Flying Forward

Chapters

Suddenly, Motherhood
If You Give a Pegasus a Bath
Filly Flu
Road Trip
Fillynapping
Cara Mia!
Kingdom Come
Long Live the King
Surrender

Suddenly, Motherhood

He raced into the darkened corridor, his talons scraped across the marble floor as he came to a stop in front of the throne.

“Ma’am, our spy has returned.” He stated, out of breath. His wings heaved up and down with his furry chest.

“Good. What news has he gleaned?” Her voice is cold as she stared at him with her golden eyes narrowing. She sat; her silhouette was daunting as it cascaded over the floor.

“The rumors are true.” He collected his breath as he patted his ruffled feathers back into place on top of his head. “Rainbow Dash is broken. The Elements of Harmony are crippled.” He explained to her.

“Excellent. Alert Captain Graywing. Our time is nigh.” She smiled.

The little cyan filly looked up at Twilight Sparkle, questioning why only a few minutes ago she stood closer to the purple alicorn’s height. The five mares, one filly and one dragon stood in one of the large hallways of the Canterlot castle. Only a few moments ago a full-grown pegasus mare entered the room in which they stood before. She was now replaced with a pint-sized filly.

The large oak door opened and a weary Celestia appeared. Twilight knew she was exhausted from casting the age spell on Rainbow Dash. That kind of spell took a lot of energy to perform and it was lost on no one that Celestia needed rest. The sun goddess still smiled however.

“I can call my guard to get you a carriage to take you back to Ponyville.” She informed them.

“That’s awfully nice of ya Princess.” Applejack responded. Twilight had a thousand yard stare, emotions were swirling through her like a tornado of uncertainty. This look wasn’t unfamiliar to Celestia as she knew her student well. She nuzzled Twilight before she turned and walked down the hallway. Twilight listened as her mentor’s golden horseshoes clicked against the marble floor until they faded out of earshot.

“Mommy. Mommy. Mommy!” the filly tugged at Twilight’s legs and pulled her out of her internal struggle.

“What?” She turned to the small filly who looked up at her with her rose-colored eyes.

“Can we go home now?” She asked, whining a bit.

“I’m sure that we will be escorted home soon dear.” Rarity chimed in, noticing that Twilight’s mind wasn’t totally put together.

I’m basically a single mother now. How do I deal with this? Twilight’s mind was racing. What do I tell other ponies who ask? What will happen to the Elements of Harmony? Can I run the library, be a princess, and raise a foal on my own? How will I pay for this? Sure there’s the stipend Celestia gives me to live on and including the small wage of being a librarian I guess I could rework my budget allowance. What do I do about-

“Twilight!” Rarity’s voice intruded on her thoughts like a spear slicing through the air.

“Huh?” Twilight shook her head as she looked at her dumbfounded friends.

“You alright sugarcube?” Applejack asked, coming up and placing a hoof on her shoulder in concern.

“Oh…yeah…” Twilight muttered back, her mind still obviously unsettled.

“Spike,” Rarity turned to the dragon who still stood by her side. “Could you take Dash to see the balcony? I’m sure she’d love to see Canterlot from here.” She offered. Spike raised a scaly eyebrow in confusion, but Rarity just waved her head down the hall and he took the hint.

“C’mon Dash.” Spike led the filly down the hallway. All of the mares watched until the pair turned the corner and disappeared.

“Alright, what’s goin’ on in your head now?” Applejack turned and asked after she was sure they were gone.

“Yeah you’ve been acting all loco!” Pinkie Pie chirped causing Applejack to glare at her. Twilight sighed heavily and looked at her hooves in reservation of telling them her concern.

“I’m fine.” She put a fake smile on her face as she looked at them. All of her friend’s faces expressed the look of doubt Twilight was found out.

Twilight fell to her flank, “I don’t know what to do. This all happened so fast and I don’t think I’m ready to be a single mother!” Hot tears started to well in her eyes.

“You won’t be, silly!” Pinkie Pie giggled, bouncing up next to the distraught alicorn. “You got us to help!”

“I’ll have to agree with Pinkie Pie on this one dear.” Rarity nodded her head as she walks up to Twilight and nuzzled her empathetically.

“Yeah! We can be her aunties!” Pinkie Pie gasped with the excitement of the idea. Applejack dramatically rolled her eyes as Fluttershy smiled a bit.

“That makes me sound so old!” Rarity harped as Applejack threw her hoof to her face.

“But Pinkie Pie is right. We’d love to help you.” Fluttershy’s soft voice rose.

“Thanks you guys.” A smile grew on Twilight’s face, eternally grateful for her friends.

“And besides! I’ve always wanted to be an auntie!” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Though I did always think Fluttershy would foal first…” She tapped her hoof to her chin as Fluttershy just blushed a deep red.

“Princess Sparkle?” A voice asked from behind them. All of the girls turned around to see a light orange pegasus stallion dressed in the traditional royal guard armor. He wore a familiar smile that Twilight recognized. “I’m here to escort you and your friends to a carriage.” He stated with a smile. Twilight felt her face grow hot with a blush.

“Oh, uh yeah.” Twilight stammered. Rarity raised an eyebrow noticing Twilight’s strange behavior. “Let me just go get Dashie…” Twilight backed away nervously before bolting down the hallway to find Rainbow Dash and left the rest of them stunned. Twilight turned down a hallway find Rainbow Dash and Spike on a balcony at the end. Rainbow Dash had her hooves on the ledge, looking down precariously at the city beneath her. Twilight slowed down and walked up to them calmly. “Ready to go home?”

“Yes!” Spike smiled, as he looked to Twilight relieved.

“No.” Rainbow Dash responded, not even looking at Twilight but still enamored by the bustling city below.

“Well we’re going home now.” Twilight stated matter-of-factually, she wasn’t going to play Dash’s little games. Twilight turned around as if she was going to leave without her. Spike hesitated before following Twilight’s lead. Twilight smiled, putting her plan into action as she started walking away slowly giving Rainbow Dash time to react. And, just as according to plan, she heard light hooves scampering after her.

“No Mommy!” Rainbow Dash ran after Twilight, her wings extended frantically.

“Well we’re leaving.” Twilight tried to hide her triumphant smile.

“No, I don’t wanna!” Rainbow Dash grabbed a hold of Twilight’s tail with her mouth in attempts to stop her; she didn’t even slow the alicorn down as she kept on marching down the hall. As Twilight turned the corner she sees her friends, all of them looking confused as they see the little rainbow-maned pegasus filly trying to put the brakes on the alicorn trudging towards them.

“She doesn’t want to go home now.” Twilight rolled her eyes, answering the unasked question. The stallion guard looked confused but nodded, Twilight tried to hide her blush.

“Follow me then.” He stated and led the group out of the castle to a waiting carriage. It was beautiful and white; something Celestia herself had probably rode in before. It was led by two pegasi Royal Guards, standing diligently at attention. Rarity let herself in first, taking the opportunity to pretend she was a princess herself.

Everyone else got in after her and once again, they took to the sky. Just like on the trip to Canterlot, Rainbow Dash raced to the window to see the world pass them by. Twilight kept her eye on the smaller pegasus for it was now entirely plausible for her to fall out of the window.

“I must say I do like getting the first class treatment.” Rarity remarked, admiring the regal-looking carriage, adorned with intricate (and a bit gaudy) carvings in the wood and the detailed (albeit tacky) upholstery on the benches.

“I prefer the train myself.” Applejack kept her eyes on the floor, not daring to look out the window. It was obvious to everyone that she was nervous about flying. Rainbow Dash had her small wings extended to let the air tickle her feathers and whip her messy mane. Fluttershy thought it was cute and she giggled.

Soon they all landed just outside of Ponyville with a jerk of the carriage. Applejack looked relieved to be back on the ground. Rainbow Dash bounced impatiently on her hooves, anxious to get out.

Twilight lit her horn to open the door for the anxious filly who jumped out of the carriage. The rest of them stepped out and Twilight thanked the pegasi guard before they take off back to Canterlot.

By now it was early afternoon in Ponyville and the town was bustling with activity. Twilight swallowed her nervousness as she looked around the town. Her anxiety didn’t go unnoticed by her friends.

“Twilight, you’ll be alright.” Fluttershy whispered, placing a comforting wing over the slightly shaking alicorn. Rainbow Dash flapped her tiny wings and hovered off the ground, obviously happy to have fresh air and reminding Fluttershy of a hummingbird.

“Thanks Fluttershy.” Twilight smiled gratefully to her friend. Suddenly, all of them heard Spike’s stomach growl. He grinned sheepishly and Applejack chuckled.

“Ah’m a bit hungry too. C’mon ya’ll I’m sure Granny has somethin’ cooked up for lunch. And Ah’m sure she won’t mind the company.” Applejack offered.

“We don’t want to intrude dear…” Rarity said politely.

“It ain’t a problem!” Applejack started walking towards the farm.

“Woohoo!” Pinkie Pie bounced as they started taking the most direct route to Sweet Apple Acres, right through the center of Ponyville.

Twilight hesitates as she walks, watching Rainbow Dash buzz by her and fly by Pinkie Pie as the two led the pack to the apple farm. She hangs back as they walk through town, Twilight noticed with hypersensitivity all of the whispers and stares from the citizens. Her ears drooped a bit, knowing it’s about her friend. Of course, Rainbow Dash herself was oblivious to the background banter, she just giggled with Pinkie Pie as they approached the farm.

Applejack rushed ahead and opened the front door once they get to the farmhouse. Immediately Twilight was greeted with the wonderful smells of a home cooked meal wafting through the air and tickling her nose.

“You’re home!” Granny Smith’s voice called out from the kitchen.

“Heya Granny, be sure to set the table for a few more.” Applejack responds, walking into the kitchen where Granny Smith was cooking, along with the help of Applebloom, Big Macintosh and Sweetie Belle who had stayed the night. Rainbow Dash followed Applejack into the kitchen, also drawn by the tantalizing smells.

The familiar filly caught the eye of the Apple family. Twilight followed her, preparing for a long explanation of why one of their friends was now a pint-sized filly. Instead she saw Applebloom’s eyes brighten.

“She’s so cute!” Applebloom smiled brightly at Rainbow Dash. The filly didn’t respond and instead hovered in the air over Granny Smith’s shoulder, smelling the wonderful scent of garden vegetable soup the old mare was making.

“Shoo!” Granny Smith waved her wooden spoon at the pesky pegasus. Rainbow Dash set her hooves on the floor and walks back to Twilight. “Soup’s on!” Granny called out, even though they were no more than five feet away from her. Big Macintosh carried over a few bowls on his back for Granny Smith to pour soup and he walked back to the large table, set for eleven.

“Thank you so much for all of this.” Twilight said gratefully as she took a seat, she pulled another one out with her magic for Rainbow Dash who climbed up and sat impatiently.

“It’s no problem dearie! After everything you all have been through, why it’s the least I could do.” Granny Smith smiled as she filled the last of the bowls. Everyone else took their seats and started eating. Rainbow Dash, of course, threw her face into the bowl. Getting hot soup all over herself.

“Hot!” She yelled as she pulled her face out of the bowl. Tears well in her eyes as Twilight levitated a napkin over to her to wipe her face.

“Let it cool.” Twilight warned. Rarity tried to hide her smirk with a sip of the soup.

After lunch Twilight said her goodbyes and took Rainbow Dash home. Spike followed behind, patting his full stomach happily. The sun was starting to set as they entered the tree house.

“Alright bed time.” Twilight said, completely exhausted from the day. All she can think of is her warm inviting bed. She smiled to herself, wanting so badly to be in the cozy embrace of her blanket and pillow.

“No.” Rainbow Dash stated as she looks at Twilight with fiery defiance and Twilight frowned.

“Uhhhh…” Spike saw Twilight’s nerves starting to fray and decided to intervene before Twilight looses her temper. He looked around and finds Twilight’s saddlebags sitting by the front door. He scampered to them and rummages to pull out Rainbow Dash’s faded yellow blanket, the old one that Fluttershy had dropped off two weeks ago. “Dash,” he got the filly’s attention. “Look what I have.” He waved the blanket and Rainbow Dash immediately raced towards it, almost knocking him over in an attempt to get it in her hooves. He pulled it away from her at the last second, keeping it out of her reach.

“Gimme it!” Rainbow Dash snapped as she flew frantically around the small dragon in attempt to get the blanket between her teeth.

“You’ll get it when you go to bed.” Spike said. Rainbow Dash looked confused a bit, glancing between Spike and Twilight. She pouted before racing upstairs to go to bed.
Twilight looked to her assistant, a look of eternal gratitude on her face. “Thanks Spike.” She smiled. Spike smirked triumphantly before they all headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

They had no idea they were being watched.

Author's Note

EDIT: Edited for tense issues
It's here! Tofu's official sequel! After days of editing, yelling, rereading, trashing ideas, rewriting ideas, plotting, and crying it's finally here!

If You Give a Pegasus a Bath

Twilight was happy for one thing. Sleeping with a filly in her bed was way easier than a full-grown mare. Now, the hoof that had rammed into her back over night was smaller and didn’t have as much force behind it. Twilight rolled out of bed, her mane an absolute mess as she stretched getting ready for her morning. She looked in her bed, seeing a tuft of rainbow mane sticking out from the covers, she smiled. Dashie was cute when she wasn’t being a terror. Twilight shook her head, using her magic to straighten her mane.

Twilight walked downstairs where Spike was customarily making breakfast just like she predicted. “Morning Twilight.” He smiled as he saw her. “Sleep well?”

“Better than I have been these past few weeks.” Twilight responded, taking a seat at the kitchen table, levitating over her teapot and a cup. Spike chuckled a bit as he served up some waffles. “What’s on the agenda today?” He asked before sitting down to his plate of steamy, syrupy waffles.

“I…” Twilight stopped stirring her tea and looked at Spike. “I’m not sure…” She bit her lower lip. “What am I supposed to do?” She asked him. Spike shrugged in response his mouth full of waffle. “There’s no manual on this is there?” She asked after he swallowed.

“Nope. You gotta figure this out on your own Twilight.” He said as he poured more syrup over his waffles. Twilight groaned in frustration. “Celestia thinks you can do it.” He tried to get her to feel better.

“That’s just it Spike! Celestia wanted to institutionalize her! I just wouldn’t let it happen.” As Twilight sipped her tea she saw Spike looking past her and over her shoulder. She turned around to see the small cyan filly standing there, her coveted yellow blanket draped over her back. Twilight’s eyes widened, wondering how long she had been standing there and much Rainbow Dash heard or even understood of what she had said.

“Mommy, what’s inta-too-shion-alize?” Rainbow Dash sounded out the word she didn’t understand. Twilight was at a loss for words, thankfully Spike stepped in.

“It’s a place where some ponies go to…relax…” He tried to explain to her.

“Ok!” Rainbow Dash took that as an acceptable answer and took a seat at the table. “Waffles?” She asked, seeing Spike’s plate.

“One plate of waffles coming right up!” Spike smiled and served her up a plate, pouring plenty of syrup on them. Rainbow Dash did not hesitate to throw her face into the sticky plate to munch the waffles. Twilight just continued to sip her tea, watching the pegasus sloppily eat and get syrup all over her face and down her front.

“Well I guess a bath is on the agenda…” Twilight muttered mostly to herself, but Rainbow Dash’s ears perked and she looked at the alicorn.

“No!” Rainbow Dash protested with a mouth full of waffle. Spike could tell a tantrum was about to flare up as he put his plate in the sink to wash.

“You need a bath, you’re all sticky.” Twilight stated.

“No!” Rainbow Dash snapped back at Twilight. The alicorn was taken aback. “I don’t wanna baff!” Rainbow Dash screamed so her voice cracked. Spike threw his claws over his sensitive ears and Twilight’s glare hardened.

“Dashie you need a bath.” Twilight kept her voice level, trying to beat out the pegasus in a clash of wits.

“Baff’s are gross! No baff!” Rainbow Dash crossed her arms. Twilight groaned as this was going to be harder than she thought.

“I’m not arguing Rainbow Dash.” Twilight stated. Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at Twilight. The older mare gasped in shock. “That’s it.” She growled. “You’re not going outside today until you get a bath!” Now it was Rainbow Dash’s turn to gasp.

“Dat’s not fair!” She whined.

“Too bad.” Twilight stood her ground. Spike looked between the two ponies and retreated upstairs.

“No! Mommy you so mean and unfair and it not fair and you mean and you can’t do that and I wanna go outside and play but you won’t let me cuz of you stupid baffs and soap and I don’t like it!!!” Rainbow Dash whined.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I guess I’m the mean one…” She said sarcastically, if only Rainbow Dash realized how much Twilight had done for her these past few weeks.

“You are!” She complained. “I don't want you as my mommy!” She screamed. Twilight blinked, her breath feeling like it was taken away and she was stabbed in her chest as she heard Rainbow Dash’s hurtful words. Her eyes started to sting with the oncoming tears.

Spike, who had been reading comic books trying to tune out the argument, heard that loud and clear. He stood at the top of the stairs and bit his lip. That wasn’t good. He knew he had to step in. He raced down the steps as fast as his little feet would carry him. Twilight and Rainbow were in a stare-off, one having to look up at the other. Spike stepped up to Rainbow and tried to push her away.

“C’mon Rainbow, we’re going to head upstairs.” He pushed the little filly a few inches but her hooves dug into the wood floor trying to resist.

“No!” Rainbow Dash protested. “No baff!” Twilight turned her head away from Rainbow Dash to try and hide the fact that she was crying.

“Yes Rainbow.” Spike pushed her to the bottom of the stairs. “I’ll make it fun.”

“ ’S not fun.” Rainbow Dash stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Spike looked to Twilight who had bit her lip and failing to hold back tears that were streaming down her face. She alight her horn and teleported Spike and Rainbow Dash to the bathroom upstairs.

Spike and Rainbow Dash appeared in the upstairs bathroom tub. Spike was used to this kind of transportation and it failed to bother him very much. Rainbow Dash however, wasn’t and due to a weak (and full) stomach she vomited in the tub, hitting Spike’s feet.

“Gross.” He stated, too exhausted to get mad at her. He just turned on the water and started to fill the tub, spraying the vomit down the drain.

“No!” Rainbow Dash screamed once the water started to hit her hooves. She nearly fell over herself to get out of the tub. Spike raised a scaly eyebrow and watched her try to scamper away.

“Rainbow…” Spike started to say as he grabbed a washcloth and wet it. “It’s ok, it’s just water.” He gently pressed the washcloth to her shaking form, her eyes were tightly closed as he placed it on her shoulder and wiped.

Rainbow Dash opened one eye to see that no, in fact water didn’t hurt. “See?” Spike smiled a bit and stepped out of the tub once the water started to cover his feet. “Now, all you have to do is hold still.” Spike smiled, he got out the liquid soap and poured a bit into the water, making bubbles. Rainbow’s face lit up and he laughed. “I knew you would like that.” He winked. Spike then reached for Twilight’s mane and tail shampoo and started rubbing that in.

Downstairs, Twilight sipped her tea at the kitchen table as she stared straight forward. Her mind was a whirlwind of self-doubt. Was she really fit for this? Would Rainbow Dash really hate her for all of this? The soft knock at the door pulled her out of her internal diatribe. Twilight walked to the door with her tea levitated in her magic.

She opened the door to reveal Rarity standing on the other side. “I came as soon as I received your letter dear.” She caught her breath and straightened up. “What’s wrong?” Rarity asked as Twilight stepped aside to let her in the library. Rarity could tell that Twilight had been crying due to her puffy red eyes.

“Rainbow Dash said something to me earlier.” Twilight sighed, walking back to the kitchen and pouring tea for Rarity and refilled her own cup.

“What did she say?” Rarity asked, curious as to what would make Twilight so upset that she called her over on such short notice.

“She said…” Twilight felt hot tears sting her eyes again, “she said that she didn’t want me to be her mother.” She stated as she could hear Rarity audibly gasp.

“Oh dear…” Rarity sipped her tea. “Where is she?”

“Upstairs, Spike is giving her a bath, or trying to anyway.” Twilight responded and she saw Rarity’s brow furrow. “That’s what started the fight. She didn’t want to get a bath and I forced her.” Rarity slowly nodded her head in understanding.

“I see.” Rarity tapped a hoof to her chin and sighed. “Twilight, it sounds like a temper tantrum. Kids do them all the time when they don’t get their way.” She suggested. “I can’t tell you how many times Sweetie Belle told me she didn’t want to be my sister anymore.” Rarity sipped her tea nonchalantly.

“This is…usual?” Twilight asked, astounded. Rarity chuckled a bit.

“Of course.” She assured. “I’m surprised you’ve gotten this far without one.” Suddenly there were a few crashes and the sound of small hoof steps down the stairs. Twilight recognized the sound immediately.

“Mommy!” Rainbow Dash ran up to Twilight, her mane still dripping wet and the previous argument forgotten. “Baffs are awesome!” She squealed, bouncing on her hooves. She then spotted Rarity, “Hi Aunty Wawity!” She nuzzled Rarity and left a wet patch on her coat. Rarity grimaced briefly but smiled and pat Rainbow Dash on the head.

“It’s good to see you too.” She smiled as Twilight looked around.

“Rainbow, where’s Spike?” She asked the filly.

“Upstairs.” Rainbow Dash answered. “Wawity you here to pway?” Rainbow Dash’s eyes lit up with that prospect.

“No dear.” Rarity shook her head and Rainbow Dash’s ears drooped a bit. “I actually need to get going, the shop can’t run itself you know.” She looked up and winked at Twilight. “If you need any help feel free to stop by.” Rarity smiled as she got up to leave.

“Thanks again Rarity.” Twilight felt relieved as she walked Rarity to the door.

“That’s what we’re here for!” Rarity called behind her as she left the library. Twilight shut the door and heard Spike come down the stairs, rubbing a towel over his face.

“Ok, so next time, you’re giving her a bath.” Spike glared at Twilight. It was then that she noticed that Spike was dripping wet.

“What happened to you?” She asked him, Spike just stared at her thinking it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You try giving that pegasus a bath…” He rolled his eyes as he dried his ears. Twilight chuckled a bit.

Author's Note

Sometimes inspiration hits me like a freight train. Other times, I'm sitting at my desk at work staring at a blinking cursor. It happens.

Filly Flu

Fall was nearing its end. All of the leaves had fallen so the trees stood barren like stalagmites against the gray sky. The air was getting colder as the pegasi weather team brought in heavier clouds. Twilight Sparkle liked late fall, the brisk air was refreshing and the cloudy and rainy days meant she could stay in and read while listening to the rain patter her roof.

Rainbow Dash, however, hated it. She was bored to tears being forced to stay inside on rainy days. Which was exactly what today was. Currently, the filly was lying on the floor, she had already colored in the coloring books Twilight had bought her and she couldn’t think of anything else to do. Twilight was engulfed in another book and Spike was dusting the bookshelves.

Rainbow Dash looked to the window and scampered over to it. She stared outside, watching the raindrops hit the puddles in the dirt path. That was when she got an idea. “Mommy I’m gonna go play outside.” She informed Twilight of her plan to defy her.

“Rainbow!” Twilight tried to stop the headstrong filly but Rainbow Dash was already out the door and jumping in puddles. She would flutter her wings to get high enough to then fold them in and drop into a puddle, trying to make the biggest splash she could.

Twilight stood in the doorway of her cozy home watching the filly’s already messy mane get wet and matted down. The alicorn formed an umbrella with her magic and walked out into the rain.

“Alright, you had your fun. Now let’s go inside before you catch a cold.” Twilight tried to reason.

“No! More fun!” Rainbow Dash started splashing in more puddles formed by Ponyville’s poor drainage system. One of the puddles Rainbow Dash decided to jump in was a bit close to Twilight, catching the mare in the splash zone. While Twilight wasn’t as persnickety about dirt as Rarity was, it still irked her.

“Alright, you’re done.” Twilight took Rainbow Dash’s tail in her mouth and dragged the wet and muddy filly inside. The multihued filly whined and protested but let Twilight towel dry her off.

Soon the filly was yawning for a nap. Twilight tucked the tuckered out pegasus into bed and went back to rearranging the R section of the library. She was never more thankful that a pegasi’s metabolism was so high that they needed plenty of rest. Twilight soon found herself sidetracked and reading Reliquaries of Ancient Beings when she heard a small sniffle come from the top of the stairs. She turned around to see the little filly standing there, her yellow blanket draped over her back as she shivered.

The alicorn princess extended her wings and flew up to the overhang. “What’s the matter Dashie?” She asked, concern flowing into her words. As she draped a wing over the shivering pegasus and she felt warm to the touch.

“So cold…” Rainbow Dash whined as she pressed herself into Twilight. The alicorn put a hoof to Rainbow’s forehead and felt the heat radiating off of her. It was like a switch went off in Twilight’s head. Her horn lit up and grabbed a book off of shelf in her C section. She levitated it over to her and started flipping through Common Ailments of Children.

Spike walked in to the main room from the kitchen, hearing the commotion and seeing Twilight flipping through another one of her trusty books. “What’s going on?” He asked, walking up the stairs.

“…Fever…sniffles…” Twilight rattled off symptoms and looking up what it could be. Rainbow Dash coughed throatily. “…Coughing…”

“She has a cold Twi.” Spike rolled his eyes. Twilight looked at him when she realized how dumb she was by not thinking about that.

“Oh. Right.” She blushed as she realized her mistake. “This is more Fluttershy’s area…” She muttered as she flipped through her book, it was divided up by species of pony, Earth, Pegasi and Unicorn. “Here” She stopped at the page. “Cold: Pegasi.” She said aloud, her violet eyes skimmed the page at break-neck speed.

“While a cold is nothing serious for an Earth Pony or a Unicorn, a cold could essentially be life-threatening to a Pegasus. Pegasi are resilient to extreme temperatures so a cold is a rare thing for a sky-based pegasi to develop.
Pegasi who do develop colds are often ground-based and raised by non-pegasi parents. These pegasi have a higher natural immunity to a common cold. Pegasi who migrate to the earth at an early age do not have a natural defense against a cold. Therefore a cold could be more severe, even life threatening.”

All of the color drained from Twilight’s face. Spike could tell she was on the verge of another meltdown. “Spike.” She snapped, her voice surprisingly level as she snapped the book closed. “I need you to go see Fluttershy and bring her back here.” She said with an even tone that Spike knew she reserved for when she was holding back an anxiety attack.

“Fwuttershy comin’?” Rainbow Dash asked as she shivered.

“Yes.” Twilight stated. Wrapping a wing around Rainbow Dash and leading her down the stairs, the book tucked underneath her other wing. Twilight shot a glance to Spike to urge him to get moving quickly. Spike grabbed his raincoat and sped out the door. “Come on Dashie, we’re going to lay down on the couch.” Twilight stated, leading Rainbow Dash to the couch and comfortably putting the blanket over her.

“Mommy,” Rainbow Dash shivered. “I'm cold…” She draped her forelegs over her head. “Head hurts…” She whined.

“It’s alright Rainbow.” Twilight comforted. “Fluttershy is coming soon.” She said this more as a comfort for herself.

Meanwhile, Spike trudged through the mud and rain to get to Fluttershy’s cottage. The while he was muttering to himself about Twilight being anal-retentive and panicky over a little cold. He splashed through the mud puddles, lifting his boots the mud wanted to stick with them causing a loud shluck sound.

Then there was another sound that sounded a bit different. It sounded like a gloop sound, like someone was walking behind him. Spike immediately broke out into a cold sweat. He spun around in the rain to look behind him. There was nothing but the edge of the Everfree Forest. Spike gulped a bit, it was probably some animal trying to take shelter from the torrential downpour. He took a deep breath.

“Come on Spike, you are a dragon. Nothing scares you.” He reassured himself as he shlucked through the mud closer to Fluttershy’s cottage, the warm light ahead beckoning him to continue forward.

He walked a few feet before hearing another gloop noise, this one louder and closer. Spike turned around swiftly this time, just in time to see something fly up into a nearby tree, leaving a few large feathers in its wake.

Spike wasted no time in running the remaining several feet to Fluttershy’s front door. He pounded on it with the fury of a windego until Fluttershy opened the door.

“Oh Spike! What are you doing out here in the storm?” Fluttershy asked.

“Can I explain inside?” Spike asked with a sense of urgency in his voice that Fluttershy found strange, she stepped aside and let him inside.

The small dragon raced inside and closed the door with a slam behind him. “My, Spike what happened?” Fluttershy asked, seeing him huff and puff in terror. She had been hunkered down with her housecoat on and various animals surrounding her in the warmth.

“Something was following me.” He stated. Fluttershy cocked her head to the side curiously.

“Oh my, it was probably a poor creature stuck in the rain.” Fluttershy pushed back her curtain to peer into the dreary outside.

“I don’t think it was.” Spike hung up his raincoat on the coat rack. “But that’s not why I’m here.” He stated with a sense of urgency. Fluttershy looked to him curiously.

“Then why are you here out in this storm?” She asked.

“Twilight sent me.” He answered, before he could go into detail Fluttershy’s eyes widened.

“Is everything ok? Is it Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy bounced between her hooves in worry.

“Yeah, I think Rainbow has a cold or something so she sent me to get you.” Spike stated. “She sounded worried, but she’s Twilight so it’s probably nothing.” He shrugged.

Fluttershy was silent, causing Spike’s eyebrows to knit together in confusion. “You ok?” He asked after the silence was getting too much.

Fluttershy snapped back to reality. “Yes. We must get back to Twilight and Rainbow Dash.” She said, her tone dropping low. Spike watched curiously from his spot on the rug as she fluttered her wings and hovered above the floor to get things together to put in her saddlebags. She checked on her animals and made sure they were safe for the rest of the night. “We need to go.” She ordered.

Spike was still dumbfounded by the urgency she displayed. “Wait, what’s the big rush?” He asked, feeling as if both Twilight and Fluttershy knew something he didn’t.

“Rainbow Dash could be in trouble.” Fluttershy stated bluntly. Spike’s eyes widened. “I’ll explain it on the way.” She said as she got her raincoat out from the closet.

Twilight had done everything she could to keep Rainbow Dash comfortable. She had thick blankets over her, a heating pad on her head and a thermometer under her tongue. Twilight stood vigil by her on the couch, waiting for the thermometer to be done. She took it out with her magic and looked at it.

“103 degrees.” Twilight bit her bottom lip. It wasn’t a severe fever, as her limited medical knowledge recognized an average pony’s temperature ranged from 99 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit. She only hoped Fluttershy would be here soon. If there was any pony who would know what to do it would be the shy pegasus.

“Mommy…” Rainbow Dash coughed. “I don’t wanna lay here…” The usually hyperactive pegasus complained.

“I’m sorry Rainbow, you need to rest.” Twilight levitated a cup of warm tea over.

“When will Auntie Fwuttershy be here?” Rainbow Dash asked as Twilight propped her up on a pillow with her magic and passed her the tea. Rainbow Dash took it in her hooves and sniffed it. Wrinkling her nose at the bitter smell.

As if on cue the door opened and Spike walked in with Fluttershy behind him. Both had mud caked on their rain boots and were dripping wet.

“Oh I’m so glad you made it!” Twilight said with relief as she rushed up to the soaking wet pegasus at her door.

Fluttershy looked around and quickly found the prismatic lump on the couch. She walked over to Rainbow Dash, still hidden in blankets.

“Hello Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy greeted warmly. Rainbow looked to the maternal pegasus with drooping eyes.

“Hi Fwuttershy.” She greeted weakly. Fluttershy furrowed her eyebrows and placed a hoof on Rainbow Dash’s forehead. She “hummed” a bit and then pressed her ear to Rainbow Dash’s chest. Again, another “humm” came from the butter-colored mare.

Fluttershy looked into Rainbow Dash’s eyes intently, as if giving her the dreaded “stare” but she only “hummed”. Twilight waited impatiently with Spike by her side, the dragon also worried.

“Fluttershy I-“ She started to say but Fluttershy lifted her hoof to stop her.

“Open your mouth and say “ahh” please.” Fluttershy instructed Rainbow Dash. Rainbow did as she was told and stuck her tongue out. Another “humm” came from Fluttershy. Rainbow coughed a bit as Fluttershy stepped away.

“What’s the diagnosis?” Twilight asked Fluttershy, tired of waiting with bated breath.

“It’s a cold.” Fluttershy stated softly. Twilight’s eyes nearly fell out of her head.

“Well, I knew that!” Twilight yelled as she couldn’t help but grow frustrated. “How bad is it? Do I need to take her to the doctor?”

“No! No doctor no!” Rainbow Dash heard the dreaded word and hid further under the covers. Fluttershy shook her head and walked to her saddlebag where she rummaged around.

“No need. It’s not as severe as I had thought.” She stated before pulling out a small jar filled with a yellow liquid in between her teeth. Fluttershy set it on the end table.

“A teaspoon of this every 4 hours and she should be fine in a few days.” Fluttershy instructed. Twilight breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Rainbow Dash craned her neck to see the bottle of liquid and Twilight pouring some of the thick mixture out on a spoon.

“Alright Dashie, open up.” Twilight magically held the spoon out to Rainbow Dash’s face. The filly sniffed the syrup and made a disgusted face. She closed her mouth and looked away like a fussy foal who didn’t want to eat. “Come on.” Twilight urged, moving the spoon to Rainbow’s mouth only to have the filly look in the opposite direction. Twilight let out an exasperated groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She rubbed her temples with her hoof.

Rainbow Dash saw how frustrated Twilight was getting and giggled a bit before throwing a coughing fit. “Let me try.” Fluttershy stated and tried a different approach. “Dashie, if you want to go outside and play you have to take this. The sooner you take the medicine the sooner you can play.” Fluttershy reasoned.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened with terror as the thought of her being stuck indoors sunk in. She quickly opened her mouth for Twilight to put the spoon in. Once the medicine hit her tongue Rainbow made a disgusted face but swallowed, sticking her tongue out as it was done.

“Yucky.” She simply stated.

“Well you’ll feel better soon.” Twilight smiled as she put the spoon back. Thunder boomed outside, causing the two mares, filly and dragon to jump a bit. “Why don’t you stay here for awhile and wait out the storm?” Twilight said to the cowering butter-colored pegasus. “I’ll make some tea.” She said and walked into the kitchen.

“I can also help monitor our patient.” Fluttershy smiled and nuzzled Rainbow Dash a bit.

“Yay Fwuttershy’s stayin’!” Rainbow Dash cheered, trying to get off of the couch. “I needta show you my pictures…” She weakly sat up and almost made it off of the couch to show Fluttershy the pictures she colored earlier.

“No dear you need to rest.” Fluttershy moved the filly back on the couch with a hoof. It surprised her with how little Rainbow Dash really was. She remembered their childhood and how Rainbow Dash was picked on for being so small but she didn’t remember her being so light.

“No fair.” Rainbow whined, pulling her yellow blanket up around her. Twilight walked back into the room with two cups of tea levitating in her magic. “Mommy show Fwuttershy my pictures!” Rainbow Dash said when Twilight re-entered the room.

“I don’t think she’d be interested Dashie.” Twilight said.

“Oh but I would.” Fluttershy responded, taking the tea Twilight offered her and sipped it. Rainbow Dash broke out into a huge smile. Twilight levitated over some papers Rainbow had colored and showed her friend making sure to comment on each one. After it got dark outside and Rainbow Dash and Spike had went to bed the two mares stayed up long into the night talking.

Road Trip

Winter raged outside the windows of the library. The scheduled snowstorm took many of Ponyville’s residents by surprise with its intensity. Twilight had just finished making Rainbow Dash hot chocolate when Spike stammered into the kitchen, clutching his stomach in pain.

“Spike, are you alright?” Twilight asked, setting the warm cup down in front of Rainbow Dash.

Spike burped and smoke steamed out his nostrils. “Yeah…” He hit his chest a bit with his fist. He grimaced in pain and burped again.

“You don’t look okay.” Twilight walked up to him with worry. Spike clutched his stomach and burped up a large scroll.

“Oh that feels better.” He muttered as Twilight picked up the scroll with her magic. Her violet eyes scanned the letter from the princess as fast as she could and with each word she was filled with dread. “What is it?” Spike asked, trying to peer over her shoulder.

“Princess Celestia has requested an audience with you and I.” Twilight muttered in disbelief. “She says that she would like for you, Cadence, my brother, and I to meet with her and Princess Luna as soon as possible.” The color drained from Twilight’s face.

“What could it be about?” Spike asked, just as baffled as Twilight was.

“It doesn’t say.” Twilight muttered, her mind running a thousand miles a minute trying to understand the letter.

“Mommy what’s that?” Rainbow Dash had gotten up from her chair to try and look at the letter. It had no pictures so she didn’t understand it.

“Mommy and Spike have to go see the Princess.” Twilight explained as simply as she could to Rainbow Dash.

“Auntie Celestia!” Rainbow Dash cheered, buzzing her wings and hovering in the air in excitement. Twilight bit her bottom lip, remembering what it said in the letter.

“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash, you have to stay here.” Twilight stated sadly. Rainbow Dash whimpered at the thought of that and lowered her hooves to the ground where she fell on her hind.

“Why?” She asked, tilting her head to the side, not quite understanding why Auntie Celesita wouldn’t want to see her, she had the best pancakes after all.

“It’s important business dear.” Twilight responded curtly as she walked up to her room to get her things packed. “Spike, get your things there should be a train leaving for Canterlot in an hour.” She called back.

Spike looked sympathetically at Rainbow Dash, who herself looked dejected. “Let’s go talk to Twilight.” He said, patting her head and walking up the stairs with the filly behind him. They stood in the doorway of Twilight’s room where she was frantically packing her saddlebags, her mind a whirr of questions as to why Celestia would summon her on such short notice.

Spike cleared his throat, stopping Twilight short and she looked to the doorway. “I think you’re forgetting something.” Spike stated, nodding his head to Rainbow Dash slightly. Twilight looked between the two and realization hit her.

“We’ll need to find a babysitter.” She mentally scolded herself, unsure of what to do. She looked out the window to the raging storm. It was too dangerous to go all the way to Fluttershy’s cottage or Applejack’s farm. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone.” Twilight muttered as she finished putting her books and quills into her pack. She walked up to Rainbow Dash who still looked dismal. “Let’s get your things packed and see if Auntie Pinkie Pie will watch you while I’m gone.” She said to the filly

Rainbow’s face lit up. She and Auntie Pinkie always had the most fun. “Okay!” She buzzed her wings in excitement as she raced to her room.

Spike looked to Twilight who had a glazed look on her face. “You alright?” He asked, knowing that look meant that a lot was on the mare’s mind. Twilight shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

“Yeah…” She muttered, putting on a fake smile that Spike saw right through.

“I know you’re not.” He stated as he started getting his things together. “I’m sure Celestia has a good reason to call you up to Canterlot on such short notice.” He said as he packed a few comic books for the trip there.

Twilight sighed and stared out the bedroom door. “This is the first time since the accident that Rainbow Dash and I will be apart.” She stated, her voice sounding hollow. Spike stopped what he was doing and looked at her.

“It won’t be for very long I’m sure. And besides, the girls will surely look after her.” He tried to comfort her.

It was then that Rainbow Dash appeared in the doorway, dragging her blanket behind her with a few toys and books on top of it. “Ready!” She squeaked happily. Twilight couldn’t help but smile. She picked up Rainbow Dash’s things and packed them in her saddlebags.

The one thing Twilight would never consider herself to be was late. She hated being late to anything so it was only a few minutes (and an argument with Rainbow Dash about wearing winter clothes outside) later that the three were out in the snowstorm heading to Sugarcube Corner.

Twilight knocked on the door and in only a few moments Mrs. Cake answered. “Oh hello! Please come in!” The older mare ushered the three of them inside into the warmth of the confectionery. “What brings you out here in this weather?” She asked as they dried off and warmed up.

“Well we’re here for Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said. “I was called away to Canterlot and I need a babysitter to look after Rainbow Dash while I’m gone.” No sooner had Twilight finished her sentence Pinkie Pie appeared from behind Mrs. Cake, startling all of the ponies (Especially Mrs. Cake) in the room as to how she did that. Rainbow Dash giggled and Mrs. Cake rolled her eyes as she went to the back room to help her husband with making their daily batch of pastries.

“Hi there Dashie!” She bounced around and knelt down to Rainbow Dash to pat her on the head. She then looked up to Twilight, “You need good ‘ol Auntie Pinkie Pie to look after her for a few days?” Pinkie Pie stood at attention like a solider and saluted Twilight. “I would be honored!” Rainbow Dash giggled again at Pinkie’s antics.

“Yes.” Twilight stated. “It will only be for a few days I hope.” She informed the pink mare.

“No problemo!” Pinkie Pie smiled. “We’ll have plenty of fun!” She nuzzled Rainbow Dash gently.

“I’m sure you will.” Twilight stated deadpanned. “Just a few things…” Twilight took out Rainbow’s blanket and her things she packed, including a few Twilight packed for her, like a toothbrush and comb. “Her bedtime is at 8pm.” Twilight instructed. “No snacks before bed, period.” She emphasized this point to the bubbly mare.

“Okey dokey lokey!” Pinkie Pie saluted again. “This is Auntie Pinkie you’re talking to Twilight.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m like the expert on babysitting!”

“I know.” Twilight sighed, while she was comfortable with Pinkie Pie looking after Rainbow Dash, she was just nervous about leaving her. “We should get going.” She stated, looking at the clock. She knelt down to Rainbow Dash’s level and nuzzled her. “Rainbow, Mommy and Spike have to leave now.” She said.

Rainbow Dash furrowed her eyebrows. In all of the excitement she had forgotten why they were here in the first place and as Twilight and Spike headed towards the door Rainbow Dash burst after them in a panic. “No!” She yelled and latched onto Twilight’s leg. “No Mommy no!” She cried.

Twilight bit her lip to try and keep her own emotions in check. “I’m sorry Rainbow, I’ll be back soon.” She kissed the filly on the forehead and shook her off of her leg.

Pinkie Pie stepped in and put a hoof around the sobbing filly. “Don’t worry Dashie! Your mommy will be back before you can say… Road trip!” She giggled as the door closed as Twilight took the moment Rainbow Dash was distracted to leave Sugarcube Corner.

Rainbow Dash, with tears in her eyes raced to the window, “No! Mommy!” She sobbed, seeing Twilight disappear in the snowstorm. What she didn’t see was that Twilight had tears in her eyes as she braved the storm, it hurt her heart to be away from Rainbow Dash but she knew she had to make it to Canterlot.

The train lurched into the station in Canterlot. Twilight and Spike got their things and got off just like every other pony. Unlike other ponies however, there was a member of the Royal Guard standing on the platform waiting for them.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The Royal Guard Pony stated her name bluntly. “If you will follow me please.” He turned curtly on his hooves and trotted through the bustling city. Twilight and Spike followed him directly to the castle doors where her brother was waiting for her.

“Twily!” He broke out into a huge grin as he raced up and hugged her. “So it’s true?” He asked, as he pulled away from the hug.

“What is?” Twilight asked.

“That I’m an uncle!” His wide-eyed expression was perplexing with the grin he wore. It seemed he didn’t even know how to feel about it.

“Uhhhh I guess?” Twilight blushed; she hadn’t really had time to inform her brother or her parents about what happened. It was a small detail she felt like she will regret later.

“Well, we’ll need to catch up later.” He said, wrapping a hoof around his little sister and leading her into the castle. “Cadence, Celestia and Luna are already inside.” He informed her as they walked the giant halls and passing the stained glass windows that depicted her and her friends, she tried not to look at them and remember what her life used to be.

“Do you know why they called this meeting?” She asked and Shining Armor shook his head.

“No clue, we just received a letter from Celestia requesting our presence immediately.” He shrugged as they entered the throne room where Celestia sat on her large throne with Luna and Cadence on either side.

“Twilight!” Cadence smiled and got up and nuzzled her old friend. Twilight couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes, it is good to see you again Princess Twilight.” Luna added, still a bit reserved as she usually is. Celestia, who didn’t greet the youngest princess, instead delved into business.

“I’ve called you here today because of matters of national security.” Celestia stated and she nodded to the Royal Guard who shut the doors and closed off the throne room. Cadence, Shining Armor and Twilight all looked at each other nervously.

“National security? Princess, what’s going on?” Twilight asked, butterflies flying in her stomach.

Celestia sighed and lit up her horn. Between them appeared a map showing the land of Equestria and its neighboring countries. “A regiment of Royal Guard were doing patrols up north between the border of Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom when they were attacked by a group of Griffons in an organized ambush.” She explained as her magic formed a line where the flight path was and a red X well into Equestria where they were attacked. “Three Royal Guard were injured and two were killed in the attack.” She informed them. Cadence gasped and Shining Armor’s face hardened in anger, Twilight just stared in disbelief.

Celestia continued, ignoring their reactions. “This could be considered an act of war, considering the guard were flying within the Equestrian airspace.” She stated flatly. “Captain Silver Feather, leader of the regiment that was attacked survived. He told me that the griffons claimed they worked for the rebel leader of the nation.” Celestia turned to Twilight with her face as cold as stone. “Her name is Gilda.”

Twilight stumbled on her hooves. “What?” She asked in disbelief, her mouth was dry.

“We have sources confirming that there’s been a growing insurgency in the Griffon Kingdom and a rebel leader has risen up, rallying support for an attack against Equestria.” Celestia filled in for Twilight, who was near fainting if it wasn’t for Spike helping her stand up straight.

“Are you sure it’s her?” Twilight asked, shaking a bit in nervousness. Celestia nodded sadly.

“Certain intelligence has proved it.” Princess Celestia stated. “My sister and I wanted you three to be present as we brief the Royal Advisory Council and Royal Guard of the growing insurrection in the north.” Twilight felt like she was going to vomit as her world was crashing down around her. Shining Armor broke the silence.

“Princess, are we looking at war here?” He asked the burning question on everyone’s mind. Celestia sighed.

“I don’t know, but it’s possible.”

Author's Note

I didn't forget about this! I just hit a mountain of writer's block.

Fillynapping

It took Pinkie Pie all of half an hour and two cupcakes to get Rainbow Dash to calm down. “Feeling better Dashie?” Pinkie Pie asked after Rainbow Dash had finished her last cupcake and stopped sniffling.

Rainbow Dash nodded a bit. “Bedder.” She rubbed her eyes with her hooves.

“Good! We can’t have fun when you’re a blubbering mess!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she bounced out of her chair and opened the closet door to rummage around. Rainbow Dash giggled and followed her.

“What are we gonna do Auntie Pinkie?” She asked as she dodged a pair of boots and other things being thrown out of the closet as Pinkie Pie looked for something.

“You’ll see!” Pinkie responded before she stopped digging. “Found it!” She smiled as she pulled out a sled. Rainbow Dash’s face lit up.

“We goin’ outside?” She asked, bouncing around in excitement. She wiggled with energy as she watched Pinkie Pie get herself ready. Pinkie turned to Rainbow and wrestled with the filly to get the snow boots and hat on her.

“Geeze Dashie maybe two cupcakes was too much sugar.” She giggled as the two headed outside.

By now the snowstorm had lightened up to a consistent snowfall. The powdery white substance was at least two inches thick with a few thicker snow piles here and there. Rainbow Dash didn’t hesitate to run into it and bounce up and down. “Come on! Get in the sled!” Pinkie Pie encouraged. Rainbow hopped right in as Pinkie pulled her swiftly down the streets of Ponyville. She buzzed her wings as they rocketed down the streets and past the closed shops. Together the two of them careened around corners and shot up slopes of snow. Both of them were giggling like mad ponies.

As the day wore on, the snowfall stopped and more and more ponies continued with their daily lives, going outside and doing business. Pinkie Pie slowed the sled to a trot as they walked back to Sugarcube Corner. On their way they ran into Applejack who had a stand selling hot apple cider.

“Hi Applejack!” Pinkie Pie greeted her friend as the sled slowed to a stop. She quickly unharnessed herself from the sled.

“Howdy Pinkie Pie, howdy Rainbow Dash.” Applejack tipped her hat in greeting. Rainbow jumped out of the sled and walked over to the cider stand. She smelled the aroma wafting off the cider and smiled. Getting on her hind hooves, Rainbow tried to peer over the counter to maybe get a taste of whatever was making that delicious smell. “Ah, ah, ah.” Applejack pushed the little filly back on all fours. “That’s not for you.” Applejack lightly scolded. "We just ran out of filly friendly cider, this stuff is for big ponies.” She explained, briefly getting a flashback to the old Rainbow Dash, who was able to challenge her to drinking contests with barrels of the stuff. She quickly shook those thoughts out of her head.

Rainbow Dash pouted dejectedly, hoping that giving her best puppy-dog eyes would sway Applejack like it does with Twilight. However, Applejack knew exactly what Rainbow was trying to do. “No. You can’t have any.” She stated flatly.

“C’mon Dashie, we’ll get some hot chocolate at home!” Pinkie Pie proposed, an alternative that the filly simply couldn’t refuse. Pinkie harnessed herself, as Rainbow hopped back into the sled. “Mush!” Pinkie giggled as she pulled the sled back to Sugarcube Corner, but not before she waved goodbye to Applejack.

Rainbow Dash sipped on cooling hot chocolate and nibbled on a muffin that Mrs. Cake made her. “Did you have fun?” The matriarch of the Cake family asked the two ponies. Pinkie Pie nodded as she swallowed a bite of her muffin.

“Of course we did! We raced all around town. We had tons of fun, right Dashie?” Pinkie Pie asked the filly who nodded happily.

“When’s Mommy comin’ back?” Rainbow Dash asked once she swallowed the muffin. A flash of uncertainty crossed Pinkie Pie’s face momentarily before it was replaced by a smile.

“She’ll be back soon Dashie, I’m sure of it!” She reassured the petite prismatic pegasus pony with a pat on the head.

The door suddenly swung open with a huge gust of air, as an orange earth pony stumbled in with eyes as wide as saucers. Pinkie turned her head towards the door, as she was not expecting a visitor.

“What’s the matter Applejack? You look like you’ve seen a Timberwolf!” She giggled in her usual fashion. Applejack didn’t return the smile.

“Pinkie, I need to talk to you for a second.” She stated flatly after she caught her breath. She was obviously holding something back.

“Why can’t you tell me now?” Pinkie Pie chirped. Applejack bit her lip and looked to Rainbow Dash, who was enamored with what was going on. She leaned in and whispered into Pinkie Pie’s ear. The pink mare’s face went grim. “Dashie, why don’t you go upstairs and play with the twins.” She suggested to the filly, who shook her head in the negative.

“No! I no baby! I wanna stay wif Auntie Pinkie and Auntie Applejack.” She protested indignantly.

Pinkie Pie’s voice no longer held the bubbly chirp, “Rainbow Dash, go upstairs, now.” She told her in a manner that was unheard of by both Rainbow and Applejack. The filly promptly scampered upstairs.

Applejack was stunned by Pinkie Pie’s sudden change of mood. “Right then.” She stated before she looked around to make sure they were alone. “I was at my stand selling cider when a griffon came up to me.” She told Pinkie, who nodded in response. “He was all hoarse and asked me where he could find Twilight Sparkle.” She explained further. “I told him that Twilight was away on business but I could help him if’n he wanted. That’s when he grabbed at me!” She pulled down her scarf to show a few claw marks around her neck. “He scratched me up, then flew off in this direction.” She told Pinkie, her voice shaking as she recalled the incident.

“I made a cake for a griffon once, she didn’t seem like a happy person.” Pinkie Pie stated.

“Yeah, but this guy was weird, first off he wore some kinda red jacket with a symbol I ain’t never seen before.” She detailed to Pinkie Pie. “Mah point is, that griffon was after somethin’ and…” She trailed off as Pinkie Pie suddenly started to twitch. Her tail, ears, and nose all convulsed at the same time before it passed. To Applejack, that meant one thing: “Pinkie sense?” She asked.

“Yup.” Pinkie Pie informed her. “Though that one was weird, I’ve never had one like that before.” She stated.

Just then, a sound like shattering glass could be heard upstairs. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Mr. and Mrs. Cake raced upstairs to the nursery where the noise came from, only to find that the window was smashed in and the twins crying on the floor. Missing from this scene however, was Rainbow Dash.

“What in Tartarus happened?” Applejack cursed as Mrs. Cake attended to the crying twins. Pinkie Pie raced to the window.

“Uh Applejack, that griffon you saw earlier…did it have dark brownish wings? And huge brown paws? And a red jacket?” Pinkie asked as Applejack raced to the window. She was just in time to see a griffon, carrying a prismatic blur in his claws, dive into the Everfree forest.

“Damn it.” Applejack hissed under her breath. “We need to get the girls.” She told Pinkie Pie. “Go fetch Rarity and Fluttershy. Meet me at the farm.” She instructed the pink party pony, whose mane was starting to deflate with each word Applejack stated.

“What about Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked, her mane almost framing her face now. Applejack sighed in response. “Shouldn’t she know?”

Applejack didn’t have time to answer; she had already raced down the stairs and towards the Everfree forest. Pinkie Pie shifted on her hooves nervously before she too ran off to the Carousel Boutique to get Rarity.

“Where is she?” Fluttershy asked as she looked out the window for what seemed to be the umpteenth time in the past thirty minutes.

Rarity sat at the kitchen table sipping tea and shaking slightly due to fear and nervousness. “What is taking Applejack so long?” She asked.

“She ran into the Everfree after we saw the grumpy griffon fly that way.” Pinkie Pie explained, her mane now completely plastering her face.

Fluttershy bounced on her hooves nervously, “What if she’s lost? Then we would have to find two ponies instead of one! What was she thinking?!” Fluttershy exclaimed, as she grew more and more anxious. A few moments passed breathlessly before the front door burst open with a burst of cold air from the bitter outside. In walked a tired and torn pony, her hat was askew and her mane and tail were frayed, with a few twigs in it. Applejack’s sad eyes gazed towards her friends.

“I followed as far as I could.” She explained to them. “I lost their trail a ways into the Everfree.” She collapsed on the couch, not looking at her friends as they gathered around. “I don’t know where they took her.” She explained.

“What do we do?” Fluttershy asked, her meek voice held a notion of urgency.

“We have to tell Twilight.” Rarity interjected, Applejack grimaced. “It’s the right thing to do.” She added after seeing Applejack’s look of discomfort.

“I’m just worried as to what will happen when she finds them.” Applejack stated. She bit her lip and looked outside to the snow-covered fields.

His flying was sporadic at the least with a screaming, crying and struggling filly in his arms. The griffon was holding the kicking filly in his arms as he flew high above the treetops.

“You’re giving me a headache, just hold still kid so I can fly.” He growled. Amber Wing’s head throbbed as he banked around to head towards the Griffon Kingdom. He looked back and saw that nopony was following him; the plan to ditch any pursuers in the Everfree had worked.

“No!” Rainbow screamed, thrashing and trying to bite him. He snarled at her in response.

“I’ll drop you if you keep doing that.” He warned, to emphasize his point, he loosed his grip on her. The prismatic filly whimpered and grabbed onto him in fear. He chuckled as he gripped her tighter and continued his flight to the east.

Author's Note

Special thanks to my suffering editor, Schadenponi. He's the reason this is late.

Cara Mia!

“Alright, explain this to me again. What exactly happened?” To say that Twilight Sparkle was angry would be the understatement of the century. She was not angry, no, Twilight was infuriated. The fact that her breathing was normal, and her voice level clued Spike into this. Unlike other ponies, Twilight's calculating brain worked best when under high levels of stress, as this no doubt was.

She and Spike had arrived back in Ponyville about an hour after they received Rarity's foreboding letter. Celestia was kind enough to lend them a carriage pulled by elite guards for their ride back. Twilight and her friends stood in the main room of the library, all of them present except the topic of their conversation, Rainbow Dash.

Applejack sighed, “Pinkie and I were downstairs in Sugarcube Corner talking, while Rainbow was upstairs playing with the Cake twins. We heard a crash and ran upstairs to see a griffon take Rainbow with him.” She said for the third time.

Twilight’s mind was racing, however she showed no emotion besides a slight eye twitch. This was concerning to Rarity, to whom it only seemed logical that Twilight be in hysterics now. “Is there something you’re not telling us darling?” Rarity asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them all.

“I was called away to Canterlot to meet with dignitaries about a growing rebellion in griffon territory.” Twilight started to explain with a heavy sigh. “It appears that our old friend Gilda is leading an uprising, and is threatening Equestria with war.” She looked to her friends with concern on her face.

“War? Equestria ain’t seen the likes of war in centuries!” Applejack exclaimed. Twilight nodded in agreement.

“Which is why we didn’t want to proclaim war just yet. However after this, I fear we may have to.” Twilight stated, hoofing at the floor of the library while staring at them absentmindedly. Her friends looked to each other nervously.

Fluttershy stepped cautiously forward. “We’re going to find her.” She said consolingly to the mare. Twilight turned away from them, her eyes were clamped tightly shut trying to hold back tears.

Twilight sighed deeply and turned to her friends, this time letting a few tears fall down her face. “We’re going to Griffonstone.” She announced without taking a consensus.

“Twilight, darling, you might be jumping into things a bit fast…” Rarity warned. Twilight glared at her friend. It wasn’t like Twilight to not think things through, that was more like Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow Dash has been kidnapped! What part of that don’t you understand?” Twilight snapped, her worry quickly turning into anger. Fluttershy’s ears fell back in fear and she hid behind Pinkie Pie.

Applejack frowned. “You can’t just barge into the griffon kingdom like that!” She rebutted. “You’ll put us all in danger, especially if war is on the horizon!” She growled right back at Twilight. Rarity put her hoof on Applejack’s shoulder as Twilight’s tears now fell more freely down her face.

“I’m sorry.” Twilight choked out, slumping to her haunches on the floor, shuddering with grief.

Pinkie Pie, still silent from guilt, walked in front of Twilight and sat in front of her. She threw her forelegs around Twilight and embraced her in a hug. Twilight returned it, letting her tears flow freely now. Pinkie Pie let them soak into her fur.

Applejack sighed as Rarity took her hoof off of her shoulder; Twilight’s heartbreak was shared between all of them. “Twilight, we gotta think about this.” She tried to reason against Twilight’s emotional outburst. “We can’t just barge in and rescue Dashie. Gilda will probably be expecting something like that.” Applejack reasoned.

“I have to agree with Applejack, dear.” Rarity stated, fearing she sounded like Twilight when she said: “We need to come up with a plan.”

“Why don’t we go to Griffonstone and ask nicely if the king knows where Dashie is?” Fluttershy piped up meekly.

“Now why in the hay would he do that?” Applejack rolled her eyes.

“She has a point.” Twilight clarified, slowly regaining her composure as Pinkie Pie relinquished the hug. “The king wants nothing to do with the rebellion. Maybe he knows something.” She deduced.

Applejack sighed heavily. “Ah don’t like it, but it don’t seem like there’s much of a choice.”

“Agreed.” Rarity added. “Would you like for me to get tickets for the train?” She asked Twilight, knowing full well the train doesn’t go to Griffonstone regularly.

“No.” Twilight stood now, feeling more confident now that her friends were in agreement. “I’ll message the princess to send a carriage for us to ride in. We’ll need to be quick.” She said, walking over to her writing desk and pulling open the drawer to fetch her parchment.

Instead, dozens of papers fell out, each scribbled on in childish unintelligible doodles. As the papers fell around their hooves, each of the mares could tell who exactly scribbled on them. Twilight didn’t even hesitate as she picked the paper that was the least colored to take a note to Princess Celestia.

It was cold and damp here. She didn’t know where here was, but she already didn’t like it. When the mean griffon (as she heard Auntie Applejack call him) took her here, he just threw her into this tiny cage in a huge dark room and locked the door. She couldn’t tell how long she had been here, but she was scared.

Slowly, the door of the main chamber started to slowly open, pouring light into the dim room. The sudden influx of light hurt her eyes but Rainbow could make out the silhouette of a figure in the doorway. It was a figure that didn’t look much like any pony Rainbow Dash knew.

“Well, well, well, we meet again Rainbow Dash.” The figure said in a rough voice. It sounded familiar to Rainbow, who now squinted to make out who the figure was; it was like she heard it once in a dream a long time ago. The figure strode towards her with sure and confident steps. Rainbow Dash pushed herself against the back of the small cage, but it proved fruitless as the figure came into view.

She looked much like the creature who kidnapped her. The griffon’s head and chest were covered in white feathers while the rest of her body was covered in brown fur. Instead of hooves she had talons on her front feet and paws on her back. Her appearance fascinated Rainbow Dash. The filly couldn’t stop staring at the beautiful glistening armor that she wore. The breastplate, shoulder guards, and arm cuffs were all ruby in color with gold accents, and she could see her reflection in it. Rainbow Dash’s mouth hung open as the creature before her captivated her. However, this silence only aggravated the griffon.

“Say something!” She snapped. Rainbow Dash looked at the griffon and gazed into her gold eyes.

“Who are you?” She squeaked out. This only aggravated the creature more as she let out a guttural yell.

“Who am I?!” She barked, snarling. “You really messed up your head didn’t you?” Rainbow Dash furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding what the stranger was saying. “You used to be the most awesome pony I knew.” The creature continued. “You didn’t take anything from anyone. You grew into a mare, a mare I thought I knew.” The creature’s voice trembled for a moment. “Then you betrayed me. You chose your new friends over me. I was sent back to the Griffon Kingdom a laughing stock. No griffon would talk to someone who couldn’t even be friends with ponies!” She threw her head back in disgust. “Then, what do I hear? The mighty Rainbow Dash had fallen from the sky and hit her head so hard she couldn’t even take care of herself!?” The griffon pressed her face closer to the cage. “You were so pathetic that the princesses had to step in and try to fix things, but even they couldn’t fix your head.” She threw her head back and laughed. “It was too easy!” She roared.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t quite process everything that was just told to her by this stranger. “You’re silly.” She said once the creature stopped her cackling. “Mommy is going to come and protect me!” Rainbow Dash stood in the cage with her signature smirk on her face.

The griffon snarled, “No one will find you here Rainbow Dash!” She snapped. “I am Gilda, leader of the New Griffon Uprising and I am going to take everything from you, your friends, and the entire land of Equestria.” She snarled, frightening the filly in the cage.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay in updating. I had to shake my editor out of the coma he was in after being mauled and trampled by a herd of vicious tortoises.

Kingdom Come

It took the mares and dragon two hours to get to Griffonstone to arrive outside of the gates of the rural city by way of carriage. Rarity stepped out and onto the cobblestone path. She glanced past the gates and recoiled in disgust at the condition the town was in. Applejack looked around at the modest city, astonished at the hay roofs and humble structures.

For once the mare with the most luggage wasn’t Rarity. Twilight insisted on bringing the elements of harmony as well as several heavy books and Rainbow Dash’s overnight bag. Spike was the unfortunate one to have to carry all of her things.

Twilight marched through the town with the determination of a mare on a mission. This mare’s mission was to get her friend (and dare she say daughter) back.

“Twilight slow down!” Rarity huffed from behind her. Twilight stopped suddenly and spun around to face her friends behind her.

“We don’t have time Rarity! Dashie could be hurt, in danger, or worse!” She yelled at them, attracting attention from the residents of the griffon city who stared at the intruders with malice. “We have to get to the king and demand he tell us everything he knows!”

There was a brief moment of silence between the mares as they were all stunned by the tone that Twilight took. It was one none of them had ever heard before from the alicorn.

“Twilight…” Applejack spoke up for the bewildered bunch. “We understand you’re upset about this, but ya can’t be acting all brash and not thinkin!” She snapped before sighing sadly and muttering to herself, “that’s Rainbow’s job…”

Twilight rubbed her temples in frustration and exhaustion. “Alright.” She sighed deeply. “How should we ask him?” She asked their opinion. It was rare that Twilight asked the opinions of her friends in such a dire situation.

“We can’t just walk in and ask?” Spike had finally caught up with them and set the bags down. His innocent question irked Twilight.

Applejack shook her head. “It ain’t that simple.” She stated. “We can try and get an audience with ‘em. Maybe if we tell ‘em what’s goin on, he’ll understand.” She said optimistically, plastering a smile on her face.

Fluttershy looked in between Twilight and Applejack and whimpered meekly. “And if he doesn’t?” She asked, barely audible. All eyes turned to Twilight.

If Rainbow didn’t know any better, she thought herself to be blind by how dark it was. She had no idea how long she had been locked in the tiny cell of this dark room, but it felt like eons.

That wasn’t even the worst part; the worst part was she could make out voices from beyond the dank door. Strange voices echoed to her ears, the most unrelenting was the scratchy voice of the griffon who called herself Gilda. The muffled conversation didn’t offer many details.

Rainbow Dash shivered in the cramped cell. She was hungry; all she had to eat was some bread and water, and she didn’t remember when she was last given food. When she had the chance to sleep (which she couldn’t tell if her eyes were even closed for it) she dreamt of her mommy, being wrapped in her arms, kept warm and safe from wherever she was.

The door of the dark room was flooded with light as a silhouette entered the room. “Mommy?” The trembling pegasus choked out, as the silhouette got closer.

“Would you stop whining already?” Growled the same scratchy voice, as the griffon came into view of the pegasus. “You’re embarrassing me for ever knowing you.” Gilda took the plate of bread that sat between her shoulder blades and shrugged it to the floor; where it fell with a clang just out of reach of the tiny pegasus. She then grabbed the cup of water that was balanced between her wings and slipped it through the bars of the cage. Gilda then fed the bread through the bars of the cage, not wanting to risk actually opening it up and risking the small pegasus escaping. She was much too smart for that.

“Where’s Mommy?” Whimpered the frightened filly, looking up at her captor with fear. Gilda growled.

“She’s not coming.” Snapped Gilda, turning and leaving, slamming the huge door behind her.

Rainbow Dash curled her legs beneath her and shivered. She stared at the crumbled bread and started crying. One tear turned into two, then many, as they fell onto the cold metal floor of the cage. “Mommy…” She cried until she was too exhausted to cry any more.

“I am very sorry girls, but there is nothing I can do.” The King of Griffonstone, King Guto, sighed.

“What do you mean nothing?” Rarity, in all of her poise, had a few hairs out of place, as she was tired of the runaround the king was giving them.

After Twilight had forced her way past a guard (who also caused several hundred bits of damages to be billed to Princess Celestia, and a very apologetic Fluttershy) the six of them marched down the halls of the dilapidated castle to the throne room of the meek king, who had nothing regal looking about him.

“I mean that this uprising has me with my wings tied.” He stated, his meek, slender form puffing up in an attempt to appear statelier. Instead, it only accentuated his malnourished form. “With the griffon kingdom in ruins I’m working overtime to try and snuff the small factions.” He sighed; it was evident now that he hadn’t slept in days. “So I’m sorry. I can’t do anything to help your friend.” He stated, sounding defeated.

“Do you have an idea of where their leader would be? Any information on where they might be hiding out would help.” Rarity tried to persuade.

The king sighed. “I’ve heard rumors through some informants that their leader might be hiding somewhere up in the mountains north of here.” He sighed, his tired mind starting to wonder.

“Do you know the name of the leader?” Twilight asked, stepping a bit closer to his throne.

The king’s tired eyes turned to the alicorn. “I was told the name of the leader is Gilda.” He didn’t expect the reactions from the mares. Their look of shock, anger and hurt painted over their faces made him perk up. “Do you know this griffon?” He asked them carefully, gauging their reaction.

“We do.” Pinkie Pie’s voice was raspy and shaking. She hadn’t spoke at all since they arrived.

The king nodded slowly. “Alright. I will do what I can to help you.”

Author's Note

Writer's block sucks.

Long Live the King

It got late, and the King of Griffonstone was nice enough to give the search party a few rooms for the night. They were all currently huddled together for warmth in Twilight’s room, as the heat of the castle had been turned off due to unpaid bills.

“Alright, so here’s what we know. Gilda has Dashie, and she’s held up somewhere in the mountains up north.” Twilight stated. “All we have to do is go up there, blast apart everything, capture Gilda, rescue Dashie, and we’ll be on our way!” The rest of them stared at Twilight, a hint of fear in their faces.

“I don’t think that’s going to work.” Rarity stated, officially believing that Twilight was completely off her rocker.

“What do you mean? Of course it will!” Twilight’s mane was frazzled and her eyes were far off and distant, as if she was looking through them instead of at them. Pinkie Pie knew that look, and it scared her.

“Twilight, get a hold of yourself!” Applejack snapped. Twilight shifted her gaze to look at Applejack. It sent chills down the earth pony’s spine.

“Don’t tell me to get a hold of myself! My daughter has been kidnapped by a rebel faction group, and I’m supposed to sit back and do nothing!” Twilight yelled, standing up on her hooves. She started pacing back and forth. “I bet they’re not feeding her right, she is a picky eater. They don’t have her blanket so she obviously can’t sleep.”

“Uhhhh Twilight…” Applejack tried to interject into Twilight’s ramblings.

“If she can’t sleep that can really wear on her mental state.” Twilight continued. “Fatigue is a silent killer.”

“Twilight.” Spike tried to tell her something but again, she continued.

“If she can’t sleep and doesn’t get good food she’ll be grumpy and I don’t think anyone is properly equipped to handle one of her temper tantrums. Well, I am of course. Which is why I need to find her!”

“Twilight!” Rarity yelled, which got the Alicorn’s attention. Twilight turned to look at them, fear was painted all over their faces.

The mare sighed. “I was pacing wasn’t I?” She asked them. Spike snorted.

“Yeah you were.” He chuckled, trying to make light of the intense situation. Pinkie Pie just sighed and shook her head.

“It doesn’t help to dwell on possibilities that may or may not happen.” Fluttershy muttered in a moment of silence.

“She’s right Twilight.” Applejack sided with the pegasus. “We need ta focus on how to get Dashie back”

“How?!” Twilight asked, tears welling in her eyes as she bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. She couldn’t keep her legs from quivering beneath her. “For once in my life I don’t know what to do!” It took all of her strength to keep herself from collapsing on to the floor out of exhaustion. She wobbled from side to side. Fluttershy ran up and provided support for her friend.

“You should rest.” She suggested. “We should all rest.” She looked to the rest of the girls who caught on.

“Yeah I’m getting tired as well.” Rarity did her best impression of a yawn.

“Right, gotta get some good shut eye if we’re gonna save Dashie.” Applejack smiled confidently.

“I’m not tired…” Spike chirped as he saw his friends leave the room. Fluttershy glared at him, telling him to quiet down.

“Thanks girls.” Twilight sighed with a smile as she got up to close the door. She slowly closed it until it clicked, then she just stood there. Spike didn’t say anything as he walked closer to her and hugged her leg.

“We’ll find her Twilight.” He tried to comfort her as he felt drops of water fall on his head. He looked up to see Twilight crying.

“Thanks Spike.” Twilight’s voice trembled as she hugged him close before turning in for the night.

She hummed to herself. It was the only thing that she could do to pass the time. It was the song that her mommy would sing to her on nights she was having trouble sleeping. She couldn’t remember the words, but she knew the tune and it was something about twinkling stars. She liked the song because she wanted to see the stars that the song talked about.

She didn’t want to hear the yelling outside from the dark room. The griffon with the raspy voice from before who said she knew her was yelling louder than the others.

Rainbow Dash yawned. “Mommy…” She muttered before falling asleep for the night.

A rapid knocking on the door woke her from her sleep. Groggily, she opened her eyes as the knocking continued. “I’m coming…” Twilight muttered as she lazily got out of bed and shuffled to the door. It had been several nights since she actually slept peacefully. Last night was no relief to her tossing and turning. She opened the door to her room to see Rarity, who still had her eye mask pulled up on her face, and her slippers on. She looked like she had been running, as her mane was out of place and windblown. “Rarity? What time is it?” Twilight shook her head trying to wake up.

“Never mind that.” Rarity’s voice was strained. “Twilight. The king is dead.”

Twilight Sparkle immediately woke up when she heard this. “What?” She asked. The white unicorn nodded.

“Come quickly.” She spun on her hooves and galloped down the hall. Twilight followed behind her, their hoof-falls echoing through the castle. Celestia’s sun was on the verge of rising and its' rays were just starting to filter into the large hall.

The girls burst into the main chambers of the king’s bedroom where the king lay on the bed. Blood pooled around his chest and head. “He’s really dead…” Twilight muttered as she observed the scene. Applejack turned around and looked at Twilight, her face was stoic.

“The guards tell me an assassin slipped through in the middle of the night.” She explained. Twilight felt her mouth go dry as her mind whirled with what Applejack just said.

“An assassin? Sent by who?” Twilight choked out. “The griffon uprising.” She answered her own question. Fluttershy nodded. “Damnit.” Twilight cursed.

“Princess Twilight.” A griffon guard said from the doorway of the bedchambers. “We have reason to believe that the griffon uprising has plans to overtake the throne. We should get you to safety.”

“Get up.” Light flooded into the dark room and nearly blinded the filly.

“Mommy?” Rainbow Dash squeaked out.

“For the last time I’m not your mother!” Roared the temperamental griffon, as she came into view of the filly. Rainbow Dash scowled at the intruder. “I said, get up.” She stated as she shifted her wing to reveal a set of keys. “We’re moving.” She informed flatly.

“Where?” Rainbow Dash squeaked out, as she saw the griffon place a key in the lock of the cage.

“None of your business where we go.” Gilda snarled as she opened the door of the cage.

Rainbow Dash saw an opening. It was now or never. As the cage door opened there was a slight gap between the towering griffon and the confines of her cell. It was too small for a regular pony to slip through, but a filly could easily pass. With a buzz of her wings Rainbow Dash aimed for the gap and an attempt at freedom.

But Gilda was two steps ahead of her.

What the headstrong filly failed to notice was what Gilda had concealed by her other wing. It was a large stick with some sort of electricity magic imbued in it. The griffon leader swung it and it connected with the filly.

She felt like she was being shocked with the fury of a thousand angry wasps as she fell to the ground. The maniacal laughter of her captor filled the filly’s ears.

“You made that all too easy.” She sneered as Rainbow Dash was rendered immobile. “Honestly, I expected better from the once great Rainbow Dash.” She mocked. The new found light from the open door allowed Rainbow Dash to see her walk to the far wall, and pick something up off of it.

“Of course, when my scouts reported back to me that you had…fallen. I was shocked, really I was.” She continued to talk. “In all honesty, I had been planning this for some time now. Ever since you left me in defense of that stupid little friend group of yours.” Rainbow Dash looked between the rambling griffon and the open doorway. “The Elements of Harmony?” Gilda scoffed, paying more attention to what she was doing, and not to the filly on the floor.

Rainbow Dash noticed this, and mustered all of her strength to move her foreleg. She wedged it between herself and the floor in an attempt to make it closer to the door and potential freedom. She was so focused on her escape attempt that she failed to notice that her captor had stopped talking. An intense pain in her right wing reminded her of that.

Rainbow Dash screamed in pain as she saw Gilda tower over her. Her front paw pinned Rainbow’s wing to the floor. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?” She asked rhetorically. Gilda smiled and shifted her weight onto the wing further. The filly screamed out as fiery pain shot into her spine. This only caused the griffon to smile in sadistic glee. “As I was saying.” She emphasized, releasing her grip on Rainbow. “You’re not going anywhere.” Gilda revealed what she had taken off the wall.

Through teary eyes Rainbow Dash could see the black mass come towards her. She winced as Gilda reached around her neck and fastened something around it. As her vision cleared Rainbow could see it was a collar of sorts. Attached to it was a leash that ended around Gilda’s wrist.

“Like it?” Gilda smiled. “I had it specially made for you.” She grinned. “You see Dashie,” she spat the name like venom. “We here in the griffon kingdom don’t have much. You ponies made sure of that. But what we do have is some of the best armor and weapon makers in all of Equestria! This is a special shock collar I had designed to send 10 milliamps of electrical current through your body!” She laughed. Rainbow Dash furrowed her eyebrows, not fully understanding. Gilda sighed.

“I would think hanging around Twilight like you do, would help you understand this.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s best to show you.” Gilda grinned wickedly as she pressed a small button on the wrist of the leash.

Rainbow Dash would rather take the thousand wasp stings compared to this. As soon as the button was pressed, Rainbow Dash’s vision started to go black around the edges. Her body couldn’t do anything but tighten. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t think. For the moment that the button was pressed, Rainbow Dash felt the hot searing stings of a dragon’s fire on the tips of her ears and wings.

And all she could hear was the maniacal laughter of her captor.

“That felt good.” Gilda grinned walking out of the room, dragging Rainbow Dash. “Now. Come along. We have some business to attend to.”

Surrender

Although The Captain of the Guard suggested taking Twilight Sparkle and her friends to a safe room, the princess refused. She opted instead to investigate the crime scene.

“It seems the attacker flew to the balcony, picked the lock of the door while the king slept and cut his throat before slipping out into the dark of the night.” Twilight stated, looking at the open glass doors that led to the balcony. A cold wind blew into the room and Fluttershy shivered.

Another guard entered the room to join them. “Sir, you are needed in the throne room.” He stated. The Captain of the Guard nodded and left, leaving the new guard there. Though the girls didn’t seem too interested in the exchange.

Rarity, with the attention to detail she had, noticed something. “No.” The white unicorn stated as she examined the room, walking up to the glass doors. “This was staged.” She indicated, as she looked closely at the threshold. “There’s a fine coat of dust here in the entryway. With that much unholy amount of dust it is safe to assume that the door hasn’t been open since fall at least! Even with wings one would have to perch to pick the lock.” Rarity surmised and looked up at her friends. Twilight trotted up next to her to inspect the dust.

“Meaning the assassin wasn’t an intruder but someone inside the castle...” Twilight concluded in shock, looking between the girls and the griffon guard.

It happened in a split second. The guard who stood behind Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie lunged forward. With a wicked smile, he drew his sword in an attempt to attack the ponies, lunging towards Applejack. “Get down!” Twilight yelled and before her friends could turn around, she fired her magic blast and it hit the guard. He slumped to the floor in a paralyzed heap.

“What happened?” Applejack gasped as she got up quickly.

“Is he…?” Fluttershy looked horrified as she looked at the motionless lump on the floor.

“Dead? No. I simply immobilized him.” Twilight explained in a deadpan as if she was describing the weather.

“You…can’t…stop it…” Came the weak voice from the floor. Applejack looked to the griffon guard who struggled against Twilight’s paralysis spell.

“What was that?” Applejack asked the guard.

“You can’t…stop her.” The guard growled, a bit louder so the mares could hear. But it was cut short by the sound of shattering glass and screams coming from down the hallway. With all traces of sleep now gone, the mares looked at each other before they raced down the large hallways in a full gallop.

Twilight was the first to locate where the sound had come from. She stopped dead in the doorway as they came upon the throne room. Upon bursting into the room the mares met face-to-face an old enemy clad in a glistening black armor (under different circumstances, Rarity would swoon over how well crafted the armor was). Beside the intruder lay the crumpled body of the captain of the guard.

“You know, I could really get used to this place.” Said the griffon sitting on the throne as she tapped her front claws on the armrest.

Twilight’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes fell on the frightened filly next to her. Rainbow Dash trembled, obviously malnourished and beaten.

“What have you done?” Twilight asked in horror. Her rage-filled violet eyes flickered up from Rainbow Dash to the familiar griffon who now sat on the king’s throne. She could recognize that griffon from anywhere. It was Rainbow Dash’s old friend, Gilda who held the pegasus on a tight leash. When Gilda didn’t respond to Twilight’s question the alicorn lit her horn. “What have you done!?” She yelled, her eyes held hatred in them as she unfurled her wings and charged towards the griffon.

“Not so fast princess.” Gilda held up the leash in her claw and hit the button on the handle. Twilight stopped dead in her tracks as Rainbow Dash screamed in pain and slumped to the floor. The ponies looked on in horror as their friend was being tortured.

“Dashie…” Pinkie Pie muttered as they stood in shock.

“Oh, you like that? It’s my new shock collar and leash I had my technicians build. Neat huh?” Gilda held the handle up. “You move I send several hundred volts of electricity through her body.” She grinned as the ponies froze in their place. This only made Gilda giddy with glee.

Rainbow Dash tried to get up, but she was weak and only fell back to her face on the floor. Fluttershy wanted to cry, scream, and get sick all at the same time upon seeing her friend in this state. Gilda only smirked at the anguish on the pony’s faces.

“So, here’s what’s going to happen, Princess.” Gilda spat the last word like it was venom. “If you want your precious Dashie back then you and your friends must surrender.” Gilda stated. Twilight clenched her jaw.

Twilight growled, “never.”

Gilda ‘tisked’ and shook her head. “That’s not the right answer.” She held up the handle of the leash and sent a shock-wave down to the little filly. Fluttershy trembled.

“No!” Twilight yelled, feeling completely helpless to save the pony she now considered her daughter.

Gilda threw back her head and laughed. “Now what were we talking about…oh yes I remember.” She smiled wickedly. “You have one of two options Twilight Sparkle. Surrender peacefully, and I’ll give your little Dashie back.” The griffon growled at the name and tugged on the leash with a look of disgust at her former friend on the end of it. “Option two is to resist, your friends will perish, and you will fall to the Griffon Kingdom!” Gilda grinned, throwing her head back and cackling.

“Like Hell!” Applejack retorted, her lips curled back into a snarl. Gilda’s attention turned to the fiery pony who dared to challenge her.

“Applejack…” Rarity tried to calm her friend who was shaking with anger.

“No, there is no way I’m going to let this little…pussy cat do this to us!” Applejack snapped and positioned herself in front of the others in a protective stance.

Gilda looked disgusted. “Pathetic.” She spat. “There’s nothing you can do. Not even your precious Elements will save you now.”

Twilight’s ears perked up. The Elements of Harmony! Of course! She had packed them as a last-ditch attempt to stop this. But she didn’t have them. They were still in the trunk in her room.

It seemed she wasn’t the only one who had this thought. All five friends looked back to the door behind them. Two griffon guards had positioned themselves in the way, holding their spears upright.

“The king was the last pawn in the way of my plan.” Gilda started to walk forward, dragging Rainbow Dash with her. “The rebellion is much larger than you ponies know.”

Twilight spun around to face the griffon with her horn aglow with a teleportation spell. Gilda raised the leash higher. “You cast one spell and I turn up the voltage to your little friend.” Gilda grinned, she had the upper hand and she knew it.

“Now surrender, little ponies.” Gilda snarled.

Author's Note

One broken computer and over one year of writer's block later, we are here.