The Equine Masters

Chapters

Chapter 1: Taken away
Chapter 2: Sold
Chapter 3: New home
Chapter 4: Settling in
Chapter 5: New Friends
Chapter 6: Rescue, part 1
Chapter 7: Rescue, part 2
Chapter 8: Return
Chapter 9: Hope, part 1
Chapter 9: Hope, part 2

Chapter 1: Taken away

The sun had risen, and mist was covering most of the lowlands. Cold mornings like this were typical for the English countryside, even at the height of spring.

A girl was carrying a bucket full of milk towards the house she lived in. Cold or not, morning duties had to be done and life here was simple, yet harsh. Today would be different from ordinary daily life, however.

Today was the day when they would come. Her family would have to travel to nearby town, as would all other farmers and villagers in the area. Then, they would come and take whoever they pleased back to their world. This was the price all of the people here would have to pay regularly for living relatively free.

They looked like ponies, but were huge, as tall as skyscrapers and possessing abilities beyond human understanding. Flight and use of magic were just the beginning of their powers, and their size made them nearly invulnerable to all the swords, spears, muskets and cannons that humans had.

When exactly they had come to Earth was forgotten, and all the girl knew that it was hundreds of years ago that all the lands where the ponies went were quickly subjugated, allowed to only live free if they agreed to give some of their people to the ponies to be taken away, back to their own land.

Education was minimal for humans; survival was the primary concern, but by the combination of a little luck, skill, and sheer determination the girl had learnt to read and write. It was a rare skill, especially for lower class people such as them, and even rarer for a girl as young as she was.

“Mel! Breakfast will be ready soon!” a boy's voice shouted. She looked in the direction of where the voice was coming and smiled; her 11-year old brother Joshua was waiting for her at the front door.

“I'm coming, I'm coming.” she answered. Only to her brother was she 'Mel'; everyone else called her by her actual name, Melissa.

At 14 years old, she was their parents’ oldest child, and her short hair and tough attitude had given her a tomboy reputation since young age. When she prepared to come inside, Joshua opened the door more to let her in with the bucket.

“Thanks.” she smiled again. Carrying the bucket to the dinner table, she poured the milk to all four of their cups.

They ate their breakfast in silence, knowing what was going to happen today at the town. The mood would be happier in the evening, Melissa hoped.

After they had finished and dressed up, Melissa and Joshua waited for their mother. She was unusually quiet now, fidgeting her fingers; Melissa placed her hand on her shoulder.

“It’s going to be all right.” She said to her.
Joshua looked at her and smiled nervously. Outside, their father had already tied their horse in front of the cart. Melissa and Joshua jumped to sit on the back while their father helped their mother up on the cart to sit on his side at the front.

The trip to the town passed with plenty of discussion, although the children were more talkative than their parents, even sometimes laughing at some of their jokes. This was until their father called them quietly as if not wanting to attract attention.

“Melissa. Joshua.” They turned to see him and saw that he was looking forward, and they stood up to see what was in front, leaning over their parents’ shoulders. Melissa swallowed nervously at the sight.

The town was visible from the small hill they were on, and so were the ponies. Houses and other buildings in the town were at most three stories high, and the ponies easily stood more than a head higher than any of them. Even the tallest humans couldn't even reach their knees.

Melissa could see eight ponies, six grey guards. Two of them in town with a large wagon, four outside of town with two civilian ponies, and a unicorn stallion and earth pony mare.

Joshua sat down as they approached town’s entrance, but Melissa stayed standing, knowing the danger that went with watching the ponies. They were talking to each other, and as the cart passed them, they didn't even seem to notice it, discussing without really caring if humans heard them, and Melissa caught them saying how “he” should be here soon.

In town, their father stopped the cart and they all jumped off, father tying the horse to the nearby pole and giving it a few strokes.

“Hi there, I was waiting for you.”

They heard a voice come from across the way and saw one of their father's friends, John, walking toward them.

“Yeah, I wouldn't miss this,” he joked morbidly.

In reality they, as well as everyone else here, didn't have a choice. If someone didn't show up, ponies would hunt them until they found them, and hiding or helping them was also punishable.

And the most common punishment was taking humans in Equestria, to whatever fate was waiting for them there. Ponies didn't necessarily just take the escaped human, but also random people around this area as a collective punishment. It had worked well enough over the years to keep the local people in check, they hadn't heard anyone trying to escape in a long while.

It didn't even take an hour when they saw it, large cart pulled by two pegasi guards descending from the sky. All ponies and humans had gathered near the market and cleared enough room for it to land. The chariot came down surprisingly gently, and all the ponies and humans bowed when an white unicorn stallion stepped out of the cart.

He was one of the few ponies Melissa knew by name, Prince Blueblood. A spoiled brat of a prince who was well known for his attitudes towards humans. He exchanged a few words with the civilian ponies and nodded at them to begin.

The civilian ponies followed the Prince as he begun to walk in front of the humans, simply selecting them one by one. It was hard for Melissa to stand there; she cringed at the sight that was happening in front of her, there were screams and cries, as selected humans said goodbyes to their relatives and friends, and then walked towards the wagon, escorted by both civilian ponies.

“I think that is all of them,” Prince Blueblood said to the mayor, who was now standing in front of him. The mayor seemed to count the selected humans and bowed.

“Yes, my lord. I hope Your Highness is satisfied.”

The colossal pony prince didn't even bother answering, but walked to the group of selected humans, looking at them with a slight smile.

Suddenly one of the men started to run towards the Prince when he was close to him, Melissa's heart jumped when he took a sword that had been hidden under his clothes He didn’t seem to realize that the sword was nothing more than a needle to the ponies.

“Never!” She heard him shout as he prepared to strike, when a strange coloured aura surrounded him. The sword flew out of his hand, lifted up by one of the unicorn guard's magic, and the man fell down in front of the Prince.

“You will never take me!” he shouted in powerless rage, looking up at the Prince from where he had fallen. Blueblood’s face showed anger, and as he lifted his leg up, there was a great gasp in the crowd.

Melissa saw her mother grabbing Joshua, turning him away just in time when the Prince slammed his hoof down on the man. He lifted it again, revealing an unmoving, mangled body, partly obscured by the dust. Melissa looked away from the grisly scene.

“Now I am short one slave.” the prince sighed to no-one particular, like commenting on some trivial matter.

The mayor seemed to understand immediately.

“Yes... Yes, my lord. It will take only a moment to arrange some suitable replacements.”

“Be sure that they are worthy.”
Blueblood then turned to the unicorn slave trader and whispered something, too quiet to be heard.

The slave trader nodded, turning back to the wagon. His horn glowed as he began to take small cages from the wagon and place them on the ground. The cages looked so tiny compared to them, so tiny in fact that each will probably contain only one human.

The mayor walked hurriedly towards the crowd and waved hastily to the giant guards, who went into the crowd and began selecting people, mostly young, and carried them to the cages at the center of the market.

Cries and angry shouts began and started to grow stronger as more and more people were sent to the market, even children. One of the pony guards, a grey coated earth pony, took a step closer, making the ground shake with a roar.

“Silence!”

The crowd fell silent for the most part, but there was a lot of silent chatter and weeping. Joshua was standing to Melissa’s side when a guard passed them from behind and Melissa felt a strong hoof pushing her towards the center.

“You two, go!”

Melissa and Joshua turned towards their parents, in silent pleading. Their mother had put her hands in front of her mouth and looked like she was on the verge of a panic. Their father looked angrily at the guards, but then turned his face towards his children and his eyes meet with Melissa's.

He formed the word go with his mouth and stopped his wife with his arm. Tears flowed from her eyes as he hugged her tightly.

“Mommy…” Joshua whispers as Melissa took his hand in hers.

Melissa felt numb as she walked past the crowd people. Selected people, about twenty of them total, formed a rough line and just stood and waited there. The mayor walked in front of them, looking very briefly at each one of them, and without saying a word, walked back towards the ponies.

“My- my lord, we have gathered fine examples for Your Highness... It would be an honour if Your Highness could select one of them.” he shouted up at the ponies.

“Very well.” Prince Blueblood said, walking towards the line and beginning to inspect them one at the time.

Melissa had never seen a pony so close, his hooves looked almost like polished and his fur, completely white, was spotless as far as she could see. She looks at the line of people and while most have turned their faces towards the ground, some were defiantly looking the Prince directly in the face.

Melissa decided to raise her head as well, taking as neutral look on her face as possible,

“We are not afraid of you.” She thought as the prince inspected the young man on her right. Joshua's grip on her left hand tightened, and the Prince took a step, looking directly at Melissa.

Time seemed to stop at that moment, and Melissa swallowed in fear.. Then the moment ended and he took a look at Joshua. A wave of relief that felt like a cool breeze occurred when he turned his gaze to the next person, on the left of Joshua. But then the Prince quickly looked past the few remaining people on their left and turned his face towards Joshua again.

He said only one word, “Him.”

Joshua's grip tightened so much it hurt. Melissa couldn’t believe this is happening.

“No, no, no... this is a nightmare.” she thought and closed her eyes, “We’re all going to wake up at home, and this will be nothing but a bad dream.”

But when she opened her eyes again, nothing had changed. The Prince walked away, looking at one of the other ponies and nodded towards Joshua.

That pony, an earth pony mare with a cream coloured coat and colourful mane, came towards them and motioned with her hoof.

“Come, little boy, let’s go,” she said, smiling.

Joshua didn't move, instead moving closer to his sister, trembling and looking at the ground. The rest of the people in the line start slowly move away from them as if they were contagious.

The mare saw his fear, and kneeled closer, “Little one, come now.” she almost pleaded, carefully moving her hoof close to them, so close that they could have reached and touched it from where they stood.

It was huge, almost two meters wide and when standing, it seemed that her belly was as high as three or four men were tall.

“I don't wanna go…” Joshua whispers in a barely audible voice, but loud enough for Melissa and the mare to hear.

The mare looked back at the rest of the ponies, almost as if she was afraid of something.

“We don't have much time... Please, little boy, if they see that you don't obey, they will hurt you.”

Melissa's mind raced, looking for options, but she could reach only one conclusion. Raising her face, she looked the mare in the eyes.

“Can I go instead of him?”

The mare's eyes widened and there was a gasp from the crowd; the nearest ones must have heard it too. Joshua's tear filled eyes looked at her, also wide from surprise.

“Is there a problem!?” the Prince had raised his voice for the first time. The mare rose up to her full height, bowed, and stepped back so that he can see the siblings.

“No, Sire... it is just that the girl wants to go, instead of the boy. I guess they are brother and sister…”

The Prince looked at them and shook his head.

"No. We take them both." The mare looked back and forth between the prince and the siblings, and bowed her head again. She turned her head towards siblings once more.

“Well...you heard him…”

Melissa and Joshua heard a garbled noise from behind them and turned to look; their parents had come from the crowd and were standing there, maybe ten meters away from them. Tears forced their way into Melissa's eyes.

“Mom... Dad... I'm sorry, Joshua can't survive there, not alone... I had to try something.” Their parents were hugging closely each other and seemed to nod, their mother already crying.

Melissa looked at the mare and took a little step forward, Joshua hugging her closely and following along. She looked at him, but he seemed to only watch their parents. Slowly they made it where the other ponies stood, and the mare spoke.

“That was incredibly brave and nice... What is your name?”

“My name is Melissa.” She answered, a little surprised that when she looked at the mare’s face, she saw a sympathetic smile. “Nice to meet you, Melissa. I'm Bon Bon.”

Bon Bon took one step at the time, shaking the ground, as she walked on their side to the wagon, where the rest had already gathered. Unicorn ponies had levitated small cages on the ground and pointed for humans to go in.

The cages were so small that they had to sit down to fit in. Once in, the unicorns closed the cage doors with their magic and begun to lift them in the wagon. At that point, there were just two cages left on the ground.

Bon Bon nodded towards the cages, “You must go into those.”

Melissa, with Joshua at her side, walked in front of the cage. She turned to face to her brother, touching the side of his head with her hand.

“We must go in, Joshua.”

“O- Okay…” He nodded weakly.

Joshua crouched low, shuddering and crawling into his cage as Melissa watched. As he sat and watched her, Melissa tried to give him an encouraging smile. After that, she turned and walked to her cage. Getting down to all fours, she too crawled in and got on her knees to watch as Joshua’s cage was lifted up with magic.

She followed it with her gaze as it rose high and disappeared into the wagon. Melissa turned to sit in the corner when an aura enveloped the cage and lifted it up. Its fast rise forced her to take hold from the cage's mesh. She realized that the unicorn didn't lift up the cage, it was the Prince. The cage rose higher up, to his eye level, and she finds herself face to face with Prince Blueblood. He examines her for a few seconds.

“I know those eyes, little girl. Be sure that you don't cause any trouble for me.”

He then nodded to the unicorn, as he took the cage with his magic. The Prince turned away from her. The cage was levitated into the wagon where the other cages are already in place. Melissa was relieved when she realized that she is going to be placed on the side of Joshua's cage.

Her cage locked in place, and through the cage's mesh he reached her with his fingers, as she touched them with hers.

“We will survive this, Joshua.” she said, offering an encouraging smile, and he nodded, smiling weakly in return.

Melissa watched as the earth pony guard walked in front of the wagon. After the other ponies made sure that everything is in place, he began to pull the wagon, jolting it and forcing Melissa to take support from the cage’s mesh.

All of caged the humans watched, some weeping, as they were pulled away from the town, their relatives and friends, knowing that in all likelihood, they will never see them again.

Chapter 2: Sold

Princess Twilight Sparkle levitated a cup of hot tea to her lips and took a careful sip, not wanting to take a chance of spilling the liquid as she read an old manuscript from Golden Oaks Library’s shelves, one that documented their first encounter with humanity and their subsequent invasion. Noting the dates, Twilight made a few mental calculations. The manuscript described events that had taken place 1289 years ago.

After the three tribes had united, an amazing discovery had been made, a portal, a gateway to another world was found. Ponies argued and debated how do deal with the discovery and after an expedition was sent which discovered that the world was inhabited by tiny, hardly bigger than a parasprites, but intelligent creatures.

Their whole world appeared to be a miniature version of Equestria with tiny animals and trees.
With the portal working both way, there were fears that this would unbalance the newly formed Kingdom, these fears were used to conquer and annex newly found lands.

Twilight tapped her hoof against her chin, and took a more recent document and continued reading: after the Earth had been conquered and annexed, humans had become servants and Equestria had prospered since then, and despite the occasional grumblings and objections, most ponies had accepted it.

On Earth, humans were allowed to rules their own countries with a certain degree of autonomy, but all of them were subservient to their equine masters.

Twilight closed the book, and thought about her decision to finally buy a human, she had always wanted to have one, but Spike had not approved of it, or the whole way the ponies kept humanity under their hooves.

After Rarity had bought one, Twilight had talked to Spike and convinced him about it. She doubted that a human could do anything in the library, but it would be fascinating to have one as a pet.

Twilight smiled, excited thinking of what kind of human she was going to buy. Looking at the clock, she got up. It was almost time.

Twilight closed the door and trotted towards Ponyville’s market, where the traders and their wagon had stopped.

Twilight spotted Rarity and Sweetie Belle; they were walking side by side, chatting. Twilight trotted over to them.

“Hey, Rarity, Sweetie Belle.”

Coming closer to them she noticed that Sweetie Belle had a small boy on her back, so small that he could have fit on Twilight’s hoof with plenty of room to spare.

The tiny being was holding on with both hands on Sweetie’s mane and bowed to Twilight.

“G-good morning, Miss Twilight.” he said with a quiet voice.

Twilight smiled and greeted him too, the little human was so adorable and by now had become accustomed to all Rarity’s friends. Rarity had bought him two weeks ago as a helper for her in the shop and as a pet for Sweetie Belle, who now loved the little boy so much that they spent as much time together as possible.

“Hello, Twilight, what brings you here?” Rarity greeted her friend. “Going to see what traders have to offer?” Twilight looked at little boy with filly-like curiosity, and turned her head to Rarity, “Yes, I think I’m going to buy one.”

Rarity looked delighted, “Why, Twilight, that’s wonderful! Trust me, you won’t regret it, little Kevin here has been the most adorable and helpful little human I have known.”

A few days earlier…

Melissa could only stare as the wagon came through the portal. On Earth, they had stopped at a designated point, and a portal had opened. When the wagon had been pulled through it, she felt only a few seconds of discomfort and suddenly the wagon was indoors. It was a hall, the biggest she’d ever seen, but when she compared it to the ponies, she realized that it was only a large room.

Melissa saw a wide table, made of polished material; it could have been just painted and decorated wood, but knowing only rumours about this world, she could only guess. Two unicorn stallions waited besides the table, and appeared oddly similar to Melissa, with their yellow coats and identical clothing, she could tell them apart only because one had a mustache and the other didn’t. Melissa guessed that they must be twins, or if not that then at least brothers.

“What is going to happen now?” Joshua asked quietly, Melissa knew some of what they were going to go through, but she thought that there would be surprises too, probably unpleasant ones. She had already begun to think that this had been a mistake but one look at Joshua, who also was staring the scene, on his knees as the cages were too small to stand.

“We are going through evaluation, to determine how much we are worth to them. They are going to ask you questions. Answer them, you don’t have to be afraid.” Melissa explained and forced a smile to her lips. It seemed to work, when Joshua nodded and smiled.

Prince Blueblood’s cart had gone first and Melissa saw him come out of it and followed him with her gaze as he walked to the table.

“Flim Flam Brothers, our newest stock is here. Evaluate them quickly, I want to know the total sum.”

“Yes, of course, Your Highness,” both said in unison.

The prince looked back, and seemed to go through the humans in cages with his eyes. Melissa was watching him and their eyes met, and she felt a slight shiver in her spine, but the Prince just turned and left the room. All the guards except one unicorn stallion followed him, the civilian unicorn stallion who had been in town also left. The earth pony mare, Bon Bon was her name, walked past them, and nodded to them with a warm smile.

“Was that for me?” Melissa thought, since Bon Bon had looked directly at her.

“Please, wait!” Melissa suddenly called her. Bon Bon stopped and turned to face her, and smiled as she came closer. Melissa was a little higher than her eye level so she looked upwards, Melissa had to remain kneeling in her little cage, she put her palm against cage’s mesh.

“I… I wanted to thank you what you did in the town, being… being kind to us.”

“Don’t mention it.” She looked down for a moment, “I had to… Some ponies here are not nice to humans… But the majority of us are! And you will probably get a very nice Master or Mistress.” She said, looking at both Melissa and Joshua. “Sorry, but I have to go now… Maybe we will see each other later.”

With that, Bon Bon left the room, and Melissa was suddenly struck by fear and hopelessness, she was now a slave, a pet to her master, whoever he or she would be.

“Does it really matter how nice our Master is? We’re still slaves…” she thought to herself.

She saw that Joshua was sobbing silently; he probably had had the same feeling. Melissa fought against the tears.

“I will not cry here, not in front of ponies,” she thought.
“Joshua. It is going to all right.” She said, trying to comfort him.

Flim and Flam walked to the wagon.

“Alrighty, little humans, let’s get started.” the one with a moustache said in cheerful tone.

Both unicorns levitated cages onto the table and produced quills and paper. They inspected their tiny captives, evaluating them, and asked questions, scribbled down their answers. Then they levitated the cages back and took the next ones.

Eventually Joshua’s cage was levitated to the table, he spoke too quietly for Melissa to hear, but the unicorn stallion, one without the moustache, smiled and nodded as Joshua spoke, writing something on paper. Now it was Melissa’s turn and as with others, her cage was levitated from the wagon, the unicorn stallion (with moustache) didn’t show any kind of reaction that she and cage even weighed anything to him. He placed the cage on the table.

“Name and age.” He said, dipping his quill in ink.

“Melissa. Melissa Gilbert, 14-years old.” Melissa answered.

“Any special skills?”

“No, I am… I was a farmer. But I can read and write.”

“Okay, let me look at you.” He said, opening the cage’s door with his magic, “Come out.”

Melissa crawled out and she had to stretch a little, even if she had only been in cage a short time. Suddenly she felt lifting up, and rotated around. She realized that the unicorn must be doing it, and endured it without complaining. She was lowered back on the table, and the unicorn wrote again something.

“You can go back into your cage.”

Melissa thought bitterly to ask how much she was worth, but held her tongue, and crawled back in. The door was then locked and cage was levitated back where it had been and with that, the evaluation was over for her.

The entire procedure went without incident, how Blueblood had killed the man back in town had probably something to do with it.

The brothers then pushed the wagon outside, and what Melissa saw stunned her, all her time on Earth had not prepared what she saw. The tallest buildings she had seen back home were barely taller than an average pony, and now she was watching bright white towers that dwarfed ponies, and seemed to reach to the sky itself, and she realized that they were some kind of inner court of a very large castle.

“Welcome to Canterlot.” The brother with a mustache declared, “The capital of Equestria and the home of the Royal Sisters.” Melissa looked at the scene and begun to understand how hopeless any rebellion against the giant ponies would be.

When she lowered her gaze, Melissa saw Prince Blueblood approaching, one of the brothers bowed and gave a paper to the Prince, and after quickly reading it through, he smiled and nodded to them,

“Very good, where are you heading?”

“First stop is Ponyville, then Las Pegasus.”

“Hmm… when are you leaving?” The Prince asked

“As soon as possible, Your Highness.” Flim answered to the Prince’s questions. Blueblood glanced at the paper again, clearly thinking something. “Is there something wrong?” Flam asked.

“No. There is just this one thing…” Blueblood said, and with a smug grin, turned his head to look at Melissa and Joshua.

End of flashback

Approaching Ponyville’s market, Twilight spotted the Flim Flam brothers and their wagon; they were among the many ponies who traveled around Equestria, selling their human cargo.

“Ugh. Them…” Rarity sighs when she sees the brothers. “Well, Twilight dear, we will be going now, good luck with finding a suitable human.”
Twilight smiled, “Thanks, Rarity.”

Flim and Flam’s smiles widened when they saw Twilight.

“Princess Twilight, Your Highness, are you here to buy a human?”

“Yes, in fact, I am.” Twilight said, and curiously examined the tiny humans. While most of them watched ponies who had come to the market, Twilight noticed one young girl, who was lying in her cage. Her cage was separated from the rest, with no cage beside hers.

“Hey, little one, are you ill?” Twilight asked gently. Flim noticed the girl and hit the cage with his magic, “Wake up, girl! A princess asked you a question!” He turned his head to Twilight, “I’m sorry, Your Highness but these humans are mere peasants and-”

“That won’t be necessary.” Twilight interrupted him. “I will talk to her.”

“As… as you wish.” Flim backed away, and Twilight looked the girl again, she had got up, but looked miserable, looking down, “I’m sorry… Princess.” She said with a weak voice. It was the last straw,

Twilight turned to the brothers, “I will buy this one. How much?”

Both brothers grinned and examined a list, “140 bits, thank you.”

Melissa was slow to react to what they talked about, and only now she looked at the pony who had just bought her, she was a little taller than normal pony, and had an horn and wings, “an alicorn… an alicorn princess”, she thought.

Twilight gave the brothers the money and levitated the cage from the wagon, Melissa took a hold from cage’s mesh as she was brought close to the giant’s face. Melissa shook in fear, but when she looked at her new Mistress’ face she saw only a friendly smile.

“Don’t be afraid, little one. I will give you a wonderful home.”

Chapter 3: New home

Melissa held on as Twilight trotted towards her home, levitating the cage by her head, and from time to time Twilight turned her head to examine her little pet. Melissa meanwhile was growing more and more nervous, her new mistress seemed nice but from experience she knew that first impressions could be deceiving.

Melissa saw that they were approaching a very large tree, the biggest she had seen in Equestria. It had several windows and even balconies, and she realized that it had a house build into it. She got on her knees to get a better view; most of the other buildings in this village seemed to be normal two-story houses, but this tree-house easily dominated them all. Amazed and curious about it, she asked, “You live in there?”

Twilight smiled when Melissa spoke, “Yes, I do. It is my home as well as a library.” The alicorn replied. They arrived at the front door, and she opened the door with her magic while still levitating the cage, “What is your name?” Twilight asked as she walked inside.

“My name is Melissa… Mistress.” it felt a little awkward, saying that. Twilight smiled, closing the door and turning to look at the interior, she then turned her face towards Melissa, “Nice to meet you, Melissa, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and welcome to your new home.”

Melissa’s jaw dropped a bit when she saw the large living room housed by the tree. So large in fact that the room alone could have held her family’s entire farmhouse. Her attention was then turned to the walls which were full of rows of books. Feeling her interest piqued, she asked, “What are the books about?”

“Oh, they all sort of books: history books, adventure novels, books about magic… wait, you can read?” Twilight looked at Melissa, her face filling Melissa’s field of view.

“Yes I can, Mistress.” Melissa turned her head down, not sure what to expect.

“Excellent, I never thought you could read.” Twilight paused suddenly and looked a little shameful, wincing at how that had sounded. “Uh, sorry.”

“It is okay, Mistress.” Melissa said as Twilight levitated the cage onto the table.

“Let’s get this opened, shall we?” Twilight looked at door and unlocked it with her magic and opened the door. “Come out…” She encouraged her with a smile, sitting beside the table.

Melissa crawled out, and stood up for the first time in a while. She had to stretch a couple of times before she looked around, now with unobstructed vision, and relieved to be out of the cage. But when she turned her face to Twilight, she almost jumped as the alicorn was looking at her curiously, tilting her head slightly... and so close that Melissa could have touched her muzzle if she took a step and reached her hand. Not sure what to make of it, Melissa looked down again, “Yes, Mistress?” She asked in fearful tone, fidgeting her fingers.

“What? Oh, I’m sorry.” Twilight backed away and giggled, which caused Melissa to look up at her, surprised by her apology, “I didn’t mean to stare like that. I guess I got little carried away.” She waved her hoof.

Melissa stayed quiet, and Twilight leaned closer, offering a friendly smile, “You don’t need to be scared, I won’t hurt you. Please, relax.”

Melissa on the other hand was barely able to control her emotions. Together with Joshua, she had been taken away from everything, catalogued like an item; she had no idea where her brother was, or if he was even alive! And now this pony seemed to be almost giddy with excitement.
But, she's been so kind, like she actually cares about me... Melissa’s internal struggle went unnoticed by Twilight.

“So, Melissa… How did you learn to read and write? At school?”

“No… My father taught me, girls are not allowed to go to school, and we didn’t have time for it anyway…” Melissa’s voice trailed off, she had wanted to learn to write and read, and even studied alone whenever she could, but now all her hard work seemed worth nothing now.

Twilight’s face turned first surprised and a little angry, “Wait, human girls are not allowed to go to school?” Twilight asked, and when Melissa nodded, she rose to her full height, “That is awful.”

Melissa raised her face again, “Mistress, why… what do you want me to do?” She asked carefully, swallowed nervously and waited for her mistress’ answer.

Twilight smiled, “I bought you because I need help with the library and my studies. I have an assistant, but I’m afraid that he is sometimes overworked. You see, Spike is a dragon and-”

“A dragon!?” Melissa shouted, and immediately put her hands over her mouth, having interrupted her mistress like that, and looked worriedly at Twilight.

If Twilight was somehow annoyed by being interrupted, she didn’t show it. Instead, she just chuckled at Melissa’s reaction, and explained, “A baby dragon, and a very friendly one. I am sure you will get along nice. He comes back tomorrow.”

Melissa doesn’t know what to say to this, and decided to reply with only, “Yes, Mistress.”

“Don’t worry, Melissa.” Twilight said happily, “So, ready for a little tour?”

Do I have a choice? Melissa thought, but nodded. To her surprise, she felt herself being lifted off the table, and floated in mid-air towards Twilight. Melissa looked down when she was floated over table’s edge and felt dizzy, the floor seemed so far below, far enough in fact that she was sure that if she fell, she would be seriously injured or killed by the impact, and it made her shiver, since all Twilight had to do was let go.

But Twilight’s hold on her was firm and she was levitated on her back, and Melissa grabbed some of her mane hairs with her hands. “I thought riding on my back would be more comfortable than floating in air this whole time.” Twilight had turned her head to look at Melissa, and chuckled at the sight.

“Ye-yes, Mistress.” Melissa was little taken aback, but calmed herself soon and she couldn’t help but feel Twilight’s fur with her hand.

The day went by fast as Twilight took Melissa for a tour in her library and home, trying her best to make her feel at home. She introduced her to her system of shelving the books in order and even showed few books to Melissa to see what kind of books she had. She was sombre at first, but eventually Melissa began to feel better, Twilight’s enthusiasm felt genuine and even began to catch on with her, too.

After Twilight had finished her tour, she had levitated Melissa and several books on the table. Melissa looked at them, one seemed to be an adventure novel, the others a history book and book about magical spells. Reading them wouldn’t be easy since the books were bigger than she was.

“Obviously you can’t lift the books, but you can keep notes and help with customer service.” Twilight looked at Melissa and lifted the books from the table. “You can read any book you want here. I can teach you almost anything you want.” Twilight said while she floated the books back to their shelves.

“Teach me?” Melissa asked, her mood changing back. All the books and Twilight’s enthusiasm had made her happy but now she suddenly realized it, and felt guilty about it as she remembered the state her parents must be right now and most importantly, Joshua had been taken away, and she had no idea if he was even alive.

Twilight tilted her head, a little confused, “I didn’t mean that in a bad way, we can be friends, you, me and Spike.”

“I am not your friend! I am your pet, your slave, we can’t be friends!” Melissa shot back angrily, but fell silent immediately. An awkward silence descended between the two as both considered what the other had said as well as their own words. Melissa’s anger was quickly replaced by fear, Twilight had been nice to her so far but her friendliness may have limits. The thought of what she could do to her, what she had seen ponies do to disobedient humans made her feel terror. She bowed to Twilight, “I’m sorry my outburst, Mistress… I… I apologize… Please, don’t punish me.”

“I’m not going to punish you or hurt you in any way.” Twilight leaned closer, brought her hoof behind Melissa and carefully stroked her on the back.

“Okay, Mistress…” Melissa nodded.

Before Melissa had even noticed, the Sun had set and the Moon shined in the sky. Captivated by the sight, she walked on the edge of the table, and watched the Moon which shone through the window.

“What is the matter…?” Twilight asked with a quiet voice.

Melissa stood up, and wiped her tears, “It is nothing, Mistress.”

Suddenly, Melissa felt herself floating into the air, she realized that Twilight must have lifted her off the table. Melissa shivered as she was powerless to do anything against the magical grip. Twilight sat up and levitated the tiny girl to her chest, she carefully crossed her forelegs around Melissa, enveloping her with soft fur, and brought her into a warm hug. Melissa felt Twilight’s steady heartbeat on her palms and almost teared up as she rested her cheek against Twilight’s chest fur.

“Please tell me.” Twilight insisted. Melissa hesitated for a few seconds, her hopes rising, her mistress was an alicorn princess, and maybe she could help her, and Joshua...

“Mistress… I came here with my brother, he is just 11, if… if something happens to him…”

Melissa spoke so quietly that Twilight had to listen carefully to hear her. “What happened?”

Melissa fought against her tears, her fist clenched, Twilight’s purple fur coming between her fingers. “He took him! He didn’t like me from the beginning and he must have taken Joshua on purpose.”

“Who is he?” Twilight inquired.

“Prince Blueblood, Mistress.” Melissa answered.

“Blueblood!?” Twilight frowned angrily.

“You know him, Mistress?” Twilight’s reaction had made Melissa even more worried now...

“He is one of those rich aristocrats, and the worst kind.” Twilight answered.

“Is my brother in danger?” Melissa asked, fidgeting nervously.

Twilight shook her head, “No… Blueblood is after money and influence, not cruelty. He probably sold your brother to some special customer.”

= = =

In Canterlot Castle, there was an entire wing that had been dedicated to Prince Blueblood’s use exclusively, he had been slowly acquiring wealth and influence among Canterlot’s high elite, even overcoming some of his reputation of being a snob, through his human trade, especially since he wasn’t asking questions how his customers used their little pets. Inside the wing there were several rooms, full of caged humans: either waiting for to be sold later, or to be used as amusements in whatever parties Blueblood arranged for his business partners or any Canterlot royalty he wanted to impress.

In one of the cages, Joshua lied curled up, so far he had been left in his cage, but sleeping in it had left him bruised and tired. He sat up, taking support from the cage’s mesh and looked at the Moon which shone through a small window, “I hope you are okay, sis.” He whispered with a sad tone.

“Did you say something?” A voice called from a nearby cage. Joshua looked at the direction of the voice, “N-nothing.” he quickly answered. A man in his thirties was sitting in his cage and looking at him, “Are you okay?” The man seemed average build, he had messy brown hair and a few days’ stubble on his jaw. His clothes reminded Joshua of his father’s farm clothes.

“Yes, sir.” Joshua answered, “Just… lonely.”

The man smiled, “Aren’t we all, kid. My name is Mark by the way, not sir.”

“I’m Joshua. Do… do you know what they are going to do to us?” Joshua said and searched for a comfortable position to sit, where it wouldn’t hurt so much.

“No I don’t.” Mark answered, “I guess you are new here, as I am?”

“We are here to amuse the Prince’s quests.” A new voice said, and both turned to look. Joshua had never seen a man like the new speaker, not only he was the biggest man he had seen, his skin was darker than theirs and almost reddish, his headband kept some of his long black hair in place. “Swallow your pride, do what they say and you may survive, but don’t look for hope, you’ll find none of it there.” He said without turning his head to Joshua or Mark.

“Who… who are you?” Joshua asked, but the man didn’t answer.

“I have heard that there is a continent far in the west where people have skin like that.” Mark whispered.

Joshua shivered, even more fearful about what was going to happen tomorrow.

Chapter 4: Settling in

Melissa woke up with a jolt, “Joshua!” She shouted before realizing where she was. Twilight had continued the tour around her library and showing what Melissa’s tasks would be late to the night and finally set up a small basket on the floor besides Twilight bed and blanket for her to sleep. Homesick and worried about Joshua, it had taken a long time for her to fall asleep. Awake now, she looked around, and saw through window that the Sun was already high. I must have slept late, she thought. I wonder why Mistress didn’t wake me up. She looked at Twilight’s bed and saw that the sheets were already tucked in.

Melissa yawned and rose up, and started to dress up, putting her clothes on slowly. She suddenly stopped. I called her mistress even in my thoughts? The door had been left open and when walking towards it she heard faint talking. Hesitating a bit, Melissa peeked from the gap shyly. She saw Twilight downstairs talking with another pony, an unicorn mare whose coat was spotlessly white, and she had a curly, purple mane. Even from her position, Melissa saw that the new pony cared how she looked.

Melissa faced the steep stairs, Twilight had levitated her upstairs and she hadn’t realized how steep they actually were, each step was easily as tall as she was, and something as trivial as going downstairs would be a laborious and potentially dangerous task for someone her size. She didn’t want to interrupt them by shouting from the top of the stairs, and while she was considering her options, she started to listen to them talking.

“…and it kind of went on to the late night.” Twilight said while brushing her mane with a hoof, clearly a little embarrassed.

“Twilight dear, I know you are little obsessed about your books, I wouldn’t even want to think what would happen to somepony who damaged them, but it was her first day, you could have made it easy.” The new pony said, with a slight judgmental tone.

“I know, Rarity, I know.” Twilight sighed and hung her head, slight blush on her cheeks.

Melissa had to smile. She really is nice, I guess. She looked at the new pony, whose name apparently was Rarity; her appearance and manner of speech was definitely more ladylike than Twilight. This puzzled Melissa and made her frown slightly. When Twilight had bought her, Melissa had guessed that she was a royalty, and Twilight had mentioned it to Melissa during their nightly session. She had not made a big deal out of it, on the contrary, she seemed annoyed by it.

“So… where is she now?” Rarity inquired, looking around the floor curiously.

“I left her sleep upstairs, it has been rough for her, so I decided to give her an easy start.” Twilight answered, making a nod towards the stairs. Rarity turned her head when Twilight nodded and looked up, hers and Melissa’s eyes met as she spotted her on top of the stairs, she squinted her eyes, “Oh, is that her?” she smiled delighted, almost sparkles in her eyes.

The two ponies turned to look at her, “Good morning, Melissa.” Twilight smiled and started to trot upstairs, Rarity following her close behind.

“G-good morning, Mistress.” Melissa took few steps backwards and bowed as the two giants reached the top of stairs. She couldn’t help but feel intimidated, and she had to crane her neck back to look at them.

“My, my, she is definitely well behaved.” Rarity said, tilting her head and looking at Melissa. “May I?” She smirked, turning her head to Twilight.

“Please.” Twilight smiled and nodded.

Melissa wondered what that was about, but then Rarity took a step closer and before Melissa could make another move, she felt herself being enveloped in a blue aura and lifted up into air. Melissa instinctively put her arms protectively over her chest.

Rarity saw this, and gave Melissa a friendly smile, “Don’t be afraid, darling.” She levitated Melissa to her eye level, and spun Melissa around, looking her from all sides, “Extend your arms, please.”

Melissa felt a little dizzy but did as she was told to, Rarity took another look and then lowered Melissa back on the floor.

“You are not going keep her in those clothes, are you?” Rarity said to Twilight, as soon as she had put Melissa back.

“Well… no, but-” Twilight started but was promptly interrupted by Rarity, “No buts. Come to my boutique when you want, we design her some fabulous new clothes. I started a line of human designs for this very purpose, you know.”

“Alright Rarity, we will come.” Twilight said and looked at Melissa near her hoof.

“Excellent.” Rarity grinned, “I will see you then.”

= = =

Joshua sighed and looked at his trembling hand, the worst part probably was not knowing what was going to happen. He stood up to stretch his legs. He had sat down since they had been brought here, six of them in total. The guards had ordered them out of the cages and left them on empty table, which was covered by a white tablecloth, they had even taken away the cages.

Two guards remained on at the door, standing in attention, and clearly waiting for something. They had not told them anything about what was going to happen here. This didn’t ease Joshua’s anxiety at least, because clearly they were the main event here. Joshua looked at others on the table. Mark had been looking down from the edge of the table, but the table was simply too high to jump down. The black haired stranger had been silent from the beginning, sitting there with his legs crossed.

Three others were teenagers, one boy and two girls. One of the girls had been sobbing silently from the beginning and the other had been trying to comfort her. The teenage boy had been restless, sometimes sitting down, sometimes walking around.

Joshua decided to walk to the stranger, while keeping the distance, “You seemed familiar with all this, so, um, do you know what will happen?” He asked carefully.

The man seemed to look at the distance and didn’t turn his head, he eventually spoke, “Do what they tell you do to, and you might survive this.”

Joshua sat down, and crossed his legs same way as he had. “You have been here before?”

He nodded, “Yes.”

Suddenly the door’s lock clicked and they all turned to look when door opened, the guards saluted and Prince Blueblood stepped in, followed by three mares. The first mare was an earth pony with a light purple coat and yellow mane and tail, the second was a unicorn who has pink coat and two shades of blue in her mane and tail, and the third one was an Earth pony who had light pink coat and purple mane and tail.

“Ladies, I reserved something for you… from my personal collection.” Blueblood said and smiled at the three mares, and then directed his words to the two guards, “That was enough, you can go now.”

Without saying a word, the guards left and closed the door, leaving the six humans with Blueblood and his associates.

One of the mares, the unicorn with a pink coat, noticed them, “Look, Suri, there are humans on the table.” She said to the light pink coated earth mare, and took a step closer, smiling.

“Are those for us?” the mare, Suri, leaned towards Blueblood, almost whispering the words.

“A little surprise for you all.” Blueblood answered with a smirk, walking to the middle of the trio.

“Oh, Prince, you are spoiling us.” Suri waved her hoof and laughed.

“I do this only for you, ladies.” The prince flashed his best smile. He nodded towards humans on the table, “Two for each of you. You can do to them what you like.”

Joshua shivered hearing this, he started to understand what the stranger had meant.

“These two are mine.” Joshua looked at Suri, she had came beside the table and was watching him and the stranger. Joshua swallowed, and took few steps towards her.

Others came towards the table too, the table was about the level of their chests, and the humans had to look up as the ponies gathered in front of the table.

Suri leaned forward a bit and looked at Joshua, and then turned back to Blueblood, “You naughty boy, he is just a child.” Grinning, she turned her attention back to Joshua, “Come here, boy.”

Joshua was too afraid to say anything, and walked towards the edge of the table and saw her raising her hoof against the table. Understanding what she intended, Joshua walked on the hoof, and to keep his balance, he had to sit down. She seemed not to care what Joshua did, and raised the hoof closer to her face.

“Hmm…” She examined him closely, finally lowering him back onto the table, “It is your lucky day, kid. I have no use for you.” She said and just dropped Joshua back on table. He stumbled and fell when she suddenly tilted her hoof. Joshua rubbed his knee which he had hurt when he fell.

The mare then turned her attention to the stranger, “Maybe this one.” She grinned and again raised her hoof and Joshua watched the man walk on it.

Suddenly Joshua heard a yell.

“Let me go!”

Joshua saw that it was Mark, who was being floated in mid-air, by the unicorn mare’s magic, and the grin she had didn’t promise anything good. Joshua started to shake, he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the courage. Mark was floated over the table’s edge and as she lowered him towards the ground, Mark disappeared from Joshua view but his yells could still be heard. The mare then lifted her leg and yells became screams, the kind of Joshua had never heard before and he covered his ears.

Suddenly the screams stopped and Joshua, trembling in fear, forced himself to watch what had happened.

“Oh, he fainted.” The unicorn said, and levitated the unconscious body back to her eye level, the purple coated mare beside her giggled at the scene. The unicorn mare then nonchalantly dropped him on the table, grabbing the teenage boy with her magic instead.

“D-don’t hurt me.” He whimpered.

“Can I keep him?” The unicorn turned her head to the Prince, while keeping the human in her magical grip. Teenager looked terrified, but didn’t struggle as he was floated in mid-air, Joshua thought he knew that it was useless and possibly a reason to hurt him.

“Of course.” Blueblood grinned, “Consider it a gift.”

Joshua gathered up every bit of courage that he had, stood up, and walked towards Mark’s body.

“Where are you going?” Joshua heard Suri, who was still keeping the stranger on her hoof, say. He turned towards her.

“I apologize, Mistress, I… I would like to go to check him… that he is okay.” Joshua pointed at Mark who lied still, his chest rising and falling slightly, on the tablecloth.

“No.” She said suddenly, “Come back here, boy.”

Joshua looked back, wanting to help him, but he remembered the strangers words and Joshua saw him watching him from the mare’s hoof, “Y-yes, Mistress.” Joshua bowed to her and walked back.

“I will take them both.” The unicorn mare said which made Joshua turn around. She was levitating the teen beside her head and now also Mark’s body floated from the table, “Ready to go, girls?”

“Yes...” Suri said, “You can both go.” she said to Joshua and the stranger. Suri let him to jump from her hoof and also turned away.

Joshua looked at other humans, and saw the two teenage girls, hugging, and the third mare pointed at them with her hoof, “Could you take them too? They could dirty my coat if I carried them.”

“Certainly.” The two girls also floated into air and the unicorn mare levitated all four humans as one group as they all made towards the door.

Prince Blueblood escorted them out, “Well, ladies, I take you are satisfied?”

“Oh, I am, my Prince.” Joshua heard the unicorn mare say before the door closed.

“Are you okay?” The stranger asked.

“Yes… Thank you.” Joshua managed to say and the stranger smiled and nodded. “Can I ask… What is your name?”

“My name is Wolf Leg.” he said, keeping his face emotionless.

Chapter 5: New Friends

Author's Note

Decided to rename this chapter. It is not yet actual rescue, that will be next chapter.

Chapter 5: New Friends

Melissa looked at her new clothes, admiring the much better quality than she had expected, a short sleeved shirt and the trousers were very comfortable and even elegant, something she had never worn before. They had visited Miss Rarity's shop a couple of days earlier to determine what kind of clothes would fit for her. Melissa had insisted trousers instead of a skirt, because she was going to work for Twilight in her library. Rarity had objected at first, saying that a lady like Melissa should wear a skirt, but Melissa had refused. Eventually even Rarity had admitted that trousers fit her.

Melissa was riding on Twilight's back, and the tiny human girl had attracted some attention from other ponies on their way, mostly giggles and chuckles, which had embarrassed Melissa. Despite Melissa’s objections, Twilight had simply levitated Melissa on her back, because Melissa's own walking pace would have been much too slow and Twilight carrying her with her magic would have been too much trouble. Now poor Melissa couldn't do much more than hold on Twilight's mane and blush at the all the attention she was attracting.

Rarity's shop had been full of elegant clothes for ponies and more formal clothes for humans, Melissa had been surprised that Rarity had a human helper too, a boy named Kevin who was helping her to make clothes for humans. Even more surprising was how caring, almost motherly, Rarity had been towards the little boy.

Twilight turned her head to look at Melissa, “Say, would you like to meet another of my friends? We could go to see Pinkie Pie and buy some sweets.”

“You don’t have to do that just for me, Mistress, I--” Melissa started shyly.

Twilight interrupted her, “It won’t be a problem at all, Melissa.”

Melissa hesitated a bit, “I would like to have a few sweets.” She almost whispered, and looked at Twilight’s grinning face. Melissa held on tighter to Twilight’s mane as she suddenly changed direction.

“It is not far, Melissa.” Twilight said, looking forwards. “Look, you can see it already.”

Melissa shifted her body to see past Twilight’s head, and saw the most absurd looking building she had seen in Ponyville, the whole store looked like giant gingerbread house, complete with frosting on the roof. There was a cupcake sign on the side of the building, showing that it was a store.

“Your friend works there?” Melissa asked.

“Not only works, she lives there also. I think you and Pinkie will get along well. The Cakes own the place and Pinkie works for them.” Twilight walked to the door and opened it with her magic, stepping inside. Melissa was looking curiously past Twilight's head and saw the store, with shelves full of different kinds of colourful cakes and candies.

“Woah…” Melissa breathed and looked around the store, she could hardly believe her eyes. To her, the cakes and sweets were huge in size and she couldn’t help but start wanting to taste them. There were two other ponies in the store, and seemed to be looking to buy something.

Twilight and Melissa looked to see if there was someone running the place but didn’t see anybody. Twilight walked slowly, she and Melissa looking around the shop, and then they heard noise coming from behind the counter.

“Pinkie?” Twilight asked carefully while walking closer to the counter, the noise seemed to be coming from behind and under it. Twilight walked past the counter to peek around the corner; Melissa, on Twilight’s back, leaned forward to see what was behind the counter and saw... a pony’s pink flank. Only her hind legs and twitching, fluffy tail were visible, the rest of the pony was crouched inside the counter, her cutie mark was a trio of balloons, one yellow and two blue. Melissa guessed that she was Pinkie Pie, whom Twilight had talked about. Melissa blinked and noticed that beside Pinkie Pie was a human girl, also looking inside the counter. The girl turned her head and her eyes widened when she saw Twilight and Melissa.

She poked Pinkie Pie on one of her legs, “Pinkie.” She said, urgency in her voice, but the pony paid no attention to her. The girl looked back and forth between Pinkie Pie and Twilight, grinned nervously and, to Melissa's surprise, kicked the pony on her leg and yelled, “Pinkie!”, causing her to jump a little and from the sound of it, bang her head on the top shelf.

Finally Pinkie Pie backed out from the counter and stood up, revealing her face and similarly fluffy, dark pink mane. She rubbed her head with her hoof and looked at the girl, who put her hands on her hips and pointed at Twilight and Melissa, “We have new customers!” The girl shouted.

Pinkie Pie smiled brightly when she noticed Twilight and Melissa, "Oh, hello, Twilight!" She hopped closer, causing Melissa to hold tighter on Twilight’s mane, and leaned forward to look Melissa closer. “Oh! Is this human yours? What is your name? Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie.”

Melissa instinctively grabbed some of Twilight’s fur with her hand when Pinkie Pie spoke in rapid succession.

“Pinkie, you are scaring her.” Twilight said, with harsher tone, pushing her away from Melissa. She looked back at Melissa, when she felt Melissa touch her fur.

“I am all right…” Melissa answered, and looked at Pinkie, “G-good day, Miss. My name is Melissa.”

The giant pink pony giggled. “So nice to meet you, Melissa.” She suddenly seemed to remember something and looked back behind the counter. Twilight gently levitated Melissa on the ground.

The human girl who Melissa had seen with Pinkie had stood beside the open counter until now and she was slowly walking towards them, seeing Pinkie look at her, she smiled and quickened her pace, bowing to Twilight first and then coming to greet Melissa.

“This is Alisa.” Pinkie introduced her, and the girl shyly raised her hand to Melissa. The girl looked like she was same age as Melissa, but with brown fluffy hair and hazel eyes. She had a grey sweater and shorts on.

“Nice to meet you, Alisa. I am Melissa.” Melissa introduced herself, smiling to the girl, “Have you been here long?” She asked.

“Pinkie bought me almost a year ago.” Alisa answered, and looked up at Pinkie, who grinned and sat down. Twilight and Pinkie were watching them, and Twilight chuckled as the two tiny human girls talked beside Pinkie Pie, who easily dwarfed both of them.

“We have had so much fun together!” Pinkie announced, excited, leaning down towards Melissa again.

Melissa looked at Alisa’s face and she was smiling happily and even laughing with Pinkie. The girl’s reaction seemed to show genuine affection to the giant pony.

“Pinkie Pie is a nice mistress and good friend.” Alisa said, looking at Pinkie. This made Melissa to jump a little when she remembered her outburst few days ago; when Twilight had bought her.

“Awww.” Pinkie grinned and carefully stroked Alisa with her hoof. “You should see how Alisa dances and how she can do flips. Even on my hoof!” Pinkie said, looking at Melissa, and raised her fore leg up, turning her hoof to demonstrate it.

“You are new here?” Alisa asked carefully, turning to face Melissa.

Melissa nodded, “Yeah… I was taken five days ago…”

Alisa’s smile disappeared, “It can be tough…” She said quietly, “I remember I cried for a week… It was Pinkie who then bought me. She helped me feel happy again.”

As Melissa searched the right words, the door opened and Pinkie stood up, “Hi there, Bon Bon! I haven’t seen you here for a while.”

Bon Bon!? Melissa thought and quickly turned to see the pony at the door, and true enough, there was the same cream coated mare who had been on Earth when she and Joshua were taken.

“Hey, Pinkie Pie.” Bon Bon greeted the pink pony, “I just returned from Canterlot… and I need something sweet right now.” She sighed.

“Did something happen?” Twilight asked.

Bon Bon smiled weakly, “Yeah, you could say that. Working for Blueblood wasn’t what I had expected… I decided to quit and come back here.”

“What do you mean, Bon Bon?” Twilight tilted her head.

“I wanted to see the Earth and be close to humans, but…” Bon Bon paused for a second, “Twilight, Blueblood is not what he claims he is… He treats humans horribly, and even…” Bon Bon swallowed.

With Bon Bon’s words, Melissa felt like all warmth disappeared in an instant and she stepped forward, “Miss! Bon Bon! Remember me? A village on Earth… My name is Melissa…”

Bon Bon looked at the tiny girl approaching her and after a moment her eyes widened, and she smiled, “Yes, I remember you… You were bought to Ponyville!?”

“Yes, Princess Twilight is my Mistress.” Melissa came close to Bon Bon, craning her neck up to see her face. “Miss Bon Bon, you remember my brother, Joshua, did you see him?”

“No, I haven’t seen him.” Bon Bon answered, “I thought you two were sent together…”

“Blueblood took him before I was sent here!” Melissa said, alarm in her voice.

“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that…”

“Please, Miss! I need to know that he is all right, could… could you help me?” Melissa almost pleaded.

“I don’t work there anymore, I don’t know anything…” Bon Bon answered quietly, wincing a bit, seeing the girl’s pleading face.

“What are you talking about?” Twilight stepped closer. Pinkie and Alisa followed close behind.

“Twilight, this girl volunteered when her brother was chosen by Blueblood to save him, it was the most courageous thing I’ve ever seen, but Blueblood just took them both.” Bon Bon sadly looked down at Melissa.

Melissa turned to Twilight and swallowed, “Mistress… I know I am asking for a lot, but could you help me? All I want to know if Joshua is all right.”

“I…” Twilight hesitated.

Bon Bon looked at Twilight, “Twilight, Blueblood is not…” She paused again, “I saw how he treated those poor humans. I started to ask questions about him, but eventually got scared. I’m just an Earth pony, and he is prince, he could make my life very difficult with all the influence he has. But you, Twilight, you could… I think Melissa deserves that.”

Melissa had watched as Bon Bon spoke and now turned towards Twilight, her mind raced, searching for the right words.

Alisa come closer, “Melissa, I’m sorry to hear that about your brother.”

“I need to know that he is all right.” Melissa almost whispered, looking at Twilight.

Twilight also looked at Melissa, the way the tiny girl looked up, nearly broke her heart. She had talked about her brother, and it seemed that he was in danger. And it made Twilight’s blood boil.

Before Melissa had even said a word, Twilight had already decided. “I will do it, Melissa.” Twilight said with a slight smile.

Melissa’s eyes brightened, and she to a step forward, “Really!?”

Twilight nodded, and Melissa nearly jumped to hug giant pony’s leg, her arms didn’t even reach half way around Twilight’s leg. “Thank you…” Melissa said, feeling herself tearing up and as she buried her face to Twilight’s fur.

“What are you going to do?” Bon Bon asked.

“Uh… I don’t really know…” Twilight rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. “But obviously we have to travel to Canterlot.”

“We?” Melissa looked up.

Twilight smiled at the tiny girl, “Of course ‘we’. You will go with me and help finding your brother. I don’t even know what he looks like.”

“Oh, yeah…” Melissa blushed.

“Besides, we are now a team, aren’t we?” Twilight grinned and levitated Melissa into the air.

Pinkie giggled and hopped around, “Twilight and Melissa are off on an adventure!”

Joshua, please be all right, I will be there soon…, Melissa thought, and sighed heavily.

Chapter 6: Rescue, part 1

Melissa was looking out of train’s window when it exited the tunnel and the magnificent sight of Canterlot came in full view, its ivory-white towers shone in sunlight from the cloudless sky. Melissa had to squint her eyes for a moment before they adjusted to the light and she looked at the castle with mixed emotions, the sight was beautiful but her experiences inside it were not so, the examination and how Joshua was taken from her. It had all began here, but every moment, so she hoped, brought her closer to Joshua.

“We will be there shortly, dear.” Melissa heard a voice say.

She turned to look at the white unicorn she had met couple of times and from whom she had bought her new clothes, or rather, Twilight had bought.

When Rarity had heard about Melissa’s situation and Twilight had told about their plan to find Joshua, she had insisted to come along. Even just mentioning Blueblood’s name had caused the unicorn to show such disgust that Melissa thought she would gag. And so they had agreed to travel together, Rarity and Twilight were sitting opposite each other with Melissa sitting on windowsill between the two.

Melissa saw that Rarity only glanced briefly at Canterlot and then turned back to look at Twilight and Melissa.

“You have been to Canterlot before, Miss Rarity?” Melissa asked, guessing it from the way she behaved.

“Oh, many times, little Melissa.” Rarity waved her hoof.

“Rarity is gaining a name for herself as a fashion designer, so she has travelled all over the Equestria, even to Manehattan.” Twilight said, before Rarity could continue. Twilight grinned. “She even had a little thing going on with the Prince a while back.”

“Please, Twilight, the whole thing lasted about one day. I was fooled by him until he revealed his true colours. Ugh…” Rarity sighed, looking away, slight blush on her cheeks. Twilight giggled.

Suddenly the train changed its speed, forcing Melissa to try to grab a hold. She had planned to sit on the windowsill the whole journey, but now Rarity lifted her foreleg, bringing her hoof near Melissa. Melissa looked at it and then at Rarity’s face, she nodded to Melissa to step on it.

With her legs wobbling a little in the moving train, Melissa stepped and sat on Rarity’s upturned hoof. Rarity then brought her hoof to her chest, hugging Melissa against her chest fur. Melissa blushed a little at how gently the giant was holding her.

“We did plan to split, so perhaps we should get to know each other better, Melissa.” Rarity said, and Melissa looked up.

“Y-yes, Miss Rarity…” Melissa said.

Their plan was, since there was a chance that Blueblood or somepony might recognize Melissa, to split their team. Twilight would go alone to visit Blueblood while Rarity and Melissa would sneak around his place and hopefully found Joshua. If not, perhaps Twilight could get Blueblood to show his human collections and see Joshua there; for that Melissa had told Twilight what Joshua looked like.

Melissa had expected Rarity to let go of her and place her next to her or back to windowsill, but the unicorn had continued to hold her. Melissa had felt little awkward at first, but the journey had been tiresome and she hadn’t slept well after she had heard about Joshua’s situation, and had started to feel herself more and more tired. Surrounded by Rarity’s soft and warm fur, and how motherly Rarity was holding her, she couldn’t keep her eyes open.

The sudden lurch by the train caused Rarity to flinch and inadvertently to squeeze Melissa. She woke up and realized that she had fallen asleep while Rarity were holding her. She was still in her embrace, she couldn’t have slept more than some minutes, but blushed bright red and her mouth hang open when she saw Twilight’s face. Twilight was looking at her and chuckling, her hoof covering her mouth.

Melissa looked up at Rarity’s face. “I... I am sorry, Miss Rarity! I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” She struggled a little, kicking her legs and pushing Rarity’s leg holding her, so that Rarity would let go of her, but the unicorn continued to hold her.

“It was quite all right, Melissa. You looked tired, and we both thought that you were too adorable wake up.” Rarity said, she too chuckling.

Melissa looked down, embarrassed.

It wasn't long before the train began to slow down, and soon the train station came to view and the train slowed to stop.

They stepped out of the train, Twilight first, followed by Rarity who had levitated Melissa on her back.

Twilight stopped and turned around the face them. “We’d better split up now. We meet again here, say, three hours from now?”

“That is a deal!” Rarity smiled. “Come, Melissa, lets go do some detective work!”

With that, Rarity trotted off, carrying Melissa on her back. Melissa turned and waved at Twilight who nodded to her, before turning and heading towards Canterlot castle.

“Um… Miss Rarity? You know his place?” Melissa asked as Rarity was trotting in the streets like she knew where to go.

“Oh yes, Melissa, I know his place. Unfortunately.” Rarity said, adding the last word with some disgust in her voice.

“Now lets see…” Rarity slowed down and stopped in the intersection. A large white building loomed at the end of the street. “That is the back of his castle, all right. And not too many guards present.”

Melissa looked the castle, some sections of it were decorated and had large windows in the wall, others were building like a fortress, with only small holes as windows, high above the ground.

“We can probably go there to take a look… but the prince probably won’t keep his humans in plain sight. And how do we reach those small windows, Miss Rarity? You can’t fly.” Melissa said after she had memorized everything she could about the building.

“Oh, I have a plan for those, darling. It involves you.” Rarity giggled and started to walk towards the castle.

===

Meanwhile, the Prince himself was in his room, he was lying on a luxurious looking sofa, reading latest reports about the slave trades and situations on his lands on Earth. Several humans were around his hooves, rubbing and massaging them. He was interrupted by the knock on the door.

“Yes, come in.” He ordered, annoyed at the sudden interruption.

A guard opened the door and saluted. “Excuse me, Prince Blueblood, but Princess Twilight Sparkle is here.”

Blueblood cocked his eyebrow. “Princess Twilight? What is she doing here?”

“She said that she wants to see how humans are treated here. And sire, you know she is close to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” Guard said cautiously.

Blueblood sighed and brushed the humans aside as he sat up and step onto the floor; some of the humans had to run away so they wouldn’t be crushed under him or swept off from the sofa.

A thought occurred in Prince’s mind. “Find out if she came here alone.”

The guard saluted and left the room, closing the door, leaving Blueblood to his thoughts.

===

Twilight Sparkle was waiting for Blueblood with a guard in a large entrance room to his castle, it was decorated with gold and expensive looking fabrics. She saw a human walking in the corridor, carrying what looked like small towels. She decided to walk to him.

The middle aged looking man looked at the approaching giant Princess in fear in his eyes. But Twilight smiled friendly to him and even bend her knees a little to lean lower.

“Hey there, don’t be afraid, I would like to ask few questions.” Twilight said gently.

Before the man could say a word, guard came to them. “I am sorry, Princess, but humans are not allowed to talk to visitors.”

“It is all right. I was just going to ask-“ Twilight started but was interrupted by the guard.

“You. Continue your duties.” The guard said to the man, who quickly bowed and started to walk quickly.

“Just wait a minute-” Twilight said but was again interrupted.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle. This is a surprise, even if a very pleasant one. What brings the newest Princess in Equestria to my humble home.” They heard a voice behind them. They turned and saw Prince Blueblood standing in the middle of entrance hall.

Twilight hid her disgust, and smiled at the Prince. “Prince Blueblood, nice to meet you.”

Twilight allowed Blueblood to kiss her hoof. “Prince Blueblood, I came here, because I heard rumours that humans were not treated here… in a way appropriate for a royalty.” She said bluntly.

Blueblood looked shocked. “But Princess Twilight I assure you that-“

“Perhaps a little tour would be in place.” Twilight flashed her most charming smile.

“Of course, Princess, this way if I may ask.” Blueblood showed the way with his hoof.

Just as they were leaving Blueblood saw one of his spies behind them. “Excuse me, Princess.” He said to Twilight and walked to the spy, a grey unicorn stallion, who was now dressed as a merchant, wearing used looking clothes with utility belt on him. “Make it quick.” Blueblood ordered.

“I came from the train station, Princess Twilight arrived in Canterlot with an unicorn mare named Rarity, she was with her human slave.”

“Rarity!?” Prince had to struggle to keep his voice quiet. “I remember her. They are up to something, this could be a problem… You said she was with her human slave? There was nopony else?”

“No, sire!” The spy shook his head.

“Where they are now?” Blueblood asked, looking back at Twilight.

“I don’t know. They were seen heading to the market.” Spy said, hesitating a bit.

“Find out where they are. Now.” Blueblood hissed. The spy bowed and left. Blueblood returned to Twilight.

===

Rarity and Melissa had in the meantime sneaked around the back of the castle. They had stopped just under the fortress like part of the castle, and looked around, seeing no guards. Melissa craned her neck to see the small window that seemed to be so high from the ground that she felt dizzy just be looking at it.

“So… Miss Rarity, what now?” Melissa asked, still looking at the window. They had managed to go unnoticed, but also finding nothing. The small window, seemed their best chance now.

Rarity looked back. “You are not afraid of heights, are you?” Rarity grinned. “Because I am going to stand here innocently, and lift you to the window.”

“W-what!?” Melissa nearly choked.

“It is the only choice, darling.” Rarity smiled encouragingly. “Are you ready?”

“Y-yes, Miss Rarity.” Melissa swallowed and looked up again.

Rarity’s horn began to glow and Melissa felt an aura envelop her, and she began to rise, higher and higher, carried by Rarity’s magic.

Rarity looked up and aimed Melissa towards the window, but just as she had levitated Melissa to the window, a guard came from around the corner and saw Rarity. “What are you doing here!?”

Rarity deactivated her magic immediately, smiling at the guard, taking an innocent look on her face.

Melissa had been just floating in front of the window when magic carrying him ceased and she fell, for an about a meter before hitting the concrete in front of the window. It was steep enough that she started to slide down, but she managed to stop her slide just before the edge.

Melissa breathed heavily and concentrated everything she had not to slide any further, pressing her cheek against the rough surface. After a moment, still shaking, she looked forward at the window, and slowly began to crawl towards it. Her arms and legs had started to ache, and she guessed that she must have scraped herself pretty good while sliding down.

She reached the window and finally could get her first look. What she saw, horrified her; rows of small cages had been staked on top of each other, most of them had a human inside. She looked at the humans, and her eyes widened when she recognized Joshua. He was sitting in one of the cages, he was far from her and was dirty but Melissa could recognize him anywhere. Melissa wanted to shout and wave at him, to let him know that she was here, but she bit her lip and kept low profile, memorizing every bit of the room.

Down below on the ground, Rarity was busy charming the guard, while hoping that Melissa was safe, she couldn’t use her magic without the guard noticing.

Very carefully Melissa moved towards edge to see what was going on and saw Rarity talking to a guard. Melissa was more fearful than any point in her life. She was helpless here, and if they were discovered, she doubted could even Twilight save them, or her.

Rarity sighed a relief when the guard pony finally left, she looked up for any sight of Melissa. Her heart jumped in joy when she saw Melissa waving her arm at her. With her magic, Rarity carefully lowered the human girl on her back again. Melissa could hardly stay still.

“I saw him, Miss Rarity! Joshua is alive!” Melissa almost yelled.

“Shh… Quiet.” Rarity tried to calm her. “That is wonderful. Now we need to wait for Twilight, and see what can we do.”

“We… we are going to rescue him, Miss Rarity? I mean… that is why we came here?” Melissa asked with some fear in her voice.

“We are going to rescue him, darling.” Rarity smiled and started to trot back to train station.

Melissa held on Rarity’s mane and she kept looking back at the Prince’s castle, where Joshua was being held, she wished that she could somehow tell him that rescue was coming. Melissa’s thoughts were interrupted suddenly by an huge shadow which fell on them, the day had been cloudless so far and wondering she looked up and was shocked, again, what she saw at the sky.

An enormous airship was slowly gliding towards the Prince’s castle, its engines were on idle, which was why it was almost silent and the noise was drowned by noise and discussions in the street.

“He has an airship!?” Melissa asked, in awe at the sight. The airship moved slowly, it was painted white and purple, nose and topside was white, underside and tail was purple. A small gondola hung under it and total of six engines were visible, three on each side.

“Yes, he has.” Rarity sighed and rolled her eyes, of course Blueblood was narcissistic enough to name his personal airship after himself and put his portraits in the vertical stabilizers.

At the train station, Rarity and Melissa watched as the airship docked with the castle’s highest tower, and they saw ponies moving back and forth between castle and airship.

“There is Twilight.” Rarity nodded, when she saw Twilight in the crowd.

Noticing Twilight’s annoyed face, Rarity spoke when Twilight was came to them. “How did it go, Twilight? Not that well I take…”

“Ugh…” Twilight sighed. “They didn’t show me anything. Only some humans working there and they didn’t even allow them to talk to me. Too busy they said!” Twilight noticed that Rarity and Melissa were still grinning.

“We found him! I saw Joshua!” Melissa almost jumped. “I saw him in that tower, he is all right!” Melissa pointed at the direction of the castle.

“So, now we need a plan.” Rarity smiled.

“Yes, we rent a hotel room and plan it there. If all goes well, we’ll do it tonight.” Twilight nodded, grinning.

Chapter 7: Rescue, part 2

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 8: Return

Twilight looked out of the window as the countryside whizzed past. She was deep in her thoughts, even if everything had gone as planned. Would Blueblood just give up searching the human boy or could he somehow connect their visit to Joshua’s disappearance? After all, she had decided to keep the siblings together, and if Blueblood could somehow found out about them…

Twilight sighed and mentally shook her head. No. She thought. Blueblood activities had to be exposed. Twilight could not get the sight what she had seen in the tower out of her mind.

Twilight couldn’t imagine what the boy had gone through, even if he was not sleeping peacefully on Melissa’s lap. Twilight turned her head and had to smile at the cute sight. Rarity was sitting beside the two humans in front of Twilight. Melissa and Joshua were on the window side of the seat.

Rarity saw that she was looking at them so she glanced them too, giving Twilight a smile. Rarity probably thought the same thing as she did.

Train started to slow down, Twilight and Rarity stood up, levitating their saddlebags on their back.

Melissa gently woke up Joshua. “Wake up, Joshua…” She said and stroked his hair.

“M-Melissa?” Joshua sat up and rubbed his eyes.

“We are at home.” Twilight said with a smile to them.

“Home?” Joshua asked, looking at Melissa.

“In Ponyville.” Melissa said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

As the train came to stop at the Ponyville station, the ponies levitated the children on their backs, Melissa on Twilight’s and Joshua on Rarity’s. They trotted out of the train and once they were back on the streets of Ponyville, Twilight stopped.

“Thank you so much, Rarity, we couldn’t have done this without you.” Twilight smiled to her friend.

Rarity waved her hoof. “Oh, don’t mention it, Twilight.” She then frowned a bit. “But what are you going to do with them now.” She glanced at the humans on their backs. “And what are you going to do with Blueblood?”

“They will stay with me.” Twilight said. “And as for Blueblood, I have to think about things…” She sighed.

“Whatever you decide, you can count on my help.” Rarity winked.

“Thanks, Rarity.” Twilight smiled and turned her head to Joshua and levitated him off Rarity’s back and on hers, into Melissa’s waiting arms.

They said their final goodbyes and Twilight trotted to her library tree home. She went to upstairs to her bedroom and levitated Melissa and Joshua on the floor. “Stay here, I will be soon back.” She said to them.

As soon as the giant pony had left the room, Joshua turned to Melissa. ”What are you doing here? Is… is this going to be our home now? What about--“

Melissa smiled and gently touched his cheek with her hand, interrupting him. “We are going to be here for a while, don’t worry, Twilight is a good Mistress.”

Joshua looked down and frowned. He fiddled his fingers when Melissa put her hand on his shoulder and spoke softly. “What is in your mind?”

“Melissa… what will happen to us?” He asked looking almost pleading to his sister.

Melissa hugged him. “I don’t know… but I will never leave you again. Twilight doesn’t leave us.”

“But if Prince Blueblood comes--“ Joshua started.

“Twilight will protect us.” Melissa said more confidently than she really was.

“Will she?” Joshua insisted, raising his voice a bit.

“I will.” The voice said from the door. They both looked as Twilight came in, and stood up, Joshua kept his face down, looking his feet.

“I… I am sorry, Mistress, I didn’t mean…” He said quietly, and didn’t dare to raise his face.

Twilight laid down on her stomach in front of them, smiling gently at the little humans.

“You have nothing to apologize, Joshua.” Twilight addressed him, causing him to look up at her face.

“Miss Twilight…” Joshua began. “What will happen to us now?” He looked between Melissa and Twilight.

“You both will stay here.” Twilight said. “I have already gone through your duties with Melissa and you should catch up quickly.” She explained to them.

“Can’t you… can’t you just let us go, I want to go home…” Joshua said, almost in tears.

“I am sorry, but that is impossible.” Twilight said sadly, shaking her head.

Melissa hugged Joshua comfortingly, hoping that her brother would get accustomed quickly, but she wasn’t sure would she ever get accustomed herself.

===

Night had come quickly and Twilight had set up a temporary bed for Melissa and Joshua in her bedroom. Twilight was sleeping on her own bed; Melissa and Joshua were sleeping in a low basket, where Twilight had put sheets for them.

Twilight was soundly asleep when she heard a small scream. Blinking, she sat up with a jolt and illuminated the room with her magic, her horn glowing she looked around the room but saw nothing out of ordinary.

She got off the bed and walked to the basket. Joshua was sobbing against Melissa, who was hugging him and trying to comfort him. Melissa raised her face to Twilight. “It was just a nightmare, Mistress.” She said quietly.

Joshua’s sobbing subdued and he wiped his eyes. “I… I am sorry… Mistress.”

Twilight smiled gently and laid down near them. “It is all right, little one.” She said softly.
She crossed her forelegs and lifted Joshua from Melissa’s lap and levitated the little boy to her, lowering him into her hooves.
Twilight lightly hugged Joshua against her chest fur and felt him grab some of her fur in his small hands. Joshua was tearing up again and pressed his face into Twilight’s coat.

“See? Everything is allright.” Twilight said encouragingly.

“I…” Joshua begun, but then paused and looked up at her face. “T-thank you, Mistress.” He said and lowered his head again.

Twilight levitated him back to Melissa, who hugs him in turn and then they both turn to face Twilight, who is still lying on the carpet beside them.

“Mistress, do you want something from us?” Melissa asked, unsure of her intentions.

“What?” Twilight blinked. “No, no.” She smiles. “I just thought I could lay here or…”

Melissa and Joshua were forced to grab the basket as it levitated off the floor, lifted by Twilight’s magic. Twilight stood up and levitated the basket with her as she climbed on her bed, and lowered it besides her.

“There, isn’t this better.” She smiled as she laid down. Melissa and Joshua looked at her and Twilight shook her head. “Oh, this is no problem at all!”

“It is not that, Mistress.” Melissa finally said. “…but thank you.”

Joshua looked down, still little embarrassed. “Thank you, Mistress.” He said quietly.

===

“Kyaaa~!” Alisa’s happy scream turned heads in the Sugarcube Corner and caused few giggles and chuckles from ponies there.

Alisa was hugging Joshua who looked extremely embarrassed. “Why you didn’t tell you had a little brother this cute!”

Pinkie, Twilight and Melissa had difficulties holding back their laughter at the sight, which made Joshua even more red faced.

Twilight had decided to bring Melissa and Joshua meet them first thing in the morning, knowing that they would be well welcomed by Pinkie and Alisa.

Still her arms around Joshua, Alisa lifted her face to Twilight. “How did you get him so fast, Miss Twilight?” She asked. “You told me that you only bought Melissa short time ago.”

“Ah… It is a long story, maybe I will tell it someday.” Twilight stammered, last thing she wanted though, was Pinkie finding out how exactly they had got Joshua.

Melissa walked to Joshua and Alisa, and the two girls hugged. “It is nice to meet to again, Alisa.”

“It is nice to meet you too… but is there anything wrong?” Alisa asked, suspecting something, but Melissa just shook her head and waved her arms. “No, no. Nothing is wrong.”

Alisa was about to say something when Pinkie yells. “My turn!”

They turned to look and saw Joshua turn to run away but he is caught by Pinkie’s hooves. The giant sat down and lifted him up like he weighed nothing. Pinkie crossed her forelegs and hugs him.

“Aww, you can’t escape Pinkie’s hugs!” She giggled.

After a while, Pinkie finally lowered him back to the floor. Joshua looked up at her face. “I… I appreciated it, Miss Pinkie.” He walked to hug her giant hoof.

Melissa smiled and looked up at Twilight. “Thank you, Mistress…” She said quietly.

Twilight smiled in return. “No problem, if Pinkie can help something, is a bad mood.”

===

“New group of slaves is scheduled to arrive this evening, make sure that everything is ready.” Prince Blueblood pointed his hoof to a guard, who saluted and turned to leave.

Another guard approached when Prince levitated papers, lists of his slaves, and was quickly skimming through them. “Sire, you told me to ask all the guards on duty last night if they saw anything out of ordinary.”

“Yes?” Blueblood answered without looking at the guard.

“Well, I found one who said he encountered Princess Twilight last night, making her way to train station.” The guard explained.

“That is hardly out of ordi--“ Blueblood begun but stopped when he realized something. “Who was she with?” He demanded.

“I was getting to that, sire.” Guard answered. “She was with her friend and they both had slave, one girl and one young boy.”

Blueblood raised his eyebrow. “Young boy?”

“He fits the description.” The guard nodded. “And Rarity had talked to another guard during Princess Twilight’s visit…” The guard paused when he saw Blueblood’s face.

“So they stole from me.” Blueblood grinned, and then turned to another guard. “My airship has been prepared for flight, yes?”

“Yes, sire. We were leaving to deliver another patch of slaves.” He answered.

“A little change of plans; I am coming aboard, it is time to visit our little princess.” Blueblood smiles and turned to leave.

Chapter 9: Hope, part 1

Melissa woke up and slowly sat up in her basket bed. She stretched and then looked around, Joshua was still in deep sleep beside her and she smiled at the sight. Based on the sound coming from the bed, Twilight was also still in sleep, one thing she had already learned about her Mistress was that she was not a morning pony. She rubbed her head, her emotions in conflict after all what had happened, they had rescued Joshua but they also were stuck here, like prisoners, she thought, and no way to get home. The thought about home and her family back on Earth made her heart ache but she forced herself to think more cheerful thoughts.

She gently pushed Joshua few times to wake him up too. “Joshua, it is time to wake up.” She said and got a mumbled answer from Joshua, Melissa chuckled and pulled him up. “All right, you sleepy head, get up!”

Twilight blinked and rubbed her eyes with her hoof. She saw that Melissa and Joshua were standing on the floor near her bed. “Uh… Morning…” She said quietly and sat up.

“Good morning, Mistress!” Melissa said. Twilight’s mane was absolute mess which made Joshua giggle a little as the giant pony slowly got on the floor from the bed, standing in front of them in her night pajama.

Twilight walked to the mirror and started to comb her mane. Melissa and Joshua had followed her were standing from some distance away. “Do you have any plans for today, Mistress?” Melissa asked.

“We have to catalogue my books in the library.” Twilight said, turning her head to look at the tiny humans. They looked so adorable together down there. “But first a little breakfast to all of us.” She smiled and put the comb away.

Joshua watched as the enormous pony turned to face them and suddenly her horn lighted up. Joshua felt how her magic enveloped him and let out a small “Eep!” when he felt being lifted up.

Twilight levitated the two small humans on her back where Melissa grabbed her mane and fur for support. Joshua wrapped his arms around Melissa’s waist as he was lowered behind her. Joshua looked down, he was about a dozen meters from the floor and had to sit down his legs spread on Twilight’s wide back. He felt her hand touch his arm. “You have to get used to that.” Melissa said. “Mistress is often like that.”

“O-okay…” Joshua said and held tightly as Twilight trotted downstairs.

===

It was already afternoon, and Melissa and Joshua were in the library helping Twilight, occasionally she had advised few customers who had come to pick up a book or two, but mostly the work had been sorting out the new books that had come in the mail.

Melissa was looking the books on the table where she and Joshua were, and an idea struck her.

“M-mistress?” Melissa asked carefully, when Twilight was examining a book.

Twilight was sitting near the table and turned her head from the book and looked at her, “Yes, what is it, Melissa.”

“It is Joshua, he can’t read or write properly yet so…” She trailed off. “I was wondering if I could teach him further with the books here?” She asked.

“Oh, that would be great!” Twilight smiled. “I would be happy to help too.”

“Y-you don’t have to do that.” Melissa said, happy that Twilight had accepted it so fast.

“But I insist, I would love to teach him.” Twilight winked.

Melissa nodded, and looked up at her, smiling happily. “Thank you, Mistress!”

Outside, the sun had already climbed high, with only a few small clouds dotting the sky. Near the market, Rarity and Sweetie Belle were buying new supplies, with their little human boy, named Kevin, on Sweetie’s back. He was gently holding on Sweetie’s mane as the two ponies walked towards the market.

Sweetie happened to look at her back to see how little Kevin was doing when she saw something.

“Sis, what is that!?” She squeaked, and Rarity turned to look. An airship was coming to view behind the mountain, it was still some distance away, but it was clear that it was coming towards Ponyville and it wouldn’t be long before it would reach it.

“Oh dear!” Rarity gasped when she recognized the airship. “Sweetie Belle, take ** to home and don’t come out before I come back, is that clear?” She said firmly, but quickly.

“What’s the matter, sis?” Sweetie asked, unsure about Rarity’s sudden change of mood.

“I will explain later, but right now I have to go to tell Twilight. Her humans might be in danger!” Rarity said.

Sweetie swallowed. “I… I will take Kevin back home.”

“Right, and stay with him!” Rarity said, fearing that things might escalate from here. Then she started to run towards Twilight’s library.

===

“Ponyville in sight, sire.” The guard saluted Prince Blueblood.

“Very good.” He said, and stood up. “It is time to teach that bratty little princess not to poke her nose in other ponies’ business.”

The prince walked to the bridge which was situated in a gondola under the airship. Captain of the airship saluted Blueblood when he stepped in. “”

The captain was grey coated Pegasus pony, his armour gleaming in the sun. “Reverse engines, slow her down.” He ordered and watched the pilot steer towards one particular location in the village.

Blueblood grinned as he saw Twilight’s library tree down below.

“Very good, captain, I am sure we caught them by surprise.” Blueblood said. “Prepare my guards!”

===

Rarity reached the library tree and saw that Fluttershy was also at the front door, looking up at the airship, which would soon be over head.

“Rarity, do you know what is going on?” Fluttershy said timidly, shivering a little as the huge shadow of the airship crawled over them and the tree.

“I am afraid I do!” Rarity said and took a few breaths. “We have to warn Twilight!”

Rarity opened the door and they both walked in. “Twilight, my dear, are you here!?” Rarity yelled and after a few moments, Twilight’s head poked out of a door. “Hey, Rarity. Fluttershy… Is something wrong?” Said, happily greeting them at first, but frowning when she saw their faces.

“It is Blueblood! His airship is right on top of us soon!” Rarity said, rolling her eyes how Twilight could have missed everything.

“What!” Twilight gasped and stretched her neck to look out of the window, saw that something huge was hovering overhead.

Melissa and Joshua came running from the room. Fluttershy immediately leaned down to them. “Aw, Twilight, I didn’t know you had humans.” She said excitingly, and Melissa and Joshua had to step back as the giant, yellow coated pegasus came towards them.

“Fluttershy, please take care of Melissa and Joshua.” Twilight said, pointing her hoof at the two tiny humans. “I am going to see what Blueblood wants.” She said, even though she pretty much knew what all this was about, and ran upstairs where there was a balcony.

“I will come with you!” Rarity said firmly and galloped after Twilight.

“Oh my…” Fluttershy gasped but then looked down. “Um… My name is Fluttershy…” She said softly, offering her hoof at the two. “Come, little ones, I will take care of you.”

“M-miss Fluttershy, what is happening?” Joshua asked as Fluttershy scooped them both up on her hoof, and held them gently. “I am not sure… but I will not allow anything bad happen to you.” She said firmly, she saw that the girl on her hoof was staring at the window, where proportion of the airship was visible. “Um… Do you know what is happening?” Fluttershy asked timidly when she saw the look on the girl’s face.

“I am afraid that I know.” The tiny girl answered, looking at Fluttershy. “Miss Fluttershy, we have to go now, before it is too late!”

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment, before looking firmly at the little human on her hooves. She hugged them safely against her chest and took off, flying out of the door.

Melissa gasped and held tightly on the yellow coated foreleg as the ground below speeded past. She looked at Joshua who was similarly holding on the other leg, but Fluttershy hugged them firmly but gently, which allowed Melissa to relax and even smile a little how the giant pony was carrying them.

Meanwhile, Twilight had reached her balcony, with Rarity that trotted to her side a moment after. The huge airship loomed above them, slowly coming to stop.

“Princess Twilight! How nice for you to come to welcome me to your little village!” They heard a shout coming from the airship and saw Prince Blueblood looking down from the bridge’s window.

“Blueblood, what is the meaning of this!” Twilight shouted back angrily.

“This?” Blueblood smirked and glanced his airship. “This means that I have come to teach a lesson, to you and to all the ponies, what it means to steal about me.”

“Steal? What do you mean?” Rarity said.

“Oh, Rarity, you know full well what I mean.” Blueblood said back and waved his hoof. “Arrest them and all the humans you find inside!”

Twilight and Rarity watched as several ropes dropped from the airship and several of his guards slid down and Pegasus guards took into air, gliding down towards them.

===

Fluttershy had landed outside of Ponyville and they were now lying low and watching as Blueblood’s guards go in Twilight’s library.

“Twilight is a strong alicorn, Blueblood is going to regret this.” Fluttershy said quietly. Melissa and Joshua looked back at her, as they were standing in front her hooves. Fluttershy was on her stomach on the grass and smiled down at them. “So don’t worry.”

“Miss Fluttershy… What about us?” Melissa said. “I think this is all our fault.”

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked puzzled.

“Mistress and Miss Rarity rescued me from Prince Blueblood’s castle.” Joshua said. “And now they are…” He whimpered.

Fluttershy moved her hoof behind Joshua and gently pulled the tiny boy closer to her. “Shh… I am sure Twilight and Rarity don’t blame you.” She said softly.

“But we are still just her slaves!” Melissa protested, not knowing what to feel as she looked back at the library tree. Twilight was definitely better than Blueblood but in the end, how much difference there actually was.

Melissa looked up, at Fluttershy’s face. “Miss Fluttershy, can you help us? Is there anything you could do?”

The way they both looked at her was breaking Fluttershy heart, and she thought carefully for several moments. “Little ones, you must not tell anypony what I will tell you.” She said firmly.

Author's Note

Next chapter will be the finale. ;)

Chapter 9: Hope, part 2

Twilight and Rarity ran from the room and watched behind the wall as Blueblood’s guards landed on the balcony. Twilight gritted her teeth and as the first guard came in, a pegasus, she pointed her horn towards him and shot an purple beam of energy that knocked him out of the balcony. Without missing a beat, two shots from the guards came towards them but Rarity was ready with her magic shield and with loud bangs the bolts were stopped by the shield. Rarity gave Twilight a smirk.

Outside, Fluttershy was still lying down under the bush, she thought of flying further away with Melissa and Joshua but couldn’t risk it, Blueblood’s pegasus guards were taking off from the airship and spreading around the village. Fluttershy watched them and the thought that they would be seen and caught made her shiver and she squeaked a little. Melissa watched as Blueblood’s guards entered Twilight’s – their – home. And blinked as one of the guards was promptly thrown off, he fly in an arc and landed on a bush some distance from the tree. She turned to look at Fluttershy with Joshua when they heard the big Pegasus squeak.

“Miss Fluttershy, what is wrong?” Joshua asked, his little arms hugging Fluttershy’s hoof.

“Oh, it is nothing, little one.” Fluttershy answered, smiling sweetly, ignoring her fears and deciding to stay put under the bush. Melissa took a few steps and kneeled down behind leaves, even ordinary leaves here were as big as a child.

The guards on the balcony waited until other guards had completely surrounded Twilight’s library tree, unicorns waiting on the ground and pegasi in the air. Five of them charged in and ran to the open door, and then gathered up. First two nodded to each other and now spread their magic shield while two guards jumped from the room. A blue bolt shot immediately towards them but was stopped by the shields. First one of them laughed. “It will take more-“ he stopped when only pony he saw was the white unicorn, he quickly turned his head around, where was the Princess?

A very large purple magical blast came from above and destroyed the staircase, making the two unicorn guards fall down. Downstairs Rarity quickly knocked the two dazed guards unconscious as they were no longer protected by the other guard’s shields.

Twilight grimaced that she had to do this to her own house but damages could be repaired, the thought of losing Melissa and Joshua to Blueblood was making her blood boil enough not to care.

Sounds of magical blast were heard by Fluttershy, Melissa and Joshua, making them fear for the worst but then they saw that only one guard ran back to the balcony, five had gone in. Melissa smiled for the first time, but then saw that a familiar figure had appeared on the airship’s open doors.

“Twilight Sparkle! You are only making this harder!” Blueblood shouted down, his voice amplified by his magic. “These little humans are my property and a distinguished Princess like yourself should not get herself tangled in this pointless matter.”

Melissa looked back, Joshua was now hugging Fluttershy’s hoof even more and the pegasus gently lowered her wing protectively on him. Twilight voice made Melissa’s head snap back towards their house. “Airship and at least two dozen guards? That doesn’t sound that you think this pointless! Or at least you had two dozen guards!” Twilight tone of voice was almost mocking.

“Nopony steals from me, Twilight!” Blueblood shouted back angrily.

“Now you done it, Twilight, you made him angry.” Rarity remarked, with a grin, even though her face showed worried.

Twilight sighed. “I don’t think we can talk this through with Blueblood… Rarity, this might be dangerous, if you want…” She looked at her friend.

“Nonsense, darling.” Rarity waved her hoof. “We are this together.”

“Thank you, Rarity.” Twilight smiled.

Outside, Blueblood was giving orders to his guards, co-ordinating them to attack all at once. He too was preparing to go in with the rest.

“Sire, she is an alicorn, it might be better…” A guard beside Blueblood started but stopped as he saw Prince’s face.

“Everyone ready? Good.” The prince grinned and with a wave of his hoof, the guards charged.

A group of unicorn guards blasted the door with their magic, small pieces of wood flew in as the door exploded. Their next blasts were stopped by Rarity’s shield, the light blue curved wall shimmered and shook but took the damage. The guards released another volley of magical blast, and Rarity showed considerable strain to keep up the shield, and the guards saw it. They grinned and started to spread out, they too were protected by a shield which was laid out over them by guards behind them, but as the guards at the front spread out, so did the shield as the unicorn guards at the back tried to protect them.

An incredibly powerful beam came from back of the library and punched through the shield, shattering it and sending two of the guards who had stood at the door stumbling back out again, taking the guards who had been behind them with them. Twilight was hovering at the back of the library, flapping her wings and her horn glowing brightly. Rarity managed to give her a short smile.

Meanwhile, unicorn and pegasi guards, along with Blueblood had landed on the balcony and rushed in. They appeared at the door, but stopped as the staircase had been destroyed earlier. The pegasi guards took into the air and charged towards Rarity and Twilight.

Rarity gasped and projected a tight shield around her just in time to protect her from the worst but now she was completely surrounded by the unicorn guards that had escaped Twilight’s blast from a moment ago and the new pegasi guards.

Blueblood saw Twilight and shot towards her a wide magical beam that forced her against the wall of the library. “Now, attack her!” Blueblood shouted as his pegasi guards flew towards her.

Twilight was stopping Blueblood’s beam with her magic, and this allowed her to concentrate for a few second before the guards would be upon her. They were being overpowered, and Twilight mind raced but saw no alternative. While shielding herself from Blueblood’s magic beam, Twilight shot at her library, directly below Blueblood.

The already weakened tree gave away and collapsed. Blueblood managed to gasp as the floor disappeared under him and he fell, along with the debris and pieces of wood which buried him under.

“Get out of here!” Twilight yelled and blasted the pegasi rushing towards her just in time, sending them tumbling on the floor. Twilight dropped down exhausted from the effort and looked at the remaining guards angrily. “I said get out!” She yelled again, taking a step towards them.

Rarity had taken a beating but had managed to protect herself with the shield. The guards around her backed away from Twilight, forming a line against her. Rarity collapsed, exhausted from the effort to keep her shield up, sighing relieved.

“Come on!” One of the guards shouted. “They can’t keep this up for long, and there are more of us outside!” He encouraged the others.

“Oh, you mean these guys?” A new voice said behind them and the guards looked back, seeing a cyan coated pegasus at the hole where the door had been. There were several other ponies outside, some were standing while others were laying down on the grass. None of the standing ponies were guards.

“Rainbow!” Twilight smiled seeing her friend.

Rainbow gave her a joyful salute with her hoof. “Sorry it took so long, Twilight, I saw Blueblood’s airship arriving here, and it took some time to arrange the ponies to help you.”

Twilight gave Rainbow a soft smile and then looked firmly at the remaining guards. “It is over.” Twilight said. “You are surrounded and out-numbered.

The guards looked back and forth nervously, and seeing on way out, one by one they gave up and surrendered.

===

“Looks like it is over, Melissa.” Joshua said quietly “I am glad that all those ponies came to help.”

They were still hiding behind the bushes, but could at least now be more calm. Joshua turned to face Fluttershy. “Miss Fluttershy, what was it you wanted to tell us?” Joshua asked carefully, looking up at the giant pegasus. Fluttershy looked at him and frowned a little. “I will tell you, but you must promise you will not tell anyone, not even Twilight.” She said firmly, looking at both Melissa and Joshua.

“I promise, Miss Fluttershy!” Joshua said excitedly, eager to hear what the gentle giant was to say. Melissa turned slowly to look at Fluttershy and nodded. Fluttershy seemed to relax and looked at them sweetly.

“I belong to a group of ponies who help humans live free in Equestria.” Fluttershy said, stunning especially Melissa.

“What!? You mean there are free humans in here?” Melissa said loudly, stepping closer to the giant.

“Yes, yes.” Fluttershy said and motioned with her hoof to them be more quiet. “Please, be careful, I don’t want anypony to hear this.”

“Please, tell us, Miss Fluttershy.” Melissa said, more quietly this time. She was stunned, human were living free in Equestria and there were ponies helping them!

Fluttershy tried again to calm them down with a wave of her hoof. “I will, I will, little ones.” She said with her calm quiet voice.

===

Prince Blueblood was still unconscious when Celestia’s guards came. They had dug him up, and found that he been knocked unconscious by the fall and debris that had fallen on top of him. He was bruised and battered but alive.

Melissa watched from Twilight’s back, with Joshua’s arms wrapped around her waist, and blinked when she recognized a familiar looking pony.

“Bon Bon?” Melissa said aloud.

Twilight looked back at Melissa and then forward again, looking the earth pony mare. She trotted to her, passing the guards she they lifted Blueblood’s body and put him in shackles along with ring to his horn to prevent the use of magic.

“Bon Bon, what are you doing here?” Twilight asked and she, along with Melissa and Joshua, were even more surprised when they heard her ordering guards.

Bon Bon looked Blueblood in disgust before finally stepping to front of Twilight. “I… I saw what Blueblood was doing to humans and what he did here…” Bon Bon said quietly, rubbing her foreleg with her hoof. She lifted her face to Twilight, Melissa and Joshua. “I worked for him… and I am sorry for all that happened to you. They say that there will be a trial and I have decided to testify against him.” She continued.

“Oh, that is great, Bon Bon.” Twilight smiled, but then made more series face, looking back at the humans.

Melissa and Joshua looked at each other, and nodded. “It wasn’t your fault.” Melissa said, biting her lip.

Awkward silence fell between them all, until Bon Bon smiled a little and turned around. “I… I hope everything goes well for you.” She said.

“Thank you, Miss Bon Bon!” Joshua shouted, as she left.

A short time later, Melissa and Joshua were standing in front of Twilight’s library, it had taken some serious damage but was repairable, Melissa estimated, looking at it.

“Melissa… what do we do now?” Joshua asked, his hand clutching her arm.

Melissa looked at him, with newly found determination. “We are going to stay here for a while, Joshua.” Fluttershy had told them that she and other ponies were secretly freeing and taking care of humans. And that their most guarded secret was a human village in Equestria, where freed humans lived on their own, in harmony with ponies. “We are going to find that human village, where humans live free.” She smiled.

END