess it’s never good enough for you either! Why can’t I summon up a stupid little ball of light?!”

Dash stormed up to the statue, giving it a viscous buck. “Why!” Another kick. “Won’t!” A third. “You!” A fourth. “Answer me?!” Her fifth buck brought a sharp crack from the stone, as the foreleg on the statue snapped clean off. Dash’s eyes went wide as it began to topple.

“No, no, no, no!” Flaring her wings she rose on her hind legs ready to catch the falling statue of the goddess. A warm golden aura of magic flared to life around it, steadying the statue, then lifting the broken leg and magically mending it.

“My goodness, you must really hate that statue.”

Dash looked over her shoulder at the speaker. It was a unicorn mare wearing simple mage’s robes. Her coat was a snowy white, while her mane and tail were a shockingly bright pink. Laughter was dancing in her warm, violet eyes.

Rainbow Dash settled back to all fours eyeing the newcomer hard. “I… thanks for… for the save with the statue but I’m not in a good mood.”

“Oh I can see that.” Inviting herself to approach she planted her haunches firmly in the grass, very close to Rainbow Dash. “So what’d the masonry do to get you so riled up?”

Rainbow Dash was furious. At herself, at Flitter, Cloudchaser, her mom, the goddess… she didn’t know. She just knew she was angry. But something about this pony was… calming. She even cracked a wry smile. “...it’s not the statue, it’s who it’s a statue of.”

“Hm.” The unicorn looked up at the statue curiously. “Not a big Celestia fan? Wouldn’t expect that of one of her priestesses.”

Dash snorted. “If you can call me that. I can’t even cast the littlest spell.”

“The prayers too hard to remember or something?”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes at the perceived insult. “Are you calling me stupid?”

“Are you stupid?”

Dash blinked at the blunt question. “What? No!”

The unicorn shrugged. “Then what do you care what I think? The most important opinion of you should be your own.”

“Well… I mean…”

“So no spells are coming out, huh? But you know the prayers? You’re not fibbing to me, right?”

Rainbow Dash snorted. “I know the stupid prayers! I know every prayer by heart! I stay up all night studying them sometimes!”

“I think you should calm down a little, miss.”

Dash blinked again. Staring hard at the mare she took a deep breath. “...sorry.”

“You’re from the Rainbow tribe aren’t you?”

Now the pegasus looked pensive. “I… I was.”

“What brings a mare from the proudest of the free pony tribes to seek the life of a priestess?”

Somehow talking to this mare was draining all the anger from Rainbow Dash’s body… just leaving a bone numbing weariness. She settled heavily into the grass beside the mare. “It’s a long story.”

“You have someplace to be?”

Dash snorted a little in amusement. “I guess not. It’s not even that exciting of a story. I… had a disagreement with my parents and was exiled. The Revered Mother found me and brought me to the temple. That’s it.”

The unicorn tilted her head curiously. “I thought they cut the wings off their exiles.”

Rainbow Dash frowned. “They uh… they do.”

Sympathy welled up in the mare’s eyes. “I see. I’m glad the Revered Mother was able to heal them.”

“You and me both sister. It took a while but I got back in the air like they were never hurt to begin with. I’ve been living in the temple ever since.”

“Hm. But you can’t cast even the simplest of spells?”

Frustration flashed across the young pegasus’ face. “No. I FEEL the magic… it’s RIGHT there at the tip of my hooves, but…”

“It sounds like your faith is lacking.”

Dash’s wings flared. “What?! I say my prayers every morning!”

The unicorn looked away, nodding slowly. “I believe you, Rainbow Dash. I have a different take on clerical magic, if you’d like to hear it?”

Rainbow Dash calmed quickly. “I… I guess?”

“Well. I know many ponies refer to clerical magic as ‘divine’ magic. Personally, I never liked that term. I call it faith magic.”

Dash shrugged. “What’s the difference?”

“Ah! An excellent question. The very word divine implies reliance on a higher power. The divinity. Let me ask you this. Do you think there were no magical healers in the days before Celestia?”

Rainbow Dash frowned. “I dunno, I never thought about it.”

“Most don’t. The answer is that there were, of course. Ponies have been casting faith based spells even longer than they have arcane spells. Some had faith in pagan deities like a goddess of the sky, or god of the earth. Some had faith in concepts, a strong belief in the very nature of good or evil. Some simply had faith in themselves.”

The young priestess in training was quiet as she digested this information. “So I can’t cast spells because… I don’t really believe in Lady Celestia?”

“Well I’d hope you believe she exists at least. She’s sitting up in her tower over there all the time. Between you and me, she never was the biggest fan of the whole ‘worship me as a goddess’ business most of the temple seem to practice.”

Dash’s eyes went wide. “She’s not?”

“Nope. She’s just a regular pony like the rest of us. Maybe a bit on the giant side, and definitely on the old side. But at her heart she’s a simple mare. A stage magician who got better and better at her art to the point where poof… all of a sudden she’s raising the sun and unseating horrible monstrous despots freeing the kingdom from the grip of chaos.”

Rainbow Dash shook her head slowly, trying to process all this information. “Then why does she let the temple y’know… exist? They’re all over the kingdom!”

“Well. Sometimes a little white lie can be used to bring folks together. If everypony feels like a benevolent, all knowing, all seeing mare is watching over them they all feel a little better at night. It gives ponies a reason to come together every week and spend time with each other. The clerics are always going out doing good among their fellow ponies. Is it really hurting anypony to believe that Celestia IS a goddess?”

Dash frowned. “It might be hurting Lady Celestia. She must get lonely sometimes, with everypony treating her like they do.”

The unicorn’s eyes looked sad for a moment. “Yes… yes I suppose it does hurt her. But she’s a strong old mare. No need to worry about her. We’re talking about you however! Do you enjoy being a member of the church?”

Dash blinked at the abrupt shift in the conversation. “Well sure. I mean it’s boring sometimes but I really do like it when I get to help ponies who need it.”

“Hm. You believe in the six tenets of harmony at the very least do you not?”

Rainbow Dash considered for a moment. “I think I do. They’re good rules that anypony should live by don’t you think?”

The unicorn smiled. “I do think. So maybe, you could try putting your faith in the tenets of harmony.”

Dash tilted her head. “Would that work?”

The mare shrugged, her smile never fading. “It couldn’t hurt to try could it?”

“I… well no, I guess not.”

“Just food for thought, Miss Rainbow Dash. I hope I’ve helped, at least a little.”

Dash was nodding slowly. “Yeah I uh, I think you did. Thanks.” She rose as the unicorn started walking off. “Hey wait! I never got your name.”

Her smile turning mischievous now, the unicorns body was bathed in a golden glow as she grew more than double her size, huge majestic wings fanning at her sides. “I think you know who I am, Rainbow Dash.” With a wink, Celestia vaulted into the air, gliding smoothly back towards her tower… leaving a stunned Rainbow Dash to stare after her in shock.

***

The Revered Mother picked her way through Celestia’s chambers with a sigh. “Honestly, m’lady, would it kill you to allow a maid in here once in awhile?”

Celestia didn’t look up from the old book she had opened on her desk. “Hm?”

Rolling her eyes the mare made her way to her lady’s side. Eyeing the numerous plates stuffed to the side of the desk with bits of chocolate frosting and crumbs remaining. “...how long have you been eating nothing but cake?”

Delicately shutting the tome, Celestia raised her head with a patient smile “Is there something I can do for you, Morning Glory?”

Now the formidable mare’s countenance turned hesitant. “It’s…”

“Your daughter?”

“Yes. There was another fight. She’s getting worse, Lady Celestia, not better. I don’t know what to do with her.”

Folding a wing over the head of her church companionably, Celestia walked her to the balcony to enjoy the setting sun. “Tell me, Morning Glory, have you heard of a small rural village named Ponyville?”

Morning Glory frowned as she considered the question. “I think so. A small farming community near Canterlot?”

“That’s the one. It’s recently come to my attention that they lack a temple in their town, and have recently put in a request to have one built there. They’ve offered to do the building, if you can provide the clergy.”

The Revered Mother nodded slowly. “Well of course. We’re always happy to go wherever we’re needed m’lady.”

“Wonderful! And I have just the mare in mind to head up this new temple…” Celestia walked Morning Glory from the tower and back downstairs, her copy of Predictions and Prophecies forgotten for now.

Rainbow Dash
Barbarian: 1 Cleric: 4 Chaotic Good

Strength: 14
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 13
Charisma: 15

Special Abilities
Barbarian Rage: Dash gets +4 str and con, but -2 AC for 3 rounds plus her constitution modifier per level of Barbarian once per day.

Special Items
Holy Symbol: Rainbow Dash's holy symbol alters her coat and mane colors to match those of the other disciples of the sun.

Author's Note

Rainbow Dash the 'holy' mare!