One Last Mission

The Twenty-Fourth of June, year Thirteen of the Harmonic Era of Equestria

Dear Princess Cele

Sorry, I forgot. I’m not used to writing in a journal. Most of my writing is either research papers or letters to Princess Celestia, so this will probably take some time to get used to. Then again, I guess that there’s a lot that I’ll have to get used to now. I don’t want to believe that ten years have passed, but after today I can’t deny it. I wish I could.

So much has changed. The changes started making themselves apparent when I first woke up today. The magic exhaustion wasn't anything strange, but I could feel myself lying on a bed that was much less comfortable than mine or Ponyville Hospital's. I opened my eyes, waited for the room to stop spinning, and looked around. I was lying on a cot in a huge tent. Lying unconscious on cots around me were the girls, and the cots extended in every direction, forming eight rows of twenty-four cots each. Most of them were occupied by unconscious ponies. I tried to remember how I'd gotten there, and the memories of yesterday came flooding back.

I had woken up yesterday and found Scootaloo standing there, ten years older than I'd remembered her. When we went to confront Discord, we'd somehow disappeared for ten years. Three years after we vanished, Discord had taken control of the unicorns and had manipulated them into waging civil war on Equestria. The Southern Gryphon Tribes had joined our side after the first year, and the war has continued ever since. After Scootaloo had explained this to me, Sweetie bell and I had had to teleport everypony to Ponyville, which had knocked me out.

Now I was awake in some sort of medical tent. As I continued to look around, a white earth pony mare walked into the tent. There were a number of gray streaks in her red mane and tail, but I still was able to easily recognize her. "Nurse Red Heart," I called out softly, not wanting to wake the others.

She looked over and smiled gently. "Miss Sparkle," she said softly, making her way over, "you're up. How are you feeling?"

"A little dizzy," I admitted, "but I'm used to magic exhaustion."

"I can testify to that," said Nurse Red Heart. She gave me a quick check-up and, satisfied that there was nothing physically wrong, nodded. "Looks like you're all set," she said. "I was told that the Generals want to see all of you as soon as possible, but it would probably be better to wait until the others woke up so that you can all arrive at once. Besides," she frowned sadly at the girls, "somepony should prepare them for the world that they're about to enter."

I nodded. "I guess," I said, "but I'm not sure how to tell them about everything. Especially Rarity and Applejack. I just don't know how to tell them about their sisters."

Nurse Red Heart smiled at me and put a hoof on my shoulder. "You're their friend," she said, "and you're there for them. The friendship you can offer them right now is the best medicine that there is." She turned and walked back to the front of the tent. "I'm needed back at the hospital, but I'll come and check in again soon." She smiled back at me one more time and said, "It really is good to see you again, Twilight."

After she left, I was alone with my thoughts. I tried to decide how I would tell the girls about our situation, hoping that they would stay asleep long enough for Nurse Red Heart to come back so she could do it instead. Unfortunately for me, Rarity began to stir shortly after Nurse Red Heart left. I was out of time with no idea what to say.

"Rarity," I called softly. "Rarity, are you OK?"

Rarity slowly opened her eyes and looked over at me. "Twilight dear," she muttered, "is that you? Why are there three of you?"

"Just relax, Rarity," I said. "Disorientation is a common symptom of magic exhaustion. It should clear up soon."

Rarity lay still for a moment more, waiting for the effects to fade, before sitting up and rubbing her head. "Magic exhaustion?" she mumbled. "Well, that certainly explains it. I wonder what could have caused it? Come to think of it," she looked around a little wearily, "where exactly are we?"

"I was wonderin' the same thing myself." We looked over to see Applejack slowly standing up. "Woke up a few minutes ago, but I figured I'd wait until my ears stopped ringin' before I tried to move. I heard Nurse Red Heart talkin' to you, Sugarcube, an' she said somethin' about comfortin' us. So," she walked over and sat down in front of us, "where are we an' what do we need comfortin' for?"

That's Applejack for you, straight to the point. "Well," I said, "we're in Ponyville, in some sort of medical tent, I think."

Applejack looked around at all of the unconscious ponies. "Must be in the town square," she said. Can't think of anywhere else in town that could fit this tent. Why's it even here, though? Did somethin' happen to the hospital?"

"More to the point," said Rarity, "how did we get back in Ponyville? Last I can remember, we were in Canterlot to confront Discord."

"Hey, yeah," said Applejack. "That's right. We went up to his statue, used the Elements, an'..." She frowned in confusion. "I can't rightly remember what happened after that."

"After that was ten years," I muttered under my breath. "Look girls," I said out loud, "I barely understand what's going on as it is, and I'd rather only go through it once. Let's just wait for everypony else to be awake."

Applejack smirked. "Fine by me," she said. "Hey Rainbow!" she called over her shoulder, "the Wonderbolts are lookin' for you!"

The first time I saw Applejack use that line on Rainbow was a few days after I moved to Ponyville when she'd fallen asleep on the door to Applejack's apple cellar, and it still works just as well as it did three thirteen years ago. She leaped into the air and looked around squealing, "Wonderbolts? For me? Where? WHERE?" She quickly realized that Applejack had tricked her again and glared down at her. "Would you stop doing that!" she said. "It got really old after the twentieth time."

Applejack chuckled. "I'll stop doin' it when you stop fallin' for it," she said.

Before Rainbow could retort, we heard some soft laughter coming from my other side. We all looked to see Fluttershy blushing as she stifled her laughter. "Oh, I'm sorry, Rainbow," she said. "But, it was kind of funny."

"Fluttershy, darling!" said Rarity, standing up and walking around me to stand beside her. "You're up. How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I'm fine, Rarity," said Fluttershy. "I've actually been up for a while, but I didn't want to disturb anypony."

"Really?" I asked, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. "How long?"

"I woke up a little before you did, Twilight," she said. "When I saw you sit up, I was going to call out to you, but then Nurse Red Heart walked in and you called out to her. I didn't want to interrupt, so I pretended to be asleep."

"So you heard what we said?" I asked, trying not to look at Rarity or Applejack.

Fluttershy immediately ducked behind her bangs. "Oh, no," she said. "I would never try to eavesdrop. I heard a little, but not much." Even behind her bangs, I could see her eyes dart to Rarity and Applejack.

Applejack saw it too, and her eyes narrowed. "So what did you hear?" she asked.

"Applejack!" chastised Rarity. "There is no need to take that tone with Fluttershy."

Applejack looked at Rarity, face serious. "Rarity, I can tell when a pony's lyin' to me," she said. "Fluttershy ain't lyin' outright, but she's hidin' somethin'. An' I saw her sneakin' glances at you an' me." She looked back at Fluttershy, who squeaked and tried to hide further behind her bangs. "Twilight said somethin' 'bout comfortin' us, and I can only think of one thing specific to me an' Rarity. Somethin' happened to the Crusaders, didn't it?"

Rarity had been scowling at Applejack, but it was immediately replaced by a look of shock and concern. She turned to me and asked, "Twilight, is that true? Is there something wrong with Sweetie Bell?"

I sighed. There would be no more beating around the bush. "Calm down, girls," I said. "Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are fine, and Sweetie Bell should be too, just suffering from magic exhaustion."

Rarity look incredulous. "Magic exhaustion?" she said. "Twilight, I may not be the expert on magic that you are, but even I know that one needs to be able to channel magic in the first place in order to exhaust it. Sweetie Bell doesn't even have enough magic to lift a teacup."

"Rarity," I said, looking her dead in the eye, "Sweetie Bell performed seven teleports in rapid succession yesterday between Canterlot and Ponyville. On four of those teleports, she was carrying another pony."

Rarity's jaw dropped. She looked at Applejack. "I, I don't mean to accuse anypony of lying," she said, "but perhaps an exaggeration..."

"She's tellin' the truth, Rarity," said Applejack, raising an eyebrow. "Why? Is that hard?"

"Let me put it this way, Applejack," I said. "I was only able to perform five teleports, three of them with passenger, before collapsing."

Everypony else's jaws dropped. "But that's impossible!" exclaimed Rainbow. "Nopony but the princesses have more magic than you!"

"She's not more powerful," I said. "At least, I don't think she is. She just has better endurance. If I'd slowed down, I would have been able to out-teleport her easily."

"But, how?" asked Rarity. "How long were we unconscious for her to have grown so much?"

"Ten years." We all jumped and looked over to see a pony on one of the cots nearby getting to his hooves, a brown unicorn with a black mane and tail. "Ten years you've been gone," he said again, "and you haven't aged a day, have you?"

"Excuse me," I said, still a little startled, "but who are you?"

"And what do you mean, ten years?" asked Rarity.

"An' why were you pretendin' to be asleep?" asked Applejack.

"So many questions," said the unicorn arrogantly. "Well, let's go in order, shall we? My name is Show Stopper, Top Spy of Equestria." He bowed formally. "A pleasure to meet the personal student of Princess Celestia.

"As to what I meant," he continued, straightening up and looking at Rarity, "I mean that your confrontation with Discord's statue occurred ten years ago, from everypony else's perspective. You six have been in magical stasis somewhere these last ten years. At least," he shrugged, "that's the common theory. Mine involves time travel and an old legend about a blue box.

"And I was feigning sleep," he concluded, turning to Applejack, "in order to observe you in your most natural state to get a good feel for your characters."

"What do you mean, our characters?" demanded Rainbow. "What are you, some kind of actor or something?"

"Oh no," said Show Stopper, rolling his eyes. "I simply have a stage on my flank for fun." He turned to the side and showed us his cutie mark: a stage with the curtain half-way up.

"Well sorry," sneered Rainbow. "I don't spend my time staring at stalions' flanks."

"Save that for the mares, do you?" asked Show Stopper. He ignored Rainbow's look of outrage and continued. "Ponies hide behind masks around strangers, and they still have small ones even around their dearest friends. The best way for me to get to know what you're like was to watch you when you thought you were only amongst friends."

"And why the interest in us?" asked Rarity.

Show Stopper's face suddenly grew serious. "Because," he said, "you six are the only hope Equestria has of ending this civil war once and for all."

There was a moment where nopony spoke. Nopony moved. I barely dared to breathe. I'd hoped to break the news more slowly, even if I'd had no idea how I was going to do it. I wasn't expecting a good reaction. I expected shock, fear, anger, tears...

What I wasn't expecting was laughter: wild and unrestrained from Rainbow, soft and relieved from Fluttershy, and light and incredulous from Rarity.

"War?" laughed Rainbow. "In Equestria? Oh, oh that's rich!"

"I must say," chuckled Rarity, "you truly had me going for a moment."

Applejack's words froze everypony: "What war?"

Everypony looked over at Applejack. Her face was set, but her eyes shone with fear.

"Come on, AJ," said Rainbow lightly. "He's obviously lying, right?" Applejack's expression didn't change and Rainbow's confidence began to waver. "I mean, there's no way that's true," she looked over at me, desperation creeping into her voice, "right?"

I sighed. There was no going back now. "It's true," I said, facing my friends. "Equestria has been at war for seven years. It began three years after we vanished."

"But," whispered Applejack, "that means that Apple Bloom..." She trailed off, unable to continue.

"Sweetie Bell," whispered Rarity, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"They never stopped trying," I said quickly, trying to comfort them. "It was actually them and Scootaloo that found us."

"And as much as I'm sure you'd love to explain the situation to them," said Show Stopper, "the Generals have requested you presence post haste, and I'm here to escort you to them."

"I thought you were here to observe our characters," sneered Rainbow.

Show Stopper shrugged. "That was a personal objective," he said. "The Generals have appointed me to be your foal-sitter, so that's what I am until the blessed hour when I am no longer tethered to this tedious and talent wasting task. Now, chop-chop! Let's get a move on."

I was really starting to hate that stallion. "Well, we're not going anywhere until Pinkie wakes up," I said, nodding to our still sleeping friend. "We have no way to move her. Physically carrying her is impossible; she moves around too much while she sleeps. Magic won't work either. Any telekinesis spell that would work is too draining for me to use right now. And no offence, but I doubt that a show-pony knows the right spell, or would even be able to cast it."

Show Stopper chuckled as his horn lit up. "You'd be surprised what a show-pony can do," he said before releasing his spell in a bright flash of light.

When the light cleared, and my eyes stopped burning, I looked back at Show Stopper to see... ME! It wasn't just an illusion spell, that wouldn't have taken nearly that much magic, he had transformed into me. Down to the detail! He lit his horn, copying the aura of my magic perfectly. "Let's see," he mumbled in my voice. "Levitation. Levitation. Ah!" He opened his eyes and smirked. "I remember now."

A second later, he was trotting towards the front of the tent, a purple aura of magic levitating Pinkie Pie behind him. He stopped as he reached the tent flap and looked back at us. "Well," he said, "are you coming?" Not having much choice, and not wanting to loose sight of our friend, we followed them outside.

Ponyville is gone. I can't even say that it's changed. It's like they tore it down and started over from scratch, leaving only two or three buildings intact, and even those aren't unchanged. Quaint shops, beautiful flower gardens, and cutely decorated homes have been replaced by bleak stone warehouses, expansive training fields, and row upon endless row of military barracks. I saw my library in the distance, but it's been forced to grow taller through magic and has turned into a tower, the top leveled to form an observation deck. It's now also surrounded by bleak stone buildings labeled as archives. Everypony around us wore a military uniform and carried at least one weapon, their expressions serious and unchanging.

"It's a good thing everyone is so subdued and serious," said Show Stopper as we passed a large group of earth ponies, none of whom even spared us a glance. "If these sheep would even turn their eyeballs a little, they'd notice you for sure. Then we'd have to deal with questions, well-wishes, questions, crying and cheering, and lots of questions."

"I just don't believe this," said a subdued Rainbow Dash, her wings hanging limp at her sides.

"Believe it, Spectrum," said Show Stopper. "This isn't the Ponyville of sunshine and cute little critters anymore. This is the Ponyville of bleak stone and uniforms."

"Speaking of which," we all turned to see a very angry Nurse Red Heart stomping towards us from what I assume was the newer version of the Ponyville Hospital (which is now over twice as large as it used to be, and still doesn't have room for all of those ponies back in the infirmary), "why aren't you wearing yours?"

"Nurse Red Heart?" stammered Fluttershy nervously.

Nurse Red Heart's expression softened as she look over us. "It's good to see you again, Fluttershy," she said. "You too, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash." She frowned and looked back at Show Stopper. "And just where are you taking my patients?" she demanded.

"Hey, calm down, Hearts," said Show Stopper. "And as much as I'd like to take the credit, you lost your patience long ago."

Nurse Red Heart's eyes narrowed. "You can take credit for that one," she seethed.

Show Stopper shrugged. "touché" he admitted. "In reverse order, then. I think I'm taking them to the Generals, as are my orders. As to why I'm not in uniform, I, as a spy, am not in the army or air force, and I'm definitely not in the Gryphon Reserves, so what uniform would I wear?"

Nurse Red Heart rolled her eyes. "Oh I don't know," she said. "Maybe the one that the Generals themselves gave you?"

Show Stopper shrugged. "Touché," he admitted again. "I just don't like it. How'd you know that it was me, anyway?"

"By not being an idiot, that's how!" said Nurse Red Heart. "Twilight's to drained to manage that levitation right now, and I don't think she even knows a cloning spell."

"I don't," I said at the same time as Show Stopper said, "She doesn't" Ignoring my glare, he continued. "With them awake, you really can't argue against me leading these five to the Generals, and I've seen enough from this one," he jerked his head towards Pinkie, "to know that the Generals probably don't want to see her conscious."

Nurse Red Heart sighed in defeat. "I'm afraid you're right," she admitted.

"Of course I'm right!" said Show Stopper. He raised an eyebrow. "So, why are you here again?"

Nurse Red Heart glared so hard that I'm surprised that Show Stopper didn't burst into flames right then and there. "To give you grief and waste your time, of course!" she snapped. "You do that to everyone else so much, I figure that I should repay you as often as possible!" With that, she turned and stormed off back to the hospital.

"Wow," said Rainbow. "She hates you."

"I'm insubordinate," replied Show Stopper cheerfully. "Everyone hates me!"

"Got that right," chorused Rainbow and Applejack.

Show Stopper cringed. "Ouch," he said. "Double whammy. I'm so sad I might cry." Tears formed in his eyes, and I almost thought that he truly was sad.

"Oh well," he said cheerfully a moment later. "On to the Generals!"

He led us for a while longer until we came to what used to be the town square. The Town Hall has been torn down as well, nothing remaining of the original building. What stands there now is a simple building of stone that towers over all but my former library. Show Stopper led us up to the front door where two pegasi hovered, spears held ready in their hooves. Show Stopper walked up to them and sang, "Hello, boys. I'm ba-ack!" The guards didn't even blink as they looked over us, allowing only their eyes to move. Show Stopper shook his head in amusement. "Former Royal Canterlot Guards," he explained to us. "They're not the most versatile of strategists, but if they aren't the best fighters and the most disciplined warriors I've ever met, I'll eat my cutie mark." He looked back at the guards. "The Generals want to see these six. I'm their escort." The guards shared a brief look between themselves before nodding at Show Stopper. He nodded back and led us in.

Inside was a sparsely furnished lobby with several hallways branching off. We followed Show Stopper as he expertly navigated the hallways until even I was hopelessly lost. Finally, he stopped in front of a door that had a bronze plaque on it that read, "War Room." "Ladies," said Show Stopper, hoof on the door, "prepare to meet the three Generals of the Equestrian Military!" With that, he swung open the door.

The room beyond contained a large table, the top of which was a detailed map of Equestria. Stone markers lay on the table, mostly around or in cities, but occasionally on a road or in the wilderness, obviously representing soldiers. There were several magic lamps floating lazily around, illuminating the room. The room had three occupants apart from ourselves. One was a gryphon dressed in full armor, holding her helmet in one of her talons. The second was a magenta earth pony who's dark pink mane was cut short, and who's cutie mark was a trio of smiling flowers. The third was a gray pegasus with a yellow mane, a cutie mark of bubbles, and an eye-patch over her right eye. Even ten years older, there was still no mistaking them.

"Cheerilee!" gasped Rarity, unbelieving.

"Ditzy?" asked Applejack, incredulously.

"Gilda!" asked Rainbow, flabbergasted.

"That's General Gild, to you," Gilda replied, smirking. "I've got to admit, I'd thought you'd kicked the bucket, but it looks like I was wrong. Glad I was." She walked over and pulled Rainbow into a one armed hug. "It's great to see you again, Dash!"

Rainbow struggled out of her former friend's embrace and glared at her. "What the hay!" she demanded. "What's with the whole buddy-buddy thing? Last I saw of you, you'd scared Fluttershy into tears, insulted my friends, and called me a flip-flop before storming out of the party we threw for you!"

Gilda was shocked and looked a little offended. "Hey, Dash, come on," she said. "That was more than ten years ago. I was young and stupid! Besides, I already apologized for all that junk."

"Really," Rainbow sneered. "Because I never heard it."

Gilda was definitely peeved now. "Well, duh," she said. "You can't hear a letter."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "What letter?" she asked.

"The letter!" said Gilda angrily. "The one I sent you two months later! The one you never replied to! The one telling you about..." She slowly trailed off as she realized that Rainbow didn't have any idea what she was talking about. Her face became confused. "You didn't get it, did you?" she asked.

"Get what?" asked Rainbow, now more confused than angry.

Gilda was silent for a moment before she turned and glared at Ditzy. "You never got that letter to her?" she yelled.

Ditzy calmly closed her good eye and started mumbling to herself, "Gilda to Rainbow Dash... Gilda to Rainbow Dash... about ten years ago... oh." She opened her eye and shrugged at Gilda. "Your fault on that one," she said impassively. "There was insufficient postage and no return address. It ended up in junk mail."

Gilda's jaw dropped and she turned back to Rainbow. "Then you never read..." she said quietly. She shook her head and breathed deeply. "Guess I've got to do this right now then. Fluttershy," she looked over to Fluttershy, who squeaked and ducked behind Rarity, "I'm truly sorry for my behavior that day twelve years ago. There was absolutely no excuse for my behavior." She bowed her head.

Fluttershy nervously looked out from behind Rarity. "Oh, it's OK," she stammered, obviously still frightened. "It was a long time ago, right? I forgive you."

Gilda looked back up and Fluttershy squeaked again, ducking back behind Rarity. Gilda sighed. "Guess that one will take time for me to prove," she muttered. She looked at me next, standing erect and professional. "Twilight Sparkle," she said, her voice taking on a formal tone, "I would have liked to have delivered this address to the Princesses themselves, but I was of no station when they were available, and they are not present at this time. I hope that delivering it to Princess Celestia's personal student will suffice. I sincerely apologize for my words regarding ponies individually and in general. I was in all ways out of line. I have insulted the Princess's subjects, and thus, by implication, them and their nation." She sank into a low bow, as if Celestia herself stood before her. "I beg your forgiveness."

I was so shocked, only the training on composure that Princess Celestia had given me allowed my expression to remain neutral. (I often wish that that training carried over to social situations, rather than just political ones. note to self, practice social composure retention.) I cleared my throat and spoke as authoritatively as I could, probably sounding ridiculous in the process. "Gilda, although I am Princess Celestia's student, I have no political right to speak in her behalf." Gilda winced a little. "However," I continued, "it is my personal opinion, based on many years in her presence, that she would see the sincerity in your plea and grant you forgiveness immediately." Gilda looked up at me and I smiled down at her. Voice going back to normal, I said, "and I do too."

Gilda sighed in relief and straightened up. "Thank you, Twilight Sparkle," she said. "That is an ease off of my conscience." She turned to look at Rainbow Dash, but quickly looked down in shame. "Dash," she said, "I-"

She didn't get to finish as Rainbow leaped forward to embrace her. "I missed you too, G," she said.

Gilda smiled, returning the hug. "It's good to have you back, Dash," she said.

It was then that an extremely annoying stallion decided to interrupt. "Oh gag me with a spoon," said Show Stopper, back in his body and pretending to retch. "Can we please save the mushy stuff until after the briefing?" he pleaded.

"Though I would not have phrased it the same way as the thespian," said Cheerilee, speaking up for the first time, "I agree. The longer we wait, the longer the war goes on and the more ponies die. Or worse. Let us get this under way."

My jaw dropped, and so did those of the girls. It wasn't just what Cheerilee had said, it was the emotionless way that she'd said it. "Cheerilee," said Rarity tentatively, "is something wrong? You're not usually this, well..."

"Cruel," offered Applejack.

"Scary," whispered Fluttershy.

"Bad flank," said Rainbow.

"Bold," finished Rarity, deciding to ignore Rainbow. "What happened?"

"Seven years of watching my students kill each other happened," said Cheerilee coldly. "Now enough with the pleasantries. I realize that two of you have at least a basic understanding of the situation, but for the sake of the rest, I will explain the whole of it."

Cheerilee was merciless. Everything that she said I had heard from Scootaloo, but the way that she said it made me want to hide under a rock and never come out. By the end of it, Fluttershy was in tears, Rainbow's wings hung limp, Rarity seemed close to fainting, and Applejack's face had gone pale as a ghost.

"And that brings us to the present situation," finished Cheerilee. She turned to Ditzy and said, "General Doo, you are now free to brief them on their mission. Don't sugar-coat it. If you need me, I will be overseeing the drills at field three." With that, she left, not sparing us so much as another glance.

Ditzy smiled apologetically at us. "Sorry you had to hear her tell it," she said, "but she insisted. Said that we would have sugar-coated it."

"What happened to her?" gasped Fluttershy between sobs. "She was always so sweet, and cheerful, and kind."

Ditzy sighed. "It's like she said, Fluttershy," she said. "She's watched her students kill each other for seven years. She's even had to kill some of them herself. I don't think she'll ever really recover, even if your mission is successful."

"And what mission is that?" asked Applejack, still pale, but still standing strong.

Ditzy's face grew serious and she cleared her throat. "Twilight Sparkle," she said. "Rarity. Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash. Applejack. Pinkie Pie." Pinkie snorted and turned over in her sleep. Ditzy ignored her. "As General of the Equestrian Air Force, I hereby issue you six an assignment of national importance. You mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to travel outside the borders of Equestria to track down and reclaim the scattered Elements of Loyalty, Kindness, and Honesty and return them to Equestria. Our sources tell us that they reside with, respectively, the changelings, the deer, and the dragons. Show Stopper, your mission will be to accompany them as a guide and help them to complete their mission as soon as possible. Any questions?"

The room was silent for a moment before Show Stopper burst out laughing. "The changelings?" he exclaimed. "You're serious? OK, this escort mission suddenly makes SO much more sense. Ladies," he turned to grin at us, "you six have just undergone the marvelous transformation from a waste of my talents into a beautiful opportunity!" He turned back to Ditzy, saluting cockily. "General One-Eye, I cheerfully accept this mission!"

"OK," I said, "I'm confused. How is going into changeling territory a good thing?"

"Are you joking?" asked Show Stopper. "It's the best news I've heard in seven years!"

"Show Stopper spent about four years living amongst the changelings," Ditzy explained. "You see, shortly after the wedding of Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor-"

"During which the changelings invaded!" interrupted Rainbow Dash.

Ditzy nodded and continued. "-a changeling princess named Milkweek organized a coup against Queen Chrysalis. It wasn't hard; most of the nation had been against the invasion from the beginning. Milkweek banished Chrysalis and took over."

"It was around this time," chimed in Show Stopper, "that I discovered that nopony in Equestria had anything else to teach me about acting. I was already performing for the Princesses themselves, but I wanted more. I yearned to be the greatest thespian in history. So, I set my sights on the nation that had produced the greatest thespians of all time: the changelings! I spent nearly four years with them, during which time I further developed my talents. I also studied their transformation magic, and created a spell based off of it, one that gives me not only the form, but also the mentality and memories of those who I imitate."

"Wait," I said as that last bit sank in. "You just said memories. You..." I felt my face flush. "You had my memories? And my body? That's just... just..."

"Disturbin'," said Applejack.

"Leud!" exclaimed Rarity.

"Perverted," sneered Rainbow.

Gilda and Ditzy laughed as Show Stopper covered his face with a hoof. "Why does everypony always assume that?" he muttered. "Do I look like a pervert to you?" he asked, looking up and glaring at us. "A liar? Perhaps. A jerk? Definitely. But a pervert?"

"Well, what else were we supposed to think?" I exclaimed. "If that spell gave you not only my body, but my memories as well," I flushed as I tried to force those particular memories out of my head, "well, how would that not be the case?"

Show Stopper sighed. "I only have the memories of those I copy when I'm in their form," he explained. "I don't retain them. I don't even remember the spell that I used to levitate Cotton Candy over there, and I don't remember what it is that's making you flush like a tomato," he smirked, "though I could hazard a guess as to what it involves."

"Getting back on topic," said Ditzy, getting control of her giggles, "are there any more questions?"

The room was silent for a moment before Fluttershy piped up. "Um, what about the other three Elements?" she asked.

Ditzy and Gilda shared a look. Gilda nodded and Ditzy nodded back. Turning back to us, she said, "Concerning the Elements of Laughter and Generosity, we have no right to withhold them from their rightful Bearers any longer. The company that has them will return tonight, and they will be returned to you tomorrow. As for the Element of magic," she shook her head, "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"Anything else?" asked Gilda.

The silence was longer this time, but just as Gilda opened her beak to speak again, Applejack cleared her throat. "I was hopin' somepony else would ask," she said, "but it looks like that ain't happenin'." She took a deep breath and dropped the bomb. "What happened to our families?" she asked.

Gilda and Ditzy flinched. "I was kind of hoping that you wouldn't think about that until you were all on you way," Ditzy admitted. "Maybe we should talk to each of you alone."

"No way!" exclaimed Rainbow. "What if there's something wrong with Applejack's family? Or Fluttershy's? Applejack takes too much on herself without letting anypony else help, and Flutts is too nice to 'bother us' with her problems. And don't look at me like that," she said to Applejack, who was glaring at her. "You know it's true! If there's anything wrong with my friend's families, I want to know so that I can help them!"

"And what if there are deaths involved?" asked Ditzy coldly.

Rainbow held her gaze, deadly serious, and asked, "Who do you think helped Scootaloo?"

We could have heard a pin drop in Canterlot. We stared slack-jawed at Rainbow as she stared Ditzy down. Ditzy had been taken aback as much as the rest of us, and she never stood a chance. She sighed. "Rainbow Dash. Rarity. Fluttershy. Your families are all fighting for Equestria. Most of Pinkie Pie's family is still on their rock farm, but Octavia is our Champion at Arms. She's recovering right now from her latest battle. Applejack," she glanced briefly up at Rainbow, who was still staring her down, "I'm sorry. Granny Smith passed away eight years ago. It was before the war."

Applejack just nodded. I think she'd expected that. "An' Macky?"

Ditzy was silent. She looked up and opened her mouth, but when she saw the pleading look on Applejack's face, she shook her head and looked back down. "I'm sorry, Applejack," she said. "He was a hero."

Tears filled Applejack's eyes. "How'd it happen?" she asked.

Ditzy glanced pleadingly at Gilda, who cleared her throat. "The first attack in the war was the Battle of Ponyville. It would have been a massacre if it weren't for him. Big Macintosh, later dubbed 'The Stalwart', sent a pegasus to Cloudsdale for backup, and rallied the ponies of Ponyville to defend the town. By the time reinforcements arrived, he was the only one still standing. The rest had fled, or were too injured to continue. He refused to allow the unicorns even an inch of ground, fighting through spell and sword alike. He killed many, and incapacitated many more. By the time the pagasi arrived, the unicorns were already considering retreat. Big Macintosh the Stalwart refused to stand down until the last unicorn disappeared from view." Gilda hesitated. "As soon as they did, he collapsed. Two days later he succumbed to his injuries. He truly was a hero."

Tears ran freely down Applejack's cheeks, but her face was full of pride. "Ain't that just like him," she whispered. "Defendin' his home an' kin right to the very end."

The rest of us were crying too. Rainbow quickly wiped her tears away and looked at Ditzy again. "And Twilight's family," she asked.

Ditzy looked up at me. "They're alive, at least," she said. "Both of your parents are on the side of Utopia, but they're among the lucky few civilians."

I sighed in relief. At least they were safe. "And Shining Armor?" I asked.

Ditzy shook her head. "That's where the bad news really starts," she said. My heart dropped. "You see," continued Ditzy, "while the generals of Equestria are Gilda, Cheerilee, and myself, the generals of the Utopian army are General Trixie... and General Armor."

Two-thirds of Applejack's family is dead. Most of the rest of our families are soldiers. My BBBFF is the enemy general.

And I still can't help but laugh when I think of the name, "General Trixie!" All of us were rolling around and laughing for a good five minutes before we finally gained enough control to even speak.

"Oh, oh man," wheezed Rainbow. "That's rich!"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie? A general?" gasped Fluttershy. "I'm sorry, but that's, that's..."

"The most ridiculous thing I've heard all day," finished Rarity, "and that is truly saying something."

"How in Equestria," I asked, "or rather, in Utopia, did Trixie become a general?"

"She used the Element of Magic to vaporize ten companies of gryphons with a single spell," said Gilda.

All laughter stopped. We looked at Gilda who just stood there, face hard as a stone. "I'm sorry," I said softly. "We all are. We didn't know."

She shrugged. "It was a long time ago," she said, "near the beginning of the alliance."

"Any other questions?" asked Ditzy. Nopony spoke up. "In that case," she continued, "do you six accept this mission as citizens of Equesria?"

Nopony was surprised when Rainbow and Applejack immediately chorused, "I'll do it!"

"No way would I abandon Equestria when it needs me!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

"An' there ain't no way I couldn't do everythin' I can," said Applejack. "Especially after what y'all said about Macky." She wiped away the last of her tears and stood tall and proud. "Besides," she continued, "I ain't never lost to him at nothin'. Figure the only way to outdo him this time is to end this war once an' for all."

"I'll do it too," said Rarity. "The sooner this war is over, the sooner my family is safe."

"I'll go too," said Fluttershy. "I don't want ponies hurting each other any more. Besides," her eyes lit up, "I've never seen a deer before. Oh, I'm so excited. I can't wait!"

I looked around at the girls, each one willing to risk unknown dangers for Equestria. I have never been more proud to call them my friends. "I know that Pinkie Pie would agree," I said. "She'd do anything to help ponies smile again." I smiled and saluted Ditzy. "General Doo, on behalf of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, I accept this mission. We will secure the lost Elements of Loyalty, Kindness, and Honesty and return!"

Ditzy smiled. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear," she said.

"Preparations will take most of tomorrow," said Gilda. "You will depart the day after that. Until tomorrow, dismissed!"

Show Stopper led us back outside and to the barracks that we're currently in, saying that we could probably use it for a while.

"What do you mean by, 'probably'?" asked Rarity.

"Well," said Show Stopper, "nopony's seen or heard from this battalion in three months. They're assumed dead, but who knows? They may show up tomorrow and kick you out." He smiled wide. "And on that note, I bid you ladies, adieu!" He turned and walked out of the barracks.

"I don't like him," said Rainbow right after the door closed.

"Well," said Rarity, looking around the barracks with a disapproving eye, "we'd best get used to him if he is to be our guide."

"Not likely," said Applejack. "Y'all heard what he said. Everypony hates him!"

"Oh come on," said a voice from the doorway. "He isn't that bad."

We all turned to see Scootaloo leaning against the door-frame. "Scootaloo!" I said, walking over. "How's Sweetie Bell? She must be exhausted after all of those teleports yesterday."

Scootaloo shrugged and walked in. "Yeah," she said. "Nurse Red Heart says she'll be out for about a week. It's a good thing, too. We all needed a break. By the way," she looked at Applejack who's jaw, like everypony else's, was dropped, "it's good to see you again, Applejack. She's waiting outside."

It took Applejack a few moments to get what she meant, but when she did she squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and walked out the door, not looking back. Scootaloo sighed. "Hope she'll be OK," she muttered. She smiled at the rest of the girls. "It's good to see the rest of you too, Rarity. Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash."

"Scootaloo," Fluttershy eventually whispered. "Is that really you?"

"In the flesh and feathers," replied Scootaloo.

"We'd heard that you were all older," said Rarity, shaking her head, "but to actually see it for ourselves..."

"Yep," said Scootaloo, grinning cockily. "Ten years older, ten years stronger, and ten years more without a cutie mark."

Today was apparently a day for long silences and dropped jaws. "You're joking," Rainbow eventually said. "Right?"

Scootaloo turned to show her flank which was, unbelievably, blank! I hadn't noticed yesterday, since it had been under her uniform (which I vaguely wondered why she wasn't wearing then), but she still didn't have a cutie mark.

"But that's impossible," said Fluttershy. "How could you still not have it? You're already twenty!"

"It's not just me," explained Scootaloo. "Nopony's gotten their cutie marks since the Princesses disappeared."

"Oh, I guess that that makes sense," I said.

"It does?" asked Rainbow. "How?"

"Cutie marks are the result of a spell cast and maintained by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna working together," I explained. "It was cast soon after they conquered Discord."

"They saw that many ponies were struggling to get back on their feet after the Reign of Chaos," added Scootaloo. "Lots of them had no idea what they should do with the rest of their lives, so Princess Luna got the idea to show everypony what they're best at."

"That's right," I said, impressed. "How'd you know that?"

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Because I was one of the three oldest blank-flanks in Ponyville," she said. "Bloom, Sweets and I learned as much as we could about them."

"Geeze," said Rainbow. "I can't imagine how much grief you must have gotten. Especially from those two bullies who always bothered you three."

Scootaloo shrugged. "Yeah well Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were the only ones who even brought it up after the war started," she said. "They kept it up right up until the day they died."

Fluttershy winced. "Oh, please don't say that so casually," she said. "It's so sad."

Scootaloo sighed. "Fluttershy, you're going to have to get used to it," she said. "Everyone's a little stone-hearted these days. Besides, they died three years ago. Even if we'd been friends, I would still be over it by now."

"Three years isn't that long," said Rarity.

"It is if you're a soldier," said Scootaloo, looking at her watch. "But five minutes isn't, even if you fly. We'd better get back before TAPS, or we'll be stuck on KP until Sweets wakes up." She smiled up at us again. "It's really great too see you all again," she said. "See you tomorrow!" With that, she zipped out the door.

Applejack walked in a few minutes later, tears once again on her cheeks, and a smile on her face. Rainbow walked over to her. "How'd it go?" she asked.

Applejack wiped away her tears. "Good," she said softly. "She's grown a lot, an' she seen far more than I would've ever wanted her to, but she's still Apple Bloom deep down."

Rainbow pulled Applejack into a tight hug, surprising everypony, including Applejack. She whispered something in Applejack's ear, and, after a moment, Applejack smiled and nodded. Rainbow broke the hug and headed towards one of the beds. "Got a big day tomorrow," she said as if nothing had happened. "We should probably get some shut-eye."

"Yeah," said Applejack, clearing away one last tear. She turned towards another bed and said, "Good night everypony."

I turned to my own bed, and was surprised to find a small book sitting on my pillow. It was small, brown, and had the word "Journal" stamped across the front.

"Anypony else got a journal on their bed?" asked Applejack.

"I've got one as well," said Rarity.

"Same here," I said.

"There's a not on mine," said Rainbow. "It says, 'Dear Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, please record every day in your new journals. you never know when you might need them. General Ditzy Doo, Equestrian Air Force.'"

"Oh sure," spat Applejack. "Just what we need, to re-live this day long enough to write it down. Oh, and then we get to remember this nightmare whenever we go back to read this. Great idea."

"I agree with Applejack," I said. "Normally I'd be all for keeping a journal, but this is one period of my life that I won't want to reminisce on later."

"Anypony got some ink?" called Rainbow. We looked over to see her lying on her bed, her journal open in front of her.

"Um, Rainbow dear," said Rarity, "what are you doing?"

"What's it look like?" asked Rainbow, examining her left wing. Nodding to herself, she grabbed one of her feathers in her teeth and pulled. We all winced as she grunted in pain. "I'm writing in my journal," she said. "Now do you have any ink, or what?"

"Of course not," said Rarity. "Why would I? More to the point, why are you, of all ponies, so eager to record this dreadful day?"

"Because if I don't," said Rainbow, getting up and walking over to Pinkie, "then I'll probably forget a lot of it. I want to remember today."

"Why in Equestria would you want to remember today, of all days?" I asked.

"Because," said Rainbow, rummaging in Pinkie's mane, "I for one want to be able to move on from this when it's all over, and the first step to thaYEOUCH!!!" She pulled her hoof out of Pinkie's mane to find a mousetrap closed on it. "Seriously?" she asked, ripping it off. "Why does she carry around a live mousetrap in there?" She shook her head and went back to rummaging. "Anyway," she continued, "the first step is to accept that it happened. The best way to do that is to write it all down." She pulled out a vial of ink (how she knew it was in there, I'm not sure) and went back to her bed and started writing. "So that's what I'm doing," she concluded.

"Really, dear," said Rarity. "You're talking like a grief counselor. How would you know about any of this?"

Rainbow looked up and said, "Sunshine." Applejack and Fluttershy winced and Rainbow went back to writing.

"Sunshine?" I asked confused, looking at Applejack. "What does she mean, 'sunshine'?"

Applejack shook her head. "That ain't for me to say, Twi," she said, "but I'd take her advise if I were you."

Rarity and I were taken aback. With a single word, Applejack had gone from wanting to practically burn the journals to saying that we should use them. I wonder what this 'sunshine' is about?

When Rainbow finished, the ink and improvised quill passed to Applejack, Fluttershy, and, after a moment of hesitation, Rarity. Now I have them,  and everypony else is asleep. I don't know how Rainbow expects this to help, but I'll trust her for now.

Your faithful student,

Good Night,

Signing off,

I have no idea how to end a journal entry, so I'll just sign my name until I figure it out.

Twilight Sparkle