The Collected Adventures of Tyro

Author's Note: Some changes have been made to minor parts of the story. Nothing huge, but you might want to re-read parts of the story. I added a new character called Shield Banner; he's a royal guard stationed in Ponyville. He shows up occasionally. Keep a close eye out and you'll spot him here and there.

DEEP IN THE DEN OF THE BLACKBLOOD PACK

Time: Unknown.

Luna worried, looking around sadly at her friends. The moment the diamond dogs had left after throwing them in these cells, Twilight had tried to escape, blasting through the wall with her magic. It merely reflected off the smooth surface of the glassy cell. Magic-resistant, just like the one Chrysalis had once trapped her inside. This time, though, she had neither anger nor desperation to fuel her magic, and so the prison held against her power.

Through the glassy surface of the gem, Luna could see Applejack struggling against her bonds for some time, but they held strong, and the earth pony finally gave up. Pinkie Pie had deflated somewhat, and didn't even try to fight her own restraints. Rarity was trapped in another gem like Twilight's, muzzled. The wings of the pegasi had also been bound to their sides, and Fluttershy had been blindfolded after her first (abortive) use of the Stare. Most of the ponies had finally fallen asleep from exhaustion.

The diamond dogs had been thorough, neutralizing each pony's unique strengths. None of them could escape, or even reach one another through the bars of the cells.

Now, she could leave if she wanted to, magic-resistant cell or not, but it would mean hurting her friends in the process. The diamond dogs had placed her in a magic-resistant cell, warning her that it was keyed to her friends' restraints. If she broke the spell around her, those restraints would grow flaming hot, burning her friends. Thus, the Elements of Harmony had become the canines' leverage against her.

The mission had been a complete failure. Far from easing tensions with the diamond dogs, it had only made things worse. Even from her cell, she could hear the sounds of the diamond dogs preparing for war.

There was only one thing she could do, from within her cell. One power left to her, that the diamond dogs could never detect. It was a simple spell to activate, but one that had taken years to perfect and finally cast.

Conjuring an ashen scroll, she inscribed a message on it, with quick, short sentences.

Diplomacy with the diamond dogs has met with complete failure. We are imprisoned in Clan Blackblood's den. Retrieval is not advised. Report to Princess Celestia for instructions, then await further contact. Use discretion.

Luna's horn glowed, and the spell activated. The scroll ignited, burning with a lightless flame, and vanished into nothingness.

Luna jumped, as Rainbow Dash started awake and leapt to her feet, looking around alertly. Only a moment before, the pegasus had been in a deep sleep. The princess wondered for a moment, then shook her head. It must have been just a coincidence.

*    *    *

PONYVILLE LIBRARY

Time: Late in the night, or perhaps early in the morning

Tyro awoke to hear somepony pounding on the door downstairs. The sun had set long ago; it was deepest night. The air lay still and calm, the silence unbroken save for that knocking. As Tyro stirred, rising to answer the door, he heard an angry voice from downstairs.

"Open up in there, or we will break down this door!"

Tyro hurried to the door and opened it, wondering why police-ponies would come here at this time of night. Then he saw just who these ponies were. Stunned both by their appearance and by the anger visible on their faces, he quickly backed up a few steps. Three Shadowbolts followed him as he retreated inside, however. There was nowhere to run.

As the pegasi circled around him, their expressions did little to soothe his fears. This was the end. Tyro had never expected to die like this, but now—"

"Where is she?" The pegasus' voice was harsh and intimidating. "What have you done with her?"

"Wait," Tyro was speechless. He finally stammered out, "Who? What have I done with who? And for that matter, who are-"

He was interrupted by one of the other pegasi. "Silence! We shall ask the questions here. You know why we're here. Now, tell us what you have done with Rainbow Dash, or you will rue this day for the rest of your very short life!"

At the mention of his friend, Tyro's anger rose, taking over. These villains would learn nothing from him.

"Rainbow Dash? She isn't here, and just what business do you have with her? In the Everfree Forest, she turned down your poisonous words. Even if I knew where she was, which I don't, I certainly wouldn't tell you."

Two more pegasi stepped through the door, bringing the total to five. One of the newcomers spoke up. "Tyro, you poor fool of a pony, do you really think we mean her harm? We look after our own."

Looking at the five pegasi before him, Tyro's newfound confidence evaporated. Such was his concern that he completely missed the meaning of the pegasus' words. There was no way he could fight five ponies at once, even with magic, and there was certainly no way he could escape five pegasi intent on catching him. There was nothing he could do, it seemed.

Tyro had never imagined it would end this way, facing death at the hooves of ponies he had thought were no more than myth. Twilight herself had told him that, and to have escaped even her scholarly notice… This wasn't how Tyro wanted to die. He wanted his death to be meaningful, not… not like this. He was going to die if he stayed silent, and he knew it. And so, Tyro finally gave in.

"Rainbow Dash is with the other Elements of Harmony, on some kind of trip or something. I don't know where they went, but-"

He stopped short as an ashen scroll materialized from the air. Quickly, one of the Shadowbolts broke the seal, reading quickly. Then he made some kind of gesture, and the scroll must have been enchanted or something to respond to that, because it promptly burst into flames. Then, the pegasus spoke, almost like he was chanting.

"The night commands. We fly tonight."

As one, the other four turned to face the speaker, responding almost ritualistically.

"The night commands. We fly tonight."

Before Tyro could react, the pegasi flew back out the door and were gone.