Cloudy Atmosphere

“So that’s the whole ‘Scooter Incident,” finished Cloudy.

“Oh my, dealing with colts like those must’ve been tough. I think I know a couple of fillies who are exactly like them,” replied Twilight.

“It was hard. Nopony really liked those guys. I might’ve lost my cool and took a harsh beating that day, but it was also the day Gray motivated me to become stronger. I mean, I know I’m strong already, I have been improving throughout the years. But I feel like it’s not enough. I swear, that I'll become as strong as him some day! And who knows, maybe I might become a guard myself and join him!”

“Well, you definitely have a lot of spirit,” laughed Twilight, “But are you sure that’s what you want?”

“What do you mean?” he asked confused.

“I realize that you want to become strong, but don’t you have your own goals?” she inquired.

“I think I just told you my goals.”

“But, I don’t think that’s it though.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m not trying to trample on your dreams or anything, but it sounds like you want to become a guard just because Gray is a guard.”

“Why wouldn’t I? He’s my closest friend. I look up to him.”

“I know, but don’t you want to follow your own dreams? The ones that focus on your interests? Like, what do you do in your free time?” she asked.

“Hmmm? In my free time?” he asked and pondered for a bit. “Well, I like working out, so that’s one thing. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want be Iron Will buff, because that sight just isn’t pretty to look at. I just want to be a little stronger than Gray is all.” Cloudy replied.

“I see, anything else?”

“Well, sometimes I like to draw……”

“Really, that’s interesting-“

“-On the walls,” he finished.

“Huh?” Twilight asked in confusion.

“Oh yeah, I do a little graffiti art every now and then. It kind of helps clear the mind. Maybe when this trip is over, we could paint some time.”

Cloudy reached into his bag and pulled out a few glass cans of paint of different colors, along with some worn out brushes.

“What do you say?” he asked, offering her a can.

“Um, no thank you,” she said pushing the can away.

“Aw come on, it could be fun,” he insisted.

“No thank you, I don’t partake in vandalism ,” she replied.

“It’s not vandalism. It’s just spreading some creativity.”

“If you say so,” she said sarcastically. “So anyway, what else do you like to do?”

“Well um-“

“Hey I almost forgot!” Pinkie interrupted. Out of nowhere she pulled out a bag filled with cupcakes and opened them up.

“Who wants a cupcake?” she asked.

“Pinkie, don’t you think it’s still a little early for cupcakes?” wondered Twilight.

“I would LOVE a cupcake,” responded Cloudy.

“Okie Doki Loki,” replied Pinkie while she reached into her bag, pulled out a purple cupcake and threw it at Cloudy.

He caught the treat with his wing and immediately started munching on it. Twilight watched as she raised an eyebrow and formed an unsure smile.

“Really?”

“Hey if it has sugar and tastes good I’m eating it,” he replied.

“I wouldn’t bother reasoning with him,” said Scarlet from afar who was still focused on her card game. “Cloudy’s got a huge sweet-tooth. He once won a lottery in our town and received 100 bits.”

“Are ya’ll serious?” asked Applejack.

“Yep. And you know what he spent it on? Chocolate bars and lollipops.”

“Yeah, and it was totally worth it,” smiled Cloudy, and then pulled out a chocolate bar and ate it with his cupcake.

Both Applejack and Rarity’s jaw dropped at his luck and that he spent it so foolishly. The image of Cloudy with a satisfied smile surrounded by chocolate bars popped in their heads.

“100 bits…..” started Rarity.

“….all spent on chocolate?” finished AJ.

“Ok then,” responded Twilight. She looked up at him and noticed that he had finished the cupcake. She also noticed that he had some frosting on his right cheek; but the way it was positioned and the way he smiled gave him the appearance of a foal.

“Um, Cloudy, you’ve got some frosting on your cheek,” she pointed out.

“Huh?” He noticed and quickly wiped it off with his hoof. “Why does that always happen?”

Twilight began to giggle. Even with the frosting off, she couldn’t help but picture Cloudy being younger than he actually is.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing, it’s just…..” she then started rubbing the back of her head with her hoof.

“Just what?”

“You kind of looked like a foal when you had the frosting on your face.” She laughed.

“DHUH?!?!”

“What?” she asked.

“I don’t look like a foal at all! I’m no foal, I’m no baby-face, I’m no Shorty! Why is it that all ponies mock my appearance?” he panicked.

“I-I wasn’t trying to offend you or anything, I didn’t mean-“

“Nopony calls me Shorty anymore! Except for Gray, Scarlet, and Swift; but that’s beside the point. Other than them, nopony calls me shorty!”

“I didn’t call you that, I just said that you looked kind of young for a minute!” she said, waving her arms nervously.

Cloudy let out a soft sigh and sat back down. “Sorry. That was just the nickname I was given back then. Ever since Gray left, all the other colts at school called me that, and made fun of me for it. One mare even mistook me for a ten-year-old once.”

Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle at the imagination of that possibility, covering her mouth as she tried to hide it.

Cloudy groaned. “I have a stupid face, I know.”

“No you don’t,” Twilight cooed, “You have a handsome face.”

“Oh.” He raised his right eye brow and formed a little smirk.

“What?”

“You really think I’m handsome?” he teased. “Am I really that good looking?”

Twilight’s face began to turn a bright red and her eyes shrank.

“What? I didn’t mean….well it’s just……you were acting….. and uh….you look young-I mean….not like foal young…..but…ummm…”

As Twilight was trying to think of an excuse, Cloudy kept on chuckling.

“I know what you’re trying to say,” said Cloudy. “I appreciate you trying to make me feel better about myself.”

“Yeah,” she said, “Look, I didn’t mean to make you freak out like that. Let’s just forget I said it, ok?”

“Sure,” he replied.

A few hours have passed by and Cloudy was now asleep on the train. As he was sleeping, Little Swift was already well rested and awake. While her sister still played her card games, she peaked over to the seats behind her and spied on the both Rarity and Fluttershy.

“They have beautiful manes,” she whispered to herself. “And their coats, and marks.”

Swifts eyes were just beaming. It wasn’t long until somepony else noticed her spying like a little foal.

“Uh Rarity, Fluttershy…” said Applejack who pointed to Swift.

The both turned around and looked up, only for Swift to retreat back down in her seat.

“Looks like you two have an admirer,” joked AJ.

“Huh?” they both said.

From behind the seat, Swift just sat there with her hooves covering her mouth, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Scarlet wasn’t paying attention and was still focused on her cards.

“That was embarrassing,” Swift muttered to herself.

“What was embarrassing?” asked Scarlet.

“Huh? What? Oh, nothing. Nothing happened at all. Hehehehe- CAN’T THIS TRAIN GO ANY FASTER?!” she shouted.

“We’re already here,” replied Twilight. “You don’t need to shout.”

“Huh, what?” groaned Cloudy, who just woke up. “Did somepony say we’re here?”

“Yep, we just pulled into the station,” Twilight responded happily. Cloudy looked outside and saw that the Crystal Kingdom, was in fact right next to their train. Cloudy became speechless.

Without waiting for anypony else, he grabbed his bags and zipped right out of the train car.

“Hey, wait for us!” shouted Scarlet who was putting her cards away.

Pretty soon, the entire group exited the train and trotted onto the platform, where Cloudy was there waiting for them.

“Would you guys hurry up, we’re already here!” exclaimed Cloudy.

“Just give us a minute partner,” Applejack responded. “Not all of us are off the train yet.”

“I can’t believe we’re here already,” said Swift excitedly.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go see Princess Cadence,” said Twilight.

The group trotted off the platform and entered the kingdom. As they were trotting through the city, they all couldn’t help but stare in awe of how shiny and fancy the empire looked. All of the buildings and citizens seemed to glimmer and shine.

It wasn’t long before the group had reached the castle of the kingdom, where the crystal heart stood. They went up to the main entrance where two guards were standing.

“We’re here to visit Princess Cadence,” said Twilight.

The guards then used their magic to open up the doors, and the group walked inside. They were even more amazed of what the inside looked like; the pillars were huge and the stain glass windows were amazing to look at.

“Yo, Gray! We’re here!” shouted Cloudy, causing an echo through the halls. “Gray! It’s Cloudy, Scarlet and Swift! Where are you, dude!?” Still no response.

“Do you have to shout so loudly?” complained Rainbow Dash.

“Yes,” he answered simply.

It wasn’t long before they reached a rather large door. Twilight opened it and on the other side sat the crystal throne room. There, sitting on the throne, was a pink alicorn with a multi-colored mane. She wore a small tiara, and had a crystal heart for a mark.

“Princess, Cadence!” yelled Twilight, and she ran up to her.

“Hello Twilight.” The two shared an embrace as the others bowed afterwards.

“I’m glad you came to visit, Twilight,” said the princess.

“Thanks.”

Cadence spotted the three new ponies in the background.

“So who are these ponies?” she asked, pointing to the trio.

“Oh right, I met these three yesterday and they said that they were visiting the empire as well. So we decided to come here together.”

“I see. So, what’s your names?” she asked as she trotted up to the three.

“I’m Cloudy Crescent.”

“Name’s Little Swift, what’s up?”

“And I’m Scarlet Aura.”

“Scarlet….Aura?” Cadence asked unsure.

“Yeah.”

“Hmmm, why does that name sound familiar?” she said aloud. “Are you sure we haven’t met. I feel like I’ve heard about that name from somewhere.”

“I assure you, that I’ve never seen you before in my life.” replied Scarlet.

“Just a quick question,” Cadence continued, “What are your parent’s names?”

“My parents? They should have the same names as my brother’s, Glimmer and Moon Echo.”

“Okay, just making sure.”

When Cadence looked away, Scarlet let out a relieved sigh. This only resulted in getting suspicious stares from Spike, Dash, and AJ.

“So Cloudy was it?,” she said focusing back on Cloudy, “What are your reasons for coming here?”

“We’re here visiting a foalhood friend of ours. He’s a guard here at the empire, his name is Gray Diamond,” replied Cloudy happily.

The room went silent for a moment. The princess wore a shocked and concerned look.

“Gray Diamond?” Cadence asked.

“Yeah. About THIS tall,” Cloudy said raising his hoof 2 inches above his head, “Kind of ripped, black mane, gray fur, egotistic, cutiemark’s are two swords in an X with a Diamond in the center.”

“Oh, I know who Gray is.”

“What’s wrong? Is Gray not here? Is he sick or something?” Cloudy asked concerned.

“No, he’s not sick.”

“Oh good,” he sighed. “If I found out that he wasn’t here today, I’d be really disappointed. Sorry, you were going to say something?”

“Well, you see, I don’t know how to tell you this,” she paused. “But Gray Diamond isn’t here. He’s missing.”

The three friends let out a gasp. Cloudy's heart sank at those words. He began to sweat uncontrollably, his legs trembled, and soon became slack jawed. Even his left eye began to twitch as he covered his mouth with his hoof. He started to imagine that Gray was gone for good.

“W-W-What?” muttered Cloudy.

“If he’s not here, where is he?” asked Swift.

“It’s a long story, but it’s not just him that’s gone," her eyes began to water and her head stared at the ground."M-my own husband has gone missing as well." A single tear started to flow down her right eye as she said that.

This time, Twilight and her friends let out a shocked gasp. Twilight looked more scared than anypony.

“Missing? What are you saying?” asked Twilight. "You don't really mean that, do you? Is this some kind of joke? You wouldn't lie at a time like this. What's happening here? Why is he missing? Somepony please explain! I can't lose my brother again!"

Twilight began to hyperventilate as Rarity went over to comfort her as they shared an embrace. More and more tears began to flow down Cadence's face, she couldn't stand to see her sister in-law like this, and she couldn't bear the idea of her own husband not returning.

“I think it’s better if I showed you. Come with me,” Cadence said, and the whole group followed her to another room.

They entered a room with a large crystal table in the center and diamond shaped gem floating above it on the ceiling. They all gathered around the table as the door behind them shut.

“What is this?” asked Scarlet.

“It’s the only way I can give you a proper explanation of what’s going on,” answered Cadence. Wiping away more tears.

Her horn began to light up, making it brighter than anything else in the room. She used her magic to close the curtains on the windows, darkening the whole room and making her light easier to see. She then shot a magic beam at the gem above. The gem itself began to glow, and seconds later it projected a hologram of an unknown city on the table where everypony could see.

The city had castles and ponies just like any other kingdom, only the castles looked like they were something from a fairy tale with its grim architecture and mysterious figures. Each building was made out of black bricks, yet the grass was fresh and green. Most of the roofs had spikes on them along with small triangular windows. The sky was a light ocean blue color with some grey stratus clouds. There were markets, foals riding on scooters, and cheerful ponies all around. In the center, was a tall tower also made of black bricks, with bizarre symbols on the roof top. The group were all amazed at what they were looking at. Swift shivered and scooted in closer to her adopted sister.

“What is this, we’re looking at?” asked Twilight.

“This is the city of Favorsham,” spoke Cadence. “At the beginning, it was just any ordinary city filled with cheerful ponies. But then, disaster struck.”

She shot another beam at the gem, and the hologram altered a bit. There was now a shadowy tidal wave that consumed the little city below. A demonic shape took form in the wave.

“A monster has awoken and spread his darkness throughout the kingdom,” continued Cadence.

The holographic creature with a dark spirit-like cloak appeared, its claws and eyes the only things visible aside from the darkness..

“This demonic being is known as Marofaemar.”

“Maro-Faemar?” wondered Twilight.

“Yes. It is said he wears a cloak completely made up of the dark spirits of Tartarus. His claws are as sharp as daggers, and multiple crimson eyes that can pierce into your soul.”

Cloudy looked at the creature in fear and disgust; he’d never seen anything like it before. Cloudy felt like his blood had turned to ice and his hooves were glued to the floor. The creature then turned and faced Cloudy who stood there silently, transfixed.

Without a warning the monster’s eyes began to increase in size and shimmer with horror. The spirits surrounding the monster began to scatter all around. There was moaning, weeping, and screaming among them. They were screams of pain and misery, as loud as a banshee. There were a million voices going off at once.

Cloudy jumped back at the noise. Scarlet covered her mouth with the tip of her hoof while she struggled to remain calm. Fluttershy buried her face in AJ’s chest to silence the screams, but it was no use. No matter how hard AJ hugged her, the voices still came through.

The monster appeared as a giant over the town, tearing up all of the buildings and knocking them over like blocks. Soon after, nothing was left but an ocean filled with blood and bodies where the city used to be.

“B-B-Blood….” muttered Rarity, as her eyes rolled back involuntary and she fainted.

“When he awoke, he destroyed everything in his sight only to rebuild them in his own image.”

The beast shot beams out of his eyes and claws, recreating the once fallen buildings; only these ones were more demonic looking and a lot more grim. They were all half-destroyed, half of the citizens were covered in blood, the other half lied dead on the streets. More houses had spikes all around them, there were multiple holes in house walls and all of the doors were destroyed. The tall tower in the middle changed dramatically, there was a spike on every brick and each one either having a strip of flesh or a stream of blood. The roof looked more like a serpents head with its tongue slithered out and its fangs out, as if its ready to attack.

“He didn’t stop there. He even started building his own army.”

The group watched as the beast shot thousands of demon pony soldiers from its mouth, each one equipped with deadly weapons and already covered in crimson blood.

“The scary thing is, we still don’t know that much about this creature,” Cadence admitted.

“Come again?” asked Scarlet.

“We still don’t know what exactly this creature is. We don’t know how it was awoken or what his motives are. I just heard about this monster from Celestia. She warned me of his presence and suggested that we send some of our best soldiers, your friend and my husband included, to its kingdom to exterminate the beast. Hopefully, they will be able to restore Favorsham back to its natural and peaceful state. However, it’s been weeks since we heard anything from either of our forces.”

That’s when Cloudy started getting a horrific idea; one that he wished was not a reality.

“Are you saying, that they could all be…..dead?” muttered Cloudy.

Twilight let out a gasp at the thought of it. Everyone else around them started getting the same scared idea.

Cadence then shot another beam at the gem above and the hologram disappeared, and then opened up the curtains again to let some light in.

“We’re not sure,” Cadence finally answered. “I’m sorry I had to tell you this. I’m just as concerned as you are. But we still haven’t received a letter back from one of our troops. Whether they failed or succeeded is still unknown.”

“Is there anything we can do to help, Princess?” wondered Dash.

“I’m not sure what you could help with. All we can do right now is hope.”

The others around the table began to exchange looks and whisper among themselves.

Cloudy had a different thought when the Princess mentioned that all they could do was hope. His brow furrowed and he gritted his teeth, Twilight noticed this.

“H-hope?”

“Cloudy, is something wrong?” asked Twilight.

“What was that?” he mumbled to Cadence. She then turned and faced his direction.

“Hmm?”

“What was it that you said? All we could do, is hope?” he grumbled.

“Cloudy, I’m sorry, but there’s not much we could do.”

“I see,” he muttered and bowed his head. Twilight became more  confused.

“I’m really sorry.” Cadence closed her eyes and exited the room, the others soon followed. Spike woke up Rarity told her everything that happened and walked out as well. Twilight, was still confused about Cloudy’s reaction; he just stood there in silence.

A few hours passed and the sun was about to set. Little Swift was floating in the hallways playing with her yo-yo again. Trying new tricks and swinging it around aimlessly. She had one thing on her mind.

Should I talk to them? It would be best to get to really know them better. No, no, it’s too early. I’ll sound like an awkward geek, she argued with herself. But if I don’t act soon, then it might be too late. Will it? Nah, I shouldn’t worry. I’ve still got plenty of time to see them.

Without knowing, she passed by a slightly open door where familiar voices could be heard.

“I don’t know about this.”

“C’mon, just let me go already.”

Swift stopped and immediately recognized those voices; a soft feminine voice and  younger male voice. She floated backwards and peaked into the crack of the door. It was Princess Cadence and her brother, Cloudy.

“Cloudy?” Swift whispered to herself. Swift could only faintly hear their discussion.

“I’m not asking you to do this, you know,” said Cadence.

“I know that. I don’t really care what happens to me, I just want to see him. So please, just tell me where,” Cloudy pleaded.

“……Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes. That’s what this whole meeting is about isn’t it? Isn’t that what we’ve been discussing for the past few hours?”

Cadence then looked down in thought, her eyes half closed, wondering if she should let this stallion go on this journey. She then looked up again.

“Very well, then. Seeing how you care so much for your friend.” She levitated a small rolled up scroll and gave it to him.

“Here’s a spare map to Favorsham. But I must warn you, that the path will be dangerous. There’s no telling what will happen.”

“That’s what will make it fun,” he joked as he took the scroll form her. “And I promise that I’ll bring your husband back as well.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she said with a stern look.

Cloudy let out a slight laugh. “Thank you, Princess.” Cloudy grabbed his saddle bags and made his way towards the door. Swift saw him coming and quickly flew out of a nearby window. Cloudy walked out without noticing that she was there.

“He’s going to that place?” Swift wondered, and started to follow him.

Cloudy walked through the hallway and passed by Dash, AJ, Pinkie, and Spike who were all having a discussion. They all noticed Cloudy walked past them with his saddlebags and they became curious.

He walked out the front doors and soon passed Scarlet, Rarity, and Fluttershy who were all partaking in a card game on the ground, without saying anything. The three noticed him and became concerned.

“He’s been acting strange since this morning,” pointed out Fluttershy. “I sure hope he’s ok.”

“I wonder where he’ going?” pondered Rarity.  Although Scarlet soon had an idea and dropped her cards and began to follow him as well.

Finally, Cloudy walked past Twilight without even saying anything and made his way towards the train station. Twilight turned and noticed.

“Where are you going?” she muttered.

Cloudy was just about to enter the platform and purchase a ticket, until a red blur flew past him.

“Huh?”

Little Swift soon appeared in front of him.

“Hold on, where do you think you’re going?” she demanded.

“Where do you  think? I’m going to go see Gray,” he answered.

“Gray? You, you’re….”

“Yeah.”

“Well not without me you’re not!” she responded putting her hooves on his shoulders. “If you’re going, then I’m going with you.”

“Huh?” His eyes soon expanded in confusion and his mouth hung slightly open.

“Why do you sound so surprised?” she asked giving him some space.

“Well, you DO know where I’m going right?”

“Yeah, I heard you talking with the princess. Something about ‘letting you go somewhere.’”

“You were eavesdropping?”

“Yes-No-doesn’t matter right now. Why didn’t you ask either me or Scarlet to come with you?”

“I figured that, given the place I’m heading, and from what you heard from Cadence’s story , that you wouldn’t want to risk your lives doing this. Plus, I didn’t think it was fair that I would drag you along against your will. Sorry.”

“Sorry?!” she bellowed. “Why would you think we wouldn’t want to go with you? I want to  see Gray just as much as you do. I don’t care if the place we’re traveling to is Tartarus, I’m going to come with you, whether you like it or not!”

“Um, thanks?”

“Leaving already?” said a voice from behind. They both turned around and saw that it was Twilight. Along with Scarlet, Spike, and everypony they’ve met so far.

“Twilight, Scarlet, guys I….”

“Darling, are you seriously going to travel all the way to Favorsham?” asked Rarity.

“I thought I was darling,” Swift whispered to herself.

“Yeah, why not?"

“Why not? Maybe it’s because you’re basically walking to your own demise!” yelled Spike.

“So what?” he responded.

"But, all we can do is hope right now. What else is there, that we can do?" muttered Rarity.

“Are you serious? I can’t just sit here and do nothing but ‘hope!’” he snapped, “I did not come all the way out here only to find out that my best friend is missing and may or may not come back. I came here to see him, and dammit that’s what I’m going to do!”

“Hey, are you out of your mind?!” bellowed Applejack as she galloped up to him.

“We’re ya’ll not paying any attention to what Princess Cadence said? Did you not see that thing brutally destroy that town and kill all of those ponies?! It’s suicide to just run into that place!” she scolded.

“It’s a lot better than staying here and just hoping that they’ll come back alive. Hope is for the weak, and I’m defiantly NOT weak!”

While the group argued amongst themselves, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel amazed at this stallion’s loyalty to his friend.

He’s really willing to fly into a place like that just to see his friend? Maybe he is insane, Dash thought to herself.

“You’re going to get yourself killed, I won’t let you!” scolded Applejack.

“I don’t care!” argued Cloudy. “I’m going to find him, one way or another. I will not stand here and just let this slide. If no one’s willing to do anything to help, then I will. I’ll actually take action and do something, and show everypony how strong I can really be.”

“You know, strength alone isn’t enough to make it to Favorsham,” started Spike. “How can you  be so sure you can do it?”

“Because I believe I can, and I have to  make an effort,” he answered. “The only one who doesn’t think I’m weak is me. As long as I keep believing I’m strong and putting effort into everything I do, I’ll make it. I’ll survive. I won’t stop until I’ve completed my goal!”

The platform went silent. Both Twilight and Dash began to admire his determination; they stared at him with awe. The others around them stared at him with fear and disapproval.

“I’m sorry I raised my voice,” he apologized.

“It’s ok,” replied Twilight.

“I guess we’ll be on our way.” Cloudy and Swift turned around and about to head for the platform.

“Wait,” called Scarlet as Cloudy and Swift turned around.

“I’m going with you,” she said.

“Really?” asked Cloudy.

“Yeah, you may be a moron most of the time, but you’re my brother.”

“Gee, thanks,” he responded sarcastically.

“Besides, if I came home without you guys, Glimmer and Moon Ec….I mean, Mom and Dad would kill me.”

“You’re really coming? That’s great!” exclaimed Swift.

“Hey Twi,” whispered Dash.

“Yeah?” Twilight whispered back.

“You think we should go with him?”

“What? Why?”

“Well, don’t you want to find your brother?” she asked.

"Of course! But i don't know what to do I'm so confused. If i tag along, there's the better chance that I'll save Shining from this Maro thing. But it could also cost me my life, i could die. On the other hoof, if i just stayed here then there's no way of knowing if he'll come back. I might be safe, but at the cost of losing my brother. I don't know what to do?"

"C'mon Twi, you can do this. You've taken down lots of enemies before," Dash encouraged.

"I know, but-"

“Plus, this guy seems pretty cool,” added Rainbow Dash. “I mean, he’s willing to risk his own life just to see his friend.”

She then flew over and floated next to Cloudy and his sisters.

“I’m in too,” Dash said.

“Seriously?” asked Cloudy. “You know, you don’t have to go. It’s not like I’m forcing you to-“

“Yeah whatever,” she interrupted. “After what you said, how could I not join? That’s true loyalty what you said, about finding your buddy and all.”

“Um, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. Besides you guys could use the help of an awesome pegasus like me. I mean, I AM the fastest flyer in all of Equestria,” she boasted.

Cloudy let out a slight chuckle. Her spirit was infectious. It was then that Twilight made her decision.

“I’m in too,” she stepped in.

“Really, Twi?” Spike asked.

“Yeah, if you’re looking for your friend, then I think it’s fair that I come along to search for my brother,” she replied with determination. "I'm going to find and save him, no matter what!"

“Glad you’re coming too,” said Cloudy.

“If she’s going, then I’m going,” said Spike who followed Twilight.

“Listen to yourselves, are ya’ll losing your marbles?!” protested AJ.

“You can stay here if you want,” said Cloudy. “Like I said, I’m not forcing you to come with me. But I’m going, to see my friend.”

Applejack was about to protest again, until Pinkie bounced right past her and stood next to Twilight.

“I’m tagging along. It’s no fun traveling if you don’t have all of your friends with you,” Pinkie chirped.

Pretty soon, both Rarity and Fluttershy walked past AJ and joined the group.

“Might as well join,” suggested Rarity.

“Yes!” Swift whispered.

“Hmm, did you say something, Little Swift?” asked Fluttershy.

“Huh? Oh, nothing. I didn’t say anything,” she replied embarrassed. “Just, glad you two are coming, hehehehehe.”

“Alright, alright,” AJ finally gave in. “I’ll come too. But, can I speak with you two in private?” she asked pointing to both Scarlet and Cloudy.

“Huh?” asked Scarlet.

“Please.”

They both nodded and followed AJ back to the stairs at the entrance where nopony could hear them, a good distance away.

“I know something isn’t right with you two. I’m just tagging along to protect my friends. But I’m also going to keep an extra close eye on you both. So if either of you tries anything funny, then this demon will be the least of your worries. Got me?”

“Noted,” responded Cloudy nervously.

“Way to be subtle about it,” Scarlet replied sarcastically to AJ.

After their little discussion with Applejack, the trio walked back to the group.

“So, is everypony ready?” Cloudy asked. They all responded with a simple nod.

"Alright then," Cloudy started. "I guess we all know what our objective is; travel to Favorsham, rescue our friends, and hopefully avoid and escape the demon, Marofaemar. If not avoid, defeat."

“Let’s do this!” yelled Swift.

“Favorsham, here we come,” said Scarlet.

“Time to find Gray!” exclaimed Cloudy.