The Amulet of the King: The Fellowship of the Amulet

Chapters

The Amulet
The Account of Starswirl
It Is Not Secret. It Is Not Safe.
The Power of Fear
The Drunk at Klumsy K's
Battle In The Fog
Escape From The Sanctuary
Redheart Monastery
Broken Lands
Armonia
News, Hobos and Evil Plants
The Council of Armonia
Preparations
The First Steps
The Path
The Decision
The Nightmare
Into The Mines
Where The Bodies Lie
The Bridge of Long Drop Doom
Greetings From the Forest Kingdom
Burdens
Departing Thicket
Cracks on the Surface
Fractured
Old Roads End. New Roads Begin.
The Forsaken Sons
Twilight the Purple and Purity the Old
The Blueberry Ferry
The Nightmare of Ammolite
Into Hell

The Amulet

The night sky is illuminated in a burst of rainbow colored fireworks, and the resulting cheers and applause over its BOOM feels like they are shaking the earth.

Twilight beams at the sight of seeing the joy on the foalings' faces, and she sets off another set of fireworks that turn into a swarm of sparkling butterflies that the little kids chase around, squealing happily and trying to catch them.

While the kids are busy catching the magical sparks, Twilight uses her handy levitation to set up more fireworks that the adults will like, and as she does this, she looks over the heads of the guests to see Granny Smith telling a story to a group of children from the comfort of a chair. From the looks of it, the kids are greatly interested in the story with various expressions of anticipation, fear, and, in the case of a black coated, red maned child, a morbidly evil grin suggesting he's hoping for some death.

Twilight purposefully slows her pace of setting up the fireworks so she can hear the story with a little help of a volume amplifier spell just for her to hear what normal ponies cannot.

“So, there I was, at the mercy of three Ursa Minors,” says Granny Smith, her voice low and tense. “Bound and nowhere to go with my earth pony friends, we could only listen to the three monsters argue amongst themselves of how best to eat us. One wanted us for stew, another wanted to squish us into jelly for their horse toast, and the third wanted to eat us raw and squirming!”

All the children gasped, except for the red head, his smile just widened, and Granny Smith shuddered to add to the theatrics.

“But they spent so much time arguing that they did not notice the sun was rising, and when the light touched their skins they-”

“Burst into flames and died!?” interrupts the red head eagerly.

All the kids look at him with grossed out expressions and Granny Smith frowns.

“No. They turned to stone,” she says flatly.

“Oh... That's boring,” grumbles the kid, arms folded across his chest and lips puckered to a pout.

Granny Smith's eyes narrow. “Where are your parents?”

Twilight shakes her head and goes to set off another firework that soars high into the sky and detonates to a mix of yellow, red and orange to make it look like a spinning sun. The adults clap and cheer and Twilight takes a bow before going to set off more of her fireworks.

oooOOOooo

Not too far off from where Twilight is, Apple Bloom gracefully weaves her way through the crowd of party-goers with a couple of cookies in her hand. Most of the foalings are laughing and having a great time dancing with their special someone, or enjoying a conversation with their friends and family at a table full of food and drinks, and a majority of the mares are wearing a dress of some kind while Apple Bloom has yet to get out of her afternoon outfit. This is mostly because she finds it more comfortable, but also if something should spill or someone puke on her, it will be a rugged outfit with more color instead of a nice dress.

During her casual walk around the party grounds, Apple Bloom's eyes drift towards one of the many picnic tables and sees that sitting all by her lonesome on a bench is her closest friend, a foaling mare with a cream colored coat and a puffy red mane, named Twist. She has is gangly build, an unusually round muzzle, and is wearing a simple blue dress faded with age and a thick rimmed pair of blue glasses that make her look bug-eyed.

“Hi, Twist, whatcha doin' sittin' here all alone for?” asks Apple Bloom playfully as she slides to a spot next to the lonely mare and placing the cookies between them.

“I don't feel like socializing,” says Twist, her voice slurred by the horrible lisp she has had since she could speak.

“What! Twist, its my granny's birthday! Lighten up! Have a cookie! Dance with somepony!”

Twist shakes her head and goes back to looking at the party with her thumbs wrestling each other, and at first Apple Bloom doesn't think anything of it. But a realization comes to her when she notices that Twist has yet to look away from a certain table of foaling stallions for an extended period of time. A couple of seconds later, and she sees who her socially awkward friend is eyeballing, and that would be the renowned chef, Truffle Shuffle.

Most would not consider looking at him in the dreamy way that Twist is because of his portly build and the fact that various ingredients are always covering his messy, dark gray mane and light gray coat, even though he is constantly wearing an apron over his handmade chef's outfit. He's a nice fellow, but the most any conversations go with him is about his food and the occasional talk about weather and his mother.

“Go on, Twist, ask Truffle to dance,” encourages Apple Bloom, playfully pushing against Twist's shoulder to get her to move.

“No way, Bloom,” says Twist, her hands gripping the table and seat like the idea itself is hazardous. “I'm not asking him to dance. Besides, it's supposed to be the colt asking the filly, not the filly asking the colt.”

Apple Bloom grins deviously. “You know what, yer right! I'll be right back.”

“Wait? What are you-”

Before Twist can finish her sentence, Apple Bloom hops off of her seat and weaves her way through the crowd to where Truffle is sitting. He is in the company of two more stallion foalings; one is small, even by their species's standards, and has a white coat with a brown spot around his right eye and he has yet to change from his seafaring outfit; he is appropriately named Pipsqueak. The second has a greenish-brown coat with a brown mane that has a light brown stripe through it, also wearing a seafaring outfit; he is named Button Mash.

The three are casually conversing amongst themselves when Apple Bloom comes by, and she coolly slides next to Truffle with her head resting on her hand and her eyes wide in feigned interest.

“...And then she started making a big fuss about coming here to sell somepony her horse,” complains Pipsqueak.

“A really big fuss,” adds Button Mash.

“But she did give us a big bag of gold to make the trip quick, so it was worth it.”

Truffle and Apple Bloom blink, but none of the three stallions have yet to notice the mare at their table.

“That's... interesting,” says Truffle slowly.

“I'll say,” says Apple Bloom.

Truffle jumps in his seat and all three stallions look at her with their own mixed expressions of confusion of how they missed her taking a seat and joy that a mare is actually sitting with them.

“Oh, hey, Apple Bloom, what brings you to our table?” asks Pipsqueak nervously.

Apple Bloom shrugs. “Nothing much. I just wanted to say somethin' to Truffle, right quick.” She hooks her arm around Truffle's shoulder and turns him so that he can see Twist, who looks like she is about to die from an embarrassment induced asthma attack. “My friend, Twist, has been looking at you all night but is just too shy to come up and say hi. So, I'm doing it for her. I think she wants ta dance with ya, too.”

Truffle looks at Apple Bloom questionably, then at Twist, then back at Apple Bloom.

“Her?” asks Truffle, his thumb aimed at Twist.

Apple Bloom grins. “Eeyup.”

Truffle and Apple Bloom look at Twist again, and this time she looks away, face red as a fresh apple, and the portly stallion beams, licks his hand, runs his fingers through his mane and then goes towards the shy mare with the pride of a peacock.

Apple Bloom chuckles when Truffle offers his hand to Twist. At first Twist shrinks away and stares at the hand as though it is a poisonous snake, but eventually she does extend her hand and is taken to the dance ring where they quickly disappear into the spinning crowd of happy couples. A swell of pride and joy goes through Apple Bloom's heart and bullies its way to her throat to the point where she can cheer and clap for her friend as she watches the two dance in circles in the crowd.

Seeing this heartwarming scene lights a candle in Button's brain, and he grins confidently and leaves the table to approach a group of mares enjoying themselves at a nearby social circle. He comes back seconds later with a red mark on his cheek and he falls in his seat like he is made out of stone. Then he proceeds to slam his face on the table and whine into the wood.

While this happens, Pipsqueak nervously looks at Apple Bloom with his pointer fingers being pushed together.

“So, are you single?” asks Pipsqueak.

“Yep, but I'm not interested in being courted,” says Apple Bloom casually, leaving the foaling midget to sigh in disappointment with drooped ears and shoulders.

oooOOOooo

In the shadows of a tent storing dozens of barrels of cider, Scootaloo peeks from under the cloth to spy on Twilight. The unicorn is grabbing another large bundle of fireworks with her hands and magic, and once she has her fill, she skips off, giggling to herself and leaving Spike bored out of his skull from yet another miserable task of cart duty. He snorts when Twilight is out of sight and resumes carving a prancing pony from a solid chunk of wood using careful cuts with a knife and touch ups with his claws.

“Twilight just grabbed a whole bunch of fireworks,” whispers Scootaloo.

Not far behind her, keeping watch from the tent entrance, is Sweetie Belle. She hears the cheers greeting Twilight when she rounds the corner, and once she is confident that the town celebrity will be busy for a long time, she turns to Scootaloo.

“How's the cart?” she asks.

“Spike is stuck with cart duty,” replies Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle gets a devious smile and rubs her hands together. “Excellent!”

Scootaloo also gets a mischievous smile and jogs up to her partner in crime. Once next to each other, they do a quick nod, stuff their hands in their trouser pockets and walk out of the tent loudly whistling a cheerful tune. They round the corner, still whistling, and when Spike pauses from his carving and looks up, he groans and hunches over in his seat like their very presence makes him ill.

“Oh, no. Not you two,” complains Spike.

A sweet smile spreads across Sweetie Belle's faces as she leans against the cart with one hand on her hip, her free arm resting casually on Spike's thigh and her tail flicking playfully. Spike scrutinizes the unicorn foaling with extreme prejudice, and he looks at Scootaloo when she takes the other side and gives a not as sweet but still kind of cute smile of her own. Needless to say, their actions make Spike visibly uncomfortable.

“Why are you so grumpy, Spike? Aren't you glad to see us?” asks Sweetie Belle with a deceptively loving voice.

“Yeah, I thought we were friends,” adds Scootaloo.

“Talking to you this afternoon does not make us friends. I was just bored and you two came over, but I have explicit instructions to keep you two away from this cart. Besides, I still haven't forgotten what you did to me and Twilight with all that jelly last time we were here,” says Spike sourly.

“You make it sound like the jelly incident was horrible.”

Spike snorts a burst of flame tinted smoke. “Go away, both of you, before I burn your manes off.”

“But we just wanted check up on you since you looked lonely guarding the cart,” says Sweetie Belle.

“No. You just want to distract me so you can run off with some fireworks.”

“Well, that, too,”admits Scootaloo, “but we just want a little firework that we can play with. You know, one of those no harm, no foul things?”

Spike frowns at Scootaloo, then he looks at Sweetie Belle when she pulls out a good sized bag from her pocket and holds it on the palm of her hand, still holding that conniving smile of hers.

“Besides, I got a little gift for you. We figured you deserved something nice since Twilight works you so hard, so have some free money that you can spoil yourself with for the night,” says Sweetie Belle shadily as she holds up a bag of gold coins, being sure to shake them so Spike can hear the coins bouncing around inside.

And hear he does! His eyes widen and a giddy smile spreads across his face as he holds out his cupped hands, giggling like a greedy maniac when the bag is dropped into them.

“I do like nice things,” says Spike with a lick of his lips.

“Then go to town! We'll watch the cart for you!” encourages Scootaloo.

And with that, the she smacks Spike on the back and the drake takes off, leaving a trail of kicked up grass in his wake. Once Spike rounds the corner, almost falling in the process, the two foalings high-five.

“He's way too easy,” snickers Scootaloo.

“Yeah, but we better hurry before Twilight figures out we're here,” says Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo nods and clambers on to the cart with some help from Sweetie Belle and starts rummaging through the colorful tubes of fireworks.

“Get something big,” says Sweetie Belle urgently.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” says Scootaloo. Seconds later, she shows Sweetie Belle a firework that looks like a wand with a light blue five point star and a blue handle. “How about this one?”

Sweetie Belle shakes her head. “No, that looks stupid. We need something big!”

Scootaloo rolls her eyes and halfheartedly tosses it back on the pile before restarting her search. Once again, only a few more seconds passes before she finds another one. With a massive grin spelling pure discord, she uses both of her hands to hold up a long, thick dragon-like firework that is colored red and yellow with a head designed to look spiky as well as sharp spines running down the back and two curled wings on its sides.

Sweetie Belle gasps with stars in her eyes and hands clutched together in front of her chest as she bounces up and down. “Scootaloo, that is cool! Take that one! Take that one!”

Scootaloo throws it at Sweetie Belle, and in turn she snatches it out of the air and makes for a clearing barely thirty feet from the cart. It is an open space, has a good distance from everything and is not covered by a tent, so it seems to her that that spot is perfect to launch the beast of a firework.

Scootaloo runs behind Sweetie Belle and pulls out a pair of striking stones from her pocket while her unicorn friend sticks the dragon firework in the ground. Once it is up with no aide from her hands, Sweetie Belle steps away and motions Scootaloo to light it.

“After you, Ms. Scootaloo Doo,” she says, making a mockery of snobs with her fake accent.

“Thank you, Ms. Sweetie Belle,” says Scootaloo with a small bow and a smile.

She then kneels down, strikes a flame on the fuse and watches the sparks travel up the white piece of thread, painfully taunting them as it inches towards its destination. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are both unified in the idea of seeing what kind of joys and wonders the dragon firework will bring. The ideas are so monumentally great that their hearts feel like they are about to burst from their very mouths and take off into the night with the wings of fun.

Then the firework starts tilting and all the good feelings are brutally butchered on the spot, and Scootaloo runs towards it and tries to hold it steady while giving Sweetie Belle a dark look.

“You were supposed to put it in the ground!” yells Scootaloo.

She pushes it towards Sweetie Belle, and she almost misses it, but once catching it, she returns Scootaloo's hostile look in kind.

“It was in the ground!” sneers Sweetie Belle.

She pushes it back to Scootaloo.

“Well, it's not in the ground, now!” says Scootaloo angrily.

Scootaloo pushes it back to Sweetie Belle.

“So, why don't you put it in the ground!” whines Sweetie Belle, her voice getting an embarrassing crack right in the middle of the sentence.

“It doesn't take a genius to put a stick in the ground! Just shove it in!” shouts Scootaloo.

And she pushes the firework towards Sweetie Belle again, but right as she grabs its paper-mache hide, the firework launches and drags Sweetie Belle a good fifteen feet before she falls off, and it hits Twilight's cart of fireworks like the missile of colorful fun it is.

There is a blinding flash of light with a sonic boom that blows away all the grass, and a mushroom cloud of every bright color known to the world looms over the tents, with more fireworks streaking out to detonate into the night sky. Twisters, sparklers, whirly bobs, missile fireworks, poppers, every firework of every nature launches into the sky to bring day back to the night with their trails of obnoxiously bright colors that burst into a dozen more colors.

The cheers and applause of he townsfolk can barely be heard through all the explosive pops and whistles, and to finish off, a single light blue dot torpedoes straight up into the sky, leaving a trail of sparkling, silver exhaust. Once it reaches its apex, the blue dot detonates to bring an azure sun to the town of Greenhill Pastures, for making up its ridiculously massive size is a colored outline side view of an azure colored unicorn mare's face, eye closed and a broad, smug grin with a curly, silver mane. Surrounding the perfect display of ego are sparkling stars that twirl away, and underneath the smug face, written in bold, silver letters for all to see is: TRIXIE WAS HERE.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo have been lying on their back, covered in a thin layer of soot with smoke rising off of them, panting and grinning ear to ear at the spectacle, but once Trixie's face fades from existence, they sit up to have a look at the damage.

For one, the cart has gone to cart heaven, for all that remains is a smoldering circle of charred grass and dirt with burnt splinters around it. Secondly, the field is littered with firework snakes, with most being fully uncurled and crumbling on the ground like burnt mummies and the rest still growing from the small flames that cover them. And thirdly, the tent holding all the cider has collapsed and now the delicious drink has flooded the ground and will more than likely make alcoholic grass. Overall, the destruction fosters no guilt in the two foalings whatsoever, and they are quick to hop to their feet to get a better view of their work.

“That was awesome!” cheers Scootaloo.

“Do you think she has another cart?” says Sweetie Belle, barely able to hold back her laughter.

Then they both nearly scream in pain when the tips of their ears are pinched and twisted, forcing their heads to look up into the eyes of a lavender unicorn that is holding their ears with her finger tips and staring Hell down on them with a large scowl.

“As a matter of fact, I do not,” says Twilight.

~~~~~~~~~~

At the edge of the party grounds, a good hour later, Twilight is sitting on a chair with one leg draped over the other, casually smoking her pipe as she keeps watch over the three thorns, with Sweetie Belle washing the dishes, Scootaloo drying and Spike stacking. So far they have not made a dent in the fortress of dirty dishes and, not too surprisingly, none of them are in the least bit pleased about their punishment.

“Let's grab some fireworks, you said. It will be fun, you said,” grumbles Scootaloo.

“Okay, I get it!” snaps Sweetie Belle.

“Both of you quiet!” growls Spike.

“All three of you quiet,” orders Twilight, narrowing her eyes challengingly at Spike when he glowers at her, and smiling victoriously when the drake quickly resumes his punishment in silence.

A few minutes later, the guests start begging Granny Smith for a speech with playful chants of: “Speech! Speech! Speech!”

The ruckus can be heard easily from Twilight's chair, and it brings a smile to her face seeing her old friend go up on the stage.

oooOOOooo

On the stage, Granny Smith mutters a complaint about her ancient bones and carefully slips out a bundle of old, gray cloth from her pocket and holds it behind her back as she makes her final steps. She waves to the crowd with her free hand, being sure to throw in a friendly smile as well, and once on center stage, she is greeted with a great applause and cheers. As much as Granny Smith would love to just leave the party now and never deal with the nuisances called her neighbors again, she figures she will leave with a bang and give the boring town something to talk about for some time.

The crowd is silenced when Granny Smith holds up her hand, and she goes over to a hollowed out cone on a stand that she can speak into. She adjusts its position, cringing slightly when the gears inside squeak, and then she sticks her mouth up against it and clears her throat. Everyone hears it and chuckles, but the old mare thinks a good majority of those chuckles are forced. Not that she cares much, anyway.

“Pleasant night, eh, everypony?” begins Granny Smith, her voice easily being carried across the field.

The crowd voices their agreements with varying levels of excitement, and Grammy Smith smiles again and points to the back of the party grounds where the bane of her existence sit.

“Before I do anything, I'd like to thank Filthy for financing this great party,” says Granny Smith.

“Just Rich!” yells Filthy Rich in the distance.

The crowd laughs and Granny Smith dismisses him with a wave of her hand. “Bah, like I care, ya old scrooge. At least none of you should care about going bankrupt for those little tickets because today is my one hundred and twentieth birthday!”

The crowd shouts in unison: “Happy Birthday!”

Granny Smith chuckles and holds up her hand again to stop them before they get any bright ideas to make more obnoxious claps or cheers.

“But, even one hundred and twenty years is far too short of a time to live among kind folks such as yourselves,” says Granny Smith, her bright tone faltering noticeably. “I have been blessed with many great memories of this town, but... but I'm not going to make this longer than I have to. I'm afraid that this is the end.”

The crowd stares at Granny Smith, confused by her words, and voicing their concern in murmurs to one another. As the crowd tries to figure out what she means, Granny Smith places her other hand behind her back and carefully unwraps an amulet and keeps it in a good grip.

Granny Smith takes a breath. “I have things to do... And.... And I must leave... Goodbye.”

Then she squeezes her eyes shut, grips the amulet as hard as she can and completely disappears before everyone's eyes.

oooOOOooo

Twilight furrows her brow and refuses to take her eyes off of the scene of Granny Smith's disappearance while the patrons run in frantic patterns, clamoring and desperate to find the birthday mare. Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are also staring at the scene, but their jaws are to the ground and their eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

While mass hysteria grips the locals, Twilight puts out the flame in her pipe, tucks it back in its respective pouch and stands up with her hands balled into fists.

“Spike, get another horse,” orders Twilight.

oooOOOooo

Near the entrance of Granny Smith's house, faint footsteps can be heard on the dirt path, and the simple gate looks to open and close with a squeak and bang by its lonesome to a normal set of eyes. The quiet steps then go up the path leading to the house, and the door is unlocked, barely pushed open and then shut.

After the door is shut and shielded in the safety of her own home, Granny Smith loosens her grip on the amulet and reappears, perfectly fine and laughing to herself. She marvels at the amulet for the briefest of moments before she re-wraps it and stuffs it back in her pocket, and after that she blindly searches for the gear she packed before the party. She doesn't want to turn on any lights because she does not want anyone to be drawn to her home, and the last thing she needs is her big escape spoiled by wandering eyes.

But her escape is spoiled, anyway.

The window shutters slam shut, and the fireplace near her and all the candles on the chandelier erupt to light up the room and reveal Twilight standing behind Granny Smith with her arms folded across her chest.

“So, was that what you have been hiding from me all night?” asks Twilight.

Granny Smith yells and turns with her hand clutching her heart and her eyes wide as her large breaths of air fill the room. When she calms down enough to regain motor control, the old mare huffs and shakes loose whatever nerves remain before stomping towards her office.

“I don't know what you are talking about,” says Granny Smith irritably, her hand skimming over her cluttered desk for search of her precious map. “And you and I both know that it is rude to scare us elders like that.”

“Purity, if there is one thing we both know, it is that you are a terrible liar,” says Twilight heavily.

Granny Smith finds her map and hastily rolls it up, purposefully avoiding eye contact with Twilight. “I know that, but I haven't been hiding anything from you.”

“Really? Then can you explain how a simple earth foaling like yourself was able to turn invisible without the use of magical amulets?”

Granny Smith freezes with her hand outstretched towards her walking stick. Her hand then curls into a fist and a low growl escapes her throat as she quivers in her spot.

“It was just a bit of fun, but you're ruining what joy I got from it,” growls Granny Smith, turning to face Twilight.

“I want to see that amulet, Purity.”

“I don't have any amulets.”

“I know you have an amulet. I can feel its magic, and you are using it lightly when you should not be.”

“I don't have anything!”

“ENOUGH!”

A burst of flames erupt from underneath Twilight's feet and from her mane and balled fists, and Granny Smith falls back, stammering and pushing herself against the wall with her feet as she holds one hand up defensively. The flames from Twilight heat up the room like a furnace, singe everything around her and reflect off of the old mare's eyes.

“I can feel its presence, Purity! Let me see it, now!” orders Twilight furiously.

Granny Smith gulps and removes the wad of cloth from her pocket, then she slowly unravels it to show the amulet she used to flee the party. It is holds the exact same design from the drawing in her book. The arrowhead, unicorn head, and the wings are made of polished onyx, ruby stones are engraved on the edges of its wings and its eye, and a larger, blood red, four point diamond is in the center of the arrowhead.

The body flames go out and Twilight stiffens seeing that, and with the cloth removed, she can feel a new strength in magic radiate from it. It has a pull that she cannot easily fight against. It is calling her, begging her to grab it. Never before has she felt anything like what the amulet in Granny Smith's hand is giving off. If she had not known any better, she would believe that the Gothic jewelery has a soul. Which she knows that soul bonding is not only taboo, but nearly impossible to perform. However, it does not stop her from wanting to get a closer look at it.

Twilight swallows and gradually extends her hand towards the small amulet. The closer she gets to it, the more she finds herself desiring it. Her heart becomes heavy with the thought of holding it; she can see her reflection in the diamond as if it is her very own mirror. It is Gothic, but beautiful, and the closer her fingers come to it, the stronger its pull is and the quieter everything becomes. It is just her and the amulet, and when she is close to touching it, all she hears is her the beats of her heart and a low whisper. Then she brushes the onyx base and-

“Twilight!”

There is a flash of a red slit-like iris surrounded by green flames with the raspy scream, and Twilight retracts her hand instantly and balls it to a fist towards her chest as she back away, pale and shaking. Her head is now thumping and she can feel the malice from the amulet resonating like heat from the sun.

The unicorn stumbles back and barely grabs the rocking chair in time to sit on as she literally falls on it with her eyes staring at the hardwood floor and body shaking from pain. Granny Smith takes a step forward, and with it, the pain in her head becomes more intense, like a pair of clawed hands trying to crush her skull. It brings tears to her eyes and she has to hold up her hand to get the old mare to stop. Much to Twilight's relief, she complies and actually takes a couple of steps back.

“Twilight, are you okay?” asks Granny Smith.

“That amulet... where did you get it?” says Twilight quietly as she tenderly rubs her head to get rid of the discomfort.

“I found it in the Diamond Dog Caves on our trip to Lookout Mountain,” says Granny Smith, now carefully re-wrapping the Amulet like it is a naked baby.

Once the amulet is fully covered, most of the hostile residue disappears, but the painful effects remain. Twilight is grateful that it is covered, though, since the pain is slowly eroding to a numb sensation now that the main source is blocked.

“I am guessing you're leaving for Armonia, then,” says Twilight, wiping tears from her eyes and sniffling.

Granny Smith hesitates. “Yes.”

“Then leave the amulet here with Apple Bloom. She'll take care of it for you while you're away.”

Granny Smith frowns. “But I'm not coming back.”

Twilight glances at Granny Smith out of the corner of her eye, hand still rubbing her temple. “Leave it here, nonetheless. It will give her something to remember you by.”

Granny Smith sighs and looks at the amulet with great sadness. “Yes, I suppose I should leave something for her since she had no idea I was doing this. Actually, why not some dishes, instead? I've got a nice set that has been in the Smith family ever since my Great Uncle Cabbage Patch bought them at half price from Old McMuffin.”

Twilight stops rubbing her head and puts her full attention to Granny Smith, watching with a mixed flare of annoyance, pity and curiosity as the old mare goes around the house, looking for something to give to Apple Bloom without releasing her grip from the bundled Gothic jewelery.

“You didn't tell Apple Bloom you were leaving?” questions Twilight.

Granny Smith is by the fireplace now, inspecting an old, rusted poker with great interest, and she is in the middle of offering it as a gift to Apple Bloom when Twilight asks her the question. Hearing that, she stops and sighs heavily with a great sulk in her shoulders, and she drops the poker back in its slot.

“I've been meaning to, but I couldn't bear to see her broken,” replies Granny Smith.

“Meaning you didn't want to see her sad so you decided to leave under the cover of darkness in an elaborate hoax?” says Twilight with an arched brow.

“When you put it like that you make it sound cruel.”

“It is cruel.”

Granny Smith holds up a finger and is about to speak words of defense against Twilight's claim, but she comes up empty and sighs as her arm drops to her side in defeat.

“You're probably right...” she says glumly. “No, you're right. You're always right. But what's done is done. As far as she knows, I'm gone without a goodbye and I can only hope that she will forgive me... You will keep an eye on Apple Bloom for me, right?”

Twilight nods. “I'll keep both eyes on her as often as I can, and Spike will be helping, too, so you'll have nothing to fear.”

Granny Smith nods, gives her thanks, and after grabbing her walking stick she starts towards the door, but halts all movement when Twilight clears her throat. Sighing, the old mare looks at Twilight, who is approaching her with careful steps.

“You still need to leave that amulet behind,” says Twilight sternly.

Granny Smith's expression hardens with her tightening grip. “But I don't want to leave it! Its mine! I found it! It belongs to me!”

“Are you so caught up in your own possessions that you would rather give your surrogate daughter a fire poker than a beautiful piece of jewelery?”

“...No. But...”

Granny Smith trails off and her hardened eyes soften like a pathetic puppy as she unwraps her prized jewel to look at the polished onyx and beautiful red stones. Twilight kneels down in front of Granny Smith, ignoring the negative energy to the best of her abilities, and takes her shoulders in her hands and looks into the eyes of the old mare, a look of worry now dominating her expression. Granny Smith spares only a second to look at Twilight's face before she goes back to the amulet. She begins rubbing the red diamond with a soft touch, and Twilight's hands move up and down her shoulders in gentle motions as she tilts her head so she can get some eye contact with the old foaling.

“Purity, I am begging you, leave the amulet behind. Give it to Apple Bloom. Let her care for it in remembrance of you,” says Twilight.

Granny Smith looks up at Twilight, eyes watering and a lump going up and down her throat. Her hands tremble as she rewraps the amulet and presses it against her chest. When tears start rolling down her face, Twilight hugs Granny Smith close to her and closes her eyes as she rubs the smaller mare's grayed mane.

“I'm begging you, Purity. Trust me as you once did. Let it go,” says Twilight softly.

There is a heavy moment of silence where neither say a word to each other. All Twilight can do is silently beg for her longtime friend to release the amulet, and Granny Smith's functions have been reduced to pathetic whimpers.

“Okay... The amulet will go to Apple Bloom,” sniffles Granny Smith seconds later, reluctantly pulling away from Twilight and forcing a toothless smile, but the smile only makes the hurt in her all the more visible.

Twilight steps away from Granny Smith and stands as high as she can, watching carefully as the old foaling looks at the amulet.

Granny Smith swallows and slowly extends her hand, the look of unrelenting desire to keep it overwhelming the sadness as her jaw tightens and her brows scrunch. Her hand trembles and a small whine escapes her lips as she stares at her prized possession. It crosses Twilight's mind that her friend might not be able to let go, but right as her doubts are about to dictate her actions, the amulet is dropped on a nearby nightstand with a resounding thud.

Granny Smith's hand stays extended and her eyes remain fixated on the amulet for a tense moment before she sighs and goes to grab a prepacked backpack of traveling gear containing cooking utensils, a bedroll, and needed supplies. Twilight smiles with relief and her muscles relax as she watches Granny Smith make last minute adjustments on the backpack's straps.

“I better get out of here before Apple Bloom or anypony else arrives,” mutters Granny Smith, grunting when she gives a strap a hard tug.

Twilight nods and silently follows Granny Smith outside. The warm air and the peaceful scenery of cottages, trees and rolling hills sends comfort to both of them as they stand in the doorway. On a selfish note, Twilight is glad that she can finally stand at full height and get rid of the crick in her back for staying semi-crouched in the small abode, and on a selfless one, she is glad to see the weight off of Granny Smith's shoulders. The elderly mare's stature is taller and more proud, and she seems to have a new life returning to her, complete with a peaceful smile and a glint in her eyes.

“I got a long road ahead of me,” says Granny Smith with anxious excitement. She adjusts her grip on her walking and starts down the pathway with Twilight following close behind her, then with light worry, she adds: “I sure hope Celestia got my letter. I would hate to have walked all the way over to Armonia and have no place to rest.”

Twilight smiles. “I have no doubt that Celestia got your letter. Besides, she will always have a place for travelers and friends.”

Granny Smith stops by the decorative gate and pushes it open after easily undoing the lock. Then she stops, takes a breath and looks both ways down the winding dirt road to determine which path would be best to take. Seconds later, her eyes lock on to the thick forest and she grins and tightens her grip on her walking staff in anticipation of what she will find on the long road ahead.

“Maybe on the way over to Armonia I can think of an ending to my book. Maybe something that those young folks will get a kick out of,” says Granny Smith without looking at Twilight, and a few seconds of silence passes before the old mare sighs heavily and turns to Twilight with her hand extended. “Well, I guess this is goodbye, Twilight.”

Twilight offers a warm smile as she kneels down and takes Granny Smith's hand with both of hers. “For now, Purity. Stay safe.”

Granny Smith nods. “Will do, Twilight... Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Twilight loosened her grip on Granny Smith's hand, and the old mare slid it out and started walking down the winding dirt road, humming a song to herself. Even though Granny Smith's back remains to Twilight, she still waves goodbye to her and continues watching her until she disappears from view. Then, and only then, does she return to the humble abode.

Once inside, Twilight closes the door with a silent click and stares at the wrapped piece of jewelery on the nightstand. She can still feel the negative energy coming off of it, but she finds it peculiar that the effects are greatly deluded with a simple piece of cloth. Knowing what pain will come from attempting to grab it with her bare hands, Twilight tries to levitate the amulet, but as soon as the magic from her horn wraps around the cloth, the same eye returns in a flash with the crippling headache, causing her to drop it like a hot piece of metal and stumble back again with her hand tenderly rubbing her head.

Twilight hobbles over to a rocking chair by the fireplace and eases herself down. Once as comfortable as she can get, she closes her eyes and tries to calm her racing heart with steady breaths. When that doesn't work, she reaches for her pipe and tries to light it with a match, but the intensity of her shaking makes the normally brainless task difficult. After she manages to light her pipe with a lot of trouble, she carelessly drops the spent match on the floor and stomps on it, then she stares at the wrapped amulet with widened eyes and fingers drumming against the arm of the rocking chair.

An indefinite amount of time passes, and Twilight has yet to move from the chair, much less break eye contact the amulet or take her mind off of trying to figure out what the reoccurring eye is. She has a feeling she knows what it is, but she wants to deny it with every bone in her body. It is a truth that she does not want to accept, and will refuse to accept until she gets proper, overwhelming evidence.

Twilight is so far into her thoughts and the fear they are swimming in that she does not register the door opening, and her ear barely moves when Apple Bloom and Spike run in, calling for her and Granny Smith. She only snaps out of her thoughts when Spike runs over to her in his semi-crouched state and grabs her shoulders.

“Twilight, are you okay?” asks Spike worryingly.

Twilight looks at Spike, pupils shaking. “I'm fine,” she says in a hoarse whisper.

Spike kneels down and grabs her pipe off the floor, which Twilight had failed to notice she dropped in the first place, and she graciously grabs it when her number one assistant hands it to her.

“You don't look fine. You're pale and shaking,” says Spike.

“Twilight, have you seen Granny?” asks Apple Bloom as she runs in the room, out of breath and sweating.

Twilight swallows and forces herself to look at Apple Bloom. “She has gone to stay with the alicorns at Armonia.” She points at the wrapped amulet with a small smile. “She left that for you.”

Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder at the item, then back at Twilight. She only goes to grab it when Twilight nods, and once Apple Bloom is out of the room, she stands up as much as the small home will allow her to.

“Do you have the horses?” asks Twilight.

“Yours plus a new one, like you said. I actually got it for only three gold bits from some pink earth pony hanging out by the bar,” says Spike, pride seeping in to the second part of his statement.

“That horse better be good. We got a long way to ride and not much time to do it.”

“Relax. I checked the horse. She took really good care of it.”

Twilight nods and goes to the doorway, where Apple Bloom is standing and carefully unwrapping the amulet. With it uncovered, the headache returns to Twilight, but oddly enough, it is more of a weak pain instead of the kind that brought tears to her eyes. This only serves to add questions to her list and makes her more uncomfortable about the power and origins of the amulet.

Spike is the first to leave and Twilight stops to put her hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder, bringing the foaling out of her careful observations of Granny Smith's gift.

“Apple Bloom, I'm sorry to leave you like this, but I must be off to Canterlot for some research,” says Twilight.

Apple Bloom's jaw drops and tears pool in her eyes as her whole body droops and her grip tightens on the amulet.

“But you just got here! Couldn't you stay a bit longer?” says Apple Bloom.

“I'm sorry, but I have to go. It is urgent.”

“But Granny already left without saying goodbye! Don't leave me, too!”

“Apple Bloom, I have to go! There are lots of questions that need answers and the longer I stay the less time I will have to find them!”

Apple Bloom stares at Twilight, with the hurt from the unicorn's snapping made plain by the wetness in her eyes and her increased sulking demeanor. Seeing this brings guilt to Twilight, but she knows she can't stay and needs to find answers, even if they are ones she does not want.

“I'm sorry I have to leave you like this, Apple Bloom, but I can't stay, and you must keep that amulet a secret from everypony. Especially from Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle,” says Twilight, putting an authoritative amount of emphasis on the part regarding the local troublemakers. After Apple Bloom nods her head quick enough to have her bow nearly fall off, Twilight once again finds herself hugging a foaling with her eyes closed, except unlike the one for Granny Smith, this one is tight and she is doing it to keep herself calm more than anything else. “I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise.”

Apple Bloom nods once more, completely lost for words, and Twilight pulls away and nearly runs down the path and leaps on the horse that once pulled her cart. The horse protests with a whine, but once Twilight kicks its side, it rears up with a whinny and takes off on a full gallop down the road, in the opposite direction of Granny Smith's path, with Spike following close behind on his horse.

oooOOOooo

From the doorway they left her in, Apple Bloom watches the dual trails of barely noticeable dust clouds that her friends kick up, and she watches them until they disappear around the bend. Once they are gone from her sight, she looks down the hill to see the torches scurrying about in search of their beloved citizen. None of the torches are close, and after watching the distant, flickering lights for a few seconds the young mare looks at the bundled cloth that the amulet is hidden in, clutches it tighter and goes back inside with her head down and tears sliding down her cheeks.

***Author Has Requested A Critique***

The Account of Starswirl

It is almost sunset when Twilight and Spike reach the capital of Unicornia, Canterlot.

Canterlot is build into the side of a mountain with two waterfalls coming down from the top. One is large and creates a short river that serves as a moat, and then that river drops off into another waterfall, where the water then proceeds to pour into an even larger river that goes as far as the eye can see into the plains and forests of the lands. The second waterfall is thinner and fuels a river inside the city that also drops out a short distance later to meet the first waterfall at the bottom. The mountain the city is build into is mostly rocky, but it does have patches of trees jutting from random locations and their tips are covered in snow.

The portion of the city that extends from the mountain to overlook the plains and small villages is being held up by an ingenious network of stacked bricks. From there, white towers of various heights stand tall and proud with their golden roofs that shine in the sinking sun, and on top of the towers are suns made of large glass balls and bronze craftily molded to look like curving flames that are attached to the glass.

Guarding the city is a round fortress with two towers, one on each end, that fly the flags with the gold sun of Unicornia, and the only way across the river is a bridge that remains raised.

“Halt!” barks a guard from the safety of one of the towers, using a voice amplifying spell to be heard.

Twilight and Spike pull their reigns to stop their horses, which whine, snort and stomp the dying grass in complaint of the unpleasant tugs against their jaws.

“It's not like we could walk across the water,” grumbles Spike as he pets his horse' neck.

“Who goes there!” shouts the same guard.

Twilight activates a voice spell of her own with a brief glow of her horn. “I am Princess Twilight Sparkle the Purple, daughter of High King Night Light Sparkle and Most Faithful Student of Queen Celestia of Armonia. The drake in my company is my assistant, Spike.”

A heavy, awkward silence comes and Spike snorts a laugh, prompting Twilight to look at him curiously.

“What?” says Twilight.

“You sure like flaunting your title,” snickers Spike.

Twilight frowns. “Well, what else was I supposed to say? 'I'm Twilight so let me in'? You have to be formal around unicorns.”

“Sure. You just like bragging about being a Princess and Celestia's student.”

Twilight can't help but smile at that statement. “That, too.”

“We will permit you entrance,” says the guard, prompting the duo to look at the fortress with relieved smiles. “But High King Sparkle will like to have a word with you, Princess Twilight.”

Twilight's smile disappears with a groan as she hunches over on her horse, and Spike has to keep his horse in control because it takes a couple of steps back as if the very meeting spells their doom.

“Do I have to?” says Twilight, her voice almost whiny.

“Yes,” says the guard bluntly.

Twilight sighs. “Fine.”

The guard orders the bridge lowered, and the quietness gracing the landscape is broken by the echoes of gears cranking and chains sliding against the metal pulley network. When the bridge made of thick wood and large metal slams to the ground, it knocks away a cloud of dead grass and dirt, and its explosive landing shakes the earth and hurts everyone's ears.

The horses whine and stomp the ground, shaking their heads wildly while Twilight and Spike try to comfort them. Though, this is hard for them to do since they are also trying to massage their ears from the painful effect of the lowered bridge.

“When will they get that stupid bridge fixed?” complains Spike.

“I don't know,” sighs Twilight. “But you know how budget cuts work. There's always a tradeoff somewhere.”

The two make their slow approach to the round fortress, with Twilight keeping her eyes locked at the phalanx of soldiers at the entrance and Spike staring at the towers piercing the sky with dissent.

“Yeah, I can tell,” says Spike with a snort.

When they cross the bridge, which is splintering and rusting in large areas, they get off their horses and walk up to the defensive barrier of soldiers. They are clad in silver armor with white trim, and all of them have a basic rectangular shield with their spears aimed at the duo and their broadswords sheathed.

Twilight and Spike stop and stare at the defense, both clearly annoyed by what they are seeing.

“Really?” scoffs Twilight. “Is this how you welcome a Princess?”

The soldiers clear a path and the last person that Twilight and Spike want to see steps forward with a cocky smirk and his hands clasped behind his back.

His ivory coat glitters in the light and his light blonde mane is combed straight and obviously washed with the finest soap royalty can buy. He is wearing a blue tunic with red trim and a thick belt and pair of boots, with the belt holding a sheath that has a rose imprinted on it; even the handle of his sword has a rose design on it.

“You can never be too careful, Princess,” says the stallion, his voice oozing like sludge with the amount of self-righteous superiority in his tone.

“Blueblood,” seethes Twilight.

“Last I checked, that was my birth-name. But you have been away for quite some time, Princess Twilight.” He extends his white gloved hand to the lavender mare. “Come. The King is waiting.”

Twilight sighs heavily and reluctantly gives her horse to one of the two guards that walk up to her and Spike. However, her number one assistant shows greater reluctance than she in regards to giving up his pet, and even jabs at the guard threateningly with his sharp fangs exposed.

“If there is one scratch on my horse, you're dead,” growls Spike.

The guard gulps audibly and Twilight sighs heavily and rolls her eyes as she hooks her arm around Spike's and pulls him away. He stumbles, but quickly regains his composure and follows Twilight with his hand on his sword's hilt and his reptilian eyes still on the guard leading his horse away.

“Nopony is going to hurt your horse,” assures Twilight sternly, her arm still linked to the drake's.

Spike grumbles what can only be profanity filled doubt and threats, but still he and Twilight follow Blueblood out of the fortress.

~~~~~~~~~~

After an hour of ascending the dozen levels and bullying their way through the crowd of peasants, guards and nobles, the three finally reach King Night Light's bedchambers. The hall leading to the said room has been lined with marble statues and stained glass depictions of past kings, bathing the plain white hall and statues with tints of many bright colors. The guards that stand forever vigilant are stationed in front of each statue with white armor that has gold trim and they wear black capes with the sun stitched on them. All of them are armed with spears with large, curved blades and they carry black shields that also have the sun on them.

When the trio actually enters the hall, the guards appear almost like statues, and the two jump when the closest one barks about Twilight's return and they freeze when the guards raise their spears at a forty five degree angle. This makes the focus on the large oak and metal doors and its two guards at the far end more defined.

Spike and Twilight stand completely still, watching with big eyes as the guards remain motionless. Only Blueblood continues on, still matching that arrogant smirk of his with his steps.

“I always hated this part,” whispers Spike, but with the empty hall, his whisper almost sounds like a shout, making him cringe.

“It is just ceremony, Master Spike. Nothing more. Nothing less. Now, please hurry along. I would like to check on my servants to make sure they don't ruin my parfait again,” says Blueblood.

Spike and Twilight hurry their steps to catch up with Blueblood, and their steps sound like a set of beating drums. And despite Twilight's best efforts, she cannot keep her attention focused on the double doors; instead her eyes keep exploring her own body as a curse of chronic self-conscious invade her conscious. She is supposed to be the Princess of Unicornia, and yet she is wearing a cloak that is caked with mud, has loose strands poking out of the seams, and is wearing a discolored tunic and boots that have been repaired too many times to count. She doesn't even want to think about how she smells, either. In fact, with these observations stacking against her, Twilight can't help but think about how her assistant and palace guards are dressed better than her.

When the three reach the door, Blueblood presses his palms against its polished wood and pushes it open. The door's old, metal hinges creak and the door groans as it fights her every step of the way. When the door is all the way open, Twilight and Spike hesitantly step into a dimly lit, circular room that is getting its light from a fireplace and a line of lit candles near a desk that has a pile of books and scrolls. Some of the books and scrolls have fallen to the fur rug and a pail next to the desk is overflowing with crumbled parchment and empty ink wells.

Twilight scans the room for her King and father, and spots him sitting on a chair that almost eats him up from its massive build and thick cushions. His blue coat is pale, except for the dark bags under his sick, golden eyes that stare at the dancing flames, devoid of any life. If Night Light's hand had not been rubbing a small pendant in his hand or break the mold of silence with his low wheeze, Twilight would have thought him dead.

“I will leave you three alone,” says Blueblood.

Twilight and Spike both look at him and he flashes an odd smile before he pulls the door shut, creating a thud that sounds like a cannon. With the door shut, they turn back to the King, with Spike scrutinizing the room and Twilight sighing dreadfully.

“Stay here,” orders Twilight.

Spike nods and rubs the hilt of his blade as he leans against the wall, and Twilight carefully approaches Night Light. He doesn't even notice her until she puts her hand on his shoulder.

“Father?”

Night Light pauses his stroking and looks up at Twilight with a blank expression. Seconds later, a sick smile gradually stretches across his face and he reaches for a polished, wooden cane with an onyx orb at the top.

“Twilight, I am glad you have come,” says Night Light, his voice barely above a whisper. The stallion grunts and his bones crack and pop as he stands up with his plain gray robe falling to the top of his fluffy slippers.

Twilight has to crane her neck to look up at her father when he stands at his full height, and she becomes burdened with guilt when she sees the glint of happiness in his sickened state.

“How have you been, my daughter?” says Night Light.

Twilight smiles anxiously and rubs the back of her neck. “I've been busy doing research for Celestia and myself. Got a little dirty along the way and had a few... eh... strange encounters. Are you okay?”

“I am fine,” assures Night Light. “Have you spoken with your brother recently?”

“Yes. He is still at Breeze, being the local favorite at Klumsy K's.”

“In a sarcastic or truthful way?”

“Well, so far he hasn't been in any fights, threatened to burn down anything or stolen any puppets, so I think he's doing okay.”

“Hmm, well as long as he isn't reenacting that scuffle with Blueblood I guess all is well for the time being. But, I will not keep you long. I know you did not come to see me, but...” Night Light pauses, but his mouth moves like he wants to say something, but can't find the courage or the words to do so. Eventually he sighs with a sickly wheeze he hugs Twilight as tight as he can, which is not very strong. It is weak and flimsy, and he can only rest his head against his daughter's shoulder to enforce his love. “I just wanted to see you again. It has been too long since we shared a moment of our time.”

Twilight tenses, and even when she returns the hug, her arms might as well have been wood, making for a weak, awkward hug.

“I miss you, too,” she says quietly.

Night Light runs his fingers along Twilight back in smooth strokes that brings a sense of comfort to the mare.

“I know we haven't been a family for a long time, but know that what I do, I do because I love you and Shining,” says Night Light. “You two are my world, but sometimes... Sometimes the best thing you can do is send away the ones you love.”

Twilight nods. “I know.”

Night Light pulls away from Twilight, grabs her hand and gently places two pendants on her palm before delicately guiding her fingers to curl around it like a fist. She looks down at her hand, confused, then she looks up at Night Light with tears in her eyes. Something is wrong and she can feel it weighing down her heart and choking her of air.

“Are you sure you're alright?” asks Twilight worryingly as she presses her balled hand against her chest.

Night Light offers a comforting smile. “Don't worry, child, I will be well very soon.” Then he puts his hand on Twilight's shoulder and locks his golden eyes with her purple ones. “Give Shining one of which I gave you and tell him that I am sorry for what I did, but I only did it out of love. And be safe. Both of you.”

Twilight nods. “Don't worry, I'll make sure everything will be okay.”

Night Light chuckles and escorts her towards the door with his hand lightly pressed against her shoulder blade.

“Of that, I have no doubt,” says the sick stallion. Then when he is in front of Spike, his sick smile melts into a frown and he points a shaky finger at the drake. “As for you, Master Spike. Keep her safe and do exactly what she says.”

Spike rolls his eyes. “Sure.” Twilight smack's the back of Spike's head, making him lurch forward and growl irritably as his reptilian eyes narrow at her. But seeing as she shows no signs of apologizing, he sighs and looks at the King with a very forced, thin smile. “Consider it done, Your Majesty.”

oooOOOooo

A little over an hour after Twilight's meeting with Nightlight, she and Spike reach the destination they traveled three months to get to. The Canterlot Archives. But much to the duo's dismay, Blueblood has insisted on escorting them, thus spoiling the view the two have of the flowery vine engravings leading up to the sun above the entrance.

In front of the Archives is guarded by a gate and a pair of ivory and gold armored soldiers, standing like statues just as their counterparts in the Royal Chambers. It takes Twilight reciting her title, vouching for Spike, and a nod from Blueblood for the guards to open the gate.

Twilight's eye twitches slightly and Spike cringes with annoyance while Blueblood remains steady as the steel gate opens. Its hinges creak and scrape against each other as the bars scratch against the stone tile, and when it hits the wall, its metallic echo reverberates throughout the dark chamber. The other guard then grabs a torch from the wall, uses his magic to light its flame and then dips it on a channel just barely above his head. Instantly, a trail of fire speeds all throughout the Archives, lighting it up with a gentle glow and revealing easily hundreds of rows tightly packed shelves of scrolls and books. That makes Twilight forget all about the repulsive presence of Blueblood.

A massive smile grows on Twilight as she clasps her hands together up to her chest and releases an ecstatic gasp. Spike however, groans and drops his head while Bloodblood stares at all the accumulated dust and caked in dirt with disgust.

“At long last I can finally do research,” says Twilight, finishing with a dreamy sigh.

“The joys of boredom,” quips Spike quietly.

Twilight's smile and joy disappears in a half of a blink as she snaps her head towards him, scowling. “Did you forget why we are here in the first place?”

“Hey, I'm allowed to be bored!”

“This place is filthy,” comments Blueblood with his nose scrunching up as though he is about to sneeze. “Surely you, a Princess of Canterlot, do not want to spend your evening locked in this place with all this dirt.”

Twilight looks at Blueblood. “You do know that I travel a lot, right? That means I don't care about dirt.”

“It is not appropriate for a mare such as yourself to be cooped up in here when you should be enjoying banquets and conversations with the nobles of Unicornia with a pleasant view of the land.”

“Maybe some other time, Blueblood. But I can't right now because me and Spike have too much work to do.”

Blueblood steps behind Twilight and puts his hands on her shoulders while he leans over her so his breath can warm her ears. “Why don't you let your servant fetch what you seek while you relax.”

Blueblood's fingers dig into Twilight's shoulders with his thumbs kneading her shoulders, but despite the pleasant feeling that occurs, she still pulls away from him and jabs her finger against his chest.

“He's not my servant, Blueblood!” yells Twilight furiously with flames flickering from her hands and mane. “He's my assistant! And there is no way in Tartarus I'm going to be relaxing around you, so take your perverted mind somewhere else and zap off!”

Blueblood recoils and Spike stares at the two with enlarged eyes. The pale stallion's eyes are also big with shock, but they quickly shrink down to the narrow slits of hostility and he growls as he tugs the wrinkles out of his outfit.

“Your manners are appalling, Princess,” says the stallion, his voice rumbling with barely contained rage, “but I shall leave you be in this dingy room, as per your wish. Besides, I must be off to see if Mistress Rarity has properly fixed my clothes for the Gala.”

Blueblood huffs, tilts his nose in the air and does an about-face before briskly walking out of the room. Twilight and Spike watch him until he rounds the corner, and when that happens, Spike looks at Twilight and she looks down, taking deep breaths to get the flames simmered down.

“You okay, there, Twilight?” asks Spike carefully.

Twilight takes another breath, then hurries past Spike to get to the wealth of scrolls awaiting them. “Come on, Spike. We've got work to do.”

oooOOOooo

Nearly four hours later, Twilight is laying in her chair, arms dangling to the floor, jaw wide open with drool pooling out of the corner of her mouth, and a soft snore matching every small rise and fall of her chest. Scattered around her are dozens of scrolls either carelessly tossed aside or hastily rolled up and pushed away. Twilight is at peace and no one can interrupt her. Not even an odd mare sneaking up behind her, snickering quietly to herself. When the mare is next to Twilight, she gradually lifts her hand up next to the sleeping unicorn's ear, and then brings it down as hard as she can!

BANG!!!

Twilight flails in her seat, screaming with her mane standing and has to grip the table so she doesn't topple to the floor with her chair. When she stops, her heart is beating like the wings of a hummingbird and her eyes are large while her fingers leave scratches in the table. She takes a breath, wipes her messy, multi-purple mane out of her eyes and glares towards the source of the cruel joke.

“Spike, I'm going to-!”

Twilight halts her tongue when she sees an earth pony mare with a pink coat and a dark pink, puffy mane staring at her with a wide grin. She is definitely not from Canterlot since her attire consists of a dirty, brown colored long coat that partially covers a worn out burgundy shirt with a poorly tied vest, and a large cylindrical case on her back with a hammer somehow clipped to her belt. But Twilight does not care about appearances, what she more cares about is the scroll that the stranger is holding towards her and the popped paper bag in her other hand.

“Did you pop that next to my ear?” asks Twilight, her finger aimed at the destroyed paper bag.

“Sure did!” says the stranger with pride and a voice that can safely be described as bubbly. Then she bumps the scroll against Twilight's nose, her smile growing uncomfortably larger. “And I think you were looking for this.”

Twilight is hesitant, but still she grabs it and unrolls just the tip, and upon seeing the entry, her eyes widen and she looks up at the pink earth pony.

“Where did you-” Then doubt seeps in and Twilight frowns suspiciously at the earth pony. “How do I know this isn't a joke?”

The earth pony giggles. “Silly filly, if I wanted to play a joke on you, I would have tied your shoelaces together.”

“That's... juvenile.”

“Yeah, but growing up is boring, so I'll take that as a compliment.” The pink pony then clicks her tongue and snaps her fingers to point at Twilight. “See ya around, Twilight.”

And then the strange mare skips out of the archives, singing a song about “scrolls, wonderful scrolls”, leaving Twilight alone and confused about what just happened. She almost questions how the stranger knew her name, but is quick to remember that she is a celebrity in her own right, so she pushes it aside and goes to read the scroll that was given to her.

=====000=====

Year 77 of the Age of Nightmares

Here follows the account of Starswirl Quartz, High King of Unicornia, and the finding of The Amulet of the King.

I have slain the Dark King Sombra by removing his head from his body at the slopes of Mount Dread. The battle was great and costly for us all. Lord Hurricane fell at the hands of Queen Nightmare Moon, maiden of the Dark King, and Prince Buck passed from his wounds shortly after injuring Queen Chrysalis on the tundra. To where she has fled, we know not, but her changelings have scattered and it is my best hope that they remain leaderless.

Many of my stallions, as well as the alicorns from the legions of Armonia, perished in the final battle against the forces of the Nightmare, leaving the Frozen North scarred and layered with countless bodies, furthering its pact with Tartarus. But even treasures can be found in condemned places. Some even call to us, like the Amulet of the King.

I know it has come to me out of destiny, for it called me, bringing with it gifts of immense knowledge, all for me to take and use. It spoke to me from the very pool of blood it laid in, but Celestia wished it to be destroyed by my hand.

I refused her.

She knew what it was, as did I, and I could not let my destiny slip away, much less be destroyed by my own free will.

I know with this Amulet I can finally restore Unicornia to the age that was taken from us by the Nightmare War. With this Amulet, I can guide my nation to its rightful place as the sole ruler of Equestria, from where we will pass our judgment amongst the lesser states from the glory of Canterlot. And with this Amulet and the knowledge it possesses, I know we can one day usurp Faust and the Grand Alicorns of Paradise.

In my lifetime I doubt I will see our ascension, but I will see no harm comes to the Amulet, for the sake of my race. I have marked it with a spell that should the diamond and flames it is consumed with turn green, all will know that it belongs to me and those who carry my bloodline. And this will mark the covenant I have made with the Amulet of the King, ensuring the fate of myself and my descendants will remain bound to it, and in return it will lead the unicorn race to godhood.

=====000=====

Twilight blinks in disbelief at what she has just read. She rereads the entry a few more times, specifically the last paragraph, half a dozen more times just to make sure her eyes are not deceiving her. With the words remaining the same, Twilight holds the parchment up to the light in search of a secret message, and when that doesn't work she tuns around to see nothing but blankness.

Twilight mutters unintelligibly to herself and throws the parchment back on the table and slumps in her chair, hand shaking and fingers raking through her mane. Her eye are huge as they stare at the calligraphy on the scroll, wanting to refuse what she has just read, but knowing full well that she cannot deny it. Ever since Granny Smith's revelation, the stacking evidence has been overwhelming, and the account of Starswirl only makes Twilight want to deny what is happening even stronger.

“This is... wrong,” says Twilight to herself.

“What?” says Spike as he walks up behind Twilight, yawning.

Twilight slumps over the table as she rubs her forehead and brows while shaking her head. She wants to deny it all, but it is getting harder to do so. Her only consolation of it all is that the entry has given her one last clue that will either put her ultimate fear to rest or make it alive and very real.

“Spike, get the horses ready. We need to leave for Greenhill tonight,” says Twilight without taking her hand off of her face.

Spike nods and leaves the room, stretching, and Twilight's horn glows and with a flick of her wrist, the scroll rolls up and flies into her hand. Then Twilight get up and goes to hurry out of the room. The first step is just fine, maybe a little tug that Twilight does not pay much mind to, but the second step makes her foot feel like it is chained to her other foot and before anything can be done, the poor unicorn face-plants the stone floor with a loud thud!

Twilight gets a great taste of the dirt caked into the floor and her face throbs with pain as she sits up, groaning and rubbing the red growing along her muzzle. Then she looks over her shoulder and tilts her feet up to see what had caused her to fall, and that is when she realizes that the pink menace had somehow tied her shoelaces together. Smoke literally rises from her mane.

“Really!?”

***Author Has Requested A Critique***

It Is Not Secret. It Is Not Safe.

The moon is shrouded by a veil of thin, gray clouds, and the icy air hangs over the outskirts of Foalington. Not a creature stirred and not a single gust of wind blew against the frosty grass as a group of nine cloaked figures approached a mansion built into the side of a hill. The light shines through the shutters like thin beacons and the thick smoke puffing from the chimney bleeds into the sky, where it dissipates into nothing.

The nine figures' tattered cloaks drag across the grass, leaving a trail of frozen footprints and freezing the air around them. When they reach the circular door, the leader raises his armored glove made of sharp, black metal and politely knocks on the door.

“Who is it?” calls a stallion from the other side.

None of them answer. The cloaked leader knocks again. This time with less patience.

“Who is it!?” says the stallion, now clearly annoyed.

The cloaked figure decides he does not want to waste any more time, so he does the next best thing. He kicks the door right off of its hinges and sends the shattered wood skidding and bouncing across the floor. The occupants, Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara, shriek and leap up from the dinner table, knocking over their chairs and spilling their drinks in the process.

“Filthy Rich,” hisses the leader, his raspy voice distorted like a voice in the wind as it marches towards the stallion in question with his eight partners in tow.

Filthy Rich stammers and backs up while Diamond Tiara shrinks behind him, shaking and whimpering. The candles blow out in their abode and frost spreads from underneath the nine intruders as they stare at the two pale foalings with their completely shrouded faces.

“You have done business with Purity Smith, and she has something we want,” continues the leader.

“Then-then go to her, you-you scoundrel!” shouts Filthy Rich in pathetic defiance, shivering with frost growing on his brown fur.

The leader marches forward an grabs Filthy Rich by his neck and slams him against the wall. Diamond Tiara screams and tries to make an escape, but is grabbed by another cloaked figure and thrown to the ground. She cries out in pain when the assailant stomps on her back with his sharp boot, easily slicing through her expensive dress and ripping her skin.

“DIAMOND!” yells Filthy Rich

“Where is Purity Smith's estate?” says the leader, his grip now tightening around Filthy Rich's neck.

“Down south! Past the river! It is the last one past the mill!” cries Filthy Rich.

“Thank you, foaling.”

Quicker than a blink, the air around the disguised figure's hand freezes, and a jagged, ice blade erupts from his glove, nailing Filthy Rich's head to the wall. He easily pulls his hand out from the ice blade and steps back, marveling at how the blade goes through Filthy Rich's chin and out the back of his head. He takes another step back when the body slides off and crumbles to the floor with a growing pool of blood, and he looks at Diamond Tiara when she starts screaming and sobbing. The cloaked figure holding her hostage quickly silences her by nailing her to the floor using his own ice blade to stab her through her heart. Seconds later, the murderer yanks out the blade and steps away, leaving her pool of blood to engulf the red dots and creep around his armored boots.

“What is next, Starswirl?” asks the one who killed Diamond Tiara.

The leader starts towards the exit, adjusting his sharp glove along the way. “Nothing has changed, Medallion. We will find the Amulet, and kill the one who has it.”

=====O=====

At the local pub, foalings sit around the tables for their special cliques. One clump has the sailors and builders; another has the farmers and chefs; another has the high maintenance; and everything in between has the loners. Apple Bloom is currently sitting in a lonely position at a small table in the back of the pub, wearing her usual plaid shirt and overalls with dark bags under her eyes.

Apple Bloom's ears barely pick up the happy chatter of the groups as her fingers glide over the smooth surface of the Amulet. The Amulet has a metallic hum that appears every time she rubs it, and she knows it is talking to her somehow. Every night, for the past six months since Twilight left, she has been studying the odd item every chance she gets, and she always hear it whisper her name. And today is no different.

“Apple Bloom,” whispers the Amulet.

Apple Bloom's ear twitches, and she barely lifts her eyes from the trinket as her heart thumps in her ears, slow and steady, like hellish drums. Her hand unconsciously grips the Amulet tighter as she warily watches the patrons cling their mugs and shout praises while others gorge their food with broad smiles.

“Come to me.”

Apple Bloom looks around the room. Everything seems to be stretching and breaking into lines as the light from the candles and fireplace grow and morph into green. Her hand shakes, but still she watches as the green flames consume everything.

“Abandon them.”

“Abandon?” whimpers Apple Bloom, her body now shaking and her breathing shallow as tears roll down her cheeks.

The patrons and pub break into ashy flakes and are consumed by the green flames as a single black dot appears in the middle of the fire wall. The dot grows and stretches like a reptilian pupil, and the flames swirl around it. The Eye grows and the pupil contracts, like a predator seeing its prey, and Apple Bloom can only watch helplessly as the Eye grows larger.

“Return what is not yours.”

“Where?” asks Apple Bloom, her voice cracking and face becoming drenched as tears bleed from her bloodshot, puffy eyes.

Then a hand clamps down on her shoulder and Apple Bloom shrieks and jumps in her chair, releasing the Amulet in the process. Pipsqueak also yells and jumps back, quickly retracting his hand, and the Eye disappears, allowing everything to return to normal.

Apple Bloom stares at Pipsqueak with bulged eyes and deep, ragged breaths as beads of sweat chill her neck and forehead. She places her hand over her racing heart to keep it from thumping in her ears, and Pipsqueak takes another step back, fidgeting nervously.

“I-I'm sorry, Apple Bloom. I didn't mean to scare you,” says Pipsqueak quickly over a spontaneous roar of laughter.

Apple Bloom glances at the patrons, swallowing a large amount of air to calm herself down before looking at Pipsqueak again. “It's okay. I guess I have been a little jumpy, lately.”

“You actually do look pretty sick.”

Apple Bloom carefully slides the Amulet into her pocket as she rubs some crust from her eyes. “I haven't been sleeping well ever since Granny left. I guess I'm just worried.”

Pipsqueak looks at her for a moment before taking a deep breath and sitting across from her. Apple Bloom looks at him quizzically, but doesn't say anything to question why he did that.

“Well, she did disappear in front of everypony and wasn't seen since. I'd be worried, too, if my mum or dad did that,” says Pipsqueak. There is a moment of awkward silence before he speaks again. “Would you care to join me and the others? You look awfully lonely and sad over here.”

Apple Bloom looks past Pipsqueak and sees Button Mash sitting with Truffle Shuffle and Twist. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are there, too, but it looks like they are arguing about something while the others watch with amused smiles.

Apple Bloom forces a thin smile and looks back Pipsqueak. “It's okay, Pipsqueak, I actually need to head on home. I'm pretty tired and have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? Not even a drink or two of cider before you go?”

Pipsqueak flashes a nervous smile and Apple Bloom returns it with a genuine one of her own, even if it is small and tired.

“I'm sure. Enjoy your night, okay?” says Apple Bloom.

She gets up and pats Pipsqueak on the shoulder, smiling just a bit wider when she feels him tense and see his cheeks burn from her touch, then she trudges out of the pub.

~~~~~~~~~~

Apple Bloom takes her time walking back home, attempting to enjoy the warm night and beautiful stars. Such a night would be easier to enjoy if she didn't have the spiders crawling up and down her back with the idea that she is being watches.

Apple Bloom's eyes glide along the looming trees and dim houses of Greenhill, waiting to see what shadowy figure will come out to kill her. She wants to hold the Amulet, too, but remembers that last time she held on to it too tight the Burning Eye appeared. She does not want to see that again, and a part of her wonders if Granny Smith ever saw anything like that with all of her years holding the Amulet. To keep herself from clutching the strange object, she brings her hands to her chest and rubs them together, still watching her surroundings and pausing when she hears footsteps behind her.

She turns around and sees an elderly couple walk behind her, giggling about something, and she continues watching them until they walk out of sight. Apple Bloom sighs with relief and starts walking again.

It takes her about fifteen minutes to reach her home, and she reaches for her keys, freezing when she thinks she hears some branches shift. Apple Bloom looks behind her and to her sides, heart now beating quicker, and she swallows and unlocks her door when she sees nothing. But right as she opens the door, someone jumps out from what seems like thin air and hooks his muscular arms around her waist while clamping his clawed hands over her muzzle.

Apple Bloom's eyes snap wide open and her scream is reduced to a loud muffle as she is pulled away from her door so fast that her world becomes a blur. When they come to a stop, she sees Twilight run past Spike and stand between them and the door, face scrunched with a fierce determination to protect in her eyes.

“Fos, kaló se sas! Spáste ton Skoteinó!” bellows Twilight. She claps her hands together, and from between them and her horn comes a purple burst of magic that creates a semi-transparent bubble.

The spell quickly engulfs the three of them and Granny Smith's manor, but when the translucent barrier reaches them, the Burning Eye appears in Apple Bloom's mind with a great pain. Tears are brought to her eyes as hot talons rip into her brain and scratch behind her eyes.

Spike gently lowers her to the ground as she whimpers and rubs her head. Seconds later, she slowly opens her eyes, barely seeing her world through the teary haze. She feels Spike rubbing her shoulder and asking her if she is okay, but she ignores him and keeps her focus on Twilight, who is slumped against the rounded doorway. Like Apple Bloom, she appears to be in pain and is rubbing her head and has her eyes closed

“Do you have the Amulet?” asks Twilight between her labored breaths with one eye opened to look at Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom sniffles and nods, and wordlessly she pulls the Amulet out of her pocket to show Twilight, confused about the duo's antics. Spike looks between the Amulet and Twilight, and the unicorn takes a ragged breath before she stands all the way up.

“There's no one else. Let's get inside,” she says.

Spike ushers Apple Bloom inside, and as soon as both mares are in the abode, he scans the area one last time before shutting and locking the door.

The house is dark, but that is quickly changed when Twilight shoots a fireball into the fireplace, instantly creating a flame that would be pleasant to look at if everyone wasn't so terrified at the moment.

“Toss the Amulet into the fire,” orders Twilight.

Apple Bloom balks at Twilight. “What? Why?”

“Just do it!”

Apple Bloom jumps and throws the onyx colored jewelery into the flames, and the flames instantly become green and shoot out in all directions, licking the floor, walls and ceiling. Apple Bloom shrieks and jumps back with Spike and Twilight extends her hand in a defensive reflex to put up a purple shield that covers the three of them. The green flames roll around the small shield like burning oil, and Apple Bloom's jaw drops and she clutches Spike's waist and shrinks behind him when a black slit forms above them, creating a reptilian eye in the flames.

The dark slit narrows and speaks into their minds in a long drawn out whisper. “I see you.”

The flames pulsate with the eye, and Apple Bloom's world breaks apart in burning flakes to reveal a world behind it. A world filled with a blood red sky covered by a veil of black clouds, and all around her are mangled corpses lying and burnt trees and skeletons of homes and shops. Everything is covered in snow that reflects the red in the sky. Apple Bloom is too afraid to move, and she looks at her arm when she feels something clamping around her.

Her eyes widen and her heartbeats and breathing become heavy as her tears and sweat freeze on her coat for the sight before her. On her arm is a layer of ice that is digging into her arm like claws, and they curve inside, ripping past her sleeve and shredding her skin as they hook inside, drawing a profuse amount of blood that freezes before it falls to the snow.

Apple Bloom shrieks in pain and drops to her knees as she tries to get the ice off. Her fingers claw uselessly at it, and the ice grows into a hand, then into an arm, and when Apple Bloom's arm is covered in a shell of frozen blood, the ice turns into a body with glowing green eyes in its head.

All the air is sucked out of her lungs and the ice demon snatches her by her throat and lifts her up, still keeping its claws hooked into her arm and its frozen fingers digging into her throat, drawing more blood. The ice making up the head sprouts a maw, and it opens wide to display jagged teeth and a swirling mix of green and purple haze in the back of its throat.

“Return what is not yours,” orders the abomination, his voice echoing in Apple Bloom's mind like it is her own thoughts giving her demands.

Apple Bloom shivers and her throat closes as her eyes freeze, and the monster's eyes narrow while its grip tightens around her throat. And just when Apple Bloom thinks the creature is going to kill her, Twilight's voice echoes in the air, and there comes a strong whoosh of wind and everything disappears into a dark silence. Seconds later, Apple Bloom cracks an eye open, breathing labored and sweat clinging to her, and sees that the flames have died down to a more normal level. They are still green, and their explosive growth has left everything around them charred, but now they are flickering peacefully.

Apple Bloom looks at the Amulet and sees that it is pulsating green, and she looks at Twilight and sees that she is pale and still has her hand extended, but no longer has her shield up. She also notices that Spike has a tight grip on her shoulders, and when she lifts her eyes, she sees that the drake's eyes are about ready to pop from his head from how large they are.

“What... What was that?” asks Apple Bloom between her panting when she looks at Twilight again.

Twilight takes a deep breath, runs her trembling fingers through her mane, then looks at Apple Bloom with worry. “We need to talk.”

~~~~~~~~~~

A few minutes later, Twilight and Apple Bloom are sitting in the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea in their hands, even though they are too stressed to take a sip. Spike is sitting not too far from them, scrunched up in one of Granny Smith's easy chairs with his blade angled to the floor and his whetstone gliding over its sleek blade.

In between them, with nothing else on the table besides the cups of tea, is the Amulet of the King. Its red ruby has a faint glow to it and the dark magic radiating from it sends a shiver up Apple Bloom's spine.

“I didn't want to believe it, and I exhausted every option to disprove its return,” begins Twilight shamefully, her gaze fixated on the cursed object. “But I cannot deny this any longer. This is the Amulet of the King. Forged by King Sombra with the aid of Queen Nightmare Moon in the fires of Mount Dread. It was taken by Starswirl from Sombra's own corpse at the Mountain's slopes during the last battle of the Nightmare War and lost for centuries after his passing.”

“Then Granny found it,” says Apple Bloom softly, her eyes also having trouble breaking away from the Amulet's siren qualities as the weight of the situation eases itself on her shoulders, slowly suffocating her thoughts with terror.

Twilight nods. “In a cave that belonged to a creature named Gloomy.” When Apple Bloom looks up in question, the unicorn continues speaking. “The Amulet remained with Purity in a state of slumber, and in turn, she was able to delay her aging and remain somewhat unaffected by its dark influences.”

There is a moment where the mares do not share a word. Only the metallic slides of whetstone on steel from Spike's hobby to the crackling flames provide any noise, and it only adds to the tension in the air.

“But,” starts Twilight with a heavy sigh, “now the greatest threat to Equestria has returned. The forces of Sombra are rebuilding in the Frozen North. The Amulet has awoken. It has heard its master's call.”

“But that's impossible!” shouts Apple Bloom frightfully. “Sombra was killed! His head was cut off, wasn't it? How's anypony s'possed ta live after somethin' like that!?”

Just then, the room dims and the wind screams past the window, making Spike pause his sharpening and glance cautiously at the window. The two mares also look out the window, and when their lungs become heavy like the air has suddenly turned to stone, they look back at the Amulet. Apple Bloom's heart thumps in her ears and she has to gulp for air while Twilight remains stern and stares at the object defiantly. Seconds later, the terrible wind stops, the light resumes, and the air becomes light as it should be. With that, Twilight looks back at Apple Bloom, her demeanor and expression heavy with worry.

“Sombra's body was destroyed, but he has bound his spirit -his very life- to the Amulet, and the Amulet survived,” says Twilight grimly. “It is only a matter of time before Sombra's forces regain their former strength and bring darkness back to Equestria. And all he needs to make his victory absolute is this.”

Twilight taps at the table just before the Amulet without breaking eye contact from Apple Bloom.

“Sombra cannot get the Amulet. We must keep it away from him, no matter the costs,” finishes Twilight, her tone as dark as before.

Apple Bloom's eyes narrow and a flare of determination burns through her veins as she snatches up the Amulet and hurries to the study, eyes darting around in search for a suitable place to hide it. Twilight and Spike follow close behind her, watching and dreading what else they must tell her.

“Okay, then we'll just put it away somewhere safe,” says Apple Bloom with shaky confidence. “We'll hide it somewhere where nopony can find it and we'll never say a word about it ever again!”

Apple Bloom pauses and looks at the Amulet again when it whispers to her a warning that she is certain no one but her can hear. She swallows a lump in her throat and tightens her grip on it, feeling its dark magic bleed into her and make her skin crawl as she turns to face Twilight and Spike, pale with worry.

“No pony knows it's here, do they?” asks Apple Bloom, her voice quivering. When she gets only silence as a response, she steps forward, shaking even more. “Do they, Twilight?”

Spike and Twilight exchange looks before the unicorns sighs heavily and kneels down to grip Apple Bloom's shoulders, eyes burdened with fear and regret.

“I'm not sure,” she says quietly. “We can only assume that Sombra knows that it is here and will be coming to get it very soon.” Twilight tightens her grip on Apple Bloom's shoulder and says in a heavy tone: “Apple Bloom, you must leave Greenhill tonight.”

Tears swell in Apple Bloom's eyes and she swallows a rocky lump in her throat before nodding in understanding and moving to pack up her things. She is quick in stuffing her travel pack with clothing and Twilight levitates an assortment of food and cookware her way, which she yanks out of the air and puts them in the appropriate spot. The whole time the two mares are packing, Spike keeps his eyes on the study window, watching with predatory intensity as his hand rubs the hilt of his blade.

“Where should I go?” asks Apple Bloom while clipping a pan to the side of her travel pack.

“Go to Breeze and meet me and Spike at Kulmsy K's,” says Twilight hastily.

“Meet you? Where are you going?”

“I need some advice. Dark magic is not my specialty, but there is a wizard who has done extensive research into it. She'll know what to do with the Amulet.”

Apple Bloom nods and grabs a walking stick that Twilight hands to her.

“Also, don't go by Apple Bloom any more or refer to Purity or Granny Smith. You'll need another name for the road. Which reminds me, stay off the road and travel only by night,” continues Twilight.

Apple Bloom thinks for a moment before suggesting: “I could go by Honeycrisp?”

“Good enough. And if for some reason me and Spike are not there or do not send any word of our whereabouts within the next three weeks, leave with Shining Armor to Armonia.”

“Who?”

Twilight pauses for a second. “Shining Armor... My brother...”

“Ya never said ya had a brother.”

Twilight blinks. “Oh. Well, he's a big unicorn. White coat, blue mane with different shades and blue eyes. He will more than likely be drunk and look like a hobo if you meet him, but you can trust him.”

Apple Bloom is about to say something about that, but Spike's nostrils flare and lifts his fingers to his lips, motioning for silence. Twilight looks at him worryingly as she guides Apple Bloom to the ground, and Spike tilts his head towards the window, slowly drawing his sword from its sheath.

Twilight nods and grabs her sword's hilt as well, using her magic to cover it in a purple glow as she pulls it out. At first there is silence, but once the leaves outside the study window rustle, Apple Bloom tenses and bites down on her hand to stifle the terrified whimper while the other two inch closer, each taking a different side.

Once by the window, the rustling resumes and Twilight pushes the window open while Spike launches his hand out and grabs his target with a very terrified yelp satisfying to his ears. Spike then yanks the sneaky fiend out of their spot, right through the window as if they had been nothing more than a pillow, and slams them down on the table. The table shakes as he slams the intruder -which just happens to be a foaling- down on it and smoke pours past his exposed fangs as he growls over her whimpers. She kicks her legs and tries to pry his hand off, but that only encourages him to clamp harder around her neck and bring his blade closer to her face. She stops moving and making noise when it is touching her rounded nose.

“Who are you! Who sent you! Start talking, NOW!” orders Spike viciously.

It doesn't take Apple Bloom a second to realize who Spike has grabbed and slammed on her table.

“Spike, that's Twist!” cries Apple Bloom frantically as she pushes the dragon away. He reluctantly releases his captive and Apple Bloom helps Twist up, and together they brush twigs and leaves off of her clothes. When that is done, Apple Bloom glares at Spike. “That was rude!”

“No, what was rude was her eavesdropping,” says Twilight as she puts her weapon away and frowns at the awkward foaling.

“I wasn't eavesdropping, Twilight, honest,” says Twist shakily as she pushes her fingers together. “I was just delivering candy to Apple Bloom when I saw a strange light and I came to investigate.”

Apple Bloom face palms and Twilight raises a brow while Spike shakes his head. Twist flashes a nervous smile and begins walking backwards, hands clapping together as they go back and forth in exaggerated swings.

“But I didn't see anything strange, so have a good night everypony, and, Apple Bloom, I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow,” says Twist anxiously as she backs up, oblivious to Spike making his way behind her.

Though, when her back bumps into spike, she freezes and lifts her head up to meet the taller drake's eyes. The purple dragon then releases a low, throaty growl and she yelps and scampers towards Apple Bloom. Once behind Apple Bloom, Twist shrinks back, shivering with fright and the redheaded foaling glares at Spike again.

“Twist, what exactly did you hear?” says Twilight sternly.

Twist gulps and Spike steps forward, snorting flame from his nostrils and through his fangs.

“SPEAK!” roars the dragon, making everyone jump. When Twilight turns to him, looking slightly annoyed, his ferocious look melts into an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”

Twilight shakes her head and turns back to Twist, who is now trembling and whimpering in her spot. “Tell us everything you heard, and don't leave anything out. I'll know if you do.”

“I don't think it was anything important. There was the whole amulet thing, something about a headless king and the end of the world. Average things. Can I go home now?”

“No.” Twilight steps forward and leans towards the foaling like a mother preparing to punish a child, making both foalings retreat a couple of steps. “I'm going to get some use out of you.”

Author's Note

Inspiration and motivation are wonderful things. So is speed typing.

Anyway's if you will be so kind as to post your thoughts on this chapter (likes, dislikes, etc.), that would be great!

The Power of Fear

The lush landscape of Foalington glimmers as the barely rising sun warms the dew clinging to the vegetation. Apple Bloom and Twist have hitched a ride with Twilight and Spike on their respective horses, with the redhead clutching tightly to the unicorn and the awkward foaling clinging to Spike. Both foalings are covered in thick, durable clothing made of brown vests and pants and dark green long sleeves and cloaks to help them blend in better with their surroundings. Because Apple Bloom is stronger than Twist, she is carrying the cookware as well as her backpack of clothing, a sleep roll and a map Twilight has given her. Twist also has a sleep roll, spare clothing and is carrying their rations as well as some medical supplies.

Their taller counterparts have taken the two deep into the forest, far off any trail and away from civilization. Not a home or soul is in sight, and the two foalings have actually fallen asleep and are only awoken when the horses they are riding on jerk to a stop, whining and snorting over the voices of Spike and Twilight.

Apple Bloom blinks and rubs her eyes of crust while Twilight slides off of her horse. She then extends her hand to Apple Bloom and helps her off when she takes it. Once on the ground, Twilight removes the walking stick from her horse's saddle and hands it to Apple Bloom. Spike mirrors Twilight's motions and ushers Twist next to Apple Bloom.

“This is where we leave you,” says Twilight. “Remember what I said. Stay off the road and be careful. Sombra has spies everywhere.” Her eyes dart up to the trees when some birds bat their wings and caw. The group watches the birds until they are out of sight, then Twilight looks back at Apple Bloom. “Whatever you do, keep it out of sight.”

The final part of her statement makes Apple Bloom swallow nervously and press her hand against a large pocket she has tied shut. She can feel the Amulet's hard surface against her palm, but she has the thick burlap wrapping tied around the cursed object. No one, she hopes, will be able to see it.

Twilight kneels down, places her hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder and looks right into her golden eyes. “Never use it, Apple Bloom. It wants to be found and using it will draw Sombra's forces to you.”

Apple Bloom's color drains, but she still nods her head vigorously as her hand tightens on her walking stick.

Twilight nods with Apple Bloom and pats her on the shoulder. “Stay safe. Both of you.” Then she stands up and looks at Spike as she marches back to her horse. “Spike, let's go.”

Spike nods, looks at the two foalings and wishes them luck before he hops on his horse. Twilight kicks her horse's ribs and yells for it to go, and Spike follows her lead, and the two ride off with kicked up grass in their wake, leaving the two foalings alone in the forest.

They wait for a few seconds, flinching when the birds in the trees fly away in a frenzy of flaps and caws. Apple Bloom nervously watches the birds take to the sky, noting how black their feathers are, and when they are out of sight, she sighs heavily and starts walking.

“Let's go,” says Apple Bloom, her angst clear and her steps timid.

Twist nods, tightens her grip on her walking stick and follows Apple Bloom through the forest, terrified about what horrors await them.

=====O=====

It takes Twilight and Spike a few days to reach their destination, and when they do, they stop for only a moment at the crest of a hill that lies just past the Everfree Forest so they can give their horses a break. The horses nicker and flail their manes with a shake their heads as the two riders observe the pleasant view below.

Their destination is surrounded by farmland that is being tended by scattered workers, and past the farm field is a bare wall that easily goes a hundred feet tall. The wall protects cluster of simple houses and an azure tower that stands almost three hundred feet with a star tipped wand engraved on it for all to see. The gems making up the wand's five point star glitter in the retreating sun, treating everyone who stumbles on the Lulamoon Sanctuary with a grand welcome and a signal for all those weary of travel that a place of rest is available.

“I think those gems are brighter,” says Spike, squinting his eyes and leaning forward slightly.

“That wouldn't surprise me,” says Twilight with an amused smile. “Trixie always has to flaunt, one way or the other.”

Spike nods in agreement, and Twilight clicks her tongue and gently encourages her horse to move forward. The drake follows close behind, and as they go through the surrounding farmland, the workers pause to offer friendly smiles and waves, which are returned in kind. They continue towards a large gate that is made up of metal bars crossing over each other, and it is soon pulled open by the pair of guards stationed there. The guards are wearing basic leather armor with an azure star stitched on their shirt's shoulders, and they step aside warmly greet them.

As Twilight and Spike travel down the cobblestone road, they pass small shops and fruit stands bustling with activity. Unlike the workers outside, the civilians inside the wall seem too busy with their daily routines to notice. The most attention the duo receives is a quick apology or odd stare when one of them walks in front of their horses.

They keep going until they reach the base of the tower, which is surrounded by a lush green lawn and has thick bushes of blue flowers lining the dark wall. The Gothic double doors at the top of the enormous staircase would be an imposing sight for most, but seeing as how Twilight and Spike have been inside many times they know it is just decoration.

A few seconds of staring later, and the double doors are pulled apart with a metallic groan to reveal a group consisting of seven ponies and a griffin. Six of the seven ponies are stallions that are wearing the same leather armor as the gate guards, and they are following an azure unicorn mare.

The mare they are following is younger and shorter than Twilight, and her curling, silver mane and tail adds to her alluring complexion her and a smile that swells with rampant ego. She is wearing an elaborate blue cape with purple, star studded trim, a long pointy hat and a dark blue tunic underneath that has golden buttons running up the middle with a sheathed sword attached to her belt.

The griffin that is traveling with them is also a female, and unlike the unicorn, her expression is hard and her body is tense from her constant guarded state. She is slightly older than the unicorn, has white plumage with light purple feathers around her golden eyes, and is donning a metal curiass with shoulder pads that have the blue star on it, and underneath all that is a long sleeve chainmail shirt. Clipped to her belt is a sheathed saber, and her talons look to be sharpened while her wings have sheets of metal over their base and her boots have curved blades on the tips. The griffin's appearance always makes Twilight and Spike nervous, but just as Twilight has Spike as her guardian and assistant, this mare has the griffin.

Twilight and Spike dismount when the group reaches the bottom of the stairs, and the unicorn's egotistical smile is whisked away by a gleeful gasp and stars in her eyes.

“Twilight, it is you! What a surprise! Trixie just returned from a trip not too long ago!” chirps the azure mare, hands clamped together by her cheek.

“I needed to thank you for that firework you put into my stash,” says Twilight with a playful smile.

The two mares are quick to embrace, and Trixie giggles and pats Twilight's back.

“Trixie has no idea what you are talking about.”

Twilight rolls her eyes playfully. “Sure you don't.”

Trixie pulls away, still grinning and hands now clasped in front of her chest and standing on the balls of her feet to meet Twilight's height. “So, what really brings you to Trixie's humble sanctuary? Do you want to see my research into Dark Magic and put a good word to Celestia for me? Or maybe some of nifty artifacts Trixie found when Trixie was traveling with Gilda?”

The griffin, named Gilda, snorts and coolly leans against the stairway base with her arms folded across her chest and eyes lowered to the healthy grass. Her reaction prompts Spike to look at her quizzically, and she, in turn, glances at him.

“What?” says the griffin.

Spike snaps back to Twilight, not wanting to antagonize the griffin any more than he already has, and Trixie orders a couple of her guards to put the weary horses in the stable. Twilight, meanwhile, takes a deep breath and puts her hand on Trixie's shoulder, looking at her solemnly.

“Trixie, I don't have much time. I need to see your notes and I need your expertise in something very important,” says Twilight, her voice heavy and eyes boring deep into Trixie's as her grip tightens on her shoulder. “If you can help me, then I guarantee you that I can convince Celestia to allow you to become her next pupil, even if your... passion is in an art she is uncomfortable with.”

Trixie's smile fades, and she looks at Spike, then back at Twilight again, the gears clearly turning and the joyful glint fading. Moments later, her shoulders go slack and a sigh turns her smile into a worried frown.

“Of course,” says Trixie quietly. She steps aside with her hand aimed at the entrance. “Let us talk inside.”

~~~~~~~~~~

It has been nearly an hour after meeting at the steps of the tower, and now Twilight and Trixie are sitting alone in a chamber with only the light from the single window to provide illumination. They are sitting across from each other at a small table, each with a cup of tea, and during the course of the conversation, Trixie has downed her tea rather quickly whereas Twilight barely touched hers. Now it is cold and tastes disgusting, killing whatever appetite she may have gained over the course of explaining the events surrounding the finding of the Amulet of the King.

“So, what you are telling Trixie is that the Amulet of the King has been with the foalings this whole time and you never sensed it?” says Trixie, head leaning against her hand and eyebrows scrunched in a scrutinizing manner.

“I don't know how I missed it,” says Twilight shamefully. Her eyes are lowered to the tea cup and she can't help but feel like she is being talked down to by a younger, less skilled unicorn than she. Even though the said unicorn has vast more knowledge about the dark side of magic than she does.

Trixie's hard expression softens and she relaxes in her seat, with both of her hands resting on the arms of her chair. “It is nothing to be ashamed of. Most artifacts give off a steady stream of magic that we can sense, but the few that have souls bound to them can sleep for long periods of time.”

“But something as powerful as Sombra's Amulet should have given off incredible power, sleeping or not.”

Trixie shakes her head. “That is where you are wrong. If a bound object is sleeping, it will give off minimal magic that can easily be mistaken for Volos' Pulse. If a soul bound object like the Amulet is awoken by its master, then you will feel something.”

“Like a headache?”

Trixie hums. “That is strange, but not unheard of. That kind of discomfort is reserved for situations where one is somehow related to the object, either by blood or ritual.”

Twilight's body tenses as she recalls the unpleasant reactions around the Amulet and Starswirl's entry.

“Have you been having headaches around the Amulet?” asks Trixie, arching an eyebrow questionably.

“Well... Yes,” says Twilight nervously.

Trixie waits a moment, lightly tapping her chair's arm in thought, then her finger freezes in mid pause and she looks at Twilight with a strange smile. The purple unicorn shifts uncomfortably in her spot from Trixie's odd behavior, and she watches her younger counterpart carefully when she silently stands up and clamps her hands behind her back.

Trixie approaches Twilight with the strange smile growing and an uncomfortable feeling similar to a thousand little pinpricks poking all over the older unicorn's body. Twilight shifts again from the unpleasant feeling, and it only gets worse as the azure mare steps closer.

“If you are feeling this kind of discomfort then you are somehow bound to the Amulet, and that can bode good or ill, depending on how you see it,” says Trixie, now standing above Twilight, staring intently down at her.

“Trust me. It bodes ill,” says Twilight. She stands up and looks at Trixie, who, in turn, lifts her eyes up to keep their eyes connected. “Trixie, we cannot delay any longer. I need you to take me to your notes so we can figure out how to destroy the Amulet before it is too late.”

“Even if its destruction will bring great harm to you?”

Twilight's heart stops and she once again tenses, finding herself wondering what kind of harm Trixie is referring to. Her thoughts on this are interrupted by the tiny blades poking all around her, now more intense because of Trixie's close proximity. She wants to cast a spell to put the discomfort at ease, but she is also curious as to what it is she is feeling, and is worried that any kind of spell cast would alert whatever it is that is causing this feeling.

Thinking back on Trixie's question, Twilight sighs heavily and nods. “You and I both know that the Amulet is too dangerous to be kept locked away. It needs to be destroyed, no matter what, and I am confident that you can help me do that.”

Trixie is silent for a moment before she nods reluctantly, lowering her eyes and spinning on her heels, hands still clamped behind her back. “Follow Trixie to the atrium. She wishes to show you something.”

Twilight stays a pace behind Trixie as she follows her to an atrium down the hall. Twilight is at first confused since she does not see any books or scrolls, or anything pointing to research. All there is is a series of slits for windows and torches between each window that circle the room. In the center is a stone pedestal that has what appears to be a sphere covered in a thick, black cloth on top.

Twilight stops and stares at the covered object suspiciously while Trixie walks next to it and turns to face her while her hand rests on the top of the covered orb.

“So, you wish to destroy the Amulet?” says Trixie.

“That's right. I know it has been lying in wait for a very long time, allowing Sombra to regain much of his strength, but if we act quickly enough, we can counter him,” says Twilight, slowly walking towards the pedestal.

“Has it ever occurred to you that we may not have the time or strength to counter Sombra?”

Twilight stops to look at Trixie. “What do you mean?”

“It is not a riddle. Even though Sombra has yet to manifest himself physically, his spirit remains as strong as before, and without any doubt has been rebuilding. Now that he has awoken his Amulet, we no longer have any time left and his army has regained much of its strength, so now all he needs is his Amulet to wage war against Equestria and Paradise.”

“How do you know all this?”

Trixie massages the covered object. “Trixie has seen it.”

She then yanks off the covering to reveal a sleek, round object made of onyx that has orange, pulsating veins circling around it, and Twilight's eyes bulge and she rushes towards it while Trixie steps away.

“Where did you get that!” demands Twilight, now next to the strange object and ears flicking when she hears it whisper her name faintly.

A chill encases Twilight's body and she looks at Trixie with great concern, especially when she feels a pulse of the poking feeling erupt from her. That is when she begins to worry that the azure mare may have done something reckless.

“Trixie found it when she was traversing the Crystal Mountains with Gilda,” claims Trixie, inspecting her left hand smugly, using her right arm as a perch. She looks at Twilight with a toothless smile and a malicious glint in her eyes. “What's wrong? Is Trixie's findings making you envious?”

“Trixie, you know that not all the Seeing-Stones are accounted for! You don't know who else could be watching or what you might let in!” says Twilight sternly, now hastily putting the cover back on the stone to cease the constant whispering.

When Twilight's hand goes over it, though, a flash of Sombra's flaming eye pierces her thoughts and gives her the feeling that her head might burst open. She quickly retracts, seething and rubbing her temple as her tearing eyes focus on her other hand, noting the thin layer of frost thawing on her palm and fingers. She then looks at Trixie, flexing her hand and fighting a losing battle to keep her breathing and heart steady as the younger unicorn looks at her with an innocent smile.

“Trixie is no stranger to Dark Magic. Trixie knows exactly what she is doing,” she says.

“You let Sombra in?” says Twilight in disbelief.

There is a magical pulse from the Seeing-Stone and Trixie's smile fades and her eyes narrow as her right hand tenses while her left slides down to the hilt of her blade.

“Are you disappointed in Trixie's findings? This Seeing-Stone has shown Trixie what none could. She has been shown the great armies of the Nightmare preparing and all of the cruelty Sombra wishes to inflict! Shouldn't you be happy that Trixie has seen what he is planning!?”

Twilight's ears droop and her eyes shrink as her heart thumps loudly in her chest. “Trixie, do you realize what you have just done!”

A low chuckle rumbles from the Seeing-Stone, and all the lights in the room dim as Trixie trembles in her spot, seething with building tears. Twilight puts her hand on her blade's hilt and takes a defensive step back, getting concerned for both of their safeties as a heavy presence suffocates them with negative energy.

“I have seen what he is planning and what he is nigh capable of and still you scold me!?” accuses Trixie with tears of rage flowing down her cheeks and her left hand clutching her hilt tightly while the other is balled into a fist.

“Trixie, listen to me, Sombra is getting into your head,” says Twilight, hand extended cautiously towards the azure mare in a futile attempt to defuse the situation. “You have to fight him. He cannot win if we work together.”

“NO WE CAN'T!”

The room shakes with Trixie's furious and fully terrified scream. This makes Twilight jump and pull out her blade and stare at Trixie wide eyed, afraid of what she will have to do the young mare as she pants and glares at her from her now disheveled mane and slightly lowered head.

“I have seen his wrath. I have felt it,” says Trixie, her voice cracking and quivering with thick tears dripping on the floor and her right hand twitching sporadically. Her shoulders and chest rise and fall with each hard breath, which sends out a pulse of dark energy that sends a crushing and prickling sensation all over Twilight. “You cannot defeat evil that can destroy Paradise. Our only chance of protecting the ones we care about is to join Sombra's legion. Can't you see that?”

Trixie starts towards Twilight, and the purple unicorn steps back, keeping her blade aimed at Trixie, but hoping she won't have to use it against her. The azure mare steps closer and Twilight steps back, and soon, they find themselves pacing in a circle, eying each other with differing emotions. Trixie, a churning mess of fear, sorrow and rage, and Twilight has fear as well, but is feeling also pity for the young unicorn.

“I do not know why I expected you to understand,” says Trixie, her steps careful as she and Twilight continue circling each other. “You may have a large kingdom in your name, but you know nothing of ruling. You would rather prance around, pretending to be somepony else rather than fulfill your duties to your people!”

The mares stop, and Trixie slowly draws her sword, letting it barely glide over her electrically charged hand, giving it a blue, sparking haze. Twilight's muscles tense and she gracelessly yanks out her blade and slides her glowing hand over it. It becomes engulfed in flame and she holds it out in front of her protectively as her heart thumps rapidly in her ears.

“But I know the ones down there,” says Trixie through gritted teeth, her body visibly trembling. “I know their names and their faces and they are mine to protect. Their lives matter to me and if I have to make an allegiance with Sombra to ensure their safety, then so be it!”

Twilight's eyes narrow and she braces herself by sliding one leg back and keeping both hands on her sword's hilt as she aims it at her possessed friend. Of all the years she has known the mare before her, she has figured out that Trixie is mediocre at most things, but excels at flaunting, knowledge of the Dark Arts and combat. But regardless of these things, Twilight knows she just can't run away and leave Trixie and her Sanctuary at Sombra's mercy.

“Sombra, I know you are in there, so I am giving you this one and only warning! Release Trixie now, or I'll-”

Twilight is interrupted when Trixie screams viciously and launches a bright blue electric beam laced with green flames towards Twilight. The beam splits the air and polished tile as it torpedoes towards Twilight, and she barely extends her hand in time to put up a purple shield. The magical attack impacts her shield, reducing it shards of scattering energy and sends the purple mare sliding back.

Twilight's boots dig into the slick tile, but still falls over and has to press her palm against the floor to keep herself from face planting the ground. Her hand throbs and smoke rises off of her singed fur and sleeve as she looks past loose strands of her mane with wide, panicking eyes and a shortness of breath as the azure mare steps closer to her. Exposed through the tattered remains of Trixie's sleeve from her attack is a dark gauntlet with archaic runes etched on it and glowing a bright emerald that leaks a thin mist of the same color.

“Trixie finds your lack of compassion for your people disgusting,” growls Trixie, her voice resonating off of the walls like rolling thunder with another voice mimicking her. Her eyes flash green with her gauntlet and she points condescendingly at Twilight. “If you had any sense you would join Sombra and spare your people the pain of the Nightmare's slaughter.”

Twilight pushes herself up, panting and grunting as a smart pain goes through her ankle, and she stares pleadingly at Trixie. “Trixie, I don't want to hurt you! You have to fight Sombra! He's polluting your mind!”

Trixie snarls and slams her gauntlet hand down on the ground. The runes explode in a blinding display of green and the tile shatters with a sonic boom and a shock wave that sends the splinters of tile and a rush of wind towards Twilight. The attack pushes sends Twilight into the air, and she screams as she twirls in the air, and when she hits the floor with a sickening crack, she bounces across the floor and hits the wall with a trail of red dots trailing her.

After Twilight hits the wall, a surge of pain ripples through her back, her ribs and the back of her head. She slumps to the ground, vision hazy and a trickle of warmth moving down the back of her head and over her face, and she whimpers weakly and groggily stretches her hand towards her blade, finding it be just barely out of reach. The light then disappears as though the room is encased in a pitch black bubble, and Twilight's eyes widen and terrified tears slide down her bloodied cheeks as a green flame rolls from the Seeing Stone, burning away the cloth to reveal a flaming orb. The demonic flames travel along the floor, past Trixie, and move up where the walls would be to stare down at Twilight as the Eye of Sombra.

“Foolish girl,” sneers Trixie with the voice of the Amulet matching her words and echoing around the chamber. “You cannot stop the return of the Nightmare.”

oooOOOooo

A distant rumble shakes loose dust from the arching ceiling, and Spike's hand immediately grabs his sword's hilt as he looks up with worry. Then his focus snaps to Gilda and her party as a series of overlapping sounds of metal sliding out sheathes echo in the hall. He yanks his sword out and braces himself, growling viciously at the sight of Gilda standing in between the four guards, all with drawn weapons. The smirking griffin is leaning against her saber, which is stabbing the sleek floor while the guards aim their blades at Spike, silently approaching him with shaky steps.

“It sounds like our bosses are having some fun,” says Gilda with a dangerous smirk.

“What is going on up there!” demands Spike, taking a step back as the party continues froward.

Gilda shrugs. “I don't know. It sounds like Trixie is either killing Twilight or maiming her. Hard to tell.”

Spike snarls and flaming smoke escapes through his exposed fangs. “Did you plan this?”

“We didn't want to do this, but when you make a deal with Sombra, you generally have to kill those who want to kill him. It's just good business that way.” Gilda glances at her party, then looks back at Spike. “But imprisonment is an option for you. I know for a fact Trixie wouldn't mind having a dragon butler around.”

Spike aims his blade at Gilda. “We trusted you to help us, and you stabbed us in the back! What makes you think I would want to be your butler!?”

“Death it is, then. Guards, kill him.”

The guards charge and Spike runs forward, screaming. The first guard swings his sword at Spike, and he grabs it with his bare hand, stopping it cold and barely leaving a scratch on his palm and plunges his blade into the guard's gut after twisting his weapon away. The guard keels over, coughing blood, and Spike throws him to the ground, rolls underneath another swing and uses his sharp tail tip to slash the back of the assailant's legs. The guard cries out in pain and falls to the ground, trying to clutch his gushing wound that covers the floor in a sticky pool of crimson.

As this happens, Spike blocks another guard's attack from with his sword. The blades scratch against each other, and Spike pushes himself forward until he is snout to muzzle, snarling and boring his wrathful eyes deep into the terrified pony. The guard trembles and takes a step back, but he is ended when Spike punctures his neck and the bottom of his chin using his claws. The guard gurgles as thick crimson sprays from his wounds and coats Spike's hand and sleeve. The drake quickly tosses the corpse aside unceremoniously and turns his glare on Gilda, chest and shoulders heaving and smoke puffing from his nostrils from his panting. Gilda, however, is not showing any signs of anger. She is actually staring at the mess with a strangely calm and approving smile.

After scanning the mess, Gilda looks at Spike and offers a curt nod, ignoring the quiet sniffles of the injured guard. “Not bad.”

Spike's eyes narrow and he raises his blade towards Gilda. “You're next.”

Gilda grins and yanks her saber out of the ground, then she holds it completely straight up in front of her so it is like a metal line down the middle of her beak. Then she pulls her saber apart to create dual blades with a hard tug. Spike's snarl is replaced with big eyes and a tight jaw, and his lungs feel constricted as panic seeps in.

Gilda chuckles darkly at the clearly terrified dragon and spins her twin weapons. “We'll see.”

Then with a hard flap of her wings, she charges.

Author's Note

Yay for random burst of inspiration and speed writes.

Also, long waits are long and quick escalations are quick.

The Drunk at Klumsy K's

Heavy rain beats down on the group of foalings as they crouch behind a bush, watching both directions of the muddy road for any signs of the cloaked assassins. After seeing that the coast is clear, the group darts across the road, towards a wooden wall with a wooden and metal door. Apple Bloom knocks furiously on it while the others continue vigilantly scanning for danger.

A latch way above their heads opens up with a rusty squeak, but it closes a few seconds later and another one at their level opens up to reveal an old, scraggly stallion glaring at them.

"What do you want?" asks the guard bitterly, his wrinkles and fierce eyes becoming more intense by the shadows cast from the lantern he is holding.

"We're headin' for Klumsy K's," replies Apple Bloom, rubbing her arms and willing herself not to let her teeth chatter in his presence.

The guard glances at Apple Bloom's party, and they all shiver when a particularly strong wind blows a near solid wall of rain over them, drenching them down to their bones and hiding their faces with soaked manes. The guard, however, is not moved by the heartbreaking sight of foalings shivering out in the harsh weather.

"What business do you have in Breeze?" asks the guard, his tone becoming harsher by the second and his stare more terrifying.

“Our business ain't any of your business," says Apple Bloom sharply, her teeth now chattering and her patience officially gone.

“Considering that I operate this here gate, I think the business that you have but don't want to tell me is my business, as well. So, tell me your business or else I will deny you entrance.”

Apple Bloom growls and readies herself to chew out the guard for costing them precious time, but Pipsqueak pats her on the shoulder and gently moves her aside so he can speak. With him being the smallest of the group, he has to stand on the balls of his feet and crane his neck to look at the guard, who has to adjust himself so he can look down.

“Please, sir, we are merely travelers and just want a place to rest and restock. We heard Kulmsy K's is the best tavern in the region and wanted to stay there for the night,” says Pipsqueak diplomatically.

“Traveling foalings?” says the guard skeptically.

“Yes.” He waves towards the group. “We are all considered outcasts by our community for our desire to explore the world, so our feet carry us wherever they want. Your city just happened to be the place they took us.”

The guard scrutinizes Pipsqueak, then his winkled eyes move between the others, and right as Apple Bloom starts thinking that her companion's sweet talk didn't work, the guard opens up the gate. Pipsqueak steps back, accidentally bumping into Apple Bloom, and she quickly moves him next to Twist and glares at the guard, who just happens to be a mule with flabby ears.

The guard holds up his lantern at a greater height to see all of them more clearly and steps aside. "All right, you may enter, but do not start any trouble."

The group nods and slips inside quickly, and the guard glances down both ends of the road before retreating back behind the gate and sealing it shut.

The group quickly finds their way to Klumsy K's, mostly because it is only a few hundred feet from the gate and it brightly lit by lanterns, and after weaving through the miserable crowd of taller ponies, they step inside the establishment. Its warm, dry air is a blessing to the foalings, and before proceeding any further, they awkwardly rub their feet on rough mats, leaving their bare feet mostly mud free, but itchy. The laughing and clinging dishes that is inside is usually a pleasant sound for a foaling, but Apple Bloom is too nervous to take in the joy of the partying. She swallows and timidly approaches a desk that is easily a head taller than her, and she grabs the edge of it to pull herself up so she is peeking over its top. She can see a chubby earth pony with a dark green coat and a rough brown mane scribbling in a small book, completely oblivious to her presence.

Apple Bloom swallows again before nervously calling out with a croak. “Excuse me.”

The chubby earth pony glances up, then looks down at Apple Bloom and smiles thinly. “Why, hello there, little one. What can I do for you?”

“I'm looking for somepony that was s'posed ta meet us here. Her name is Twilight the Purple. Can ya tell her that a foaling named Honeycrisp and her company has arrived?”

The clerk thinks for a moment, then snorts a laugh. “Twilight the Purple? She wouldn't happen to be a unicorn mare that's got a little glint in her eyes, bright smile, blessed body and voice? She's got that civil dragon with her, too, right?”

Apple Bloom beams and nods her head quickly. “Yes, sir, that's her.”

His smile disappears instantly. “I haven't seen her in quite a while. Last I heard she was off to some birthday party, and she still hasn't written to me even though I gave her my place of residence.”

Apple Bloom's smile fades and she turns to look at her group of friends worryingly as the clerk continues mumbling on and on about mares being cruel and soulless. All of them have varying emotions, all on the negative side, with Twist terrified the most and Scootaloo looking like she wants to slug someone.

As for Apple Bloom, she feels like her soul has been crushed by all the emotions going through her. She is terrified because Twilight and Spike isn't waiting for them at the tavern, and even though they told her to wait for three weeks if they aren't there, she is still lost. She has never been out of Foalington before and has no idea how the outside world works. She does not know anybody, has little money to spare, and from the gloomy appearance of the patrons, she's worried that something terrible might happen to them if they aren't careful. And that is when she starts worrying that maybe something had happened to her tall-folk friends.

“What are we supposed to do now?” asks Twist worryingly, snapping Apple Bloom out of her thoughts.

“I don't know,” replies Apple Bloom quietly.

~~~~~~~~~~

Klumsy K's, to its credit, is a well kept building. The building is brightly lit and kept warm with multiple fireplaces, iron chandeliers with dozens of candles each, and torches placed evenly around the wall. The tables are covered with large, brown cloths and the chairs have cushions on them, as well. The customers, however, is a sad mixture of drunk stallions and mares that lack any table manners or ideas of personal space. Not wanting to get involved with whatever shenanigans the patrons are getting into, Apple Bloom and her party take a table at the far end of the tavern, trying to remain quiet and inconspicuous as possible. To kill the time, they each ordered a meal, complete with appetizers and cider, using Pipsqueak's money from his last trade.

But even with the hot soup and warm bread in front of them, the foalings still find their appetite to be next to nonexistent. Especially Twist, who is putting her focus on scribbling a note on a piece of paper and mumbling incoherently to herself. This annoys Scootaloo greatly, as seen with the roll of her eyes, but no one says anything to anyone. The tension is just too high.

In an attempt to give her friends some hope, Apple Bloom offers a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Twilight will be here. She'll come.”

“Sure she will,” grumbles Scootaloo.

“Well, let's try the optimism thing for a bit. Maybe we will get lucky and Twilight will come in through that door before the night is over,” says Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo snorts and Sweetie Belle frowns at her, but the pegasus ignores the stare and folds her arms on the table, where she proceeds to rest her head and closes her eyes.

“Wake me when Twilight gets here,” she says.

“Is she... Is she seriously sleeping?” asks Button Mash.

“Not yet,” mumbles Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom sighs and looks a Pipsqueak when she hears him muttering and his coins clanking against each other. His worried expression says it all, and that darkens the mood of the table to another shade.

“Room for six, meal for six, and appetizers and cider for six. There is no doubt about it, we are going to have to find some work to do around town. These coins won't last us two days,” says Pipsqueak glumly as he digs through his coin bag.

“I am not working for any of those freaks,” says Scootaloo without lifting her head off her arms.

Pipsqueak frowns at Scootaloo. “Okay, then how do you plan on making money until Twilight arrives?”

Scootaloo smiles wearily. “I have my ways.”

“Does it involve keeping us out of the dungeons?”

“Of course it does. Unless you're stupid and get caught.”

The two start bickering, dragging Sweetie Belle and Button Mash in it as well while Twist continues scribbling on the paper and Apple Bloom remains silent. She stares at her friends, watching with vacant eyes as they argue, and her ears hear them, but she barely registers what they are saying. However, she soon starts getting a crawling feeling up her spine and the back of her neck, like a pair of eyes are searching her for something.

Apple Bloom barely looks over her shoulder and sees a stranger sipping from his massive mug, watching her with his face hidden by his hood and the dim light of his corner. Apple Bloom looks back and nervously drums on the table as the paranoid part of her is saying that he may very well be one of the many spies for Sombra that Twilight warned about.

Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder again and tries to figure out what she can, but all she can tell from the distance is that the stallion is well built and travels a lot. Either that, or he is a hobo since his cloak is caked in mud, faded and torn, he wears fingerless gloves and the dark leather armor he is wearing appears close to ripping open in some parts.

Apple Bloom looks down at the table mat, wincing slightly when she feels the pain in her side return and the Amulet whisper in her ear.

“Armor,” it says.

Apple Bloom flinches and seethes with tears building in her eyes and teeth ground tight. Her hands start shaking and her eyes drift shut as the noise in the room fades to the power of the Amulet's voice and the war drum beats of her heart.

“Take me to him,” orders the Amulet.

Suddenly a hand grips Apple Bloom's shoulder, making her shriek and jump in her seat, which makes the rest of the group flinch.

“I don't think we should touch her when her eyes are closed,” comments Pipsqueak.

“Are you okay?” asks Twist, her hand still on Apple Bloom's shoulder.

Apple Bloom nods quietly, then she politely stops the desk clerk as he walks by their table with the log book by grabbing his shirt tail. He looks mildly annoyed, but when he sees her worried expression, his face softens.

"Excuse me, who is that stallion in the corner?" asks Apple Bloom, not so subtly gesturing towards the hooded figure.

The clerk looks at the subject, then back at Apple Bloom. “That would be Sprinkles. He is one of them exiled folks. Very temperamental and is quick to lose himself in whatever alcohol he can get his hands on. I suggest you stay away from him and come get me if he gives you any trouble.”

Apple Bloom nods and the clerk continues on down with his book, and her hand drifts back towards the Amulet's spot and tenderly strokes its spot. Everything fades to the humming and the Amulet's whispered calls of her name. She can feel its energy vibrating her and the frost bleeding past its cloth covering and seeping on her fingers, but when the sharp pain in her side returns, she jumps with a pained gasp, making her the focus of attention again.

Before a word can be said, Apple Bloom grabs Twist and hoists her up, keeping the hand that touched the Amulet balled into a fist. “Twist, come with me.”

“Uh-”

That is all Twist says before Apple Bloom yanks her awkward friend off of her seat and drags her to the other side of the tavern. She can feel Sprinkles' eyes on her, and that only makes her legs move faster, and when they are around a corner, in a dimly lit area, she grabs her friend's shoulder and looks her in the eyes.

“Twist, I need ya to be my lookout while I check somethin',” says the orange foaling, her voice quivering with her hand and her fist tightening.

“Apple Bloom, is it...” Twist looks around, then leans in closer. “Is it the Amulet?”

“Just... Just stay there and make sure nopony comes over here, got it?”

Twist nods and turns to watch the patrons while Apple Bloom faces the wall. She looks at her fist with wide eyes and ragged breaths, and when she uncurls her fingers to see frost melting from her tips to expose her orange fur to the world. Her face pales and her throat becomes dry as she watches the frost melt away and drip to the floor, then she swallows and slides her hand to her side, wincing when she feels a sting from the wound.

Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder and sees that Twist is still keeping guard. With that sight, she takes a breath, unbuttons her vest to reveal a red spot on her cotton shirt, and her eyes become wet with tears and her breath and heartbeat ragged when she peels it back to see a damp scab in the shape of an eye.

“Surrender me,” says the Amulet, its raspy, low voice bouncing in her skull.

Apple Bloom whimpers and closes her eyes as she hastily tugs on her shirt and buttons up her vest, and when she is done, she turns to Twist so they can go back to the table. What she sees instead is Twist slumping against the wall and the hooded stallion from the corner lunging at her.

Apple Bloom takes a step back and tries to scream, but one of his hands clamps over her mouth and the other grips her collar, making her wince from the crushing pain on her bones and the fingers digging in her skin.

"We need to talk, Honeycrisp,” snarls the hooded stallion.

He releases Apple Bloom's muzzle and drags her by her shirt and cloak collar away from her hideout, and he grabs her muzzle again when she tries calling for help. She is taken up the stairs, barely able to keep her feet up as he roughly pulls her along, then he tosses her on the floor in a room that is bare, save for an overused bed, an old chair, and a fireplace care-set.

Apple Bloom scampers to her feet and backs up into the wall as the stallion slams and locks the door shut.

“What'd ya want?” says Apple Bloom uneasily.

The stallion marches past her and closes the curtains, then he stands in front of Apple Bloom at a safe distance, staring down at her with his hand on the hilt of his blade. “You are carrying something that you should not have, Honeycrisp, and I want to see it.”

“I-I don't have anything,” stammers Apple Bloom, her fingers twiddling around each other nervously.

“Do not take me as an idiot. I know you have something dark and powerful because I got a very bad headache from it that is reserved only for morning hangovers, so let me see it.”

Apple Bloom shakes her head, taking a step back when the tall stallion steps forward, his blue eyes glowing with rage and his hand tightening on his blade. His horn also lights up to bath his face is in a soft, rosy light that illuminates the bags under his eyes and his dirty white coat, which has good sized tufts on his cheeks and chin.

“I don't have anything,” repeats Apple Bloom, eyes flicking towards the door and making a quick calculation to see if she can escape or not. That turns out to be a bad move.

As soon as her eyes go back to the stallion, he has his hand around her throat and before she can even comprehend what is happening, she is spun off her feet and is slammed back-first against the wall. Apple Bloom winces from the pain rippling through her spine and the back of the head, and she starts gagging and trying to pry the massive stallion's hand off when her lungs quickly burn from lack of air. She kicks her legs and tries screaming as she claws in vain at the stallion's grip. His free hand darts towards her pocket and he releases Apple Bloom as soon as he pulls out the Amulet.

Apple Bloom collapses to the floor gulping for air and rubbing her throat as she blinks tears out of her bloodshot eyes. She jumps in her spot when the hooded stallion throws the Amulet to the ground, stumbling back and clutching his head, seething in pain. He collapses on a chair by the fireplace and continues rubbing his head, his free hand clutching the arm of the chair tightly and his body shaking enough to vibrate it.

“Where did you get that,” demands the stallion in a low growl, his shaking finger pointed at the Amulet.

“Twilight the Purple gave it to me,” says Apple Bloom hesitantly, then her eyes narrow and she adds venomously: “And if somethin' were ta happen ta me, she'd turn ya into a one legged frog and throw ya in the river.”

The hooded stallion chuckles grimly and pulls back his hood to reveal the multi-hued blue mane, his scraggly face and bloodshot eyes. “That sounds more like Trixie. Twilight is more of the paralyze and lock in the dungeon type of mare.”

Apple Bloom blinks, then cocks her head quizzically, remembering how Twilight described her brother and how he will be at Breeze. “Ya wouldn't happen ta be Shining Armor, would ya?”

The stallion stares at her for a moment, then he sighs, reaches for a canteen hidden under his jacket and pops it open to indulge himself on what Apple Bloom is guessing is an alcoholic beverage.

After he gulps down a large portion of his drink, he puts his attention back on the foaling. “I was Shining Armor at one point, but I left that name and my kingdom behind me. Just call me Sprinkles. Everypony else does.” He waves towards the bruise forming around Apple Bloom's neck. “Sorry about the neck grab, by the way. I just don't too kindly to ponies using potentially world destroying amulets like that.”

Apple Bloom swallows and tenderly rubs her neck as she cautiously makes her way to the Amulet. She keeps her eyes on the stallion the whole time, and even when she kneels down to pick it up, using a cloth as a barrier, she does not look away.

“Why Sprinkles?” asks Apple Bloom, now reaching for a fire poker.

Shining Armor glances at her, but makes no attempt to grab his weapon. “Long story short, some pink mare threw a party, something strange happened, and now I hate cake and I got the name of Sprinkles.”

Apple Bloom looks over his sorry state, frowning and clutching the fire poker tightly. “Ya know, Twilight said ya'd be a drunk, but she also said I could trust ya.”

“Well, do you?”

“You kidnapped me and choked me in a weird room.”

Shining Armor blinks. “But I apologized.”

“That don't matter!”

Shining Armor chuckles grimly. “Oh, right, I forgot, mistakes are meant to be unforgivable.” He stakes another swig of his drink, gasping obnoxiously. “Silly me.”

“I didn't say that. I'm just saying that I have a hard time believing that I can trust you when you choked me.”

“Honeycrisp, answer me truthfully. What would you do if you knew somepony had something that was dangerous and refused to give it up even though it caused you physical pain from its mere presence?”

Apple Bloom swallows, unsure how to answer that question, and Shining Armor clicks his tongue and drums his fingers on the arm of his chair. An odd, tense silence fills the room, only broken when the stallion takes another swig of his drink and wipes his muzzle, gasping loudly again, much to Apple Bloom's annoyance.

“I don't know why Twilight gave you the Amulet, but I can tell you this, you are not safe here. Twilight is never late, so her not being here is not a good sign and chances are Sombra got to her. There is no telling what he knows or how far behind he is, so unless you want to test your luck and die, I suggest you come with me,” says Shining Armor.

“Why would I go with you! You choked me!” yells Apple Bloom, her hands balled into tight fists and held at her sides.

Shining Armor groans and rubs his face. “How many times will I have to apologize for that?” He throws his hand down and jumps up, making Apple Bloom step back. “Something has obviously happened to Twilight, therefore we must leave for Armonia immediately. There, you and the Amulet will be safe, and you will have a better chance getting there unharmed if I take you.”

Apple Bloom rubs her neck, glowering at the unicorn. In her gut, she knows that something had to have happened to Twilight, and she knows that she told her that she can trust the stallion, but all she can see is a lost drunk who choked her. How Twilight can think she can trust a stallion like him is beyond her, and she knows he can see her skepticism from the way his expression softens, too.

“I truly understand your skepticism, but, I swear to you, if by my life or death I can protect you, I will,” he says. Shining Armor gradually draws his sword, which, much to Apple Bloom's surprise, is broken, with the top half being just jagged teeth instead of a sleek blade. The stallion then kneels in front of her and looks directly into her eyes with his weapon stabbing the floor and hands gripping its hilt tightly. “You have my sword.”

Apple Bloom stares into his jaded blue eyes, and while they are bloodshot and the stench of alcohol lingers, she hears the sincerity in his voice and sees it in his eyes. She starts believing that maybe this drunk really is sorry for his violent reaction and her muscles slacken and her glare softens. However, right as she is about to give him her answer to his oath and request, the door is forced open by a gamboge pony and the unicorn springs to his feet and pushes Apple Bloom to the ground as her friends rush in.

What happens next is almost too fast for Apple Bloom to comprehend. First off, Scootaloo bolts straight forward with fire in her eyes and she slugs Shining Armor in the groin. The unicorn's eyes bulge and he doubles over, coughing in pain and keeping one hand on the floor while the other holds his sore pride. Secondly, Twist and Pipsqueak rush to Apple Bloom's side and yank her to her feet and half carry her out. Thirdly, Sweetie Belle and Button Mash slam a chair and stool on Shining Armor's spine and the back of his head, sending him crashing face first into the ground. After that, Scooaloo gives him one swift kick in the ribs before running out with the others, leaving the tall unicorn on the ground, groaning in pain.

“RUN!” yells Scootaloo.

The foalings run down the stairs and into the crowded pub. The patrons give them questionable stares, and Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder to see if Shining Armor is pursuing them. She doesn't see him and Twist grabs her arm and drags her through the pub.

“Out of the way!” barks Scootaloo, using her entire weight to shove a drunk aside.

The drunk falls over on a table and crushes a pound cake and splashes a mare in his cider. The mare shrieks and jumps back and the stallion courting her jumps to his feet, grabs the drunk and punches him in the face, sending him crashing into a minotaur. A fight ensues, covering the foalings' escape in a storm of flying dishes, furniture, food and punches.

The foalings run into the muddy road and in seconds time they are soaked by the downpour, and all of them jump when a stallion is thrown through the window of the pub and lands not too far from them with a big, muddy splash. The mingling crowd outside stops their miserable activities and stares at the knocked out stallion, then they glance at the gaping hole that was once a window and see the massive brawl, all while the foalings remain petrified.

“Oh, at long last! A fight to stave my boredom!” cheers a random stallion.

He rips off his shirt to display his solid muscles and runs inside, roaring like a madpony. Apple Bloom winces when she sees the said stallion slug the clerk in the eye before tackling another pony to the ground.

“Can we please get out of here, now?” says Twist anxiously as she backs up, twiddling her fingers.

“Yeah... Let's go,” says Sweetie Belle.

And with that, the foalings run down the muddy road, letting the crowd and pouring rain cover their escape.

=====OOO=====

The rain has long ago passed, leaving the ground wet like a marsh, and each step Starswirl and his companions take makes a wet squelch. They barely register the suction of the mud trying to hold them down when they approach the wooden wall of Breeze, and when they are in front of its gate, Starswirl looks up and down its pathetic design, but still politely knocks on its wooden surface.

Instantly after his knock, the top latch opens to reveal the face of the mule guard.

“What do you want?” he says harshly.

“We are looking for a group of six foalings. Have any traveled through here?” asks Starswirl, keeping his annoyance from the lack of manners at bay.

“I cannot say. Guard-Traveler Confidentiality.”

Starswirl's arched brow is hidden by his dark hood, but the other cloaked assassins exchange looks. One of the hooded travelers shrugs to another and Medallion sighs in aggravation as he tilts his head and pinches the bridge between his eyes.

“This is ridiculous,” grumbles Medallion.

“Fine, if you will not speak to us, allow us entrance so we may ask around,” says Starswirl patiently.

“No,” says the guard bluntly.

“No?”

“No face. No entrance. Remove your hoods and I just might let you in.”

Starswirl sighs, aims his hand at the guard, and with a blue flash a sharp ice blade shoots from his hand and stabs the guard in the face with the blood soaked tip poking out the back. He then frees his hand from the icy weapon and kicks the gate off of its hinges, crushing the guard underneath, and strolls inside while casually adjusting his gauntlet.

“That was a waste of time,” grumbles Medallion. “And why do you always knock first? We are Sombra's most trusted soldiers and you go around knocking when we can cut down anypony and break any door we please!”

“It is because I still have some manners,” says Starswirl as he casually steps in the bloody mud. He stops when he is on top of the slain guard's hand and does a quick scan before he sees a hanging sign that says Klumsy K's not too far from them. He smiles thinly and starts walking again. “Follow me.”

When Starswirl enters the establishment, the very fist thing he notices is that it is trashed. Tables are broken, food and beverages are all over the floors and walls, and shattered dishes litter the area with the numerous amount of battered patrons. In the middle of the mess is a lone, chubby clerk with a black eye sweeping up a pile of debris into a pan, grumbling angrily to himself.

Starswirl strolls forward, crushing glass and wood beneath his metal boots, and with the crunches echoing in the torn up tavern, the clerk stops, turns, and pales. Starswirl ignores the clerk for the most part and grabs the log book on a counter to inspect it. He skims through it until he sees 'Honeycrisp- Party of 6- Foaling Room- CANCELED' written down on the last slot.

Starswirl silently returns the book to its original position and approaches the clerk. “When the foalings arrived, was one of them orange and red with a red bow?”

The clerk gulps. “Pardon me?”

The cloaked travelers spread out and the clerk yelps when Medallion grabs his shoulder and forces him on his knees while pressing his iceblade against his throat. The other cloaked figures move around the dining area, keeping an eye on the doorways and stairs, and Starswirl steps forward, adjusting his gauntlet again.

“A red and orange foaling has something precious to me. Did you see one in the party of six that arrived?” says Starswirl patiently.

“I-I-” Medallion presses the blade against the clerk's throat and he cries in pain and starts weeping when it breaches his skin. “Yes! Yes! The foaling you want was with them! She said her name was Honeycrisp and she only stayed for a couple of hours before leaving in a hurry!”

“Which way did she go?”

The clerk stammer and his soaked eyes shake as his skin tightens and his face turns blue from Medallion's frosty mist covering him. After a few seconds of this, Starswirl kneels down in front of him and looks directly into his shaking eyes.

“Which way did she go?” repeats Starswirl.

“I-I don't know! They went out the front door! Please don't kill me!” sobs the clerk, his tears freezing on his cheeks.

Starswirl thinks for a moment, then he pats him on the cheek and orders Medallion to release him. His companion does so with great reluctance, and he kicks the clerk to the ground while Starswirl stands up.

“I don't feeling like killing anypony else today. Have a nice night,” says Starswirl. He then heads towards the backdoor while motioning his team to follow him. “Come. We have work to do.”

The rest of the cloaked figures follow him, and a tiny smile stretches across his muzzle when he hears the stallion crying on the ground.

Battle In The Fog

Apple Bloom falls on her knees, panting and shivering. Scrapes cover her body, mixing her thin trails of blood with the sweat and dirt covering her orange coat. Her clothing is torn, her mane has been reduced to a knotted mess with clumps in front of her eyes and twigs and leaves sticking them, and her bow has long been lost in the pursuit.

Her vision swims and her heavy heartbeats thump in her ears with her shallow breaths as she stares at he shaking hands, mostly surrounded by the mud she has placed them on. A droplet of blood drips from her nose and splashes below, creating ripples that fold and push the ground like water.

A childish giggle echoes over the landscape and Apple Bloom whips her head around, eyes darting between every burnt and gnarled tree and bloody rock. But she cannot see anyone or anything except for death. The dead forest is a graveyard with unburied bodies, each rotting and mutilated from arrows, dismemberment, disembowelment, or slash, stabbed or bludgeoned.

Apple Bloom covers her muzzle with her muddy hand to hide her whimpers, but it does not stop the tears from soaking her cheeks or her shoulders from buckling.

“Can you find me?” taunts a feminine voice in a whisper carried by the cold wind.

A branch cracks and some birds cry in fright and take off with furious flapping wings. Apple Bloom turns towards the source and sees a flock of black birds leaving a tree split down the middle. In front of the tree is Pipsqueak, sitting on his knees, shaking, also bloodied and in torn attire. His eyes are glazed, but focused on her and behind him is a foaling in what looks like a tattered dress whose appearance is shrouded in darkness like a living shadow.

The foaling grins impossibly wide, taking up half of her face as pair of bright violet eyes with no pupils taking up the other half look directly at Apple Bloom.

“Can you find me?” repeats the silhouette in the same voice.

She hoists a rounded axe up, and like her, it is also a solid shadow, but the blood splashed on it glows bright and Apple Bloom holds up her hand, trying to scream for Pipsqueak, but her voice comes out weak. She tries again, but her throat feels like it is stuffed with jagged rocks and she hunches over, coughing and shaking with tears, blood and sweat dripping to the ground.

“Can you find me, Apple Bloom?” snickers the foaling mare.

Apple Bloom looks up, wheezing and holds out her hand, trying to scream again when the figure takes aim at Pipsqueak's head. She tries to stand up, but vines with blue thorns erupt from the ground and wrap themselves around her ankles, neck and wrist, purposefully leaving one of her hands free so she can reach for him in vain when they start pulling her to the ground.

The figure presses her hammer against Pipsqueak's head and he squeezes his eyes shut, flinching. Apple Bloom manages a weak, scratchy cry of protest, but the figure ignores her and the vines tug her so that she splashes in the mud. More of the thorny vines pop out of the ground, covering her in clumps of cold mud, and they wrap around her waist, limbs and neck and start dragging her down.

“No,” wheezes Apple Bloom, her hand extended to the sky covered by the thick layer of dark gray clouds. Within seconds, nearly her whole body is covered by mud and jagged ice begins growing into her, slowly piercing and slicing her skin. Apple Bloom screams in pain and struggles with no avail to free herself from the torture that is dicing her with thorns. “No!”

“Can you find me?” says the figure, her psychotic giggling echoing all around and wiggling its way into Apple Bloom's brain. The figure over her, grinning down at her with her axe resting against her shoulder and fresh blood dripping down to patter on the ground or snake down the handle where it collects on her fingers. “Have you found me, yet?”

Apple Bloom looks up at the figure, eyes freezing over and hand shriveling as thick layers of ice form and dig into her hand. The ice and mud have already covered her muzzle, choking her with frozen dirt and her hand remains up with the blood staying inside the icy barrier. The figure's shoulder buckles and her teeth grind from how hard she is laughing, and when she aims the hammer at Apple Bloom she cannot move, she cannot look away and she cannot make a sound. She is completely trapped and can only watch when the figure brings the axe down on her.

[[[[[O]]]]]

Apple Bloom jolts awake with a gasp, shaking and hyperventilating, inside a cave. A foggy canvas lingers over the field just on the edge of the forest and dew clings to her coat, attire and strewn camping gear. The campfire, or what's left of it, is now a gray circle of ash and burnt bits of wood inside a perimeter of rocks. Cookware and dining ware lay in a pile on top of a slab of bark and the utensils sit in a cup, all ready to be washed while the tripod used to hold the pot lies on the ground, next to the pile of dishes.

She looks around without leaving the comfort of her bedroll, rubbing her sore eyes with a trembling hand. She sees Twist's bedroll rising and falling with every soft snore, and not too far off is Pipsqueak and Button Mash, both resting against a log with their feet stretched towards the remains of the campfire and their arms folded across their chests.

Apple Bloom stares at Pipsqueak intently, shivering from more than just the morning dew clinging to her as she rubs the Amulet's resting place in her pocket. Her ears twitch when it whispers her name and a compulsion to have a look at its sleek, Gothic design. Her fingers twitch, but her eyes stay on Pipsqueak, and she forces herself to rub her hands together and pushes herself up. Once standing, she takes a breath and has a look at the fog covered field just past the forest they rested in, trying not to think about the nightmare.

“Find me,” says the shadow filly, right into Apple Bloom's ear.

Apple Bloom gasps and turns to see nothing but the wet trees and Twist standing not to far from her, wiping the dew from her lenses and yawning.

“Are you okay, Apple Bloom?” she asks. “You look a little pale.”

Apple Bloom forces herself to smile. “Ah'm fine, Twist. Ah just thought Ah heard somethin'.”

“You heard something that spooked your colors away?”

Before Apple Bloom can reply, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo appear out of the trees, running and short of breath and tossing a bundle of short swords in front of the dead fire. The resulting mess of clanging metal startles Pipsqueak and Button Mash awake while Apple Bloom looks at the weapons curiously. They all appear to be half finished since they are missing decent handles and are lacking any buffering. Apple Bloom honestly did not realize that they had been missing, but now that they are back, short of breath with cheap weapons in front of them, she thinks they might have gotten into some kind of trouble. Again.

“Did you steal those?” asks Apple Bloom accusingly.

Scootaloo slumps against a tree and wipes sweat from her brow, grinning proudly. “Sure did. Too bad you were all snoring to see Sweetie Belle work her magic. It was gold!”

Sweetie Belle wakes her hand dismissively. “Well, you're the one with the quick fingers. I was only the distraction.”

“But I would not have gotten us these... things without your mare charms.”

Button Mash grabs the closest blade and picks it up for a careful examination. “Eastmarch Forgery... Eastmarch? You really stole weapons from Eastmarch?”

“Is that bad?” asks Sweetie Belle.

“Stealing is bad in general,” says Twist.

Scootaloo rolls her eyes. “So I've been told. But we really didn't have any money to buy weapons so this was the best alternative. Unless somepony here know how to make spears out of twigs and rocks.”

“The point is, is that Eastmarch is an outpost town for King Hurricane,” says Pipsqueak. “And Hurricane's daughter watches over the town to make sure everything goes well. A theft is not well.”

“So we have to worry about the daughter?” asks Sweetie Belle.

“No. You have to worry about the other daughter since she is, well, attracted to trouble and is kind of a jerk. The one that is supposed to watch everything is nice, though. Kind of a rug, actually.”

“Okay, how do we know who's who, then?” asks Scootaloo.

Pipsqueak sighs. “Well, the best way to describe the one we should be worried about is... colorful.”

=====O=====

A portly, earth pony blacksmith, covered in grime, sweat and ash, is sitting on the cold, dirt floor, trembling and rubbing his hands together as he stares at the pegasus mare before him. She is slender and her two, buff stallion escorts are easily a foot taller than she is, but it only makes her all the more terrifying. Her curiass is made of dark metal and is split into three parts, all held together with clips. The first part covers her neck, with her shoulders being covered by a pair of strips attached to the main part with sturdy leather threads. Her chest is covered next and has a gold lightning bolt connecting it to the top portion. Her stomach is protected by more strips of metal and held together like the shoulder armor. Underneath all that is a chain-mail shirt, which covers her arms and stops at her hands. Her forearms are protect by thin gauntlet and her hands are covered by gloves. The tunic that drops past her waist is dark blue tunic and her shin pads stop at her small boots. She is equipped with two curved blades, and she is lacking a helmet, so her light cyan face and shoulder length rainbow colored mane can remain unobstructed.

“Are you telling me that a couple of foalings lifted weapons that were supposed to be given to us?” asks the mare, cracking her knuckles.

“P-Please, Rainbow Dash! You-you have to believe me when I say that I didn't mean to lose those weapons!” begs the blacksmith.

Rainbow Dash's cerise eyes narrow and she steps forward with purposefully hard stomps, making the stallion whimper and shrink with her progress. She then grabs his mane and twists it so he looks into her furious eyes.

“You do know that with those weapons gone that means six soldiers won't be able to protect this little village from barbarians, right?” says Rainbow Dash as she jabs at his chest. “Six soldiers can make all the difference in anything. So, for all we know, you could have doomed this whole town with your stupidity!”

“Rainbow, please stop!” says another mare suddenly, her voice sounding like it takes great effort for it to be loud.

Rainbow Dash and her two escorts look over their shoulders to see a tall, also slender, pegasus mare in holding on the doorway with big, pleading eyes. She is wearing a simple green dress underneath a brown shawl, and her wispy pink mane hangs over one eye and goes down past her shoulders. That look always annoys Rainbow Dash since it makes their clan, one of the most fiercest off all the pegasus tribes, look foolish and weak. However, she says nothing about that and instead stands up straighter while throwing the blacksmith to the ground.

“Fluttershy, aren't you supposed to be taking care of your chickens?” asks Rainbow Dash.

“I, um... Yes. But I have somepony else doing that. I just didn't want you hurting anypony,” says Fluttershy softly.

Rainbow Dash sighs, then nods to her guards. “Get that slob out of here and teach him a thing or two about responsibility. I need to have a word with my sister.”

The guards nod and wordlessly drag the blacksmith away despite his cries and protests, leaving the two alone in the ratty shack. Fluttershy looks down and rubs her arm while Rainbow Dash stares at her with a scowl, once again annoyed by her younger sister, who stands almost a foot and a half taller than her, but walks with her head down.

“I had to teach him a lesson. He can't be losing our weapons to anypony for any reason. Much less foalings, of all things,” says Rainbow Dash.

“But he didn't do anything wrong,” says Fluttershy quietly.

“Uh, actually he did.”

“Rainbow, you can't punish victims. That is just... Mean.”

Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes. “It is a mean world. Fluttershy. This guy lost six weapons that we could have used to foalings. Foalings!”

“The weapons were not done, though.”

“It does not matter if they were done or not! Weapons are weapons and supplies are supplies! Once they are lost it costs a fortune to make it up! Besides, if Father finds out that the town you are supposed to be watching had another mishap, he is going to be royally ticked off.”

Fluttershy eeps and shrinks down, trembling and holding her hands to her muzzle as tears build in her eyes and trail down her cheeks. This time Rainbow Dash is not irked by her younger sister's reaction, but instead she feels sympathy and briefly shudders from the thought of her father taking out his anger on Fluttershy again. Even though some of the taller mare's traits annoy her, she still loves and can't bear the thought of her getting hurt again, no matter the scenario. With the unnecessary brutality of her father and the nights she spent awake trying to comfort her and make sure her injuries do not get any worse, she made a vow never to let anything like that happen again. No matter what.

Rainbow Dash's demeanor softens and she smiles sympathetically as she puts her hand on her sister's shoulder. “Don't worry, Fluttershy. I will get those weapons back. Father won't know a thing about this, okay?”

Fluttershy nods. “O-Okay.”

Rainbow Dash puts her other hand on Fluttershy's other shoulder and stands on the balls of her feet so they can touch foreheads. Her warm smile grows and she feels a little better when Fluttershy smiles behind her fists, despite the tears in her red and puffy eyes.

“Never again, remember?” says Rainbow Dash softly.

Fluttershy swallows. “R-Right. Never again.”

Rainbow Dash pats Fluttershy's shoulder, lowers herself down, then walks backwards out the door while pointing at her with a confident smile. “Go back to your animals and pretend that nothing is wrong. I will fix all this before the next mailmare gets here. Father will never know about any of this, I promise.”

After Fluttershy nods, Rainbow Dash turns around and marches down the muddy street of the village, her smile fading a determined sneer and cracking her knuckles. Someone is going to get hurt, she will make sure of that.

=====O=====

“Then there is that rumor that says she is the fastest mare alive,” says Pipsqueak dramatically as the mares crowd around him and Button Mash. “They say she took on a whole team of griffin mercenaries without getting a scratch."

“Then there is the story where she killed somepony with a teacup when they insulted her sister,” adds Button Mash

Apple Bloom and Twist cringe while Scootaloo's eyes light up with admiration.

“How did she kill somepony with a teacup?” asks Twist uneasily.

“She shoved it into their neck and popped their jugular wide open! There was blood all over the place!” says Button Mash, mimicking a pop with his hands. Then he leans towards Sweetie Belle and says in a hushed tone. “And then she licked herself clean.”

Sweetie Belle leans back, grimacing and ears folded back. “Eww. Really?”

“Well, that is just great,” huffs Apple Bloom, not giving Button Mash a chance to show off more of his morbid side. “Now we got a cloaked creep, a stinky drunk and a maniac pegasus that can kill ponies with teacups goin' after us.”

“This would be kind of funny if it wasn't us being chased,” says Scootaloo, still in a dreamy state as she stares at the clouds. “Maybe we can bribe this Rainbow Dash mare to be our bodyguard so that drunk and cloaked freak don't get us.”

Apple Bloom shakes her head and stands up, then cracks her back and starts packing up her supplies. “No, we ain't goin' ta try ta bribe anypony fer any reason. Its bad enough that we're in this kinda mess, and Ah really don't wanna sit around, waitin' fer any of those three ta show up ta see if we can bribe 'em.”

“Can't we relax just a little bit longer?” asks Scootaloo hopefully. “Me and Sweetie Belle-”

“Sweetie Belle and I,” corrects Sweetie Belle.

Silence and stares follow. The unicorn foaling, noting the stares, shrugs innocently.

“What? It's proper grammar,” she says.

Everyone exchanges looks before Scootaloo sighs and stretches out her legs while placing her hands behind her head like a pillow.

“Grammar or not, I'm tired and haven't had a decent sleep in the past few days, so I'm going to go to sleep,” she says grumpily.

“No you aren't. We have ta get movin',” says Apple Bloom, ignoring the glare Scootaloo is giving her when she cracks an eye open. “We shoulda never stopped in tha first place.”

Scootaloo sits up with a very loud, clearly agitated sigh. “Apple Bloom, I am going to be very honest with you. I am tired. Very, very tired, from saving your sorry butt from those nuts and getting us weapons to defend ourselves. I want to sleep for at least an hour. Can I at least get an hour, oh supreme leader?”

Apple Bloom furrows her brows and points at Scootaloo. “Ya coulda slept like tha rest of us! Ya didn't have t' go off an' steal those weapons!”

Scootaloo jumps up, almost falling over in the process, but is saved by a tree, and she stomps towards Apple Bloom, eyes narrowed and muzzle scrunched in a snarl. When she is in front of Apple Bloom, the earth pony can see the dark bags and sandy crust under and around her eyes, and she stumbles back a little when the pegasus jabs her finger at her chest.

“You obviously forgot that we had no weapons to fight whoever the heck is after us!” shouts Scootaloo furiously. “We got lucky at the ferry and you are lucky that we were able to find you so quickly and save you from that drunk! We need those weapons to defend ourselves! You need those weapons more than us because it is you that is being hunted!”

“Scootaloo, you need to relax,” says Pipsqueak cautiously as he moves between the two mares.

“You didn't have to come!” counters Apple Bloom, easily pointing over his shoulder at the pegasus. “None of you had to come!”

“But I did!” snaps Scootaloo with tears in her eyes and her hands balled into a fist. “And I forgot why, but it doesn't matter because I'm here, Sweetie's here, we're all here now, absolutely lost with a creepy guy in a cloak, an angry drunk and a crazy pegasus hunting us!”

“Let's stop arguing, please,” begs Twist.

“Just let me sleep!” cries Scootaloo. “Just an hour is all I'm asking! I think I deserve that much for what I've done for you.”

Apple Bloom does not break eye contact with Scootaloo. She knows the pegasus is tired, and she has already risked her life for something she does not fully understand, just like everyone else in the group. With that thought, Apple Bloom glances at the others. They have sacrificed a lot for her in the past few days, and their journey has taken their toll on all of them, as seen by their sagging figures and the growing bags under their eyes, but they are not nearly as worn out as Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom looks back at Scootaloo as her hand rubs against the Amulet's resting place, wanting to do nothing more than keep running until they reach Armonia, or at least a secured shelter. However, she also does not want to push them beyond their breaking point or get them hurt because they are too exhausted to think properly, and the pegasus foaling looks as though is about to crumble into pieces.

Apple Bloom swallows and presses her hand tighter against the Amulet. “Okay. But only an hour before we get movin' again.”

Scootaloo nods and rests against the tree with her arms folded across her chest and legs splayed out. “Don't leave me here alone, okay?”

“We won't.”

Scootaloo stares at Apple Bloom apprehensively, and only with a reassuring nod from Sweetie Belle does she close her eyes and bow her head. She starts snoring seconds later.

~~~~~~~~~~

Apple Bloom is certain an hour as passed already, but after looking at Scootaloo and seeing how peaceful she is, she finds herself reluctant to wake her up. Her eyes drift back to the fog covering the field and squints her eyes to see look at the mountains in the distance. They are mostly shrouded by the fog, but she can still see the rocky tips poking out.

“Do you think we should wake her up now?” asks Twist.

Apple Bloom nods, but suddenly winces and clutches her side where the Amulet marked her. This sparks a look of concern from Twist and she puts her hand on her shoulder and tries looking into her eyes. But since Apple Bloom's eye are squeezed shut and her head is dipped, that becomes impossible to accomplish.

“Apple Bloom, are you alright?” asks Twist worryingly.

“Wake her up now and get everypony out of here!” orders Apple Bloom.

Twist nods quickly, runs to Scootaloo and shakes her awake. The pegasus snorts and her eyes flutter open as she looks at Twist wearily.

“Has it been an hour already?” asks Scootaloo with a yawn.

Apple Bloom takes a few big steps towards Pipsqueak, Sweetie Belle and Button Mash, who are drawing stick figures in the ash and conversing quietly amongst themselves.

“We need ta go right now!” says Apple Bloom urgently, gritting her teeth and seething as her hand grips the marking.

The trio look at her, their easygoing smiles fading when they see her state.

“Is everything okay?” asks Pipsqueak as he stands up with Button Mash.

Apple Bloom shakes her head. “No, Ah think-”

“Good evening, foalings,” says an unfamiliar voice that seems to freeze the air around them.

Apple Bloom turns around and gasps and takes a step back when she sees the cloaked attacker from the ferry. Only this time it has eight identical copies of it, all standing at the edge of the forest and looking down on their makeshift camp.

The one in the center steps forward, saying: “I believe one of you is carrying something important to me.”

Scootaloo and Twist run to Apple Bloom's group, and Apple Bloom gulps as all of the foaling back up into the field, shivering collectively as the temperature drops and ice covers the trees, mulch and grass. The nine Windigos keep advancing, all of them forming blades made from ice that cover their hands and forearms. This terrifying sight makes her mane crawl and all of the foalings pull out their poor weapons and clutch them as hard as their shaky hands will allow.

The one next to the leader chuckles. “Do you really think those weapons will hurt us?”

The leader points at Apple Bloom. “You. You have the Amulet of the King and I want it. Give it to me willingly and all of you will walk away alive and unscathed. However, if you resist, Charon will claim all of you swiftly.”

Apple Bloom's heart races and sweat rolls down her face and neck as she aims her weapon at the Windigo, trembling violently in her spot.

“Ah-Ah can't,” stammers Apple Bloom.

“Yes you can. It is easy. Take it out of your pocket and toss it to the ground in front of me and we will leave,” says the leader.

“Forget this talk! Let us kill them now!” yells the other Windigo.

The leader holds up his hand. “Let her decide their fates.”

Apple Bloom swallows, and everything becomes amplified as she struggles to make a decision. She can't give up the Amulet willingly, that will mean death to everyone, and there is no telling if the Windigos will spare them if she does anyway. On the other hand, if they resist, chances are they will die and they will get the Amulet, anyway. They cannot fight and they cannot hand over the Amulet willingly, leaving only one option.

Apple Bloom's eyes flick to the vast open space behind them, then she looks at Twist. The awkward foaling's eyes glance behind her as well, then she nods. Apple Bloom looks at Pipsqueak, and he does the same thing. She looks at the Windigo's leader and swallows her spit.

“Run!” barks Apple Bloom suddenly.

The foalings turn and run into the fog and instantly metal boots thumping on the grass follow.

“Kill the others!” orders the lead Windigo, his voice echoing over the flat landscape. “The Bearer is mine!”

Apple Bloom tries to stay with the rest of the foalings as she runs through the wet grass, hearing the cracking and snapping of forming and breaking ice as the demons give chase. She looks to her side and shrieks and dives to the ground as one of the cloaked monsters appears in front of her, bringing his weapon down, barely missing her and kicking up chunks of grass and dirt. She scrambles to her feet and sees the other Windigos have easily corralled her friends, leaving her out in the open and completely separated.

The Windigo that stabbed the ground yanks his blade out and starts advancing on Apple Bloom, and she, in turn, veers to his side at an angle, trying to keep her sight on her friends. Pipsqueak's size comes into use as he easily slips past the Windigos and runs towards Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom, run!” shouts Pipsqueak.

Pipsqueak takes a swing at the Windigo chasing Apple Bloom, but the blade bounces harmlessly off its thighs, much to his horror. Pipsqueak's colors barely drain before the Windigo's backhand sends him to the ground, clutching his face and crying out in pain as blood seeps past his his fingers.

“Pipsqueak!” cries Apple Bloom, taking a few steps forwards, even though the lead Windigo's advance is kept constant.

The Windigo keeps marching, either unaware or uncaring of the resistance Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Button Mash are giving as Twist running to Pipsqueak's side to help him up.

“Run! Get out of here!” yells Twist, waving Apple Bloom away with her sword while half carrying, half dragging the smaller foaling away until Button Mash runs to her side and helps.

“Stay, foaling,” hisses the Amulet.

Apple Bloom's legs lock and she stares wide-eyed at the approaching Windigo. A shiver runs along her body and the ice from the Amulet returns to dig into her skin, making her whimper from fear and pain and her body shake from more than the cold.

“What are you doing? Run!” screams Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom looks at Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell and sees the former swinging wildly while the latter keeps her poorly aimed swipes at a conservative use. When the other three stumble next to them and form a circle with their weapons out and Pipsqueak's face, neck and shirt quickly becoming stained in red.

Twist looks at Apple Bloom past the Windigos that have made a half circle and clutches her weapon with both hands, shaking to near collapse and tears streaming down her face.

“GO!” screams Twist louder than Apple Bloom has ever heard before.

“Stay!” orders the Amulet.

Apple Bloom snaps her eyes back to the lead Windigo and yelps and stumbles back when he swishes at her. She trips over her backpedaling and lands on her back on the wet grass, but quickly rolls to her feet and runs into the fog, looking over shoulder and watching with a racing heart as the Windigo pursues her. The last thing she sees of her friends before the fog becomes too thick is all the Windigos closing in on them with their bladed arms raised for killing blows.

“Ah'm sorry,” whimpers Apple Bloom.

And she keeps running into the fog, hoping that her friends will forgive her for getting them killed.

oooOOOooo

Twist's chest heaves with her heavy breathing and through her blurry vision, she keeps watching Apple Bloom until not even her silhouette is seen in the fog. She then looks back at the hooded demons towering above them, all with their weapons raised for the kill, and she closes her eyes, waiting for her horrible end But when she hears a slice and a shriek of agony, she opens her eyes and recoils with a loud gasp. Next to her is the arm of the Windigo that almost killed her, and standing in front of her is a tall, dirty unicorn that is now slicing off the head of the assailant with a broken sword. The Windigo's hood and head is removed with a clean slice, sending its head landing in front of her and blue blood squirting out. As its headless body falls, the stallion stabs the heart of the Windigo going after Pipsqueak. It hisses in pain and latches on to his arms as he pushes forward until it falls on its back, gurgling blood. The remaining Windigos rush towards the unicorn after taking a second to process what is happening.

The unicorn yanks out his blade and jumps to his feet, barely blocking a slash from one of the Windigos and awkwardly retaliates with a punch to its face. The Windigo stumbles and the unicorn ducks down from another swing and slices off the attacker's leg. It howls painfully and he cuts off the hand of the one he punched before slicing off its maw and stabbing what's left of its face, kicking the corpse away right after.

Twist shrinks behind the other foalings when they huddle together, terrified and mesmerized at the same time from the brutal fight. She never thought she would see anything so brutal, but she also never thought she would leave Greenhill to destroy an all-powerful amulet crafted solely for destruction. As the fight progresses, she awkwardly steps back with the group until she hits a tree, then she shrinks down and watches with big eyes as the unicorn takes on two Windigos at the same time.

The two cloaked assailants swing wildly at him, and he blocks each of them with sloppy, but effective, technique. That is until one stabs him through the shoulder from behind. The foalings yell with the unicorn as his blood drips off the protruding tip and stains his attire in red. The two that swung at him earlier take this chance to lunge at him, and he, in turn, twists his body, turning the one that stabbed him into a meat shield.

The Windigo howls and its legs buckle as two ice blades pierce its body, and the unicorn, biting back his tears and another cry of pain, twists his sword and stabs the creature. His blade goes up at an angle and cuts through its lung and heart, and he grunts as he pulls himself off with a wet shlick and wobbles forward until he collapse on ground, clutching his wound with his sword hand and panting. Blood and sweat drip past his clothing and off his maw to the wet ground as his injured arm trembles in its attempt to keep him up.

As he is kneeling, panting and his eyes getting red and wet from the tears, Twist realizes that the stallion is the one that knocked her out and kidnapped Apple Bloom! But that is the extent of her thoughts before the stranger pushes himself up and slashes at another Windigo when it goes in for the kill, cutting it diagonally down its chest, slicing its heart wide open and spraying its cold, blue blood all over his stained attire. The last two jump at him from two different sides and he ducks and rolls away from them, digging his free hand -now stained with trails of red- in the cold grass while keeping his sword aimed at the assassins as he slides to a stop.

He growls when he stands up, and then charges the two cloaked demons, screaming madly while they run forward, screeching with their arms coiled for a strike. The unicorn blocks the slash of the closest Windigo with a powerful swing that shatters its weapon, and he spins around it to cut off the arm of the other one when it takes a swing at him. The painful screech piercing the air is reduced to a bloody gurgle when he plunges his broken blade through its neck, sending a torrent of blood gushing out of its mouth and wound. The last standing Windigo tries to stab him once again with a reformed blade, but he sidesteps it and grabs its face with his bloody hand. A second later, its head explodes with a glow from his horn and hand, and where its head should be is a translucent, rose colored ball.

The headless body drops, the ball disintegrates, and the unicorn removes his broken sword from the other Windigo's neck. He stands in his spot, panting and shaking with his hand still outstretched and its rose colored glow fading. He turns his head when his ears flick and immediately marches over towards the Windigo with the missing leg. It is crawling through the grass, leaving a trail of blue and muttering swears in an archaic language, and when it reaches out to pull itself another few precious inches, he stabs it in the back. The Windigo, grunts, stiffens, then goes limp with its hand still outstretched. After killing that Windigo, his hand remains clenched tight around his weapon, and his mouth hangs open and chest heaving with his heavy panting. Seconds later, he swallows his spit and he turns to the foalings, all of whom shrink back at his bloody appearance.

It does not take the injured unicorn long to spot Scootaloo, and when he does, his eyes narrow and he points a bloody finger at her, wincing at the discomfort from his stabbed shoulder. “You!”

Scootaloo points at herself, shaking despite her defiant appearance. “Me?”

“You punched me in the groin and it hurt! It hurt a lot!”

The pegasus foaling scowls. “Are you saying you went through all that just to get to me because I punched you?”

The unicorn snorts. “Don't be so self centered. I am here to make sure that Honeycrisp and the Amulet do not fall into the wrong hands. Now, where is she?”

The foalings are silence, and at first they exchange confused looks, but Twist is the first to remember Apple Bloom's alias, and she looks at the unicorn warily.

“How do we know we can trust you?” she asks, almost continuing, but stopping herself when the unicorn cranes his head back, screaming and clawing at his face with his bloody hand.

When he is done screaming, one of his hung-over, bloodshot eyes is twitching and his messy mane is more disheveled than before and his fingers are twitching, really eager to choke something.

“Oh, for the love of all things holy and divine! Did you not just see me kill those things that tried to kill you!?” he shouts angrily.

“That could have been a trick,” accuses Sweetie Belle.

“A trick? Are you- Okay, yes, you are right. I tricked all of you.” The unicorn delivers a hard kick to the ribs of the Windigo whose head exploded. “Hey, Richard, they figured us out! Get up!”

The foalings look at each other and Button Mash twirls his finger next to his temple as he and Sweetie Belle look at each other. The foaling unicorn nods in agreement, and Pipsqueak and Twist exchange concerned looks and Scootaloo grimaces when he kicks the headless corpse again. He gives it a few more kicks before he stops and hunches over slightly, panting and clutching his bleeding shoulder.

“Oh well, it looks like Richard may be dead, after all,” continues the unicorn.

“You got some issues,” points out Button Mash.

The unicorn's eyes get a little large as he grins maniacally at the said foaling. “You don't say.”

“Everypony, please stop! We cannot bicker anymore! Apple Bloom is still out there and the longer we sit here, arguing about what ever we are arguing about, the more danger she will be in!” says Pipsqueak.

He quickly becomes the victim of a collection of harsh glares from all the foalings, each wanting to tear his head off and beat him silly for his slip, all while the unicorn just gives him a blank stare.

“Who's Apple Bloom?” he asks.

“Honeycrisp is Apple Bloom,” states Twist, not seeing any point in keeping her real name secret anymore because someone let it slip. “But if you are going to help us, we need to know your name.”

“Just call me Sprinkles,” says the unicorn, wincing when he grabs his wounded shoulder. “Now, which way did Apple Bloom go?”

“No, we want your real name,” says Scootaloo snidely.

Sprinkles glares at her. “Sprinkle Muffin McDoodlepants. Now, where did Apple Bloom go?”

“I think that's a fake name...” comments Button Mash quietly.

“Where did she go!” yells Sprinkles impatiently, making everyone jump.

Twist points into the fog. “She went in there!”

“Thank you!”

Sprinkles bolts inside the fog without a second's hesitation, muttering a lot of colorful phrases under his breath. The foalings, meanwhile, stare at him, unable to move for the time being, and they remain that way until he disappears in the fog.

Scootaloo is the first to follow his trail, and she speaks with a frown as she grips her short sword tight. “If that nut tries any funny business, he's getting castrated.”

oooOOOooo

Apple Bloom hears the screams of the dying in the fog, and she slides to a stop, throat and lungs burning and legs feeling like they are ready to break into splinters. She swallows what little spit she has and scans the fog with sporadic flicks of her eye and ears, hands clutching and swinging her weapon to every ghostly sound in the fog.

“Can you find me?” giggles the foaling from the dream.

Apple Bloom snaps to the source with a terrified yelp, and starts sobbing and backing up as the shadow foaling with the pure violet eyes grins at her from a distance. She puts her finger to her lips and shushes Apple Bloom.

“Be quiet. He's going to find you,” snickers the shadow foaling, sounding like she is directly in front of her instead of a distance. “And if he finds you, how can you find me?”

Tears burn Apple Bloom's eyes and stream down her cheeks as she shakes her head at the specter.

“Please, Ah-Ah...” stammers Apple Bloom, unable to find the words or the courage to speak to the mysterious foaling.

“You cannot hide, foaling,” says the Windigo from behind.

Apple Bloom spins on her heels and aims in his direction, whimpering and biting her tongue to keep her whines and sobs down. She looks over her shoulder, but sees that the shadow foaling is gone, then she looks back to where the voice came from, trying to blink the tears out of her eyes so she can see better.

“The Amulet calls me. Its whisper is constant in my ears, calling me without falter. It is tormenting me as it is you,” continues the Windigo, this time in another area.

Apple Bloom turns to the source and sees a dark silhouette standing barely thirty feet away from her. It takes a step forward, creating a muffled thump, and she takes a step back, whimpering when she sees it raising its ice blade.

“Do you have the nightmares?” it asks. “Do you sleep well at night?”

It steps closer and Apple Bloom steps back, keeping both hands on the weapon as she points it at its gut, begging in tearful whimpers not to come any closer.

“Tell me, foaling, why keep an item that brings you only torment?” says the Windigo, ignoring her pleas. “You are my prey and I will hunt you until I have the Amulet, and in turn the Amulet will haunt us both until I have it.”

The Windigo's free hand flexes and the fog suddenly gets thicker to where Apple Bloom cannot see. Her head snaps towards the direction of heavy pattering in the wet grass and she shrieks and falls to the ground from stumbling back when the Windigo jumps towards her from its fog cover, dropping her weapon in the process.

“Why not end our torments together!” roars the Windigo.

Its boots kick up wet grass that freeze in the air, and Apple Bloom whimpers and crawls backwards as the demon marches forward, leaving a trail of frozen footprints in his wake.

“This is your last chance. Give up your torment to me willingly and I will spare your life. But if you do not surrender it then you will die. Either way, I will get the Amulet,” it says.

“Surrender, foaling,” says the Amulet.

Apple Bloom stops moving and the Windigo continues walking until he is towering above her, his blade gleaming in the exposed light and his head tilting down with his hand extended.

“Relinquish the Amulet,” orders the Windigo.

Apple Bloom's heart races and her wide, tear filled eyes stare at the demon in front of her. She wants to give up the Amulet in the hopes that she will live and return home with all the troubles behind her. However, as much as she desires to abandon the Amulet, she knows she cannot do that. Twilight is trusting her with it and if the stories are true, then she will be damning everyone to a horrible fate! This she cannot allow under any circumstances.

With a burst of determination and adrenaline surging through her veins, Apple Bloom turns on her hands and knees and pushes herself up to run. But as soon as her hands and knees leave the freezing grass, she feels a rough, sharp object tear through her back, just under her ribs and poke out the front. She gasps in shock with blood pooling and dribbling past her mouth and she stares, wide-eyed at the Windigo's weapon. Her hot blood travels around the blade's ridges and pools at the tip, where they drip down into the grass, and her breathing becomes short and sharp as her heart thumps in her ears and her trembling hand grips the blade. Numbness quickly overtakes her and she drops to her knees, clutching her gushing wound, when the Windigo yanks his blade out, then she is kicked to the ground.

“Foolish foaling,” sneers the Windigo as he paces around Apple Bloom.

She shifts weakly on the ground, moaning and whimpering as her vision pulsates from darkness to dimness, with the darkness bleeding closer to her center with each passing beat of her weak heart. With one hand over the gaping wound, she uses her other blood-soaked hand to grab a tuft of grass to pull herself forward, whimpering a plea not to die with her freezing tears cleaning off the dirt and a trail of blood in her wake. She stops, closes her eyes and lays her head on the wet grass, sobbing weakly when she feels the sharp boot press her down, and then everything fades to a dark void.

oooOOOooo

The foaling under Starswirl stops moving, but he can still hear hear her weak, desperate breaths, and for that, he coils his arm for another stab to end her and take the Amulet back. However, when he brings the blade down, a rose colored dome engulfs the fallen foaling and catapults him into the air, where he lands on his back with a grunt and some frozen grass being kicked up. He looks up just in time to see a pale, scraggly, blue maned unicorn stallion leap over the bubble towards him with a broken blade, screaming ferociously.

Starswirl's eyes widen at the sight of the broken weapon and he brings his bladed arm up defensively, just barely blocking the strike. The attack has enough force to shatter the ice and jerk his arm down. The stranger takes another swing at Starswirl, but a swift kick to the gut sends the attacker stumbling back with a loss of air, and he rolls on his feet as one gauntlet sprouts a new weapon and he lunges at the unicorn.

The unicorn grabs Starswirl's bladed arm, but a metal glove just as quickly connects with the white maw, sending a spurt of blood all over the glove with the cracking bone and cry of pain. Starswirl then knees the unicorn in the gut and as he doubles over, he slams his elbow on his spine, sending him down in the grass. Any attempts to stab him through his back, though, are stonewalled when the unicorn turns himself just enough to see Starswirl and push him back with a burst of rosy energy from his horn and palm.

The blast feels like a strong gust of wind that pushes Starswirl back a couple of feet, and while he regains his footing, the unicorn scrambles to his feet and charges with his free hand extended. Starswirl sees the hand glowing and out of pure instinct he swings his sword arm, but the glowing hand catches it and the unicorn holds it tight, growling through gritted teeth as red lines snake along the weapon's edges.

Starswirl and the unicorn stare at each other with narrowed eyes, both growling through their teeth and straining their muscles to overpower one another. The Windigo brings his other arm up, surrounding his fingers with sharp, icy claws and he is about to stab the unicorn in the face, but stops when he sees a familiar sight.

The fire in the unicorn's blue eyes, the reckless determination in his actions, even the pale coat and blue mane are familiar. Starswirl's eyes widen and his pupils shake in the darkness of his hood, and his snarl disappears with his breathing becoming short as being locked with the unicorn sends a trickle of memories he has long forgotten.

“Soldiers of Unicornia, cast down your fears! Fight not for your king or country, but for your family and pony next to you! Let not one Condemned breach this line!”

The voice is faint, but just clear enough for him to understand, and the roars of the rallied troops are just the same. He barely remembers the silver armor and the phalanx made of rectangle shields and leaf shaped spears, and the banners of Unicornia fluttering in the cold wind as the soldiers brace for a horde attack. But, one thing that is clear, and it appears like the sun flashing into existence, it is the face to the voice. He looks too much like the stranger challenging him now, and holds the same fury that drove him in the heat of battle before Charon claimed him.

“My heir,” whispers Starswirl in disbelief.

The stranger's hand bursts with energy, thus making Starswirl's caught arm explode from a bubble formed on the inside in a shower of ice, flesh, bone and tattered cloth. There is no pain, only shock, and Starswirl recoils, unable to scream and before he can realize what is happening next, he feels the broken blade get plunged into his stomach, breaching his armor and flesh with ease. Starswirl gasps and steps back with his remaining hand clutching the pouring wound when the unicorn yanks the weapon out.

He then drops to his knees, and as his vision pulsates, he notices the blade is etched with ancient alicornian. What it says, though, he does not know, for he collapses on the wet ground, face first, gasping for air before he can make it out.

As he lies on the ground, shivering from blood loss and desperately sucking in the chilly air, he releases just enough energy to absorb the moisture out of the ground to create rough, blue scabs to stop his bleeding, hoping that no one will notice. Though, with the amount of blood lost, he cannot stay on guard even if he wished to. With each passing second, the fatigue becomes stronger, overpowering his desire and will to remain awake. It relentlessly pulls him into the darkness, and no matter how much he begs with bloody gasps and choked whimpers, it until all he sees is the lonely void.

oooOOOooo

Shining Armor stares down at the slain Windigo, wiping blood from his muzzle and rolling his injured shoulder, glad that the demon paused its attack that would have more than likely killed him. Though, his relief comes to an end when he hears the other foalings run forward, screaming for Apple Bloom. He hurries towards the fallen foaling, casting a cautious look at the dead Windigo before kneeling next to Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom! Apple Bloom! Wake up!” sobs the awkward one as she shakes Apple Bloom's shoulder.

Shining Armor presses his fingers against Apple Bloom's neck and feels some relief when he finds a pulse. It is weak, but still there. He hears some cloth being torn and sees the smallest of the group ripping up his cloak and transforming the strips into bandages. The blood quickly seeps past it though, and he looks at Shining Armor pleadingly with tears in his eyes and lips trembling.

“Sprinkles, the bleeding won't stop!” he cries.

“Get back, all of you,” says Shining Armor.

The foalings step back without a word and Shining Armor closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and places his hand over the gaping wound. He bows his head and mutters: “Please, let this work.”

His horn and hand glow and wispy tendrils slide out of his fingers and into the torn flesh. He grits his teeth as the feeling of hundreds of little bites nibble at his digits and horn, and fatigue comes down hard on him, crushing him and his ability to stay awake. He starts leaning forward, his eyes fluttering and struggling to stay open as his other hand presses against the bloody grass. Then, it all ends like a candle being blown out.

The pain stops, but the fatigue remains, and Shining Armor opens his eyes and smiles with relief when a quick inspection reveals that the bleeding has stopped.

“It worked,” he laughs wearily.

“Did you heal her?” asks Twist.

Shining Armor scoops up Apple Bloom, grunting when his hurt shoulder protests the weight, even though she is limp. “I did not heal her as much as she needed, but it is enough to keep her alive for now. She will need advanced medicine if she is to be fully healed.”

“And where can we get some like that?”

Shining Armor starts walking towards the forest, clutching Apple Bloom tighter, and the foalings follow suit, having to take twice as many steps to keep up with his strides.

“I know a mare that lives about thirty miles from here. I know she can help us,” he says. “But we're going to have to hurry. I don't know how long Apple Bloom will last or how effective my healing is.”

He looks over his shoulder and is glad that he does not see any form of defiance, especially from the pegasus foaling that had been a pain in more ways than one. Seeing the foalings file in behind him, he looks ahead, adjusts his grip on the unconscious foaling and picks up his speed.

“Hang in there, Apple Bloom.”

oooOOOooo

Starswirl's head is bowed, his hood is pulled back to reveal his pale face and wiry mane. His beard is thin as well and composed of clumps instead of its solid glory he was once known for. His eyes remain closed, but he feels a pain in his back and tries lifting his arms, only to find that they are stuck, just like his legs. He opens his eyes and sees his wrists, ankles and limbs are cuffed and chained to a solid stone throne. He is still wearing his cloak and armor, though, and it only confuses him more about what is going on.

“How does it feel to taste mortality again, Starswirl?” asks a feminine voice heavy with authority.

Starswirl looks up and sees a beautiful, winged unicorn standing before him with a skinny build, but her curves are still easy to see. Her eyes are cyan, her coat is a grayish-blue, and her light azure mane hangs past her shoulders. Resting on her head is a dark, spiked crown and a silver tiara with a full moon, and she is wearing a flowing, dark purple dress underneath her silver armor decorated with stars and wavy lines. The suit actually makes her figure more defines and Starswirl vaguely remembers how this particular alicorn always welcomed his invitations for nights of lavish parties and other activities with open arms. Her sister, on the other hand, did not accept his invitations quite as often. That being said, the good times he shared with Celestial Sisters are vague. But seeing the younger of the two standing in front of him, glaring and holding a sword like a cane with the tip piercing the dirt and her hands resting on the hilt's bottom is a clear indication that he will not enjoy this reunion. The fact that he is chained to a solid stone throne helps enforce this.

“It has been a long time, Luna. How is your sister?” says Starswirl with a forced smile.

“She has been wounded greatly by your actions and has yet to fully recover,” replies Luna sourly.

“Oh, that is tragic. Be sure to give Celestia my halfhearted apologies when you see her again.”

“You have fallen far from grace, Son of Bismuth.”

“And you are still holier than thou, Daughter of Faust. Are you here to tell me something or are we going to relive the old days?”

Luna narrows her eyes and tightens her grip on her sword's hilt. “We have a message from Mother, as well as a personal message.”

Starswirl chuckles darkly. “Do you now? What worthless piece of advice does your mother have in store for me this time?”

Luna remains silent, but her grip does tighten on her weapon and Starswirl notices a slight twitch in her eye and her jaw setting. He thinks he hears a growl, too, but the sane part of him tells him it is not wise to taunt an armed mare that has him chained to a seat.

Starswirl licks his lips. “Well, I suppose I should let you speak.”

Luna purses her lips and sits down in front of Starswirl, sprouting a throne made of onyx and thick, lavender cushions from the ground. Decorating the throne are swirling midnight blue and dark lavender gems that connect to a crescent moon on the top of the back rest, positioning itself right above the alicorn. She then presses her hands together and drapes one of her leg's over the other.

“Listen closely, Starswirl, for We have told this to your fellow Windigo, Medallion, and now We are telling you, as per Mother's request and Our desire to speak with you,” she says sternly, earning a quirked brow from Starswirl.

Starswirl sighs and slouches in his throne, waving his hand impatiently as much as he can. “Well, get on with it, then.”

Luna's eyes narrow. “As We said before, you have tasted your mortality. You have been reminded that you are not invincible, therefore you can die at any time, no matter what earthly blessings you receive. You are lucky to be alive as it is, but now you must take this second chance to repent from your ways.”

“And rejoin the Light?”

“Yes.”

Starswirl snorts and clenches his fists as he flexes his muscles in a feeble attempt to break free, but his wrists remain bound to his throne. “Now, tell me, Princess of the Night, why should I return to the Light? What Light is there to return to, anyhow? It is growing fainter with each passing day. Even your moon – the so called Light in the Dark- ails. All there is, is the resurgence of the Nightmare, and when King Sombra is at full strength he will take his war to Paradise and bring that whore you call Mother down to her knees!”

Luna's eyes glow bright and with a vicious snarl she lunges at the bound unicorn, grabbing him by his neck and crushing his back against the stone throne, cracking it and splitting the air with its thunder. Pressed against his jugular is her blade, gleaming in the moonlight and barely touching his skin, ready to slice his throat open at a mere flick. Starswirl gulps, but despite his trembling body, his racing heart and the tears clouding his vision, he still manages to force a cocky smile to mock the Princess of the Night.

“Are you going to kill me in the Dreamscape? You know that that is forbidden,” says Starswirl condescendingly.

“YOU HAVE MUCH STUPIDITY IF YOU THINK YOUR FALSE KING CAN CHALLENGE MOTHER!” accuses Luna, her echoing voice shaking the earth and making Starswir's ear bleed.

“No, Luna, it is you who is foolish! You think that alicorns can remain on their thrones when you forget that Faust created us to be gods of our own!”

Luna glares at Starswirl, her chest heaving with her heavy breaths and her muzzle wrinkled with her predatory growl as her grip tightens around his throat. He swallows again, feeling the alicorn's digits squeeze harder on his neck.

“We are meant to rule all things,” continues Starswirl. “Sombra will bring the unicorn race to what it was meant to be, and when he does, you will see just how weak deities are compared to us mortals.”

Luna's grip tightens and behind Starswirl's defiant eyes there is fear. He wonders if Luna really will kill him in the Dreamscape, but seconds later, her squeeze ceases and her wrathful gaze dissolves to pity. She releases his throat with a sigh and he leans forward, coughing and sucking in air, barely giving her eye contact as she backs away with her eyes lowered and her blade returning to its sheath.

“Starswirl, once a great king of Unicornia, truly your quest for great knowledge has corrupted you,” says Luna softly. She takes a breath and looks at Starswirl in the eyes. “But if you will not listen to Us, listen to your heart. Ask yourself, what would your son think of you?”

Starswirl's wet eyes snap with his stiffening muscles and he finds his mouth suddenly dry and his throat plugged with a lump. Before he can even make a thought about his son, Luna extends her hand to him, which creates a soft white orb in her palm.

“Wake up soon, Starswirl,” she says.

The orb then explodes in a blinding flash of warm, white light and-

[[[[[O]]]]]

Starswirl's eyes open and he sucks in frosty air. He coughs and uses his one hand to push himself up in the sitting position. His whole body is quivering as the cold he has become so accustomed to digs past his thin coat and blue skin like claws of a raptor grabbing a hold of its prey. His body is damp with his blood and the moisture around him, and in the middle of the field, he finds himself to be alone. And terrified.

He swallows some air with big gulps and runs his hand over the scab of his obliterate arm as he looks for any signs of his team in the foggy field without standing. He has no such luck, and with that depressing sight, he takes a breath, closes his eyes, then grits his teeth as he absorbs the moisture around him. The regrowing bones feel as though they are twigs sprouting from his body, each growing and latching on to each other to create the bones of his arm, wrist and hand. The appearing muscles are like thin worms that grow into fat, wiggling beasts that fuse together using their slime. The scab that covered the wound breaks apart and becomes part of his regrown arm and his skin returns like a careless seamstress sewing patches as fast as she can while his pale, gray-blue coat sprouts like grass. When his arm has returned, he flexes his muscles and twists his wrists and wiggles his fingers. Then he sprouts an ice blade and smiles wearily at the rough weapon he summoned. After that, he does the same with the wound on his gut, feeling the same discomfort as he did with the arm reconstruction. Once he is fully healed, he stands up, leaving a massive circle of dead grass and rock hard, dry dirt around him. After trying to marvel at his work without much success, he walks towards where he last saw his team, his hand shaking and curling and uncurling into a fist the whole time with his ice blade out.

The fog parts like a curtain when he steps into the site of the massacre and his whole body seems ready to collapse. His knees buckle and his eyes shift between each of the destroyed corpses that once made up his team, now lying in pools of blood with their dismembered parts scattered.

“This should not have happened,” says a familiar voice.

Starswirl looks to his side and sees Medallion sitting on the grass, massaging a leg that he is reattaching to his body. His hood is down, revealing his pale face, blood red eyes and wiry mane. His eyes are distant and as the skin and fur regrows on his leg, his strokes become more hypnotic.

“Sombra promised us immortality,” continues Medallion, resentment, worry and sadness weighing down his voice. He stops and looks at the bodies. “He lied to us.”

“That broken blade that the unicorn had was blessed,” says Starswirl. Medallion gives him a curious look and he continues with a loud sigh. “Sombra may be powerful, but he does not have the strength to fight Faust's blessings just yet.”

Starswirl approaches Medallion and offers his hand, and once his companion grabs it, he pulls him up and starts walking towards the forest in the distance, balling his hand into a tight fist.

“Come, we still have work to do,” says Starswirl.

Medallion slips his hood back over his head, balking. “With just the two of us? The one with the Blessed Blade slaughtered us! We will need an army to retrieve the Amulet if he is traveling with the foalings!”

Starswirl stops and takes a breath, understanding Medallion's paranoia, but at the same time annoyed since they wasted precious time napping and talking. “Sombra has many allies in the light and shadows. I am sure we will get an army if we ask our king for one. Let's move. We have wasted enough time.”

Starswirl starts walking again and seconds later, he hears Medallion walk after him. As they walk, he lowers his head and watches the path his feet are taken mindlessly taking him with Luna's question lingering in his mind. A question he has not thought about for centuries, much less a question regarding someone he has long forgotten about until today. His eyes close and he takes a deep breath, and forces his feet to keep moving for the sake of the Amulet and the purpose Sombra gave him, no matter who is against him.

oooOOOooo

Several hours later, when the sun is beginning to set, Rainbow Dash and a group of six pegasus stallions, all donning the dark armor of the Hurricane military, land in the field. The reason for their landing is that Rainbow Dash spotted almost a perfect circle of corpses through the fog. Her soldiers did not see them, but they always had inferior eyesight when it came to distances, and when they found the bodies in the fog, she could not help but smile. She has once again proven herself to be better, but that smile does not last when she actually starts inspecting the corpses. All of them are covered in thin, blue fur and have been sliced up in the most brutal ways possible. A couple have missing heads, with one having no head to be found at all, and one even had their maw sliced off. The sharp ice encasing their arms do not shed any more light on the situation since she has never seen anything like that before.

“Spread out in twos and see what else you can find,” orders Rainbow Dash.

“What about you?” asks one of the soldiers.

Rainbow Dash kneels down by a patch of dry grass and runs her fingers along it, frowning as the dead blades crumble and her fingers feel the dry dirt underneath. “I will be fine. Just do what I say.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Rainbow Dash looks over her shoulder and watches the soldiers disappear in the fog, their steps careful and their weapons out. Once they are just silhouettes, she gets on her hands and knees and squints her eyes, trying to focus on the mix of blue and red streaks and droplets. The squinting hurts her eyes after a short time, though, and she sits on the cold grass, groaning and rubbing her eyes as she tries to figure out what happened at this location, or why the corpses look like they had been rotting for a long time yet the blood is still semi-fresh.

“Oi! We found something!” calls one of the soldiers.

Rainbow Dash's ears perk and she looks over her shoulder to see the shadowy figures of a pair of her escorts waving.

“Its one of the missing weapons!” says his partner.

Rainbow Dash jumps to her feet and runs over there, sliding to a stop and snatching the weapon from the soldier before anything can be said. She runs her fingers along the blades edge and squints her eyes again to see Eastmarch Forgery etched on the blade. She grins and hands the weapon back as the other four soldiers close in.

“So, our little thieves were here, eh?” she says with her grin becoming more sinister and her hands rubbing together eagerly.

“There was a lot of blood nearby,” says one of the soldiers that found the blade. “It is possible that one of them bled out or is looking for medicine.”

“There is the Redheart Monastery about thirty miles from here,” adds the second soldier. “I doubt that they will make it in their condition, but it is a good place to start looking.”

Rainbow Dash nods and spreads her wings. “Good. Let's fly!”

***Author Has Requested A Critique***

Author's Note

Well that only took two months...

Escape From The Sanctuary

Spike groans and slowly opens his eyes. At first his vision is hazy, but he can make out little dots of sunlight poking through a green canvas, and with each passing blink everything becomes clearer. The trees become more focused, the leaves more lively, and the gorgeous pink mare laying next to him with her arm draped around him and a pleasant smile on her lips is a plus, too. He looks away from her to look at the surrounding forest to-

Spike snaps back at the pink mare with a scrunched eye ridge and a confused frown, and the earth pony's eyes open and flashes a satisfied grin.

“Good morning, beautiful,” purrs the mare in an overly friendly tone, finger trailing up and down his chest. “Did you sleep well?”

Spike screams and jumps up in the sitting position, bringing a very sharp pain in his ribs and stomach. He growls from the unpleasant feeling and lurches forward, trying to clutch the sore spots with one hand while the other keeps him up from getting a snout full of mulch.

The pink mare tsks at this and calmly sits up, wearing brown trousers and a long-sleeved, airy, burgundy shirt with the top poorly tied to expose the tuft of pink fur nested between her breasts. Spike immediately averts his eyes when she stretches out her legs and puts her arms behind her head as she leans against a tree, closing her eyes and smiling lightly in the process.

“You really should take it easy,” she says. “You got enough injuries to kill a pony.”

“I'm not a pony. I'm a dragon,” says Spike flatly, frowning when the mare snorts a laugh. He looks over her body and casual attire with some concern. “Did we... Do something?”

“Besides sleep together? No.”

“What!”

The pony opens one eye and smirks. “Yeah, you being scaly, you needed some warmth so we cuddled for a few nights. I like your muscles, by the way. They're nice and solid.”

Spike rubs his head, pretending not to hear that compliment that he likes hearing in a normal situation, but this is anything but that, therefore he does not want to hear it. The mare looks familiar, that much he knows, but he can't quiet place where he has seen here before, and everything starting with the fight with Gilda and beyond is a fuzz. The most he remembers, besides Trixie betraying and more than likely killing Twilight, is the fight with the guards and Gilda. The duel with Trixie's guards was quick and easy, but the one with Gilda? Quick and painful for him. Very quick. Very painful.

His injuries throb, and he clutches his stomach, feeling a faint scar through his blood stained shirt, as he glances at the pink pony suspiciously. “How exactly did I end up next to you?”

The mare rolls her eyes to the canvas of leaves, humming thoughtfully. “Well, I was fishing for seaweed when I found this big red circle in the water. I went over, saw that the red was blood and you were in the middle of it. So, I did what any good pony would do and fished you out of the water and tried taking care of you. You were on and off for a few days, usually cursing about something, but now that you're-”

“Wait, I've been out for days!?” shouts Spike, growling again when a sharp pain spears his ribs and lung.

The mare looks at him with a raised brow. “Didn't I tell you to take it easy?”

Spike stands up, fangs exposed with his determined snarl and using the tree to support himself since his legs nearly buckle from how much they are shaking. “I have to get Twilight back... I have to get back to the Lulamoon Sanctuary.”

The mare stands up and cracks her back, then reaches for a travel pack lying on the ground with a small war hammer and strange cylinder case next to them. “Well, I hate to be the harbinger of gloomy news, but you need to get to Armonia and warn Celestia about Trixie backstabbing you. And since you're a complete mess, good ole Pinkie Pie will take you there in a nice, easy and completely safe pace, fifty percent off normal fees.”

“But I have to get Twilight back!”

Pinkie Pie frowns and leans against her hammer, with her hands pressed against the bottom of its handle and her eyebrow raised critically. “And who is going to tell Celestia about Trixie's grossly mean move? She's not a goddess, you know? She can't see everything, so you have to tell her yourself.”

“But... Wait. How do you know about Trixie?”

Pinkie Pie taps the side of her head, smirking. “Intuition.”

“That does not answer my question.”

“Yes it does. You just hate the answer.” Pinkie Pie twirls her finger in the air. “Now, please turn around so I can change.”

Spike's jaw drops. “Why can't you change behind the tree!?”

“I am behind the tree.”

“No you're not! You're in front of the tree!”

“From your perspective.” Pinkie Pie jabs a thumb to a random tree behind her. “But I'm sure Sir and Madam Chickadee wouldn't want their chicks to see a nude mare changing into something else. Slowly. Sensually. And rubbing herself along the way in the most arousing way possible. Do you really want to expose children to something like that?”

Spike opens his mouth to counter, but snaps it shut and turns around with his arms folded across his chest, snorting smoke. As far as he is concerned, any mare that is as loose and nutty as her is impossible to reason with, and he really does not want to argue with her about the innocence of a chickadee.

Seconds later, Spike hears Pinkie Pie removing and discarding her clothing, and he rolls his eyes when she murmurs about misplacing something.

“Oh, for the love of the Holy Sun, will you hurry up!” snaps Spike.

“What do you mean?” asks Pinkie Pie, now standing directly in front of him. She is now fully clothed in a brown dirty, brown long coat, a vest over her shirt, now thankfully tied better, and her hammer clipped to her belt, among an assortment of small blades, and the odd package attached to her travel pack.

Spike stumbles back and falls to the ground, clutching his heart. “Sto diáolo!”

“Yeesh, you got a fowl mouth.” She tosses him a good sized piece of wood that he can use as a walking stick, then she turns on her heels and starts walking with a skip in her step. “Come on, Sir Dragon, we got an alicorn queen to see!”

Spike gets up with the help of the walking stick and walks after her with a twitching eye and a growing headache to add to his other sores. “The name is Spike! And you can go see Celestia and tell her about Trixie yourself! I will be going back to Twilight, whether you like it or not!”

Pinkie Pie stops and looks at him with a cocked brow. “So, you are telling me that even though you are a tooth close to falling over, you will storm a walled off city, possibly fight hundreds of guards, break into a prison, free Twilight, fight your way back out of the prison, through the courtyards, all the streets and alleys and back out of the gate that you have to get past in the first place, not including the challenges of possibly fighting Gilda or some abnormally tough guards?”

Spike blinks and his mind momentarily fuzzes out as he stares at the scrutinizing look of the pink mare in front of him. “I... That... Did you even have punctuation in there?”

“Punctuation is for the weak minded,” she says swiftly.

“....Okay. Suit yourself. But I'm going back, end of story.”

Spike starts walking with some difficulty and tries to ignore Pinkie Pie's devious grin and her equally unsettling chuckle as she sways back and forth against her weapon.

“Well, well, well, it looks like your undying loyalty to your cute maiden was not a ruse, after all,” says Pinkie Pie.

Spike stops with bulging eyes and his cold, lizard blood warming in his cheeks and ear flaps, and he looks over his shoulder at the grinning mare, soon meeting her smile with a frown and snort.

“I'm going to go now. Goodbye, crazy lady,” says Spike, trying in vain to force his blush away.

He starts walking again, wincing with every shaky step and failing to ignore the pain ripping apart his body, and he cringes internally when he hears Pinkie Pie sniff and start walking after him. Or, more accurately, skipping.

“My name is Pinkie Pie, self-exiled daughter of Clyde Pie the Nineteenth, Grand Lord of the Igneous House of the Mines of Marigold.”

“That's nice,” grumbles Spike.

“It is quite the mouth full, but you? Well, your valor to the one you love has inspired the goodness in my heart,” continues Pinkie Pie dramatically while placing her hand over her heart and now walking backwards so she can look at Spike with that big smile. “So I'll make you a deal. There is no way you are going to get Twilight back in your condition, so why not sit back and relax and let me handle it? Seventy five percent off normal prison break fees. That is if Twilight is there. If not, full price, which isn't too much since its only five gold.”

Spike's frown deepens. “What are you, anyway? Some kind of bargain priced mercenary?”

Pinkie Pie hums in thought. “No, not really. I like to think of myself as a fortune finder, or a freelance helper. Odd job extraordinaire is a fun title, too. I travel a lot so I have to be willing to take whatever jobs come up at prices customers can afford. Oh! Like this one time, I got paid to lead a pack of wolves made of wood away from this town in Everfree called Sweet Apples using a flute-”

Spike groans tries to tune her out as she carries on with her tale of wood wolves. Her voice is just a never ending, bubbly run on sentence spewing everything from wooden wolves to shape shifters, to sirens and hippogriffs, and a war between thestrals and wereponies. This leads to sibling rivalry, which somehow goes into chemistry and incest and a whole slew of loosely fitted subjects that seem to only fit in her mind. Each word that leaves her leads to another like a water in a river collecting a never ending supply of waste in the hopes of creating a masterpiece by the time it reaches the ocean of an audience.

Seconds grow into minutes, and minutes become a big blob of syllables that may have turned into hours, but Spike has seriously lost track of time and has resorted to pulling his ear fins down. It does not stop the pink nuisance from talking, and right as Spike is about to tell her to shut her trap-

“I think there are some serious flaws in this guy's theory, though,” says Pinkie Pie in her same rambling tone that has been going on for only Father Time knows how long, “but if we really are related to horses, then we could be riding distant cousins! And if we are riding distant cousins, what if they have their own horse society with their own language and social and moral values? What if I gave away an intelligent horse to you for dirt cheap!? What if his name was Ed and he had a family of other horses!?”

Pinkie Pie suddenly stops, gasps and drops to her knees, looking at her hands, completely horrified as if she has dipped blood in them.

“By Faust! What have I done!” cries Pinkie Pie.

Then she collapses with her hands balled into fists and her back arched as she presses her forehead against the grass, shaking and muttering about how evil she has been. Spike does feel somewhat sorry for her, since she seems genuine in believing that she broke apart a family of dumb animals with bare minimal thinking abilities.

Spike sighs and puts his hand sympathetically on Pinkie Pie's shoulder, and softly says: “Look, I'm sure the horse you gave me-”

Spike pauses, blinks, then looks down, thinking about what he and her just said about the horse. A moment later, his memory returns like a professional gladiator punching him in the mouth. This pink nuisance gave him the horse for the dirt cheap price those many months back! And now that he is traveling with her and sees how nutty she is, he is really starting to think the universe is playing a horrible joke on him. Then another thought crosses his mind and he remains standing in his spot, scrutinizing the wonky mare as he pulls his hand away. It takes Pinkie Pie a moment to realize what happened, and when she does, she stares at him quizzically from her spot on the ground.

“You okay, Spike?” she asks.

“You gave me a horse,” says Spike.

“Yeah...”

“And you gave Twilight that scroll about the Amulet.”

“...And...?”

“And then you pulled me out of a river near where I almost died, even though me and Twilight told nopony where we were going.”

Pinkie Pie stands up and brushes the grass off her knees. “Yes, I did. You are actually pretty light for a dragon. I would suggest more rabbit and less rabbit food.”

Spike frowns and puts his hand on his blade hilt, and he picks up a redolent of fear from her as her fingers slide over the handle of her hammer. The fear is there, it is strong, like a nose full of garlic powder, but to those without a dragon's scent, she looks to be just curious about what happens next.

Spike grips his weapon's hilt tighter, ready to use it in a flash, and he suspiciously asks the mare: “Are you stalking us?”

“Duh! Of course I am!” replies Pinkie Pie jubilantly, her fear still there, but now dwindling.

Spike's hostile expression crumbles to wide eyed shock. He had not been expecting such a blunt confession. Maybe some word play to make her actions seem innocent, but nope. Full on confession with a big smile. Spike is so surprised by this that he makes no attempt to move, much less get a coherent sentence formed, when Pinkie Pie smiles sweetly at him and slides next to him. Once next to him, she links her arm around his and starts walking with him through the forest, the smell of fear from her is now faint and her hand moving up and down his arm, much like a focused massage.

“Don't you worry, child,” she says, “I can guarantee you that the guy who hired me to stalk you two has only your best interest at heart!” Then she points dramatically to the distance, which is covered by more trees and bushes. “Now, onward, Spike! We got a princess to save!”

And without releasing Spike, she picks up her pace, half-dragging and half guiding him to follow her steps. All Spike can do is sigh and follow her, and wish that he wasn't falling apart so he could get Twilight himself without this stalker's help.

~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of hours later, Spike finds himself at the edge of the forest, at the crest of a hill, glaring daggers at the spire in the center of the Lulamoon Sanctuary. His muscles twitch under his scales and his fire glands are barely kept under control, and his hand grips his blade to where he can feel his own claws digging past his scales. The desire to go in there and burn the Sanctuary to the ground is a feeling he has never thought he would feel before. Right now, he wants nothing more than to see that farmland burn to ash and that fancy tower crumble with Trixie chained to the roof. His thoughts of murder and arson are put to the back momentarily when pink fingers snap in front of his pulsating eyes, though.

“Hey, snap out of it, I'm trying to show you something,” says Pinkie Pie.

Spike blinks and looks at Pinkie Pie irritably. She seems oblivious to this look, but his look of annoyance is shoved aside by shock when he sees Pinkie Pie carefully pulling out a wooden and metal object from her popped open container. To Spike, it looks like a wooden barrel with metal bands with a handle protruding from the bottom and a rounded end. He looks closer at the handle and sees a wick attached to a trigger, which looks to be attached a pair of flints used to start fires.

Spike glances at the open case and his eyes widen when he sees four very fat, round fire rubies with bags of powder in front of each of them.

Pinkie Pie huffs with a lot of exaggeration as she hoists the strange weapon on her shoulder. She then strikes a pose with one hand on her hip, one foot placed on a rock with the other stretched back, and she flashes Spike a toothy grin in the sunlight while the wind blows her cloak majestically. For some reason, Spike finds that sight to be appealing. Maybe it is how she looking at him with those half lidded eyes. Maybe it is how her teeth seem to be shining in the light. Or maybe it is because her slightly exposed chest and shapely butt is demanding his attention. Whatever the case may be, it is an image that he will be saving for later, despite her being a crazy, stalker, forest lady that gave him a horse for dirty cheap a while back.

“Say hello to the Party Cannon,” says Pinkie Pie proudly. She stops her pose and hops in front of Spike, her grin now closed to a smirk, but still mischievous, and her fingers drum on the cannon's obese barrel. “You are going to be using this guy to help me get your marefriend.”

“Huh?... Oh, yeah. Twilight. Cannon thing,” says Spike dumbly.

Spike reaches to grab it, but Pinkie Pie yanks it back and slaps his hand, making him recoil. Not out of pain, but out of shock. It still makes him angry, though.

“What was that for? You said I get to use that thing to get Twilight back!” says Spike.

“Unless you want to kill yourself, I think you need a quick course from Pinkie's School of Proper Party Cannon Usage,” says Pinkie Pie. “Now, then!”

Pinkie Pie opens up the back of the Party Cannon and explains how to put the fire ruby inside. It seems easy enough, especially since she just slips it inside and slides a small bar in place that keeps it from rolling out. After that, she grabs one of the bags of powder and puts it in a compartment in the butt of the weapon. She explains how the powder activates the fire ruby's destructive power and how it should only be pointed at something that needs to die or be broken. Once she locks the back-end, she hoists it on her shoulder for another display.

“So, to aim this thing is very easy,” says Pinkie Pie. She flicks up a lens with two lines crossing over each other and a smaller circle in the center, grinning when she sees Spike's eyes widen and ridges raise. “This thingamajig is a crosshair. It helps me aim, and all you have to do is point the crosshair at the gate.”

She gives the weapon to Spike, and he carefully takes it and peers through the crosshair, which is aimed directly at the gate. He finds the simple device to be very nifty since he can see the major details of the gate, and if he really focuses, he can see the tiny guards patrolling. He really, really, really wants to pull the trigger just to see something explode, now.

Pinkie Pie grabs his hand, making him jump, and she moves it down to a wooden grip with pads made of leather and a soft interior reside. She then guides his pointer finger to a curved lever and has him barely touching it.

“The curvy thing is the trigger. When you see pink smoke, pull it and it will launch the burning ball of doom towards the gate.”

“Is that all?” asks Spike.

“Yep.”

“So, just point and... Pull?”

“I like point and shoot, it sounds cooler, but, yeah, point and pull. Advanced course will be next week! See you soon, Spike!”

Then she slips on a pair of gloves with tiny hooks on the palm and starts walking away, singing a cheerful tune about princesses and castles, leaving Spike to carefully examine the Party Cannon. However, when he registers what the words are-

“Princess Twilight is such a pain,
Always doing something insane.
Now Trixie's got her mane,
And she's locked her away like some game.
Now its time to save Spike's dame!”

Spike stops and stares at Pinkie Pie, watching her with a raised ridge as she half walks, half hops down the hill, her voice trailing and becoming fainter the farther she goes. When she out of sight and her voice is too faint to easily understand, Spike shakes his head and sits down on the rock she posed on minutes before.

“What a nut.”

=====O=====

Twilight Sparkle sits in a dirty cage with a horn ring, hands and ankles cuffed and bruises and cuts all over her face and body. She is still wearing the same clothing from her engagement with Trixie, and it is now torn in parts and covered in dry blood from the accumulated cuts and the dirt from her cell has grounded into the fabric, turning its purple color into shades of black and brown.

Twilight has been locked inside the dungeon for the past few days, with only stale bread and lukewarm water to eat, and a tiny window well above her height to let light in. She can hear the world outside, bustling with activity, completely oblivious the damnation they are being hurdled towards.

Somewhere down the hall, a door opens and shuts, and claps of metal boots on stone flooring echoes down the hall. Twilight cocks a brow and leans away from the wall in a lazy attempt to see which guard is making the patrol now, but who comes instead surprises her.

“It is always a shame to see such a beautiful creature broken and alone,” says a stallion whom she has never seen before as he steps in front of her cell.

His voice is deep, and his fur is dark blue, his mane made of green and white stripes, and his eyes bright gold. The basic leather armor he is wearing is a shade of red with a gold collar and dark belt holding an assortment of pouches with a pear-shaped buckle clipping it together. He is armed gold handled sword inside a sheath with an intricate pattern of sharp angles forming a face, and a crimson cape held to his armor by gold buttons that have pears imprinted on them. Tucked underneath his shoulder is a helmet with just an opening for his eyes and a sharp fins on the cheeks and forehead.

Twilight looks at the stallion cautiously as he looks down at her, smiling thinly and licking his lips while his eyes trace her body with animalistic desires. She stares at him defiantly, though, despite the icy force of fear freezing her body. When he drums his fingers against his helmet, she backs away from the cage slightly, still glaring and stiffening as the metal chains scrape against the cold floor.

“Who are you supposed to be?” asks Twilight, failing to mask her fear with defiance.

The stallion chuckles. “I am glad you asked, Princess. You do not know me, but I know you, your family and your allies, and what you are guilty of. Allow me show myself in my true form.”

The stallion steps back and his blue fur splits apart in wet, tearing noises, like rotten flesh being torn apart, to reveal a dark chitin underneath. His green and white mane turns to a darker shade of green and a jagged horn sprouts from his forehead as his teeth turn to fangs and his fingers sprout claws, and his eyes become pure gold and bulged like that of a bug.

Twilight's throat contracts with sickly repulsiveness, all while her heart threatens to jump out of her chest from seeing a creature she has heard to have suffered extinction after the Nightmare War.

“My name is Malerabus, son of Eros and High Lord of the House of Chrysalis, and direct heir to our Greatest Queen, Chrysalis,” says the bug-pony proudly.

“You're a changeling,” says Twilight in disbelief.

“Yes. I am glad you noticed,” says Malerabus dryly.

“You were supposed to be wiped out ages ago!”

“Supposed to, yes, and yet here I am. Here we all are, inside the Sanctuary, inside your villages and cities, hiding from prosecution and awaiting for our return to power.” He snarls to expose his dripping fangs that gleam in the dim light and kneels down so he is eye-level with the captured princess. “Ponykind has committed great crimes against my kin, and on my blood, I will see your nations burn just as our have.”

When Twilight lets her harsh stare and tight jaw speak what words cannot, the changeling snorts and resumes standing at his full height.

“Look at me like that all you like, Princess, but angry looks will not be enough to spare your people from my wrath or the wrath of Sombra,” he says with a growl. “But you yourself have nothing to fear for when Sombra's physical form returns, he will want a bride and somepony to bear his children. And he specifically chose you for your beauty and intellect.”

Malerabus smirks and licks his lips again, making Twilight sneer in disgust as the slimy tongue moves over his teeth.

“Though, I must say, I am curious to see if he will share your body with us,” adds Malerabus.

Twilight's eyes widen and she feels suffocation threatening her as she presses her legs tighter together and crosses her arms over her chest as she slides further away from the door. She wants to say something snarky to him, but she is powerless and knows it will not be wise to do such a thing. She gets more uneasy about Malerabus and her heart beats faster when he chuckles and beats his fingers against his helmet as his cape lifts slightly from his hidden wings buzzing in bursts from excitement.

“Shall I ask Madam Lulamoon if Sombra would mind if his loyal servants get a taste of you?” mocks Malerabus.

“None are to so much as touch her as long as she is in my custody!” proclaims Trixie from down the hall.

Malerabus quickly looks down the hall with Twilight and sees Trixie approaching with Gilda and six guards. Her hands are clasped behind her back and her eyes are narrowed on Malerabus, and he, in turn, flashes an innocent. Only when Trixie stops in front of the changeling that Twilight realizes how big he truly is. When she first laid eyes on him, she figured her spot on the floor made him appear taller than average, but now that there are full grown stallions near him, she sees he stands head taller than them with muscles that can easily snap a pony if he wished it.

“Madam Lulamoon, I was merely conversing with your guest about our arrangements,” says Malerabus.

“Your arrangements sound disgusting and differ from what we agreed,” says Trixie crossly, having to crane her head to look into his golden eyes. “Besides, Trixie believes that King Sombra would not appreciate you having first claim to a prize that is supposed to be his and only his for his pleasure.”

“Oh, but surely such a treat would do well to boost morale of my troops as well as yours.”

Trixie pulls her hand from behind her back to show off her gauntlet, and the fur around her eyes darken as she flexes her fingers, prompting the gauntlet to bath her hand in a green hue. That wipes the smile off of Malerabus' face and Twilight winces and rubs her forehead as a familiar buzzing returns to torment her.

“Stop talking, bug,” sneers Trixie, her voice being overlapped by the deep, rumbling voice from the chamber she and Twilight dueled in. “You are not to touch her. Your troops are not to touch her, just as my servants are forbidden to. If Trixie finds out that Twilight was violated in any way you can consider our deal voided and-” Trixie tightens her hand into a fist “-you will suffer the full wrath of your new king. Are we clear?”

There is a moment of tense silence between the two, and Twilight can barely watch them because the pain is becoming more intense with each passing second to where all she can see is a cloud of tears. Though, after blinking and sniffling a few times, she looks back at Trixie and Malerabus and sees the giant changeling staring at Trixie with a deep scowl and Gilda's fingers have tightened on her sword's hilt.

“Are we clear?” repeats Trixie.

Malerabus' snarl evolves into a smile and he offers a courteous bow. “Of course. Forgive me for my trespassing, Madam Lulamoon.” He straightens out and takes a deep breath. “I must be off. The end of my vacation draws near and I would not want to keep my family waiting. Give Sombra my regards, if you will.”

“Dully noted.”

“Good. Pleasant evenings to you, Madam Lulamoon and Madam Grizelda.”

Gilda rolls her eyes and Malerabus turns to Twilight smiles at her one last time before he strolls down the hall, his pony disguise reforming with his steps. After the bangs of the door fade, Twilight looks at Trixie and sees her staring at the floor, scowling at no one in particular as the gauntlet agitates her fingers into twitch.

“Trixie,” calls Twilight softly.

Trixie's ears flick, but her scowl softens to that of a scared filly who is fighting to appear brave in front of her allies. Twilight calls Trixie again, and this time the azure unicorn glances at her out of the corner of her eyes, and she grabs the bars and presses herself against them so she can get as close as she can to the lost pony.

“Trixie, please, you don't have to do this,” says Twilight. “You don't have to send me to Sombra. I can still help you. I can still save your Sanctuary from Sombra and the changelings. Just let me out and let me help you.”

Trixie shakes her head, her eyes going back to the floor and her hands going behind her back.

“Not even Faust can save us,” she says somberly. She spins on her heels and walks quickly down the hall with her head down and her hands behind her back. “Come, Gilda.”

Gilda snorts and follows Trixie's steps without another sound, and Twilight presses her face against the bars to get a better look at her former friend leaving the hall. Specifically, her eyes lock onto the gauntlet around the mare's hand, and her eyes narrow when she Trixie's fingers flex uncomfortably and the gauntlet release a faint, green mist.

After Trixie rounds the corner with her escorts, Twilight sighs sadly, slumps against the corner of the cell, as far from the cell door as she can, and places her arms over her knees and rests her head against them.

“I'll free you one day. I promise.”

=====O=====

Pinkie Pie strolls through the farmland surrounding the Lulamoon Sanctuary with her hands in her pockets and humming a tune as bright as the afternoon sun. The workers close enough to see her stop and give her looks that can best be described as chary. As she walks, she nods towards them and offers them bright smiles.

“Good morning, Madam Wheat Grass. How do you do, Sir Flax Seed,” she says cheerfully as she slips on a pair of gloves with tiny metal hooks on the palms.

The two earth ponies she spoke to stare at her, with the one known as Sir Flax Seed growing increasingly more uncomfortable.

“She knows my name,” says the stallion in disbelief.

Pinkie Pie keeps walking until she reaches the gate, which is guarded by a pair of guards wearing the standard leather armor with the azure star stitched on their shirt shoulders and armed with spears. She notices that on the wall, some archers watch her, and one of them whispers something to a guard next to him. The guard then runs off, but Pinkie Pie keeps walking and only when she is twenty feet away do the pair of guards step forward, with one holding up his hand and the other gripping his spear tighter.

“Stop right there!” barks the guard with the extended.

Pinkie Pie holds up her hands, but keeps walking, anyway. “Easy, gentlecolts, I'm just here to see a friend.”

“I said stop!”

Pinkie Pie stops and glances at the wall, noting how the arches now have heir weapons trained on her, then she looks back at the pair in front of her and flashes an easygoing smile.

“Nice day, huh?” she says.

“You can't be here,” says the guard.

“I just want to see a friend,” says Pinkie Pie, now casually reaching behind her back, but stops when the guards tense. “It's okay, boys. I'm just getting some water.”

She slowly pulls out a canteen from behind her back and tags a swig of delicious, lukewarm water. Once she has her fill, she locks the lid back in place and clips the item back behind her.

“Now, lookie here, I got a friend who lives here and I heard she got in some trouble, so I just wanted to check up on her,” continues Pinkie Pie. “That, and I want to make sure Trixie got those apology cards, because I have a feeling that she is still mad at me.”

“You know you can't be here for any reason! Turn back now before we force you to!” says the guard.

Pinkie Pie sighs and lowers her head, stuffing her hand back inside her pockets. “I'm guessing Trixie didn't get those apology cards, then.”

“That does not-”

Pinkie Pie looks at the guards with sad puppy eyes. “Will you let me in if I ask nicely?”

“The answer would still be-”

“Then it looks like I'll have to count to five, then!”

Before the guards can say or do anything, Pinkie Pie suddenly pulls out a yellow tube with a red bottom from her pocket, jams her thumb under it, shrouding herself in a pink smoke, and darts forward. An arrows whizzes past her ear and another barely misses her foot, but within a fast set of seconds, she is upon the guards, snarling viciously with her hands balled into a fist and her eyes focused on the closest guard.

“One,” begins Pinkie Pie.

=====O=====

Spike pulls the trigger of the Party Cannon as soon as he sees the pink cloud rise into the sky. The resulting explosion of smoke is ejected from an exhaust pipe located in the back, but the weapon's kick nearly knocks him off his feet. It takes him a moment to regain himself, but after he is done staggering, he watches the flaming ball of glory and its red exhaust trail streak across the field with a widening grin on his scaly muzzle and childish joy sparkling in his eyes.

“Whoa...”

=====O=====

Pinkie Pie punches the first guard in the mouth, and as he staggers back, clutching his bleeding mouth, the second guard jabs his spear at her.

“Two.”

Pinkie Pie spins and grabs the attacker's spear with one hand, then brings her other hand up from underneath in a blur of motion. The guard yells and steps back, pale from shock as half of his spear twirls away.

“Three.”

The guard with the bloody mouth swings his sword at Pinkie Pie and she casually slams both of her palms against it, stopping and trapping it between her hands. Again, the guard is left flabbergasted, and she smirks at his state, then kicks him in the gonads. His eyes bulge and as he moans in pain and drops to the ground holding himself, she turns back to the one with the broken spear as he hastily draws his sword.

“Four.”

The guard swings at her and she rams her palm against his wrist with a loud crack and a howl of pain from the stallion. The sword falls from his grip, and she shoves her fist under his jaw, which sends him off his feet and he lands on his back on the grass, moaning and twitching. After that, Pinkie Pie spins on her heels and does a dramatic bow for the peasants that watched her beat down the two guards.

“Aaaaaand five!... Sixseveneightnineten!”

A burning ball of red flies over everyone's heads, screeching and whistling with a trail of sparkling exhaust, and it impacts the gate. The peasants scream and dive for cover as the gate is reduced it to a gaping hole in a second by the ball's flash of light, and fiery smoke and debris engulfs Pinkie Pie, the guards and the whole front entrance. During the explosion, rubble bounces off of Pinkie Pie and leaves her mane and clothing slightly burned, but she ignores it for the most part. The chunk of broken stone that bounces off her head, however, is just a little too painful to ignore, but she still keeps her position steady.

“Ow...”

=====O=====

Twilight stands on the balls of her feet, her face pressed against the iron bars of her cell window and her hands wrapped tightly around it. She can barely see anything from her position. All she can really see is smoke billowing into the sunny sky, but she can hear the alarms and shouts of guards clearly.

It has already been a couple of minutes since the breach, but she has not heard anything that sounds like a massive battle. In fact, all she has really heard was the explosion and alarms. No sounds soldiers clashing, so buildings crumbling from catapult assaults, no smoke from relentless flames swallowing everything. It is as if the attacker decided to do blow up the gate and then run.

However, Twilight pulls away from the window and runs to the cage door when she hears a commotion down the hall. The metallic clangs of swords beating against each other and screams of agony and fear echo down the hall, and she jumps in her spot when a pair of guards with drawn swords run past her cell.

She presses her face against the bars again and watches guards go to the corner. They stop, yell ferociously and charge whoever the intruder is, only for their war cries to come to a sudden end with a pair of THWACKs. With one of the thwak's, there is a cry of pain and some wood breaking, and with the second thwak, the other guard flies against the wall and slumps to the ground, motionless.

Twilight gulps and steps back, hands shaking and throat sealing as her heart thumps speedily in her chest, for coming around the corner, humming a bright tune and carrying a hammer is a vaguely familiar dirty mare twirling a set of keys with the guard's blade tucked between her belt and pants. From the mare's dirty, careless appearance, small array of weapons, ranging from her hammer to an assortment of small blades and a survival pack hidden by her cloak, Twilight guesses that she is looking at a Wild Folk. Or, as the proper title goes: Ranger of the Wild.

The pink mare continues her humming, but drones to a stop and grins widely when she sees Twilight staring at her from her cell.

“And there she is!” cheers the pink mare.

The outsider's steps turn to big skips and she jumps to a stop in front of the cell with her face pressed against the bars, making Twilight recoil with a short yell.

“Hey there, Twilight, you remember me?” asks the Ranger excitedly.

Twilight stares at her rescuer with big eyes for a few seconds before her expression shifts to curiosity, then her eyes bulge again. It is the exact same mare from the Canterlot archives!

“You!? What are you doing here!?” shouts Twilight.

The Ranger shrugs and leans against the bars as she casually flips through the keys on the ring without much sense of urgency. “I was bored, so I decided to bust a princess out of a prison. Or, as I like to say, Tuesday with Pinkie!”

After she finds the key and unlocks the door, Pinkie Pie swings it open and continues the carefree attitude as she frees Twilight's wrists and ankles from their cuffs. After the metal braces fall to the stone floor with a metallic clack, Twilight rubs her wrists and smiles thankfully with a healthy does on anxiousness at the mare.

“Thanks...” says Twilight slowly.

“Here you go!” chirps Pinkie Pie.

The Ranger hands the guard's sword Twilight, and while she is grateful for the weapon, she is still confused about why the mare is here, much less how she knew she was here. Besides, there is also the painful prank that transpired last time she was in the company of this cooky pony.

“What's wrong?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“Last time we met you tied my shoelaces together,” replies Twilight, sparing a fraction of a second to see if her laces are still tied like they should be.

“...Oh, that?” Pinkie Pie seethes and rubs the back of her head. “Yeah, I was bored and I haven't tied laces together in a long time and needed to brush up on my skills.”

Twilight's jaw drops.

Pinkie Pie stares at Twilight.

Twilight stares back.

Pinkie Pie blinks.

Twilight's mouth closes and she shakes her head. “I don't... Let's just go.”

“Oki doki loki! Follow me, Princess!”

Pinkie Pie turns on her heels and bolts down the hallway, and Twilight follows close behind, struggling to keep up with the mare who is so fast that she seems to barely be touching the ground as she runs. When Twilight rounds a corner the Ranger went, she is going so fast she slams into a wall with her shoulder, and she winces as she pulls away and continues running.

“This way!” hollers Pinkie Pie.

Twilight groans and is about to mutter some profane laced sentences, but after catching up with Pinkie Pie, she realizes that the mare has led her to a room with dozens of locked chests. And she has just broken the lock of a cabinet full of keys with her hammer and is now rummaging through them, muttering under her breath as she tosses key after key to the floor.

“Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.” Pinkie Pie says constantly.

Some of the keys she flings away almost hits Twilight, which she narrowly avoids and glares at the earth pony for nearly hitting her, but seeing as how the strange rescuer has her back turned, she cannot see this. Besides, Twilight does not really care in the long run because she sees a chest marked PRISONER BELONGINGS and a hopeful smile spreads across her muzzle as she runs to it.

She slides to a stop in front of the chest, uses her sword to pry it open, not caring that she splintered the wood in the process, and she starts doing what Pinkie Pie is doing. Flinging worthless crap everywhere.

Twilight finds jewelry, fake digits, a drawing booklet and some small clothing items, but none of those things interest her, and the deeper she goes, the stronger her panic becomes. Right as she nears the bottom, her hands are shaking and tears snaking down her cheeks as her breathing becomes short and raspy.

“No, no no. No. No. No no,” whispers Twilight anxiously as she claws through the contents with tears flowing down her cheeks. She grabs one of the few remaining odds and ends in the chest, and right as she is about to scream in anguish, she sees them. The pendants her father gave her before she left Canterlot. She snatches them up and holds them tight to her chest as she hops up and down screaming for joy. “YES! I FOUND THEM!”

Suddenly the door bursts open and a dozen guards rush inside with their weapons drawn and all of them sporting trained snarls.

Twilight's joyful smile turns into a very angry scowl. “Crap.”

Pinkie Pie stops rummaging and looks over her shoulder at the guards and offers them an uneasy smile. “Hey, do any of you happen to have keys for a horn cuff on you?”

The guards step forward and Twilight quickly stuffs the pendants in her pocket, picks up her sword and backs up to Pinkie Pie. The earth pony adjusts her grip on her hammer and both mares end up going back to back as they are almost completely surrounded by the Sanctuary guards.

“So, how good is your fighting without magic?” asks Pinkie Pie.

Twilight swallows and grips the blade tighter until she feels like her bones will crack. “I think its decent.”

“Oh, okay. This shouldn't be too hard, then.”

The first guard roars and charges forward, and the other eleven follow suit right after, and when he swings his weapon at Pinkie Pie, she ducks under the gleaming blade and elbows him in the kidney. The guard expels a pained gasp and before he can take a full step, the Ranger spins and slams her hammer against his back. He falls to the ground without a sound and a large indent in his back, and Pinkie Pie turns her body and hammer just in time for its metal handle to block two swords that nearly sliced her arms off. Sparks. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees another guard lunging at her, and she takes a breath and sacrifices her footing so she slips between the two guards she blocked, falling on her back in the process.

The two guards stagger forward and run into the third guard, making all three of them fall in a pile of thin armor and fancy uniforms.

As this happens, Twilight backs up, eyes darting between three guards approaching her, all three grinning wolfishly at their easy prey as she shakes in her boots. When her back presses against the cold brick wall, she gulps and tries very hard to remember the proper procedure for engaging in sword fight, but all she can think of is engaging in fencing lessons with one person, not three.

Twilight starts sliding along the wall, glancing out of the corner of her eye to see one of the guards spinning head over heals in the air from one of Pinkie Pie's swings, and he lands right on a table. The table breaks, and Twilight realizes that there is a table near her, too!

She takes one last look at the guards, then at the table full of plates and goblets, then she runs. The guards shout at her as they give chase and she rolls over the table, spilling the food and drinks all over when they try to grab her. One of the guards manages to grab her purple striped tail, though, and with a painful yelp, she is pulled back. However, after a quick snarl and slamming the butt of her sword's hilt against the guard's hand with a loud crack, he quickly releases her, howling in pain clutching his broken hand.

Twilight runs again and jumps over another guard that Pinkie Pie defeated, narrowly avoiding the Ranger's hammer that finds its landing spot on the face of one of Twilight's pursuers.

“Watch it, Twilight! I almost hit you!” scolds Pinkie Pie, now somehow holding another guard in a headlock and sparring one handed with her hammer against two other guards with very awkward, sloppy results.

“Sorry!” yells Twilight apologetically while looking over her shoulder.

This leads to her getting a gut full of a chair back that pushes all the air out of her. Twilight gasps painfully and falls over the chair, dropping her weapon in the process and falling over with it with a very unpleasant feeling of her elbow and cheek crashing into the floor. Twilight groans and pushes herself on her hands and knees as her face and arm throb, only for a beefy arm to suddenly wrap around her waist and hoist her up. Twilight yelps and tries to free herself as she lifted off of the ground, her legs kicking wildly at the air and her hands trying to pry the massive arm off, but she stops struggling when a blade is pressed against her throat. Her eyes shrink to dots and a small whine escapes as the hot breath of the stallion blows into her ear.

“Stop right there or I'll slit her throat!” barks the guard.

Pinkie Pie stops her advancement on the guard with the broken hand, and stares at the pair from her position, which is in the center of a ring of defeated guards. All are bloodied and beaten, but some moan and shift weakly on the ground while the good majority remain silent and still. It only takes Pinkie Pie a second to to scoff and points at Twilight with her full hand.

“Really, Princess!” says Pinkie Pie. “Getting captured once isn't enough for you?”

“Oh, ha ha!” sneers Twilight. She wraps her fingers around the wrist of her captor and tries to push the blade away, but the guard tightens his grip around her waist and presses the blade harder against her neck. She swallows, which makes the blade dig in deeper and shave off a thin layer of her lavender, and starts vibrating the guard with her shakes. She looks at the guard out of the corner of her eye and says: “You do know that Trixie wants me unharmed, right? So you really need to release me before more bad things happen.”

“More bad things, huh?” mocks the guard, now sliding along the wall and keeping Twilight as his meat shield while glaring at Pinkie Pie. “You royalty types always think the world revolves around you, and if something were to happen to you, bad things will happen. Well, because of ponies like you, Princess, things are worse than before! Now, tell your Ranger to lower her weapon unless you want your throat cut out! And no funny business with those knives, either!”

“Okay,” says Pinkie Pie casually as she throws her hammer down and sits down on a chair, draping one leg over the other and resting her chin on her fist, with her elbow propped against her knee. “Now what?”

Twilight balks, and even the guard looks surprised by this easy negotiation.

“Pinkie, at least show some defiance!” says Twilight angrily.

“Relax, I got plenty of defiance left,” counters Pinkie Pie carelessly, getting a loud groan of agony from one of the guards instantly after. She then points at the guard, speaking as she leans against the table Twilight rolled over, finger tracing a fallen bottle that has spilled its red contents everywhere. “As for you, what are you going to do in the next five seconds?”

Twilight notices that as Pinkie Pie taps the bottle, she extends another finger, going from one, to two, to three, and she hears the guard gulp as the Ranger smirks devilishly at them.

“That-”

The guard does not finish, for before his next word can even begin, Pinkie Pie smashes the bottle against the table and throws the shard right at his eye, slicing it open. The guard shriek in agony and releases Twilight as he drops his weapon to clutch his destroyed eye. He collapses on the floor, sobbing and thrashing with blood pouring past his fingers, and as Twilight steps back from the terrible scene, the Ranger picks up her hammer and approaches him. Twilight's colors drain from her face when she sees how cold and merciless the pink mare's eyes have become in just a second. Even her footsteps are meticulous and predatory.

“You wench! You whore!” sobs the guard. “Curse you! Curse you and your family!”

Pinkie Pie stops by the guard and snorts. “Already done.”

With a bloodthirsty yell, she brings her hammer down on his head, popping its bone and brain contents all over the floor in a splash of gore. Twilight yells and stumbles back until she falls over, then she backs up on her hands and feet until her back is against the wall.

As Pinkie Pie stands above the corpse, panting with dots of red all over her, she looks at the guard with the broken hand and warns him with: “You should get out of here before we hurt you.”

The guard nods and wastes no time in running out of the room, having to kick the door open on his way out. When his steps are gone, Pinkie Pie sighs, pushes her mane out of her eyes and looks at Twilight with an unimpressed frown.

“You told me you were decent,” she says, now kneeling down to wipe the blood off of her hammer, using the headless guard's uniform.

“Well, I might have exaggerated a bit,” admits Twilight, her voice and body shaking as she looks at the carnage that Pinkie Pie caused, and she starts worrying what how badly she will end if the Ranger turns against her.

Pinkie Pie sighs and runs her fingers through her mane, now slightly flatter with strands sticking to her forehead and neck from sweat, and she looks at all the incapacitated guards and the blood around them.

“We need to fix that, Princess, with a very rigorous course of Pinkie's School of Proper Epic Magicless Dueling,” she says, now searching her last victim for something. She mutters a quick praise and removes a key with an emerald gem on it attached to a clamping ring, and she walks towards Twilight, spinning it in circles on her finger. “But first thing's first, I'm going to need you to give me your horn.”

Twilight jumps up and backs away from Pinkie Pie with brisk steps, heart racing and finger trembling as she points at the Ranger. “You are not touching my horn!”

“I have to get your horn cuff off somehow.”

“Yes, we do, but I don't like anypony touching me horn! And I really don't want you to touch my horn!”

Pinkie Pie sighs irritably and rolls her eyes up to the ceiling, shoulder sulking and hands tightening, and before Twilight can suggest she get the horn off herself, Pinkie Pie strikes. She wraps her arm around Twilight's neck and she forces he to bend over, despite her protests. Twilight yells and claws at Pinkie Pie's arm as the earth pony slides the key into the cuff's lock, then with a quick turn, the cuff pops loose and falls to the floor with a metallic clatter.

Pinkie Pie then releases Twilight, nearly making the unicorn faceplant the floor, and she spreads her arms out, saying sourly: “There, your horn is free and still in one piece.”

Twilight scrambles to her feet and jabs her finger at Pinkie Pie, growling through her grinding teeth and heart racing from panic. “Don't you ever do that to me again!”

Pinkie Pie steps back with her hands raised defensively. “Hey, I freed you from jail and got your horn cuff off. The least you could do is thank a big kiss or a bag of money!”

A portion of Twilight's anger evaporates, realizing that she does have a point. Pinkie Pie did free her, albeit in an incredibly gruesome way, and there is no way she could have done this herself without her magic.

Twilight looks down, shamefaced and rubs her arm, nodding. “You're right. I'm sorry for being rude. I just don't like my horn being touched... But, thank you for... For freeing me.”

Pinkie Pie smile shrewdly. “You can thank me with a bag of money.”

Twilight's gaze snaps up to the pink pony with a raised brow. “What?”

Pinkie Pie turns on her heels and starts towards the door, hopping over a fallen guard along the way, her mood becoming noticeably bright with each passing second. “I said, Spike's waiting for us.”

Twilight blinks in surprise, then runs after Pinkie Pie, hand outstretched and a smile of relief growing. “You have Spike with you?”

Pinkie Pie nods and when they near the end of the hallway they entered, she says: “Yeah, he's waiting for us at the edge of the forest by this big rock I posed on. Nice guy, too.” She looks at Twilight curiously and reaches for a door leading a staircase. “Are you two in any serious commitments by any chance?”

Twilight stops next to Pinkie Pie and her smile fades as her eyes narrow suspiciously. “Why?”

Pinkie Pie shrugs and opens up the door. “No reason.” She starts walking down the stairs, her voice bouncing off the stone walls. “Come on, Twilight, we don't want to keep your boyfriend waiting.”

Twilight's cheeks flare up. “What! He's not my-” She groans and clenches her fist and teeth before running after the Ranger, being sure to use the handrails. “He's not my boyfriend!”

“So, can I have him, then?”

“No!”

~~~~~~~~~

Minutes later, Twilight and Pinkie Pie burst out of the jail, being welcomed by the brightness and warmth of the sun, the comfort of the wind, the taste of fresh air and the orchestra of a dozen arrows being pulled.

The two mares dig their feet into the grass, eyes bulging and lips sealed to lines as the dozens of guards keep them enclosed. The guards are either armed with bow and arrows, spears or swords, and all of them are pointing their weapons at the two. A void of silence comes between the mares and the group of guards, and Pinkie Pie and Twilight look at each other as a random bird chirps cheerfully nearby.

“Inside?” suggest Pinkie Pie.

“Inside,” agrees Twilight.

They turn to run back inside, but the ground rumbles and they scream and almost fall over as the ground shifts under their feet and explodes in front of them, covering the door with a wall of crystals. Twilight whirls around and watches with growing despair as the guards part to allow Trixie and Gilda to get front row seats to their inevitable slaughter.

Trixie's gauntlet is glowing and her fur has darkened around her eyes as she glares at Twilight with a deep frown.

“The point of being imprisoned is that you stay put,” says Trixie, her voice carrying across the field.

“Trixie, this has gone on long enough! Let us go now!” orders Twilight.

“Foreign social rank means nothing to Trixie. Sombra wants you, Twilight, and Trixie will give him you.”

Pinkie Pie glances at Twilight with a raised brow. “A dark lord made of pure evil has a crush on you? Awkward.”

“Pinkie, please, not now,” chides Twilight. She looks back at Trixie and says: “Trixie, I am not going to the Frozen North! I'd rather die than be with Sombra!”

“Pity you have no say in the matter!” Trixie then glares at Pinkie Pie and squeezes her gauntlet hand so sparks of green energy snap at the air around her hand. “As for you, you menace, Trixie has made it very clear that you were no longer welcomed here!”

With that unpleasant display, Pinkie Pie winces and slides behind Twilight.

“I think she's still mad about that cherry pie thing,” says Pinkie Pie nervously.

Twilight narrows her eyes as she adjusts her stance between the earth pony and Trixie. “Do I even want to know about the cherry pie?”

“Maybe not all of the details, since something similar happened to Shining Armor with some cake. That got him kinda mad, too,” says Pinkie Pie uneasily, adding in an anxious chuckle at the end.

Twilight shoots Pinkie Pie a glare. “What did you do to my brother!”

“I swear it was all an accident, just like the cherry pie!”

“You two have caused Trixie enough problems!” yells Trixie furiously, prompting the other two mares to look at her with mixed expressions of fear and anger.

“Oh, come on! I apologized like fifty times about the pie thing!” shouts Pinkie Pie.

“Not helping,” grumbles Twilight as she looks at Pinkie Pie out of the corner of her eye. She then looks at Trixie and adjusts her stance when Pinkie Pie presses her back against her, and she hears the strange mare muttering something when Gilda and the guards start circling around them. “Trixie, release us and nopony else has to get hurt!”

“Hurt? Pies!? You speak hurt and pies when you killed Trixie's servants by your hands! Killing is worse than hurting and pies, you harlots!”

“Way to go, Princess, you got her mad,” says Pinkie Pie sardonically.

“Don't you start on me!” snaps Twilight.

“Princess, if you so desire death over destiny, then so be it! Your debt to the Sanctuary will be paid one way or the other, and it will be by Trixie's hands and her hands alone that will make you do so!”

“Please tell me you can use your magic, because I think we are about to get a lot of boo-boos very soon,” says Pinkie Pie nervously as she brings her hammer closer to her chest as Trixie's gauntlets shoots out more sparks in an increasingly more violent display of power that burns the grass and sends a thin veil of dark green energy rising from her body.

Twilight swallows, drops her sword and brings up both of her trembling hands. “I don't think my horn has fully recovered, yet, after being cuffed for so long.”

“Well, that kinda really sucks very bad.”

“DIE!” roars Trixie.

Trixie slams her gauntlet hand on the ground, and Twilight's eyes snap wide and her breath disappears at the unpleasant memory of the azure unicorn's devastating move resurfaces. Around them, the light darkens and bolts of bright green energy snap over and through the ground, shooting up jets of burning dirt and spawning sharp crystals. The crystals spark with energy that burn the air and land around them, and Twilight yells and claps her hands together, blinding her and everyone else with a flash of bright purple light, and then she feels every part of her body disintegrate and then she implodes on herself.

=====O=====

Spike fidgets on his spot with the Party Cannon between his legs. Why it is called such a thing is beyond him, but he certainly will not mind using it again after seeing it blow apart the Sanctuary's front gate with just one shot. That being said, while he got some satisfaction from blowing up the gate, it is barely a fraction of what he wants to do to the place. That, and he's not certain about Pinkie Pie's true intentions. She admitted very easily that she had been hired to stalk him and Twilight, but now he is curious as to who would do such a thing as well as why. Those kinds of questions have been swirling in his mind, and he really does not like how he is not able to think of anything logical. In fact, everything he thinks of is comparable to logic's completely opposite brother that others pretend to like. It is all just a big, nasty headache, and he swears that when Pinkie Pie returns with Twilight, he's going to get to the bottom of this mystery.

And lo and behold, right as his thought finishes, there is a blinding flash of burning, purple light that Spike has to shield his eyes from. Once that is clear, his heart soars at the sight of Twilight and Pinkie Pie standing in the grass. However, that smile disappears when Twilight collapses on her knees with one hand clutching Pinkie Pie's shoulder and the other pressed against the grass. Then she starts coughing violently, and her back arches as tears roll down her cheeks from her rib snapping hacking.

“Twilight!” Spike runs over to Twilight's side despite the throbbing of his wounds, slides next to her and puts his hand on her other shoulder while the unicorn presses both hands on the grass. He can see light purple smoke rising from her horn and hands, and her whole body is quivering to where her arms almost buckle. “Twilight, are you-!”

Before Spike can finish, Twilight pukes all over the grass, splashing its green color with orange and half digested prison food. As repulsive as it is, Spike keeps rubbing her shoulder and with the help of Pinkie Pie, she is kept from falling in her own puke.

“What happened!” demands Spike, shooting the earth pony a vicious glare.

“She teleported us out before her horn fully recovered from being cuffed,” says Pinkie Pie, her hands rubbing Twilight's spine and arm.

“What!”

Pinkie Pie looks at Spike crossly. “It was either that or get butchered. Take your pick.”

“We... We need to... We need to get to Armonia,” wheezes Twilight faintly in between her panting and gulps for air. “That's where the... Amulet... Celestia... Bed...”

“No, we can't go anywhere with you like that! You need to rest!” says Spike.

“Then she can take a nap on my shoulder!” says Pinkie Pie, grunting as she puts the now limp Twilight over her shoulder like a rug. “Get the Party Canon! We're getting out of here, right now!”

Twilight moans about feeling woozy, and Pinkie Pie pats the unicorn's thigh while saying something about the feeling wearing off. Then she starts walking at a quick pace for someone who has a hammer and full-grown mare in her inventory. The sight is something Spike did not expect to see and remains stagnant for a while, amazed at the mare's insane strength.

“Hurry up, Spike! We need to get out of here before they find us!” shouts Pinkie Pie.

“Right. Coming!” yells Spike.

And he starts walking after Pinkie Pie, but quickly backtracks, packs up the Party Cannon, then runs after the mare, wincing with every step. But now his rage is replaced with worry, and now he wants nothing more than to see Twilight safe instead of Trixie burned alive.

=====O=====

When the smoke settles at the Sanctuary jail, the crystals Trixie used are shown to have ripped the ground into a mess of burnt, churned dirt, and a huge portion of the jail tower has been blown out, leaving its stone chunks scattered all over. However, there is no sign of Twilight or Pinkie Pie anywhere, and Trixie's angry, blood-crazed expression devolves to fear as her colors drain and her ears droop. Then her eyes shrink to pinpricks and tears roll down her cheeks as her gauntlet hand twitches in response to the feeling of icy fangs gnawing at her forearm and wrist.

“Unworthy,” growls a low, terrifying voice.

Blood trickles down Trixie's covered hand and drips to the grass from her finger tips. Her legs give out and she falls on her knees, whimpering and trying to comfort her bleeding arm through the armor as the blood dribbles on the grass. She hears Gilda barking orders and the guards rushing past her, but it is all obscured, like listening to the world from under water. Her vision also begins to waver and her head feels like it is filling with air as she sways in her spot, unable to stay steady with the shakes and feeling of lightness going through her. Then she collapses on the grass, trembling and gripping her covered arm as tight as she can as the pain of fangs curving into arm and ripping at her flesh torture her.

Trixie squeezes her eyes shut and screams in agony through gritted teeth as her fingers uselessly claw at the armor around her arm

“Unworthy wench,” rumbles the voice in her ears.

Trixie eyes slowly open, and she looks up to see an imposing, equine-like monster made of all ice standing before her, with its elbows, shoulders and knees sprouting sharp spikes and its clawed hands clenched into fists. Even if Trixie had been standing it would still tower over her by at least three feet, and its bright green eyes stare down at her, devoid of any mercy. When it opens its mouth, there is a swirling haze of green and purple that seeps past its jagged teeth and its voice shakes the earth around it while the ground sprouts jagged, icicles that point int random directions.

“You failed me,” growls the monster, his voice still echoing Trixie's, as it stomps forward, cracking the ground and ejecting purple and green haze.

“I-I'm sorry, my lord,” stammers Trixie, still curled up on the ground, too afraid to move.

“You tried to kill the bride I ordered not to be defiled. Now she is gone.”

“I'm sorry... I-I was angry for what happened. I can- I will-”

Trixie shrieks in pain when it suddenly extends its sharp hand and yanks her gauntlet hand forward, jerking her body upright and dragging her feet across the hardened grass, breaking some in the process. The demon, lifts his hand up, pulling Trixie in the air using the gauntlet until she is eye level with him, letting her feet dangle and her flesh rip under the gauntlet.

Trixie screams louder and thrashes while trying to claw the gauntlet off, begging through her painful sobs to stop, but it falls on deaf ears. Her cries and begs are silenced when the thing's freezing claws grip her throat, reducing her cries to gags and desperate gulps of air. The demon then brings her muzzle towards his frozen snout, polluting her nose with the stench of death and poisonous fumes, and it snorts a haze of purple and green that is unintentionally sniffed up by Trixie. It makes her nose burn, but all she can do is tremble and choke while her tears freeze to her face.

“Either reclaim Princess Sparkle or find me another bride worthy to be my queen and bear my children,” says the monster. It then brings Trixie even closer so their noses are touching and says: “Do not fail me again or it will be you that holds such a fate while your Sanctuary burns.”

Trixie nods quickly and gags out: “I-I won't... I won't fail you again... Lord Sombra.”

The ice demon growls and throws Trixie to the ground, and as soon as her head cracks against the frozen ground, she blacks out.

After what seems like minutes of darkness, she opens her eyes again and finds herself laying on her bed with the curtains pulled shut and a small fire going in the fireplace. Trixie groans and seethes as she sits up and presses her back against the headboard, using the pillow as a cushion. She then rubs the throbbing on her forehead, but stops when she realizes that not only is the gauntlet still on, but her normal attire replaced with a loose, white shirt and pants. The blood on her hand has also been cleaned off, but she still feels the scabs and the pinprick throbs of her wounds underneath.

“We tried to take the gauntlet off, but the nurse had her hands burned off,” says someone next to her.

The sudden voice startles Trixie, but when she sees that Gilda is sitting next to her bed, solemnly sharpening one of her blades in a dark blue shirt and brown pants, she relaxes. Somewhat. The unicorn sighs and slouches in her bed and rubs the space just above her eyes.

“This has been a terrible day,” mutters Trixie.

“You think?” scoffs Gilda, halting her sharpening and pointing her whetstone at Trixie, scowling. “You know this whole thing could have been avoided if we just left that stone and gauntlet in the cave, right?”

Trixie glares at Gilda out of the corner of her eye. “Trixie is fully aware of her own stupidity, thank you very much. Now, are you going to say something informative or are you going to continue to pester Trixie about stuff she already knows?”

Gilda slips her stone back in a pouch strapped to her belt loop, puts her sword in its sheath, and stands up and looks down at Trixie with her arms folded across her chest. Admittedly, the unicorn feels intimidated by the griffin's stature, with her being taller, more muscular than an earth pony stallion and a razor sharp beak to go with her talons on top of all that. Then here is the ruler of the Lulamoon Sanctuary, feeling weak and broken, and absolutely terrified to where she can't keep her shakes under control.

“Well, for starters, whatever happened to you knocked you out for a few hours, and I had to seal this place. And I already told you that when we tried to get that gauntlet off, it burnt a nurse's hands,” says Gilda.

“How badly was she burnt?” asks Trixie.

“Down to the bone.”

Trixie seethes and clutches her blanket as her ears droop. “Anything else?”

“I sent a small army to look for Twilight and Pinkie Pie, and I told them to kill the annoying pink one and return the snotty purple one back to us. Then we got Malerabus going back to Everfree to mobilize his changelings and the outcasts for the next part of the plan. Oh, and the nurse whose hands are now bone is traumatized for life, by the way. I hope you're happy.”

Trixie's grip tightens around her blanket, and she quietly says in choked words: “I'm not. I should have never taken the Seeing-Stone or the gauntlet, but I did and now I have seen into Sombra's mind and know what he is capable of... And what he plans on doing.”

Trixie looks at Gilda, begging with her bloodshot eyes for her friend to understand.

“I have to protect this Sanctuary at all costs, Gilda, you know that, and if that means making a deal with Sombra, then so be it,” says Trixie, her voice quiet and cracking.

Gilda stares at Trixie. Her gaze is hard and unforgiving, but she is still loyal, Trixie can see it in her eyes. However, how far into Hell Gilda will follow her is something that Trixie does not know, but now that they have entered the first ring, she hopes that her long time friend will remain by her side so she will not bear the burden of her mistakes and future tribulations by herself.

After a moment of intense staring, Gilda snorts and walks away and Trixie looks at the blanket covering her legs. She flinches when Gilda yanks the door open, and flinches again when it is slammed shut with a loud thud. After the door closes, Trixie bows her head and tears bleed past her closed eyes, and she sniffles as her grip tightens on her blanket.

“I hope Faust understands.”

Author's Note

That only took too long. :twilightoops:

Redheart Monastery

Apple Bloom lies curled up on a flimsy bed, underneath a thin blanket with her head resting on a flimsy pillow. The blanket is not enough to shield her little body from the cold wind blowing, and the constant creaking of wood and the tortured groans of the wind make it all the more difficult for her to keep her eyes closed.

“Wake up, Apple Bloom,” whispers the Shadow Foaling. Apple Bloom's eyes remain closed, but her eyelids and ears twitch from the voice. Then a set of fingers gently rake through her hair and a frosty puff of air cools her ear when the voice whispers next to her: “You still have to find me.”

Apple Bloom jerks awake with a sharp gasp and sits upright, eyes wide and heart beating quickly in her chest as she looks at her surroundings. Everything blurs as her eyes dart from one object to the next. All there is, is a bare room with a broken table and walls covered in holes and cobwebs.

A gust of wind blows against Apple Bloom, sending a shiver up her spine and a swarm of what feels like sharp footed spiders running along her body.

Apple Bloom shudders and covers herself with her blanket and looks over her should to see a frozen wasteland covered in snow and gray clouds. In the distance, a silhouette of a girl stands next to a tree, her hand placed against it and her tattered dress fluttering in the wind.

Apple Bloom's heart thumps in her head like a slow drum as she slides off the bed, wincing as her feet burn from the destructive cold covering the rotting floor. She wraps the blanket tightly around her body and approaches the window with shaky steps. Each step she takes makes the wooden boards creak and snap, and the whole time, the silhouette remains still.

A strong gust of wind blows debris past Apple Bloom, and she has to shield her eyes from the splinters and twigs, and when she lowers her hand, the shadow by the tree is gone.

Apple Bloom furrows her brows and leans out the window to scan her surroundings. The mountains in the distance are shrouded by the light gray fog, like a lingering smoke from a recent fire, and all she can see is desolation.

After seeing nothing but a wasteland, Apple Bloom sighs and retreats from the window to sit down on the bed, hoping to get a little bit of warmth. But, when she sits on the bed, the floorboards creak and she turns to the source to see the Shadow Foaling standing in the doorway, giggling.

Apple Bloom shrieks and falls off her bed, kicking up dust and sending a small bit of pain in her rump from her landing, and she scrambles to her feet and tries to back away from the foaling.

The Shadow Foaling giggles again and starts skipping towards Apple Bloom, humming and smiling cheerfully as her bouncing steps kick up small clouds of dust. Apple Bloom tries to find a way out, but when she goes for the window, she sees a stone wall where the window was, and when she looks at the doorway, she sees it is locked shut with chains blocking it.

“Are you coming to find me?” says the Shadow Foaling, now right in front of Apple Bloom's face.

Apple Bloom screams and stumbles back, tripping over herself and falling against the wall. She closes her eyes and seethes from the pain splitting her head, and as she rubs the back of her head she cracks an eye open to see the Shadow Foaling walking towards her.

Her steps are slow, but long-placed and she hums delightfully on the way over. Apple Bloom whimpers and tries to escape by crawling away, but the Shadow Foaling grabs her tail and pulls her back, despite the foaling's screams of protest and her fingers clawing at the floor. When she is in front of the Shadow Foaling, the specter turns her on her back and digs her knee against her neck and uses one of her hands to hold Apple Bloom's shoulder while the other holds her head in place.

Apple Bloom gasps and wheezes for air as her hands uselessly push against the Shadow Foaling's leg. The ghost merely snickers at her pathetic attempts to escape, though, and gently shushes Apple Bloom as her pitch black hand strokes her mane, freezing her hair and scalp. Despite the fear in her, which is evident in her big, gold eyes, Apple Bloom stops struggling and looks at the eye-less face, whimpering and swallowing as her tears freeze on her face.

“When will you find me?” asks the Shadow Foaling.

“Who-Who are you?” says Apple Bloom between her gulps for air.

“Find me and you'll find out,” replies the Shadow Foaling, adding as she leans forward and brushes Apple Bloom's mane again: “But you must hurry. He is coming for the Amulet, and if he finds you how can you find me?”

“Wha-Waht're ya talking about? Who... Who will find me?”

The Shadow Foaling's dark skin rips as her grin grows impossibly wide, exposing even more of her bright white teeth. “You know who. You better hurry, Apple Bloom. He's coming~”

[[[[[O]]]]]

Apple Bloom gasps awake with a damp towel pressed against her forehead, wearing a flimsy white shirt and brown trousers. She jerks upright in a large bed and pressing her back against a wooden headboard, heart racing and lungs short of air as pain and panic weigh down on her. Her whole body is throbbing, especially where she was stabbed, and she can feel the sticky scabs on her back stick to her white shirt, and all around her is an unfamiliar setting. She wrings the blanket covering her and brings it up to her chin as her eyes snap around, trying to figure out where she is. What she sees is a long, room full of empty beds with plenty of windows, and although there are plenty of torches and candles lining the walls, the room still seems darker. There is an earth mare next to her, too.

“It's okay, you're safe,” says the mare.

Apple Bloom stares at the mare, eyes wide in wonder at her beauty. She has a white coat and a pale, pink mane that she has tied in a bun on the back of her head, and kind, but tired, blue eyes. The earth mare is wearing a simple white dress with a red belt, and a white hat with a red heart stitched on it. Though, her white dress is stained with blood and dirt, and her pink mane is frazzled with loose clumps hanging past her eyes. The blood is unsettling to Apple Bloom, especially since she thinks it might be hers.

“My name is Redheart. What's your name?” asks the earth mare.

“I'm A... Honeycrisp.”

“Honeycrisp?”

Apple Bloom nods, and Redheart nods and uses a towel to wipe a tint of red off of her hands.

“You're a long way from home, Honeycrisp. What are you doing out here?” asks Redheart.

Apple Bloom remains silent, instead using her time to lean over one side of her bed, scrunching her brow and leaning over the other side. Both sides do not show her anything and her heart starts beating into a frenzy and her mouth becomes dry with the worst case scenario playing through her mind. Only when she crawls across the bed to check the foot does Redheart place a gently hand on her shoulder and ask her what's wrong.

“Where're mah clothes?” asks Apple Bloom quickly, snapping her teary eyes to Redheart and her hands gripping the end of the of the bed to keep her whole body shaking. It does not work.

“Oh. Oh, those clothes were ruined,” says Redheart. “They were torn and covered in blood. We couldn't clean those things, much less repair them, so I had our seamstress make you a new set.”

Apple Bloom sits on her knees and clutches her ears, shaking her head hard. “Oh, no. No. No. No. No. This ain't good. This ain't-” She looks at Redheart again, sniffling and whimpering and face becoming wet with tears. “Did mah friends make it? Were there other foalings? Did ya see any scary looking trinkets with mah stuff before ya threw it all away?”

Redheart blinks. “Actually, yes. You arrived here being carried by Shining Armor with a group of foalings, but I didn't see anything... scary on you, aside from your injuries. They're all waiting for you outside, actually.”

Apple Bloom furrows her brow in confusion, trying to wrap her head around the idea that the stinky drunk who choked her and held her hostage took her to a hospital after nearly being gutted in a field.

“From the looks of it, Shining Armor managed to perform a small healing spell on you that actually saved your life. Surely you would have bled to death before you got here if he hadn't done it,” replies Redheart.

“When ya said Shining Armor, didja mean a unicorn that reeked of alcohol and looked like he spent the night in the mud?” asks Apple Bloom.

Redheart sighs. “Unfortunately yes. That seems to be his new style, though, and there is no point in trying to change him, you can trust me on that.”

Apple Bloom sniffs and slumps in her seat, rubbing her neck slowly. “At least he was kind enough t' take me here.”

“That is true. Do you want me to send in your friends?”

Apple Bloom nods silently and Redheart goes to the door. She pokes her head out and tells the ones waiting on the other side that they can come in. Barely two seconds pass before she is almost knocked to the ground by a swarm of foalings, all cheering and rushing to Apple Bloom's bedside as fast as their little legs will allow. They are each carrying their weapons in a grossly mishandled way and with even less carelessness they toss them in a pile by Apple Bloom's bed and surround her with collective smiles.

Twist hops on Apple Bloom's bed and squeezes her in a loving embrace fueled by joyous relief, and despite the pain Apple Bloom is getting from the hug, she still giggles and awkwardly returns it. The others crowd around her, all talking over each other and asking how she is feeling and if she needs anything from them. Apple Bloom's cheeks and ears flush as a nervous smile spreads, and she gently frees herself from Twist, thus allowing her to breathe. As this happens, she barely sees Redheart leave the room, and once the earth pony is out and the door is sealed, she takes a deep breath and sulks in her seat.

“I'm glad you guys are alright,” says Apple Bloom, smiling thinly at all of them. “I don't know what I would've done if somethin' were t' happen to y'all.”

“We would've been brutally butchered alive if it weren't for Sprinkles!” says Button Mash excitedly. “You should have seen him! He was like swish swish stab stab stab swoosh swish swoosh stab stab swish swoosh swish swish stab swoshy-swish stab swoosh!”

The whole time Button Mash flails his arm like a sword, and with how he flings it around with the sporadic movements, Apple Bloom is glad that he is not holding a real sword. Especially when he smacks Pipsqueak's face with his arm hard enough to send him to the floor.

“Hey, watch it!” growls Pipsqueak as he rubs his face and stands up using the bed for support.

Button Mash cringes. “Sorry.”

Scootaloo snickers at that display. “Aw, toughen up, Pipsqueak, its not like getting punched in the face hurts too much.”

“Look, guys I hate to break this up, but I need to know: Did one of you take the Amulet while I was... er... resting?” asks Apple Bloom.

Sweetie Belle and the other foalings exchange looks, then they look at Apple Bloom with various levels of confusion.

“What amulet?” asks Sweetie Belle, her eyebrow cocked in question.

Apple Bloom's coat drains of color and her ears droop and her eyes grow wide as her mouth clamps shut. With Sweetie Belle's words, she realizes that she spilled the beans and now if Sombra's agents don't kill her, then Twilight will. The only consolation she has of the blunder is that Twist pulls out the blood stained bundle that the Amulet is wrapped in and reveals its Gothic design to everyone.

“This is the amulet,” says Twist quietly. She looks down while the other foalings crowd around each other for a better look, all mesmerized by its dark beauty. “After you got hurt, me and Sprinkles didn't know if you were gonna make it, so I took it for safe keeping.”

A faint whisper flows through Apple Bloom's ears. She can't make out the words, and since no one else is reacting, she guesses that she is the only one who hears it.

Apple Bloom holds out her hand. “Give it to me, Twist.”

Twist nods, obediently rewraps the Amulet and returns it to Apple Bloom, who quickly stuffs it in her pocket and deflates with a loud sigh. After that, Apple Bloom offers a small, toothless smile towards her awkward friend.

“Thank you for watching it, Twist,” says Apple Bloom. “But I'm here, now, so ya don't have t' burden yourself with it, anymore.”

“That's cute and all, but is that amulet thing the reason why we got killers going after us?” asks Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom lowers her eyes, nodding. “Yeah, I wasn't supposed to let you guys know, but now that I spilled the beans, ya might as well hear the whole thing 'bout the Amulet.”

oooOOOooo

Shining Armor watches from the comfort of an old couch as Redheart exits the room where Apple Bloom and the other foalings are. The excited and relieved voices of the foalings brings a small smile to his face, but he does not go inside, for he wants them to enjoy their own company for just a few more minutes before they leave into the Wild. Besides, he has his attention on Redheart.

The white mare is mostly as he remembers her to be. Her steps are heavy with determination and her eyes have that drive for selfless service. Though, with all the years gone between them, the glow she once had has dimmed considerably and that smile has been replaced by a permanent, tired frown. Or maybe she is still upset about him waltzing into her sanctuary, covering in blood and screaming at the top of his lungs for help in the middle of the night. Either that, or she still has not forgiven him for what he did. He knows his apologies didn't do much the last time except make their partings worse.

“Thank you for helping us, Redheart,” says Shining Armor with a small smile and his voice congested due to the bandages around his broken muzzle. It really makes everything stuffy and uncomfortable, and he is promising himself a great celebration when his face is fully healed.

Redheart, however, dismisses his words with an aggravated huff and tosses the bloody towel in a star studded hamper. It barely makes it in and she turns to Shining Armor, arms folded across her chest and her gaze hardening on him as she leans against the wall. This, in turn, makes the Banished Prince just a little uneasy. If he has learned anything over the years of his fantastic life, it is that a mare, when angry, can invoke quite a bit of pain.

“So, do you mind telling me why you came up here with a broken muzzle, pierced shoulder, and a half dead foaling?” asks Redheart.

“Well, you're sure polite today,” grumbles Shining Armor, thinking about how her tone is a clear indicator of his unforgiven status.

Redheart's expression darkens and Shining Armor stares back at her, discretely searching for anything that she can stab or bludgeon him to death with. Not that he can blame her, for he would probably do the same if he were in her place. Much to his relief, though, he does not see anything like that around, but there are always fingers. And feet. And teeth. Especially teeth.

“Look, some guy stabbed me and that foaling and broke my nose, and so I killed him. The end,” says Shining Armor as casually as he can.

“The fact that you said that so calmly is a cause for concern, Shining,” remarks Redheart, her frown shifting from annoyance to worry.

“Do you want me to break down in tears when I talk about killing others? Because if that's what you're looking for, you'll be waiting for a very long time.” Shining Armor gingerly sips his alcoholic beverage to keep the canteen from pressing too much against his bandage, much to the returning annoyance of the nurse. After he is done, he reclines in his seat and props his feet up on the small table, barely missing a basket nearly devoid of fruit. “Besides, why should I feel sorry for defending myself or others? That is just stupid.”

Redheart's jaw drops. “No, Shining, you are saying that you killed somepony as if you just saw a bird roost in a tree! That is why I am concerned! Why do you even have foalings with you?”

“How should I know? They just came out of nowhere and one of them got stabbed and I killed the guy that stabbed her. There really is nothing more to the story than that, so drop it.”

“Fine, I will go with that, but that does not change that you killed somepony when you didn't have to! A life is a life, Shining!”

Shining Armor calmly takes another sip of his drink. “Uh huh.”

“You can't just go around killing people-”

“Just like you can't go around stabbing foalings and breaking noses.”

“And not expect some form of retribution!”

“As proven not too long ago.”

“You could have just knocked him out, or let the guards handle the situation!”

Shining Armor scoffs a mean spirited laugh. “You're right, Redheart. How could I have been so stupid? I'll tell you what, next time I find a thug attacking a helpless person in the wilderness I'll just ask them to stay put while I grab the guard from the next town over to take care of the problem. While I'm at it, I'll even take the poor, beat up sap down the river to the biggest city I can find instead of taking them to the nearest place of treatment.”

Redheart's jaw drops and she releases an annoyed, high pitch whine. “What? Shining, don't twist my words so you can mock them!”

“I didn't twist anything. You're just terrible at logic. Besides, did you honestly think I would carry a half dead foaling with me all the way to you with my face broken if I was in Breeze where a doctor lives?”

Redheart is silent and Shining Armor expels a loud sigh before taking another swig of his drink.

“I guess you did,” says Shining Armor as he screws the canteen's lid back on. He then pulls out a pouch, dumps out five gold coins in his palm and sets them on the table. “And before our conversation goes any further, here's the payment for the foaling and my face and shoulder. Once she is good enough to walk, I will take her and her band of merry midgets off your hands and you'll never see my face again.”

Redheart snorts and snatches the coins. “Good.” After inspecting the the coins, she looks at Shining Armor, frowning questionably. “Why did you give me six gold? The treatments were five combined.”

Shining Armor holds up his canteen and shakes it, creating a sloshing noise of the little remaining alcohol splashing in its inside. “I need a refill. And I'm expecting my change back, too.”

oooOOOooo

Rainbow Dash and her company of six soldiers land in the middle of a courtyard paved with cobblestone and lined with thick, green trees and brightly colored flowers. On one side is group of picnic tables, where a cluster of shocked earth ponies stare at the dark armored pegasi. On the other end is a blacksmith shop, complete with the sweaty, overweight stallion working tirelessly at beating away on the superheated metal. That is, until he notices the group of soldiers briskly walking towards the large, wooden door that leads to the infirmary, conveniently placed in their path.

Rainbow Dash can feel a smile creeping on her muzzle as she cracks her knuckles, thinking about how easy the job will be. It certainly will not be anything to brag about at parties, but all she has to do is throw in a few extra details. Maybe some evil spirits or a gang of mercenaries to spice things up at the next feast.

Along the way to the infirmary, Rainbow Dash passes a fountain with a marble statue towering over it. The water is clear, the fountain containing it is simple with only a crossing sun and moon as its carving, and the statue is of an alicorn mare in a flowing robe. Her head is bowed, her flat mane reaches just past her shoulders, and cupped in her hands is an inkwell with quill pen inside. The water comes from the inkwell and cascades off her hands, where it crashes in the water below to make a melody that puts weary travelers at ease.

Or those who seek comfort, anyway.

For travelers like Rainbow Dash and her company, there is no rest for them until they reclaim what was stolen from them.

Once Rainbow Dash reaches the door, she pushes it open with both of her hands and coolly struts inside a lobby as the door groans open to signal her arrival. The ponies inside are at varying degrees of ill health. Some are so fatigued they can barely sit without falling over, others are wearing cheap bandages and homemade splints, and very few actually appear to be in good health, but are choosing to spend their time sitting in an infirmary lobby instead of doing something productive. Though, whatever their conditions may be, they all look at the group of pegasi with the great majority paling in fright and the remaining few appearing to be curious. Some of the ones that rightfully show fear move as far away from their path as possible while the confused look at each other before staring back at the uninvited guests.

“Listen up, all of you!” barks Rainbow Dash as she slowly walks down the main aisle of the lobby. “I am looking for a group of foalings that stole weapons from the Hurricane Clan!”

To make her display better, she eyes every patient sinisterly, and each step she and her soldiers take make a threatening ruckus of metal shifting and grinding against each other. She keeps her hand on the hilt of one of her blades, drumming it in anticipation as her ears flick to the many sickly coughs and moans in the lobby, just waiting for that one person to do something stupid.

“One of them is probably injured, or dead, I don't care which, but they would be with at least five others,” continues Rainbow Dash. “If you hide these thieves from us, or do not cooperate with us in any way, I will personally burn this place down.”

One of her soldiers, a gamboge stallion with light blue eyes and a dark blue mane, leans over to her, whispering: “Isn't that going a bit overboard?”

Rainbow Dash holds up her fist and speaks harshly without looking at him. “Quiet, Flash.” She picks up her pace and grabs the shirt of a random, taller earth pony with black eye, a bluish gray coat and a dark gray mane with a trio of four leaf clovers as a pendant on his necklace. “You! Have you seen any foalings around here?”

The stallion grins, revealing some missing teeth. “No, but I saw somepony taller than you.”

oooOOOooo

“This is a monastery, how do you not have alcohol?” inquires Shining Armor.

“Yes, we're a monastery, a place of spiritual retreat and revival of the flesh and soul! A place for the sick and needy! We don't carry what you want! The closest we have is ceremonial wine, which is not for sale,” answers Redheart.

Shining Armor frowns and holds out his hand expectantly. “Then give me my gold back.”

Redheart throws the gold coin back at Shining Armor, and he catches it with one hand. Before he can put it away, a certain bluish gray stallion flies through the door and rolls across the floor, carrying with him splinters of its remains.

Redheart shrieks and jumps back, and Shining Armor leaps to his feet, jumps over the table and slides in front of the nurse with his broken blade drawn. Seconds later, a blue pegasus mare with a rainbow mane clad in dark armor stomps in, adjusting the gauntlet on her forearm and scowling fiercely.

Upon seeing the mare, Shining Armor motions Redheart to get further back and steps in front of the door leading to where the foalings are staying.

“And just what are you doing here, Maiden Dash?” sneers Shining Armor.

Rainbow Dash squints her eyes at Shining Armor, having to tilt her head up in the process, and after she realizes who she is talking to, she scoffs and finishes fixing her gauntlet. “Well, if it isn't the Banished Prince of Unicornia. I thought you'd gone and drank yourself to death by now.”

“I have a high alcohol tolerance. But what are you doing here, Colored Witch? Are you here to sack another settlement in the name of your father? Or do you just feel like wreaking havoc to stave your boredom?”

Rainbow Dash snorts and stomps forward, stepping on the stallion she threw along the way, getting a pained grunt from him when she digs her metal boot in his back.

“Actually, I'm here to reclaim weapons taken by some foalings,” she says.

Shining Armor seethes mockingly. “Ooh, well, hate to tell you this, but there aren't any foalings here, so fly off and tell that barbaric father of yours to choke on a fish bone!”

Rainbow Dash growls and grabs the hilt of one of her blades. “You think you're some big, tough guy for insulting my father!”

“Bigger and tougher than you, shorty!”

Rainbow Dash's eye twitches, her growl grows louder and her teeth grind together as her hands grip both blades, all while her soldiers pour in behind her. They all have their hands on their weapons, ready to draw at a moment's notice, with a couple guarding the door and the other four taking a corner of the room, keeping an eye on Shining Armor and Redheart.

“Chose your next words carefully, horned freak,” says Rainbow Dash through her teeth.

Shining Armor flicks his eyes to Redheart, then braces himself as he rolls his injured shoulder and charges his horn.

“Redheart, get in the room and lock yourself inside. Things might get-”

The door creaks open and Sweetie Belle pokes her head out. “Hey, what's going on out here?”

Shining Armor glares at the unicorn foaling with his eyes burning pure, righteous flames of rage and his whole face scrunches up in a horrible snarl that makes his face darken from its wrinkles.

“Are you an idiot!” screams Shining Armor.

Sweetie Belle squeaks shamefully and moves to close the door, but she barely moves inches when the short pegasus grins and flies forward in a burst of a rainbow colored streak. The force of the passing wind knocks Shining Armor and Redheart to the ground, and he watches helplessly as the white foaling shrieks in fright and pain from being tackled by the brutal pegasus.

Shining Armor scrambles to his feet, and with a bright light from his horn and his palm slamming against the floor, the pegasi that advance are blasted off of their feet by a telekinetic blast. Some hit the wall, one flies out of the room, and another that got really close, spins in the air and lands on his stomach on the table, completely shattering it.

After that, Shining Armor hops to his feet and puts up a shield that covers Redheart and prevents the soldiers from advancing. He then runs in the room where Apple Bloom is, sword at the ready, only to see Rainbow Dash lying on the ground, swearing up a storm as the foalings beat her with chairs and stools. Or, in Scootaloo's case, a shovel for scooping ashes out of the fireplace.

The stolen weapons are laying not to far from them, unused for some reason, but Shining Armor is silently happy that Maiden Dash had not been stabbed to death by foalings. That would lead to a genocide of their little race and the complete razing of this region for sure.

With the war cries, screams of pain, and impacts of crude weapons against armor and flesh, Shining Armor's eyes flick around to search for Apple Bloom, and spots her safe and sound. The Amulet Bearer is sitting behind her bed, with her big, orange eyes barely peering over the sheets with Twist next to her protectively. A sigh of relief leaves Shining Armor, glad that she hasn't been injured again, and seeing her safe, the exiled unicorn turns his attention to the other foalings and their assault on Rainbow Dash.

Shining Armor winces when Button Mash clambers on the mare's back and tugs her leg back as far as it can go while Pipsqueak hits her the back of her head with his stool. Her sharp cry worsens when Pipsqueak climbs on her back and attacks her wings, with his feet digging into her flesh and bone to hold one of her wings down and his hands wringing the other wing as hard as he can.

“Hold her down!” orders Scootaloo over the colorful mare's agonizing screams and begs of mercy.

“You runts are so-” Rainbow Dash is interrupted when Scootaloo hits her in the face with the little shovel. “OW! By Faust, you are evil foalings!”

“Silence, fiend!” snaps Sweetie Belle, stomping on the warrior's hand right after.

Rainbow Dash howls in pain and thrashes more violently on the ground, but with the onslaught of shovel whacks, wing-pins and leg holds, she can only do just that. Thrash and hope mercy is granted to her.

As the scene carries on, Shining Armor's wince molds to a devious smile, and he looks over his shoulder to see the pegasi soldiers trying with futile efforts to break his shield. Seeing that comforting sight, he takes a breath and sits in front of Rainbow Dash, really wishing he had an apple that he can eat in front of her, but he settles with just himself.

“Okay, foalings, you can stop,” says Shining Armor, now gently kneading his shoulder.

They stop after a few more whacks and tugs, but when they are done, Rainbow Dash is lying on the ground, twitching and covered in rectangular shaped ash spots all over her face and body. He can tell she is in pain by the tears in her eyes and how she is trying to mask her pain with a defiant snarl, despite her tiny whimpers.

“Well, Maiden Dash, you seem to be at a problem,” begins Shining Armor coolly. “You are trapped in here, outnumbered, beaten by foalings and now at our mercy. Your honor and reputation is basically dead, now. Like mine.”

Tears roll down Rainbow Dash's cheeks as she growls at Shining Armor and digs her fingers into the floorboards to make an attempt to crawl to him. But a quick whack to the back of her head by a chair from Sweetie Belle makes her stop and get a taste of dirt and wood.

“Son of a whore!” curses Rainbow Dash painfully, sniffing up blood that leaks out of her nose.

“Wait. Maiden Dash? As in Rainbow Dash?” asks Scootaloo whimsically. She looks at the captured soldier with a sparkling glow of joy in her eyes and a broad, toothy smile growing. “Are you really Rainbow Dash?”

“How many other pegasi have rainbow manes?” sneers Rainbow Dash through gritted teeth.

“Anyway~” continues Shining Armor before the question can be answered, “the outcome can be one of two things. You can either submit and let us walk out of here with the weapons, or you can be defiant, in which case I will have that crazy one-” He points at Scootaloo “-beat you to death with that little shovel.”

“She'll do it, too,” adds Sweetie Belle.

“What? No I won't!” blurts Scootaloo.

Shining Armor narrows his eyes at her, really wishing she will be cooperative just this once and not ruin his bluff.

“She killed a guy with a teacup!” continues Scootaloo with an ecstatic squeal. “I can't kill somepony that amazing! Especially with an ash shovel!”

A proud smile tugs on Rainbow Dash lips as she looks at the pegasus foaling. “You heard about that, huh?”

“Who cares!” yells Sweetie Belle. “Did you forget that she attacked me and that she licked the blood of her teacup victim off of herself!” Rainbow Dash's eyes widen with shock as Sweetie Belle leans over her and adds in a menacing tone: “She's too dangerous to live.”

After hearing that, the rainbow pegasus squirms under the foalings, causing them to spring back into assaulting her with more ferocity that leads her to yelling out in agony.

“Owowow! Wait! Wait! Wait!” cries Rainbow Dash quickly, grunting in pain when Pipsqueak really puts the pressure down on her wings. “I don't know who told you I licked blood off of myself, but that is a lie! That is a boldfaced lie!”

“That's not what that one guy said!” counters Button Mash.

“And who is this 'one guy' you speak of? I'm going to kill him for tarnishing my name!”

“I can't remember. I think it began with an 'X'.”

“Maybe it was a 'Z'. They sound the same,” says Pipsqueak.

“No they don't!” snaps Sweetie Belle.

Pipsqueak glares at Sweetie Belle. “Yes they do!”

Rainbow Dash groans and slams her face against the hardwood floor. It is at that moment that Apple Bloom suddenly winces and slides to the floor, clutching her side and grinding her teeth in pain. Redheart and Shining Armor are quick to see this, and they rush to Apple Bloom's side while Twist grips her friend's shoulder and tries to get her to look at her. The agonizing whines of the injured foaling is enough to make everyone stop and look at her, too.

“Apple Bloom, what's wrong?” asks Twist worryingly.

“I don't know,” whimpers Apple Bloom, her eyes shut and head bowed as her hand clutches her side.

“Redheart, what's going on with her?” says Shining Armor, now gripping Apple Bloom's shoulder.

“I don't know,” says Redheart. “Honeycrisp, I need you to describe the pain. Can you do that?”

Apple Bloom's eyes suddenly open, and she stares straight ahead at the wall, panting and shivering with her eyes glistening and reddening from tears. She then pushes herself up against the wall as tight as she can go, and then curls up on the floor sobbing and shaking more violently than before while she grips the Amulet closer to her chest.

“Hey, what's going on over there? Is she giving birth or something?” asks Rainbow Dash.

“Quiet, fiend!” snaps Sweetie Bell.

Pipsqueak hops off of Rainbow Dash and runs to Apple Bloom, sliding in front of her and gently stroking her mane.

“Apple Bloom, what's wrong?” asks Pipsqueak,

“He's here,” whispers Apple Bloom, her voice quivering and cracking as she rocks herself. “He's here. He's going to kill me. He's going to- I don't wanna die!”

Pipsqueak hugs Apple Bloom close and lets her cry in his shoulder as Shining Armor gets up, his face wrecked and when he gets close to her, he hears a ghostly whisper in his ear.

“Surrender me,” orders the voice.

Shining Armor stiffens and grips his blade until his knuckles feel like they are going to crack, and Apple Bloom creams in pain and hugs Pipsqueak tighter as she wails in his grip.

“Isn't there anything you can do?” asks Pipsqueak in a panic to Redheart.

Redheart shakes her head. “All my medicine is outside the shield!”

“I can feel his blade! It feels like its going through me again!” sobs Apple Bloom.

The Banished Prince's worried expression shifts to a grim look, and he marches over to Rainbow Dash and ushers the remaining foalings away, then he helps her to her feet. She sniffles and wipes blood from her face, then casts a very hateful look at Sweetie Belle, but she does not get to say anything for Shining Armor speaks first.

“Maiden Dash, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to get Redheart and these foalings out of here to Armonia as fast as you can,” says Shining Armor.

Rainbow Dash sneers. “Now why would I do that? You guys stole from my clan, completely humiliated me, and now you want me to help? No. Not going to happen.”

Shining Armor takes a heavy step forward, grabs the pegasus' wrist and pins it against her chest as he slams her against the wall, getting a yell from Redheart for him to stop, but he ignores her. Rainbow Dash's hand shoots down to grab one of her blades, but he grabs that hand to and slides it up and over her head, then presses her as hard as he can against the wall so that their muzzles nearly touch.

She grunts and squirms, and tries kicking free, but with her small build and her current position, she does little except annoy the unicorn. She only stops when Shining Armor pulls her back, then slams her against the wall again, getting a sharp cry of pain from her and leaving her trembling and looking at him with beady, terrified eyes.

“Listen her, Colored Witch,” snarls Shining Armor, getting really close to her face so that she has to look away unless they want to lock muzzles. “You can hate me and my family and every living thing in this world for all I care. You can even take those weapons. I don't care! All I care about is that those foalings get to Armonia safely. I can guarantee you that if those foalings die, your father, your pathetic civilization, all of it will burn!”

“Why don't you just take them yourself and give me the weapons?” says Rainbow Dash, grunting and writhing under his strength in a futile effort to free herself.

“Your weapons cannot hurt what is coming. Mine can. I need to stop them before they hurt anypony else.” Shining Armor looks at the group behind him, and seeing their terrified expressions, he sighs, releases Rainbow Dash and steps back, letting her fall to the floor and suck in air. “I will cover you, and if you do this, if you get Redheart and those foalings to Queen Celestia swiftly and safely, then I will be in your debt, and I guarantee you that the Queen will compensate you accordingly.”

Rainbow Dash huffs and glares at Shining Armor, her hand tenderly rubbing her neck. “Do I have your word of this debt and reward?”

“You do.”

Rainbow Dash searches Shining Armor's face, and he meets her harsh gaze with one of his own. A moment later she looks at the foalings and Redheart, being sure to give Sweetie Belle an especially evil look, which she returns in kind. Another few seconds pass before she nods and extends her hand.

“It is settled, then. I'm sure I'll think of something for you when we meet again,” says Rainbow Dash, now sporting a mischievous grin.

Despite hating the grin and all the evil it holds, Shining Armor still takes the Colored Witch's hand and shakes it crisply.

“I'm sure you will,” he says as he cautiously lowers the magical shield.

Without taking her hand off of Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash adds: “Oh, there is one more thing I need to add before I go.”

Shining Armor does not even get a chance to form a word in his thoughts when a metal boot suddenly flies up straight into his gonads. His eyes bulge and his fur and mane stand from a very, very, very painful, hammer against peanut devastation against his manhood, and he clutching the mare's shoulder for support, coughing and swearing. He feels like he is going to puke from the sheer pain, and Rainbow Dash shoves him off of her shoulder, making for a very hard landing on the floor that feels like pillows compared to what he is suffering through at the moment.

As he lies on the ground, squeezing his gonads and curled up in the fetal position, trying not to cry, Rainbow Dash kneels next to him and flashes a toothy grin of an unpleasant nature at him.

“That was for my humiliation and for trying to protect those thieves,” she says. She pats Shining Armor on the cheek and adds: “But don't worry, I gave you my word about your friends, so I'll get them to the Queen safely. Have fun fighting the spooky guys.”

“You wench,” moans Shining Armor.

Rainbow Dash snickers and stands up, adjusts her gauntlets and steps forward to eye the group of foalings and Redheart. All the mini-ponies have huddled by the nurse, who is trying to hug them all and she is staring at the pegasus, failing miserably to look fearless. It is actually the complete opposite, and when the other pegasi soldiers rush in, they either aim their blades at Shining Armor, who is just now getting back up, or they rush to their commander's side.

“Leave him,” orders Rainbow Dash. The soldiers immediately step away from Shining Armor, and she points at the bundle of weapons on the floor. “Big Shot. Buddy. Take those weapons back to my sister immediately and let her know that I will arrive later. The rest of you are coming with me.”

“Any specific time of your return, ma'am?” asks one of the designated ponies as they pick up the weapons.

Rainbow Dash smirks and walks closer to her new package of terrified ponies until she is towering above them. “No, but also tell my father that I'll be in Armonia and that I will be getting us some awesome gifts from the alicorns very soon.”

oooOOOooo

Starswirl and Medallion approach a walled off monastery that has a red cross with hearts in its corners painted above the entrance. Compared to most settlements with walls, this one is small, much like Breeze's. It is only big enough to allow one single horse drawn carriage in at a time, and the gate is pathetic. It reminds Starswirl of someone taking a door to a commoner's home, painting it in pretty colors, then putting it up and calling it a gate. Though, when he sees the 'Come One, Come All' above the entrance, he deducts that the lack of security is due mostly to that silly statement.

“Starswirl, your hand is still shaking,” says Medallion.

Starswirl curls his hand into a fist, but it does not stop the shakes. “I'll be fine.”

“It's been shaking the whole trip over.”

“I'll be fine.”

Medallion hums. “What will we do if we encounter the one with the Blessed Blade?”

“Leave him to me. I will distract him while you get the Amulet. He cannot be two places at once and as long as we keep him away from the Bearer, she will have no way to protect herself.”

“You are going to fight the one that killed seven of us with your shaking hand?”

“If it comes to it, yes.”

“Perhaps I should engage him myself. My hand is still steady, unlike yours.”

“But you are nowhere near as good as me, even with my disadvantage, so the plan remains the same.”

The two Windigos reach the front of the Monastery and Starswirl places his hand against the door while Medallion sprouts an ice blade.

“Tonight, we reclaim the Amulet for our king,” says Starswirl.

He pushes the gate open and the tortured groan of old wood and metal echo over the Sanctuary courtyard. When the door is fully open, he spots an empty courtyard with only a decorative fountain making soothing splashes, but other than that, not a soul is to be found.

Starswirl motions Medallion to break off, and he silently obeys, only for him to curse in a foreign tongue and barely block a broken blade from slicing his head off. He is then kicked in the gut and he stumbles back into Starswirl, who also loses his footing, and both barely have a chance to dodge another swipe. The broken blade comes close enough that Starswirl can feel the air slice in front of his nose.

He rolls out of the way of another swipe and when he gets back on his feet, his heart is racing and his breathing is ragged. Medallion is not to far away from him, and both sprout their weapons and aim it at their attacker, who is glaring at them with pain corrupting his features, his muzzle bandaged and the blood of their brothers staining his attire.

Despite his eyes narrowing, Starswirl's lips curve into a toothy smile and he coils himself for a launch, eager for a rematch. “We meet again, my heir.”

oooOOOooo

Shining Armor growls from a mix of his shoulder's throbbing pain and the boiling anger inside. He knows for a fact that he slaughtered a whole group of them, and now two more Windigos have caught up to them.

“How many of you are there?” says Shining Armor.

The Windigo who had the audacity to call Shining Armor his heir steps forward. “Our numbers are not your concern. All you need to know is that you are outnumbered and outmatched.”

Shining Armor forces a laugh that only serves to make his pain and anxiety more apparent, and he still slides his foot back to stabilize himself and he brings both of his hands to his blade's handle. “Outmatched? Really? I already killed ten of you, and I won't mind killing two more!”

“There was nine of us, and you may have killed seven, but my companion and I still stand!” The Windigo steps forward, his arms outstretched with his free hand becoming encased in icy claws and his eyes glowing blue from behind the shadow of his hood to illuminate his smile. “Now, I have an advantage. I know your tricks and you are injured. You are probably here to stall us until the Bearer escapes, but fate will unite the Amulet with the King one way or the other!”

Shining Armor's eyes narrow, and despite his best efforts, he can't keep his lips from twitching or the beads of sweat from trickling down his neck. His shoulder and muzzle throb like separate hearts wanting to pop out of his skin, and the gleaming claws and blades of the Windigos is not making him feel any better about this.

“Fate, huh?” chuckles Shining Armor, taking another step back and his eyes darting between the cloaked demons. “Do you want to test your fate, today?”

“Why not?” says the Windigo with the claws.

The clawed Windigo lunges forward and Shining Armor yells and charges, as well. Metal and ice collide in a show of shaving reflecting light, making an appearance of sparks, and both push against each other, trying to outdo the other and coming muzzle to muzzle. With as close as Shining Armor is, he can make out the Windigo's features underneath his hood. He can see the toothy smile, the glow in his eyes and the wrinkles on his rotten skin, all just begging for a taste of blood.

The Windigo pushes forward and Shining Armor grunts from ripping pain in his shoulder and is forced to take a step back.

“What's the matter, heir? Is your shoulder hurting?” taunts the Windigo.

Shining Armor leaps to the side unexpectedly, which causes the Windigo to stumble forward, but when he goes for a stab, the ice claws push the blade down and he gets a boot to the gut. The Banished Prince backs up, clutching his gut and coughing explosively from the air kicked out of him.

The Windigo turns and runs towards Shining Armor again, and he barely blocks the oncoming blow. The demon goes in for another swing, and he rolls underneath, kicks out its footing, and after it falls on its back he clambers on top of it and brings his hand down on its face. Only, instead of making its head explode like he wanted, the Windigo grabs his hand with its clawed hand and twists it away.

“Not going to work this time!” snarls the Windigo.

A sharp pain pierces Shining Armor's side, and his eyes snap with a wet, painful grunt. Blood begins pooling in his throat and he feels more of it seep out of him. Within seconds, his hands start trembling and his breathing becomes heavy as his vision pulsates into a haze. Soon, his fingers loosen and he drops his broken sword and the Windigo pushes him off unceremoniously. The unicorn flops to the cold ground, wheezing with his hand pressed against his injury, and he stares up at the Windigo when it towers above him, its blade and the blood coating it gleaming in the retreating sun.

His mind tries to think of something, anything to get him out of this terrible event, but all he can do is worry about what awaits him on the other side and hope that Rainbow Dash kept his word. Most importantly, he hopes that he at least bought enough time for Apple Bloom to escape.

Shining Armor blacks out for a moment with a slow blink, but when his eyes open just as slowly, he sees that the Windigo is still standing above him. His blood is still sliding off of the blade in gory drops, and he lifts his eyes to the light in the sky, silently apologizing to Twilight and Apple Bloom, for he knows that death has come for him.

“Last time you won, but today, victory is mine,” says the Windigo.

oooOOOooo

Rainbow Dash smacks the back of her hand against her palm rapidly as Redheart hurries to gather the supplies in her medicine shop.

“Come on! Hurry, hurry, hurry! We gotta go! Move it, prissy!” orders Rainbow Dash, having to yell over the frantic clanking and Apple Bloom's whimpering. The constant whimpering and terrified muttering from the foaling is not helping her mood, either, and when she snaps to the said foaling, she is curled up and being rocked by Pipsqueak, which is an odd sight considering his lacking stature. “Little Pip, tell her shut up or I'll gag her!”

“The name is Pipsqueak,” says the small foaling. “And she's terrified and in pain. How can you not see that?”

Rainbow Dash flinches for a moment, then sneers and points at herself with her thumb. “I can see just fine!” she says defensively. “Just tell her to shut up or else I will gag her!”

“We need blankets, now!” says Redheart as she hurries past Rainbow Dash, carrying a travel pack stuffed with medical supplies and food. The other foalings are behind her, each carrying something extra, such as more food, utensils, and a cooking set in Button Mash's case.

Rainbow Dash slaps her palm right in the middle of her face, groaning irritably. “We don't need blankets! We need to leave!”

“But we will get cold,” says Sweetie Belle.

Rainbow Dash points at the demented unicorn foaling. “Don't talk to me.”

“He's close. I can feel him,” whimpers Apple Bloom.

“That's it. You're getting gagged!”

Rainbow Dash yanks out the first towel she can find, which came from a dirty hamper, but before she can stuff it in Apple Bloom's mouth, she hears one of her soldiers ordering someone to stop. Apple Bloom tenses and wraps her arms around Pipsqueak even tighter, choking him in the process, and she shakes and sniffles as she stares at the doorway.

“He's here,” whispers Apple Bloom eerily.

Rainbow Dash frowns and marches towards the doorway, quickening her pace and drawing both of her blades when the soldiers are shouting at the person to stop. When she opens the door, she sees a black cloaked figure with sharp boots and gloves marching down the hallway and being approached by two of her soldiers. They have their weapons drawn, but with them being in the cramped hall, there is no way for them to use their gift of flight against the newcomer.

One of her soldiers, whom she realizes is Flash Sentry steps closer.

“I said stop!” barks Flash Sentry.

He is quickly stabbed by an ice blade and then thrown against the wall hard enough to bend the wood in, leaving a pony sized indent of splinters in his wake when he slumps to the floor. The other soldier yells and swings his blade, but the cloaked killer, dodges, slices off his hands, then cuts off his head and kicks the headless body to the floor.

Rainbow Dash swears and looks over her shoulder at Redheart and the group of foalings.

“Lock the door. Take the foalings out the window and get out of here right now!” orders Rainbow Dash.

Redheart nods and Button Mash runs over to the window and pushes its shutters open while Rainbow Dash slams the door shut. After hearing the lock click, she turns around, adjusts her grip and stands behind her last two soldiers. She can hear them shake in their armor, but still they advance. Even if the advancement is inching forward.

Rainbow Dash keeps a brave face, though, despite her heart racing and her mouth going draw from seeing two of her soldiers lying dead on the ground.

“I came for the Amulet,” says the cloaked figure.

“And I came for your head,” retorts Rainbow Dash.

The figure in black stops and motions them forward with two fingers. “Then come and get it.”

“Go!” barks Rainbow Dash.

The two soldiers reluctantly charge forward with her trailing behind. If not for the hallway's skinny width, she would have bolted pass them and take on the creep head on herself. But with no room to maneuver, she is stuck behind them.

The first soldier swings, but his attacked is blocked, and the second soldier tries to stab the intruder, but his blade slides off of its body harmlessly, only cutting its cloak.

The figure chuckles and backhands the soldier that tried to stab him, then it kicks the first one into the wall, stabs the second soldier through the heart and slashes the first one in the neck. Both crumble to the ground, dead and covering the floor in a large puddle of blood.

Rainbow Dash stares, jaw dropped and eyes wide in disbelief at what she just saw. When the demon cackles, she grits her teeth and her vision goes blood red as her knuckles crack from how hard she is gripping her weapons.

“Your turn, my pretty,” says the killer.

Rainbow Dash screams, her voice cracking and tears of rage and sorrow clouding her red vision as she launches herself towards that thing. There is a sonic boom that blows out the door shielding Redheart and the foalings, and in her wake is a rainbow trail, but as quickly as it arrives, it fades.

The cloaked demon does not have enough time to put up its hands before the mare tackles him in the chest. They both fly straight down the hall and break through the shutters on the other side, with the Windigo taking the brunt of the damage. After going through the window, the two bounce and roll over each other and hit a pile of empty crates near the blacksmith workshop, shattering most of them upon impact.

Rainbow Dash is quick to recover and scoop up her blades, and with a ferocious yell she swings her weapons at the Windigo. It grabs her wrists and they spin in a circle, trying to get the upper hand while growling viciously and pushing back and forth against each other. Due to her smaller size, she is forced to look up, and even then she can barely see the pale muzzle and blue eyes underneath the dark hood.

The Windigo suddenly brings up his foot and kicks the top of Rainbow Dash's leg with a loud crack, getting a howl of pain from her. It then pulls her arms away in a terrifying burst of energy and twists her wrists with another wave of cracks and a scream of pain from the mare as she drops her weapons. The demon quickly releases its grip on her rams its palm against her collarbone, sending her sailing away and landing hard on her back. Her head cracks against the rocky ground, sending a flash of pain throughout her skull and a warmth trickling down the back of her and neck.

Rainbow Dash groans and shifts to her side, and she tries to get up, but a metal boot kicks her in the side, knocking the air out of her. Blood dribbles past her lips and she is in mid cough when the Windigo delivers another kick to her side that pushes out a cry of pain and sends her flopping on her back. Then the sharp, metal boot slams down on her chest and starts presses down on her.

Rainbow Dash gasps and gags and tries to push the Windigo off, but her pain and its strength is too much. In seconds time she can hear and feel her armor bending as well as her bones threatening to snap from the pressure. Then her eyes snap up when she notices a flicker of movement and barely claps her hands together in time to stop the monster's ice blade from stabbing her in the face.

Rainbow Dash grunts and grinds her teeth, trying with all her might to keep the blade from impaling her face. The weapon slowly saws through her gloves, ripping into her skin and coating it, her palms and sleeves in crimson. The pain burns and her eyes water, but she still keeps the weapon up. Though, her arms start to feel wobbly and she screams as cracks appear on her bones. She tries to kick the Windigo off, but her kicks are awkward and useless and only brings the blade closer. Right as the tip touches her muzzle, she is hyperventilating, tears flow down her cheeks and her heart is a blur as a dozen prayers a second race through her mind, begging Faust to spare her of death.

The blade digs into her nose, and she cries in pain from the cold weapon cutting open her nose and from her ribs getting crushed. But, her prayers are answered by a red hot blade bursting from the back of the monster's heart.

The Windigo stiffens and looks down, choking on blood as its black cloak catches on fire. When the blade is yanked out, a jet of blood erupts from its wound and Rainbow Dash throws its off, coughing and wheezing for air as Redheart runs to her side while Flash Sentry starts relentlessly stabbing the Windigo. The stench of burnt flesh and cloth stings Rainbow Dash's nose, and the Windigo barely makes a sound or much of a twitch as Flash Sentry continues stabbing it with the heated blade, grunting and yelling with every stab until the whole body is aflame and a final stab goes into its head.

With the blade firmly in the Windigo's skull, Flash Sentry steps back and falls on his rump, panting and shaking and his bloody hand clutching the wound on his side that has coated his entire side and most of his leg in red.

Redheart appears next to Rainbow Dasg with the foalings poking their heads around the corner, and helps Rainbow Dash up. A part of her is mad that they are still there, but she is also grateful that Redheart stayed since now she can patch up her and Flash.

“Are you okay?” asks Rainbow Dash, having to use Redheart as a crutch so she can approach her fellow soldier, who is staring at the smoking body.

Flash Sentry swallows and winces when he shifts in his spot. “I am now. Is there more?”

“There's more,” says Apple Bloom shakily, getting the attention of everyone near her. “I can feel them.”

Rainbow Dash pulls away from Redheart and hobbles towards her weapons, seething in pain from the splintering feeling in her hands and legs as she kneels down and picks them up.

“Great,” huffs Rainbow Dash. “We can't stay here. I gave my word I would take all of you to Armonia in one piece.” She looks at Redheart and tilts her head to Flash. “Give him some of your healing potions, and Flash, you chug it faster than as fast as you can. After that, we're moving.”

“But what about Sprinkles?” asks Apple Bloom.

Rainbow Dash frowns at the foaling responsible for her current nightmare. “Who?”

“She means Shining Armor,” says Redheart while giving Flash a bottle of healing potion.

“Oh.” Rainbow Dash shrugs and ushers the foalings to move, her expression becoming more grim and determined with every painful step taken. “I'm sure he's fine. Now, let's get out of here. I already lost a lot of good soldiers today and I don't want their deaths to be in vain.”

oooOOOooo

Starswirl kneels in front of Shining Armor with his clawed hand placed gently on his shoulder. His heir is close to death, he can seen it plainly, but he murdered his own blood for the Amulet. No more. No less.

“You fought well. You were truly a great opponent,” says Starswirl softly. “If Faust permits it, may you enjoy the halls of Paradise before it falls.”

In response, Shining Armor grunts wetly and wheezes in a mix of anger and despair as his blood covers his body and face.

Starwirl leans over his dying heir so he can feel his weak breaths and his blood go on his cloak. “Rest now, my heir, for soon the dream you are entering will end.”

And those are the last words he says before Shining Armor's eyes close and his body goes completely limp.

Starswirl stands up a moment later and looks at Shining Armor. He is motionless, cold and his blood continues to flow onto the cobblestone, outlining the edges of the brick in sticky red. However, he does not feel any satisfaction. Instead, all he feels is a terrible weight surrounding him, crushing every part of him, and he looks down to see his hand trembling. He stares at his fingers, watching as they quiver and claw at the air worthlessly without his command. In an attempt to quell their movements, he grabs his wrist tightly. It works for the most part, for his fingers stop, but he still feels the shakes trying to loosen his grip.

Sighing, he looks at Shining Armor's broken sword and forces a smile to himself as he thinks of the praises Sombra will give him when he delivers a holy weapon to him as a trophy.

The Windigo kneels down and gently grips its hilt, only for a blinding flash of light to suddenly appear and a searing pain to burn through his flesh and bone, all the way up his arm and into his eyes. He shrieks in agony and drops the weapons, recoiling and stumbling until he falls in the pool of water he used to slay Shining Armor. But he cannot see anything except for brightness, and he feels a terrible heat going over his whole body that makes him feel like he is being burned from the inside out.

Starswirl hears the water boiling around him and feels the steam clinging to his cloak and pale skin, weighing him down with the scolding liquid. He thrashes in the water, crying out in agony, and trips and falls out of the pool, cracking his face against the stone floor.

The pain is real, and he clutches his throbbing face as his heart pounds in his chest and his other hand claws the floor, drawing blood from the ripping skin. In a fit of panic, he pushes himself up, blade scraping and breaking against the floor and he staggers backwards, breathing ragged and his cries of agony echoing in the courtyard.

His eyes are on fire. Every little dot of flame is like a hot needle poking at his eyes, and no matter how hard he squeezes and how hard he grips his face, the pain does not get better. It gets worse. He hears chatter and screams of confusion, and falls against a wall, sliding to the ground.

Starswirl's fingers are damp from the steam rising from his eyes, and his fingers feel thick scabs covering his eyes. The chatters gets louder and he pushes himself up, clawing at the scabs to get them off as he flops and thrashes on the ground like a fish tossed on dry land.

“No! No! No!”

With tears now flowing down his cheeks from his sealed eyes, Starswirl manages to stand up and run blindly out of the courtyard. He trips over himself and falls a couple of times, but he does not let that keep him long. And when someone throws something wet and slimy at the back of his head, sneering at him, he runs faster. He hears a mare wailing, too.

He has to get away.

He has to get away from the sword.

He has to get away from the Sanctuary and the barrage of vicious taunts and junk being thrown at him.

When he gets outside, he feels the gravel of the road crunching under his boots, but the moment of relief does not last long because his foot gets caught in a root and he takes a plunge down a hill.

With no vision to guide him, all he can do is yell, grunt, curse and take the beating of his body rolling down the muddy slope and take the pain of bouncing off of trees and random rocks. Before landing on his face in a muddy pit filled with damp leaves, he has a free fall of nearly ten feet that leaves him feeling sick. The impact after knocks the air out of him, and with only a pitch black canvas as his sight, he has no idea if he passes out or stays awake. All he knows is that his whole body aches and he just wants to lay there for the time being.

There he lays, motionless and afraid. His eyes are still throbbing and sealed by the scaly scabs, and just shifting his head sends a prickle of pain throughout his neck. However, he pushes the pain aside when he hears footsteps approaching him.

“Starswirl, son of Bismuth, you have fallen far,” says a female, her voice harsh like an angry mother.

Starswirl's growl turns into a groan as he forces himself on his knees. “Who are you?”

“You do not remember my voice?”

“Should I?”

The female sighs sadly and walks closer. “I am very disappointed in you, Starswirl.”

Starswirl extends his broken blade to the direction of the voice, stopping the footsteps. “Where is my vision?”

Silence.

“Tell me what happened to my eyes!”

“The Blessed Blade did not like you.”

Starswirl roars furiously and swings his arm wildly, hearing some branches snap and some birds fleeing, but he does not get the satisfaction of his blade slicing flesh.

“Have you forgotten why you traveled this path?” asks the female.

“Knowledge! I wanted knowledge that only Sombra could give me! Now, return my sight and fight me, you wench!” snarls Starswirl.

He takes another blind swing and feels his broken weapon get stuck in the trunk of a tree after a thump. He tries pulling it out, but it is stuck in there really good, and he resorts to madly patting at the tree to find a good grip before pressing his palm and feet against it. He then grinds his teeth and grunts as he strains his muscles to their limit to pull out the blade. His grunt turns to a scream, and with an enraged yell, he manages to free himself and fall flat on his back, but with nothing but darkness as his companion, it is all a sick, confusing feeling of spinning in a void and the abrupt stop that follows.

He feels the mud and wet leaves clinging to him, and he pants as he stares at what he thinks is straight up, struggling to see anything other than the darkness.

“You mean you wanted a power not meant for you to bring back your son?” asks the mare, her voice right next to him.

Starswirl rolls to his knees and looks in the general direction of the voice, but still sees a never ending plane of darkness. Now his ice weapon is melting and his fingers tremble from the biting cold. He has forgotten how cold felt, but now that he is feeling it again, he has quickly developed a loathing for it. But he cannot leave his weapon, for the one who blinded him is near. He can hear her steps crunching the sticks and her voice circling all around him, taunting him like the fiend she is.

“Out of all your years of servitude, all the lifetimes you wandered, watching the world change and forsaking what you had left, where are you now?” continues the mare, now next to his other ear and her ghostly hand running along his shoulders.

Starswirl roars and takes another aimless swing in the dark, hearing the air slice before him, but feeling nothing at the other end. Now his fingers start to feel numb and shivers run up and down his arm and spine.

“I was close! I felt the Amulet! It can get me my son back if I give it to Sombra!” he shouts defiantly, his teeth chattering from the cold.

“Medallion has perished, as have your other false friends for the lies of the Amulet, but fate has spared you once again. Do not waste the mercy granted upon you,” says the mare sternly, sounding like she is in front of him this time.

“But what about my son?”

Nothing. Not even a rustle of leaves in the wind to grant him an answer.

However, his vision starts gradually returning with the falling of the flakes of scab, and the first thing he sees is a puff of his frozen breath. The rest of his vision returns quickly.

At first, the forest is a haze of dark colors with bright blotches in between, and with each passing beat of his heart and each ragged breath he takes, the trees become sharper. The trees, in all of their beauty of dark green and moss covered trunks, dot the mulch covered forest, and Starswirl rapidly turns in circles, breathing heavier and his heart beating faster as he searches for any sign of the mare that spoke to him. His hood is down, so his pale blue skin is exposed and his wiry, white hair turns every which way it can from his fast spins, but when he sees nothing, he stops and sulks.

He ejects his frozen blade from his arm, where it stabs the ground from its fall, and then he collapses on his knees, splashing his cloak in more mud and wet mulch. His fingers dig into the ground and his ragged breathing shakes his whole body as he lifts his teary eyes to the sky, staring at the orange light and the rose colored sky from the retreating sun. With the weight of his servitude crushing the hollowness he has left, he feels himself breaking like a clay pot under a stone. With the silence continuing and the sun abandoning him with no answer, he grinds his teeth and slams his ripped hands on the ground as hard as he can, screaming as loud as he can with his eyes burning with tears.

“What about my son!”

Author's Note

Bleeeeehhhh....

Broken Lands

Birds.

So many birds chirping.

It amazes Spike how many birds there are in such a small area, chirping and flying and cooing and doing whatever it is birds do. He is also surprised that he has yet to step in any excrement of any kind, considering that it sounds like there are hundreds of those little egg laying balls of plumage. However, what surprises him more than the lack of turd or feathers is Pinkie Pie.

So far she has managed to travel the whole distance from the Lulamoon Sanctuary to their current location after fighting dozens upon dozens of guards with Twilight slung over her shoulder as well as all her gear. Sure, she stopped every now and then to adjust her grip on the disabled unicorn, but a meaningful break? Nope.

No such thing as a good break from the pony who has obviously spent too much time away from civilization. For the past few days it has been walk, walk, walk, snack while walking, sleep for a few hours, then walk some more. Spike is completely dumbfounded that Pinkie Pie can walk, eat and carry Twilight and her stuff at the same time. The only sign that points to her being alive and not some sort of unholy abomination or divine gift of supernatural proportions is the fact that he can see -and smell quite well- the sweat on her.

Pinkie Pie's puffy mane has been reduced to a flat mane full of lumps that stick to her neck and forehead, and her pants stick to legs, as well. Spike really does not want to imagine what her feet smell like. Or her arm pits. The only good thing out of this mess that Spike sees is that he is getting a nice view of the Ranger's backside, where the wetness has caused her pants to cling to her well rounded butt and for her shirt to stick to her back, showing off her shoulders and muscled arms. However, Twilight staring at him with dropping eyes and a hanging tongue, looking like a rotten vegetable swaying on the Ranger's shoulder really kills the erotic thoughts he was starting to get about the odd earth pony. There are also the wounds he sustained from Gilda's blades that are pulsating like weak hearts growing in the wrong parts of his body. Those are not doing him any favors.

“I know a guy that knows another guy who knows my uncle's best friend's brother's former marefriend's sister's current colt friend, and he's got a boat we can use,” says Pinkie Pie suddenly.

Spike's brain immediately dims and shatters.

“Whazzat 'bout birds?” slurs Twilight.

“Yeah, can you repeat that?” says Spike, mentally trying to pick up the pieces of his thinking comprehension skills.

Pinkie Pie huffs impatiently and adjusts Twilight's position. “I said I know a guy who has a boat.”

Spike frowns. “You could have just said that.”

“I did say that.”

“Yeah, but you went on that... that little genealogy tangent. Couldn't you have just said you knew a guy with a boat?”

Pinkie Pie turns to give Spike quite the annoyed look of half lidded eyes and drooped ears. “But I did say that I knew a guy with a boat.”

Spike face palms. “Forget it. Talking to you is like talking to a rock.”

“That's actually very easy to do. My sister does it all the time,” counters Pinkie Pie snobbishly.

Spike looks up, wanting so badly to say something, but he has no idea how to argue with a mare who is concerned about the innocence of baby chickadees, claims to have a sister that can talk to rocks, and has no problem admitting to stalking royalty in the wilderness. As far as he knows, he can be dealing with a psychopath, and first rule of dealing with psychopaths: Never argue with them.

“The boat guy is just a few miles down that-a way,” says Pinkie Pie.

Spike huffs and picks up his speed, struggling just a little bit more to keep in step with the Ranger. The task is difficult, but he figures the quicker they get to the boat, the quicker he and Twilight can rest and get to Armonia. That brings him to hoping that Apple Bloom and the Amulet made it safely to the Queen, but there is that bit of doubt gnawing at his brain that is telling him that she did not make it. Apple Bloom is only a foaling, after all, and she has never left her home for any reason, unlike her grandma.

“Are you an orphan?” blurts Pinkie Pie.

“What?” asks Spike, casting a surprised, but very curious look at the mare.

“Are you an orphan?”

The drake arches an eye ridge. “What kind of question is that?”

Pinkie Pie shrugs. “I'm just wondering because you are the only dragon I have seen who is remotely civilized by earth pony or unicorn standards, and there is no way Twilight is your mom.” She grins wolfishly and pats Twilight's thigh. “There's no way she had any real fun to make a baby. Not that ponies can make dragon babies, anyway.”

“Babies are ugly,” says Twilight sluggishly.

Spike sighs and looks at his feet while scratching his head, reluctantly answering. “Well, to be honest, I guess I kind of am. Twilight said she got me as an egg from Lookout Mountain after she, Purity and a bunch of other guys defeated some dragon warlord named Nidhogg during a big battle.”

“You must be talking about the Battle of the Mountain Heart. Its a big story in Marigold.”

“Let's not talk about Nidhogg,” says Twilight weakly.

Pinkie Pie seethes. “Ooh, touchy subject, eh, Twilight?”

“Very touchy.”

“Oh, I see. How about you, then? Why would a princess go traveling instead of staying put in a fancy castle?”

Twilight hiccups. “Knowledge stuff. I like knowing things. Lots and lots of things. You smell funny, too.”

Pinkie Pie smirks. “Thank you, Princess.”

“So, now that we shared a little something, its your turn to give us something,” says Spike.

Pinkie Pie hums and drums her fingers on Twilight's thigh. “Where to start? Well, one day I was born, then my parents raised me, and then I left and now I am here carrying a princess and leading a civilized dragon to a boat. The end.”

“Are you serious? That is all you're going to give us?” says Spike with an annoyed growl.

Pinkie flashes a toothless and half-lidded smile at Spike. “That is all you need to know about me.”

Spike wants to say something else, but decides to look at the scenery instead of corrupting his sanity even more by talking to the civilization starved mare.

“By any chance, do you know how to make a cherrychanga?” asks Pinkie Pie.

Spike sighs. “No. I don't even know what that is.”

“Oh, a cherrychanga is this thing made out of cherries and thin flour bread and-”

Pinkie Pie's words very blur into a single long sentence that has no rhyme or reason to it, and Spikes groans and slaps his face, knowing that he is in for a longer walk.

~~~~~~~~~~

With time destroyed by Pinkie Pie's rambling, Spike does not know how long they walked, or when they actually entered the port town, but when he realizes where they are, he grips his weapon tighter and looks around. The wooden buildings appear to be rotting, and ragtag earth ponies and pegasi alike sit on barrels or other makeshift chairs, repairing fishing equipment or other tools. They look at Spike's group warily, with some stopping their work entirely to stare at Spike in particular. All he can do is smile politely and nod to them.

That gets them to look away, and Spike continues examining the area while Pinkie Pie brags about Marigold's gem mines. He really does not care, though. He cares more about how the mud below him sucks in his feet and how the stench of fish and fecal matter torture his nose. Then there are the black armored pegasi soldiers standing on the flat roofs, looking down at them with their bows at the ready or their hands gripping their spears and sword hilts tightly. A smile and nod does nothing to ease their watchful gaze.

A horn blows in the distance, and in response, a bell rings, and Spike looks to the source and sees a bell tower with a black flag that has a golden wings made of lightning fluttering in the wind. A guard on the tower shouts something, and Spike stiffens, ready to draw his blade while Pinkie Pie walks and talks, but then he sees a large ship with sails carrying the same symbol pulling up. Earth ponies are herded towards the ship by the guards, and a couple of minutes later, there are no more milling earth ponies, but a swarm of dozens of pegasi dressed in loose clothing pour in, laughing and chattering, and heading towards a pub.

As the trio pass the pub, with Pinkie Pie know talking about the “mysterious deer of Aspen Forest”, Spike looks through the yellowed window and sees the new arrivals sitting at round tables. They are banging their fists and utensils hard enough to shake the establishment, chanting loudly and laughing heartily enough to rattle the windows.

“Food! Mares! Food! Mares! Food! Mares! Food! Mares!”

Pinkie Pie leads Spike away, passing a few more pegasi dressed similarly to the sailors, but they say nothing to them, only giving them curious looks. Mostly directed to Twilight's limp form danging over Pinkie Pie's shoulder, and a cautious glance at Spike, but when there is a roar of excitement from the pub, the stragglers go wide eyed and run to it with excited smiles.

Another minute or two of traveling through the smelly, foot sucking paths of the town, they reach the docks, which are no better. Barrels, broken and whole, litter the splintering planks, and dozens of dirty boats are tied to posts that birds have found resting spots on. The three pass the newly arrived ship, and Spike realizes that it is covered with armored plates, has harpoon guns and large bolt guns lining it, and from the looks of it, a catapult on the front. He also sees that it has three masts, and has to be almost one hundred and fifty feet high.

Spike whistles at that, even though supplies are being loaded on by earth ponies with armed pegasi coercing them with their weapons, and Pinkie Pie looks at the ship, also marveling at it.

“That is the Iron Cloud,” says Pinkie Pie. “The pride and joy of the Hurricane Tribe's navy.”

“I didn't even realize they had a navy,” says Spike.

“Its small, but growing.” Then Pinkie Pie suddenly gasps and beams and waves her hand excitedly, nearly bouncing up and down. “Davenport! Hey, Davenport!”

Spike cringes and holds out his hand as he watches Twilight groan and moan as she flops up and down helplessly, her face turning more green with every bounce.

“Uh, Pinkie Pie,” says Spike.

Pinkie Pie bolts away from Spike, going straight down the port to a stallion who looks desperate to ignore them. He is by a smaller ship made of wood with a small sail on it and two oversized paddles hooked to its side. The ship's paint is peeling, and parts of it appear to be held together with tar, with some parts consisting of different types of wood all together.

The stallion that is trying to ignore Pinkie Pie is middle aged, has a light brown coat with a slicked back, brown mane, and is wearing blue pants and a blue vest above a white shirt with gold buttons. The stallion has also tried to look prim and proper and diligent with his paperwork, but sweat and a collection of flying bugs has defeated his appearance and Pinkie Pie's arrival ruined his concentration. Then there are his eyes. His green eyes are far below friendly when he looks up at them, and Spike is very tempted to carry Twilight off himself and find another boat. Preferably one where the captain doesn't appear to be ready to go on a homicidal rampage.

“Damn it all,” sighs the stallion as he puts down his quill pen. “What do you want, Pinkie Pie?”

“Aw, why so grumpy?” says Pinkie Pie.

“I'm grumpy because you showed up.”

“I don't think he likes you,” says Spike while visually checking Twilight to make sure she will not puke everywhere.

Pinkie Pie pshaws and waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, he likes me a lot. Me and Dave go way back, after all, right Dave?”

Davenport's eye twitches. “Don't call me 'Dave', and what do you want?”

Pinkie Pie adjusts Twilight and puts on her best smile, making the unicorn gurgle.

“I was wondering if you could give us a lift down the rive to Armonia,” says Pinkie Pie.

Davenport shakes his head. “No. That's too far off course. I have to go up north to deliver sofas and quills, as well as food, clothing, blankets and medicine.”

“They can wait. My job can't,” says Pinkie Pie.

“Actually, my job is more important than yours since there's a war ravaging my country,” says Davenport sternly. “Rebels who have a particular lust for Davenport blood -which just happens to be mine, as well- are swarming Everfree's borders, and there are stories of dark forces returning from the Frozen North. Plus, there is no way in Paradise's light or Tartarus's flames that I will let a dragon on my boat.”

“Hey, don't be intolerant,” says Pinkie Pie. “Wingnut is a kind, loving, sweet, gooey, warm, cuddly dragon made of clouds. You just have to get to know him.”

Spike raises an eye ridge, and Davenport snorts and goes back to his work, scribbling and signing and making doodles.

“Tolerance can only go so far until it paves the road to destruction,” says Davenport. “Why do you even have a dragon and drugged mare with you, anyway?”

Pinkie Pie smiles and pats Twilight's rump lightly, making her stir and mumble something incoherent. “Well, my good friends, Starlight Glimmer and Wingnut, and I were tasked by Queen Celestia, herself, to deliver important news to Trixie Lulamoon. News has been delivered, but Starlight ate some bad mushrooms, and we fell behind, so we to make that up using your boat.”

Davenport's skepticism shines bright through his deep frown, and it only gets brighter as he folds his arms across his chest and leans back in his chair.

“Its a ship, and the unicorn I can buy as a friend, but the dragon? That does not happen under any circumstances unless he is a mercenary, like the filthy griffins of Griffinhiem,” says Davenport, his tone foul.

Spike opens his mouth to say something, but-

“No, don't be silly. Wingnut is not a mercenary. He's my courter!” says Pinkie Pie, using her free hand to tug Spike in for a one armed hug that presses his body against hers, nearly making him fall over in the process. “We met at a pub and had a wild night after, if you know what I mean.”

Twilight looks at Spike evilly, and in turn he finds his cold blood somehow boiling. But more with embarrassment than rage.

“You did?” says Twilight, her tail flicking and eyes narrowing with a spark on the tip of her horn as her limp fingers stiffen into the Ranger's back.

“No! How could I? I wouldn't even have the time to do that if I wanted to,” says Spike defensively.

The gaze of Twilight's sick eyes harden and Pinkie Pie looks at Spike with a strange smirk, which, when that happens, helps him realize what he just said. His response: a stammer.

“I-I mean, I wouldn't want to anyway because she's weird and smells funny,” says the dragon. “And she's weird. Very weird. And smelly.”

Meanwhile, Davenport sighs, sits properly in his chair and resumes his scribbling with his head resting on his hand and his gaze focused on the boring paperwork of his trade.

“Pinkie, I am not going to give you a ride to Armonia and that is final,” says the stallion.

Pinkie Pie looks at Davenport in disbelief. “What?”

“You heard me.”

Pinkie Pie tosses Twilight to Spike. “Hold the baggage!”

“Jeeze!” Spike barely catches Twilight in his arms, but he still stumbles back and falls on his rump, and when the unicorn makes some noise that sounds like chunky liquid going through a pipe, he makes a silent prayer to keep Twilight from puking all over him.

As this happens, Pinkie Pie slams her fists on the table and glares down at Davenport. “But, Dave, we need a ride, right now!”

“I have a very important job to do and I cannot afford distractions. Besides, every time I give you a ride something always happens to my ship.”

“Those pirates were so three months ago.”

“And I'm still making repairs, which basically became non-existent when I took you through that siren river.”

“Well, yeah, I warned you about that place, but that haunted forest we went through wasn't so bad.”

Davenport slams his quill pen down and glares at Pinkie Pie. “You mean the one where thestrals and wereponies used my boat as a gladiator ring? Or are you talking about the other haunted forest with the timber wolves trying to eat us?”

“I told you not to bring mangoes! Thestrals love mangoes!”

Davenport hops to his feet and slams his fists on the table. “I was delivering mangoes when you asked me for a ride, you ninny!”

Pinkie Pie jabs at Davenport's chest. “You could've said no!”

“And I'm saying no, now!”

“But I need a ride!” whines Pinkie Pie.

“No!”

“Ahem.”

Pinkie Pie and Davenport turn to Spike, who is still holding Twilight in his arms and is frowning at both of them.

“Since we're just talking in circles, I'll just say it. I am not Wingnut, and this is not Starlight. My name is Spike and this is Twilight Sparkle, princess of Unicornia, and I am her assistant. So, give us a ride to Armonia or else you'll be in some serious trouble with powerful people.”

Pinkie Pie smiles smugly at Davenport. “See? I'm friends with royalty, and they're demanding a ride.”

Davenport narrows his eyes. “No.”

Spike snorts smoke. “Fine. Have fun explaining to King Sparkle and Queen Celestia about why their family died on the road when you could have helped us.”

“I will. She is not my princess and neither Unicornia or Armonia have any say about the business of Everfree citizens, much less the business of Davenports, so beat it!”

“Davenport, what's goin' on up here?” asks a mare meekly from the ship, her voice carrying a heavy Ozark accent.

Spike, Pinkie Pie and Davenport turn to the source and see an orange mare with a blonde mane and tail tied at the ends, looking worse for wear with the thick bags on her freckled face and the strands of loose mane poking around. She is wearing a cheap, brown sleeveless dress made of wool with a rope fastened around her waist. Underneath her dress is a gray, long sleeve shirt and her hair is covered by a round wimple, and she has no shoes, making her feet nearly black and sticky with sweat and grime.

“What are you doing out here? I told you to count the supplies,” says Davenport.

“I-I was just wonderin' what was goin' on,” stammers the mare as she wrings her hands together.

Her wet, tortured puppy eyes flick between Davenport and the dirty deck, and the older stallion grumbles and rakes his fingers through his mane before looking at the mare out of the corner of his eye.

“I got a few strays wanting a ride. That's all you need to know. Now get back down there and finish counting,” says Davenport.

“But we always give the pink one a ride, and the other two don't look too good. 'Specially the unicorn. Can't we give 'em a lift? It looks like they can use one,” says the mare cautiously.

Davenport growls and clenches his fists. “They aren't getting a lift, and that's final. Pinkie is a magnet for trouble, there's a dragon with them and that unicorn is a Sparkle. So, no. Now get out of my sight until you're finished counting!”

The mare nods quickly and then disappears down below, quietly closing the door behind her. After she is gone, Spike switches his deep frown and slitted eyes between Pinkie Pie and Davenport, feeling nothing but disgust and an overwhelming desire to remove a certain stallion's head for what he just saw. However, he cannot use a boat, and he does not know how Twilight will react if he killed a guy in cold blood. Even if said potential victim is a colossal jerk who, in the very least, deserves castration so his genes don't spread. That said, with a reluctant sigh, Spike puts his full focus on Davenport and strains himself to loosen his frown just a little bit.

“We'll pay you. How's that sound?” says Spike.

“And what use is Unicornian money to an Everfree market?” says Davenport.

“Gold is gold.”

“Gold may be gold, but we don't look at gold as just gold over here. We look at what is stamped on the gold, and if I get a Unicornian gold for an Everfree service, they aren't going to want it because the coin exchange will rip them off. So, no. Go away before I call the port guards on you.”

Spike puffs green tinted smoke from his nostrils and grips his blade until his knuckles crack as he speaks through his gritted fangs. “Okay, how about we get the alicorns to fix your boat, then? Would that be enough to get us a ride?”

Davenport opens his mouth to counter, but the door conveniently falls off its hings and shatters when the mare opens it up again, leaving her standing there, wide eyed with just a doorknob in her grip and splinters on the deck. Not bothering to look behind him, Davenport closes his eyes, breathes through his nose and holds out his hand to the blonde mare.

Said mare looks at the doorknob in her hand, then looks at a piece of paper clipped to a board in her other hand, and gives both to Davenport.

Without opening his eyes, the stallion takes them both and shoos her away. “Make me a sandwich.”

The mare nods and leaves once again, and Davenport opens his eyes with an aggravated sigh and rubs the doorknob with his thumb.

“Do I have your word that if I get you to Armonia, then those alicorns will fix up my boat the way my grandpa had it built?” asks Davenport.

“Faust is my witness.” Spike puts Twilight over his shoulder and holds out his hand. “So, do we have a deal?”

Davenport grips Spike's hand and gives it a crisp shake. “Deal. Hop on board. You can rest down under with the stock.”

“Yay! Thank you, Dave!” Pinkie Pie hugs the stallion hard enough to lift him up and crack his back, making him cry out in pain, and after she releases him, she bolts through the doorway, leaving the stallion rubbing his back and using the dock railing for support. “Dibs on the flour bed!”

Spike merely rolls his eyes at the Ranger's antics and carefully carries Twilight likely his newly wedded wife and just as carefully walks on the boat when she wraps her arms around his shoulder and neck. The planks groan and creak with every step he takes, he gets a nervous lump in his throat when he sees splinter popping up in certain spots. Twilight, however, giggles a sickly laugh and nuzzles up close to Spike as she looks at him with droopy eyes and an odd smile.

“Hehe. I'm on a boat,” slurs Twilight.

“Its a ship,” grumbles Davenport while untying the anchor rope from the deck. “Oh, and dragon.”

Spike stops when he is at the doorway to the boat's gut, but, he refuses to look at Davenport, so he keeps his eyes on the decaying, dim interior.

“Don't try stealing anything. Applejack just counted my stock, so I'll know if something is missing,” says Davenport.

“Whatever,” grumbles Spike.

And he goes down under without another word, and is not surprised to see Pinkie Pie in the stockroom, laying on her back on a bed made out of bags of flour. With a shake of his head, Spike carries Twilight inside and sets her down on the floor and starts pushing crates together.

“What are you doing?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“Making a bed for Twilight,” says Spike.

“Aww, how noble.”

Spike rolls his eyes and finishes making the bed for Twilight by putting a couple more crates together and putting on as much padding as he can, using every soft material he can find. Once his makeshift is made, he carefully lays Twilight on top of sits down beneath her, taking, slow, deep breaths and rubbing his injured side while she snores softly in her slumber.

“You're good to your master,” says Pinkie Pie.

Spike leans around the makeshift bed to look at Pinkie Pie, who is laying flat on her back with her arms behind her head and is wearing just her brown trousers and loose burgundy shirt.

“A lot of servants I met only helped out their masters because they were afraid of punishment, but you?” Pinkie Pie shakes her head. “Nope. You help her because you truly care. You really are a sweet dragon.”

“Er... Thanks,” says Spike uneasily. He sighs and leans back into his original position. “We've just been through a lot together, and she would do the same for me if she could.”

“Would you two die for each other?”

Spike swallows and stares straight ahead, his hand on his hilt and fins flicking from the sounds of approaching footsteps.

“If it comes to it, then I know we would,” says Spike. “I know I would burn a city down for her if it meant protecting her.”

Pinkie Pie snickers. “Wow, tough talk, Spike. But it is one thing to talk, it is another to actually walk the talk.”

Spike snorts. “What? You wouldn't die or kill for anybody for something other than money?”

Pinkie Pie is silent, and Spike calls her and leans over again to look at her, only to see that she has her eyes closed and his breathing slowly. Her muscles have also tensed and her breathing has become ragged, and Spike leans over farther, calling her again, and this time she opens her eyes. They reflect from a layer of tears, with more trailing her cheek.

“Can we change the subject?” asks Pinkie Pie.

Before Spike can offer a suggestion or inform her that she started it, the footsteps enter the stockroom, and Spike looks and sees Applejack standing in the doorway, holding three sets of blankets and pillows. She extenders them to Spike and bows slightly, keeping her eyes to the floor.

“I got you some blankets and pillows. It gets cold down here. Especially for dragons,” says the mare.

Spike gets up with a pained grunt, using the makeshift bed for support, being careful not to touch Twilight while doing so, and he approaches her, his hand still on his weapon. Though, that is mostly out of habit than fear at this point.

“Applejack, right?” asks Spike.

“Yes, my lord,” says the mare, keeping her head down.

For Spike, the words leaving her lips sound unnatural and very forced, but there is also a heavy presence of fear. He not only hears it, but sees it in her lowered eyes and her sulking demeanor. It really is a pathetic sight, but despite how pathetic it is, he does find a tiny little flame of pride of being called “lord”, even though he is just an assistant to a princess.

“Do you want the blankets and pillows, or do you want me I take them back?” asks Applejack, holding said items a little bit higher and snapping Spike out of a trance he didn't realize he was in.

With a quick shake of his head to get the thoughts out, he smiles and takes the items.

“No, I'll take them. Thanks,” says Spike.

Applejack nods and steps back, hands clamped in front of her and her head bowed. “Anything else I can do for you or Lady Pie?”

“Nope, I'm good,” says Pinkie Pie, flashing a thumbs up. “Spike, toss me a pillow and blanket, please.”

Spike halfheartedly throws the requested items at Pinkie Pie, and she wastes no time in getting situated, and as she does this, Spike looks at Twilight, and then puts his focus back on Applejack. She has yet to move.

“Well, I guess I'm okay for now,” says Spike. “But I got a question.”

“I'll do my best to answer honestly,” says Applejack.

Spike sucks in some air, then slowly releases it. “Why do you let that Davenport guy treat you like this?”

Applejack nibbles her lips and wrings her hands together as she blinks tears out of her eyes. “By law I am bound to him, and I have to submit to him.”

“So, you're his slave, or something?” says Spike.

“Yes,” Applejack sighs and her ears and shoulders droop as she looks down. “I thought I was doing the right thing when I did this, but all it did was lead to my bloodline's slaughter.”

Spike furrows his eye ridges with concern in his voice. “What are you talking about?”

Applejack cringes and backs up to the door. “I said too much, already. Get some rest. You look like ya can use it.”

“Wait!”

Applejack closes the door without answering Spike, leaving the trio in darkness. For Spike, he really gets any uneasy feeling in his gut when he hears the lock click on the other side, but he pushes that aside and covers Twilight with a blanket and places her head on top of a pillow before finding a spot on the floor.

“Don't worry bout the door. Davenport does that all the time. Its just so we don't sneak around and take stuff,” says Pinkie Pie calmly.

“How can you possibly be friends with that Davenport guy? I can smell the evil on him. It reeks,” says Spike.

Pinkie Pie pulls her blanket down just enough to expose her frown, which is difficult to see in the dark. “I never said I was friends with him. I only know him. Besides, you take what you can when you're in my position. Every ride is a blessing.”

“And how did you get to know him in the first place?”

Pinkie Pie seethes and drums her fingers on her flowerbed. “Well, in a nutshell, his boat came in handy when I ran away from home, and I've been in touch with him ever since.”

She looks at Spike with a hopeful look, but he denies her silent request for him to drop the subject by using his hard gaze, and with that, she sighs and turns on her back.

“I'm not saying anything more. Sleep good and tight, Spike, and don't let the bedbugs bite.”

Spike snorts irritably, pulls his blanket over himself and turns away from Pinkie Pie to look at the wall of crates. “Sure, whatever.”

=====O=====

“We are lost,” says Scootaloo, her voice carrying through the endless forest of thick trees in the middle of the sweltering afternoon. “We are so lost.”

“We aren't lost,” says Rainbow Dash as she climbs over a log, seething quietly from the throbbing pain in her wrists and collar.

“I think we might actually be lost,” says Flash carefully, following Rainbow Dash's lead with Apple Bloom hitching a ride on his back.

Rainbow Dash glares at her surviving soldier. “We aren't lost!”

Sweetie Belle points at a tree with its bark shaped like a screaming pony writhing in agony. “No, we're definitely lost. We passed that same tree five times already, and its really freaking me out.”

Rainbow Dash cranes her head back and tugs at her mane as she screams to the heavens. “WE AREN'T LOST!”

Birds chirp and fly off in fright and everyone stops and stares at the Colored Witch as she releases her hair and slumps forward, rubbing her collar and using a tree for support. She takes a deep breath, then looks up to see an bolt pointed right at her eye, and behind that is a stallion wearing a green cloak and a cuirass with a faded apple on it, and armed with a crossbow.

“Actually, y'all are lost,” says the stallion with a heart melting country accent.

But accents or not, Rainbow Dash and Flash reach for their weapons, but stop when a dozen more earth ponies come out of hiding, all wearing cloaks and armed with bow and arrows. With the arrows and bolts pulled and ready to fire for instant death, Rainbow Dash sighs removes her hand from her blade's hilt.

“You have got to be kidding me,” mutters Rainbow Dash.

~~~~~~~~~~

Minutes later, the foalings, Redheart and the pegasi are sitting on the ground, bound with earth ponies in scrap armor surrounding them with mostly poor weapons. The pony with the crossbow is standing before them, weapon held between his legs like a cane and his gorgeous green eyes shine like jewels in the light. His two toned, gamboge and amber tail and mane are a little dirty, but they are like silky threads blessed from the heavens, calling the mares to abandon their duties and brush him. His muscles are not small or bulging, but perfect under his chain mail armor, cuirass and cloak, his face is not overly round or square, and his golden coat is shimmers like a polished precious metal. Overall, he is the most handsome stallion in all of the ponylands, and no mare will be ashamed to admit it.

Not even Rainbow Dash.

Though, she is on the angry side since she bound and is sitting on the cold ground, next to Flash, with just her shirt on, exposing her rainbow lightning and cloud cutie mark and her bruised limbs. Just like her partner. Their armor and weapons have been removed and carelessly cast into a pile, and their white, cotton shirts cling to them, stained with sweat and blood, and emphasizing their frames. In their case, since they are not like earth ponies, their builds are more slender, which is getting a lot of mocks and snickers for Flash. But for Rainbow Dash, she does not have as much muscle as Flash and is getting whistles and lewd comments about the curves of her body and colorful look.

She feels violated, but she is refusing to let the shame show. She would rather let them see her snarl and glare than hear her beg and whimper like a normal, weak mare.

“Why don't we kill the pretty boy and have some fun with the Witch?” asks a stallion with an ax amongst the crowd.

That gets a roar of approval from everyone, but when the crossbow pony holds up his hand, everybody around him quiets immediately.

“Nopony's doin' anything to anypony,” says the crossbow pony. “Not yet, anyway. I think now is actually a great time for you two to give me answers since you're a shirt away from total humiliation. So, care to explain why you are roaming my woods, Hurricanes?”

Rainbow Dash snorts. “That isn't any of your business.”

“Actually, it is my business, Colored Witch, and you will answer me.”

“What authority do you have? This isn't a kingdom. Its just a bunch of dirt and trees.”

“I am Braeburn Apple, son of Bramley Apple, and this patch of land is of Everfree and ruled by me until the rightful heir of the throne returns and reunites the country. Now, I'll ask again, what're y'all doing in my territory?”

“Our territory,” corrects a beige stallion with a sculpted, square jaw and a heavy set of blonde mane, tied back in a ponytail.

Braeburn looks at the said stallion with a patient smile. “Right. Sorry, Steve.”

“No problem,” says Steve, returning the smile with a sparkle in his beautiful blue eyes.

The foalings, Redheart and the two pegasi exchange strange looks, all confused for the most part about what to think. All for Scootaloo, that is. She grins and tilts her head a little to Sweetie Belle.

“Perverts,” whispers Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle rolls her eyes.

“Anyhow,” says Braeburn, “since these Hurricanes won't answer, I can only assume they came for a raid and succeeded somewhere.”

To make his point all the more obvious, he lightly taps Rainbow Dash's cuirass with his boot, and the stallions around them clamor in agreement and shake their weapons at the two pegasi. As much as she does not want to admit it, Rainbow Dash feels a very uneasy feeling rising up in her gut, and she swallows quietly as she and Flash peer at each other out of the corner of their eyes.

“You probably slaughtered a village and are now taking those poor children” -Braeburn stops to point at Apple Bloom and her kin- “to be their servants and the pretty lady” -he points at Redheart- “to be a concubine for your leader. Am I right?”

“Oh, give me a break. If we wanted slaves of any kind we wouldn't come this far to get them,” says Rainbow Dash. “Besides, my father knows better than to bed a mud pony.”

The crowd goes silent, and in seconds time, dozens of angry eyes are upon the pegasi, each pair with a weapon and a pair of hands turning white at the knuckles.

“Smooth,” says Flash Sentry out of the corner of his mouth.

“Can I kill her?” asks the pony with the ax.

“You kill me, then this entire forest will be burned down and all of your heads will be on pikes!” says Rainbow Dash defiantly, earning an uproar and cries for blood.

“Commander, with all due respect, you really need to shut up,” says Flash.

Rainbow Dash glares at him. “We're going to die, anyway, so might as well say some tough words.”

“We ain't afraid of a bunch of featherheads!” says Braeburn, having to raise his voice above the angry rabble, but with his words, he gets an ear splitting cheer and whistles, and he waits for the noise to die down before he continues. “Little lady, let me be clear 'bout something with you. You may be a beautiful tail, but in these parts you and your kind ain't nothing but devils to us. Ugly devils responsible for putting our current, unjust queen on the throne and aiding in the killing and imprisonment of the House of Apple, the rightful heirs to the throne of Everfree!”

The ragtags scream viciously and wave their weapons around, again, demanding blood. As this happens, Redheart motions the foalings close to her, so they all bundle together while Flash and Rainbow Dash remain at the mercy of their captors.

“Liar! There aren't any Apples left and they tried to obtain that stupid chair illegally, anyway!” says Rainbow Dash.

“I gave you my name and still you think I am lying, eh?” says Braeburn. He kneels down in front of Rainbow Dash, using his crossbow as a prop, and he grabs her face and forces her to look directly in his eyes. “That must mean that when I witnessed Lord Orin Apple being beheaded, I saw it through the eyes of a stranger, and that I never failed to protect my kin from the Davenports and you Hurricane devils. And if what you say is true, then there ain't an ounce of Apple blood in me and I am just a wandering hobo forgotten by Faust.”

Braeburn yanks out a knife and holds it up to Rainbow Dash's eye. She tenses and sweats and trembles, but still she looks at him defiantly.

“I ought to make your last moments miserable for being so stupid,” says Braeburn.

The air goes still and heavy, and some of the earth ponies mutter to themselves questionably while Flash sighs and dips his head. Then Braeburn sighs and stands up while sheathing his weapon, and then he slings his crossbow over his back.

“But I ain't a barbarian. I am an Apple. A servant of Faust and the people of Everfree. I will not bow to my lust for blood or flesh,” says Braeburn quietly. He then looks at Steve and waves his hand to the bound pegasi. “Take those Hurricanes to our jail for trial, and give their captives what rooms we can spare.”

The earth ponies move in, spears at the ready, and both Rainbow Dash and Flash both stammer and try to avoid the crude tips while Braeburn walks away.

“Hold on, let's think about this for a second!” says Flash Sentry.

“Think about your heads and forest!” says Rainbow Dash.

“I have survived the storm of swords from the Davenports, so I don't think I will have a problem surviving whatever it is you featherheads will throw at me,” says Braeburn without looking at them.

“Wait!” hollers Apple Bloom. Everyone looks at her, including Braeburn, and she awkwardly gets on her feet, runs in to him and looks up at him pleadingly. “Please, ya have to let us go. These pegasi are taking me and mah friends to Armonia to see Queen Celestia Faustmaiden and Princess Twilight Sparkle, and they're probably worried sick that we haven't shown up, yet.”

Braeburn frowns skeptically. “Hurricanes doing charity? That's new. What's your name, little miss?”

“Honeycrisp.”

“Of...?”

“Greenhill of Foalington.”

“Oh, you're a foaling, eh? I thought you were a child. You're pretty far from home, ain'tcha?” says Braeburn as he rubs his chin.

“That's what everyone says, but I am an... ambassador! Yeah, I am an ambassador to Armonia from Foalington.”

“Foalington don't have ambassadors, little one. Now go back to your group.”

“I'm the first, and the foalings behind me are my company, the earth pony is a hired nurse, and those two pegasi are hired guards.”

Braeburn looks at Flash and Dash, and the former smiles innocently while the latter glares at him.

“And how did you manage to come across them?” asks Braeburn, now looking at Apple Bloom skeptically.

Apple Bloom nibbles her lip nervously. “Er... Long story. Princess Twilight actually introduced them and asked them to help me and my company. They wouldn't go unless we paid them.”

“So, there is an allegiance with Unicornia and the Pegasi Tribes, now, eh?”

The spearheads of the earth pony soldiers move closer, and Flash and Rainbow Dash shake their heads quickly.

“No! Oh, no, no, not at all. All of this is off the books,” says Flash. “What we're doing is completely illegal and will get us drowned.”

“My father thinks I'm on vacation, actually,” says Rainbow Dash. “We still hate unicorns a lot. In fact, I loathe them immensely.”

With those words, Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle glare at each other, but the Colored Witch does not hold the gaze for long because she looks back at Braeburn with with a nervous smile.

“But we're getting paid,” continues Rainbow Dash. “That's the only reason why I'm helping, and I'm sure Princess Sunset-”

“Twilight,” corrects Flash.

“Twilight and Queen Celestia would pay you, too, if you helped us out.”

“They also offer nice gifts that can probably come in handy for your... militia,” adds Apple Bloom. “But if you kill our pegasi friends then you will have an angry alicorn queen and unicorn princess going after you.”

Braeburn stares at Apple Bloom, and she looks up at him, putting on her best warning look.

“Hey, don't forget about the ferocious dragon Twilight has!” says Scootaloo.

Braeburn looks at Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom nods and barely gives her a glances before looking at Braeburn with a little bit of smug, which he is returning with a neutral look.

“Princess Twilight has a dragon, too,” says Apple Bloom.

“He'll bite your face off!” shouts Button Mash.

Apple Bloom sighs and looks at him from over her shoulder. “Thank you, Button Mash.”

“And there will be blood everywhere, just spraying everywhere in a gory mess! Blood will be all over the trees and grass and clothes and babies and kids!”

“Thank you, Button Mash.”

“And you'll be flopping around like a fish because you'll have no face!”

“Oh, my Faust, shut up!” shouts Scootaloo.

And then she headbutts him on the side of his face, leaving him face down in the dirt with a mouth full of mulch, and she wobbles back in place, dazed and blinking funny, he cries in the ground. And as this happens, Braeburn sighs heavily and looks around at all of his soldiers while one hand rakes through his hair and the other taps the trigger of his weapon. All of his soldiers and the captives stare back at him in silence, and after another deep sigh, he approaches Steve with his back to his captives and speaks quietly to him.

“Rally our troops and ask for twelve volunteers for a trip to Armonia. We leave at nightfall.”

Author's Note

A long time. Yep, long time. My motivation for writing pony words was basically put in critical care, but here it is. The next chapter of the Fellowship. It seems to have very little in common with Tolkien's masterpiece, but I figured there was no point in trying to be like him. I can't be like him, and copying his work really won't do me any good.

That aside, I tried some world building and introducing more characters, so if you would please let me know how I did, that would be great. Until next time... 33 weeks later. (Hopefully not.)

Armonia

Author's Note

Chapter contains strong sexual content between the red breaks. For those who do not wish to read such things, you can skip over the content with ease.

Armonia

Twilight awakes with a start, shaking and curled up on top of a pair of crates. Her whole body is sore and damp, and her mane sticks to her forehead and neck while cold beads of sweat trail down her. Her breathing is short and sharp, and her eyes dart around the unfamiliar room. She sees packed food and medicine, bags of flour and potatoes, and discarded blankets and pillows. But she does not see Spike or Pinkie Pie anywhere. The rocking of the dirty, dim room does nothing to ease her, either. As if her nerves are not treating her bad enough, the rocking is churning her stomach and turning her face green.

Groaning, Twilight clamps her hand on the crate and slides off, dragging the blanket with her. Her legs immediately give out on her and she falls to the floor, barely able to keep her hands propped as her mouth hangs open, desperate to suck air into her stuffy lungs and throat as thick beads of sweat dribble off of her nose and splatter below.

“Spike?” calls Twilight, her voice weak and hoarse.

Silence.

Twilight looks up, calling her assistant again, but instead of seeing Spike, all she sees is an open door leading to a dirty hallway. After a very quick search, Twilight finds her sword and holds it at tight as her weakened state will allow, and then she uses the wall for support and trudges out of the room. Confusion and fear infest her in her walk down the hall. Nothing is familiar about the rotting wood or patched doors, and the claw marks on the walls do not do her any favors, either.

Her hand trembles, and the sword wobbles in her grip when she pulls it out, and she slides along the wall, keeping both hands on her blade's hilt as she goes down the hall. Soon enough, she hears voices, but she cannot understand them, much less hear her own thoughts since her heartbeats and raspy breaths are loud enough for three people. Though, Twilight knows that the voices are coming from up a flight of stairs.

The stairwell is wide open and blinding Twilight with the light of what she hopes is the sun, and she grips the railing and begins her ascension up the stairs. Wood creaks and snaps, but still she presses on. She knows Spike is near. She can feel it in her gut. And hear him, too. She still cannot understand what he is saying, but from the tone he is using, he is not very happy.

Twilight takes a deep breath to calm her nerves and to give her battered body a boost, and then she charges up the last few steps, ready to unleash hellfire and steel against those who are harming her assistant. What she sees next drops her jaw.

Blocking the boat she is on is a burning net towering well over a hundred feet high with two pale statues of alicorns with suns on their shields holding the net with their stone hands. On top of the heads are crowns, each with a large bolt gun aimed down at them, and in front of them is a ship that is nearly three times the height of their boat with sleek armored plates protecting it. Attached to it by curved metal and a system of cranks and pulleys are two more smaller boats more their size, also armored with paddle wheels on their sides. The armor has decorations of the sun and moon crossing over each other on the noses of the craft, and elegant swirls flowing from them. On the top of the main portion is a collection of reinforced masts, and every part has the pony lands has forces on their that can either be the greatest ally or the worst nightmare.

Alicorn soldiers.

Said alicorn soldiers are clad in gold and dark blue armor with flowing capes, and all of them are aiming arrows at the boat with four more bolt guns to back them up.

“For the last time, we are not a threat!” yells an unfamiliar stallion.

Twilight looks to the source and sees an earth pony with a light brown coat and neatly brown mane wearing blue pants and a blue vest above a white shirt with gold buttons. He is yelling at a white coated, gold maned alicorn that stands a head taller than him, donning a gold plated and dark blue trim armor with a blue cape. His hand is on the hilt of his curved blade, his bow is slung across his back, and he has a quiver full of arrows on his leather belt, which also has a collection of knives and cuffs. Some of which appear to have been used on an orange mare she has never seen before, Spike and Pinkie Pie. All three of them are cuffed to the railing, with Pinkie Pie having a gag in her mouth and two more alicorns pointing spears at her. Piled in front of them are their weapons, travel bags and Pinkie Pie's Party Cannon, all of which are being inspected and tagged by more alicorns.

With that sight, Twilight groans inwardly. She wants to be relieved that she somehow arrived at her destination, but the alicorn border patrol and customs agents really spoil the mood. And this is no different from the previous encounters.

“You show up without invitation on this poor excuse of a boat with a dragon and a fiend, and you expect me to take your arrival lightly?” says the gold maned alicorn.

“Do you know who I am?” says the earth pony.

“Should I know?”

“Yes! I am a Davenport. A son of the ruling family of Everfree.”

The alicorn looks up and down Davenport's body, then scoffs in disgust. “I've seen peasants dressed better than you, a supposed Davenport.”

Davenport growls and clenches his fists, but says nothing because Twilight calls them, gaining the attention of everybody.

“Don't you think this is a bit excessive, Captain Eulabir?” says Twilight.

The gold maned alicorn looks at Twilight and tightens his grip on his weapon as a vicious snarl ruins his fair complexion. “Who are you, how do you know my name, and where did you come from?”

Spike looks at Pinkie Pie with a bored sigh. “Told you.”

Pinkie Pie huffs and slouches her shoulders while the orange mare looks at them curiously, and Twilight frowns and leans against the doorway for support. She still feels sick, but annoyance has latched itself on to her like a hungry parasite.

“Are you serious?” says Twilight. “Eulabir, it's me, Twilight Sparkle.”

Eulabir stares at her.

“Daughter of Nightlight Sparkle, High King of Unicornia and Lord of the House of Sparkle.”

Eulabir continues staring.

“I'm the Princess of Unicornia,” says Twilight, her voice getting a sharp edge.

Eulabir blinks.

Twilight slaps the wood. “Oh, for Faust's sake! I am Queen Celestia's pupil!”

“Oh.”

Eulabir holds out his hand, and one blinding flash of light and a punch of pure energy to the chest later, and Twilight is blasted off of her feet and hits the walls behind her. After hitting the wall, she falls to the floor and slides to the side. A moment later, her world spins and pain attacks her body in every place possible, from head to toe as she rolls down the stairs, snapping some wood along the way. When she hits the floor at the bottom level, face first, everything goes dark.

~~~~~~~~~~

Twilight groans again and slowly opens her eyes. Her head throbs and her vision is blurry, but she can still make out blurs that take the shape of a trio of equines.

“Was that really necessary, Eulabir?” says a stern, motherly voice.

“I was making sure she was not a changeling, Your Majesty,” says Eulabir.

“By blasting her down the stairs of a boat?”

“Yes. It turned out she was not a changeling, the dragon was her slave and Dilbert Davenport is, in fact, a Davenport and not an imposter, and his slave is somepony whom you might take interest in. But the pink one is who we suspected all along.”

The mare sighs. “Wonderful. Hide the baking supplies and potato peelers.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Twilight's vision fades to black, but a moment later, her eyes open again and she sees that Eulabir is gone and a familiar foaling is standing in front of her, grinning with a cane in her hand. Her skin has pale and sagged considerably to where it looks like they are barely on, and her eyes have started to become milky while her veins bulge from her quivering hands. Then there is the loss of hair. Time really has not been kind to this person.

“Did you enjoy your nap, Twilight?” asks the elderly foaling.

Twilight's eyes widen and she pushes herself up a bit, almost too shocked to speak. “Purity? You made it to Armonia?”

“I survived a war with dragons and you didn't think I would survive a walk? I thought you knew me better,” says Granny Smith with a teasing smile. Before Twilight can reply, the old foaling waves her hand and eases herself on a chair, groaning and rubbing her knee. “But I forgive you. Age has caught up to me and the roads seem to be getting worse. But that Eulabir fella is loose in the noggin, I tell ya. I thought alicorns were hairs from perfection, but he didn't even remember me and he nearly killed me with his blast.”

Twilight, now sitting on her bed, smiles thinly. “Eulabir is like that to everypony. There's even a rumor floating around that he thought Luna and Celestia were changelings at one point and blasted them.”

“Oh? What happened next?”

“Nightmares for a month from Luna and Celestia forgave him.”

Granny Smith snorts. “Party pooper.”

Twilight chuckles, as does Granny Smith, and she feels just a little bit lighter from it. She still feels sick and her body is still in a state of pain with worry heavy on her mind, but a little laughter has lifted some of those burdens off.

“So, how is Apple Bloom?” asks Granny Smith suddenly.

“She is not here?” says Twilight, a knot now twisting her stomach and the burden back tenfold.

Granny Smith's smile goes, and she narrows her milky eyes on Twilight and tightens her grip on her cane. “What's that supposed to mean?”

Twilight wrings her hands and beads of sweat trickle down her neck. “I sent Apple Bloom over here, but I had some business that I needed to attend to, but it did not go well. Apple Bloom should have been here by now, though. I directed her to my brother, and he should have been here before me.”

Granny Smith raises a brow. “Since when did you have a brother?”

“...Always.”

Granny Smith clicks her tongue and her fingers dig into her cane as she speaks to Twilight in a low, threatening voice.“So, basically what you're saying is that you abandoned Apple Bloom -a foaling who's never seen the border of Foalington- in the middle of the Wild to meet somepony she don't know 'bout to a place she has never even seen?”

Twilight gulps. “Yes.”

“Dang nabbit, Twilight!” yells Granny Smith with a stomp of her cane. “At least when I left for Lookout Mountain I was surrounded by you and the Pies and their cooky companions! Apple Bloom has nobody! I trusted you to look out for her and you threw her in the maw of the beast!”

“Twist was with her,” says Twilight meekly and with a cringe.

“Well, why not put some barbecue sauce on her while you're at it.” Granny Smith gets up and aims her shaking finger at Twilight, still having to look up, but now her eyes are misting and a trail of tears form on her cheeks. “You better pray that Apple Bloom finds her way here, Twilight, or I swear on my ancestors' graves that I will make your life hell.”

Despite Twilight being speechless, she still lifts her hand and tries to call Granny Smith, hoping to get a chance to explain some more, but the elderly foaling will not have it. She storms out of the room before Twilight can utter a syllable, muttering viciously the whole time, and when Granny is rounding into the hallway, her angry voice becomes clear.

“Twist was with her. Bah! How stupid can smart ponies get?”

Granny Smith's voice and steps fade, and Twilight is left sitting on her bed, throat clogged and eyes wet and hot. A moment later, an alicorn guard enters, armor pristine and cape clean and his hand on his weapon's hilt, just like the others, and he looks at Twilight with some concern lacing his stoic expression.

“Milady, is everything all right?” asks the guard.

Twilight sniffles and wipes her eyes. “No. But there is nothing you can do about it. Where is Spike and Queen Celestia?”

“The Queen is at a meeting, and your assistant is currently getting pampered by maidens whose special talents are in the fields of muscle relaxation, food and beverages.”

Twilight groans and flops backwards on the bed, clutching her face. “Great. Be sure they don't pamper Spike too much. He is a dragon, after all.”

The guard bows slightly. “Of course. Shall I have the maidens be replaced by less capable stewards immediately?”

Twilight waves her hand absentmindedly, forces herself off of the bed and grabs her sword. “You go do that. I got some research I need to do.”

“You do not wish to see your assistant or the Queen?” asks the guard, stepping aside when Twilight hobbles towards the door, using the wall for support.

“They're busy,” replies Twilight. She enters the hallway and takes a moment to remember the direction she wanted to go, and upon remembering, she goes as fast as her sick body will allow. “I'll be in the library if anypony needs me.”

“Of course.”

The guard bows, despite Twilight not looking at him, and he does an about face and marches off in the opposite direction, leaving Twilight to wander alone in Armonia's halls.

=====O=====

From her spot on her cushioned chair, Applejack stares at the scenery out the window of the bathhouse, watching the sun set across the green, mountainous landscape and the sparkling blue river flowing through it. Flanking the opening of the balcony, where a couple of long chairs sit, are a couple of statues of alicorns tipping large vases, which just happen to pour out a constant stream of hot water. And above them, painted on the archway, is a mural of soft colors depicting a slender alicorn mare, white with a flat, red mane, dressed in white and gold robes with her arms outstretched over a valley landscape. Around her are smaller, baby like alicorns flying playing flutes and trumpets, and beneath all that is a sun and moon joined as one.

Applejack finds the picture to be nice, but she also thought Faust was a nice goddess and the landscape was beautiful until bodies were used as walls, entire villages were burned down, and her entire family killed off, leaving just her as a prized slave for the Davenports. Now, despite the picture and scenery looking beautiful, she can't find herself to enjoy them for very long. She can only wonder how many bodies are left decaying in the forests and why Faust would bless a family as wicked as the Davenports.

Even now, Davenport is getting pampered in the room next to hers with having his clothing washed and his body scrubbed by alicorn servants. In Applejack's case, she has had her garb replaced with a soft, white robe, and she has tied the belt tight across her waist and is keeping it held shut with one hand. Her other hand is digging into the arm of the chair, and she looks over her shoulder time after time with a sickly feeling, dreading to see the knife that will slit her throat the moment she relaxes.

When the door opens, an alicorn mare wearing a similar robe to Applejack's enters, carrying a bucket filled with brushes, rags and towels. Though, despite the benevolent appearance of the mare, Applejack still watches her, waiting for her to use a lethal spell or summon a weapon to strike her down.

“You did not go in the bath?” says the alicorn, now next to Applejack.

“I didn't think I was allowed to,” says Applejack as she shifts uncomfortably in her seat.

“Even though we told you to?”

Applejack nibbles her lip, but remains quiet, and the alicorn removes the contents from her bucket and fills it up with the hot water from the bath, and then sits in front of Applejack and grabs her feet.

Applejack immediately pulls her legs up to her chest. “What're you doing?”

The alicorn smiles patiently. “I was tasked with assisting you with your cleansing by Queen Celestia. Please relax and let me at least wash your feet, and then, if you wish, I will help you clean in the tub.”

Applejack is still tense, but after looking over her shoulder and seeing nothing, she reluctantly extends her legs and tightens a bit more when the alicorn's delicate fingers grab her ankles.

“Relax, Daughter of Orin, no harm will come to you, here,” says the alicorn gently.

Applejack remains quiet and watches the alicorn clean her feet, sparing seconds at a time to look over her shoulder or around the room for any signs of trouble. When she looks back at the alicorn, however, she feels repulsed from seeing the hot, soapy water darkening and being covered in crust of dry mud and other things she cannot put her finger on. The blackness and brown on her feet barely fade as the alicorn's hands rub the cloth around her feet and ankles and between her toes, and when the outer layer is gone, the alicorn tosses the rag to the side and picks up her brush. Once she starts scrubbing, Applejack cringes and tightens her grip on the chair with both hands as the hundreds of bristles scratch at her feet, leaving thin lines of orange exposed from under the black and brown grime.

Then the door opens again and Applejack turns her head fast enough to leave her head swimming and neck flaring, but who she sees enters surprises her. She recognizes Captain Eulabir, but not the eight alicorn stallion guards around him, and certainly not the alicorn mare beside him.

The new mare's horn and wings are undeniably larger than the others, and she is tall like Eulabir, but has the muscle mass of an earth pony. The mare's fur is white with a weak tint of pink, and her mane and tail float in the air, sparkling from raw power and striped in cerulean, turquoise, blue and pink. The purple dress she has covers her neck down to her ankles, with a slit for her legs and a gold breastplate with a gold, tri-point crown and gold plates boots and gauntlets. All of which have lavender gems in them. Applejack does not see a weapon on her, but she has a feeling that this mare would not need any if it comes down to it.

When the mare washing Applejack's feet sees the company, she stands up and bows, but is calmly directed to resume her work by Eulabir, which is what she does without any delay.

Meanwhile, Applejack watches the party approach, and her mouth becomes dry and her heart beats heavy with her muscles begging her to run, but she cannot move. No matter how much her hands tremble, no matter how tight her legs have become, she cannot find the strength to run. The only things working are her eyes, but even they seem to want to tear away from the alicorn mare.

When the party is next to Applejack, the new mare looks down at her, her expression neutral for everyone but Applejack. She sees the look of pity and disappointment in her eyes. It is so obvious to Applejack that the new mare might as well have been on the nose about her feelings.

“Applejack, it has been a while,” says the new mare, her voice motherly and calm.

Applejack blinks. “Uh, I beg your pardon, but I don't think I know you.”

“I wouldn't expect you to remember me. You were barely able to walk when we met. But I am Celestia Faustmaiden, Queen of Armonia, and I knew your father and mother personally.”

“You knew my parents?” asks Applejack, wanting to be skeptical, but she sees no hint of deception in Celestia's eyes.

Celestia nods. “Orin and Honeycrisp were among the finest ponies I knew, and when I heard of the news in Everfree, I...” Celestia looks down, sighing and demeanor sinking. “I cannot describe it. Words will only make what I have felt and still feel monotoned and insincere. But, some of the burden has been lifted seeing you here, alive, in my kingdom.”

Applejack turns away from Celestia to look at the landscape, not finding the words she wants to say, much less the air to use them if she had any. Her throat has gotten tight and her lips tremble as her vision blurs. Not even blinking can clear her eyes and her heart becomes a burden in her chest.

“Why didn't you help us?” asks Applejack quietly, barely able to look at the Queen.

“We are observers, not peacekeepers,” says Celestia after a pause. “We only interfere with the affairs of this world with the explicit permission of Mother, and as much as it pains me, she told us not to interfere with the trials of Everfree.”

“Why?”

“I wish I knew, but She has a purpose for every decision, and I promise you that while your family faces this darkness, there is a purpose behind it, and you survived for a reason. What that reason is, I do not know, but I do know that Her plans for you go beyond Davenport's boat. But, you and your family are welcomed to stay here for shelter if you wish.”

Applejack averts her eyes to the alicorn washing her feet, sniffling and wiping her eyes.

“I am all the family I have left,” says Applejack.

=====O=====

Twilight groans in her hands, and then she exhales slowly and runs her hands up her face and through her mane, exposing her bloodshot eyes and leaving her greasy mane a mess. She looks at the dozens of scrolls in front of her on the large table she has taken in the back of the library. All of the scrolls are written in ancient alicornian with pictures depicting demons, runic circles, rituals, ingredients and anatomy charts, but she cannot think straight. Worry of her brother and Apple Bloom and Twist are heavy on her mind, and as much as she wants to be optimistic and believe that they are on their way, she knows Granny Smith has a point. The Wild is no place for a Foaling, and Shining Armor is not as skilled as he once was, and they were tasked with transporting the most dangerous artifact ever created across the ponylands with Sombra's bloodthirsty, ruthless agents on their trail.

“I'm such an idiot,” says Twilight.

She sniffs and moves some of the scrolls aside and pulls up a scroll depicting a drawing of the gauntlet on Trixie's arm. The notes are only useful in reminding her of what it looked like, and that is it made of iron and emeralds. However, right as she pushes it aside, she sees out of the corner of her eye, a picture of a full body and armored Sombra fighting Celestia and an old unicorn stallion with a beard. The two opponents are also armored from head to toe. Sombra has a spear with a curves blade that has a barbed back and star tip, and Celestia and the stallion are armed with just swords. Below the picture is a description, explaining the final battle between Celestia and Starswirl against Sombra, in which Sombra's arm was cut off by Celestia before being beheaded by Starswirl. And with closer inspection of the picture, Twilight realizes that the gauntlet Sombra is wearing in the picture is the exact same gauntlet in Trixie's possession. This connection sucks the air out of Twilight's lungs and she slumps in her chair, rubbing her temple.

“What in the world is going on?” wonders Twilight.

“Twilight?”

Twilight turns and gasps with a big smile, then almost knocks the chair over when she hops out and hugs the source of the voice, regardless of the guards around her.

“Queen Celestia! I'm so glad to see you!” says Twilight.

Celestia smiles and returns the hug. “I'm glad to see you have awoken. I knew I would find you here.” She releases Twilight and holds her by her shoulders. “We have much catching up to do, but not as much as you need a bath. You're filthy.”

“And stink like dung,” says Eulabir.

Celestia and Twilight frown at him, but he remains unaffected.

“That was rude,” says Twilight.

“I'm a rude pony,” says Eulabir.

“I noticed.”

“Behave, you two,” chides Celestia. “Eulabir, why don't you meet with your brother and prepare for the Night Watch?”

Eulabir tightens his hold on his blade. “But, Your Majesty, there could be assassins lurking. Or worse. The pink one.”

Celestia sighs patiently. “I can handle both just fine. You and your guards are dismissed. I need to have a word with my pupil in private, anyway.”

Without releasing his hold, Eulabir bows, and the other guards follow suit.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

He does an about face and waves his guard forward, and all of them leave without a word. Once they are out of sight, Celestia sighs with relief, her shoulders sagging and a content smile spreading.

“Finally. Have a seat, Twilight,” says Celestia.

Twilight nods and sits down, and fidgets in her spot with beads of sweat trailing down her neck while her mentor sits across from her, nose wrinkled and eyes watering slightly. The alicorn summons a parchment, pen and ink and then she scribbles on the page and has it vanish with a puff of gold dust.

“Is something wrong, Celestia?” asks Twilight.

“You smell really bad,” says Celestia.

Twilight's ears droop with her shoulders. “Oh. I'm sorry.”

Celestia waves her hand dismissively. “Not to worry. I just sent mail to the Open Skies Bathhouse, so when we're done, your bath should be ready.”

Twilight looks down, not really sure how she should feel about her mentor using instant mail to have a bath prepared for her.

“Anyway, Twilight, is there something you want to tell me?” says Celestia as she scans the open scrolls. “Perhaps something about an ancient evil awakening to bring darkness back into the land and Trixie betraying us?”

Twilight swallows, even though her mouth has gone dry. “Yes... The Amulet of the King has awoken and Sombra has blackmailed Trixie into joining his army.”

“And where is the Amulet, now?”

“I don't know. I gave it to a Foaling named Apple Bloom and sent her to Breeze to meet Shining for protection on the road to here, but Trixie imprisoned me before I could meet up with them and I haven't heard or seen them since. Do you think Sombra got to them?”

“I don't know, but it was foolish of you to entrust something as dangerous as the Amulet of the King to a Foaling. It would be a miracle if this Apple Bloom you speak of walks into Armonia with the Amulet.”

Twilight nibbles her lip and averts her gaze, the weight of disappointment weighing on her mind and heart. She only barely lifts her eyes when Celestia takes the scroll depicting Sombra's gauntlet and inspects the picture.

“As for Trixie, what makes you say she was blackmailed?” asks Celestia. “She is a black magic enthusiast, so I am certain she willingly joined Sombra in exchange for knowledge.”

“Trixie found a Seeing-Stone and what I believe to be Sombra's gauntlet in the Crystal Mountains, and he used those to possess her somehow. He is playing off of her fears, and she thinks joining him will save her home from his wrath,” says Twilight.

“I see.”

“But there's more than just the Amulet and Trixie.”

Celestia lowers the scroll slightly to look at Twilight quizzically.

“The changelings are being unified under the leadership of someone who calls himself Malerabus and he has joined with Sombra, as well,” says Twilight. “He claims to be a direct descendant of Chrysalis, but I thought her bloodline and all the changelings were killed. So, where did he come from?”

Celestia exhales slowly and closes the scroll just as slow. “Chrysalis did not die after the Nightmare War.”

Twilight's heart spikes. “What?”

“She was injured by Prince Buck in the tundra outside Mount Dread when he led the armies of Everfree against her,” says Celestia, now putting the scroll back, “but she fled with the remnants of her army, which secured our victory against Sombra. Later, I gave chase to her all the way to the Badlands while the other nations purged their lands of changelings. But when I had her and her changelings surrounded with my army, I could not kill them.”

“But the records said you annihilated them with a fire storm spell.”

“I lied,” says Celestia, her tone sharp, thus leading Twilight to recoil. “When I confronted the last of the changelings they were broken and terrified. Mares, stallions, colts, fillies, old, young, all of them sick and starved and barely able to make so much a spear out of twine and twigs and shields out of bark. Then Chrysalis came out, and I saw that she was not the monster I knew.”

Celestia's eyes become distant and her fingers trace over the open scrolls on the table with no particular pattern in sight, only to become disappointed when she does not find what she is looking for.

“Her eyes were lifeless, her armor was falling apart, her body was frail, and she had no weapon,” says Celestia when she stops her search. “She had only her one hand and a limp. And she knelled in front of me and begged me to let her changelings live in exchange for her head, and that is when I saw it.”

“Saw what?” asks Twilight.

Celestia blinks and turns away from Twilight to look at the wall of scrolls, her distant eyes reddening and glazing over. “Tears. She was no longer the monster who waged war against the ponylands. She was a weak, broken queen who saw her people slaughtered in droves and was unable to stop it. She was a leader who saw the only way to save what was left of her race was to offer her life. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to kill her, even when she sobbed at my feet and begged me to do it her so her people could live. I couldn't do it.”

“I let her live and she died of an infection later that week, and after that, what was left of the changelings scattered. I told the kings and queens of the ponylands that Chrysalis and the remaining changelings were killed by my hands and I had their bodies incinerated. They bought it and the genocide of the changelings was applauded for its success.”

Celestia sighs and blinks tears out of her eyes.

“But, now it seems that we will soon pay for the nightmare we inflicted upon the changelings. Do you know anything else about Malerabus, other than he is a changeling?”

Twilight nods. “When we met, he was dressed as an Everfree military officer, with a dark blue coat and a white and green mane. He had gold eyes when he revealed himself, which is odd since I always read that changelings always had blue eyes.”

With the mentioning of the eye color, Twilight notices a slight twitch from Celestia's muscles and eye, but she says nothing about it.

“That is odd,” says Celestia after a short pause. She then stands up and runs her hands down the length of her skirt, yawning. “Why don't you get cleaned up, Twilight? We can discuss more of these trying problems tomorrow when we are rested and clean.”

“But, Celestia-”

Celestia clamps her hands behind her back and starts walking, and she speaks without looking at her pupil. “Take a bath and go to bed, Twilight. You can use them.”

Twilight holds out her hand and calls Celestia again, but the alicorn queen has already rounded the corner and disappeared from sight, leaving the unicorn alone.

A moment later, Twilight sighs and drops her hand and looks down. “I don't smell that bad.”

“Yes, you do,” says Celestia, her head poking around the corner, which makes Twilight yelp and clutch her fast beating heart. The queen then chuckles and points at the table Twilight used. “Sorry, but I just wanted to remind you put those scrolls back where you found them before you take your bath. I know how old habits die hard, especially with you.”

Twilight smiles uneasily and rubs the back of her neck, blushing and looking at the mess. “Right. I'll take care of that.”

“Thank you. Have a good night.”

“You too.”

Celestia disappears from view again and Twilight's smile fades, and she sighs and turns to the mess.

“Crap.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Close to an hour later, Twilight is enjoying a hot bubble bath in the Open Skies Bathhouse, and just the way she likes it. Alone with a lot of bubbles and steam. With no on else around, Twilight is free to enjoy the scenery of the marble statues, listen to the gentle splashing and falling of water from the fountains, and marvel at the night sky that she can see thanks to the open roof.

In just the few short minutes Twilight has spent in the large tub built into the ground, she has felt months of dirt, sweat and grease break away from her. The body odor that came with them has faded, also. Twilight has always tried cleaning herself as much as she can in the Wild and in places she and Spike has stayed, but she always washed herself quick out of paranoia of someone walking in on her, leaving much to be cleaned. Really, she only gets a good wash when she is in Armonia or Canterlot, where she has privacy and can wash herself without having to worry about anybody barging in on her.

Knowing that she is safe, has privacy, and can really get herself cleaned, Twilight sighs with a smile and sinks in the water until just her head is poking above the bubbles.

And then she hears it.

Feet slapping against the stone like someone is running right towards her.

With her ears flicking and eyes opening to an annoyed scowl, she turns, keeping her body under the water, ready to scold the intruder. But instead of angry words, Twilight's eyes bulge from the sight of the last mare she wanted to see, stark naked and running straight towards the pool.

“CATAPULT!” hollers the terrifyingly familiar mare.

As much as Twilight screams and waves her hands, Pinkie Pie still leaps in the air, curls up in a ball and splashes right next to the unicorn. Upon her landing, a circle of black floats up to corrupt the bubbly water. Seconds later, Pinkie Pie pops her head out of the water, gasping for air and flinging sparkling water from throwing her soaking mane back the sudden cleansing.

“Wow, that was not smart. My butt hurts, now,” says Pinkie Pie.

Twilight stares at Pinkie Pie, wide eyed and has her legs crossed over each other with her hands covering her chest. She looks past the Ranger's shoulder and sees her clothes rolled up in a ball next to the bath with a spare set of towels. How that was missed is beyond her.

“What?” asks Pinkie Pie.

Twilight looks at the menace and slides back from her, frowning and blushing. “What are you doing here?”

“Taking a bath.”

“But why here? There are twelve other unused baths and you picked this one!”

“You looked sad, and nothing cheers up a moody pony like a bath partner.” Pinkie Pie leans closer to Twilight and whispers loudly: “Between you and me, I think stallions really like having mares as bath partners.”

Twilight growls and pushes against Pinkie Pie, splashing water in the process and folding her ears back as the Ranger snickers and lets her use her minuscule strength against her.

“Go away. I'm trying to relax,” says Twilight through her teeth.

“Oh, I can help you relax. I know quite a bit of tricks I picked up on the road,” claims Pinkie Pie brightly. She stretches out her fingers and adds with a toothy smile: “One of which is a fancy massage my cellmate taught me when I was in a deer prison.”

Twilight slides back. “Okay, I really don't need your help to relax.”

Pinkie Pie slides closer. “You sure?”

Twilight slides back. “Very sure.”

Pinkie Pie slides closer. “How very sure?”

Twilight huffs angrily. “Look, since you are too feather-headed to figure out the obvious, I'm going to tell you as plainly as possible. Go. Away. I don't need your help to relax. I can relax just fine, and I was actually relaxing and recuperating very well with my bubble bath until you showed up with your stupid prison claim!”

The two mares stare at each other, with Twilight seething and her dirty water boiling, and Pinkie Pie having a completely blank face. And so they remain, silent in their stare down, until the pink mare's blank look twists into a naughty grin.

“So, do you wanna know what I learned in prison?” says Pinkie Pie.

Twilight yells and launches her hands out, ready to wring the life out of the mare's neck, but her hands remain grabbing at the air. However, with Twilight's hands in such a perfect spot, Pinkie Pie snatches her wrists and pulls herself closer to her so that their chests are squished together and muzzles almost touching. Twilight's face ignites into a deep purple as her body stiffens and burns up from embarrassment while Pinkie Pie's breath tickles her nose.

“Now we're getting somewhere,” says Pinkie Pie.

Before Twilight says anything, the Ranger spins her in the water so that her back is against her chest. Then she grabs her slender shoulders and wraps her legs tightly around her waist and brings her muzzle by Twilight's ear.

“You really do need to relax, Princess. Being as uptight as you are can lead to some health problems, and the last thing we need is a future queen with a poor heart,” says Pinkie Pie.

“What are you doing?” says Twilight, her ear twitching and body trembling from Pinkie Pie's breath and grip.

Pinkie Pie chuckles. “I'm going to make you relax.”

Twilight wants to say something about the disturbing direction of the conversion, but she gasps when her uninvited bathing partner starts kneading her shoulders. It feels amazing to her, feeling those large earth pony fingers and palms moving along her shoulders and rubbing her spine. Twilight really cannot figure out how to classify them, other than amazing. From how well the fingers roll and press away at her back, Twilight can feel her tense muscles loosening and a strange sense of relaxation moving in and chasing away her guarded state.

“And just so we are on even ground about the feather-head thing, I should let you know that my memory is pretty sharp and I got a great set of eyes and ears, too,” says Pinkie Pie. “Eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox is what my Papa Pie used to say!”

“Uh huh,” mutters Twilight, not entirely convinced, but relaxation has rushed leaving no room for her to voice her skepticism.

“Don't believe me? I'll prove it. But I'll prove it with the memory thing since I really can't do the hawk-eye, fox-ear thing right now. But first chance we get, give me a fancy scroll with lots of big words, let me read it for five seconds and I'll recite everything I just read without looking at it.”

Pinkie Pie presses her palms against Twilight's shoulder blades and rolls them slow and hard, and the tension in her muscles crumble like an old wall, making the unicorn roll her head back against the Ranger in a state of bliss. With her head finding a nice spot on the earth pony's shoulder, Twilight stares at the stars above, amazed at how peaceful the sky looks and how muscular Pinkie Pie is underneath her damp, pink coat. She always knew earth ponies were the strongest of the pony races, but this is the first time that she actually got intimate with one. So far her biggest regret about tonight's strange situation is that it was not a handsome earth pony stallion doing this to her.

“Nopony reads that fast,” says Twilight airily, barely remembering that Pinkie Pie spoke to her, and she makes another approving groan when the earth pony's fingers knead the muscles on her shoulders and feels her breath switch ears.

“You do,” points out Pinkie Pie, gently moving Twilight's head so she is off of her shoulder and staring at the dissolving bubbles. “You're a very fast reader. Probably the fastest in all of Equestria.”

“But nopony can memorize anything in five seconds.”

Pinkie Pie flashes a grin and gently runs her palms along Twilight's shoulders, up her neck and back down to her shoulders again, saying in a husky, but confident tone: “I can.”

She then leans really close and gently tilts Twilight's head so the Princess is looking at the night sky again. Twilight's eyes are droopy and lost in bliss, and Pinkie Pie guides her hands down the unicorn's body, barely touching her on their trip down. The Ranger's fingers travel down the Princess's shoulders, traces the slender muscles of her arms, and then it slithers around until it is under her armpits. From there, they snake along her sides, lightly cupping the sides of her breasts.

Twilight gasps, and her face warms up again as her mouth moves to scold Pinkie Pie, but no words come out. And when they are given a small squeeze, Twilight moans out Pinkie Pie's names and grabs her legs.

“You wanna see what else I can do?” asks Pinkie Pie, her fingers dancing along the round edges of Twilight's chest and uncaring of the grip on her legs.

Twilight tries to answer, but again her voice does not work. All she can do is open and close her mouth while looking into the nothingness with a blurry vision and hot face.

“Twilight~” hums Pinkie Pie, giving the unicorn's chest another squeeze.

“Yes,” gasps Twilight.

Pinkie Pie smiles and slides her arm across Twilight's chest and presses her closer against her body so the unicorn's back squishes her chest. The Ranger's free hand then moves down the Princess's slim stomach to reach her thighs, raking the thin fur along the way. When the fingers go between her legs, Twilight exhales sharply and arches her back. Pinkie Pie then moves her arm down so she is holding Twilight by her stomach and rests her head on the crook of Twilight's neck, taking a deep sniff and closing her eyes. A tingle runs up Twilight's spine and lower body, and her fingers grip Pinkie Pie's muscled arms and claw at her wet mane, not wanting to let go for fear of the strange, but very pleasant feeling, leaving her.

“Are you sure?” asks Pinkie Pie, her voice low and smooth, and the water churning with the slow pumps of her arm.

“Yes.” Twilight's eyes are squeezed shut and her fingers dig into the Ranger as a wanting whine escapes her open mouth while Pinkie Pie keeps her pace. As this happens, Twilight's whole body, from loins to face, are hot, and her muscles stiffen as she kicks in the water, chest heaving from her heavy panting and a little bit of drool flowing from her mouth. “Please, yes! Please don't stop, please!”

Pinkie Pie suddenly stops, pushes Twilight away and swims to the edge of the bath. “Welp, too bad. I gotta go to bed.”

“Wait, what?”

Twilight spins in the water, creating frantic splashing as she watches Pinkie Pie roll out of the pool and throw on her clothes immediately after.

“Where are you going?” whines Twilight.

Pinkie Pie tugs her shirt down, which, due to her soaked state, clings to her figure, revealing all the curves of her chest, body, arms and shoulders. With her mane soaked, it hangs past one of her eyes in a dark pink clump, and she smiles at Twilight as she puts her pants on.

“Its late, and I gotta get to bed and relax a little since I carried you almost sixty miles,” says the Ranger. She stretches her arms to the sky, back turned to Twilight and groaning loudly. “Yeah, I really need to relax and take a nap. I'm all tense and everything from that workout.”

Twilight frowns and folds her arms across her chest as her legs press against each other, not in the least bit satisfied or amused by the teasing she was just put through for absolutely no reason. “But you can't go to bed leaving me like this.”

Pinkie Pie grabs a spare towel and starts patting her mane, holding her boots in her free hand. “Sure I can.”

“You are evil! What am I supposed to do, now?”

Pinkie Pie shrugs. “I don't know. Just find yourself a cutie and have some fun before you go to bed. Not that hard. For you, I would recommend one of the scribes. They're lonely, deprived and smell like paper, just like you.”

Twilight growls and clenches her fists and teeth as her face burns up from rage. “I'm not having sex with a random stallion!”

The echo of her voice is a quick indicator of how loud she was, and Twilight eeps, clamps her hands over her mouth and sinks into the water. Steam and bubbles rise from around her as her body heats up from embarrassment, and her ears droop and her eyes grow wide when Pinkie Pie flashes an amused toothless smirk at her while running her towel along her hair and neck.

“Then use your privacy,” says Pinkie Pie.

Behind her hands, Twilight's lips twist into an uncomfortable frown and her eyes narrow as her body warms the water to steam around her. The Ranger then kneels down by the edge of the pool, places her head on the top of her hands.

“Or you can go and find somebody that you can have fun with that isn't so random,” says Pinkie Pie deviously. “But that's just me. Enjoy your bath, Princess.”

Pinkie Pie then blows a kiss at Twilight, then she stands up, turns on her heels and walks down the hall, her feet making little wet slaps as they hit the stone walkway, with her humming a song to herself.

Twilight watches the Ranger until she is all the way down the hall, and once the crazy mare turns the corner, Twilight sighs, turns around and presses her back against the warm rocks. She feels more tense and needy than anything else, now, and that brings a huge frown to her. She was doing just fine until Pinkie Pie showed up and did the uncouth act of... that!

And she did not even have the decency to indulge her or finish what she started.

Twilight groans to herself and shifts her legs closer together, and after nervously looking around to make sure no one else is around, she brings her hands under the water and towards her lower body.

“I hate her,” grumbles Twilight.

“I heard that!” shouts Pinkie Pie from down the hall.

Twilight whips her head to down the hall, but doesn't see Pinkie Pie, anywhere. She watches the hall entrance, just waiting for the pink menace to arrive, but when the seconds get longer and the results no more fruitful than before, she submerges herself until her mouth is underwater, then she stares straight ahead and starts blowing bubbles. Very, very angry bubbles.

=====O=====

Spike takes brisk steps down the decorated walkway. The air is cool, the murals are beautiful and the night sky is perfection. There is just enough cloud cover to partially cover the moon and a few pockets of stars, but the rest reveals the spacious cosmos, displaying the countless stars as diamonds in the sky. On any day in the Wild, Spike would watch the night and try to find constellations with Twilight in their final moments of the day to relax. It usually ended up with them telling each other jokes or debating in a lighthearted manner. However, beautiful moments like those of before have no room in Spike's heart at the moment, for as of now, he is fuming.

The entrance to Armonia was not a big deal for him. Annoying? Yes. But every entrance is like that so he has grown used to it. And Celestia scolding him about forcing her to repair Davenport's aquatic transportation craft? That was a bit rough, but he does not really care about that. He did what he had to do to get himself and Twilight to Armonia, and maybe, just maybe, a repaired boat will curve Davenport's attitude in a positive way.

No, what Spike is upset about is how he was enjoying a nice evening with ravishing alicorn ladies that were giving him a massage, good food and fine wine. Only for them to be replaced by burly, mustachioed alicorn stallions with big arms, tight abs and a flare for poetry by the orders of a random guard. He has a feeling Twilight had something to do with it, but has not been able to find her all day to confirm his suspicions or make sure she is okay.

He did get a little distracted with the pampering, but last he saw her, she was in the infirmary. When he checked there again, she was not there. She was not at the library, either. And for reasons Spike cannot put his claw on, when he asked Granny Smith for help, she whacked him with her cane and stormed off as fast as a coot with a cane could, throwing insults at him the whole time.

As for Celestia? He cannot go to her because she has already gone to bed and is a heavy sleeper, and Luna is nowhere to be seen.

“Princess Luna is nocturnal, and like all things nocturnal, you will not see her unless she wants you to,” is what the night guard had told Spike when he asked about him.

Then there is Davenport and Applejack. They have taken residence in a room by the river, overlooking the boat, which will take a few days to complete, according to the dockworkers. Naturally, the two have not seen Twilight ever since the boat incident, but they both cleaned up rather nicely and Spike hates to admit it, but when Davenport is clean, he looks sharp. Applejack looks brand new with her own sense of rustic beauty, too. But the mare's stature is still crushed, weary and wary.

Knowing that he has only one other person left to help him find Twilight, Spike gets a knot in his gut and an uneasy feeling in his chest. He even throws out a quick prayer to Faust, begging Her to lead him to Twilight before he has to deal with the certain pony and her insanity.

But, lo and behold, right in the middle of his mental prayer, he hears a familiar voice humming a song, and he ducks behind a carved pillar. He peeks out a couple of seconds later and sees Pinkie Pie strolling down the walkway with a saunter, barefoot and patting her mane with a towel, and her coat tied around her waist with her gear on her back. Her whole body is still wet for the most part, so her airy shirt and old pants are sticking to her and amplifying her chest and thighs, and her flat tail brushes the stone walkway, leaving a shimmering trail of water. With each pat of her towel leaves her mane slightly more airy than before, but parts still cling to her neck and face, partially covering one of her eyes. It is an alluring sight, but Spike has no time to gawk and he ducks back in place, trying to think of what to say.

It takes Spike a few seconds to agree with himself that simple is best, and when he looks around the pillar again, he sees only Pinkie Pie's boots and gear in the middle of the walkway and realizes that her humming has stopped. Spike narrows his eyes at the strange sight and grips the pillar tighter when he attempts to locate the Ranger, but-

“Rat tail!” blurts Pinkie Pie, right as a sharp pain stabs his rump, causing Spike to yelp and leap with his hands covering the whipped spot.

He turns, growling, hands still on his butt, and glares at Pinkie Pie as she giggles and unwinds her towel.

“Ow! What was that for?” says Spike.

“For spying on me,” replies Pinkie Pie, now tossing the towel over her shoulder.

“You, the mare that spied on me and Twilight for months, are complaining about me spying on you for a few seconds?”

“What? A bargain priced odd-job extraordinaire is not allowed to feel violated by being spied on by the people she's spying on?”

Spike says nothing, and Pinkie Pie smiles and brushes some of her mane away from her face.

“So, why are you spying on me?” says Pinkie Pie.

“I just wanted to know where Twilight was,” said Spike, wincing and rubbing his rump with tender care. “Why did you have to whip me so hard?”

Pinkie Pie puts on a pout. “You mean you don't want to know who wanted me to spy on you and why?”

“Well... I, uh, I guess I do, but I really need to find Twilight first, then I can pester you about you spying on us.”

“Oh, Twilight's fine. I just got finished taking a bath with her,” says Pinkie Pie shrewdly. Then she grins and playfully nudges Spike's ribs. “That massage really loosened her up, too, if you know what I mean.”

Spike's eyes expand in shock and his mouth clamps up as some very uncouth thoughts enter his mind. Thoughts such as seeing Twilight bathing with another mare. Possibly some splashing and giggling to go with it. But he quickly shakes that thought away since he knows Twilight will never do something like that. Of all the years he has known the Princess, privacy and personal space are high on her list. The most she'll let anyone willingly touch her is if they are giving hugs or helping her climb a stubborn rise. All other violations of personal space is a call for a scolding or slap.

“But, you know what? Since I had some fun with Twilight, I think you need some fun, too. It's only fair,” adds Pinkie Pie.

Before Spike can formulate a word, Pinkie Pie wraps her hand around his shoulder, grabs the back of his neck with her other hand, then slinks her leg around his waist and uses her free leg to push him off balance. The two spin, and Spike yells from surprise and places his palm against the pillar they land against, with Pinkie Pie squished between him and the stone structure. Her wet chest and waist is pressed against his body, and he feels a panic attack coming in from how fast his heart is beating and how dry his mouth has become.

He is used to mare giving him some attention. Maybe a hug, a quick feel of his amazing muscles or a poke at his spines. He also enjoyed the massages he got before the muscled stallions took over, but this is a different kind of attention, and he really wishes there was an adult around to help him out of it.

“So, now that you know about Twilight, what questions does the handsome dragon have?” says Pinkie Pie with lewd smile and her finger delicately tracing Spike's chin, neck and collar.

“Uh... Well, um...” Spike tries to pull away by pushing against the pillar and pulling at her thigh, but she tightens her grip and forces his snout to almost touch her muzzle, giving him an up close look of her lascivious smile. Remembering that earth ponies are notoriously strong, he realizes that he is stuck until Pinkie Pie releases him, and speaking of the pink loony, her smile has widened. He does not like that. “Can you let go, please?”

“It depends. Do you want to interrogate me, or do you want to run away and continue wondering what I am doing stalking you and Princess Twilight?”

Spike opens him mouth, then closes it and looks down, giving him a view of her wet, pink furred breasts pressed against him, which he quickly averts his eyes to the curved ceiling above.

“Which one will let me go so we can talk like normal people?” asks Spike anxiously.

“Oh, Spike,” coos Pinkie Pie, “what made you think I was normal?”

Spike is once again speechless, and now his mouth feels like someone poured sand in it while a very uncomfortable amount of beats of his heart bang inside his chest. Then Pinkie Pie suddenly throws her head back and moans loudly, with her fingers now digging into Spike's shoulders, her legs holding him against her all the tighter and her body grinding against his. Two particular parts rub against his groin and chest, and that sends his heart into a beating frenzy as his flowing blood tries to figure out where to go. It wins at his head, though, since panic starts pouring in, especially when she looks back at him with a drunken smile, droopy eyes and a tongue hanging out of her mouth as she pants hard.

“What are you-” Spike stops and out of the corner of his eye, he sees a bat-like alicorn guard looking at them from the hall entrance, his expression almost completely neutral, save for an unimpressed, raised brow. Spike's jaw drops and he stammers as his eyes dart between the guard and Pinkie Pie while he struggles to free himself from the mare's powerful grip. “Oh! Oh, no! No! This is not what it looks like!”

“Yes it is. Can we get some privacy, please?” says Pinkie Pie, faking her ragged panting as her hand rubs Spike's neck and shoulder lovingly.

The alicorn guard holds up both of his hands and backs away, his head tilted down so his eyes are focusing on the fine craftsmanship of the floor. He then briskly walks out of sight, and Pinkie Pie and Spike wait for a few seconds just to make sure he does not come back for a peek before they look at each other again, with the former grinning and the latter glaring.

“You are insane,” says Spike.

“So I've been told,” purrs Pinkie Pie, moving her finger along his jaw and neck again. “But now we got real privacy since there's no way that guard will let others near us. So, what do you want to know that I know?”

“You do realize that your stunt may draw us a crowd that will be very disappointed when they find out that it was all an act,” counters Spike sharply.

Pinkie Pie rolls her eyes with a dismissive sigh. “He's an alicorn. He's got too much honor to go blurting to his friends about this get together. But even if he does tell, they will guard the area to make sure nopony walks in, wait until we're done, then drag us to Celestia or Luna so they can scold us for being indecent and not using the bedroom. Jail time might be included.”

Spike stops struggling and scrunches his eye ridges, not really liking the idea of going to jail because of Pinkie Pie. “Have you done this before?”

Pinkie Pie grins and moves the tip of her finger down Spike's chest, her grin becoming more devious when he gulps. “Oh, yeah. But enough with the boring talk. Interrogate me, oh mighty dragon.”

=====O=====

Luna sits in the middle of a circular atrium, dressed in her purple dress and silver armor. Her eyes closed, legs crossed over each other and her sword resting on her lap and held in place by her hands. Her blade gleams in the moonlight, and the stars reflect off of its surface as though she has trapped a piece of the sky inside her blade. But while her eyes may be closed and her head bowed, she is not able to relax. None can hear the screams of men and women, old and young, nor can they hear the sobs and begs of children and parents. They do not hear the whispers floating through each dreamscape, promising them slow deaths and painful final memories.

No one hears such things.

No one sees the burning villages, the hanging bodies, the mutilations, decapitations, murders, mercy killings and suicides. They do not see the feet dangling and swinging back and forth, back and forth, left to right, left to ride, twirl, back and forth. They do not see the talking heads on pikes, begging for death or the children mauled.

No one sees such things.

All they hear is Luna's steady breaths, and all they see is her sitting in the center of an atrium, eyes closed and surrounded by bowing alicorn statues with outstretched wings and swords in their mantels. If they look closer, then they will see her hands flexing and her closed lids twitching.

But for now, no one sees her, no one hears her, and that is how she prefers it. Exposure only when she is needed, or when she needs to move. So far her meditation has gone on for thirty five days, but she feels as though she has gone nowhere.

The nightmares keep coming despite her best efforts and her conversation with Starswirl was a waste of time. For months, the nightmares have been attacking the minds and spirits of everyone in the pony lands, but Luna finds it remarkable that Foalington has not been effected by the surge. Everywhere else, however, is like trying to stop a flood with a bucket. Unicornia, Everfree, the Pegasi Tribes, the Wild, and everywhere else is an ocean of despair that is drowning everyone, and all Luna can do is watch them die. One. By. One.

“Luna, my sweet Luna, what troubles you?” echoes a malicious, feminine voice in the chamber.

Luna's ear flicks and her eyes and hands squeeze tighter when she feels a soft, cold brush of air go by her with long fingers trailing her shoulders and gently brushing her scalp. A shiver goes up the alicorn's spine, but she remains still and keeps her eyes closed.

“Is it all those nightmares?” asks the voice, knowingly mocking Luna.

“The nightmares do not trouble Us,” says Luna.

The voice tuts and stops in front of Luna. “You always were a liar.”

“Says the one who deceived me, Nightmare Moon.”

Luna opens her eyes, and she glares at the figure before her. She is bigger than Luna in height and build, but she does not have feathery wings. Instead she has leathery bat wings, and her fur is near pitch black with purple eye liner to compliment her icy blue, reptilian eyes. Her outfit is similar to Luna's, with the purple dress underneath her silver armor, but the dress is torn, revealing her legs and thighs, and she is wearing bladed gloves and boots, and has armed herself with a halberd that has a serrated edge on its curved blade. She is not wearing a helmet, though, she her starry mane floats behind her, much like her tail, and she looks down at Luna with a toothy, sharp fanged smile that reflects the moonlight.

“See? Even now you lie,” says Nightmare Moon, and then she starts pacing around Luna, keeping her gaze focused on her, watching with a sick smile as Luna sits on the floor, trying to stay still. “I never deceived you. You wanted power. Respect. Love.”

Nightmare Moon stops and kneels in front of Luna, and gently grabs her cheek, both alicorns never changing their expressions.

“I said I could give you such things, and I did, did I not?” says Nightmare Moon.

“You used Us to obtain knowledge to create the Alicorn Amulet for Sombra,” says Luna.

“But you got what you wanted. You had your power and commanded legions of Condemned, and you had the respect of those you commanded and the love of Sombra.”

Luna jumps to her feet, eyes flashing white and sword at the ready to strike down the demon in front of her.

“That was all you!” shouts Luna, her eyes hot with tears. “You took my body and made me your puppet! The Condemned respected you and was under your control, and Sombra only kept you around as his prized whore! You and he both used my body as your plaything!”

“And it was fun,” says Nightmare Moon.

Luna roars and brings the blade down on Nightmare Moon, striking her on her collar and bringing her down. She instantly feels a sharp pain slice past her skin, though, and she drops to a knee, wincing and gripping her collar, and when she pulls her hand away, her eyes widen at the red staining her palm. She looks at Nightmare Moon and sees her snickering while she grips her injury, which is dripping blood.

“Stupid alicorn,” says Nightmare Moon as she pushes herself up, still holding her wound. “I am a part of you, and you go and hurt yourself when I speak the truth. But, you are weak. You barely scratched me, but nearly slit your own throat doing it.”

Nightmare Moon's palm shoots out and crashes into Luna's chest, sending her airborne and crashing a few feet away and sliding back a few more feet. Luna's skull feels like a broken vase, and her back and limbs ache as she winces and rolls to her side. That is when Luna sees her sword laying a few paces away from her, but when she tries to get up, Nightmare Moon jumps on her back, squishing Luna's smaller body between her superior weight and the rough, stone floor.

A sharp cry of pain is squeezed out of Luna, and her hand stretches out to her sword while her horn glows, covering her weapon in her aura. However, the magic is draining her. Her head starts hurting and sweat coats her fur, matting her light azure mane sticks to her forehead and neck. When the sword lifts, she can barely breathe and beads of sweat drip from her muzzle, and her outstretched hand shakes. Then, Nightmare Moon snarls and kicks Luna on her back, and then she stomps on her stomach, and the Princess jerks and curls under the blow, coughing and trying to gulp in air.

“Pitiful,” sneers Nightmare Moon. She pulls away from Luna, grabs her sword and starts pacing around her as she inspects the weapon. “I can hurt you all I want without trouble because, unlike you, I am strong and can withstand it in body and mind. You? You dress as a warrior princess, but are nothing but a disgrace. A cowardly peasant bearing the dull fangs of an old dog.”

Nightmare Moon kicks Luna in the muzzle, turning on her on her back again with a face covered in blood, and then she steps on Luna's chest and presses down on her. Nightmare Moon's muzzle now has bright red scratches, as well, but she appears to be unaffected by it, and when she extends her hand, her halberd shimmers into view and she spins so the blade it aimed down before gripping it tight.

When the demon smiles, her teeth and the blade of the halberd reflect off of the moonlight, and Nightmare Moon raises her weapon up, laughing as Luna grunts and fights in vain to free herself. Each passing second makes Luna's situation all the more hopeless, and when Nightmare Moon presses her boot down harder, Luna gasps for air and holds back the need to cry out when she feels her ribs snapping. Then her lungs start to fill with blood and travel up her throat when the broken rips stab inside her, and she looks up at Nightmare Moon when she cackles with ice bleeding out from the darkness.

“But you don't have to pretend, anymore, Luna. You can stop fighting and give in, for the Nightmare is coming,” says Nightmare Moon.

And then she brings the halberd down and-

Luna jolts awake in the center of the atrium, dressed in her purple dress and silver armor, legs crossed over each other and her sword resting on her lap and held in place by her hands. She is sweating and shaking, and trails of red flow down her polished blade and drip to the floor. With no one around, and no animal or bug for ambiance, all Luna hears is is her shaking breaths and drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.

When Luna pulls her fingers off, she winces and inspects the line of deep cuts that have soaked her palms in crimson. After a quick swallow, Luna nervously lights up her horn and her wounds seal shut instantly, and another burst of magic cleans the red stains from her attire, her weapon, and the floor.

Relieved that her magic has worked, Luna sighs and sulks her shoulders as she wipes her sweaty mane back.

“It was just a nightmare,” murmurs Luna quietly. She takes yet another deep breath, adjusts her position, and then places her blade on her lap and closes her eyes once more, trying in vain to stop her shakes. “Just a nightmare.”

News, Hobos and Evil Plants

Twilight Sparkle lays on her back, on top of the soft blanket in her room, wearing a fresh purple tunic and no socks or boots. The room is warm from the sunlight and the chirping birds, distant bells and soft splashes of water are soothing ambiances, but Twilight cannot relax.

Her hands are balled and resting on her chest, where they clutch the pendants her father gave her. Her eyes burn and no matter how many times she swallows the lump in her throat will not leave. Trails of tears roll down her cheeks and all she can see inside herself is a fog that shrouds all the answers she needs. Even when there is a knock on the door, Twilight's ears barely move and all she can do is sniffle.

The door opens and Celestia enters with Spike by her side.

“Twilight, you need to come down to eat,” says Celestia.

“I will,” says Twilight without looking away from the ceiling.

“You said that yesterday,” says Spike. “And the day before that, and the day before that, and the week before that.”

Celestia moves to Twilight's side and places her hand on her shoulder. “You need to eat, Twilight. All you have done for the past month is read and sleep, and it is worrying me.”

Twilight swallows and tightens her grip on the pendants with a new flow of tears trickling down her face. “Don't worry about me, please. I'm fine.”

“No, you aren't fine,” says Spike. “Ever since we got here you've been starving yourself and doing nothing but research and sleep. Heck, you don't even bathe as much as you used to and you reek like a dead animal, now.”

“I have to do my research, though. Apple Bloom, Shining and Twist are gone because of me, Purity hates me, and Trixie is still trapped by Sombra. If I can free Trixie then there will be at least one good thing to come out of this mess.”

“But starving yourself will not help you solve anything. You probably cannot even think straight, right now,” says Celestia.

“I can think just fine,” says Twilight.

“Oh, really?” says Spike. “Then what's five hundred and fifty two times sixty seven divided by twelve?”

Twilight stares at Spike, wanting to answer his question, but all she can think of is dancing numbers using cinnamon sticks as canes and singing about candy and vegetables. The result, a blank stare and a dumb hum.

“See? You cannot even solve that easy problem,” says Spike. “You need to eat, and if I have to drag you out of bed and strap you to the chair, then so be it.”

“Knock. Knock.”

The trio turns to the door, and Twilight's exhausted eyes nearly pop out of her sockets, as does Spike, when she sees Pinkie Pie standing in the door. Celestia, on the other hand, looks confused.

Pinkie Pie is holding a tray of food, and dressed in a servant attire for some reason. The black dress is tight fitting and flows down to her ankles, and the white apron barely passes her waist, and she is wearing her gloves, again. However, she is not wearing any underclothing at all, leaving her muscled, pink arms exposed, as well as a generous portion of the top and sides of her bust, which Spike is staring at with bigger eyes.

Perverted displays and food aside, Twilight notices that along the mare's arms are a series of healed scratches and puncture wounds. There is even a large one that makes a clean line at the bottom of her neck, from one side to the other, and partially covered by the clothing strap is a “5” seared on her shoulder. Twilight is speechless about what she has just now noticed, but seconds later, she breaks free from the observational trance and leans over and smacks Spike, making him jump and look at Twilight.

“What did I do?” says Spike.

“You know what you did,” says Twilight.

“Pinkie, why are you wearing one of the servant's dresses? And where are your underclothes?” says Celestia.

Pinkie Pie snickers and bounces her way into the room, hopping to a stop in front of Celestia and peering up at her with a massive smile and their chests pressing against each other. Celestia looks down at Pinkie Pie, still confused, but now has a faint red tint on her cheeks.

“I had to do some laundry and it was either this or the birthday suit,” says Pinkie Pie. She then lifts up the tray off food, which is stacked with pastries and breads. “Cake?”

Celestia's eyes flick around the room, and then with a tiny sigh, she plucks a slice of chocolate cake from the plate. Pinkie then twirls on one foot and leans towards Spike, smiling at him with lidded eyes and holding the plate to his nose.

“Donut?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“Um, I guess,” says Spike, slowly taking the first donut he sees.

After he takes the donut, Pinkie Pie leaps on the bed, landing on her butt next to Twilight, making her bounce with an surprised squeak.

“How about you, Princess? Do you want a high carbohydrate meal of the best bread ever?” says Pinkie Pie.

Twilight pushes the plate away and slides down the bed. “I'm not hungry.”

Twilight's stomach growls in disagreement.

“Don't give me that,” says Pinkie Pie. “I hear your hunger and I can see your collar bone. Starving yourself is really stupid, you know?”

“She's right,” says Celestia, her mouth full of cake. “You really need to have something to eat.”

Twilight does not answer, and even though she is frowning at Pinkie Pie, she cannot get pity out of her mind when she sees more faint scratches on her face.

“I'm still not hungry,” says Twilight, even though her stomach has tightened and her mouth is flooding with saliva from the scent of fresh baked goods.

Pinkie Pie hums and leans back. “I see. Hey, Celestia, can you and Spike hold her down while I force feed her?”

Spike cracks his knuckles and rolls his neck. “No problem.”

Twilight tenses and mentally prepares herself for a defense spell while trying to keep her eyes on her new enemies and not on the treats. Those delicious, nose tingling, mouth watering slices of Paradise that are hypnotizing her with their inviting colors and wonderful builds. Truly, devils disguised as angels.

However, Spike and Pinkie Pie do not get the opportunity to stuff Twilight with the pastries since as soon as they make their move, Celstia orders them to stop. They freeze in their tracks and the two plus Twilight look at Celestia, who is staring at the drake and Ranger with a patient look.

“You two do not have to waste your energy on something as childish as that,” says Celestia.

“Yes I do,” says Pinkie Pie.

“No you don't. In fact, I actually have something important to tell Twilight and I would like for you two to be elsewhere when I do.”

Pinkie Pie whines. “Aw, come on! I'll be quiet and you won't even know I'm here.”

“I don't even think you know where you are,” mutters Spike.

Pinkie Pie looks at him with a bemused frown and cocked brow. “Was that supposed to be an insult?”

Spike rolls his eyes, but Celestia folds her arms across her chest and stares at them like a scolding mother.

“Do you want me to call Eulabir?” says Celestia.

“Nope. Nuh uh. No no no. We're good. We're gone,” says Spike and Pinkie Pie over each other, both of their hands held up like shields and their heads shaking.

The two then turn tail hastily walk out, but Twilight frowns when Pinkie Pie links her's and Spike's arms and gives her a quick wink and smile.

“Come on, Spike. I'm going to show this great place I found when I was pranking the Night Watch,” says Pinkie Pie, now dragging the drake with her despite his objections.

“Behave, you two!” says Celestia.

When the two are out of sight and earshot, Twilight huffs and continues her stare down at the doorway.

“I don't trust her,” says Twilight.

“She got you here and saved you and Spike, didn't she?” says Celestia.

“Yes, but I've had some very strange experiences with her. She has no sense of privacy and over the past month she has proven to have no idea how civilization works.”

Celestia hums. “You'll just have to forgive her, then. Believe me, I know she is strange to be around, but if she was an actual threat to any of us, she would not be here. You just have to remember that scars go deeper than skin.”

Twilight is silent and looks down at her hands, noting how bony they are and how years of travel have left them rough and scarred. Just not as much as the Ranger's.

“But, I do not wish to discuss odd behavior. For now, I have some news for you. One good, one bad, and one just news,” says Celestia.

“What's the good news?” asks Twilight.

“I'll tell you if you eat.”

Twilight wants to decline and tell Celestia that she needs to study as a poor excuse to make sure Pinkie is not doing something awful to Spike. But while she thinks about the choice, her legs keep her down and her stomach scolds her for her stupidity. In fact, whatever resolve Twilight has to starving herself in the name of research and espionage quickly crumbles when Celestia holds up a thick piece of bread with shredded cheese cooked into it.

“Eat, Twilight,” says Celestia firmly.

Twilight nibbles on the bread, and she sips tangy drink that Celestia summons. The combination of the bread and drink is filling, but it also leaves her a bit nauseous. That said, when Celestia starts speaking, Twilight stops eating listens carefully.

“An odd company was spotted not too far from here,” says Celestia. “According to our scouts they are less than a day's journey away and consist earth ponies, pegasi and foalings. They are worn, but appear to be unharmed.”

Twilight gasps and grins brightly with tears of joy flowing down her face. “It must be Apple Bloom! It has to be her! Did they give any descriptions about the foalings? Is Shining with them?”

Celestia shakes her head, barely able to look at Twilight. “I'm sorry, but your brother has not been sighted. Nothing of his fate or whereabouts have been heard, but I did spread the word and offered a reward to anypony that returns him alive and in good condition to Armonia.”

Twilight's face falls and her shoulders and ears droop. “Oh. Please tell me that was the bad news.”

“It was.”

Twilight nods and sniffles, trying to blink the tears out of her eyes. “Okay. What's the news-news?”

Celestia holds out another piece of bread to Twilight, and in turn, she sighs and reluctantly restarts eating. When she is done with her meal Celestia speaks again.

“I have assembled a meeting between the nations,” says Celestia as she brushes crumbs off of Twilight's thigh and the bed. “Truthfully, I sent the letters out on the day of your arrival and I gave one to Davenport to personally deliver to his parents when he left for Everfree. Originally, the meeting was going to be about a ceasefire between the factions so we can combat Sombra's power. However, if the foalings have the Amulet, then its destruction must be addressed.”

“You sent letters? Why didn't you have Luna do her dream message thing?” asks Twilight.

Celestia's shoulders sag with a quiet sigh, and her eyes drift out the window to look at an observatory on the top of a peak. “Luna has not been well, lately. She has not said it to me, but I can see it in her actions and hear it in her words. The growing darkness is making her sick and I do not want her sickness to spread to others, so she is strictly observational at this point. It aggravates her, but she knows it is for the best.”

Twilight wrings her hands together, nibbling her lips and peering up at her mentor meekly. “What about you, Celestia? Are you sick from all this... darkness?”

Twilight grimaces slightly from her own vocabulary choice, but Celestia makes no apparent notice of this. Instead, the Alicorn Queen stands up, straightens out her dress, and smiles down at Twilight while giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“You do not have to worry about me, Twilight. Just rebuild your strength. You'll need it for what's to come... And you also need to take a bath. A long, hot, deep, scrubbing bath. You're stench is equivalent to that of a corpse and we're running low on perfumes to block it.”

And then Celestia smiles, pats Twilight on the shoulder, and wishes her a good day, leaving her alone to burn alive in her own embarrassment.

=====O=====

Heat is something Applejack usually does not mind. A good, hot day on the family orchard meant better apples, more refreshing drinks and comfortable shades. The orchard behind the Apple Manor is something she really misses. The endless, uniform rows of apple tress that were maintained by the diligent servants was a sight she had loved and knows she will never see again. She misses conversing with them, sneaking away from the guards so she can climb the tress, help pick apples and watch and learn how they prepare meals. However, as good as those days had been, those memories are hard to find. It is like walking through a mausoleum built into a maze. All she can find are snippets, and they only remind her of how the Apples have been abandoned on heaven and earth.

“Take care of those around you, and they will be forever by your side,” is what her father would say, but in the end it did not that play out like that. She still sees her father's head bouncing down the stone steps of their manor, hears her brother's agonizing cry as the fires consume him, and the swinging body and weak gasps of air from her mother are clear as if it happened only minutes ago. The slaughter of her grandparents, cousins, nieces and nephews, and aunts and uncles by the Davenport's hands faced no ounce of resistance. None of their “loyal servants” came to their aid, choosing the shadows and comfort of surrender over the light and chaos of defiance. Not even her pledging servitude in exchange for the safety of what little of the family remained could save them.

Now, here she is, walking through a town on a hot day as a slave too scared to run, carrying a container clipped to her belt that is filled with orders of the local stores. Originally she was tasked with alerting the stores of Davenport's hiatus, but they did not listen and gave her lists of products, instead. Applejack is sure he will be grumpy about it, but then again, he is always grumpy.

After getting an order from a general store, Applejack finds just a little bit of relief taking the weight off of her shoulders. The major task is done for the day. Now all that is left is to give Davenport the papers, listen to him gripe about it, feed him and his company, do the dishes, count the stock, clean the ship and don't look anybody in the eye. Maybe if she is lucky she can get more than four hours of sleep.

In the midst of her thinking, Applejack barely picks up the curious whispering of children, and she looks to the source and sees a small group of foals gathered at an alley. She goes to them and notices a unicorn stallion laying face first in a puddle of mud, and from how ratty his clothes are and how his rancid smell burns her nose, she is sure that he is dead. The flies buzzing around him and nesting on his greasy, clumped, blue mane don't do the potential corpse any favors, either.

“Is he dead?” asks one of the kids.

“I don't know,” says another.

“There's only one way to find out. The stick test.”

The kids nod and one of them grabs a conveniently placed stick on a nearby barrel and starts poking the body. The flies swarm around and land on different parts of the fallen unicorn, and sickly, wet squishing sounds are somehow heard over the giggling. The kids prod on his arms, thighs, and ribs, but when they poke the bandaged muzzle, the unicorn's hand snatches the stick like a striking snake.

The kids squeal and run away, cursing or laughing or doing both, and the unicorn lifts his head up, growling in pain as mud drips from his face.

“Stupid brats,” says the unicorn weakly.

He throws the stick away, face plants the mud and then becomes motionless. Applejack, meanwhile, stares at the unicorn, wide eyed and completely clueless as to what she should do. With how still the unicorn has become, she sincerely believes that he has died on the spot, but she also thought he was dead last time, so against her better judgment she lightly taps his shoulder with her foot.

“Are you alive?” asks Applejack.

“No,” replies the unicorn.

“Are you okay?”

The unicorn frowns at her. “You ask really stupid questions.”

Applejack returns the frown. “There ain't no reason to be rude about this.”

The unicorn rolls his eyes, then with a wince he sits up against the barrel, his teeth gritted and eyes squeezed shut. With him sitting against the barrel, Applejack's frown disappears to horror that sucks the air out of her, for much of his ruined clothing are covered in dried blood.

“What on earth happened to you?” asks Applejack.

The unicorn removes a canteen from his belt, takes a swig from it and wipes his muzzle with a shaky hand, revealing some of his white fur.

“I got into a fight and it didn't end well for me,” he says.

“Are you a crook or something?” asks Applejack hesitantly.

The unicorn shakes his head. “Nope. Just one of the unforgiven.” He takes another sip and studies her halfheartedly. “Could you please tell me where I am? I've been nomadic for the past month and I think I might be walking in a big circle.”

“Oh. Here?” Applejack nibbles her lip and looks around, trying to remember the name of the town, and his drunken stare is not helping her, any. Only when a cart full of smelly, glass-eyed fish passes on by does she remember. “Fishburg. You're in Fishburg, Everfree.”

“Fishburg? What kind of name is Fishburg?”

Applejack shrugs. “Its got a lot of pegasi, does a lotta dealings with the Pegasi Tribes and pegasi love their fish. They say its got somethin' to do with protein, brain health and, er, lustrous coats.”

Applejack recoils inwardly about the last part, and the unicorn looks at her, then past her shoulder where a group of overly buff, severely scarred pegasi pass with ratty fur, wild hair and missing teeth, all armed with half a dozen weapons. One whistles at Applejack, but she ignores them and is glad when they keep walking to buy bundles of cod.

“Lustrous coats, eh? I always knew they were a bunch of peacocks,” says the unicorn.

“You said you were lost. Are you going anywhere in particular?” says Applejack, wanting to change the subject so the drunkard does not say anything stupid about pegasi while the brutes are nearby.

The unicorn takes another sip from his canteen. “Armonia. There's some business that I need to take care of.”

Applejack studies the unicorn, finding it hard to believe that someone as filthy as him has business in Armonia. However, after searching for any signs of deception, she sees nothing of the sort. All she sees is pain and aggravation, which she really cannot blame him. She knows she would be grumpy if she were in his shoes. Or worn down leather boots, in this case.

“What's your name?” asks Applejack.

“Just call me Sprinkles. Everypony else does,” says the unicorn after taking a large gulp of his drink. “What about you? What's your name?”

“Applejack.”

Sprinkles stares at her quizzically, and in turn she stares at him. Things start to get awkward with the staring, and not even her shifting her stance or pretending to take interest in a random passing couple can alleviate it.

“Isn't that a guy's name?” asks Sprinkles.

“Its unisex,” replies Applejack quickly.

“Oh.”

“Look, I, um.” Applejack takes a deep breath and looks over her shoulder again, not seeing Davenport's boat, but quite a bit of buildings. “I am also heading over to Armonia with my master. Maybe we can give you a lift?”

“Would your master even let somepony like me on?”

Applejack shrugs. “Honestly, I ain't sure, but he let a dragon on a boat last time, so I don't see how a hobo will be any different.”

Sprinkles' brows scrunch. “A dragon?”

Applejack nods.

“Would this dragon happen to be purple, civilized and traveling with a unicorn mare?” asks Sprinkles. “She's also purple. Like, all purple. Purple fur, purple mane, purple eyes, probably purple clothes, too. She really likes purple. And grapes. Especially grapes.”

“Yeah, there was a purple unicorn with him, and they were being escorted by Pinkie Pie.”

“Pinkie Pie? Pinkie Pie as in the pink, hammer wielding mare who is absolutely insane?”

Applejack drums her fingers on her container, inhaling slowly. “Well, I don't think she's too bad. I mean, I think she was dropped as a baby, but Pinkie's just Pinkie.”

Sprinkle's shoots his hand up to Applejack, with his eyes burning bright with the flames of determination. “Take me to your boat.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Minutes later, Applejack finds herself absorbing the odor and grime of Sprinkles as she half carries, half drags him up the ramp to Davenport's improved boat, and really wanting to dunk him in a tub. The boat still has its sail and large paddles, but the sail is made of new white fabric, like a sail made of a cloud, and the paddles are all new. The ship has been reinforced with metal strips holding the wood in place, and the wood has been painted red. The windows are polished, an anchor has been attached and an extra storage block has been added to the deck, as well as new railings.

Though, while the ship is a beautiful sight, the guards greeting them on the deck are another story. They are clad in dark red leather armor with brown cloaks held by golden apple clips and their gazes condemn Applejack and Sprinkles on the spot. And standing not too far from them is Davenport.

Applejack stops and looks at Davenport, tensing and holding on to Sprinkles tighter, hoping he cannot feel her shaking. The guards and their equipment of swords, clubs and bow and arrows are not making the hiding any easier, and when Sprinkles puts a comforting hand over hers, she gets a sick feeling in her gut that she has failed at hiding the fear.

“Applejack, I told you to inform the store owners of my hiatus, not bring in strays,” says Davenport.

“I'm sorry, but he's hurt and needs a ride to Armonia,” says Applejack, nodding to Sprinkles, who offers a smile and friendly wave.

Davenport shakes his head. “No. Put him back where you found him. We don't have the time to be a charity ride.”

“Are you the captain of the ship?” asks Sprinkles.

“That I am,” says Davenport.

“Good. Look, I really need a ride to Armonia. I can pay you or something. Like do your laundry, or wash some dishes or do whatever. I just need a ride to Armonia as soon as possible.”

Davenport scoffs. “Unbelievable. I just said no and here you go asking again. Maybe I should just paint: 'Davenport's Transportation Service' on the side of my ship! Seriously, what is so hard about no? When did no become yes?”

“You don't know how to enforce a 'no'. That is why everypony walks all over you,” says an old stallion with a shaky voice. “And this is no ship, Dilbert. If you want to see a ship, you should have a look at Marque's ship. That is a craft of beauty.”

Applejack gulps and takes a step back, taking Sprinkles with her when a stallion with pale gray fur and a wiry, white mane steps out from the boat's gut with the help of a polished cane with a large, white orb on its top. His eyes are black and sunken, but his robes are made of silk of all bright colors. Gold, white, sky blue, bright, leafy green patterns, and emerald cuffs and necklaces. It really is an eyesore for Applejack, but one particular jewel has once left her blood boiling, but now every time she sees it, it leaves her feeling numb from her failure.

A ruby with a sun inside a tree etched in gold and attached to a gold chain. The Apple Family's heirloom. Their sacred jewel. A piece passed down from each king and queen of the family, and never worn by anyone without Apple blood. That is, until she failed her family. Now, every time she sees the black pits of the old noble's eyes and the jewel, she is only reminded of how the Davenports taunt the last Apple and how she will never win against them.

“I really should have had him transport me instead of you, but unlike you, he is actually doing important work with his time,” says the old noble, not paying any mind to Applejack.

Sprinkles snorts. “Well, aren't you just a phallus.”

The old noble snaps a glare at Sprinkles and a guard snarls and swings his club against the back of his leg. He drops to his knee, growing in pain and Applejack screams at them to stop, but she is quickly pulled away,restrained and silenced. He awkwardly grabs his injury while Applejack is kept back, keeping her hand to mouth and body shaking, and he stares at the guard with a pulsing hate in his eyes.

“That was rude,” says Sprinkles.

“No one has the right to talk to King Adirondack Davenport in such a manner as you did, hobo scum,” says the guard.

“Adirondack?” Sprinkles looks at the old noble. “Then I retract my statement, Your Majesty. You're an asshole.”

Applejack gasps and takes another step back, feeling ice cold dread surging through her whole body, knowing full well that she is in for a rough night.

“Throw the hobo off!” barks Davenport.

The guards grab Sprinkles arms and are about to haul him off when someone hollers at them to wait. Applejack, the guards the two Davenports look and see none other than Clan Lord Rainbow Blitz Hurricane with four armored pegasi by his side. He is not huge or thin, but rather average in build. His powder blue coat is well groomed and his rainbow mane is tied in a pony tail. The armor he wears is not elaborate, but simple, consisting of metal strips lanced together with sturdy fabric, and underneath that is chainmail and a shirt tied at the wrists with a lightning bolt circling his collar.

“That is no hobo. That is Shining Armor Sparkle, the Exiled Prince of Unicornia. There is a reward for his return to Armonia. Placed by Queen Celestia herself, if I am not mistaken,” says the pegasus.

The Davenports and guards exchange looks, some perplexed, others skeptical, and Sprinkles flashes a smug smile and straightens himself slightly after shrugging the guards off of him.

“Oh, you know me?” says Sprinkles. “I'm flattered.”

“How could I forget you? You punched me when I called you a fool for courting a peasant,” says Blitz.

Sprinkles thinks for a moment. “Oh, yeah. I remember you now. And you actually called Redheart a whore.”

“Same thing.”

Sprinkles narrows his eyes. “I also just remembered how much I hated your guts.”

Blitz returns the look. “Hate me all you want. I don't like you, either.” Then he smirks devilishly, grabs Sprinkles shoulder and forcefully leads him away from the others. “But let's push our hate aside and get my daughter to clean you up. I wouldn't want my reward dwindled because of a wanted man's poor condition. By the way, do you like grilled mackerel, by any chance?”

Blitz takes Sprinkles out of sight, and when the door slams shut, Applejack flinches, Davenport face-palms and Adirondack rolls his eyes with an abrasive sigh.

“I really hate that colt, sometimes,” says Adirondack. Then he snaps his fingers at Applejack, getting her attention. “Servant, bring me an apple salad to my quarters at once.”

And then he walks off to Davenport's quarters while his son moves to unanchor the boat, and Applejack scampers towards the kitchen. Along the way she barely hears Davenport mutter: “Rotten bastard.”

=====O=====

“I really don't like you,” says Rainbow Dash, staring straight ahead at a pile of kindling and logs being prepped for fire. “Not one bit. So do you know what that means?”

Behind her, Sweetie Belle shakes her head, but keeps her fingers moving in swift, delicate motions.

“It means you stop braiding my hair!” yells Rainbow Dash, suddenly turning around with a red face and her voice echoing.

Birds fly off in fright and Sweetie Belle yelps and falls back, but before Rainbow Dash can make a lunge, one of the earth pony's tugs on the chain attached to her cuffs. The result is Dash flopping to the side, swearing up a storm and kicking up grass and leaves. Her halfway braided mane swings to and fro during her trashing, and when she is done, she is on the ground, snarling rabidly while Braeburn's soldiers laugh.

“I hate you! I hate all of you! You can't treat me like this!” says Rainbow Dash.

“You're such a whiner, Colored Witch” says Braeburn. “I wonder how fast that story will spread. Colored Whiner. The loudest crybaby of the Pegasi Tribes.”

Rainbow Dash narrows her eyes at him. “I hate you the most.”

Braeburn snickers and pats her head. “I know you do, sugar tail.”

“I wouldn't press your luck. She's kind of crazy,” says Flash Sentry, also cuffed, but unlike Dash, he is being calm and collected and has already let Sweetie Belle braid his mane.

Redheart is also next to him, tending to his injuries, but she absolutely no care about the conversation around her, and Braeburn stands and looks at Flash, still smiling.

“Prisoner's ain't supposed to speak, either, pretty boy,” he says.

Flash holds up his hands defensively. “Hey, I'm just saying, you guys are not doing yourselves any favors by being rude like this.”

Not too far from the group, Apple Bloom sits, eyes distant and shaded with black. Nothing can stay in focus for her. Everything is splitting and overlapping, and her body and eyes feel like stone. She hears the voices, sees Scootaloo shoving Braeburn away and feels the afternoon heat, but she still feels dead. She wants to sleep, she wants to close her eyes, but cannot. Sleep provides no sanctuary for her, just like reality.

“Sleep. Sleep. Sleep little one~” hums the Shadow Foaling.

The voice is cold in Apple Bloom's ear, and the icy fingers tracing her shoulders bring tears to Apple Bloom's weary eyes and pushes a whimper out of her throat.

“Go to sleep, my little Apple Bloom~” continues the Shadow Foaling.

The fingers reach the edge of Apple Bloom's shoulder, and the Shadow Foaling steps in front of her, grinning with her ratty dress floating in the wind and her dark fur sucking away the light. She extends her hand and gently pulls down Apple Bloom's eyelids with no resistance. The world becomes black, and Apple Bloom feels all the weight disappear, making her feel like a feather floating in a void.

The Shadow Foaling's voice echoes in the darkness. “Sleep. Sleep, my sweet, little friend, and we'll end the torment as one~”

A sharp pain suddenly pierces through Apple Bloom's back, and her eyes snap open and she screams in pain. She expects to find an ice blade popping out of her gut, but she does not see that. Instead, she finds herself on the ground in the waning hours of the day with no injuries and Pipsqueak, the other foalings and Braeburn running to her side. Around them, the soldiers take defensive positions. Some aim their bows to the invisible foes while others grip the handles of their weapons or point their blades at the pegasi.

“Apple Bloom, are you all right?” asks Pipsqueak.

Apple Bloom looks up, sweating and shaking with bloodshot eyes. “It was just a nightmare.” Her trembling hand clutches her old wound. “I'm fine, really.”

“Uh huh,” says Braeburn, unconvinced. “Let's get you closer to the fire.”

Braeburn scoops up Apple Bloom, carries her the short distance over and sets her across from the pegasi. Once he steps back, the other foalings are quick to surround her and flood her with questions of concerns. Apple Bloom answers the best she can with uneasy smiles, and every now and then she will glance at Rainbow Dash, only to quickly look away since the pegasus is glaring daggers at her.

“Are you sure you're okay?” asks Pipsqueak, his hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder.

Apple Bloom nods. “I'm okay. I promise.”

“Do you want me to make you some tea or coffee or anything?” asks Twist.

“I'll see if I can make some more ointment for you,” says Redheart, now fishing in her bag of supplies.

Apple Bloom shakes her head. “No, you don't have to do that. I'm fine. Really.”

“Liar,” mutters Scootaloo.

“She's just trying to be brave,” says Sweetie Belle.

“Yeah. Brave like me,” says Button Mash proudly.

The foalings, the pegasi and Redheart stare at him and his pride vanishes to embarrassment.

“What? I'm brave,” says Button Mash.

“You're an idiot,” says Scootaloo.

“Quiet!” snaps Braeburn.

Apple Bloom flicks her eyes to Braeburn and sees him crouching with his crossbow aimed at the tree line and his finger resting against the trigger. His ears are perked and the tip of his tail flicks as he sweeps the area.

“Keep the weapons out, colts,” orders Braeburn. “We got company.”

He stops sweeping and aims his crossbow straight ahead while the soldiers form a protective circle. It becomes silent after that. There is no wind rustling the leaves, no bugs clicking their wings, no birds chirping. All Apple Bloom can really hear is her own heartbeat, and she holds on to Pipsqueak tight while Twist grips her arm, and she continues watching Braeburn. Waiting for the threat to come.

The seconds tick by. The breaths become jagged. The hearts beat louder. And right as Apple Bloom is about to suggest a false alarm, branches snap, and before she can even comprehend what is happening, a thick vine explodes out of the forest and whacks Braeburn in the chest. He sails overhead and narrowly misses the campfire when he lands and rolls to a stop, dazed. Then more vines break out of the forest and assault the soldiers with the ferocity of a rabid animal.

“Tentacles!” yells one of the soldiers.

“Oh, hell no!” says Scootaloo. “Somepony give me an axe!”

The soldiers roar, charge and slash at the vines, and Apple Bloom dives to the ground, trying to stay as low as she can as the vibrations of the earth shake her body. Her eyes dart to and fro, watching with terror and wonder as the thick vines rip apart the ground and strike down the screaming soldiers. The thick fog of dirt and grass clog her nose, and her cries for her friends are lost in the explosions, thumps and all around chaos of the battle.

Apple Bloom gasps and scampers backwards when one of the soldiers chops a vine, only to be cocooned by thick, sticky one and pulled into the forest. He screams for help and Braeburn dives after him, trying to grab his hand, but he, too, is grabbed. Only, it is just his arm that is wrapped in a vine and he is pulled into the forest as well, with the vine not caring about dragging him against the grass or that he is hitting logs and trees. It certainly does not care about his colorful vocabulary, either.

“Braeburn!” calls Apple Bloom, her hand outstretched.

“Run, Apple Bloom,” urges the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom tries to find the Shadow Foaling, but all she can see is dust and the soldiers getting whisked away. Then a hand grabs her shoulder and she is turned to get an up close view of Redheart's terrified face.

“Apple Bloom, you need to move!” says Redheart.

She pulls Apple Bloom to her feet and helps her run. The two weave through the thrashing vines, ducking and dodging, and in some cases leaping over or crawling under the onslaught of the plants. Both are quickly covered in stains of grass, dirt and a strange, translucent liquid that puddles around severed vines. Direct contact leaves Apple Bloom's thin fur coat feeling sticky and tingly, but she and Redheart keep going, both shouting for the foalings and the pegasi.

“Apple Bloom! I'm right here!” says Twist.

Apple Bloom sees Twist waving at her frantically, but a vine wraps around her waist and she is pulled away, leaving her glasses behind and her scream to be carried off with her.

“Twist!” shouts Apple Bloom, her voice cracking and tears building.

Not too far from Twist, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are slashing away with an axe and sword, but a particularly thick vine attacks them both from behind. They are knocked to the ground, thus losing the grip on their weapons, and they are wrapped tightly together their muzzles are pressing into each other.

“Oh, come on!” yells Sweetie Belle.

And then those two disappear into the forest, along with one of Braeburn's soldiers, and Apple Bloom's arm is tugged in the direction away from her captured friends.

“Don't stop running!” says Redheart.

“But my friends!” says Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom, I'm sorry! But they're gone!”

As soon as that sentence is finished, a vine whips Redheart in the gut, dropping her to the ground and leaving her coughing and gasping for air. Another vine attacks Apple Bloom, as well, and that puts everything in a blended mess of colors as her boy twirls in the air. When she lands flat on her back, her head is throbbing, her body aches and she tastes copper.

Apple Bloom winces and gingerly rolls to her side, trying to focus on anything, but with all the motion and her head swimming she barely has the capacity to sit on her hands and knees. She swallows the copper flavored spit and dumbly scans the area for Redheart, and when she sees the nurse, she is relieved to see her staggering towards her.

“Are you okay?” asks Redheart.

Apple Bloom nods, and so does Redheart, but when the nurse extends her hand to help the foaling, a thick vine wraps around Redheart's waist, and in a blink she is pulled away. Redheart's shriek fades quickly as she disappears into the trees, and Apple Bloom screams after her and tries to give chase, but her collar is grabbed and she is dragged back, narrowly avoiding a vine. The vine slams into the ground, kicking up dirt and grass, and when it lunges at Apple Bloom again it is sliced by Rainbow Dash, covering her in the translucent liquid.

Four more vines descend on the unbound, and she is able to dodge their stabs and whips with pivots, rolls and other forms of fancy footwork. Every move she makes is coupled with a slice of her sword that leaves the vines flopping and spraying the liquid like severed arteries.

Apple Bloom knows she has to run, but her legs won't move and her eyes won't break off from the sight of numerous vines being cut to pieces by the mare before her. It amazes her how agile the pegasus is, and it amazes her more that it is the same pegasus that got her tail handed to her in a hand basket a few times prior. It is for that reason that she can really do at this point is watch the Colored Witch decimate every vine that comes towards her. There is also the uncomfortable weight on her chest and her limbs feeling like stones, but amazement plays a big role in her lack of movement.

“What are you standing there for? Run!” says Rainbow Dash after cutting a vine that tries to grab her foot.

Rainbow Dash slashes a thick vine, causing it to squirm and recoil with the translucent liquid pouring out, and when another vine charges at her from it gets hacked by Flash. Around him, Pipsqueak, Button Mash and the remaining soldiers are slashing away at the every growing number of vines. Each passing second leads to more dismembered vines flopping on the ground and less soldiers to face the growing number of possessed plants, and Apple Bloom finds her chest tightening and her body feeling heavier. Even the other ponies in her company seem to moving with less coordination and are losing their grips on their weapons.

Apple Bloom gasps for air and drops to her knees, watching mist float from the spilled liquid with droopy eyes and a hazy vision.

“Run... Run... Run, Apple Bloom. Run,” says the Shadow Foaling.

“Get away from the trees!” says Rainbow Dash, her voice distant.

Apple Bloom looks towards the pegasus, still dazed with her hand clutching her chest and her maw trying to suck in air. Rainbow and Flash are still striking at the vines, but the other foalings have collapsed, and while the earth pony soldiers are putting up a good fight, they too are plucked away or dropping to the ground.

Then the Shadow Foaling skips through the growing fog, past the falling vines and soldiers, grinning with her hands behind her back and her tattered dress flowing like cloth in water.

“Run... Run... Run, Apple Bloom. Run,” chants the Shadow Foaling. She stops in front of Apple Bloom and leans close. “You can't find me if you aren't running.”

Apple Bloom tries to speak, but her tongue won't work. It feels swollen and her lungs feel soaked, and when she extends her hand to the Shadow Foaling, a sticky vine wraps around her wrist and another goes around her waist. Then everything blurs out as she is pulled away, and the farther she goes from the field, the thicker the forest and the heavier the darkness becomes, and now the only thing that is clear to her is the giggling of the Shadow Foaling.

The Council of Armonia

Apple Bloom wishes she knew how long she has been chained to the chair. She knows it has been hours, but with nothing to look at except for a stone wall and a solid slab of stone for a table, time has eroded into nothing. The only light comes from small torches placed at the corners and the only entrance is a metal door with a glowing rune on it, both of which leave Apple Bloom's gut twisted in a not. There is also the Amulet of the King.

It is sitting on the table, directly in front of her, gleaming in the light like a polished blade, and she does not know if it is the Amulet making the echoing heartbeats or her own. Either way, it is nerve wrecking.

Apple Bloom's tired body perks when the metal door groans, and she winces with drooped ears when it scrapes against the floor, assaulting her ears with a terrible screech. The ponies that enter take her breath away.

The first is a pale green alicorn mare with the tips of her wings and her mane and tail dark green. She is wearing a woven crown of flowery branches, golden bracelets of leafy patterns on her wrists and upper arms, and has a flowing white dress made of silk with a simple green belt around her waist. Covering her dress is a midnight blue cuirass with a silver moon on her chest, and her shins and forearms are protected by silver plates with dark blue trim. Her weapon, from what Apple Bloom can see, is a curved blade with leafs engraved in it.

The second is a gray bat-like alicorn stallion; leather wings, fangs and all. His dark purple mane is short and messy and his golden eyes appear to be friendly, much to her surprise. His armor is similar to the mare's, only he is not wearing a dress, but a thick, lavender tunic. His weapon of choice appears to be a simple, very straight blade with absolutely nothing fancy about it.

His hands are clamped behind his back, and when he steps forward Apple Bloom tenses, but her tension gets an added burden of confusion when the bat alicorn smiles and holds out a small bag.

“Cookies?” he says.

Apple Bloom shakes her head, too dumbfounded to speak, and the green alicorn growls and marches forward.

“Enough chitchat!” she says. She grabs Apple Bloom' shoulders and peers directly into her eyes, burning away any chance of survival and hope for a pleasant death. “Who are you? Who sent you? Start talking, now!”

“My name is-”

“Shut up!”

The alicorn mare slaps Apple Bloom's cheek, jerking her head to the side, leaving a red mark and her eyes spinning. The foaling does not know if she should cry or stay quiet. The slap stings, but her brain is a scrambled box of gibberish at this point and she really has no idea how to decipher what the heck is going on.

“Don't be so hard on her, Nina,” says the bat alicorn, now slinking behind Apple Bloom and placing his hands on her shoulders. “She is just a little thing. Just look at that face. Isn't she adorable?”

Apple Bloom looks at Nina, and even though she did not want to, the pain in her face has caused her eyes to water and her lips to pucker.

Nina huffs and folds her arms across her chest. “She is deceptively evil. Like the Filly Scouts.”

“No, I don't think so.” The alicorn stallion's horn and hand glow, and a comfortable chair appears next to Apple Bloom, which he takes and drapes one leg over the other in a sort of feminine way. “I think she just got wrapped up in something that was not her fault. I think she was given the short end of the stick which set into motion events that led her here. Am I right, Miss...?”

Apple Bloom nods.

“Well, what's your name, foaling?” sneers Nina. “And no lying. If you lie, I will hurt you.”

“Apple Bloom,” says the foaling quietly.

“We just need to know how you came across this particular item,” says the stallion alicorn, his finger tapping against the Amulet.

Apple Bloom looks at the cursed object again, and just by looking it she feels nauseous. For that reason she averts her eyes to the floor.

“Twilight the Purple gave it to me for safekeeping while she went away for research or something,” says Apple Bloom. “But she never arrived at our meeting spot and we had to use her brother for help.”

“Okay,” says the bat alicorn. “So, how did you wind up with Braeburn Apple instead of Shining Armor?”

Apple Bloom is hesitant, but with the gazes of two angelic creatures staring at her with various levels of intensity, she starts stalking. She explains how she and Twist met the other foalings, their trip to Breeze, her encounter with Shining Armor, and her her near death experience against the Windigos. She also tells them about the Monastery and how it was attacked, and then how Rainbow Dash got them lost in the woods, which is where they ran into Braeburn. After that, she explains how the conversation between him and her went, and how pleasantly boring their travel was until they were attacked by the plants.

“That was me,” says Nina when Apple Bloom finishes the story with the plants. “That was all me.”

Apple Bloom decides it is best to hold her tongue about that particular subject, but one question does gnaw at her, so she asks with yet another moment of hesitation.

“My friends. What happened to my friends?” asks Apple Bloom.

“Well,” begins the bat alicorn, “how that question is answered depends on how you answer mine.”

Apple Bloom's heart drops into stomach, and she gulps loudly with beads of sweat trailing her face and neck.

“Answer wisely,” says Nina.

“Answer very wisely,” says the bat alicorn.

“If you answer unwisely we will kill you on the spot.”

“Stab in the heart. Beheading. Incineration. Stuff like that. So, are you ready?”

At this point, Apple Bloom's mouth is dry like desert sand and her heart feels like an over inflated bag waiting to burst, but she still answers with a nod and a croaky verbal acknowledgment.

“What is the color of Purity Smith's bedroom rug?” asks the bat alicorn.

Apple Bloom blinks. “What?”

Nina steps closer to Apple Bloom.

“What land do you hail from?” she asks.

Apple Bloom tilts her head slightly, brows furrowed and mouth slightly open, and the bat alicorn sighs and looks down, rubbing his brow.

“What?” says Apple Bloom.

“What, eh? Do they speak Equestrian in What?” says Nina.

“What?”

Nina grabs Apple Bloom's shoulder and goes nose to nose with her, growling viciously and digging her fingers into the foaling's shoulders, bringing tears to her eyes from the pain.

“Equestrian, you quim! Do you speak it!” yells Nina.

“Yes!” cries Apple Bloom.

“Then you know what I'm saying!”

“Yes!”

“What is the color of the rug in your granny's bedroom!”

“What?”

Nina slaps Apple Bloom on the other cheek, jerking her to the side and almost throwing her to the floor. Her cheek burns and tears swell in her eyes, and she yelps when Nina pulls her upright roughly. When she is straightened, Apple Bloom squeezes her eyes shut and whimpers. Her whole body is trembling and her heart races as tears soak her face and clean off the thin trails of blood left from the slap.

“The rug in your granny's room, what color is it!” yells Nina.

“Wha- What?” stammers Apple Bloom.

Nina growls, yanks out a hidden knife and presses her blade against the foaling's throat.

“Say what again! Say what again! I dare you! I double dare you, you filthy quim! Say what one more time!” screams Nina over Apple Bloom's sobbing and garbled begs for her to stop. “What is the color of the rug in your Grandma Purity's bedroom!”

“Your question doesn't make any sense! Granny don't got a rug in her room!” says Apple Bloom.

The bat alicorn smiles, and with a snap of his fingers and a flash from his horn, the chains fall off of Apple Bloom and clatter to the floor. Nina also steps back and sheaths her blade, nodding approvingly.

“Good answer,” says Nina.

As much as Apple Bloom wants to know what is going on, she is too terrified to move, much less speak or mention the w-word. She only stares at the two alicorns, eyes red and drenched, like her cheeks, and her trembling hands dig into the arms of the chair. She is sure she is leaving an indent in the chair, and her eyes snap to the door when it opens again, revealing another alicorn mare surrounded by well armed and armored guards, who are also bat alicorns in appearance.

In Apple Bloom's eyes, the new mare looks sick, and not even the flowing, silver dress and lavender eye makeup can hide it. Her grayish-blue body struggles to remain upright, heavy bags line her cyan eyes, and her mane, despite it being tied into a ponytail, still has clumps hanging loose.

With the alicorn's arrival, Apple Bloom's interrogators are quick to bow and she orders them at ease in a weak, worn voice.

“Princess Luna, we found the Amulet and its Bearer,” says the bat alicorn. “And the Bearer is not a Changeling.”

Apple Bloom watches Luna cautiously approach the Amulet, and when she extends her hand to grab it she suddenly stops, balls it into a fist and brings it to her chest. She then nods to her guards, and two of them step forward with clamps in their hands while a third carries a box. They put the Amulet in the box, which is sealed good and tight with six locks, two wrapped chains padlocked together and then finally it is placed in a larger box that a fourth alicorn brings out and it is locked with five combination locks. Once that is said and done, the last two alicorns grab a side of it and exit the room without a word, leaving Luna, Apple Bloom and her interrogators alone.

“Ribalue. Nina. See to it that the foaling is cleansed and prepared for the meeting,” says Luna. “We shall alert our sister of the Amulet's arrival.”

“Of course,” says the stallion, Ribalue.

“Consider it done, Princess,” says Nina.

Luna nods and leaves, and once she is out of sight the two alicorns turn to Apple Bloom and grin. Widely. Very widely. And Ribalue drums his fingers together excitedly while Nina cracks her knuckles, both snickering or giggling gleefully.

“We're going to have so much fun,” says Nina.

“So much fun,” says Ribalue.

Apple Bloom gulps.

~~~~~~~~~~

It takes the alicorn maidens a few hours to scrub Apple Bloom clean from ear tip to toe tip, but now the foaling feels amazing. Lighter, even. With all the dirt and grime washed away, the alicorns take her measurements, and she has a clear look at the scars that have ruined her pelt. The largest are the wounds from the Amulet and Star Swirl, but she spots dozens of smaller scratches she never realized she had, and her body still feels sore from traveling and Nina's plant assault. When the measurements are completed, Apple Bloom is given a robe that is a little large, but still comfortable, and she is given a book by Nina and ordered to relax. She is does as she is told, and her interrogators leave her be. Apple Bloom is alone for a few hours and is halfway through the book when Nina and Ribalue take her away to be dressed in her new garment.

When the alicorns finish dressing Apple Bloom, she stares at herself in a crystal clear mirror, trying not to look like she is suffocating from the dark green, brown laced corset squeezing her life away. Below the corset is a light green dress that reaches her ankles, and beneath that is a light brown undershirt that covers her arms. A golden belt with a ruby in its center wraps around her waist, and a twin collar is wrapped around her neck. She hates the collar. It reminds her too much of Sprinkles choking the life out of her on that insane night. Really, the only thing Apple Bloom likes about the suffocating is that they have tied her bow to her hair, and it was washed and redyed so its red is like new.

Then there is her makeup, which is not too bad. It is a light shade of green around her eyes, and they put a powder on her cheeks to hide the scars. She still wants to wash it off, though. It feels like flour, but tastes a whole lot worse.

“You look adorable!” squeals Nina.

Apple Bloom will do everything she can to forget that she heard that.

“Our shift it almost up,” says Ribalue, holding a pair of sandals with long straps. “This is definitely not how I envisioned this night to go.”

Nina takes the sandals and gives them to Apple Bloom while smirking at her partner. “Jealous that I got to have all the fun tonight?”

“Yes, but next time I get to capture the wanderers and be the bad guard.”

“Of course.”

“As for you.” Ribalue approaches Apple Bloom, who is now putting on her sandals with some difficulty. “My brother will come to pick you up shortly. His name is Eulabir, he wears an officer's armor and is bright only on the outside, but his personality is in need of improvement. Now, when he comes in, the first thing you say to him is that I -Ribalue- checked you and you are not a changeling. If you do not... well, you'll be hurting. Good luck and have fun at the meeting.”

Ribalue pats Apple Bloom on the head and strolls out, and Nina follows close behind, grinning and mouthing: “Good luck.”

When the door closes, Apple Bloom officially decides that she doesn't like Armonia, and after a few minutes of waiting, the door opens up again and an alicorn as described by Ribalue enters. She stands stiff and stares at him, smiling anxiously, and he stares back at her, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

“Eh... Hi,” says Apple Bloom with a quick wave. “Are you Eulabir?”

The alicorn slides into a striking position with his hand on his blade. “How do you know my name?”

Apple Bloom steps back, eyes wide and hands up. “Your brother, Ribalue, told me. And I'm not a changeling, he already checked me out, so can we do whatever it is we need to do?”

“Who's Ribalue?”

Apple Bloom raises a brow. “Your brother.”

Eulabir stares at her.

“He's a bat thing,” says Apple Bloom.

Eulabir continues staring.

“He's with a mare named Nina,” says Apple Bloom.

Eulabir blinks.

Apple Bloom huffs and drops her hands to her sides. “You seriously don't know what your own brother looks like?”

Eulabir thinks for a little bit longer, and then he frowns and relaxes somewhat, but still keeps his hand on his blade. “He is not my brother. He wants to be, but it will never happen. Now, come along, your presence is requested at the Council.”

“But what about my friends?” asks Apple Bloom.

“You'll see them in due time. Now, let's go. Time is wasting.”

Apple Bloom breathes through her nose and reluctantly follows Eulabir. He leads her ooutside and the first thing she catches -besides the morning chill- is how spacious and heavenly Armonia is. Spires and domed buildings tower into the sky, all made with white bricks and covered by golden roofs that reflect the sunlight. Decorative flags wave in the gentle breeze, and covered walkways held up by decorative pillars connect the structures. Outside the walkways are brick paths that lead to gardens, lush grass and healthy trees. Loose leaves are blown across the ground and a float in clear waters that curve elegantly through the city. And surrounding it all is a massive wall standing firm on the mountains with defensive towers placed equally apart.

“Keep up, foaling,” says Eulabir.

Apple Bloom did not realize that she had stopped moving, or breathing for that matter, and the alicorn's voice scares her back to the living. She sees that the alicorn is quite a distance away, so she jogs to his side, really wishing she did not have to wear the sandals since they are slapping against her feet like a leather paddle, but once she is next to him, she slows her pace to match his.

After a few more minutes of walking through walkways, passing murals and gardens, and going by well established shops, Eulabir and Apple Bloom finally reach their destination. The area is just past an archway, and Apple Bloom sees the sealed box containing the Amulet in the center of a pedestal. She also hears joyful cries and shouts, and she stops and smiles when she sees Twilight leap into Sprinkles arms, crying into his shoulder. They two embrace tightly and Twilight's knees would have buckled if it were not for Sprinkles grip and his cane. Her brother dips his head into her shoulder, eyes closed and a relived smile on his scraggly muzzle. They are both dressed well, too, with Twilight wearing a light blue dress with a gold collar and trim, and a purple corset, and Sprinkles is wearing a simple dark gray tunic with a black belt.

Next, Apple Bloom sees Braeburn all cleaned up with a green tunic and a thick brown belt, sitting in a chair, eyes red and puffy and hands balled together in front of his muzzle. His leg taps rapidly against stone flooring and his gaze is on someone Apple Bloom cannot see. She also hears someone with an obnoxiously bright voice of a mare gushing over the scene between the two unicorns. It is after that voice is heard that the two stop and glare at the mysterious pony.

“He's my brother,” says Twilight.

“Oh, I know,” says the mystery mare.

Twilight's eye twitches.

“Apple Bloom!” calls a familiar voice.

Apple Bloom turns, and her smile widens and she squeals with joy as she rushes towards Twist and hugs her tight. Happy tears flow down her cheeks as she and Twist rock in each others embrace, and when Apple Bloom looks up, she gasps and releases Twist to hug the other foalings. Sweetie Belle, Button Mash and Pipsqueak eagerly return her hugs and talk over each other about how happy they are to see her, all while Scootaloo downplays her glee with a cool smirk and friendly pat on the shoulder. Apple Bloom hugs her, anyway.

Not too far from them, Apple Bloom spots Spike sitting on another bench, watching the foalings with an earth pony mare she has never seen before. The earth pony looks like she has been crying, and her red eyes are staring at the wall surrounding the meeting place. But sad earth ponies aside, just when Apple Bloom did not think that the day could get any better, sees Granny Smith sitting on another bench across from the drake and earth pony, watching her with a broad smile.

Upon seeing her grandmother, a ball of sunshine explodes in her heart and warmth and comfort flow all through her. She runs and leaps into Granny Smith's arms, laughing and crying with her, and they both hug and rub each others backs, not wanting to let go. Eventually they pull away, and when they do, Apple Bloom realizes how pale Granny Smith's eyes are and how thin and saggy her skin has become.

“My sweet Apple Bloom, I'm glad to see you are alright,” says Granny Smith.

“It's great to see you again, Granny, but what happened to you? You look like you aged a hundred years!” says Apple Bloom.

Granny Smith chuckles. “I guess this trip took more from me than I thought. Did a couple of alicorns named Nina and Ribalue ask you about the rug in my room?”

“They did, and they scared me halfway to death doing it.”

“They mean well. Nina is really a big sugar cube and Ribalue tells amazingly terrible jokes, but he is still fun to be around. Can't say the same about that one, though.”

For added effect, Granny Smith nods to Eulabir, and Apple Bloom looks at him, and then she looks at Spike.

“How are you, Spike?” she asks.

“Just fine,” replies Spike. He casts an apprehensive glance at Granny's cane before smiling at Apple Bloom. “I'm glad to see you're okay. You had me, Twilight and Purity worried.”

Apple Bloom chuckles awkwardly and rubs the back of her neck. “Yeah, nothing went right, huh?”

“That's an understatement.”

Apple Bloom looks at the mare. “What's your name, miss?”

“Applejack,” says the mare.

“Applejack? Isn't that a colt's name?”

Applejack frowns. “Its unisex.”

“Oh.”

“Jack's been watching us!” blurts Button Mash right next to Apple Bloom, making her body and heart jump. “Jack and Spike, both! They don't like us having fun, though, because they want us to sit still and be quiet, and I'm like, psh, no. I'm my own man!”

“In a minute you won't be a man unless you sit your rump down and shut it,” says Applejack.

Button Mash pales, and his ears droop and his head dips. “Okay.”

“She's been moody the whole time,” says Scootaloo. “I think she might be PMSing or something.”

Apple Bloom hears bones cracking and she looks to the source and sees Applejack's hand balling into a fist. Spike has also slid a foot away from her, and Scootaloo has taken a sudden liking to Pipsqueak's height. Thankfully no words or blows are dealt because a small group of unicorns approach, consisting of six guards and two unarmored unicorns.

One of the unarmored is a stallion dressed in a blue tunic with a red trim and thick belt, and on the belt is a sheathed blade, with a rose engraved on its handle and on the sheath. The second is a mare with a light gray coat and a curled, purple mane with amethyst ear rings and necklace. Draped around her shoulders is a burgundy shawl, and her dress is a light red with with a yellow trim. The corset she is wearing is also red, but has gold laces and blue flowers running up the ribs and tracing her chest. The design of the dress emphasis her hourglass figure, and everyone, especially Spike and including Eulabir, stare at the mare with awe and envy.

“Eulabir, it is a pleasure to see you again,” says the stallion.

Eulabir stares at the mare. Some birds chirp. A guard coughs. And the mare grins and bats her lashes.

“Eulabir?” says the stallion impatiently.

Eulabir turns to the stallion. “Welcome to Armonia, Viceroy Blueblood.” He coughs and waves towards the Council entrance. “We were waiting for you and the foaling, but now that you two are here, Celestia will be able to start.”

“Excellent. Will Rarity be allowed entrance?”

“No. But fret not, for I will be out here to guard her.”

Apple Bloom grimaces, and Granny Smith stifles a chuckle that no one seems to hear.

“Fair enough.” Blueblood turns to the mare, Rarity. “You heard the alicorn. You stay out here, and when I get back I want these clothes washed and pressed and made anew, got it?”

“Of course,” says Rarity.

“Good. Now, which one of these foalings has the privilege of going in the Council Meeting with me?”

Apple Bloom hesitantly raises her hand and Blueblood smiles at her.

“You?” he says. He bows slightly and extends his hand to her. “Come, then, little one.”

Apple Bloom gradually takes his hand and he leads her away from the group. Before entering the meeting grounds, she looks over her shoulder and sees Spike leaning against a pillar, grinning at Rarity and waggling his eye ridges flirtatiously.

“Hi, there. I'm single,” says Spike.

Apple Bloom looks away and steps into the meeting grounds with Blueblood and his guards. The area is circular, and it is filled with the different pony races, all wearing different attire and protected by guards. She recognizes Rainbow Dash and Flash Sentry, and they are both wearing white clothing with green trim, and next to them are armored pegasi and a lean, yellow mare trying to hide a fresh bruise on her face using her large pink mane. The two pegasi she recognizes both give her a nod, but Flash has a smile while Dash has barely contained temper.

Apple Bloom wants to have a look at everyone, but Blueblood passes her off to a beautiful, pale pink alicorn mare with flowing rainbow hair. She is wearing a golden breastplate and gauntlets and has a sword clipped to her belt, but her smile is warm and inviting, and she and Blueblood exchange hugs before he sits down on the other side of Twilight and Shining Armor.

“Hello, Apple Bloom, I am Queen Celestia, ruler of Armonia,” says the alicorn.

“Hello,” says Apple Bloom awkwardly. Not knowing if she should bow or shake her hand, Apple Bloom goes with the latter and extends her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Celestia carefully shakes Apple Bloom's hand, but even then the foaling can feel the strength in the alicorn. It is like a thousand earth ponies, all waiting to be let loose for a chance to cause a storm of chaos.

“Apple Bloom, I would like you to meet the members of this Council,” says Celestia, her palm pointed at the group of ponies before the. “From Unicornia, we have Viceroy Vladimir Blueblood, and representing the Everfree Union is King Adirondack Davenport and his son, Dilbert Davenport. From the Kingdoms of Lookout Mountain is High Lord Igneous Rock and his daughter, Princess Pinkamena Diane Pie.”

“Please, just call me Pinkie,” says the pinkest pony Apple Bloom has ever seen.

“Right,” says Celestia. “Next, we have Braeburn Apple of the Confederacy of Loyalist Houses.”

Braeburn flashes a quick, wicked smile at the Davenports, which they return with glares, but even though Apple Bloom is unnerved by the hostility, Celestia appears unaffected.

“And lastly, there is Clan Lord Rainbow Blitz Hurricane and his daughters, Princesses Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy Hurricane of the Pegasi Tribes,” says Celestia. She then places her hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder and says with a bright smile: “And this, everypony, is Apple Bloom of Greenhill, daughter of Rose Bloom and Algal Bloom, and she is the Amulet Bearer.”

A heavy silence bears down on the Council, and all eyes fall on Apple Bloom. She gulps and wrings her hands together, wishing for someone -anyone- to blink. But no one moves. Everyone is stiff and staring right through her, not wanting to believe the truth their eyes and ears have revealed to them. It is only when the silence becomes nigh unbearable does Celestia gently guide Apple Bloom to her seat, which is between her and Twilight.

“As if our luck couldn't be any worse,” says Blitz as Apple Bloom sits. “First, the Shadow of the North emerges, then the Amulet of the King wakes, and now we come to find out that a foaling has been bound to it.”

Apple Bloom's shoulders and ears droop, and she nibbles her lips, looking down, feeling very little comfort when Twilight rubs her shoulder.

“We should not jump to any conclusions,” says Igneous, an old, gray stallion with a thick head of pale hair donned in a black tunic with gold flowers circling the cuffs and collar. “How do we know that this is all just an overreaction? What if there is an easy explanation for all of this?”

Celestia's horn flickers and the box, along with every seal, disintegrates into powder, leaving the Amulet of the King exposed in the center. The air becomes thick and foul, and a chill runs through Apple Bloom as she focuses on the cursed object gleaming in the light. It is a chill that all can feel, for their colors drain and their bodies tighten, and all eyes fall on it; shocked; curious; terrified.

“The Shadow is very real,” says Celestia grimly. “Sombra's rebuilding, and quickly. Very soon his army of the Condemned will march across Equestria for a new Age of Nightmare, bringing an end to every kingdom and its ruling bloodlines. All he needs is this Amulet to seal his victory.”

“So, if this is all that the Condemned need to bring ruin, then why are we staring at it? Why not melt it down and scatter its pieces into the sea?” says Adirondack.

“It is not that simple,” says Celestia. “The Amulet cannot be destroyed by any of our craft. It was forged in the fiery chasms of Mount Dead in the Frozen North. Only there can it be destroyed. One of you must do this.”

The Council quietly stares at Celestia, and then at each other, all casting nervous or terrified glances at each other. The only one who is not phased is Pinkie Pie, but that leaves Apple Bloom questioning how anybody can be smiling in a situation like this.

“One does not simply go into the Frozen North,” says Blueblood direly a moment later, getting everyone's attention. “It is a wasteland as far as the eye can see. It is a gateway to Tartarus itself, abandoned by Faust and claimed by Sombra and the Condemned. Its winds will rip flesh right off of the bones, its cold will freeze armor to skin, and its howls carry the voices of the damned, driving all who hear it mad, and watching it all is the All Seeing Eye of Sombra. He is forever watching every rock, every block of ice, every step and every breath. Nothing can escape his sight and you want us to take the one thing he seeks most into his home to destroy it? That is a foolish and will surely doom us all.”

“And what do you suppose we should do with it, then?” asks Igneous.

“Use it, of course,” says Blueblood. “Unicornia has the best arcane scholars in the world. We will have no problem altering the Amulet and using it against the Condemned.”

Blitz snorts. “Typical.”

Blueblood sneers at Blitz. “What did you say, featherhead?”

“You unicorns are always trying to control something you cannot,” says Blitz. “The Amulet has only one master and to use it will bring harm to everypony, which includes my pegasi. It has to be destroyed, so why not let Fluttershy go and destroy it? She's a disgrace to the Hurricane Clan and needs to redeem herself, anyway.”

Fluttershy shrinks in her seat, nibbling on her lip and wringing her hands, and both Rainbow Dash and Celestia's jaws tighten.

“This is not something to be used as a parenting method, Hurricane,” says Celestia. “The Amulet of the King is the most dangerous artifact ever crafted and needs to be handled as such.”

Blitz narrows his eyes at the Queen. “If that's the case, then why don't you send your precious alicorns to destroy it? After all, we are but mortals, easily corrupted by the dark paths.”

Celestia is silent, and Blitz stands up and starts circling the table, eyeing everybody critically.

“To put it in perspective, Members of the Council, have a look at yourselves, and what do you see?” says Blitz. “I know what I see.”

Blitz glances at Shining Armor.

“We're all adulterers.”

Shining Armor digs his fingers into his chair, scowling and breathing gaining weight, and Twilight puts her hand over his and casts a hateful look at the pegasus, as does Blueblood. Blitz then looks at Adirondack.

“We're all greedy.”

Adirondack's only move is a tender caressing of the Apple pendant around his neck, and as this happens, Blitz looks to Braeburn.

“Wrathful.”

Braeburn smirks dismissively, and Blitz steps by Igneous and Pinkie Pie, barely glancing at them as he puts his focus on Celestia.

“Even the pious are envious and I myself know that I am better than all of you, but apparently pride is wicked, so despite me being better than you pathetic lot at everything I am still no better. Even foalings are gluttons, just because I want to include everybody.”

“Since when?” says Apple Bloom defensively.

“A few hours ago when I was in the library.” Blitz walks back to his seat, but remains standing in between his daughters with his hands clamped behind his back. “So, tell me, Queen Celestia, will you take the Amulet to the Frozen North and destroy it? Or are you too lazy to do it? After all, I apparently cannot send my own pure daughter to destroy it and none of us sin-infested mortals will be able to withstand the Amulet because we have no purity in our wretched souls. We will be driven mad by its power and influence before the year's end and it will end in a cold death for us all.”

Celestia stands up and everybody, including Blitz, tilts their heads to look at her with fear and wonder as she steps forward. Her hand rests on the hilt off her blade and her gold plated, gem studded armor gleams in the sunlight as she approaches with slow heavy steps and a flare of challenge burning in her eyes.

“Rainbow Blitz Hurricane, you come as an invited guest to my kingdom for an important discussion and yet you insult me and everypony here with your malicious words,” says Celestia, now standing in front of Blitz and looking down at him. “Everypony knows that to give an alicorn the Amulet will spell greater chaos, and if I were to succumb to it, the Condemned will surely win. It is not about laziness, it is about safety. Alicorns have always been out of the question, so please think before you damage your pride further.”

Celestia then taps the top of Blitz's head with the tip of her finger, and he crashes down in his seat and would have fallen over if not for the quick reflexes of his daughters. Flashing a quick smirk, Celestia turns around and eases herself back in her seat after a short, graceful walk. After sitting, she drapes one leg over the other and places her arms on her throne, watching the Council carefully.

“Regardless of your mortal failings, I know this task can be done. I know at least one of you can do this,” says Celestia.

“I can do this, easy peasy,” says Pinkie Pie a blink later. “Give me the Amulet and that thing will be gone in no time. In. Out. Boom.”

“No, you are not getting the Amulet!” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie smirks at Twilight. “You want it, Princess? You gotta fight me for it.”

Shining Armor, Spike and Blueblood and his guards all jump up, as do the guards Igneous brought, and Celestia sighs and hides her face in her hand, shaking her head slowly.

“Did you just threaten my sister?” says Shining Armor.

“No, I just wanted her to fight me for the Amulet,” says Pinkie Pie, still grinning.

Adirondack stands up with the help of his servants, and despite him shaking on his cane, he stays standing and stares unkindly at the group.

“This task is far too important for a Pie or a Sparkle to handle,” says Adirondack. “So, Dilbert will go to the Frozen North and destroy it in the name of the Davenport household.”

Davenport balks at his father. “What? I can't go!”

Adirondack looks at his son. “You can and you will. End of discussion.”

Now Blitz stands up, but he is a little wobbly and when Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash try to help him, he shakes them off and steps forward.

“Council, I already volunteered my daughter. Why are we arguing about this?” says Blitz.

“True. Maybe our children can go together?” says Adirondack.

“I like that idea. The more the merrier.”

Braeburn jumps up. “There ain't no way in Tartarus that I'm gonna let a Davenport and a Hurricane take the Amulet! Y'all probably gonna try to use it the first chance ya got!”

“I'm not stupid!” snaps Blitz. “I know I can't use it so why would I even try to?”

“You may want to send your children to their deaths, but I absolutely refuse to let Pinkamena go on this quest!” says Igneous.

“Since when did you care what I do?” says Pinkie Pie.

“Guys, we need to stop arguing!” says Twilight. “We already agreed that the Amulet must be destroyed, so why are we arguing?”

The arguing continues despite Twilight's pleas, and as they argue, Apple Bloom notices pain on Twilight and Shining Armor. They are fighting the pain, but she can see it in their faces and twitches as they bicker with the others. Soon enough, the voices fade and ambiance disappears. All of it is conquered by the harsh whispers of the Amulet, and the bright sun and welcoming architecture of the Council Hall dims and ice spreads.

It bleeds from under the Amulet and crawls down the table, seeping into the floor and crawling up the chairs and walls, sucking the light away. No one notices, though. No one sees or feels the ice going around their legs or the warmth and light fading to the dark cold. Only Apple Bloom can feel it.

Her body shivers, her teeth chatter and puffs of fog leave her lips. Twilight has to take a seat, where Shining Armor comforts her while Blueblood confronts the others. Celestia argues, as well, but the bodies start to darken, as well. Frost blackens their skin, sinks their eyes and their voices become nothing more than faint wind and rustling, dead leafs.

Soon, all that is left are petrified, frozen corpses with sharp ice dangling from their bodies and black leafs dangle from the shriveled branches. And sitting cross legged on the Amulet is the Shadow Foaling, grinning.

“Will you find me, Apple Bloom?” asks the Shadow Foaling.

“I don't know who you are,” replies Apple Bloom.

“You will, soon enough. But you have to find me, first.”

“How?”

“Take the Amulet to Sombra in the Frozen North.”

Apple Bloom thinks for a second, then asks slowly: “Are you a part of Sombra?”

The Shadow Foaling giggles. “What fun is there in spoiling secrets, Apple Bloom?”

The Shadow Foaling stretches out her leg over the edge of the table, her bones cracking and muscles snapping as she stretches out. Then she brings the other leg over and stretches out her arms and rolls her head, her body snapping and cracking with every stiff motion and her smile remaining locked on Apple Bloom. When she is done, her head is tilted and her teeth and solid eyes glow bright.

“When you find me, the torment will end and we will be free,” says the Shadow Foaling. She walks towards Apple Bloom and grips her head with her cold fingers, digging them into her cheeks and Apple Bloom's terror and pain reflects clear off of her eyes. “Find me, Apple Bloom. Set us free.”

Apple Bloom blinks tears out of her eyes, and when she opens her eyes, she sees sunlight and feels warmth, but everybody is still arguing around the Amulet. Save for Twilight, who is gripping her head and having trouble breathing, but only Shining Armor seems notice if his comforting hug is any indication. Though, it is obvious that he is in some form of pain, too.

“What do cherrychangas have to do with destroying the Amulet?” says Rainbow Dash.

“Everything!” snarls Pinkie Pie.

“I got experienced and honorable troops at my disposal. I should go, alone, with Applejack and my colts, to destroy the Amulet,” says Braeburn.

“You mean your company of murderers and rapists?” sneers Adirondack.

“Don't you dare talk ill about my soldiers, you vile piece of shit!”

The arguing erupts again, and Apple Bloom's heart and lungs feel heavy as she stares at the Amulet. She hears it whispering to her, and her fingers twitch on her legs, which are wound and ready to pounce. Apple Bloom's watered eyes dance between the arguing ponies and the Amulet, thinking about the Shadow Foaling's words, and wincing from cold nails digging into her injuries.

“Return what is not yours,” orders Sombra.

“I will take it!” yells Apple Bloom.

Still, her voice is unheard among the arguing ponies. But as they argue, Apple Bloom stands up and approaches the Amulet.

“Bring me the Sparkles,” says Sombra.

“I will take it!” says Apple Bloom again.

“Return the Amulet!”

Apple Bloom snatches the Amulet from the table. “I will take the Amulet!”

The arguing stops and everyone stares at Apple Bloom . Her breathing is heavy, her heart is fast, and tears of pain and anxiety coat her eyes as she brings the Amulet close to her chest.

“I will take the Amulet to the Frozen North,” says Apple Bloom. “It was given to me.”

All eyes stay on her, and Apple Bloom swallows her tears while her injuries throb and Sombra whispers in her ears in words she cannot understand. Still, she looks down at the Amulet and her tired reflection looks back at her from the blood red gem.

“The Amulet is mine,” says Apple Bloom quietly. She places it in her pocket and looks at everybody equally. “It is was given to me. It is my responsibility. My burden. I have to destroy it.”

Everyone is silent, and Apple Bloom look at Twilight, eyes shimmering and ears drooped.

“But I don't know the way. Can you help me?” asks Apple Bloom.

Twilight nods, approaches Apple Bloom and kneels in front of her and places her hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes with a scared, but brave smile.

“I will help you, Apple Bloom,” says Twilight. She stands up, and moves behind Apple Bloom and places both of her hands on her shoulders. “You will not carry this burden alone.”

Twilight then looks at Shining Armor, and even though she does not say anything, her begging is unmistakable. For that, he nods and slowly approaches Apple Bloom, and she looks at him with just a small amount of caution.

“My life is still pledged to you. You and Twilight will not be alone for this,” says Shining Armor.

He pats Apple Bloom's head and stands next to Twilight, and Blueblood sighs and rubs his brow.

“Wonderful,” he says glumly. “The heirs to the throne are going on a dangerous quest. Well, I suppose I should tag along. The last thing we need is for you two to get lost or killed.”

Blueblood takes the other side of Twilight, and she looks at him with a skeptical frown while Shining Armor and Apple Bloom eye him curiously.

“You should probably head back to Unicornia. You don't have any experience in anything other than royal banquets. Plus you have to watch my father,” says Twilight.

Blueblood snorts. “You underestimate me, Princess. Besides, my brother is watching your father, so relax. All is well.”

Blitz looks at the gathered group, and shakes his head in disappointment. “So, Unicornia has entrusted the fate of the world to a little foaling?” He looks around at the other members of the Council. “I see no objections, so the Pegasus Tribes will pull their weight.”

Blitz removes his armor, rolls it up neatly and quickly, and then he rests it on top of his shield and gives them to Fluttershy, as well as his spear.

“Fluttershy, go prove yourself,” says Blitz.

Fluttershy pales, and despite the voiced objections, Blitz presses his gear into her, and only lets go when she grabs them. She trembles and tears flow down her cheeks, but when she steps back, Blitz grabs her head and dips it down so that they are touching foreheads and looking into each others eyes.

“Bring glory and honor to my bloodline,” he says.

Fluttershy nods and swallows, and when she is released, she walks to the company, sniffling and barely able to walk. When she is behind Apple Bloom, Twilight smiles reassuringly at her, but she looks away, whimpering and shaking.

“Father, you can't do this to her!” says Rainbow Dash.

“You said it yourself that she needed to toughen up,” says Blitz.

“That was years ago!”

“Words stick and my decision remains the same.”

Rainbow Dash hurries to Fluttershy's side and despite her smaller stature, she still puts her hand on her sister's shoulder.

“Fine. If Fluttershy is going, then I am going, as well,” says Rainbow Dash.

“As am I,” says Flash Sentry, stepping to Rainbow Dash's side. “The more the merrier, right?”

Blitz stares at Flash Sentry and Rainbow Dash, and they wait for him to say something, but instead he just shrugs and steps back, leaving everyone once again surprised. Then Adirondack comes forward, dragging an unwilling Davenport with him.

“I am too old to go on this quest, and it is too important to leave in the hands others,” says Adirondack. “For that, Dilbert is still going to ensure its completion.”

Adirondack shoves Davenport towards the group, and he stumbles and almost falls over, if not for Flash Sentry catching him. Davenport quickly straightens and brushes himself off, and after giving a short, appreciative nod, he slinks to the back of the group, glaring murder at the old king. It is at that moment that Braeburn hurries from his spot and stands next to Davenport, arms folded across his chest and a mean smile on his face.

“Well, shoot, if the Davenports are officially involved, why not some Apples? It'll be like the good ole days when we were friends,” says Braeburn.

Davenport gulps and shrinks back a little, and Pinkie Pie groans dramatically and uses her hammer to help her stand up.

“Well, I got nothing better to do, so I think I will join this party.” Pinkie Pie sheathes her hammer and bows in front of Apple Bloom. “You have my hammer, short stuff, and nothing Igneous can say will change my mind.”

Shining Armor and Twilight exchange uneasy glances, and Pinkie Pie butts her way between the two and wraps her around their shoulders and squeezes them against her in a group hug.

“This is going to be fun,” says the Ranger.

“Yeah... fun,” says Twilight slowly.

Seeing this, Igneous slumps in his chair, his eyes distant and Apple Bloom sees his fingers and lips twitching, but she averts her eyes when Celestia speaks.

“It appears that we have finally agreed on something,” says the Alicorn Queen, smiling with relief.

“Wait!” calls Twist.

All heads turn to see Twist running in with Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, Pipsqueak and Button Mash following close behind. Spike, Applejack and Rarity come in seconds later, apologizing endlessly to their respective masters. The foalings all flank Apple Bloom, with Twist hugging her and Scootaloo standing protectively with her arms folded across her chest and a mean sneer on her face.

Blitz laughs.

“That mean look is really adorable. If I was my wife I'd pinch your cheeks,” he says.

Scootaloo's eyes narrow at him, but she says nothing, mostly because Pipsqueak talks first.

“She isn't going anywhere without us,” says Pipsqueak.

“We've been through a lot together, and we'll finish this thing together,” says Scootaloo.

“Besides, you need ponies of intelligence on this mission... quest... thing,” says Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo rolls her eyes. “That leaves you out, Sweetie.”

Sweetie Belle glares at Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie gasps joyously and slides in front of the group to get a better look at the foalings.

“More midgets. This is really going to be fun!” says Pinkie Pie.

“Weren't you the one that made the fuss about the horse all those months ago?” says Pipsqueak, eyeing the mare critically.

Pinkie Pie smirks and pats him on the head. “Of course I am. But I paid good didn't I?”

“I'm sorry, Twilight. I tried to stop them, but they didn't listen,” says Spike as he takes a spot next to her.

As this happens, Rarity -whose mane is a mess and her outfit is stained with juice- finds her spot next to Blueblood, seething with balled fists and muttering something along the lines of “vile imps”. Meanwhile, Applejack sulks behind Shining Armor and Braeburn to avoid Adirondack's wrathful gaze. Then there is Pinkie Pie.

“Spike!” she says excitedly.

Pinkie Pie leaps up from her spot in front of Pipsqueak and puts the drake in a bear hug, lifting him off the ground and cracking his back. Spike yelps and his body stiffens in odd ways, and everybody cringes and seethes. Except for Igneous. He merely sighs and shakes his head.

“We're going on a quest together! Isn't that great?” says Pinkie Pie.

“What?” wheezes Spike while attempting to pry himself out of her grip.

“Pinkie is going with us on a quest to destroy the Amulet,” says Twilight flatly.

“WHAT!?” yells Spike, now turning blue around his face.

“You should probably let him go. He ain't looking too good,” says Apple Bloom.

Pinkie Pie releases Spike and the drake stumbles and has to use Twilight for support while he gulps in air. Then Pinkie Pie manages to slide her way between Spike and Twilight and put her hands on their shoulders.

“Wow. We got slaves and masters, soldiers and scholars, foalings and rebels, and merchants and hobos. This is going to be the greatest road trip ever!” says Pinkie Pie.

“Is she always like this?” asks Rainbow Dash to no one in particular.

“You'll get used to it,” says Applejack.

“I doubt it.”

Pinkie Pie, oblivious or uncaring of Dash's word, suddenly gasps and squeezes Twilight and Spike closer together so their cheeks are pressed against hers.

“I got it! We should call ourselves the Fellowship of the Amulet!” says Pinkie Pie.

Davenport frowns. “Why? None of us are friends, here.”

Pinkie Pie sighs dramatically and looks up at the sky. “It just sounds right.”

Apple Bloom and the others look up, as well, but all she sees is a blue sky and white, fluffy clouds. And a passing bird that was actually quite beautiful.

Celestia chuckles “I like that. It does have a good ring to it.”

Pinkie Pie smiles proudly. “I know, right?”

“Well, let's wrap this up. Will the company please raise their right hands?”

The fellowship raises their right hands, as does Celestia.

“Do you swear before Faust that you will protect Apple Bloom to the best of your abilities?”

The group voices their agreement with various levels of enthusiasm.

“Do you swear before Faust that you will protect each other to the best of your abilities? Even dying for Apple Bloom and those in your company?”

Again, the agreements are vocalized, but some not nearly as enthusiastic as others.

“Excellent.” Celestia lowers her hand. “By the powers granted to me by Faust the Creator, I now bless this Fellowship of the Amulet.”

“Great!” chirps Sweetie Belle. “So, where are we going?”

Preparations

Author's Note

I'm just going to leave this here...

Preparations

In the waning hours of daylight, Luna sits in her observatory, blade pointed into the floor and her chin resting on her hands, which grip the handle tightly. Her foot taps nervously on the stone floor and her glazed eyes focus on the Fellowship in the courtyard. A breeze blows through one of the many openings and brings painful shivers all throughout her body, but she remains steadfast.

“They are going to their death,” says Nightmare Moon.

“We know,” says Luna.

“And yet you made no objections?”

“It was their choice. We have no authority over their will.”

Nightmare Moon chuckles. “No, there is more. Are you seriously believing that these mortals can destroy the Amulet and Sombra?”

Luna is silent, and her body tenses when ghostly fingers rake over her shoulder and through her hair.

“How adorable,” coos Nightmare Moon. “I cannot wait to see them die. One. By. One. Their spirits corrupted and crushed and their bodies mangled, and with them, their kingdoms. And it will all be because the Divine were too afraid to help their own creations. How funny is it that the new age of darkness will be brought by the fears of the light?”

“Darkness will not win,” says Luna. “Sombra, the Amulet, you, and all the Condemned will perish.”

The fingers dig into Luna's shoulder, and she grinds her teeth and tightens her grip as the cold, sharp pain pierces her skin, but she still keeps her eyes on the boat.

“But do you really want them to win when the Amulet's fate is bound to more than just Sombra?” says Nightmare Moon, her breath flowing into Luna's ear.

Luna swallows and blinks tears away, but more flow down her cheek and a lump in her throat chokes her.

“It must be done,” croaks Luna.

Nightmare Moon hums. “But you don't want it to. I know you, Luna, and soon you will cave to your fears. You always do.”

The ghostly hands move away from Luna's shoulder, and then the coldness fades to warmth, but Luna feels a great weight on her chest. It feels as though her heart is being crushed and no matter how much air she breathes in, it does not get any better. Soon, tears flow freely from her and she closes her eyes and rests her head on her hands, gasping for air and trembling as tears splatter on the floor.

“It must be done,” whispers Luna.

oooOOOooo

Most of the newly formed Fellowship has gathered at the courtyard during the waning hours. The air is cool, the light is bathing them in orange, and around them are supply packs stuffed with food, medicine, clothes, cookwares and other survival knickknacks.

Surrounding a map, which is held down on a crate by rocks is Daveport, Rainbow Dash, and Blueblood. Not too far off, Sweetie Belle is braiding Fluttershy's hair and Flash is patiently listening to Button Mash, Pipsqueak, Twist and Scootaloo talking about their adventures. Pinkie Pie is bringing supplies to Spike so he can organize them, and so far Braeburn, Twilight, Shining Armor, Rarity, Applejack and Apple Bloom are no where to be seen.

“We won't be able to take the boat up river, the current is too strong,” says Rainbow Dash, her eyes squinting and her finger tracing the marked river. “But if we follow it up by foot then it will lead us straight to the Frozen North and then we figure it out from there.”

“Bad idea. A lot of jerks patrol the river,” says Pinkie Pie as she passes the group with a large bag slung over her shoulder.

“Oh, yeah? What do you know about this kind of stuff?” snaps Rainbow Dash, glaring at the Ranger while said pony keeps walking with a smug smile.

It is during her distracted state that Blueblood yanks the map away, and noticing this, Rainbow Dash lunges at it, but he holds it above his head, keeping it just barely out of her reach.

“Give me back my map!” says Rainbow Dash, her hands clawing for it, but still remaining out of reach due to Blueblood's superior height.

“Technically its my map,” says Davenport with a bemused frown. “And I am sure my ship can handle the currents. Its not made like all of this modern crap.”

“But I'm the one with all the military experience and I outrank all of you in everything!”

“The ego is strong with this one,” says Pinkie Pie as she passes the group again, this time patting Rainbow Dash on the shoulder.

Rainbow Dash swats at her, snarling. “Back off, hobo!”

Pinkie Pie snickers and skips away, and Dash glowers at her for a few more seconds before making another attempt to get the map back from Blueblood. However, when her accomplishments turn to her and Blueblood walking in circles and her unsuccessfully trying to climb on him, she turns to Flash and points at the Viceroy.

“Flash, get my map back!” orders Rainbow Dash.

Davenport throws his hands up, scoffing, and Flash looks up at her, somewhat disappointed while the foalings bicker in front of him.

“You did not kill anybody. Sprinkles did it all,” says Twist.

“Yeah. You went down like a bitch,” says Scootaloo.

“I did not!” whines Button Mash.

“Actually, you kinda did,” says Pipsqueak.

“I'm sorry, but duty calls,” says Flash.

He gently parts the foalings away so he can get through, but before he can make it, Blueblood folds the map and stuffs it in his inner coat pocket.

“The Pink Menace is right. The river is too dangerous and it will be about a six months walk from here to Mount Dread,” says Blueblood. “But if we take the Plains of Everfree we can avoid heavy enemy patrols and the rough environments of the Smoky Mountains and Everfree Forest. That will cut our time by three weeks, and then take the Sliver Pass in the Crystal Mountains and follow the Frozen Trail that will save us another two weeks, therefore taking us four months, three weeks to reach our destination. However, that will only be possible if we move at a constant pace and avoid enemy detection and the weather remains in our favor. Now, seeing as events and weather are very fluid and the Amulet is a beacon, plus us having to restock our supplies I believe the real estimated time of arrival of my path will be around five months and six days. Any questions?”

Flash stops walking, the foalings stop bickering, Pinkie Pie freezes in midstep to gawk at Blueblood while Rainbow Dash and Davenport stare at the aristocrat with bulging eyes and slacks jaws.

In the silence, leafs swirl from the cool breeze and a bell tolls in the distance, and the group's silence is broken when Fluttershy walks up to them with Sweetie Belle, sporting a Viking braid, and the duo looks at the group curiously.

“Did we miss something?” asks Fluttershy.

oooOOOooo

Shining Armor sits on a eloquently carved stone bench, canteen in hand and glazed eyes staring at a mural of Celestia and Star Swirl striking down Sombra at the foot of a volcano spewing out dark red clouds and fiery ash. The image twists his gut and he grimaces as he takes a sip from his canteen, finding very little peace in the alcohol that flows through him.

“What are you doing sitting around for?” asks Braeburn.

His sudden voice jolts Shining Armor a bit, but he relaxes right after with a loud sigh while the earth pony approaches him with his crossbow holstered on a scabbard and carrying a box of bolts.

“I'm just relaxing before we got to Hell,” says Shining Armor. He pats a travel bag in between his legs and smiles thinly. “I'm all ready to go, anyway. I'm just waiting on everypony else.”

Shining Armor takes a closer look at Braeburn and sees that on top of the short sword he has clipped to his belt, he also has half a dozen small boxes on his belt, plus the big one in his grip. There is also the large pack he has on his back.

“You got enough bolts?” says Shining Armor.

Braeburn sits next to him and holds out his hand. “You gonna share that?”

Shining Armor looks at his canteen, and then with a reluctant sigh he gives his canteen to Braeburn. The earth pony takes a large swig and thanks him after returning the canteen. Shining Armor says nothing in return. Instead he wipes the canteen's lips with his sleeve.

“To answer your question, no I ain't got enough,” says Braeburn. “We'll be going through the Frozen North to take on a dark lord and his army of abominations while trying to protect a little foaling who just happens to have the most dangerous trinket ever created. I gotta feeling that I'll be out of all this before we reach the mountain.”

“If you're scared than you can always stay here,” says Shining Armor.

Braeburn shakes his head. “Nah, I can't do that. Applejack needs me.” He chuckles and snatches Shining Armor's canteen away for another sip, much to the unicorn's disgust. “You know, it's funny, ever since the Davenports took over Everfree I thought I was the last Apple. I thought if I had ever gotten to the throne room of Ponyville then I would take the throne and do stuff kings are supposed to do. But now that I know that Applejack is alive she is truly next in line for the throne and the last family I got. I need to protect her for my sake and the sake of my country.”

Shining Armor grabs his canteen and once again wipes its lip. “So, why aren't you with her?”

Braeburn smiles and puts his pack between his legs. From the new position, Shining Armor sees a sheathed weapon strapped to it. From it, Braeburn smoothly pulls out a weapon, revealing a double headed ax with an apple cut out in each head.

Shining Armor whistles. “Very nice. But can she use it?”

“I've seen her chop wood with Apple servants before, and I'm sure she's done more chopping since being with the Davenports. She's got a good swing and she is a quick learner. Besides, I heard axes are therapeutic and she sure can use some,” says Braeburn. “But I also got her some armor.”

Braeburn pulls out a helmet with a full faced mask that he shows off by flipping it up and down. Then there is a chainmail shirt that is curved to fit a feminine body, a vest made of strips of iron held together by straps which also covered the shoulders, and a pair of iron shin pads and gauntlet as well as thick gloves, new boots and an olive drab cloak, as well as a tunic and trousers. The armor is also lined with orange on its edges that also trace the jaw of the helmet, and bordering the orange is a red layer.

Seeing such a suit, Shining Armor cannot help but brush his fingers against the smooth surfaces and rub the chainmail between his fingers.

“Alicorns sure work fast,” says Braeburn, adding with a teasing grin: “It's their magic, I tell ya. They're a bunch of cheaters.”

“Will Applejack be able to carry this thing?” says Shining Armor, now inspecting the helmet closely.

Braeburn takes the helmet and starts repacking the gear. “Never underestimate the strength of an earth pony. If she wanted to she could carry four of us on her shoulders with no problem.”

Shining Armor cocks a brow. “You sure about that?”

Braeburn pauses for a moment. “You're right. That was an exaggeration. But earth pony's are still strong, so don't go around thinking we're weak, 'cuz we ain't.”

Shining Armor holds up his hands and looks down. “Okay, okay, I get it. But she's got more armor than us, you do know that right?”

Braeburn stuffs the last of the set in the pack, gets up with his gear and looks down at Shining Armor, nodding. “I know. But I will be damned if another Apple dies on my watch.”

oooOOOooo

Applejack quietly thanks the alicorn behind the counter as she takes a bundle of a dozen and a half wrapped bread loaves. The alicorn merely grunts and goes back to his bakery, which has been emptied of just about everything, save for the discard pile. Applejack then takes the time to carefully slip the loaves in her large pack so they are not crushed and to ensure that they all fit. Unfortunately not all of them ca fit, but she came prepared with a smaller pack, which she carries with her hand instead of her back. After loading the bread, she turns around and comes face to face with spear aimed at her nose.

Applejack yelps and leaps back, crashing into the counter, heart banging like a beast in her chest and eyes wide, but, alas, it turns out to be a false alarm, for the spear lowers and a posh giggle radiates.

“Thank you so much for your help,” says Rarity, carrying a travel pack of supplies and smiling flirtatiously while she smoothly brushes her hand on the arm of a white alicorn guard. “This market is a maze. I don't think I would have ever found my companion without your help.”

The alicorn guard bows slightly, smiling dumbly. “It was my pleasure, madam.”

“Take care and stay safe.”

“Likewise.” The guard nods politely to Applejack. “Ma'am.”

Applejack smiles nervously and manages a small wave, despite her heartbeats eroding her ribs and her fingers snapping the wood. When the guard leaves, Rarity approaches her side and looks her over curiously.

“Are you all right? You look sick,” says Rarity.

“I'm fine,” croaks Applejack.

Rarity hums and places the back of her hand on Applejack's forehead, making her flinch again, but thankfully no slaps come her way.

“Well, you certainly are working up a sweat. Has the trip got you nervous? I know I'm nervous,” says Rarity.

“Eh... Maybe a bit nervous,” says Applejack.

“I understand. It is going to be dreadful, and even then that is too kind of a word for it. Anyway, I don't think I ever got your name when our 'Fellowship' was formed. They just threw us together and sent us off.”

Applejack nods. “Eeyup.”

An awkward silence comes between the two. A twirling leaf blows by with the gentle wind, the baker coughs into his fist, and Applejack looks away, scratching her head while Rarity rocks in her spot. It is after some long seconds pass, Rarity decides to speak.

“I think proper introductions are in order,” says Rarity. She steps back and bows slightly. “I'm Rarity from the Vassal House of Belle, and you are?”

Applejack swallows and looks around, seeing nobody but the baker staring at her, so she shakily returns the bow without letting go of the counter, making for an awkward motion.

“I'm Applejack,” she says.

Rarity raises brow skeptically. “Applejack? Isn't that a name for stallions?”

Applejack frowns. “Its unisex.”

“Oh. How... progressive.”

Applejack's frown deepens, and Rarity nibbles her lip and clamps her hands together, swaying a bit in her spot. After more seconds of awkward silence, Rarity looks at Applejack's hand, which has yet to release the bakery counter.

“Are you going to release the counter, any time soon?” asks Rarity.

Applejack looks at her hand, then at the impatient alicorn baker, and then she quietly apologizes and steps away, keeping her eyes on the ground and flinching again when Rarity puts her hand on her shoulder.

“Relax, Applejack, I am not going to hurt you,” says Rarity. “We are on a team and I will take care of you, just as you will take care of me. Honestly, you have nothing to fear from me, I am quite gentle.”

Applejack tries to pull away, but a magic tug keeps her close and an arm link locks her against Rarity's side, much to her annoyance. However, her annoyance is kept silent by her held tongue.

“Oh no, we are not separating again,” says Rarity. “I already got lost once in this place and if I am to get lost again it will be with a companion. Now, which way is the port?”

Applejack sighs and rubs her forehead, reluctantly allowing Rarity to drag her along and secretly hoping that the rest of the Fellowship is not waiting on them.

oooOOOooo

The brightly lit infirmary is a mess. Herbs, potions, cloth, strings, scrolls, books and various other items are scattered on a long counter, and behind it is Twilight, Redheart and near empty shelves. Twilight is carefully going through a checklist, marking off each item by hand and using her magic to float them into padded sacks while Redheart wraps each bottle of potions and herbs. The nurse's motions are quick, but accurate, and so far has yet to make any mistakes of any kind. Not even dropping a potion or wrapping a bottle wrong.

“Are you sure you do not want to come with us?” asks Twilight as she checks items off of a scroll. “We can use your medicinal expertise.”

Redheart shakes her head and swiftly wraps another potion bottle in a thick cloth. “I'd rather not. Adventuring is not for me. Besides, I would slow the group down.”

“Are those the only reasons?”

“I also hate your brother and I would probably stab him in the neck the first chance I got.”

Twilight stiffens. “Oh.” She takes a couple of large steps away from Redheart. “What exactly happened between you two, if you don't mind me asking?”

“Well,” begins Redheart, her motions becoming jagged as she wraps another bottle. “It all started when-”

Celestia suddenly enters the room with Eulabir by her side, and Redheart's voice drops to a grumble and she finishes tying the last potion in its protective layer.

“You're brother was unfaithful. That is all,” says Redheart.

Twilight blinks questionably, but since Celestia has approached her she decides not to prod.

“How are your supplies?” asks Celestia, barely glancing at Redheart, who is now putting away the unneeded supplies.

“Everything is all set, Celestia. We're just waiting for Pinkie Pie to pick up the last of the medicine and we will be done here,” says Twilight.

Celestia nods. “That is good. Blueblood has already found a course that he believes will be quick and safe, and-”

Pinkie Pie suddenly pops up in front of Twilight, completely blocking the alicorns.

“Load me up!” blurts Pinkie Pie.

Twilight yelps and leaps back, clutching her racing heart and the wall, and staring at Pinkie Pie with bulging eyes. Even Redheart is backed into the corner and Eulabir has his blade an inch from piercing her back while Celestia has a sparkling, gold glowing spear in her hand.

When Pinkie Pie realizes what is going on, she looks at everyone with confusion painted on her features. “What?”

“What is wrong with you? You almost got yourself killed!” scolds Twilight.

Celestia sighs and relaxes, causing her spear to disintegrate, but Eulabir keeps his pose, even when the Queen nudges him.

“Sorry, Your Majesty, but I cannot stand down,” says Eulabir.

Pinkie Pie rolls her eyes and calmly pushes the blade away, showing just the smallest signs of discomfort when smoke rises from her sizzling fur. When the blade is safely away from her, she puts her fingers in her mouth and Eulabir's eyes grow wide from horror.

“What are you?” whispers Eulabir hoarsely.

“I'm just a pony,” says Pinkie Pie. She turns around and leans on the table with her butt out and her hands holding up her head as she bats her lashes at Twilight. “So, what do you got for me?”

Twilight hesitantly pulls away from the wall and places the last of the potions in a padded sack before giving them to Pinkie Pie.

“This is the last of what we need. Please make sure everypony has an equal amount of everything,” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie grabs the bag and Twilight's hand, and pulls the unicorn close so that they can see each other in their eyes, with hers reflecting Twilight's drooped ears and anxious face, and the unicorn's reflected her perverted smile.

“Got it, Twily. By the way, I had a great time last night,” says Pinkie Pie lecherously.

Twilight's cheeks flare and she pushes the Ranger away, growling viciously. “Why you insufferable little- GAH! Just go!”

Pinkie Pie giggles and runs away with the stuff, leaving Twilight fuming with smoke rising from her mane and her teeth grinding against each other, all while Redheart and alicorns stare at her in silence. Though, after some two seconds of silence, Celestia gets a wicked grin and leans close to Twilight.

“So, you two had some fun last night?” teases Celestia.

Twilight groans and covers her face.

oooOOOooo

Apple Bloom feels heavier than she would like. She is not accustomed to wearing armor, and while the farm loads were heavier, she did not have to carry it all day, plus there were wheel barrows, carts and some poor, unfortunate sap that would try to impress her with their strength. It usually worked pretty good since they got to show off, she didn't have to lift heavy stuff, and the lifter good food and a drink instead of her hand. It was mostly a happy ending. However, now times have changed. Now she is wearing armor. Beautiful armor. But it is still armor and she knows the weight will get to her.

“I am glad the Queen let them fetch my armor from my home. No telling what would happen if it was left alone a bit longer,” says Purity. She smiles gleefully and escorts Apple Bloom to a mirror, and she sighs nostalgically as she rests her hand and chin on Apple Bloom's armored shoulders. “My goddess, you look so much like your mom. And me. Ah, those wonderful memories. So, what do you think?”

Apple Bloom stares at herself in the mirror, not really sure if she is in a dream or if she is facing a reality she does not want to be a part of. The armor is still beautiful, despite the grim circumstances. It has a brown color with dark brown trim and dark green straps that hold the metal straps of her pauldrons and tassets in place. The tassets move easily and stops her knees, and the breastplate has an apple inside a shield above the heart with vines curling along her ribs. Her vambraces are secured tightly on her arms, her gloves are thick like the underlayer of clothing, the belt around her waist has a clip for a sheath, and clipped around her neck is a green cloak with a golden apple pin.

“Do you like it?” asks Purity.

Apple Bloom nods and smiles nervously. “It is nice. I just never saw myself wearing this sort of thing.”

Purity waves her hand and hobbles towards the bed. “Singing to the choir. I never thought I would nearly everything I did and yet I did it with hardly any regrets.”

“You have regrets?”

“The nightmares are a pain.”

Apple Bloom turns away from the mirror and watches Purity grip the bed frame, sighing heavily with her shoulders sagging.

“So many nights missed because of those cursed memories. So many problems are now popping up because I hid that thing instead of destroying it. Now you have to suffer for my mistake,” says Purity.

Apple Bloom hastily approaches Purity's side and hugs her from behind. She hears Purity sniffling and she closes her eyes when her grandma strokes her red mane.

“It's going to be okay, Granny. You'll see,” says Apple Bloom.

Purity sniffles, wipes her nose and turns to Apple Bloom, smiling thinly and gripping her hands as her wet eyes lock with Apple Bloom's terror stricken eyes.

“Brave words from a scared foaling,” teases Purity.

Apple Bloom's lips twitch to a smile. “I know.”

Purity pats Apple Bloom's hands and then grabs a sheathed sword from her bed.

“There is something else for you, too,” says Purity.

She easily draws a broad sword from the sheath, and Apple Bloom's jaw drops as the elder holds the blade up so its runes can be displayed. The blade is polished, shining and its runes run along the whole length, and its handle is cushioned with simple brown pads and has a cross guard.

“This is Angurvadal,” says Purity proudly. “This beauty and that armor were made in the Halls of Svartalfiem after we helped a bunch of outcasts throw out Nighogg's pals. Though, to be quite frank, I think that stunt of ours is what led to the bloody war at Lookout Mountain. Good times.”

Apple Bloom scrunches her muzzle slightly. “Um, Granny... what?”

“Just thinking about boring stuff. The good thing about Angurvadal is that he never dulls and he glows when danger is afoot.” Purity grins and gently runs her palm over the runes, gazing at its broad blade. “He is swift, light and can slice through dragon limbs like veggies on the chopping block!”

Apple Bloom cringes. “You would know, huh?”

Purity smoothly slides Angurvadal back into the sheath and hands it to Apple Bloom.

“I have plenty of experience,” says Purity as Apple Bloom gently takes the weapon and inspects it. “Unfitting for a lady, but they were unfitting times, just like now. Really, it seems that peace is just a pause in time. It ain't ever gonna last, even if you destroy the Amulet.”

Apple Bloom's ears droop as she latches the blade to her belt with obvious difficulty. “You don't think I can do it?”

“Nothing is ever certain, Bloom. I wish I could say you will destroy it, but it is a craft made from the darkest of souls. Even in this holy place I can feel it calling me.”

Purity's eyes move towards the bulge in Apple Bloom's pocket and she steps forward, forcing Apple Bloom to step back. And out of the corner of Apple Bloom's eye, she sees a light blue glow seeping out from the sheath.

“It wants me to take it and hold it once more,” whispers Purity.

“Granny, you're starting to freak me out,” says Apple Bloom, her hand gripping the sword tighter and her heart racing as eyes try to focus on the elderly foaling. But her focus is split between her and a creeping smile growing on the shadow behind Granny.

“You don't feel that? That darkness? That body?” asks Purity.

Purity stops and looks around at the shadows, and the smile slides above her as incoherent whispers flood the room, and when Purity looks back at Apple Bloom, her eyes are bright and darkness deepens her wrinkles. Seeing this, Apple Bloom gulps and her legs quiver as she backs towards the door, too afraid to break her eyes off of her grandma.

“It is always calling, always listening from the shadows and dreams,” says Purity. “The closer you get to harming one's heart the more vicious they become, and I am sorry, Bloom, but the nightmare for you will only get worse the closer you get to Mount Dread. It will probably kill you before you reach the slopes.”

“But I have to destroy it,” says Apple Bloom meekly. “I have to destroy it for both of our sakes.”

“NO YOU DON'T!” roars Purity. She lunges at Apple Bloom and pins her against the wall with a loud thud and a yelp from the younger foaling, and she keeps her fingers tight on her shoulders. Her face gets close to Apple Bloom's to where she sees her horrified face in the solid green eyes and her teeth sharpen to fangs as she drools all over herself and Apple Bloom. “You don't have a chance of destroying the Amulet! Keep it here! Keep it with me!”

The door bursts open and a trio of alicorn guards rush in. One's hand and horns glows gold and strikes Purity in the side with a glowing ball that splashes all over her. The old foaling crumbles on the ground and thrashes as the light solidifies into thick crystals, immobilizing her into a contorted mess on the floor.

As this happens the second rushes Apple Bloom out of the room while the third puts up a shield, and the last Apple Bloom sees of her grandma, is her thrashing and foaming out of the mouth.

“KEEP IT HERE!” yells Purity. “KEEP IT WITH ME!”

Then the shield covers the door and all goes silent.

All but Apple Bloom's weeping.

=====O=====

Trixie Lulamoon stares at the throne room door with heavy, sagging eyes. The Seeing-Stone is cuddled on her lap and her gauntlet glows and hisses words into her ear that she cannot understand, but the flaming buildings and corpses swirling in the Stone translate for her.

Next to Trixie, Gilda keeps watch of the door. Her hand has yet to leave her blade's hilt, and when the door creaks open her plumage bristles and her hand tightens while Trixies frown deepens. Gnashing teeth then gnaw at Trixie's covered arm, forcing tears out and a pained wince. When the door is all the way open, a Sanctuary guard walks in with a pair of stallions trailing him, followed by more Sanctuary guards.

When they are halfway to the throne, they stop and the lead guard bows.

“Madam Lulamoon, I present to you Naga Morich and Tam o'Shanter of the Knights of the Five Circles,” says the lead guard.

Trixie motions him up, her hand quivering, and she swallows the pain whe she speaks hoarsly.

“Which one is which?” asks Trixie.

One of the guests steps forward. He is like the average pegasus, slender in comparison to the unicorns and earth ponies, and he has a well groomed red coat and a long green mane that he has tied back into a ponytail. His clothing consists of knee high boots, brown pants, a green tunic that reaches his thighs, and a red belt around his waist. Slung around his shoulder is a strap with a quiver of arrows and a bow resting against his back, and a broad knife is strapped to his upper arm while a curved sword is sheathed on his belt.

“I am Naga Morich,” says the pegasus, “and my companion is Tam o'Shanter.”

Trixie looks past Naga and sees that Tam is a massive earth pony with muscles the size of a head, a chest ridiculously puffed out from muscles growth and he easily towers a foot and a half over everyone in the room. Even Gilda squawks a little at his sight. Tam is also armored, unlike Naga Morich. His armor consists of metal scales sewn into linen, which, from what Trixie can see, is then sewn into his chainmail armor. He is also wearing a full faced helmet with bull horns on the side, is wearing thick boots and gloves, and has a rectangular shield strapped to his arms as well as a spiked mace slung on his back. In fact, now that Trixie actually looks at him, she realizes that he is completely covered and she really wishes that she had archers in the room. A thought that the Gauntlet does not like for it bites her hand again.

“Have your friend remove his helmet,” orders Trixie, wincing and trying to comfort her arm.

“I cannot do that,” says Naga.

“Why not?”

“He likes it too much and last time his helmet came off people died very unpleasant deaths, and seeing as you are part of the mission I do not wish to jeopardize my pay as well as tarnish the Knights' unique relationship with Lord Sombra.”

Trixie raises an eyebrow. “Were you a politician?”

“I was under one's foot long enough. Do I have permission to approach the throne?”

Trixie leans close to Gilda and whispers: “If he tries anything funny, get rid of him.”

Gilda nods and the Stone and Gauntlet both growl, and Trixie curls over, whimpering and clutching her trapped arm as cold, sharp teeth sink into her bones. She can feel them cracking and her flesh ripping, but she still looks at Naga through her hanging, sweaty mane, breathing heavily through her nose and nodding.

“You may approach,” says Trixie, now with tears drenching her cheeks.

Naga smiles and approaches the throne, holding up a wax sealed envelope with the seal pressed to show a trio of crystals with an eye in the center.

“Am I correct to assume that Lord Sombra already told you about our arrangements?” asks Naga.

Trixie nods. “Yes, and Trixie is going to tell you to turn around and go back to wherever it is you came from. I already sent a company after the Amulet, so your assistance is not required.”

“But Lord Sombra has already paid for our involvement and I already offered a generous discount since this task involves somepony special,” says Naga. He looks out the window at the rings of homes and shops populated by the oblivious citizens. “I should also inform you that Lord Sombra said that if you do not cooperate he will ensure that your Sanctuary becomes a graveyard. I myself am above such barbarism, but I know a few Knights in our organization that will gladly take up such a task.”

Trixie pales and looks at Gilda, who has yet to break eye contact with Naga, and now a blood thirsty growl rumbles from her as she exposes her fangs. Naga, meanwhile, glances at her without much worry burdening him.

“Growl at me all you want, griffin, but the deal is done and all parties must abide or suffer the consequences. All I need from you, Madam Lulamoon, is the route for which you sent your troops, the name of the one in charge, and a formal letter in your writing and seal saying we have full permission to assist,” says Naga.

Trixie glares at Naga, and when she feels the eyes of the room fall on her, she looks at her guards, then at Gilda, and finally back on Naga, who is still smiling like a smug piece of dung.

“Time is wasting, Madam Lulamoon. We wouldn't want this beautiful sanctuary to burn down, now would we?”

Trixie swallows a lump in her throat and looks down, shaking her head.

“No,” she says quietly as she stands up. “Follow me to my office. I'll give Sombra what he wants.”

Trixie descends from her throne with Gilda by her side and Naga steps back and his smile broadens.

“Excellent,” says Naga. “Sombra will be pleased to hear about this.”

Trixie holds up her gauntlet and glares at the stone attached to it. “He's already heard.” She then clenches her fist, puts her hands behind her back and walks faster, leaving a trail of tears blood. “And he will continue hearing.”

The First Steps

The bright orb of the moon shines down on the Fellowship and the alicorn at the edge of Armonia. Thestral guards stand at firm attention, with Ribalue and Nina flanking Luna, and Eulabir next to Celestia. Out of all the alicorns present, Eulabir and Celestia are the only day alicorns, and they have a glow to them that is like a soft candle light which illuminates the ancient masonry of the arching gateway leading outside.

Despite all the soldiers around her and the Fellowship's supply of weapons and armor, Apple Bloom still feels vulnerable, like a newborn left in a field of wolves. The grim expressions of Celestia and Luna and the anxiety of Nina and Ribalue do nothing to ease this. From what Apple Bloom can see, the Fellowship is also a few beats from having fear chain them to Armonia, not that she can blame them since the idea of changing her mind and suggesting Celestia take a crack at destroying the Amulet nudge their way to the front of her mind.

Apple Bloom's thoughts are interrupted when Nina and Ribalue step forward, and the thestral kneels down at her level and gently places a glowing glass orb held to a woven necklace by leaf shaped metal.

“From me and Nina,” says Ribalue as he folds Apple Bloom's fingers over the object. “This is a piece of the moon. It will be your light in the dark. Keep it with you at all times.”

Apple Bloom nods and blinks tears out of her eyes, wishing she can see her grandma one last time so that what can possibly be her final moment will not be so grim.

“You're a brave one,” says Nina.

She kneels down to Apple Bloom's level and hugs her tight, getting an uncomfortable grunt from her brute alicorn strength, but that is as far as the complaint goes. Apple Bloom can feel the tears sliding on to her, and she awkwardly returns the hug.

“Stay safe,” says Nina. She steps away and looks at the Fellowship, specifically at the foalings. “Stay safe, all of you.”

The Fellowship nods, and Celestia speaks.

“The Amulet Bearer is setting out on a quest that will determine the fate of our world,” says Celestia. “You are bound by oath to Faust to lay your lives down for her and each one of you to the ends of the earth. May the blessings of Faust and the High Alicorns be with you. Good luck and godspeed.”

Celestia and Luna step aside and extend their hands to the dark, outer world, and the thestral alicorn guards make a path, each standing stiff and disciplined. The Fellowship does not move at first, for they are all looking at Apple Bloom, and she looks at all of them with big eyes and drooped ears. Seconds later, Twilight gently places her hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder and smiles at her when the foaling looks up, visibly shaking.

“It's okay, Apple Bloom, we're here for you,” says Twilight.

Apple Bloom swallows and nods, and she takes a deep breath, then makes the first step. Each step is heavy and hard, but the Fellowship follows her without word of protest, and the accompanied nobles of the factions watch them intently. Redheart, Purity, the Daveports and Igneous are nowhere to be seen, though.

During their passing, Blitz nods to his children, then points at Flash and slides his finger across his throat. Flash bobs his head quickly for a nod and tightens the grip on his blade while moving in front of Dash and Fluttershy. After that, Blitz smiles thinly and flashes a thumbs-up.

As for Braeburn, he smiles brightly and salutes his troops, which are standing with the alicorn guards.

“I'll be back before you know it, colts. Don'tcha worry,” says Braeburn.

His soldiers return the salute, and step back when the Fellowship steps into the forest. Once there, Apple Bloom looks to the left and to the right, legs frozen and eyes seeing doubles. Her hand grips the sealed pocked holding the Amulet and her eyes drift to each identical tree.

“Which way am I going?” asks Apple Bloom.

“Left,” says Twilight gently.

Apple Bloom nods and turns left, and when the Fellowship is safely out of the away of the gate, it shimmers gold and bars appear in the entrance. Followed by bricks and snaking vines.

The group keeps walking in silence down the ever fading brick path laid before them. Even the forest is still and the wind is lacking. Only the calming noise of a running stream and the snapping twigs and crunching leaves under their feet make any sounds. An owl hoots somewhere in the distance, and as the minutes tick by Pinkie Pie demeanor becomes increasingly more agitated, from her look over her shoulder, to her grumbling and fidgeting, and glancing at everyone in the group. After a few more minutes of tense silence, she makes an obnoxious groan, drawing confused eyes to her. Or, in Rainbow Dash's case, an eye roll.

“All these pones and all this silence. Come on, you guys, let's get some noise going!” says Pinkie Pie. “Somepony talk. Somepony strike up a conversation.”

Pinkie Pie looks at Rarity and Blueblood.

“But, you two might like the silence. You look like the boring type,” says Pinkie Pie.

“We're cultured,” says Rarity.

“Uh, yeah, that's what I said.”

Rarity gasps in disgust, and Blueblood hisses Pinkie Pie's name. When the Ranger looks at him, he wags his finger at her with a hard glare, and she smiles innocently and backs up, nearly running into Flash Sentry. Luckily he moves out of the way, though, so all she gets is an odd look from him.

“Okie doki, I got it, bossman,” says Pinkie Pie. She looks at Rainbow Dash and runs her fingers through her colorful mane. “How much money do you spend on mane dye?”

Rainbow Dash swats her hand away. “Nothing. It is all natural, just like my urge to hurt you.”

Pinkie Pie scoffs and looks at Fluttershy while jabbing her thumb at Rainbow Dash. “That was fast. Is she always like this?”

Fluttershy hides her face with her mane. “She's just uncomfortable.”

Pinkie Pie rubs her chin, humming with an odd grin growing. “Hmm, uncomfortable, eh?”

“Pinkie, now is not the time for disturbing behavior,” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie beams and jogs next to Twilight, and when she is there she starts walking backwards so she can look at her, even though they are going down hill on a broken path being overrun with tangled roots. Seeing this, Fluttershy cringes and holds out her hands slightly.

“Oh, no, please don't do that. You're going to hurt yourself,” says Fluttershy.

“Ten gold says she'll fall,” says Scootaloo.

“One hundred says she won't,” says Spike.

“You're on!”

Pinkie Pie hops backwards over a thick root, skillfully hops off of the rock behind it, and lands with ease. She resumes walking backwards with no trouble, whatsoever. Scootaloo's jaw hangs loose and Spike smirks and holds out his hand while the other foalings snicker. Seeing the drake's hand, Scootaloo's hand rubs the back of her neck and she chuckles nervously.

“Um... IOU?” offers Scootaloo.

Spike scowls and pulls his hand back. “Fine, but I'll hound you for it.”

“Twilight, I got a question,” says Pinkie Pie. “Wouldn't chit chatting create a morale boost and help us achieve our goals quicker and more efficiently? Think about it. We got to form bonds in our Fellowship and we can't do that if we don't talk, and bonds make things stronger so why not make our friendship stronger by playing a game where we get to know each other? Like, 'Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, I like food, weapons and sex.'”

When she is saying this Spike is drinking from his canteen, and her final word sparks a very ugly choking fit from him that results in him keeling over and squirting water from his nose. He grips a tree, coughing, hacking and crying about his nose, and Shining Armor pats him on back, offering comforting words as the drake wheezes for air. While the Fellowship looks at Spike curiously, Twilight glares at Pinkie, and Apple Bloom and the foalings stare at the Rnger, each with various levels of hot faces.

“Wow, she doesn't beat around the bush, does she?” says Pipsqueak.

“Then I would go, 'Your turn, Twilight', and you'll say...” says Pinkie Pie, pointing at Twilight, smiling widely and completely ignoring the mortified looks she is getting from the Fellowship.

Twilight stops, as does the Fellowship, and she sighs, puts her hand on Pinkie Pie's shoulder and smiles.

“Pinkie, please be quiet or else I will put a muting spell on you,” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie's smile fades. “You wouldn't.”

“I would.”

“Why?”

“Because you're annoying,” says Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie frowns at Rainbow Dash. “And you're short, so what's your point?”

Rainbow Dash's eye twitches, but Fluttershy putting a hand on her shoulder keeps her from doing anything rash. Twilight, meanwhile, grabs Pinkie Pie's collar and tugs her close so their snouts are almost touching and her fiery eyes lock on to the Ranger's while smoke rises from her fingers.

“Pinkie, I'm being serious. Stay quiet for five minutes or else I'll make you quiet,” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie looks at Twilight with drooped ears and dim eyes, then looks at the hand on her shoulder, and again at Twilight.

“But what about fellowshipping?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“Fellowshipping can come later,” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie huffs and sags her shoulders. “Fine... Five minutes?”

“Five minutes.”

Pinkie Pie nods, seals her lips, zips her pinched fingers across said lips, then gestures a the tossing of a key, pats Apple Bloom on the head and bows with her arm held out towards the path. Twilight and Apple Bloom stare at her for a moment before they resume walking. As each member of the Fellowship passes her, she waves and nods curtly, and when the last ones, being Braeburn, Applejack and Davenport pass, she keeps pace in total silence.

Five minutes later, the Fellowship enters a clearing with no roads and provides an uncompromising view of the rolling hills, green grass, glowing flowers and distant mountains. All illuminated by the full moon and sky full of twinkling stars.

Apple Bloom's jaw drops with a gasp, as do the other foalings, at the beautiful sight that they have not been able to enjoy until now, but they keep on walking.

“This is beautiful,” says Apple Bloom, her eyes drifting towards a large patch of glowing, light blue flowers pointing at the moon.

Twilight smiles. “Yes it is. When this is all over, I'll take you wherever you want to go. You will be able to see the world as it was meant to be.”

Apple Bloom smiles and feels a lightness in her heart and steps, and even though she cannot see much of the large world, she thinks she is feeling excitement of what is ahead. Then Pinkie Pie talks.

“You know what we need, right now?” says Pinkie Pie.

Twilight groans and covers her face, and Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder to see that Pinkie Pie has wrapped her arms around Applejack and Davenport's necks with a huge grin on her face, completely ignoring the discomfort of the former and the agitation of the latter. However, the group keeps on trekking, despite the Ranger's antics.

“We need epic music,” says Pinkie Pie. She then waves her hands around like she is directing an orchestra. “Daaaa-daaaa-da-da-daaaaa! Da-da-da! Da-da-da! Da-da-daaaa! Daaaa! Daaaa! Daaaa! Da-”

“Oh, my gosh. Shut. Up!” yells Rainbow Dash.

The Path

Thin dark clouds of dust swirl around Star Swirl's feet and blow down a cobblestone path. The wind is weak, but has a bite, and as the dust blows, more of the path is revealed. The dust clings to invisible trees, tombstones, and bones, and when he starts walking, he finds his fingers twitching and his eyes gliding to every noise of creaking wood.

“You are there. I still see you,” says a soft, motherly voice.

Star Swirl looks to the source and a very young him, no beard, no wrinkles, sitting in the grass, laughing and playing with his infant son.

“You know who you are. Do not be deceived,” says the harsh voice of Sombra.

Star Swirl turns to the voice, still walking, and sees himself, standing regal and firm with his mane and bear combed, his coat groomed, and his attire of fine clothing. The Blessed Blade, whole and new, is in his grip, piercing the ground, but the old him flashes to his now cloaked form with the ice blade in his hand.

Sombra keeps walking, and the flowing dust reveals more of the the path, leading to the Amulet of the King. It is hovering in the center of a round atrium with sharp, curving rocks pointed towards it, each with thick, red and orange veins, pulsing and humming.

“Father,” whispers the wind.

Star Swirl stops walking and looks around, breathing heavily and his eyes wetting, but he finds the path behind him is breaking apart, like dust carried by the wind. The voice of his son calls him again, faint like a dying breath, and it leads him back to the Amulet. It hums and pulses, and Star Swirl resumes his walk, eyes transfixed, throat sore and heart heavy.

“He is watching you. Every day he has watched you and every day he mourns on the path you have taken. He wishes you would leave it,”says the Mother

“The path you have taken is one you cannot leave. It has already made you, defined you. You are your sins,” says Sombra. “Embrace them.”

Sombra stops a few paces shy of the Amulet and watches it. Its sleek surface reflects the orange and red light of the veins, and the voice of his so radiates from it. Sombra stretches out his hand to it.

“Who you are is not who you were. You can still see your son,” says the Mother.

“You can only see him by my path,” says Sombra.

The ruby eyes of the Amulet glow bright, and hazy hands extend from its body and creep towards Star Swirl, gradually changing into the flesh and blood of his loss.

“Fulfill your purpose, and I will make your desires real,” says Sombra.

Star Swirl's feet move on their own, and he extends his hand as far as it can go towards the hand in the haze. The haze swirls around the Amulet and takes shape into the white coated, blue maned figure of his son, and he smiles. Star Swirl's heart is pulled, his very soul is lifted with purpose, and a smile graces him as hope wets his eyes from the promises being whispered to him. His fingers stretch out to grab his son's hand and-

[[[[[O]]]]]

A jolt rocks him awake in the discomfort of a wooden cart filled with cabbages, and Star Swirl rubs his eyes feeling odd. Feeling warmth and cold. The air is cold, but there is a pleasant warmth on his face, unlike last time when flames were swallowing him. He looks at his hands, which ache from the coldness. It disgusts him how pale and frail they look, and how cold they are, and he turns them to the sun, squinting his hurting and thinking about how he wishes he can get the whole comfortable warmth instead of having it isolated to his face.

“Hey, buddy, we're here,” says the stallion on the front of the cart.

Star Swirl nods and climbs out of the cart, his metal boots splashing in the mud and his hands jerking his hood over his head, lest anyone wants to see his balding, wrinkling face. He then heads forward with no destination in mind, passing passing a sign that reads “Ironforge” as well as a pair of pegasi soldiers wearing thick, white clothing underneath their black armor.

The cart he rode on continues on, and Star Swirl goes to the town bulletin for no reason other than curiosity. He sees nothing special. Wanted posters, advertisements for a festival, a reminder to cast votes and to not antagonize the pegasi, and slips urging people to check out a Mjölnir & Sons Blacksmithing Shop. It has a nice picture of a hammer and lightning bolt crossing over each other to accompany it, but Star Swirl decides to ignore it and go straight to the tavern behind the board, for his stomach is tight and his throat is parched. He really does not like those feelings.

The tavern he approaches is up in the ages, with its stone bricks discolored and covered in moss, and its wooden frame and tinsels dark and splitting. Its windows are caked with a layer of brown and barrels are stacked next to its heavy door.

Star Swirl hops on its porch and stops at its entrance when he sees a muddy mat with the barely discernible “Wipe your feet” stitched into its rough surface. He looks around and sees nothing special, just the same civilians milling about and the same guards doing absolutely nothing, save for catcalling a passing mare. Star Swirl looks at the mat again, and with a sigh he rubs his boots against it, effectively doing absolutely nothing, and he goes in.

The tavern is brightly lit with sunlight peeking through the dirty windows and a wide collection of candles that line the walls at an elevated height. To his relief there is a large fireplace with bright flames eating away at the logs. The crackle and pops of the glowing red wood is like a sirens call and Star Swirl wastes no time in heeding the temptation.

He grabs a chair closest to the fireplace, pulls it as close as he can and sticks his hands towards the flames. The warmth eats away his shivers and a blissful sigh leaves him as his fingers thaw.

“I take it you want something warm,” says a mare.

Star Swirl looks over his shoulder and sees an earth pony mare wearing an apron over her heavy clothing.

“The best soup and warmest drink you have,” says Star Swirl.

The mare nods, scribbles down an order on her pad and leaves. With her absent, Star Swirl resumes his thawing. He really does not pay heed to the opening door, either. That is, until the voices start.

“Faust blind me, this weather is awful,” says one stallion. “I thought it was still summer.”

“It is at the tail end, but, yes, this weather is way too cold this time of year for it to be natural,” says another stallion. “I bet you it is those pegasi toying with the weather to freeze out those rebels.”

“I don't know, I'm hearing stories about demons lurking about and something unsettling up North. I'd wager the Frozen North is doing this.”

Star Swirl's fingers tense, but he keeps his eyes on the flames, watching the wood slowly dissolve in glowing embers.

“North?” says the second stallion. “Nothing is up North. It is a graveyard of ice and bones. I'm telling you, Hurricane is using weather against those fools trying to fight him.”

“Then how do you explain Everfree sending soldiers North when the rebels are South? Or why the pegasi are wanting more weapons and armor? Hell, even the Lulamoon Sanctuary has been sending out soldiers and word is that a couple of them Knights from that Five Circles organization has been spotted leaving the Sanctuary!” says the first stallion.

Star Swirl's whole body tightens and he glances over his shoulder at the two stallions, noting their heavy cloaks, thick gloves and hats, and the tool belts they have on their table. Another waitress comes by and the two are quick to give her their order, and once she leaves they agree to start another conversation. It is at this time that the mare that took Star Swirl's order returns with a steaming bowl and a frothing cup.

“Here you go,” she says, smiling and placing the food on the table, as well as a slip of paper.

Star Swirl thanks her looks at his soup. It is blood red with beans, onions, potatoes, cheese and what looks like bread crumbs floating in it. As for his drink. It looks like melted chocolate mixed with hot milk. He is completely fine with this and digs in. The hot food does its trick, for he feels his insides relaxing and his muscles loosening. The warmth of the sun is inside him and it is glorious!

“Two gold please,” says the mare.

Star Swirl stops eating and looks at the mare. She is holding out her hand patiently, but Star Swirl stares at her dumbly.

“What?” says Star Swirl.

“The meal costs two gold,” says the mare.

Star Swirl looks at his meal and scowls.

“This is not two gold. I'd wager four bronze tops,” says Star Swirl.

“Sir, do you even have money?” asks the mare.

“No,” says Star Swirl, casually sipping his drink.

“Oh... I'll be right back.”

And so the mare leaves and Star Swirl resumes eating and drinking, that is until an oversized earth pony stallion just waiting to keel over from fat waddles towards him. Seeing the pathetic excuse for a stallion about nearly makes him hurl on the spot, but he loves the taste too much to do so.

“Hey, what are you doing ordering if you can't pay?” says the blob that is the Owner.

Star Swirl takes a spoonful of his soup. “I was hungry and you were open.”

The Owner yanks the bowl and cup away, gives it to the mare and orders her to take it back into the kitchen, and Star Swirl glares at him, exposing his disgusting teeth with a growl.

“I wasn't done,” snarls Star Swirl.

“You didn't pay so you don't get to eat,” says the Owner.

“How about you count this as charity.”

“How about I kick your ass!”

“I would like to see you try!”

Star Swirl jumps up and holds out his arm, expecting his ice blade to come out, only to find that nothing happens. The Owner stares at Star Swirl, and he keeps his ferocious face, but his heart sinks and a random patron coughs in the corner.

“Oh,” says Star Swirl.

The Owner moves in, and Star Swirl growls and clenches his fists, ready to cave the blob's skull in, but before any swings can be made, a stallion calls out to them.

“Whoa, whoa, let's not get rough,” he says.

The Owner and Star Swirl look to the speaker, and the latter is quite surprised to see a teenage earth pony with a tan coat and yellow eyes and mane approaching them with his hands out in a calming manner. The stallion is wearing a brown apron, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and dark pants, all covered in streaks of discoloration. His belt has a hammer and a pair of pliers, as well as a small bag, and his exposed arms are cracked with burn marks, among other things that point to poor medical care.

“Striker, what are you doing?” says the Owner, his posture relaxing somewhat.

“Stopping you from getting arrested again,” says the newcomer. Striker then points to Star Swirl. “And I'm also paying for his meal. How much does he owe you?”

“You aren't going to pay for his meal. He's a hobo,” sneers the Owner, turning his glare back on Star Swirl. “If you pay for him he'll leech on to you and drain you for everything.”

“I don't have time to be leeching on anybody,” says Star Swirl.

“But you have plenty of time stealing my food!”

“Call it a loss. With what you charge you'll make it up in the hour's end.”

“Why you filthy, forsaken hobo!”

The Owner lunges forward, but Striker intercepts him and stops him by holding out his hands, but he does not actually touch the manager since the said pony stops and glares at him.

“Out of the way, colt,” says the Owner.

“Escrepes, you already got two strikes on your record and you know as well as the laws of the pegasi,”says Striker. He steps closer and speaks in a lower tone, begging with his hand on the Owner's shoulder. “Don't follow Dorye. It's not worth it.”

The Owner, Escrepes, keeps his glare for a moment longer before deflating with a sigh and holding out his hand.

“The hobo owes two gold,” he says.

Striker gives him the two gold, and Escrepes pockets the money and glares Star Swirl. The old unicorn stares at him, fists still clenched, and his eyes narrow when Escrepes jabs his finger at his chest.

“Know this, I will be watching you, and if you do anything to that colt that I don't like I'll be coming for your head,” says Escrepes.

“Good luck getting it,” says Star Swirl.

Escrepes growls, then heads back to the kitchen and the patrons return to their meals.

“Thanks,” says Star Swirl without taking his eyes of off Escrepes.

“No problem,” says Striker. “So... you're a hobo, huh?”

Star Swirl slowly looks at Striker and-

~~~~~~~~~~

A few minutes later Star Swirl has no idea how he agreed to follow the teenager to his abode. It is a good sized house, with two chimneys, one part a thatch roof and the other part wooden shingles. The large house is made from stones held in place by old, brown mortar, and the front door is a solid slab of wood that Striker has some trouble opening, but once they are in, the warmth is welcoming.

“Mjölna, I'm home with a guest,” says Striker.

A mare with heavy clothes and an apron by the hearth approaches them, smiling brightly, and Star Swirl's thoughts go blank at the sight of seeing a female Striker in front of him. Same age, same coat color, same mane color, same eyes, the only difference is that she has a mane that goes down to her shoulders.

“This is my sister, Mjölna,” says Striker. “ Mjölna, this is Star Swirl.”

“Hello,” chirps Mjölna, bowing slightly.

Star Swirl stares at her, and then at Striker, and then back at her, and back at him. The two teenagers exchange looks, and Star Swirl shakes his head, blinking fast, and explores the small house. Near the hearth is a straw mattress bed big enough for two with a pair of wool blankets, in front of said bed is a dowry chest and across the way is a closet. In the hearth is a hanging cauldron, and a small table with a pair of bowls rests in front of it. At the opposite end of the house is an empty tub with cleaning supplies lined up a shelf next to it.

After taking in that information, Star Swirl goes through a doorway that leads to a large room made of stone with vents along the roof. There is another door made of thick slabs of wood held in place by strips of metal, but it is locked with a giant pad. The room has a large furnace, an anvil, and a wide array of tools hanging from shelves. Across the way, swords of various conditions are lines up, as well as crates with the Hurricane's wings of lightning stamped on it.

Once he sees it all, Star Swirl looks at Striker, who has followed him in with his sister in tow.

“Where is your head of house?” asks Star Swirl.

“What?” asks Striker.

“You are too young to be leading this house. Where is your father, or grandpa, or whoever. Where are they?”

Striker points behind him, his features sinking, as well as Mjölna's.

“They're buried outback with my brothers,” says Striker.

“Your mother?” asks Star Swirl.

“Ran off one day. Haven't seen her since.”

“Tragic,” says Star Swirl carelessly. He then points at Mjölna, ignoring the hard stare Striker is giving him. “What do you do?”

“I work at the garrison,” says Mjölna. “I clean the pegasi's armor, weapons and clothes, and sometimes cook for them.”

Star Swirl grunts and looks at the row of hanging swords. They are all basic blades with nothing special about them, save for Mjölnir& Sons Blacksmithing Shop being imprinted in them. He also notices spear heads hanging from hooks and an open crate filled with straw and carefully placed axes. As he looks over the weapons, his eyes fall on a desk which, has a book with a suit of armor printed on it. Star Swirl goes to the desk, flips open the book and quickly flips through the pages until he comes to a page displaying a diagram of a vambrace and gauntlet. Star Swirl presses his finger on the beautiful picture and looks at the collection of blades, and then he glances at Striker, who is staring at him uneasily, just like his sister.

“Do you do custom orders or are they only standard?” asks Star Swirl.

“I can do custom orders, but they are expensive and the price depends on the object,” says Striker.

Star Swirl holds up his arm, turns his hand to and fro, and smiles thinly at the blacksmith when he clenches his fist.

“Good. I got a job for you.”

The Decision

Steel clangs against steel in the late afternoon, and with it comes the light chuckles, firm instructions and praise. In the middle of a circle of grass, next to a used campfire, Blueblood is swinging his blade in slow, easy to follow motions against Pipsqueak, who is clutching his short blade with both hands and flinching and taking a step back with every strike. Next to Pipsqueak is Button, and he is trying to twirl his sword, but keeps dropping it. Sitting on a rock, watching the scene below is Shining Armor and Twilight, both of whom are eating their bread with the former keeping his canteen handy and the latter stroking her pipe. Next to the two is Rarity fighting boredom.

“One. Two. Two. One,” says Blueblood in tune with his swings and being sure not to overpower Pipsqueak with his swings. He smiles proudly when his next barrage of swings are blocked. “Good! Your turn, Butters.”

“It's Button,” says Button.

Blueblood swings his blade against Button's, and it falls right out of his hand and slides across the grass, coming to a stop at Scootaloo's feet. She claps slowly and shakes her head.

“You hit too hard,” says Button.

“Your grip is too weak,” says Blueblood. He returns the short sword to Button Mash and guides his fingers around the hilt, making sure the foaling's fingers are good and tight. “Remember, the sword is more than a weapon. It is a part of you. It is a companion, a guardian, and you never want to lose such things. Especially if they were made for you.”

“But remember, if the sword is terrible you get rid of it and get another one,” says Shining Armor bluntly, this earns him an eye roll from Twilight, which he completely ignores.

“Or you can forget the blade and go with range,” says Braeburn as he takes a seat next to Shining Armor and puts a lot of emphasis in placing his crossbow between his legs. His eyes then flick to Applejack when she walks past him and starts cleaning up the mess of plates and cookware that surround the charred pit. “What're ya doing?”

“Cleaning the mess,” says Applejack.

“Did Davenport tell you to do it?”

“...No...”

Breaburn frowns skeptically, and while this goes on Rainbow Dash watches Sweetie Belle with the most vicious of looks and keeping her hand on her weapon. The unicorn foaling is braiding Fluttershy's hair, and while the braiding is nice -and Fluttershy does seem to be enjoying it- the Colored Witch is ready to strike in case that little demon attempts to rip off her sister's head.

“I think I might be on to something,” says Sweetie Belle. “What if when this is all over I open up a place that makes manes pretty for everypony, not just nobles?”

“Wouldn't that be expensive?” says Twist.

“It will be, but maybe I can ask the Rich's for a loan.”

“Don't do that,” says Apple Bloom, her hand massaging where the Amulet is stored. “Yer better off just working from your house.”

“My house,” says Scootaloo. Apple Bloom, Twist and Sweetie Belle look at her, and she glances back at them. “It is my house.”

“Didn't you take over an abandoned shack?” asks Spike.

He is sitting across from Flash, looking at some cards in his hands, so he does not notice the sharp look Scootaloo is giving him.

“I made it work,” says Scootaloo.

“After I helped you fix it so it wouldn't fall on you from the first storm,” says Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo waves her hand dismissively. “Whatever. I did all the hard stuff.”

Apple Bloom's brows and lips scrunch, but she remains silent and turns her attention to the nearest person in their party. It just happens to be Davenport, and he is watching Blueblood train Button Mash and Pipsqueak with a heaviness in his eyes.

“You're doing better. You have to move you're feet, though,” says Blueblood, keeping up with his slow advancements on the two foalings, thus forcing them to step back while blocking. “Keep moving your feet.”

Seeing this, Davenport gets up and walks towards the back, away from the group, but when Applejack tries to follow him he holds out his hand and keeps walking in silence, leaving her by Braeburn. However, Apple Bloom is the only one to see this, and despite her wanting to walk after him, her feet keep her panted, and her eyes find their way on Flash when he tosses a card down in front of Spike.

“Your move,” says Flash.

“What? No, you can't use that card,” says Spike.

“Why not?”

“You didn't make enough sacrifices.”

“I did to.”

“Did not.”

“Did to.”

“Did not!”

“Did to!”

Spike snorts flames. “Did not!”

Flash narrows his eyes. “Did to!”

Twilight gets up and with her magic she levitates the cards away and puts them in a neat stack inside a small sack.

“Okay, enough of that game,” says Twilight. “Has anyone seen Pinkie Pie?”

“Why? Do you miss her?” says Spike, his tone sour like his gaze on Flash.

Twilight frowns and puts some tobacco in her pipe. “No. She's just the kind of mare that causes trouble when she doesn't have a leash.”

“Ooh, kinky,” says Pinkie Pie right in Twilight's ear.

Twilight yells and leaps away dropping her pipe and tobacco, and clutching, and she, Spike and Flash stare at Pinkie Pie while she snickers and picks up the pipe. After brushing it off she bows slightly and holds the pipe out to Twilight with both of her hands.

“Your pipe, Madam Princess,” says Pinkie Pie.

“Were you dropped as a baby?” asks Rainbow Dash.

Once Twilight hesitantly takes the pipe Pinkie Pie straightens out and looks at Rainbow Dash. “I don't think so, but who remembers anything as a baby?”

“Where have you been?” asks Twilight.

Pinkie Pie bats her lashes at Twilight and leans against her, placing her hands over her heart. “Why? Did you miss me?”

Twilight scowls and pushes Pinkie Pie away. “No.”

“It's okay, we're still in the awkward after-glow thing. You'll warm up to me again and really start missing me.”

Twilight's eye twitches and her face turns dark purple as smoke rises from her mane and hands, and Pinkie Pie hops in the middle of the camp and claps her hands, drawing everybody's attention.

“Attention, Fellowship!” says Pinkie Pie. “I got good news and I got bad news. Good news is that I found one of the entrances to the Ammolite Mines. The bad news is that it is locked. The good news is that I can get it unlocked, but the bad news is that we might get brutally stabbed to death by heavily armored guards and the survivors repeatedly raped until we either kill ourselves or are killed out of boredom. The good news is that we can avoid that problem if I am able to talk to their leader first. But the bad news is that I haven't spoken to the leader in a long time. But the good news is that if I talk to her then we won't get brutally stabbed or raped to death. Or sold into slavery. So, who wants to go to Ammolite Mines and save a lot of time and trouble instead of going through an open field and facing possible heat strokes and lapse in sanity and or zero protection from Sombra's horde?”

The Fellowship has fallen stiff and silent, and let their wide eyes and sealed lips do the talking for them. After some long seconds of uncomfortable silence and an awkward gust of wind, Rainbow Dash's frozen state breaks down and she looks side to side before looking at Pinkie Pie with a confused snarl.

“Okay... What the hell?” says Rainbow Dash.

“A short cut using a mine that'll save us a lot of time and health,” says Pinkie Pie. “That's the what for the heck.”

“Time and health? What about getting stabbed or raped to death?”

“They won't violate the guys will they?” asks Flash, his eyes darting side to side.

Pinkie Pie pshaws and waves her hand at him. “No, don't be silly.”

Flash relaxes with a sigh, which gets him a punch in the arm from Rainbow Dash.

“That'll only happen if I don't speak to the leader first,” says Pinkie Pie.

Flash pales, and Rarity clears her throat and holds up her hand.

“Um, pardon me, Ranger, but how could you possibly know the leader?” she asks.

“Easy. The Ammolite Mines is a vassal kingdom of Lookout Mountain, and it was put under the watch of Maud, my sister, so if I get a chance to talk to her then we can avoid a lot of trouble,” says Pinkie Pie.

“I motion we keep to the course and not venture into dangerous territory,” says Blueblood.

“Blueblood's right. The Ammolite Mines is a dangerous place, and Apple Bloom's safety is important to us,” says Twilight.

“Which is why we take a path underground that will shield us from bad weather and open areas that offer zero protection against anything that will want to hurt her. Duh!”

“Right, we'll just go to an underground place with an army of sadistic rapists,” says Rainbow Dash.

“It does sound like a bad idea,” says Fluttershy.

“We will have an army watching our back and we can use their rails to save us a lot of time. The network will take us straight to Unicorn Ridge and place us two weeks from the Crystal Mountains at half the time it would take us on Blueblood's schedule.”

“Pinkie, you're insane,” says Shining Armor.

“Really? I'm offering everypony a golden road, here! Food, shelter, a literal army of protection, quick travel, and I'm the insane one?”

“Yes.”

“Will all this food and stuff be before or after we are killed or violated?” says Braeburn.

“I really don't want to get violated,” says Flash.

“None of us want to get violated,” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie slaps her hand to her face. “Oh my Faust. I already said I wouldn't let that happen.”

“I don't think you did,” says Spike.

“I did. I completely did in all the ways possible.”

“That phrase doesn't make sense with the context of this conversation,” says Sweetie Belle.

“Shut up, scribe-worm,” says Rainbow Dash.

“Why not have the Bearer decide?” says Davenport, his cheek resting on his fist and his eyes distant. The group looks at Davenport, and without breaking face he barely points at Apple Bloom. “She's the one with the burden, so why not let her have some control of her fate?”

Slowly all eyes fall on Apple Bloom, and she looks back at the group, tense and nibbling her lip. Her throat feels stuffed and swallowing her spit feels like swallowing a ball of ice. She hears the voice of the Amulet whisper in her ear, but she cannot make out its works. She can only feel its icy claws sink into her.

Her hands squeeze the Amulet and she swallows once again, blinking wetness out of her eyes. She looks past the group and sees the sea of flatland. No tree, no cover, no structure in sight. It brings back the memory of trying to escape Star Swirl in the fog. With nowhere to hide she was lucky Sprinkles saved her, but she might not be lucky next time Sombra's agents go after them, and she does not want her last memories being of her new group of friends being slaughtered out in the open.

“Do you promise to keep us safe?” asks Apple Bloom, her eyes now on Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie bows slightly and flashes a smile. “I Pinkie Promise.”

“Okay... We'll go through the Mines.”

The Nightmare

Star Swirl has wandered through many winters. He has lost track of the number, but he had forgotten what cold felt like. He forgot what warmth felt like, too. A constant state of numbness that he gladly accepted, but the gift has been ripped away. Now he feels the cold from the outside creeping through the walls of Striker's house and the warm aura of the crackling fire not too far from him. He is honestly loving the warmth, and the blanket he has wrapped himself up with, but is wishing that it wasn't so cold. It is driving him to the brink of a temper tantrum not meant for unicorns one thousand years old.

The wood groans and creaks against the howling wind, and from the comfort of his straw bed, Star Swirl glances up at the ceiling, expecting it to collapse on him.

“Don't worry about the house. When the pegasi invaded it withstood their storm. It can withstand this one, too,” says Striker.

Star Swirl grunts and shifts underneath his blanket, clutching his trembling hand and making it a personal mission to keep the shakes hidden from the colt. Said colt appears too busy to notice this, anyway, since his eyes are focused on his inclined desk and his hands are carefully guiding an ink pen along the parchment with the help of rulers and stencils.

“Can you teach me how to build swords and armor?” asks a very young colt in Star Swirl's ear.

“Why are you asking me this? I don't know how to make those things,” says a much younger voice of Star Swirl in his other ear.

“I want to build my own knight.”

“Don't be ridiculous. You can't build a knight. Now hurry it up. Your tutor is waiting.”

Star Swirl's jaw sets and his eyes drift to the fire, wanting to see something in the shades of orange dancing on the logs. But all he sees is a pile of logs breaking and dissolving into ashes.

“Something has been on my mind ever since you first got here,” says Striker.

“Which is?” says Star Swirl.

“I have never seen you use magic, but you are a unicorn. Is there something wrong with your horn?”

“No.”

“But at the pub, when you and Escrepes were about to fight you held out your hand like you were expecting something to come out, but when nothing came out you were surprised.”

Star Swirl stares at his sickly hand. It is still twitching, and he can only get it to stop when he grips it, and brings him to thinking about his pathetic appearance. He never thought about how ugly he looked before, but after having a closer look in the mirror he is really despising his corpse-like features. What's more, he is really hating how he has not been able to use magic ever since the Blessed Blade blinded him at the Sanctuary. Not even basic levitation spells or telekinetic blasts. It just gives him more proof that Faust is a bitch. Though, his thoughts are interrupted when Striker calls his name.

“I didn't have enough mana to do a spell that would have gutted him,” says Star Swirl sharply. He stretches out on the makeshift bed and adjusts the blanket around him, shivering when a frigid burst of air breaches the wall yet again. “I would have been fine without it, though.”

“I think I saved your life. You're very frail and Escrepes is a big stallion,” says Striker.

“Nothing a fork to the neck can't handle.”

Striker grimaces and resumes his blueprints. Minutes of heavy silence follow. Not that Star Swirl minds since the crackling flames offer some comfort, despite the cold's resilience.

“Were you a soldier at one point?” asks Striker suddenly.

“Why do you ask?” asks Star Swirl after a pause.

“You just seem like an ex-soldier to me.”

Star Swirl sighs and sits up, being sure to press his pillow against the crack that the air keeps coming through. He swears he sees a layer of frost growing, but pushes it aside as a symptom of tired eyes.

“You can say that. I led stallions. I had a son that fought by my side, but they all perished,” says Star Swirl. He looks down and swallows a heavy ball, and blinks away mist as he rubs his hand, speaking quietly. “My son was better than me, but he fell. I couldn't protect him, and I will do anything to undo that.”

His glistening eyes look up to Striker. The teenager is staring back at him, his pencil loose in his grip and his eyes and ears are drooped. A freezing gust of wind then pushes the pillow off of the wall and stab Star Swirl's back with dozens of frozen needles. His soft eyes solidify and with an aggravated growl he storms towards the fireplace. He throws in a couple of logs, loving the burst of heat washing over him with the flare of orange and dancing embers. He rubs his palms together and places them towards the fire.

“Is it always this cold in this part of Equestria?” asks Star Swirl.

Striker shakes his head. “No. The weather is normally fair around this time of year.” He peeks outside his window for just a moment before drawing a wool sheet over it. “Escrepes thinks the pegasi are trying to freeze out the rebels, but I don't think its them.”

“Why not?”

“Mjölna is saying that the pegasi are getting very nervous, and that they have sent out rush orders to get winter gear and extra rations.”

Star Swirl's hands stiffen, and he glances at Striker, who is now back to working on the blueprint.

“If the weather was part of their military operation then they would have been prepared,” continues Striker. “I guess that brings up the question of what's doing this if it isn't the pegasi.”

Star Swirl grunts and strains his fingers to flex. Even with that, they are still trembling and the heat has become like molten blotches of metal on his hands. Oddly enough he finds this comforting, but despite the comfort something claws at the back of his mind. He tries to ignore it, but the clawing travels from the skull down his spine, leading to a uncomfortable pressure in his chest and throat, and when it becomes unbearable, he sighs.

“How long has the weather been like this?” asks Star Swirl.

“It has been steadily getting worse over the past month,” replies Striker.

Star Swirl nods, and after some more minutes of silence he wraps his blanket around himself like a shawl and heads towards a stack of crates near the workshop.

“Pack your bags with all the food and supplies you can and grab the best weapons you have,” orders Star Swirl.

Striker blinks and follows Star Swirl with his eyes. “Why?”

Star Swirl breaks open the lid and grabs a sheathed blade, despite Striker's protest. He unsheaths the weapon and grunts with satisfaction when he sees that it is a kopis design with a fresh, sleek blade and padded handle. The handle is bland, but sturdy, and the inside of the sheath is lined with wool. He can feel his skin barely holding when he glides his palm over it, so overall it is a fine weapon that he has no problem taking.

“Star Swirl, what's going on?” says Striker.

“Just do as I say,” says Star Swirl, now slipping the weapon through a belt that he has taken from another shelf, and adds as he goes towards the door: “And make the packing quick.”

Opening the door beats his face with a sharp gust of frozen wind that forces him to tilt his head down. His steps are quick and the dirt crunches like glass underneath his boots as he hurries towards the barracks. Puffs of air freeze in front of his muzzle like faint orbs of light in the dark, and moonlight illuminates the spreading frost on the ground and snow falls from the sky like ashes of a distant fire. It does not take him long to get to the barracks, and they are also easy to spot in the dark village due to its size and it is the only place that is lit up with rows of torches.

The banners on the barrack towers whip in the wind, and Star Swirl tightens his makeshift shawl around him and bites his tongue from the cold that is splitting his fingers. When he reaches the gate, there is a pair of pegasi there, both young and padding their bodies with frosty pillows and blankets. Their teeth chatter and they are barely able to move to lift their spears when Star Swirl approaches them.

“Halt!” shouts one over the wind. He has a light blue coat with a cropped white mane, and his cheeks have darkened to a deep blue. “State your business!”

Star Swirl stops. “I'm here to pick up Mjölna.”

“Who?”

The second pegasus, a green pony with a brown mane that has a stripe of brown, steps forward with his spear out. “I know who he's talking about. This is the hobo that's been staying at her brother's house for the past week. What business do you have with her?”

“Family emergency.”

“Of what sort?”

“The urgent kind.”

“She's still on shift for another hour.”

“She can make up that hour with an extra two tomorrow. How does that sound?”

The two pegasi look at each other after some seconds of awkward staring and silence.

“Eh, I guess that will be fine, right?” says the first. “Would the commander mind?”

“It's too cold to wait for approval. Mila done with just about everything, anyway. Get her and tell the next round to get their cozy flanks out here.”

The first nods and pulls down a trumpet shaped device and relays the message, and a few hour long minutes later Mjölna appears out of the barrack gates bundled with a thick coat and a heavy shawl and scarf. She is lucky enough to have mittens on.

Star Swirl beckons her, and she hesitantly walks forward. Her steps are shaky and her glistening eyes are constantly blinking, and when she is within range Star Swirl grabs her shoulder and forces her to walk fast.

“What happened? Kopis said that there is a family emergency,” says Mjölna when they are out of earshot.

“There will be if you two don't do as I say,” says Star Swirl.

Within minutes, Star Swirl reaches Striker's house and pushes the door open as hard as he can. The resounding bang makes Striker jump, for he was in the middle of packing a third bag with two successfully packed bags full of clothing, food, bed rolls, and has a sword strapped to each of them. It actually takes Star Swirl a few precious seconds to comprehend what he is seeing.

“You pack fast,” says Star Swirl, his eyes wide with admiration.

“You told me to,” says Striker. He resumes packing the last bag. “Can you tell me what's going on?”

Mjölna looks at Star Swirl. “You said there was an emergency. What is it?”

Star Swirl throws Mjölna one of the completed bags and tosses a jacket and a bunch of clothes to Striker and more to his sister.

“Finish packing and bundle up. You're going to need it,” says Star Swirl.

“Star Swirl, what's going on? Please, tell us!” begs Mjölna.

“Enough with the questions!” says Star Swirl. “I'm doing both of you a favor unless you want to join your family out back.”

Thankfully they fall silent and Star Swirl turns around to avoid looking at Mjölna when she discards her outer layer. Not that he is expecting to see anything besides clothes, but he would rather not be accused of anything perverted. Besides, he has bigger things to worry about, such as checking the distance from the house to the nearest cover, which a quick peek out the window reminds him that this part of Equestria is very flat and miserable.

“We're ready,” says Striker some minutes later.

Star Swirl looks at the twins and sees they have taken his bundle up order to heart. Their faces are covered in scarfs, their heads and torsos covered with blankets that have hooks hastily fastened to them, their hands covered in mittens, and their body puffed from the many layers of clothes beneath them. Their packs are also held tight against their backs from the straps around their chests.

“Good. Let's go,” says Star Swirl as he puts on a pair of gloves that feel loose on his bony hands.

The trio exit the house after putting out the fire and the two earth ponies follow the former Windigo's lead. He stays close to the walls of the shacks with his hand on his hilt and his ears straining to hear anything abnormal. All he hears are signs creaking in the wind and muffled complaints of the weather.

His steps quicken. He doesn't want to hear their voices.

He stops at the corner of a dark building and peeks around the corner. A pale, grayed film with a purple tint covers the air. Flecks of falling snow are illuminated by the full moon and air guided by the strong wind, but he can barely see the humps of hills in the distance.

“How far is the nearest town?” asks Star Swirl.

“Fishburg,” says Striker, his teeth chattering. “It is a five days walk from here.”

“Then that's where we're going. Keep up with me.”

Star Swirl pulls away from the building and walks into the field. His feet are screaming at him to go faster, but he resists. His breathing is quick, but his steps are slow and it is a chore to keep his eyes ahead. The only consolation that he has not lost the Twins is that he can barely hear their feet crunching the frozen grass beneath them.

Seconds bleed to minutes, minutes rot into hours, and time dissolves in all forms by the time Star Swirl and the Twins reach the first hill their muzzles and clothing are powdered in frost. Star Swirl's lungs also feel like they have been crystallized, and he collapses to his knees, panting and curling his trembling hand into a tight fist. Seconds later, footsteps flank him and Striker kneels next to him, placing his hand on his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” asks Striker.

Star Swirl waves him off. “I'm fine.”

Then his ears perk with the sound of a distant thud, followed by faint bells and screams. The trio look over their shoulders, and Mjölna gasps and brings her hands up while Striker leaps to his feet.

In the distance, the fire eats away at the roofs of the village, bringing out silhouettes of other structures burning from the inside out from growing infernos. Bloodcurdling screams echo in the night with shrill screeches and frantic orders. Steel clangs against steel, but soon that sound is overtaken by cries of dying and fear. An explosion where the barracks are shakes the earth and creates a small star that flings smaller balls of flame in every direction. Flaming wood and fabric twirls in the sky before they crash down with grim thuds and victorious war cries made of screeches and howls.

“What is that? Who is doing that!” cries Mjölna.

Star Swirl looks down and uncurls his fist. His eyes are wide and his hand trembles as a ball of ice forms in his throat. Mjölna's sobs are heard in the wind, and with a heavy sigh through his nose, Star Swirl forces himself up and carries on with his head down and his hand on the hilt of his new sword.

“Let's go. There's nothing we can do for them,” says Star Swirl.

And he continues walking, unable to look at the two he just saved.

Into The Mines

Cold mud splashes up Apple Bloom's legs as she follows the Fellowship to their destination. Night has fallen faster than she expected, but the good news is that the full moon has no clouds blocking it, so the path is easy to see. Twilight and Spike are also by her side, so she fees marginally safer than with just her Foaling companions. Not that she has anything against them, but they really are no match for any real threat, as her throbbing wounds remind her.

Apple Bloom scans the area nervously with baggy eyes, observing each gnarled tree, every vine covered statue, and every patch of soggy dirt as though an agent of Sombra will pop out and butcher the team. From the looks of it, the rest of the group holds similar views, with Rarity masking it with muttered complaints about the mud and Blueblood looking less than pleased about the mess clinging to his attire. Pinkie Pie is the only one who does not appear to be nervous, for her steps are light enough for her to bounce, bringing her assortment of lethal and nonlethal items to clang against her.

How she is able to carry all her gear and move like a filly is a mystery to Apple Bloom, but if her limited knowledge of Pinkie Pie points to anything, it is don't question her antics. She is probably clueless about her behavior, anyway.

“When we reach the Ammolite Mines let me do the talking,” says Pinkie Pie.

“You don't know how to stop, anyway,” says Rainbow Dash.

“Hey, I haven't talked for four hours.”

“Liar,” grumbles Davenport.

“Well, maybe not four hours at once, but it adds up.”

“What can we expect in the Mines? Aside from the bad ending,” says Braeburn.

“Well,” begins Pinkie Pie, grinning eagerly as she turns to walk backwards. “After I talk to Maud you can expect baths, food, cider, comfy beds and a free trip on the Ammolite tracks.”

She then hops her way to Shining Armor and Spike and wraps her arms around their necks, using them as support for her walk and completely ignoring the unicorn's glare and the drake's puzzled look.

“There's also mares that will give you a lot of comfort if you ask for it,” says Pinkie Pie. “Hint hint. Wink wink.”

Shining Armor scowls and forcefully removes Pinkie Pie from his neck while Spike hums and rubs his chin.

“What kind of mares?” asks Spike.

“SPIKE!” scolds Twilight, her eyes and tone as sharp as a fresh blade.

Spike tenses and stammers as he slides away from Pinkie Pie. “I mean, shame on you... You heathen person.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle crack a smile, but the other Foalings do not seem to be impressed. Pinkie Pie then hugs Spike again, squishing her body against his and puckering her lips at Twilight while tracing her fingers along the drake's cheek.

“Don't worry, Twilight, I will keep Spike safe from the big bad mares,” says Pinkie Pie.

Spike gulps and his face heats up as he looks at Twilight -who is losing her patience- and he tries to pull away, but Pinkie Pie tightens her hug on him, leading to his quick submission. During this, Rainbow Dash casually makes her way to Pinkie Pie, and that includes her forcing Apple Bloom out of her way and nearly running over Twist and Pipsqueak.

“When you said cider, what kind of cider were you talking about?” asks Rainbow Dash when she is next to Pinkie Pie.

“The good kind,” says Pinkie Pie.

“Specifics. I need specifics.”

“Like drinking the blood of your enemies from the skulls of their children.”

“...Awesome.”

“I knew you licked yourself clean from blood!” blurts Sweetie Belle.

Rainbow Dash turns around, snarling with her wings unfurled and her eyes narrowed on the unicorn foaling. “You stupid wench! That never happened!”

“Uh huh. Tell that to their family, fiend.”

Rainbow Dash growls and grabs her blade, but Fluttershy grabs her wrist and shakes her head.

“It's not worth it,” says Fluttershy.

“I hate her,” says Rainbow Dash, glaring at Sweetie Belle.

“I know.”

“No, you don't understand. I really hate her.”

“Okay, we can move up front away from her. How does that sound?”

“Can't I cut her head off, instead?”

Fluttershy starts leading Rainbow Dash to the front. “No, you can't. That's a really mean thing to do.”

“She's the mean one!”

With Rainbow Dash being forced up front, Flash silently follows the two up, shaking his head, and Braeburn taps on Davenport's shoulder and jabs his thumb to the back of the line. Davenport stares at him defiantly, but after having the wrong end of the crossbow being aimed at him, he moves to the back with Applejack and Braeburn close by.

“I really think it will take a miracle to keep this fellowship together,” says Pipsqueak.

“We'll be fine. My dad used to do this all the time to me and my mom, but we came out all right,” says Button Mash.

Apple Bloom raises a brow critically.

“Your dad used to threaten to cut off your head?” says Scootaloo skeptically.

“Yeah, he did that a lot before he ran away,” says Button Mash. He sighs whimsically and looks up at the stars. “Good times.”

Apple Bloom's lips curl to a disturbed sneer, and she and the other Foalings exchange odd looks that Button Mash does not notice.

“Do you really want to go into the Mines?” asks the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom jumps and looks to the voice, and sees the Shadow Foaling walking next to Pipsqueak, her hands behind her back and her torn dress dragging in the mud. The Shadow Foaling swivels her way in front of Apple Bloom and leans close so that their noses are almost touching, forcing her to crane her head back a bit, but despite how close the entity is, Apple Bloom cannot see herself in its large eyes.

“Will the Mines help you find me? Will it free us? Do you know of the terrors that claw in its darkness?” continues the Shadow Foaling. “What Nightmare lurks in the tunnels of Ammolite? What shadows bind the Ammolites to the Never Ending Winter? You don't know, but I do, and I am telling you there is no safety there. Turn back now.”

Apple Bloom closes her eyes and shakes her head, and when she opens them again she sees Pinkie Pie is back up front, pestering Twilight about something that is most likely irrelevant.

“Are you okay?” asks Pipsqueak.

Apple Bloom nods and smiles nervously at him. “I'm fine.”

“You were just looking at me weird, is all.”

“I'm fine, really. Maybe a bit tired, but that ain't new.”

“And if you'll look to your right you will see a statue of what is supposed to be King Luminous Stone, the last king of the House of Stone,” says Pinkie Pie, her bubbly voice echoing in the desolate scenery and her hand pointed off to the side.

Apple Bloom and the rest of the Fellowship looks to where Pinkie Pie is pointing, but all she sees is a pair of legs covered in vines and roots.

“Luminous Stone was born and raised in the Ammolite Mines and was notorious for breaking the norms of the nobility class,” says Pinkie Pie. “Starting with allowing the commoners to party at the Lookout Palace when he was crowned High Lord of the Kingdoms of Lookout Mountain, cutting all personal taxes to nothing and replacing them with what he called 'Tariffs', and making military service voluntary instead of mandatory.”

The group starts going down a set of stairs by a lake that is covered in algae and twisted roots. Small waves of water bounce off of a submerged statue with its head and tip of a staff above the grave. At the edge of the lake stands a double door that towers above the group and is decorated with five circles around a pair of bars, which are surrounded by a series of jagged lines that hold no distinct pattern.

“Rumor has it that he also created a secret group that eliminated rivals inside the Kingdoms and abroad, before he was brutally murdered by Nidhogg when Lookout Mountain fell to the dragons, thus resulting in the fracturing of the Kingdoms until the House of Igneous reunited them. The end,” says Pinkie Pie.

“That was impressive,” says Twilight. “But Luminous Stone was not murdered by Nidhogg. He choked to death on rock candy.”

Pinkie Pie stops in midstep, swivels on the ball of her foot and leans close to Twilight with eyes narrowed to slits and her ears splayed against her deflating mane. This forces Twilight to stop, as well as the Fellowship, and give her apprehensive looks.

“Are you saying that I don't know the history of my people, Princess?” says Pinkie Pie.

“I'm saying that you got a detail wrong,” says Twilight. “And technically Ammolites aren't your people since the Kingdoms of Lookout Mountain is more of a union of smaller kingdoms. Your people would be, in a more accurate sense, Marigoldens.”

Pinkie Pie slams her hands on Twilight's shoulders, hissing and digging her fingers into the unicorn, bringing out a wince from her.

“Twilight, I like you,” says Pinkie Pie. “I like you a lot, but please, please, please, please do not pretend to know more about my home than I do just because you went on a quest to liberate Lookout Mountain. It is annoying, rude, and above all else, insulting.” She grabs Twilight's cheeks and squeezes them together while pressing her nose against hers. “Rozumiem?”

“Pinkie, that's enough!” says Blueblood.

Pinkie Pie's eyes snap to Blueblood, and she steps back, chuckling and patting Twilight's cheek.

“Relax, Blue, no harm was coming,” says Pinkie Pie.

She then runs her fingers through her mane, which results in it puffing out, twirls around and skips on away, returning to her bright tone.

“Anyway, this area used to be traveled a lot for trade and stuff, but then Vassal Lord Pick Ax was dumb and did stupid things,” says Pinkie Pie.

The Fellowship continues walking, but Apple Bloom, Spike and Shining Armor stop by Twilight, who has become quite stiff.

“That was weird,” says Apple Bloom.

“Are you okay?” asks Shining Armor, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I'm fine,” says Twilight. She grabs Shining Armor's hand and offers a small smile. “I guess I am just taken back by her reaction to criticism.”

“If she touches you like that again I'm cutting her hand off,” says Shining Armor.

Apple Bloom's eyes grow wide, as does Twilight's and Spike's, and Shining Armor moves ahead, keeping his hand on his hilt and his eyes focused on Pinkie Pie. Seconds later, Twilight nudges Apple Bloom forward and the three quietly follow the group down the path. Another moment passes and Spike leans close to Twilight.

“Is it wrong of me to think that Pinkie could kill all of us if she wanted to?” says Spike quietly.

Twilight shakes her head and hugs Apple Bloom closer to her while watching Shining Armor warily. “No, Spike. Not in the slightest.”

“Hey, Princess! Time to work your magic!” says Pinkie Pie.

The three put their focus on Pinkie Pie and see her grinning and patting the door. Twilight shakes her head and walks forward with Spike in tow. From what Apple Bloom can see, Twilight really wants to say something, but is keeping her mouth shut and while the rest of the Fellowship is dumbfounded by the insane number of lines that form no coherent pattern, Rarity's face is locked in a studious frame.

In regards to Twilight, when she is at the door she takes a moment to study it. A long moment. A long moment of humming and scratching her mane.

“What's taking so long?” says Rainbow Dash.

“What are you complaining about? You don't want to be here,” says Braeburn.

Rainbow Dash folds her arms across her chest and turns away from Braeburn. “I'm giving this place the benefit of the doubt.”

“I think I got it,” says Twilight.

She stretches out her fingers, takes a deep breath, and then places her palm on the door. Her horn and hand then lights up in a purple haze and the outline of the door glows... and then Twilight is blown backwards by a burst of bright blue energy.

The Fellowship curses and leaps back, and Twilight bounces and rolls across the ground, coming to a stop when she lands in the water, splashing Applejack and Davenport. Davenport swears again and leaps back, and after a moment of cringing, Applejack rushes in to help Twilight up.

Water pours off of Twilight. Her clothes sag, her mane hangs in front of her eyes, and her horn and palm smokes. She coughs and wheezes and clamps tightly on Applejack's arm as she is escorted to a log, for her wobbling legs can barely keep her up.

The Fellowship rushes to her side, save for Rainbow Dash who is laughing so hard that her face is red and is having to use the stone wall for support. And while the group bombards Twilight with questions, Apple Bloom looks at the door and sees jagged runes fading into the mountainside.

“What the hell was that!?” says Shining Armor, his eyes burning hate directed towards Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie holds up her hands defensively and steps back. “Hey, don't look at me. I didn't put that there.”

“You knew about that! I know you know! And you better stop laughing, Witch!”

Rainbow Dash sucks in air and wipes tears from her eyes. “That was hilarious. Man, I wish I could have seen your faces. They were definitely priceless.”

“So, does that mean we aren't going in the creepy mines?” asks Fluttershy.

Apple Bloom gives Twilight a piece of bread, which she is quick to thank her and munch on the treat, and while this happens Rarity approaches the door.

“Oh, door versus unicorns, round two!” says Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie slides next to Rainbow Dash, holding a piece of bark that looks strangely like a megaphone.

“So far the door remains the undisputed champion, but will Rarity prevail?” says Pinkie Pie with a large smile.

She tilts the bark to Rainbow Dash.

“Definitely not. That door is a beast,” says Rainbow Dash. “Unless Rarity has a trick hiding in her Unicornian prissyness I see no victory for Team Unicorn.”

Pinkie Pie turns the bark back to her. “There you have it folks. Victory for the door is a sure thing!”

“So, no creepy mines, then?” says Fluttershy, now in the back, hiding behind Flash.

Pinkie Pie turns to Fluttershy. “There's always time for creepy mines.”

“Are you done?” says Twilight sourly.

“Oh, the defeated has something to say!” says Pinkie Pie.

In a flash of rainbow and pink, Apple Bloom and Spike have been replaced by Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, leaving Twilight squished between them. Her annoyance goes unnoticed, and when Pinkie Pie sits next to her, leg draped over the other and shoulder digging into her, the unicorn sighs heavily.

“How does it feel to be beaten by a door?” says Pinkie Pie.

“You're having way too much fun with this,” pouts Twilight.

“Typical unicorn. Always hating fun,” says Rainbow Dash.

“I don't know, me and Twilight had some fun in the pool that one time,” says Pinkie Pie.

“Give me that!” snarls Twilight, her face and ears burning into a deep purple.

She yanks the bark from Pinkie Pie's hand and throws it into the water, and Rainbow Dash hums and strokes her chin while Spike awkwardly clears his throat and turns to look at Rarity. Said unicorn is still studying the door, only now the Foalings are by her side, including Apple Bloom.

“How much fun are we talking about?” says Rainbow Dash with a wolfish grin and leaning forward so her face is in Twilight's line of sight.

“A victory party's worth,” says Pinkie Pie, mirroring Rainbow Dash. “Or, we would have if she didn't call it quits before the main event.”

“What!” says Twilight, now perked and balking at Pinkie Pie. “No, that's not what happened! You called it quits before I could finish!”

Twilight immediately clamps her hands over her mouth with her ears drooped, smoke rising from her now red face, and Pinkie Pie laughs and lays on Twilight's legs so she is looking up at the stars.

“We can have another go if you'd like,” says Pinkie Pie. “You, me, Spike, Shining-”

Pinkie Pie suddenly disappears in a flash of purple, reappears ten feet above the lake, still positioned as if she is laying on Twilight's lap, and remains in position as she crashes into the water, creating an impressive splash. Seeing this, Rainbow Dash falls off the log, laughing, and Twilight groans and covers her face with her hands.

And off to the side where the stallions are, Shining Armor watches Pinkie Pie waddle out of the water with an intense fire of loathing burning away his senses.

“You must really hate her,” says Flash.

“That's too nice of a word,” says Shining Armor.

“So, is Twilight really a pervert?” asks Braeburn.

Shining Armor turns his glare to him, and he immediately starts walking towards Rarity.

“I think I'll go over here for a bit,” says Braeburn. Once at Rarity's side, he smiles at her. “Having fun?”

“I haven't had fun since this trip started,” says Rarity. “But I think I figured out the door. Rather simple, actually.”

“Really?”

Rarity nods and approaches the door, and after a deep breath and a wiggle of her fingers she grabs the first knob and turns it until the meaningless lines connect to a point in the center, which leads to something behind the door popping in place. Then she moves to the next knob and repeats the process. She does this three more times, and when fifth knob is turned, five stars are displayed and five lines connect to a grooved circle. A series of snaps and clicks echo, and with a strained grunt Rarity turns the center circle, using both of her hands and digging her feet into the ground for support. The collection of stars turn in unison until the exiting lines connect to the other grooves, and then there is a deafening pop and a powerful burst of dust that covers the group as the circle pops out to form handles.

Rarity leaps back, coughing and waving the dust away while the rest of the Fellowship covers their noses. After that, she turns around and smiles smugly at Twilight, who is glaring at her enviously while the rest of the Fellowship meets her smug with looks of praise.

“The door's unlocked,” says Rarity.

“Wow, that was easy,” says Scootaloo.

“I didn't even think about turning those things,” says Pinkie Pie lightly. She shrugs and rests her hammer on her shoulder and hops forward. “Oh, well. The more you know.”

Pinkie Pie then walks to the door, and during her short walk she pats Rarity on the shoulder and congratulates her for her contribution to the team. Once at the door, she puts her hammer down and waves towards Shining Armor.

“Hey, Sprinkles, want to give me a hand?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“No,” says Shining Armor flatly.

“Really?” scoffs Braeburn.

“She's always got a trick up her sleeve. I'd rather not be a victim again.”

Pinkie Pie rolls her eyes impatiently, but says nothing, and Braeburn shakes his head and goes forward.

“Davenport, its time to be a stallion,” says Braeburn.

“She looks like she's got it,” says Davenport.

“Now, Dilbert.”

Davenport grumbles to himself and reluctantly follows Braeburn. When the two are at the door Blueblood motions Apple Bloom and the other foalings to get behind him and orders the rest of the Fellowship to keep their weapons at the ready.

Rainbow Dash is more than happy to draw her blades, whereas Fluttershy hides behind her shield with her spear wobbling in her hand, still staying behind Flash. Shining Armor and Spike stand in front of Twilight and Applejack, and Twilight charges her horn while Pinkie Pie coolly leans against her hammer, eagerly anticipating what is to come.

After Braeburn and Davenport have good grips on the door they tug it open, both grunting and straining their muscles as their feet dig into the dirt. The stone door scrapes against the ground, and when it opens a stench of decay that spills out like the guts of a rotted corpse, and Pinkie Pie's smile drops.

“Faust! It smells like a tomb,” says Braeburn between his coughs.

“This isn't right. We're supposed to smell torches and body odor,” says Pinkie Pie.

She grips her hammer tight and bolts through the doorway, her body disappearing completely in the darkness.

“Pinkie!” cries Twilight, her hand extended, but her feet keep her firmly planted in place.

The Fellowship remains in place, too stunned to move. Even Shining Armor's rugged expression breaks to concern, and when a mortified shriek breaks the darkness Spike curses and rushes inside, soon to disappear in the dark, as well.

Twilight calls after Spike and rushes after him, which leads to Shining Armor, Blueblood and Rarity giving chase.

Apple Bloom then runs after the group. She does not know why exactly. Her feet just moved on their own, and every step she takes brings louder thumps into her ears, and out of the corner of her eye she sees the Shadow Foaling standing near.

“Don't go in!” orders the Shadow Foaling. “Stay out! The Nightmare is there!”

Apple Bloom's speed slows, but she still enters and the Shadow Foaling disappears from sight. The barrier between the two worlds is marked by a sharp drop in temperature, and in the darkness she sees a ball of purple light coming from Twilight's horn and hand. Around her, Spike, Shining Armor, Blueblood and Rarity crowd around Pinkie Pie. She is hunched over, rocking back and forth, holding something to her head that Apple Bloom cannot make out.

Her steps slow to a trudge, and her breathing becomes slow and heavy as her eyes adjust to the dark, revealing bodies. Lots and lots of bodies. Dozens upon dozens of mutilated bodies. Limbs here, heads there, bodies chopped in half, layers of sticky blood on the floor and pillars. Arrows and spears are impaled in armored corpses, and when Apple Bloom looks up, all she sees are feet dangling from the ceiling. The rest of the bodies have been swallowed by darkness, but the tortured creaking chains speak for them.

Apple Bloom hears the rest of the Fellowship enter, and she carefully steps over the corpses, covering her mouth to keep bile down when she passes a crushed skull. Her whole body shivers and when she reaches Pinkie Pie she sees her holding a bloodied helmet to her forehead, sniffling with her mane flat and cheeks drenched in tears, with more splattering on the floor. The tears look bloody to her, and Pinkie Pie's wide eyes are lifeless, despite Spike's hand on her shoulder trying to give her a lifeline.

“What happened here?” asks Rarity.

“I have no idea,” says Blueblood, his hand on his sword and his eyes scanning the area. “There was no word of this attack.”

“How can there not be word of this? This is a massacre!” says Braeburn. He is keeping his crossbow up and swiveling around, aiming at everything the dark is touching.

“Easy,” says Rainbow Dash while walking closer to Flash and Fluttershy. “Whoever did this blocked the exits to make sure nopony got out to find help. But with no damage on that door I'm willing to bet that somepony on the inside helped whoever was responsible infiltrate and wipe out the dwellers. Its going to get worse the further we go in, I can promise you that.”

With those words, Applejack's features darken and her hold on her ax tightens.

“This is terrible,” gasps Fluttershy. “Who would betray their own?”

“Somepony vile,” says Applejack. Her steps become heavier and she drops to her knees next to a corpse with a spear through their heart. Their rotting eyes are still wide open, and she swallows and looks away. “There ain't an appropriate place in Hell for traitors of their kin.”

“This isn't right. They aren't supposed to be dead,” sniffles Pinkie Pie. She closes her eyes and curls until her head is touching the filthy floor, her hands balling into tight fists. “Nopony's supposed to be dead. There's not supposed to be death, here. Nopony can be dead. This can't be happening this can't be happening this isn't right. No no no no, this isn't right. There's survivors somewhere. There's got to be survivors. Survivors got to be somewhere. They got to be they got to be they got to be.”

“We have to get out of here,” says Davenport over Pinkie's whimpers. “This isn't safe.”

“I agree with you for once,” says Braeburn.

Applejack puts her hand on Pinkie Pie's shoulder and tries to get her up.

“Come on, Pinkie. There ain't nopony left,” says Applejack.

“How do you know?” says Pinkie Pie.

“I just know.”

Pinkie Pie snaps up and grabs Applejack's arm, staring into her eyes with bloodshot eyes and unfocused eyes, screaming: “How do you know!”

“I just know!” yells Applejack. Tears flow from her reddening eyes and she collapses to her knees in front of Pinkie Pie with trembling lips, choking for air and holding her companion's cheek. “I just know... Please, trust me. There ain't nothing left of your kin... I'm sorry, but they're gone... They're all gone.”

Applejack bows her head against Pinkie Pie's and holds the back of her head, but remains silent while Pinkie Pie whimpers into her, shaking her head. And off to the side, Davenport averts his eyes and sulks towards the door, but when he looks up his eyes expand, he stops cold and lifts a finger.

“Uh... Fellowship,” says Davenport slowly.

Apple Bloom is the first to look, and when she sees what Davenport is pointing at, her very soul freezes and her body becomes stiff, and as the others have a look, they too meet similar fates. The shadow growls, shaking loose rubble and the bodies of the Fellowship, and Rainbow Dash is the first to break her shocked state, for she snarls and draws her blades.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” says Rainbow Dash.

The dark above the door burns away with the illuminations of jagged crystals protruding from the body of a pitch black beast. Each glowing crystal reveals patches of black fur, scars and chains; and six sets of eyes open up in a ghostly blue, and when it opens it maw, thick ooze drips from his curved, glowing fangs and a pale blue haze spills from its mouth. Its bulging limbs fade into the abyss that shrouds the ceiling, but its movements break off pieces from above, raining down chunks of rocks and corpses that do no damage simply because Shining Armor puts a shield up.

“Oh, my gosh,” squeaks Twist, hiding behind Apple Bloom.

“Everypony,” begins Twilight with narrowed eyes. She draws her sword and with a burst of light it is encased in an aura of fire, her coat turns white and her mane, tail and hands becomes engulfed in golden flames. “Run.”

Where The Bodies Lie

Apple Bloom's eyes snap open. Her mind is completely blank as to what happened, and she recalls nothing of dreams or nightmares. Her head is also throbbing, and she winces, pushes herself up and presses her hand against her skull. It does absolutely nothing.

“About time you're up,” says Scootaloo. She is sitting not too far from Apple Bloom with the other Foalings, who are sitting in a circle. Rarity is not too far from them, and the rest of the Fellowship is sitting in another circle a few feet away being treated by Fluttershy.

“How long was I sleeping?” asks Apple Bloom, her hands now rubbing her eyes. They feel inflated and her rubbing only makes the pain worse, so she stops and keeps to squinting.

“A few hours,” says Pipsqueak. “But you were talking in your sleep the whole time.”

“What did I say?”

“Weird stuff,” says Button Mash.

“Like what?” asks Apple Bloom.

Button Mash shrugs. “I don't know. It sounded like gibberish to me.”

Apple Bloom looks at her hands, relieved to see that the coating has disappeared, returning her to her scratched, mud streaked, orange coat. She is used to seeing her hands battered, but this is different from Green Hill dirt. This dirt is colder. Heavier. She's sure she can feel clumps of foreign blood in them, too.

“When did the black stuff come off my hands?” asks Apple Bloom.

The Foalings look at each other, then they look at Apple Bloom curiously.

“You mean the mud? That's always been there,” says Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom's ears and heart drop. “No, I had this black stuff on my hands. Didn't you see it?”

“Apple Bloom, there wasn't anything on your hands,” says Twist.

“I remember something covering my hands!”

Scootaloo lunges at Apple Bloom and holds her muzzle shut while gripping her shoulder tight, bringing pockets of pain to the Bearer's shoulder. Her ears droop and her wide eyes lock on to Scootaloo's narrowed eyes.

“Keep it down,” says Scootaloo. “Nothing was on your hands. You fell asleep for some reason. Now you're awake and we can hopefully get out of this place sooner rather than later.”

Scootaloo releases Apple Bloom and sits down, staring ahead with her hands balled together in front of her face.

“We just need Pinkie Pie to actually remember where we are,” says Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom looks to where Scootaloo's eyes are focused and sees Pinkie Pie sitting on the edge of an overlook that has an unobstructed view of an empty city below. Her mane is flat, her shoulders are sulked and her weapons lay in a messy pile next to her, and standing next to her is Blueblood.

“I don't want to hear you griping,” says Braeburn, drawing Apple Bloom's eyes to the rest of the Fellowship. “You didn't lift so much a finger to help us.”

“I'm a merchant, not a soldier,” says Davenport. “I don't know how to fight.”

“That's probably why you're the Unjust King's concubine.”

Davenport glares at Braeburn, and Applejack's eyes snap back and forth between the two, and when Davenport leaves fuming she tries to follow him, but Braeburn grips her arm, freezing her in place.

“Sit,” orders Braeburn.

Applejack sits down, but she and the Foalings still watch Davenport claim a new spot at the edge of the circle.

“You don't need to follow him around anymore. As long as I'm here you're free,” says Braeburn. He then holds out a slice of bread to her. “Bread?”

Applejack hesitantly takes the bread and nibbles on it in silence, and as this happens, Fluttershy leaves Shining Armor's side and goes to Spike. He is sitting next to Twilight, using a rag to clean off the blood from his sword. He and Twilight are both covered in scratches and bruises, and their clothing is stained with blood, sweat and grime, and the drake winces when Fluttershy dabs at a scratch on his head with a moist cloth.

“Just give me a potion,” says Spike.

“I have to disinfect it first,” says Fluttershy.

“No you don't.”

“Spike, don't be difficult,” chides Twilight. She takes out her pipe and groans when she sees it is snapped in half. She then looks around and with a quick flash of her horn and hand the pipe is repaired and she quickly stuffs it with tobacco and lights it with a flame spell.

“Are you daft? How can you be smoking at a time like this?” says Rarity.

Twilight puffs out a blob of pale smoke and leans against the wet stone wall. “I need something to calm me down. I did fight a Nightmare, after all, unlike some ponies.”

“That thing was a Nightmare?” says Flash. “Please tell me they don't get bigger than that.”

Twilight shrugs and takes another puff. “I couldn't tell you. There is not much information on the Nightmares, other than they are demons under the command of Sombra and the Condemned.”

“But that Nightmare is dead, right?”

“It better be dead,” says Rainbow Dash sharply with a red stained bandage over her head. “We put enough into it, and Starlight-”

“Twilight,” corrects Flash.

“Twilight blew its brains out, so we're fine.”

After the last word, Blueblood quickly leaves Pinkie Pie's side to get I the center of the group.

“We aren't fine,” says Blueblood angrily. “We're stuck in a tomb with those things running around and no way out. We sat still long enough and need to move. Fluttershy, pack up your gear. Twilight put out your pipe. Everpony, lets get moving.”

Twilight defiantly continues smoking, but Fluttershy finishes putting a bandage on Spike's wound before she packs up. The rest of the Fellowship also gets up, albeit sluggishly, but only Shining Armor confronts Blueblood.

“We're lost in case you didn't realize it,” says Shining Armor when he is next to the Viceroy, “and I really don't want to get anymore lost than we already are, so we need to wait for Pinkie Pie to remember where to go.”

“I know we're lost, but we cannot wait for her. We have to move.”

Shining Armor pinches the bridge between his eyes. “I can't believe I'm defending her.” He huffs and looks at Blueblood impatiently. “Look, Pinkie said she needed a moment to think, so give her a moment. I don't want to get lost any more than we already are.”

“I just spoke with her and she doesn't remember anything about this place. She is completely clueless as to where we are.”

“Oh, great,” groans Scootaloo.

“Give her a break,” says Spike, now next to Shining Armor. “I don't think I would be thinking right if I found my home completely sacked with everypony dead.”

“You don't have a home so why you're making a defense based on something you don't have is beyond me,” says Blueblood.

Spike's eyes bulge and the Fellowship exchange uneasy looks with each other, save for Davenport and Rainbow Dash, both of whom are packing up.

“Blueblood!” snaps Twilight. She marches through the group with her pipe in hand and jabs the Viceroy in the chest, her hands and mane smoking and her eyes pulsing flame. “You do NOT talk to Spike that way!”

Blueblood grabs Twilight's wrist and jerks her hand away from his chest. Shining Armor and Spike both reach for their swords and take a step closer, but nothing more, and Blueblood and Twilight stare into each other's eyes like bloodthirsty predators looking for a reason to strike.

“I will talk to anypony or anything how I wish, Princess,” says Blueblood. He throws her hand away and grips his sword while turning his wrathful gaze on Spike and Shining Armor. “Back off.”

Now Rainbow Dash and Davenport are watching intently, and Apple Bloom and the other Foalings shrink behind Braeburn, Applejack and Fluttershy. Rarity cringes, but remains silent, and Spike and Shining Armor keep their stances ready, but they both become more tense, and the same is for Twilight. Seconds later, Fluttershy walks forward and Twist tries to hold her back, but fails, and the pegasus gets between Blueblood and the other three and holds up a shaky hand.

“Please don't fight,” says Fluttershy. “I'm sure we can find a way out if we work together.”

Blueblood scoffs and starts towards a flight of stairs near Pinkie Pie. “One can only hope. Let's move. We've been idle long enough. Pinkie, pack up and move it.”

Pinkie Pie quietly gets up and gathers her gear while the group files past her. When Apple Bloom is next to her, she puts her hand on her arm and looks into her eyes, but she does not return the gesture. Instead, Pinkie Pie pats Apple Bloom's head and continues on in silence. With Apple Bloom blows slowly through her nose and follows the group with her head down.

The Fellowship's steps bouncing off the walls of the abandoned mine is all the noise that is made, not for the lack of trying on their part, but even the faintest of steps sound like a stomp in the halls. The unicorns have risked illuminating their horns for light, and the group has stayed close together, all ready to use their weapons within a beat.

No one talks.

No one hardly looks at each other.

The eyes of the Fellowship scan the darkness, warily eyeing the silhouettes of bodies and broken buildings.

After some time they find themselves in a wide corridor with rotting wood and bodies pushed to the side. Apple Bloom looks up and swallows, feeling light headed when she thinks she sees feet dangling from the ceiling. The group continues walking, passing homes and shops carved into the stone, all broken, all reeking, all stained in dark red splatters and streaks.

Apple Bloom shudders and slides next to Twilight, gratefully accepting her arm when the unicorn hugs her closer. The group is silent for more minutes of traveling when Pinkie Pie suddenly gasps and runs runs forward.

The group starts after her, not calling after her for fear of their voice waking whatever lurks in the darkness, but they all slide to a stop when Pinkie Pie stops in front of a broken door, panting and shaking her head.

Apple Bloom's eyes travel up the door, which its decorative colors and designs have faded and the wood splintered, and her jaw and ears go slack when she sees a message written crudely above it.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

“Maud!” cries Pinkie Pie.

The Fellowship cringes and tries to stop her from running ahead, but she ignores them and throws open the door. Torchlight covers her, and she gasps and covers her mouth, her mane deflating and eyes flooding.

“No,” gasps Pinkie Pie. She runs inside, disappearing from view. “No! Why!?”

The Fellowship rushes after her and the chamber they enter is covered in bodies and broken weapons, and pushed against the walls are heavily damaged cabinets that barely held together. Around the walls, in even intervals are lit torches, and at the far end is a throne at the top of a set of stairs covered by old carpet.

The throne has been gouged of all valuables, leaving a slab of stone with rough pockets and no cushion, and sitting on the throne in a crudely made dress of burlap is a gray mare with a flat, powder purple mane.

Her head is on her lap.

The Fellowship looks around, and Pinkie Pie is on her knees in front of the executed mare, sobbing and gripping the rough dress.

“W-What did she do to deserve this?” says Pinkie Pie. She swallows and gasp for air and rests her head against Maud's head. “I should have been here. I could have stopped this.”

"If you were here when this happened you would have died, too," says Davenport.

“I don't like this. We got to get out of here,” says Rainbow Dash, frowning looks at the torches.

Pinkie Pie swallows again and reaches down on the floor to pick up a small, smooth rock wrapped securely in a threaded necklace. Her thumb brushes off some dust and she chuckles and wipes her eyes and nose.

“This was her favorite rock,” sniffles Pinkie Pie, not noticing the confused looks the Fellowship is giving each other. “She had this rock since before I was born... She always talked to it. She always cleaned it. She was so nice to it.”

Pinkie Pie carefully slides the necklace around her neck, whimpering and trembling. She gasps for air and rakes her fingers though Maud's hair, brushing off dust as tears drip from her cheeks.

“It's okay, Maud, I'll take care of Boulder now,” says Pinkie Pie, her voice cracking and lips trembling.

“This is all very touching, but Rainbow Dash is right. We need to move,” says Blueblood.

“Yes, let's get out of here,” says Davenport.

“There could be a map here, though,” says Twilight. “We can use it to find a way out. Everypony scatter. Find a map!”

“Are you nuts? This place reeks of a trap!” says Rainbow Dash.

The Fellowship ignores her and scatters in the chamber, searching through the bodies and crates, and Blueblood scoffs and throws his hand up and Davenport shakes his head. The only one who has not made a move, besides the two stallions, is Pinkie Pie, and that is because she is sitting on the throne steps rubbing her thumb over Boulder.

Minutes later, Twilight gasps and hops to her feet, her back to the group.

“I found something!” says Twilight.

“Is it a map?” asks Shining Armor.

“No.” Twilight turns around and shows off a thick book with a gash breaking its hardcover. “I found a book!”

The Fellowship groans, but Flash and Sweetie Belle resume searching.

“Twilight, dear, you can read all the books you want when this is over,” says Rarity.

“But this book might help us find a way out, or explain what happened here,” says Twilight defensively.

“We already know what happened,” says Rainbow Dash. “Those things got in. They killed everybody. The end. Now let's go!”

“That just doesn't happen,” says Pinkie Pie grimly, her hand now clutching Boulder tight. “The Kingdoms are all fortress mines. Nopony just comes in and kills everypony without anypony else knowing. Read the book, Twilight. I need to know who did this.”

Twilight nods and opens the book, wincing when much of the pages fall out with a layer of dirt. She then blows off some more dirt and dust and starts reading.

“Head Councilor Gem was a Changeling,” begins Twilight. “Much of the Council was Changeling. Soldiers. Officers. Civilians. So many were Changelings. They let the Condemned in. They sealed the gates. They trapped us. We cannot get out. The ground shakes. We cannot get out. The shadows swallow us. We cannot get out. The Nightmare has come.”

Twilight closes the book and she and the rest of the Fellowship look at Pinkie Pie. Her flat mane covers one of her distant eyes, but what little light there is reflects off of their wet eyes and magnify the rage pulsing within. Seconds of heavy silence pass before Twilight sighs and closes the book.

“This was Malerabus' doing. I know it,” says Twilight.

“Maler-who?” says Spike.

“A Changeling I met in Trixie's prison. He said he would destroy Equestria for what we did to the Changelings.”

“That doesn't include Foalington, does it?” says Apple Bloom. “We had nothing to do with anything!”

“Malerabus is going to die,” says Pinkie Pie. “He is going to die slow. And painful. And when I'm done with him he's going to wish he was in HELL!”

She slams her hammer down on the steps, shattering the step and sending cracks all down the stairs and up the throne. It is as soon as she does this that there is a crash of snapping wood and cascading metal that shakes the floor and echoes in the room and down the hall like a metallic rain storm. The group all turns to the source and see Sweetie Belle standing next to a pile of weapons and splinters that was formerly one of the cabinets, and she smiles meekly and holds up an old piece of parchment.

“I found a map,” says Sweetie Belle.

Flash quickly grabs the map, and after a quick inspection he nods approvingly.

“This looks good. All we have to do is continue down the hall and take a right at the first corridor, which will take us to the Bridge of...” Flash's voice drops and the Fellowship leans in.

“Well?” says Rainbow Dash.

“The Bridge of Long Drop Doom,” says Flash.

Applejack's eye twitches.

“Well, that's not intimidating at all,” says Davenport.

“That Bridge will take us directly outside to the... Steps of Steep Fall. Huh...”

“Welp, time to hustle on out of here,” says Braeburn.

The Fellowship murmurs in agreement and Twilight holds out her hand to Pinkie Pie.

“Come on, Pinkie Pie, let's get out of here,” says Twilight.

Pinkie Pie reluctantly extends her hand, but then stops and her eyes lock on the door when Spike starts sniffing.

“What is it?” asks Twilight, looking between the two.

“Remember that thing that had that big sword and was covered in crystals?” asks Spike.

“Yeah.”

“I smell him.”

Faint war cries bleed into the room and Apple Bloom gasps and pulls out her sword. It is glowing blue, and she gulps and looks at the other Foalings, who are now drawing their weapons, just like the rest of the Fellowship.

Braeburn runs past the group, peeks outside, then his ears perk and he ducks back inside, slams the door shut and turns around with back against it, eyes wide and colors gone.

“Holy Hell! We got a problem!” says Braeburn.

The screaming gets louder, and Twilight and Rarity use their magic to toss Shining Armor and Blueblood spears and axes. They grab the weapons with their magic and rush to Braeburn, and the three hastily jam the handles and door with as much of the weapons as they can.

“It was a trap? Oh my gosh, who could have possibly guessed that? Oh, yeah. ME!” says Rainbow Dash.

“Then why didn't you say anything, Whiner?” says Braeburn.

“What!? Seriously!?”

“Had we followed my idea we could have been dining on salads and deserts! Not awaiting death underground!” says Blueblood as he jams a sword at an angle between the door and floor.

“Cry me a river,” says Shining Armor. He looks over his shoulder at Twilight, the hooligan screaming now right outside the door and fists thumping against the door. “Get back, all of you!”

The three run from the door, and Braeburn takes a spot on the top of the throne stairs with Pinkie Pie, who is now wielding her Cannon.

“Let them come!” snarls Pinkie Pie. “I got a bone to pick with them!”

The door shakes and fractures, and the Fellowship flinches back, all with their weapons drawn and aimed at the door.

“Steady,” says Blueblood.

The door shakes again, this time with pieces falling off, and Shining Armor creates a crystallized shield around his arm that covers much of his body.

“Steady,” says Blueblood.

There is another shake and a large chunk of the door falls off.

“Stead-”

WHOOSH!

A stream of fire and smoke speeds past the Fellowship and pierces the door with ease, belching out fire, broken stone, wood, smoke and body parts inside the chamber. The screams outside disappear in a snap, and dust and loose stone fall from the walls and ceiling from the shaking.

Nothing moves after that. Only pockets of fire dance on the ground, and one by one the Fellowship looks at Pinkie Pie, and she lowers her smoking Cannon, glaring at her masterpiece.

“Heh, not bad for a mud pony,” says Rainbow Dash.

“I'm still not happy,” says Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash shrugs and Pinkie Pie kneels down to put her Cannon away, but she stops suddenly and her ears flick, for there is a heavy thumping of metal on stone. She grabs her hammer and she and the rest of the Fellowship braces themselves yet again when the sound continues.

Dozens of steps march without focus. Metal scrapes and bounces and one by one the Fellowship's eyes widen and each take a step as pale blue eyes glow in the smoke. The stepping comes closer, and the smoke dissipates to reveal the the thin monster with the marked serrated sword. Behind him are more of his kin, all wearing sheets of metal with bones woven to them and armed with barbaric weapons of jagged blades or large hammer.

The group stops and the leader looks at the mutilated bodies, then he looks at the Fellowship, growling with drool dripping from his fangs. Then his crystals glow green and he holds his blade up to his face and grips the handle tight with both hands, now shrouded in a green haze that engulfs his sword.

“Here your bodies shall lie,” says Tally Marks. “Skótosé tous!”

The Condemned roar and charge forward, and Pinkie Pie yells, jumps from the throne stairs and uses Rainbow Dash's shoulder as a vaulting board towards the swarm, pushing the pegasus down. She tackles a few down, quickly gets on her knees and brings her hammer to bear to block a hooked sword. Said Condemned is then stabbed through the back by Spike and the rest of the Fellowship clashes with the horde.

Steel against steel, cries of pain clash with vicious screams and roaring fire. Smoke, blood, sweat, all of it lingers in the dusty chamber.

From the throne, Braeburn shoots bolt after bolt into the horde. Some stagger, some fall, and when a group of Condemned break away to swarm him, he leaps off of the throne, rolls to his feet and manages to ram the butt of his weapon into the face of one before a large cleaver goes against his shoulder. Blood squirts out and Braeburn screams while the Condemned laughs, but its laughter is brought to a swift end when Applejack's ax cuts its head clean off with a geyser of blood.

Braeburn drops to his knees and clutches his wound, watching with amazement as Applejack viciously swings her ax against the swarm. Her vicious cries accompany her uncontrolled swings, and every swipe leaves a stream of red flying through the air and a body to fall with a limb gone, a head loose or a chest cut open. But her rampage comes to an end when a spear is plunged into her back.

Applejack drops to her knees, gasping for air, and Braeburn pales and screams when the Condemned kicks her down. With tears burning his eyes, he picks up the cleaver with his good hand and whacks it into his back. The Condemned howls in pain, whirls around and backhands Braeburn, sending him flying off of his feet and crashing into the floor.

Splitting pain erupts across his shoulder, and he grips his wound tight with his blood hand, breathing heavily and using his feet to push himself back as the Condemned marches towards him, spear in hand. Blood drips from it.

Drip...

The Condemns teeth gleam when its lips part for a smile. Then with a loud war cry Scootaloo slashes the back of his knee. He drops, shrieking in pain and she grabs his head and plunges her sword into its neck. It gurgles a fountain of blood from its lips and falls forward when she yanks it out, and she looks at Braeburn, who is staring at her with wide eyes.

“I feel so awesome, right now,” says Scootaloo.

All Braeburn can really do at that point is nod, and Scootaloo holds out her hand to him.

“Come on,” she says.

Braeburn grabs her hand and her little frame does not offer much, but it is just enough to get him on his feet, and he sees the other Foalings dragging Applejack across the ground.

“Pull! Put your backs into it!” says Pipsqueak.

“She's really heavy!” whines Button Mash.

“Stop complaining!” says Apple Bloom.

It is then that Fluttershy comes into view and gently yet hastily forces the Foalings to move aside.

“Out of the way, please,” says Fluttershy shakily as she digs into her bag. “I'll take care of her, just stay in the back.”

The Foalings step aside and look at the battle in before them, witnessing Pinkie Pie's hammer popping heads and crushing heads, Rainbow Dash and Flash are colorful blurs slicing up the enemy, and Twilight and Spike are fighting back to back, using steel and magic to repel the Condemned. Also, Rarity is treating Braeburn's wound, Davenport has found refuge in the back, and Blueblood and Shining Armor are engaging Tally Marks, but from the looks of it the two unicorns are not having much luck in breaching his defense.

“Do you think we should help them?” asks Pipsqueak.

“I think they got it under control,” says Twist.

“Eeyup,” says Apple Bloom.

It is as soon as Apple Bloom says this that a particularly large Condemned with bulging muscles, thick plates of steel and a balled mace with spikes protruding from it turn to them.

The three's eyes widen.

“Oh no,” says Twist.

The Large Condemned growls and runs towards them, and the three backpedal, holding out their swords, hearts racing and bodies shaking.

“No. No no no no no no!” says Apple Bloom.

The Large Condemned roars and brings his mace down on Apple Bloom, and she shrieks and dives between its legs, narrowly avoiding the spikes. Shards of stone scatter and the beast whirls around and takes another swing, but it was not towards Apple Bloom and she hears Twist's scream cut short.

“Twist!” cries Apple Bloom. She scrambles to her feet and turns as the Large Condemned turns, gasping when she sees a thick coating of blood on its spikes. Not too far from him, lying in a mangled, bloody heap with her eyes wide open is Twist.

Apple Bloom's eyes widen and her lungs become heavy. Her hands tremble and her eyes burn with tears, unable to speak, unable to move, despite the Large Condemned marching towards her.

“Let me out,” says the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom screams and rushes the Large Condemned, vision red and heart lusting for blood, but before she can take a swing at him, he whacked her with his mace. Everything spins into a blur and when she lands there is a crunch and a flash of darkness.

When she comes to, her whole body is throbbing, her heart is heavy, her head is swimming, and hot liquid soaks her face and the back of her head. Her vision is tugged in and out from clarity to haze and all the noise seems distant. She wheezes and looks ahead to see her friends swarming the Large Condemned, each slashing and stabbing at him and scurrying out of the way when he tries hitting them.

She blinks slowly and puts her focus on her glowing sword, and standing above it, beckoning her, is the Shadow Foaling.

“Crawl, Apple Bloom. Crawl,” urges the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom grits her teeth and digs her bloody fingers into the floor and pulls herself forward, crying as the strain threatens to rip her muscles. And over and over again she does this. Every pull a fresh pain, and every cheer and clap from the Shadow Foaling vile.

“You're doing it. You're doing it. Good job, Apple Bloom,” says the Shadow Foaling.

When Apple Bloom finally reaches her sword blood trails her burning, broken body and she can barely see anything from the blood and tears clouding her vision. She grabs her sword and uses it to help her stand, and as this happens Button Mash tries to scurry away, but the Large Condemned knocks him down. Then proceeds to stomp on his head.

Pipsqueak's cries are faint against Apple Bloom's heavy heart and jagged breaths, and her eyes feel like stone as she drags her sword across the ground. Each step is wobbly and follows the Shadow Foaling, who is walking backwards and waving her forward, grinning all the way.

“Come, Apple Bloom. Come,” says the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom is now behind the Large Condemned, and it takes another swing at the remaining Foalings, stepping past Button Mash's flat head. It misses them, but Sweetie Belle trips when she dodges him, and right as he is about to bring his mace down on her Apple Bloom drives her sword right his back. He yells in agony, and Apple Bloom yanks her sword out and stabs it into him again. And again, and again, and again, and again, and again. Even when he falls she continues stabbing him, screaming and crying with tears and blood falling on him. She falls to her knees on top of him and continues stabbing, now using both of her hands and her mane becoming a mess as his blood stains her legs and splashes up her face, chest and hands, and when she stabs him one last time she leans against her sword, weeping and trembling.

As she weeps, the last of the Condemned joins the carpet of dead by Rainbow Dash's swords and Tally Marks deflects Shining Armor's swing and elbows Blueblood in the gut. He staggers back and Tally Marks backs away with his sword out and looks at the Fellowship, eyes darting to each of their battered faces.

Tally Marks growls and holds up his hand. “May the shadows swallow you.”

And then there is a flash of blinding green light and he disappears from view, leaving only Apple Bloom's weeping to be heard in the tomb.

The Bridge of Long Drop Doom

Apple Bloom stares ahead. She sees nothing. She hears nothing. She feels nothing outside of Twist's body on her lap. Her fingers brush through her hair rigidly and tears drip from her cheeks. She cannot look at the other Foalings. Or any of the Fellowship for that matter.

“Take what you can and leave them,” orders Blueblood.

Apple Bloom's chest tightens and she looks at Blueblood, not wanting to believe what she just heard. The Fellowship seems hesitant at first, but Scootaloo makes the first move and rummages through Button's gear.

“What are you doing!?” yells Pipsqueak, hoping to his feet and storming towards her.

Scootaloo stands up, digging into Button's bag. “He's dead. He doesn't need this stuff anymore.”

“You can't loot a dead body!”

“Why not?” She tosses a bundle of bread to Sweetie Belle. “Catch!”

The bread bounces off of Sweetie Belle's head, prompting her lifeless eyes to blink some life back, and she looks at the bread, which has become unwrapped and speckled with dirt.

“Shouldn't we bury Button and Twist?” asks Sweetie Belle.

“With what?” says Scootaloo. “We're inside a giant rock!”

“I don't know!” says Sweetie Belle, her voice cracking. “But we can't just take their stuff and leave them without a ceremony.”

“They're dead. They don't need a ceremony. If anything, a ceremony will get us killed because we'll be trying to bury them inside a rock, chanting worthless prayers to a deity that doesn't give a care about us!” She throws Button's bag to Pipsqueak. “Here, go to town, I'm done with that stupid bag.”

Pipsqueak barely catches it and glares at her as she stomps past him, and Sweetie Belle looks at him and Scootaloo before giving chase to the Foaling. Pipsqueak then exhales heavily through his nose and quietly picks through the bag. As for Apple Bloom, she wants to say something, but her tongue is heavy and her throat is closed. It even hurts to swallow. So she resumes stroking Twist's mane, unable to look at Pipsqueak or the rest of the Fellowship.

Not too far from her, Fluttershy is tending Applejack's wound. Applejack's armor has been removed and her shirt has been drenched in blood. Her wound has also been bandaged, but even with Fluttershy wrapping it tight with a heavy amount of gauze spots of red still grow, slowly but surely.

“How is she?” asks Shining Armor, approaching the two.

“Not good,” says Fluttershy. “I slowed the bleeding, but she hasn't woken. I don't think she will be able to do much when she does unless she gets a lot of help.”

“Leave her. We don't need her dead weight,” says Blueblood.

Fluttershy balks and Shining Armor glares at him.

“She's alive,” says Shining Armor.

“She's unneeded weight,” counters Blueblood.

“Unneeded weight? She's my cousin!” snaps Braeburn, marching towards Blueblood with his wounded arm in a rough sling and Rarity is trailing him with his crossbow slung on her shoulder.

Blueblood looks at Braeburn. “Your point?”

Braeburn shakes his head. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I am trying to keep the rest of us alive. We cannot be slowed down by her. Or you if you are going to be a problem.”

“We are not leaving anybody behind,” says Rainbow Dash.

Blueblood looks at Rainbow Dash. “Oh, the Colored Witch has morals? How cute.”

Rainbow Dash growls and grabs her sword's handle, but Blueblood's already got his sword aimed at her nose and Fluttershy has called Rainbow Dash with her hand held out, freezing everybody in place.

“Ponies and ilk have been trying to kill me for a long time, Witch,” says Blueblood. “I will not die in this mountain. Not by them, not by you. The only death I will accept is age. Now, get your hand off your sword.”

Rainbow Dash's ears fold down with her growl, and her eyes lock on to his, both glowing fiercely in the dim lighting. The rest of the group is also observing the stare down in a tense silence, and when Rainbow Dash reluctantly removes her hand, Blueblood puts his weapon away and some of the weight fades.

“We really need to stop doing this,” says Flash Sentry.

As Flash says this, Shining Armor gathers up Applejack's armor and shoves them to Davenport, causing him to stumble back.

“Here, make yourself useful,” says Shining Armor.

Davenport looks at the bloodied armor, and then back at Shining Armor with his narrowed eyes glistening and his ears folded back, but the unicorn is too busy putting Applejack over his shoulder to notice. Once he has a good grip on her he turns to Spike and Twilight and jabs his thumb to Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak.

“Get them up,” orders Shining Armor.

The two nod and go to the Foalings, and Blueblood shakes his head in disgust.

“She's going to slow us down,” says Blueblood.

“You're a real bastard, you know that?” Shining Armor.

“It runs in the family.” He then puts his attention to Flash. “Since you have the map you will lead us out.”

Flash takes another look at the map. “It won't be hard. It is all straight forward.”

“Good.”

Some moments later the Fellowship runs into the hallway, with Applejack firmly held by Shining Armor and the rest brandishing weapons. Even Braeburn is holding a dagger. However, upon exiting the chamber they see Tally Marks standing alone in the middle of the hall, his sword aimed down and both hands on its hilt.

“You cannot defeat the Nightmare,” says Tally Marks.

He raises his sword, and then stabs the ground. The stone cracks and green light erupts from the cracks. A cold burst of air engulfs the Fellowship and the light dissolves into mist that floats into the ceiling. From there the darkness hardens into bones, the mist solidified into veins and muscles, and skin grows over it in patches. Once skin has covered the body spikes pop out and its head splits open to reveal rows of jagged teeth and a lizard-like tongue, and four pairs of glowing blues open and glare down at the group as a hungry growl shakes the hall.

Twilight's jaw drops. “No.”

“Oh dear,” says Rarity.

Tally Marks points at the Fellowship. “Feast, Undying Nightmare!”

The Nightmare drops from the ceiling, popping up stone and spreading cracks to some of the carved in structures, causing them to collapse. It roars, spraying freezing slobber over the ground, and the Fellowship screams and runs. The Nightmare gives chase, and each step it takes shakes the ground, making it difficult for the Fellowship to keep balance, and with its hungry breathing an thudding steps, barbaric howls spill into the hall like a swarm of rabid beasts.

Apple Bloom has the misfortune of looking over her shoulder, and she gasps bolts ahead of the group, for trailing the Nightmare is a horde of Condemned. Their crude armor bangs against the ground and the wave their jagged weapons carelessly as torchlight pops up in the crowd.

“Run faster!” barks Rainbow Dash.

Growling viciously, Twilight turns around and launches a purple beam lined with jagged white sparks. It pierces the Nightmare's chest with ease and explodes against the stone ceiling. The Nightmare howls in agony as it collapses to the ground with rubble raining down around it, crushing a group of the Condemned beneath it. But more scamper over it like hungry ants.

Twilight snarls and tries to get another attack charged, but Spike grabs her arm and pulls her back, causing her to lose her footing and flinging a worthless strand of purple sparks.

“Let's go! We don't have time for this!” says Spike.

He keeps his hand on Twilight and runs after the Fellowship, passing Rarity along the way. As they pass her, her horn and palm glows and she waves it towards the rushing crowd of Condemned. From her hand comes a flurry of opal flakes, and when they hit the floor they explode upward to form jagged crystals barely a few inches high. But when the Condemned step on them screeches of pain and dying gurgles echo in the hall as the crystals stab through their feet and bring them falling on top of the sharp stones.

“You can do that?” says Sweetie Belle, her eyes wide with a mix of terror and wonder.

“Keep running!” orders Rarity. She grabs Sweetie Belle's arm and nearly pulls her off her feet with a sharp tug.

“Over there!” shouts Flash. He points to long, narrow bridge off in the distance. Its slender build is lined by a rail decorated with statues holding large, lit torches. The orange light dances on the darkness, its steps in tune with the hellish chorus of hollers and screams.

A pair of thuds shake the stone and a hungry roar rattles the Fellowship's bones. None of them stop running and none of have to look over their shoulder to know what is chasing them. They also know that the Nightmare is getting closer with every passing heartbeat.

Shining Armor extends his hand to the Undying Nightmare and its horde, and a burst of rose-hued light emits from his hand and horn, and a shield wall goes between the Fellowship and the demons. The Nightmare rams into it and screeches as the wall zaps it with a bolt of energy, and the horde runs up to the wall and starts slashing and beating against it with the Nightmare clawing at it. None of them appear to be fazed by the shocks, and as the Fellowship backs up, panting and shaking with sweat and fear clinging to them, Shining Armor turns to Rainbow Dash.

“Dash!” shouts Shining Armor.

Rainbow Dash looks at him and he points to Apple Bloom.

“Get her out of here!” he says.

Rainbow Dash nods, grabs Apple Bloom and before the Foaling can so much as react she is whisked away by a rainbow streak. Her screams of fear fade rapidly, and Blueblood and Rarity herds Pipsqueak, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to Fluttershy while Shining Armor gives Applejack to Flash. After the pegasus has a good grip on the limp mare Braeburn places his hand on his shoulder.

“Get her far from here, will ya,” says Braeburn, swallowing and blinking tears from his eyes.

Flash nods and he looks at Fluttershy, who is holding Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and then he extends his hand to Pipsqueak.

“Let''s go,” he says.

Pipsqueak nods and holds tight to Flash's neck and Blueblood stares at the two pegasi with sternness and anxiety.

“You better fly fast,” says Blueblood.

“I don't plan on doing it any other way,” says Flash. He nods to Fluttershy and waves her off. “Go!”

Fluttershy takes off, followed closely by Flash, and when the sound of cracking glass and crackling energy assaults their ears the remaining Fellowship jumps and sees a massive crack on the barrier.

“Uh, not good... Not good!” says Spike.

“Stop standing around and run!” yells Davenport.

The Undying Nightmare beats against the barrier again and a piece falls off and shatters on the floor, sprinkling the group with flickering shards that fade into nothingness. And Daveport is the first to run, with the rest of the Fellowship following one by one. The last to actually move is Shining Armor, and that is because he is waving his glowing hands, covering the passage with more layers of the shield barrier. By the time he is done, he can barely stand, his lungs and heart hurt and his horn aches.

He runs after the group, but stumbles over his own feet, and is hoisted up by Twilight, who is looking more drained and pale than he is.

“Come on, Shining! You can't be tripping over yourself now!” says Twilight.

Shining Armor nods and staggers after Twilight, and she is still holding on to his hand, having to run backwards and occasionally look over her shoulder just so she doesn't trip over herself. He can hear her whimpers and see the tears in the dark lighting, and the scratches and tears on her face are lit up by a flash of pale blue while the Nightmare's roar is drowned by the sound of shattered glass and electric crackles.

Twilight looks up and her jaw drops, and behind her Blueblood and Spike run back to them. Seeing this, Shining Armor grabs her hand brings it up to his muzzle, his glazed eyes locking on to hers.

“Keep running, Twilight,” says Shining Armor. “I'll be right behind you.”

Twilight nods and reluctantly runs ahead, and Shining Armor puts every ounce of will he has into getting his legs moving. However, when he looks over his shoulder and sees the Nightmare and its horde getting closer he finds a new burst of speed that puts him right at Twilight's tail.

Very soon the Fellowship reaches the bridge, but there is no time to celebrate or feel pity for the bones that lay on its edge. They keep running as fast as their weak legs will let them, and when the Nightmare reaches the bridge is pushes the lining statues off, plunging the monuments into the dark abyss below.

“Its gaining!” cries Davenport.

Rarity turns to face the Nightmare and she summons a sharp crystal that stabs into its shoulder. The crystal barely misses Shining Armor and Twilight and it easily pierces the flesh of the Nightmare, bringing it to howl in pain and stopping it, giving the Fellowship time run across the seemingly endless bridge.

But in only a matter of seconds the Nightmare shatters the crystal and slams its claws down, breaking nearby statues and cracking the bridge. The shake knocks the group down, and the Nightmare stares down at them, its back arching and heavy mist pouring out of its wide open mouth with blood dripping from its wound.

Without a moment's waste, Twilight scrambles to her feet and uses her magic to grab Shining Armor and throw him into the Fellowship. He grunts on impact and slides to a stop in front of Braeburn and Spike, and when he looks at Twilight he sees her standing in front of the Undying Nightmare and the Condemned horde behind it.

An eerie blue light baths the Nightmare as its protruding crystals light up, and when she looks at the Fellowship her hand is trembling and tears soak her cheeks as her unfocused eyes look at the group. The group is quiet, and the war cries and rumbling of the demons across from them become silent to their ears as a heavy burden comes down on them.

“Twilight?” chokes Spike. He takes a step forward but Pinkie Pie wraps her arms around him, pinning his arms to his side, and she pulls him back. “Twilight!”

Shining Armor shakes his head and holds out his hand. “No. Twilight, don't do it!”

“I'm sorry,” sniffles Twilight.

“No!”

The Undying Nightmare's mouth glows bright and Twilight slams her palm on the bridge, creating a burst of blinding purple light. The air crackles and explodes into fire, and a burst of hot air blows the group off of their feet and covers them with a haze of hot, purple tinted dust. The bridge then crumbles with large sections of the wall and ceiling, raining down red hot stone into the darkness below.

The Fellowship watches with horror as the Nightmare falls from view, its hungry roar fading with the groans and swishes of falling stone. When the smoke clears, all that is left of the bridge is a stub that ends at Shining Armor's feet. Across the way, Tally Mark and his army is but a speck, all screaming for blood and waving their weapons around. Only Tally Mark is not screaming like the rest. Instead he is glaring ahead, sheathing his sword to his back.

Shining Armor drops to his knees and screams.

~~~~~~~~~~

Outside in the sunlight on a cliff, Apple Bloom and the Foalings and Pegasi look at the entrance to the mountain. A shattered scream is carried out of the ancient entrance like a cold wind and everybody grabs their weapons and waits, with Flash standing in front of the group, Fluttershy guarding Applejack, and Rainbow Dash putting herself between Apple Bloom and the mountain.

Moments later Davenport staggers out, followed by Braeburn and Rarity, then Spike and Pinkie Pie, and lastly Shining Armor being dragged out by Blueblood.

The Banished Prince is reaching for the mountain and weeping incoherently. Apple Bloom's group lowers their weapons at this sight and cold claws grip Apple Bloom's heart and she drops her sword with tears reddening her eyes, knowing the reason why Twilight is not out yet.

Apple Bloom watches in silence, finding it hard to breathe, and when Blueblood forces Shining Armor to look at him she turns away, closing her eyes and covering her mouth to hide her whimpers.

“Listen to me, she's gone. She's gone!” says Blueblood, his hands tight on Shining Armor's shoulders.

“She's not gone, she has a trick, she's always had a trick and she has a trick now. Just watch, she'll come out of that mountain,” says Shining Armor, choking for air and his eyes red and swollen with tears flowing like blood from a gaping wound.

Blueblood cups the back of Shining Armor's head, shaking his head slowly and speaking softly. “Shining, don't.”

Shining Armor throws Blueblood off. “She'll come out!” He looks at the entrance to the mountain, sniffling and shaking. “She'll come out. She has to come out.”

He collapses to his knees and covers his face with his hand while the other one claws into the stone, his shoulders buckling and his whimpers echoing.

As this happens, Pinkie Pie sulks past everyone and sits at the edge of the cliff and dips her head, and Spike paces in circles, shaking his head and gripping his sword tight. Braeburn and Davenport sit next to Applejack, who has been placed in the shade of a tree. Her only sign of life is her quiet, shallow breaths, and Davenport looks at his feet, shaking and swallowing dryly while Braeburn rakes his fingers through her mane.

Davenport looks at Braeburn and opens his mouth slightly, but he quickly averts his gaze to his hands. Barely a scratch or speckle of blood on them. The signs of useless hands.

For minutes nobody speaks. Everyone splits into their own groups, and even then they cannot look each other in the eye. The sunlight feels strangely cold and the rustling of leaves becomes silent, even with a chilly wind moving through the trees.

“We have to move,” says Davenport hesitantly several moments later.

“Give them some more time to rest. They just lost their friends,” says Flash Sentry.

“He's right, Flash,” says Rainbow Dash, sitting on a log with her head bowed and hands covering her head. “Sooner or later those things will find a way out and swarm us. You, me, and Flutters will be able to escape just fine, but not them. They'll be dead as soon as they find us.”

“At this point I won't mind death,” says Spike quietly.

“Same,” says Shining Armor.

He then reaches for his canteen, only to find a gash has been cut into it, so with a sigh he unclips it and throws it at the mountain. It disappears into its gray exterior, but it clattering echoes in the stillness. Then he turns to Pinkie Pie, who is sitting at the edge of the rock, rubbing Maud's stone with her thumb, her mane flat and eyes grayed and focused on a thick, dark green line in the distance.

“What the Hell happened back there? You said it would be safe and it wasn't,” says Shining Armor venomously.

Pinkie Pie remains quiet, but her ear does swivel slowly in his direction, and he snarls and stomps forward, prompting the group to tense and Spike to rush to the Banished Prince's side.

“Well, aren't you going to answer! My sister is dead because of you! Twilight died because of your short cut!” cries Shining Armor.

Rainbow Dash zips in between Shining Armor and Pinkie Pie and presses her hand against his chest, and craning her neck to stare into his fiery eyes. Spike and Flash also flank him and Pipsqueak and the rest of the Foalings go to them as well.

“Hey, lay off!” says Rainbow Dash. “She didn't know this would happen! None of us knew this would happen!”

“And Twilight wasn't the only one who died!” says Pipsqueak. The group looks at Pipsqueak, and he stares back at them, chest heaving and face soaked in tears, grime and blood. “Twist died. Button died. How can I go back to tell Button's mom that her son died and can't even get a funeral? How can Apple Bloom tell Truffle that Twist is gone forever?”

“We tell them the truth,” says Scootaloo darkly. “They died because of the grand quest to save the world. And why do we have a grand quest? Because Apple Bloom's granny had a stupid world destroying Amulet.”

“Wait, why are you blaming Granny Smith?” says Apple Bloom, whipping around and snarling at Scootaloo.

Scootaloo looks at Apple Bloom with cold eyes. “What do you mean why? Your grandma had the Amulet and dumped it on to you. Face it, Apple Bloom, your grandma screwed us all over!”

Apple Bloom screams and tackles Scootaloo to the ground. Both Foalings scream, kick, claw, bite and tug on each other as they roll around on the stone. Very quickly their faces get bloody and Spike and Blueblood rush to pull them apart, but even with their best efforts to pull them away the two still reach for and kick and scream at each other.

“Oh, come on. Stop fighting, please!” begs Sweetie Belle, her hands to her mouth and ears drooped with tears flowing fast.

“ENOUGH!” roars Fluttershy.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and the rest of the Fellowship freeze and look at Fluttershy. She is exhaling sharply with gritted teeth as birds caw in fright and fly off, and all is quiet for a few strange seconds.

“Isn't it bad enough that we lost friends?” says Fluttershy. “I know we're scared and angry, but we have two friends who need help and we can't afford to be fighting. We have suffered enough today. Please, let's not make their deaths be in vain. We have to keep moving... For them.”

Again, silence falls on the group. Words are heavy on the tongues, but no one knows what to say. All they can do is look around, either at the stone, each other, or the distance.

“The Forest Kingdom is not too far from here,” says Spike several seconds later, his tone still low and empty. “They might be able to help Applejack and Braeburn. Plus they can protect us for a little bit and might help us get back on track.”

“The Forest Kingdom is a evil place. Nopony who goes in comes out,” says Rarity.

Spike looks at the dark line of the forest in the distance. “Well, at this point we really have no choice.”

Greetings From the Forest Kingdom

It has been three days since the Fellowship left Ammolite. Three days of silence. Three days of a chill that has seeped into their bones. Words spoken had been short and to the point, and the steps had been fast. No one can even look in the others eyes, and Apple Bloom in particular has been feeling ill, as though the air they are breathing is a thick poison that has clogged her nose and throat.

Oddly enough, she has not seen the Shadow Foaling, but she can still hear the low humming and giggling fluttering in her ears. With that comes an ache in her wounds and a coldness in her blood that brings pain with every steps. However, she does he best to hide it. She does not wish to be carried. Everybody around her wants to be carried in some way, but they are denied, so why should she get special treatment?

When the sun starts to sink below the horizon, a freezing cold wind rolls in, shaking the branches of a line of thick towering trees with large leaves and rings of bushes. Vines wrap around the trunks and disappear into the canopy, and the Fellowship stops to stare at the site, despite the frigid wind clawing at them.

“The border of the Forest Kingdom,” says Shining Armor while adjusting his grip on Applejack.

“So, this looks evil,” says Flash Sentry flatly.

“It is evil,” says Rarity, her arms folded tight across her chest and her teeth chattering. “We should stay out of that place and follow the trees down.” She looks at Blueblood. “There is a way around this forest, right?”

“There is, but we will surely die from this cold. It is better to risk the forest than to freeze to the ground,” says Blueblood.

“We sure know how to pick them, don't we?” says Braeburn.

“Let's just get this over with,” says Pinkie Pie, her eyes still dark and distant and her mane flat.

She trudges ahead, leaving footprints in the rapidly freezing grass, and the group watches her, frozen in place from shock and chill. After she is almost out of sight, Spike sighs and marches forward.

“Come on. Just remember to be careful,” says Spike. “The deer don't like trespassers, so everypony keep your eyes and ears open.”

Rainbow Dash suppresses a swallow and grips one of her blades tighter. “Eyes open... Got it.”

The rest of the group follows Spike's lead, but when they breach the tree line a sharp pain stabs Apple Bloom's wrist, and she winces and grabs it as she hurries next to the drake's side. There, she quietly looks around the forest, noting how the shriveling leafs have frost sprinkling on them.

And so the group walks in silence. For many minutes no words are spoken, but instead of grief being the cause it is fear. Apple Bloom can feel it all like blankets soaked in freezing water draped over her shoulders. The breathing and beating hearts of the group is like that of terrified animals on the brink of a frozen death, and the wind flowing through the trees shake the branches and deceive the Bearer's eyes and ears of figures in the trees.

“Pinkie, do you see anything?” whispers Spike.

“No,” says Pinkie Pie.

Spike motions Apple Bloom closer to him, which she is quick to comply, and he looks Braeburn.

“How about you, Braeburn?”

“Nothing,” says Braeburn. He looks at Rainbow Dash. “You see anything, Sugar Tail?”

“Please,” scoffs Rainbow Dash, giving the stallion an unimpressed look. “I see everything.”

Then she looks back ahead and stops cold in her tracks with her eyes wide and a silver arrow just inches from her face. Then there are creaks and snaps and dozens upon dozens of silver arrows flicker into view with figures in green cloaks appearing like pieces of the air flaking off. Antlers jut from their thin heads and their long muzzles are covered by pieces of green cloth. Strapped to their back are quivers with many arrows, and on their belts are swords, daggers and small boxes, and their boots are wrapped with thick cloth.

Needless to say the Fellowship stops moving and they all reach for their weapons while Shining Armor charges his horn, save for Spike who is holding out his hands to the group.

“Wait, stop!” says Spike frantically.

“Is that what I think it is?” says Rainbow Dash, her eyes narrowed at the buck in front of her, who just happens to be the tallest and most muscular of everyone in the area.

“You mean the dozens of arrows aimed at us?” says Flash.

Rainbow Dash groans and cranes her head back. “I am so over this!”

“Trespassers, you have two minutes to leave the forest,” says the buck in front of Rainbow Dash.

“But we're ten minutes in,” says Sweetie Belle, who has huddled Scootaloo.

“Then you best start running.”

Fluttershy steps forward, her steps timid and her hands clamped together as her pleading eyes focus on the leader.

“Please, we need shelter and help,” says Fluttershy. “Two of our friends are hurt really bad and they need help.”

The leader looks at Braeburn and Applejack, and the former smiles and waves uneasily while the latter remains still. Seconds later the buck looks at Fluttershy again.

“Fine. I will give you fifteen minutes before we start shooting,” he says.

The group gasps, Rainbow Dash growls, and Blueblood and Shining Armor both flex their hands while Apple Bloom leaves Spike's side to glare up at the buck.

“How can you be so heartless!? We're hurt and need of aide and you go and toss us out like rotten food?” says Apple Bloom.

The circle of deer look at each other, murmur in their tongue, then look back at the group in well rehearsed unified choreography.

“Yes,” says the leader.

“At least they're honest,” says Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo sighs and pinches her brow. “Why am I friends with you?”

“You are now down to thirteen minutes,” says the leader.

“Stand down!” barks a new, sprite voice, and all at once the arrows are lowered, and a deer with a light brown coat and long green hair tied into a ponytail rushes through the trees with a dozen bucks flanking him. They are all wearing the same clothing as the Fellowship's captors and when he is next to the leader his size puts him equal to Spike's, which just happens to be the person he points at. “You look familiar. What is your name?”

“Spike. I'm Twilight Sparkle's assistant,” says Spike.

The news buck looks through the battered Fellowship before focusing on Spike again.

“And where is Twilight Sparkle?” asks the newcomer.

“Killed by a Nightmare,” says Spike.

The newcomer's face falls. “Oh... You have my condolences.”

“Please, we need help,” says Fluttershy.

The newcomer turns to Fluttershy and is about to say something, but his jaw clamps shut and he looks her over from head to toe. Then he approaches her and she takes a step back while Flash and Rainbow Dash glare at him. When he is in front of her, he rubs his chin and tilts his head, prompting her to dip her head so her mane is hiding her face.

“And who might you be?” asks the newcomer with a small smile.

The pegasi grimace, but Rarity sighs lightly.

“How lovely,” she says.

“How dreadful,” remarks Blueblood.

“Fluttershy, Second Princess of the Hurricane Clan,” says Fluttershy quietly in regards to the buck's.

“What a beautiful name for beautiful mare,” says the buck. “I'm Ficus, son of Aspen of the Ruling House Sweettree. Which means I just happen to be a prince, too.”

“Oh, for Faust's sake, Flash do something,” says Rainbow Dash.

“What do you want me to do?” says Flash.

“Stop him from flirting with my sister for starters.”

“No offense, Commander, but in case you haven't seen, the arrows are still ready to kill us.”

“I CAN SEE JUST FINE!”

Some birds fly and the Fellowship and the bucks look at Rainbow Dash, and she in turn looks at them, face red and ears drooped as puffs of air freeze in front of her.

“Well, I can,” says Rainbow Dash.

With that distraction, Apple Bloom approaches Ficus's side and lightly tugs on his cloak, bringing him to look at her.

“Excuse me, Prince Ficus, sir, can you please help us?” begs Apple Bloom, her eyes wide and shimmering in the cold air. “We need medicine and shelter, and two of our friends are hurt really bad.”

Ficus nods and pats Apple Bloom on the head.

“Of course. I'm sure the Lady and our King won't mind your stay for a little bit,” says Ficus.

The leader of the greeting party growls and shoves Apple Bloom aside, and he has to lower his head so he can speak into Ficus's ear.

“My Lord, you know the rules,” says the buck.

“I know the rules, Pine,” snaps Ficus. “But they will be confined and out within the week's end.”

Pine opens his mouth, but in a flash Ficus squeezes his hand around his muzzle.

“Don't speak. Obey,” says Ficus.

Pine growls. “Always.”

“Good.” Ficus shoves Pine away, then looks at Spike. “Apologies for ignoring you, Spike, but your group is free to stay in the provided space and we will get your friends treated. However, for safety reasons we're going to have to restrain her.”

Ficus points at Pinkie Pie, who has at least eight arrows still aimed at her, and Spike balks at her.

“What do you do to people?” asks Spike.

Pinkie Pie shrugs. “I would say something perverted or silly, but I'm not in the mood.” She holds out her wrists and keeps her hands balled into fists. “Which cell will I be getting?”

“Not a comfortable one.” Ficus waves his hand to a couple of soldiers. “Take her away.”

Pine pulls out a pair of cuffs and slaps them on Pinkie Pie's wrists, and another buck clamps a chain on the cuff links.

“No funny business this time,” says Pine.

“I'm not in the mood for funny business,” says Pinkie Pie.

Then she is jerked away and the Fellowship follows the deer through the forest with their footprints being left behind in the thin blanket of snow. However, the cold does not deter Ficus from walking backwards to line up with Fluttershy and flash an easygoing smile.

“So, do you have any arranged marriages planned?” asks Ficus.

Author's Note

I was planning on making this chapter longer. Like four times longer. But I didn't think it would be right to delay an update any longer because of certain parts that were not cooperating. It is not much, and I'm sorry, but the next update will be longer with more of that story stuff you guys like.

Burdens

Ficus and Pine lead the Fellowship down a wide path lined with thick trees that tower high into the sky. Blue tint lines their leafs and the air, while chilly, seems less so now that they are in the forest. Watching the group are civilians of all ages dressed in simple tunics and cloaks. They keep their distance, using the trees, their huts or carts for cover. Directly ahead of the Fellowship is a throne made of twisted roots and branches with a banner of a green tree on a blue background hanging above it. Flanking the throne are two dozen more guards with the same cloaks and light armor, but they alternate where one looks directly at the Fellowship while the other looks into the forest.

Standing in front of the throne is a buck with brown fur, a white muzzle and red plate armor with a little golden bird resting on his shoulder. Unlike the others, he is not wearing a cloak and has a falx held tightly in his hands, which he is keeping in front of him.

“Blackthorn,” chirps Ficus, “I am back from my trip! Fetch the King, will you?”

Blackthorn scowls at him.

“Please?” adds Ficus.

Without a word, Blackthorn slips around the throne, and the Fellowship looks at him with varying expressions of disbelief and confusion

“Since when does a prince say please to a guard?” says Rarity.

“It's because he isn't a prince,” says Spike flatly. “He's adopted.”

Braeburn frowns at Ficus. “So, you're a liar, huh?”

Ficus rolls his eyes. “Please, everybody's a liar. Besides, I'm an unofficial prince, so it was more like a half lie. I'll be a full on prince in a day or two, anyway.”

“That's nice,” says Fluttershy.

“That's a lie,” says Rainbow Dash.

Ficus whips to Rainbow Dash. “Oh, really? What would a rainbow vomit feather head like you know?”

“Because you just don't wake up one day and say I'm going to be royalty. You're born into it.” Rainbow Dash taps the side of her head. “Duh. This is kids stuff. And if you talk like that to me again I'll-”

Fluttershy grabs Rainbow Dash's muzzle and squeezes hard. Very, very hard. Hard to the point where the smaller pegasus is whining and clawing at her hands with tears bubbling in her eyes and her face getting hotter by the second.

“She'll forgive you because she is a nice sister. Right, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash nods, and Fluttershy releases her, allowing her to tenderly massage her muzzle while giving death glares to her sister.

“Sister, huh?” says Ficus with a grin. “That means I'm in the presence of two warrior princesses. My fantasy is becoming a reality.”

Rainbow Dash grimaces, and with slow, stiff movements, she grabs Flash and drags him in between her and Ficus, all while Fluttershy stares at him with wide eyes and sealed lips. The rest of the Fellowship remains quite from sheer disbelief of what they are hearing. Save for Blueblood. He is yawning.

“Don't count on her being your fantasy mare. She will cut you down quicker than you can think,” claims Scootaloo.

“And she'll lick your blood off of herself,” says Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom quickly smacks both of them on the back of their heads and turns them around so she is eye to eye with them.

“Are you two trying to get us killed?” says Apple Bloom. “Do you not see the arrows pointed at us, right now?”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle look around, then in unison say: “No.”

“Exactly.”

“Visitors!” booms Blackthorn. “You are now in the presence of King Aspen!”

Apple Bloom looks up and gasps, and a quick order from Blueblood is enough to get the entire group to bow. Standing in front of the throne, surrounded by light is an old buck with white fur and brown spots around his eyes. He is clothed in robes of white with a gold belt and cuffs, and on his belt is a ruby heart with lavender tinsel hanging from the bottom. Though, while his clothing is graceful, his stature is the opposite. It is guarded and his eyes are condemning.

“Father, I know this is against your rules,” begins Ficus, but he falls silent when Aspen holds up his hand.

“Be silent,” orders Aspen, his voice heavy and firm. “To think I do not know what happens within my borders is asinine. I knew unwanted visitors entered the moment they set their foot in my kingdom, and with them, a great evil.”

Apple Bloom gulps and shrinks back, and the Fellowship inches closer to her to form a shield of flesh while Shining Armor flexes his hands and tightens his grip on Applejack.

“However,” says Aspen, “rather than having you all buried, I was convinced to let you live by my adviser. That said, there was one thing that she could not sway my mind on.” Aspen points at Pinkie Pie. “You. You were to never return.”

The Fellowship looks at her, and she casually shrugs.

“What can I say? Crap happens,” says Pinkie Pie.

“I am not amused,” growls Aspen.

“Is there anybody you haven't ticked off?” asks Rainbow Dash.

“When we factor in the population of Equestria, I actually don't make a lot of people mad,” says Pinkie Pie. “It's like a tenth of a tenth of a tenth of a tenth of a tenth of a tenth of the population.”

“Enough!” says Aspen. “Pinkamena, you will be held in the prison until your company leaves, and the rest of you will be quartered until your wounded are well enough to travel.”

“Thank you for your hospitality,” says Blueblood.

“Don't thank me. Thank my adviser.”

Aspen steps aside, and another figure appears from behind the throne. The Fellowship's silence cannot hide what is on their minds, for the blushes say plenty. Especially for Shining Armor since his face has become red from the fire inside his cheeks. The pink unicorn mare is slender with smooth feathers, her coat shines, and her thick mane and tail of violet, rose and gold curl like taffy. The dress she is wearing is white like Aspen's robe, but it hugs her curving frame with emphasis on her hips and chest, and it has golden trim and leafs that run along her ribs. Her belt and bracelets are golden, and her purple eyes sparkle in the light.

“Cadence?” says Shining Armor.

Cadence looks directly at Shining Armor, and her eyes grow wide. “Shining? Is that really you?”

“You know them, Cadenza?” says Aspen.

She runs down the steps of the throne and briefly turns partially to look at the King.

“I have known Shining for a long time! You didn't tell me you saw him!” says Cadence with no malice in her tone.

Aspen rolls his eyes, and Blackthorn shakes his head slowly when Cadence nearly shoves Rarity and Fluttershy aside to get to Shining Armor. Once she has a clear opening she giggles joyfully and latches on to him tight, prompting a scream from him and Braeburn.

“Easy! Easy!” says Shining Armor as he tries to regain his balance and his grip on Applejack with Braeburn holding out his good hand.

“It has been so long since we last saw each other!” says Cadence. “How are you? I haven't seen you ever since you got exiled!”

Then she sees Spike, and she squeals and pulls Spike in for a hug, which brings out a grunt from him an eyebrow raise from Pinkie Pie.

“Spike, you have gotten bigger,” says Cadence. She feels his arms and tuts playfully. “But you're still skinny for a drake.”

“I told him to eat more rabbit, but he won't listen to me,” says Pinkie Pie. She is ignored.

“Spike's here, Shining's here and...” Cadence becomes momentarily blank when she spots a certain Viceroy. “Vladimir?”

“Hello, Mi Amor Cadenza, I see you haven't changed,” says Blueblood.

Cadence looks him over with a bemused frown. “Neither have you, apparently.” She then closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, and when she opens her eyes with a steady exhale she ends with a hopeful smile. “Now that that is out of the way, where is Twilight?”

The Fellowship looks down, deathly quiet, fighting back tears in one way or the other, and Cadence stares at them, her smile slowly fading. The air becomes heavy, and Rainbow Dash steps towards Cadence. The alicorn's eyes are shimmering and her ears are drooped, and she looks down at the smaller pony when she is in front of her.

“Twilight's dead,” says Rainbow Dash.

“What?” gasps Cadence.

“Twilight's gone,” says Shining Armor quietly, his head still bowed and his hands clenched tight. “She died protecting us from a Nightmare.” Shining Armor tightens his grip on Applejack and places a hand on Braeburn's shoulder. “She died so we could escape, and now these two need help. Can you help us?”

Shining Armor keeps his head down, and Cadence looks at Braeburn and Applejack, then scans the battered faces of the Fellowship. She then looks at Aspen, but his stern expression has not changed.

“I already said you could stay until your wounded are well enough to travel,” says Aspen. “Blackthorn, take Pinkamena to her cell. Pine, escort the wounded to the infirmary. Ficus, keep them entertained until we have a suitable sleeping quarter. And Cadenza, a word with you.”

Cadence nods and gives one last look to Shining Armor before she follows Aspen out of the area. While this happens, Pine orders Braeburn and Shining Armor to follow him, and Blackthorn escorts Pinkie Pie away, leaving the rest of the Fellowship alone. After several moments of silence, Blueblood approaches Ficus.

“Tell me, is there anyway I can have a private conversation with your king?” asks the Viceroy.

“I can ask him, but why do you want to talk to him?” says Ficus.

“I just want to discuss grownup things with him.”

Ficus frowns. “That attitude is not going to win you any favors.”

“Is there a place where I can buy some candles?” asks Spike.

“Yes, Carolina's Candle Shop has plenty. I'll have-”

“What about a place to wash our clothes?” asks Rarity.

“Well,” begins Ficus.

“Or sharpen our weapons?” asks Scootaloo.

“That is-”

“How about mail a letter?” asks Pipsqueak.

“Everybody, please-”

“Everypony,” corrects Sweetie Belle.

Everybody looks at her, and she shrugs innocently.

“What? Its proper?”

Scootaloo sighs and pats Sweetie Belle's shoulder, and Rainbow Dash scoffs and walks away from the group.

“Where are you going?” says Ficus.

“To get some food,” says Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, I know a good place.”

“Nope.”

Some time has passed to where the light is fading. Lanterns hang from the branches of the great trees, dotting the forest in orange orbs. Currently with the Fellowship split apart, each clique exploring their parts of the haven, Fluttershy has ended up with Flash, Davenport and Ficus. However, the word uncomfortable is too soft of a word to describe the state she is in now. Reason being is that Flash has not let his guard down the entire time, which in turn has stressed the other guards. There is also Davenport selling off his expensive clothing, leaving him with just the basic shirt, pants, cloak and his pack. And lastly, Ficus has not left her entire side and has not stopped talking. He honestly reminds her of Pinkie Pie before Ammolite in his seemingly endless supply of breath.

“-And then I ran across the bridge as it fell, using the falling brick as stepping stones and I killed the monster with a great thrust of my blade!” brags Ficus.

He is unaware of the universal eye roll from his guards and Flash, but Fluttershy manages a smile, even though her focus is on Davenport, who has now sold his gold necklace for only a few coins.

“But enough about me,” says Ficus. “What battles have you done?”

“Done?” says Fluttershy, swiftly looking to the odd buck.

“Yes. That armor isn't just worn by anybody, and the craftsmanship of the spear and shield is too good to be wasted on nothing. Surely you have lots of tales.”

“This belongs to my father. He's... more exciting than me.”

Ficus hums and turns towards a booth with lanterns surrounding it, and his eyes skim a collection of horns while the shop owner stares blankly ahead. Completely still.

“You do have training in them, though, correct?” says Ficus.

“Um... I don't do anymore fighting if that is what you are wondering,” says Fluttershy.

Flash steps forward and tilts his head at the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper keeps staring ahead. Flash waves his hand in front of the owner's eyes. Nothing.

“Is he dead?” asks Flash.

“No. Wormwood is just... well, he's special,” says Ficus.

“Fuck off,” says Wormwood.

“And rude. He's lucky I would never have my guards cut his muzzle off.” Ficus points to a curved, red horn with a gold leaf band. “How much for the red horn?”

Flash and Fluttershy exchange looks, and Davenport calmly walks up, carrying his sword in its fancy sheath.

“For you? Eighty coin,” says Wormwood.

“That's robbery,” sneers Ficus.

“So is a bastard wanting to be a prince.”

“How about I beat you bloody and take it for free?”

“If you got the sack for it, do it. But don't blame me when I rip off your balls and shove up your ass.”

Flash and Fluttershy grimace, but what surprises Fluttershy more is how Ficus's guards do absolutely nothing. She knows without a shred of doubt that if anybody ever talked to a pegasus royalty like Wormwood they would be missing a tongue. Or a head. However, not wanting to see a brawl break out, Fluttershy steps forward and smiles as best as she can.

“Uh, yes, hi, Mr. Handsome,” says Fluttershy.

“Wormwood,” corrects the shopkeeper.

“Mr. Handsome Wormwood, I know you want to do the right thing and not over charge a customer because your handsome and strong and handsome strong gentlemen always do the right thing, right? So, how about ten coin?”

Fluttershy finishes with a nervous grin and quickly bats her lashes, but Wormwood remains stonefaced while Flash and Ficus bulge their eyes. Davenport, however, slides next to Fluttershy and puts the sword on the counter.

“I'll trade the sword for the horn,” says Davenport calmly.

Wormwood arches a brow, but grabs the weapon, inspects the sheath, then inspects the blade, and ends with an approving nod.

“Sold,” says Wormwood.

He wraps the horn in a piece of paper, gives it to Davenport, then leaves with the sword in hand, giving the group space to gawk at Davenport.

“What?” asks Davenport.

“You traded your sword for a horn,” says Ficus.

“Why would you do that? We still have a mission to do,” says Flash.

“I don't need it anymore.” Davenport gives the horn to Ficus. “Here.”

Ficus takes the horn, inspects it, then shrugs and gives it to Fluttershy with a broad smile.

“From me to you,” says Ficus.

“Oh... um, thank you...” says Fluttershy as she reluctantly takes the horn. “Its nice.”

“Thank you. I figured a beautiful mare like yourself deserves a gift from a strong, handsome buck like me.”

Flash's ears droop with a frown, but Davenport's bland expression does not change, and the ponies follow Ficus when he guides them down the illuminated path, passing Apple Bloom eating with Pipsqueak and the other Foalings and their guards along the way.

Ass they walk, Fluttershy fiddles with the horn, marveling at its simplistic beauty, even if it was given to her by possibly the most bizarre method she had witnessed.

“That is a nice horn,” says Davenport. “Wormwood was actually underselling it.”

“Really?” says Fluttershy.

Davenport nods.

“And what about your sword? Was that a good trade?”

“It was good enough for me.”

During their short conversation, Flash picks up his pace and places himself between Fluttershy and Ficus.

“Excuse me, Ficus. Something has been on my mind,” says Flash. “You said you were an unofficial prince. Last I checked there was no middle ground to being one.”

Ficus hums. “Maybe for you, but things are different here. Aspen is my uncle, but I call him father since he is more of a father than my real father ever was -whoever he is- and my mother was a thot, so I'm a bastard. But people like me.”

“I can tell,” says Davenport.

“But you lied about being a prince. Isn't that dangerous?” says Fluttershy.

“I didn't lie completely. As I said, I share blood with Aspen, and the only reason why I have not been officially recognized as a member of the family is because of the Royal Purity Council does not want a bastard who just happens to have the blood of a royalty turned thot and some random pleb to taint things. They almost ousted Aspen because of his sister's actions, but he convinced them otherwise and he will do the same for my case.”

“And how long has this issue been going on?” asks Davenport.

“Eh...” Ficus counts with his fingers. “Twenty two years.”

“And you're how old?”

“Twenty three.”

Everything suddenly loses sound, and Ficus grins at the ponies, clueless to the shocked looks they are giving him. After some seconds, Fluttershy clears her throat and awkwardly rubs her neck.

“Oh... um, that... that puts me a bit older than you,” says Fluttershy.

“That's okay. I like older women,” says Ficus.

“Okay, that's enough.” Flash ushers Fluttershy back a few steps. “I'm sorry, Princess, but I really do not trust this man. And you, Ficus, are weird.”

Ficus shrugs. “Eh, better weird than a eunuch.”

Flash's eyes narrow. “What?”

“I know it wasn't your fault. You wanted to be a soldier, defend the pretty princess and all, so they cut off your balls to avoid the temptations of bedding her. I hear all the stories about the pegasi.”

Davenport looks at Flash, mortified, and Flutterhsy squeaks and blushes, hiding her face behind her hands.

“Is that true?” asks Davenport.

“No, its not true!” Flash looks at Fluttershy. “Tell them it isn't true.”

“Well... um...” Fluttershy looks down, her entire face being covered by her mane. “You were one of the lucky ones.”

Flash's eyes are wide enough to be seen across the forest, as are Davenport's and Ficus and his guards.

“I... I'm a lucky one?” says Flash, pointing at himself.

Fluttershy nods, mumbling in affirmation.

“Are you serious? I was only joking,” says Ficus. “You actually do that? What is wrong with you people?”

“That is an interesting practice,” says Davenport.

“Now I feel bad.” Ficus pats Flash's shoulder. “Sorry about your friends.”

“Yeah, me too,” says Flash glumly.

Ficus pats Flash's shoulder again and steps back, clicking his tongue awkwardly. His guards appear to have similar cases of anxiety about the revelations of their winged visitors.

“Well, I best get going. I actually have to do some things that are not here,” says Ficus. “Remember to stay in the vicinity and nothing will happen.” Ficus points at Flash. “And you best watch yourself.”

The three ponies nod, and Ficus waves a farewell before he hurries off with his guards. When the buck are out of sight, Flash exhales explosively and runs his hand through his mane, shaking his head.

“Three more years... Three more years,” says Flash.

While Flash paces and mutters, Davenport inches closer to Fluttershy and leans towards her ear.

“They don't really do that, do they?” asks Davenport.

Fluttershy smirks.

It has been a few hours after Shining Armor left Applejack and Braeburn at the infirmary, and now he and Spike stand ankle deep in the waters of a gently flowing stream. In their hands are small purple candles on leaf shaped boats. They both place the candles in the water and set them off, watching in silence. The water is cold and the chilly wind is not helping, but they persist and watch until a strong gust f wind blows out both lights. When that happens, Shining Armor sighs and runs his dirty fingers through his mane while Spike dips his head.

“We'll see her again, right?” asks Spike.

“You might,” says Shining Armor.

He places his hand on Spike's shoulder and guides him to the riverbed. Once out, their clothes freeze to their skin and a pair of doe hand them new clothes and heavy cloaks. With them is Blueblood, Ficus, and a dozen guards. The two quietly change, with the doe facing away from them, and once that is done Ficus approaches Spike.

“I would like to have a word with you in private,” says Ficus, his tone anxious.

Spike hesitates, but nods and leaves with Ficus and his party, putting just Shining Armor and Blueblood by themselves.

Long seconds tick by. Cold wind bites them, and yet they remain still.

“I have made a quick appointment with King Aspen. He apparently does not have much time on his hands but was gracious enough to allow me to speak with him,” says Blueblood.

“Joy to the world. How are you going to swindle money out of this one?” says Shining Armor flatly.

Blueblood places his hands behind his back and walks next to Shining Armor to watch the river. Shining Armor, however, does not look at him. Instead he looks at the forest.

“I have no intention on doing anything questionable for once,” says Blueblood. “Rather I am looking for an alliance with him. If what we saw in Ammolite is a taste of what Sombra is capable of then we will need all the help we can get. And we will need young leaders to lead the charge. Young. Rough. Experienced in something beyond the courts.”

“Let me know how that goes,” says Shining Armor.

“I'm saying we need you to replace your father instead of Twilight.”

Shining Armor balks at Blueblood. “What?”

Blueblood turns to face Shining Armor. “You were not catching on, so I figured I would be blunt. I want you to return to Unicornia with me, where it is safe, and where you can assume your proper role.”

Shining Armor forces a laugh. “Have you lost your mind?”

“I cannot bear seeing another Sparkle die and your House needs a heir to replace the King. That burden falls on you, now.”

“Why don't you take it? The Bluebloods practically own Unicornia, anyway. Just seal the contract and be done with it with some legal jargon,” says Shining Armor.

“It is not my place to rule and I do not desire it.”

“Well, by law I am not allowed the throne, so have fun ruling.”

“We can work around the obstacles. Return to Canterlot with me and we can make things right.”

Shining Armor stares at Blueblood, and the Viceroy meets his skepticism with a stone cold stare. It only takes a moment for Shining Armor to scoff and leave Blueblood behind.

~~~~~~~~~~

He does not know how long he has walked, but eventually he finds a good spot by a thick tree with a convenient nook in its trunk and a clear opening for the sky. The sun is setting, and the stars are starting to show on the dark blue sky, but the cold wind is still there, so Shining Armor tightens the cloak around him and illuminates his horn. A bubble shimmers around him and puts him in a state of warmth. Not too hot for him to discard the cloak, but it certainly does not let the cold in. It is a perfect temperature.

Shining Armor sits down and with a heavy sigh he looks at the stars, trying to remember the last time he and Twilight looked at them together.

“I'm sorry.”

Shining Armor closes his eyes and tries to force away the image of Twilight falling, but it sticks. Her terror, her tears, all vivid like she is in front of him, falling once more. His muscles feel just as stiff, just as useless as before. He really wishes he had something to drink, too. It has always worked before.

“Shining?” calls Cadence.

Shining Armor opens his eyes and tilts his head to see Cadence standing at the foot of the tree, hands clamped in front of her, ears drooped and saddened eyes looking at him. He looks back at the sky.

“Where are your guards?” asks Shining Armor.

“I don't need them everywhere I go. I'm an alicorn, remember?” says Cadence.

“Alicorns can die just like everypony else.”

Cadence's steps are light when she approaches Shining Armor, and she gently eases herself next to him and wraps her wing around him. She is met with a defensive look, but he makes no moves to push her away.

“I... I wanted to see how you were faring,” says Cadence.

“My sister is dead. I don't know a worse feeling,” says Shining Armor.

Cadence grabs his hand and gently turns his head so he is looking at her, her hand cupping his scruffy cheek.

“I know you think Twilight's death is your fault, but it isn't,” says Cadence. “The Nightmare killed her, not you.”

“I might as well have killed her,” says Shining Armor.

“Don't say that.”

“It's true. I could have done a thousand things differently that day, but I didn't, and now she is dead.”

Shining Armor sinks into the tree, sniffing and wiping his nose while Cadence rubs his shoulder with slow and gentle strokes.

“If there was a way to bring her back then I would do it in a heartbeat,” says Shining Armor quietly.

Cadence's ears perk and her hand stops moving, and Shining Armor looks at her, oblivious to the concern in her eyes.

“Would you do the same for family?” asks Shining Armor.

“No,” says Cadence after a pause. She shakes her head. “No, I would live on for them, and you should do the same.”

Shining Armor frowns. “How am I supposed to live with myself when I let my only family die?”

Cadence bites her lip and averts her eyes, her hand squeezing his shoulder.

“You just... do it,” says Cadence. She looks back at him. “You just live. You just live for them, and that is all you really can do.”

“I don't think I can do that, though,” says Shining Armor. “I have spent too much time away from her, and now I can't make it up. I have to make it right. I have to get her back somehow.”

Cadence suddenly pulls Shining Armor in for a hug, and while he resists, he still admits to himself that he finds comfort in her embrace. It does not take long for his stiffness to melt and for him to cling to her dress. He bites his tongue and swallows his whimpers, but the tears still flow, and he tightens his grip on Cadence when her hand brushes his head. There they sit in silence, and despite the coldness around them, for the first time in a long time Shining Armor finds warmth and safety in Cadence's company.

Spike follows Ficus into a large hut with a frame of thick wood and walls of wooden branches. Though, the walls are mostly covered by tapestries of trees and birds, and lining the abode's interior are huge torches of oily fire, displayed weapons and furniture occupied with valuable figurines. There is also a covered bed in the corner and a chest at the foot of the bed.

“This place is very nice,” says Spike.

“Thank you,” says Ficus. He looks around outside before he closes the door, and when he sees the questionable look Spike is giving him, he asks: “What do you think of pegasi?”

“Why?” asks Spike slowly.

“No reason. I was just wanting more opinions on them before I made any more moves on Fluttershy.”

“Oh, well, she's nice, but her sister, Rainbow Dash, will probably mutilate you if you try anything funny.”

Ficus pales. “You mean like giving her a horn kind of funny, or...?”

Spike shrugs. “Maybe. But Dash is mostly full of hot air. She'll probably have Flash do the mutilating, instead. Is this all you wanted to talk about? Because if it is, I got a head full of advice.”

“No, I actually wanted to talk to you about something else. It is all spur of the moment, but it is information that I think will help you.”

“Okay, but I got a question. What are you going to do with Pinkie Pie?” says Spike. “Aspen really was not happy to see her.”

While Ficus thinks, Spike walks over to a polished ruby orb sitting in an elevated net made of golden vines. He extends a finger and pokes it, marveling at his red tinted, curved reflection. Drool even accumulates in his mouth, but he quickly swallows it and looks at Ficus when the false prince speaks.

“She is with you, so out of respect we won't do anything too harsh. But if she tries anything we might do something terrible,” says Ficus.

Ficus sits down at a table in a basic cushioned chair and motions Spike to take the seat across from him, which is a copy of his chair. When the drake sits, Ficus leans back and folds his hands over each other and focuses his eyes on him.

“Anyway, let's get on with it,” says Ficus. “We haven't seen each other in almost a dozen years and now here we are.”

The door suddenly opens and a doe wearing a simple green dress with a white belt and scarf enters, carrying a silver tray with pale cups and a teapot, both decorated with leafy patterns. She sets the dishes down with a neat stack of folded cloth, and then she pours into their cups hot tea and quietly leaves after Ficus thanks her. After she is gone Ficus sips his hot drink with no problem, but Spike has to force the foul tasting liquid down his throat. Very quickly an odd silence comes between them, where only the crackling flame of torches, the gentle cold wind and the flapping of cloth provides noise. Spike shifts in his seat and looks around the room, taking a keen liking to the gem studded, tree shaped candle holders and the decorated weapons among other fancy items.

“Since you are heading North it is important that I tell you that there are talks of Sombra moving at great speed,” says Ficus, bringing Spike's eyes to him. “Sombra has already convinced the Lulamoon Sanctuary to join him, among others.”

Spike's heart sinks. “Other Sanctuaries have joined him? Which ones?”

“Moon Dancer, Equality, House of Twins, Polomare to name a few. There's even rumors of the drakes, buffalo and griffins pledging their allegiance to Sombra.” Ficus sips his drink. “Make no mistake, war is coming, and Equestria is too divided to survive. I suggest you go across the Divide to escape the bloodshed. Or maybe I can convince my father to let you stay here. I can't say the same about the others, but I might with you.”

Spike swallows his spit and searches his brain for anything he can use as a force of optimism, but Ficus' stern gaze coupled with what he has seen is suffocating his search. It is only after another stretch of silence, broken by a deep breath from Spike, do some words come out.

“We aren't going to lose,” says Spike firmly. “Uncornia, Everfree, the Confederacy, even the Pegasi Tribes and Lookout Mountain have offered to help us destroy Sombra. The Forest Kingdom can help, too. You can help us. We're all in this mess together.”

Ficus snorts. “You mean your Fellowship? Look at the big picture. The pegasi are stretched thin with their ambitions. Unicornia is so corrupt that the King is nothing more than a puppet to the traders and bankers. And Everfree and the Confederacy slaughter each other every chance they get. And the Mountain is too busy holing itself up to help fight Sombra.”

The chair creaks as Ficus leans forward and stares into Spike's eyes.

“Face it, Spike. Equestria is ending,” says Ficus.

“So you won't pledge support to us because you think the cause is folly?” says Blueblood from a cushioned seat carved like a swirling tree, his eyes focused on Aspen and his hands balled together.

“Yes,” says Aspen from across the way on a larger chair with larger cushions and bronze leafs curving off of the top.

Between them is a table with a map of Equestria with the Forest Kingdom outlined in bold green ink and figurines of forts and soldiers throughout the broken region.

With Aspen staring at Blueblood intently, the Viceroy lightly taps his fingers together and looks at the map, noting heavy military presence on the Forest Kingdom's border and very accurate placement of the other nations' military.

“You have an impressive army, and your son looks very fit and disciplined,” says Blueblood, “and your people have been very hospitable.”

Aspen raises an eyebrow.

“Your people deserve safety and prosperity, and I know we can achieve that if we work together,” continues Blueblood.

“I have made it my personal mission to keep my people out of the affairs of the world,” says Aspen.

“You may do what you can to ignore the world, but the world will not ignore you.” Blueblood leans forward. “Send your son with me and pledge your support to Uncornia and I promise you your kingdom will be blessed with a unique partnership that will benefit your people. They will be safe and spoiled.”

Aspen's face remains unchanged, and his chest slowly rises and falls with a deep inhale and exhale. The wind howls outside and the fire jerks in the torches around the room, painting the walls with dark jagged shapes.

“Ficus is the only son I have left,” says Aspen firmly. “I will not risk him or my House for your quest. My people also follow a strict code of humility in the name of the Tree of Life, and I will not risk displeasing my god to please a unicorn I have only known for a few hours. He has protected us thus far from danger and I will not spit in His face now.”

Blueblood hums and looks around the room, rubbing his fingers and eyeing polished statues with bright gems and a tapestry of an eloquent tree with far reaching branches and roots made from thick fabric. There are a dozen orbs at the roots, each with what Blueblood can only guess to be names, and the branches have various activities in them, from boats in the sea, to birds in the air. One of the branches holds a burning tree with another tree rising next to it; another displays a shattered crown being carried by a dove; and another holds a star surrounded by a dark ball.

“As for my army? I will allow myself to gloat. They are very well trained,” says Aspen.

Blueblood smiles thinly at the King. “Of course.”

“However, they are not trained for open field, which is where your war will be. You put them in a forest and they will make walls out of bodies, but out in the open it will be them that will be the bricks. We will stay here where I know we have a fighting chance.”

“Luckily for you, open field is a unicorn specialty. Training will not be a problem.”

“The answer is still no and the conversation ends here.”

Blueblood hesitates. “Right.” He clears his throat, and he stands up and pulls away the wrinkles from his clothes before making his way to the door. However, when he is at the entrance, he stops and looks at the King. “Ask yourself this, King Aspen, should the other nations perish under Sombra, who will aide you when he brings the blade to your people?”

Aspen exhales through his nose and his eyes narrow on Blueblood. “We will survive without outside help, just as we did before.” He points his palm at the door. “You may leave my chambers.”

A pair of metallic bangs echo in the derelict halls, prompting one of Pinkie Pie's eyes to open.

“Knock knock,” says Rainbow Dash.

From her slab in the damp cell, wearing her normal outfit without any of her weapons, Pinkie Pie looks at Rainbow Dash. She is carrying a bag and wearing a thin longsleeve shirt and pants.

“Come in,” says Pinkie Pie.

“Can't do that. The guards wouldn't give me the keys,” says Rainbow Dash. She grins and wags the bag in front of Pinkie Pie. “But I got some chow.”

Pinkie Pie rolls to the sitting position and rubs her neck. “What did you get?”

“They said it was sweet bread.”

Pinkie Pie drags her feet across the floor, creating a scraping noise that brings a twitch to Rainbow Dash's ears, and when the Ranger is in front of the Colored Witch she tilts her head slightly and squints her eyes.

“You know, I never knew how pretty your eyes were,” says Pinkie Pie, noting gray cracks in the pegasus's purple pupils.

“Relax, you don't have to butter me up,” says Rainbow Dash. “Bread?”

Pinkie Pie snatches the bag and pulls out a thick slice of bread covered with red and green dots. She then returns the bag to Rainbow Dash and leans against the wall.

“I'm surprised you're talking to me,” says Pinkie Pie. “Nopony else has ever since we got here. Or since we left Ammolite. Can't really blame them since I got Twilight, Twist and Button killed and nearly killed Applejack and Braeburn.”

Rainbow Dash pulls out her slice and leans against the wall, just outside of the bars.

“Do you realize how many soldiers I lost because of me?” says Rainbow Dash. “A lot. Shit happens. We can't know the future. I don't even think Faust knows the future. All we can do is react to the present, move forward and do what we can to keep the rest alive. Besides, you're an amazing fighter and if anypony says you didn't try to keep us alive then their teeth will meet my fist.”

Pinkie Pie nibbles on her bread while looking at Rainbow Dash out of the corner of her eye, feeling just a sliver of weight falling off her heart. Though, looking at the Colored Witch she notices that she is smaller in height and weight than the average pegasus. Plus, even with the clothes on Pinkie Pie can see the collection of scars on her exposed body, most notably her palms. If anything, Rainbow Dash reminds Pinkie Pie a little bit of herself if her antics at the Ammolite entrance and her collection of wounds are any indication of who she is. She also is so far the only one of the Fellowship to check in on her after the incident, so that adds some points to Rainbow Dash. This actually brings a sense of disappointment to Pinkie Pie since Spike has yet to visit her, and she had thought that her feelings had been obvious as the Sun.

“You know, what you said was heretical,” says Pinkie Pie, trying to push the disappointment away.

“Says the mare who ruttted Twilight,” counters Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie looks at her half eaten bread, blinking away a haze in her eyes.

“That never actually happened,” says Pinkie Pie. “She was actually the first mare I teased and I guess I didn't take her to bed because I got cold feet or something. And now I feel like garbage since she is dead and I'm talking about her like this.”

“Oh.” Rainbow Dash looks away from Pinkie Pie and breaks off a piece of her bread. “Well, don't feel bad. I lie about myself all the time. It makes me feel better.”

Pinkie Pie stares at Rainbow Dash, her expression lost in the moment of confusion as the Colored Witch pops her bread into her mouth.

“But in all seriousness, I didn't get to know Twilight that much,” says Rainbow Dash. “She actually seemed like a typical unicorn prude to me.”

“She was just scared to live,” says Pinkie Pie. “Just like Maud.”

“Some life, huh?”

“Mhm.”

The two fall silent, and when the seconds become long and dull Pinkie Pie looks at Maud's stone and rubs her thumb along its surface. Very quickly her throat tightens and her eyes burn, and she closes her eyes and closes her hand around the stone and brings it to her chest. She then slumps to the cold ground with tears streaming down her face, and she bows her head and places her fist against her forehead, sniffling.

“Its not fair,” says Pinkie Pie. “Why do all the good ones die?”

“Because Faust hates us,” says Rainbow Dash. She eases herself to the floor and sits crosslegged in front of Pinkie Pie. “She gave us a crappy world and loves to see us fight and die like cocks in a cage.”

“So you believe in Faust?”

“'Yeah, but I think She sucks at Her job. You?”

“I don't have a reason to believe in Her.”

“What about the alicorns?”

“Genetically superior ponies created after generations of intermingling pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies due to close proximity to one another. They just use Faust as a reason to explain their superiority when really they are just hybrids.”

“...Okay, then....”

“Do you have more of that bread?”

Rainbow Dash gives Pinkie Pie another piece of sweetbread.

“I guess when we're through with this quest we'll see if there really is a Faust,” says Pinkie Pie.

“Amen to that,” says Rainbow Dash.

The Colored Witch then holds out her bread to the Ranger, and she smirks with wet, puffy eyes and lightly taps her bread against hers, and the two eat the rest of their meal in silence.

Applejack's eyes snap open. Her body aches, and a particularly large spot on her lower back throbs like an unwanted pulse. Her mouth feels dry like baked sand, and she is quick to grab a silver pitcher with trembling hands and chug down its contents. Thankfully it is water. Very clean, pure water. It is actually the best water she has ever tasted, so she takes another large gulp, uncaring of the copious amount soaking her chin and dribbling on her shirt. When the pitcher is empty she sets it back on its stand, but due to poor placement it clatters to the floor.

Applejack winces and tensely looks for any signs of life, finding relief when she sees Braeburn sleeping on the cot next to hers. Both of their gears are also next to them, which removes weight from her, and she tries to carefully climb out of her cot, but her weak knees bring her to collapse. The ground is cold and hard, and her palms and knees ache from the impact, but the pain does not stop her. She grabs the side of the bed and pulls herself up, grunting and awkwardly pressing her hand against the injury in her back.

She takes one step forward, grabs the foot of the bed, takes another step forward, and stops. The door creaks open and all she is able to do is stare at the doe in front of her. She really had not expected to see one, much less one in a white dress with a red apron.

“Where am I?” asks Applejack.

“You are not well enough to walk,” says the doe. “You must return to bed.”

“Where am I?”

“You are in Thicket of the Forest Kingdom.” The doe walks up to Applejack and gently forces her to lay down on the bed. “Your friends are here. You are safe.”

“Where is everypony else?”

“Rest now.”

The doe's palm glows and Applejack's eyes become heavy, and like candle losing its light, everything fades, and the last thing Applejack sees is the doe putting her palm over her eyes.

Out of all the Foalings that lay asleep in their bedrools against a thick tree with leaves glowing a dim blue hue, Apple Bloom is the only one who remains awake. The rest of the Fellowship has also decided to to get some sleep. Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash arrived later than everybody else and have taken their spots in their respective cliques, with the Witch choosing to be with Fluttershy and Flash and the Banished Prince sleeping alone. Blueblood and Rarity somehow have managed to keep their red rolls in tact to where their royal purple and blue fabric have not dimmed; the pegasi have the more thin bedrolls, and Davenport is nowhere to be seen. She is partially concerned about it and would love to look for him, just to see if he is doing okay, but her legs refuse to move. It is as if they had become stone.

The coldness from earlier has dissipated, and warmth has actually moved in, bringing it to a comfortable level. However, despite the firm support on her back from the tree, the warm breeze, and the barrier of sleeping friends, Apple Bloom's eyes are still wide open with no sign of sleep coming. Dark bags weigh down her eyes and her hand constantly twitches against the pouch holding the Amulet. It makes her lightheaded just fighting the desire to touch it, and when she looks at her hand and sees dark crystals encasing her, like frost on flesh, she feels a bubble of bile move up in her throat. Nothing comes out, though.

No screams.

No coughs.

No gasps.

Nothing.

Total silence.

“You must sleep, Apple Bloom,” says the Shadow Foaling. “You will need the energy to find me.”

Apple Bloom lowers her hand and stares at the shadows. She can see the mass of her demon moving through the shadows, like a little girl playing a hiding game.

“Are you afraid to sleep? Are you afraid of what you will find in the Dreamscape?” continues the Shadow Foaling.

A cold hand brushes along Apple Bloom's cheek. She whimpers and looks out of the corner of her eye to see a gaseous wisp of darkness moving by her. The wisp moves across her face, and Apple Bloom stiffly trails it, coming face to face with the wide, glowing grin of the Shadow Foaling.

“You really shouldn't be afraid,” she says, cupping Apple Bloom's cheeks. “I'm here for you. I will protect us. And when you find me you will see that we were meant to be one.”

The Shadow Foaling then leans forward and gently kisses Apple Bloom's forehead and runs her fingers through her mane, giggling gleefully. With each passing rub, Apple Bloom's eyes become heavier and her muscles lighter, and soon her eyes drift shut and she slumps over in total darkness. However, as soon as she is consumed, something shakes her and a gentle voice speaks.

“My lady,” he whispers.

Apple Bloom's eyes flutter open. Everything is a haze at first, but it gradually clears up to show her that nothing has changed. The trees are still illuminated by the blue leaves, the Fellowship is still sleeping soundly, and the weather has not changed from its warm state. The only difference is now a buck is kneeling in front of her, one hand on her shoulder and another on the hilt of his curved blade. Beehind him are two more, and all three are wearing the light weight, leafy designed armor and cloaks.

“My lady, your presence is requested,” says the buck.

Apple Bloom yawns and rubs her eyes. “By who?”

“Lady Mi Amor Cadenza.”

“Oh... Can it wait?”

“Unfortunately not.”

Apple Bloom sighs and reluctantly takes the soldier's hand when he holds it out to her, and she has to use the tree for support when he pulls her upright. She is led to a glowing lake that has a layer of mist resting on top of it, and sitting on a white bench, watching the mist with a distant look is Cadence.

Apple Bloom looks at the guard, and he nods and motions her forward, and she reluctantly walks towards the alicorn.

The closer she gets to Cadence, the heavier the Amulet feels, and the louder a whisper in her ear becomes.

“Cadenza,” whispers the Amulet.

Cadence's ear twitches and she looks over her shoulder, forcing a smile when she sees Apple Bloom.

“Hello, Apple Bloom. Thank you for seeing me,” says Cadence. She politely dismisses the guard and holds out her hand to the Foaling. “Come have a seat.”

Apple Bloom swallows and hobbles forward, her hand clutching the pouch tight and dark ice crystals flickering along the edges of her vision. When she is next to Cadence, the alicorn lights her horn and the discomfort and crystals vanish, and with the vanishing comes an aggravated growl from the Amulet.

“I see he hasn't changed much,” says Cadence.

“What?” says Apple Bloom dumbly.

Cadence nods towards her pouch. “Sombra. He has always had a temper.”

“... Should I be concerned that you said that?”

“Nope.”

Apple Bloom blinks her wide, tired eyes, then she looks at the lake, her fingers digging into her pants and the thought of running away becoming more vocal.

“I actually do want to talk to you about something,” says Cadence.

“Like what?” asks Apple Bloom.

Cadence looks down and rubs her hands together. “I really don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but you have to leave the Fellowship behind.”

“What?” Apple Bloom leaps up from her chair, horrified. “Why! I can't leave them! I don't even know my way around anywhere!”

Cadence slides to the grass, grabs Apple Bloom's hands and locks eyes with her.

“Please, don't tell me to go alone,” begs Apple Bloom, her lips quivering and teas rolling down her cheek. “I can't do this alone.”

“I'm sorry, Apple Bloom, but it is the only way,” says Cadence, blinking the mist from her eyes. “That Amulet is cursed beyond anything we have ever dealt with, and it is breaking everypony around it. All of Sombra's rage, all of his disappointment, his sorrow, his fears, they are all trapped inside it, corrupting everyone it lays its eyes on. How long will Shining last? Or Spike? Or Pipsqueak? Or any of your friends? The Amulet will destroy them all one by one.”

Apple Bloom looks at the pouch the Amulet is stored in. It feels heavier than usual. Colder, even. Like a block of frozen iron. Her heart becomes like stone and air does not enter her when she looks at Cadence again.

“Please... I can't,” whimpers Apple Bloom.

“If you have any amount of love for your friends, you will finish this journey alone,” says Cadence.

“But I can't do this alone.”

Cadence rakes her fingers through Apple Bloom's hair, keeping her eyes trained on the Foaling's. “I'm sorry, Apple Bloom, but this task was appointed to you, and to be a Bearer is to be alone.”

“I can't... I'm afraid. I need my friends,” says Apple Bloom.

“And you will lead them to ruin. You have to do this alone if you truly love them. But I know you can do this. Fate uses the smallest seeds sprout the greatest miracles, and I know you are one of those miracles. You just have to keep fighting, and when the time is right, you will win.”

Cadence then kisses Apple Bloom on her forehead and ruffles her hair.

“I'm going to bed, now. Have a good night,” says Cadence.

Apple Bloom's baggy eye twitches, and right as she is about to say something the pink alicorn disappears in a flash of pink light, leaving her alone by the lake. Apple Bloom's jaw hangs loose, and she looks around for any signs of life, but when she sees nothing, she groans and rubs her eyes.

“Why are alicorns so weird?”

Gentle snores float through the still air of the camp. The harsh wind has settled to a gentle breeze that rocks the branches. There is just enough noise to block Davenport's steps as he steps his way over the curled sleeping forms of the Fellowship. His gear is tightly packed and in his sweaty hand is a sealed letter.

Davenport briefly wonders where Apple Bloom is, but he remembers seeing the Bearer being taken to Cadence, so he figures she is with her. He makes his way to the hut here Applejack is being held and sees her covered with a thick blanket. Her armor and weapon lay next to her and her eyes are scrunched tight with her hands balled just as tight. Next to her is Braeburn, who sleeping on the be next to hers and is also covered with a heavy blanket.

Davenport swallows and quietly places the letter in between Applejack's helmet and shoulder pad, and he stands up and takes a shaky breath.

“Is that all?” asks Pine.

Davenport looks over his shoulder and sees Pine and a dozen cloaked soldiers standing still and patient in the doorway.

Davenport nods and hands Pine a bag of gold. “Lead the way.”

The buck nods and motions his escorts to move, and Davenport and the deer disappear into the forest without a sound.

Fellowship,

I am sorry for being a burden on this quest. I am no soldier. I am a merchant. I judge worth for a living and it is through these past few weeks that I have realized how vauleless I am. Henceforth I am renouncing my name and my position in this quest. Your chances of success will be better off without me.

As of now, Applejack of House of Apple is relieved from my services. Applejack is free to chart her own course, but in exchange I ask for forgiveness for the wretched being I am. May House Apple and Faust forgive me, and may your quest succeed.

Farewell.

Departing Thicket

A week has passed in the deer city of Thicket, and now the Fellowship stands at the shore of the river with Aspen, Blackthorn, Cadence and a few dozen guards, all waiting patiently for some boats to arrive. Or, most are. So far Rainbow Dash is the only one who has not been able to sit still, and her constant pacing and peering down the river has drawn more than enough eyes to her. Not that she cares too much about it. Pinkie Pie is also still in cuffs and is being carefully guarded, but rather than showing any signs of aggravation, she is displaying an impressive amount of boredom. She even throws in a yawn and joins Rainbow Dash in looking down the river.

“Are they here, yet?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“No,” replies Rainbow Dash. “What's taking them so long?”

“Do try to relax. This journey is stressful enough as it is. We don't need impatience,” says Rarity.

“Plus, we just got here only a couple of minutes ago,” says Spike.

“Actually, we've been here for eighteen minutes,” says Sweetie Belle.

The group looks at her, and she shrugs, confused with the stares.

“What? I counted,” says Sweetie Belle.

“There's got to be a special word for you,” says Scootaloo.

“How about 'Nerd'?” says Pinkie Pie, bringing a frown to Sweetie Belle.

“Why Nerd?” asks Apple Bloom.

“The Nerds are a tribe of very smart ponies that live isolated in the mountains, completely secluded from everypony making them unable to socially interact with the outside world. Sweetie Belle will fit in great with them,” replies Pinkie Pie.

“I actually know what you're talking about,” says Pipsqueak. “And you're right, she will fit in with them.”

Sweetie Belle's frown deepens, and Rainbow Dash snickers.

“I like that,” says the Colored Witch, directing a mean grin to Sweetie Belle. “Heh heh. Nerd.”

Sweetie Belle narrows her eyes at Rainbow Dash. “Don't close your eyes tonight.”

Rainbow Dash's smile warps into a sneer and she tightens her grip on one of her sword handles, but does nothing beyond having an intense stare down with the unicorn Foaling. The stare down is broken when Fluttershy gets in between them.

“Let's not be mean to each other, okay?” says Fluttershy.

“She started it,” grumbles Rainbow Dash.

“And I'm going to finish it. Nicely. Sweetie Belle, why don't you go to Rarity, and Rainbow Dash...”

Rainbow Dash glares at Fluttershy.

“... Um, look at the water.”

Rainbow Dash snorts. “Sure.”

“Yeah, look at your reflection. Get a boost of your ego, Sugar Tail,” teases Braeburn.

“Flash. Punch him,” orders Rainbow Dash.

Braeburn's smile disappears and Flash cracks his knuckles, but nobody in the Fellowship makes any moves to stop the impeding fist to the muzzle. However, Applejack does tighten her fists, which, with her being back in her armor, is a sight that brings a pause to Flash's advancement. But no brawling occurs since the arrival of Ficus and his six guards and one doe servant is the final deterrent.

“Oh, good, I made it,” says Ficus.

“You're late,” says King Aspen.

“I'm sorry, but I had a little trouble finding the right sizes and your special request.” Ficus holds out a folded cloak to Aspen and smiles. “But I found it under your bed!”

“You mean to tell me you found it exactly where I told you it was. Fascinating.” Aspen takes the folded cloth and steps aside. “Hurry this up. The boats will be here any moment.”

Ficus nods and motions his doe servant forward. She is carrying more folded cloth, and when Ficus grabs the top one, he opens it up to show the Fellowship a bland, green cloak with a bronze, leaf shaped clip.

“I present to you, on behalf of the Forest Kingdom, the Cloaks of Summer. These cloaks are enchanted to keep you warm in the coldest of places and sooth you when you sleep,” says Ficus.

He gives the cloak to Flash and steps away to let the doe hand out the rest to the Fellowship.

“Take good care of them. They are expensive and a pain in the ass to fix,” says Ficus.

The Fellowship is quick to put on the cloaks and marvel at their comfort, and as this happens, Ficus smiles awkwardly at Fluttershy, but when she returns the smile he quickly snaps his eyes on Flash and pats his shoulder.

“Good luck,” says Ficus.

“Thanks,” grumbles Flash.

Next, King Aspen steps forward with Blackthorn by his side, holding the cloth Ficus gave him. He unfolds it in front of Apple Bloom to display it as a light green cloak with leafs woven into its bottom with a silver and bronze clip shaped like a tree inside a circle. He kneels in front of the Bearer and holds it out to her, and after some hesitation she takes and steps back, feeling the thick fabric and noting how it is light and surprisingly her size.

“That is the Blinders Cloak. It was given to me when I was but a child, and now I am giving it to you. You need it more than I need its memories,” says King Aspen, bringing Apple Bloom's eyes to look up at him. “Like the Cloaks of Summer, it will keep you warm and sooth you, but it has a special gift to it. Upon your command it will shield you from unwanted eyes, so it will surely be of much value to you on your journey.”

Apple Bloom nods and quietly thanks him, and the King looks at the Fellowship while Pine approaches on a large boat, with three smaller boats in tow. The little ones are white and shaped like curved leafs, and each one has a few boxes of rations, medicine, and repair kits. When the boats are close enough, Pine orders the soldiers on his boat to drag the smaller boats to shore, not that he had to say anything since they were starting before the first word left his lips.

“Fellowship,” begins Aspen, “this is where you part. This river will take you to Nieghagra Falls. It is upriver, but these boats are enchanted. They will carry you up stream as though you were following the water's path. Each one has been stocked with enough food and medicine to last each of you three months. Do not waste them. Be safe. Be smart. May the Tree protect you.”

The Fellowship nods and carefully climbs into the boats, all while Pinkie Pie waits patiently to be uncuffed. When a pair of guards approach her, she coolly holds out her hands and glances at the four extra guards aiming arrows at her.

“What are you all uptight for? I'm leaving for good this time,” says Pinkie Pie.

The guard quietly uncuffs her and leaps back when the cuffs fall to the ground. With her hands now free, Pinkie Pie massages her wrists and looks around some more.

“Where's my stuff?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“I got it,” says Spike.

She looks at him, and he waves to her from his boat with her belongings on the seat, and in front of him are Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak, but while the latter is calm, Apple Bloom looks like she is about to vomit and her fingers tremble. Apple Bloom's ill condition aside, Pinkie Pie smiles, skips towards Spike's boat and clamps the railing hard.

“Thanks, Spike,” says Pinkie Pie brightly. She then yanks out her gear in one swipe -weapons and all- and plops it in the next boat, which contains Flash, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. The impact jerks the boat and she slings herself on the seat next to Rainbow Dash and leans against her shoulder, smiling innocently. “Hi.”

“Uh.... Hi?” says Rainbow Dash.

Flash raises an eyebrow and Fluttershy looks at her sister strangely, and Rainbow Dash glares at them as she firmly moves the Ranger off of her shoulder. “Don't look at me like that.”

Flash looks away, but Fluttershy keeps staring, all while Pinkie Pie once again snuggles into to Rainbow Dash's shoulder, somehow finding comfort in her metal plated armor.

“Wow, Dashie, you sure are comfortable!” says Pinkie Pie loudly. “I'm sooo glad you keep me company!”

The Fellowship looks at the pegasus boat, and Fluttershy shrinks in her seat while Rainbow Dash's face heats up and puts yet another effort to push her off. Only this time the Ranger has braced her feet against the side of the boat and her back against Rainbow Dash's body, assuring a stubborn resistance.

“What's wrong with her?” asks Apple Bloom.

“She's just being Pinkie Pie,” says Spike.

The boat shakes again, and Applejack and Braeburn climb aboard, wearing their armor with their weapons stored. They sit in between Spike and the Foalings, and Braeburn grabs the oars and gives one to Spike while keeping the other for himself.

“You want me to do that?” asks Applejack, pointing at the oar.

“No,” says Braeburn. “Davenport ain't around anymore, so you can relax for once.”

“But what about your shoulder?”

“My shoulder is fine.”

“But-”

“Quiet! I ain't hearing any of it. Relax and let me do this.”

Applejack reluctantly nods and looks down at the boat floor. On the far end, Blueblood is using his magic to pull the rowboat closer to the shore, with Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo standing behind him.

“So, which one of us will be doing the rowing?” asks Sweetie Belle.

“Probably the two of us,” says Scootaloo with a roll of her eyes.

After the boat grinds to shore, Blueblood turns to the group.

“Don't be ridiculous,” says Blueblood. “Shining Armor and I will do the rowing.”

Scootaloo snorts. “Nice joke.”

“Contrary to your skewed perception of me, I did learn many things beyond court etiquette in my youthful days. Now, come on. On you go.”

Without giving the two Foalings any time to process his words, Blueblood grabs them and carefully places them in the boat one at a time, then assists Rarity in climbing in. As soon as the three are settled, he looks over to Shining Armor. The Banished Prince is standing with Cadence, and she is cupping his scruffy cheeks with her hands, peering softly into his eyes.

“Live for her,” says Cadence.

Shining Armor grips her wrist, nodding while looking down. He looks up after she gently kisses his forehead and tightens his grip on her wrist, looking at her with longing and drooped ears.

“Goodbye, Cadenza,” croaks Shining Armor.

“Goodbye, Shining,” says Cadence.

Shining Armor swallows and unwillingly steps away, refusing to look away from Cadence until he is by Blueblood. When he is next to the Viceroy, the older unicorn puts his hand on his shoulder.

“It is time to go,” says Blueblood.

Shining Armor sighs and looks at Apple Bloom's boat. She is still anxious and twitching, and Shining Armor glances at Blueblood and quietly nods. The two then climb on the boat and use the oars to push their way into the river. The oars and boats shimmer, and despite the river going against them, the small boat glides with ease.

In Apple Bloom's boat, when Blueblood passes them, Spike and Breaburn begin trailing them. The motion is smooth, like skating across a frozen lake. The movement leaves her feeling a little bit ill, and she cannot keep her eyes from peeking past her taller companions to the other boat. Flash and Pinkie Pie are rowing, and the Ranger throws a two fingered salute to the deer on the shore, but none return it. Cadence, however, has enough courtesy to wave in return, despite the glare she is getting from Aspen.

Apple Bloom gulps down a sickly and rubs her hands, trying to keep the twitches down, and she looks at each one of the members of the Fellowship. Each one brings a greater weight to her heart that suffocates her, eventually forcing her to close her eyes and hunch over. Soon after, a gentle hand presses on her shoulder and she cracks her eyes open to see Pipsqueak looking at her with concern.

“Are you okay?” asks Pipsqueak.

“I'm scared,” whimpers Apple Bloom.

“I know. But we're here for you.” He hesitates and wraps his arm around her. “We're all here for you and won't be going anywhere.”

Apple Bloom nods, even though she knows it is not true, and she leans against him and closes her eyes again. The sounds of the wind through the branches and the oars through the water try to bring her comfort, but her soul is rejecting it. She wants the comfort, but cannot enjoy its lie, knowing what's ahead and what she must do.

On the shore, the deer and Cadence watch the Fellowship until they round the river's bend, and only then do they scatter, leaving just Blackthorn, Aspen and Cadence alone. There, they stand in silence until Cadence speaks with a heavy heart.

“What happens, now?” asks Cadence.

“Whatever fate decides,” says Aspen.

And he, too leaves with Blackthorn, leaving Cadence alone to watch the river. When their steps are out of earshot, she sinks to her knees and silently cries into her hands.

Author's Note

So, this happened. I'm actually surprised how fast this came out. I guess I'm just eager to finish it. It is so close that I can taste it. And it tastes like bacon!

Cracks on the Surface

Silence.

All there is, is silence.

The quietness is petrifying for Apple Bloom. She can feel and see the lingering shadows over the Fellowship. Their eyes are darker, their figures burdened. Even their motions are as wooden as the enchanted oars pushing them through the river. Up ahead, the roaring and gurgling of water becomes more prominent, drowning out the rustling leaves and creaking wood, and when the Fellowship rounds the river curve the shadow briefly breaks from the light of wonder.

All of the heavy solemn expressions lighten up to smiles and wide eyes at the sight of a towering wall of falling crystal blue water that is at least one hundred feet high. The crescent arc of the rushing makes a bowl of churning water and froth and mist with a rainbow floating inside. The mist cools the group, and Apple Bloom leans against the boat edge, smiling wide and almost crying at the beauty of the water and the thick, lush trees that surround it on all sides.

“I never thought I would see Neighagra Falls,” says Braeburn. He smiles at Applejack. “I guess this is one thing we can cross off our death list.”

Applejack nods and Spike blinks tears out of his eyes.

“Twilight always wanted to see this,” says Spike.

Apple Bloom's smile fades and she looks at Spike. The drake's misted eyes are still on the waterfall, but he has stopped rowing, putting the boat in a bobble that Braeburn is struggling to keep from putting them in a spin.

“Spike, you can row any time now,” says Braeburn.

“Sorry,” mutters Spike.

He starts rowing again and the boat trails Blueblood's and Flash's boats to the shore, which is lined with clumpy sand, wet wood and lots of rocks. Their boat grinds to shore and Braeburn hops out to drag it the rest of the way, and Spike jumps into the water and begins carrying the supplies to the shore, where the others have stacked their gear.

Apple Bloom climbs out and shivers when her little frame splashes in the water. Her clothing soaks up the water fast and drags her down, but she manages to waddle to shore and takes a seat on a log, clutching the Amulet and gazing at the group. Her heart becomes heavier, her breathing more labored, as she watches them work without speaking. The only ones who are not working on unloading are Blueblood and Pinkie Pie, but that is because the former is looking at the map and the latter is gathering sticks and twigs from the surrounding area.

“We'll rest here for the night and move out on first light,” says Blueblood, his eyes still on the map. “Once we cross the bay we will head straight to the Crystal Mountains and go through the Silver Pass. It will be tricky, but it will also have the least amount of resistance. That will put us to Mount Dread in roughly six weeks if we keep moving with minimal breaks.”

“Six weeks? That's not bad,” says Pipsqueak.

“You do realize that it will be six weeks in the coldest part of the world, right?” says Scootaloo.

“At least the deer gave us plenty of gear,” says Sweetie Belle. She opens up a box and finds a pair of gloves and boots, as well as thick gray clothing. “See?”

Scootaloo rolls her eyes. “Clothes won't do anything against monsters up there.”

“Not only that, but we have more to worry about than monster. Like the Valley of Mirrors where you can't find your way out of it. Doomed to be lost for eternity,” say Rainbow Dash. “And the Cold Marshes, which are filled with thousands of bodies and trapped souls that will suck you into purgatory if you fall in.”

Fluttershy gulps and shrinks away.

“You also forgot the freezing wind that rips the flesh off your bones,” says Blueblood.

The Foalings cringe and slide next to Fluttershy, who is now hiding behind Flash, and Shining Armor walks past them, carrying a couple of boxes. He carefully sets them down next to Spike and Rarity, who are organizing the contents into the appropriate piles. Near them, Pinkie Pie is hunched over a pile of gathered twigs and sticks, her fingers working with great precision to get a pyramid to form.

“Stop it, everypony. You're making it sound worse than it really is,” says Spike.

“Have you been there?” asks Flash.

“No.”

“Then how can you know? What if it is worse than it sounds? What if there are demons there that will rip out your heart, wear your skin or violate your corpse? What if the Frozen North is so evil that you will go mad as soon as you enter and rip out your own teeth to wear as a necklace!?”

Apple Bloom is completely pale and trembling at this point, and the rest of the Fellowship is staring at him with a mix of disgust and shock. Except for Fluttershy. Her pale face is frozen and her eyes are dead. Seeing all these reactions, Flash awkwardly coughs and leans against a tree, shrugging.

“Or, maybe we're over thinking how bad it is,” says Flash. “Maybe it's just a little nippy and has nice scenery.”

“That's really dumb,” says Shining Armor. “Its called the Frozen North not the Nippy North for a reason.”

“I'm just trying to keep everypony calm.”

“Even though you brought up necrophilia and tooth necklaces?” says Braeburn flatly.

Flash points at Braeburn. “I don't see you contributing anything.”

“What am I supposed to contribute? I ain't ever been this far. For all I know there might be cannibals or giant spiders.”

Fluttershy's comatose breaks. “Did somepony say spiders?”

“...Yeah.”

“Oh. I like spiders. They're cute.”

The group stares at her, and Braeburn opens his mouth, closes it, then looks at Applejack and Rainbow Dash; but all he gets is the former shrugging and the latter ignoring him.

“Okay, so we don't exactly know what all is up there,” says Rainbow Dash, “besides an undying entity with an army of demons that wants to kill all life and is looking for Apple Bloom so that way he can get the Amulet to kill all life. No pressure.”

Apple Bloom scowls.

“So, we're just have to be prepared and expect the worst. We can't afford to make any more mistakes,” says Rainbow Dash.

A suffocating silence comes over the group, and when Rainbow Dash realizes what she has just said, she opens her mouth, but quickly shuts it, sits down and begins sharpening one of her blades. The scratching of whetstone on steel is all that accompanies the rushing water and chirping birds; and Shining Armor's eyes narrow on the Colored Witch while Pinkie Pie's jaw sets as her fingers tremble in her placements.

“Pinkie's been to the Frozen North before. She can guide us to the Mountain,” says Shining Armor.

“Who says I've been there?” says Pinkie Pie sourly.

Shining Armor frowns at her. “Didn't you say you've been to the Frozen North before?”

“Maybe. I don't remember.”

“Pinkie, now is not the time to be childish,” says Rarity.

“Oh, really? I'm sorry. I guess forget!” She swipes the pyramid into oblivion, scattering the pieces at Spike and Rarity. “Oops. Looks like I got to get more twigs. I'll be back.”

And with that, she storms off into the forest, where the trees hide her presence in a matter of seconds. Once she is out of sight, Sweetie Belle looks around.

“...What just happened?” asks Sweetie Belle.

Several hours have passed. A small fire is now burning up a new pile of sticks inside a circle of stone, bringing light to the dimming forest, and the Fellowship is huddled around its warm with a cold silence. Forks clank against plates, and awkward chewing accompanies the crackling fire. Nobody can look at anybody in the eye, and several long minutes pass before Rainbow Dash slams her plate down on her knee.

“That's it! I can't take it anymore!” says Rainbow Dash.

“Take what?” asks Sweetie Belle.

“I'm going to find Pinkie. She's been gone way too long.”

“She's fine,” says Blueblood. “She's a Ranger, not a peasant.”

“She's been gone for hours. What if something happened to her?”

Spike stands up with the help of his sword.

“I've been having the same thought, so I'll help you find her,” says Spike.

“Thank you,” says Rainbow Dash. “Anypony else?”

Shining Armor sighs and puts down his plate. “I guess I will go, too.”

“Me, too,” says Flash Sentry.

Rainbow Dash holds out her hand. “No, you're staying here with Fluttershy.”

“I'll be fine,” says Fluttershy. “I can watch the Foalings with Rarity.”

Rainbow Dash sighs heavily, and reluctantly nods. “Fine.”

Flash stands up and adjusts his wrists pads, and Spike looks at the group critically while the guard makes his way to the Colored Witch.

“Who else is going?” ask Spike.

Applejack raises her hand, but Braeburn grabs her wrist and forces her hand down.

“Nope, you're staying at the camp with me where its safe,” says Braeburn.

Applejack frowns, but says nothing, and Spike and Rainbow Dash give Braeburn harsh stares that he easily ignores, all while Rarity, Fluttershy and the Foalings exchange uneasy looks.

“I suppose I can contribute since we'll have a stallion keeping guard,” says Blueblood as he delicately wipes his mouth of crumbs.

“Well, I guess that's it, then,” says Rainbow Dash. “Let's head out.”

Apple Bloom stares at the fire. She has been for an indefinite amount of time. Thick lines of glowing orange and black lines the wood, and her hand flexes across her knee while her other holds her cloak shut. All she can hear is the crackling of the splitting wood. Every time she glances away from the flames, she sees the Fellowship at peace. They are smiling, they are talking, but she cannot hear their words.

Pipsqueak is talking to Sweetie Belle. Or maybe Rarity. Sweetie Belle is behind Rarity, messing with her mane and Pipsqueak appears to be talking to them, and they do not look annoyed.

Scootaloo is laying against a log, her arms folded across her chest, her legs stretched out and her head bowed. She is also cradling her sword and has her gear packed, ready to go.

Fluttershy is listening to Braeburn talking about something, but if Apple Bloom did not know any better she would think that the timid pegasus is only listening to be polite. The look of pretending to enjoy a terrible conversation is one she recognizes from all the times Granny Smith would talk years away from any Foaling that had the misfortune of wishing her a good morning.

In Applejack's case, she is possibly the most restless of the bunch. Apple Bloom is not sure why Applejack keeps fidgeting with her axe, or looking around the forest, or giving signs of wanting to puke, but it is not helping Apple Bloom's nerves, any. It is not like she is being hunted by demons or marked for death by an all powerful being. Though, in all fairness, Apple Bloom knows she would be a little bit agitated if someone grabbed her every time she shifted from her spot. Case in point, Braeburn.

“So, that is why ya aim where the target's gonna be,” says Braeburn proudly with his plate of food on his lap.

“That's nice,” says Fluttershy.

“Eeyup. I think so, too. Now, about the bolts and arrows. There's at least a dozen types of each, all with different perks and hindrances.”

“I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude, but I'm not into archery.”

“Ya more into spears?”

“I'm more into not fighting. I renounced it.”

“Renounced it? Then why are you here?”

“I have to, unless I want to be banished from my family lineage and Valhöll.”

Scootaloo snorts a laugh, which is surprising for Apple Bloom since her fellow Foaling looked like she was sleeping. However, nobody pays mind to her, and Braeburn stares at Fluttershy critically.

“Well, no offense, but I don't think you'll be getting into Valhöll, anyway,” he says. “Ya ain't exactly a warrior, so ya not only didn't have to renounce anything, but ya don't have the 'glory' or the 'honor' for it. Plus, that place don't even exist. Its Faust's Paradise or nothin', if ya know what I mean.”

Fluttershy nods slowly, and when Braeburn looks away to ask Applejack where she's going after she stands up, the pegasus uses her spear to tip his plate, causing it and his dinner to land in the dirt. Braeburn's eyes snap to the tragedy, then he brings his eyes up to glare at Fluttershy while she coolly sips her drink.

“Oops,” says Fluttershy innocently.

A growl rumbles in Braeburn's throat and his hands curl into fists, but Applejack's hand on his shoulder keeps him anchored. It is during this distraction that Apple Bloom quietly slips away with her pack, leaving Applejack and Braeburn to debate whether or not Fluttershy's act was accidental or violation of campground etiquette. As the debate carries on, dragging the rest of the group into it, Apple Bloom takes one last look, and then disappears into the forest.

Fractured

“Apple Bloom!? … Apple Bloom!?”

“Apple Bloom, you idiot! Where are you!?”

The panicked voices are faint in the forest, but Apple Bloom keeps walking. She has been for several minutes with Cadence's instructions for her to leave the Fellowship behind for their safety looping in her mind.

Her steps are heavy, her breath is shaking and her palms are sweaty as she nimbly makes her way through the forest. Her eyes and ears scan the numerous trees for signs of the Fellowship, and her feet are careful to avoid getting caught in the gnarled roots that snake in and out of the ground. She passes an old stone building with only a corner remaining and a large tree sprouting from it, and next to it is a tipped over statue of a unicorn knight pressing a sword into the ground. It has been overtaken by thorns and is breaking under the root, and while Apple Bloom does want to have a closer look at it, she keeps walking, forcing herself to go faster.

She blinks tears out of her eyes and tries to keep her heart and breathing steady, but all it does is make her feel sick.

She wants to puke.

She wants to cry.

She wants to run back to the camp and apologize for running off.

But she knows she cannot do it. The safety of the Fellowship depends on her leaving them behind. Besides, Mount Dread is the largest mountain in the Frozen North. How hard can it be to find it?

“Apple Bloom?” says a voice that is much closer than the others.

Apple Bloom stops and looks to her side, realizing that she is in a clearing where the sinking sun has bathed both her and Shining Armor in a dark orange hue. The Amulet also whispers in her ear, bringing both hers and Shining Armor's ears to twitch.

“Oh, hi, Shining,” says Apple Bloom as calmly as her trembling body will allow.

“What are you doing outside of the camp?” asks Shining Armor.

“I was just exploring.”

“Alone with your pack?”

Apple Bloom nods, and Shining Armor returns the nod, his hand twitching and his eyes losing focus.

“That's funny. Twilight liked to explore, too,” he says. “She wasn't like the other kids, though. They explored for the fun. She explored for the knowledge. She would bring parchment, ink and quills with her and take notes on everything, and completely ignore all the other kids. Including me.”

Shining Armor forces a chuckle and looks down, shaking his head, and Apple Bloom's hand slides to the pouch holding the Amulet, feeling a sickness moving into her chest.

“I can only imagine the snooping she did when my father sent her off to be tutored by Celestia,” says Shining Armor. He sighs and looks at Apple Bloom. “Faust, I miss her. Do you miss her?”

Apple Bloom nods, and he nods with her.

“Do you have the Amulet?” asks Shining Armor after a slight hesitation.

Apple Bloom's hand tightens on the pouch and she steps back, and Shining Armor pauses for a moment before taking a step forward.

“What's wrong? Why are you tense?” asks Shining Armor, his voice sinking to an overly friendly tone.

“You don't look good,” says Apple Bloom. “Maybe you should go back to the camp and take a breather.”

“We both should go back. But before we do, I was wondering if I could use the Amulet? Just for a moment.”

“I don't think that's a good idea.”

“But it can help us get Twilight back. You do want her back, don't you?”

Apple Bloom takes another shaky step back, her colors fading and her chest getting heavier to where she can hardly breathe, and Shining Armor's facade breaks to hostile confusion as he slowly walks towards her.

“You don't want Twilight back?” asks Shining Armor.

“You really need to sit down. I think you might be getting sick,” says Apple Bloom.

“You're dodging the question.”

Apple Bloom hesitates. “I do want her back, and Twist and Button, but the Amulet can't bring anypony back.”

“Yes it can, and I can prove it. You'll see. I just need a moment with the Amulet to bring Twilight back, and we can return to camp with her. We'll be heroes. We'll be loved,” says Shining Armor.

Apple Bloom shakes her head. “No.”

Shining Armor frowns. “Why not?”

“It can't be done. Its too dangerous to use.”

“And yet here you are, wielding it.”

“That's 'cuz I have to. It was given to me. I'm responsible for it.”

Shining Armor steps forward and Apple Bloom steps back, her mouth getting dry and her ears splayed back as the unicorn looks down at her with pulsing dark eyes.

“You can have it back when I'm done with it. All I need to do is cast one spell. That is all,” says Shining Armor, his voice getting heavier.

“I can't let you do that. Twilight wouldn't want me to,” says Apple Bloom.

“Twilight is dead, and I can get her back. Just give it me.”

“No.”

“...Give it to me.”

“No.”

“Give it me. Now!”

“I-I can't.”

Shining Armor suddenly snarls and lunges at Apple Bloom, and she shrieks as she is tackled to the ground, completely overpowered by the unicorn. His hands claw at the pouch holding the Amulet, and as Apple Bloom screams at him and pushes against him with her hands and feet, the Amulet speaks indistinguishable words that make the air heavier and colder.

When the fabric rips and the Amulet falls out, Shining Armor tries to grab it, but Apple Bloom rolls over it and holds it tight. An odd feeling washes over her, like a skin tight blanket being pulled over her, and when she feels Shining Armor loosen, she scrambles out from underneath him and throws the hood of her cloak over her head, and she looks behind her at Shining Armor, seeing him claw like a hungry dog in the grass in a graying world that appears to be breaking into green mist.

“Where are you, you little runt!” growls Shining Armor. He swipes the ground, flinging mulch all around him. “You want judge me like everypony else!? All you self-righteous bastards who never lost anything! You don't know what what its like to lose somepony! You don't know! You can never know!”

Apple Bloom growls and swiftly punches Shining Armor in the jaw. His drop kicks up leaves and twigs, and she steps back, seething with her fists clenched tight, watching with great restraint as the unicorn pushes himself up, groaning and holding his jaw. He looks around, his craze breaking into panic and his circular crawling slow and pathetic.

Apple Bloom takes a few paces back, her hardened face softening and regret coming down on her when she sees the tears in his eyes and his drooped ears and messy mane covered in leafs.

“I'm sorry,” says Shining Armor meekly. “I didn't mean to hurt you, Apple Bloom. I just... I just want her back. You understand, don't you? I need Twilight back. I need her and the Amulet can bring her back. Don't you see that the Amulet can bring her back!”

Pinkie Pie suddenly steps in front of Apple Bloom, putting herself between her and Shining Armor, her hammer drawn, her mane flat and her steps heavy. Seeing her, Shining Armor scrambles to his feet and grips his sword, his pathetic state shifting to panic.

“Well. Well. Well. Sir Sprinkles has succumbed to the dark side of the world,” says Pinkie Pie. “It was only a matter of time, I guess. I could see all the issues in your eyes, clear as water.”

Apple Bloom quietly takes a few more steps back, being sure to avoid the thick twigs and anything else that can give away her position.

“That's rich coming from you,” says Shining Armor. “And where were you hiding this whole time? Everypony's out looking for you.”

“I was crying in a corner.” Pinkie Pie presses her hammer head into the ground and leans over its handle. “But then I noticed that Apple Bloom was running away and I saw you being you. But even though you broke a promise I'm going to be nice and give you five seconds to put down your weapon and come back with me to the camp. If you do not comply I will hurt you very, very badly and believe me, you do not want me hurting you.”

“Oh really?”

“Five.”

Apple Bloom steps back.

“You think you're some self righteous blade for hire? You're nothing but a glorified whore!” says Shining Armor.

Pinkie Pie holds up four fingers. “Four.”

Shining Armor sparks his horn and a translucent rose colored crystal covers his arm like a long shield, and he aims his broken sword at Pinkie Pie. Apple Bloom is now shrinking behind a tree.

“Three,” says Pinkie Pie.

“That Amulet will bring Twilight back!” says Shining Armor, taking a step back.

“Two.”

Apple Bloom tightens her grip on the Amulet and hugs the collar of her cloak, swallowing stones and shaking sweat off.

“Of course you don't want her back! You didn't love her! She was only a body for you to fuck!” accuses Shining Armor.

Pinkie Pie is holding up one finger, her body stiff and eyes locked, and Shining Armor slides his foot back and braces himself with his crystal shield up and blade gleaming in the sunlight.

“None of you loved her!” says Shining Armor. “Little Twilight was only there to serve as a trophy for your pedestal, but she is my sister and I will get her back one way or the other.”

Pinkie Pie inhales and lowers her finger. “One. I sure hope Apple Bloom ran far away!”

She then flips her hammer and in a burst of speed that kicks up a cloud of damp leaves, she charges Shining Armor. Apple Bloom ducks around the tree, closes her eyes and presses her hands over her folded ears. Even then she can still hear the crackles of energy, the grunts and screams of both ponies fighting.

She whimpers and rocks herself. The Amulet is cold against her head and she hears Sombra's voice whispering through the air. Then she hears it. Giggling.

“Come find me, Apple Bloom,” says the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom opens her eyes and sees the Shadow Foaling standing in front of her, twenty feet away. She is rocking on her heels, her grin wide and teeth glowing, and her tattered dress ripples in the cold wind of the gray world.

Apple Bloom remains pressed against the tree, watching the Shadow Foaling and a blanket of icy blue and green frost covering the gray ground and trees. The Shadow Foaling giggles and skips away, the tips of her dress breaking like vapors and her skips leaving no trail.

“Find me, Apple Bloom,” says the Shadow Foaling.

Against her better judgment, Apple Bloom stands up and walks after the Shadow Foaling, gulping and wringing her hands at the gray world.

“Over here,” says the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom looks to her side and sees the demon poking out from behind a tree, grinning and waving. Her feet move on their own and she hurries after the Shadow, but when she starts moving the demon laughs and slips out from view.

Apple Bloom runs to the tree and uses it to stop herself when she slides across the ground, and she swallows and tries to steady her frantic heart when she stiffly looks around the tree. Not too far from her, surrounded by trees, vines and overgrown bushes is a crumbling building with old stone blocks and a collapsed tower. A pair of feet stand at the entrance with a crumbled stone body next to it, and in the doorway, the Shadow Foaling stands, beckoning her to come with enticing wiggle of her finger.

“Come, Apple Bloom,” says the Shadow Foaling.

Despite her desire to go in the opposite direction, Apple Bloom walks forward, her limbs seemingly having a mind of their own. The Shadow Foaling's grin widens and she slips into the darkness, and when Apple Bloom enters the building she finds that the ruins have a great view of the river and the landscape across it. Or, the frozen river and landscape, anyway.

The Shadow Foaling is nowhere to be seen, and Apple Bloom looks around the room, seeing nothing but gray, black and frost, and when she pokes her head outside her heart nearly drops to her stomach from seeing the steep, thirty foot drop that leads to the forest. Luckily there is a set of stairs nearby that take her down, but unluckily the stairs are broken and entangled with roots and vines.

“Find me, Apple Bloom,” whispers the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom looks to the source of the voice and a mosaic of a star surrounded by old black stones. Tiles are missing and vines have burrowed through the stones, but the picture is still there. She carefully steps forward and brushes her hand along the mosaic, marveling at the simple picture.

“You're so close,” says the Shadow Foaling, her voice still without a body. “You're so close to freeing us. Doesn't it feel good?”

Apple Bloom looks out the window again, and this time she sees a dark tower in the distance with a tip sharp like an arrow and glowing green.

“Foaling, I know you're there,” says the eerie whisper of the Amulet, its voice all around her. “I can feel it with you.”

The tower flashes a blinding green light, and Apple Bloom gasps and ducks out of sight, clutching her chest and the Amulet, her racing and mouth dry as the interior is bathed in green. After several seconds of her heart beating in her ears, the green slides out of view, and she peeks outside and sees a beam of green sweeping the forest.

“You cannot hide forever. I will find you,” says the Amulet.

Apple Bloom takes a deep breath, and then rushes out the window, scrambling down a series of broken steps and leaping off the stairway halfway down, landing painlessly on the hill below. The beam then swerves to Apple Bloom and the burning Eye of Sombra flashes in front of her eyes, paralyzing her.

“And I will take what is mine!”

Frozen claws hook and drag into Apple Bloom's palm, and she yelps and drops the Amulet as she clutches her wrist, seething and falling to her knees with her cloak's invisibility flickering away and her hood around her shoulders. The mulch around the Amulet freezes, and dark red blood crystallizes on her palm, forming an eye. Her heart races and her breathing becomes short and fast as she looks at the dark eye embedded in her bloody palm. She brushes the scab with a trembling finger, feeling sick from feeling the crystal bumps.

A whisper of garbled words ooze into her ears, and she finds herself looking at the Amulet, now surrounded by a ring of sharply frozen ground. The ice is tainted with a hue of black and green, and like a string pulling on her, she reaches for it with her marked hand.

“Apple Bloom?” calls Spike.

Apple Bloom gasps and turns around, quickly snatching up the Amulet and clumsily draws her sword. She then turns around and aims it at Spike, who is near the steps of the ruins. The whispering remains and with a struggling heart she looks at Spike with eyes blood red and tears soaking her face, and the drake is looking at her, his face heavy with worry.

“Apple Bloom, what's wrong?” asks Spike.

“Stay back!” orders Apple Bloom.

Spike steps closer, his hand held out. “Apple Bloom-”

Apple Bloom waves her sword at him. “I said stay back!”

Spike steps back, now with both of his hands up.

“Apple Bloom, what's wrong? What happened? You can tell me. I'm you're friend, remember?” says Spike carefully.

“And how long will you be my friend?” Apple Bloom steps back. “How long until you turn against me?”

Spike swallows and inches closer to her, and she steps back again, not daring to take her eyes off of him, and she squeaks when her back hits a dead tree.

“I made a promise to protect you,” says Spike.

“But can you protect me from yourself?” says Apple Bloom.

Spike stops and Apple Bloom tightens her grip on the Amulet and her sword, her chest heaving as tears flow from her bloodshot eyes.

“Or will you try to take it, too?” says Apple Bloom.

Spike looks at the Amulet. His fingers and nostrils twitch, and he slowly steps forward, extending his hand while Apple Bloom quivers in her spot, her sword barely held up and the Amulet close to her chest. He stops when he is in front of her and extends his hand. The whispers of the Amulet are louder, but the words in Apple Bloom' ears are still unknown, and she locks eyes with Spike. The glint is there. The need to hold the jewel. The desire to take it for himself. But Spike's needy eyes soften and he closes his hand and steps back.

“I'm sorry, but you're right. I can't go with you,” says Spike. “I know that I'll hurt you for the Amulet sooner or later. I can feel it.”

Apple Bloom lowers her sword and looks down, sniffling. “I'm sorry, too. But I have to get away from all of you, for all our sakes.”

Spike nods, then he pauses, scrunches his brow and sniffs the air. Apple Bloom blinks and barely notices a blue glow out of the corner of her eye. She looks at her sword and gasps at the glowing blade, and she looks at Spike as his steel blade scrapes against its sheath.

“Run!” orders Spike.

Without hesitation, Apple Bloom turns tail and bolts into the forest, and Spike runs around the ruins skidding to a stop when he sees a black unicorn stallion with a white mane wearing the Lulamoon Sanctuary armor and a red cape standing out in the open, wielding an axe with a belt of smaller curved axes. Flanking him are a four more soldiers, and Spike takes a deep breath and holds his blade up as he approaches them with confident strides, grateful that he doesn't smell Gilda. But when six more soldiers appear he stops, then a dozen more appear and his eyes bulge, and when a few dozen more appear from the trees he shakes his head.

“Nah uh.”

And Spike runs the opposite way with the soldiers screaming and charging after him.

Old Roads End. New Roads Begin.

“Apple Bloom!?” hollers Pipsqueak.

Silence.

He takes a breath and walks in a circle, biting his lip and trying to keep his thoughts in check so he can predict where Apple Bloom would be. All this is made harder due to the fact that Apple Bloom had become increasingly more recluse and paranoid as the trip went on, especially after Twilight's death.

“Apple Bloom!?” calls Pipsqueak again.

A rustle in the bushes turns Pipsqueak around, a part of him believing that it is Apple Bloom walking around in one of her trances, and another part believing it is a member of the Fellowship. He is right in regards to option two, but is caught by surprise when he sees that it is Spike running like the Devil is hot on his trails.

“Run!” shouts Spike, bolting right past the Foaling.

“Why?” asks Pipsqueak.

“Lots of bad guys!”

Pipsqueak watches Spike run, and when the drake disappears into the trees, he hears shouting and looking back to where Spike came from. His eyes nearly pop out of his skull when he sees a horde of Lulamoon soldiers running towards them, and he instantly runs after Spike.

“Find the Foalings! Get the unicorn!” shouts a rough stallion in the distance.

Apple Bloom slides to a large root and in one fluid move she slips over it and presses herself underneath it, clutching her beating heart and pushing herself deeper as more boots pass her.

Spike runs through the forest, looking over his shoulder to see Pipsqueak is running after him, but the Lulamoon soldiers are gaining and gaining fast. He forces himself to stop, nearly falling over in the carpet of dead leafs, and he scrambles to Pipsqueak, using his fire to engulf his sword in flame. When he is close enough, he pushes Pipsqueak aside and rams his fiery blade through the chest of the nearest soldier, and swings him into his partner.

The two flop to the ground, one screaming and the other quiet, and Spike quickly brings his blade up to block a strike from another soldier. It is during this that another soldier rushes him and tries to stab him in the back, but before he can do so a bolt stabs him in the shoulder.

The soldier screams and stumbles, and Spike growls and throws his first attacker down, slashes the injured soldier across the chest, then stabs the one on the ground.

Another bolt strikes a Lulamoon soldier in the chest, and as he crumbles to the ground Applejack swings her axe into another soldier, splitting his chest open and flinging him off his feet. The blow brings a stumble to Applejack, and while she tries to regain her balance a Lulamoon soldier charges her, roaring viciously. That is until a bolt strikes him in the head.

The newly made corpse flops to the ground and Braeburn runs up to Spike and Applejack, panting and vigorously scanning the forest.

“Applejack, get Pipsqueak outta here,” orders Braeburn. “Me and Spike will handle these vermin!”

Applejack nods, puts Pipsqueak under her arm and disappears into the cover of the trees. Her steps quickly fade, and Braeburn and Spike look down the forest to see more of the attacking party rapidly closing the distance between them.

“Ya ready to die, Spike?” asks Braeburn.

Spike narrows his eyes and brings his burning sword up. “No.”

“Good.”

Armored boots stampede past Apple Bloom's hiding spot, her body now pressed into the damp, dark crevice of the root. She bites back her whimpers, not wanting to hear the screams of pain, the clanging of metal and explosions of energy discharge rocking the forest.

“Apple Bloom?” says Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom opens her eyes, and her ears droop when she sees Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle across from her, waving at her from the safety of a lush bush, their eyes glowing like terrified animals.

“Come here,” says Sweetie Belle.

“Come on, slowpoke,” says Scootaloo. “Hide here.”

Apple Bloom shakes her head, swallowing her tears, and Sweetie Belle blinks in confusion and looks at Scootaloo.

“What's she doing?” asks Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom lock eyes, and the small pegasus' feathers ruffle as she nods subtly.

“She's leaving,” says Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle looks between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, and after seeing the tears on Apple Blooms face, she grits her teeth and scurries out of her spot, despite Scootaloo's protest.

“No!” says Sweetie Belle.

“Sweetie!” hisses Scootaloo, now crawling after her.

With the two now out in the open, they look down the path, ears drooped and colors pale, and Scootaloo flicks her eyes at Apple Bloom for the briefest of seconds.

“Run, Apple Bloom,” urges Scootaloo. Then she waves at someone Apple Bloom cannot see. “Hey, stampcrabs! Over here!”

“Yeah, look at us!” shouts Sweetie Belle.

And then they run off in the opposite direction of Apple Bloom, leaping through the bushes and scurrying over the roots and logs of the forest. Seconds later, a swarm of Lulamoon soldiers run past Apple Bloom's spot, plowing through the forest and using magical bolts that light up the trees and leave smoldering blotches on the ground and trees.

“Don't let them get away!” barks a soldier.

Once all the soldiers are gone, Apple Bloom, shakily crawls out of her spot, and stays on her hands and knees as she looks around, and then she flips her hood on and disappears from sight.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's feet are barely touching the ground as they run through the forest, nimbly scrambling over crumbled ruins and leaping over roots and logs. Unfortunately for them, the taller ponies are still catching up to them, and the unicorns in their company lobbing balls of crackling energy are not making their distraction any easier to escape from.

“I think our plan is working!” says Sweetie Belle, yelping and stumbling when a ball of sparking blue energy streaks over her head and blows out a chunk of bark.

“You think!?” snaps Scootaloo.

A ring of Lulamoon soldiers are blasted off of their feet by a telekinetic blast, clearing up the area for Blueblood, who is panting and sweating with blood dripping from his sword. Next to him, Rainbow Dash and Flash cut down a group of four soldiers with quick slashes, and when a particularly vocal Lulamoon soldier rushes Rainbow Dash, Blueblood holds out his hand, and with a glow of his horn and hand, the soldier is lifted off the ground. He grabs his neck, choking and kicking the air as he desperately claws at the invisible hand, but his struggle is put to an end when Blueblood throws him into a stone pillar, leaving a circle of red and a limp body.

Once that is done, he takes a breath of air and marches off in a random direction, using a handkerchief to wipe the blood off his blade.

“Find Apple Bloom!” orders Blueblood.

“Where are you going?” says Rainbow Dash.

“To find Shining Armor.”

Applejack hops over a log, lungs burning, legs heavy and eyes focused on her path with only three goals in mind:

Get to the boat.

Find Apple Bloom.

Survive.

The chaos in the forest is all she needs to keep running. The clashes of steel, the crackling of energy discharge, and the flowing smoke is too much of a reminder of when Apple Manor burned during the Davenport treason. So she runs, not wanting to see the bodies, not wanting to see the swarm in the forest, and most certainly not wanting to see any more of the Fellowship die.

“Look out!” shouts Pipsqueak suddenly.

Applejack barely sees the spiked mace swinging at her, and she gasps and tries to change course, but slips instead and lands on her side, sliding on the damp ground with Pipsqueak still in her arms. The mace, however, obliterates a tree trunk with its impact, showering the two with splinters and bark. The tree groans and tips over, its trunk snapping and popping, and Applejack cringes when it hits the ground, kicking up leafs and dirt. Seconds later, the fallen tree is broken in half by the same spiked mace, and the remnants are rammed aside by the biggest pony she has ever seen. Just the mace alone is around her size, with the spiked head the size of her noggin. And his intricate network of metal scales and chainmail guarantees no weakness in the new foes armor.

Applejack gulps and looks up at the dark pools of Tam O'Shanter's eyes for his full faced helmet, and pushes herself up with her axe at the ready, despite her body shaking and a stone in her throat.

“Applejack?” says Pipsqueak.

“...Yeah?” says Applejack, too terrified to take her eyes off the beast.

“...Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle run across a small bridge over a shallow creek, both looking over their shoulders at the pursuing mob. But after getting to the other side, Scootaloo skids to a stop and tugs Sweetie Belle back, and both watch with wordless terror as a dozen more soldiers run towards them from the hill. One in particular is a buff earth pony with a long axe held high for a kill, screaming like a maniac. The Foalings feet lock and Scootaloo's hands shake when she draws her sword.

“It was nice knowing you, Scoots,” says Sweetie Belle, also drawing her sword and pressing her back against the pegasus to stare down the Lulamoon soldiers across the bridge.

“Meh. You were all right,” says Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle shoots her companion a glare, but before she can say anything a wall of crystal suddenly goes between the Foalings and soldiers, and a spear suddenly arcs over their heads and impales the axe maniac through the chest. The force knocks him off his feet, and a blur of yellow and pink and leaps over the Foalings, rolls in front of a pair Lulamoon soldiers and in two quick bashes of a shield, they too are knocked to the ground, limp like dolls. The newcomer then blocks a sword with her shield, punches him in the face, and as he staggers away she grabs the wrist of another attacker, twists the sword out of his hand and slams the side of her shield into his arm. He crumbles to the ground, sobbing and holding his arm, which has white bone poking out, and the one that got a fist to the face tries yet again to attack, but he is deflected with the shield and in a mere blink of an eye has his face flattened with said object.

The remaining Lulamoon soldiers stand back, eyes wide and bodies stiff, and Scootaloo finds her mouth hanging open as Fluttershy pulls her spear out from her first victim.

With her weapon now in hand, Fluttershy coils her body behind her bloodied shield and aims her spear at the soldiers while Rarity ushers the Foalings towards the pegasus.

“Girls, get behind me,” orders Fluttershy.

Shining Armor's feet dig into the ground, and the crystallized barrier between him and Pinkie Pie cracks with pieces popping off and flickering away. The two ponies lock eyes, both growling and pushing against each other, muscles straining and eyes burning hate into each other.

“You're pretty strong for somepony with a bad liver,” says Pinkie Pie.

Shining Armor pushes Pinkie Pie away, and as she stumbles back he swipes his broken blade at her. She side steps it and swings her hammer against the unicorn, but his shield spell blocks the impact at the cost of more pieces falling off. The blow does send Shining Armor off his feet, his shield finally disappearing, and when he lands on his back the Ranger brings her hammer down on him. He rolls out of the way and uses his telekinesis to push her back with enough force to put her airborne.

She flips in the air and lands flat on her face in the mulch, and Shining Armor rolls to his feet and forms another energy shield around his arm.

“You're not too bad for a harlot,” says Shining Armor.

Pinkie Pie presses the head of her hammer into the ground and stands up, wiping her sweaty mane back, and she flashes a smile as she brings her hammer up.

“Thanks. But I'm still going to hurt you,” says Pinkie Pie.

Shining Armor twirls his sword. “Uh huh, sure.”

Pinkie Pie snorts, then charges with a vicious yell, and Shining Armor returns the yell and runs towards her, horn glowing and his manifested shield becoming thicker.

Then an arrow suddenly strikes Pinkie Pie in the shoulder, knocking her off balance, and Shining Armor's sword slashes her across her gut, throwing her down to the ground with a stream of blood flying. When she hits the ground, another arrow comes from the trees and impales itself in Shining Armor's leg. The unicorn screams and drops to the ground, holding his wound, and a pegasus with a red coat and a green pony tail lands not too far from them.

Shining Armor's feral expression shifts to confusion and pain, with thick droplets of sweat dripping off of him he looks Pinkie Pie, who is groaning and shifting on the ground, holding her bleeding gut. It does little to stop the flow, for within seconds her hand is stained in thick red and globs of blood patter to the ground. Even droplets of blood drip from the arrow, and Pinkie Pie looks up, grinding her teeth with her eyes completely covered by her leaf covered, flat mane.

“Cheap shot, Naga!” yells Pinkie Pie.

“We all have quirks,” says the pegasus. “Mine is strategy, and yours is apparently not dying.”

Shining Armor takes another look at the pegasus, noting his green tunic, brown pants, knee high boots and red belt- and laughs.

Naga Morich stops and raises an eye brow, and even Pinkie Pie stares at him, despite her paleness and difficulty staying on her hands and knees.

“Don't tell me. You're a nihilist who embraces death,” says Naga.

“No,” says Shining Armor, still snickering.

“Oh, good. They take all the fun out of the hunt.”

“You're such a peacock!”

“... A peacock?”

“Yes! Look at you! You're such a typical pegasus with your pretty mane, your lush coat, weird attire. Did your mommy pick out that suit for you, my little explorer?”

Pinkie Pie covers her face with a bloody hand, and Naga hums and slings his bow across his back to draw his curved sword.

“I think I'm going to kill you first,” says Naga.

Shining Armor rips out the arrow from his leg, summons a small dome around Pinkie Pie, and uses his broken sword to help him stand.

“Good luck with that. I specialize in not dying, too,” says Shining Armor.

As soon as he says that, he is covered in a magical hue and tugged away. He grunts when he lands on his back, and he slides backwards a few feet before coming to a stop in front of Blueblood.

“What do you want?” says Shining Armor after a brief pause.

“Find Apple Bloom and get her to safety,” says Blueblood.

Shining Armor tenses, and he and Pinkie Pie exchange quick looks before he speaks to Blueblood.

“Oh, about that...” begins Shining Armor.

“No time for slacking. I will handle this scoundrel,” says Blueblood.

The Viceroy readies his sword, and Naga grins and clamps both hands on his blade and slides his foot back with his wings prepping for a charge.

“That's fine by me. I can kill all three of you,” says Naga.

Rainbow Dash leans against a tree, gritting her teeth as she pulls out a jagged piece of wood from her arm. It comes out with some difficulty, and she tosses the bloody piece at a dead unicorn at her feet, whose horn is dimming, and behind her is a tree that looks as though a fire monster took a bite out of it.

There is a rustle and scream and Rainbow Dash blinks, trying to decipher the blurs across the way. She sees the gamboge and gray colors of Flash engaging other blurs, but while he is fighting them off another one rushes behind him. In a blink of an eye, Rainbow Dash zips over and intercepts the potentially fatal blow, deflecting it with her first and slashing the target across the chest with her other sword. Her victim gurgles and falls against the tree, then slides to the ground, and Rainbow Dash turns to Flash, squinting her eyes just a bit so she can see his face a little better. A cut has gone from his ear down to his cheek, coating the entire side of his fade, his neck and collar in blood. It takes Flash a moment to realize that Rainbow Dash is behind him, and when he does, he turns and looks at the corpse, then at her.

“Thank you,” says Flash.

Rainbow Dash nods. “No problem. But I'm definitely going to cut off Blueblood's feet when I find him for ditching us like that.”

Flash only nods, but the two pegasi leap and turn around with their weapons at the ready when twigs and branches snap, and a moment later the hazy figures of Spike and Braeburn hop out, both wheezing for air.

“Whoa! Whoa! Hold it! Allies, here!” says Braeburn, having to use a tree for support and barely able to speak.

“Out of breath, already?” says Rainbow Dash, being discrete when she sucks in more air to hide her weariness.

Spike raises a couple of fingers, but keeps his head dipped as he tries to swallow air.

“You have no idea what we have just been through,” says Spike.

“You? Me and Flash just killed fifty guys by ourselves!” says Rainbow Dash.

Flash shakes his head, and Braeburn straightens himself out and stares at the mare skeptically.

“Really? Me and Spike just killed a hundred,” claims Braeburn.

Rainbow Dash narrows her eyes, and Braeburn reloads his crossbow.

“Any of ya see Applejack or Apple Bloom?” asks Braeburn.

“I probably would have seen them if I wasn't killing two hundred guys by myself,” says Rainbow Dash.

“Where did all these guys come from, anyway?” asks Flash.

“They're Trixie's soldiers,” says Spike. “They had to have been running fast to get to us.”

“Well, they are terrible. I haven't had a challenge this disappointing since I was fifteen,” says Rainbow Dash.

“And how old are you now?” asks Braeburn.

Rainbow Dash sighs thickly and pinches her brow. “Braeburn, I swear to Faust...”

Braeburn snickers, and Flash steps in between the two and keeps his hands up as a barrier between them.

“Not to be disrespectful, but this is not a good time for bantering,” says Flash.

“He's right. We have to meet up with the others and draw these guys away from Apple Bloom,” says Spike.

The rest nod in agreement, but everyone freezes when a distant horn suddenly sounds off. The horn's call echoes through the forest again and everyone's ears perk as they look around, eyes questioning, expecting to see more Lulamoon soldiers. But all they see are corpses and trees.

“What is that?” asks Rainbow Dash.

The horn sounds again, and Flash's eyes widen.

“Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy blows her horn again, hoping, praying that the rest of the Fellowship will come to their aid against the swarm. But it seems every call only draws more of the Lulamoon soldiers to them.

Rarity has been sprouting crystal walls, but the attacking unicorns reduce them to shards as quickly as they rise, and the Foalings have not been able to do much except stay close to Fluttershy.

In her attempts to call for help, the Hurricane has slung her spear over her back, and has been using her shield to block and bash anybody that has gotten too close, with the little ones finishing them off.

Her body, from muscle to soul, shakes at the sight of the swarm, but she keeps fighting. She keeps blocking. Today, failure is not an option. Today, timidness must rest and the past must take hold.

Fluttershy readies her horn, but stops herself when an earth pony charges her with a hammer. She narrowly blocks his swing, and her feet dig into the ground as he slams his hammer against her shield, again and again and again. The pain ripples through her arm, and the impacts bend her knee with every strike. Then, one strong whack and there is a crack, followed by a fire of pain erupting from the bones of her arm.

Fluttershy bites her lip, growling with tears flowing freely down her face, and when the earth pony goes for another swing she pivots around him and lets her dented shield slide free from her limp, bleeding arm. She then grabs her spear, side steps another attack and stabs him through the side. The earth pony falls to his knees, choking with blood bubbling out of his mouth, and his vicious eyes changing to fear. When he falls flat on his face on the bloody ground, Fluttershy's ferocity fades to horror and steps back with her good hand pressed against her muzzle, and she looks at the carnage around her. She looks at Rarity, who barely has the energy to summon a row crystal spikes, and then at the Foalings, who are striking down a soldier who has had trouble getting them. Then she looks at her bloody hand and staggers away from her latest kill serving as a stark reminder of why she renounced the life she has briefly returned to.

Then a sudden sharp pain rips past Fluttershy's armor and flesh, and breaks the back of her ribs, and she stumbles forward, gasping and wheezing for air with tears cleaning streaks of grime off her face. Seconds later, her knees give out and she crumbles to the ground.

Rarity, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle watch, mouths hanging open in disbelief as Fluttershy drops to the ground with an axe lodged into her back, quiet and limp. Behind her, a black and white unicorn stallion with a crimson cape marches down the steps of ruins, unslinging a larger axe from his back.

“You are outnumbered,” says Crimson Cape after he passes Fluttershy. “Surrender and spare yourselves of further consequences.”

“You will not touch them,” says Fluttershy weakly.

The four look towards Fluttershy and see she has pushed herself on her knees, with her good fist pressed into the ground and her ruined arm hanging limp. She is seething with a bloodshot glare burning past her sweaty locks, but Crimson merely scoffs dismissively at the display.

“We'll see about that,” says Crimson.

A purple blast suddenly hits him in the side and he twirls in the air, limbs flailing and axe flying, and when he hits a tree he crumbles to the ground, kicking up leafs and twigs upon landing. The two Foalings are stunned beyond words, and their eyes dumbly follow Rarity when she runs past them and helps Fluttershy to her feet. The pegasus' complexion has paled, her legs are wobbly and her entire back is covered and dripping blood. She barely has the strength to hold Rarity, much less lift her feet when she starts walking with haste.

“Get to the boats!” orders Rarity.

“But what about the others?” says Sweetie Belle.

“They'll be fine,” says Scootaloo.

Scootaloo grabs Sweetie Belle and starts running, but the two stop when there is a crackle of energy, followed by the air breaking and Rarity screaming. They turn around and gasp when they see Rarity being dragged across the ground by a sparking, red chain wrapped around her neck. She claws at it and kicks her legs wildly, and her horn ejects useless sparks as Crimson pulls her in, leaving Fluttershy as a heap on the ground. When Rarity is at his feet, he pulls out a horn cuff, and she shrieks and tries to fight him off, but he overpowers her and clamps the cuff on. There is a flash of light and Rarity's eyes become milky white and her body goes limp.

“Rarity!” cries Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo run towards her, but Crimson's horn and hands light up, and they too are wrapped in the sparking red chains. With the chains wrapped around them, a strong heat goes through their clothes and burns their skin. They collapse and thrash on the ground, sobbing and screaming as they are dragged closer. When they are at Crimson's feet he slaps the cuff on Sweetie Belle's horn and another on Scootaloo's wrist. In seconds time, both of them are blinded by a light and every limb becomes weak, and despite them wanting to move and fight, all they can do is watch with fading vision as a group of Lulamoon soldiers rush towards them, with the injured one needing assistance to walk.

“Get them out of here!” orders Crimson.

The soldiers quickly sling the trio on their soldiers and carry them off with great speed, and the last thing the Foalings see is Crimson approaching Fluttershy.

Fluttershy whimpers weakly. Her fingers can barely move and the coldness on her skin clashes with the warm streams of blood running down her back, soaking her armor and limp wings. She is finding it near impossible to push herself up, much less sit on her knees, and her vision fades in and out from dull to black with each heavy beat of her heart. Her ears sluggishly trail Crimson's steps, and she shivers as the cold, sharp axe head is pressed underneath her chin and forces her to look into the eyes of her killer.

“So, the rumors are true. Clan Lord Hurricane did send his daughters to save the world he takes pleasure in killing,” says Crimson, his voice distant.

Fluttershy quietly glares at him.

“I think its time somepony kills his world,” says Crimson.

He swings his axe, but rather than meeting flesh, it meets steel, and the two look to the side and see Rainbow Dash's snarl and her obvious struggle to keep the axe from Fluttershy's neck.

“There's the other one!” says Crimson.

He twists Rainbow Dash's sword away and uses a telekinetic blast to push her back, and he rolls out of the way from Flash's swipe and skids to a stop, axe held tight and his eyes, horn and hands glowing. From his horn comes a red gaseous stream that engulfs his axe, and he chuckles as he taps the ground with its blade. The mulch glows red and disintegrates like embers, and Crimson uses his magic to yank out the axe lodged in Fluttershy. She collapses, and Flash narrowly avoids the flying axe as it goes to Crimson's hand. Upon grabbing the second axe, it too becomes engulfed in the strange energy and he aims his weapons at both pegasi.

“I'm going to take great pleasure in killing some Hurricanes!” says Crimson.

Streaks of silver bounce off each other with metallic clanks echoing from every collision. Blueblood keeps his feet steady and constantly moving in clockwise path, putting the pegasus on a defense.

Blueblood swings at Naga, and the pegasus blocks the blade and pushes himself against the Viceroy. Steel scrapes and the two stallions growl as they push into each other. Blueblood then forces Naga's sword down and elbows him in the jaw, and as his target stumbles back, he goes for another swing, but he is barely blocked and the slender pony twists away from Blueblood.

The two ponies step back, breathing heavily, and the pegasus wipes blood from his lip, then scoffs angrily and charges Blueblood with a burst of speed.

Blueblood brings his sword up and blocks the flurry of slashes with ease, and his feet stay steady as he backs up, keeping an eye on Naga's motions. When his target goes for a stab, Blueblood slides to the side, uses his sword to push down the opposing blade and punches Naga on the side of the head. The pegasus stumbles, but before he can fall his neck is enveloped in a magical aura and he is hoisted off the ground, bringing him to violently kick his legs and flap his wings as he gags and curses.

“I've entertained you long enough,” says Blueblood over the chokes.

With one hand clawing at the aura, Naga pulls out a white canister from his belt, then pushes the canister's button with his thumb and covers his eyes with his arm. Immediately there is a bright flash of light that burns Blueblood's eyes, and he tries to shield himself from it using his hand and closing his eyes, growling painfully, but the light breaches his eyelids. When he opens his eyes a second later, he sees the sleek blade coming at him, but before he can lift his sword everything goes dark.

Shining Armor blinks away the colorful blotches that float in the field of white, and when the white breaks apart to reveal the forest his burnt eyes widen at the sight of Blueblood. His body lays on the blood soaked mulch, his head rolling far from him, and standing a short distance from him is Naga Morich. He is partially crouching with his bloody sword extended and a proud smile stretched across his muzzle. His eyes drift up to meet Shining Armor's horrified expression, and the Exiled Prince's eyes become wet and red and his chest heaves from his heavy breathing.

“One down,” says Naga. He glances at Pinkie Pie's still form. “No, two down. You're turn, hobo.”

Shining Armor pushes himself up, ignoring the pain from his wound with his mouth sealed tight, but nostrils flaring with his ragged breathing. His sword shakes and he holds out his free hand to Naga, horn and palm sparking with a heavy weight crushing his heart.

The pegasus charges him, but is abruptly knocked on his back when a rose colored shield wall comes up between him and Shining Armor. Naga groans and holds his bleeding muzzle, and glares at Shining Armor.

“That was cheap,” sneers Naga.

Shining Armor is silent, but his hand and horn glows brighter and four more shield walls surround the pegasus, completely blocking him in. Naga looks around his prison, then looks at Shining Armor with an unimpressed frown.

“Really? You call this a fight? This is just a fancy display of cowardice,” says Naga. “Fight me like a stallion, hobo scum!”

Shining Armor's eyes glow and his breathing becomes heavier as his hand gradually clenches into a fist. As his hand closes, the cube shrinks, and Naga's ears droop and hi eyes frantically flick around for an opening when he realizes what is happening. He bangs against the shield wall, screaming at Shining Armor to stop, but they fall on deaf ears, and the closer the walls get, the louder he screams and the harder and more desperate his banging becomes.

Soon the banging stops and the begs turn to screams of pain. Shining Armor cannot break his eyes off, though. He has to watch Naga fold inside the prison, and even when his hand is fully clenched, he squeezes tighter and clenches his teeth harder. In seconds, the screaming stops with the sounds of sickening crunches, but Shining Armor holds his shaking fist for a few more seconds before he releases his fingers.

The cube vanishes, and in its place is a gory, bleeding cube of crushed flesh, bone and material, and Shining Armor drops to his knees, shaking and covering his face with his hand. Seconds later, he flicks his fingers towards the shield around Pinkie Pie, and it disintegrates, but she does not move. Nobody moves.

He looks at Blueblood's headless body, then turns to the Ranger and sees her eyes are closed and her hand loosely pressed against the wound he inflicted upon her.

Shining Armor swallows and makes his way towards her. Once he reaches her he puts her head on his lap and pulls out a vial from his pouch.

“No more,” says Shining Armor quietly.

He gently pries her mouth open and empties the contents down her throat. He then closes his eyes and bows his head and presses his trembling fist against his muzzle.

“Please no more.”

Rainbow Dash curses as she narrowly dodges the two axes. Her ducking saved her head for the first swing, and her rolling away saved her shoulder when the unicorn brought the second axe down on her.

Flash screams and slashes at Crimson, but his sword is blocked by the first axe, and Rainbow Dash has to use her sword to block the second axe. The two pegasi push the unicorn back and rush him as he stumbles, but he still manages to deflect their blows with swift motions as they bring their blades against him.

As this happens, Spike and Braeburn rush to Fluttershy, and Spike carries her to safety while Braeburn sweeps the area with crossbow. Once she is safe behind a tree, Braeburn pulls out a medicine vial from his pouch and Spike takes off his shirt to bandage her bleeding back. It quickly becomes soaked and drips blood all over his hand, and in a panic he looks at Braeburn.

“What are you waiting for? Just pour it down her throat!” says Spike.

Braeburn's muzzle scrunches from annoyance, but he wordlessly pours the liquid down her throat. Fluttershy gurgles and coughs weakly, and Spike cradles her in his arms, pressing his back against the tree as much as his spines will allow, all while Braeburn kneels next to him and aims his crossbow at the dueling trio.

Flash and Rainbow Dash are moving in circles around Crimson, forcing the unicorn to constantly pivot and block, bringing his footing to a less stable position. Their blades bounce off and slide against the axe heads, and they use their wings to give them bursts of speed that kick up the mulch. Crimson stumbles after failing to strike Rainbow Dash, and he growls when he swings at Flash, but Flash ducks and pivots underneath Crimson's swing, and with a vicious yell he slashes the back of the unicorn's legs. The soldier screams in pain and drops to the ground with blood pooling around him, and before he can bring his axe up for a block Rainbow Dash stabs him in the chest with both of her swords. He gasps and stiffens, and the two blades poke out his back with beads of blood dripping off of them, and when Rainbow Dash yanks them out he falls to the ground, twitching in a pool of blood, though she does not marvel at her kill. Instead she sheathes her weapons and runs towards where Spike and Braeburn took Fluttershy, and she slides next to them, using every ounce of willpower she has not to yank her sister away from Spike's protective embrace.

“Please tell me she's not dead,” says Rainbow Dash, breathing heavily.

“Braeburn gave her some of the deer healing potion, but she hasn't woken up yet,” says Spike.

“Give her to me.”

Spike carefully passes Fluttershy to Rainbow Dash, and she hugs Fluttershy tight with her wings wrapping around her limp body. She then looks at Spike, putting on a brave face, but a line of tears has left a streak on her cheek.

“Thank you,” says Rainbow Dash.

Spike nods and Flash jogs next to the group, sword still in hand.

“I'm not seeing anypony else. No soldiers, no Shining, no Pinkie, no Blueblood, nopony,” says Flash.

Rainbow Dash nods, her fingers raking Fluttershy's mane. “Okay. Just stay here... Please.”

Flash nods, and Braeburn stands up and looks at the group, his finger and tail twitching.

“Y'all can stay here, but I'm going to find Applejack,” says Braeburn. “You coming, Spike?”

Spike nods, grabs his sword and stands up. “Let's go.”

Applejack hops out of the tree line, cursing up a storm as the ground shakes. She looks over her shoulder and yells in fright when Tam o'Shanter's mace shatters a tree, bringing it to fall towards her. She leaps out of the way, briefly being blinded by the kicked up dirt, but she is able to see enough to roll away when the massive mace comes down on her. More sand is kicked up, and Applejack scrambles to her feet, grabs her axe and turns around to block the incoming mace. The blow knocks her off balance, and she clumsily brings her axe up again to shield herself from another swipe, but this time she is sent into the air.

She lands on her back, her axe now broken and her head throbbing, and when she pushes herself to her knees Tam o'Shanter grabs her by her neck and hoists her off the ground. She gasps for air and kicks her legs as her fingers claw in vain at the massive hand. Then everything becomes a blur and all the air is forced out of her lungs as her back crashes into one of the boats, flinging broken wood up and around her. Her eyes roll and her muscles become limp, and all she can do is groan when Tam o'Shanter drags her towards the water.

When the freezing liquid flooding past her armor Applejack is shocked awake, and she screams in fear and tries to pull his hand off of her collar, but her scream goes silent when she is shoved under water.

The cold water surges past her mouth and into her lungs, and she kicks and beats against him, but it does nothing. His body warps and breaks from the water's ripples, but his hand gets heavier and her head is pushed into the sand, filling her ears and mane with thick mud.

Darkness bleeds in and her thrashing gets weaker. Her heart gets heavier, her lungs fuller, and her eyes roll back. Soon her hands release Tam's wrist, and everything becomes dark.

Apple Bloom stumbles out of the forest, short of breath and eyes zipping wildly for signs of enemies or the Fellowship. At first she does not see anybody, however, upon exiting she hears a scream, followed by a splash, and that is when she sees a titan of a pony with a giant mace on its back holding someone in the water.

“No!” screams Apple Bloom.

She runs, her legs giving out underneath her within the first few steps, and she scrambles to her feet and runs again.

Pipsqueak charges the monster and whacks his sword against it, but it effortlessly beats him away with one swipe, sending him crashing into the river bank.

The water becomes still and Apple Bloom''s eyes burn with tears, and everything becomes a gray tint when she extends her marked hand, which has become encased in dark crystal. With her hand extended comes a flash of pain in her eyes and hand, and the monster turns to her, but before he can react jagged crystal spikes erupt from the ground, shattering another boat and lifting him a dozen feet in the air with water bursting around him.

His blood trickles down the grooves of the spikes from his destroyed, twitching body, but Apple Bloom does not stare at the gruesome display. Rather she hurries towards its victim, her little body splashing in the bloody water, and when she yanks up Applejack her eyes return to normal, and she grits her teeth as she pulls the larger pony out, struggling to keep her head out of the water. Thankfully Applejack coughs out a glob of water and wheezes for air.

“Pipsqueak, help me!” yells Apple Bloom.

Pipsqueak hobbles towards Apple Bloom and grabs Applejack's feet, and the two Foalings carry her out with great struggle. When they reach the shore they drop her on the mud and collapse, panting and shaking with Applejack coughing and being turns to her hands and knees by Pipsqueak. The larger pony pukes out more water, and sucks in air, only to cough and whimper. With all the water dripping off of her, it is hard to say what is water and what is tears, but with Pipsqueak and Applejack distracted and not dead, Apple Bloom slowly backs away to the boat.

“Its okay, you're safe. Just breathe,” says Pipsqueak as he rubs Applejack's shoulder.

Apple Bloom looks at the destroyed boats, then at the mangled body, and with the soft words of Pipsqueak and Applejack's sickly wheezing in her ears, she looks at her marked hand. A moment later she balls her hand, closes her eyes and then runs to the last boat.

Water splashes around her and Pipsqueak's voice stops, which only pushes her to go faster. Her muscles strain and tears rolls down her cheeks when she pushes the boat into the water.

“Apple Bloom?” says Pipsqueak.

The boat rocks and Apple Bloom quickly, yet clumsily climbs aboard and uses the oar to push herself further from shore, unable to look behind her.

“What are you doing!? Stop!” shouts Pipsqueak.

Apple Bloom rows, her eyes burning and teeth grinding hard from trying to keep herself from sobbing. In seconds she is a good distance in the churning water, but her ears perk when she hears splashing, and she looks over her shoulder to see Pipsqueak swimming towards her, his little body fighting against the river's rough current.

“Pipsqueak, go back!” orders Apple Bloom. “I have to do this alone!”

“No you don't!” says Pipsqueak.

“Go back!”

“Not without you!”

Pipsqueak still swims, and is briefly submerged in the river. Apple Bloom's ears droop and she strains her eyes, heart racing and breath short, and when Pipsqueak reappears further down, gasping for air and kicking in the water she screams for him and rows after him. The boat quickly catches up to Pipsqueak and Apple Bloom holds the oar out to him. Once he grabs it she pulls him in and with a great struggle she pulls him on board.

With no one steering, the boat drifts down the stream, but Apple Bloom does not care. Not now, anyway. Her hand cups Pipsqueak's cheeks and she looks into his eyes, sniffling and blinking tears away.

“What were you thinking? You almost drowned!” says Apple Bloom.

“I couldn't let you go,” says Pipsqueak, his voice shaking and airy. “I lost too many friends. I'm not going to lose you, too.”

Apple Bloom swallows a wet lump, and Pipsqueak hugs her tight against him, cupping her head into his shoulder.

“You said you had to do this alone, but you don't have to. I'm here,” says Pipsqueak. “I'll be with you until the end.”

Apple Bloom's lips quiver, and as much as she wants to say something all she can do is bury herself into Pipsqueak, sniffling and gripping his shirt tight as he rocks her gently. And there the two sit in silence as the current drags them away from the Fellowship.

Applejack stays on her hands and knees, coughing and watching the boat drift down the current. After some time passes the boat drifts out of view around the curve and Applejack gulps in air and looks at Tam o'Shanter's destroyed body.

“Holy Faust and the alicorns,” says Braeburn. “What happened here?”

Applejack looks over her shoulder, not realizing that Braeburn and Spike had come up behind her. Both are battered and bleeding, and Spike is missing his shirt entirely with a lot of blood on his chest. She sincerely hopes that that is not his.

“Are you all right?” asks Braeburn.

Applejack nods.

“Where's Apple Bloom? Have you seen her?” asks Spike.

“Pipsqueak and Apple Bloom are gone. They took the last boat,” says Applejack, nodding to the wreckages. “I couldn't stop them. I'm sorry.”

Spike oddly enough seems relieved, and Braeburn puts his hand on her shoulder, but says nothing. A moment later, Rainbow Dash and Flash come out of the forest with Fluttershy being carried in Flash's arms. He gently sets her down next to a tree, and Rainbow Dash sits on a log close by, her hands clamped together in front of her muzzle and her eyes red and wet as she rocks back and forth.

“Did you find Apple Bloom?” asks Flash to Spike and Braeburn.

Braeburn looks across the bay. “Applejack said that she and Pipsqueak high tailed it out of here. Have any of you seen Shining Armor?”

“Or Pinkie Pie and Blueblood?” adds Spike.

Flash shakes his head, but a rustling of leaves brings all able eyes to the forest, and Rainbow Dash stands up when Shining Armor comes out, carrying Pinkie Pie in his arms. His eyes are dead, his steps sluggish, and covering his wrists are Blueblood's white vambraces with the roses stamped on them.

Braeburn, Spike and Flash step back to give Shining Armor room, and he lays Pinkie Pie in the sand and wipes tears and sweat from his face.

Spike looks at the vambraces, then looks at Shining Armor.

“Where's Blueblood?” asks Spike.

“Gone. Just like Twilight,” says Shining Armor. He looks at the rest of the Fellowship's defeated faces. “Where's everypony else?”

“Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak took the last boat,” says Applejack.

“And Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were taken by the Lulamoon soldiers,” says Flash.

Rainbow Dash begins pacing in circle, clawing at her mane.

“We can't just stand here. We got to go after Apple Bloom!” says Rainbow Dash. “Me and Flash can-”

“No,” interrupts Shining Armor.

The Fellowship looks at him, baffled, and he looks down, exhaling slowly as he adjusts his scavenged armor, his eyes on the faded rose imprinted on the thin armor. He glances at the forest across the river and quickly looks away, swallowing and fingers trembling while he finishes tightening the vambrace.

“Apple Bloom's fate cannot be in our hands. It is best that she goes alone with somepony she can trust,” says Shining Armor.

The Fellowship exchanges confused looks, save for Spike, who nods in agreement, and Breburn steps forward, eyeing Shining Armor critically.

“So, all of this was in vain, then?” says Braeburn. “All the friends we lost was for nothing?”

Shining Armor holds out his hand to Applejack, and after she takes it he pulls her up and then he walks to Braeburn. He is barely able to meet the group with the guilt in him, but nonetheless he forces himself to look at each of them.

“I made mistakes,” says Shining Armor after a pause. “I wish I can undo what I've done, but I can't. All I can do is live on to make things right.” He puts his hands on Braeburn's shoulder. “We will march on and not abandon our friends to the torment of the enemy while we have breath in our lungs. We're going to find Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Rarity and we're going to save them. No more of our Fellowship will die.”

Shining Armor's hand slides off of Braeburn's shoulder and he begins to gather supplies from the wreckage of the boats.

“Rainbow, Flash, stay with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie until they are better. Spike, Braeburn, Applejack, you are with me. Leave everything we can spare behind. We leave now,” says Shining Armor.

The three in Shining Armor's party nod and quickly gather supplies, and while the Exiled Prince loads his bag, Rainbow Dash grabs his shoulder.

“Where are we supposed to meet up?” asks Rainbow Dash.

“We will meet in Ponyville. King Adirondack has pledged support for us, so it should be a safe place to regroup and resupply, hopefully with our friends rescued,” says Shining Armor.

“But Davenport left. Can we trust him without his kid?”

“No, but we don't have much choice.”

Rainbow Dash sighs. “All right, but if that backstabber tries anything funny on us I'm going to kill him and then break your balls.”

Shining Armor pats Rainbow Dash on the head. “You already did.”

Rainbow Dash blinks in confusion, and Shining Armor hoists his refilled pack on his back and marches to the tree line. He stops, hesitates, then looks over his shoulder at his party. Braeburn has a pack on, Applejack has found another axe, as well as made a pack herself, and Spike now has a shirt as well as a pack of him own.

Seeing this, Shining Armor nods approvingly, grips the hilt of his blade and says: “Let's go hunting.”

The Forsaken Sons

A trio of boats rock gently in the open blue sea. Wood creaks, people chatter and salty wind beats against the sails and flags marked with a hanging stick pony. On the deck of the lead ship, watching the never ending scenery is a scrawny fellow with simple chain mail armor underneath a metal curiass. His golden eyes may be aged, but there is a softness to them that cannot be ignored. His fur is a graying brown, and the pair of curved horns on his skull are dark gray. Strapped to him is a single saber.

He peers through a scope and through the fog he sees a small city made of cheap wood and brick with a row of docks and a tower overlooking it all. He folds the scope down and hastily approaches a similar creature -though much younger- and puts his hand on his shoulder.

“Send the signal. We're about to reach Equestrian shores,” says the elder, named Star Diagramm.

The younger male nods and runs off, shouting out the order, and while Star makes his way to a thick door with metal bands, a large flag with red and white stripes is hoisted up.

More orders are shouted and dozens of boots scamper along the deck and down below, but Star calmly opens the thick door, slides inside the room and closes it behind him. The wood does little to muffle the chaos outside, but Star knows the occupant does not mind. Really, he has never heard the occupant complain about anything for as long as he has known him. Not even about the pain he must be in.

With his hands clamped behind his back, Star approaches a large stallion sitting in a chair comfortable for his size. His body is covered in dark armor with chain mail covering his huge arms. Sharp pauldrons are connected to his curiass, which has silver flames on the ribs, and his gauntlets, shin pads and boots are all black as night with his face fully covered by a helmet with silver horns that hook towards the front of his maw. Covering him is a cape made of thick, white fur held in place by a silver chain around his neck, and loosely connected metal plates rest against his thighs. A massive, sleek blade of obsidian color with a bronze handle is between his legs, stabbing the floor, and this is where he has perched his hands. The passenger's head remains bowed, however, and shows no signs of acknowledging the presence of Star.

Star sighs inwardly, hating how he can never tell if this person is sleeping or not, and he carefully approaches the beast, hearing the faintest of labored breaths.

“Sir, we are about to reach Equestria,” says Star. “Port Goodwill, from the looks of it.”

The dark pools of the passenger's helmet slide away to reveal a pair of jaded green eyes, and with a terrible wheeze the knight lifts his head just enough to look at Star.

Star waits for a verbal response, but when all the passenger does is nod, he licks his lips and steps a little bit closer.

“Is there anything you desire before we land?” asks Star.

The knight beckons Star forward. The ibex leans close so he can hear.

“Loyalty,” wheezes the knight.

Star nods and puts his hand on the giant's shoulder. “Always, sir.”

The knight stares at Star for a few seconds, and then his eyes drift shut and his head bows, and Star leaves. Once Star is outside, he takes a deep breath, then whistles loudly and sharply. The crew stops what they are doing and those that can, huddle around him.

“Boys,” begins Star, “we are about to reach land. You all have your allowances, and you're all grown goats, so I don't have to tell you to spend your money wisely. If you blow it all on harlots when we dock that will be your fault. That said, when we land, take the night to enjoy yourselves, for the coming weeks will not be kind. One day of relaxation, then the next weeks will be bloodshed that'll end with the biggest payday the Forsaken Sons has ever seen!”

The crew cheers and raises their fists high, and Star smiles and barely raises his fist.

“We unload fast, travel light, fight hard, and take home our retirement. Dismissed,” says Star.

The group scatters, chatting excitedly among themselves, and Star sighs and leans against the railing, watching the shore creep ever closer, thinking about how the days ahead will play out. As well as thinking about how his friend in the room will handle what is to come.

In the room, the knight keeps his eyes closed, but the cheering is music to his damaged ears, which provides his aching body with some comfort. However, while the Forsaken Sons think about the money, the tail they can buy, or -for the competitive- how many kills they can score, he has only one thing on his mind, and it brings a smile to his burnt face.

Judgment is coming.

Twilight the Purple and Purity the Old

It is another perfect day in the quaint town of Greenhill Pastures, located in the far off land of Foalington. The warm summer breeze blows over the lush green grass and thick, and the healthy trees and soft white clouds provide the perfect shade for any traveler who walks the dirt paths or any foaling who wishes to enjoy a nice book away from civilization.

That being said, a certain foaling in dirty overalls and a plaid shirt is enjoying her book with her back pressed against an oak tree and one leg crossed over the other in a picture perfect sense of bliss. Most would mistake the golden furred, red maned foaling as an actual foal, given that she is about the size of one, thus leading to their names, and most would not expect a foaling to read a book about architecture from Unicornia or Everfree. In fact, most foalings would probably fall asleep from reading it or read such a book to their children as punishment. But Apple Bloom is no ordinary foaling, and for that, she enjoys such things as boring architecture books and tales of the outside world.

Apple Bloom keeps one page pinched in her fingers as she studies a grand picture of a beautiful city built inside a mountain with towers white as pure snow and golden roofs. She gets a large smile and twinkle in her eyes as she imagines going to such a beautiful place to marvel at the beautiful structures, the numerous fountains and the massive waterfall in the center. The book has it labeled as “Canterlot of Unicornia” in calligraphy, and Apple Bloom makes a mental note to put visiting Canterlot on her list of things she absolutely has to do before she passes.

After licking her fingers, Apple Bloom bends the corner of the page and turns it to start reading about the rich history of the city. She barely gets a sentence in when she hears a couple of voices coming down the road with the clip-clop of hooves.

“Are we there yet?” asks an adolescent male.

“No,” spits a female with the voice of an adorable nerd.

Apple Bloom’s ears perk and her smile widens at the familiarity of the voices.

“Are we there yet?”

“No.”

Apple Bloom packs up her book in her pack and runs to the edge of the road, slinging her pack on her back on the way, and folds her arms across her chest with a well practiced disappointed frown as a raggedy wagon comes to view being pulled by a tired, brown coated horse. The wagon is loaded to its breaking point with crates of fireworks, and driving the horse is a lavender unicorn mare with shades of purple for her mane, wearing a grayish-purple cloak with a look of pure, unadulterated annoyance on her face. Her name is Twilight Sparkle, proud student of Queen Celestia, and she is really wants to hurt someone.

“Are we there yet?” repeats her companion; a purple drake with green spikes lying on the crates with his hands behind his head and his eyes closed. Unlike the mare, he is wearing a fancy black outfit with a golden sun on the chest and gold trim, and a sheathed, decently sized sword by his side.

“No!” screams the unicorn, snapping to the drake with a fire in her mane and eyes ready to stab him with daggers. “For the last time, Spike, we. Are not. There!”

The drake, Spike, stares at Twilight for a few seconds, matching her fury with his boredom, before asking: “How about now?”

Twilight stops the cart with a hard tug that is met by a whine from the horse and she jabs at Spike’s nose with her finger.

“That’s it! No ice cream for you!” seethes Twilight.

“Aw, c’mon!” whines Spike, now fully up and pleading with puppy eyes.

For the most part, Apple Bloom thinks it is best not to say a word during their bickering, but decides to intervene when Spike goes on to saying he deserves ice cream for his carpal tunnel and bad back. And she gets their attention by clearing her throat, which works miracles.

“You’re late,” claims Apple Bloom snobbishly.

Twilight looks at Apple Bloom with bewilderment. “We can’t be... Are we... Spike, what time is it!?”

Spike shrugs. “I don’t know. Mid afternoon now, and It’s been three days-ish since we left that one town way back over where that Klumsy K place is.”

“‘Three days-ish’!? There can’t be an ‘ish’ in scheduling!”

“Sure there can.”

Apple Bloom’s stern demeanor melts to a wolfish smile and a barely held snicker when the unicorn growls and extends her hands like she is going to strangle the purple drake. Then Apple Bloom falls to the grass, clutching her stomach and kicking her legs in a fit of laughter, and since she is on the ground, laughing, she cannot see the glare Twilight is giving her. It takes a moment for the lavender unicorn’s glare to disappear with a sigh and a slump of her shoulders.

“I’m not late am I?” asks Twilight.

“Nope!” says Apple Bloom after taking a few seconds to catch her breath. Her face is now red and she wipes some happy tears off of her face, saying: “Yer actually early.”

“Early?”

“Yep!” Apple Bloom hops on the cart without asking for an invitation and nestles up next to Twilight, ignoring the large sigh that escapes the unicorn in response to her putting her muddy feet up with her hands behind her head. “Granny Smith will sure be glad t’ see ya, though.”

Twilight orders the horse forward with a click of her tongue and Apple Bloom has to catch herself lest she wants to faceplant the road.

“I’m sure she will,” says Twilight.

“So, what did ya guys do?” asks Apple Bloom.

She looks to Spike for answers and once again the drake shrugs.

“Meh, stuff. We traveled. Made campfires. Helped people along the way. You know, boring stuff,” says Spike carelessly.

Apple Bloom’s ears droop in disappointment. “Didn’tcha do anything fun? Like go to Canterlot or Ponyville? Or fight monsters?”

“Well, there was that one thing-”

“That was not a monster. Just some guy with mental problems who dressed up like a spiky pig thing in red robes,” interrupts Twilight.

Spike snickers and leans closer to Apple Bloom so he can talk lowly in her ear.

“One of the places we visited had a weird superstition with red and yellow. Twilight almost lost it there and we high tailed it once we solved that pig monster mystery,” he says quietly.

“Really?” gasps Apple Bloom excitedly.

Spike nods. “Yeah, and the best part was when the village tried sending a blind girl to travel far away to get medicine for some guy that got stabbed.”

“That was incredibly stupid of them,” grumbles Twilight. “I’m amazed that that place is able to survive.”

Apple Bloom chuckles and reclines in her seat once more, letting the sun warm her and the clip clop of hooves relax her like a lullaby. She closes her eyes and is about to have a pleasant dream of going on an adventure of epic magnitudes when-

“Now we’re here!” chirps Twilight, once again pulling the cart to a stop and petting the horse's head as it neighs and shakes its mane.

Apple Bloom opens her eyes and remembers that she had not traveled too far from Granny Smith’s home, thus making for a disappointingly quick trip. The cottage itself is built right on the crest of a hill so it can overlook other wooden cottages, the rolling hills, and the market set up next to the river and its watermill.

Without being told, Apple Bloom hops out and opens up the white picket front gate, which serves more as a decoration than an obstacle, and leads Twilight to the door. She looks over her shoulder, silently questioning where Spike is, but upon seeing the dragon sitting on top of the crates, sharpening his sword with whetstone, she knows he has been stuck with the dreaded cart duty. Not putting much more thought into it, Apple Bloom unlocks the door and lets Twilight inside her grandma’s abode.

Twilight has to almost crawl to get inside, and Apple Bloom fights a snicker when the guest bonks her head on a rafter and a chandelier in seconds time.

“Apple Bloom, is that you makin’ all the ruckus!” yells an old mare down the hall.

“Yes, Granny, Ah’m back!” hollers Apple Bloom, again holding back a laugh when Twilight tries to steady the rocking chandelier.

Apple Bloom puts her fingers to her lips and motions Twilight to stay quiet as she motions her forward. Twilight nods with a smile of her own and the two sneak down the polished hall, past the antique decorations and the oil paintings of the Smith bloodline.

“You sound like an earth pony back there!” says Granny Smith, her voice emanating from a room tucked away near the back of the house.

Apple Bloom and Twilight step into the room where Granny is, and exchange smiles when they see light green mare appearing to be middle aged, wearing a similar outfit to Apple Bloom, hunched over her wooden desk, scribbling on parchment bound in between leather covers. She is too busy to look up, so they sneak forward, holding their grins, and right as Granny Smith dips her pen in a bottle of ink, Twilight extends her hands, ready for a blitz hug.

“Did you happen to meet Twilight?” asks Granny Smith.

“Nope,” answers Apple Bloom with a devious smile.

“Huh, I thought you did. You and her smell like Orange’s compost pile.”

“Hey!” whines Twilight, her hands quickly retracting and her face contorting with hurt.

Granny Smith turns around, grinning broadly, and she laughs and stands up to hug Twilight around the waist. Like Apple Bloom, Granny Smith is a foaling, so she appears to be a child, and when Twilight relaxes, realizing that her leg is just being pulled, she kneels down and returns the hug, laughing softly.

“I’m glad you’re here, Twilight, it’s been too long,” says Granny Smith.

“You didn’t think I would miss your one hundred and twentieth birthday, did you?” says Twilight as she rubs Granny Smith’s grayed mane.

“Not on purpose. Last I heard you were off as far as the Smoky Mountains,” says Granny Smith. She looks at Apple Bloom and flicks her head towards the doorway as a quiet way to tell her granddaughter to get lost. Once Apple Bloom scampers out of the house, she pulls away and looks up and down the unicorn’s body. “You’re aging well. Got any colts going after you?”

Twilight chuckles uncomfortably and rubs the back of her neck. She knows she has had more than a few stallions ogle at her, some being more discreet than others, and some encounters being just plain embarrassing.

“I don’t have time for colts,” says Twilight, blushing lightly, and adding: “But you’re aging really well, too.”

Granny Smith smiles nervously as her hand slowly slides into her pocket, obviously meddling with something while stroking an ink drawing of an amulet in the shape of an arrowhead with a diamond in the middle and wings flanking a unicorn head on the top. Twilight’s awkwardness fades to concern and her attention drifts to the bulge marking Granny Smith’s hand until the foaling speaks.

“I know, but none of us can live forever and you’ve still got some usable years left, so you should take advantage of it while you still can,” she says as she closes her book. Then she smiles and starts towards the kitchen after closing her book. “How about I fix you a little meal before the party starts? It won’t be till nightfall so you’ll have plenty of time to wait for the good stuff.”

Twilight forces herself to smile and nod. “That sound nice. Thank you.”

Granny Smith returns the smile with something heavy clearly on her mind, and starts towards the kitchen, leaving Twilight alone.

Twilight watches the old foaling until she is out of sight before she reads the title of her book in progress. The Riches of Lookout Mountain: A Foaling’s Tale.

Twilight gets a nostalgic smile and once again checks to make sure Granny Smith is preoccupied before she carefully opens the book to the picture of the amulet. She reads a little bit of what Granny Smith wrote, which is when the both of them and a company of earth ponies were making their escape from a diamond dog tunnel network. It makes Twilight's smile grow, but when she goes back to looking at the drawing of the amulet, the smile fades. The object is painfully familiar and questions begin to swirl through her mind as to how Granny Smith managed to draw such an accurate picture of it.

Twilight flips through the book, hoping to see something that will give her an answer, or at least a clue to it, but she finds nothing. Twilight huffs and closes the book, then she goes through the notes and crumpled parchments that carpet the desk with the empty inkwells and worn pens. During this, she uncovers another object of familiarity. It is an old map that is now displayed in an elegant, wooden frame, and it has locations of every location that the two of them visited on their quest with amazing accuracy. From the locations of Foalington to Armonia, to the Diamond Dog Caverns and Rocky Spine Pass, all the way to Lookout Mountain, which is appropriately represented as a lonely mountain at the top left corner of the map with a dragon curled around its top. Seeing the map brings the smile back to Twilight’s face, but as much as she wants to, she can’t reminisce over the journey she took with Granny Smith and the band of earth ponies to the mountain because she is being told that the food is done from down the hall.

Twilight puts the map down and goes to the dining room. Granny Smith is already fetching a whistling tea kettle, and on the table is a simple assortment of cheese, bread and butter as well as apple slices.

“Apples. Why am I not surprised?” jokes Twilight.

Before Granny Smith has a chance to make a quirky answer, there is a heavy knock on the door that makes both mares jump.

“Purity! Purity Smith! Open up! I know you're in there!” hollers an impatient young mare from outside.

Granny Smith curses under her breath and hides under the table with a slice of buttered bread. Twilight looks at her questionably, but when the old mare tugs at her cloak, she awkwardly crawls under the table, bonking her head yet again and causing the contents to shake.

Twilight winces and tenderly rubs the top of her head and horn as Granny Smith shrinks farther to the ground in response to the persistent knocking knocking and calls.

“I'm not at home,” insists Granny Smith with wide eyed terror.

“Diamond, sweetie, I don't think she's home,” says an older stallion.

“But that's Spike on Twilight's cart!” says the mare, Diamond Tiara.

“Actually, I'm Spike's twin, Wingnut, and I'm on a mission from the Church of Faust the Creator,” says Spike. “Would you two like to hear about my Goddess and Savior, Faust?”

A moment of silence passes before Diamond Tiara snorts. “I'd rather not. Come, daddy, we have guests to charge.”

Next comes the steps of the unwanted guests fading away and a grin spreading across Twilight's. “Good boy, Spike.”

Granny Smith sighs with relief and crawls out from under the table with Twilight, who is having considerably more difficulty and ends up knocking over a chair. She is quick to apologize and turn the chair back up, but Granny Smith dismisses it with a wave of her hand.

“It is fine, Twilight,” says the old mare. “It is a sturdy chair that has been through many terrible things and yet still holds strong.”

Twilight looks at the chair with a cocked brow and spots some... interesting stains to darken its brown color. Twilight chooses not to think about the correlation between the stains and Granny Smith's cryptic praise, and instead she takes another chair, this one almost next to her long time friend.

“Are the Rich's still going after your property?” asks Twilight, thanking Granny Smith soon after since she pours her a nice cup of steaming tea.

“Even in their dreams they are plotting ways to take my property,” grumbles Granny Smith as she pours herself a cup of tea as well. “They will be sore to know that in my will I am giving Apple Bloom explicit instructions not to sell my property to them under any circumstances.”

“This property means that much to you, huh?”

“It has been in my family since the founding of Foalington, and I will not shame my ancestors by selling my property to anypony, much less those who have sold their own souls. And I know Apple Bloom will do the same.”

Twilight nods and sips her tea, marveling at the great taste with a lick of her lips and an ear twitch. The taste is oddly citric with a noticeable burst of caffeine going through her whole body. It is more like an energy tea than anything else, which she considers an affront to tea everywhere, but she can't deny how interesting it is.

“What is in this tea?” asks Twilight.

“Good ole Mandarin Orange came up with a new type of tea he wants to sell,” says Granny Smith. After she sips her tea, her face contorts to confusion and her whole body shakes enough to unsettle the table for a moment's time. Twilight nearly misses lifting up her tea cup in time and after Granny Smith shakes off the energy burst, she continues with her finger rapidly tapping against the table top. “I told him it was impossible to make his 'orange tea', but that old coot only took it as a challenge and dropped a whole crate of his new tea bags on my door. I just now tried it. And I think he put something special in it. Do you want to smoke?”

Twilight looks out the window and sees Spike wowing the local troublemakers, an orange pegasus with a purple mane and a white unicorn with a puffy, purple and pink mane. The former being Scootaloo and the latter being Sweetie Belle. Both are dressed in casual shirts and trouser and listening intently to whatever tale Spike is telling with his exaggerated movements.

Seeing this, she looks back at Granny Smith and nods with a smile. “What place do you have in mind?”

~~~~~~~~~~

Forty five minutes later and the unicorn and the foaling are sitting on the crest of a rich hill with their backs to an ancient oak tree. It is still daylight, but the orange in the sky and the rosy colors bleeding from the horizon are a clear reminder that night is nearing. However, Granny Smith does not look joyful over the special occasion that is soon to come. Something is weighing on her mind, and that is obvious from her slacked shoulders, distant eyes and the way the pipe she is chewing is popping up and down, weaving a pattern of light gray smoke in the air.

Twilight is sitting not too far from Granny Smith, choosing to keep herself seated on one of the large roots snaking out of the ground with one leg bent to her chest and the other stretched out. She is also smoking a pipe and is casually watching the foalings down below set up tents, but Granny Smith's moping demeanor has not escaped Twilight's attention.

“What's on you're mind, Purity?” asks Twilight.

Granny Smith sighs and pulls out her pipe to look at her unicorn friend. “I'm too old for these celebrations.”

Twilight looks at her long time friend. “Too old?”

Granny Smith nods and slides her hand inside her trouser pocket once more. This catches Twilight's attention, but keeps her eye movement to just a flicker so she can watch the old mare's facial expressions.

“In my youth I enjoyed these things,” explains Granny Smith, her eyes going back to the setting sun. “These parties, these guests and presents, and attention in general, but now I am tired of it. I had led a shallow life until you showed up and had me come with you to Lookout Mountain, and ever since then I've been wanting more. And it has always been denied to me.”

Granny Smith forces a chuckle and blows out a puff of smoke, but that makes Twilight only more nervous because of the laugh's bitterness.

The old mare's chuckle ends with a depressing sigh and her eyes fall to the preparing party below. “I love Apple Bloom, always have, always will, but ever since I took her in with my child's passing I have felt an obligation tying me to this place. I love Apple Bloom like she is my own daughter, but I also love the Outer World. I love the mountains, the rivers, and the cities you tall folks build. I want to feel something more than just Foalington grass underneath my feet. I want to feel... alive once more.”

Twilight's eyes drift back to Granny Smith's pocket, where her hand is once again fiddling with something inside.

“Don't you feel alive with Apple Bloom around?” asks Twilight carefully.

Granny Smith nods, smiling faintly. “I want to. She reminds me of me when I was young, but I have a void that cannot be filled, it seems. I have this... hunger, you could say, and it won't go away. No matter how much I think about the joys Apple Bloom has brought me, it is not enough. I need more. I need to leave this place for one last adventure, and possibly go somewhere quiet where I could finish my book, and if I could, I would take Apple Bloom with me. Maybe another trip to Armonia is what I need. I would love to see your Queen and marvel at the sights again with Apple Bloom by my side... But I know she won't go. She is too much in love with Greenhill...”

Granny Smith removes her hand from her pocket and rests it on her stomach. The pair sit in silence for another minute before Granny Smith puffs out a ring of smoke towards the open sky and leans back against the tree with one leg crossed over the other and a growing smile on her face as she places both of her hands behind her head.

“But enough of this depressing babbling! This is going to be our one last hurrah, Twilight, and we’re going to party until our own feet can't hold us up!” says Granny Smith confidently and a twinkle in her eyes as she looks at the unicorn.

Twilight feigns a heartfelt smile and looks at the preparations below. “Yeah... I can't wait.”

***Author Has Requested A Critique***

The Blueberry Ferry

The late afternoon sun relentlessly beats down on Apple Bloom and Twist, weighing them down with heat fatigue as much as their gear. Despite their best attempts, their minds have gone blank and their feet have carried them to a corn grove, which they are now lost in.

“This stalk looks familiar,” says Twist dumbly, her fingers flicking the covered corn head.

“All the corn looks the same,” groans Apple Bloom. She cranes her head up and blinks beads of sweat out of her eyes as she gazes at the near bare sky in disgust. “I really wish we had some pegasi to give us some clouds. This heat is murdering me.”

To emphasize her point, she pulls on her shirt collar, swearing to the High Powers that steam rises from the opening. Her hand drops to her side and her sweaty fingers adjust their grip on her walking stick, all while Twist staggers behind to take a sip from her canteen.

After sipping, Twist makes an obnoxious gasp and wipes her lips with her sleeve. “Speaking of pegasi, do you think it is true what they say about them?”

Apple Bloom looks over her shoulder. “Well, it's gotta be true if there's so many stories about them... Wait, what do I think is true?”

“The weather control.”

“Oh. Yeah, I still mean it.” Apple Bloom starts walking again. “They build cities outta clouds, after all, so it'd make since that they can do all kinds of stuff with the clouds.”

“If they build cities out of clouds, then how do they do their black-smithing stuff and grow their food?”

Apple Bloom stops, sighs and pinches the bridge of her brows with her head tilted to the dirt path they are traversing on. “I don't know. You'll just have to ask a pegasus when we run into one.”

And that is when the universe sends a blur of gamboge and cerise to tackle Twist to the ground before she can finish screaming. Apple Bloom turns to see what happened, but right as she looks over her shoulder, everything is knocked out of focus from a blend of white, purple and pink hitting her in the side as well.

Apple Bloom's eyes roll and her tongue hangs limp out of her mouth as she makes a groggily groan. She feels the weight shift off of her, then hears talking.

“Hey, it's Twist!” says Scootaloo, wearing her plain white shirt and brown trousers.

Apple Bloom feels light headed when she is forcefully tugged to her feet by none other than Sweetie Belle, who is quick to brush dirt off the traveler's cloak and attire with fast strokes of her hand.

“Sorry, Apple Bloom, I didn't see you there,” chuckles Sweetie Belle anxiously, wearing an identical outfit to Scootaloo and adjusting the cloak and bow on Apple Bloom's head. She then looks over the earth foaling's attire quizzically. “What are you doing, anyway? Camping?”

Apple Bloom rubs her head, groaning. “No, me and Twist are going on a trip.”

“Is it long?” asks Scootaloo, now leaning over to pick up a pile of carrots she had dropped after running into Twist.

“I guess you can say that,” answers Twist glumly.

“Perfect. Here's your going away present!” Scootaloo shoves the bundle of carrots into Twists arms, making her stumble a bit and her glasses nearly fall off her muzzle. “Have fun, you two!”

And with that being said, Scootaloo disappears into the corn, much to the confusion of Twist and Apple Bloom, and it only gets worse when an angry shout and barking dogs echo over the field.

“You little rascals! I'm gonna string you by your toes!” screams a furious mare.

“Wait, are these Golden Harvest's carrots!?” cries Twist.

“Uh...” Sweetie Belle doesn't finish. Instead she pushes Apple Bloom into the crop field, leaving Twist alone.

Twist gapes at the shaking corn, then at the carrots, then at the scythe blade poking over the top with the ever approaching threats and barking dogs. She carelessly drops the carrots and bolts after Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom pushes aside the corn stalks as she trails Sweetie Belle as fast as she can, which is not too hard for her since the load she has is light by her standards, but the constant corn head to the face is a nuisance. It does not take them long to catch up to Scootaloo, who looks slightly annoyed by the botched plan.

“I don't know why she's so upset! It was only a couple of carrots!” says Scootaloo.

“Actually, it was twelve,” points out Sweetie Belle. “And then there was that crate of cabbage, those two bags of potatoes last week, and the mushrooms the week before that!”

“Sweetie Belle, I'm trying to say she's clearly overreacting!”

“I'm gonna cut your feet off when I find you!” screeches the farmer.

“See!?” cries Scootaloo, eyes big with worry.

Apple Bloom can't help but smile at this bickering, even though they are being chased by a royally ticked off farmer that is threatening to cut off their feet. However, Apple Bloom's smile snaps away when she sees that they are running straight to a drop.

“CLIFF!” screams Apple Bloom.

The three foalings dig their feet into the ground in a desperate attempt to keep their momentum from flinging them to certain death. Luckily, they stop at the very edge of the cliff, with Scootaloo up front, holding the other two foalings back by keeping her arms spread open.

Apple Bloom's heart rapid thumps vibrates her chest and ears, and she releases a sigh of relief as she looks down, watching loose rocks drop below. The fall would not have killed them, but it still would have hurt quite a bit.

“That was close,” says Sweetie Belle with a nervous chuckle.

Then Twist bumps into Apple Bloom, causing her to lurch forward, thus knocking Scootaloo's footing loose, and in a desperate attempt to keep herself up, she grabs Sweetie Belle, inadvertently pulling her down. The group yells as they tumble down, and when they hit the crest of the hill, their yells turn to grunts, groans and cries of pain as they tumble down the hill, their world a complete mess of blending colors and their bodies being abused by the travel gear, nature and their impacts against each other. Fortunately enough, neither of them hit anything that could kill them, and they come to a hard landing in the middle of a shaded road, groaning and muttering with bits of mulch clinging to them and bodies piled on top of each other in a tangled mess.

"Okay, that was close," says Sweetie Belle, grimacing at a pile of steamy, fly infested dung that sits mere inches from her face.

“Ow... I think I broke something,” groans Scootaloo. She stands up and cracks her back with sickening pops, and she groans again and uses a tree for support as she rubs her spine and flutters her wings. Then she looks at Twist hatefully. “You almost got us killed, you idiot!”

Twist gets up with the help of Apple Bloom, and the latter stares at Scootaloo with a furrowed brow, saying: “Yer the ones who stole Golden Harvest's carrots! If y'all hadn't done that we wouldn't have nearly died!”

Sweetie Belle pushes herself up, stepping away from the excrement landmine. “Well, at least we didn't die, so that is a plus, right?”

“I guess,” mutters Twist as she rubs her glasses on her shirt. She puts them on once they are cleaned and blinks a couple of times, scanning the road curiously. “Where are we, anyway?”

Apple Bloom starts looking around with the other two, noticing how the trees curved up and over, shielding the road from all sunlight with a domed canvas of leaves and branches.

“Looks like the road to Filthy Rich's place,” muses Sweetie Belle.

After Sweetie Belle's words, Apple Bloom feels frost growing in her pocket and she winces as presses her hand against the Amulet as the icy roots dig past the cloth barriers and pierce her skin.

“Remain,” orders the Amulet.

Scootaloo makes a comment about the Rich's not being seen for a little while, and Apple Bloom stumbles back, heart beating slow and heavy like war drums in her ears as her vision narrows. The warning Twilight gave her before she left resurfaces and her eyes widen from the sight of the forest contorting and freezing over.

“I-I think we should get off the road," stammers Apple Bloom, stepping back and clutching the Amulet tighter and her legs at near collapse.

She clutches a tree and looks at the group worryingly as they bicker about whether or not Filthy Rich went on another one of his vacations with Diamond Tiara.

“We should get off the road,” says Apple Bloom, her voice shaking and the Amulet weighing heavy on her, trying to anchor her down to the road.

“Remain!” repeats the Amulet, this time shouting in her ear, making her wince and instinctively fold her ears down on her head.

Apple Bloom almost falls to the ground, snapping some twigs an kicking dirt loose into the road, this time giving Twist and the two troublemakers their undivided attention. Twist calls Apple Bloom and rushes to her side with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo close behind. The awkward foaling practically slides next to Apple Bloom and grabs her shoulder, looking deep into her glazing eyes while the other two watch helplessly.

“Apple Bloom, what's wrong!” says Twist.

The frost is now encasing the branches above them and bleeding into the road, but the other three don't seem to notice it.

“We-we need-”

Apple Bloom is cut off by a shrill wail that echoes down the road, and Apple Bloom clutches the Amulet tighter, wincing in pain with her eyes and squeezed shut and ears folded down. The other three look around and see the frost that has taken over the forest.

“What in the world...?” mutters Scootaloo.

“Get off the road!” barks Apple Bloom.

Not wasting any more time, Twist drags Apple Bloom off the road and into a dense foliage where she then shoves her friend underneath a large root from the tree they landed next to. Apple Bloom winces as her back hits the clay barrier and jumps slightly when the other two foalings scramble next to them. All four of them stare at the sky, biting their tongues or covering their mouths as the scenery darkens with the approaching footsteps.

An unnatural silence befalls the forest and all the green withers under the onslaught of the frost, and Apple Bloom gulps and presses her pocket, feeling the warmth of blood countering the cold. She starts shivering, like the others, and when she lifts her hand to her eyes, they widen and her pupils tremble at the red coating.

Twist grabs Apple Bloom's hand and holds it tight, giving her a supportive nod and slides closer to her. She is about to say something, but stops when they hear slow footsteps approach their hiding spot.

Apple Bloom peeks through a small opening on the root and sees a pair of boots with curved blades on its toes. It is standing motionless for only a few seconds before it turns to their direction, grinding its feet against the frozen dirt. Then it slams its armored hands against the root, ripping into the bark with ease from the sharpness of its bladed digits.

This makes the group retreat further into their hiding spot, trying desperately to melt into the barrier behind them to escape the demon. Apple Bloom watches the ice move out from the creature's hand and ensnare the root like vines. Her blood trickles down her thigh and she bites down on her hand to keep herself from whimpering, but it does not stop her sniffling.

The metal glove tightens against the root, and Scootaloo's fingers dig into the packed dirt, wincing quietly, until she removes a good sized stone and chucks it into the forest away from them. The stone crashes into the forest, creating quite the disturbance from the snapping wood, and the creature pulls away, shrieking and runs towards the disturbance. With the demon distracted, the group takes the opportunity to retreat farther into the forest, and they run as far and fast as their legs could carry them away from the frozen field.

Apple Bloom has no idea how long she has been running, but when the group stops for a breather, her sides feel like they are splitting, she tastes cotton in her mouth, and her throat and lungs burn. She grips a tree, hunching over, trembling and gulping for air with raspy breaths while her other hand clutches her hurting side, not wanting to think about the blood she found on herself earlier.

The others stop around her, with Twist sitting on the ground, wheezing, and Sweetie Belle flopping on her back on the grass, panting heavily. Only Scootaloo does not lie down or use the surrounding trees for support. Instead, she walks up to Apple Bloom, eyes burning and fists clenched to her sides.

“What was that?” asks Sweetie Belle between her deep breaths.

“Whoever that was, they were after something. Or somepony,” says Scootaloo, stopping next to Apple Bloom and giving her an accusing look. “Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom remains silent, not really sure how to answer their questions since she has no idea who or what that was. But she has an idea of what they were after, and her hand brushes against the pocket holding the Amulet as the thought of her being the target of Sombra's minions bring her to a grim realization that she has been found out. And she does not have Twilight or Spike to protect her or Twist. They are completely alone.

As soon as that thought crosses her mind, though, she banishes it and looks at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. She and Twist are not alone. At least she hopes so, anyway.

“Me and Twist need to get to Breeze,” says Apple Bloom. She hesitates, then asks: “Can you help us?”

Scootaloo thinks for a moment. “The Blueberry Ferry can get you close. Follow me.”

~~~~~~~~~

Night has fallen on the forest, and the full moon and stars of the heavens shine down on the group as they sneak their way through the forest with great speed. They remain low and occasionally stop to hide by the trees, peeking out and quickly scanning their surroundings before they dark to the next spot.

Apple Bloom and Twists cloaks help camouflage them in their surroundings, but with the bright shirts of their companions, the earth foaling is worried that their pursuer might see them easier. Her fears become a reality when a familiar screech echoes in the forest, freezing everyone in their tracks.

“Oh, no,” gasps Twist.

Apple Bloom feels a chill run up her spine and mane, and she looks over her shoulder to see an imposing figure standing in a forest clearing. The figure's features are completely hidden by his tattered, ankle length cloak, but when he lifts up his arm to reveal an armored gauntlet that is covered by a curving ice blade that shines in the moonlight, her eyes widen she screams.

“RUN!”

The group turns and they all scream with fright as well and run through the forest, blindly knocking aside branches and ignoring the accumulating scratches covering their bodies. The cloaked figure screeches again and charges after them, kicking up the ground with every heavy step it takes, and Apple Bloom wills herself to run faster.

She grits her teeth and forces any discomfort her heavy legs or aching lungs may have, refusing to let herself be killed by whatever that thing is. She can hear the cloaked monster run after her, slicing away any obstacle, and the Amulet becomes heavier until she stumbles from its weight and rolls in the layer of dead leaves and rotting wood, losing some of their cooking gear in the process.

Apple Bloom rolls on her back right as the frost monster jumps in front of her, kicking up rapidly freezing mulch, and it curls its bladed arm for a strike, leaving the foaling paralyzed with fear.

“The Amulet,” hisses the creature.

It brings its blade arm down, and right as Apple Bloom squeezes her eyes shut to spare herself the sight of being impaled, she hears Twist scream, ice breaking from a metallic collision and the creature screaming. She opens her eyes and sees Twist in front of her, holding the frying pan with both hands and shaking legs spread to give her a good stance while the creature's body is shifting and its ice blade reforming.

“Apple Bloom, get up!” shouts Sweetie Belle.

Despite the Amulet's immense weight, Apple Bloom still scrambles to her feet and runs towards Sweetie Belle, looking over her shoulder to see Twist dive under the legs of the monster as it swings at her, easily slicing into the tree's trunk. Apple Bloom screams for Twist, and the cloaked monster turns to them, only to get a rock to the face that Scootaloo had thrown. It stumbles back, and snaps towards the pegasus, who throws another rock at it, which it deflects with a swipe of its reformed blade.

With that distraction, Twist runs towards Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, nearly tripping over herself in the process. Apple Bloom looks towards Scootaloo and sees her dive out of view as the demonic creature stabs the tree she stood in front of seconds before.

Apple Bloom is about to call for Scootaloo, but Sweetie Belle grabs her arm and pulls her towards the dock.

“Let's go! Scootaloo is distracting that thing so we can get out of here!” she says urgently.

“But-” begins Apple Bloom, reluctantly running with Sweetie Belle and Twist.

“No buts! She'll be fine! Trust me!”

OOOOO

Pipsqueak sits on one of the ferry's benches, using a slab of wood as a makeshift table to scribble notes on his checklist made out of simple pictures of various fruits and vegetables, and a few barrels with cider brands next to them. He scribbles a note next to Apple Acres Cider, reminding him to get three more barrels on the next trip over to the trading post.

After making that note, he looks up and sees Button Mash poking at the wooden deck, completely bored. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” replies his companion, confirming to Pipsqueak that he is absolutely bored.

“Alright. I just finished, anyway, so we can...”

Pipsqueak's voice trails off and his ears turn when he hears screaming. Lots of screaming.

He and Button Mash turn their heads in unison just in time to see Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Twist running towards them so fast their feet are barely touching the ground.

“Untie the boat! Untie the boat!” yells Sweetie Belle, waving her hand frantically.

Pipsqueak and Button Mash exchange confused looks, then look back at the mares, wondering why they are shouting, and more importantly, what's got them so spooked.

“Untie the boat!” screams Sweetie Belle, terror and rage breaking through the cracks in her voice.

As soon as she finishes that sentence, Scooaloo runs out of the forest, nearly falling over when she slips on the ground. She scrambles on her hands and feet and bolts towards Sweetie Belle's group, and right as her feet touch the wooden planks of the dock, a tall figure shrouded in a tattered cloak jumps out of the forest. Its landing kicks up dirt that freezes around it, and it shrieks and holds its curved ice blade out to the side, charging at full speed, leaving frozen footprints in its wake.

That gets them moving.

The two stallions scramble towards the rope and start untying as fast as they can, their fingers trembling and eyes darting from their work to the thing chasing the mares. Faster than they can finish, Sweetie Belle's group runs on their boat, and right as the rope falls loose, Scootaloo jumps on. And so does the cloaked monster.

It lands on the ferry hard enough to send its back dipping into the water, and a circle of ice forms around it and starts to cover everything in a layer of frost.

“Medallion,” rumbles the Amulet.

Apple Bloom gasps loudly and stumbles back to where she falls on her back when the cloaked figure locks on to her. She starts backing up, still on her back, eyes wide and watering and heart thumping in her ears as her breathing becomes short and sporadic.

“The Amulet,” hisses the creature again, marching towards her with its bladed arm raised for another strike.

Seeing this, Pipsqueak swallows all the fear he can and grabs the nearest object within his reach, which just happens to be one of the ferry's lanterns, and her throws it at the cloaked demon. The glass shatters and the monster shrieks in agony as oily flame engulfs its body in a matter of seconds. It flails its arms wildly, shrieking and slicing everything it touches with its melting blade, and the foalings scream and try to dodge the tall creature's attacks.

Empty barrels are cut open, railings are split and a pole holding up the last lantern is sliced in half, with the lantern luckily falling into the water. By that time, its ice blade breaks off, leaving its weaponized glove exposed, and when it swipes at Apple Bloom, narrowly missing her head, Pipsqueak grabs a piece of a broken barrel and swings it against its side. The creature stumbles back towards the edge of the ferry with bits of burning cloth and flesh falling on the edge of the ferry, still shrieking in agony, and Button Mash grabs the steering stick and jabs the creature in the gut, pushing it the rest of the way off. It lands on its back on the dock and Button Mash uses the stick to push away their boat away from it. In seconds time, the time river's currents guide the ferry downstream at a decent speed, but for Pipsqueak and everyone else on board, they are not going fast enough.

"We need to get to Breeze. How far is it?" asks Apple Bloom through her erratic breaths, tears rolling down her cheeks and not breaking her eyes away from the burning body on the dock.

"Thirty five miles, but the ferry will only take us twenty so we'll have to walk the rest of the way," says Button Mash, his speech as quick as his steps as he briskly moves to the proper position to steer the ferry.

"We're safe for now," said Pipsqueak, his hands and little body trembling while he quickly gives the group of terrified mares a blanket each from a broken box with EMERGENCY written on it. “Is anypony hurt?”

Apple Bloom's pulls her blanket tight around her body hand and clutches the blood stain on her shirt, shaking her head, too terrified to speak. Sweetie Belle and Twist murmur various phrases to let Pipsqueak know that they are fine. Only Scootaloo remains completely still and silent, for she is lost in the sight of the dark forest passing them.

Apple Bloom touches the pegasus foaling's shoulder, making her jump, and she is quick to apologize, adding: “Are you alright?”

Scootaloo nods and wipes tears out of her eyes. “I'm fine. It was just way too close for my liking.” She looks at Apple Bloom. “Please tell me that whoever is in Breeze will help us.”

Apple Bloom nods, swallowing a lump in her throat as she clutches the foaling's shoulder tighter. “We'll be meeting Twilight there. Everything will be alright after that.”

“I hope your right.”

Apple Bloom looks down, muttering: “Me, too.”

OOOOO

Minutes later, Medallion growls and sits up on the dock with smoke rising from his smoldering cloak and armored hand clutching his face tightly. He pulls back his hood to reveal a horribly burnt face where charred bone is exposed from the chunks of pale blue skin that has been burned away. He goes on his hands and knees and weakly crawls towards the dock edge, sticks his hand in the water and splashes his face. Flesh and pale skin returns in seconds time, and once his face returns, his eye sockets become filled with a swirling green mist. He sticks his hand in the water again, grunting when a flimsy sheet of ice forms around him. He pulls his hand out and the ice layer breaks under the gentle waves of the river edge, then he stands up at his full height, flips the hood of his cloak back up to cover his face, and marches down the dock, fists and jaw clenched tight.

“I found the Amulet, but the bearer escaped with it,” he says irritably through his thoughts.

“How?” demands Starswirl in a matching tone.

“Being set aflame still hurts, and even bugs can be a nuisance if there are many.”

“Which direction did the Amulet go?”

“Down south on the Foalington River. A young, orange and red foaling has it. She is traveling with five more of her kind.”

“The nearest settlement will be Breeze. I shall go with the others and start from there.”

Medallion grins with bloodthirsty eagerness and turns his walk into a full run. “I will meet you there.”

***Author Has Requested A Critique***

Author's Note

Yay for inspiration!

The Nightmare of Ammolite

Flashes of fire illuminate the halls of Ammolite. Loose bits of stone fall from the ceiling and bodies strung to the ceiling hang as earth shaking rumbles sweep through with no signs of stopping. A beast roars in pain after another flash, and broken pillars collapse with a portion of the stone ceiling, spilling crumbled rock and dust into a large hall with stripped corpses stacked by the wall.

Apple Bloom scurries over a broken pillar, coughing and blinking dust out of her eyes. Her body is covered in gray, and the taste of rotted flesh clings to her tongue. She coughs and gags, trying to puke out the taste, but it seeps into her tongue.

There is another flash of fire and a roar, and Apple Bloom dives to the floor, covering her head as a set of massive claws shred the stone. She can feel the air squishing around her as the stones fall, and her stomach knots from the coming pain. However, the stones suddenly shatter with the muffled sounds of crackling. She cracks an eye open and sees a rose colored shield around her with chunks of stone rolling around her and Shining Armor not too far off with his horn and hand glowing.

“Get her out of here!” orders Shining Armor.

The shield dissolves, and Pinkie Pie lands flat on her face next to the Banished Prince. She is quick to get up, her eyes bright like blue flame and her mane hanging flat, and she throws her hammer to Spike.

“Hold my hammer!” says Pinkie Pie, not even bothering to blink away the stream of blood flowing from a gash on her forehead.

Spike yelps painfully when the hammer hits his arm, causing him to drop his sword, but everybody else is too busy fighting to notice. Pinkie Pie then draws a pair of large blades from the back of her belt and charges the Beast. What happens next Apple Bloom does not see because Applejack picks her up and holds her under her arm -being sure to keep her eyes away from the fight- and runs towards a spacious hall decorated with towering statues. When they reach the statues, Applejack slides to the ground behind a faceless warrior holding an ax and she holds Apple Bloom close to her. The armor is cold against her cheek, and her attempts to wiggle out are proving to be futile.

“Let me see! I need to find my friends!” says Apple Bloom, tears now bubbling in her eyes.

“Your friends are coming,” says Applejack, keeping a hold on the Foaling and failing to keep her breathing and shaking in check. She looks around the corner, swallowing, and ducking back when the Beast roars again in response to a barrage of spells that burn and shock the rancid air. “They're fine, I promise.”

Apple Bloom presses her palms against Applejack and tries to push herself up, but the earth pony strength is too much for her small Foaling body. She collapses and looks into her jaded eyes, teeth grinding and eyes red and wet.

“How can they be fine!? They're fighting that thing!” says Apple Bloom.

“They're fighting a Nightmare,” says the Shadow Foaling. Her pitch black fingers grip the statue base just above Applejack's head, and her bright teeth and purple eyes creep in, hovering above the slave. “I warned you of this. I warned you of the shadows.”

Apple Bloom's heart stops and with a sharp gasp she presses herself against Applejack, squeezing her eyes shut and shivering. She whimpers when the cold fingers run through her mane, leaving trails of frost.

“Oh, don't fear me, Apple Bloom,” coos the Shadow Foaling. “Fear the Undying Nightmare.”

Something slides next to Apple Bloom, and she opens her eyes and sighs with relief when she sees it is Rarity with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo by her side. Next, Davenport and Fluttershy appear with Pipsqueak, Button Mash and Twist.

Twist runs next to Apple Bloom, and Applejack reluctantly lets her go so the two can hug.

“Come on, let me fight!” says Scootaloo.

“Me too! I wanna fight, too!” says Button Mash.

Fluttershy holds the two by their arms, shaking her head. “No, you can't. You'll get hurt!”

Scootaloo glares at Fluttershy. “You're a pegasus! Start acting like one!”

Fluttershy stiffens and her eyes widen, and her grip loosens just a bit, but Scootaloo does not move, nor does she make eye contact with Apple Bloom and the rest of the group. The group then flinches when the ground shakes and dust and stone fall from the ceiling, breaking statues and pillars. The roar of the Beast and the war cry of the fighters is just beyond the group's hiding spot, and a swish shatters the statue's body, leaving just feet and forcing the group to cower and accept the stench of burnt air.

Davenport swallows. “We have to run.”

“Where are we going to run to? This whole place is a tomb!” says Rarity.

“Anywhere but here.”

There is a brilliant flash of light, followed by an earth shaking howl and thud. Bits of stone fall from the ceiling and dust coated in rotten stench covers the hiding group. Apple Bloom and the others cough and wheeze for air as the cloud lingers. Very quickly silence moves in like a cold, heavy fog, and the group keeps their weapons close to their chest, each shaking, each sweating, and each burdened with an unsteady heart.

“Applejack, go check,” orders Davenport in a whisper.

Applejack looks at Davenport with drooped ears, her green eyes beady and glowing, and Rarity balks at him. Apple Bloom and the rest of the foalings also give him dirty looks.

“She's a mare. You go check,” says Rarity.

“She's my slave and actually has armor. She's checking,” counters Davenport.

“Hey, where did whatsherface go?” asks Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom looks to where Fluttershy was prior, but sees a blank spot, and so she looks around the corner and sees her creeping into the frosty fog, towards the fallen beast. Her spear and shield are up, her steps are slow and soft, and her ears are pressed against her head. Apple Bloom is actually surprised that she did not hear the pegasus leave, especially since she is wearing armor, and Rarity scoffs and shakes her head.

“Unbelievable. Her, of all ponies, is going before us,” she says.

“Then why don't you go?” says Sweetie Belle.

Rarity's sharp glare cuts Sweetie Belle down to a cowering kneel, and after some seconds she huffs and gets up.

“Fine. I will go.” Rarity gets up and not so stealthily goes after Fluttershy, grumbling: “I'm not even supposed to be here.”

Davenport then pushes Applejack out of the statue's cover. Her armor clanks and rattles as she fumbles and scrambles to get up, and when she is on her feet she looks at Davenport again, shaking and gripping her ax tightly.

“I'm protecting the Bearer. Go investigate,” says Davenport.

Applejack swallows and reluctantly travels into the mist. Very soon she disappears from view and Apple Bloom strains her eyes for any signs of life. All she can really see is the silhouette of the large beast, which is bleeding fog and spreading ice on the floor. Seeing such a bizarre sight brings a line of piercing tingles up her spine, and shudders and shakes her head.

“Do you see them?” asks Twist.

“No,” says Apple Bloom.

A puff of frozen air glides in front of her face and she looks further down the hall, seeing nothing still. Then her ears perk when she hears distant voices echo in the darkness. The language is archaic. Something she has never heard before, but before she can ask Davenport about it, Twilight and the rest of the group runs back, eyes wide, bodies battered and bloodied and covered in sweat. Twilight is also back to her original form.

“Everypony down,” whispers Twilight hastily.

The Foalings and Davenport do not argue and the rest of the Fellowship rushes to cover behind the neighboring statue. When the group hunkers down Apple Bloom risks peeking out again, despite Twist pulling on her arm, and she bites her hand to stifle a gasp when she sees a creature in the mist. It is tall and thin, and its pale blue eyes glow bright. Jagged crystals sprout from its elbows and around its skull, and its armor is made of sheets of metal with eyes and swirls painted in red and green. Around its neck is a necklace made of teeth, ribs are sewn into its pauldrons and curiass, and jaw bones woven together make its belt. In its clawed hand is a fat, serrated sword with tally marks etched into it.

The creature stops walking and looks around, growling. Its ears swivel with the turn of its head and Apple Bloom ducks back into cover, trying not to breath. Tears build in her eyes, and she looks at the other statue and sees Braeburn keeping his finger on his crossbow's trigger and the rest of the Fellowship is positioning themselves for another fight.

Apple Bloom's heart beats like a slow drum. Each beat is heavy, each beat pushes the air out of her lungs. She closes her eyes and slides to the ground, holding back a whimper and fighting the tears.

“It is my turn for fun. Let me protect you,” says the Shadow Foaling.

A cold oil covers Apple Bloom's hands and she cracks her eyes open to see what it is, only for them to bulge when she sees pitch black tendrils snacking around her palm and fingers, leaving frost in their wake.

“You can't find me if you're dead,” continues the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. Not even air flows into her. Her heart races and sweat coats her face as she claws at the frost. Her fingers do nothing and out of the corner of her eye she sees Twilight clutching her head and slouching against the statue's base. Twilight's teeth grind and tears flood her cheeks, and a solid orb forms in Apple Bloom's throat and her heart thumps loudly in her ears. The creature shouts something in its archaic language, causing the Fellowship to shrink themselves lower in their spots. For Spike, he puts his hand on Twilight's shoulder and gently forces her to the ground, where he proceeds to quietly unscrew a potion and give it to Twilight.

Voices of other foreign speakers appear with the dozens of clacks of metal boots on stone, and Apple Bloom hunches over biting her lip and clutching her hand, watching helplessly as it is covered in a hard, sharp crystal shell. Her vision pulsates from the deep black of the mines to green tint. Back and forth. Black to green. Over and over again. All in tune with her chaotic heart. And with every pulse of green, the Shadow Foaling steps closer from the abyss, her teeth shinning in the dark and her tattered dress flowing freely.

“Let me out, Apple Bloom,” says the Shadow Foaling. “Let me save us.”

The Shadow Foaling skips towards Apple Bloom, sits in front of her and cups her sweaty face and forces her to look into her violet eyes. Her heart slows and her breathing becomes heavy, as do her eyes.

“Free us,” says the Shadow Foaling.

Apple Bloom's eyes roll to the back of her head, and she falls into the darkness.

Into Hell

Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak come to a stop at the top of a rocky hill in the light of the shrouded sun. The air is colder and tastes of frozen rot, and in the distance is an open field shrouded in mist that ends at a barrier of sharp, crystal-like mountains, and further beyond are black silhouettes of larger mountains. The clouds get darker as they get farther, and like a divine planning, a ring of dark orange and green swirl above the center of what lays beyond the mountains.

Apple Bloom's throat is clogged with a lump, and she clenches Angurvadal's handle tight as she scans the condemned landscape.

“The Frozen North... I hope the others find a safer route,” says Apple Bloom.

Pipsqueak places a hand on her shoulder and smiles. “Don't worry. Sprinkles will take care of him.”

Apple Bloom hides her skepticism with a nod and looks at Pipsqueak.

“Do you think we'll see any of them again?” asks Apple Bloom.

“Of course we will. You're a Smith and I'm a Spot, the two toughest Foaling families around! No better people for the quest!” says Pipsqueak.

Apple Bloom smiles, feeling a tiny bit better, and she grabs Pipsqueak's arm.

“I'm glad you came with me,” says Apple Bloom.

Pipsqueak returns the smile, and her hand slides off his arm and with determined steps she begins her descent into Hell.

Star Swirl sits in a chair, his eyes focused on the sleeping figures of Striker and Mjölna, both of which are on a bed with thick blankets and their travels packs next to them. With a deep sigh, Star Swirl gets up from his chair, puts on his pack, grabs his sword and walks down the candle lit stairs as quietly as he can. He makes his way to the desk near a worn door and taps his fingers in front of a sleeping colt. The colt jerks awake, blinks, then looks at Star Swirl.

“Oh, checking out, mister?” asks the colt.

“No. I'm leaving my party, so reduce the price to two.”

“But my father said-”

Star Swirl taps his sword, and the colt gulps and quickly scratches out the price, replacing the nine with a six.

“Thank you,” says Star Swirl.

He takes a step towards the door, but is stopped when the colt calls out to him.

“Excuse me, sir, but where are you going? If you don't mind me asking,” says the colt.

“I'm going North,” replies Star Swirl.

“Really? What's up North?”

Star Swirl hesitates. “Purpose.”